THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 

 
 'I SAW HIM GASP, REEL, AND FALL."

 
 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 A NARRATIVE 
 
 or 
 
 in tfje fflSEestrai 
 
 THE EITLOITS OF DANIEL BOONE, THE GREAT AMERICAN PIONEER 
 ARE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED 
 
 r 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 \CCOUNTS OF BEAR, DEER, AND BUFFALO HUNTS DESPERATE CONFLICTS 
 
 vV'ITH THE SAVAGES WOLF HUNTS FISHING AND FOWLING 
 
 ADVENTURES ENCOUNTERS WITH SERPENTS, ETC. 
 
 MEW STEREOTYPE EDITION, ALTERED, REVISED, AND CORRECTED 
 
 BY J. B. JONES. 
 
 AUTHOR OF " THK WAS, PATH," " ADVENTUBES OF A COUNTRY MERCHANT," IN. 
 
 f Ilosirateb foitlj Sktetn dngrabings from rigtnal ^esi 
 
 JTJ T " VT> 77* 1" ^W^f lr^ ^ T^ ^ Sr f*l (\ 
 x>. ill .r Jr I n iJ \> 1 1 oc C'l/. 
 
 1875.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, b 
 
 J. B. JONES, 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 BTEEEOTTPED BT L. JOHNSON ft 00. 
 PHn.ATiF1.PHTA-
 
 rs 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 WHEN a work of fiction has reached its fortieth edition, one 
 
 would suppose the author might congratulate himself upon 
 
 having contributed something of an imperishable character to 
 
 & tne literature of the country. But no such pretensions are 
 
 tJ> asserted for this production, now in its fortieth thousand. 
 
 >- Being the first essay of an impetuous youth in a field where 
 
 CSC 
 
 giants even have not always successfully contended, it would 
 29 be a lash assumption to suppose it could receive from those 
 who confer such honors any high award of merit. It has been 
 ^ before the public some fifteen years, and has never been reviewed. 
 ^. Perl aps the forbearance of those who wield the cerebral scalpels 
 may not be further prolonged, and the book remains amenable to 
 2 the judgment they may be pleased to pronounce. 
 
 To that portion of the public who have read with approbation 
 BO many thousands of his book, the author may speak with 
 greater confidence. To this class of his friends he may make 
 & disclosures and confessions pertaining to the secret history of the 
 o "Wild Western Scenes," without the hazard of incurring their 
 j.j displeasure. 
 
 Like the hero of his book, the author had his vicissitudes in 
 U boyhood, and committed such indiscretions as were incident to 
 one of his years and circumstances, but nevertheless only such 
 as might be readily pardoned by the charitable. Like Glenn, he 
 submitted to a voluntary exile in the wilds of Missouri. Hence 
 the description of scenery is a true picture, and several characters 
 in the scenes were real persons. Many of the occurrences actually 
 transpired in his presence, or had been enacted in the vicinity at
 
 4 PREFACE. 
 
 no remote period ; and the dream of the hero his visit to the 
 haunted island was truly a dream of the author's 
 
 But the worst miseries of the author were felt when his work 
 was completed j he could get no publisher to examine it. He 
 then purchased an interest in a weekly newspaper, in the 
 columns of which it appeared in consecutive chapters. Tho 
 subscribers were pleased with it, and desired to possess it in a 
 volume; but still no publisher would undertake it, the author 
 had no reputation in the literary world. He offered it for fifty 
 dollars, but could find no purchaser at any price. Believing the 
 British booksellers more accommodating, a friend was employed 
 to make a fair copy in manuscript, at a certain number of cents 
 per hundred words. The work was sent to a British publisher, 
 with whom it remained many months, but was returned, accom 
 panied by a note declining to treat for it. 
 
 Undeterred by the rebuffs of two worlds, the author had his 
 cherished production published on his own account, and was 
 remunerated by the sale of the whole edition. After the tardj 
 Bale of several subsequent editions by houses of limited influence, 
 the book had the good fortune, finally, to fall into the hands of 
 the gigantic establishment whose imprint is now upon its title- 
 page. And now, the author is informed, it is regularly and 
 liberally ordered by the London booksellers, and is sold with an 
 increasing rapidity in almost every section of the Union. 
 
 Such are the hazards, the miseries, and sometimes the rewards, 
 of authorship. 
 
 J. B. J. 
 
 BURLINGTON, N J., March, 1856.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER L 
 
 Pin 
 
 Gienn and Joe Their horses A storm A black stump A rough 
 turn ore Moaning Stars Light A log fire Tents, and some 
 thing to eat Another stranger, who turns out to be well known 
 Joe nas a snack He studies revenge against the black stump 
 Boone proposes a bear hunt 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Boone hunts the bear Hounds and terriers Sneak Punk, the 
 hatchet-face Another stump The high passes The bear roused 
 The chase A sight A shot A wound Not yet killed His 
 meditations His friend, the bear The bear retreats Joe takes 
 courage Joe fires Immense execution Sneak The last strug 
 gle Desperation of the bear His death Sneak's puppies Joe 19 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Glenn's castle Mary Books A hunt Joe and Pete A tumble 
 An opossum A shot Another tumble A doe The return 
 They set out again A mound A buffalo An encounter Night 
 Terrific spectacle Escape Boone Sneak Indians 83 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The retreat Joe. makes a mysterious discovery Mary A disclo 
 sure Supper Sleep A cat Joe's flint The watch Mary 
 The bush The attack Joe's musket again The repulse The 
 
 starting rally The desperate alternative Relief... 48 
 
 1*
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 MM 
 
 strange excursion A fairy scene Joe is puzzled acd fright 
 enedA wonderful discovery Navigation of the upper regions 
 A crash No bones broken 66 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 hunt A deer taken The hounds Joe makes a horrid discovery 
 Sneak The exhumation 77 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Doone The interment Startling intelligence Indians about A 
 skunk Thrilling fears Boone's device 87 
 
 CHAPTER VHI. 
 
 Night Sagacity of the bounds Reflection The sneaking savages 
 Joe's disaster- The approach of the foe under the snow The 
 silent watch 99 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Sneak kills a sow that "was not all a swine" The breathless sus 
 pense The match in readiness Joe's cool demeanour The match 
 ignited Explosion of the mine Defeat of the savages The cap 
 tive His liberation The repose The kitten Morning Ill 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The dead removed The wolves on the river The wolf hunt Gum 
 fetid Joe's incredulity His conviction His surprise His pre 
 dicament His narrow escape 126 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Mary Hei meditations Her capture Her sad condition Her 
 mental sufferings Her escape Her recapture 139
 
 CONTENT*. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 FAB1 
 
 joe's indisposition His cure Sneak's reformation The pursuit 
 The captive Indian Approach to the encampment of the savages 
 Joe's illness again The surprise The terrific encounter Res 
 cue of Mary Capture of the young chief The return 164 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The return The young chief in confinement Joe's fun His re 
 ward The ring A discovery William's recognition Memories 
 of childhood A scene Roughgrove's history The children's pa 
 rentage 169 
 
 CHAPTER XTV. 
 
 William's illness Sneak's strange house Joe's courage The bee 
 hunt Joe and sneak captured by the Indians Their sad condi 
 tion Preparations to burn them alive Their miraculous escape 185 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 Glenn's History 20S 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Balmy Spring Joe's curious dream He prepares to catch a fish 
 Qlenn William and Mary Joe's sudden and strange appear 
 ance La-u-na, the trembling fawn The fishing sport The 
 ducking frolic Sneak and the panther 22 
 
 CHAPTER XVn. 
 
 The bright morning Sneak's visit Glenn's heart The snake hunt 
 Love and raspberries Joe is bitten His terror and suffer 
 ings Arrival of Boone Joe's abrupt recovery Preparations 
 to leave the West Conclusion ... 24J
 
 WILD WESTERN SCENES 
 
 A NARRATIVE OF ADVENTURES. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Glenn and Joe Their horses A storm A black stump A rough 
 tumble Moaning Stars Light A log fire Tents, and something 
 to eat Another stranger, who turns out to be well known Joe has 
 a snack He studies revenge against the black stump Boone pro 
 poses a bear hunt. 
 
 " Do you see any light yet, Joe ?" 
 
 "Not the least speck that ever was created, except the 
 lightning, and it's gone before I can turn my head to look 
 at it." 
 
 The interrogator, Charles Glenn, reclined musingly in a 
 two-horse wagon, the canvas covering of which served in 
 some measure to protect him from the wind and rain. His 
 servant, Joe Beck, was perched upon one of the horses, 
 his shoulders screwed under the scanty folds of an oil-cloth 
 cape, and his knees drawn nearly up to the pommel of the 
 saddle, to avoid the thumping bushes and briers that occa 
 sionally assailed him, as the team plunged along in a stum 
 bling pace. Their pathway, or rather their direction, fo' 
 there was no beaten road, lay along the northern bank of 
 the " Mad Missouri," some two hundred miles above the 
 St. Louis settlement. It was at a time when there were 
 no white men in those regions save a few trappers, traders, 
 and emigrants, and each new sojourner found it convenient 
 to carry with him a means of shelter, as housep of any 
 description were but few and far between.
 
 10 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Our travt tilers had been told in the morning, when set 
 ting out from a temporary village which consisted of a few 
 families of emigrants, with whom they had sojourned the 
 preceding night, that they could attain the desired point 
 by making the river their guide, should they be at a loss 
 to distinguish the faintly-marked pathway that led in a 
 more direct course to the place of destination. The storm 
 coming up suddenly from the north, and showers of hail 
 accompanying the gusts, caused the poor driver to incline 
 his face to the left, to avoid the peltings that assailed him 
 80 frequently ; and the drenched horses, similarly influenced, 
 had unconsciously departed far from the right line of march ; 
 and now, rather than turn his front again to the pitiless 
 blast, which could be the only means of regaining the road, 
 Joe preferred diverging still farther, until he should find 
 himself on the margin of the river, by which time he hoped 
 the storm would abate. At all events, he thought there 
 would be more safety on the beach, which extended out a 
 hundred paces from the water, among the small switches 
 of cotton-wood that grew thereon, than in the midst of the 
 tall trees of the forest, where a heavy branch was every 
 now and then torn off by the wind, and thrown to the earth 
 with a terrible crash. Occasionally a deafening explosion 
 of thunder would burst overhead ; and Joe, prostrating 
 himself on the neck of his horse, would, with his eyes closed 
 and his teeth set, bear it out in silence. He spoke not, 
 save to give an occasional word of command to his team, or 
 a brief reply to a question from his master. 
 
 It was an odd spectacle to see such a vehicle trudging 
 along at such .an hour, where no carriage had ever passed 
 before. The two young men were odd characters ; the 
 horses were oddly matched, one being a little dumpy black 
 pony, and the other a noble white steed ; and it was an 
 odd whim which induced Glenn to abandon his comfort 
 able home in Philadelphia, and traverse such inclement 
 wilds. But love can play the " wild" with any young man. 
 Yet we will not spoil our narrative by introducing any of it 
 here. Nor could it have been love that induced Joe to 
 share his master's freaks ; but rather a rare penchant for 
 the miraculous adventures to be enjoyed in the western wil 
 derness, and the gold which his master often showered upon 
 him with a reckless hand. Joe's forefathers were from the
 
 A NARRATIVE. 13 
 
 Isle of Erin, and although he had lost the brogue, ne still 
 retained some of their superstitions. 
 
 The wind continued to blow, the wolves howled, the light 
 ning flashed, and the thunder rolled. Ere long the little 
 black pony snorted aloud and paused abruptly. 
 
 "What ails you, Pete?" said Joe from his lofty position 
 on the steed, addressing his favourite little pet. "Get 
 along," he continued, striking the animal gently with his 
 whip. But Pete was as immovable and unconscious of the 
 lash as would have been a stone. And the steed seemed 
 likewise to be infected with the pony's stubbornness, after 
 the wagon was brought to a pause. 
 
 "Why have you stopped, Joe?" inquired Glen. 
 
 " I don't hardly know, sir ; but the stupid horses won't 
 budge an inch farther !" 
 
 "Very well; we can remain here till morning. Take 
 the harness off, and give them the corn in the box; we can 
 sleep in the wagon till daylight." 
 
 "But we have no food for ourselves, sir ; and I'm vastly 
 hungry. It can't be much farther to the ferry," continued 
 Joe, vexed at the conduct of the horses. 
 
 "Very well ; do as you like ; drive on, if you desire to 
 do so," said Glenn. 
 
 " Get along, you stupid creatures !" cried Joe, applying 
 the lash with some violence. But the horses regarded him 
 no more than blocks would have done. Immediately in 
 front he perceived a dark object that resembled a stump and 
 turning the horses slightly to one side, endeavoured to urge 
 them past it. Still they would not go, but continued to re 
 gard the object mentioned with dread, which was manifested 
 by sundry restless pawings and unaccustomed snorts. Joe 
 resolved to ascertain the cause of their alarm, and springing 
 to the ground, moved cautiously in the direction of the dark 
 obstruction, which still seemed to be a blackened stump, 
 about his own height, and a very trifling obstacle, in hia 
 opinion, to arrest the progress of his redoubtable team. 
 The darkness was intense, yet he managed to keep his eyes 
 on the dim outlines of the object as he stealthily approach 
 ed And he stepped as noiselessly as possible, notwith 
 standing he meditated an encounter with nothing more than 
 ttu inanimate object. But his imagination was always on 
 Jhe alert, and as he often feared dangers that arose unde
 
 12 WILD WESTERN SCENES C 
 
 finable and indescribable in his mind, it was not without 
 some trepidation that he had separated himself from the 
 horses and groped his way toward the object that had so 
 much terrified his pony. He paused within a few feet of the 
 object, and waited for the next flash of lightning to scruti 
 nize the thing more closely before putting his hand upon it, 
 But no flash came, and he grew tired of standing. He 
 stooped down, so as to bring the upper portion of it iu a line 
 with the sky beyond, but still he could not make it out. He 
 ventured stiti nearer, and stared at it long and steadily, but 
 to no avail: the black mass only was before him, seemingly 
 inanimate, and of a deeper hue than the darkness around. 
 " I've a notion to try my whip on you," said he, thinking 
 if it should be a human being it would doubtless make a 
 movement. He started back with a momentary conviction 
 that he heard a rush creak under its feet. But as it still 
 maintained its position, he soon concluded the noise to have 
 been only imaginary, and venturing quite close gafe it a 
 smart blow with his whip. Instantaneously poor Joe was 
 rolling on the earth, almost insensible, and the dark object 
 disappeared rushing through the bushes into the woods. 
 The noise attracted Glenn, who now approached thw scene, 
 and with no little surprise found his servant lyin^ on his 
 face. 
 
 "What's the matter, Joe?" demanded he. 
 " Oh, St. Peter ! preserve me !" exclaimed Joe. 
 "What has happened ? Why do you lie there ?" 
 " Oh, I'm almost killed ! Didn't you see him I" 
 " See what ? I can see nothing this dark night but the 
 flying clouds and yonder yellow sheet of water." 
 
 " Oh, I've been struck !" said Joe, groaning piteously. 
 " Struck by what ? Has the lightning struck you ?" 
 "No no ! my head is all smashed up it was a bear." 
 " Pshaw ! get up, and either drive on, or feed the horses," 
 said Glenn with some impatience. 
 
 " 1 call all the saints to witness that it was a wild bear 
 a great wild bear ! I thought it was a stump, but just as 
 I struck ic a flash of lightning revealed to my eyes a big 
 black bear standing on his hind feet, grinning at me, and 
 he gave me a blow on the side of the face, which hap en 
 tirely blinded my left eye, and set my ears to ringing like 
 a thousand bells. Just feel the blood on roy face."
 
 A DARK ENCOUNTER. P. 12.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 13 
 
 Glenn actually felt something which might be blood, and 
 fually had thought he could distinguish the stump himself 
 when the wagon halted ; yet he did not believe that -Joe 
 had received the hurt in any other manner than by striking 
 his face against some hard substance which he could not 
 
 O 
 
 avoid in the darkness. 
 
 " You only fancy it was a bear, Joe ; so come along back 
 to the horses and drive on. The rain has ceased, and the 
 stars are appearing." Saying this, Glenn led the way to 
 the wagon. 
 
 " I'd be willing to swear on the altar that it was a huge 
 frear, and nothing else !" replied Joe, as he mounted and 
 drove on, the horses now evincing no reluctance to proceed. 
 One after another the stars came out and shone in purest 
 brightness as the mists swept away, and ere long the whole 
 canopy of blue was gemmed with twinkling brilliants. 
 The winds soon lulled, and the uense forest on the right 
 reposed from the moaning gale which had disturbed it a 
 short time before ; and the waves that had been tossed into 
 foaming ridges now spent their fury on the beach, each 
 lashing the bank more gently than the last, until the power 
 of the gliding current swept them all down the turbid stream. 
 Soon the space between the water and the forest gradually 
 diminished, and seemed to join at a point not far ahead. 
 Joe observed this with some concern, being aware that to 
 meander among the trees at such an hour was impossible. 
 He therefore inclined toward the river, resolved to defer 
 his re-entrance into the forest as long as possible. As he 
 drove on he kept up a continual groaning, with his head 
 hung to one side, as if suffering with the toothache, and 
 occasionally reproaching Pete with some petulance, as if a 
 portion of the blame attached to his sagacious pony. 
 
 " Why do you keep up such a howling, Joe ? Do you 
 really suffer much pain ?" inquired Glenn, annoyed by his 
 man's lamentations. 
 
 "It don't hurt as bad as it did but then to think that I 
 was such a fool as to go right into the beast's clutches, 
 when even Pete had more sense !" 
 
 " If it was actually a bear, Joe, you can boast of the 
 thrilling encounter hereafter," said Glenn, in a joking and 
 partly consoling manner. 
 
 " But it' i have many more such, I fear I shall never get
 
 '4 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 back to relate them. My face is all swelled Huzza! 
 yonder is a light, at last ! It's on this side of the river, 
 and if we can't get over the ferry to-night, we shall have 
 something to eat on this side, at all events. Ha ! ha ! ha ! 
 I see a living man moving before the fire, as if he were 
 roasting meat." Joe forgot his wound in the joy of an 
 anticipated supper, and whipping the horses into a brisk 
 pace, they soon drew near the encampment, where they 
 discovered numerous persons, male and female, who had 
 been prevented from crossing the river that day, in con 
 sequence of the violence of the storm, and had raised their 
 tents at the edge of the woods, preferring to repose thus 
 until the following morning than to venture into the frail 
 ferry-boat while the waves yet ran so high. 
 
 There was no habitation in the immediate vicinity, save 
 a rude hovel occupied by Jasper Roughgrove and his ferry 
 men, which was on the opposite shore in a narrow valley 
 that cleft asunder the otherwise uniform cliff of rocks. 
 
 The creaking of the wheels, when the vehicle approached 
 within a few hundred paces of the encampment, attracted 
 the watch-dogs, and their fierce and continued barking 
 drew the attention of the emigrants in the direction indi 
 cated. Several men with guns in their hands came out to 
 meet the young travellers. 
 
 " We are white men, friends, strangers, lost, benighted, 
 and hungry !" exclaimed Joe, stopping the horses, and 
 addressing the men before he was accosted. 
 
 " Come on, then, and eat and rest with us," sard they, 
 amused at Joe's exclamations, and leading the way to the 
 encampment. 
 
 When they arrived at the edge of the camp, Glenn dis 
 mounted from the wagon, and directing Joe to follow when 
 he had taken care of the horses, drew near the huge lo/j 
 fire in company with those who had gone out to meet him. 
 Several tall and spreading elms towered in majesty above, 
 and theft clustering leaves, yet partially green, notwif.h 
 standing the autumn was midway advanced, were beautifully 
 tinged by the bright light thrown upward from the glaring 
 flames. The view on one side was lost in the dark labyrinth 
 of the moss-grown trunks of the forest. On the other swept 
 the turbid river, bearing downward in its rapid current 
 severed branches, and even whole trees, that had been swept
 
 A NARRATIVE. 15 
 
 away by the continual falling m of the river bank, for the 
 sandy soil was always subject to the undermining of the 
 impetuous stream. A circle of tents was formed round thft 
 fire, constructed of thin poles bent in the shape of an arch, 
 and the ends planted firmly in the earth. These were 
 covered with buffalo skins, which would effectually shield 
 the inmates from the rain ; and quantities of leaves, after 
 being carefully dried before the fire, were placed on the 
 ground within, over which were spread buffalo robes with the 
 hair uppermost, and thus in a brief space was completed 
 temporary but not uncomfortable places of repose. The ends 
 of the tents nearest to the fire were open, to admit the heat 
 and a portion of light, that those who desired it might retire 
 during their repast, or engage in pious meditation undis 
 turbed by the more clamorous portion of the company. 
 
 Glenn paused when within the circle, and looked with 
 some degree of interest on the admirable arrangement of 
 those independent and hardy people. A majority of the 
 emigrants were seated on logs brought thither for that pur 
 pose, and feasting quietly from several large pans and well- 
 filled camp-kettles, which were set out for all in com'-iaon. 
 They motioned Glenn to partake with them ; and although 
 many curious looks were directed toward him, yet he was 
 not annoyed by questions while eating. Joe came in, and 
 following the example of the rest, played his part to per 
 fection, without complaining once of his wound. 
 
 The feast was just finished, when the dogs again set up a. 
 furious yelping, and ran into the forest. But they returned 
 very quickly, some of them whining with the hurts received 
 from the strangers they encountered so roughly ; and present 
 ly they were followed by several enormous hounds, and soon 
 after an athletic woodsman was seen approaching. This 
 personage was a tall muscular man, past the middle age, but 
 agile and vigorous in all his motions. He was habited in a 
 buck-skin hunting-shirt, and wore leggins of the same ma 
 terial. Although he was armed with a long knife and heavy 
 rifle, and the expression of his brow and chin indicated an 
 unusual degree of firmness and determination, yet there was 
 an openness and blandness in the expression of his features 
 which won the confidence of the beholder, and instantly 
 dispelled every apprehension of violence. All of the emi 
 grants had either seen or heard of him before, for his
 
 [6 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 was not only repeated by every tongue in the territory, b\ 
 was familiar in every State in the Union, and not unknowi, 
 in many parts of Europe. He was instantly recognised by 
 the emigrants, and crowding round, they gave him a heartj 
 welcome. They led him to a conspicuous seat, and forming 
 a circle about him, were eager to catch every word that 
 might escape his lips, and relied with implicit confidence 
 on every species of information he imparted respecting the 
 dangers and advantages of the locations they were about to 
 visit. Boon'e had settled some three miles distant from 
 the ferry, among the hills, where his people were engaged 
 in the manufacture of salt. He had selected this place of 
 abode long before the general tide of emigration had reached 
 so far up the Missouri. It was said that he pitched his tent 
 among the barren hills as a security against the intrusion 
 of other men, who, being swayed by a love of wealth, would 
 naturally seek their homes in the rich level prairies. It is 
 true that Boone loved to dwell in solitude. But he was no 
 misanthrope. And now, although questions were asked 
 without number, he answered them with cheerfulness ; ad 
 vised the families what would be necessary to be done when 
 their locations were selected, and even pressingly invited 
 them to remain in his settlement a few days to recover from 
 the fatigue of travel, and promised to accompany them after 
 ward over the river into the rich plains to which they were 
 journeying. 
 
 Lhiring the brisk conversation that had been kept up for 
 a great length of time, Glenn, unlike the rest of the com 
 pany, sat at a distance and maintained a strict silence. 
 Occasionally, as some of the extraordinary feats related of 
 the person before him occurred to his memory, he turned 
 his eyes in the direction of the great pioneer, and at each 
 time observed the gaze of the woodsman fixed upon him. 
 Nevertheless his habitual listlessness was not disturbed, and 
 he pursued his peculiar train of reflections. Joe likewise 
 treated the presence of the renowned Indian fighter with 
 apparent unconcern, and being alone in his glory, dived 
 the deeper into the saucepan. 
 
 Boone at length advanced to where Glenn was sitting, 
 and after scanning his pale features, and his costly 
 Vhough not exquisitely-fashioned habiliments, thus ad- 
 4ressed him :
 
 A NARRATIVE. 17 
 
 "Ycung man, may I inquire what brings thee to these 
 
 " I am a freeman," replied Glenn, somewhat haughtily, 
 " and may be influenced by that which brings other men 
 !iither." 
 
 " Nay, young man, excuse the freedom which all expect 
 to exercise in this comparative wilderness ; but I am very 
 sure there is not another emigrant on this side of the Ohio 
 who has been actuated by the same motives that brought 
 thee hither. Others come to fell the forest oak, and till 
 the soil of the prairie, that they may prepare a heritage for 
 their children ; but thy soft hands and slender limbs are 
 unequal to the task ; nor dost thou seem to have felt the 
 want of this world's goods ; and thou bringest no family to 
 provide for. Thou hast committed that which banished 
 thee from society, or found in society that which disgusted 
 thee speak, which of these ?" said Boone, in accents, 
 though not positively commanding, yet they produced a sense 
 of reverence that subdued the rising indignation of Glenn, 
 and looking upon the interrogator as the acknowledged 
 host of the eternal wilds, and himself as a mere guest, who 
 might be required to produce his testimonials of worthiness 
 to associate with nature's most honest of men, he replied 
 with calmness, though with subdued emotion 
 
 " You are right, sir it was the latter. I had heard that 
 you were happy in the solitude of the mountain-shaded 
 valley, or on the interminable prairies that greet the horizon 
 in the distance, where neither the derision of the proud, 
 the malice of the envious, nor the deceptions of pretended 
 love and friendship, could disturb your peaceful medita 
 tions: and from amid the wreck of certain hopes, which I 
 once thought no circumstances could destroy, I rose with a 
 determined though saddened heart, and solemnly vowed 
 to seek such a wilderness, where I could pass a certain 
 number of my days engaging in the pursuits that might be 
 most congenial to my disposition. Already I imagine I 
 experience the happy effects of my resolution. Here the 
 whispers of vituperating foes cannot injure, nor the smiles 
 of those fondly cherished deceive." 
 
 "Your hand, young man," said Boone, with an earnest 
 ness which convinced Glenn that his tale was not impru 
 dently divulged. 
 
 2*
 
 18 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "Ho! what's the matter with you?" Boone continued, 
 turning to Joe, who had just arisen from his supper, and 
 was stretching back his shoulders. 
 
 " I got a licking from a bear to-night but I don't mind 
 it much since I've had a snack. But if ever I come across 
 him in the daytime, I'll show him a thing or two," said 
 Joe, with his fists doubled up. 
 
 " Pshaw ! do you still entertain the ridiculous belief that 
 it was really a bear you encountered ?" inquired Glenn, 
 with an incredulous smile. 
 
 " I'll swear to it !" replied Joe. 
 
 " Let me see your face," remarked Boone, turning him 
 to where there was more light. 
 
 " Hollo! don't squeeze it so hard!" cried Joe, as Boone 
 removed some of the coagulated blood that remained or 
 the surface. 
 
 "There is no doubt about it it was a bear, most cer 
 tainly," said Boone ; and examining the wound more closely, 
 continued: " Here are the marks of his claws, plain enough: 
 he might easily be captured to-morrow. Who will hunt 
 him with me?" 
 
 "I will !" burst from the lips of nearly every one present. 
 
 "Huzza revenge! I'll have revenge, huzza!" cried Joe, 
 throwing round his hat." 
 
 "You will join us?" inquired Boone, turning to Glenn. 
 
 "Yes," replied Glenn; "I came hither provided with 
 the implements to hunt; and as such is to be principally 
 my occupation during my sojourn in this region, I could 
 not desire a more happy opportunity than the present to 
 make a beginning. And as it is my intention to settle 
 near the ferry on the opposite shore, I am pleased to find 
 that I shall not be far from one whose acquaintance I hoped 
 to make, above all others." 
 
 "And you may not find me reluctant to cultivate a social 
 intercourse, notwithstanding men think me a crabbed old 
 misanthrope," replied Boone, pressing the extended hand 
 of Glenn. They then separated for the night, retiring to 
 the tents that had been provided for them. 
 
 It was not long before a comparative silence pervaded 
 the scene. The fierce yelpings of the watch-dogs gradu 
 ally ceased, and the howling wolf was but indistinctly heard 
 u the distance. The katydid and \vhippoor\vill stil! sang ai
 
 A NARRATIVE. 19 
 
 intervals, and these sounds, as well as the occasional -whirl 
 pool that could be heard rising on the surface of the gliiing 
 stream, had a soothing influence, and lulled to slumber the 
 wandering mortals who now reclined under the forest trees, 
 far from the homes of their childhood and the grares of 
 their kindred. Glenn gazed from his couch through the 
 branches above at the calm, blue sky, resplendent with 
 twinkling stars ; and if a sad reflection, that he thus lay, a 
 lonely being, a thousand miles from those who had been 
 most dear to him, dimmed his eye for an instant with a 
 tear, he still felt a consciousness of innocence within, and 
 resolving to execute his vow in every particular, he too was 
 soon steeped in undisturbed slumber. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Boone hunts the bear Hounds and terriers Sneak Punk, the Hatchet- 
 face Another stump The high passes The bear roused The chasa 
 A sight A shot A wound Joe His meditations His friend, the 
 bear The bear retreats Joe takes courage He fires Immense 
 execution Sneak The last struggle Desperation of the bear His 
 death Sneak's puppies Joe. 
 
 BY the time the first streaks of gray twilight marked the 
 eastern horizon, Boone, at the head of the party of hun 
 ters, set out from the encampment and proceeded down the 
 river in the direction of the place where Joe had been so 
 roughly handled by Bruin. All, with the exception of 
 Glenn and his man, being accustomed to much walking, 
 were on foot. Glenn rode his white steed, and Joe was 
 mounted on his little black pony. The large hounds be 
 longing to Boone, and the curs, spaniels, and terriers of 
 the emigrants were all taken along. As they proceeded 
 down the river, Boone proposed the plan of operationa 
 which was to guide their conduct in the chase, and each 
 man was eager to perform his part, whatever it might bo. 
 (t was arranged that a portion of the company should pro-
 
 20 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 cede the rest, and cross the level woodland about two miles 
 in width, to a range of hills and perpendicular cliffs that 
 appeared to have once bounded the river, and select such 
 ravines or outlets as in their opinion the bear would be most 
 likely to pass through, if he were indeed still in the flat 
 bottom-land. At these places they were to station them 
 selves with their guns well charged, and either await the 
 coming of the animal or the drivers ; the first would be 
 announced by the yelping of the dogs, and the last by the 
 hunters' horns. 
 
 Glenn and one or two others remained with Boone to 
 hunt Bruin in his lair, while Joe and the remainder of the 
 company were despatched to the passes among the hills. 
 There was a narrow-featured Vermonter in this party, 
 termed, by his comrades, the Hatchet-face, and, in truth, 
 the extreme thinness of his chest and the slenderness of his 
 limbs might as aptly have been called the hatchet-handle. 
 But, so far from being unfit for the hardy pursuits of a 
 hunter, he was gifted with the activity of a greyhound, 
 and the swiftness and bottom of a race-horse. His name 
 was Sneak Punk, which was always abbreviated to merely 
 Sneak, for his general success in creeping up to the un 
 suspecting game of whatsoever kind he might be hunting, 
 while others could not meet with such success. He had 
 been striding along some time in silence a short distance 
 in advance of Joe, who, even by dint of sundry kicks and 
 the free use of his whip, could hardly keep pace with him. 
 The rest were a few yards in the rear, and all had main 
 tained a strict silence, implicitly relying on the guidance 
 of Sneak, who, though he had never traversed these woods 
 before, was made perfectly familiar with the course he was 
 to pursue by the instructions of Boone. 
 
 Although the light of morning was now apparent above, 
 yet the thick growth of the trees, whose clustering branches 
 mingled in one dense mass overhead, made it still dark 
 and sombre below ; and Joe, to divert Sneak from his un 
 conscionable gait, which, in his endeavours to keep up, 
 often subjected him to the rude blows of elastic switches, 
 and many twinges of overhanging grape vines, essayed to 
 engage his companion in conversation. 
 
 "1 say, Mr. Sneak," observed Joe, with an eager voice. 
 W his pony trotte 1 along rather roughly through the wild
 
 A NARRATIVE. 21 
 
 gooseberry bushes, and often stumbled over the decayed 
 logs that lay about. 
 
 "What do you want, stranger?" replied Sneak, slacken 
 ing his gait until he fell back alongside of Joe. 
 
 " I only wanted to know if you ever killed a bear before," 
 said Joe, drawing an easy breath as Pete fell into a com 
 fortable walk. 
 
 "Dod rot it, I hain't killed this one yit," said Sneak. 
 
 "I didn't mean any offence," said Joe. 
 
 "What makes you think you have given any?" 
 
 "Because you said dod rot it." 
 
 " I nearly always say so I've said so so often that I 
 can't help it. But now, as we are on the right footing, I 
 can tell you that I wintered once in Arkansaw, and that's 
 enough to let you know I'm no greenhorn, no how you can 
 fix it. And moreover, I tell you, if old Boone wasn't here 
 hisself, I'd kill this bar as sure as a gun, and my gun is as 
 sure as a streak of lightning run into a barrel of gunpow 
 der;" and as he spoke he threw up his heavy gun and 
 saluted the iron with his lips. 
 
 "Is your's a rifle ?" inquired Joe, to prolong the conver 
 sation, his companion showing symptoms of a disposition 
 to fall into his habit of going ahead again. 
 
 "Sartainly! Does anybody, I wonder, expect to do 
 any thing with a shot-gun in sich a place as this?" 
 
 " Mine's a shot-gun," said Joe. 
 
 " Dod did you ever kill any thing better than a .quail 
 with it?" inquired Sneak, contemptuously. 
 
 "I never killed any thing in my life with it I nevet 
 shot a gun in all my life before to-night," said Joe. 
 
 " Dod, you haven't fired it to-night, to my sartain know 
 ledge." 
 
 "I mean 1 never went a shooting." 
 
 "Did you load her yourself?" inquired Sneak, taking 
 hold of the musket and feeling the calibre. 
 
 "Yes but I'm sure I did it right.. I put in a handful 
 of powder, and paper on top of it, and then poured in a 
 handful of balls," said Joe. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! I'll be busted if you don't raise a fuss 
 if you ever get a shot at the bar!" said Sneak, with em 
 phasis. 
 
 "That's what I am after."
 
 2 WILD WESTERN SCENES 
 
 "Why don't you go ahead?" demanded Sneak, as Joe's 
 pony stopped suddenly, with his ears thrust forward. 
 "Dod! whip him up," continued he, seeing that his com 
 panion was intently gazing at some object ahead, and ex 
 hibiting as many marks of alarm as Pete. "It's nothing 
 but a stump !" said Sneak, going forwards and kicking the 
 object, which was truly nothing more than he took it to be. 
 Joe then related to him all the particulars of his noctural 
 uffair with the supposed stump, previous to his arrival at 
 the camp, and Sneak, with a hearty laugh, admitted that 
 both he and the pony were excusable for inspecting all the 
 stumps they might chance to come across in the dark in 
 future. They now emerged into the open space which was 
 the boundary of the woods, and after clambering up a 
 steep ascent for some minutes, they reached the summit of 
 a tall range of bluffs. From this position the sun could be 
 seen rising over the eastern ridges, but the flat woods that 
 had been traversed still lay in darkness below, and silent 
 as the tomb, save the hooting of owls as they flapped to 
 their hollow habitations in the trees. 
 
 The party then dispersed to their coverts under the direc 
 tion of Sneak, who with a practised eye instantly perceived 
 all the advantageous posts for the men, and the places 
 where the bear would most probably run. Joe had insisted 
 on having his revenge, and begged to be stationed where 
 he would be most likely to get a shot. He was therefore 
 permitted to remain at the head of the ravine they had 
 just ascended, through which a deer path ran, as the most 
 favourable position. After tying Pete some paces in the 
 rear, he came forwards to the verge of the valley and seated 
 himself on a dry rock, where he could see some distance 
 down the path under the tall sumach bushes. He then 
 commenced cogitating how he would act, should Bruin have 
 the hardihood to face him in the daytime. 
 
 Boone and his party drew near the spot where the bear 
 had been seen the previous night. The two large hounds, 
 Ringwood and Jowler, kept at their master's heels, being 
 trained to understand and perform all the duties required 
 6f them, while the curs and terriers were running helter- 
 skelter far ahead, or striking out into the woods without 
 im, and always returning without effecting any thing At 
 tength the two hounds paused, and scented the earth, giv-
 
 A NARRATIVE. 23 
 
 ing certain information that they had arrived at the dtsired 
 point. The curs and terriers had already passed far be 
 yond the spot, being unable to decide any thing by the nose, 
 and always relying on their swiftness in the chase when 
 they should be in sight of the object pursued. 
 
 Now, Glenn perceived to what perfection dogs could be 
 trained, and learned, what had been a matter of wonder to 
 him, how Boone could keep up with them in the chase. 
 The hounds set off at a signal from their master, not like 
 an arrow from the bow, but at a moderate pace, ever and 
 anon looking back and pausing until the men came up; 
 while the erratic curs flew hither and thither, chasing every 
 hare and squirrel they could find. As they pursued the 
 trail they occasionally saw the foot-print of the animal, 
 which was broad and deep, indicating one of enormous 
 size. Presently they came to a spot thickly overgrown 
 with spice-wood bushes and prickly vines, where he had 
 made his lair, and from the erect tails of Ringwood and 
 Jowler, and the intense interest they otherwise evinced, it 
 Was evident they were fast approaching the presence of 
 Bruin. Ere long, as they ran .along with their heads up, 
 for the first time that morning, they commenced yelping in 
 clear and distinct tones, which rang musically far and wide 
 through the woods. The curs relinquished their unprofit 
 able racing round the thickets, attracted by the hounds, 
 and soon learned to keep in the rear, depending on the 
 unerring trailing of the old hunters, as the object of pursuit 
 was not yet in sight. The chase became more animated, 
 and the men quickened their pace as the inspiring notes 
 of the hounds rang out at regular intervals. Glenn soon 
 found he possessed no advantage over those on foot, who 
 wer? able to run undfcr the branches of the trees, and glide 
 through the thickets with but little difficulty, while the rush 
 of his noble steed was often arrested by the tenacious vines 
 clinging to the bushes abreast, and he was sometimes under 
 the necessity of dismounting to recover his cap or whip. 
 
 It was not long before the notes of Ringwood and Jowler 
 suddenly increased in sharpness and quickness, and the 
 curs and terriers, hitherto silent, set up a confused medley 
 of sounds, which reverberated like one continuous scream. 
 They had pounced upon the bear, and from the stationary 
 position of the dogs for a few minutes, indicated by then
 
 24 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 peculiar baying, it was evident Bruin had turned to survey 
 the enemy, and perhaps to give them battle ; but it seemt J 
 that their number or noise soon intimidated him, and that 
 ne preferred seeking safety in flight. How Boone could 
 possibly know beforehand which way the bear would run, 
 was a mystery to Glenn; but that he often abandoned the 
 direction taken by the dogs, turning off at almost right 
 angles, and still had a, sight of him was no less true. Nc 
 one had yet been near enough to fire with effect. The bear, 
 notwithstanding his many feints and novel demonstrations 
 to get rid of his persecutors, had continued to make towards 
 the hills where the standers were stationed. Boone falling 
 in with Glenn, from whom he had been frequently sepa 
 rated, they continued together some time, following the 
 course of the sounds towards the east. 
 
 "This sport is really exciting and noble!" exclaimed 
 Glenn, as the deep and melodious intonations of Ringwood 
 and Jowler fell upon his ear. 
 
 "Excellent! excellent!" replied Boone, listening in 
 tently, and pausing suddenly, as the discharge of a gun in 
 the direction of the hills sounded through the woods. 
 
 " He has reached the standers," remarked Glenn, rein 
 ing up his steed at Boone's side. 
 
 'No; it was one of our men who has not followed him 
 in all his deviations," replied Boone, still marking the notes 
 of the hounds. 
 
 "I doubt not our company is sufficiently scattered in 
 every direction through the forest to force him into the 
 ailld very speedily, if, indeed, that shot was not fatal," re 
 marked Glenn. 
 
 " He is not hurt perhaps it was not fired at him, but 
 \t a bird nor will he yet leave thefwoods," said Boone, 
 till listening to the hounds. " He comes!" he exclaimed 
 * moment after, with marks of joy in his face; "he will 
 aiake a grand circle before quitting the lowland." Arid 
 now the dogs could be heard more distinctly, as if they 
 were gradually approaching the place from which they first 
 started. 
 
 "If you will remain here," continued Boone, "it is quite 
 likely you will have a shot as he makes his final push for 
 the hills." 
 
 "Then here will I remain," replied Glenn; arid fixing
 
 A NARRATIVE. 25 
 
 tumse'.f firmly in the saddle, resolved to await the coming 
 of Bruin, having every confidence in the intimation of his 
 friend. Boonc selected a position a few hundred paces 
 distant, with a view of permitting Glenn to have the first 
 fire. 
 
 The bear took a wide circuit towards the river, pausing 
 at times until the foremost of the dogs came up, which he 
 could easily manage to keep at bay ; but when all of them 
 (and the curs did good service now) surrounded him, he 
 found it necessary to set forward again. When he had run 
 as far as the river, and turned once more towards the hills, 
 his course seemed to be in a direct line with Glenn, and the 
 young man's heart fluttered with anticipation as he ex 
 amined his gun, and turned his horse (which had been ac 
 customed to firearms) in a favourable position to give the 
 enemy a salute as he passed. Nearer they came, the dogs 
 pursuing with redoubled fierceness, their blood heated by 
 the exercise, and their most sanguine passions roused by 
 their frequent severe skirmishes with their huge antagonist. 
 As they approached, the strange and simultaneous yelp 
 ings of the curs and terriers resembled an embodied roar, 
 amid which the flute-like notes of Ringwood and Jowler 
 could hardly be heard. Glenn could now distinctly hear 
 the bear rushing like a torrent through the bushes, almost 
 directly towards the place where he was posted, and a mo 
 ment after it emerged from a dense thicket of hazel, and 
 the noble steed, instead of leaping away with affright, threw 
 back his ears and stood firm, until Glenn fired. Bruin 
 uttered a howl, and halting with a fierce growl, raised 
 himself on his haunches, and displaying his array of white 
 teeth, prepared to assail our hero. Glenn proceeded to re 
 load his rifle with as much expedition as was in his power, 
 though not without some tremor, notwithstanding he was 
 mounted on his tall steed, whose nostrils dilated, and eyea 
 flashing fire, indicated that he was willing to take part in 
 the conflict. The bear was preparing for a dreadful en 
 counter, and on the very eve of springing towards his as 
 sailant, when the hounds coming up admonished him to flee 
 hiu more numerous foes, and turning off, he. continued his 
 route towards the hills. Glenn perceived that he had not 
 missed his aim by the blood sprinkled on the bushes, and 
 being ready for another fire, galloped after him. Just when
 
 a\j WILD WKSTEKN SCENES t 
 
 he caine in sight, Boone's gun was heard, and Bruin fell, 
 remaining motionless for a moment ; but ere Glenn arrived 
 within shooting distance, or Boone could reload, he had 
 risen and again continued his course, as if in defiance of 
 everything that man could do to oppose him. 
 
 " Is it possible he still survives !" exclaimed Glenn, join 
 ing his companion. 
 
 " There is nothing more possible," replied Boone ; " but 
 I saw by his limping that your shot had taken effect." 
 
 "And I saw him fall when you fired," said Glenn ; "but 
 he still runs." 
 
 " And he will run for some time yet," remarked Boone, 
 " for they are extremely hard to kill, when heated by the 
 pursuit of dogs. But we have done our part, and it now 
 remains for those at the passes to finish the work so well 
 begun." 
 
 Joe's imagination had several times worked him into a 
 fury, which had as often subsided in disappointment, dur 
 ing the chase below, every particle of which could be dis 
 tinctly heard from his position. More than once, when a 
 brisk breeze swept up the valley, he was convinced that 
 his enemy was approaching him, and, every nerve quiver 
 ing with the expectation of the bear coming in view the 
 next instant, he stood a spectacle of eagerness, with per 
 haps a small portion of apprehension intermingled. At 
 length, from the frequent deceptions the distance practiced 
 upon him, he grew composed by degrees, and resuming his 
 seat on the stone, with his musket lying across his knees, 
 thus gave vent to his thoughts : " What if an Indian were 
 to pounce upon me while I'm sitting here?" Here he 
 paused, and looked carefully round in every direction. 
 "No"!" he continued; "if there were any at this time in 
 the neighbourhood, wouldn't Boone know it ? To be sure he 
 would, and here's my gun I forgot that. Let them come 
 as eoon as they please ! I wonder if the bear will come 
 out here ? Suppose he does, what's the danger ? Didn't I 
 grapple with him last night ? And couldn't I jump on 
 Pete and get away from him ! But pshaw ! I keep for 
 getting my gun I wish he would come, I'd serve him 
 worse than he served me last night ! My face feels very 
 sore this morning. There !" he exclaimed, when he heard 
 the fire of Glenn's gun, and the report that succeeded tVoto
 
 A NARKATIVE. 27 
 
 Boone's, " they've floored him as dead as a nail, I'll bet. 
 Hang it ! I should like to have had a word or two with him 
 myself, to have told him I hadn't forgotten his ugly grin. 
 The men must have known I would stand no chance of 
 killing him when they placed me up here. I should like 
 to know what part of the sport I've had ough !" exclaimed 
 he, his hair standing upright, as he beheld the huge bear, 
 panting and bleeding, coming towards him, and not twenty 
 paces distant ! 
 
 Bruin had eluded the dogs a few minutes by climbing a 
 bending tree at the mouth of the valley, from which he 
 passed to another, and descending again to the earth, pro 
 ceeded almost exhausted up the ravine. Joe's eyes grew 
 larger and larger as the monster approached, and when 
 within a few feet of him he uttered a horrible unearthly 
 sound, which attracted the bear, and fearing the fatal aim 
 of man more than the teeth of the dogs, he whirled about, 
 with a determination to fight his way back, in preference 
 to again risking the murderous lead. No sooner was the 
 bear out of sight, and plunging down the dell arnid the cries 
 of the dogs, which assailed him on all sides, than Joe be 
 thought him of his gun, and becoming valorous, ran a few 
 steps down the path and fired in the direction of the con 
 fused melee. The moment after he discharged his musket, 
 the back part of his head struck the earth, and the gun made 
 two or three end-over-end revolutions up the path behind 
 him. Never, perhaps, was such a rebound from overloading 
 known before. Joe now thought not of the bear, nor looked 
 to see what execution he had done. He thought of his own 
 person, which he found prostrate on the ground. When 
 somewhat recovered from the blow, he rose with his hand 
 pressed to his nose, while the blood ran out between his 
 fingers. " Oh ! my goodness !" he exclaimed, seating him 
 self at the root of a pecan tree, and rocking backwards and 
 forwards. 
 
 "What's your gun doing up here?" exclaimed Sneak, 
 coming down the path. Joe made no answer, but continued 
 to rock backwards and forwards most dolefully. 
 
 "Why don't you speak? Where's the bar ?" 
 
 "I don't know. Oh !" murmured Joe. 
 
 " What's the matter ?" inquired Sneak, seeing the copi- 
 me effusion of blood.
 
 28 WILD WESTERN SCENES. 
 
 * I shot off that outrageous musket, and it's kicked my 
 nose to pieces ! I shall faint !" said Joe, dropping his head 
 between his knees. 
 
 "Faint? I never saw a man faint!" said Sneak, listen 
 ing to the chase below. 
 
 " Oh ! can't you help me to stop this blood ?" 
 
 "Don't you hear that, down there ?" replied Sneak, his 
 attention entirely directed to that which was going on in 
 the valley. 
 
 " My ears are deafened by that savage gun ! I can't hear 
 a bit, hardly ! Oh, what shall I do, Mr. Sneak ?" continued 
 Joe. 
 
 "Dod rot it !" exclaimed Sneak, leaping like a wild buck 
 down the path, and paying no further attention to the 
 piteous lamentations of his comrade. 
 
 Ere the bear reached the mouth of the glen, the hunters 
 generally had come up, and poor Bruin found himself 
 hemmed in on all sides. He could not ascend on either 
 hand, the loss of blood having weakened him too much to 
 climb over the almost precipitous rocks, and he made a 
 final stand, determined to sell his life as dearly as possible. 
 The dogs sprang upon him in a body, and it was soon evi 
 dent that his desperate struggles were not harmless. He 
 grasped one of the curs in his deadly hug, and with his 
 teeth planted in its neck, relinquished not his hold until 
 it fell from his arms a disfigured and lifeless object. He 
 boxed those that were tearing his hams with his ponderous 
 claws, sending them screaming to the right and left. He 
 then stood up on his haunches, with his back against a rock, 
 and with a snarl of defiance resolved never to retreat " from 
 its firm base." Never were blows more rapidly dealt. 
 When attacked on one side, he had no sooner turned to beat 
 down his sanguine foe than he was assailed on the other. 
 Thus he fought alternately from right to left, his mouth 
 gaping open, his tongue hanging out, and his eyes gleaming 
 furiously as if swimming in liquid fire. At times he was 
 charged simultaneously in front and flank, when for an 
 instant the whole group seemed to be one dark writhing 
 mass, uttering a medly of discordant and horrid sounds. 
 But determined to conquer or die on the spot he occupied, 
 B"uin never relaxed his blows, until the bruised and 
 exhausted dogs were forced to withdraw' a. n'-onicnt
 
 A NARRATIVE. 29 
 
 fc'ne combat, and rush into the narrow rivulet. While they 
 lay panting in the water, the bear turned his head back 
 against the rocks, and lapped in the dripping moisture 
 without moving from his position. But he was fast sinking 
 under his wounds : a stream of blood, which constantly 
 issued from his body, and ran down and discoloured the 
 water, indicated that his career was nearly finished. Yet 
 his spirit was not daunted; for while the canine assailants 
 ne had withstood so often were bathing preparatory for" a 
 renewal of the conflict, Boone and Glenn, who had ap 
 proached the immediate vicinity, fired, and Bruin, echoing 
 the howl of death as the bullets entered his body, turned 
 his eyes reproachfully towards the men for an instant, and 
 then, with a growl of convulsed, expiring rage, plunged 
 into the water, and, seizing the largest cur, crushed him to 
 death. Ringwood and Jowler, whose sagacity had hitherto 
 led them to keep in some measure aloof, knowing their efforts 
 would be unavailing against so powerful an enemy without 
 the fatal aim of their master, now sprang forward to the 
 rescue, both seizing the prostrate foe by the throat. But he 
 could not be made to relinquish his victim, nor did he make 
 resistance. Boone, advancing at the head of the hunters, 
 (all of whom, with the exception of Joe and Sneak, being 
 there assembled,) with some difficulty prevented his com 
 panions from discharging their guns at the dark mass be 
 fore them. He struck up several of their guns as they 
 were endeavouring to aim at the now motionless bear, fear 
 ing that his hounds might suffer by their fire, and stooping 
 down, whence he could distinctly see the pale gums and 
 tongue, as his hounds grappled the neck of the animal, an 
 nounced the death of Bruin, and the termination of the 
 hunt. The hounds soon abandoned their inanimate victim, 
 and its sinewy limbs relaxing, the devoted cur rolled out a 
 lifeless body. 
 
 "How like you this specimen of our wild sports?" in 
 quired Boone, turning to Glenn, as the rest proceeded to 
 skin and dress the bear preparatory for its conveyance to 
 the camp. 
 
 "It is exciting, if not terrific and cruel," replied Glenn, 
 reusing. 
 
 "None could be more eager than yourself in the chase,' 
 4aid Boone.
 
 80 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "True," replied Glenn; "and notwithstanding the un 
 initiated may for an instant revolt at the spilling of blood, 
 yet the chase has ever been considered the noblest and the 
 most innocent of sports. The animals hunted are often an 
 evil while running at large, being destructive or dangerous; 
 but even if they were harmless in their nature, they are 
 still necessary or desirable for the support or comfort of 
 man. Blood of a similar value is spilt everywhere without 
 the least compunction. The knife daily pierces the neck 
 of the swine, and the kitchen wench wrings off the head 
 of the fowl while she hums a ditty. This is far better than 
 hunting down our own species on the battle-field, or ruining 
 and being ruined at the gaming-table. I think I shall be 
 content in this region." 
 
 " And you will no doubt be an expert hunter, if I have 
 any judgment in such matters," replied Boone. 
 
 " I wonder that Joe has not yet made his appearance," 
 remarked Glenn, approaching the bear ; "I expected ere 
 this to have seen him triumphing over his fallen enemy." 
 
 "What kind of a gun had he ?" inquired Boone. 
 
 " A large musket," said Glenn, recollecting the enormous 
 explosion that seemed to jar the whole woods like an earth 
 quake ; " it must have been Joe who fired he had certainly 
 overcharged the gun, and I fear it has burst in his hands, 
 which may account for his absence." 
 
 "Be not uneasy," replied Boone; "for I can assure you 
 from the peculiar sound it made that it did nothing more 
 than rebound violently ; besides, those guns very rarely 
 burst. But here comes Sneak, (I think they call him so,) 
 no doubt having some tidings of your man. It seems he 
 has not been idle. He has a brace of racoons in his hands." 
 
 The tall slim form of Sneak was seen coming down the 
 path. Ever and anon he cast his eyes from one hand to the 
 other, regarding with no ordinary interest the dead animals 
 he bore. 
 
 "I did not hear him fire," remarked Glenn. 
 
 "He may have killed them with stones," said Boone; 
 and as Sneak drew near, he continued, with a smile; "they 
 are nothing more than a brace of his terriers, that doubtless 
 Bruin dispatched, and which may well be spared, notwith 
 standing Sneak's seeming sorrow." 
 
 Sneak approached the place wher Boone a;-.'l (Jilcrin
 
 A NARRATIVE. 31 
 
 were standing, with the gravest face that man ever wore. 
 His eyes seemed to be set in his head, for not once did they 
 wink, nor did his lips move for some length of time after 
 he threw down the dogs at the feet of Glenn, although 
 several men addressed him. He stood with his arms folded, 
 and gazed mournfully at his dead dogs. 
 
 " The little fellows fought bravely, and covered them 
 selves with glory," said Glenn, much amused at the solemn 
 demeanour of Sneak. 
 
 " If there ain't more blood spilt on the strength of it, I 
 wish I may be smashed!" said Sneak, compressing his lips. 
 
 "What mean you ? what's the matter?" inquired Boone, 
 who best understood whaf the man was meditating. 
 
 " I've got as good a gun as anybody here ! And I'll 
 have revenge, or pay !" replied Sneak, turning his eyes on 
 Glenn. 
 
 " If your remarks are intended for me," said Glenn, 
 "rely upon it you shall have justice." 
 
 "Tell us all about it," said Boone. 
 
 " When I heard that fool up the valley shoot off his forty- 
 four pounder, I ran to see what he had done, and when 1 
 came near to where he was, his gun was lying up the hill 
 behind him, and he setting down whining like a baby, and 
 a great gore of blood hanging to his nose. I wish it had 
 blowed his head off! I got tired of staying with the tarnation 
 fool, who couldn't tell me a thing, when I heard you shooting, 
 and the horn blowing for the men ; and knowing the bar 
 was dead, I started off full tilt. I hadn't gone fifty steps 
 before I began to see where his bullets had spattered the 
 trees and bushes in every direction. Presently I stumbled 
 over these dogs, my own puppies and there they lay as 
 dead as door nails. I whistled, and they didn't move; I 
 then stooped down to see how the bear had killed 'em, and 
 I found these bullet holes in 'em !" said Sneak, turning 
 their limber bodies over with his foot, until their wounds 
 were uppermost. " I'll be shot if I don't have pay, or 
 revenge !" he continued, with tears in his eyes. 
 
 "What were they worth?" demanded Glenn, laughing. 
 
 " I was offered two dollars a-piece for 'em as we came 
 through Indiana," replied Sneak. 
 
 "Here's the money," said Glenn, handing him tho 
 amount. After receiving the cash, Sneak turned away
 
 82 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 perfectly satisfied, and seemed not to bestow another thought 
 upon his puppies. 
 
 This affair had hardly been settled before Joe made hia 
 appearance on Pete. He rode slowly along down the path, 
 as dolefully as ever man approache'd the graveyard. As 
 he drew near, all eyes were fixed upon him. Never were 
 any one's features so much disfigured. His nose was as 
 large as a hen's egg, and as purple as a plum. Still it was 
 not much disproportioned to the rest of his swollen face ; 
 and the whole resembled the unearthly phiz of the most 
 bloated gnome that watched over the slumbers of Rip Van 
 Winkle. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Glenn's castle Mary Books A hunt Joe and Pete A tumble An 
 opo&sum A shot Another tumble: A doe The return They set out 
 again A mound A buffalo An encounter Night Terrific spectacle 
 Escape Boone Sneak Indians. 
 
 SOME weeks had passed since the bear hunt. The emi 
 grants had crossed the river, and selected their future homes 
 in the groves that bordered the prairie, some miles distant 
 from the ferry. Glenn, when landed on the south side of 
 the Missouri, took up his abode for a short time with Jasper 
 Roughgrove, the ferryman, while some half dozen men, 
 whose services his gold secured, were building him a novel 
 habitation. And the location was as singular as the con 
 struction of his house. It was on a peak that jutted over 
 the river, some three hundred feet high, whence he had a 
 view eight or ten miles down the stream, and across the 
 opposite bottom-land to the hills mentioned in the prcced 
 ing chapter. The view was obstructed above by a sudden 
 bend of the stream ; but on the south, the level prairie ran 
 out as far as the eye could reach, interrupted only by thi 1 
 'W young groves that were interspersed at intervals. His
 
 A NARRATIVE. 33 
 
 house, constructed of heavy stones, was about fifteen feet 
 square, and not more than ten in height. The floor was 
 formed of hewn timbers, the walls covered with a rough 
 coat of lime, and the roof made of heavy boards. How 
 ever uncouth this abode appeared to the eye of Glenn, yet 
 he had followed the instructions of Boone, (to whom he 
 had fully disclosed his plan, and repeated his odd resolu 
 tion,) and reared a tenement not only capable of resisting 
 the wintry winds that were to howl around it, but suffi 
 ciently firm to withstand the attacks of any foe, whether 
 the wild beast of the forest or the prowling Indian. The 
 door was very narrow and low, being made of a solid rock 
 full six inches in thickness, which required the strength of 
 a man to turn on its hinges, even when the ponderous bolt 
 on the inside was unfastened. There was a small square 
 window on each side containing a single pane of glass, and 
 made to be secured at a moment's warning, by means of 
 thick stone shutters on the inside. The fire-place was 
 ample at the hearth, but the flue through which the smoke 
 escaped was small^ and ran in a serpentine direction up 
 through the northern wall ; while the ceiling was overlaid 
 with smooth flat stones, fastened down with huge iron spikes, 
 and supported by strong wooden joists. The furniture con 
 sisted of a few trunks, (which answered for seats,) two camp 
 beds, four barrels of hard biscuit, a few dishes and cooking 
 utensils, and a quantity of hunting implements. Many 
 times did Joe shake his head in wonderment as this house 
 was preparing for his reception. It seemed to him too 
 much danger was apprehended from without, and it too 
 mudi resembled a solitary and secure prison, should one be 
 corflKed within. Nevertheless, he was permitted to adopt 
 his own plan in the construction of a shelter for the horses. 
 And the retention of these animals was some relief to his 
 otherwise gloomy forebodings, when he beheld the erection 
 of his master's suspicious tenement. He superintended the 
 building of a substantial and comfortable stable. He had 
 stalls, a small granary, and a regular rack made for the 
 accommodation of the horses, and procured, with difficulty 
 nd no little expense, a supply of provender. The space, 
 including the buildings, which had been cleared of the roots 
 nd stones, for the purpose of cultivating a garden, waa 
 about one hundred feet in diameter, and enclosed by a cir-
 
 54 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 cular row of posts driven firmly in the ground, and rising 
 some ten feet above the surface. These were planted se 
 closely together that even a squirrel would have found it 
 difficult to enter without climbing over them. Indeed, Joe 
 had an especial eye to this department, having heard some 
 awful tales of the snakes that somewhat abounded in those 
 regions in the warm seasons. 
 
 One corner of the stable, wherein a quantity of straw 
 was placed, was appropriated for the comfort of the dogs, 
 Ringwood and Jowler, which had been presented to Glenn 
 by his obliging friend, after they had exhibited their skill 
 in the bear hunt. 
 
 When every thing was completed, preparatory for hia 
 removal thither, Glenn dismissed his faithful artisans, be 
 stowing upon them a liberal reward for their labour, and 
 took possession of his castle. But, notwithstanding the 
 etrange manner in which he proposed to spend his days, 
 and his habitual grave demeanour and taciturnity, yet his 
 kind tone, when he uttered a request, or ventured a remark, 
 on the transactions passing around him, and his contempt 
 for money, which he squandered with a prodigal hand, had 
 secured for him the good-will of the ferrymen, and the 
 friendship of the surrounding emigrants. But there was 
 one whose esteem had no venal mixture in it. This was 
 Mary, the old ferryman's daughter, a fair-cheeked girl of 
 nineteen, who never neglected an opportunity of perform 
 ing a kind office for her father's temporary guest ; and 
 when he and his man departed for their own tenement, not 
 venturing directly to bestow them on our hero, she pre 
 sented Joe with divers articles for their amusemen^and 
 comfort in their secluded abode, among which were sumlry 
 live fowls, a pet fawn, and a kitten. 
 
 The first few days, after being installed in his solitary 
 home, our hero passed with his books. But he did not 
 realize all the satisfaction he anticipated from his favourite 
 authors in his secluded cell. The scene around him con 
 trasted but ill with the creations of Shakspeare ; and if 
 Boine of the heroes of Scott were identified with the wildest 
 features of nature, he found it impossible to look around 
 him and enjoy the magic of the page at the same time. 
 
 Joe employed himself in attending to his horses, feeding 
 the fowls and dogs, and playing with the fawn uad kitten.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 35 
 
 He alsc practiced loading and shooting his musket, and 
 endeavoured to learn the mode of doing execution on other 
 objects without committing violence on himself. 
 
 "Joe," said Glenn, one bright frosty morning, "saddle 
 the horses ; we will make an excursion in the prairie, and 
 see what success we can have without the presence and 
 assistance of an experienced hunter. I designed awaiting 
 the visit of Boone, which he promised should take place 
 about this time ; but we will venture out without him ; if 
 we kill nothing, at least we shall have the satisfaction of 
 doing no harm." 
 
 Joe set off towards the stable, smiling at Glenn's joke, 
 and heartily delighted to exchange the monotony of his do 
 mestic employment, which was becoming irksome, for the 
 sports of the field, particularly as he was now entirely re 
 covered from the effects of his late disasters, and began to 
 grow weary of wasting his ammunition in firing at a target, 
 when there was an abundance of game in the vicinity. 
 
 " Whoop ! Ringwood Jowler !" cried he, leading the 
 horses briskly forth. The dogs came prancing and yelp 
 ing round him, as well pleased as himself at the prospect 
 of a day's sport ; and when Glenn came out they exhibited 
 palpable signs of recognition and eagerness to accompany 
 their new master on his first deer-hunt. Glenn stroked 
 their heads, which were constantly rubbed against his hands, 
 and his caresses were gratefully received by the faithful 
 hounds. He had been instructed by Boone how to manage 
 them, so as either to keep them at his side when he wished 
 to approach the game stealthily, or to send them forth when 
 rapid pursuit was required, and he was now anxious to test 
 theinHagacity. 
 
 When mounted, the young men set forward in a southern 
 direction, the valley in which the ferryman's cabin was 
 situated on one hand, and one about the same distance 
 above on the other. But the space between them gradually 
 widened as they progressed, and in a few minutes both 
 disappeared entirely, terminating in scarcely perceptible 
 rivulets running slowly down from the high and levjl prai 
 rie. Here Glenn paused to determine what course he 
 should take. The sun shone brightly on the interminable 
 expanse before him, and not a breeze ruffled the long dry 
 grass around, nor disturbed the. few sear leaves that yet
 
 36 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 clung to the diminutive clusters of bushes scattered at long 
 intervals over^the prairie. It was a delightful scene. From 
 the high position of our hero, he could distinguish objects 
 miles distant on the plain; and if the landscape was not 
 enlivened by houses and domestic herds, he could at ii 
 events here and there behold parties of deer browsing peace 
 fully in the distance. Ringwood and Jowler also saw or 
 occnted them, as their attention was pointed in that direc 
 tion ; but so far from marring the sport by prematurely 
 running forward, they knew too well their duty to leave 
 their master, even were the game within a few paces of 
 them, without the word of command. 
 
 "I see a deer!" cried Joe, at length, having till then 
 been employed gathering some fine wild grapes from a 
 neighbouring vine. 
 
 " I see several," replied Glenn ; " but how we are to get 
 within gun shot of them, is the question." 
 
 "I see them, too," said Joe, his eyes glistening. 
 
 " I have thought of a plan, Joe; whether right or wrong, 
 is not very material, as respects the exercise we are seek 
 ing ; but I am inclined to believe it is the proper one. 
 It will at all events give you a fair opportunity of killing a 
 deer, as you will have to fire as they run, and the great 
 number of bullets in your musket will make you more 
 certain to do execution than if you fired a rifle. You will 
 proceed to yon thicket, about a thousand yards distant, 
 keeping the bushes all the time between you and the deer. 
 When you arrive at it dismount, and after. tying your pony 
 in the bushes where he will be well hid, select a position 
 whence you can see the deer when they run ; I think they 
 will go within reach of your fire. I will make a ^tour 
 beyond them, and approach from the opposite side." 
 
 "I'd rather not tie my pony," said Joe. 
 
 " Why ? he would not leave you, even were he to got 
 loose," replied Glenn. 
 
 " I don't think he would but I'd rather not leave him. 
 yet awhile, till I get a little better used to hunting," said 
 Joe, probably thinking there might be some danger to him 
 self on foot in a country where bears, wolves, and panthers 
 were sometimes seen. 
 
 "Can you fire while sitting on your pony?" inquired 
 Glenn
 
 Glenn heard a tremendous thumping behind. P. 37
 
 A NARRATIVE. 37 
 
 "I suppose so," said Joe; "though I never thought to 
 fry it yet." 
 
 " Suppose you try it now, while I watch the deer, and 
 eee if what I have been told is true, that the mere report 
 of a gun will not alarm them." 
 
 "Well, I will," said Joe. "I think Pete knows as welj 
 as the steed, that shooting on him won't hurt him." 
 
 "Fire away, then," said Glenn, looking steadfastly at 
 the deer. Joe fired, and none of the deer ran off. Some 
 continued their playful sports, while others browsed along 
 without lifting their heads ; in all likelihood the report did 
 not reach them. But Glenn heard a tremendous thumping 
 behind, and on turning round, beheld his man quietly lying 
 on the ground, and the pony standing about ten paces dis 
 tant, with his head turned towards Joe, his ears thrust for 
 wards, his nostrils distended and snorting, and his little blue 
 eyes ready to burst out of his head. ^. 
 
 "How is this, Joe?" inquired Glenn, scarce able to re 
 press a smile at the ridiculous posture of his man. 
 
 "I hardly know myself," replied Joe, casting a silly 
 glance at his treacherous pony ; and after examining his 
 limbs and finding no injury had been sustained, continued, 
 " I fired as you directed, and when the smoke cleared 
 away, I found myself lying just as you see me here. I 
 don't know how Pete contrived to get from under me, but 
 there he stands, and here I lie." 
 
 "Load your gun, and try it again," said Glenn. 
 
 "I'd rather not," said Joe. 
 
 " Then I will," replied Glenn, whose horsemanship enabled 
 him to retain the saddle in spite of the struggles of Pete, 
 who, after several discharges, submitted and bore it quietly. 
 
 Joe then mounted and set out for the designated thicket, 
 while Glenn galloped off in another direction, followed by 
 the hounds. 
 
 When Joe arrived at the hazel thicket, he continued in 
 the saddle, and otherwise he would not have been able to 
 see over the prairie for the tall grass which had grown very 
 luxuriantly in that vicinity. There was a path, however, 
 running round the edge of the bushes, which had been 
 tnade by the deer and other wild animals, arid in this he 
 cautiously groped his way, looking out in every direction 
 for the deer. When he had progressed about halfway
 
 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 he espied them feeding composedly, about three 
 hundred paces distant, on a slight eminence. There were 
 at least fifteen of them, and some very large ones. Fear 
 ful of giving the alarm before Glenn should fire, he shielded 
 himself from view behind a cluster of persimmon bushes, 
 and tasted the ripe and not unpalatable fruit. And here 
 he was destined to win his first trophy as a hunter. While 
 bending down some branches over head, without looking 
 up, an opossum fell upon his hat, knocking it over his eyes, 
 and springing on the neck of Pete, thence leaped to the 
 ground. But before it disappeared Joe had dismounted, 
 and giving it a blow with the butt of his musket it rolled 
 over on its side, with its eyes closed and tongue hanging 
 out, indicating that the stroke had been fatal. 
 
 "So much for you!" said Joe, casting a proud look at 
 his victim; and then leaping on his' pony, he gazed again, 
 at the deer. They seemed to be still entirely unconscious 
 of danger, and several were now lying in the grass with 
 their heads up, and chewing the cud like domestic animals. 
 Joe drew back once more to await the action of Glenn, and 
 turning to look at the opossum, found to his surprise that 
 it had vanished! 
 
 " Well, I'm the biggest fool that ever breathed !" said he, 
 recollecting the craftiness imputed to those animals, and 
 searching in vain for his game. "If ever I come across 
 another, he'll not come the 'possum over me, I'll answer 
 for it !" he continued, somewhat vexed. At this juncture 
 Glenn's gun was heard, and Joe observed a majority of the 
 deer leaping affrighted in the direction- of his position. The 
 foremost passed within twenty yards of him, and, his limbs 
 trembling with excitement, he drew his gun up to his 
 shoulder and pulled the trigger. It snapped, perhaps for 
 tunately, for his eyes were convulsively closed at the mo 
 ment; and recovering measurably by the time the next 
 came up, this trial the gun went off, and he found himself 
 once more prostrate on the ground. 
 
 "What in the world is the reason you won't stand still !" 
 he exclaimed, rising and seizing the pony by the bit. The 
 only answer Pete made was a snort of unequivocal dissatis 
 faction. " Plague take your little hide of you!" I should 
 have killed that fellow to a certainty, if you hadn't played 
 the fool!" continued ho, still addressing hi? pory wl.le he
 
 A NARRATIVE. 39 
 
 proceeded to load his gun. When ready for another fire, 
 he mounted again, in quite an ill humour, convinced that 
 all chance of killing a deer was effectually over for the 
 present, when, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the deer 
 he had fired at lying dead before him, and but a few paces 
 distant. With feelings of unmixed delight he galloped to 
 where it lay, and springing to the earth, one moment he 
 whirled round his hat in exultation, and the next caressed 
 Pete, who evinced some repugnance to approach the wel 
 tering victim, and snuffed the scent of blood with any other 
 sensation than that of pleasure. Joe discovered that no 
 less than a dozen balls had penetrated the doe's side, (for 
 such it was,) which sufficiently accounted for its immediate 
 and quiet death, that had so eifectually deceived him into 
 the belief that his discharge had been harmless. He now 
 blew his horn, which was answered by a blast from Glenn, 
 who soon came up to announce his own success in bringing 
 down the largest buck in the party, and to congratulate 
 his man on his truly remarkable achievement. 
 
 An hour was consumed in preparing the deer to be con 
 veyed to the house, and by the time they were safely de 
 posited in our hero's diminutive castle, and the hunters, 
 ready to issue forth in quest of more sport, the day was far 
 advanced, and a slight haziness of the atmosphere dimmed 
 [ii a great measure the lustre of the descending sun. 
 
 Animated with their excellent success, they anticipated 
 much more sport, inasmuch as neither themselves nor the 
 hounds (which hitherto were not required to do farther 
 seivice than to watch one of the deer while the men were 
 engaged with the other) were in the slightest degree fa 
 tigued. The hours flew past unnoticed, while the young 
 men proceeded gayly outward from the river in quest of 
 new adventures. 
 
 Glenn and his man rode far beyond the scene of their 
 late success without discovering any new object to gratify 
 their undiminished zest for the chase. It seemed that the 
 ieer which had escaped had actually given intelligence to 
 .he rest of the arrival of a deadly foe in the vicinity, for not 
 ~>ne could now be seen in riding several miles. The sun 
 .v--).s sinking low and dim in the west, and Glenn was on 
 ipne e v e of turning homeward, when, on emerging from the 
 fiat praiiit; to a slight eminence that he had marked as tbt
 
 40 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 boundary of his excursion, he beheld at no great distance 
 an enormous mound, of pyramidical shape, which, from its 
 isolated condition, he could not believe to be the formation 
 of nature. Curious to inspect what he supposed to be a 
 stupendous specimen of the remains of former generations 
 of the aborigines, he resolved to protract his ride and ascend 
 to the summit. The mound was some five hundred feet in 
 diameter at the base, and terminated at a peak about one 
 hundred and fifty feet in height. As our riders ascended, 
 with some difficulty keeping in the saddle, they observed 
 the earth on the sides to be mixed with flint-stones, and 
 many of them apparently having once been cut in the shape 
 of arrow-heads; and in several places where chasms had 
 been formed by heavy showers, they remarked a great 
 many pieces of bones, but so much broken and decayed 
 they could not be certain that they were particles of human 
 skeletons. When they reached the summit, which was not 
 more than twenty feet in width and entirely barren, a 
 magnificent scene burst in view. For ten or fifteen miles 
 round on every side, the eye could discern oval, oblong, 
 and circular groves of various dimensions, scattered over 
 the rich virgin soil. The gentle undulations of the prairie 
 resembled the boundless ocean entranced, as if the long 
 swells had been suddenly abandoned by the wind, and yet 
 remained stationary in their rolling attitude. 
 
 "What think you of the view, Joe?" inquired Glenn, 
 after regarding the scene many minutes in silence. 
 
 "I've been watching a little speck, way out toward the 
 sun, which keeps bobbing up and down, and gets bigger 
 and bigger," said Joe. 
 
 "I mean the prospect around," said Glenn. 
 
 "I can't form an opinion, because I can't see the end 
 of it," replied Joe, still intently regarding the object re 
 ferred to. 
 
 "That is an animal of some kind," observed Glenn, 
 marking the object that attracted Joe. 
 
 "And a wapper, too; when I first saw it I thought it waa 
 a rabbit, and now it's bigger than a deer, and still a mile 
 or two off," said Joe. 
 
 "We'll wait a few minutes, and see what it is," replied 
 Glenn, checking his steed, which had proceeded a few 
 teps downward. The object of their attention held its
 
 A NARKATIVE. 41 
 
 course directly towards them, and as it drew nearer it was 
 easily distinguished to be a very large buffalo, an animal 
 then somewhat rare so near the white man's settlement, 
 and one that our hero had often expressed a wish to see. 
 Its dark shaggy sides, protuberant back and bushy head, 
 were quite perceptible as it careered swiftly onward, seem 
 ingly flying from some danger behind. 
 
 "Down, Ringwood! Jowler!" exclaimed Glonn, prepar 
 ing to fire. 
 
 "Down, Joe, too," said Joe, slipping down from his pony, 
 preferring not to risk another fall, and likewise preparing 
 to fire. 
 
 When the buffalo reached the base of the mound, it saw 
 for the first time the objects above, and halted. It regarded 
 the men with more symptoms of curiosity than alarm, but 
 as it gazed, its distressed pantings indicated that it had 
 been long retreating from some object of dread. 
 
 Meantime both guns were discharged, and the contents 
 undoubtedly penetrated the animal's body, for he leapt up 
 right in the air, and on descending, staggered off slowly in 
 a course at right angles from the one which he was first 
 pursuing. Glenn then let the hounds go forth, and soon 
 overtaking the animal, they were speedily forced to act on 
 the defensive; for the enormous foe wheeled round and 
 pursued in turn. Finding the hounds were too cautious 
 and active to fall victims to his sharp horns, he pawed the 
 earth, and uttered the most horrific bellowings. As Glenn 
 and Joe rode by the place where he had stood when they 
 fired, they perceived large quantities of frothy blood, which 
 convinced them that he had received a mortal wound. They 
 rode on and paused within eighty paces of where he now 
 Stood, and calling back the baying hounds, again discharged 
 their guns. The buffalo roared most hideously, and making 
 a few plunges towards his assailants, fell on his knees, and 
 the next moment turned over on his side. 
 
 " Come back, Joe !" cried Glenn to his man, who had 
 mounted and wheeled when the animal rushed towards 
 them v and was still flying away as fast as his pony could 
 carry him. 
 
 "No never!" replied Joe; "I won't go nigh that awful 
 thing! Don't you see it's getting dark? How'll we over 
 find the way home again?"
 
 42 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 The latter remark startled Glenn, for he had lost all con 
 sciousness of the lateness of the hour in the excitement, 
 and to his dismay had also lost all recollection of the direc 
 tion of his dwelling, and darkness had now overtaken them ! 
 While pausing to reflect from which quarter they first ap* 
 proached the mound, the buffalo, to his surprise and no little 
 chagrin, rose up and staggered away, the darkness seen 
 obscuring him from view altogether. Glenn, by a blast of 
 his horn, recalled the dogs, and joining Joe, set off much 
 dispirited, in a course which he feared was not the correct 
 one. Night came upon them suddenly, and before they 
 Had gone a mile the darkness was intense. And the breath 
 less calm that had prevailed during the day was now suc 
 ceeded by fitful winds that howled mournfully over the in 
 terminable prairie. Interminable the plain seemed to our 
 benighted riders, for there was still no object to vary the 
 monotony of the cheerless scene, although they had paced 
 briskly, and, as they supposed, far enough to have reached 
 the cliffs of the river. Nor was there even a sound heard 
 as they rode along, save the muffled strokes of their horses' 
 hoot's in the dry grass that covered the earth, the low winds, 
 and an occasional cry of the dogs as they were trodden 
 upon by the horses. 
 
 Ere long a change came over the scene. About two- 
 thirds of the distance round the verge of the horizon a faint " 
 light appeared, resembling the scene when a dense curtain 
 of clouds hangs over head, and the rays of the morning 
 sun steal under the edge of the thick vapour. But the stara 
 could be seen, and the only appearance of clouds was im 
 mediately above the circle of light. In a very few minutes 
 the terrible truth flashed upon the mind of Glenn. The 
 dim light along the horizon was changed to an approaching 
 flame ! Columns of smoke could be seen rolling upwards, 
 while the fire beneath imparted a lurid glare to them. The 
 wind blew more fiercely, and the fire approached from al 
 most every quarter with the swiftness of a race horse. The 
 darkened vault above became gradually illuminated with a 
 crimson reflection, and the young man shuddered with the 
 horrid apprehension of being burnt alive ! It was madness 
 to proceed in a direction that must inevitably hasten their 
 fate, the fire extending in one unbroken line from left to 
 right, and in front of them; and they turned in a ccurss
 
 A NARRATIVE. 43 
 
 which seemed to place the greatest distance between tlnm 
 and the furious element. Ever and anon a frightoned deer 
 or elk leaped past. The hounds no longer noticed them, 
 but remained close to the horses. The leaping flames came 
 in awful rapidity. The light increased in brilliance, and 
 objects were distinguishable far over the prairie. A red 
 glare could be seen on the sides of the deer as they bounded 
 sver the tall, dry grass, which was soon to be no longer 
 refuge for them. The young men heard a low, continued 
 roar, that increased every moment in loudness, and looking 
 in the direction whence they supposed it proceeded, they 
 observed an immense, dark, moving mass, the nature of 
 which they could not divine, but it threatened to annihilate 
 every thing that opposed it. While gazing at this additional 
 source of danger, the horses, blinded by the surrounding 
 light, plunged into a deep ditch that the rain had washed 
 in the rich soil. Neither men nor horses, fortunately, were 
 injured ; and after several ineffectual efforts to extricate 
 themselves, they here resolved to await the coming of the 
 fire. Ringwood and Jowler whined fearfully on the verge 
 of the ditch for an instant, and then sprang in and crouched 
 trembling at the feet of their master. The next instant the 
 dark, thundering mass passed over head, being nothing 
 less than an immense herd of buffalo driven forwards by the 
 flames ! The horses bowed their heads as if a thunderbolt 
 was passing. The fire and the heavens were hid from 
 view, and the roar above resembled the rush of mighty 
 waters. When the last animal had sprung over the chasm, 
 Glenn thanked the propitious accident that thus providen* 
 tially prevented him from being crushed to atoms, and ut 
 tered a prayer to Heaven that he might by a like means be 
 rescued from the fiery ordeal that awaited him. It now 
 occurred to him that the accumulation of weeds and grass 
 in the chasm, which saved them from injury when falling 
 in, would prove fatal when the flames arrived ! And after 
 groping some distance along the trench, he found the depth 
 diminished, but the fire was not three hundred paces dis 
 tant ! His heart sank within him ! But when on the eve 
 ci returning to his former position, with a resolution to re 
 move as much of the combustible matter as possible, a gleam 
 of joy spread over his features, as, casting a glance in a 
 contrary direction from that they hii,d recently pursued, h
 
 4-1 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 beheld the identical mound he had ascended before dark, 
 and from which his unsteady and erratic riding in the night 
 had fortunately prevented a distant separation. They now 
 led their horses forth, and mounting without delay, whipped 
 forward for life or death. Could the summit of the mound 
 be attained they were in safety for there the soil was not 
 encumbered with decayed vegetation and they spurred 
 their animals to the top of their speed. It was a noble 
 sight to see the majestic white steed flying towards the 
 mound with the velocity of the wind, while the diminutive 
 pony miraculously followed in the wake like an inseparable 
 shadow. The careering flames were not far behind; and 
 when the horses gained the summit arid Glenn looked back, 
 the fire had reached the base! 
 
 "I thank all the saints at once!" exclaimed Joe, dis 
 mounting and falling on his knees. 
 
 "Thank your pony's legs, also," remarked Glenn, smil 
 ing. 
 
 "Was there ever such a blessed deliverance !" said Joe, 
 panting. 
 
 "Was there ever such a lucky tumble into a ditch!" re 
 plied Glenn, with spirits more buoyant than usual. 
 
 "Was there ever an old hunter so much deceived!" said 
 a voice a few paces down that side of the cone least exposed 
 to the glare of the fire, and so much in the shadow' of the peak 
 that the speaker was not perceived from the position of the 
 young men. But as soon as the words were uttered, Ring- 
 wood and Jowler sprang from the horses' heels where they 
 had lain panting, and rushed in the direction of the speaker, 
 whom they accosted with marks of joyful recognition. 
 
 "It is Boone!" exclaimed Glenn, leaping from his horse, 
 and running forward to his friend, who was now seen to 
 rise up, and a moment after his horse, that had been pros 
 trate and still, was likewise on his feet. 
 
 "Ha! ha ! ha! You have played me a fine trick, truly," 
 laughingly remarked Boone, returning their hearty saluta 
 tions. 
 
 "How?" inquired Glenn. 
 
 "In the first place, to venture forth before my arrival; 
 in the next to inspire me with the belief that I was on the 
 eve of encountering a brace of Indians. But I will begin 
 at the beginning. When I crossed the river and reached
 
 A NARRATIVE. 45 
 
 your hut, (which is indeed impregnable,) 1 was astonished 
 to find you had gone forth to hunt without a guide ; and not 
 so much fearing you would be lost, should night overtake 
 you, as apprehending serious danger from the fire, the ap 
 proach of which I anticipated long before night, from the 
 peculiar complexion of the atmosphere, I set out on your 
 trai-1, in hopes of overtaking you before the shades of even 
 ing set in ; but darkness coming on, I could trace you no 
 farther than to this mound. In vain did I endeavour to 
 ascertain which direction you then travelled ; but resolving 
 not to abandon the search, I continued cruising about 'the 
 prairie until the near approach of the fire forced me to re 
 treat hither. It was when urging my horse to his utmost 
 speed that I beheld you and your bear-hunter charging 
 from another direction, and from the partial view, as we 
 were all under whip, (and knowing the Osages were not 
 far off,) I was instantly convinced that you were savages. 
 Arriving first, I made my sagacious horse lie down, and 
 then concealed myself behind his body." 
 
 "I am not only rejoiced that we were not the savages 
 yousupposed,(for then Joe and I must have perished in the 
 flames somewhere,) on our own account, but for the sake 
 of the only man who can possibly extricate us from this 
 dilemma," replied Glenn. 
 
 "You are somewhat wide of the mark as respects my 
 jeopardy, my lad," said Boone ; "for had you been hostile 
 Osages, most assuredly ere this you had both been killed." 
 
 "Good gracious!" exclaimed Joe, whose predicament 
 suddenly flashed upon his mind ; " for Heaven's sake let us 
 get home as fast as possible ! He says the Indians are 
 about! Do let us go, Mr. Glenn; we can travel now out 
 yonder where the grass has all been burnt." 
 
 "Pshaw! You seem more alarmed now, Joe, than when 
 there really was danger. Are the Osages truly hostile ?" 
 continued Glenn, addressing Boone. 
 
 "They are not at war with the whites, as a nation," re 
 plied Boone, ever and anon looking towards the only point 
 froui which the fire now approached ; " but in thin settle 
 ments, where they may easily be the strongest party, as 
 roving brigands, they may be considered extremely dan 
 gerous. Your man's advice is not bad."
 
 40 TVILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " T ere ! Don't you hear that ? Now, do let's go home V 
 continued Joe, with increased alarm. 
 
 fortunately, that portion of the plain over which the 
 scathing element had spent its fury was the direction the 
 party should pursue in retracing their way homeward. 
 
 The light dry grass had been soon consumed, and the 
 earth wore a blackened appearance, and was as smooth as 
 if vegetation had never covered the surface. As the party 
 rode briskly along, (and the pony now ke'pt in advance,) 
 the horses' hoofs rattled as loudly on the baked ground as 
 if it were a plank floor. The reflection of the fire in the 
 distance still threw a lurid glare over the extended heath. 
 'As the smoke gradually ascended, objects could be dis 
 cerned at a great distance, and occasionally a half-roasted 
 deer or elk, was seen plunging about, driven to madness 
 by its tortures. And frequently they found the dead 
 bodies of smaller animals that could find no safety in 
 flight.' 
 
 " What's that?" cried Joe, reining up his pony, and gaz 
 ing at a huge dark object ahead. 
 
 "A prize, to which we are justly entitled!" exclaimed 
 Glenn, riding forward, on discovering it to be the buffalo 
 (now dead) that they had fired upon early in the evening, 
 and which circumstance he was relating to Boone at the 
 moment of the discovery by Joe. 
 
 " You have not only been lucky as hunters," said Boone, 
 as they dismounted to inspect the animal, (which was an 
 enormous bull,) "but, what is extraordinary indeed, when 
 you find your fallen game, it is already cooked !" 
 
 " Huzza for us !" cried Joe, momentarily forgetting the 
 Indians, in his extravagant joy of having aided in killing 
 the animal, and at the same time leaping astride of it. 
 
 " The wolves have been here before us," observed Boone, 
 seeing a large quantity of the buffalo's viscera on the 
 ground, which he supposed had been torn out by those 
 ravenous animals. 
 
 "Oh! oh! oh! oh!" exclaimed Joe, leaping up, and 
 running a few steps, and then tumbling down and continu 
 ing his cries. 
 
 "What has hurt the fellow so badly?" inquired Glenn, 
 walking round from the back of the animal to the front. 
 The woris were scarcely uttered before he likewise sprang
 
 A NARRATIVE. 47 
 
 away, hastily, as he beheld a pronged instrument thrust 
 from the orifice in the body whence the bowels had been 
 extracted ! 
 
 " Dod ! I wonder if it's wolves or Injins !" exclaimed a 
 voice within the cavity of the huge body. 
 
 "I've heard that voice before it must be Sneak's," 
 said Boone, laughing heartily. 
 
 Now the buffalo was observed to quiver slightly, and after 
 some exertion to extricate himself, the long snake-like form 
 of the redoubtable "Hatchet-face" came forth and stood 
 erect before the gaping mouth and staring eyes of Joe. 
 
 " If I didn't hear a white man speak, I wish I may be 
 singed!" exclaimed Sneak, wiping the moisture from his 
 face, and rolling his eyes round. 
 
 "What did you stick that sharp thing in the calf of my 
 leg for ?" demanded Joe, shaking his head threateningly 
 and coming forward. 
 
 " He ! he ! he ! That's revenge for shooting my pups," 
 replied >neak. 
 
 "But how came you here?" inquired Boone. 
 
 "I was taking a hunt" here Boone interrupted him by 
 asking where his gun was. "I had no gun," said Sneak; 
 and then stooping down and running his arm into the body 
 of the buifalo, he produced a pronged spear, about four feet 
 in length; " this," he continued, "is what I hunted with, 
 and I was hunting after muskrats in the ponds out here, 
 when the fire came like blazes, and like to 'ave ketched 
 me ! I dropped all the muskrats I had stuck, and streaked 
 it for about an hour towards the river. But it gained on 
 me like lightning, and I'd 'ave been in a purty fix if 1 
 hadn't come across this dead bull. I out with my kmfa 
 and was into him in less than no time but split me, 
 if I didn't feel the heat of the fire as I pulled in my feet ' 
 1 knew the Injins was about, by the buffalo; and the tar 
 nation wolves, too, are always everywhere, and that ac 
 counts for my jobbing that feller's leg when he sot down on 
 tcp of me." 
 
 Glenn's laughter at the above narration was arrested by 
 Boone, who placed one hand on his shoulder, and with the 
 <:ther pointed out towards the fire about a mile distant, be- 
 tore which and thrown in relief by the flames could be dis- 
 iactly discerned the flitting forms of a band of savages 1 A
 
 18 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 number were mounted, and others could be seen on foct, 
 and all moving about in various directions round a large 
 herd of buffalo, which occasionally made a stand to resist 
 the foe that harassed them on all sides, but were soon driven 
 forward again by the flames. Now a mounted chief could 
 be seen to ride boldly up within a few paces of the dark 
 mass of animals, and drawing his arrow to the head, dis 
 charge it, shaft and all, into the defenceless side of his 
 victim. The enraged animal thus pursued either fell or 
 rushed furiously on its foe ; but the skilful savage, by a 
 dexterous turn or sudden leap, seemed to avoid him with 
 ease, and flying round, sent forth another barbed messenger 
 as he careered at full speed. 
 
 "As I'm afoot, I'll go ahead !" cried Sneak, starting off 
 at a gait that verified his words. 
 
 "Good gracious!" exclaimed Joe, leaping on his ponj 
 and whipping after Sneak, while Boone and Glenn followed 
 in a brisk gallop. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The ret.reit Joe makes a mysterious discovery Mary A disclosure 
 Supper Sleep A cat Joe's flint The watch Mary The bush 
 The attack Joe's musket again The repulse The starting rally 
 The desperate alternative Relief. 
 
 THE guidance of Sneak was infallible. Ere long the 
 party reached the vicinity of the river, which was indicated 
 by the tall trees and the valleys, and all apprehensions of 
 immediate danger subsiding, they slackened their pace. 
 
 Sneak, though not so much distressed as the panting 
 horses, fell back, and entered into conversation with Boone 
 relative to tne probable operations of the Indians, while 
 Joe continued some little distance in advance, apparently 
 wrapped in contemplation of the recent scenes thaS had 
 so much astonished him. When he was within aoout a
 
 A NARRATIVE. 4S 
 
 hundred paces of his long-wished for home, he thought he 
 saw an object moving about in front of the palisade. He 
 checked his pony for an instant ; but convinced that the 
 savages could not possibly have arrived already, he again 
 whipped onward, inclined to beliove it to be nothing more 
 than a phantom of the brain. But when he proceeded a few 
 steps farther, his pony stopped suddenly and snorted, while 
 a being, which he could not exactly define, was distinctly 
 Been to rise up and glide swiftly out of view round the in- 
 closure. 
 
 "Who's that!" shouted he, and at the same time look 
 ing eagerly back at his companions, whose near approach 
 induced him to maintain his position. 
 
 " Go on, Joe ! What's the matter ?" remarked Glenn, 
 the head of his steed having passed over the back of the 
 pony as he stood across the path and blocked up the way. 
 
 " I beg to be excused ! As sure as I'm alive, I saw an 
 Indian run round towards the gate !" replied Joe. 
 
 "Foller me," said Sneak, poising his spear in the air, 
 and advancing. 
 
 " Thank Heaven, it's you !" exclaimed the mysterious 
 object, coming forward fearlessly, on hearing the men's 
 voices. 
 
 " Dod rot your cowardly skin!" said Sneak, after looking 
 at the approaching form and turning p Joe, "how dare you 
 to be frightened at sich a thing as that a female woman!" 
 
 " It was not me it was my pony, you great " 
 
 " What ?" asked Sneak, sharply, turning abruptly round, 
 as they paused at the gate. 
 
 "You great long buffalo tapeworm !" said Joe, alighting 
 on the side of the pony opposite to his quarrelsome com 
 panion, and then going forward and opening the gate in 
 silence. 
 
 " What brings thee hither at this late hour, Mary?" in 
 quired Glenn, on recognizing the ferryman's daughter. 
 
 "Nothing only I" stammered the abashed girl, who 
 had expected only to see our hero and his man. 
 
 " Speak out, lass, if you have any thing important to say, 
 remarked Boone, when they entered the inclosure, placing 
 his hand encouragingly on the girl's head. 
 
 Mary still hesitated, and Boone was no little puzzled tc 
 conjecture rightly what it was she intended to impart ; but 
 
 5
 
 50 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 he was convinced it must be something of no ordinary 
 nature that would induce a maiden of reputed timidity to 
 leave her father's hut at a late hour of the night. 
 
 "Now tell me, Mary, what it was you wished to say," 
 remarked Glenn, addressing her in a playful tone, when 
 they were seated in the house, and a lamp suspended against 
 the Avail was lighted. 
 
 " I did not expect to find Mr. Boone and Sneak with yon 
 and now " 
 
 " What?" inquired Glenn, much moved by her paleness, 
 and the throbbing of her breast, which now seemed to be 
 gradually subsiding. 
 
 " Nothing only you and Joe are both safe now," she 
 replied, with her eyes cast down. 
 
 'Were we in danger? How are we safe?" inquired 
 Glenn, regarding her words as highly mysterious. 
 
 "Everybody is safe where Mr. Boone is," replied Mary, 
 
 "But what was the danger, my pretty lass?" inquired 
 Boone, playfully taking her hand. 
 
 " Why Posin, one of father's boatmen " 
 
 " Speak on, lass I know Posin to be an unfeeling wretch, 
 and a half-blood Indian ; but he is also known to be a great 
 coward, and surely no harm could have been feared from 
 him," said Boone. 
 
 " But I heard him speaking to himself when I was filling 
 my pitcher at the spring, and he was standing behind some 
 rocks, where he couldn't see me, and didn't think any one 
 was within hearing." 
 
 " What said he ?" inquired Glenn, impatiently, and much 
 interested in the anticipated disclosure, for he had often 
 remarked the satanic expression of Posin's features. 
 
 " These were his words : ' The Osages will be here before 
 to-morrow morning. If Raven, the chief, will go halves 
 with me, I'll tell him .how much money the young men have, 
 and help to get it !' Sach were his very words !" continued 
 Mary, her dark eyes assuming a brightness, and her voice 
 ^ boldness unwonted on ordinary occasions, as she pro 
 ceeded: "He then started off towards the prairie with his 
 rifle, and nobody has seen him since. I told father about it 
 but he wouldn't believe there was any danger ; and when 
 night came, he told me not to be uneasy, but to sleep like 
 a good girl. I did lie down, for I never like to disobey
 
 A NARRATIVE. 51 
 
 my father ; but I couldn't sleep, and so I got up and came 
 here to wait till you returned, to tell you all about it." 
 
 " Thanks, Mary I shall never forget your kindness," 
 said Glenn, as much affected by her simplicity and gentle 
 ness as at the threatened danger. 
 
 "You're a sweet lass; God bless you, Mary!" said 
 Boone, kissing her smooth forehead. " Now run home and 
 go to sleep, child ; we will be on our guard. As for you, 
 your father is respected by all the Indians, and therefore 
 your own safety will be best secured under his protection." 
 
 "I will accompany you to the hut," said Glenn, as the 
 girl bid them good night, and was about departing. 
 
 "Oh no I'm used to going alone," said Mary, promptly 
 declining the proposition. 
 
 " She speaks truly, and it is unnecessary," said Boone, 
 as the maiden bowed and disappeared. 
 
 The party then fastened the gate and secured themselves 
 within the stone house. Joe petitioned Glenn to permit 
 him to bring in the dogs, and Sneak seconded the motion, . 
 proposing to lie with them before the fire. 
 
 After a hearty repast, Boone and Glenn retired to their 
 couches in quest of repose, so much needed after the ex 
 ercises of the day. Nor was it long before they were 
 steeped in that deep and solemn slumber which throws a 
 mysterious veil over the senses, obscuring from the vision 
 all objects of an unpleasant nature, relieving the mind of 
 the cares that may have pressed heavily upon it during 
 the day, and at the same time by the gentlest process re 
 freshing and reinvigorating the weary faculties for renewed 
 exertion. 
 
 Silence brooded over the fireside scene. The lamp threw 
 a dim ray around its small flame unruffled by the confined 
 and motionless air* The fawn was coiled in a sleeping 
 posture under its master's bed, while the kitten purred 
 upon its velvet back. On one side of the hearth lay Sneak, 
 his head pillowed upon one of the hounds, while the other 
 elept against his back. Joe was the only one present who 
 had not fallen under the magic influence of slumber. 
 Hitherto he had yielded to a more powerful impulse that 
 of the appetite and he now sat upon a low stool on the 
 corner of the hearth opposite to Sneak, his back leaning 
 rgairist the side of the fireplace, holding in his left hand a
 
 52 WILD WESTERN SCENES : 
 
 pewter platter, and in his right a rib of the deer he had 
 Killed, well cooked, which he raised to his mouth occasion 
 ally, and sometimes at very long intervals, between the 
 approaches of the sleep which was gradually overpowering 
 him. Once, when his eyelids sank heavily and closed, and 
 the platter rested on his lap, and his right hand, still clench 
 ing th,e savoury bone, fell powerless at his side Kingwood, 
 in his hard breathing, chanced to snuff up some ashes that 
 caused him to sneeze. Joe started at the sound, and after 
 rolling his eyes round once or twice and finding all right, 
 raised the bone once more to his mouth and set his jaws 
 again in motion. 
 
 ; ' Dod, man ! are you going to chaw all night ?" asked 
 Sneak, awakened by the motion of Ringwood, and looking 
 up at the face of Joe in astonishment. 
 
 " I had nothing to eat all day," replied Joe, fishing for 
 a cracker floating in the greasy platter. 
 
 " But ain't you a-going to sleep some ?" asked Sneak, 
 half unconsciously, the final utterance smothered in a gut- 
 'tural rumble as he again sank back on his canine pillow. 
 
 " Yes, when I've got my supper," replied Joe lazily, and 
 indistinctly, with one end of the bone in his mouth. But 
 it was not long before he again nodded, and his hand with 
 the bone in it was once more lowered softly down at his 
 side. He was soon palpably fast asleep. And now the 
 kitten, having finished its nap, came with a noiseless tread 
 to the comfortable fire, humming its low unvaried song ; 
 arid, rubbing its soft side against the head of Jowler, finally 
 crouched down before the embers, with its feet drawn un 
 der it, and its eyes apparently watching the brilliant sparks 
 that ever and anon flew up the chimney. But ere long it 
 scented the well-flavoured viand that dangled in the vicinity, 
 and after casting a glance at the face of Joe, and being 
 satisfied that he was insensible to all external objects, steal 
 thily began to gnaw the end of the bone that rested on the 
 hearth. As long as it had in mind the fear of interruption, 
 it was permitted to feast moderately ; but when its ravenous 
 propensity urged it to more active and vigorous operations, 
 Joe once more opened his eyes, and after looking slowly 
 around, but not down, again attempted to raise the rib to 
 ais mouth. 
 
 "Hello! augh ! scat!" he cried, leaping up violently.
 
 A XARRATIVE. 53 
 
 jJid Slot : mprcsL;ion was that the Tndl.M.s, abouc whom he 
 had been drtaonng, were upon him ; hla next that a rattle 
 snake clujg to his finger : and finally, finding it to be the 
 kitten bestowing some scratches on the hand that sough* 
 to bereave it of its prize, he uttered the latter exclamation, 
 first in rage ; but pleased that his condition was no worse, 
 soon after called the poor frightened pet to him, and with 
 one or two caresses gave it the bone, and then resigned 
 himself to unrestrained slumber. 
 
 They were all aroused in the morning by the snorting of 
 the ^horses without, and the growling and sharp yelping af 
 the hounds within. 
 
 "What's the matter with the horses and dogs, Joe?" 
 inquired Glenn, rising from his couch. 
 
 "I don't know what ails the foolish things. I know that 
 I fed the horses; and as for Ringwood and Jowler, I'll 
 soon kick them out. Let' go my ankle !" exclaimed he, 
 turning to Sneak, who caught hold of him as he rose to 
 approach the door. 
 
 "Don't open the door yet," said Boone, who had been 
 listening to the sounds outside, and then continued in an 
 under tone, addressing Glenn: "They are certainly here; 
 but whether or not with an evil intent I am unable to de 
 termine." 
 
 " Oh goodness ! It's the Indians !" exclaimed Joe, yield 
 ing to sudden alarm, having momentarily forgotten the an 
 ticipated danger when he proposed opening the door. 
 
 " Keep your mouth shet !" said Sneak, listening with hia 
 ear placed near the floor behind the door. 
 
 "How many do you make them out to be ?" inquired 
 Boone, when Sneak had occupied his position a few ini- 
 utes. 
 
 " It's all right !" replied Sneak, eagerly; "there is only 
 two or three of 'em, and old Roughgrove's out there talk 
 ing to 'em ! How do you open the door ? Let me out !" 
 
 The door was opened with reluctance and cautiously by 
 Joe, and Sneak going foremost all the party sallied out into 
 the fresh air. A snow of several inches in depth had fallen, 
 and within the circle enclosed by the palisade not a single 
 track was to be seen. Bat when the gate was drawn back, 
 aeveral Osage Indians were observed standing a few ; aces 
 distant with their tomahawks hung in their behs, and i 
 
 5*
 
 64 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 of exhibiting any symptoms of hostility, they approached 
 smiling, and extended the hand of friendship to the whites. 
 
 "How do !" exclaimed the leader, in imperfect English, 
 grasping the hands held out in salutation, while his actions 
 were imitated by the others in silence. 
 
 " I'm very well, I thank you," said Joe, bowing and 
 retreating backwards when they accosted him, unwilling to 
 venture his hand within their reach, as Glenn and the rest 
 did. 
 
 " Shake hands with them, you silly fellow," said Boone, 
 "or they will think you are an enemy." 
 
 " Here, Mr. Osage !" said Joe, his teeth chattering aS he 
 extended his hand ; and the Indian, perceiving his alarm, 
 squeezed it so tightly for merriment that he was on the eve 
 of crying out ; and when liberated, he sprang violently 
 back, much inclined to run away, to their great amusement. 
 
 "That is Raven, the chief," remarked Roughgrove to 
 Glenn, pointing to the one that first addressed them, arid 
 who was now conversing with Boone, whom he seemed to 
 fcnow, or to have been familiar with his character, from his 
 animated gestures and the excited expression of his features. 
 Sneak stood in silence, a convenient distance apart, appa 
 rently gleaning intelligence from the conference. The chief 
 (as are the members of this tribe generally) was extremely 
 dark, tall, athletic, and wore a ferocious aspect, while the 
 few followers with him manifested a curosity to examine 
 the apparel and accoutrements of the whites, but without 
 betraying any signs of an evil disposition. 
 
 "Are there not more of them in the vicinity ?" inquired 
 Glenn. 
 
 " Yes quite a large party," said Roughgrove ; " but 
 Raven said he did not wish to intimidate the whites by 
 showing them, without first extending the hand of friend 
 ship himself. They profess to entertain the kindest feel 
 ing towards us, and propose through their chiefs to traffic 
 their furs and moccasins for such goods as we may be dis 
 posed to give them in return." 
 
 " I do not see your oarsman, Posin,'' remarked Glenn, 
 the disclosure of Mary occurring to him and then accosted 
 Mary herself, who now joined them with her eyes cast dowr 
 iw t oparent bashfulriess. 
 
 ' His absence is a mystery to me," replied the oH ferry
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 man, " though I do not attach the same importance to it 
 that Mary does." 
 
 " Father" uttered his daughter, and pausing in mingled 
 timidity and dread, as if some undefinable forebodings of 
 harm oppressed her. 
 
 " I'll be shot if I understand all this to my liking," said 
 Sneak, staring at the great number of moccasin tracks that 
 had been made round the enclosure, which truly indicated 
 that more than the four chiefs present had been prowling 
 there before daylight. 
 
 " Hush, Mr. Sneak !" said Joe; " they hear every word 
 you say." 
 
 "Jest let me alone a minute," replied Sneak, getting 
 down on his knees and examining the various foot-prints 
 with great minuteness. When he rose he made some signs 
 to Boone, which the others did not comprehend. 
 
 At this juncture several other Indians were seen to 
 approach from the valley above, where the party had en 
 camped. These painted visitors likewise came forward with 
 sundry nods and gesticulations of friendship, at the same 
 time exhibiting several furred articles of curious work 
 manship, and a few precious stones, as samples of what 
 they wished to barter. A short conference then ensued 
 between them and the head chief, which terminated in a 
 pressing invitation for the whites to accompany them to 
 their encampment. 
 
 " You may all do as you like I shall stay here," said 
 Joe, stepping back towards the gate. 
 
 "You area coward, Joe!" said Glenn; "you may remain, 
 however, to prevent them from pilfering any thing while we 
 are away," and he turned towards the Indians for the pur 
 pose of accompanying them. 
 
 " Stay !" said Mary, in a distinct and startling tone. 
 
 " Why should we not go ? We are armed, and could 
 as easily withstand an attack in their encampment aa 
 elsewhere. If it be their determination to do us harm, 
 their numbers will enable them to accomplish their purpose 
 notwithstanding all the opposition we can offer," said 
 Glenn. 
 
 " There is no danger," said Roughgrove, endeavouring tc 
 extricate his arm from the grasp of Mary, who strenuously 
 held him back.
 
 56 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 u I have a secret for thee, child," said Boone, beckoning 
 tha trembling girl to him. 
 
 " Oh, what is it ? You will not let him I mean my father, 
 go among them, will you ? You know that Posin is away 
 perhaps in some ambush " 
 
 "Hush child !" said Boone, in a low tone, and employing 
 gestures that led the savages to believe he was quieting her 
 fe&rs, while he whispered a message in her ear that had a 
 singular effect. Though very pale, the girl now smiled 
 playfully, and returning to her father, said, in tones so low 
 that no one else could hear, "Father, he says you must in 
 staiitly cross the river for assistance I will be safe, under 
 his protection, till you return." 
 
 " I'll do it !" replied Roughgrove, setting off towards the 
 ferry. But when he departed, the chief evinced much anger, 
 and was only appeased by the assurance that the old ferry 
 man was gone for some article desired by his child, and 
 would return ere long. 
 
 The footprint which had so much attracted Sneak was 
 recognized by some peculiar marks to be that of Posin, and 
 when the discovery was communicated to Boone, he at 
 once surmised that danger lurked in the vicinity ; and the 
 subsequent impatience on the part of the Indians to urge 
 the whites to visit their camp, convinced him that some foul 
 treachery had been concocted between the half-breed and 
 the savages. He had also caught a glimpse of several 
 armed Indians behind some bushes at no great distance 
 from where he stood, notwithstanding Raven had asserted 
 that the rest of his party were in their encampment ; and 
 when the chief grew angry, and almost menacing, on the 
 withdrawal of the old ferryman, he /esolved to adopt the 
 surest means of safety without delay. No sooner was the 
 ferry-boat seen to shoot out from the land than Boone 
 motioned the whites to enter the inclosure. As they turned 
 towards the gate, the chief made a movement to intercept 
 them ; but Boone drew forth a brace of pistols that had been 
 concealed under his hunting-shirt, one of which he pointed 
 at Raven, and with the other intimidated the rest who had 
 advanced likewise, until his friends were all within the 
 palisade. 
 
 Boone did not wish to be the first to shed blood, and in 
 their ou language asserted as much to the savages; but
 
 Boone drew forth a brace of pistols that had been concealed under his hunting- 
 shirt, one of which he pointed at Raven, and with the other intimidated the rest 
 who had advanced on himself, until his friends were all within the palisade. P. EG
 
 A NARRATIVE. 5? 
 
 at the same time he warned them not to commit any violence 
 in the settlement at their peril. The chief had not thought 
 there would be any necessity for bloodshed so soon, and 
 perhaps not at all, if Glenn could be enticed from his house, 
 while Posin and his comrades might obtain his money. 
 
 Nor did he expect to meet with Boone, (renowned among 
 all the tribes for his wisdom and prowess,) much less to be 
 anticipated on the very threshold of the enterprise. His 
 rage grew intense on finding himself outwitted and defied. 
 He drew forth his tomahawk, and though not venturing to 
 throw it, (for he perceived Glenn and Sneak behind, with 
 their guns in readiness to fire,) he shook it threateningly 
 at Boone as he closed the gate, and then strode away sulkily 
 in the direction of the bushes, where some of his followers 
 had been seen partially concealed. 
 
 When the gate Avas secured, the inmates of the little fort 
 crowded about Boone and overwhelmed him with questions. 
 
 " Do you think they can get over the posts ?" inquired 
 Joe. 
 
 " Will they come before father returns ?" asked Mary. 
 
 " Do you think they will attack us at all ?" interrogated 
 Glenn. 
 
 "There can be no doubt of it," replied Boone; "but 
 if we do our duty, I think we shall be able to resist them. 
 We must be ready to defend ourselves, at all events and 
 in the mean time we must watch through the loopholes on 
 every side to prevent a surprise." This was hardly spoken 
 before an arrow whizzed over their heads, and, striking 
 against the stone wall of the house, fell at the feet of Joe. 
 
 " Ugh ! look at that !" cried he, leaping some ten feet 
 away. 
 
 " Go in, child and the rest to their posts !" remarked 
 Boone, first to Mary, and then addressing the men. 
 
 " Yes do go in, Miss !" cried Joe, forcing Mary into the 
 L)use, where he also seemed determined to remain him 
 self. 
 
 " Come out here !" cried Sneak, going to the door. 
 
 " Wait till I screw a flint in my musket," said Joe. 
 
 "You can see better out here," replied Sneak. 
 
 "But I haven't found the flint yet," answered Joe. 
 
 "He's a coward !" said Sneak, turning away and going 
 to his post, whence he could watch the valley below.
 
 68 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Boone's station was on the opposite side, in the direction 
 of the supposed encampment of the Indians. But not a 
 savage could now be seen, and the arrow that fell among 
 them had evidently been discharged from a great distance 
 above. 
 
 " Shall we fire if any of them come within the range of 
 our guns ?" inquired Glenn, from his position on the east, 
 which overlooked the cliff. 
 
 " Certainly/' replied Boone ; "the arrow was their de 
 claration of war, and if they are again seen, it will be in a 
 hostile attitude. Watch close, Sneak !" he cried, as another 
 shaft flew over the palisade from the valley below, and 
 penetrated the wood but a few feet above his head. 
 
 ".Come out to your post, Joe!" cried Glenn, impatiently. 
 
 " I will presently as soon as I get my gun fixed," re 
 plied Joe. 
 
 " If you do not come forth instantly, I'll thrust you out 
 of the inclosure !" continued Glenn, somewhat fiercely. 
 
 " Here I am," said Joe, coming out, and making an 
 effort to assume a bold bearing : " I'm ready now I only 
 wanted to fix my gun who's afraid?" saying which, he 
 strode in a stooping posture to the loophole on the west of 
 the inclosure. 
 
 While the whole male force of the garrison was required 
 10 act as sentinels, Mary, whose trepidation had been 
 succeeded by deliberate resolution, was busily employed 
 moulding bullets. 
 
 An hour passed, and no Indians had yet been seen, 
 although an occasional arrow assured the besieged party 
 that the enemy still remained in the immediate vicinity. 
 They cleared away the snow at their posts, and placing 
 dry straw to stand upon, prepared to continue the watch 
 throughout the day and night. Nor were they to suffer for 
 food ; for Mary, though she had not been requested so to do, 
 ere long, to their joyful surprise, came forth with a dinner 
 handsomely provided, which she placed before them with a 
 mile of satisfaction playing on her lips, and entirely un 
 mindful of the shafts that continued to fly averhead, which 
 either pierced the wood and remained stationary, or fell 
 expended and harmless at her feet. 
 
 Affairs thus remained till niglit, when the arrows ceased 
 to fly. There was not a cloud in the heavens, and the
 
 A NARRATIVE. 59 
 
 moon rose up in purest brightness. A breathless stillness 
 pervaded the air, and no sound for a great length of time 
 could be heard but the hooting of owls on the opposite side 
 of the river, and the howling of wolves in the flats about a 
 mile above. 
 
 "I'm not a bit cold are you?" said Joe, addressing 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Dod ! keep an eye out !" replied Sneak, in a low 
 tone. 
 
 " There's nothing out this way but a bush. But I declare 
 it seems to be bigger and nigher than it was in the day 
 time," said Joe. 
 
 "Don't speak so loud," remarked Boone, crossing to 
 where Joe stood, and looking through at the bush. 
 
 " It's nothing but a bush," said Joe. 
 
 "Do you wish to kill an Indian?" inquired Boone. 
 
 " I wish they were all worms, and I could get my heel 
 on them !" said Joe. 
 
 " That would be cruel but as any execution we may 
 now do, is in our own defence, you may fire at that bush if 
 you like," continued Boone. 
 
 "Well," said Joe; and taking deliberate aim, discharged 
 his musket as directed, and was knocked down on his back 
 in the snow by the rebound. 
 
 "Plague take the gun!" said he, recovering his feet; 
 " but I remember it had two loads in I forgot it was 
 charged, and loaded it again. Ha ! ha ! ha ! but what's 
 become of the bush ?" he continued jocularly, not thinking 
 he had fired at an Indian. 
 
 " Look for yourself," replied Boone. 
 
 " Hang me if it ain't gone !" exclaimed Joe. 
 
 " Ay, truly it is ; but had you hit the mark, it would 
 have fallen. It was rather too far, however, even for your 
 musket," said Boone, returning to his former position. 
 
 "You are the poorest marksman that ever I saw, 01 
 you'd 'ave killed that red rascal," said Sneak, coming up 
 to Joe, and finding where the bush had been. 
 
 "I didn't know it was any thing but a bush if I'd only 
 known it was an Indian " 
 
 " You be hanged !" replied Sneak, vexed that such a 
 capital opportunity should be lost, and petulantly resuming 
 bis own station.
 
 60 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 An intense silence succeeded the discharge of Joe's gun, 
 after tne tremendous report died away, in successive rever 
 berations up and down the river, and over the low wood 
 land opposite. The owls and wolves were hushed; and as 
 the watchful sentinels cast their eyes over the snow, on 
 which the calm rays of the moon rested in repose, there 
 was not the least indication of the presence of a dangerous 
 foe. 
 
 Joe leant against the palisade, holding with one hand 
 the breech of his gun, while the barrel was thrust through 
 the loophole, and seemed to be indulging in a peculiar train 
 of reflections. 
 
 "Now, I'd much rather he in Philadelphia," said he, in 
 a voice but little louder than a whisper, and unconscious 
 of giving utterance to his thoughts " a great deal rather 
 be there in some comfortable oyster-cellar than standing 
 out here in the lone wilderness, up to my knees in snow, 
 and expecting every minute to have a poisoned arrow shot 
 through my head. Hang it all ! I wonder what pleasure 
 Mr. Glenn can enjoy here ? Suppose, now, while I'm 
 standing here thinking, an arrow should dart over the 
 other side, and stick five, or six inches into me ? I hope 
 they keep a careful look-out. And that reminds me that I 
 ought to keep an eye out myself, for fear some one may be 
 pinked from my side." He applied his eye to the hole, and 
 continued in the same strain : " I don't see a single living 
 thing; maybe they've all gone off. If they have, I'll de 
 serve all the credit, for I'm the only person that shot at 
 them. And I don't think that long hatchet-face Sneak will 
 think that I'm a coward any more. But these savages are 
 strange beings ; I had no more idea that the bush hid an 
 Indian than that there's one not ten feet off now, under the 
 snow. And if we hadn't found him out he might have 
 crawled up and shot me in the eye through this hole. I won't 
 hold my eye here all the time !" said he, rising, and to his 
 astonishment Sneak stood at his elbow, whither he had 
 glided softly, his quick ear having caught the hum of Joe's 
 soliloquy, and his curiosity leading him to find out the 
 meaning of the mysterious jargon of his companion-in-arms. 
 
 " Of all the men I ever saw you are the dod-rottedest !" 
 exclaimed Sneak, after staring at him a few moments in 
 silent wonderment, arid then striding back to his post.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 61 
 
 " I should like to hear that sentence parsed, said Joe, 
 looking after him. 
 
 The hours wore on in peace, until midnight, when a low 
 chattering, like that of a squirrel, was heard in the valley 
 below ; while a shrill whistling, resembling that of quails 
 i?as distinguished above. 
 
 " Come hither !" exclaimed Boone in a whisper to Glenn. 
 
 " Do you see any of them ?" inquired Glenn, joining his 
 friend. 
 
 "Not yet but we will see enough of them presently. 
 The sounds in the valleys are signals, and they will attack 
 us on these sides. You may abandon your watch on the 
 east, and assist me here." 
 
 "And you may come and spell me," said Sneak to Joe. 
 
 "I must not desert my post," said Joe. 
 
 " If you stay there, you'll be dead sure to be shot !" re 
 plied Sneak. 
 
 " You don't think they're coming back, do you ?" in 
 quired Joe, gliding swiftly to Sneak's side. 
 
 " They'll be - on us in no time. Is your gun loaded ?" 
 
 " I declare I have forgotten whether I loaded it again oi 
 not !" said Joe. 
 
 "You're a purty feller, to watch with an empty gun, 
 now ain't you ? Never mind blowing in her run down a 
 cartridge as quick as you kin ; it makes no odds how much 
 you have in ; a big noise will do as much good as any thing 
 else," said Sneak, hurriedly, evidently expecting to see 
 the savage enemy every moment, while Joe did his bidding, 
 asserting all the time that he believed his musket was 
 already loaded, and expressing a decided dislike to being 
 kicked over every day from overcharging. 
 
 As Boone predicted, but a very short time elapsed before 
 a series of startling and frightful yells were heard below, 
 which were answered by similar horrid sounds above. Joe 
 first ran towards Boone and Glenn, and then sprang back 
 to his place at the side of Sneak, fully con vinced there were 
 rio means of retreat, and, being effectually cornered, at 
 length evinced an ardent desire to fire. When the yells 
 ^ied away in the distance, a flight of arrows from the north 
 acd south poured upon the besieged party. Many of them 
 pierced the outer side of the palisade, while others, flying 
 , penetrated the opposite timbers, and quivered above
 
 62 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 the heads of the men ; and some rattled against the top of 
 the house, (the snow having melted from the roof,) and fell 
 harmless to the earth. 
 
 There having been no shot yet fired in the direction 
 whence the arrows came, (for such was the order of Boone,) 
 the savages, emboldened by the absence of any demonstra 
 tions of resistance, and thinking their foes were shut up in 
 the house, or killed by their numberless shafts, charged 
 upon the premises simultaneously from both sides, shooting 
 their arrows and yelling as they came. When they had 
 approached within a hundred paces of the inclosure, Boone 
 and Sneak fired with deadly aim at the foremost of the 
 party, and the next moment Glenn followed the example, 
 while Boone reloaded his gun. 
 
 "Now fire!" exclaimed Sneak, shaking Joe by the 
 shoulder, having seen the savages pause when one of their 
 party uttered the death-howl and fell. 
 
 "Here goes!" said Joe, pulling the trigger and falling 
 over on his back in the snow from the rebound, for the 
 musket had been truly twice charged. 
 
 " Split me if you didn't accidentally throw a handful of 
 bullets among their legs that crack !" said Sneak, observing 
 the now discomfited and retreating Indians, as they en 
 deavoured to bear off their wounded, and then firing on 
 them again himself as they vanished down the valley. The 
 like result was witnessed above, and again in a very short 
 time there was not a savage to be seen. 
 
 "What's the matter? Why don't you get up?" asked 
 Sneak turning to Joe, who still remained prostrate on the 
 ground. 
 
 " My mouth's bleeding I don't know but I'm wounded. 
 Didn't an arrow come through the hole when I was shoot 
 ing?" asked Joe, rising partially up and spitting out a 
 quantity of blood on the snow. 
 
 " It was nothing but the gun kicking you like it did in 
 the bear hunt. If it was an arrow you must have swal- 
 lered it, for I don't see the shaft. But maybe you did 
 you're sech a gormandizer," said Sneak. 
 
 "Hang it all, I don't believe I'm much hurt!" exclaimed 
 Joe, jumping up suddenly. "Get from before the hole I" 
 he continued, ramming down a cartridge hastily, and thrust 
 ing out the muzzle of his gun.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 65 
 
 Why don't you blaze away ?" asked Sneak, laughing, 
 observing that he hesitated. 
 
 " Why, they're all gone !" cried Joe, joyfully, " and it 
 was my old cannon that swept them off, too." 
 
 Once more silence pervaded the scene. Boone, after the 
 repeated solicitations of Mary, partook of another bountiful 
 repast, and the others in turn likewise refreshed themselves, 
 and then resumed the watch. 
 
 Nor was it long before the Osages were once more heard 
 to howl like fiends, and the sound had hardly ceased to 
 vibrate through the air before a singular and unexpected 
 assault terrified the besieged party for a moment. Thia 
 was a shower of blazing arrows coming from below, (where 
 all the savages now seemed to be collected,) which ignited 
 the palisade in many places where the snow had fallen off. 
 But the fire was easily extinguished, and all, with the ex 
 ception of Boone, were disposed to attach but little import 
 ance to any further device of the enemy. Boone, on the 
 contrary, was unusually grave, and requested his com 
 panions to be on the alert, or they would yet be the victims 
 of the savages. 
 
 "I like these kind of arrows the best," said Joe, "for I 
 can see how to dodge them." 
 
 " But the wooden slabs can't dodge dod ! they're afire 
 on the outside now !" cried Sneak, truly discovering a flame 
 reaching above the inclosure from without. 
 
 " Watch well from the loopholes !" cried Boone, throwing 
 open the gate and rushing out, and running round to where 
 the fire was crackling. " Come, Sneak ! I want your as 
 sistance quick !" he exclaimed, finding the flames making 
 rapid progress. 
 
 "Keep your eye skinned now!" said Sneak, as he left 
 Joe alone to watch for the Indians, and ran out to aid in 
 subduing the fire. 
 
 The savages could evidently see what was transacting, 
 although unseen themselves, for most of their arrows now 
 seemed to be directed at those without. 
 
 " Look sharp !" said Boone to Joe, through the loophole. 
 
 "Let me assist!" cried Glenn, imprudently leaving his 
 post in his eagerness to share the danger, and coming out 
 witn a spade.
 
 64 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " Go in, my friend we are sufficient here," said Boone, 
 addressing Glenn. 
 
 " Come in ! come in ! come in !" cried Joe. 
 
 "I see no Indians," remarked Boone. 
 
 " The house is on fire ! Fire ! fire ! fire !" screamed Joe, 
 tailing into his old habit when in the city. 
 
 Glenn ran back in this emergency, but when he arrived 
 within the inclosure, he found that this service had been 
 anticipated by Mary, who had quietly thrust her hands into 
 the snow, and with balls thus made, easily extinguished 
 the fire on the roof. 
 
 When Boone and Sneak had effected their purpose, they 
 repaired to their former positions, assured that the utmost 
 caution must be observed to prevent a surprise from some 
 unexpected quarter, while their attention was naturally 
 directed to one particular point. But they had hardly re 
 sumed their stations before their ears were saluted by the 
 joyful report of rifles in the valley. Relief was at hand. 
 Roughgrove had recrossed the river, with a party of recruits, 
 and fallen upon the rear of the. savages, at a moment when 
 success seemed to smile on their sanguinary purpose. Their 
 shouts of exultation at the prospect of firing the premises 
 were now changed to howls of despair, and they fled in all 
 directions. But Roughgrove, aware of the impolicy of pur 
 suit, led his men directly to the gallant little garrison ; and 
 the victorious huzzas of his band were answered in like 
 manner by the besieged, who came forth and gave them a 
 cordial welcome. Never, perhaps, when they met, did hand 
 grasp hand more heartily. But Mary, who had hitherto 
 cast aside all the weaker fears of the woman, no sooner be 
 held her aged father in safety than she rushed into his 
 arms and fainted on his breast.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 66 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A strange excursion A fairy scene Joe is puzzled and frightened A 
 wonderful discovery Navigation of the upper regions A. crash Nc 
 bones broken. 
 
 SEVERAL weeks had elapsed since the incidents record 
 ed in the last chapter. The repulse of the Osages was 
 succeeded by the arrival of a war-party of Pawnees, and a 
 deadly feud existing between these tribes, the latter readily 
 joined the whites, and speedily chased the enemy far be 
 yond the settlements. Boone had returned to his family on 
 the other side of the river ; and Sneak, having made peace 
 with Joe, had likewise withdrawn to his own domicil, to 
 pursue his avocations of hunting and trapping in solitude. 
 
 Glenn sat before a blazing fire in his little castle, his left 
 hand clasping a closed book he had been reading, while his 
 dextral elbow was resting or. the rude arm of a chair which 
 he had constructed and cushioned with furs, and his palm 
 supported his chin. He thus sat silently, looking stead 
 fastly through one of the little square windows at the snow- 
 encrusted branches of the trees beyond the inclosure, and 
 apparently indulging a pleasing train of reflections. 
 
 Joe, on the contrary, was engaged in boisterous and 
 mirthful exercise on the deep and frozen snow without. He 
 was playing with the kitten, the fawn, and the hounds, and 
 occasionally ran into the stable to caress the horses. 
 
 At length, with no other object than a dreamy impulse to 
 wander among the wild scenes in the vicinity, Glenn started 
 up, and donning a warm overcoat and seizing his rifle, set 
 out along the cliff up the river, (a direction which he had 
 never yet traversed,) accompanied by Joe, who seemed to 
 look upon his master's pale composed face, and determined 
 though gentle motions, with curiosity, if not mystery. 
 
 " Why do you stare at me so often ?" inquired Glenn, 
 causing, after they had walked some distance in silence. 
 
 *' Because I don't know what you're after," replied Joe 
 
 6*
 
 06 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " You 11 see what I'm after," said Glenn, setting forward, 
 and continuing his course along the cliff. 
 
 A snow of several feet in depth rested on the earth, and 
 the sun that shone forth at noon had melted the surface so 
 frequently, that the freezing nights which had as often suc 
 ceeded had formed an icy incrustation quite strong enough 
 to bear the weight of a man. Though it was a dreary 
 waste, yet Glenn gleaned a satisfaction in casting his eyes 
 around where his glance beheld no one striving to oppress 
 his fellow being that he might acquire riches and power, 
 to be again snatched from his grasp by others, but a peace 
 ful scene, fresh from the hand of God, and unmarred by 
 the workmanship of meaner creatures. The broad river 
 far below was covered with a massy plate of ice, and the 
 snow that rested upon it gave it the appearance of an im 
 mense plain, rather than an incrusted surface of the most 
 perturbed and erratic stream in the world. The geese and 
 other fowl that wandered over the frozen surface in quest of 
 their native element, from the great distance down, seemed 
 to be no larger than sparrows. 
 
 Ere long, Glenn and his man reached the valley above, 
 and commenced a descent through the timber in a diagonal 
 direction, that would conduct them, after numerous wind 
 ings, to the edge of the frozen stream, along which a narrow 
 pathway ran northward about a mile. Glenn paused at 
 an abrupt angle in his descent, after having proceeded a 
 few paces through the undergrowth, and stood long in 
 wonderment and admiration, gazing at the scene that sud 
 denly burst in view. His towering position overlooked the 
 whole valley. The ten thousand trees beneath, and their 
 ten million branches and twigs all completely clothed in 
 crystal while not the slightest breeze was stirring pre 
 sented a view of fairyland, such as flits across the vision 
 in dreams, that the memory fain would cling to, but which is 
 lost in the real and conflicting transactions of returning day. 
 The noonday sun was momentarily veiled by a listless cloud, 
 which seemed to be stationary in the heavens, as if designed 
 *x> enhance the effect of the beauty below, that outvied in 
 brightness even the usual light above. Not a squirrel was 
 seen to leap from bough to bough, nur a bird to flit across 
 the opening between the lofty trees ; but all was stillness, 
 silence, and oeauty. As Glenn stood entranced, Joe seemed
 
 A NARRATIVE. 67 
 
 to be more struck with the operation of the enchantment 
 on his companion's features and attitude, than with any 
 effect from the same source experienced on himself. 
 
 "Ain't you going down to the bottom of the valley?" 
 asked Joe. 
 
 "It is a scene such as is beheld by infants in their slum 
 bers, when they dream of paradise !" said Glenn, paying 
 na attention to Joe, his eyes immovably riveted on the in 
 numerable sprigs of alabaster which pointed out in every 
 direction in profuse clusters, while his pale lips seemed to 
 move mechanically, and his brow expressed a mournful 
 serenity, as if entertaining a regret that he should ever be 
 separated from the pearly labyrinths before him, amid which 
 he would delight to wander forever. 
 
 "I think you must be dreaming yourself," said Joe, star 
 ing at him. 
 
 " How composed is every object !" continued Glenn ; 
 " such must be the abode of angels and departed spirits, 
 who are not permitted longer to behold the strifes of earth 
 and its contaminations, but rove continually with noiseless 
 tread, or on self-poised wing, through devious and delight 
 ful paths, surrounded by sedges of silver embroidery, and 
 shielded above by mazy fretwork spangled with diamonds, 
 or gliding without effort through the pure and buoyant air, 
 from bower to bower of crystal " 
 
 " Ugh talking of the icy trees makes me chilly !" said 
 Joe. 
 
 "With life everlasting and unchangeable!" continued 
 Glenn, after a momentary pause from the interruption of 
 his man, which he only noticed by a significant motion of 
 the hand for him to be silent. 
 
 "But I wouldn't like the eternal frost-work" said Joe. 
 
 "Pshaw!" replied Glenn, pursuing his way downwards. 
 When they reached the bottom of the valley, they were yet 
 a hundred paces distant from its junction with the river, 
 T?hich was obscured by the many intervening trees that 
 grew along the frozen rivulet. Here Glenn again paused 
 to contemplate tue scene. The hills that rose abruptly on 
 either hand, and the thick intertwining branches above, 
 combined to produce a dusky aspect scarce less dim than 
 twilight. Glenn folded his arms composedly, and looked 
 thoughtfully round, as if indulging the delightful fancies
 
 68 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 engendered when wandering forth on a summer's pleasant 
 evening. " There seems to be a supernatural influence 
 pervading the air to-day," he said, in a low tone, "for I 
 sometimes imagine that flitting spirits become partially visi 
 ble. On the pendent icicles and jewelled twigs, methiiiks 
 I sometimes behold for an instant the prismatic rays of 
 elfins' eyes " 
 
 " Don't believe it," said Joe ; " or if it is so, they are 
 weeping at the cold, and will soon be frozen up." 
 
 "And at each sudden turn," continued Glenn, "they 
 Beem to linger an instant in view, and then vanish sportive 
 ly, as if amused at the expense- of impotent mortals." 
 
 " I ran't hear 'em laugh," said Joe. 
 
 "And then," continued Glenn, "although beyond hu 
 man consciousness, there may be heavenly sounds in the 
 air the melody of aerial harps and fairy voices to which 
 our ears may be sealed, when, perchance, our vicinity to 
 their presence may inspire the peculiar sensation I now 
 experience." 
 
 " I heard a heap of curious sounds one warm sunshiny 
 morning," said Joe ; " but when I asked an old fellow 
 jogging along the same road what they meant, he said the 
 day before had been so cold when the stage-driver went by 
 that his wind froze as it came out of the bugle, and was 
 just then thawing." 
 
 "If such beings do exist," continued Glenn, paying no 
 attention to Joe, "it would delight me to commune with 
 them face to face." 
 
 " I see a buck's head !" cried Joe, looking down the dell, 
 where the object he mentioned was distinctly observable 
 amid a cluster of spice wood bushes, whence a slight jingling 
 sound proceeded as the animal plucked the nutritious buds 
 bent down by the innumerable icicles. 
 
 " Why should not the sylvan gods" continued Glenn. 
 
 " Hush ! I'm going to fire !" said Joe. 
 
 "Why should they not resort hither," said Glenn, un 
 mindful of Joe, "where no meaner beings abide?" 
 
 Joe fired, and Glenn started in astonishment, as if he 
 bad had no intimation of his companion's intention. 
 
 "Hang it all! Isn't he going to die, I wonder?" said 
 Joe, after the buck had made one or two plunges in the 
 BDOW. his sharp hoofs piercing through the crust OP tbe
 
 A NARRATIVE. 69 
 
 surface, and with much struggling extricated himself and 
 stood trembling, and looked imploringly at his foe. 
 
 "What in the world are you about?" exclaimed Glenn, 
 casting a listless glance at the deer, and then staring his 
 companion in the face. 
 
 "Whip me if there was any lead in the gun !" said Joe. 
 " I drew the bullets out yesterday, and forgot to put them 
 in again. But no matter he can't run through the snow 
 I'll kill him with the butt of my musket." 
 
 " Move not, at your peril !" said Glenn, authoritatively, 
 when Joe was about to rush on the defenceless buck. 
 
 "I do believe you are out of your head !" said Joe, star 
 ing Glenn in the face, and glancing at the tempting prize, 
 alternately. 
 
 " At such an hour in such an elysian place as this no 
 blood shall be spilled. It were profanity to discolor these 
 pearly walks with clotted gore." 
 
 "The deuce take the pearls, say I !" said Joe. 
 
 "Perhaps," continued Glenn, "a god may have put on 
 the semblance of a stag to tempt us." 
 
 "And hang me, if I wouldn't pretty soon spoil his phy 
 siognomy, if you would only say the word!" said Joe, 
 shaking his head sullenly at the buck. 
 
 "Come," said Glenn, sternly; and, leading the way, he 
 passed within a few feet of the terrified animal without 
 turning his head aside, and directed his steps down the 
 valley towards the river. Joe said nothing when opposite 
 the buck, awed by the impressive tone and mysterious 
 bearing of his master ; but he grinned defiance at him, and 
 resolved to embrace the first opportunity to steal out alone, 
 and fully gratify his revenge ; for such was the feeling ho 
 now harboured against the animal. 
 
 When they reached the margin of the river, they wan 
 dered along the narrow path that turned to the left, and 
 contioued up the stream, with the ice but a few feet distant 
 on one hand, and tho precipitous acclivity of rocks on the 
 other. They maintained a brisk pace for about thirty mi 
 nutes, when the range of cliffs terminating abruptly, they 
 entered a low flat forest. 
 
 "Ncit, what do you say to my firing?" exclaimed Joe, 
 staring at an enormous wolf, a short distance on the left.
 
 TO WILL WESTERN SCENEP: 
 
 that seemed to be tearing the flesh from the carcass of a 
 deer. 
 
 "You must not fire," replied Glenn, viewing the scene 
 with no interest. 
 
 " Why not ? If the deer's a sylvan god, the wolfs sure 
 to be a black devil, and it's a duty to take the god's part," 
 said Joe. 
 
 "No!" replied Glenn, still striding on. 
 
 " Where are you going to, I should like to know ? J 
 hope you haven't any idea of going closer to the haunted 
 island !" said Joe, following reluctantly. 
 
 "What haunted island?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "Why that one right ahead of us!" replied Joe, point 
 ing to a small island a few hundred paces distant. 
 
 "Who says it is haunted?" demanded Glenn. 
 
 "Why, everybody in the country knows it's haunted. 
 Didn't you hear Miss Mary telling all about it?" 
 
 " What did she tell about it ?" 
 
 "That several years ago a man flew up the river riding 
 on a black cloud of smoke, and after scaring all the Indians 
 and everybody else away, took up his abode in yonder 
 island. Not a soul, from that day to this, has ever been 
 nearer to it than we are now. But strange sights have been 
 seen there. Once a great big swan, as large as our house, 
 was seen to come out of the willows and leap into the water 
 After seeing it paddle about an hour or two in every direc 
 tion, an old beaver trapper and deer hunter took it into hip 
 head that it was nothing more than a water-fowl of some 
 large species; and resolving to have a crack at it anyhow, 
 he crept behind the rocks at the end of the cliff, and blazed 
 away when it swam past the next time. Mercy on us! 
 when he fired, they say the thing turned his head towards 
 him, and came at him in a straight line, and as fast as 
 lightning, blowing sparks of fire out of its nostrils, while 
 the poor man stood stock still, spell-bound, until it seized 
 upon him, and he has never been heard of since." 
 
 "Nothing more?" asked Glenn, lightly, and smiling. 
 
 " Good gracious ! what more would you want ? But there 
 was more ; for the very next day, when the people were 
 looking at tne island from a distance, and wondering what 
 had been the fate of old Odell, another large bird came out. 
 But this wap like a_n eagle, and instead of going into th
 
 A NARRATIVE. 71 
 
 < 
 
 water, it flew up into the air, and kept going higher and 
 higher, until it was no bigger than a sparrow, and soon 
 vanished altogether ! I declare we are too near the island 
 now, Mr. Glenn ; let us go back ; we have gone far enough !" 
 said Joe, beseechingly, his own tale having roused all the 
 terrors which his nature was capable of harboring. 
 
 Glenn seemed to pay no attention to what his companion 
 was saying, but strode onward directly towards the island. 
 
 " Mr. Glenn !" continued Joe, stepping ahead, and facing 
 ftim by turning round. " Oh, sir ! you don't certainly in 
 tend to venture any closer to that fatal spot ?" 
 
 " Pshaw !" replied Glenn, pushing him aside, and con 
 tinuing on. When they were opposite the island, Joe, 
 whose alarm, had almost deprived him of the power of 
 motion, was now struck with horror as he beheld hia 
 master pause, and then descend to the ice, and walk dv- 
 liberately to the haunted ground ! When Glenn reached 
 the bank, he turned to his pale and shivering companion, 
 and motioned him to follow. 
 
 " Oh, Heaven ! we'll never be seen any more !" cried Joe, 
 between his chattering teeth. 
 
 "Come on, Joe! I'll take care of you," said Glenn, 
 encouragingly, as his man hesitated in doubt when mid 
 way on the ice. 
 
 " The holy saints preserve me !" said Joe, gliding over, 
 quaking with fear, and clinging to Glenn's hand. 
 
 They walked up a gentle ascent from the water's edge, 
 whence Glenn expected to see nothing more than a surface 
 of snow, and the dense growth of young timber incident to 
 such a place. But what was his surprise on beholding, in 
 the midst of the island, and obscured from view to the sur 
 rounding country by an almost impenetrable grove of young 
 willows, a round chimney-top rising over a high circular 
 granite wall ! Nothing daunted, he continued his steps 
 directly towards the mysterious dwelling, notwithstanding 
 the protestations and prayers of Joe. When they drew 
 near, a thin slightly coloured vapor could be distinguished 
 ascending from the chimney, indicating that the tenement 
 was certainly inhabited. When they reached the wall, 
 they pursued their way round it until they found a 
 iron gate
 
 72 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "Rap there, Joe," said Glenn. Joe only turned his 
 head, and looked at him in silence. 
 
 "Knock," continued Glenn. 
 
 "Oh!" exclaimed Joe, falling on his knees. "If ever 
 you were prevailed on not to do any thing you were doing, 
 1st me this one time persuade you to leave this place." 
 
 "Knock!" repeated Glenn, emphatically. Joe struck 
 the gate several blows with his knuckles, but so gently that 
 he could not hear them himself. Glenn seemed to grow 
 angry, and seizing his man's musket, was in the act of 
 applying the end of it violently, when the gate flew open 
 at one spring, and a hoary porter stood bowing and beck 
 oning before him. 
 
 "Do not enter!" cried Joe, throwing his arms around 
 Glenn. 
 
 " It is too late, now you have knocked, and it is opened 
 unto you your mission must be accomplished before you 
 turn back. Mine is not yet effected I am the one who 
 dared to face the magic swan and like me, all who come 
 hither must remain until it shall be the pleasure of the 
 fire-wizard to release them," said the old attendant. 
 
 "Lead me to this fire-wizard !" said Glenn, firmly, step 
 ping into the inclosure. When they entered, the gate 
 closed after them without any apparent agency of the old 
 hunter, and with such force that Joe sprang several feet 
 forward. 
 
 " Oh, goodness ! we are nothing but poor rats in the trap, 
 new !" exclaimed he. 
 
 " I pledged myself for your safety, and will keep my 
 word," said Glenn. 
 
 " But what will the wizard care about your veracity ?" 
 asked Joe. 
 
 "Follow !" said the old porter, leading the way towards 
 the house. After passing several small buildings, Glenn 
 found himself in a spacious area, over which were scattered 
 various and strange implements, and divers nondescript 
 machines. Some half dozen men were also observed, their 
 sleeves rolled up, and intently plying the chisel, the file and 
 other tools. These men cast a momentary and sullen glance 
 at the visitors, like convicts in the penitentiary, and resumed 
 their labours in silence. The party soon arrived at the door 
 f the main building, when the old porter entered alone, and
 
 A NARRATIVE. 73 
 
 after remaining a few moments within, came forth and an 
 nounced his readiness to conduct our hero into the presence 
 of the fire-wizard. Glenn motioned him to lead on, and after 
 following through a short hall, and turning into a large 
 chamber, the mysterious lord of the island was confronted, 
 reclining before them on a couch of furs. He appeared to 
 be an emaciated and decrepit old man, his long white beard 
 extending down to his breast ; and when he motioned our 
 hero to a seat, his hand seemed to tremble with feebleness. 
 Yet there was something in his eye that indicated no ordinary 
 spirit, and instantly impressed Glenn with the respect that he 
 conceived to be due to superior genius ; for notwithstanding 
 all the miraculous things told of the fire-wizard, he rightly 
 conjectured the personage before him to be nothing more 
 than a human being, a recluse, perhaps, and, like himself, 
 seeking in solitude the enjoyments which (for peculiar 
 reasons) could not be found among mankind. 
 
 " What brings thee hither ?" demanded the aged man, 
 after a few minutes' silence, during which his brilliant eyes 
 were closely fixed upon the composed features of Glenn. 
 
 " That which induced thee to seek such a solitary abode," 
 replied our hero. 
 
 " Have you no fears ?" continued the old man. 
 
 "None!" replied Glenn, firmly. 
 
 " Give me your hand!" exclaimed the old man ; "you 
 are the only being that ever confronted the fire-wizard 
 without feeling terror and for those who know not fear 
 there is no danger. Instead of a menial, or a victim, I will 
 make you my companion." 
 
 " Thank him, Mr. Glenn," whispered Joe, "and perhaps 
 he won't hurt us." 
 
 " I am seeking amusement," said Glenn ; " and aa 
 long as I am pleased, it matters not with whom or where 
 shall be my abode. But the moment I desire it, I will go 
 hence." 
 
 The fire-wizard motioned the attendant to withdraw, who 
 instantly obeyed, leading Joe out at the same time, the 
 poor fellow evincing great reluctance to be separated from 
 Glenn. 
 
 " Before exhibiting to you the mysterious objects which 
 have acquired for me the name of magician," said the old 
 man, " I will briefly give you my history. 1 was, in youth,
 
 74 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 what they termed an idle dreamer ever on the alert for 
 new discoveries and was more laughed at than encouraged 
 in my pursuit of rare inventions. More than fifty years 
 ago I ascertained that steam might be made to propel ma 
 chinery. I attempted to explain the principles of this 
 discovery to my fellow-men, and to convince them of the 
 vast benefits that might result from it. I was not heeded 
 nay, I was insulted by their indifference and made a 
 solemn vow that its advantages should never be reaped 
 through my instrumentality. In secret I constructed a 
 small steamboat, and having placed on board such materials 
 as might be required, and secured the assistance of a requi 
 site number of artisans, I came hither, resolved to prosocute 
 my experiments to my own satisfaction in solitude, where 
 the taunts of skeptics could not reach me. Follow, and 
 you shall behold what has been the result of my unre 
 strained researches." The old man arose, and conducted 
 our hero across the yard to a curtained shelter on one side 
 of the inclosure. 
 
 " La ! if that ain't its foot !" exclaimed Joe, who joined 
 our hero, and observing a large foot, resembling in shape 
 that of the swan, under the folds of the curtain, while the 
 old wizard paused a moment before unveiling the curious 
 object. It was as Joe surmised : when the canvas was 
 withdrawn, an artificial swan of monstrous dimensions, 
 though perfect in all its proportions, was revealed to their 
 wondering gaze. A little beyond, another curtain was drawn 
 aside, and an eagle, holding in its beak a bloody crown, and 
 in its talons a silken banner of stripes and stars, stood be 
 fore them in the attitude of springing up in the air. 
 
 "Which will you try first?" demanded the fire-wizard, 
 while a proud smile played on his lips. 
 
 " Can either of them be set in motion by your art ?" asked 
 Glenn. 
 
 " Both !" exclaimed the wizard. " If you will tarry till 
 the ice is gone, the swan shall rush through the strongest 
 current as swiftly as the wild horse careers over the prairie; 
 or the eagle shall even now dart beyond the clouds, and 
 transport you in a few brief hours to where you will see the 
 briny waves rolling against the distant Atlantic coast 1" 
 
 Glenn was incredulous, and his unbelief was betrayed 
 by a smile, in spite of his efforts to the contrary.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 75 
 
 "Bring hither a lamp !" said the wizard to the attendant 
 and was quickly obeyed. 
 
 " Oh, don't make him mad ! He's going to do something 
 now!" whispered Joe to Glenn. The wizard touched a 
 spring; the breast of the eagle flew open, and within 
 could be seen polished wheels and other portions of a com 
 plicated machinery. The old man next applied the blaze 
 of the lamp to some spirits within, and in a very few mi 
 nutes particles of steam could be seen to escape from the 
 eagle's nostrils. The wizard touched another spring, and 
 the enormous bird strode out and paused in the centre of 
 the area. 
 
 " If you would behold the home of your youth, be it 
 whithersoever it may, so that you name it, follow me, and 
 vour eyes shall gaze upon that spot within a few hours," 
 said the sage, as the wings of the stupendous eagle slowly 
 unfolded, -and rising to a horizontal position, uncovered a 
 transparency in the side of the chest, through which could 
 be seen a gorgeous couch within, sufficiently ample to con 
 tain two men, and separate from the fire and machinery by 
 a partition of isinglass. 
 
 " Come!" exclaimed the sage, opening the tortoise-shell 
 door under the wing, and stepping into the couch. 
 
 "Don't do any such thing!" said Joe. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! Do you think it can fly, Joe ?" remarked 
 Glenn, laughing. 
 
 "It will fly!" said the old man, emphatically; " and I 
 charge you to be prepared to ascend beyond the clouds, if 
 you have the courage to occupy a portion of my couch." 
 
 "Though I cannot believe it will rise at your bidding," 
 replied Glenn, "yet, should it do so, I must be permitted 
 to regard you as. being only flesh and blood, and as such, I 
 do not hesitate to venture as much as another mortal will ;" 
 Baying which, our hero seated himself beside the reputed 
 fire-wizard. 
 
 The old man closed the door, and drawing forth a small 
 compass (his companion intimating the course,) adjusted 
 several screws within convenient reach, accordingly ; he 
 then pressed a small lever with his foot, and the wings, 
 after quivering a moment, flapped quickly, and the great 
 eagle darted almost perpendicularly up in the air, and was 
 Deyond the reach of vision in a very few seconds !
 
 76 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 When a certain height was attained, the wizard turned 
 the bird in the course indicated by his companion. 
 
 "What think you now of the fire-wizard!" demanded 
 the sage, with an air of triumph. 
 
 " Still that he is a man but a great one and this, the 
 perfection of his art, the greatest extent the Supreme Being 
 has permitted the mind of a man to attain !" replied Glenn, 
 gazing in admiration at the countries far below, which he 
 was passing with the velocity of a hurricane. 
 
 "And still you fear not!" demanded the wizard. 
 
 "And shall not!" replied Glenn, "so long as yovir fea 
 tures are composed." The old man pressed his hand and 
 smiled. 
 
 " Yonder is St. Louis !" cried Glenn, running his eye 
 along the valley of the Missouri, down to its confluence with 
 the Mississippi ; and a short distance beyond, descried the 
 town in question, though it did not seem to be larger than 
 one ordinary mansion, with its garden and customary ap 
 pendages. 
 
 "We are far above the reach of vision from the earth," 
 said the wizard, bounding forward to endeavour to regulate 
 a part of the machinery that had for some time attracted 
 his attention, and which Glenn believed to be not altogether 
 right, from the abrupt movement of his companion. 
 
 "How far above the earth are we?' asked Glenn. 
 
 " About twenty-five miles but should this screw givo 
 way, it may be less very speedily !" exclaimed the old man, 
 almost incoherently, and applying* all his strength to the 
 loosened screw to keep it in its place. 
 
 " Let me assist !" exclaimed Glenn, springing forward. 
 
 "It's gone !" cried the old man; "you have knocked it 
 out ! we are falling crushed !" 
 
 "That's just what I expected," said Joe, addressing the- 
 fawn, which had been playing with the dogs, and at length 
 ran against Glenn's chair so violently as to push it over 
 
 "Oh! oh! oh!" exclaimed Glenn. 
 
 "Goodness! Are you hurt?" asked Joe. 
 
 "Is it possible? Am I alive, and here?" exclaimed 
 Glenn, staring wildly round, and doubting his own identity. 
 
 "Well, I never heard a dead man talk, as I know of,
 
 A NARRATIVE. 7? 
 
 before ; and as to our being here, if your own eyes don't 
 convince you, I'll swear to it," said Joe. 
 
 " Did I not go up to the island this morning ?" inquired 
 Glenn. 
 
 "No," said Joe. 
 
 " Did you not accompany me, and fire at the buck ?'' 
 interrogated Glenn, resuming his seat. 
 
 "No I'll be hanged if I did!" said Joe somewhat 
 warmly. 
 
 "What haye I been doing all day?" 
 
 " You've been sitting there fast asleep, and I presume 
 you were dreaming." 
 
 " Thank Heaven, it was but a dream !" exclaimed Glenn, 
 laughing. 
 
 "A dream?" responded Joe, sitting down on his stool, 
 and soliciting Glenn to relate it to him. Glenn complied, 
 and the narration was nothing more than what the incredu 
 lous reader has been staring at all this time. But we will 
 make amends. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A hunt A deer taken The hounds Joe makes a horrid discovery 
 Sneak The exhumation. 
 
 "!T beats all the dreams I ever heard," said Joe, feeling 
 his right shoulder with his left hand. 
 
 " Why do you feel your shoulder, Joe ?" asked Glenn, 
 smilling, as he recollectp-l the many times his man had suf 
 fered by the rebound of his musket, and diverted at the 
 grave and thoughtful expression of his features. 
 
 " It was a dream, wasn't it?" asked Joe, with simplicity, 
 still examining his shoulder. 
 
 " But you know there was no lead in the gun, and it 
 could not rebound with much violence," said Glenn. 
 
 "I'll soon see all about it," exclaimed Joe, springing 
 ap and running to his gun. After a careful examination h 
 
 T^.
 
 78 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 returned to his stool beside the fire, and sat some minutes, 
 with the musket lying across his knees, and his chin in his 
 hand, plunged in profound meditation on the imaginary 
 incidents which had just been related to him. Had the 
 dream been an ordinary one, and he not an actor in it, 
 it might have passed swiftly from his memory; but inas 
 much as the conduct imputed to him was so natural, and 
 the expressions he was made to utter so characteristic, he 
 could not but regard it as a vision far more significant and 
 important than a mere freak of the brain during a moment 
 of slumber. 
 
 " What are you studying about ?" interrogated Glenn. 
 
 "I can't understand it," replied Joe, shaking his head. 
 
 "Neither can the most renowned philosopher," said 
 Glenn ; " but you can tell whether your musket has been 
 discharged." 
 
 " It hasn't been fired," said Joe. " But what distresses 
 me is, that there should be only a charge of powder in it, 
 just as you stated, and when I drew out the shot you were 
 fast asleep. You must have heard me say I intended to do 
 it." 
 
 "Not that I remember," said Glenn. 
 
 " Then there must be a wizard about, sure enough," said 
 Joe, and he crossed himself. 
 
 " Suppose we take our guns and walk out in the direc 
 tion mentioned ?" said Glenn; " I feel the want of exercise 
 after my sleep, and have some curiosity to test the accuracy 
 of my dream by comparing the things described with the 
 real objects on the island." 
 
 " Not for the world !" cried Joe, lifting both hands im 
 ploringly ; "but I will gladly go anywhere else, just to see 
 if the bushes are as beautiful as you thought they were, 
 and if the deer can't run on the snow-crust as well ad the 
 dogs." 
 
 " Come on, then I care not which course we go," said 
 Glenn, taking up his gun, and leading the way out of the 
 inclosure. 
 
 They pursued a we&eerly course until they reached nearly 
 to the edge of the prairie, when they paused in the mids*. 
 of a cluster of hazel bushes, to admire the beauty of the 
 novel scene. The description had been perfect. Even 
 Glenn surveyed the euibluzonry of magic " fic.-t -.\ork
 
 A NARRATIVE. 79 
 
 round nim -with some misgivings as to the fallacy of hia 
 nsion. Joe stared at his master with a curious and ludi 
 crous expression. 
 
 * I am not dreaming now, Joe," said he, with a smile. 
 
 *' How do you know ?" asked Joe. 
 
 " That's well pur," said Glenn ; "indeed, I am very sure 
 tnat many of my lively and spirited friends in Philadelphia 
 and New York, could they but see me, would swear that I 
 have been dreaming every day for the last three months. 
 However, I have not now the same reverence for the sylvan 
 gods I was so much inclined to worship in my last sleep ; 
 and, moreover, I am the first to see the deer this time. 
 Yonder it stands. It is not a buck, though ; capture it as 
 soon as you please." 
 
 "Where is it?" exclaimed Joe, his superstition vanish 
 ing as he anticipated some sport ; and, gliding quickly to 
 Glenn's side, he beheld, under the branches of a low scrubby 
 oak tree, the head and ears of a large doe. It was intently 
 watching our pedestrians, and stood motionless in the am 
 bush, on which it vainly relied to obscure it from the 'eyea 
 of an enemy. 
 
 "You must not fire," said Glenn, placing his hand on 
 the shoulder of Joe. Joe lowered his musket reluctantly, 
 and turning his eyes to his master, seemed inclined to re 
 lapse into the belief that all was not right and natural in 
 their proceedings. 
 
 " Now go to it," said Glenn, gently taking the gun from 
 Joe. 
 
 " I'd rather not," said Joe. 
 
 " Why ? A doe cannot hurt you it has no horns." 
 
 " I don't fear it I'm only afraid it will run away," said 
 Joe, eager to secure the prize. 
 
 " Try it, at all events ; if it should run very fast, I think 
 I shall be able to arrest its career with the gun," said 
 Glenn, who prepared to fire, provided the deer was likely 
 to escape the clutches of Joe. 
 
 " Here goes !" cried Joe, leaping through the small 
 bushes towards the covert. The deer moved not until Joe 
 reached within a few feet of it, when, making a mighty 
 spring, it bounded over the head of its assailant, and its 
 sharp feet running through the icy surface of the snow, 
 penetrated so far down, from the force of its weight, that
 
 80 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 it was unable to escape. It now lay quite still, with its 
 large blue eyes turned imploringly to its foe. Joe seized it 
 by the hind feet, and exultingly exclaimed that the prize 
 was safely his own. The trembling and unresisting animal 
 appeared to be as perfectly submissive as a sheep in the 
 hands of the shearer. 
 
 ** You have it, sure enough !" said Glenn, coming up 
 and viewing the scene with interest. 
 
 " Lash me if I haven't !" said Joe, much excited. " Have 
 you got any sort of a string about you ?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 " Please cut down a hickory withe, and peel the bark off 
 for me, while I hold its legs." 
 
 Glenn drew out his hunting knife, but paused when in 
 the act of executing his man's request, and turning, with 
 a smile playing upon his lip, said 
 
 "Perhaps, Joe, this is but another dream; and if so, it 
 is folly to give ourselves any unnecessary trouble." 
 
 "Lash me if it ain't reality !" replied Joe, as the deer 
 at length began to struggle violently. 
 
 Extricating its feet from his grasp, the doe bestowed a 
 well directed kick on its foe's head, which tumbled him 
 over on his back. The animal then sprang up, but aware 
 there was no chance of escape by running, faced about and 
 plied its bony head so furiously against Joe's breast and 
 sides that he was forced to scamper away with all possible 
 expedition. 
 
 " Has it bruised you, Joe ? If so, this is certainly no 
 dream," remarked Glenn. 
 
 " Oh, goodness ! I'm battered almost to a jelly. I'll take 
 my oath there's no dreaming about this. Let me go after 
 Ringwood and Jowler." 
 
 " It would be too cruel to let the hounds tear the poor 
 thing," said Glenn ; " but after you have bound its feet to 
 gether, you may bring out one .of the horses and a sled, and 
 convey it home unhurt." 
 
 "The horses can't go in this deep snow," said Joe. 
 
 "True, I forgot that. Take your musket and shoot it," 
 said Glenn, turning away, not wishing to witness the death 
 of the deer. 
 
 "Id rather take him prisoner," said Joe, loworiog hi
 
 A NARRATIVE. 81 
 
 musket after taking a long aim. " I can drag it on tnt 
 Bled myself." 
 
 " Then go for it," said Glenn ; " and you may bring the 
 hounds along ; I will exercise them a little after that fox 
 which keeps such a chattering in the next grove. But first 
 let us secure the deer." 
 
 Joe charged upon the doe once more, and when it aimeJ 
 Another blow at him, he threw himself under its body, and 
 the animal falling over on its side, the combined eiforts of 
 the men sufficed to bind its feet. Joe then went to the 
 house for the hounds and the sled, and Glenn leant against 
 the oak, awaiting his return. It was not long before the 
 hounds arrived, which was soon succeeded by the approach 
 of Joe with the sled. Ringwood and Jowler evinced pal 
 pable signs of delight on beholding the bound captive, but 
 their training was so perfect that they showed no disposition 
 to molest it without the orders of their master. One word 
 from Glenn, and the deer would have been instantly torn 
 in pieces ; but it was exempt from danger as long as that 
 word was withheld. 
 
 Joe soon came up, and in a very few minutes the doe 
 was laid upon the sled. When he was in the act of start 
 ing homewards with his novel burden, the hounds, contrary 
 to their usual practice, refused to accompany Glenn to the 
 thicket north of their position, where the fox was still heard, 
 and strangely seemed inclined to run in a contrary direction. 
 And what was equally remarkable, while snuffing the air 
 towards the south, they gave utterance to repeated fierce 
 growls. Joe was utterly astonished, and Glenn was fast 
 losing the equanimity of his temper. 
 
 " There's something more than common down there ; 
 see how Ringwood bristles up on the back," said Joe. 
 
 "Run there with the hounds, and see what it is," said 
 Glenn. 
 
 "And I'll take my musket, too," said Joe, striding in 
 the direction indicated, with the hounds at his heels and 
 Ms musket on his shoulder. 
 
 When he reached a narrow rivulet about one hundred 
 paces distant, that gradually widened and deepened until 
 it formed the valley in which the ferry-house was situated 
 A half mile below, he paused and suffered the hounds to 
 lead the way. They ran a short distance up the ravine
 
 S2 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 find halted at the edge of a small thicket, and commenced 
 barking very fiercely as they scented the air under the 
 bushes. 
 
 " I'll het it's another bear," said Joe, putting a fresh 
 priming in the pan of his musket, and proceeding after the 
 hounds. " If it is a bear, ought I to fool with him by my 
 self?" said he, pausing at the edge of the thicket. " I might 
 get my other ear boxed," he continued, " and it's not such 
 a pleasant thing to be knocked down by the heavy fist of a 
 big black bear. If I don't trouble him, he'll be sure to 
 let me alone. What if I call the dogs off, and go back ? 
 But what tale can I manufacture to tell Mr. Glenn ? Pshaw ! 
 What should I fear, with such a musket as this in my hand ? 
 I can't help it. I really believe I am a little touched with 
 cowardice ! I'm sorry for it, but I can't help it. It was 
 born with me, and it's not my fault. Confound it ! I will 
 screw up courage enough to see what it is, anyhow." 
 Saying this, he strode forward desperately, and urging the 
 hounds onward, followed closely in the rear in a stooping 
 posture, under the hazel bushes. 
 
 In a very few moments Joe reached the head of the ravine, 
 but to his astonishment and no little satisfaction, he beheld 
 nothing but a shelving rock, from under which a spring of 
 clear smoking water flowed, and a large bank of snow 
 which had drifted around it, but through which the gurgling 
 stream had forced its way. Yet the mystery was not solved. 
 Ringwood and Jowler continued to growl and yelp still more 
 furiously, running round the embankment of snow repeat 
 edly, and ever and anon snuffing its icy surface. 
 
 "Whip me if I can figure out this," said Joe; "what 
 in the world do the dogs keep sticking their noses in that 
 snow for? There can't be a bear in it, surely. I've a 
 notion to shoot into it. No I won't. I'll do this, though," 
 and drawing out his long knife he thrust it up to the handle 
 in the place which seemed the most to attract the hounds. 
 
 " Freeze me if it hasn't gone into something besides the 
 unow !" exclaimed he, conscious that the steel had pene 
 trated some firm substance below the frozen snow-crust. 
 ** What the deuce is it ?" he continued, pulling out the knife 
 and examining it. "Ha! blood, by jingo!" he cried, 
 springing up ; " but it can't be a living bear, or it would 
 have moved; and if it had moved, the stab woull have
 
 A NARRATIVE. 83 
 
 killed it. I won't be afraid!" said he, again plunging hia 
 knife into it. "It don't move yet it must be dead why r 
 it's frozen. Pshaw ! any thing would freeze here, in less 
 than an hour. I'll soon see what it is." Saying this, he 
 knelt down on the embankment, and commenced digging 
 the snow away with all his might. The dogs crouched 
 down beside him, growling and whining alternately, and 
 otherwise exhibiting symptoms of restlessness and distress. 
 
 " Be still, poor Ringwood, I'm coming to him; I see some 
 thing dark, but there's no hair on it. Ugh ! hallo ! Oh 
 goodness! St. Peter! Ugh! ugh! ugh!" cried he, spring 
 ing up, his face as pale as the snow, his hair standing up 
 right, his chin fallen, and his eyes almost straining out of 
 their sockets. Without taking his gun, or putting on his 
 hat, he ran through the bushes like a frightened antelope, 
 leaping over ditches like a fox-chaser, tearing through op 
 posing grape vines, and not pausing until his course was 
 suddenly arrested by Glenn, who seized him by the skirt of 
 the coat, and hurled him on his back beside the sled on 
 which the deer was bound. 
 
 "What is the matter?" demanded Glnn. 
 
 Joe panted painfully, and was unable to answer. 
 
 "What ails you, I say ?" repeated Glenn in a loud voice. 
 
 "Peter" panted Joe. 
 
 "Do you mean the pony?" 
 
 "St. Peter!" ejaculated Joe. 
 
 "Well, what of St. Peter?" 
 
 " Oh, let me be off !" cried he, endeavouring to scramble 
 to his feet. But he was most effectually prevented. For 
 no sooner had he turned over on his hands and knees, than 
 Glenn leaped astride of him. 
 
 " Now, if you will go, you shall carry me on your back, 
 and I will pelt the secret out of you with my heels, as we 
 travel !" 
 
 " Just let me get in the house and fasten the door, and 
 I will tell you every word," said Joe imploringly. 
 
 " Tell me now, or you shall remain in the snow all day 
 long !" said Glenn, with a hand grasping each side^of Joe's 
 neck. 
 
 "Oh, what shall I do? I can't speak!" yelled Joe, 
 trying outright, the large tear-drops falling Irom his nos 
 and chin.
 
 8* WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "You have not lo.t your voice, I should say, at all 
 events. '' iplie^ Glenn, somewhat touched with pity at his 
 man's unequivocal distress, though he could scarce restrain 
 his laughter when he viewed his grotesque posture. " What 
 has become of your musket and hat?" he added. 
 
 "I left them both there," said Joe, gradually becoming 
 composed under the weight of his master. 
 
 "Where?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "At the cave-spring." 
 
 "Well, what made you leave them there?" 
 
 "Just get off my back and I'll tell you. I'm getting 
 over it now ; I'm going to be mad instead of frightened, ' 
 said Joe, with real composure. 
 
 "Get up, then; but I won't trust you yet. You must 
 still suffer me to hold your collar," said Glenn. 
 
 "If you go to the cave-spring you will see a sight !" 
 
 "What kind of a sight?" 
 
 "Such a sight as I never dreamed of before!" 
 
 "Then it has been nothing but a dream this time, after 
 all your foolery?" 
 
 " No, I'll be shot if there was any dreaming about it," 
 replied Joe ; and he related every thing up to the horrid 
 discovery which caused him to retreat so precipitately, and 
 then paused, as if dreading to revert to the subject. 
 
 " What did you find there ? Was it any thing that could 
 injure you?" 
 
 "No," said Joe, shaking his head solemnly. 
 
 "Why did you run, then?" demanded Glenn, impa 
 tiently. 
 
 "The truth is, I don't know myself, now I reflect about 
 it. But I'd rather not tell what I saw just yet. I was 
 oretty considerably alarmed, wasn't I?" 
 
 "Ridiculous! I will not be trifled with in this manner 
 Tell me instantly what you saw!" said Glenn, his vexation 
 and anger overcoming his usual indulgent nature. 
 
 "I'll tell you now it was a : Didn't you see them 
 bushes move?" asked Joe, staring wildly at a clump of su 
 mach bushes a few paces distant. 
 
 "What was it you saw. at the cave-spring!" shouted 
 Gkan, his face turning red. 
 
 *I I" responded Joe, his eyes still fixed en the 
 bashes. "It was a Ugh !" cried he, starting, as ho
 
 A NARRATIVE. 85 
 
 beheld the little thicket open, and a tall man rise up, 
 holding in his hand a bunch of dead muskrats. 
 
 "Dod speak on I want to hear what it was I've been 
 laying here all this time waiting to know what great thing 
 it was that skeered you so much. I never laughed so in 
 all my life as I did when he got a-straddle of you. I was 
 coming up to the sled, when I saw you streaking it through 
 the vines and briers, and then I squatted down awhile to see 
 what would turn up next." 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! is it you, Sneak ? I thought you was an 
 Indian ! Come on, I'll tell now. It was a man's moccasin!" 
 said Joe, in a low, mysterious tone. 
 
 "And you ran in that manner from an old moccasin!" 
 said Glenn, reproachfully. 
 
 "But there was a foot in it!" continued Joe. 
 
 "A he man's foot?" inquired Sneak, quickly turning to 
 Joe. 
 
 " How could I tell whether it was a he man's foot, or a 
 female woman's, as you call them ?" replied Joe. 
 
 "Are you sure it was a human being's foot?" demanded 
 Glenn. 
 
 " Well, I never saw any other animal but a man wear a 
 buckskin moccasin!" replied Joe. 
 
 " An Irishman can't tell any thing right, nohow you can 
 fix it," said Sneak. 
 
 " They can't tell how you make wooden nutmegs," re 
 torted Joe. 
 
 * Come," said Glenn, " we will go and examine for our 
 selves." 
 
 The party set off in a brisk walk, and soon reached the 
 scene of Joe's alarm. Sure enough, there was the mocca 
 sin, and a man's foot in it ! 
 
 " It's somebody, after all," said Sneak, giving the frozen 
 foot a kick. 
 
 "Ain't you ashamed to do that?" said Joe, knitting his 
 brows. 
 
 " He's nothing more than a stone, now. Why didn't he 
 holler when you stuck your knife into him?" replied 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Dig him up, that we may see who he is," said Glenn. 
 
 "I'd rather not touch him," said Joe. 
 
 "You're a foul '" said Sneak. "Stand off, and let me 
 
 8
 
 80 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 at Um I'll soon see who he is." Sneak threw down his 
 murtkrats, and with his spear and knife soon extricated the 
 body, which he handled as unceremoniously as he would 
 have done a log of wood. " Dod rot your skin !" he ex 
 claimed, when he brushed the snow from the man's face. 
 He then threw down the body with great violence. 
 
 "Oh don't!" cried Joe, while the cold chills ran up his 
 back. 
 
 "Who is it?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " It's that copper-snake, traitor, skunk, water-dog, lizard- 
 hawk, horned frog " 
 
 " Who do you mean?" interrupted Glenn. 
 
 "Posin, the maliverous rascal who collogued with the 
 Injins to murder us all ! I'm glad he got his dose and if 
 he was alive now, I'd make him swaller at ^east two foot 
 of my spear," said Sneak. 
 
 " 'Twas me I killed him look at the buck-shot holes 
 in his back!" exclaimed Joe, now recovering from" his ex 
 citement and affright. 
 
 " Yes, and you're a nice chap, ain't you, to run like 
 flugins from a dead man that you killed yourself!" said 
 Sneak. 
 
 " How did I know that I killed him ?" retorted . 
 
 "Any fool might know .he was dead," replied Sneak. 
 
 "I'll pay you for this, some of these times," said Joe. 
 
 "How shall we bury him?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "That can be done real easy," said Sneak, taking hold 
 of the dead man's leg and dragging him along on the snow 
 like a sled. 
 
 "What are you going to do with him?" demanded 
 Glenn. 
 
 "I'm a going to cut a hole in the ice on the river, and 
 push him under," said Sneak. 
 
 "You shall do no such thing!" said Glenn, firmly; "he 
 must be buried in the earth." 
 
 "Just as you say," said Sneak, submissively, throwing 
 down the leg. 
 
 " Run home and bring the spades, Joe," said Glenn, 
 "and call for the ferrymen to assist us." 
 
 "And I'll take the sled along and leave it in the yard," 
 said Joe, starting in the direction of the deer and calling 
 ihe hounds after him.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 87 
 
 "Let the hounds remain," said Glenn. "I am resolved 
 to have my fox-hunt." Joe soon disappeared. 
 
 " If you want to hunt, you can go on ; Roughgrove and 
 me will bury this robber," said Sneak. 
 
 "Be it so," said Glenn; "but remember that you are 
 not to put him in the river, nor must you commit any 
 indecent outrage upon his person. Let his body return 
 to the earth his soul is already in the hands of Him who 
 created it." 
 
 'That's as true as gospel," said Sneak; "and I would 
 rather be froze in this snow than to have his hot berth in 
 the t'other world. I don't feel a bit mad at him now 
 he's paying for his black dagiverous conduct hard enough 
 by this time, I'll be bound. I say, Mr. Glenn, it'll be 
 rather late when we get through with this job will there 
 be any vacant room at your fireside to-night?" 
 
 " Certainly, and something to eat you will be welcome, 
 provided you don't quarrel too much with Joe," replied 
 Glenn. 
 
 " Oh, Joe and me understand each other the more we 
 quarrel the more we love one another. We'll never 
 fight do you mind that for he's a coward for one thing, 
 and I won't corner him too close, because he's broad-shoul 
 dered enough to lick me, if he was to take it into his head 
 to fight." 
 
 Glenn called the hounds after him and set out in quest 
 of the fox, and Sneak turned to the dead body and mused 
 In silence. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Boone The interment Startling intelligence Indians about A skunk 
 Thrilling fears Boone's device. 
 
 ERE long Joe was on his way back to tne cave-spring, 
 with several spades on his shoulder, accompanied by Boone, 
 (v;ho had just crossed the river on a visit to Glenn,) and 
 Roughgrove, with his two oarsmen.
 
 88 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "Is Glenn at the spring with Sneak?" asked Boone, in 
 a very thoughtful and grave manner. 
 
 " Yes, sir, I left him there, and I now hear him with the 
 hounds chasing a fox," replied Joe, in true native style. 
 
 " If he is with the hounds, he is certainly not at the 
 spring," remarked -Roughgrove. 
 
 " I meant that he was there, or thereabouts," replied Joe. 
 
 "Who found the dead man?" inquired Boone. 
 
 " I did that is, when the dogs scented him and it al 
 most frightened me when I dug out his foot," said Joe. 
 
 "No doubt !" observed Boone. 
 
 The party now moved along in silence, still permitting 
 Joe to lead the way, until they suddenly emerged from the 
 thicket in the immediate vicinity of the spring, when an 
 unexpected scene attracted their notice. Sneak was com 
 posedly seated on the body of the dead man, and very 
 deliberately searching his pockets ! 
 
 " Well ! that beats all the mean actions I ever beheld be 
 fore!" said Joe, pausing and staring indignantly at Sneak. 
 
 "You're a fool !" replied Sneak. 
 
 1 What for? because I wouldn't rob the dead?" retorted 
 Joe. 
 
 " Do you call this robbing the dead ? Hain't this traitor 
 stoled this lump of gold from the Injins ?" said Sneak, dis 
 playing a rough piece of the precious metal about the size 
 of a crow's egg. 
 
 " Is it gold ?" asked Joe, with some anxiety. 
 
 "Sartainly it is," answered Sneak, handing it to him to 
 be examined ; " and what good could come of burying it 
 agin ? I'll leave it to Mr. Boone to say if I ain't right in 
 taking it myself." 
 
 " Oh, any thing worth this much ought to be taken," 
 said Joe, depositing the lump of gold in his pocket. 
 
 " See here, my chap," said Sneak, rising up and casting 
 a furious glance at him, " if you don't mean to hand that 
 out again, one or the t'other of us must be put in the ground 
 with the traitorious Posin and if it is to be you, it'll be a 
 Durty thing for it to be said that you brought a spade to 
 bury yourself with." 
 
 "Didn't I find the body?" said Joe. 
 
 "But burn me if you found the gold," said Sneak. 
 
 "Shall I decide the matter?" interposed lloughgrovc.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 89 
 
 " I'm willing," said Sneak. 
 
 "And so am I," replied Joe. 
 
 " Then give it to me, and I'll cut it in two, ani give a 
 half to each of you," said Roughgrove. 
 
 The decision was final; and seizing the spades, Joe, 
 Sneak, and the oarsmen began to prepare a resting-place 
 for the dead body. Boone continued silent, with his eyes 
 steadfastly gazing at the earth which the workmen began 
 to throw up. 
 
 " Posin's done ferrying now," said Dan Rudder, one of 
 the defunct's old companions in the service of Roughgrove. 
 
 " No he ain't," said Sneak, throwing up a spadeful of 
 flint stones. 
 
 "I'll keep some of these for my musket," said Joe. 
 
 "Why ain't he?" demanded Dan. 
 
 " Because he's got to cross the river the river what 
 do they call it ? the river Poles," said Sneak. 
 
 " Styx, you dunce," said Joe. 
 
 "Well, 'twas only a slip of the tongue what's the dif 
 ference between poles and sticks ?" 
 
 " You never read any thing about it ; you only heard 
 somebody say so," said Joe, pausing to listen to the hounds 
 that ever and anon yelped in the vicinity. 
 
 " If I didn't, I don't believe the man that wrote that 
 book -ever crossed, or even had a squint at the river him 
 self," replied Sneak. 
 
 "Whereabouts is the river?" asked Dan. 
 
 "In the lower regions," said Joe, striking his spade 
 against a hard substance. 
 
 "What's that you're scraping the dirt off of?" asked 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, my goodness !" cried Joe, leaping out of the grave. 
 
 "Let it remain!" said Boone, in a commanding tone, 
 looking in and discovering a skull ; " I once buried a friend 
 here he was shot down at my side by the Indians." 
 
 " Fill up the hole agin ! Posin shan't lay on top of any 
 of your friends!" exclaimed Sneak, likewise leaping out of 
 the grave. 
 
 "It matters not but do as you please,'' said Boone, 
 turning away and marking the distressed yelping of the 
 hounds, which indicated, from some unusual cause, that 
 they did not enjoy the chase as much as was their wont. 
 
 8*
 
 90 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " Split me if he shan't be buried somewhere else, if 1 
 have to dig the hole myself," said Sneak, filling up the 
 grave. 
 
 "I'll stick by you, Sneak," said Dan. 
 
 " Dan and me '11 finish the job ; all the rest of you may 
 go off," said Sneak, releasing the rest of the party from 
 any further participation in the depositing of the remains 
 of Posin in the earth. 
 
 " Glenn does not yet understand Ringwood and Jowler," 
 said Boone, still listening to the chase. 
 
 " I never heard the dogs bark that way before until 
 to-dav," said Joe; "only that night when we killed the 
 buffalo." 
 
 "Something besides the buffalo caused them to do it 
 then," replied Boone. 
 
 "Yes, indeed they must have known the fire was com 
 ing but the fire can't come now." 
 
 'Sneak," said Boone, "when you are done here, come 
 to Mr. Glenn's house." 
 
 " I will, as soon as I go to my muskrat trap out at the 
 lake and get my rifle." 
 
 "Be in a hurry," Said Boone; and turning towards the 
 chase, he uttered a " Ya-ho!" and instantly the hounds were 
 hushed. 
 
 'Dod!" exclaimed Sneak, staring a moment at Boone, 
 while his large eyes seemed to increase in size, and then 
 rolling up his sleeves, he delved away with extraordinary 
 dispatch. 
 
 In a very short space of time, Ringwood and Jowlei 
 rushed from the thicket, and leaping up against the breast 
 of their old master, evinced a positive happiness in once 
 more beholdii.g him. They were soon followed by Glenn, 
 who dashed briskly through the thicket to see who it was 
 that caused his hounds to abandon him so unceremoniously. 
 No sooner did he discover his aged friend than he ran for 
 ward and grasped his hand. 
 
 " I thought not of you, and yet I could think of no one 
 else who might thus entice my noble hounds away. Re 
 turn with me, and we will have the fox in a few minutes 
 he is now nearly exhausted," said Glenn. 
 
 "Molest him not," said Boone. " Did you not observe 
 how reluctantly the hounds chased him?"
 
 , A NARRATIVE. 91 
 
 "I did; what was the cause of it ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " The breeze is tainted with the scent of Indians !" whis 
 pered Boone. 
 
 " Again thou art my preserver !" said Glenn, in a low 
 tone. 
 
 " I came to give you intelligence that the Osages would 
 probably be upon you in a few days," said Boone ; " but I 
 did not think they were really in the neighbourhood until I 
 heard your unerring hounds. Col. Cooper, of my settlement, 
 made an excursion southward some ten days ago to explore 
 a region he had never visited; but observing a large war- 
 party at a distance, coming hitherward, he retreated pre 
 cipitately, and reached home this morning. Excessive 
 fatigue and illness prevented him from accompanying me 
 over the river ; and what is worse, nearly every man in our 
 settlement is at present more than a hundred miles up the 
 river, trapping beaver. If we are attacked to-night, or 
 even within a day or two, we have nothing to depend upon 
 but our own force to defend ourselves." 
 
 " Should it be so, I doubt not we will be able to with 
 stand them as successfully as we did before," said Glenn. 
 
 " Let us go with Roughgrove to his house, and take his 
 daughter and his effects to your little fortress," said Boone, 
 joining the old ferryman, whom a single word sufficed to 
 apprize of the state of affairs. 
 
 " I must prepare for the worst, now," said Roughgrove ; 
 " they will never forget or forgive the part I acted on the 
 night of their defeat." 
 
 Boone, Glenn, and Roughgrove proceeded down the 
 valley, while Joe seemed disposed to loiter, undetermined 
 what to engage in, having cast an occasional curious glance 
 at Boone and his master when engaged in their low conver 
 sation, and rightly conjecturing that ''something wrong was 
 in the wind," as he expressed it. 
 
 "Why don't you go home?" asked Sneak, rolling the 
 dead body into the grave, and dashing the mingled earth 
 and snow remorselessly upon it. 
 
 " I'll go when I'm ready," replied Joe ; "but I should 
 Uke to know what all that whispering and nodding was 
 about." 
 
 " T can tell you," said Dan ; but his speech was suddenly 
 arrested by a sign from Sneak,
 
 92 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "I wish you would tell me," continued Joe, manifesting 
 no little uneasiness. 
 
 " Have you got a plenty to eat at your house ?" asked 
 Sneak. 
 
 "To be sure we have," said Joe; "now tell me what's 
 in the wind." 
 
 " If I was to tell you, I bet you'd be frightened half to 
 death," remarked Sneak, driving down a headstone, hav 
 ing filled up the grave. 
 
 "No ! no I indeed but I wouldn't, though !" said Joe, 
 tremblirg at every joint, the true cause, for the first time, 
 occurring to him. " Ain't it Indians, Mr. Sneak ?" 
 
 " Don't call me Mister agin, if you please. There are 
 more moccasins than the one you found in these parts, 
 that's all." 
 
 "I'll go home and tell Mr. Glenn!" said Joe, whirling 
 round quickly. 
 
 " Dod rot your cowardly hide of you !" said Sneak, star 
 ing at him contemptuously ; " now don't you know he 
 knowed it before you did ?" 
 
 " Yes but I was going home to tell him that some bul 
 lets must be run that's what I meant." 
 
 %< Don't you think he knows that as well as -you do ?" 
 continued Sneak. 
 
 " But I I must go !" exclaimed Joe, starting in a half 
 run, with the hounds (which had been forgotten by their 
 master) following at his heels. 
 
 " Let me have the hounds, to go after my gun the red 
 skins might waylay me, if I go alone, in spite of all my 
 cunning woodcraft," said Sneak. 
 
 "Go back!" cried Joe, to the hounds. They instantly 
 obeyed, and the next moment Joe was scampering home 
 ward with all the speed of which his legs were capable. 
 
 When he reached the house, his fears were by no means 
 allayed on beholding the most valuable articles of Rough- 
 grove's dwelling alreadj' removed thither, and the ferryman 
 himself, his daughter, Boone and Glenn, assembled in con 
 sultation within the inclosure. Joe closed the gate hurriedly 
 after him, and bolted it on the inside. 
 
 " Why did you shut the gate ? Open it again," said 
 Glenn. 
 
 " Ain't we besieged again ? ain't the Indians all around
 
 A NARRATITE. 93 
 
 us, ready to rush in and take our scalps ?" said Joe, obey 
 ing the command reluctantly. 
 
 " They will not trouble us before night," said Rough- 
 grove. 
 
 "No, we need not fear them before night," remarked 
 Boone, whose continued thoughtful aspect impressed Glenn 
 with the belief that he apprehended more than the usual 
 horrors of Indian warfare during the impending attack. 
 
 " They will burn father's house, but that is nothing com 
 pared to what I fear will be his own fate !" murmured Mary, 
 dejectedly. 
 
 " We can soon build him another," said Glenn, moved 
 by the evident distress of the pale girl; "and I am very 
 sure that my little stone castle will suffice to preserve not 
 only your father and yourself, but all who take shelter in it, 
 from personal injury. So, cheer up, Mary." 
 
 " Oh, I will not complain ; it pained me most when 1 
 first heard they were coming once more ; I will soon be calm 
 again, and just as composed when they are shooting at us, 
 as I was the other time. But you will be in a great deal 
 more danger than you were that night. Yet Boone is with 
 us again he must save us," said Mary. 
 
 "Why do you think there will be more danger, Mary?" 
 asked Glenn. 
 
 " Yes, why do you think so ?" interposed Joe, much in 
 terested in the reply. 
 
 "Because the snow is so deep and so firm, they will leaf 
 over the palisade, if there be a great many of them," re 
 plied Mary. Glenn felt a chill shoot through his breast, 
 for this fact had not before occurred to him. 
 
 " Oh, goodness ! let us all go to work and shovel it away 
 on the outside," cried Joe, running about in quest of the 
 spades. "Oh, St. Peter!" he continued, "the spades are 
 out at the cave-spring !" 
 
 " Run and bring them," said Glenn. 
 
 " Never not for the world ! They'd take my scalp to 
 a certainty before I could get back again," replied Joe, 
 trembling all over. 
 
 " There is no danger yet," said Roughgrove. the deep 
 snow having occurred to him at the first announcement of 
 the threatened attack, and produced many painful fears in 
 fiis breast, \\hich caused a sadness to rest upon his time
 
 94 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 worn features; "but," he continued, "it would not be in 
 our power to remove the snow in two whole days, and a few 
 hours only are left us to prepare for the worst." 
 
 "Let them come within the inclosure," said Glenn, "and 
 even then they cannot harm us. The walls of my house 
 are made of stone, and so is the ceiling ; they can only 
 burn the roof I do not think they can harm our persons. 
 We have food enough to last for months, and there is no 
 likelihood of the siege lasting a single week." 
 
 "I'll make sure of the deer," muttered Joe ; and before 
 any one could interpose, he struck off the head of the doe 
 with an axe, as it still lay bound upon the sled. And he 
 was brandishing the reeking steel over the neck of the fawn, 
 that stood by, looking on innocently, when a cry from Mary 
 arrested the blow. 
 
 "If you injure a hair of Mary's gift," said Glenn, in 
 anger, "you shall suffer as severe a fate yourself." 
 
 "Pardon me," said Joe to Mary; "I was excited I 
 didn't hardly know what I was doing. I thought as we 
 were going to be pent up by the Indians, for goodness only 
 knows how long, that we'd better provide enough food to 
 keep from starving. I love the fawn as well as you do, 
 and Mr. Glenn loves it because you gave it to him ; but 
 its natural to prefer our own lives to the lives of dumb 
 animals." 
 
 " I forgive you," said Mary, playing with the silken ears 
 of the pet. 
 
 "Say no more about it," said Glenn; "but as you are 
 BO anxious to be well provided with comforts, if we are 
 besieged, there is one thing I had forgotten, that is abso 
 lutely necessary for our existence, which you can procure." 
 
 " What is it t Be quick, for we havn't a moment to lose," 
 said Joe. 
 
 "Water," replied Glenn. 
 
 " That's a fact but its way off at the spring, by the 
 ferry," said Joe, disliking the idea of exposing himself 
 without the inclosure. 
 
 " True, yet it must be had. If you can get it nearer to 
 us, you are at liberty to do so," said Glenn. 
 
 "Here conies Sneak," said Mary; "he will assist you." 
 
 Sneak readily agreed to the proposition, and he and Joe 
 Bet out, eacli with a large bucket, while the rest of the paity,
 
 A NARRATIVE. 95 
 
 with the exception of Boone (who desired to be left alone,) 
 retired within the house. 
 
 When Sneak and Joe were filling their buckets at the 
 spring the second time, the hounds (which attended them 
 at Joe's special request) commenced barking. 
 
 "What's that?" cried Joe, dashing his bucket, water 
 and all, in Sneak's lap, and running ten or fifteen feet up 
 the hill. 
 
 " Dod rot your cowardly heart !" exclaimed Sneak, ris 
 ing up and shaking the cold water from his clothes; "if I 
 don't pay you for this, I wish I may be shot !" 
 
 " I thought it was the Indians," said Joe, still staring at 
 the small thicket of briers, where the hounds were yet 
 growling arid bounding about in a singular manner. 
 
 " I'll see what it is and then pay you for this ducking," 
 said Sneak, walking briskly to the edge of the thicket, 
 while the water trickled down over his moccasins. 
 
 "What is it?" cried Joe, leaping farther up the ascent 
 with great trepidation, as he saw the hounds run out of the 
 bushes as if pursued, and even Sneak retreating a feitf 
 paces. But what seemed very unaccountable was a smile 
 on Sneak's elongated features. 
 
 "What in the world can it be?" repeated JOP 
 
 ' Ha! ha! ha! if that ain't a purty thing to s^^r a full- 
 grown man into fits !" said Sneak, retreating y* farther 
 from the thicket. 
 
 " What makes you back out, then ?" inquired Jo* The 
 hounds now ran to the men, and the next moment a small 
 animal, not larger than a rabbit, of a dark colour, with long 
 white stripes from the nose to the tail, made its appearance, 
 and moved slowly toward the spring. Sneak ran up the 
 hill beyond the position occupied by Joe, maintaining all 
 the time a most provoking smile. 
 
 " Who's scared into fits now, I should liH to know ? " 
 retorted Joe. 
 
 " I wish I had my gun," said Sneak. 
 
 "Hang me, if I'm afraid of that little tiling," said Joe. 
 Still the hounds ran round, yelping, but never venturing 
 within thirty feet of the animal. 
 
 "I'll be whipped if I understand all this !" said Joe, in 
 utter astonishment, looking at Sneak, and then at the 
 bounds.
 
 96 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "Why don't you run?" cried Sneak, as the animal con 
 tinued to advance. 
 
 "I believe you're making fun of me," said Joe; "that 
 little thing can't hurt anybody. Its a pretty little pet, and 
 I've a notion to catch it." 
 
 "What are you talking about? You know you're afraid 
 of it," said Sneak, tauntingly. 
 
 "I'll show you," said Joe, springing upon the animal. 
 The polecat (for such it was) gave its assailant a taste of 
 its quality in a twinkling. Joe grasped his nose with both 
 hands and wheeled away with all possible expedition, while 
 the animal pursued its course towards the river. 
 
 "My goodness, I've got it all over my coat !" exclaimed 
 Joe, rolling on the snow in agony. 
 
 " Didn't I say I'd pay you for spilling the cold water on 
 me ?" cried Sneak, in a convulsion of laughter. 
 
 "Why didn't you tell me, you rascal?" cried Joe, flushed 
 in the face, and forgetting the Indians in his increasing 
 anger. 
 
 "Oh, I'll laugh myself sore ha! ha! ha!" continued 
 Sneak, sitting down on the snow, and laughing obstre 
 perously. 
 
 "You long, lopsided scoundrel, you. My Irish blood ia 
 up now," said Joe, rushing towards Sneak with a resolution 
 to fight. 
 
 "I'll be whipt if you tech me with them hands," said 
 Sueak, running away. 
 
 " Oh, what shall I do ?" cried Joe, sinking down, his 
 rage suddenly subdued by his sickening condition. 
 
 "If you'll say all's square betwixt us, I'll tell you what 
 to do. If you don't do something right quick, they won't 
 let you sleep in the house for a month." 
 
 " Well. Now tell me quick !" 
 
 " Pull off your coat before it soaks through." 
 
 " I didn't think of that," said Joe, obeying with alacrity, 
 and shivering in the cold air. 
 
 " Now twist a stick into it, so you can carry it up to the 
 house, without touching it with your hands, that is, if none 
 of it got on 'em," continued Sneak. 
 
 " There ain't a bit anywhere else but on the shoulder of 
 my co*t,' said Joe, acting according to Sneak's instruc 
 tions. Filling their buckets, they at length started towards
 
 A NARRATIVE. 97 
 
 the house, Joe holding a bucket in one hand, and a long 
 pole, on which dangled his coat, in the other. When they 
 entered, the company involuntarily started; and Glenn, 
 losing all control over his temper, hurled a book at his 
 man's head, and commanded him not to venture in his pre 
 sence again until he could by some means dispense with 
 his horrid odor. 
 
 "Foller me," said Sneak, leading the way to the stable, 
 nnd taking with him one of the spades he had brought in 
 from the burial; "now," he continued, when they were 
 with the horses, " dig a hole at this end of the stall, and 
 bury your coat. If you hadn't took it in the house, like a 
 dunce, they'd never 'ave known any thing about it." 
 
 " Oh, my goodness ! I'm sick !" said Joe, urging the 
 spade in the earth with his foot, and betraying unequivocal 
 signs of indisposition. However, the garment was soon 
 covered up, and the annoyance abated. 
 
 But no sooner was Joe well out of this difficulty, than 
 the dread of the tomahawk and scalping knife returned in 
 greater force than ever. 
 
 Boone remained taciturn, his clear, eagle-eye scanning 
 the palisade, and the direction from which the savages 
 would be most likely to come. 
 
 Joe approached the renowned pioneer for the purpose of 
 asking his opinion respecting the chances of escaping with 
 life from the expected struggle, but was deterred by his se 
 rious and commanding glance. But soon a singular change 
 came over his stern features, and as sudden as strange. 
 His countenance assumed an air of .triumph, and a half- 
 formed smile played upon his lip. His meditations had 
 doubtless resulted in the resolution to adopt some decisive 
 course, which, in his opinion, would insure the safety of 
 the little garrison. His brow had been watched by the 
 inmates of the house, and, hailing the change with joy, 
 they came forth to ascertain more certainly their fate. 
 
 " How much powder have you, my young friend?" asked 
 B Done.' 
 
 "Five kegs," answered Glenn, promptly. 
 
 "Then we are safe !" said Boone, in a pleasant and af 
 fable manner, which imparted confidence t* tbe whole 
 party. 
 
 9
 
 98 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " I thought I almost knew that we were safe, with 
 among us," said Mary, playing with Boone's hand. 
 
 " But you must not venture out of the house as much aa 
 you did before, my lass, when arrows begin to fly," replied 
 Boone, kissing the maiden's forehead. 
 
 "But I'll mould your bullets, and get supper for you," 
 said Mary. 
 
 "That's a good child," said Roughgrove; "go in, now, 
 and sot about your task." 
 
 Mary bowed to her father, and glided away. The men 
 then clustered round Boone, to hear the plan that was to 
 avail them in their present difficulty. 
 
 "In times of peril," said Boone, "my knowledge of the 
 Indian character has always served me. I first reflect what 
 I would do were I myself a savage; and, in taking mea 
 sures to provide against the things which I imagine would 
 be done by myself, I have never yet been disappointed. 
 The Indians will not rashly rush upon us, and expose 
 themselves to our bullets, as they storm the palisade. Had 
 they the resolution to do this, not one of us would escape 
 alive, for they would tear down the house. It is a very 
 large war party, and they could begin at the top and be 
 fore morning remove every stone. But they shall not touch 
 one of them " 
 
 "I'm so glad !" ejaculated Joe. 
 
 " Hush your jaw !" said Sneak. 
 
 "They will be divided into two parties," continued 
 Boone ; "one party will attack us from the west with their 
 arrows, keeping at a respectful distance ^ from our guns, 
 while the other will force a passage to the palisade from 
 the east without being seen, for they will come under the 
 enow ! We must instantly plant a keg of powder, on the 
 outside of the inclosure, and blow them up when they come. 
 Joe, bring out a keg of powdef, and also the fishing rods 1 
 saw in the house. The latter must be joined together, and 
 a communication opened through them. They must be 
 filled with powder and one end placed in the keg, while the 
 other reaches the inclosure, passing through an auger hole. 
 You all understand now what is to be done let us go to 
 work we have no time to spare." 
 
 It was not long before every thing was executed accord-
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 tng to the directions of Boone, and at nightfall each man 
 was stationed at a loophole, with gun in hand, awaiting the 
 coming of the savages. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Night Sagacity of the hounds Reflection The sneaking savages Joe's 
 disaster The approach of the foe under the snow The silent watch. 
 
 THE night was beautiful. The moon sailed through a 
 cloudless sky, and the north wind, which had whistled loudly 
 among the branches of the trees in the valley at the close 
 of day, was hushed, and a perfect calm pervaded the scene. 
 
 " What're you leaving your post for?" asked Sneak, as 
 Joe suddenly abandoned his watch on the west side of the 
 inclosure, and tripped across to Roughgrove. 
 
 " Mr. Roughgrove Mr. Roughgrove," said Joe, in a low 
 tone. 
 
 "Well, what do you want with me?" responded the old 
 ferryman. 
 
 " I wanted to tell you that your two oarsmen are forgotten, 
 and to ask you if we hadn't better call to them to come up 
 here, where they'll be out of danger?" 
 
 "They are not forgotten," said Roughgrove; "I sent 
 them over the river to procure assistance, if possible." 
 
 " Thank you.' I'm glad they're out of danger. I couldn't 
 re'it till I found out something about them," said Joe, re 
 tiring ; but instead of resuming his watch, he slipped into 
 the house. 
 
 "-He's at his old tricks agin," said Sneak, when he ob 
 served him stealthily enter the door. "Come out, 1 say!" 
 be continued, in a loud voice. 
 
 "What is the matter?" interrogated Glenn, from hia 
 station on the north. 
 
 "Why, that feller's crept into the house agin, ' replied 
 Sneak.
 
 iOO WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 ** Well, but he's come out again," said Joe, reappearing, 
 and walking reluctantly to his loophole. 
 
 " What did you go in for ?" demanded Glenn. 
 
 " I just wanted to tell Miss Mary that the two oarsmen 
 that helped us to bury Posin were gone over the river, and 
 were safe." 
 
 " Did she ask for this information ?" inquired Glenn. 
 
 "No, not exactly," responded Joe ; "but I thought if I 
 was uneasy about the young men myself, that she, being 
 more delicate than a man, must be considerably distressed." 
 
 " A mere subterfuge ! See that you do not leave your 
 post in future, under any circumstances, without permission 
 to do so." 
 
 "I won't," replied Joe, peering through his loophole. 
 
 Matters remained quiet for a great length of time, and 
 Glenn began to hope that even Boone had been mistaken. 
 But Boone himself had no doubts upon the subject. Yet 
 he seemed far more affable and cheerful than he did before 
 the plan of resistance was formed in his mind. Occasion 
 ally he would walk round from post to post, and after scan 
 ning the aspect without, direct the sentinels to observe 
 closely certain points, trees or bushes, where he thought 
 the enemy might first be seen. He never hinted once that 
 there was a possibility of escaping an attack, and the little 
 party felt that the only alternative was to watch with dili 
 gence and act with vigor and resolution when assailed. 
 
 "Do you think they are now in this immediate neighbour 
 hood ?" inquired Glenn. 
 
 " They are not far off, I imagine," replied Boone ; and 
 culling the hounds from the stable, he continued, "I can 
 show you in which quarter they are." The hounds well 
 understood their old master. At his bidding they snuffed 
 the air, and whining in a peculiar manner, with their heads 
 turned towards the west, the vicinity of the savages was 
 not only made manifest, but their location positively point 
 ed out. 
 
 " I was not aware, before, of the inestimable value of 
 your gift," said Glenn, gazing at the hounds, and completely 
 ionvinced that their conduct was an unerring indication of 
 the presence of the foe. 
 
 "Eh! Ringwood !" exclaimed Boone, observing that his 
 favorite hound now pointed his nose in a northern direction
 
 A NARRATIVE. 101 
 
 %nd uttered a low growl. " Indeed !" he continued, " they 
 nave got in motion since we have been observing the 
 hounds. I was not mistaken. Even while we were speak 
 ing they divided their strength. One party is even now 
 moving round to the east, and at a given signal the other 
 will attack us on the west, precisely as I predicted. See ! 
 Ringwood turns gradually." 
 
 " And you think the greatest danger is to be apprehended 
 from those on the east?" said Glenn. 
 
 "Yes," said Boone, "for the others cannot approach 
 near enough to do much injury without exposing chern- 
 selves to great peril." 
 
 " But how can you ascertain that they will cut a passage 
 under the snow, and the precise direction in whicu they 
 will come?" 
 
 "Because," said Boone, "we are situated near the clirf 
 on the east, to the summit of which they can climb, without 
 being exposed to our fire, and thence it is likewise the 
 shortest distance they can find to cut a passage to us under 
 the snow. Mark Ringwood!" he continued, as the hound 
 having made a semicircle from the point first noticed, be 
 came at length stationary, and crouching down on tiie earth, 
 (where the snow had been cleared away at Boone's post,) 
 growled more angrily than before, but so low be could not 
 have been heard twenty paces distant. 
 
 " This is strange very strange," said Glenn. 
 
 A sound resembling the cry of an owl was heard in the 
 direction of the cliff. It was answered on the west appa 
 rently by the shrill howl of a wolf. 
 
 " The signal !" said Boone. " Now let us be on tiie alert,' 
 he continued, " and I think we will surprise then:., both on 
 and under the snow. Let no one fire without nrst con 
 sulting me, even should they venture within the range of 
 your guns." 
 
 The party resumed their respective stations, and once 
 more not a sound of any description was heard for a con 
 siderable length of time. Roughgrove was at tnc side of 
 Boone, and the other three men were posted as before de 
 scribed. The hounds had been sent back to their lair iu 
 the stable. Not a motion, animate or inanimate, save the 
 occasional shooting of the stars in the begemmed rirmament, 
 could be observed.
 
 102 WILD WESTERN SCENES.* 
 
 While Glenn rested upon his gun, attracted ever and 
 anon by the twinkling host above, a throng of unwonted 
 memories crowded upon him. He thought of his guileless 
 youth ; the uncontaminated days of enjoyment ere he had 
 mingled with the designing arid heartless associates who 
 strove to entice him from the path of virtue ; of the hopes 
 of budding manhood ; of ambitious schemes to win a name 
 by great and honourable deeds ; of parents, kindred, home; 
 of her, who had been the angel of all his dreams of para< 
 iise below : and then he contemplated his present con 
 dition, and notwithstanding his resolution was unabated, 
 yet in spite of all his struggles, a tear bedewed his cheek. 
 He felt that his fate was hard, but he knew that his course 
 was proper, and he resolved to fulfil his vow. But with 
 his sadness, gloomy forebodings, and deep and unusual 
 thoughts obtruded. In the scene of death and carnage 
 that was about to ensue, it occurred to him more than once 
 that it might be his lot to fall. This was a painful thought. 
 He was brave in conflict, and would not have hesitated to 
 rush reckless into the midst of danger; but he was calm 
 now, and the thought of death was appalling. He would 
 have preferred to die on a nobler field, if he were to fall in 
 battle. He did not wish to die in his youth, to be cut off, 
 without accomplishing the many ends he had so often medi 
 tated, and without reaping a few of the sweets of life as 
 the reward of his voluntary sacrifice. He also desired to 
 appear once more in the busy and detracting world, to vin 
 dicate the character that might have been unjustly aspersed, 
 to reward the true friendship of those whose confidence had 
 never been shaken, and to rebuke, perhaps forgive, the ene 
 mies who had recklessly pursued him. But another, and 
 yet a more stirring arid important thought obtruded upon 
 his reflections. It was one he had never seriously consi 
 dered before, and it now operated upon him with irresisti 
 ble power. It was a thought of things beyond the grave. 
 The stillness of midnight, the million stars above him, the 
 blue eternal expanse through which they were distributed 
 --the repose of the invisible winds, that late had howle'l 
 around him the never-ceasing flow of the ice-bound stream 
 before, him, and the continual change of hill and valley 
 now desolate, and clothed in frosty vestments, and anon 
 teeming witb verdure and variegated beauty constrained
 
 A NARRATIVE. 103 
 
 him to acknowledge in the secret portals of his breast that 
 chere was a great, ever-existing Creator. He then called to 
 mind the many impressive lessons of a pious mother, which 
 he had subsequently disregarded. He remembered the 
 things she had read to him in the book of books the words 
 of prayer she taught him to utter every eve, ere he close! 
 his eyes in slumber and he now repeated that humble pe 
 tition with all the fervency of a chastened spirit. He felt 
 truly convinced of the fallacy of setting the heart and the 
 affections altogether on the things of this world, where 
 mortals are only permitted to abide but a brief space ; and 
 a hearty repentance of past errors, and a firm resolve to 
 obey the requisitions of the Omnipotent in future, were in 
 that hour conceived and engraven indelibly upon nig heart. 
 
 "Mr. Boone Mr. Boone Mr. Boone !" cried Joe, 
 softly. 
 
 " Dod ! don't make sich a fuss," said Sneak. 
 
 "Be silent," whispered Boone, gliding to Joe, and 
 gazing out on the snow, where he beheld about twenty 
 savages standing erect and motionless, not eighty paces 
 distant. 
 
 "I came within an ace of shooting," said Joe, "before 
 I thought of what you had said. I pulled the trigger with 
 all my might before I remembered that you said I musn't 
 shoot till you told me, but as good luck would have it, my 
 musket wasn't cocked." Boone went to each of the other 
 loopholes, and after scrutinizing every side very closely, he 
 directed Sneak and Glenn to abandan their posts and join 
 him at Joe's stand, for the purpose of discharging a deadly 
 volley at the unsuspecting foe'. 
 
 " Does it not seem cruel to spill blood in this manner?" 
 whispered Glenn, when he viewed the statue-like forms of 
 the unconscious Indians. 
 
 "Had you witnessed the barbarous deeds that /have 
 seen them perform had you beheld the innocent babe ruth 
 lessly butchered your children your friends maimed, 
 tomahawked, scalped, burned before your eyes could you 
 know the hellish horrors they are now meditating you 
 would not entertain much pity for them," said Boone, in a 
 Low tone, evidently moved by terrible memories, the precise 
 nature of which the one addressed could not understand 
 But Glenn's scruples vanished, and is a matter of necessity
 
 104 WILD WESTERN SCENES : 
 
 he determined to submit without reserve to tne guidance 
 of his experienced friend. 
 
 "I should like to know how them yaller rascals got 
 up here so close without being eyed sooner," said Sneak 
 to Joe. 
 
 " That's what's been puzzling me, ever sin^e I first saw 
 them," said Joe, in scarce audible tones. 
 
 " Split me if you havn't been asleep," said Sneak. 
 
 "No indeed I havn't," said Joe. "I'll declare," he 
 continued, looking out, " I never should have thought of 
 that. I see now, well enough, how they got there without 
 my seeing them. They've got a great big ball of snow, 
 half as high as a man's head, and they've been rolling it 
 all the time, and creeping along behind it. They're all 
 standing before it now, and just as I looked one moved hia 
 leg, and then I saw what ifc was. This beats the old boy 
 himself. It's a mercy they didn't come all the way and 
 shoot me in the eye !" 
 
 "Hush!" said Boone. "They must have heard some 
 thing, or supposed they did, or else your neglect would 
 have been fatal to you ere this. They are now waiting to 
 ascertain whether they were mistaken or not. Move not, 
 and speak no more, until I order you." 
 
 " I won't," said Joe, still gazing at the erect dark forms. 
 
 " See how many there is can't you count 'em ?" said 
 Sneak, in a whisper, leaning against Joe, and slyly taking 
 a cartridge from his belt, slipped it in the muzzle of the 
 musket which was standing against the palisade. 
 
 "What 're you doing with my gun?" asked Joe, in a 
 very low tone, as he happened to turn his head and 
 see Sneak take his hand away from the muzzle of tin 
 musket. 
 
 "INothing I was only feeling the size of the bore. 
 It's big enough to kick down a cow." 
 
 " What are you tittering about ? you think it's a going 
 to kick me again, but you're mistaken it ain't got two 
 loads in this time." 
 
 " Didn't Mr. Boone jest tell you to keep quiet ?" said 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Don't you speak then I won't," responded Joe. 
 
 The moon had not yet reached the meridian, Mid the 
 dark shadc-w of the house reaching to the palisade on the
 
 A NARRATIVE. 106 
 
 :, prevented the Indians from observing the moveme 
 of the whites through the many slight apertures in the 
 inclosure, but through which the besieged party could 
 easily observe them. 
 
 After a long pause, during which neither party had ut 
 tered a word or betrayed animation by the least move 
 ment, Glenn felt the weight of a hand laid gently on hie 
 shoulder, and turning beheld Mary at his side. Without 
 a motion of the lips, she placed in his hand some bullets 
 she had moulded, and then passing on to the other men, 
 gave each a like quantity. 
 
 " Retire, now, my lass," said Boone ; and when she re 
 turned to the house, he continued, addressing Glenn " If 
 they do not move one way or the other very soon, we will 
 give them a broadside where they are." 
 
 " And we could do execution at this distance," observed 
 Glenn. 
 
 " I'd be dead sure to kill one, I know I would," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Let me see if I could take aim," said Joe, deliber 
 ately pointing his musketthrough the loophole. The mus 
 ket had inadvertently been cocked, and left in that condi 
 tion, and no sooner did Joe's finger gently press upon the 
 trigger, than it went off, making an astounding report, and 
 veiling the whole party in an immense cloud of smoke. 
 
 "Who did that?" cried Boone, stamping with vexation 
 
 "Was that you, Joe?" demanded Glenn. 
 
 Joe made no answer. 
 
 " Oh, dad ! my mouth's smashed all to pieces !" said 
 Sneak, crawling up from a prostrate position, caused by 
 the rebound of the musket, for he was looking over Joe's 
 shoulder when the gun went off. 
 
 "Where's Joe ?" inquired Glenn, pushing Sneak aside. 
 
 " He's dead, I guess I believe the gun's busted," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 "Now, sir! why did you fire?" cried Glenn, somewhat 
 passionately, stumbling against Joe, and seizing him by the 
 collar. No answer was made, for poor Joe's neck was 
 limber enough, and he quite insensible. 
 
 " He's dead in yearnest, jest as I told you," said Sneak; 
 *' for that gun kicked him on the shoulder hard enough to 
 kill a cow and the hind side of his head struck my tootL
 
 106 WTLU WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 hard enough to've kilt a horse. He's broke one of my 
 upper fore-teeth smack in two." 
 
 "Every man to his post !" exclaimed Boone, as a shower 
 of arrows rattled about the premises. 
 
 Sneak now occupied Joe's station, and the first glance in 
 the direction of the savages sufficed to determine him how 
 to act. Perhaps no one ever discharged a rifle more 
 rapidly than he did. And a brisk and well-directed fire 
 was kept up for some length of time, likewise, by the rest 
 of the besieged. 
 
 It was, perhaps, a fortunate thing that Joe did fire with 
 out orders, and without any intention of doing so himself. 
 It seemed that the savages had been meditating a desperate 
 rush upon the fort, notwithstanding Boone's prediction ; for 
 no sooner did Joe fire, than they hastily retreated a short 
 distance, scattering in every direction, and, without a mo 
 ment's consultation, again appeared, advancing rapidly 
 from every quarter. It was evident that this plan had been 
 preconcerted among them ; and had all fired, instead of Joe 
 only, they might easily have scaled the palisade before the 
 guns could have been reloaded. Neither had the besiegers 
 been aware of the strength of the garrison. But they 
 were soon made to understand that they had more than 
 Glenn and his man to contend against. The discharges 
 followed in such quick succession that they paused, when 
 but a moment more would have placed them within the in- 
 closure. But several of them being wounded, and Boone 
 and Glenn still doing execution with their pistols, the dis 
 comfited enemy made a precipitate retreat. An occasional 
 {light of arrows continued to assail the besieged, but they 
 came from a great distance, for the Indians were not long 
 in scampering beyond the range of the loopholes. 
 
 When Glenn could no longer see any of the dark forms 
 of the enemy, he turned round to contemplate the sad con 
 dition of Joe. Joe was sitting up, with his hands locked 
 round his knees. 
 
 "Well, split me in two!" cried Sneak, staring at his 
 companion. 
 
 "What's the matter, Sneak?" asked Joe, with much 
 simplicity. . 
 
 ** That's a purty question for you to ask, after laying 
 there for dead this half-hour almost "
 
 A NARRATIVE. 101 
 
 "Have the Indians been here?" asked Joe, staring 
 round wildly. 
 
 " Hain't you heard us shooting ?" 
 
 " My goodness," cried Joe, springing up. " Oh ! am 1 
 wounded? say !" he continued, evincing the most lively 
 alarm. 
 
 " Well, if this don't beat every thing that ever I saw 
 in all my life, I wish I may be shot !" said Sneak. 
 
 " What is it ?" asked Joe, his senses yet wandering. 
 
 "Jest feel the back of your head," said Sneak. Joe 
 put his hand to the place indicated, and winced under the 
 pain of the touch. He then looked at his hand, and be 
 holding a quantity of clotted blood upon it, fell down sud 
 denly on the snow. 
 
 " What's the matter now ?" asked Glenn, who had seec 
 his man sitting up, and came swiftly to him when he fell. 
 
 "I'm a dead man !" said Joe, mournfully. 
 
 " That's a lie !" said Sneak. 
 
 "What ails you, Joe?" asked Glenn, his tone much 
 softened. 
 
 " I'm dying oh ! I'm shot through the head !" 
 
 " Don't believe him, Mr. Glenn I'll be smashed if its 
 any thing but my tooth," said Sneak. 
 
 " Oh I'm dying !" continued Joe, pressing his hand 
 against his head, while the pain and loss of blood actually 
 produced a faintness, and his voice became very weak. 
 
 "Are you really much hurt?" continued Glenn, stoop 
 ing down, and feeling his pulse. 
 
 " It's all over !" muttered Joe. *,' I'm going fast. Sancte 
 Petre ! Pater noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificeter nomen 
 tuum ; adveniat regnum tu " 
 
 Here Joe's voice failed, and, falling into a syncope, Glenn 
 and Sneak lifted him up and carried him into the house. 
 
 "Is he shot?" exclaimed Mary, instantly producing 
 some lint and bandages which she had prepared in antici 
 pation of such an event. 
 
 " I fear he has received a serious hurt," said Glenn, 
 aiding Mary, who had proceeded at once to bind up the 
 wound. 
 
 "I'll be split if he's shot !" said Sneak, going out and 
 returning to his post. Glenn did likewise when he saw the 
 first indications of returning consciousness in hs man ; and
 
 108 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Mary was left alone to restore and nurse poor Joe. But 
 he could not have been in better hands. 
 
 " I should like to know something about them curious 
 words the feller was speaking when he keeled over," said 
 Sneak, as he looked out at the now quiet scene from the 
 loophole, and mused over the events of the night, " I 
 begin to believe that the feller's a going to die. I don't 
 believe any man could talk so, if he wasn't dying." 
 
 " Have you seen any of them lately ?" inquired Boone, 
 coming to Sneak's post and running his eye along the 
 horizon through the loophole. 
 
 "Not a one," replied Sneak, "except that feller laying 
 out yander by the snowball." 
 
 " He's dead," said Boone, "and he is the only one that 
 we are sure of having killed to-night. But many are 
 wounded." 
 
 " And smash me if Joe didn't kill that one when his 
 rnusket went off before he was ready," said Sneak. 
 
 "Yes, I saw him fall when Joe fired; and that accident 
 was, after all, a fortunate thing for us," continued Boone. 
 
 " But I'm sorry for poor Joe," said Sneak. 
 
 "Pshaw!" said Boone; "he'll be well again in an 
 hour." 
 
 " No, he's a gone chicken." 
 
 "Why do you think so?" 
 
 "Didn't he say so himself? and didn't he gabble out a 
 whole parcel of purgatory talk ? He's as sure gone as a 
 stuck pig, I tell you," continued Sneak. 
 
 " He will eat as hearty a breakfast to-morrow morning 
 as ever he did in his li(e," said Boone. "But let us attend 
 to the business in hand. I hardly think we will be an 
 noyed any more from this quarter, unless yonder dead In 
 dian was a chief, and then it is more than probable they will 
 try to steal him away. However, you may remain here. 
 I, alone, can manage the others." 
 
 " Which others ?" inquired Sneak. 
 
 "Those under the snow," replied Boone; "they are 
 now within twenty paces of the palisade." 
 
 "You don't say so?" said Sneak, cocking his gun. 
 
 " I have been listening to them cutting through the snow 
 a long while, and it will Jbe a half hour yet befcre I spring 
 the mine," said Boone.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 109 
 
 " I hope it will kill 'em all !" said Sneak. 
 
 " Watch close, and perhaps you will kill one yet fron? 
 this loophole," said Boone, returning to his post, where 
 the slow-match was exposed through the palisade near the 
 ground ; and Roughgrove stood by, holding a pistol, charged 
 with powder only, in readiness to fire the train when Boone 
 should give the word of command. 
 
 Boone applied his ear to a crevice between the timbers 
 hear the earth, where the snow had been cleared away. 
 After remaining in this position a few moments, he beck 
 oned Glenn to him. 
 
 " Place your ear against this crevice," said Boone. 
 
 " It is not the Indians I hear, certainly !" remarked Glenn. 
 The sounds resembled the ticking of a large clock, differing 
 only in their greater rapidity than the strokes of seconds. 
 
 "Most certainly it is nothing else," replied Boone. 
 
 " But how do they produce such singular sounds ? Is it 
 the trampling of feet ?" continued Glenn. 
 
 " It is the sound of many tomahawks cutting a passage," 
 replied Boone. 
 
 " But what disposition do they make of the snow, when 
 \t is cut loose." 
 
 "A portion of them dig, while the rest convey the loose 
 snow out and cast it down the cliff." 
 
 While the above conversation was going on, a colloquy 
 of a different nature transpired within the house. Joe,' 
 after recovering from his second temporary insensibility, 
 had sunk into a gentle doze, which lasted many minutes. 
 Mary had bathed his face repeatedly with sundry restora 
 tives, and likewise administered a cordial that she had 
 brought from her father's house, which seemed to have a 
 most astonishing somniferous effect. When the contents 
 of the bottle were exhausted, she sat silently by, watching 
 Joe's apparent slumber, and felt rejoiced that her patient 
 prdmised a speedy recovery. Once, after she had been 
 gazing at the fawn, (that had been suffered to occupy a place 
 near the wall, where it was now coiled up and sleeping,) on 
 turning her eyes towards the face of Joe, she imagined for 
 a moment that she saw him close his eyelids quickly. But 
 calling him softly and receiving no answer, she concluded 
 it was a mere fancy, and again resigned herself to hei 
 lonely watch. When she had oeeu sitting thus some 
 
 it;
 
 110 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 minutes, watching him patiently, she observed his eyea 
 open slowly, and quickly smack to again, when he found 
 that she was looking at him. But a moment after, con 
 scious that his wakefulness was discovered, he opened them 
 boldly, and found himself possessed of a full recollection 
 of all the incidents of the night up to his disaster. 
 
 " Have they whipt all the Indians away that were stand 
 ing out on the snow, Miss Mary ?" 
 
 " Yes, long ago and none have been seen, but the one 
 you killed, for some time," she replied, encouragingly. 
 
 " Did I kill one sure enough ?" asked Joe, while his eyea 
 sparkled exceedingly. 
 
 "Yes, indeed," replied she; "and I heard Mr. Boone 
 say he was glad it happened, and that the accident was, 
 after all, a fortunate thing for us." 
 
 " Accident !" iterated Joe ; "who says it was an acci 
 dent ?" 
 
 "Wasn't it an accident?" asked the simple girl. 
 
 "No, indeed!" replied Joe. "But," he continued, 
 " have they blown up the other Indians yet ?" 
 
 " Not yet but I heard them say they would do it very 
 soon. They can be heard digging under the snow now, 
 very plainly," said Mary. 
 
 "Indeed !" said Joe, with no little terror depicted in his 
 face. " I wish you'd go and ask Mr. Boone if he thinks 
 you'll be entirely safe, if you please, Miss Mary," said 
 Joe beseechingly. 
 
 " I will," responded Mary, rising to depart. 
 
 "And if they ask how I am," continued Joe, "please 
 sny I am a great deal better, but too weak yet to go 
 out." 
 
 Mary did his "bidding; and when she returned, what was 
 her astonishment to find her patient running briskly across 
 the room from the cupboard, with a whole roasted prairie- 
 hen in one hand, or at least the body of it, while he tore 
 aiyay the breast with his teeth, and some half dozen crackers 
 in the other ! In vain did he attempt to conceal them under 
 the covering of his bed, into which he jumped as quickly 
 as possible. Guilt was manifest in his averted look, his 
 trembling hand, and his greasy mouth ! Mary gazed in 
 lilont wonder. Joe cowered under her glance a few iflo-
 
 A NARRATIVE. Ill 
 
 ments, until the irresistible flavour of the fowl overcame 
 him, and then his jaws were again set in motion. 
 
 " I fear that eating will injure you," remarked Mary, at 
 length. 
 
 "Never fear," replied Joe. "When a sick person has a 
 good appetite, it's a sure sign he's getting better." 
 
 " If you think so you can eat as much as you please," 
 said Mary; "and you needn't hide any thing from me." 
 
 Joe felt a degree of shame in being so palpably detectel, 
 but his appetite soon got the better of his scruples, and he 
 gratified the demands of his stomach without reserve. 
 
 "But what did Mr. Boone say?" asked he, peeping out. 
 
 " He says he thinks there is no danger. But the Indians 
 are now within a few feet of the palisade, and the explosion 
 is about to take place." 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Sneak skilla a sow that "was not all a swine" The breathless suspense 
 The match in readiness Joe's cool demeanour The match ignited 
 Explosion of the mine Defeat of the savages The captive His 
 liberation The repose The kitten Morning. 
 
 " DON'T you think I know who you are, and what you're 
 after ?" said Sneak, as he observed a large black sow, or 
 what seemed to be one, rambling about on the snow within 
 a hundred paces of him. " If that ain't my sow ! She's 
 gone, that's dead sure ; and if I don't pepper the red rascal 
 that killed her I wish I may be split. That Indian '11 find 
 I'm not such a fool as he took me for. Just wait till he 
 gits close enough. I ain't to be deceived by my own sow's 
 dead skin, with a great big Osage in it, nohow you can fix 
 t." Sneak's conjecture was right. The Indian that Joe 
 had killed was a chief, and the apparent sow was nothing 
 Tnore than a savage enveloped in a swine's skin. The In 
 dian, after reconnoitering the premises with some delibera 
 tion, evidently believed that his stratagem was successful,
 
 U2 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 and at length moved in the direction of ais dead comrade, 
 with the manifest intention of bearing the body away. 
 
 "I'll let you have it now!" said Sneak, firing his rifle, 
 when the seeming sow began to drag the fallen chief from 
 the field. The discharge took effect; the savage sprang 
 upright and endeavoured to retreat in the manner that 
 nature designed him to run; but he did not go more than 
 a dozen paces before he sank down and expired. 
 
 " That's tit for tat, for killing my sow," said Sneak, gaz 
 ing at his postrate foe. 
 
 " Come here, Sneak," said Boone, from the opposite side 
 of the in closure. 
 
 " There was but one, and I fixed him," said Sneak, 
 when they asked him how many of the enemy were in view 
 when he fired. 
 
 " They heard the gun," said Glenn, applying his ear to 
 the chink, and remarking that the Indians had suddenly 
 ceased to work under the snow. 
 
 "Be quiet," said Boone; "they will begin again in a 
 minute or two." 
 
 " They're at it a'ready," said Sneak, a moment after, 
 and very soon they were heard again, more distinctly than 
 ever, cutting away with increased rapidity. 
 
 " Suppose the match does not burn ?" observed Glenn, 
 in tones betraying a fearful apprehension. 
 
 "In such an event," said Boone, "we must retreat into 
 the house, and fasten the door without a moment's delay. 
 But I do not much fear any such failure, for the dampness 
 of the snow cannot so soon have penetrated through the 
 dry reeds to the powder. Still we should be prepared 
 therefore, as there is no necessity that more than one of us 
 should be here now, and as I am that man, withdraw, all 
 of you, within the house, and remain there until your ears 
 and eyes shall dictate what course to pursue." Boone's 
 command was promptly obeyed, and when they reached 
 the house and looked back, (the door was kept open,) they 
 beheld the renowned pioneer standing erect, holding a pistol 
 in his right hand (which he pointed at the cotton that con 
 nected with a train of powder running along a short plank 
 to the reed that reached the buried keg,) while the moon, 
 now midway in the heavens, "and beautifully bright," re 
 vealed the stern and determined expression of his p*>i
 
 A NARRATIVE. 113 
 
 brow and fixed lip. Thus he stood many minutes, and 
 they seemed hours to those who gazed upon the breathless 
 scene from the house. Not a sound was heard, save the 
 rapid ticking of tomahawks under the snow outside of the 
 inclosure, or the occasional hasty remark of those who were 
 looking on in painful and thrilling suspense. Once Boone 
 bowed his head and listened an instant to the operations 
 of the savages, and when he rose erect again, the party 
 looking on confidently expected he would fire the train. 
 But the fatal moment had not yet arrived. Still he pointed 
 the pistol at the combustible matter, and his eye glanced 
 along the barrel ; but he maintained a statue-like stillness, 
 as if awaiting some preconcerted signal. 
 
 "Why don't he fire?" inquired Glenn, in a whisper. 
 
 "It is not quite time yet," responded Roughgrove. 
 
 " Dod ! they'll crawl up presently, and jump over the 
 fence," said Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, goodness ! I wish he'd shoot !" said Joe, in low, 
 sepulchral tones, his head thrust between Sneak's legs, 
 whither he had crawled unobserved, and was now peering 
 out at the scene. 
 
 "Who are you?" exclaimed Sneak, leaping away from 
 Joe's bandaged head, which he did not recognize at the 
 first glance. 
 
 "It's nobody but me," said Joe, turning his face upward, 
 that his friend might not suppose him an enemy. 
 
 " Well, what are you doing here ? I thought you was a 
 dying." 
 
 ** I'm a good deal better, but I'm too weak to do any 
 thing yet," said Joe, in piteous tones, as he looked fearfully 
 at Boone, and listened to the strokes of the Indians without, 
 which became louder and louder. 
 
 " Stand back a little," said Boone to those in the door 
 way, " that I may enter when I fire the match may burn 
 more briskly than I anticipated." 
 
 A passage was opened for him to enter. He pulled the 
 trigger the pistol missed fire he deliberately poured in 
 fresh priming from his horn, and once more taking aim, the 
 pistol was discharged, and, running to the house, and en- 
 teiing a little beyond the threshold, he paused, and turned 
 to behold the realization of his hopes. The light combus 
 tible natter flashed up brightly, and the blaze ran along 
 
 10*
 
 114 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 the grotiud a moment in the direction of the end of the 
 reed' but at the instant when all expected to see the pow 
 der ignited, the flames seemed to die away, and the dark 
 ness which succeeded impressed them with the fear that 
 the damp snow had, indeed, defeated their purpose. 
 
 " Split me if it shan't go off !" cried Sneak, running out 
 with a torch in his hand, that he snatched from the fire 
 place. When he reached the trench that had been dug 
 along the palisade, and in which the slow match was placed, 
 he looked down but once, and dashing his fire-brand be 
 hind him, sprang back to the house, with all the celerity of 
 which he was capable. "Dod!" said he, "it's burning yet, 
 but we couldn't see it from here. It'll set the powder off 
 in less than no time!" 
 
 "I trust it will!" said Boone, with much anxiety. And 
 truly the crisis had arrived, beyond which, if it were de 
 layed a single minute, it would be too late ! The voices of 
 the Indians could now be heard, and the sounds of the 
 tomahawks had ceased. They were evidently on the eve 
 of breaking through the icy barrier, and rushing upon their 
 victims. Boone, with a composed but livid brow, placed 
 his hand upon the ponderous door, for the purpose of re 
 treating within, and barring out the ruthless assailants. 
 The rest instinctively imitated his motions, but at the same 
 time their eyes were yet riveted on the dimly burning match. 
 A small flash was observed to illumine the trench another 
 and a larger one succeeded ! The first train of powder was 
 ignited the Indians were bursting through the snow-crust 
 with direful yells the blaze ran quickly along the plank 
 it reached the end of the reed a shrill whizzing sound 
 succeeded a sharp crash under the snow and then al) 
 was involved in a tremendous chaotic explosion ! An enor 
 mous circular cloud of smoke enveloped the scene for a 
 moment, and then could be seen tomahawks, bows, and 
 arrows, and even savages, sailing through the air. The 
 moon was darkened for the space of several minutes, dur 
 ing which time immense quantities of snow poured down 
 from above." The startling report seemed to rend both the 
 earth and the heavens, and rumbled far up and down the 
 valley of the Missouri, like the deep bellowing of a corua- 
 cant thunder-cloud, and died away in successive vibration*
 
 A NARRATIVE. 115 
 
 antil it finally resembled the partially suppressed growling 
 jf an angry lion. 
 
 When the inmates of the house sallied forth, the scene 
 was again quiet. After clearing away the enormous masses 
 of snow from the palisade, they looked out from the iu- 
 closure through the loophole on the east, and all was still 
 ness and silence. But the view was changed. Instead 
 of the level and smooth surface, they now beheld a concave 
 formation of snow, beginning at the earth, which was laid 
 bare where the powder had been deposited, and widening, 
 upward and outward, till the ring of the extreme angle 
 reached a height of fifteen or twenty feet, and measured a 
 circumference of fifty paces. But they did not discover a 
 single dead body. On the contrary, they soon distinguished 
 the sounds of the savages afar off, in fiendish and fearful 
 yells, as they retreated in great precipitation. 
 
 "Dod! none of 'em's killed!" exclaimed Sneak, looking 
 about in disappointment. 
 
 " Hang it all, how could they expect to kill any, without 
 putting in some lead?" replied Joe, standing at his elbow, 
 and evincing no symptoms of illness. 
 
 " What're you a doing out here ? You'd better go in and 
 finish dying," said Sneak. 
 
 " No, I thank you," said Joe ; " my time's not come yet ; 
 and when it does come, I'll know what to do without your 
 instructions. I'm well now I never felt better in my life, 
 only when I was eating." 
 
 " Go to the horses, Joe, and see if they have suffered 
 any injury," said Glenn. " I don't believe a single Indian 
 was killed by the explosion," he continued, addressing 
 Boone. 
 
 "The snow may have preserved them," replied Boone; 
 "and "yet," he continued, "I am sure I saw some of them 
 flying up in the air." 
 
 "I saw them too," said Glenn, "but I have known in 
 stances of the kind, when powder-mills have blown up, 
 where men were thrown a considerable distance without 
 being much injured." 
 
 " It answered our purpose, at all events," said Boone , 
 "for new, no inducement whatever can ever bring them 
 back "
 
 116 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "If I were sure of that," replied Glenn, "I would not 
 regret the bloodless result of the explosion." 
 
 "You may rely upon it implicitly," said Boone ; "for 
 it was a surprise they can never understand, and they 
 will attach to it some superstitious interpretation, which 
 will most effectually prevent them from meditating another 
 attack." 
 
 " Goodness gracious alive !" exclaimed Joe, rimbly 
 springing past Boone and Glenn, and rushing into the 
 house. 
 
 "What can be the matter with the fellow, now?" ex 
 claimed Glenn. 
 
 " He was alarmed at something in the stable see what 
 it is, Sneak," said Boone. 
 
 "I've got you, have I? Dod ! come out here!" ex 
 claimed Sneak, when he had' been in the stable a few 
 moments. 
 
 " Who are you talking to ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "A venimirous Osage smutty-face!" said Sneak, step 
 ping out of the stable door backwards, and dragging an 
 Indian after him by the ears. 
 
 "What is that?" demanded Glenn, staring at the sin 
 gular object before him. The question was by no means 
 an unnatural one, for no being in the human shape ever 
 seemed less like a man. The unresisting and bewildered 
 savage looked wildly round, displaying a face as black as if 
 he had just risen from the bottom of some infernal lake. His 
 tattered buckskin garments had shared the same fate in the 
 explosion ; his eyebrows, and the hair of his head were 
 singed and crisped ; and, altogether he might easily have 
 passed for one of Pluto's scullions. He did not make re 
 sistance when Sneak led him forth, seeming to anticipate 
 nothing else than an instantaneous and cruel death, and 
 was apparently resigned to his fate. He doubtless ima 
 gined that escape and longer life were utterly impossible, 
 inasmuch as, to his comprehension, he was in the grasp of 
 evil spirits. If he had asked himself how he came thither, 
 it could not have occurred to him that any othjr means 
 than the agency of a supernatural power threw him into 
 the hands of the foe. 
 
 " I thought I saw one of them plunging through the au 
 over the inclosure," said Boone, smiling.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 11? 
 
 " Hanged if I didn't think so too," said joe, who had at 
 length returnei to gaze at the captive, when he ascertained 
 that he was entirely meek and inoffensive. 
 
 " Have you got over your fright already ?" asked Sneak. 
 
 " What fright ?" demanded Joe, with affected surprise, 
 
 " Now, can you say you weren't skeered ?" 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! I believe you really thought I was fright- 
 oned. Why, you dunce, you ! I only ran in to to tell Miss 
 Mary about it." 
 
 " Now go to bed. Don't speak to me agin to night," 
 said Sneak, indignantly. 
 
 "I'll go and get something to eat," said Joe, retreating 
 into the house. 
 
 " Tell Roughgrove to come here," said Boone, speaking 
 to Joe. 
 
 " I will," said Joe, vanishing through the door. 
 
 When the old ferryman came out, Boone requested him 
 (he being the most familiar with the Osage language,) to 
 ask the savage by what means he was enabled to get in 
 side of the inclosure. Roughgrove did his bidding ; and 
 the Indian replied that the Great Spirit threw him over the 
 palisade, because he once killed a friend of Boone's at the 
 cave-spring, and was now attempting to kill another. 
 
 " Why did you wish to kill us ?" asked Roughgrove. 
 
 The Indian said it was because they thought Glenn had 
 a great deal of money, many fire weapons, and powder and 
 bullets, which they (the savages) wanted. 
 
 " Was it right to rob the white man of these things, and 
 then to murder him ?" continued Roughgrove. 
 
 The savage replied that the prophet (Raven) had told the 
 war-party it was right. Besides, they came a long and 
 painful journey to get (Glenn's) goods, and had suffered 
 much with cold in digging under the snow ; several of their 
 party had been killed and wounded, and he thought they 
 had a good right to every thing- they could get. 
 
 " Did the whites ever go to your village to rob and mur 
 der?" inquired the old ferryman. 
 
 The Indian assumed a proud look, and replied that they 
 had. He said that the buffalo, the bear, the deer, and the 
 beaver the eternal prairies and forests the rivers, the 
 air and the sky, all belonged to the red men. That the 
 whites had not been invited to -corne among them, but they
 
 118 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 had intruded upon their lands, stolen their game, and killed 
 their warriors. Yet, he said, the Indians did not hate Boone, 
 and would not have attacked the premises that night, if 
 they had known he was there. 
 
 " Why do they not hate Boone ? He has killed more of 
 them than any one else in this region," continued Rough- 
 grove, 
 
 The Indian said that Boone was a great prophet, and 
 was loved by the Great Spirit. 
 
 " Will the war-party return hither to-night ?" asked 
 Roughgrove. 
 
 The Indian answered in the negative ; and added that 
 they would never attack that place again, because the 
 Great Spirit had fought against them. 
 
 Boone requested Roughgrove to ask what would be done 
 with the false prophet who had advised them to make the 
 attack. 
 
 The savage frowned fiercely, and replied that he would 
 be tied to a tree, and shot through the heart a hundred 
 times. 
 
 "What do you think we intend to do to you?" asked 
 Roughgrove. 
 
 The savage said he would be skinned alive and put under 
 the ice in the river, or burned to death by a slow fire. Ho 
 said he was ready to die. 
 
 " I'll be shot if he isn't a spunky felloe !" said Sneak. 
 
 "Do you desire such a fate ?" continued the old ferry 
 man. 
 
 " The Indian looked at him with surprise, and answered 
 without hesitation that he did and then insisted upon 
 being killed immediately. 
 
 " Would you attempt to injure the white man again if 
 we were not to kill you ?" 
 
 The Indian smiled, but made no answer. 
 
 "I am in earnest," continued Roughgrove, "and wish 
 to know what you would do if we spared your life." 
 
 The Indian said such talk was only trifling, and again 
 insisted upon being dispatched. 
 
 After a short consultation with Boone and Glenn, Rough- 
 grove repeated his question. 
 
 The savage replied that he did not believe it possible 
 for him to escape immediate death but if he wpre not
 
 A NARRATIVE. 119 
 
 Killed, he could never think of hurting any of those, who 
 saved him, afterwards. Yet he stated very frankly that he 
 would kill and rob any other pale-faces he might meet with. 
 
 " Let me blow his brains out," said Sneak, throwing his 
 gun up to his shoulder. The Indian understood the move 
 ment, if not the words, and turning towards him, presented 
 a full front, without quailing. 
 
 " He speaks the truth," said Boone ; " he would never 
 injure any of us himself, nor permit any of his tribe to do 
 it, so far as his influence extended. Yet he will die rather 
 than make a promise not to molest others. His word may 
 be strictly relied upon. It is not fear that extorts the pro 
 mise never to war against us it would be his gratitude for 
 sparing his life. Take down your gun, Sneak. Let us 
 decide upon his fate. I am in favour of liberating him." 
 
 "And I," said Glenn. 
 
 "And I," said Roughgrove. 
 
 " I vote for killing him," said Sneak. 
 
 "Hanged if I don't, too," said Joe, who had been lis 
 tening from the door. 
 
 " Spare him," said Mary, who came out, and saw what 
 was passing. 
 
 "We have the majority, Mary," said Glenn ; " and when 
 innocence pleads, the generous hand is stayed." 
 
 Roughgrove motioned the savage to follow, and he led 
 him to the gate. The prisoner did not understand what 
 was to be done. He evidently supposed that his captors 
 were about to slay him, and he looked up, as he thought, 
 the last time, at the moon and the stars, and his lips moved 
 in deep and silent adoration. 
 
 Roughgrove opened the gate, and the savage followed 
 him out, composedly awaiting his fate. But seeing no in 
 dication of violence, and calling to mind the many wild joya 
 of his roving youth, and the horrors of a sudden death, he 
 spoke not, yet his brilliant eyes were dimmed for a moment 
 with tears. His deep gaze seemed to implore mercy at the 
 hands of his captors. He would not utter a petition that 
 his life might be spared, yet his breast heaved to rove free 
 again over the flowery prairies, to bathe in the clear waters 
 of running streams, to inhale the balmy air of midsummer 
 morning, to chase the panting deer upon the dizzy peak,
 
 120 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 and to hail once more the bright smiles of his timid bride 
 in the forest-shadowed glen. 
 
 "Go! thou art free!" said Roughgrove. 
 
 The Indian stared in doubt, and looked reproachfully at 
 the guns in the hands of his captors, as if he thought they 
 were only mocking him with hopes of freedom, when it 
 was their intention to shoot him down the moment he should 
 think his life was truly spared. 
 
 " Go ! we will not harm thee !" repeated Roughgrove. 
 
 "And take this," said Mary, placing some food in his 
 yielding hand. 
 
 The Indian gazed upon the maiden's face. His features, 
 by a magical transition, now beamed with confidence and 
 hope. Mary was in tears not tears of pity for his im 
 pending death, but a gush of generous emotion that his 
 life was spared. The savage read her heart he knew that 
 the white woman never intercedes in vain, and that no vic 
 tim fulls when sanctified by her tears. He clasped her hand 
 and pressed it to his lips ; and then turning away in silence, 
 set off in a stately and deliberate pace towards the west. He 
 looked not back to see if a treacherous gun was pointed at 
 him. He knew that the maiden had not trifled with him. 
 He knew that she would not mock a dying man with bread. 
 He neither looked back nor quickened his step. And so 
 he vanished from view in the valley. 
 
 " Dod ! he's gone ! We ought to've had his sculp !" 
 said Sneak, betraying serious" mortification. 
 
 " We must give it up, though we were in the minority," 
 said Joe, satisfied with the decision. 
 
 " In the what?" asked Sneak. 
 
 "In the minority," said Joe. 
 
 " Let's go in the house and git something to eat," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Hang me if I ain't willing to be with you there," said 
 Joe. 
 
 The whole party entered the house to partake of a collation 
 prepared by the dainty hands of Mary. Mary had frequently 
 insisted upon serving them with refreshments during the 
 night, but hitherto all her persuasions had been unavailing, 
 for the dangers that beset them on every hand had banished 
 all other thoughts than those of determined defensive 
 operations.
 
 lie il.tp -u liw ,I,H:. i, and jjifsseil it to his lips. I'.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 12] 
 
 Boone w;'s so certain that nothing farther was to be 
 apprehended from the enemy, that he dispensed with the 
 sentinels at the loopholes. He relied upon Ringwood and 
 Jowier to guard them through the remainder of the night ; 
 and when a hearty meal was eaten he directed his gallant 
 little band to enjoy their wonted repose. 
 
 Ere long Mary slumbered quietly beside her father, 
 while Boone and Glenn occupied the remaining couch. 
 Sneak was seated on a low stool, near the blazing fire, and 
 J ie sat in Glenn's large arm chair, on the opposite side of 
 the hearth. The fawn and the kitten were coiled close 
 together in the centre of the room. 
 
 Save the grinding jaws of Sneak and Joe, a death-like 
 silence reigned. Occasionally, when Sneak lifted his eyes 
 from the pewter platter that lay upon his knees, and glanced 
 at the bandages on his companion's head, his jaws would 
 cease to move for a few moments, during which he gazed 
 in astonishment at the ravenous propensity of the invalid. 
 But not being inclined to converse or remonstrate, he en 
 deavoured to get through with his supper with as much 
 expedition as possible, that he might enjoy all the comforts 
 of refreshing sleep. Yet he was often on the eve of pick 
 ing a quarrel with Joe, when he suffered a sudden twinge 
 from his broken tooth, while striving to tear the firmer 
 portion of the venison from the bone. But when he re 
 flected upon his peculiar participation in the occurrence 
 which had caused him so justly to suffer, he repressed his 
 rising anger and proceeded with his labour of eating. 
 
 Joe, on the other hand, discussed his savoury dish with un 
 alloyed satisfaction ; yet he, too, paused occasionally, and 
 fixing his eyes upon the glaring fire, seemed plunged 
 in the deepest thought. But he did not glance at his com 
 panion. At these brief intervals he was apparently reflect 
 ing upon the incidents of the night. One thing in parti 
 cular puzzled him ; he could not, for the life of him, con 
 ceive how his musket rebounded with such violence, when 
 he was positively certain that he had put but one charge in 
 it, and that only a modera'e one. He was sometimes in 
 clined to think the blow he received on the head was dealt 
 by Sneak ; but when he reflected it^would be unnatural foi 
 one man to strike another with his teeth, and that Sneak had 
 
 M
 
 122 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 likewise sustained a serious injury at the same time, bus 
 conjectures were entirely at fault. 
 
 " What are you a thinking about so hard ?" asked 
 Sneak. 
 
 *' I'm trying to think how I got that blow on the back of 
 rny head," said Joe, turning half abstractedly to Sneak. 
 
 " Yes, and I'd like to know how you come to mash my 
 mouth so dod-rottedly," said Sneak, in well-affected ill 
 njiture. 
 
 " Hang it, Sneak, you know well enough that I wouldn't 
 do such a thing on purpose, when I was obliged to almost 
 knock out my own brains to do it," said Joe, apologeti 
 cally. 
 
 " If I hadn't thought of that," replied Sneak, ' I don't 
 know but I should 've shot you through when I got up." 
 
 "And I should never have blamed you for it," said Joe, 
 " if it had been done on purpose. Does it hurt you much 
 now?" 
 
 "Don't you see how its bleeding?" 
 
 " That's gravy running out of your mouth, ain't it ?" 
 
 "Yes, but its bloody a little," said Sneak, licking his 
 b'ps. 
 
 " I shall have to sit up and sleep," said Joe ; " for my 
 head's so sore I can't lie down." 
 
 " I'm a going to lay my head on this stool and sleep ; 
 and I'm getting so drowsy I can't set much longer," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 " And all '11 be square between us, about breaking your 
 tooth, won't it?" 
 
 "Yea, I can't bear malice," said Sneak, shaking Joe's 
 extended hand. 
 
 " Oh me I" said Joe, " I shan't be able to doze a bit, 
 hardly, for trying to study out how the old musket came 
 to kick me BO." 
 
 u I've got a notion to tell you, jest to see if you'll sleep 
 any better, then." 
 
 "Do you know?" asked Joe, quickly ; "if you do, I'll 
 thank you with all my heart to tell me ?" 
 
 "Dod! if I don't!" said Sneak; "but all's square be 
 twixt us 9 " 
 
 "Yes, if you re willing." 
 
 "Well, don't you remember when I told you to count
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 the Indians standing out there, I leant agin you to look over 
 your shoulder ? I stole a cartrich out of your shot-bag then, 
 and slipt it in the muzzle of your musket. Don't you know 
 it was leaning agin the post ?" 
 
 Joe turned round and looked Sneak full in the face for 
 several moments, without uttering a word. 
 
 "When it went off," continued Sneak, " ; t made the 
 tremendousest crack I ever heard in all my life, except 
 when the keg of powder busted." 
 
 "You confounded, blasted rascal you !" exclaimed Joe, 
 doubling up his fists, and preparing to assault his friend. 
 
 "Now don't go to waking up the folks !" said Sneak. 
 
 " I'll be hanged if I hain't got a great notion to wear out 
 the iron poker over your head !" continued Joe, his eyes 
 gleaming with rage 
 
 " Look at my tooth," said Sneak, grinning in such man* 
 ner that the remaining fragment of the member named 
 could be distinctly seen. The ludicrous expression of hia 
 features was such as constrained Joe to smile, and hia 
 enmity vanished instantaneously. 
 
 " I believe you got the worst of the bargain, after all," 
 said Joe, falling back in his chair and laughing quite 
 heartily. 
 
 "You know," continued Sneak, "I didn't mean it to 
 turn out as bad as it did. I jest thought it would kick you 
 over in the snow, and not hurt you any, hardly." 
 
 "Well, let's say no more about it," said Joe; "but when 
 you do any thing of that kind hereafter, pause and reflect 
 on the consequences, and forbear." 
 
 "I'll keep my mouth out of the way next time," said 
 Sneak; "and now, as all's square betwixt us, s'pose v/e 
 agree about how we are to do with them dead Indians. 
 S'pose we go halves with all the things they've got?" 
 
 "No, I'll be hanged if I do !" said Joe quickly. " The 
 one I shot was a chief, and he's sure to have some gold 
 about him." 
 
 " Yes, but you know you'd never a killed him if it hadn't 
 been for me." 
 
 " But if it hadn't been for you I wouldn't have got hurt," 
 replied Joe, reproachfully. 
 
 "Well, I don't care much about the chief the one I 
 killed maybe took all his silver and gold before I shot him>
 
 124 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Anyi >w, I know I can find something out there in the 
 snow where they were blowed up," said Sneak, arranging 
 a buffalo robe on the hearth and lying down. 
 
 "And we must hereafter let each other alone, Sneak," 
 Baid Joe, " for the fact is, we are both too much for one 
 another in our tricks." 
 
 " I'm willing," replied Sneak, lazily, as his eyes gradu 
 ally closed. 
 
 Joe placed his dish on the shelf over the fireplace, and 
 folding his arms, and leaning back in his great chair, like 
 wise closed his eyes. 
 
 But a few moments sufficed to place them both in the 
 land of dreams. And now the silence was intense. Even 
 the consuming logs of wood seemed to sink by degrees into 
 huge livid coals, without emitting the least sparkling sound. 
 The embers threw a dim glare over the scene, such as 
 Queen Mab delights in when she leads her fairy train 
 through the chambers of sleeping mortals. A sweet smile 
 rested upon the lips of Mary. A loved form flitted athwart 
 her visions. Roughgrove's features wore a grave but placid 
 cast. Boone's face was as passionless and calm as if he 
 were a stranger to terrific strife. Perils could now make 
 no impression on him. There was sadness on the damp 
 brow of Glenn, and a tear was stealing through the corner 
 of his lids. A scene of woe, or the crush of cherished 
 hopes, was passing before his entranced vision. Sneak, 
 ever and anon grasped the empty air, and motioned his 
 arm, as if in the midst of deadly conflict. And Joe, though 
 his bruised face betrayed not his cast of thought, still 
 evinced a participation in the ideal transactions of the 
 night, by the frequent involuntary motions of his body, and 
 repeated endeavours to avoid visionary dangers. 
 
 The kitten lay upon the soft neck of the fawn, and at 
 intervals resumed its low, humming song, which had more 
 than once been hushed in perfect repose. At a late hour, 
 or rather an early one, just ere the first faint ray of morn 
 ing appeared in the distant east, puss purred rather harshly 
 on the silken ears of its companion, and its sharp claws 
 producing a stinging sensation, the fawn shook its head 
 violently, and threw its little bed-fellow rather rudely 
 several feet away. The kitten, instead of being angry, 
 fell into a merry mood, and began to frisk about in divers
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 directions, first running under the bed, then springing upon 
 some diminutive object on the floor as it would upon a 
 mouse, and finally pricking again the ear of the fawn. 
 The fawn then rose up, and creeping gently about the room, 
 touched the cheeks or hands of the slumbering inmates with 
 its velvet tongue, but so softly that none were awakened 
 The kitten, no longer able to annoy its companion by its 
 mischievous pranks, now paced up to the fire and com 
 menced playing with a dangling string attached to Joe'? 
 moccasin. Once it jumped up with such force against his 
 foot that he jerked it quickly several inches away. But 
 this only diverted puss the more. Instead of being content 
 with the palpable demonstration thus effected, it followed 
 up the advantage gained by applying both its claws and 
 teeth to the foot. While it confined its operations to the 
 stout buckskin, but little impression was made ; but when 
 it came in contact with the ankle, which was only covered 
 with a yarn stocking, fche result was entirely different. 
 
 " Ugh ! Confound the fire !" exclaimed Joe, giving a 
 tremendous kick, which dashed puss most violently into 
 Sneak's face. 
 
 "Hey! Dod! What is it?" cried Sneak, tearing the 
 kitten (whose briery nails had penetrated the skin of his 
 nose) away, and throwing it across the room. " I say ! did 
 you do that?" continued Sneak, wiping the blood from hia 
 nose with his sleeve, and addressing Joe, who kept his eyes 
 fast closed, though almost bursting with suppressed laugh 
 ter, and pretending to be steeped in earnest slumber. "I 
 won't stand this!" said Sneak, smarting with his wounds, 
 and striking the chair in which Joe sat with his foot. 
 "Now," continued Sneak, "if you done that, jest say so, 
 that's all." 
 
 "Did what?" asked Joe, opening his eyes suddenly. 
 
 "Why, throwed that ere pestiverous cat on me!" said 
 Sneak. 
 
 " No. Goodness ! is there a pole-cat in here ?" exclaimed 
 Joe, in such well-counterfeited tones of anxiety and alarm, 
 tiiat the real encounter occurring to Sneak, and his pain 
 being now somewhat abated, he gave vent to a hearty *h 
 oi laughter, which awoke every person in the house. 
 
 U*
 
 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 fie lead removed Tho wolves on the river The wolf hunt Gumfctid 
 Joe's incredulity His conviction His surprise His predicament 
 His r arrow escape. 
 
 WHEN Sneak opened the door, the sun had risen and 
 was shining brightly. In a moment the inmates of the 
 house were stirring. The horses neighed in the stable for 
 their accustomed food and water, and when Joe hastened 
 to them, he embraced the neck of each, in testimony of his 
 joy that they were once more saved from the hands of the 
 Indians. The hounds pranced round Boone and Glenn, 
 manifesting their delight in being relieved of the presence 
 of the enemy. The gate was thrown open, and the scene 
 of the explosion minutely examined. Fortunately the 
 channel cut under the snow by the savages ran a few feet 
 apart from the powder, or the whole of them must inevit 
 ably have perished. As it was, not a single one lost his 
 life, though many were blown up in the air to a considerable 
 height. Joe and Sneak found only a few spears, knives, 
 and tomahawks, that had been abandoned by the savages ; 
 and then they repaired to the west side of the inclosure, 
 where the two dead Indians were still lying. They had 
 scarce commenced searching their victims for booty, when 
 a solitary Indian was seen approaching from the upper 
 valley. 
 
 " We hain't got our guns !" exclaimed Sneak, pulling out 
 bis knife. 
 
 "I'll get mine!" cried Joe, running away with all his 
 might. 
 
 "What's the matter?" inquired Boone, smiling, who had 
 also seen the approaching Indian, and was walking to where 
 the dead savages lay, accompanied by Glenn and Rough- 
 grove, when he met Joe running swiftly towards the hfu.se
 
 They had scarce commenced searching their victims for booty, when a solitary 
 Indian was seen approaching from the upper valley. P. 126.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 121 
 
 " Hang me, if the Indians ain't coming back again." re 
 plied Joe. 
 
 " There is but one, and he has a white flag," said Boone. 
 who had discovered a small rag attached to a pole borne 
 by the Indian. 
 
 "What can he want?" inquired Glenn. 
 
 " He wants permission to bury the dead," replied Rough- 
 grove. 
 
 "He's the very rascal we let loose last night," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 This was true. Although the singed savage had removed 
 some of the black marks produced by the explosion, yet 
 so many palpable traces of that event were still exhibited 
 on his person, there could be no doubt of his identity. 
 
 The Indian came for the purpose mentioned by Rough- 
 grove, and his request was granted. He made a sign to a 
 comrade he had left some distance behind, who, in a very 
 few minutes, was seen to approach in a hasty though timo 
 rous pace. 
 
 " Don't go to shooting out here !" exclaimed Sneak, hear 
 ing a clicking sound, and the next moment observing Joe 
 pointing his musket through the loophole nearly in a line 
 with the spot where he stood. 
 
 " Come in ! come in ! come in !" cried Joe. 
 
 "Put your gun away, and be silent," said Glenn. 
 
 "I'll be silent," replied Joe, "but I'd rather stand here 
 and watch awhile. If they ain't going to hurt any of us, 
 it'll do no harm ; and if they do try to kill any of you, it 
 may do some good." 
 
 When the second Indian arrived, he seized the body of 
 the savage enveloped in the swine-skin, (knowing that per 
 mission to do so had been obtained by his comrade,) and 
 bore him away with great expedition, manifesting no in 
 clination whatever to tarry at a place which had been so 
 fatal to his brethren. Biit the other had every confidence 
 ui the mercy of the whites, and lingered some length of 
 time, gazing at the corpse before him, as if hesitating 
 whether to bear it away. 
 
 "Why do you not take him up?" inquired Roughgrove. 
 
 The Indian said it was the false prophet Raven, and 
 that he hardly deserved to be buried. 
 
 Sneak turned the dead Indian over, (he had been lyinp
 
 128 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 on his face,) and he was instantly recognized by the whole 
 party. 
 
 " I'm glad its him," said Sneak. 
 
 "I think we will have peace now," said Boone, "for 
 Raven has ever been the most blood-thirsty chief of the 
 tribe." 
 
 " Where is the war-party encamped ? When do they 
 return to their own country ?" asked Roughgrove. 
 
 The Indian replied that they were encamped in a small 
 grove on the border of the prairie, where they intended to 
 bury their brothers, and then it was their intention to set 
 out immediately for their villages. He added that one of 
 their tribe, whom they had left at home, arrived that morn 
 ing with intelligence that a war-party of Pawnees had 
 invaded their territories, and it was necessary for them to 
 hasten back with all possible dispatch to defend their wives 
 and children. 
 
 Glenn asked Boone how the Indians managed to sleep in 
 the cold prairie ; and, Roughgrove repeating the inquiry to 
 the savage, they were informed that the war-party carried 
 with them a long but very light sled, in the shape of a 
 canoe, to which was tied a rope made of buckskins, by 
 which they pulled it along on the snow with great swift 
 ness. This kept them warm with exercise through the day. 
 A quantity of furs and buffalo skins were packed in the 
 canoe that served to keep them warm at night. 
 
 " Mr. Roughgrove ! Mr. Roughgrove !" cried Joe, from 
 his loophole. 
 
 " What do you want with me?" responded the old man. 
 
 " Why, Miss Mary's gone down to your house to see if 
 the Indians have been there, and they may be there now, 
 perhaps.' 
 
 " There's no danger now, you blockhead," replied Rough- 
 grove. 
 
 "Keep your mouth shet !" said Sneak. 
 
 " Your mouth's mashed recollect who did it," retorted 
 Joe. 
 
 The savage at length lifted up the dead body, and set 
 jff at a brisk pace towards the prairie. The party then re 
 turned to the house and partook of a plenteous repast that 
 had been prcvkled by Mary. 
 
 When the breakfast was over, they repaired to tht oliff.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 to examine the place where the Indians had first penetrated 
 the snow. They had commenced operations at the very 
 brow of the cliff, on a shelving rock, to attain which, with 
 out being seen from the garrison, they must have crawled 
 on their hands and knees a considerable distance. Below 
 could be seen an immense heap of snow, which had been 
 thrown down from the place of entrance, just as Boone had 
 described. 
 
 "Jest look yander !" cried Sneak, pointing up the river. 
 The scene was a remarkable one. They beheld a very 
 small deer (the lightness of which enabled it to run on the 
 snow that covered the ice with great fleetness, without 
 breaking through the crust,) chased about on the river by 
 a pack of wolves ! These hungry animals had evidently 
 been racing after it a great length of time, from the dis 
 tressed appearance of the poor victim, and, having driven 
 it upon the ice, they seemed resolved to prevent it from 
 ever again entering the thickets. The plan they adopted 
 was systematic, and worthy the imitation of biped hunters. 
 They dispersed in vai ious directions, and formed them 
 selves in a circle of about a half mile in diameter, hemming 
 the deer in on all sides, while only one or two of their num 
 ber at a time chased it. Round and round it ran; and 
 though its pursuers were left far in the rear, yet it remained 
 entirely surrounded by the enemy. Occasionally, when a 
 chasing wolf became exhausted, one of the guards (aban 
 doning his post) would enter the ring, and, not being fa 
 tigued, was able to carry on the pursuit with redoubled 
 vigour. Thus the chase was kept up with increasing 
 fierceness by means of a succession of fresh wolves, until 
 the poor deer finally sank down and surrendered its life. 
 The voracious pack then rushed from their stations indis 
 criminately, and coming in contact immediately over their 
 prey, a most frightful contest ensued among them. Horrific 
 yells and screams could be heard by the men as they looked 
 on from their distant position. At times the wolves were so 
 closely jumbled together that nothing could be distinguished 
 but one black, heaving, and echoing mass. But the strug 
 gle was soon over. In a very few moments they became 
 quiet, and started off in a comparatively peaceful manner 
 towards the island, w ence their prize had been driven, in
 
 130 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 \vest of others. When they abandoned the spot where 
 their victim had fallen, not so much as a bone remained. 
 
 " That's making a clean business of it !" said Sneak. 
 
 "Its no such thing!" said Joe; " it's a nasty trick to 
 swallow hide, bones, and bowels, in that manner." 
 
 " Its clean for wolves," said Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, may be you're part wolf," said Joe. 
 
 " Now, none of your gab, or I'll play some other trick 
 en you, worse than that at the spring." 
 
 " You be hanged," retorted Joe ; " I'll give you leave 
 to do it when you get a chance the next time." 
 
 "It is a great pity that the deer are subject to such 
 destruction," remarked Glenn. 
 
 " The wolves we saw are all on yonder island," said 
 Boone, " and if you are disposed to have a hunt, I have no 
 doubt we might kill some of them." 
 
 " We are entirely dependent upon the deer for animal 
 food," said Roughgrove ; "and if we could only surround 
 that party of wolves as they did the deer, we might do the 
 settlement much good service." 
 
 "I go in for it," said Sneak. 
 
 " I'd rather wait a day or two, till the Indians have gone 
 clean off," said Joe. 
 
 " There is nothing to fear from them now," said Boone, 
 " unless something they might steal should fall in their 
 way. But it will not require an hour to rout the wolves 
 on the little island." 
 
 "Then let us hasten and get our guns, and be upon 
 them before they leave it," said Glenn. 
 
 They returned to the house, and were all soon equipped 
 for the onslaught, except Joe, who made no preparation 
 whatever. 
 
 " Get ready, Joe," said Glenn ; " your redoubtable mua 
 .ket will do good service." 
 
 " I'd rather not," said Joe ; " I'm hardly well enough 
 to wilk so far. I'll take cars of Miss Mary. I wonder 
 what's become of her? Mr. R ughgrove, Miss Mary hasn't 
 come back yet !" 
 
 " Yes she has," replied the old ferryman ; " I saw her 
 bring this frozen flower up, while we were standing on the 
 cliff, and she has only returned for the other pots- I hear
 
 A NARRATIVE. 181 
 
 her singing down the valley now," he added, after step 
 ping to the gate and listening a moment. 
 
 "Have you any gum fetid?" asked Boone, addressing 
 Glenn. 
 
 "I've got lots of it," interposed Joe, " that I brought 
 along for the horses, because an old man at St. Louis told 
 me they would never die so long as I kept a lump of it in 
 the rack." 
 
 "What use do you make of it?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " The scent of it will at any time collect the wolves," 
 said Boone, directing Joe to bring it along. 
 
 The party set out at a brisk pace, Joe with the rest, for 
 it was necessary to station the men at as many points as 
 possible. Boone, Roughgrove, and Glenn, when they 
 reached the upper valley, descended to the river, while 
 Sneak and Joe were directed to station themselves on the 
 main-land opposite the upper and lower ends of the island. 
 The party of three advanced towards the island on the ico y 
 and Sneak and Joe pursued their way in a parallel direc 
 tion through the narrow skirt of woods that bordered the 
 range of bluffs. 
 
 Ere long the two on land descended from their high po 
 sition and entered a densely-timbered bottom, the upper 
 part of which (a half mile distant) was only separated from 
 the island by a very narrow channel. _ 
 
 Here, for the first time that day, the thought that the 
 island he was approaching was the haunted one of Glenn's 
 dream occurred to Joe, and he paused suddenly. 
 
 " What are you stopping for ?" asked Sneak. 
 
 " Because" Joe hesitated, positively ashamed to tell 
 the reason ; and after a moment's reflection he was im 
 pressed with a thorough conviction that his apprehensions 
 and scruples were ridiculous. 
 
 "Don't you hear me ?" continued Sneak. 
 
 " I was thinking _about going back for the dogs," 
 aid Joe. 
 
 " Yes, and they would be torn to bits in a little less than 
 no time," said Sneak. 
 
 " Come on, then," said Joe, setting forward again, and 
 dismissing all fears of the fire-wizard from his mind. 
 
 "Let me see how much asafcetida you've got," said 
 Sneak, after they had walked a few moments in silence
 
 132 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " Hore it is," said Joe, unwrapping a paper containing 
 several ounces; "but hang me, if that ain't rather too 
 Btrong a joke of Mr. Boone's about its collecting the 
 wolves. I can't believe that." 
 
 " Did you ever hear of Mr. Boone's telling a lie ?" 
 asked Sneak. 
 
 "No, I never did, and that's a fact," said Joe; "but 
 I'm afraid he's got into a scrape this time Jingo ! look 
 yonder !" he continued, throwing his musket up to his face, 
 and pointing it at a very large black wolf that stood in the 
 path before them. 
 
 "Don't shoot! I put two loads in your gun," cried 
 Sneak, hastily. 
 
 " Confound your long-necked gourd-head, I say !" said 
 Joe, throwing down the muzzle of his musket in an instant, 
 and the next moment the wolf disappeared among the tall 
 bushes. "Why, hang me, if you didn't tell a lie!" con 
 tinued Joe, running down his ramrod. 
 
 " Don't I know it ?" replied Sneak. " I jest said so to 
 keep you from shooting; becaise if you had shot, you'd 
 'ave skeered all the other wolves away, and we wouldn't 
 'ave killed any." 
 
 " It's well you didn't put in another cartridge," said 
 Joe, " for I wish I may be smashed if I stand this kicking 
 business any longer." 
 
 " Now, I guess you'll believe there's something in the 
 asafoetida, after all ! and the wolves '11 come all round you 
 and won't go off for shooting at 'em, if you'll only rub it 
 on the soles of your boots. 
 
 " I'll try it !" said Joe, suiting the action to the word, 
 and then striding onward, and looking in every direction 
 for the wolves. 
 
 " You'll have to tree, if they come too thick." 
 
 "Pshaw!" replied Joe, "you can't scare me in that 
 way. I don't believe a hat full of it would make them 
 stand and be shot at." 
 
 They were now opposite the island. Joe selected a po 
 sition even with the upper end of it, and Sneak remained 
 below. Boone, after stationing Roughgrove and Glenn to 
 the best advantage, walked out to the main -land, and 
 taking some of the gum fetid in Joe's possession, returue J
 
 A NARRATIVE. 135 
 
 to the island ; and, ere long, he, Roughgrove, and Glenn 
 were heard discharging their guns with great rapidity, and 
 the cries of the wolves attested that they were labouring 
 with effect. But none of the beleaguered animals had yet 
 retreated from the scene of destruction. On the contrary, 
 several were seen to run across from the main-land and 
 join those on the island. Presently Sneak commenced a 
 brisk fire There seemed to be a whole army of wolves 
 congregated in the vicinity. Joe at first laughed, and then 
 became confused and puzzled. He anxiously desired to 
 make the roar of his musket join the melde ; but at times 
 he thought the ravenous enemy rather too numerous for 
 him to be in perfect safety. The firing on the island con' 
 tinued without abatement. Sneak's gun was likewise still 
 heard at regular intervals, and what seemed an extraor 
 dinary matter to Joe was that Sneak should yell out some 
 thing or other about the " asafcetida," and " moccasin 
 tracks," after every discharge. Joe was not long idle. 
 He soon saw a huge black wolf trotting along the little 
 deer path he had just traversed, with its nose down to the 
 ground. A moment after, another, and then a third, were 
 seen pursuing the same course, some distance behind. Joe 
 became uneasy. His first impulse was to scamper over to 
 the island : but, when he thought of the jeers and jests 
 that would ensue from Sneak, he resolved to stand his 
 ground. When the foremost wolf had approached within 
 thirty paces of him, he leveled his musket and fired. The 
 wolf uttered a fierce howl and expired. 
 
 " Hang me, if I haven't floored you, any how," said he, 
 exultingly, as he proceeded to reload his gun with as much 
 expedition as possible. But the other wolves, so far from 
 being alarmed at the fate of their comrade, seemed to 
 quicken their pace towards the position of Joe. " Slash 
 me, if there ain't too many of them !" ejaculated Joe, as 
 he perceived several others, and all advancing upon him. 
 " I'll settle your hash, by jing !" he continued, firing at the 
 foremost one, which was not twenty paces distant. The 
 leaden contents of the musket entered its breast, and it 
 fell dead without a growl. Still the others advanced. Joe 
 had no time to charge his gun again. 
 
 " I'D make tracks !" said he, starting toward the frozen 
 unannel that separated him from the island. But he had 
 
 i?
 
 134 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 not gone ten paces before he discovered two enormous 
 wolves approaching from that direction. " I'll cut dirt 
 back again !" he continued, whirling suddenly around, and 
 rushing back to his stand, where he stood not a moment, 
 but sprang up in a tree, and after attaining a large limb 
 that put out from the trunk, some fifteen feet above the snow, 
 paused, and pantingly'surveyed his assailants. There were 
 now no less than twenty wolves in sight, and several were 
 at the root of the tree yelping at him ! " I'll be hanged 
 if I half like this," said he. " Snap me, if I dou't begin 
 to believe that the asafoetida does charm them, after all. 
 Confound Sneak ! he's always getting me into some hobble 
 or other ! Now, if it wasn't for this tree, I'd be in a nice 
 fix. Hang it ! all the wolves in the world are broke loose 
 to-day, surely where the mischief could they all have 
 come from ? Just hear the men, how they are shooting ! 
 And they are killing the wild black dogs every crack but 
 still they won't back out! I'll blaze away at 'em again!" 
 Saying this, he reloaded his musket as quickly as his pe 
 culiar position would allow, and, for the purpose of ridding 
 himself as soon as possible of his disagreeable visitors, he 
 poured in an additional charge of buckshot. "Now," he 
 continued, " what if the gun should fly out of my hands ? 
 I'd be in a pretty condition then ! I wouldn't mind the kick 
 at all, if I was only on dry land but if the gun should 
 kick me over here, I'd tumble right down into their mouths ! 
 I wish I'd thought of that before I rammed down the wad 
 ding. I havn't got my screw along, or I might draw out 
 the load again. I'll not shoot at all. I'll just watch till 
 somebody comes and scares them away. Ugh ! you black 
 rascal! what 're you staring up here for?" he continued, 
 looking down at the largest wolf, which was standing up 
 right against the tree, and tearing the bark away furiously 
 with his long teeth. The number of Joe's enemies con 
 tinued to increase. There were now perhaps twenty un 
 der the tree. And still the firing on the island was kept 
 up, though not so incessantly as at first, which inspired Joe 
 with a hope that they would either kill all the wolves in 
 their vicinity very soon or force them to join his flock under 
 the tree, when the men would surely come to his relief. 
 Sneak's fire abated somewhat, likewise, and Joe's reliance
 
 A NARRATIVE. 135 
 
 upon having their aid in a very short time caused his feara 
 to subside in a great measure. 
 
 " If you're so crazy after asafcetida," said he, looking 
 down at the fiercely staring animals again, " I'll give you a 
 taste, just to see what you'll do." He took a small portion 
 of the gum which he had retained, and rubbed it over a 
 piece of paper that he found in his pocket. He then 
 dropped the paper in their midst. They sprang upon it 
 simultaneously, and in an instanfrit vanished, Joe knew not 
 whither. " Hang me, if I couldn't pepper a half-dozen at 
 a shot when they all rush up together so close, if I wasn't 
 afraid of being kicked down. I'll be teetotally smashed if 
 I don't fix and try it, any how !" said he, pulling out a strong 
 leather string from his pocket, one end of which he attached 
 firmly to a small limb of the tree, and the other he tied as 
 tightly round the wrist of his left arm. He then pulled 
 out his bandanna, and likewise made his musket fast to a 
 bough. " Now, my snapping beauties," he continued, " I'm 
 mistaken if I don't give you a dose of blue pills that '11 do 
 your business in short order." Saying this, he tore off an 
 other piece of paper, and rubbing on the gum, dropped it 
 down as near as possible to the spot where he wished the 
 wolves to cluster together. No sooner did it fall than the 
 whole gang sprang upon it, and he fired with precision in 
 their midst. Joe did not look to see what execution was 
 done. ' He was dangling in the air and whirling round and 
 round at a rapid rate, like a malefactor suspended from the 
 gallows, with the exception that his neck did not suffer, and 
 he cried out most lustily for assistance. When the cloud 
 of smoke that enveloped him cleared away a little, and he 
 became better acquainted with his critical situation, his yells 
 increased in rapidity and violence. His condition was truly 
 perilous. The small bough to which he had attached him 
 self had not sufficient strength to bear him up when his 
 feet slipped from the larger one below, and it was now bent 
 down a considerable distance, and that too in a divergent 
 direction from his recent foothold, and unfortunately there 
 was no limb of the tree of any strength within his reach. His 
 legs hung within six feet of the surface of the snow. The 
 discharge had killed four or five of the wolves, but, undis 
 mayed, the remainder assailed him the more furiously. 
 The most active of them could easily spring as far up as
 
 136 WILD WESTERN SCEXES: 
 
 his feet ! Never was terror more strongly depicted in the 
 human face than it was displayed jn Joe's when he saw 
 the whole pack rushing towards him ! They sprang up 
 with fearful snarls and yells. Joe yelled likewise, and 
 doubled his knees up to his chin. They missed his feet by 
 several inches, and were borne out fifteen or twenty feet 
 to one side by the impetus of the leap. It was by a mighty 
 effort that he thus avoided them, and no sooner had they 
 passed under him than his legs again dangled downward. 
 In a moment they whirled round and were again rushing 
 at their victim. Once more Joe screamed, and drew up 
 his legs while they passed under him. " Help ! help ! for 
 God's sake !" cried he, when they whirled round again. 
 His cry was heard. Several sharp reports resounded from 
 the river bank, a few paces on the east. Three or four of 
 the wolves howled and fell. The rest hesitated, their eyes 
 glistening, and fixed on Joe's suspended boots. "Come 
 quick ! for Heaven's sake ! I can't pull up my legs any 
 more !" cried Joe. This was true, for his strength was fast 
 failing. The guns were again discharged, with deadly 
 effect, and all but one of the largest of the wolves precipi 
 tately ran off, and disappeared among the bushes. 
 
 ' Jerk up your leg ! that feller's a going to take one of 
 your feet along with him, if he kin !" cried Sneak. Joe 
 saw the wolf charging upon him, but he was altogether un 
 able to avoid it in the manner he had done before. It was 
 now only a few feet distant, its mouth open, displaying a 
 frightful set of teeth, and springing towards him. Finding 
 it impossible to prevent a collision, Joe resolved to sell his 
 foot as dearly as possible. As much as he was able, he 
 bent up his knee-joints, and when his assailant came, he 
 bestowed his heels upon his head with all his might. The 
 wolf was stunned, and fell under the blow. 
 
 "Take that!" cried Sneak, running up and plunging 
 his knife into the animal's side. The wolf groaned 
 and died. 
 
 "Ha! ha! ha! you were born to be hanged," said 
 Roughgrove, coming forward with Boone and Glenn, and 
 iaughing heartily. 
 
 rt He has been hung," said Boone. 
 
 "And almost quartered," said Glenn.
 
 They sprang up with fearful snarls and yells. Joe yelled likewise, and doubled 
 his knees up to his chin. P. 136.
 
 A NAKRATIVB. 13? 
 
 " Oh, goodness ! Jump up here, Sneak, and cut me loose," 
 said Joe, beseechingly. 
 
 " There's no danger of you ever dying," said Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, please don't laugh at me, Sneak, but cut me down ; 
 that's a good fellow. The string is beginning to cut my 
 wrist like fury !" 
 
 " How did you git in such a fix?" continued Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, hang it, Sneak, just get me out of the fix, and I'll 
 tell you all about it." 
 
 "It's hung now didn't you say 'hang it, Sneak?'" 
 continued Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, come, now," continued Joe; "if you were in this 
 way, don't you think I'd help you ?" 
 
 " Cut him down, Sneak," said Boone; and in a twinkling 
 Sneak was up in the tree, and the string was severed. Joe 
 came down with great force, his feet foremost, and running 
 through the snow-crust to a great depth. 
 
 " I wish some of you would help me out of this," said 
 he, after struggling some time in vain to extricate himself. 
 
 "You'll want me to carry you home next, I s'pose," 
 said Sneak, assisting him up. Joe made no reply ; but as 
 soon as he could cut the string away from his wrist, seized 
 Sneak by the throat, hurled him on his back, and spring 
 ing upon him, a violent struggle ensued for a few moments 
 before they could be separated. 
 
 "What do you mean?" exclaimed Glenn, dragging Joe 
 away from his prostrate victim. 
 
 "What did you do that for ?" asked Sneak, rising up and 
 brushing the snow from his head and face, his fall having 
 broken the icy surface. 
 
 " You rascal, you! I'll show you what for!" cried Joe, 
 endeavouring to get at him again. 
 
 "Joe!" said Glenn, "if you attempt any further 
 violence, you shall not remain another day under my roofl" 
 
 " He boxed my ear like thunder !" said Sneak ; " I didn't 
 think the fellow had so much pluck in-him! I like him 
 Detter now than ever I did. Give us your paw, Joe." Joe 
 shook hands with him reluctantly, and then wiped a flood 
 of tears from his face. 
 
 " He told me to put some asafetida on my boots, and 
 said I could then kill more wolves," said Joe ; " and it 
 caine within an ace of making them kill me." 
 
 12*
 
 18% WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "It was very wrong to do so, Sneak," said Boone, "and 
 the boxing you got for it was not amiss." 
 
 "I believe I think so myself," said Sneak. "But it did 
 make him kill more wolves after all jest look at 'em all 
 around here !" 
 
 Joe soon recovered entirely from the effects of his swing, 
 his fright, and his anger, and looked with something like 
 eatisfaction on his many trophies lying round him ; and 
 when he disengaged his musket from the bough of the tree, 
 he regarded it with affection. 
 
 They moved homeward, entirely content with the result 
 of the excursion. Boone explained the reason why so many 
 of the wolves were congregated about the island. lie 
 stated that the vines and bushes on which the deer feed in 
 the winter were abundant and nutritious in the low lands 
 along the river, and that great numbers of them repaired 
 thither at that season of the year. The wolves of course 
 followed them, and having now destroyed all the large deer 
 in the vicinity of the island, and the small ones being en 
 abled to run on the snow-crust, they found it necessary to 
 muster in the chase as great a number as possible, and thus 
 prevent their prey from escaping to the prairies. He said 
 that the wolves preferred the timber, being enabled to make 
 more comfortable lairs and dens among the fallen trees 
 than out in the cold prairies. But their guns had wrought 
 a fearful destruction among them. Perhaps three-fourths 
 of them fell. 
 
 The party soon reached Glenn's house. As they entered 
 the inclosure, they were surprised to see Ringwood run 
 ning wildly about, whining and snarling and tearing the 
 snow to pieces with his teeth. Jowler was more composed, 
 but a low, mournful whine issued continuously from his 
 mouth. 
 
 "Dod! what's the dogs been after?" ejaculated Sneak. 
 
 " Go in, Joe, and ask Mary what it means," said Rough 
 grove. 
 
 "I'd rather not the house may be full of Indians," re 
 plied Joe, relapsing into his natural cowardice. 
 
 "Mary," said Roughgrove, approaching the door and 
 calling affectionately. Receiving no reply, the old nan 
 entered and called again. A silence succeeded. Rough
 
 A NARRATIVE. 139 
 
 grove reappeared a moment after, with a changed coun 
 tenance. Boone gazed at his pale features, and asked the 
 cause of his distress by a look, not a word. 
 
 "She's gone! gone! gone!" exclaimed Roughgrove, 
 cohering his face with both hands. 
 
 Boone madenoanswer,butturning his face in the direction 
 of the southern valley, he called upon the name of Mary 
 three times, in clear and loud tones. He listened for her 
 reply, in a motionless attitude, several minutes. But no 
 reply came. Now a change came over Ms features. It 
 was a ferocity from which even the blood-thirsty savages 
 would have fled in horror ! 
 
 " My eternal curse upon them ! They have seized her ! 
 I have b'NJix deceived ! I will have vengeance !" said he, 
 in a low, determined tone. 
 
 " Will they kill her, or keep her for a ransom ?" inquired 
 Glenn, in extreme and painful excitement. 
 
 "A ransom," said Boone; " but they shall pay the weight 
 of the silver they demand in blood !" 
 
 "May Heaven guard her !" said Roughgrove, in piteous 
 agony. 
 
 "Cheer up we will get her again," said Boone; and 
 then giving some hasty directions, preparations were made 
 for pursuit. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Mary Her meditations Her capture Her sad condition Her mtctal 
 sufferings Her escape Her recapture. 
 
 WHEN the men departed for the island in quest cf the 
 wolves, Mary was singing over her neglected flowers, at 
 her father's house in the valley, and her clear ringing notes 
 were distinctly heard by the whole party. After they were 
 gone she continued her song, and lingered long over every 
 faded leaf and withered blossom, with no thought of danger 
 whatever, and none of pain, save the regret that her long
 
 140 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 cheiishnd plants had been forgotten in the consternation of 
 the previous day, and had fallen victims to the frost-king. 
 But nothing had been touched by the savages. The do 
 mestic fowls clustered about her, and received their food 
 from her hands as usual. The fawn was with her, and 
 evinced the delight afforded by the occasional caress be 
 stowed upon it, by frequently skipping sportively around 
 her. Mary was happy. Her wants were few, and she 
 knew not that there was such a thing as a malicious enemy 
 in the world, save the wild savage. Her thoughts were as 
 pure as the morning dew, and all her delights were the 
 results of innocence. She had never harmed any one, and 
 her guileless heart never conceived the possibility of suffer 
 ing ill at the hands of others. She smiled when the beauti 
 ful fawn touched her hand with its velvet tongue, and a 
 tear dimmed her eye for an instant when she looked upon 
 her stricken rose. 
 
 While looking at one of the homely shelves in a corner 
 of the deserted house, Mary accidentally espied a small 
 volume of poems, the gift of Glenn, that had been neglected. 
 She seized it eagerly, and after turning over the pages the 
 fiftieth time, and humming over many of the songs, she 
 paused suddenly, and lifting her eyes to the bright sun 
 beams that streamed through the window, long remained 
 in a listless attitude. Something unusual had startled her 
 simple meditations. At first a shade of painful concern 
 seemed to pass across her brow, and then glancing quickly 
 at the book she still held in her hand, a sweet smile ani 
 mated her lips. But again and again, ever and anon, the 
 abstracted gaze was repeated, and as often succeeded by 
 the smile when her eyes fell upon the volume. Did her 
 thoughts dwell upon the giver of that book ? Undoubtedly. 
 Did she love Glenn ? This she knew not herself, but she 
 would have died for him ! She was ignorant of the terms 
 courtship, love, and marriage. But nature had given her 
 a heart abounding with noble and generous impulses. 
 
 At lengtn she drew her shawl closely round her shoul 
 ders, and, closing the door of the hut, was in the act of 
 returning up the hill, when she was startled by the furious 
 and sudden barking of the hounds, which she had left con 
 fined in the inclosure on the cliff. She paused, and locked 
 steadily in every direction, and was not able to discover, or
 
 A NARRATIVE. 141 
 
 even conjecture, what it was that b.d roused the hounds. 
 Yet an undefinable fear seized upon her. The fawn at 
 her side likewise partook of the agitation, for the hair stood 
 upright on its back, and it often snuffed the air with great 
 violence, producing, at each time, a shrill, unnatural sound. 
 
 Mary started briskly up the path, determined to shut 
 herself up in Glenn's house until her father returned from 
 the island. When she had proceeded about twenty paces, 
 and was just passing a dense thicket of hazel that bordered 
 the narrow path, she heard a slight rustling on the left, and 
 the next moment she was clasped in the arms of a brawny 
 savage ! 
 
 " Oh me ! who are you?" demanded she, struggling to 
 disengage herself, and unable to see the swarthy features 
 of her captor, who stood behind her. No answer being 
 made, she cast her eyes downwards, and beheld the colour 
 of the arms that encircled her. " Father ! Mr. Glenn ! Mr. 
 Boone !" she exclaimed, struggling violently. Her efforts 
 were unavailing, and, overcome with exhaustion and af 
 fright, she fainted on the Indian's breast. The savage 
 then lifted her on his shoulder, ran down to the rivulet that 
 flowed through the valley, and fled outwards to the prairie. 
 When he reached the cave-spring, a confederate, who had 
 been waiting for him, seized the burden and bore it onwards, 
 in a westerly direction, with increased rapidity. Thus they 
 continued the retreat, bearing the insensible maiden alter 
 nately, until they came to a small grove some distance but 
 in the prairie, when they slackened their pace, and, after 
 creeping a short time under the pendent boughs of the 
 trees, halted in the camp of the war-party. 
 
 The Indians gathered round the pale captive, some with 
 rage and deadly passions marked upon their faces, and others 
 with expressions of triumph aad satisfaction. They now 
 made preparations for departing. Mary was wrapped in a 
 large buffalo robe, enveloping her body and face, and placed 
 in the snow-canoe. The party then deposited their toma 
 hawks and other cumbersome articles at the feet of their 
 captive, and, grasping the leather rope attached to the 
 canoe, set off rapidly in a southerly direction. 
 
 Ere long, Mary partially awoke from her state of insen 
 sibility, when all was dark and strange to her confused 
 senses. She pulled aside the long hair of the buffalo skin
 
 142 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 that obscured her face, and looked out from her narrow 
 place of confinement. The blue heavens alone met her 
 view above. The incident of the seizure was indistinct in 
 her memory, and she could not surmise the nature of her 
 present condition. She turned hastily on her side, and the 
 occasional bush she espied in the vicinity indicated that she 
 was rushing along by some means with an almost incon 
 ceivable rapidity. She could scarce believe it was reality. 
 How she came thither, and how she was propelled over 
 the snow, for several moments were matters of incompre 
 hensible mystery to the trembling girl. At first, she en 
 deavoured to persuade herself that it was a dream ; but, 
 having a consciousness that some terrible thing had actually 
 occurred, all the painful fears of which the mind is capa 
 ble were put in active operation. The suspense was soon dis 
 pelled. Hearing human voices ahead, and not readily com 
 prehending the language, she hastily rose on her elbow. 
 The party of Indians dragging her fleetly over the smooth 
 prairie met her chilled view. But she was now compara 
 tively collected and calm. Instantly her true condition wa 
 apparent. She watched the swarthy forms some moment 
 in silence, meditating the means of escape. Presently one 
 of the savages turned partly round, and she sank back to 
 escape his observation. Again she rose up a few inches, 
 and their faces were all turned away from her. She gra 
 dually acquired resolution to encounter any hardship or 
 peril that might be the means of effecting her escape. But 
 what plan was she to adopt? The almost interminable 
 plain of which she was in the midst afforded no hiding- . 
 place. Then, the speed of the flying snow-canoe, were 
 she to leap out, would not only produce a hurtful collision 
 with the hard snow-crust, but certainly cause her detection 
 The poor girl's heart sank within her, and, for a time, she 
 reclined submissively in the canoe, and gave way to a flood 
 of tears. She thought of her gray-haired father, and a 
 piercing agony thrilled through her breast. And she 
 thought, too, of others of Boone, of Glenn, and her pangs 
 were hopelessly poignant. Thus she lay for several long 
 hours, a prey to grief and despair. But some pitying angel 
 hovered over her, and kindly lessened her sufferings. By 
 degrees, her mind became possessed of the power of de 
 liberate and rational reflection ; and she was inspired with
 
 The savage rushed upon her, entwined his left hand in her flowing hair, and, 
 waving his tomahawk aloft with the other, was in the act of sinking the steel in 
 the fair forehead before him, whf n the blow was arrested by a mere stripling, who 
 Came up at the head of the rest of the Indians. P. 142.
 
 "A NARRATIVE. 143 
 
 the belief that the savages only designed to exact a heavy 
 contribution from the whites by her capture, and would 
 then surrender her up without outrage or injury. Another 
 hope, likewise, sprang up in her breast : it was, that the 
 Indian she had been instrumental in releasing from cap 
 tivity might protect her person, and, perhaps restore her 
 to her father. She also felt convinced that Boone and 
 Glenn would join her father in the pursuit, and she enter 
 tained a lively hope that they would overtake her. But, 
 again, when she looked out on the surface of the snow, and 
 beheld the rapidity of the savages' pace, this hope was en 
 tertained but for a moment. She then resolved to make 
 au effort herself to escape. If she was not successful, it 
 would, at all events, retard the progress of her captors, and 
 she might also ascertain, with some degree of certainty, 
 their purposes with regard to her fate. She rose as softly 
 as possible and sprang upon the snow. The Indians, as 
 she feared, instantly felt the diminution of weight, and 
 halted so abruptly that every one of them was prostrated 
 on the slippery snow-crust. Mary endeavoured to take ad 
 vantage of this occurrence, aad, springing quickly to her 
 feet, fled rapidly in the opposite direction. But before she 
 had run many minutes, she heard the savages in close pur 
 suit and gaining upon her at every step. It was useless 
 to fly. She turned her head, and beheld the whole party 
 within a few paces of her. The foremost was a tall ath 
 letic savage, bearing in his hand a tomahawk he had 
 snatched from the snow-canoe, and wearing a demoniac 
 scowl on his lip. Mary scanned his face and then turned 
 her eyes to heaven. She felt that her end was near, 
 and- she breathed a prayer taught her by her buried 
 mother. The savage rushed upon her, entwining his left 
 hand in her flowing hair, and waving his tomahawk aloft 
 with the other, was in the act t of sinking the steel in 
 the fair forehead before him, when the blow was arrested 
 by a mere stripling, who came up at the head of the 
 rest of the Indians. The Herculean savage whirled 
 round and scowled passionately at the youth. The young 
 Indian (the chief just elected in the place of Raven) regard 
 ed him a moment with gleaming eyes, and a determined 
 expression of feature, and then with much dignity motioned
 
 144 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 him away. The huge savage was strangely submissive in 
 a moment, and obeyed without a murmur. Mary was con 
 ducted back to the snow-canoe by the young chief, who 
 led her by 'the hand, while -the rest walked behind. Onco 
 the young warrior turned and looked searchingly in the 
 face of his fair prize, and she returned the gaze with an 
 instantaneous conviction that no personal harm was in 
 tended her. The chief was not half so dark as the rest of 
 his tribe, and his countenance was open, generous, and 
 noble. (It may seem improbable to the unthinking reader 
 that a timid and alarmed maiden should be able to read 
 the character of a foe by his features under such circum 
 stances. But those very circumstances tended to produce 
 such acuteness. And this is not only the case with human 
 beings, but -even with dumb brutes for, at the moment 
 they are about to be assailed, they invariably and instinc 
 tively look the assailant in the eye, mercy being the only 
 remaining hope.) Again the young warrior turned to be 
 hold his captive's face, and Mary was in tears. He paused 
 abruptly, and, after gazing some moments in silence and 
 deep thought, resumed his pace. When they reached the 
 snow-canoe, and while in the act of lifting his captive into 
 her couch, the young chief observed for the first time a 
 massive ring of curious workmanship on her finger (the 
 glove she had hitherto worn being partially torn from her 
 hand in the recent struggle,) and seemed to regard it with 
 much interest. Mary saw that his eyes were rivetted on 
 the jewel, and notwithstanding it possessed a hallowed value 
 in having been worn by her mother, yet she felt that she 
 could resign it to the one who had saved her life, and whose 
 noble bearing, so different from that of the rest, promised 
 to shield her from future harm. But he neither asked it as 
 a gift nor tore it from her, but turned away in silence, and 
 ordered the party to proceed. The command was instantly 
 obeyed. 
 
 There was another Indian that had attracted the notice 
 of Mary one who studiously avoided her glance by con 
 stantly enveloping his face in his hairy robe whenever she 
 turned towards him. This he continued to do until she was 
 again seated in the snow-canoe, and the order was given to 
 proceed on the journey. He then lingered behind the rest, 
 and throwing aside his mask, she saw before her the savago
 
 A NARKATIVE. 145 
 
 that had been thrown within the inclosure by tne explosion 
 He pointed to the north, the direction of her home, and, by 
 sundry signs and grimaces, made Mary understand that he 
 had not been a party to her capture, and that he would 
 endeavour to effect her escape. He then joined the others, 
 and the poor girl was once more coursing over the prairie 
 more rapidly than ever. 
 
 There was now mingled with the captive maiden's 
 thoughts another subject of contemplation. It was the 
 young chief. His image seemed to be familiar to her 
 dreamy visions, and she often thought that they had really 
 met before. But when or where, her memory failed to 
 designate. She was glad to find herself so unexpectedly 
 under the protection of one so brave and generous, and 
 she hoped when her father and his friends should overtake 
 them, he might not be hurt in the conflict that must inevi 
 tably ensue. 
 
 The Indians long continued their flight in silence. 
 Scarce a word was uttered, until the sun was sinking low 
 in the west. And then Mary heard them speaking about 
 the place of encampment; for her frequent intercourse 
 With the savages, before the arrival of Glenn in the vicinity, 
 had enabled her, as well as her father, to acquire an im 
 perfect* knowledge of their language. But they still swept 
 onward, without any diminution of speed. The chief had 
 probably objected to their making a halt by a shake of the 
 head, for Mary did not hear him reply to those who desired 
 to stop. 
 
 When the shades of night fell around, and the broad red 
 face of the moon peeped over the eastern horizon, the party 
 still careered over the prairie. More than thirty miles 
 had been traversed. The Indian is more distinguished for 
 bottom than speed, and has been known to pursue a victim, 
 or fly in the retreat, more than twenty-four hours without 
 resting. But this band had suffered much from fatigue be 
 fore they set out with their captive. The attempt to surprise 
 the fort had cost them both blood and labour, and when the 
 moon had risen midway up in the heavens, they again be 
 came clamorous for food and rest. The chief then told them 
 to turn from their course, and in a few minutes Mary saw 
 lhat they were approaching a grove of towering trees. Ere 
 long they halted under an enormous beech, whose spreading 
 
 13
 
 146 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 and clustering branches not only greatly obscured the light 
 from above, but had in a great measure prevented the snow 
 from covering the earth at its roots. It was not long before 
 a fire was struck, and the savages having scattered in every 
 direction in quest of dry wood and bark, in a very short 
 space of time a large bright blaze flashed up in their midst, 
 around which they spread their buffalo robes and commenced 
 preparing their venison. Each one cooked for himself, 
 save the chief, who was provided proportionably by all. 
 He offered Mary a part of his food, but she declined it. 
 He then proffered to lift her from the snow-canoe, and place 
 her nearer the fire. This too she declined, stating that 
 she was warm enough. She was likewise influenced in this 
 determination by the gestures of the Indian whom she had 
 befriended the preceding night, who sat by in apparent un 
 concern, but at every opportunity, by looks and signs, 
 endeavoured to cheer and encourage the captive maiden. 
 
 After a hearty repast the savages, with the exception of 
 the chief, rolled themselves in their warm, hairy robes be 
 fore the glowing fire, and were soon steeped in profound 
 slumber. The chief long reclined in a half-recumbent at 
 titude on the couch that had been prepared for him, ari<J 
 fixing his eyes on the glaring flame, and sometimes on the 
 pale sad features of Mary, seemed to be under the influ 
 ence of deep and painful meditations. -At times his fea 
 tures assumed a ferocity that caused Mary to start and 
 tremble ; but at others they wore a mournful expression, 
 and ever and anon a tear rose up and glistened in his eye. 
 Thus he sat for more than an hour after all the rest were 
 sunk in motionless slumber. Finally his bedecked head, 
 adorned with a profusion of rich and rare feathers, sunk 
 by degrees on the rude pillow, and he too was soon wan 
 dering in the land of dreams. 
 
 But sleep brooded not upon the watchful lids of Mary. 
 She gazed in silence at the wild savage scene before her. 
 The uncouth beings who had so recently hooted and yelled 
 like sanguinary demons, with intent to slay and pillage, 
 around her father, her friends and herself, now lay motion 
 less, though free and still hostile, within a few feet of her, 
 and she was their captive ! She thought of her humble but 
 peaceful home, and sighed bitterly. And she thought, too, 
 of her distressed friends, and she was the more distressed
 
 A NARRATIVE. 147 
 
 from the consciousness that they sympathized with he* 
 Bufferings. Poor girl ! She looked at the dark brows and 
 compressed lips of her captors as the fitful flashes of the 
 flatres threw a bright ray upon them, and, in despite of the 
 man^ hopes she had entertained, she was horror-stricken 
 to contemplate the reality of her sad predicament. 
 
 At a late and solemn hour, the Indian who had been the 
 captive the night before, suddenly ceased his snoring, which 
 had been heard without intermission for a great length of 
 time ; and when Mary instinctively cast her eyes towards 
 him, she was surprised to see him gently and slowly raise 
 his head. He enjoined silence by placing his hand upon 
 his mouth After carefully disengaging himself from hirf 
 comrades, he crept quietly away, and soon vanished entirely 
 from sight on the northern side of the spreading beech. 
 Mary expected he would soon return and assist her to escape. 
 Although she was aware of the hardships and perils that 
 would attend her flight, yet the thought of again meeting 
 her friends was enough to nerve her for the undertaking, 
 and she waited with anxious impatience the coming of her 
 rescuer. But he came not. She could attribute no other 
 design in his conduct but that of effecting her escape, and 
 yet re neither came for her nor beckoned her away. She 
 had reposed confidence in his promise, for she knew that 
 the Indian, savage as he was, rarely forfeited his word ; but 
 when gratitude inspired a pledge, she could not believe 
 that he would use deceit. The fire was now burning quite 
 low, and its waning light scarce cast a beam upon the 
 branches over head. It was evidently not far from morn 
 ing, and every hope of present escape entirely fled from her 
 bosom. But just as she was yielding to despair, she saw 
 the Indian returning in a stealthy pace, bearing some dark 
 object in his arms. He glided to her side, and beckoned her 
 to leave the snow-canoe, and also to take with her all the 
 robes with which she had been enveloped. She did his 
 bidding, and then he carefully deposited the burden he bore 
 in the place she had just occupied. A portion of the ob 
 ject becoming unwrapped, Mary discovered it to be a huge 
 mass of snow, resembling, in some respects, a human form, 
 and the Indian's stratagem was at once apparent to her 
 Relinquishing herself to his guidance, she was led noise 
 lessly through the bushes about a, hundred paces distant
 
 '148 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 from the fire, to a large fallen tree that had yielded to some 
 furious storm, when her conductor paused. He pointed to 
 a spot where a curve caused the huge trunk to rise about 
 a foot from the present surface, under which was a 
 round hole cut through the drifted snow down to the earth, 
 and in which were deposited several buffalo robes, and so 
 arranged that a person could repose within without coming 
 in contact with the frozen element around. Mary looked 
 down, and then at her companion, to ascertain his inten 
 tions. He spoke to her in a low tone, enough of which she 
 comprehended to understand that he desired her to descend 
 into the pit without delay. She obeyed, and when he had 
 carefully folded the robes and divers furs about her body, 
 he stepped a few paces to one side, and gently lifting up a 
 round lid of snow crust, placed it over the aperture. It 
 h:id been so smoothly cut, and fitted with such preusion 
 when replaced, that no one would have been able to dis 
 cover that an incision had been made. He then bade Mary 
 a " Dud by" in bad English, and set off in a run in a 
 northern direction for the purpose of jgining the whites. 
 
 Long and interminable seemed Mary's confinement to 
 her, but she was entirely comfortable in her hiding-place, 
 as respected her body. Yet many dreadful apprehensions 
 oppressed her still. She feared that the Indians would soon 
 ascertain that she had left the canoe, and return and dis 
 cover her place of concealment. At times she thought of 
 the wild beasts prowling around, and feared they would 
 devour her before assistance came. But the most harrow 
 ing fear was that the friendly Indian would abandon her to 
 her fate or perhaps be killed, without making known her 
 locality and helpless condition ! Thus was she a prey to 
 painful apprehensions and worrying reflections, until from 
 exhaustion she sank into an unquiet and troubled slumber. 
 
 With the first light of morning, the war-party sprang to 
 their feet, and hastily dispatching a slight repast, they set 
 out on their journey with renewed animation and increased 
 rapidity. Before starting, the chief called to Mary, and 
 again offered some food ; but no reply being returned, or 
 motion discovered under the robe which he imagined en 
 veloped her, he supposed she was sleeping, and directed 
 :he party to select the most even route when they emerged
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 in the prairie, that she might as much as possible enjoy her 
 repose. 
 
 The Indian who had planned and executed the escape of 
 Mary, with the well-devised cunning for which the lace id 
 proverbial, had told his companions that he would rise he- 
 fore day and pursue the same direction they were going in 
 advance of them, and endeavour to kill a deer for their 
 next night's meal. Thus his absence created no suspicion 
 and the party continued their precipitate retreat. 
 
 But, about noon, after casting many glances back at the 
 supposed form of the captive reclining peacefully in the 
 snow-canoe, the chief, with much excitement, betrayed by 
 his looks, which seemed to be mingled with an apprehen 
 sion that she was dead, abruptly ordered the party to halt. 
 He sprang to the canoe, and convulsively tearing away the 
 skins discovered only the roll of snow ! He at first com 
 pressed his lips in momentary rage, and then burst into a 
 fit of irrepressible laughter. But the rest raved and stamped, 
 and uttered direful imprecations and threats of vengeance. 
 Immediately they were aware of the treachery of the absent 
 Indian, and resolved with one voice that his blood should 
 be an atonement for the act. Their thoughts had dwelt too 
 fondly on the shining gold they were to get in exchange 
 for the maiden, for them ever to forgive the recreant brother 
 who had snatched the prize from them. The chief soon 
 recovered his usual grave expression, and partook in some 
 measure the general disappointment and chagrin. His 
 motives were not of the same mercenary cast which actu 
 ated his tribe, nor did he condemn the conduct of the one 
 who had rescued the maid, being aware of the clemency 
 extended him when in the power of the enemy; but the 
 thought of being outwitted and thwarted roused his anger, 
 and he determined to recover the lost captive, if possible. 
 
 The snow was quickly thrown out, and the war-party 
 adjusted their weapons, with the expectation of encounter 
 ing the whites; and then whirling about they retraced their 
 steps oven more swiftly than they had been advancing. Just 
 as the night was setting in, they came in sight of the grove 
 where they had encamped. They slackened their pace, 
 and looking eagerly forward, seemed to think it not improba 
 ble that the whites had arrived in the vicinity, and might 
 be lying in ambush awaiting their return in search of the 
 
 !*
 
 150 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 maid. They then abandoned the canoe, after Laving con 
 cealed it under some low bushes, and entered the grove in 
 a stooping and watchful posture. Ere long the chief at 
 tained the immediate neighbourhood of the spreading tree, 
 and with an arrow drawn to its head, crept within a few 
 paces of the spot where he had lain -the preceding night. 
 His party were mostly a few feet in the rear, while a few 
 ver? approaching in the same manner from the opposite 
 lirection. Hearing no sound whatever, he rose up slowly, 
 nd with an " Ugh" of disappointment, strode carelessly 
 across the silent and untenanted place of encampment. 
 
 Vexation and anger were expressed by the savages in 
 being thus disappointed. They hoped to wreak their ven 
 geance on the whites, and had resolved to recapture the 
 maiden. Where they expected to find them, the scene was 
 silent and desolate. And they now sauntered about under 
 the trees in the partial light of the moon that struggled 
 through the matted branches, threatening in the most hor 
 rid manner the one who had thus baffled them. Some 
 struck their tomahawks into the trunks of trees, while others 
 brandished their knives, and uttered direful yells. The 
 young chief stood in silence, with his arms folded on his 
 breast. A small ray of light that fell upon his face ex 
 hibited a meditative brow, and features expressing both 
 firmness and determination. He had said that the captive 
 should be regained, and his followers ever and anon re 
 garded his thoughtful attitude with the confidence that his 
 decision would accelerate the accomplishment of their de 
 sires. Long he remained thus, motionless and dignified, 
 and no one dared to address him. [He had been elected 
 chief by acclamation, after the death of Raven. He was 
 not an Osage by birth, but had been captured from one of 
 the neighbouring tribes (the Pawnee) when only six years 
 oiu. His bravery, as he grew up, had elicited the admira 
 tion of the whole tribe, and it had long been settled that 
 he should succeed Raven. His complexion was many de 
 grees lighter than that of the Osages, or even that of the 
 Pawnees, and had it not been for the paint and stains with 
 which the warriors decorate their faces, he might have 
 passed, if properly attired, for an American. When tuken 
 in battle he was saved from the torture by a young Indian 
 maiden. She procured his release, an4 he refused to return
 
 A NARRATIVE. 15i 
 
 to his own nation. He said that he was no Pawnee, and 
 when asked to what nation he belonged, he either couH 
 not or would not reply, but said he was satisfied to hunt 
 and fight with any tribe, and if the chief would give him 
 his daughter (the one that saved his life,) he would be an 
 Osage. It was done, and his brave exploits soon won for 
 him the title of the "Young Eagle."] 
 
 The young chief called one of the oldest of the party, 
 who was standing a few paces distant absorbed in thought, 
 to his side, and after a short conference the old savage 
 prostrated himself on the snow, and endeavoured like a 
 hound to scent the tracks of his recreant brother. At first 
 he met with no success, but when making a wide circuit 
 round the premises, still applying his nose to the ground 
 occasionally, and minutely examining the bushes, he paused 
 abruptly, and announced to the party that he had found 
 the precise direction taken by the maid and her deliverer. 
 Instantly they all clustered round him, evincing the most 
 intense interest. Some smelt the surface of the snow, and 
 others examined the bushes. Small twigs, not larger than 
 pins, were picked up and closely scrutinized. They well 
 knew that any one passing through the frozen and clustered 
 bushes must inevitably sever some of the twigs and buds. 
 Their progress was slow, but unerring. The course they 
 pursued was the direction taken by Mary and her rescuer. 
 It was not long before they arrived within a few feet of the 
 place of the maiden's concealment. But now they were 
 at fault. There were no bushes immediately around the 
 fallen tree. They paused, the chief in the van, with their 
 bows and arrows and tomahawks in readiness for instant 
 use. They knew that the maiden could not return to her 
 friends on foot, or the treacherous savage be able to bear 
 her far on his shoulder. They thought that one or both 
 must be concealed somewhere in the neighbourhood, and the 
 fallen tree, were it hollow, was the place most likely to be 
 selected for that purpose. After scanning the fallen trunk 
 a few minutes in silence, and discovering nothing to realize 
 their hopes, they uttered a terrific yell, and commenced 
 striking their tomahawks in the wood, and ripping up the 
 bark in quest of some hiding-place. But their search was 
 in vain. The fallen trunk was sound and solid throughout, 
 and the young chief sat down on it within three paces of
 
 152 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Mary! Others, in passing about, frequently trod on the 
 very verge of the concealed pit. 
 
 Mary was awakened by the yell but knew not that the 
 sound came from her enemies. The Indian had told her 
 that he would soon return, and her heart now fluttered with 
 the hope that her father and her friends were at hand. Yet 
 Bhe prudently determined not to rush from her concealment 
 until she was better assured of the fact. She did not think 
 the savages would suspect that she was hid under the snow, 
 but yet she thought it very strange that her father did not 
 come to her at once. Several minutes had elapsed since 
 she had been startled by the sounds in the immediate vici 
 nity. She heard the tramp of men almost directly over 
 her head, and the strokes against the fallen trunk. She 
 was several times on the eve of rising up, but was as often 
 withheld by some mysterious impulse. She endeavoured to 
 reflect calmly, but still she could not, by any mode of con 
 jecture realize the probability of her foes having returned 
 and traced her thither. Yet an undefinable fear still pos 
 sessed her, and she endeavoured with patience to await the 
 pleasure of her friends. But when the chief seated himself 
 in her vicinity, and fell into one of his fits of abstraction, and 
 the whole party became comparatively still and hushed, the 
 poor girl's suspense was almost insufferable. She knew 
 thai; human beings were all around her, and yet her situa 
 tion ivas truly pitiable and lonely. She felt assured that if 
 the war party had returned in pursuit of her, the same 
 means which enabled them to trace their victim to the fallen 
 trunk would likewise have sufficed to indicate her hiding- 
 place. Then why should she hesitate ? The yells that 
 awakened her had not been heard distinctly, and under the 
 circumstances she could not believe that she was surrounded 
 by savages. On the other hand, if they were her friends, 
 why did they not relieve her? Now a sudden, but, alas! 
 erroneous thought occurred to her. She was persuaded 
 that they were her friends, but that the friendly Indian was 
 not with them he had perhaps directed them where she 
 could be found, and then returned to his home. Might not 
 her friends, at that moment, be anxiously searching for her? 
 Would not one word suffice to dispel their solicitude, and 
 restore the lost one to their arms? She resolved to speak. 
 Bowing down her head slightly, t-o that her precise locatiot
 
 A NARRATIVE. 168 
 
 might not \AAti ntly be ascertained, she uttered in a soft 
 voice the word "FATHER!" The chief sprang from hia 
 Beat, and the party was instantly in commotion. Some o* 
 the savage's looked above, among the twining branches, and 
 some shot their arrows in the snow, but fortunately not in 
 the direction of Mary, while others ran about in every di 
 rection, examining all the large trees in the vicinity. The 
 chief was amazed and utterly confounded. He drew not 
 forth an arrow, nor brandished a tomahawk. While ho 
 thus stood, and the rest of the party were moving hur 
 riedly about a few paces distant, Mary again repeated the 
 word " FATHER !" As suddenly as if by enchantmen t every 
 savage was paralyzed. Each stood as devoid of animation 
 as a statue. For many moments an intense silence reigned, 
 as if naught existed there but the cheerless forest trees. 
 Slowly, at length, the tomahawk was returned to the belt, 
 and the arrow to the quiver. No longer was a desire to 
 spill blood manifested. The dusky children of the forest 
 attributed to the mysterious sound a supernatural agency. 
 They believed it was a voice from the perennial hunting- 
 grounds. Humbly they bowed their heads, and whispered 
 devotions to the Great Spirit. The young chief alone 
 stood erect. He gazed at the round moon above him, and 
 sighs burst from his breast, and burning tears ran down hia 
 stained cheek. Impatiently, by a motion of the hand, he 
 directed the savages to leave him, and when they withdrew 
 he resumed his seat on the fallen trunk, and reclined hia 
 brow upon his hand. One of the long feathers that decked 
 his head waved forward, after he had been seated thus a 
 few minutes, and when his eye rested upon it he started up 
 wildly, and tearing it away, trampled it under his feet. 
 At that instant the same " FATHER !" was again heard. 
 The young chief fell upon his knees, and, while he panted 
 convulsively, said, -in ENGLISH, ''Father! Mother! TmyouT 
 poor William you loved me much where are you ? Oh 
 tell me- I will come to you I want to see you!" He 
 then fell prostrate and groaned piteously. "Father! oh! 
 where are you? Whose voice was that?" said Mary, 
 "fcreaking through the slight incrustation that obscured her, 
 and leaping from her covert. 
 
 The young chief sprang from the earth gazed a moment 
 dt the maid spoke rapidly and loudly in the language of
 
 154 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 his trifco to his party, who were now at the place of en 
 campment, seated by the fire they had kindled and then, 
 seizing his tomahawk, was in the act of hurling it at Mary, 
 when the yells of the war-party and the ringing discharges 
 of firearms arrested his steel when brandished in the air. 
 The white .men had arrived ! The young chief seized Mary 
 by her long flowing hair again prepared to level the fatal 
 blow when she turned her face upwards, and he again 
 hesitated. Discharges in quick succession, and nearer 
 than tefore, still rang in his ears. Mary strove not to 
 escape. Nor did the Indian strike. The whites were 
 heard rushing through the bushes the chief seized the 
 trembling girl in his arms a bullet whizzed by his head 
 but, unmindful of danger, he vanished among the dark 
 bushes with his burden. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Joe's malposition His cure Sneak's reformation The pursuit The 
 captivo hidih,n Approach to the encampment of the savages Joe's 
 illness t. gain 1 he surprise The terrific encounter Rescue of Mary 
 . Capture of tlu young chief The return. 
 
 WE return to vae white men. The grief of Roughgrove, 
 and of all the pa ty, when it was ascertained beyond n 
 doubt that Mary hud been carried off by the savages, was 
 deep and poignant. The aged ferryman sat silent and 
 alone, and would not be comforted, while the rest made 
 the necessary arrangements to pursue the foe. The sled 
 was so altered that blankets, buffalo robes, and a small 
 quantity of food could be taken in it. Bullets were moulded 
 and the guns put in order. Joe was ordered to give the 
 horses water, and place a large quantity of provender 
 within their reach. The hounds were fed and then led 
 back to their kennel, and Glenn announced, after Rough- 
 grove declared his determination to go along, that Ring' 
 Wooi and Jowler alone would be left to guard the premises.
 
 i NARRATIVE. 1 55 
 
 "My goodness!" said Joe, when he understood that lie 
 was expected to make one of the pursuing party, " I can't 
 go ! My head's so sore, and aches so bad, T couldn't go 
 ten miles before I'd have to give up. Let me stay, Mr. 
 Glenn, and take care of the house." 
 
 " Do you forget that Mary is in the hands of the Indians ? 
 Would you hesitate even to die, while striving to rescue a 
 poor, innocent, helpless maiden ? For shame !" replied 
 Glenn. 
 
 "I'd spill my heart's blood for her," said Joe, "if it 
 would do any good. But you know how I was crippled 
 last night, and I didn't sleep a bit afterwards, hardly." 
 
 " Dod" commenced Sneak. 
 
 " Joe," said Boone, " from the vigorous manner in which 
 you fought the wolves, I am induced to believe that your 
 present scruples are not well founded. We will need every 
 man we can obtain." 
 
 "Oh, I wouldn't mind it at all," said Joe, "if it wasn't 
 that you're a going to start right off now. If I only had 
 a little sleep " 
 
 " You shall have it," said Boone. Both Glenn and 
 Roughgrove looked inquiringly at- the speaker. " We will 
 not start to-night," continued he. " It would be useless. 
 We could not overtake them, and if we did, it would cause 
 them to put Mary to death, that they might escape our 
 vengeance the more easily. I have duly considered the 
 matter. We must rest here to-night, and rise refreshed in 
 the morning. We will then set out on their trail, and I 
 solemnly pledge my word never to return without bringing 
 the poor child back unharmed." 
 
 " I hope my head '11 be well by morning," said Joe. 
 
 " I know it will be well enough," said Glenn ; " so you 
 need entertain no hope of being left behind." 
 
 " Now, Sneak a word with you," said Boone. "I think 
 you would do almost any thing for my sake " 
 
 " If I wouldn't, I wish I may be dod " 
 
 " Stop !" continued Boone, interrupting him. 
 
 "Jest ax me to cut off my little finger," said Sneak, 
 " and if I don't do it, I wish I may be dod " 
 
 "Stop!" again interposed Boone. "My first request 
 is one that poor Mary asked me to make. I know it will 
 be a severe trial."
 
 156 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "Name it," cried Sneak, "and if it's to job out cm of 
 my eyes, dod rot me if I don't do it !" 
 
 " Hear me," continued Boone ; "she desired me to ask 
 you not to use that ugly word dod-rot any more." 
 
 " Hay !" exclaimed Sneak, his eye? dilating, and his 
 tnouth falling wide open. 
 
 "I know it will be a hard matter," said Boone; "but 
 Mary thinks you have a good and brave heart, and she 
 says you are the only one among us that uses bad worls." 
 
 " I'd go my death for that gal, or any other female wo 
 man in the settlement, any day of my life. And as she 
 wants me to swaller them words, that was born with me, 
 dod I mean, I wish I may be indeed, I'll be starved to 
 death if I don't do it ! only when I'm raven mad at some 
 thing, and then I can't help it." 
 
 " Very well," said Boone. "Now I have a request of my 
 own to make " 
 
 "Sing it out! dod no nothing! I didn't say it but 
 I'll do what you want me to," said Sneak. 
 
 " I think you will not suffer for the want of sleep," con 
 tinued Boone ; " and I wish you to go out and get as many 
 of the neighbours to join us as possible. You can go to 
 three or four houses by midnight, sleep a little, and meet 
 us here, or in the prairie, in the morning." 
 
 " I shall cut stick if I don't I wish I may be do I 
 indeed I will !" and before he ceased speaking he was 
 rushing through the gate. 
 
 The little party then took a hasty repast, and, throwing 
 themselves on the couches, endeavoured to sleep. Boonb 
 and Joe were soon wrapped in slumber ; but neither 
 Roughgrove nor Glenn, for a great length of time, could 
 find repose. 
 
 "Strive to be composed, my friend; all will be well," 
 said Glenn, when the disconsolate old ferryman gave vent 
 to numerous heart-rending sighs. 
 
 "If you o.nly knew" commenced Roughgrove, in 
 reply, and the words he was about to utter died upon his 
 tips. 
 
 " I can well imagine the extent of your bereavement," 
 said Glenn ; " but at the same time I am sure she will be 
 returned to you unharmed." 
 
 ** It was not Mary alone I alluded to," said Roughgrove ;
 
 A NARRATIVE. 151 
 
 "but to lose two children all that we had so cruelly 
 Oh ! may we all meet in heaven !" 
 
 " Then you had two childen, and lost them both ? 1 
 never heard the other mentioned," said Glenn, now evinc 
 ing a most lively interest in the subject. 
 
 " No it was . my request that it should never be men 
 tioned. Mary and he were twins only six years old, when 
 he was lost. I wislied Mary to forget entirely that she ever 
 had a brother it could do no good for her to know it, and 
 would distress her. But now, Heavenly Father ! both are 
 gone !" added the old man, in tears. 
 
 " Was he, too, taken by the Indians ? the Osages?" in 
 quired Glenn. 
 
 " No," said Roughgrove. " He had been playing on 
 the margin of the river, and we were compelled to believe 
 that he fell in the stream and was drowned at a time when 
 no eye was upon him. Mary was near at hand, but she 
 did not see him fall, nor could she tell how he disappeared. 
 His poor mother believed that an Indian stole him away. 
 But the only Indians then in the neighbourhood were the 
 Pawnees, and they were at that time friendly. He was 
 surely drowned. If the Pawnees had taken him, they 
 would soon have proposed a ransom. Yet his mother con 
 tinually charged them with the deed. In her dreams she 
 over saw him among the savages. In all her thoughts it 
 was the same. She pined away she never knew a happy 
 moment afterwards and when she died, the same belief was 
 uttered in her last words. I am now alone !" The old 
 man covered his face with his hands, and sobbed audibly. 
 
 "Bear with patience and resignation," said Glenn, "the 
 dispensations of an all-wise Providence. All may yet be 
 well. The son, whom you thought lost forever, may be 
 living, and possibly reclaimed, and Mary shall be restored, 
 if human efforts can accomplish it. Cheer up. Many a 
 happy day may still be reserved for you." 
 
 " Oh ! my dear young friend ! if you but knew all!" said 
 lloughgrove. 
 
 " Do I not now know all ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "No," replied the old man; "but the rest must remain 
 & secret it should, perhaps, be buried in my breast forever ! 
 I will now strive to sleep." They ceased to speak, ana 
 lilence reigned till morning. 
 
 .4
 
 153 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Joe was roused from his couch in the morning by a tre 
 mcndoas " Ya-hoy !" outside of the inclosure. 
 
 "Run and open the gate," said Glenn. 
 
 " I'd rather not," said Joe, rubbing his eyes. 
 
 "Why?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " Hang it, it's the Indians again !" replied Joe, eeizmg 
 his musket. 
 
 >'It is Sneak and his men," observed Boone, when 
 another shout was uttered. 
 
 " Hang me, if I don't have a peep at 'em first, anyhow," 
 said Joe, approaching the gate cautiously, and peering 
 through a small crevice. 
 
 " Ya-hoo !" repeated those without. 
 
 "Who are you? why don't you speak out?" said Joe, 
 Btill unable to see their faces. 
 
 " Dod I mean plague take it ! Joe, is Mr. Boone 
 standing there with you ?" asked Sneak. 
 
 " No," replied Joe, opening the gate. 
 
 " Then dod rot your hide ! why didn't you let us in ?" 
 said Sneak, rushing through the gate, and followed by five 
 of the neighbours. 
 
 "Why, Sneak, how could I tell that you wern't Indians?" 
 said Joe. 
 
 "You be dod never mind!" continued Sneak, shaking 
 his head, and passing to where Boone stood, near the 
 house. 
 
 " I am glad to see you all," said Boone, extending his 
 hand to each of the hardy pioneers. " But let us not waste 
 a moment's time. I see you are all armed. Seize hold of the 
 sled-rope, and let us be off." The command was instantly 
 obeyed, and the party were soon passing out of the inclosure. 
 The gate was scarce fastened before another "Ya-hoo!" 
 came from the valley below, and a moment after they were 
 joined by Col. Copper and Dan. The other oarsman had 
 been sent up the river for reinforcements, and Col. Cooper 
 and Dan having heard the great explosion, finally resolved 
 to cross over the river, and not await the arrival of the 
 trappers. 
 
 The party now amounted to twelve, and no time was 
 lost in commencing the march, or rather the chasf ; for when 
 they reached the prairie and found the trail of the snow- 
 canoe, their progress equalled that of the savages. But
 
 A NARRATIVE. 159 
 
 they had not gone far before Joe was taken suddenly ill, 
 an<l begged to be permitted to return. 
 
 'I declare I can hardly hold my head up!" said he, 
 BtiB holding on to the rope, and keeping pace with the rest, 
 though his head hung down. 
 
 " Tossomin' dod I mean he's jest 'possomin'," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 "No v indeed I ain't plague it, don't you say any thing, 
 Sneak," Joe, added, in an undertone. 
 
 "I am something of a physician," said Boone, whose 
 quick ear nad caught the words addressed to Sneak. "Let 
 me feel your pulse," he added, ordering the party to halt, 
 and turning to Joe, whose wrist he seized. 
 
 " I feel something better," said Joe, alarmed at the mys 
 terious and severe expression of Boone's face. 
 
 "I hope yon will be entirely well in two minutes," said 
 Boone ; " and hen it will not be necessary to apply my 
 remedy." 
 
 "I'm about well now," said Joe: "I think I can go 
 ahead." 
 
 " I believe your pulse is good now ; and I think you 
 will hardly have another attack to-day. If you do, just 
 let me know it." 
 
 " Oh, now I feel, perfectly well," responded Joe ; and, 
 seizing the rope, they were all soon again flying along on 
 the trail of the savages. 
 
 A little before noon, while casting his eyes along the 
 dim horizon in advance, Sneak abruptly paused, causing 
 the rest to do likewise, and exclaimed, " Dod rot it." 
 
 " What's the matter, Sneak ? Remember the promise 
 you made," said Boone. 
 
 "Oh," replied Sneak, "in sich an extronary case as 
 this, I can't help saying that word yet awhile. But look 
 yander !" he continued, pointing to a slight eminence a 
 great distance in advance. 
 
 " True !" said Boone, " that is an Indian but it is the 
 only one hereabouts." 
 
 " He is coming to meet us," said Glenn. 
 
 " Yes ! my goodness ! he's looking at us now." cried 
 Joe, retreating a few steps. 
 
 " If there are more of them watching us," said CoL 
 Cooper, "they are somewhere in our rear."
 
 160 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " Ok ! we're surrounded !" cried Joe, leaping forward 
 agaic . 
 
 "Or me on," said Boone ; "we'll soon learn what he 
 wants with us." 
 
 When they were within a few hundred yards of the so 
 litary Indian, they again halted, and Joe ran to the sled and 
 seized his musket, which he cocked and threw up to hie 
 shoulder. 
 
 ''Take down your gun !" said Boone ; "that is the Indian 
 whose life we spared. I was not deceived in his integrity. 
 He was not the one that stole away Mary. I doubt not 
 he brings intelligence of her." 
 
 " God grant she may still be unharmed !" said Rough- 
 grove, advancing to meet the Indian, who, being now with 
 in gunshot, raised his small white flag. " Tell me ! tell 
 me all about her !" exclaimed Roughgrove, in the Osage 
 language, when he met the Indian. When the Indian 
 informed him of the condition of Mary, the old man could 
 not repress .his raptures, his gratitude, or his tears. " She's 
 safe ! she's safe! Heaven be praised!" he exclaimed, turn 
 ing to his companions, who now came up, and experienced 
 almost as much joy at the announcement as himself. 
 
 " Hang me, if you ain't a right clever fellow," said Joe, 
 shaking the Indian's hand quite heartily. "Now," he 
 continued, when all the particulars of Mary's escape were 
 made known, "there won't be any use in fighting; we can 
 just get Miss Mary out of the snow, and then go home 
 again." 
 
 "You don't know keep your mouth shet dod ," said 
 Sneak, suppressing the last word. 
 
 " We are not sure of that," said Boone ; " on the con 
 trary, I think it is very probable we shall have fighting yet. 
 When the war-party discover the deception, (as they must 
 have done ere this,) they will retrace their steps. If it was 
 early in the day when they ascertained that the captive had 
 escaped, we may expect to see them very soon. If it was 
 late, we will find them in the grove where they encamped. 
 In either event we must expect to fight and -ght hari, 
 too for they outnumber us considerably." 
 
 Toe sighed, but said nothing. 
 
 "Are you getting ill again ?" inquired Boone.
 
 A NAR1UTIVE. 161 
 
 "No I was only blowing I got a little tired," sa^d 
 Joe, in scarce articulate tones. 
 
 "And I feel weak very weak but it is with joy !" said 
 Roughgrove. 
 
 " And I have observed it, too," said Boone. " Get in 
 the sled; we will pull you along till your strength re 
 turns." 
 
 "I will be able to use my gun when I meet the foe," 
 said the old man, getting into the sled. 
 
 The party set forward again, guided by the Indian, and 
 in high spirits. The consciousness that Mary was in safety 
 removed a weight from the breasts of all ; and, as they ran 
 along, many a light jest and pleasant repartee lessened the 
 weariness of the march. Even Joe smiled once or twice 
 when Boone, in a mock heroic manner alluded to his exploits 
 among the wolves. 
 
 "Blast me," said Joe, when Sneak mentioned a few cases 
 of equivocal courage as an offset to Boone's compliments, 
 "blast me, if I haven't killed more Indians than any of you t 
 since I have been in this plagued country." 
 
 " True that is, your musket has," said Boone. 
 
 "Joe can fight sometimes," said Glenn, smiling. 
 
 "I'll be hanged if I haven't always fought, when there 
 was any fighting going on," said Joe, reproachfully. 
 
 "Yes, and he'll fight again, as manfully as any of us,'' 
 said Boone. 
 
 "Dod why, what are you holding back for so hard?" 
 said Sneak, remarking that Joe at that instant seemed to 
 be much excited, and, instead of going forward, actually 
 brought the whole party to a modeiate walk by his counter 
 exertion. 
 
 "What do you mean?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "Are you going to be ill ?" asked Boone. 
 
 "No, goodness, no! Only listen to me a minute. An 
 idea struck me, which I thought it was my duty to tell. 
 I thought this Indian might be deceiving us. Suppose he 
 leads us right into an ambush when we're talking and 
 laughing, and thinking there's no danger. 
 
 "Dod you're a cowardly fool!" said Sneak. 
 
 " I have likewise a remedy for interruptions I advise 
 y^u rot to stop again," said Boone, when Joe once more 
 started forward. 
 
 14*
 
 {02 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Juat us .light was setting in, the party came in sight of 
 the grove where Mary was concealed. They slackened 
 their pace and drew near the dark woods quite cautiously. 
 When they entered the edge of the grove, they heard the 
 war-party utter the yell which had awakened Mary. It 
 was fully understood by Boone, and the friendly Indian as 
 sured them from the sound, that the Osages had just re- 
 turnoi, and were at that -moment leaving the encampment 
 on his trail. But he stated that they could not find the 
 pale-faced maiden. And he suggested to the whites a plan 
 of attack, which was to station themselves near the place 
 where he had emerged from the grove, after hiding 
 Mary ; so that when they followed on his trail they could 
 thus be surprised without difficulty. This advice was 
 adopted by Boone. The Indian then asked permission 
 to depart, saying he had paid the white men for sparing 
 his life. 
 
 "Oh no!" cried Joe, when Roughgrove interpreted the 
 Indian's request, "keep him as a hostage he may be 
 cheating us." 
 
 U I do not see the impropriety of Joe's remark this time," 
 said Glenn. 
 
 "Ask him where he will go, if we suffer him to depart," 
 said Boone. To Roughgrove's interrogation, the Indian 
 made a passionate replv. He said the white men were 
 liars. They were now ^its. Still the white men were 
 not satisfied. He had risked his life (and would probably 
 be tortured) to pay back the white men's kindness. But 
 they would not believe his words. He was willing to die 
 now. The white men might shoot him. He would as 
 willingly die as live. If suffered to depart, it was his in 
 tention to steal his squaw away from the tribe, and join 
 the Pawnees. He would hover be an Osage again. 
 
 "Go!" said Boone, perceiving by a ray of moonlight 
 that reached the Indian's face through the clustering 
 branches of the trees abo\e, that he was in tears. The 
 savage, without speaking another word, leaped out into the 
 pifiirie, and from the circuitous direction he pursued, it was 
 manifest that nothing could be further from his desire than 
 to fall in with the war-party. 
 
 Boone directed the sled to be abandoned, and, obedient 
 to his will, the party entered a small covert in the imme
 
 A NARRATIVE. 163 
 
 fliate vicinity of the spot where their guide said he had 
 emerged from the grove on his return to meet the whites 
 Here the party long remained esconced, silent and listen 
 ing, and expecting every moment to see the foe. At length 
 Boone grew impatient, and concluding they would encamp 
 that night under the spreading tree, (the locality of which 
 he was familiar with,) he resolved to advance and surprise 
 them. He was strengthened in this determination hy tLe 
 repeated and painful surmises of Roughgrove respecting 
 Mary's piteous condition. Glenn, and the rest, with per 
 haps one or two exceptions, likewise seemed disposed to 
 make an instantaneous termination of the torturing sus 
 pense respecting the fate of the poor girl. 
 
 Boone and Sneak led the way. The party were com 
 pelled to proceed with the utmost caution. Sometimes 
 they were forced to crawl many paces on their hands and 
 knees under the pendent snow-covered bushes. They 
 drew near the spreading tree. A fire was burning under 
 it, the flickering rays of which could be occasionally seen 
 glimmering through the branches. A stick was heard to 
 break a little distance on one side, and Boone and Sneak 
 sank down on the snow, and whispered to the rest to follow 
 their example. It was done without a repetition of the 
 order. Joe was the hindmost of all, but after lying a few 
 minutes in silence, he crept softly forward, trembling all 
 the while. When he reached the side of Boone, the aged 
 woodman did not chide him, but simply pointed bis finger 
 towards a small decayed log a few paces distant. Joe 
 looked but a moment, and then pulling his hat over his 
 eyes, laid down Hat on his face, in silence and submission. 
 An Indian was seated on the log, and very composedly out- 
 ting off the dry bark with his tomahawk. Once or twice 
 he paused and remained a moment in a listening attitude. 
 But probably thinking the sounds he heard (if he heard 
 any') proceeded from some comrade like himself in quest 
 of fuel, he continued to cut away, until an armful was 
 obtained, and then very deliberately arose and walked with 
 an almost noiseless step to the fire, which was not more 
 than fifty yards distant. Boone rose softly and whispered 
 the iet to follow. He was promptly obeyed by all except 
 Joe. 
 
 " Come, sir! prepare your musket to fire," said Boone,
 
 J64 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 stooping down to Joe, who still remained apparently frozen 
 to the snow-crust. 
 
 "Oh! I'm so sick!" replied Joe. 
 
 " If you do not keep with us, you will lose your scalp to 
 a certainty," said Boone. Joe was well in a second. The 
 party were now about midway between the fallen trunk 
 where Mary was concealed, and the great encampirent- 
 tree. Boone rose erect for an instant, and beheld the 
 former, and the single Indian (the chief) who was there. 
 One of the Indians again started out from the fire, in the 
 direction of the whites for more fuel. Boone once more 
 passed the word for his little band to lie down. The tall 
 Bavage came within a few feet of them. His tomahawk 
 accidentally fell from his hand, and in his endeavour to 
 catch it, he knocked it within a few feet of Sneak's head. 
 He stepped carelessly aside, and stooped down for it. A 
 strangling and gushing sound was heard, and falling pros 
 trate, he died without a groan. Sneak had nearly severed 
 his head from his body at one blow with his hunting-knife. 
 
 At this juncture Mary sprang from her hiding-place. 
 Her voice- reached the ears of her father, but before he 
 could run to her assistance, the chief's loud tones rang 
 through the forest. Boone and the rest sprang forward, 
 and fired upon the savages under the spreading tree. At 
 the second discharge the Indians gave way, and while Col. 
 Cooper, the oarsmen, and the neighbours that had joined 
 the party in the morning, pursued the flying foe, Boone 
 and the remainder ran towards the fallen trunk where Mary 
 had been concealed, but approaching in different directions. 
 Glenn was the first to rush upon the chief, and it was his 
 ball that whizzed so near the Indian's head when he bore 
 away the shrieking maiden. The rest only fired in the 
 direction of the log, not thinking that Mary had left her 
 covert. They soon met at the fallen tree, under which was 
 the pit, all except Glenn, who sprang forward in pursuit of 
 the chief, and Sneak, who had made a wide circuit for the 
 purpose of reaching the scene of action from an opposite 
 direction, entirely regardless of the danger of being shot 
 by his friends. 
 
 " She's gone ! she's gone !" exclaimed Roughgrove, look 
 ing aghast at the vacated pit under the fallen trunk. 
 
 "But we will have her yet," said Boone, as he heard
 
 'it is your father, my poor child !" said Ronghgrave, prer^ing the girl to 
 his heart. P. 165.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 65 
 
 Glenn discharge a pistol a few paces apart in the bushes. 
 The report was followed by a yell, not from the chief, bin 
 Sneak, and the next moment the rifle of the latter was 
 likewise heard. Still the Indian was not dispatched, for 
 the instant afterwards his tomahawk, which was hurled 
 without effect, came sailing over the bushes, and penetrated 
 a tree hard by, some fifteen or twenty feet above the earth, 
 where it entered the wood with such force that it remained 
 firmly fixed. Now succeeded a struggle a violent blow 
 was heard the fall of the Indian, and all was compara 
 tively still. A minute afterwards, Sneak emerged from 
 the thicket, bearing the inanimate body of Mary in his 
 arms, and followed by Glenn. 
 
 "Is she dead? Oh, she's dead!" cried Roughgrove, 
 snatching her from the arms of Sneak. 
 
 " She has only fainted !" exclaimed Glenn, examining 
 the body of the pale girl, and finding no wounds. 
 
 " She is recovering !" said Boone, feeling her pulse. 
 
 " God be praised !" exclaimed Roughgrove, when re 
 turning animation was manifest. 
 
 " Oh ! I know you won't kill me ! For pity's sake spare 
 me!" said Mary. 
 
 " It is your father, my poor child !" said Roughgrove, 
 pressing the girl to his heart. 
 
 " It is ! it is !" cried the happy girl, clinging raptu 
 rously to the old man's neck, and then, seizing the hands 
 of the rest, she seemed to be half wild with delight. 
 
 " Dod I I mean that none of the black noctilerous 
 savages shall ever hurt you as long as Sneak lives," said 
 Sneak, looking down at his gun, which had been broken 
 off at the breech. 
 
 " How did you break that ?" asked Boone. 
 
 " I broke it over the yaller feller's head," said he, "and 
 I'd do it agin, before he should hurt Miss Mary, if it it 
 the only one I've got." 
 
 " I have an extra rifle at home," said Glenn, " which 
 shall be yours, as a reward for your gallant conduct." 
 
 " Where is the chief? Is he dead ?" asked Mary. 
 
 " If he ain't dead, his head's harder than my gun, that's 
 all," said Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, I'm so sorry !" said Mary. 
 
 "Why, my child?" asked Roughgrove.
 
 166 WILD WESTERN SCENES. 
 
 "Because," said Mary, "he's a good-hearted Indian, 
 and never would have harmed me. When he heard you 
 commg, and raised his tomahawk to kill me, I looked in 
 his face, and he could not strike, for there were tears in his 
 oyes ! I know he never would have thought of killing me, 
 when calm, for he treated me very kindly before I escaped." 
 
 "Maybe he ain't dead I'll go and see," said Sneak, 
 repairing to the late scene of conflict. When he arrived 
 he found the young chief sitting upright, having been only 
 stunned ; a gold band that confined his head-dress pre 
 vented the blow from fracturing his skull. He was now 
 unresisting and sullen. Sneak made him rise up, and 
 after binding his hands behind him with a strong cord, led 
 him forth. 
 
 "You did not intend to kill me, did you ?" asked Mary, 
 in soothing tones. The chief regarded her not, but looked 
 steadfastly downwards. 
 
 "He don't understand you, Mary," said Boone. 
 
 "Oh, yes he does," continued Mary; "and he can. 
 speak our language, too, for I heard him talking, and 
 thought it was you, and that was the reason why I came 
 out of the pit." Roughgrove addressed him in, his own 
 language, but with no better, success. The captured chief 
 resolved not to plead for his life. He would make no reply 
 whatever to their questions,' but still gazed downwards in 
 reckless sullenness. 
 
 " What shall we do with him ?" asked Glenn, when the 
 rest of the party, (with the exception of Joe,) who had 
 chased the savages far away, came up and stared at the 
 prisoner. 
 
 " Let us set him free !" said Roughgrove. 
 
 " Kill him !" cried several. 
 
 " No !" exclaimed Mary, " what do you say, Mr. Boone ?" 
 
 "It would be useless to kill him," said Boone. 
 
 " Let him go, then," said Glenn. 
 
 "No!" said Boone. 
 
 " Why ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " Because," replied Boone, " he is a chief, and we may 
 make him the means of securing the settlement against 
 future attacks. We will confine him in your garrison aj a 
 hostage, and send some friendly Indian to the Osages an 
 nouncing his capture, and informing them that his life ml
 
 A NARRATIVE. 167 
 
 be spared provided they keep away from the settlement for 
 a certain length of time, at the expiration of which he 
 shall be restored to them." 
 
 "I am glad of that," said Mary, "for I don't believe 
 he is a bad Indian. We will treat him kindly, and then I 
 think he will always be our friend." 
 
 " Take him along, and bind him fast in the sled, Sneak," 
 said Boone ; " but see that you do not injure him in the 
 loast." 
 
 " I will. Oh, me and him are purty good friends now. 
 Gee-whoa-haw," continued he, taking hold of the string 
 behind, and endeavouring to drive the silent captive like 
 an ox. The young chief whirled round indignantly, and 
 with such force as to send Sneak sprawling several paces 
 to one side. He rose amid the laughter that ensued, and 
 remembering the words of Boone, conducted his prisoner 
 away in a more respectful manner. 
 
 "Where's Joe?" at length inquired Glenn, seeing that 
 he alone was missing. 
 
 " Oh ! I'm afraid he's dead," said Mary 
 
 "If he is, I shall mourn his loss many a "day," said 
 Glenn ; ."for with all his defects, I would not be without 
 him for the world." 
 
 " Give yourself no uneasiness," said Boone ; " for he is 
 as well at this moment as you or I." 
 
 " I hope so," said Glenn; "but I have not seen him since 
 we first fired at the Indians." 
 
 " Let us repair to that spot, and there we will find him, 
 for I saw him fall down when he discharged his musket. I 
 venture to say he has not moved an inch since." 
 
 The party repaired to the place mentioned, and there 
 they found him, sure enough, lying quite still on his face 
 beside the Indian that Sneak had killed. 
 
 " He is dead !" said Glenn, after calling to him and re 
 ceiving no answer. 
 
 " We'll soon see," said Boone, turning him over on his 
 back. " I will open a vein in his arm." 
 
 " Bring a torch from the fire," said Col. Cooper to one 
 of the men. 
 
 " Oh !" sighed Joe, lifting his hands to his head. 
 
 "I thought he would soon come to life again," said 
 Boone, examining his face with the torch that was brought,
 
 168 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 and then laughing outright. The spectacle was ludicrous 
 in the extreme. Joe was besmeared with blood, and, when 
 he opened his eyes and stared at the flaming light, he re 
 sembled some sanguinary demon. 
 
 " Where in the world did .all this blood come from ?" 
 exclaimed Glenn. 
 
 '" I'm recovered now," said Joe, rising up and assuming 
 an air of importance. 
 
 "What have you been doing?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " I've been doing as much as any of you, I'll be bound," 
 replied Joe, very gravely. 
 
 "Well, what have you done?" repeated Glenn. 
 
 " I've been fighting the last half hour, as hard as any 
 body ever fought in this world. Only look at the stabs in 
 that Indian !" said he, pointing to the savage. 
 
 " Why, you scoundrel ! Sneak killed this Indian," said 
 Glenn. 
 
 " Sneak thought he did," replied Joe, " but he only 
 wounded him. After a while he got up and clinched me 
 by the throat, and we had it over and over on the snow, 
 till we both got so exhausted we couldn't do any thing. 
 When we rested, we went at it again, and it hasn't been 
 five minutes since I stuck my knife in his breast. When 
 he fell, I stuck him four or five times, and then fainted 
 myself." 
 
 "Here is a wound in the savage's breast," said Glenn. 
 
 "But here's another in the throat," said Boone, show 
 ing where the arteries had been severed by Sneak. 
 
 "Joe," said Glenn, "you must abandon this habit of 
 lying, if indeed it is not a portion of your nature." 
 
 " Hang it all, I ain't lying I know Sneak did cut his 
 throat, but he didn't cut it deep I cut it deeper, myself, 
 after the Indian got up again !" persisted he. 
 
 The party hastily glanced at the four or five dead savages 
 under the trees, that had fallen victims to their fire, and 
 then returned to the sled. Mary was placed bsside the 
 captive chief, and they set out on their return, well satis 
 fied with the result of the expedition.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 169 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 the return The young chief in confinement Joe's fun His reward 
 The ring A discovery William's recognition Memories of childhood 
 A Bcene Roughgrove's history The children's parentage. 
 
 THE party on their return did not travel so rapidly as 
 they had advanced. They moreover halted in a grove 
 which they espied about midnight, and finding a spreading 
 tree that had entirely shielded a small space of ground from 
 the snow, they kindled a fire, arranged their robes, and 
 reposed a few hours. The captive chief was still sullen 
 and unresisting. He was suffered to recline in the sled 
 enveloped in skins, with his hands and feet yet bound, 
 and an extra cord passed round his body, the end of which 
 Sneak held in his hand while he slept. When daylight 
 appeared, they set forward again in a moderate pace, and 
 arrived at Glenn's domicil at evening twilight. The neigh 
 bours that Sneak had enlisted departed for their homes, and 
 Boone and Col. Cooper, after bidding our hero, Roughgrove, 
 and Mary, a hearty adieu, without entering the inclosure, 
 recrossed the river to their own settlement. 
 
 The remainder of the party, except the oarstnen, accepted 
 Glenn's invitation to remain with him till morning. When 
 the gate was thrown open, the faithful hounds manifested 
 great delight to behold their master again, and also Mary, 
 for they pranced so much in the path before them that it 
 was almost impossible to walk. They barked in ecstasy 
 The poor fawn had been forgotten, neglected, and had suf 
 fered much for food. Mary placed her arm round its neck 
 and wept. Glenn ordered Joe, who was in the stable ca 
 ressing the horses, to feed the drooping pet instantly. 
 
 The party then entered the house, leading in the chief, 
 and soon after Sneak had a bright fire blazing on the hearth. 
 
 The food that remained from the last repast amply sufficed, 
 the captive refusing to partake with" them, and Joe having 
 dined during the last twelve miles of the journey on the 
 way.
 
 170 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " How we'll be able to keep this Indian here, when 
 we go out, I should like to know," said Joe, regarding 
 the manly and symmetrical form of the young chief, 
 who was now unbound, and sat silent and thoughtful by 
 the fire. 
 
 "I think he ought to be killed," said Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, no!" said Mary; "he is not bad like the other In 
 dians." The Indian, for the first time since his capture, 
 raised his head while she spoke, and looked searchingly in 
 her face. " Oh !" continued Mary, thinking of the horrors 
 of savage warfare, and bursting into tears, " you will never 
 attempt to kill any of us again, will you ?" 
 
 "No!" said the chief, in a low but distinct tone. Every 
 one in the house but Mary started. 
 
 "You understand our language, do you? Then why 
 did you not answer my questions?" asked Roughgrove, 
 turning to the captive. The young chief made no answer, 
 but sat with his arms folded, and still regarding the fea 
 tures of Mary. 
 
 " He's a perfect fool !" said Sneak. 
 
 " He's a snake in the grass, and '11 bite some of us some 
 of these times, before we know any thing about it," said 
 Joe. 
 
 "Be silent," said Glenn. "If the hope that fills my 
 breast should be realized, the young chief will cause more 
 rejoicing than sorrowing among us. The wisdom of Pro 
 vidence surpasses all human understanding. Events that 
 bear a frightful import to the limited comprehensions of 
 mortals, may nevertheless be fraught with inestimable 
 blessings. Even the circumstance of your capture, Mary, 
 however distressing at the time to yourself and to all your 
 friends, may some day be looked upon as a happy and for 
 tunate occurrence." 
 
 " I hope so," said Mary. 
 
 " God is great is present everywhere, and governs 
 every thing let us always submit to his just decrees with 
 out murmuring," said the old ferryman, his eyes bright- 
 ening with fervent devotion. 
 
 " They've a notion to preach a little, I believe," whis 
 pered Sneak to Joe. 
 
 "Let 'em go ahead, then," replied Joe, who was busily 
 tngaged with a long switch, that he occasionally thru** '
 
 A NARRATIVE. 171 
 
 the fire, and when the end was burnt to a coal, slyly applied 
 it to the heel of the young chief's moccasin. 
 
 "You'd better not let him ketch you at that," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 " He'll think its a tick biting him I want to see if the 
 Indians scratch like other people," said Joe. 
 
 Mary, being so requested by her father, began to relate 
 every thing that transpired up to her rescue, while she was 
 in the possession of the savages. The Indian riveted his 
 eyes upon her during the recital, and seemed to mark every 
 word. Whether he understood all she said, or was en 
 chanted with her soft and musical tones, could not be 
 ascertained ; but the listeners more than once observed with 
 astonishment his gleaming eyes, his attentive attitude, and 
 the intense interest exhibited in his face. It was during a 
 moment when he was thus absorbed that he suddenly 
 sprang erect. Joe threw down his switch, convulsed with 
 internal laughter. Sneak leaned back against the wall, 
 and while he grinned at the amusing scene, seemed curious 
 to know what would be the result. Mary paused, and 
 Glenn inquired the cause of the interruption. 
 
 "Its nothing, hardly," said Sneak: "only a spark of 
 fire got agin the Indian's foot. He ain't as good pluck 
 as the other one we had he could- stand burning at the 
 stake without flinching." 
 
 "Did either of j on place the fire against his foot?'' de 
 manded Glenn, in something like anger. But before he 
 could receive an answer, the young chief, who had whirled 
 round furiously, and cast a fierce look at his tormentor, re 
 laxing his knit brows into an expression of contempt, very 
 deliberately took hold of Joe's ear, and turning on his heel 
 like a pivot, forced him to make many circles round him on 
 the floor. 
 
 " Let go my ear !" roared Joe, pacing round in pain. 
 
 "Hold your holt, my snarvilerous yaller prairie dog!" 
 cried Sneak, inexpressibly amused. 
 
 "Let go my ear, I say !" cried Joe, still trotting round, 
 with both hands grasping the Indian's wrist. "Mr. Glenn i 
 Mr. Glenn !" continued Joe, "he's pinching a hole through 
 my ear ! Shoot him down, shoot him down . there's my 
 gun, standing against the wall but its not loaded ! Take 
 tny knife oh, he's tearing my ear off!" When the Indian
 
 172 WILD WESTERN SCENES : 
 
 thought he was sufficiently punished, he led him back tc 
 his seat, and relinquished his hold. He then resumed hia 
 own seat, and composedly turning his eyes to Mary, seem 
 ed to desire her to proceed with the narration. She did so, 
 but when she spoke of her attempt to escape in the prairie, 
 of the young chief's noble conduct, and his admiration of 
 her ring (and she pulled off her glove and exhibited it 
 as she spoke,) he again rose from his seat, and walking, 
 apparently unconsciously, to where she reclined upon her 
 father's knees, fixed his eyes upon the jewel in a most 
 mysterious manner. He no longer dwelt upon the maid 
 en's sweet tones. He did nothing but gaze at the ring. 
 
 " He's got a notion to steal that ring !" said Joe, with a 
 sneer. 
 
 " Shet your mouth !" said Sneak, observing that Mary 
 looked reproachfully at Joe, and paused. 
 
 " Don't talk that way, Joe !" said the offended girl. "If 
 he wanted it, why did he not take it when I was his pri 
 soner ? I will freely let him have it now," she continued, 
 slipping it off from her finger. 
 
 "No! keep it, child it is a family ring," said Hough' 
 grove. 
 
 " I will lend it to him I know he will give it me again," 
 she continued, placing it in the extended hand of the young 
 chief, who thanked her with his eyes, and resumed his seat, 
 lie now seemed to disregard every thing that was said or 
 done, and only gazed at the ring, which he held first in one 
 hand and then in the other, with the sparkling diamond up 
 permost. Sometimes he would press his forehead with hia 
 hand and cover his eyes, and then gaze at the ring again. 
 Then staring wildly around, and slightly starting, he would 
 bite his fingers to ascertain whether the scene was reality 
 or a dream. Finally, giving vent to a piteous sigh, while 
 a tear ran down his stained cheek, he placed his elbows 
 upon his knees, and, bending forward, seemed to muse over 
 some event of the past, which the jewel before him had 
 called to remembrance. 
 
 Glenn narrowly watched every look and motion of the 
 young chief, and when Mary finished the account of hor 
 capture, he introduced the subject of the lost child, Mary's* 
 brother, that Roughgrove had spoken about before startiuy 
 in pursu'.t of the war-party.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 173 
 
 "I can -remember him!" said Mary, "and mother, 
 too they are both in heaven now poor brother! poor 
 mother!" 
 
 The young chief raised his head quickly, and staring at 
 the maiden's face, seemed to regard her tears and her fea 
 tures with an interest similar to that of a child when it 
 beholds a rare and curious toy. 
 
 " Has it not occurred to you," said Glenn, addressing 
 Roughgrove, " that this young chief might possibly be your 
 own son ?" 
 
 " No !" replied the old man, promptly, and partially 
 rising, " he my son Tie Mary's brother and once in the 
 act of plunging the tomahawk 
 
 " But, father," interrupted Mary, "he would never have 
 harmed me I know he would not for every time he look 
 ed me in the face he seemed to pity me, and sometimes he 
 almost wept to think I was away from my friends, among 
 savages, cold and distressed. But I don't think he can be 
 my brother my little brother I used to love so much yet 
 I could never think how he should have fallen in the river 
 without my knowing it. Sometimes I remember it all aa 
 if it were yesterday. He was hunting wild violets " 
 
 " Oh ! oh !" screamed the young chief, springing from 
 his seat towards Mary. Fear, pain, apprehension, joy and 
 affection, all seemed to be mingled in his heaving breast. 
 
 "He's crazy, dod"- the word died upon Sneak's lip. 
 
 "I should like to know who burnt his foot then," said 
 Joe. 
 
 " Silence ! both of you," said Glenn. 
 
 " What does he mean ?" at length asked Roughgrove, 
 Ptaring at the young chief. 
 
 " Let us be patient, and see," said Glenn. 
 
 Ere long the Indian turned his eyes slowly downward, 
 and resumed his seat mournfully and in silence. 
 
 " Oh!" said Mary, " if he is my poor brother, my heart 
 will burst to see him thus a wild savage." 
 
 "How old are you, Mary?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " Nineteen," said she. 
 
 " Your brother, then, has been lost thirteen years. He 
 may yet be restored to you re-taught our manners and 
 epeech bless his aged father's declining years, and merit 
 his sister's affection."
 
 174 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " Oh ! Mr. Glenn ! is he then alive ? is this* he ? " cried 
 Mary. 
 
 "No, child!" said Rougngrove, "do not think of 
 such a thing, for you will be most bitterly disap 
 pointed. Your brother was white Took at this Indian's 
 dark face !" 
 
 Gl-enn approached the chief, extending his hand in a 
 friendly manner. It was frankly grasped. He then gently 
 Irew the furs aside and exposed the young man's shoulder. 
 It was as white as his own ! Roughgrove, Mary, and all, 
 looked on in wonder. The young chief regarded it with 
 singular emotions himself. He seemed to associate it in 
 some manner with the ring he held, for he glanced from 
 one to the other alternately. 
 
 " Did Mary wear that ring before the child was lost ?" 
 asked Glenn. 
 
 "No," replied Roughgrove, "but her mother did." 
 
 "I believe he is your son!" said Glenn. "Mary," he 
 continued, " have you any trinkets or toys you used to 
 play with?" 
 
 "Yes. Oh, let me get them !" she replied, and running 
 to a corner of the room where her father's chests and 
 trunks had been placed, she produced a small drum and a 
 brass toy cannon. " He used to play with these from morn 
 ing till night," she continued, placing them on the floor. 
 She had not taken her hand away from them, before the 
 young chief sprang to her side and cried out 
 
 " They're mine ! they're mine ! they're William's !" 
 
 " What was the child's name ?" asked Glenn, quickly. 
 
 " William ! William !" cried Mary. " It is my brother ! 
 it is my poor brother William !" and without a moment's 
 hesitation she threw her arms round his neck, and sobbed 
 upon his breast ! 
 
 " The poor, poor child !" said Roughgrove, in tremulous 
 tones, embracing them both, his eyes filled with tears. 
 
 " Sister ! sister !" said the youth, gazing in partial bewil 
 derment at Mary. 
 
 " Brother, brother ! I am your sister ! " said Mary, in 
 tones of thrilling tenderness. 
 
 " But mother ! where's mother ?" asked the youth. The 
 father and sister bowed their heads in silence. The youth. 
 after clinging fondly to Mary a few minutes, started up
 
 A NARRATIVE. 17 
 
 abruptly and looked amazed, as if waking from a sweet 
 dream to the reality of his recent dreadful condition. 
 
 " Brother, why do you look so coldly at us ? Why don't 
 you press us to your heart ?" said Mary, still clinging to 
 him. The youth's features gradually assumed a grave 
 and haughty cast, and, turning away, he walked to the stool 
 he had occupied, and sat down in silence. 
 
 "I will win him from the Indians," said Mary, running 
 after him, and sitting down at his side. 
 
 " Ugh !" exclaimed the youth in displeasure, and moved 
 a short distance away. 
 
 " He's not true grit I 'most wish I had killed him,'' 
 said Sneak. 
 
 " Yes, and pinch me if I don't burn him again, if I get 
 a chance," said Joe. 
 
 " Silence !" said Glenn, sternly. For many minutes not 
 a word was spoken. At length Mary, who had been sob 
 bing, raised her head and looked tenderly in the face of her 
 brother. Still he regarded her with indiiference. She 
 then seized the toy-drum, which with the other articles had 
 been thrust out of view, and placed them before him. 
 When his eyes rested upon them ; the severe and wild ex 
 pressions of his features again relaxed. The young war- 
 chief was a child again. He abandoned his seat and sat 
 down on the floor beside his sister. Looking her guile 
 lessly in the face, an innocent and boyish smile played 
 upon his lips. 
 
 " You won't go away again and leave your poor sister ; 
 will you, William ?" said Mary. 
 
 " No, indeed. And when the Indians come we'll run 
 away and go to mother, won't we, Mary ?" said the youth, 
 in a complete abandonment of time and condition. 
 
 "He is restored restored at last !" exclaimed Rough- 
 grove, walking across the room to where the brother and 
 sister sat. The youth sprang to his feet, and darted a look 
 of defiance at him. " Oh ! wretched man that I am ! the 
 murderous savages have converted the gentle lamb into a 
 wolf!" lloughgrove then repeated his words to the youth 
 in the Osage language. The youth replied in the same 
 language, his eyes flashing indignantly. He said it was 
 not true; that the red man was great and noble, and the 
 pale face w;is a beast and added that he had anothei
 
 176 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 tomahawk and bows and arrows in his own country, and 
 might see the day when this insult would be terribly re 
 sented. The old man sank down on his rude seat, and 
 gave way to excruciating grief. 
 
 " Brother William !" cried Mary, tapping the drum. The 
 youth cast down his eyes to where she sat, and their 
 fierceness vanished in a twinkling. She placed the toy in 
 his possession, and rose to bring some other plaything she 
 remembered. 
 
 " Sister, don't go I'll tell mother !" cried the youth, in 
 infantile earnestness. 
 
 " I'll come back presently, brother," said Mary, tripping 
 across the room and searching a trunk. 
 
 " Make haste but I'm not afraid I'll frighten all the 
 Indians away." Saying this, he rattled the drum as 
 rapidly as possible. 
 
 " See what I've got, brother," said Mary, returning with 
 a juvenile book, and sitting down close at his side. He 
 thrust the drum away, and, laughing heartily, placed his 
 arm round his sister and said : " Mother's got my book ; 
 but you'll let me look at yours, won't you, sister?" 
 
 " Yes that I will, brother see, this is the little old wo 
 man, and there's her dog " 
 
 " Yes, and there's the peddler," cried the youth, pointing 
 at the picture. 
 
 "Now can't you read it, brother?" 
 
 " To be sure I can let me read : 
 
 " ' There was a little woman, 
 
 As I have heard tell, 
 ' She went to market 
 
 Her eggs for to sell. 1 
 
 See ! there she goes, with a basket on her arm and a cane 
 in her hand." 
 
 "Yes, and here she is again on this side, fast asleep, 
 and hsr basket of eggs sitting by her," said Mary; " no* 
 let ms read the next : 
 
 " She went to market, 
 All on a market day, 
 And she fell asleep 
 On the king's highway.'"
 
 A NARRATIVE. 177 
 
 Now do you read about the peddler, brother. Mother used 
 to say there was a naughty word in it." 
 
 "I will," cried the youth, eagerly; but he paused and 
 looked steadfastly at the picture before him. 
 
 " Why don't you read ?" asked Mary, endeavouring to 
 confine his thoughts to the childish employment. 
 
 "That's a pretty skin, ain't it?" said he, pointing to 
 the red shawl painted on the picture. 
 
 " Skin!" said Mary ; " why, that's her shawl, brother." 
 
 "I'll steal one for my squaw," said he. 
 
 " Steal, brother !" said the trembling girl. 
 
 " No I won't, either, sister don't you know mother says 
 we must never steal, nor tell stories, nor say bad words." 
 
 " That's right, brother. But you haven't got an ugly 
 syuaw, have you ?" 
 
 " No indeed, sister, that I haven't !" 
 
 " I thought you wouldn't have any thing to do with the 
 ugly squaws." 
 
 " That I wouldn't mine's a pretty one." 
 
 " Oh, heaven !" cried the weeping girl, throwing herself 
 on her brother's bosom. He kissed her, and strove to 
 comfort her, and turned to the book and continued to turn 
 over the leaves, while- Mary sat by in sadness, but ever 
 and anon replying to his childish questions, and still 
 striving to keep him thus diverted. 
 
 'Have you any of the clothes you wore when he was a 
 child ?" asked Glenn, addressing Roughgrove. 
 
 "Yes," replied the old man; and seizing upon the 
 thought, he unlocked the trunk that contained them, and 
 put them on. 
 
 " Where's mother ?" suddenly asked the young chief. 
 
 " Oh, she's dead !" said Mary. 
 
 "Dead ? I know better !" said he, emphatically. 
 
 "Indeed she is, brother," repeated Mary, in tears. 
 
 " When did she die ?" he continued, in a musing at 
 titude. 
 
 " A long time ago when you were away," said she. 
 
 " I wasn't gone away long, was I ?" he asked, with much 
 simplicity. 
 
 " Oh, very long we thought you were dead." 
 
 " He was a very bad Indian to steal me away without 
 asking mother. But where's father ? Is he dead, too ?"
 
 178 W^D WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 he continued, lifting his eyes and beholding Roughgrove 
 attired in a suit of velvet, and wearing broad silver knee 
 buckles. "Father! father!" he cried, eagerly clasping 
 the old man in his arms. 
 
 "My poor boy, I will be your father still!" said Rough- 
 grove. 
 
 "I know you will," said the youth, "for you always 
 loved me a great deal, and now that my poor mother's dead, 
 I'm sure you will love sister and me more than ever." 
 
 " Indeed I will, poor child ! But you must not go back 
 to the naughty savages any more." 
 
 The youth gazed round in silence, and made no reply. 
 He was evidently awakening to a consciousness of his con 
 dition. A frown of horror darkened his brow as he con 
 templated the scenes of his wild abode among the Indians ; 
 and, when he contrasted his recent mode of life with the 
 Elysian days of his childhood, now fresh in his memory, 
 .mingled emotions of regret, fear, and bliss seemed to be 
 contending in his bosom. A cold dampness settled upon 
 his forehead, his limbs trembled violently, and distressful 
 sighs issued from his heaving breast. Gradually he sank 
 down on a couch at his side, and closed his eyes. 
 
 When some minutes had elapsed, during which a death 
 like silence was maintained, Mary approached lightly 
 to where her father stood, and inquired if her brother 
 was ill. 
 
 "No," said Roughgrove, in a whisper; " he only sleeps ; 
 but it is a very sound slumber." 
 
 "Now let us take off his Indian dress," said Glenn, 
 "and put on him some of my clothes." This was speedily 
 effected, and without awaking the youth, whose senses were 
 benumbed, as if by some powerful opiate. 
 
 "Now, Mary," said Roughgrove, "you must likewise 
 have repose. You are almost exhausted in body and mind. 
 Sleep at your brother's side, if you will, poor girl." Mary 
 laid her head on William's pillow, and was soon in a deep 
 slumber. 
 
 For several moments Roughgrove stood lost in thought, 
 gazing alternately at the reposing brother and sister, and 
 Glenn. He looked also at Sneak and Joe reclining by the 
 fire ; both were fast asleep. He then resujied his seat, 
 and motioned Glenn to do likewise. He bowed hi head a
 
 A NARRATIVE & 
 
 brief length of time in silence, apparently recalling tc 
 mind some occurrence of more than ordinary import. 
 
 "My young friend," said he, at length, while he placed 
 his withered hand upon Glenn's knee, " do you remember 
 that I said there was another eecret connected with my 
 family?" 
 
 " Distinctly," replied Glenn ; " and I have since felt so 
 much anxiety to be acquainted with it that I have several 
 times been on the eve of asking you to gratify my curiosi 
 ty; but thinking it might be impertinent, I have forborne. 
 It has more than once occurred to me that your condition 
 in life must have been different from what it now is." 
 
 " It has been different far different. I will tell you 
 all. I am a native of England a younger brother, of 
 an ancient and honourable family, but much decayed in for 
 tune. I was educated for the ministry. Our residence 
 was on the Thames, a few miles distant from London, and 
 I was early entered in one of the institutions of the great 
 city. While attending college, it was my practice twice a 
 month to visit my father's mansion on foot. I was fond ot 
 solitary musings, and the exercise was beneficial to my 
 weak frame. It was during one of those excursions that- 1 
 rescued a young lady from the rude assaults of two ruffians. 
 After a brief struggle, they fled. I turned to the one I had 
 so opportunely served, and was struck with her unparalleled 
 beauty. Young ; a form of symmetrical loveliness ; dark, 
 languishing eyes , a smooth forehead of lily purity, and 
 auburn hair flowing in glossy ringlets it was not strange 
 that an impression should be made on the heart of a young 
 student. She thanked me for my generous interposition in 
 such sweet and musical tones, that every word thrilled 
 pleasantly through my breast. She prevailed upon me to 
 accompany her to her mother's cottage, but a few hundred 
 paces distant; and during our walk thither, she hung con 
 fidingly on my arm. Her aged mother overwhelmed mo 
 with expressions of gratitude. She mildly chid her daugh 
 ter for wandering so far away in quest of flowers, and then 
 withdrawing, left us alone. Again my eyes met those of 
 the blushing maiden but it is useless to dwell upon the 
 particulars of our mutual passion. Suffice it to say that 
 ehe was the only child of her widowed mother, in moderate 
 Vat independent circumstances, and being hitherto secluded
 
 180 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 from the society of the other sex, soon conceived jfor my 
 visits were frequent) an affection as ardent as my own. 
 At length I apprized my father of the attachment, and asked 
 his consent to our union. He refused to sanction the alli 
 ance in the most positive terms, and commanded me never 
 to mention the subject again. He said that I was poor, 
 and that he would not consent to my marriage with any 
 other than an heiress. I returned to London, resolved to 
 disobey his injunction, for I felt that my happiness entirely 
 depended upon my union with the lovely Juliet. But I 
 had never yet definitely expressed my desire to her. Yet 
 there could be no doubt from her smiles that my wishes 
 would willingly be acceded to. I determined to arrange 
 every thing at our next interview, and a few weeks after 
 wards I repaired to the cottage for that purpose. Instead of 
 meeting me with her ever .blissful face, I found my Juliet 
 in tears ! She was alone ; but in the adjoining chamber 1 
 heard a man's voice, and feared that it was my father. I 
 was mistaken. Juliet soon brushed away her tears, and in 
 formed me that she had been again assailed by the same 
 ruffians, and on the lawn within sight of the cottage. She 
 said that the gentleman in the next room was her deliverer. 
 I seized her hand, and when about to propose a plan to 
 secure her against such annoyances for ever, her mother 
 entered and introduced the stranger to me. His name was 
 Nicholson, and he stated that he was a partner in a large 
 banking establishment in Lombard Street. He was past the 
 bloom of youth, but still his fine clothes and his reputed 
 wealth were displeasing to me. I was especially chagrined 
 at the marked attention shown him by Juliet's mother. 
 And my annoyance was increased by the frequent lascivious 
 glances he cast at the maiden. The more I marked him, 
 the more was my uneasiness. It soon occurred to me that 
 I had seen him before ! He resembled a person I had 
 Been driving rapidly along the highway in a chariot, on the 
 morning that I first beheld my Juliet. But my recollection 
 of his features was indistinct. There was a condescending 
 suavity in his manners, and sometimes a positive and com 
 manding tone in his conversation, that almost roused my 
 enmity in spite of my peaceful calling and friendly dispo 
 sition. It was my intention to remain at the cottage, and 
 propose to Juliet after he had departed. But my purpose
 
 A NARRATIVE. 181 
 
 was defeated, for he declared his intention to enjoy the 
 country air till evening, and I returned, disappointed and 
 dispirited, to the city. 
 
 "A few days afterwards I visited the cottage again. 
 What was my surprise and vexation to behold Mr. Nichol 
 son there ! He was seated, with his patronizing smile, 
 between Juliet and her mother, and presenting them various 
 richly bound books, jewels, &c., which seemed to me to be 
 received with much gratification. I was welcomed with 
 the usual frankness and pleasure by Juliet, but I thought 
 her mother's reception was less cordial, and Mr. Nicholson 
 regarded me with manifest indifference. I made an in 
 effectual effort at vivacity, and after an hour's stay, during 
 which my remarks gradually narrowed down to monosyl 
 lables, (while Mr. Nicholson became excessively loqua 
 cious,) I rose to depart. Juliet made an endeavour to ac 
 company me to the door, where I hoped to be assured of 
 her true affection for me by her own lips, but some pointed 
 inquiry (I do not now recollect what) from Nicholson, 
 which was seconded in a positive manner by her mother, 
 arrested her steps, and while she hesitated, I bad her 
 adieu, and departed for the city, resolved never to see her 
 again. 
 
 " It was about a month after the above occurrence that 
 my resolution gave way, and I was again on the road to 
 the cottage, with my mind made up to forgive and forget 
 every thing that had offended me, and to offer my hand 
 where my heart seemed ,to be already irrevocably fixed. 
 When I entered who should I see but the eternal thwarter 
 of my happiness, the ever-present Nicholson ! But horror ! 
 he was now the wedded lord of Juliet ! The ceremony was 
 just over. There were but two or three strangers present 
 besides the clergyman. Bride, groom, guests, and all 
 were hateful to my sight. The minister, particularly, I 
 thought had a demoniac face, similar to that of one of the 
 ruffians who had tested the quality of my cane. Juliet cast 
 a look at me with more jf sadness than joy in it. She of 
 fered me her hand in silent salutation, and it trembled m 
 my grasp. The deed was done. Pity for the maiden who 
 had been thus sacrificed to secure a superabundance of 
 Tealth which could never be enjoyed, and sorrow at my 
 ovvn forlorn condition, weighed heavily, oh, how heavily! 
 
 iti
 
 182 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 on my heait. I returned to my lonely and desolate lodg 
 ings without a malicious feeling for the one who had rob 
 bed me of every hope of earthly enjoyment. I prayed that 
 he might make Juliet happy. 
 
 " But, alas ! her happiness was of short duration. Scarce 
 six months had passed before Mr. Nicholson began to neg 
 lect his youthful and confiding bride. She had still remain 
 ed at her mother's cottage, while, as she stated, his estab 
 lishment was being fitted up in town for their reception, 
 lie at first drove out to the cottage every evening; but 
 soon afterwards fell into the habit of visiting his bride only 
 two or three times a week. He neither carried her into 
 society nor brought home any visitors. Yet he seemed to 
 possess immense wealth, and bestowed it upon Juliet with 
 a liberal, nay, profuse hand. My young friend, what 
 kind of a character do you suppose this Mr. Nicholson to 
 have been?" said the old man, pausing, and turning to 
 Glenn, who had been listening to the narrative with marked 
 attention. 
 
 " He was an impostor a gambler," replied Glenn, 
 promptly. 
 
 "He was an impostor! but no adventurous gambler, as 
 you suppose. I will proceed. About seven months after 
 his marriage, he abandoned Juliet altogether ! Yet he did 
 not forget her entirely. He may have felt remorse for the 
 ruin he had wrought or perhaps a slight degree of affection 
 for his unborn ; and costly presents, and many con 
 siderable sums of money, were sent by him to the cottage. 
 But neither the aged mother nor the deserted wife found 
 the consolation they desired in his prodigal gifts. They 
 sent me a note, informing me of their distressful condition, 
 and requesting me to ascertain the locality of Mr. Nichol 
 son's establishment, and, if possible, to find out the cause 
 of his unnatural conduct. I did all in my power to accom 
 plish what they desired. I repaired to the cottage, unable 
 to give the least intelligence of Mr. Nicholson. I had not 
 been able to find any one who had ever heard of him. 
 Juliet became almost frantic. She determined to seek him 
 herself. At her urgent solicitation, I accompanied her to 
 ;he city in an open curricle. A pitying Providence soon 
 terminated her insupportable suspense. While we were 
 Iriviug through iljde 1'uik, we u'e forcibly stopped to
 
 A NARRATIVE. 183 
 
 permit, among the throng, the passage of a splendid equi 
 page. The approaching carriage was likewise an open one. 
 Juliet glanced at the inmates, and uttering a wild piercing 
 ehriek, fainted in my arms. I looked, and saw her quon 
 dam husband ! He was decked in the magnificent insignia 
 of ROYALTY. Nobles were bowing, high-born ladies smiling, 
 and the multitude shouted, ' There comes his royal high 
 ness, the Prince of ' 
 
 "Man cannot punish him," continued Roughgrove, "but 
 God can. HE will deal justly, both with the proud and 
 the oppressed. But to return. He saw Juliet. A few 
 minutes after the gorgeous retinue swept past, one of the 
 prince's attendants came with a note. Juliet was insensi 
 ble. I took it from the messenger's hand, and started when 
 I looked the villain in the face. He had been the parson ! 
 He smiled at the recognition ! I hurled my cane at his 
 head, and hastened back to the cottage with a physician in 
 attendance. Juliet soon recovered from her swoon. But 
 a frenzied desperation was manifest in her pale features. 
 I left her in her mother's charge, and returned in agony 
 to my lodgings. That night a raging fever seized upon 
 my brain, and for months I was the victim of excruciating 
 disease. When convalescent, but still confined to my 
 room, I chanced to run my eye over one of the daily 
 papers, and was petrified to see the name of Mrs. Nichol 
 son, in the first article that attracted my attention, in con 
 nection with an attempt upon the life of the king ! She 
 had been seized with a fit of temporary insanity, and driv 
 ing to town, sought her betrayer with the intention of 
 shedding his blood. She waited at the gate of St. James's 
 palace until a carriage drove up in which she expected to 
 find the prince. It was the king yet she did not discover 
 her error until the blow was made. The steel did not per 
 form its office, as you are aware from the history of Eng 
 land, in which this event is recorded. The king humanely 
 pardoned her on the spot. A single word she uttered ac 
 quainted him with her history, and her piteous looks made 
 an extraordinary impression on his mind. He too, had, 
 perhaps, sported with innocent beauty. And now the 
 spectre of the weeping maniac haunted his visions. Soon 
 be became one himself. The name of Juliet foriunately 
 was net published in the journals. It was by Borne raeaua
 
 184 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 incorrectly stated that the woman who attacked the king 
 was named Margaret Nicholson, and so it remains on the 
 page of history. 
 
 " As soon as I was able to leave my chamber, I repaired 
 to the cottage. Juliet was a mother. Reason had returned, 
 and she strove to submit with Christian humility to her piti 
 able lot. She received me with the same sweet smile that 
 had formerly beamed on her guileless face. Her mother, 
 the promoter of the fancied advantageous alliance, now 
 seemed to suffer most They both clung to me as their 
 only remaining friend, and in truth I learned that all other 
 friends had forsaken them. I looked upon the deceived, 
 outraged, but still innocent Juliet, with pity. Her little 
 cherub twins " 
 
 "Twins!" echoed Glenn. 
 
 "Ay, twins," replied Roughgrove, "and they lie behind 
 you now, side by side, on yonder bed." 
 
 Glenn turned and gazed a moment in silence on the 
 sleeping forms of William and Mary. 
 
 " Her poor little ones excited my compassion. They 
 were not blamable for their father's crime, nor could they 
 enjoy the advantages of his exalted station. They were 
 without a protector in the world. Juliet's mother was last 
 sinking under the calamity she had herself in a great mea 
 sure wrought. My heart melted when I contemplated the 
 sad condition of the only female I had ever loved. It was 
 not long before the fires of affection again gleamed brightly 
 in my breast. Juliet had committed no crime, either in the 
 eyes of man or God. She did not intend to err. She had 
 acted in good faith. . She had never designed to transgress 
 either the laws of earth or heaven, and although the dis 
 guised prince did not wholly possess her heart, yet she 
 deemed it a duty to be governed by the advice of her pa 
 rent. These things I explained to her, and when her con- 
 icience was appeased by the facts which I demonstrated, 
 Her peace in some measure returned, but she was still sub 
 ject to occasional melancholy reflections. Perhaps she 
 thought of me how my heart had suffered (for, young as I 
 was, the occurrence brought premature gray hairs; and 
 even now, although my head is white, I have seen but little 
 more than forty years) and how haupy we might have 
 travelled life's journey together. I seized such a ir.v/went
 
 A NARRATIVE. 18? 
 
 to rene^ my proposals. She declined, but declined in 
 tears. I returned to the city with the intention to repeat 
 the offer the next time we met. Not many weeks elapsed 
 before her aged mother was consigned to the tomb. Poor 
 Juliet's condition was now immeasurably lamentable. She 
 had neither friend nor protector. I again urged my suit, 
 and was successful. But she required of me a promise to 
 retire from the world for ever. I cheerfully agreed, for I 
 was disgusted with the vanity and wickedness of my spe 
 cies. We came hither. You know the rest." 
 
 When Roughgrove ceased speaking, the night was far 
 advanced, and a perfect silence reigned. Without utter 
 ing another word, he and Glenn rose from their seats, and 
 repairing to the remaining unoccupied couch, ere long 
 yielded to the influence of tranquil slumber. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 William's illness Sneak's strange house Joe's courage The bee hunt 
 Joe and Sneak captured by the Indians Their sad condition 
 Preparations to burn them alive Their miraculous escape. 
 
 JUST before the dawn of day, Roughgrove and Glenn 
 were awakened by Mary. She was weeping at the bed 
 side of William. 
 
 "What's the matter, child?" asked Roughgrove, rising 
 up and lighting the lamp. 
 
 "-Poor brother !" said she, and her utterance failed her. 
 
 " He has a raging fever !" said Glenn, who had ap 
 proached the bed and placed his hand upon the young 
 man's temples. 
 
 " True and I fear it will be fatal !" said Roughgrove, 
 in alarm, as he held the unresisting wrist of the panting 
 youth. 
 
 "Fear not," said Glenn ; " God directs all things. This 
 violent illness, too, may in the end be a blessing. Let us 
 do all in our power to restore him to health, and leave the 
 
 16*
 
 136 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 rest to Him. I was once an ardent student of medicine, 
 and t'ne knowledge I acquired may be of some avail." 
 
 "I will pray for his recovery," said Mary, bowing down 
 at the foot of the bed. 
 
 " Dod I mean Joe, it's most daylight," said Sneak, 
 rising up and rubbing his eyes. 
 
 " Well, what if it is ? what are you waking me up for?" 
 replied Joe, turning over on his rude pallet. 
 
 ;i Why, I'm going home." 
 
 " Well, clear out then." 
 
 " But you'll have to get up and shut the gate after me/' 
 
 " Plague take it all, I believe you're just trying to spoil 
 my nap !" said Joe, much vexed. 
 
 "No I ain't, Joe; I'm in earnest, indeed I am," con 
 tinued Sneak ; " bekaise I hain't been inside of my house, 
 now, for three or four days, and who knows but the dod 
 I mean the Indians have been there and stole all my 
 muskrat skins ? 
 
 " If they have, then there's no use in looking for them 
 now." 
 
 " If they have, dod I mean, burn me if I don't foller 
 em to the other end of creation but I'll have 'em back 
 agin. But I ain't much afeard that they saw my house 
 they might rub agin it without knowing it was a house." 
 
 " That's a pretty tale," said Joe, now thoroughly 
 awakened, and staring incredulously in his companion's 
 face. 
 
 "It's a fact." 
 
 " Whereabouts is your house ?" 
 
 " Why, it's in the second valley we crossed when we 
 went after the wolves on the island." 
 
 " Then your sjtins are gone," said Joe, "for the Indians 
 have been in that valley." 
 
 " I know they was there well enough," said Sneak ; 
 " but didn't I say they couldn't find the house, even if 
 they was to scratch their backs agin it?'' 
 
 " What kind of a house is it ?" 
 
 " 'Spose you come along and see," said Sneak, groping 
 about iu the dim twilight for his cap, arid the gun Glenn 
 had given him. 
 
 "I should like to see it, just out of curiosity," e- 
 ol'ed Joe
 
 A NAl'RATIVE. IS'' 
 
 "Then go along wi*-h Sneak/' said Glenn, who ap 
 proached the fire to prepare some medicine ; "it is neces 
 gary that every thing should be quiet and still here." 
 
 " If you'll help me to feed and water the horses, Sneak, 
 I'll go home with you," said Joe. Sneak readily agreed 
 to the proposition, and by the time it was quite light, and 
 yet before the sun rose, the labour was accomplished, 
 and they set out together for the designated valley. Their 
 course was somewhat different from that pursued when in 
 quest of the wolves, for Sneak's habitation was about mid 
 way between the river and the prairie, and they diverged 
 in a westerly direction. But their progress was slow 
 During the night there had been a change in the atmo 
 sphere, and a constant breeze from the south had in a 
 great measure softened the snow-crust, so that our pedes 
 trians frequently broke through. 
 
 " This is not the most agreeable walking I ever saw," 
 said Joe, breaking through and tumbling down on his 
 face. 
 
 " That's jest as much like swimming as walking," said 
 Sneak, smiling at the blunder of his companion. 
 
 " Smash it, Sneak," continued Joe, rising up with some 
 difficulty, " I don't half like this breaking-through busi 
 ness." 
 
 "You must walk lighter, and then you won't break 
 through," said Sneak; "tread soft like I do, and put your 
 
 feet down flat. I hain't broke in once" But before 
 
 the sentence was uttered, Sneak had broken through him 
 self, and stood half-submerged in the snow. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! you musn't count your chickens before 
 they're hatched," said Joe, laughing ; " but you may score 
 one, now you have broken the shell." 
 
 " I got in that time," said Sneak, now winding through 
 the bushes with much caution, as if it were truly in his 
 power to diminish the weight of his body by a peculiar 
 mode of walking. 
 
 " This thaw '11 be good for one thing, any how," said 
 Joe, after they had progressed some time in silence. 
 
 "What's that?" asked Sneak. 
 
 " ^"ny, it '11 keep the Indians away ; they can't travel 
 through the slush when the crust is melted off." 
 
 "That's as true as print," replied Sjieak; and if none
 
 188 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 of 'em follered us back to the settlement, we needn't look 
 for 'em agin till spring." 
 
 "I wonder if any of them did follow us?" asked Joe, 
 pausing abruptly. 
 
 " How can anybody tell till they see 'em ?" replied 
 Sneak. " What're you stopping for ?" 
 
 " I'm going back," said Joe. 
 
 " Dod you're a fool that's jest what you are. Hain't 
 we got our guns ? and if there is any about, ain't they in 
 the bushes close to Mr. Glenn's house ? and hain't we 
 passed through 'em long ago ? But I don't keer any thing 
 about your cowardly company go back, if you want to," 
 said Sneak, striding onward. 
 
 " Sneak, don't go so fast. I haven't any notion of going 
 back," said Joe, springing nimbly to his companion's side. 
 
 "I believe you're afeard to go back by yourself," said 
 Sneak, laughing heartily. 
 
 " Pshaw, Sneak, I don't think any of 'em followed us, 
 do you?" continued Joe, peering at the bushes and treea 
 in the valley, which they were entering. 
 
 " No." said Sneak ; " I only wanted to skeer you a bit." 
 
 " I've killed too many savages to be scared by them now," 
 said Joe, carelessly striding onward. 
 
 "What was you a going back for, if you wasn't 
 skeered?" 
 
 " I wonder what always makes you think I'm frightened 
 when I talk of going into the house ! Sneak, you're al 
 ways mistaken. I wasn't thinking about myself I only 
 wanted to put Mr. Glenn on his guard." 
 
 " Then what made you tell that wapper for, the other 
 night, about cutting that Indian's throat ?" 
 
 " How do you know it was a wapper ?" asked Joe, some 
 what embarrassed by Sneak's home-thrust. 
 
 " Bekaise, don't I know that I cut his juggler-vein my 
 self? Didn't the blood gush all over me ? and didn't he 
 fall down dead before he had time to holler ?" continued 
 Sneak, with much warmth and earnestness. 
 
 "Sneak," said Joe, " I've no doubt you thought he was 
 dead but then you must know it's nearly as hard to kill 
 a man as a cat. You might have been mistaken ; every 
 body js liable to be deceived even a person's eyes deceive 
 him sometimes. I aon't pretend to say that I harvtn't Veen
 
 A NARRATIVE. 189 
 
 mistaken before now, myself. It may be possible that 1 
 was mistaken about the Indian as well as you I might 
 nave just thought I saw him move. But I was there longei 
 than you, and the inference is that I didn't stand as good 
 a. chance to be deceived." 
 
 "Well, I can't answer all that," said Sneak; "but I'll 
 iwear I felt my knife grit agin his neck-bone." 
 
 Joe did not desire to pursue the subject any further, and 
 they proceeded on their way in silence, ever and anon 
 breaking through the snow-crust. The atmosphere became 
 still more temperate when the bright sun beamed over the 
 horizon. Drops of water trickled down from the snow-' 
 covered branches of the trees, and a few birds flitted over 
 head, and uttered imperfect lays. 
 
 "Here we are," said Sneak, halting in the midst of a 
 clump of enormous sycamore trees, over whose roots a 
 sparkling rivulet glided with a gurgling sound. 
 
 "I know we're here," said Joe; "but what are you 
 stopping /jersfor?" 
 
 "Here's where I live," replied Sneak, with a comical 
 smile playing on his lips. 
 
 "But where's your house?" asked Joe. 
 
 " Didn't I say you couldn't find it, even if you was to 
 rub your back agin it ?" 
 
 " I know I'm not rubbing against your house now," 
 replied Joe. turning round and looking up in the huge tree 
 he had been leaning against. 
 
 "But you have been leaning agin my house," continued 
 Sneak, amused at the incredulous face of his companion. 
 
 " I know better," persisted Joe ; " this big sycamore is 
 the only thing I've leant against since we started." 
 
 " Jest foller me, and I'll show you something," said 
 Sneak, stepping round to the opposite side of the tree, 
 where the ascent on the north rose abruptly from the roots. 
 Here he removed a thin flat stone of about four feet in 
 height, that stood in a vertical position against the tree. 
 
 " You don't live in there, Sneak, surely ; why that looks 
 like a wolf's den," said Joe, perceiving a dark yawning 
 aperture, and that the immense tree was but a mere shell 
 
 "Keep at my heels," said Sneak, stooping down and 
 crawling into the tree. . 
 
 " 7'd rather not," said Joe ; " there may be a bear in it-' v
 
 190 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Soon a clicking sound was heard within, and the next 
 moment Joe perceived the nickering rays of a small lamp 
 that Sneak held in his hand, illuminating the sombre re- 
 cesses of the novel habitation. 
 
 " Why don't you come in ?" asked Sneak. 
 " Sneak, how do you know there ain't a bear up in \fc.e 
 hollow ?" asked Joe, crawling in timidly and endeavouring 
 to peer through the darkness far above, where even the raya 
 of the lamp could not penetrate. 
 
 " I wonder if you think I'd let a bear sleep in my house," 
 continued Sneak, searching among a number of boxes and 
 rude shelves, to see if any thing had been molested during 
 his absence. Finding every thing safe, he handed Joe a 
 stool, and began to kindle a fire in a small stone furnace. 
 Joe sat down in silence, and looked about in astonishment. 
 And the scene was enough to excite the wonder of an 
 Irishman. The interior of the tree was full eight feet ir 
 diameter, while the eye was lost above in undeveloped re 
 gions. Below, there was a surface of smooth stones, which 
 were comfortably carpeted over with buffalo robes. At one 
 side was a diminutive fireplace, or furnace, constructed of 
 three flat stones about three inches in thickness. The 
 largest was laid horizontally on the ground, and the others 
 placed upright on it, and attached to a clay chimney, that 
 was by some means confined to the interior side of the tree, 
 and ran upward until it was lost in the darkness. After 
 gazing in amazement several minutes at this strange con 
 trivance, Joe exclaimed : 
 
 " Sneak, I don't understand this ! Where does that 
 smoke go to ?" 
 
 "Go out doors and see if you can't see," replied Sneak, 
 placing more fuel on the blazing fire. . 
 
 " Go out of the hole you mean to &ay," said Joe, creep 
 ing out. 
 
 " You may call it jest what you like," said Sneak ; "but 
 I'll be switched if many folks lives in higher houses than 
 f does." 
 
 "Well, I'll declare !" cried Joe. 
 
 "What ails you now?" asked Sneak, thrusting his head 
 out of the aperture, and regarding the surprise of Joe with 
 much satisfaction. 
 
 " Why, I see the smoke pouring out of a hole in a
 
 A NARRATIVE. 191 
 
 not much bigger than my thigh !" cried Joe. This was 
 true. Sneak had mounted up in the tree before building 
 his chimney, and finding a hollow bough that communi 
 cated directly with the main trunk, had cut through into the 
 cavity, and thus made a vent for the escape of the smoke. 
 
 " Come in now, and get something to eat," eaid Sneak. 
 This was an invitation that Joe was never known to decline. 
 After casting another admiring glance at the blue vapour 
 that issued from the bough some ninety feet from the ground, 
 he passed through the cavity with alacrity. 
 
 " Where are you ?" cried Joe, upon entering and looking 
 round in vain for his host, who had vanished in a most 
 inexplicable manner. Joe stared in astonishment. The 
 lighted lamp remained on a box, that was designed for 
 the breakfast-table, and on which there was in truth an 
 abundance of dried venison and smoking potatoes. But 
 where was Sneak ? 
 
 "Sneak, what's become of you?" continued Joe, eagerly 
 listening for a reply, and anxiously scanning the tempting 
 repast set before him. " I know you're at some of your 
 tricks," he added, and sitting down at the table, com 
 menced in no indifferent manner to discuss the savoury 
 venison and potatoes. 
 
 " I'm only up stairs," cried Sneak, in the darkness 
 above ; and throwing down a rope made of hides, the upper 
 end of which was fastened to the tree within, he soon fol 
 lowed, slipping briskly down, and without delay sprang 
 to Joe's assistance. 
 
 When the meal was finished, or rather, when every thing 
 set before them had vanished, Sneak rose up and thrust his 
 long neck out of the aperture. 
 
 " \Vhat are you looking at ?" asked Joe. 
 
 " I'm looking at the warm sun shining agin yonder side 
 of the hill," said Sneak; "how'd you "ike to go a bee- 
 hunting ?" 
 
 " A bee-hunting !" iterated Joe. " I wonder if you think 
 we could find a bee at this season of the year ? and I 
 should like to know what it'd be worth when we found it.'* 
 
 " Plague take the bee I mean the honey don't you like 
 wild honey ?" continued Sneak. 
 
 "Yes," said Joe; "but how can you find any when 
 there's such .a snow as this on the ground?"
 
 192 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "When there's a snow, that's the time to find 'em," said 
 Sneak ; " peticuly when the sun shines warm. Jest come 
 out here and look," he continued, stepping along, and 
 followed by Joe ; " don't you see yander big stooping 
 limb?" 
 
 "Yes," replied Joe, gazing at the bough pointed out. 
 
 "Well," continued Sneak, " there's a bee's nest in that. 
 Look here," he added, picking from the snow several 
 dead bees that had been thrown from the hive ; " now 
 this is the way with all wild bees (but these are tame, 
 for they live in my house), for when there comes a warm 
 day they're sartin as fate to throw out the dead ones, and 
 we can find where they are as easy as any thing in the 
 world." 
 
 " Sneak, my mouth's watering suppose we take the 
 axe and go and hunt for some honey." 
 
 "Let's be off, then," said Sneak, getting his axe, and 
 preparing to place the stone against the tree. 
 
 "Stop, Sneak," said Joe ; "let me get my gun before 
 you shut the door." 
 
 " I guess we'd better leave our guns, and then we won't 
 be so apt to break through," replied Sneak, closing up the 
 aperture. 
 
 " The bees won't sting us, will they ?" asked Joe, turn 
 ing to his companion when they had attained the high- 
 timbered ridge that ran parallel with the valley. 
 
 " If you chaw 'em in your mouth they will," replied 
 Sneak, striding along under the trees with his head bent 
 down, and minutely examining every small dark object he 
 found lying on the surface of the snow. 
 
 " I know that as well as you do," continued Joe, " be 
 cause that would thaw them." 
 
 " Well, if they're froze, how kin they sting you ?" 
 
 "You needn't be so snappish," replied Joe. "I just 
 asked for information. I know as well as anybody they're 
 frozen or torpid." 
 
 " Or what ?" asked Sneak. 
 
 " Torpid," said Joe. 
 
 " I'll try to 'member that word," continued Sneak, peep 
 ing under a spreading oak that was surrounded by a dense 
 hazel thicket. 
 
 " Do," continued Joe, contemptuously, " and if you'13
 
 A NARRATIVE. 193 
 
 only recollect all you hear me say, you may get a tolerable 
 education after a while." 
 
 " I'll be shivered if this ain't the edication I wan't," said 
 Sneak, turning round with one or two dead bees in his 
 hand, that he had found near the root of the tree. 
 
 " Huzza !" cried Joe, " we'll have a mess of honey now. 
 I see the hole where they are its in a limb, and we won't 
 have to- cut down the tree," and before Sneak could inter 
 pose, Joe mounted up among the branches, and asked for 
 the axe, saying he would have the bough off in five minutes. 
 Sneak gave it to him, and when he reached the place, (which 
 was not more than fifteen feet from the ground,) he com 
 menced cutting away with great eagerness. The cavity 
 was large, and in a few minutes the bough began to give 
 way. In spite of Sneak's gesticulations and grimaces be 
 low, Joe did not bethink him that one of his feet still rested 
 on the bough beyond the place where he was cutting, but 
 continued to ply the axe with increasing rapidity. Presently 
 the bough, axe, and Joe, all fell together. Sneak was con 
 vulsed with laughter. Joe sprang to his feet, and after 
 feeling his limbs and ribs, announced that no bones were 
 broken, and laughed very heartily himself. They began 
 to split open the severed bough without loss of time. But 
 just when they were in the act of lifting out the honeycomb, 
 four stalwart savages rose softly from the bushes behind, 
 and springing nimbly forward, seized them both before they 
 could make any resistance. The surprised couple yelled 
 and struggled to no purpose. Their hands were soon 
 bound behind them, and they were driven forward hastily 
 in a southerly direction. 
 
 " Oh ! for goodness sake, Mr. Chief, please let me go 
 home, and I'll pay you whatever you ask !" said Joe, ta 
 the tallest of the savages. 
 
 The Indian, if he did not understand his captive's words, 
 seemed to comprehend his terrors, and was much diverted 
 at his ludicrous expression of features. 
 
 "Oh pray! good Mr. Chief " 
 
 " Keep your mouth shet ! They'll never git through 
 torturing us, if you let 'em know you're afraid," said 
 Sneak. 
 
 "That's just what I want," said Joe; "I don't want 
 diem to ever quit torturing us because they'll never qmit 
 
 17
 
 191 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 till we're both dead. But as long as they laugh at me, 
 they'll be sure to let me live." 
 
 Ere long, the savages with their captives, entered the 
 dense grove where Mary had been taken, before they set 
 out with her over the prairie. But it was evidently not 
 their intention to conduct their present prisoners to thoir 
 villages, and demand a ransom for them. Nor were they 
 prepared to convey them away in the same dignified and 
 comfortable manner, over the snow-clad plains. They 
 anticipated a gratification of a different nature. They had 
 been disappointed in all their attempts to obtain booty from 
 the whites. The maid they had taken had been recaptured, 
 and their chief was in the possession of the enemy. These, 
 to say nothing of the loss of a score of their brethren by 
 the fire-weapons of the white men, stimulated them with 
 unerring precision to compass the destruction of their 
 prisoners. Blood only could satiate their vengeful feelings. 
 And the greater and longer the sufferings of their victims 
 the more exquisite would be the luxury of revenge. And 
 this caused them to smile with positive delight when they 
 witnessed the painful terrors of poor Joe. 
 
 When they reached their place of encampment, which 
 vi as in the midst of a cluster of small slim trees that en 
 circled an old spreading oak of huge dimensions, the sa 
 vages made their prisoners stand with their backs against 
 two saplings that grew some fifteen paces apart. They 
 were compelled to face each other, that they might witness 
 every thing that transpired. Their arms were bound round 
 the trees behind them, and a cord was likewise passed 
 round their legs to confine them more securely. The sa 
 vages then seemed to consult about the manner of despatchi 
 ng them. The oldest and most experienced, by his hasty 
 gestures and impatient replies, appeared to insist on their 
 instantaneous death. And from his frequent glances north 
 ward, through the trees, he doubtless feared some interrup 
 tion, or dreaded the arrival of an enemy that might inflici 
 an ample retaliation. During a long pause, while the In 
 dians seemed to hesitate, and the old crafty savage drew 
 his steel tomahawk from his belt, Sneak sighed deeply, 
 and said, in rather mournful tones 
 
 " The jig's up with us, Joe. If I was only loose seven 
 seconds, you wouldn't ketch me dying like a soon ner*
 
 JOE AND SNEAK IN DIFFICULTY. P. ig 4 .
 
 A NARRATIVE. 195 
 
 agin a tree." Joe made no other response than a blubber 
 ing sound, while the tears ran down and dropped briskly 
 from his chin. 
 
 The savages gave vent to a burst of laughter when they 
 beheld the agony of fear that possessed their captive. 
 The three that were in favour of the slow torture now turned 
 a deaf ear to the old warrior, and advanced to Joe. They 
 held the palms of their hands under his chin, and caught 
 the tears as they fell. They then stroked his head gently, 
 and appeared to sympathize with the sufferer. 
 
 " Mr. Indian, if you'll let me go, I'll give you my gun 
 and twenty dollars," said Joe, appealing most piteously to 
 the one that placed his hand on his head. The Indian 
 seemed to understand him, and held his hand out for the 
 money, while a demoniac smile played on his dark lips. 
 
 " Just untie my h nds," said Joe, endeavouring to look 
 behind, "and I'll go right straight home and get them." 
 
 "You rascal you want to run away," replied the old 
 Indian, who not only understood Joe's language, but could 
 himself speak English imperfectly. 
 
 " Upon my sacred word and honour, I won't !" replied 
 Joe. 
 
 "You lie !" said the savage, bestowing a severe smack 
 on Joe's face. 
 
 " Oh, Lord ! Come now, Mr. Indian, that hurts !" 
 
 "No don't hurt oaly kill musketer," replied the sa 
 vage, laughing heartily, and striking his prisoner on the 
 other side of the face. 
 
 " Oh ! hang your skin !" cried Joe, endeavouring to break 
 
 away, "if ever I get you in my power, I'll smash " 
 
 Here his sudden courage evaporated, and again the tears 
 filled his eyes. 
 
 "Poor fellow!" said the savage, patting his victim on 
 the head. " How much you give for him ?" he continued, 
 poii ting to Sneak. 
 
 " If you'll only let me go, I'll give you every thing I've 
 got in the world. He don't want to live as bad as I do, 
 and IT; give you as much for me alone as I will for both." 
 
 " You're a purty white man, now, ain't you ?" said Sneak. 
 ''But its all the same. My chance is jest as good as 
 your'n They're only fooling you, jest to laugh. I've 
 made up my mind to die, and I ain't a going to make
 
 196 WILD WESTERN SCENES. 
 
 fun for 'em. And you might as well say your prayers fust 
 as last ; they're only playing with you now like a cat with 
 a mice." 
 
 The old Indian moved towards Sneak, followed by the 
 others. 
 
 " How much you give ?" asked the savage. 
 
 "Not a coon's tail," replied Sneak, with firmness. 
 
 " Now how much ?" continued the Indian, slapping tho 
 thin lank cheek of his prisoner. 
 
 " Not a dod-rotted cent ! Now jest take your tomahawk 
 and split my skull open as quick as you kin !" said Sneak ; 
 and he bowed down his head to receive the fatal blow. 
 
 "You brave rascal," said the Indian, looking his cap 
 tive in the eye, and hesitating whether to practice his petty 
 annoyances any further. At length they turned again to 
 Joe. 
 
 " That wasn't fair, Sneak," cried Joe, when the savages 
 abandoned his fellow-prisoner ; " you ought to have kept 
 them away from me as long as I did from you." 
 
 "I'm gitting sick of this tanterlizing business," said 
 Sneak. " I want 'em to git through the job, without any 
 more fooling about it. If you wasn't sich a coward, they'd 
 let you alone, and kill us at once." 
 
 " I don't want them to kill us I'd rather they'd do any 
 thing in the world than to kill us," replied Joe. 
 
 " Me won't hurt you," said the old savage, again plac 
 ing his hand on Joe's head ; but instead of gently patting 
 it, he wound a lock of hair round one of his fingers, and 
 with a sudden jerk tore it out by the roots. 
 
 " Oh, iny gracious ! Oh, St. Peter ! Oh, Lord ! Mr. 
 Indian, I beg and pray of you not to do that any more. 
 If you'll only untie me, I'll get down on my knees to you," 
 exclaimed poor Joe. 
 
 " Poor fellow, me won't hurt him any more poor head !" 
 said the Indian, tearing off another lock. 
 
 " Oh ! oh ! goodness gracious. Dear Mr. Indian, don't 
 do that! You can have no idea how bad it hurts I can't 
 stand it. I'll faint presently !" said Joe, trembling at every 
 joint. 
 
 " You're a fool," said Sneak, " to mind 'em that way, 
 If you wasn't to notice 'em, they wouldn't do it. See how 
 *hey're laughing at you."
 
 A NARRATIVE 197 
 
 " Oh, Sneak, I can't help it, to save uy life, indeed ] 
 can't. Oh, my good Lord, what would I give to he away 
 from here !" said Joe, his eyes fit to hurst from then 
 sockets. 
 
 "I've killed many a deer in a minit it don't hurt a 
 man to die more than a deer. I wish the snarvileroua 
 copper-skinned rascals would git through quick !" sail 
 Sneak. 
 
 "Me try you agin," said the savage, again going ID 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Well, now, what're you a going to do ? I'jn not afraid 
 of you !" said Sneak, grinding his teeth. 
 
 "Me rub your head," said the savage, seizing a tuft of 
 hair and tearing it out. 
 
 "Take some more," said Sneak, bowing down his 
 head. 
 
 " A little more," iterated the savage, grasping a hand 
 ful, which, with much exertion, he severed from the head, 
 and left the white skin exposed to view. 
 
 "Won't you have some more?" continued Sneak, with 
 out evincing the least pain. "Jest take as much as you 
 please ; if you tear it off till my head's as bald as an egg, 
 I won't beg you to let me alone." 
 
 " You brave fellow won't pull your hair any more," 
 said the chief. 
 
 " You be dod rot !" said Sneak, contemptuously. 
 
 "You mighty brave, shake hands !" continued the 
 laughing savage, holding his hand out in mockery. 
 
 " If you'll untie my foot a minit, I'll bet I kick some 
 of the ribs out of your body. Why don't you knock our 
 brains out, and be done at once, you black wolves you !" 
 said Sneak. 
 
 " Oh, Sneak ! for my sake your poor friend's sake, 
 don't put such an idea as that into their heads !" said Joe, 
 imploringly. 
 
 " You're a purty friend, ain't you? You'd give so much 
 to ransom me ! They aint a going to quit us without 
 killin' us, and I want it all over jest as soon as it kin be 
 done." 
 
 " Oh, no, Sneak ! Maybe they'll take pity on us and 
 spare our lives," said Joe, assuming a most entreating 
 look as the savage once more approached him. 
 
 IT*
 
 198 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 ""You make good big Osage ; you come with us, if we 
 let you live ?" demanded the old Indian. 
 
 "I pledge you my most sacred word and honour I 
 will !" 
 
 "You run away, you rascal," said the savage, plucking 
 another tuft of hair from Joe's head. 
 
 " I'll be hanged if I stand this any longer !" said Joe, 
 striving to break the cord that confined him. 
 
 " Don't notice the black cowards," said Sneak. 
 
 " How can I help noticing them, when they're pulling 
 out my hair by the roots !" said Joe. 
 
 " Look where they pulled mine out," said Sneak, turn 
 ing that part of his head in view which had been made 
 literally bald. 
 
 "Didn't it hurt you?" asked Joe. 
 
 " Sartinly it did," said Sneak, "but I grinned and bore 
 it. And now I wish they'd pull it all off, and then my 
 sculp wouldn't do 'e"m any good." 
 
 " That's a fact," said Joe. " Here, Mr. Osage," he 
 continued, " pull as much hair off the top of my head as 
 you want." The savages, instead of paying any attention 
 to him, seemed to be attracted by some distant sound. 
 They stooped down and placed their ears near the earth, 
 and listened intently for some time. At length they sprang 
 up, and then ensued another dispute among them about 
 the manner in which the prisoners should be disposed of. 
 The old savage was yet in favour of tomahawking the 
 captives and retreating without delay. But the others 
 would not consent to it. They were not satisfied with the 
 small amount of suffering yet endured by the prisoners. 
 They were resolved to glut their savage vengeance. And 
 the prisoners now observed that all traces of mirth had 
 vanished from their faces. Their eyes gleamed with fiend 
 ish fury, and drawing forth their glittering tomahawks, 
 they vanished in the thicket, and were soon heard chopping 
 off the small boughs of the trees. 
 
 " What are they doing Sneak ?" asked Joe. 
 
 " Don't you know what they're doing ? ain't they cut 
 ting wood as fast as they kin ?" replied Sneak. 
 
 " Well, I'm not sorry for that," said Joe, "because its 
 almost dark, and I'm getting chilly. If they'd only give 
 me something to eat, I'd feel heap more comfortable."
 
 A NAKRATTVE. 19M 
 
 " Yen varasherous fool you, they're cutting wood to burn 
 as up with. Oh, I wish I was loose !" 
 
 " Oh, goodness gracious!" cried Joe, " I never thought 
 of that ' Oh, I'm gone !" 
 
 " Are you ?" cried Sneak, eagerly ; " I'd like to be off 
 too, and we'd give them a race for it yit." 
 
 " Oh ! Sneak, I mean I'm ruined, lost for ever ! Oh ! 
 St. Peter, pity my helpless condition !" 
 
 " Don't think about pity now," said Sneak ; " nothing 
 of that sort is going to do us any good. We must git 
 loose from these trees and run for it, or we'll be roasted 
 like wild turkeys in less than an hour. I've got one hand 
 "loose !" 
 
 " So have I almost !" cried Joe, struggling violently. 
 
 " One of "em's coming ! shove your hand back, and 
 pertend like you're fast, till he goes away agin!" said 
 Sneak, m a hurried undertone. 
 
 The savage emerged from the bushes the next moment, 
 and after depositing an armful of billets of wood at the 
 feet of Joe, and walking round behind the prisoners to see 
 if they were still secure, returned for more fuel. 
 
 "Now work for your life!" said Sneak, extricating his 
 wrist from the cord, and striving to get his feet loose. 
 
 " Hang it, Sneak, I can't get my hand out, though the 
 string's quite loose ! Make haste, Sneak, and come and 
 help me," said Joe, in a tone that indicated his earnestness. 
 
 " Let every man look out far himself," replied Sneak, 
 tugging away at the cord that bound his feet to the tree. 
 
 " Oh, Sneak, don't leave me here, to be burnt by my 
 self!" said Joe. 
 
 " You wouldn't promise to give any thing to ransom me, 
 a while ago I'll cut stick as quick as I kin." 
 
 " Oh, Sneak, I can't untie my hands ! If you wont 
 help me, I'll call the Indians." But Joe was saved the 
 trouble. He had scarce uttered the word when all four 
 of the Indians suddenly appeared, and throwing down their 
 wood, proceeded with much haste to put their horrid pur 
 pose in execution. They heaped up the fagots around 
 their victims, until they reached half way to their chins, 
 and when all was ready, they paused, before applying the 
 fire, to enjoy the terrors of their captives. 
 
 "You cold me make some fire to warm- -huh ." said
 
 200 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 tne old Indian, addressing Joe, while the others looked on 
 with unmixed satisfaction. 
 
 " Oh ! rny dear Mr. Osage, if you only knew how muci 
 money you'd lose by killing me, I know you'd let me go !' 
 said Joe, in tremulous but supplicating tones. 
 
 " You lie you got no money," replied the savage ; and, 
 stooping down, he began to split some dry wood into very 
 Bmall pieces to kindle with. Joe looked on in despair, and 
 seemed to anticipate a blister from every splinter he saw. 
 It was different with Sneak. Almost hid by the wood 
 heaped around him, he embraced every opportunity, when 
 the eyes of the savages were turned away, to endeavour 
 to extricate himself from the cords that bound him to the 
 tree. Hope had not yet forsaken him, and he resolved to 
 struggle to the last. When the old savage had split off a 
 large quantity of splinters and chips, he gathered them 
 up and began to arrange them in various parts of the pile 
 of green timber preparatory for a simultaneous ignition. 
 While he was thus engaged, Sneak remained motionless, 
 and assumed a stoical expression of features. But when 
 he turned to Joe, Sneak again began to tug at the cord. 
 
 " Oh pray, Mr. Indian !" exclaimed Joe, when he saw the 
 Bavage carefully placing the combustible matter in all the 
 crevices of the pile around him "just only let me off this 
 time, and I'll be your best friend all the rest of your life." 
 
 " Me warm you little don't cry poor fellow !" replied 
 the Indian, striking a light with flint and steel. 
 
 " Oh, Sneak, if you've got a knife, run here and cut me 
 loose, before I'm burnt to death !" said Joe, in the most 
 heart-moving manner. 
 
 "Keep your mouth shet !" said Sneak ; "jest wait till 
 they go to put some fire here, and I'll show you a thing or 
 two," he continued, pouring a handful of powder among 
 the dry splinters. The effect of the explosion when the 
 Indians attempted to surprise Glenn's premises occurring 
 to Sneak, and recollecting that he had a quantity of pow 
 der in his pockets, he resolved in his extremity to try its 
 virtue on this occasion. 
 
 "But they're going to burn me first! Oh, Lord !" ex.- 
 claimed Joe, as he beheld the savage applying the fire to 
 the splinters near his feet. 
 
 " Don't say nor do nothing jest wait till they coire tc
 
 A NARRATIVE. 201 
 
 me," said Sneak, with great composure. "Do you jes* 
 keep your mouth shet it'll be a long while a kindling it 
 won't begin to burn your legs for an hour." 
 
 " Oh, goodness gracious ! My knees begin to feel warm 
 now. Oh, pray have mercy on me, good Mr. Osage !" 
 cried Joe, before the flame was as large as his hand, and 
 yet full three feet distant from him. The greater portion of 
 the fagots being green, the fire made very slow progress, 
 and it was necessary for the savages to procure a constant 
 supply of dry splinters to prevent it from going out. 
 
 At length, after the combustible material had burned' 
 out, and been replenished several times, the more substan 
 tial billets of Joe's pile began to ignite slowly, and the old 
 Indian then took up a flaming brand and moved towards 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Come on ! you snarvilerous rattlesnake you, I'll show 
 you sights presently !" said Sneak. 
 
 "You brave fellow me burn you quick," said the sa 
 vage, applying the torch, and, stooping down, placed his 
 face within a few inches of the crackling blaze, and began 
 to blow it gently. Sneak twisted his head round the tree 
 as far as possible, and the next moment the powder ex 
 ploded, throwing down the pile of wood, and dashing the 
 savage several paces distant violently on the ground, and 
 blackening and scorching his face and hair in a terrible 
 manner. The other Indians instantly prostrated themselves 
 on their faces, and uttered the most doleful lamentations. 
 Thus they remained a few minutes, evidently impressed 
 . with the belief that the Great Spirit had interfered to pre 
 vent the destruction of the prisoners. Hastily gathering 
 up their arms, they fled precipitately in the direction of 
 their distant home, and their yells of disappointment and 
 defeat rang in the ears of their captives until they died 
 away in the distance. 
 
 " Sneak ! make haste ! they may come back again !" 
 said Joe. 
 
 " They've tied my feet so tight I'm afraid I can't undo 
 it in a hurry," replied Sneak, endeavouring to break the cord 
 hy thrusting a stick (that he had slipped from the pile to 
 knock out the brains of one of the Indians should his gun 
 powder plot not succeed,) between it and the tree, and 
 forcing it out until the pain produced became insuffer
 
 202 WILD WESTERN SCENES' 
 
 able. By this means the cord was loosened gradually, and 
 moving it a little higher up where the muscles had not yet 
 been bruised, he repeated the process. In this manner he 
 laboured with certain but tardy success. But while he was 
 thus engaged, Joe's predicament became each moment 
 more critical. The wood being by this time pretty well 
 seasoned, began to burn more freely. The blaze waa 
 making formidable advances, and the heat was becoming 
 intolerable. 
 
 "For heaven's sake, Sneak!" cried Joe, "make haste 
 and come here, or I'll be roasted alive !" 
 
 " Wait till I get away from my own tree," replied 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Oh Lord ! I can't wait a minute more ! My shins are 
 getting blistered !" cried Joe, writhing under the heat of 
 the blaze, which now reached within a few inches of him, 
 and increased in magnitude with awful rapidity. 
 
 " Well, if you won't wait till I git there, just go ahead 
 yourself," said Sneak, at last extricating his feet by a vio 
 lent effort, and hopping to Joe's assistance, with some dif- 
 culty, for his nether limbs were considerably 
 bruised. 
 
 " Hang it, Sneak, pull these burning sticks away from 
 my knees !" said Joe, his face flushed with pain. 
 
 " I'll be bursted with powder, if you didn't like to git 
 into a purty tight fix," said Sneak, dashing down the con- 
 buming billets of wood. 
 
 " Now, Sneak, cut me loose, and then let's run home as 
 soon as possible." 
 
 " I hain't got my knife with me, or I wouldn't 'ave been 
 BO long gitting loose myself," said Sneak, slowly untying 
 Joe's hands. 
 
 *'My goodness, how my arms ache!" said Joe, when 
 his hands were released. "Now, Sneak, undo my feet, 
 and then we'll be off in a hurry." 
 
 "I'll be silt if your feet ain't tied like mine was, in 
 gich a hard knot that no mortal being can git it undone. 
 I'll take a chunk, and burn the tarnation string in two," 
 said Sneak, applying the fire. 
 
 " Take care you don't burn me," said Joe, looking at 
 the operation with much concern. 
 
 Sneak's plan of severing his companion's boniJU was
 
 A NARRATIVE. 203 
 
 successful. Joe sprang in delight from his place of con 
 finement, and, without uttering another word, or pausing a 
 single moment, the liberated companions retreated from tta 
 grove with all possible expedition. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Glenn's History. 
 
 THE young chief, or rather the restored youth, awoke in 
 a few days from the delirium into which the fever had 
 plunged him, to a state of convalescence and a conscious 
 ness of his altered condition. He now uttered with earnest 
 tenderness the endearing terms of "sister" and "father," 
 when he addressed Mary and Roughgrove. He spoke 
 freely of the many things he had witnessed while living 
 with the Indians, expressing his abhorrence of their habits 
 and nature, and declared it was his intention never to have 
 any further intercourse with them. He promised, when he 
 should be able to leave his bed, to read and study with 
 Mary and Glenn, until he had made amends for the ne 
 glect of his education. These symptoms, and the tractable 
 disposition accompanying them, caused Mary and Rough- 
 grove to rejoice over the return of the long-lost youth, and 
 to bow in humble thankfulness to the Disposer of events 
 for the singular and providential circumstances attending 
 his restoration. 
 
 Joe had arrived in due course of time, (which was brief,) 
 after his almost miraculous escape from the savages and 
 the flames, and told his story with various embellishments. 
 The Indians were hunted the next day by Sneak and a 
 few of the neighbours, but they had doubtless abandoned 
 the settlement, for no traces of them remained after their 
 mysterious flight from the grove. 
 
 A few mild days, during which frequent showers had 
 fallen, had in a great measure removed the snow from the 
 earth. And Joe having soon forgotten his late perilous ad 
 venture, amused himself with the horses. He resolved to
 
 -04 WILD WESTERN SCENES; 
 
 make some amends for their long confinement in the stable, 
 and to effect it he galloped them several hours each day 
 over the grounds in the vicinity. The hounds, too, seemed 
 delighted to place their feet once more on the bare earth, 
 and they were permitted to accompany the horses in all 
 their excursions. 
 
 One night, when William, Mary, and Joe were all 
 quietly sleeping, Roughgrove took occasion to express his 
 gratitude to Glenn for the many and important services 
 rendered his family. 
 
 "Whatever good may have attended my efforts," said 
 Glenn, "you may rest assured that I have been amply re 
 paid in the satisfaction enjoyed myself." 
 
 "I am sure of it!" exclaimed Roughgrove; "and it was 
 a conviction that you harboured such sentiments that in 
 duced me to confide in you, and to disclose things which I 
 intended should remain for ever locked within my own 
 breast." 
 
 "Your, confidence shall not be abused," said Glenn; 
 and to prove that I am not averse to an exchange of 
 secrets, if you will listen to my recital, I will endeavour 
 briefly to give you a sketch of my history." 
 
 "1 will listen attentively, my young friend, even were it 
 as sad a tale as mine, which can hardly be the case," said 
 Roughgrove, drawing his chair clc.se to Glenn's side, and 
 placing more fuel on the fire. 
 
 " Would to Heaven it had not been !" said Glenn, after 
 reclinir.g bis head on his hands a few minutes, and recall 
 ing transactions which he could have wished to be blotted 
 from his memory for ever. "I am a native of New York," 
 he continued, heaving a sigh and folding his arms, " and 
 was left an orphan at a very early age. My father was 
 once reputed one of the wealthiest merchants in Broadway ; 
 but repeated and enormous losses, necessarily inexplicable 
 to one of my age, suddenly reduced him to comparative 
 poverty. Neither he nor my mother survived the blow 
 many months, and before I was ten years old, I was left 
 (with the exception of an uncle in- Philadelphia) alone in the 
 world, possessed of only a few hundred dollars. My uncle 
 placed me with an eminent physician, who had been my 
 father's friend, after my education was completed. He 
 told me that he was rich, and would see that I should not
 
 A NARRATIVE. 
 
 Buffer for means until I had acquired a profession, which, 
 with energy and diligence, would enable me to procure an 
 honourable support. But he informed me that he had a 
 family of his own, and that I must not depend upon hia 
 assistance further than to accomplish a profession. 
 
 " It was during my studies, and when about seventeen 
 years old, that my misfortunes began. My preceptor had 
 another student, named Henry Wold, several years my senior, 
 whose parents were wealthy. Wold and I entertained the 
 highest esteem for each other. But our circumstances 
 being different, I could not indulge in all the excesses of 
 extravagance that he did, but made better progress in my 
 studies. He attended all the gay parties and fashionable 
 places of amusement, while I seldom spent an evening from 
 home. He was tall, manly, and possessed of regular and 
 beautiful 'features these, with his unlimited wealth, made 
 him a welcome guest in every circle, and extremely popular 
 with the ladies. 
 
 " One Sabbath morning, while sitting in church, (which 
 I attended regularly,) I was struck with the appearance of 
 a stranger in an opposite pew across the aisle that belonged 
 to a family with whom I was on the most intimate terms. 
 The stranger was the most beautiful young lady I ever be 
 held. Dark, languishing eyes, glossy ringlets, pale, smooth 
 forehead oh! I will, not describe her let it suffice that 
 she was an angel in my eyes ! It was impossible to remove 
 my gaze from her, and I fancied that she sometimes re 
 turned an approving glance. Before the service was over, 
 I was delighted to observe that she whispered something to 
 Mrs. Arras, (the name of the lady whose pew she was in,) 
 for this assured me that they were acquainted, and that I 
 might obtain some information about the fair being who had 
 made such a sudden and deep impression on my heart, and 
 perhaps procure an introduction to her. When I retired to 
 my couch that night, it was not to sleep. The image of the 
 fair stranger haunted my restless and imperfect slumbers. 
 Nor could I study by day, for my thoughts wandered con 
 tinually from the page to the same bright vision. Such was 
 my condition throughout the week. The next Sunday I 
 found her seated in the same pew. Our eyes met, and a 
 slight blush that mantled her fair face encouraged me to 
 V.,pe that she might likewise have bestowed some thoughti 
 
 18
 
 206 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 on me during the preceding week. It was in vain that I 
 uttered the responses during the service, or knelt down 
 when the clergyman offered up his prayers. I could think 
 of nothing but the angelic stranger. I resolved that another 
 week should not -pass without my calling at Mrs. Arras's. 
 But my object was obtained sooner than I expected. When 
 the congregation was dismissed, Mrs. Arras beckoned me 
 <tcross the aisle to her. 
 
 "'Charles,' whispered she, 'don't you want an intro 
 duction to my niece? I saw your eyes riveted on her 
 several times.' 
 
 "'I if you please,' I replied, with feelings of mingled 
 delight and embarrassment. 
 
 "'Laura,' she continued, turning to the young lady who 
 lingered behind, but seemed to be conscious of what waa 
 passing, 'let me introduce you to my young friend, Charles 
 Glenn.' The bland and accomplished Mrs. Arras then 
 moved onward, while I attended at the side of Laura, and 
 continued with her until I assisted her up the marble steps 
 of her aunt's stately mansion. 
 
 "I then bowed, and strode rapidly onward, I knew not 
 whither, (completely bewildered with the enchanting spell 
 that the fair Laura had thrown over me,) until I reached the 
 extremity of Broadway, and found myself in Castle Garden, 
 gazing like a very maniac at the bright water below me. 
 I wandered about alone, enjoying the exhilarating fancies 
 of my teeming brain, until the sun sunk beneath the horizon, 
 and the bright stars twinkled in the blue vault above. Oh ! 
 the thoughts, the hopes, the bliss 'of that hour! The dark 
 curtain that veils the rankling corruptions of mortality had 
 not yet boon lifted before my staring eyes, and I felt as one 
 gazing at a beautiful world, and regarded the fair maid as 
 the angel destined to unfold all its brilliance to my vision, 
 and to hold the chalice to my lips while I sipped the nectar 
 of perennial felicity. Alas, that such moments are brief ! 
 They fly like the dreams of a startled slumberer, and when 
 they vanish once, they are gone forever ! 
 
 "Without calling at my lodgings for the usual refresh 
 ments, I hovered about the mansion of Mrs. Arras till lighta 
 were gleaming in the parlour, and then entered. Laura re 
 ceived me with a smile, and the complaisant matrw gave 
 me an encouraging welcome.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 207 
 
 "'You are pale this evening, Mr. Glenn,' said Mrs. Af 
 ras, in a good-humoured, though bantering manner. 'Are 
 you subject to sudden attacks of illness?' 
 
 " ' I assure you I never enjoyed better health in my life, 
 and feel no symptoms of indisposition whatever,' I replied, 
 but at that moment I chanced to gaze at a mirror, and 
 was startled at my haggard appearance. But when Mrs 
 Arras withdrew, (which she did soon after my arrival,) the 
 affable and lovely Laura banished every thought of my 
 condition. My wan cheek was soon animated with the 
 flush of unbounded admiration, and my sunken eye sparkled 
 with the effervescence of enraptured delight. Deep and 
 ineradicable passion was engendering in my bosom. And 
 from the pleasure indicated in the glitter of Laura's lus 
 trous eyes, the exquisite smile that dwelt upon her coral 
 lips, and the gentle though unconscious swellings of her 
 breast, a conviction thrilled through my soul that my sud 
 den affection was reciprocated. Hours flew like minutes, 
 and I was surprised by the clock striking ONE before it 
 occurred to me that it was time to depart. Again I tra 
 versed the streets at that solemn hour, insensible to every 
 feeling, and regardless of every object but the flaming torch 
 lit up in my heart and the seraphic image of Laura. At 
 length I was warned by the scrutinizing gaze of a watch 
 man to repair to my lodgings. But my pillow afforded no 
 rest. All night long I pondered on the exhilarating events 
 of the day. Many were the endearing accents that escaped 
 my lips as I addressed in fancy my beloved Laura. I re 
 solved to declare my passion ere many weeks should pass. 
 I began to settle in my mind the plans of life, and then, 
 for the first time, the future presented a dark spot to my 
 view. I was poor ! Laura was rich and her family proud 
 and aristocratic. Her father was a distinguished judge. 
 And the most high-born and haughty of the land would 
 doubtless (if they had not already) sigh at her feet! I 
 sprang upright on my couch when this discordant thought 
 passed across my mind. But the next moment I was con- 
 Boled with the belief that I already possessed her heart. 
 And with a determination to have her, in spite of every 
 jbstacle, should this be the case, I sank back through 
 weariness, and was soon steeped in deep, though unquiet 
 slumber.
 
 208 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "The two next succeeding Sundays I attended Laura 
 to church. The evenings of both days, and nearly all the 
 intervening ones, I was with her at the mansion of Mrs. 
 Arras. But the evening of the last Sunday was to me a 
 memorable one. That evening I opened all my heart to 
 Laura, and found that every pulsation met a responding 
 throb in hers such, at least, I believed to be the case 
 and so she asserted. During the short time she remained 
 in New York, I was her accredited lover, and ever, when 
 together, the attachment she manifested was as ardent as 
 mine. Indeed, at times, her passion seemed unbounded, 
 and I was more than once tempted to propose a clandestine 
 and immediate union. I was the more inclined to this, 
 inasmuch as her father (who had now returned from a trip 
 to Washington) began to regard my visits with displeasure. 
 But he soon passed on to Boston to attend to the duties of 
 his office, and again I had unrestrained access to Laura. 
 But I am dwelling too long on this part of my story. 
 
 " One day Henry Wold, my fellow-student, inquired the 
 cause of the palpable change in my bearing and disposition. 
 Would that my lips had been sealed to him forever ! I 
 knew that he was honest and generous by nature, but I 
 knew not to what extent his dissolute habits (gradually 
 acquired by having ample means, and yielding by degrees 
 to the temptations of vice) had perverted his good qualities. 
 I told him of my love, and while describing the charms of 
 Laura, I was pleased to attribute the interest he evinced 
 at the recital to his disinterested friendship for me, without 
 the thought that he could be captivated himself with the 
 bare description. He begged me to introduce him. This, 
 too, gratified my pride, for I knew he would admire her. 
 The perfect form, rare beauty, intelligence, and wealth of 
 Wold did not startle an apprehension in my breast. But I 
 knew not alas ! who can know ? the impulses that govern 
 woman. Wold accompanied me that night to Mrs. Arras's, 
 He seated himself at Laura's side, and poured forth a flood 
 of flattery. They smiled in unison and returned glance 
 for glance. Wold exhibited his fine person and exerted al] 
 his captivating powers of intellect. Laura scanned the 
 one and listened attentively to the other. Still I sat by hi 
 satisfaction, and strove to repress every rising fear that my 
 supremacy in Laura's heart might be endangered- That
 
 A NARRATIVE. - 209 
 
 evening, as wo returned homeward, in answer tc my ques 
 tions, Wold stated that my ' intended' was pretty enough 
 for any young~ man, and would, without doubt, make a very 
 good wife. So far from exhibiting the extravagant admi 
 ration I expected, he seemed to speak of the object of my 
 adoration with comparative indifference. But a few even 
 ings afterwards, I found him with Laura when I arrived ! 
 I started back on beholding them seated on the same sofa 
 as I entered the parlour. Mrs. Arras was present, and wore 
 a thoughtful expression of features. Laura smiled on me, 
 but I thought it was not a happy smile. It did not render 
 me happy. Wold bowed familiarly, and made some witty 
 remark about taking time by the forelock. I sat down in 
 silence, with a compressed lip, and an icy dullness in my 
 breast. An embarrassing pause ensued. At length Mrs. 
 Arras rose, and opening a folding-door, beckoned me into 
 the adjoining room. After we had been seated a few mo 
 ments, during which her brow assumed a more grave and 
 thoughtful cast, she observed 
 
 '"You seem to be excited to-night, Charles.' 
 
 "'I have cause to be so,' I replied. 
 
 '"I cannot deny it,' said she, 'when I consider every 
 thing that has transpired. You doubtless have an attach 
 ment for Laura I have seen it and I confess it was and 
 would be with my goodwill had I control of the matter. 
 I was acquainted with your family, and acted with the best 
 of motives when I permitted, perhaps encouraged, the in 
 timacy. But I thought not of the austere and passionate 
 nature of- my brother-in-law. Neither did I think that any 
 man could object to your addresses to his daughter. But 
 I was mistaken. Judge has written that your inter 
 views with Laura must terminate.' 
 
 '"Has he given any reason why?' I asked, in tremulous 
 tones. 
 
 "'Yes,' she replied, 'but such as mortify me as much 
 as they must pain you. He says that your fortune and 
 family connections are not sufficient to permit the alliance. 
 Oh, I implore you not to suppose these to be my senti 
 ments. I know your family is devoid of ignoble stain, and 
 that your fortune was once second to none. Had I the 
 disposal of Laura's hand it should be yours!' 
 
 is*
 
 21C WILD WESTEEN SCENES: 
 
 "M believe it, Mrs. Arras!' said I. 'But do you not 
 think these objections of Judge may be overcome ?' 
 
 "' Alas, never !' she replied; 'he is immovable when 
 any thing of moment is decided in his mind.' 
 
 "'But,' I continued, while the pulsations of my heart 
 were distinctly audible, ' what says Laura ?' 
 
 " ' Would I had been spared this question ! You saw 
 hsr a few minutes since. HE who sees all things knows 
 how my heart ached while I sat by. I can only tell you 
 she had just finished reading her father's letter when Mr. 
 Wold was announced. Spare me, now, I beseech you !' 
 I folded my arms and gazed, I know not how long, at the 
 flame ascending from the hearth. Oh ! the agony de 
 scribed of the dying were bliss to that moment. What 
 could I think or do ? I sat like one whose heart has been 
 rudely torn from his breast, and who was yet debarred the 
 relief of death. Existence to me at that moment was a 
 hell, and my sufferings were those of the damned ! I 
 thank God I have survived them. 
 
 " I was aroused from my lethargy by hearing the street 
 door close after Wold, and I desired Mrs. Arras to permit 
 me to have an interview with Laura alone. It was grant 
 ed, and I was soon in the presence of the lovely maid. 
 She was aware of my perturbation and its cause. She sat 
 with her eyes cast down in silence. I look-jd upon her 
 form and her features of perfect beauty, and oh ! what 
 tongue can describe the mingled and contending emotions 
 that convulsed my breast ! I repressed every violent or 
 boisterous inclination of my spirits, however, and taking 
 her unresisting hand, sat down in sorrow at her side. 
 
 " 'Laura,' said I, with difficulty finding utterance, ' do 
 we thus part, and for ever ?' She made no answer, but 
 gazed steadfastly at the rich carpet, while her face, though 
 somewhat paler than usual, betrayed no change of muscle. 
 
 "'Laura,' I repeated, in tones more distinct, ' are we 
 wow to part, and for ever?' 
 
 " ' Father says so,' she replied. Her hand fell from my 
 grasp. The unmoved, indifferent manner of her reply 
 froze my blood in my veins ! I again stared at her com 
 posed features in astonishment allied to contempt. 
 
 " 'But what do you say ?' I asked, with a bluntness that 
 startled her.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 21\ 
 
 "'Father knows best, perhaps !' she replied, turning hoi 
 eyes to mine, I thought, with calmness. 
 
 "'Laura,' said I, again taking her hand, for I was 
 once more subdued by her beauty, ' I love you with my 
 whole soul, and must continue to love you. Ay, were you 
 even to spurn me with your foot, so indissolubly have my 
 affections grown to your image, that my bleeding heart 
 W)ukl turn in adoration to the smiter. And I fcndly 
 hoped and believed that the passion was returned indeed, 
 I had your assurance of the fact ; nay, think not I design 
 to reproach you. It were bootless, had I the heart to do 
 it. Be assured that were you not only cruel to me, but 
 steeped in crime and guilty of injustice to the whole human 
 race, I would still be your friend were all others to forsake 
 you. Deem me never your foe, or capable of ever becom 
 ing such. May heaven bless you ! We part but, under 
 any circumstances, should adverse fortune overtake you 
 and I can be of service, I beg you not to hesitate to apply 
 to me. You will find me still your friend. I will not at 
 tempt to reverse the decision which you have made. How 
 ever humiliating and poignant the thought may be that I 
 was unconsciously the means of introducing the object that 
 influenced your decision, yet I will not murmur, neither 
 will I become his enemy, for your sake. I hope you will 
 be happy. I pray that heaven may incline your heart to 
 be true and constant to Wold.' 
 
 " ' I hope so,' said she in a low tone. 
 
 "'Laura,' said I, rising, 'you confess, tnen, that Wold 
 possesses your love ?' 
 
 " 'Yes,' said she ; 'but I cannot help it !' 
 
 " ' Farewell !' said I, kissing her yielding hand, and 
 turning deliberately away, though with the sensation of 
 one stunned by a thunderbolt. I returned home, and threw 
 myself like a loathsome carcass upon my couch. I could 
 not even think. My mind seemed like some untenanted 
 recess in the unfathomable depths below. Instantaneous 
 death, and even eternal perdition afterwards, could have 
 presented no new horrors then. It was haply the design 
 of Providence that the thought of self-destruction should 
 not occur to me. With the means in my reach, I would 
 in all probability have rushed, uncalled and unprepared, 
 into the presence of an offended Creator,
 
 21*2- WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "A fever and delirium, such as possessed the poor youth 
 lying there,, ensued. Under the kind care of my preceptor, 
 my malady abated in a few weeks; and, as I recovered, a 
 change took place in my sentiments regarding the events 
 that produced my illness. My pride rose up to my relief, 
 and I resolved to overcome the effects of my disappoint 
 ment. Yet my heart melted in tenderness when I recalled 
 the blissful moments I had known with Laura. But I de 
 termined to prosecute my plans of life as if no such occur 
 rence had transpired. 
 
 " A few days after bidding Laura adieu, she returned to 
 Boston, accompanied by Wold. Wold obtained his diploma 
 while I was writhing with disease. Even the loss of my 
 degree was now borne with patience and resignation. I 
 forgave Wold, and implored him to make Laura happy. 
 He promised faithfully to do so when on the eve of setting 
 out with her. I did not desire to see her myself, but sent 
 my forgiveness and blessing. 
 
 " In a few months my diploma was obtained, and I com 
 menced the practice under the most favourable circum 
 stances. My late preceptor was now my partner. Nearly 
 a year elapsed before Wold returned to New York. But a 
 rumor preceded him "which again- opened all the fountains 
 of bitterness in my heart. It was said (and only two or 
 three were possessed of the secret) that he had betrayed 
 and ruined the lovely Laura ! I sought him, to ascertain 
 from his own lips if he had truly committed the act im 
 puted to him. I resolved to avenge her ! But Wold 
 avoided me. I could not obtain his ear, and all my notea 
 to him remained unanswered. Despairing of getting an 
 immediate answer from him, I repaired to Mrs. Arras. 
 Her house was in gloom and sorrow. When she appeared, 
 my heart sank within me to behold her sad and mournful 
 brow. She pressed my extended hand, while a flood of 
 tears gushed from her eyes. 
 
 " I knew by the disconsolate aspect of the aunt that 
 the niece had been dragged down from her high estate 
 of virtue, fortune, and fame. I sat down, and bowed my 
 head in sorrow many minutes before the first word waa 
 spoken. I still loved Laura. What could I say ? how 
 begin ? 
 
 " * It is true !' I at length exclaimed, rising up, and r-ao
 
 A NARRATIVE. 2lsJ 
 
 ing the floor rapidly, while many a tear ran down mj 
 cheek. 
 
 " ' Alas ! it is too true,' iterated Mrs. Arras. 
 
 "'The black-hearted villain!' I continued. 
 
 " * Ah, Mr. Glenn, her fate would have been different, i! 
 your addresses had not been so cruelly spurned ! God 
 knows I was not to blame !' said she. 
 
 "'No, Mrs. Arras,' said I; 'had your will been done, 
 I had not been made miserable by the bereavement, nor 
 the beautiful, the innocent the Laura, with all her 
 errors, dishonoured, ruined, crushed ! But the betrayer, 
 the viper that stung her, still breathes. I loved her I 
 love her yet and I will be her avenger !' Saying this, 
 I rushed away, heedless of the matron's half-uttered en 
 treaties to remain and to desist from my plan of ven 
 geance. 
 
 "There was a young student of my acquaintance, a 
 brave, chivalrous, noble Virginian, to whom I imparted 
 Laura's sad story. He frankly agreed with me that tln 
 venomous reptile in the human shape that could beguile 
 an unsuspecting and lovely girl to minister to his unhal 
 lowed desires, and then, without hesitation or remorse, 
 abandon her to the dark, despairing shades of a frowning 
 world, while he crawled on to insinuate his poison into the 
 breasts of new victims, should be pursued, hunted down, 
 and exterminated. Yet there was but one way for me to 
 punish Wold. The ignominy of the act, and the indigna 
 tion of a virtuous community were to him matters of hi' 
 difference. The circle in which he moved would smile at 
 the misfortune of his victim, and applaud his address, were 
 the affair published. I resolved that he should answer it 
 to me alone. I had sworn in my heart to be Laura's 
 avenger. 
 
 " I penned a message which was delivered by my young 
 Virginian friend in person. Wold said he had no quarrel 
 with me, and strove to evade the subject. He sent me a 
 note, demanding wherein he had ever wronged me, and 
 stating that he was ready and willing to explain any thing 
 that might have offended me. I returned his note, with a 
 line on the same sheet, informing him that I was the friend 
 sf Laura; and that he must either meet me in the manner 
 indicated in my message, or I would publicly brand him aa
 
 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 a dastardly scoundrel. He bit his lip, and referred my friend 
 tc one of his companions in iniquity, a Mr. Knabb, who 
 lived by the profession of cards and dice. It was arranged 
 that we should meet on one of the islands near the city, 
 and that it should be the next morning. This was what I 
 desired, and I had urged my friend to effect as speedy a 
 consummation of the affair as possible. All the tumult and 
 perturbation that raged in my bosom on parting with Laura 
 had returned," and the throbbing of my brain was almost 
 insufferable. It was with difficulty that my young friend 
 prevailed upon me to embrace the few intermediate hours 
 before the meeting to practice with the pistol. I heeded 
 not his declaration that Wold was an excellent she t, because 
 I felt convinced that justice was on my side. I thought 
 that the criminal must inevitably fall. However, I con 
 sented to practice a little to quiet his importunity Truly, 
 it seemed that his urgent solicitation was reasonable enough, 
 for the first fire my ball was several feet wide of i *ie mark. 
 I had never fired a pistol before in my life. But there was 
 no quivering of nerve, no misgiving as to my fate ; for not 
 withstanding I was aware of being a novice, yet I enter 
 tained a conviction, a presentiment, that the destroyer of 
 my Laura's innocence would fall beneath my hand. The 
 next fire I did better, and soon learned to strike the centre. 
 "We were all on the ground at the hour appointed. 
 While the seconds were arranging the necessary prelimi 
 naries, Wold, finding that my eyes rested steadily upon 
 him, endeavoured to intimidate me. There was a bush 
 some thirty paces distant, from which a slim, solitary sprout 
 ran up several feet above the rest of the branches. He 
 gazed an instant at it while I was marking him, and then 
 raised his pistol, and fired in the direction. The sprout 
 fell. Turning, his eyes met mine, while a slight smile waa 
 visible on his lip. The effect did not realize his hopes. I 
 looked upon the act 'with such cold indifference that he at 
 first betrayeu surprise at my calmness, and then exhibited 
 palpable signs of trepidation himself. He beckoned Knabb 
 to him, and, after a brief conference in a low tone, his se 
 cond returned to my friend, and inquired if no amends, no 
 reconciliation, could avert the exchange of shots. My 
 friend reported his words to me, and my reply was that 
 nothing but the restitution of the maiden's honour instant
 
 A NARRATIVE. 215 
 
 marriage would be satisfaction. Wold protested mar 
 riage was utterly impossible under exist ; ng circumstances 
 but he would do any thing else. But nothing else would 
 answer; and I insisted on proceeding to business without 
 further delay. Wold heard me, and became pale. When 
 we were placed at our respective stations, and while the 
 final arrangements were being adjusted, I thought his re 
 plies to his friend's observations betrayed much alarm. 
 But there was no retreat. I was never calmer in my life, 
 I even smiled when my careful friend told me that he had 
 detected and prevented a concerted plan that would have 
 given Wold the advantage. The word Avas given. Wold's 
 ball struck the earth before me, and threw some sand in my 
 face. Mine entered the seducer's side ! I saw him gasp, 
 reel, and fall, while the blood gushed out on the beach. 
 My friend hurried me away, and paused not until he had 
 placed me in a stage just starting for Philadelphia. I 
 clasped his hand in silence, and the next moment the horse's 
 plunged away at the crack of the driver's whip, and we 
 were soon far on the road. Reflection ere long convinced 
 me that I had been guilty of an unjustifiable act. If it 
 was no crime in the estimation of men, it was certainly a 
 grievous transgression in the eyes of God ! I then trem 
 bled. The bleeding form and reproachful stare of Wold 
 haunted my vision when the darkness set in. Oh, the 
 errors, in act and deed, of an impetuous youth thrown upon 
 the world with no considerate friend to advise him ! The 
 pity I felt for Laura was soon forgotten in the horrible 
 thought that I was a MURDERER ! Oh, the anguish of that 
 night! Why did I not leave Wold to the judgment of an 
 offended God? Why did I not permit him to suffer the 
 gnawing of the canker that must ever abide in his heart, 
 instead of staining my hands with his blood? Freely would 
 I have abandoned every hope of pleasure in the world to 
 have washed his blood away ! 
 
 "When I arrived in Philadelphia, with a heavy heart, I 
 sought a quiet hotel, not daring to confront my uncle with 
 such a tale of wo and crime. For several days I remained 
 in my chamber without seeing any one but the servant that 
 brought my food. At length I asked for a NCAV York 
 paper. For more than an hour after it was brought I could 
 not summon courage to peruse the hated tragedy. Finally
 
 216 WILD WESTERN SCENES'. 
 
 I snatched up the sheet convulsively and glanced along the 
 columns. When ray eyes rested upon the paragraph I waa 
 in quest of, I sprang to my feet in ecstasy. The wound 
 had not been fatal! Wold still lived! 
 
 " In a twinkling I was dressed and on my way to my 
 uncle's residence. Notwithstanding there was a dreadful 
 epidemic in the city, and hearses and mourners were pass 
 ing every few minutes, I felt within a buoyancy that defied 
 the terrors of disease and death. 
 
 " But it seemed that disaster and desolation were fated 
 to attend me whithersoever I turned. A gloom brooded 
 upon my heart when I approached my uncle's mansion, 
 and found the badge of mourning at the door. I paused 
 and asked the servant who was dead. He informed me 
 that my uncle alone remained. His wife and children, all 
 had been consigned to the tomb the day before, and he 
 himself now lay writhing with the fell disease. I rushed in 
 and entered the sick chamber. It was the chamber of 
 death. My uncle pressed my hand and died. I followed 
 him to the grave, the chief and almost only mourner. 
 
 " I returned and shut myself up in the mansion, bewil 
 dered and stupefied.' I was now the possessor of immense 
 wealth. But I was unhappy. I knew not what to do to 
 enjoy life. Gradually the pestilence abated and disap- 
 >eared, and by degrees the gloom that oppressed me sub 
 sided. At the end cf a few months, I was informed by my 
 young Virginian friend that Wold had entirely recovered. 
 I likewise received a letter from Mrs. Arras, stating that 
 
 Judge had sought out Laura, (who had been enticed 
 
 to an obscure part of the city,) and, as her misfortune had 
 been kept a profound secret among the few, he forgave the 
 offence, and once more extended to her a father's love and 
 a father's protection. I need not say that a blissful thrill 
 bounded through my veins. Wold was living, and Laura 
 not irrecoverably lost. Yet I did not then deem it possible 
 that I could, under such circumstances, ever desire to pos 
 sess the once adored, but since truly fallen, Laura. But I 
 experienced a sweet gratification to be thus informed of 
 the prospect of her being reinstated in society. My lovo 
 was not yet wholly extinguished ! 
 
 "When it was generally known that I possessed great 
 riches, a crowd of flatterers and sycophants hovered around
 
 A NARRATIVE. 217 
 
 me. I was a distinguished guest at the mansions of the 
 fashionable and great, and had in turn many brilliant par 
 ties at my residence. But among the tinsel and glitter of 
 the gay world I sought in vain for peace and happiness. 
 Many beautiful and bewitching belles lavished their sweet 
 est smiles upon me, but they could not re-ignite the smo 
 thered flame in my bosom. Wine could only exhilarate for 
 a moment, to be succeeded by a gnawing nausea. Cards 
 could only excite while I lost, to be succeeded by irritability 
 and disgust. 
 
 " Thus my time was spent for twelve months, when I 
 suddenly conceived the resolution to seek a union with the 
 ill-fated Laura, notwithstanding all the obloquy the world 
 might attach to the act. I still loved her in spite of myself. 
 I could not live in peace without her, and I determined 
 without delay to offer her my hand, heart, and fortune. I 
 set out for Boston, and on my arrival instantly proceeded 
 
 to the residence of Judge . Again my evil star was 
 
 in the ascendant. Desolation and death presided in Judge 
 
 's family. The ominous badge of mourning greeted 
 me at the threshold; Laura's mother had just been con 
 signed, broken-hearted, to the cold grave. The venerable 
 Judge bowed his hoary head to the blows that Providence 
 inflicted. He could not speak to me. His reply to my 
 offer in relation to his child was only a flood of tears. He 
 then retreated into his library and locked the door. An 
 aged domestic told me all. Laura had abandoned her pa 
 rental roof, and voluntarily entered one of those sinks of 
 pollution that so much degrade human nature ! I stood 
 upon an awful abyss. The whirlpools of deceit, ingrati 
 tude, indifference, and calumny, howled around me, and 
 the dark floods of sensual' corruption roared below. Turn 
 whithersoever 1 might (alas, I thought not of heaven !) gloom, 
 discord, and misery seemed to be my portion. 
 
 " I hurried back to Philadelphia, and strove to mitigate 
 my grief in the vortex of unrestrained dissipation. I 
 lavished my gold on undeserving and unthankful objects. I 
 cared not for life, much less for fortune. I was the victim 
 of a frenzy that rendered me reckless, and bereft me of calm 
 meditation. My frantic laughter was heard at the gaming 
 table, and my plaudits were boisterous at the theatre, but 
 i was a stranger to enjoyiucut. There was no pleasure
 
 218 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 for roe. My brawling companions swore I was the happiest 
 and noblest being on earth. But I knew too well there 
 was not a more miserable fiend in hell. 
 
 " At length disease fortunately arrested my demoniac 
 career before my wealth was expended. It was my good 
 fortune to secure the services of a distinguished and skill 
 ful physician. He was a benevolent and universally esteem 
 ed Quaker. His attention was not only constant, but 
 soothing and parental. His earnest and tender tones often 
 made me weep. When I recovered, I resolved to amend 
 my life. This friend had applied a healing balm to my 
 aching heart. I determined t6 prosecute my profession, 
 and before a year elapsed my exertions began to be crowned 
 with success. 
 
 " I was a frequent attendant at the lectures, and on terms 
 of the closest intimacy with the professors. Indeed, I had 
 a prospect of a professorship myself. I devoted my atten 
 tion particularly to the anatomical department of my studies, 
 which I preferred; and it was in this department of the 
 institution that I would probably be installed in a few months. 
 The gentleman who occupied that chair was about to resign, 
 and, being my friend, used his influence to procure my 
 election. 
 
 " My medical friend invited me one evening to be present 
 at a dissection, which promised to be one of extreme inte 
 rest. He described the subject as one that had elicited the 
 admiration of the class. He said it was a female of perfect 
 proportions, but who had recently been an inmate of a 
 brothel of the lowest description. She had, in a state of 
 beastly inebriation, fallen into the fire. Yet, with the ex 
 ception of a small but fatal orifice in the side, her form and 
 features remained unaltered. I consented to meet him at 
 the hour appointed, and made my arrangements accord 
 ingly. 
 
 " That evening there were many more persons in the 
 dissecting-room than usual. I had now become much more 
 cheerful, and enjoyed the frank greetings of my many 
 fiiends with a relish and an ardour that had hitherto been un 
 known to me. Many flippant remarks and careless observa 
 tions were exchanged in relation to the business before us. 
 We had become accustomed to such scenes, and habit had 
 rendered us callou? to the reflections and impressions gent*
 
 A NARRATIVE. 219 
 
 rally produced when gazing upon the cold lineaments of 
 the dead. Dissection was an indispensable act. It had 
 been resorted to under the deliberate conviction that it was 
 necessary to the perfection of science, and in a great degree 
 redounded to the welfare and preservation of the living. To 
 us the pale inanimate limbs, and the attenuated, insensible 
 bodies of the dead brought no disagreeable sensations. We 
 cut and sawed them with the same composed indifference 
 with which the sculptor hews the marble. 
 
 "'This is a beautiful subject we have to-night, Glenn,' 
 observed one of my friends, as we approached the dead body. 
 He then threw up ths white cloth, and exposed the corpse, 
 the head being still obscured. A breathless silerice reigned, 
 while all gazed at the lifeless form in admiration. She was 
 a perfect Venus ! Not having been wasted and shrivelled 
 bj disease, the symmetry of her lineaments was preserved 
 ID. all the exactness of life and health. Her bust was full, 
 plump, and the skin of the most exquisite whiteness, except 
 where it had been marred by the fire that caused her 
 death. Her limbs surpassed any model I had ever beheld, 
 round and tapering, smooth and white as ivory. Her 
 ankles were most admirably turned, and her feet of the 
 smallest dimensions. Her handsome and gently swelling 
 arms were covered with a slight gauze of short, dark hair, 
 through which the snowy whiteness of her skin was displayed 
 to greater advantage. Her hands were extremely delicate, 
 a^d indicated that she had been accustomed to ease rnd 
 luxury. 
 
 " I was requested to open her breast and exhibit to 
 the students the formation and functions of the heart. 
 She was lying on her back, on a long narrow table, 
 around which the students stood gazing at her fair pro 
 portions. Some reflected in sorrow that so beautiful 
 and lovely a being should die and be conveyed to the 
 dissecting-room ; while others joked and laughed in a 
 light unfeeling manner. When about to make an incision 
 with the sharp glittering steel in my hand, for the first 
 time since I had graduated, I confessed that my nerves 
 were too much affected by the sight of the subject to pro 
 ceed, and I begged my friends to be patient a few minutes, 
 during which L would doubtless regain my accustomed 
 composure.
 
 220 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 "' Wlidt waa her name?' I inquired of the friend wha 
 had accosted me on my entrance. 
 
 " ' Haven't you heard ?' said he, smiling ' I thought you 
 all knew her. Nearly every person in the city has heard 
 of her, for she was the most celebrated and notorious 
 " fallen angel" in the city celebrated for her unrivalled 
 beauty and many triumphs, and notorious for her heartless 
 deceit and reckless disregard of her own welfare. She haa 
 led captive many an unguarded swain by a. passing smile 
 in the street, and then unceremoniously deserted him to 
 join some drunken and beastly party in an obscure and de 
 graded alley.' 
 
 " ' Her name what was her name ?' I again asked, once 
 more taking up the knife, my nerves sufficiently braced by 
 the above recital. 
 
 "'Anne R -,' he replied; 'I thought,' he continued, 
 
 ' no one could be ignorant of her name, after hearing a de 
 scription of her habits.' 
 
 " ' All of us,' I continued, rallying, ' are not familiar 
 with the persons and names of the " fallen angels" about 
 town. But let us look at her face.' Saying this, I en 
 deavoured to lift the white cloth from her head, but finding 
 that the resurrectionist had tied a cord tightly round the 
 muslin enclosing her neck and head, I desisted. 
 
 " ' Her face is in keeping with her body and limbs,' said 
 my merry friend ; ' she was a perfect beauty. I have seen 
 her in Chestnut Street every fair day for the last six months, 
 until she got drunk and fell in the fire.' 
 
 " I now proceeded to business, but my flesh quivered as 
 my knife penetrated the smooth fair breast of the subject. 
 Soon the skin and the flesh were removed, and the saw 
 grated harshly as it severed the ribs. When the heart was 
 exposed, all bent forward instinctively, scanning it minutely, 
 and seemingly with a curiosity to ascertain if it differed 
 from those of others whose lives were different. 
 
 " When the operation was over, my anxiety to see her 
 face returned. After an ineffectual effort to untie the cord, 
 I became impatient, and seizing the knife that lay on the 
 table, ripped open the muslin that hid her features ! My 
 God ! The knife dropped from my bund, and penetrating 
 cne floor, quivered upright at my feet, while every member 
 of my bo^.y trembled in unison with it ! I raised my hands
 
 It was Laura, the loved, adored Laura ! P. 2
 
 A NARRATIVE. 221 
 
 with my fingers spread out to the utmost tension. My mouth 
 fell open, and my eyes felt as if they were straining to leap 
 from my head. It was Laura the loved, adored Laura > 
 my Laura ! My friends heard me repeat the name, and 
 marked with surprise and concern my inexplicably miserable 
 condition. They gathered round me, and endeavoured to 
 divert my attention from the dead and now gory body. It 
 was in vain. I heeded not their words, but gazed stead 
 fastly at the sad features of Laura, with my hands still 
 uplifted. I was speechless, deaf, and immovable. No tear 
 moistened my eyes, but burning thoughts rushed through 
 my brain. My heart was cold, cold. Ah, I remembered 
 how I had loved her once ! I thought of the time when I 
 was happy to bow down at her feet, and in good faith 
 attribute to her many of the pure qualities pertaining to 
 risen angels. And this was her end ! The beautiful and 
 innocent the loving and beloved-r-the high born and 
 wealthy the light and joy of fond and indulgent parents 
 had been beguiled by the infernal tempter to make one 
 step aside from the straight and narrow path of duty and 
 this was the result ! The sensitive and guileless girl 
 became an incarnate fiend, callous to every modest and 
 virtuous impulse scorned by the honest and good, and 
 hating and undermining the redeeming principles of her 
 species rushing from the high station which her ancestors 
 had arduously laboured for generations to attain, and volun 
 tarily taking up her abode in the dens of squalid misery 
 and indelible pollution closing her eyes to the might and 
 majesty of a merciful God, beckoning her to his eternal 
 throne in heaven, and giving heed to the fatal devices of 
 the enemy of mankind, till she was dragged down, down 
 to the innermost depths of a raging and roaring hell ! Such 
 was the fate of Laura. Such is the fate of thousands wh' 
 willingly err, though it be ever so slight, for the sake of 
 enjoying an impious gratification. Poor Laura ! Oh, how 
 1 loved her ! But it is bootless to think of her now. 
 
 " I was gently forced from the dissecting-room by my 
 friends, arid conducted to my home in silence in silence, 
 because I had no words for any one. I pressed their hands 
 at the door of my mansion, and bowing, they departed for 
 their homes to muse over the incidents of the evening 
 I <>\|tered my silent chamber, but not to rest. I threw opeu
 
 222 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 the casement and gazed out at the genial rays of the moon. 
 The dark green leaves of the linden trees were motionless, 
 and the silvery rays struggling through them cast a check 
 ered and faint tint of mingled light and shade on the 
 pavement beneath. The cool fresh air soothed my throb 
 bing temples. I sank back in my seat and gazed up at 
 the innumerable stars in the boundless sky. I thought 
 the stellar host glittered with unusual brilliance, as if there 
 woie a joyous and holy revelry going on in heaven. My 
 heart grew calm. I felt a conviction that true happiness, 
 and purity of thought and purpose were inseparable. I 
 knew that the contaminations of the world had overthrown 
 many a righteous resolve, and linked the noblest minded 
 with infamy. I thought of Laura. The seductions of the 
 world had literally prostrated an angel before my eyes. I 
 determined to leave the world, if not for ever, at least as long 
 as its temptations to err, in the remotest degree, were liable 
 to beset my path. I came hither." 
 
 When Glenn finished his narrative, Roughgrove rose in 
 silence, and producing a small Bible that he always carried 
 about his person, read in a low, but distinct and impressive 
 tone, several passages which were peculiarly applicable to 
 the state of their feelings. Glenn then approached the couch 
 where William slumbered peacefully. A healthful perspira 
 tion rested on his forehead, and a sweet smile played upon 
 his lips, indicating that his dreams were not among the 
 savage scenes in which he had so lately mingled. Mary, 
 who had fallen asleep while seated at his side, overcome 
 with silent watching, yet rested with her head on the same 
 pillow, precisely in the same attitude she reclined when 
 Glenn began his recital. Roughgrove took her in his* arms, 
 and placing her softly at her brother's feet, bestowed a km 
 upon her brow, and retired with Glenn to res**
 
 A NARRATIVE. 223 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 rf&lmy spring Joe's curious dream He prepares to catch a fish Gleaa 
 William and Mary Joe's sudden and strange appearance La-u-na 
 The trembling fawn The fishing sport The ducking frolic Sneak 
 and the panther. 
 
 IT was now the first week in May. Every vestige of 
 winter had long since disappeared, and the verdure of a 
 rich soil and mild temperature was fast enrobing the earth 
 with the freshest and most pleasing of colours. Instead of 
 the dreary expanse of ice that had covered the river, its 
 waters now murmured musically by in the early morn 
 its curling eddies running along the sedgy shore, while the 
 rising sun slowly dissipated the floating mists ; and the in 
 spiring notes of all the wild variety of birds, contributed 
 to invest the scene with such charms as the God of nature 
 only can impart, and which may only be fully enjoyed 
 and justly appreciated by guileless and unsophisticated 
 mortals. 
 
 Glenn rambled forth, and, partaking the harmony that 
 pervaded the earth, air, and waters, his breast swelled 
 with a blissful exultation that can never be known amid 
 the grating voices of contending men, or experienced in 
 crowded cities, where many confused sounds vibrate harshly 
 and distracting on the ear. He stood in his little garden 
 among the flowers that Mary had planted, and watched 
 the humming-birds poised among the trembling leaves, 
 their tiny wings still unruffled by the dew, while their 
 slender beaks inhaled the sweet moisture of the varie 
 gated blossoms. Long he regarded the enchanting scene, 
 unconscious of the flight of time, and alike regardless of the 
 past and the future in his all-absorbing admiration of the 
 present, wherein he deemed he was not far remote from that 
 Presence to which time and eternity are obedient when 
 his phantasm was abruptly and unceremoniously put to 
 dight by his man J^e, who rushed out of the house with a
 
 224 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 long rod in his hand, yawning and rubbing his eyes, as if 
 he had been startled from his morning slumber but a mo* 
 ment before. 
 
 " What's the matter ?" demanded Glenn. 
 
 "It was a wapper !" said Joe. 
 
 "What was?" 
 
 " The fish." 
 
 " Where ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " I'll tell you. I dreamt I was sitting on a rock, down 
 at the ferry, with this rod in my hand, fishing for perch, 
 when a thundering big catfish, as long as I am, took hold. 
 I dreamt he pulled and I pulled sometimes he had me in 
 the water up to my knees, and sometimes I got him out on 
 dry land. But he always flounced and kicked back again. 
 Yet he couldn't escape, because the hook was still in his 
 mouth, and when he jumped into the river I jumped to the 
 rod, and so we had it over and over " 
 
 "And now have done with it," said Glenn, interrupting 
 him. "What are you holding the rod now for?" 
 
 " I'm going to try to catch him," said Joe, with unaf 
 fected simplicity. 
 
 " Merely because you had this dream !" continued Glenn, 
 his features relaxing into a smile. 
 
 "Yes I believe in dreams," said Joe. "Once, when 
 we were living in Philadelphia, I had one of these same 
 dreams. It was just about the same hour " 
 
 " How do you know what hour it was you dreamt about 
 the fish ?" again interrupted Glenn. 
 
 "Why I ," stammered Joe, "I'm sure it was 
 
 about daybreak, because the sun rose a little while after I 
 got out." 
 
 " That might be the case," said Glenn, " if you were to 
 dream about the same thing from sun-down till sun-up. 
 And I believe the fish was running in your head last night 
 before I went to bed, for you were then snoring and jerking 
 your arms about." 
 
 "Well, I'll tell you my other dream, anyhow. I dreamt 
 ( was walking along Spruce Street wharf with my head 
 Jjwn, when all at once my toe struck against a red mo 
 rocco pocket-wallet ; I stooped down and picked it up and 
 put it in my pocket, and went home before I looked to see 
 what was in it."
 
 A NARRATIVE. 225 
 
 "Well, what was in it when you did look?" asked 
 Glenn. 
 
 " TheT-e was a one thousand dollar note on the Bank of 
 the United States, with the president's and cashier's names 
 on it, all genuine. Oh, I was so happy ! I put it in my 
 vest-pocket and sewed it up." 
 
 " But what have you done with it since ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "I Hang it ! it was only a dream !"* said Joe, uncon 
 sciously feeling in his empty pocket. 
 
 "But what has that dream to do with the fish?" pur 
 sued Glenn. 
 
 "I'll tell you," said Joe. " When I got up in the morn 
 ing and discovered it was a dream, I slipped on my clothes 
 as quickly as possible and set off for the wharf. When 1 
 got there, I walked along slowly with my head down till 
 at length my toe struck against an oyster-shell. I picked 
 it up, and while I was looking at it, the captain of a 
 schooner invited me on board of his vessel to look at his 
 cargo of oysters, just stolen from Deep Creek, Virginia. 
 He gave me at least six dozen to eat !" 
 
 " And this makes you have faith in such dreams ?" 
 asked Glenn, striving in vain to repress his laughter. 
 
 " I got something by the dream," said Joe. "I had a 
 first rate oyster-breakfast." 
 
 "But what has all this to do with the fish?" continued 
 Glenn ; " perhaps, instead of the fish, you expect to catch 
 a frog this time. You will still be an Irishman, Joe. Go 
 and try your luck." 
 
 " St. Patrick forbid that I should be any thing else but an 
 Irishman ! I should like to know if an Irishman ain't as 
 good as anybody else, particularly when he's born in Ame 
 rica, as I was? But the dream in Philadelphia did have 
 something to do with a fish. Didn't I catch a fish ? Isn't 
 an oyster a fish ? And it had something to do with this 
 fish, too. I've been bothering my head ever since I got up 
 about vhat kind of bait to catch him with, and I'm sure I 
 never would have thought of the right kind if you hadn't 
 mentioned that frog just now. I recollect they say 
 that's the very best thing in the world to bait with for a 
 
 * Thousands have had similar dreams about similar notes since Joe's 
 dream. Printer's Devil.
 
 226 WILD WESTERN SCENES. 
 
 catfinfl. I'll go straight to the brook and hunt up a frog !'' 
 Saying this, Joe set out to execute his purpose, while 
 Glenn proceeded to Roughgrove's house to see how Wil 
 liam progressed in his studies. 
 
 The intelligent youth, under the guidance of Rough- 
 grove, Glenn, and his unwearying and affectionate sister, 
 was now rapidly making amends for the long neglect of 
 his education while abiding with the unlettered Indians. 
 He had already gone through the English grammar, and 
 was entering the higher branches of study. The great poets 
 of his own country, and the most approved novelists were 
 his companions during the hours of relaxation ; for when 
 the illimitable fields of intellect were opened to his vision, 
 he would scarce for a moment consent to withdraw his ad 
 miring gaze. Thus, when it was necessary for a season to 
 cease his toil in the path of learning, he delighted to re 
 cline in some cool shade with a pleasing book in his hand, 
 and regale his senses with the flowers and refreshing streams 
 of imaginative authors. And thus sweetly glided his 
 days. Could such halcyon moments last, it were worse 
 than madness to seek the wealth and honours of this world ! 
 In that secluded retreat, though far from the land of hia 
 nativity, with no community but the companionship of his 
 three or four friends and the joyous myriads of birds no 
 palaces but the eternal hills of nature, and no pageantry 
 but the rays of the rising and setting sun streaming in 
 prismatic dies upon them, the smiling youth was far hap 
 pier than he would have been in the princely halls of his 
 fathers, where the sycophant only bent the knee to receive 
 a load of gold, and the friend that might protect him on 
 the throne would be the first to stab him on the highway. 
 
 A spreading elm stood near the door of Roughgrove's 
 house, and beneath its clustering boughs William and Mary 
 were seated on a rude bench, entirely screened from the 
 glaring light of the sun. A few paces distant the brook 
 glided in low murmurs between the green flags and water 
 violets over its pebbly bed. The morning dew yet rested on 
 the grass in the shade. The soft sigh of the fresh breeze, 
 *s it passed through the motionless branches of the towering 
 elm, could scarce be heard, but yet sufficed ever and anon 
 to lift aside the glossy ringlets that hung pendent to the 
 maiden's shoulders. The paroquet and the thrush, the blue-
 
 A NARRATIVE. 22T 
 
 bird and goldfinch, fluttered among the thick foliage and 
 trilled their melodies in sweetest cadence Both the brother 
 and sister wore a happy smile. Happy, because the inno 
 cence of angels dwelt in the bosom of the one, and the 
 memory of his guileless and blissful days of childhood pos 
 sessed the other. Occasionally they read some passages 
 in a book that lay open on Mary's lap, describing the last 
 days of Charles I., and then the bright smile would be 
 dimmed for a moment by a shade of sadness. 
 
 " Oh ! poor man!" exclaimed Mary, when William raad 
 of the axe of -the executioner descending on the neck of 
 the prostrate monarch. 
 
 " It is far better to dwell in peace in such a quiet and 
 lonely place as this, than to be where oo many cruel men 
 abide," said William, pondering. 
 
 " Ah me ! I did not think that Christian men could be 
 so cruel," said Mary, a bright tear dropping from her long 
 eyelash. 
 
 " But the book says he was a tyrant and deserved to die," 
 continued the youth, his lips compressed with firmness- 
 
 " He's coming !" exclaimed Mary, suddenly, and the 
 pitying thought of the unfortunate Charles vanished froa 
 her mind. But as she steadily gazed up the path a crimson 
 flush suffused her smooth brow and cheek, and she rose 
 gracefully, and with a smile of delight, welcomed Glenn to 
 the cool and refreshing shade of the majestic elm. 
 
 " You have come too late. William has already said 
 his lesson, and I'm sure he knew it perfectly," said Mary, 
 half-reproachfully and half-pi ay fully. 
 
 " Mary don't know, Mr. Glenn ; because I am now fur 
 ther advanced than she is," said William. 
 
 " But what kept you away so long this beautiful morn 
 ing?" continued the innocent girl. "Don't you see the 
 dew is almost dried away in the sun, and the morning- 
 glories are nearly all closed?" 
 
 " I was lingering in the garden among the delicate 
 flowers you gave me Mary ; and the green and golden 
 humming-birds charmed me so that I could not tear my 
 self away," replied our hero, as he sat down between the 
 brother and sister. 
 
 " I shall go with brother William on the cliff and get 
 *ome wild roses and hare-bells, and then all your humming;
 
 'J28 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 birds -will leave you and stay here with me," said Mary, 
 smiling archly. 
 
 " But you will be the prettiest bird among them, and 
 flower too, to my eyes," said Glenn, gazing at the clear 
 and brilliant though laughing eyes of the pleased girl. 
 
 " If that were the case, why did you linger so long in 
 the garden ?" asked the maid, with some seriousness. 
 
 " I should not have done so, Mary, but for Joe, who," you 
 know, will always be heard when he has any thing to say; 
 and this morning he had a ludicrous dream to tell me." 
 
 " I like Joe a great deal he makes me laugh every 
 time I see him. And you must tell me what he said, and 
 how he looked and acted, that I may know whether you 
 did right to stay away so long," said the thoughtless and 
 happy girl, eager to listen to the accents of the one whose 
 approach had illumined her features with the mystical fires 
 of the heart. 
 
 Glenn faithfully repeated every word and gesture of his 
 dialogue witk Joe, and the unsophisticated girl's joyous 
 laugh rang merrily up the echoing vale in sweet accom 
 paniment with the carols of the feathered songsters. 
 
 When the narration ended, they both turned with sur 
 prise to William, who, instead of partaking their hilarity 
 as usual, sat perfectly motionless in deep thought, regard 
 ing with apparent intensity the straggling spears of grass 
 that grew at his feet. The book he had taken up, which 
 had dropped from Mary's lap when she hastily rose at the 
 approach of Glenn, now fell unobserved by him from his 
 relaxed hand. His face became unusually pale. His 
 limbs seemed to be strangely agitated, and the pulsations 
 of his heart were audible. 
 
 "What's the matter, dear brother?" cried Mary, in alarm. 
 "La-u-na LA-U-NA !" he exclaimed, and, sinking softly 
 down on his knees, applied his ear close to the ground in a 
 listening attitude. 
 
 " Dear brother William ! do tell Mary what ails you ! 
 What is La-u-na !" said the startled and distressed girl, 
 with affectionate concern. 
 
 "La-u-na THE TREMBLING FAWN!" cried William, 
 pantiiigly. 
 
 " Listen " said Glenn, checking Mary when she was 
 bout tc repeat her inquiry. A plaintive flute-like sound
 
 A NARKATIVE. 229 
 
 was heard at intervals, floating on the balmy and almost 
 motionless air down the green-fringed vale. At times it 
 resembled the mournful plaint of the lonely dove, and then 
 died away like the last notes of the expiring swan. 
 
 Before many minutes elapsed another sound of quite a 
 different character saluted their ears. This was a rustling 
 among the bushes, heard indistinctly at first, while the ob 
 ject was far up the valley, but as it approached with fearful 
 rapidity, the rushing noise became tremendous, and a few 
 moments after, when the trembling sumachs parted in view, 
 they beheld Joe ! He dashed through the briers interspersed 
 among the undergrowth, and plunged through the winding 
 brook that occasionally crossed his path, as if all surround 
 ing obstacles and obstructions were contemptible in com 
 parison with the danger behind ! Leaping over intervening 
 rocks, and flying through dense clusters of young trees that 
 ever and anon threatened to impede his progress, he at 
 length reached the spot where the little group still remained 
 seated. Without hat or coat, and panting so violently that 
 he was unable to explain distinctly the cause of his' alarm, 
 poor Joe threw himself down on the earth in the most dis 
 tressed and pitiable condition. 
 
 "What have you saen? What is the cause of this af 
 fright?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "I oh they coming!" cried Joe, incoherently. 
 
 "What is coming?" continued Glenn. 
 
 "I Indians!" exclaimed he, springing up and rushing 
 into the house. 
 
 "They are friendly Indians, then," said Mary; "because 
 the hostile ones never come upon us at this season of the 
 year." 
 
 " So I have been told," said Glenn; "but even the sight 
 of a friendly Indian would scare Joe." 
 
 "It is La-u-na!" said William, still attentively listening. 
 
 "What is La-u-na f" interrogated Mary, again. 
 
 "The Trembling Fawn!" repeated William, with em 
 phasis, in a mysterious and abstracted manner. Presently 
 he stood up and intently regarded the dim path over 
 shadowed by the luxuriant foliage that Joe had so recently 
 traversed, and an animated smile played upon his lips, and 
 his> dark, clear eyes sparkled with a thrill of ecstasy. 
 
 A slight female form, emerged from the dark green 
 
 20
 
 230 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 thicket, and glided more like a spirit of the air than a hu 
 man being towards the wondering group. Her light stepa 
 produced no sound. In each hand she held a rich bouquet of 
 fresh wild flowers, and leaves and blossoms were fantastical 
 ly, though tastefully, arranged in her hair and on her breast. 
 A broad, shining gold band decked her temples, but many 
 of her raven ringlets had escaped from their confinement, 
 and floated out on the wind as she sped towards her beloved. 
 
 "La-u-na! La-u-na !" cried William, darting forward 
 frantically and catching the girl in his arms. He pressed 
 her closely and fondly to his heart, and she hid her face on 
 his breast. Thus they clung together several minutes in 
 silence, when they were interrupted by Roughgrove, whose 
 attention had been attracted by the sudden affright of Joe. 
 
 "William, my dear boy," said the grieved old man, "you 
 must not have any thing to do with the Indians you pro 
 mised us that you would not " 
 
 "Leave us!" said the youth, sternly, and stamping im 
 patiently. 
 
 "Do, father!" cried Mary, who looked on in tears, a few 
 paces apart; "brother won't leave us again I'm sure he 
 won't will you, William?" 
 
 "No, I will not!" exclaimed the youth. The Indian girl 
 comprehended the meaning of his words, and, tearing away 
 from his embrace, stood with folded arms at his side, with 
 her penetrating and reproachful eyes fixed full upon him, 
 while hor lips quivered and her breast heaved in agitation. 
 All now regarded her in silence and admiration. Her form 
 was a perfect Inodel of beauty. Her complexion was but 
 a shade darker than that of the maidens of Spain. Her 
 brows were most admirably arched, and her long silken 
 lashes would have been envied by an Italian beauty. Her 
 forehead and cheeks were smooth, and all her features as 
 regular as those of a Venus. The mould of her face was 
 strictly Grecian, and on her delicate lips rested a half- 
 formed expression of sad regret and firm resolution. Her 
 vestments were rich, and highly ornamented with pearls 
 and diamonds. She wore a light snowy mantle made of 
 swan skins, on which a portion of the fleecy down remained. 
 Beneath, the dress was composed of skins of the finest 
 finish, descending midway between her knees and ankles, 
 where it was met by the tops of the buckskin moccasins,
 
 A NARRATIVE. 231 
 
 that confined her small and delicately-formed feet. Her 
 arms, which were mostly concealed under her mantle, were 
 bare from the elbows down, and adorned at the wrists with 
 silver bands. 
 
 "Why, hang it all! Was there nothing running after 
 me but this squaw?" asked Joe, who had ventured forth 
 again unobserved, and now stood beside Glenn and Mary. 
 
 "Silence!" said Glenn. 
 
 " Oh, don't call her a squaw, Joe she's more like an 
 angel than a squaw," said Mary, gazing tenderly at the 
 lovers, while tears Were yet standing in her eyes. 
 
 "I won't do so again," said Joe, "because she's the 
 prettiest wild thing I ever saw; and if Mr. William don't 
 marry her, I will." 
 
 "Keep silent, Joe, or else leave us," again interposed 
 Glenn. 
 
 " I'll go catch my fish. I had just four.d a frog, and 
 
 was in the act of catching it, when I saw the sq the 
 
 Tier and I thought then that I would just run home and let 
 you know she was coming before I took it. But I remem 
 ber where it was, and I'll have it now in less than no 
 time." Saying this, Joe set off up the valley again, though 
 not very well pleased with himself for betraying so much 
 alarm when there was so little danger. 
 
 "La-u-na, I am no Indian," said William, at length, m 
 the language of her tribe, and much affected by her search 
 ing stare. 
 
 " But you were once the young chief that led our war 
 riors to battle, and caught La-u-na's heart. I heard you 
 were a pale-face after you were taken away from us ; and 
 I thought if you would not fly back to La-u-na, like the 
 pigeon that escapes from the talons of the eagle and returns 
 to its mate, then I would lose you forget you hate you. 
 I tried, but I could not do it. When the white moon ran 
 up to the top of the sky, and shone down through the tall 
 trees in my face, I would ever meet you in the land of 
 dreams, with the bright smile you used to have when you 
 were wont to put your arm around me and draw me so 
 gently to your breast. I was happy in those dreams. But 
 they would not stay. The night-hawk flew low and touched 
 r,y eyes with his wings as he flapped by, and I awoke. 
 Then my breast was cold and my cheeks were wet The
 
 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 katydids gathered in the sweet rose-bushes about me and 
 sung mournfully. La-u-na was unhappy. La-u-na must 
 see her Young Eagle, or go to the land of spirits. She 
 called her wild steed to her side, and, plucking these flow 
 ers to test his fleetness, sprang upon him and flew hither. 
 He is now grazing in the prairie a"t the head of the valley ; 
 and here are the blossoms, still alive, fresh and sweet." 
 The trembling and tearful girl then gently and sadly 
 strewed the flowers over the grass at her feet. 
 
 "Sweet La-u-na!" cried William, snatching up the bios 
 soms and pressing them to his lips, * forgive the young 
 chief; he will still love you and never leave you again." 
 
 "No no no!" said the girl, shaking her head in 
 despair; "the pale face youth will not creep through the 
 silent and shady forest with La-u-na any more. He will 
 gather no more ripe grapes for the Trembling Fawn. He 
 will not bathe again in the clear waters with La-u-na. 
 He will give her no more rings of roses to put on her 
 breast. The Trembling Fawn is wounded. She must 
 find a cool shade and lie down. The dove will perch over 
 her and wail. She will sing a low song. She will close 
 her eyes and die." 
 
 "Oh, no!" cried William, placing his arms around her 
 tenderly, "La-u-na must not die, or if she does, she shall 
 not die alone. Why will not La-u-na dwell with me among 
 my friends?" The girl started and exhibited signs of 
 mingled delight and doubt, and then replied 
 
 " The pale maiden would hate La-u-na, and the gray- 
 head would drive her away." 
 
 "No, La-u-na," said William; "they would all love you, 
 and we would be so happy! Say you will stay with me 
 here, and you shall be my wife, and I will have no other 
 love. My sister is sweet and mild as La-u-na, and my 
 father will always be kind." 
 
 The dark eyes of the girl assumed an unwonted lustre, 
 and she turned imploringly to Mary, Glenn, and Bough- 
 grove. 
 
 "Oh!" cried William, in his native tongue, addressing 
 his white friends; "let La-u-na dwell with us ! She is as 
 innocent as the lily by the brook, and as noble as a queen 
 Father," he continued, stepping forward and taking Rough- 
 grove's hand, "you won't refuse my request! And you,
 
 "Oh.no!" cried William, placing his arms around her tenderly; " La-ti-na must 
 not die; or, if she does, she shall not die alone. Why will not La-u-na dwell with 
 me, among my friends ?" The girl started, and exhibited signs of mingled delight 
 and doubt. P. 232.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 233 
 
 sister Mary, I know you will love her as dearly as you do 
 me. And you, my friend," said he, turning to Glenn, 
 " will soon hear her speak our own language, and she will 
 cull many beautiful flowers for you that the white man 
 never yet beheld. Grant this," added the youth, after 
 pausing a few moments, while his friends hung their heads 
 in silence, "and I will remain with you always; but if you 
 refuse, I must fly to the forest again." 
 
 " Stay ! Oh, brother, you shall not go !" cried Mary, 
 and rushing forward, she threw her arms round his neck. 
 The Indian girl kissed her pale brow, and smiled joyfullyj 
 when the youth told her that Mary was his dear sister. 
 
 " He loves her, and her affection for him is imperishable !" 
 said Glenn. 
 
 "Arid why may they not be happy together, if they 
 dwell with us?" asked Roughgrove, pondering. 
 
 " There is no reason why they should not be. Let us 
 tell them to remain and be happy," said Glenn. 
 
 When fully informed that she might abide with them 
 and still love her Young Eagle, La-u-na was almost frantic 
 with ecstasy. She looked gratefully and fondly on her 
 new friends, and pressed their hands in turn. She seemed 
 to be more especially fond of Mary, and repeatedly wound 
 her smooth and soft arms affectionately about her waist 
 and neck. 
 
 William led his Indian bride to the seat under the 
 spreading green tree, and signified a desire to commune 
 with her alone. When seated together on the rude bench, 
 the maiden's hand clasped in William's, Mary fondly kissed 
 them both and withdrew in company with Roughgrove and 
 Glenn. Roughgrove prostrated himself in prayer when 
 within the house. Mary ran up to the top of the beetling 
 cliff to cull flowers, and Glenn directed his steps down the 
 valley towards the river, whither Joe had preceded him with 
 the frog he had succeeded in capturing. 
 
 Glenn was met about midway by Joe, who was return 
 ing slowly, with peculiar marks of agitation on his face. 
 He had neither frog, rod, nor fish in his hand. 
 
 "I thought you were fishing," remarked Glenn. 
 
 " So I am," replied Joe ; " and I've had tne greatest luck 
 you ever heard of." 
 
 "Well, tell me your success." 
 
 20*
 
 284 WILD WESTERN SCENES : 
 
 " I had a bite," continued he, "in less than three minutes 
 after I threw in my hook. It was a wapper ! When he took 
 hold I let him play about awhile with a slack line, to be 
 certain and get it well fixed in his mouth. But when I went 
 to draw up, the monster made a splash or two, and then 
 whizzed out into the middle of the river !" 
 
 " Where was the hook ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "In his mouth, to be sure," replied Joe. 
 
 " And the line ?" 
 
 " Fast to the rod." 
 
 "And the rod?" 
 
 "Fast to the line !" said Joe, "and following the fish at 
 the rate of ten knots, while I stood on the bank staring in 
 utter astonishment." 
 
 " Then, where was your great success ?" demanded 
 Glenn. 
 
 "It was a noble bite," said Joe. 
 
 "But you were the bitten one," remarked Glenn, scan 
 ning Joe's visage, which began to assume a disconsolate 
 cast. 
 
 " If I'd only been thinking about such a wapper, and 
 had been on my guard," said Joe, " splash me if he should 
 ever have got my rod away in that manner I'd have taken 
 a ducking first !" 
 
 " Have you no more lines ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "No," replied Joe, "none but your's." 
 
 " You are welcome to it but be quick, and I will look 
 on while you have your revenge." 
 
 Joe sprang nimbly up the hill, and in a few minutes re 
 turned with fresh tackle and another frog that he found on 
 his way. They then repaired to the margin of the river ; 
 but before Joe ventured to cast out his line again he made 
 the end of the rod fast to his wrist by means of a strong 
 cord he had provided for that purpose. But now his pre 
 caution seemed to have been unnecessary, for many minutea 
 elapsed without any symptoms of success. 
 
 Glenn grew impatient and retired a few paces to the 
 base of the cliff, where ne reclined in an easy posture on 
 some huge rocks that had tumbled down from a great 
 height, and lay half-imbedded in the earth. Here he long 
 remained with his eyes fixed abstractedly on the ejirling 
 water, and meditated on the occurrence he had recently
 
 A- NARRATIVE. 235 
 
 Witnessed. While his thoughts were dwelling on the sin 
 gular affection and constancy of the Indian girl, and the 
 probable future happiness of her young lord, his reflections 
 more than once turned upon his own condition. The simple 
 pleasantries that had so often occurred between Mary and 
 himself never failed to produce' many unconscious smiles on 
 his lips, and being reciprocated and repeated day after day 
 with increased delight, it was no wonder that he found him 
 self heaving tender sighs as he occasionally pictured her 
 happy features in his mind's eye. He now endeavoured to 
 bestow some grave consideration on the tender subject,, and 
 to think seriously about the proper mode of conducting 
 himself in future, when he heard the innocent maiden's 
 clear and inspiring voice ringing down the valley and 
 sinking in soft murmuring echoes on the gliding stream. 
 Soon his quick ear caught the words, which he recognised 
 to be a short ballad of his own composing, that had been 
 written at Mary's request. He then listened in silence, 
 without moving from his recumbent position. 
 
 THE CRUEL MAIDEN. 
 
 She heard his prayer and sweetly smiled, 
 Then frown'd, and laughing fled away ; 
 But the poor youth, e'en thus beguiled, 
 
 Still would pray. 
 
 He'd won her heart, but still she fled, 
 
 And laugh'd and mock'd from dell and peak 
 
 While his sad heart, that inward bled, 
 
 Was fit to break 1 
 
 Where the bright' waters lead ad own 
 The moss-green rocks and flags among, 
 He paused and on his brow a frown 
 Darkly hung ! 
 
 A shriek came down the peaceful vale, 
 Full soon the maid yas at his side, 
 Her ringlets flowing; and cheeks all pale, 
 A willing bride 1
 
 236 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 long remained motionless after the sounds died 
 away, as if endeavouring to retain the soothing effect of the 
 ringing notes that had so sweetly reverberated along the 
 jutting peaks of the towering cliff! 
 
 "I've got a bite!" exclaimed Joe, bending over the 
 verge of the bank and stretching his arms as far as possible 
 over the water, while his line moved about in various di 
 rections, indicating truly that a fish had taken the hook. 
 
 " Hold fast to the rod this time, Joe," remarked Glenn, 
 who became interested in the scene. 
 
 " Won't I ? Its tied fast to my wrist." 
 
 "Is it not time to pull him up?" asked Glenn, seeing 
 that the fish, so far from being conscious of peril, inclined 
 towards the shore with the line in quest of more food. 
 
 " Here goes !" said Joe, jerking the rod up violently with 
 both hands. No sooner did the fish feel the piercing hook 
 in his mouth than he rose to the surface, and splashing 
 the water several feet round in every direction, darted 
 quickly downwards, in spite of the strenuous efforts of Joe 
 to the contrary. 
 
 Nevertheless, Joe entertained no fears about the result ; 
 and the fish, as if apprized of the impossibility of capturing 
 the rod, ran along parallel with the shore, gradually ap 
 proaching the brink of the water, and seemingly with the 
 intention to surrender himself at the feet of the piscator. 
 But this was not his purpose. When Joe made another 
 strong pull, in the endeavour to strand him in the shallow 
 water, the fish again threw up the spray (some of which 
 reached his adversary's face,) and, turning his head out 
 wards, ran directly away from the shore. 
 
 "Pull him back, Joe !" said Glenn. 
 
 " I am trying with all my might," replied Joe, " but he's 
 BO plaguy strong he won't come, hang him !" 
 
 " He'll get away if you don't mind !" continued Glenn, 
 evincing much animation in his tones and gestures. 
 
 "I'll be drenched if he does!" said Joe, with his arm, 
 to which the rod was lashed, stretched out, while he endea 
 voured to plant his feet firmly in the sand. 
 
 " He'll have you in the water cut the rod loose from 
 your wrist !" cried Glenn, as Joe's foothold gave way and 
 he was truly drawn into the water. 
 
 " Oh, good gracious ! I've got no knife ! Give me your
 
 A NARRATIVE. 237 
 
 hand !" cried Joe, vainly striving to untie the cord. ''Help 
 me! Oh, St. Peter!" he continued, imploringly, as th 
 fish drew him on in the water, in quick but reluctant strides. 
 "Oh! I'm gone!" he cried, when the water was midway 
 to his chin, and the fish pulling him along with increasing 
 rapidity. 
 
 "You are a good swimmer, Joe be not alarmed, and 
 you will not be hurt," said Glenn, half inclined to laugh 
 at his man's indescribable contortions and grimaces, and 
 apprehending no serious result. 
 
 "Ugh!" cried Joe, the water now up to his chin, and 
 the next moment, when in the act of making a hasty and 
 piteous entreaty, his head quickly dipped under the turbid 
 surface and disappeared entirely. Glenn now became 
 alarmed ; but, when in the act of divesting himself of his 
 clothing for the purpose of plunging in to his rescue, Joe 
 rose again some forty paces out in the current, and by the 
 exertion of the arm that was free he was enabled to keep 
 his head above the water. The current was very strong, 
 and the fish, in endeavouring to run up the stream with 
 his prize in tow, made but little headway, and a very few 
 minutes sufficed to prove that it was altogether unequal to 
 the attempt. After having progressed about six rods, Joe's 
 head became quite stationary like a buoy, or a cork at an 
 chor, and then, by degrees, was carried downward by the 
 strong flow as the fish at length became quite exhausted. 
 
 "Now for it, Joe swim towards the shore with him!" 
 cried Glenn. 
 
 " He's almost got my shoulder out of place !" replied 
 Joe, blowing a large quantity of water out of his mouth. 
 
 "I see his fin above the water," said Glenn; "struggle 
 manfully, Joe, and you will capture him yet!" 
 
 "I'll die but I'll have him now after such a ducking 
 as this!" said Joe, approaching the shore with the almost 
 inanimate fish, that was no longer able to contend against 
 his superior strength. When he drew near enough to 
 touch the bottom, he turned his head and beheld his prize 
 floating close behind, and obedient to his will. 
 
 It required the strength of both Glenn and Joe to drag 
 tie immense catfish (for such it proved to be) from its na 
 tive element. It was about the length and weight of Joe, 
 and had a mouth of sufficient dimensions to have swal-
 
 288 WILD \VESTEKN SCENES: 
 
 lowed a man's head. It was given to the ferrymen, who 
 had witnessed the immersion, and were attracted thither to 
 render assistance. 
 
 "I suppose you have now had enough of the fish?'* re 
 marked Glenn, as they retraced their steps homeward. 
 
 "I'll acknowledge that I'm satisfied for the present; but 
 I was resolved to have satisfaction!" replied Joe. 
 
 " Yes, but you have had it with a vengeance ; and I doubt 
 not that your apparent contentment is but cold comfort," 
 continued Glenn. 
 
 "I'm not a bit cold I shan't change my clothes, and 
 I'm ready for any other sport you like," said Joe. 
 
 "If you really suffer no inconvenience from the wet 
 and this fine warm day inclines me to believe you we will 
 take our guns and walk out to the small lakes on the bor 
 ders of the prairie." 
 
 "Splash it" began Joe. 
 
 "No duck it," interrupted Glenn. 
 
 " Well, I should like to know exactly what you mean 
 whether you are in earnest about going to the ponds, or 
 whether you are joking me for getting ducked as there's 
 nothing in them now to shoot but ducks, and it may have 
 popped into your head just because I had the ducking," 
 Baid Joe. 
 
 "I am in earnest," said Glenn; "I do not wish to an 
 noy William, or to meet Roughgrove and Mary until their 
 domestic arrangements are all completed." 
 
 " That's strange," said Joe. 
 
 "What's strange?" asked Glenn, quickly. 
 
 " Why, your not wanting to meet Miss Mary. I say it 
 is most mysteriously strange," replied Joe. 
 
 " Say nothing more about it, and think less," said Glenn, 
 striding in advance, while a smile played upon his lip. 
 
 "But I can't help dreaming about it and my dreams 
 all come true," said Joe. 
 
 "What have you been dreaming but never mind 
 bring out the guns," said Glenn, pausing at the gate of the 
 inclosure, and not venturing to hear Joe recite the dream 
 about himself and Mary. 
 
 W'hen possessed of the necessary implements, they set 
 out towards the groves that bordered the prairie, among 
 which were several lakes of clear water, not more than fifty
 
 A NARRATIVE. 239 
 
 or sixty paces in diameter, where the various wild fowl, 
 as well as the otter and the muskrat, usually abounded. 
 Our hero had previously anticipated some sport of this na 
 tore, and constructed blinds on the verge of the lakes, and 
 cut paths through the clustering bushes to reach them 
 stealthily. The lake they now approached was bounded 
 on one side by the green meadow-like prairie, and fringed 
 on the other by hazel thickets, with an occasional towering 
 elm that had survived the autumnal fires. 
 
 The morning breeze had subsided, and a delightful calm 
 prevailed. A thousand wild flowers, comprising every 
 hue, filled the air with delicious fragrance, while no sound 
 was heard but the melody of happy birds. 
 
 "I think I see a duck!" whispered Joe, as they moved 
 slowly along the path in a stooping posture. 
 
 "Where?" asked Glenn, as they crept softly to the blind 
 and cast their eyes over the clear unruffled water. 
 
 "I thought I saw one on the muskrat house; but he must 
 have gone to the other side," responded Joe, now looking 
 in vain for it, and closely scanning the little hillocks that 
 had been thrown up in the lake by the muskrats. 
 
 "You must have been mistaken," said Glenn; "suppose 
 we go to the other lakes." 
 
 "No, I wasn't mistaken I'd swear to it be quiet and 
 keep a bright look-out, and we'll see him again in a minute 
 or two," replied Joe, who stood in an attitude of readiness 
 to fire at an instant's warning. 
 
 "What is that?" asked Glenn, just then actually observ 
 ing a small brown object moving behind the hillock. 
 
 "Wait till I see a little more of it," said Joe, with his 
 finger on the trigger. 
 
 "Don't fire, Joe! its a man's cap!" exclaimed Glenn, 
 detecting under the dark brim the large staring eyes of a 
 human being, apparently evincing a sense of imminent 
 peril ; and the next moment the muzzle of a gun pointing 
 above their heads came in view. 
 
 "Dod rot it, look up that tree!" 
 
 The smile that began to play on our hero's features on 
 recognizing the voice of Sneak was quickly dispelled and 
 succeeded by horror when* he cast his eyes upward and 
 beheld an enormous panther, stooping, and on the eve of 
 springing upon him !
 
 240 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " Oh !" exclaimed Joe, letting his gun fall, and falling 
 down himself, bereft alike of the power of escape and the 
 ability to resist. 
 
 " Be quiet !" said Glenn, endeavouring to raise his gun, 
 which had become entangled in the bushes ; but before he 
 could execute his purpose Sneak fired, and the ferocious 
 animal came tumbling down through the branches and fell 
 at his feet. 
 
 'Ugh! Goodness!" exclaimed Joe, his hat strike*, 
 down over his eyes by the descending panther, and, leap 
 ing over the frail barrier of bushes into the water, he 
 plunged forward and executed a series of diving evolutions, 
 as if still endeavouring to elude the clutches of the carni 
 vorous beast, which he imagined was after him. 
 
 " Dod come out of the pond ! Its dead didn't you 
 hear me shoot?" said Sneak, who had by this time paddled 
 a little canoe in which he had been seated to the shore. 
 But Joe continued his exercises, his crushed hat not only 
 depriving him of sight, but rendering him deaf to the 
 laughter that burst from Glenn and Sneak. Sneak ran 
 round to the opposite side of the lake to a point that Joe 
 was approaching, (though all unconscious of his destination,} 
 and remained there till the poor fellow pushed his half-sub 
 merged head against the grass, when he seized him furiously 
 and bore him a few paces from the water, in spite of hia 
 cries and struggles. 
 
 "/ ain't the painter!" said Sneak, at length weary of 
 the illusion, and dragging Joe's hat from his head. 
 
 "Ha! hang it! ha!" cried Joe, staring at Sneak and 
 Glenn in bewilderment. "Where is it?" he cried, when 
 in some degree recovered from his great perturbation. 
 
 "Didn't you hear me shoot? Of course its dead!" re 
 plied Sneak. 
 
 "Which do you prefer, Joe, ducking or fehinfff" asked 
 Glenn. 
 
 "I never saw a feller duck his head so," said Sneak. 
 
 " Ha! ha! ha! you thought I was frightened, and trying 
 to get away from the panther ! But you were much mis 
 taken. I was chasing a muskrat I got wet in the river, 
 and was determined to see -" 
 
 "You couldn't see your own nose!" interrupted Sneak.
 
 He plunged forward, and executed a series of diving evolutions. - IV 240.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 241 
 
 " If I couldn't see, I suppose I could hear him run f " 
 replied Joe. 
 
 " You couldn't 'ave heard thunder !" said Sneak. 
 
 "Did you ever try it ?" asked Joe. 
 
 "No," replied Sneak. 
 
 "Then you don't know," replied Joe; "and now I'm 
 ready to kill a duck," he continued, looking up at a num 
 ber of water-fowl sailing round and awaiting their departure 
 to dip into the water. 
 
 " I will leave you here, Joe. When you hear me fire at 
 the other lake, you may expect the ducks that escape me 
 to visit you," observed Glenn, and immediately after dis 
 appeared in the bushes. 
 
 " And I'll take the painter's hide off," said Sneak, going 
 with Joe to the blind, where he quietly commenced his 
 labour, that Joe's sport might not be interrupted. 
 
 Several flocks of geese and ducks yet flew round above, 
 and gradually drew nearer to the earth, but still fearful of 
 danger and cautiously reconnoitering the premises. 
 
 " Suppose I pink one of them on the wing ?" said Joe, 
 looking up. 
 
 " I don't believe you kin" said Sneak, as he tugged at 
 the panther's hide. 
 
 " Wait till they come round the next time, and I'll show 
 you so look out," said Joe. 
 
 " I'll not look there's no occasion for my seeing I'm 
 not after a muskrat," responded Sneak, stripping the skin 
 from the animal, and laughing at his own remark. When 
 the ducks came round again, Joe fired, and sure enough 
 one of them fell descending in a curve which brought it 
 directly on Sneak's cap, knocking it over his eyes. 
 
 " Dod rot it! hands off, or I'll walk into you!" exclaimed 
 Sneak, rising up in a hostile attitude. 
 
 " Good ! that's tit for tat," cried Joe, laughing, as he 
 loaded his gun. 
 
 "You didn't do it a purpose," said Sneak, "nor I won't 
 jump into the water nother." 
 
 " Yes I did !" continued Joe, much pleased at the occur 
 rence. 
 
 " You didn't do any sich thing or we'd haffe to figUi ; 
 but nobody could do sich a thi^; only by accident. You'd 
 
 better loifid your gun, and be ready by the time the next 
 
 21
 
 242 WILD WESTERN SCENES! 
 
 comes," added Sneak, again tearing asunder the panther's 
 skin. 
 
 "I thought I had loaded," said Joe, forgetting he had 
 performed that operation, and depositing another charge in 
 his old musket. 
 
 Presently Glenn's gun was heard, and in a few minutes 
 an immense flock of geese and ducks, mingled together, 
 flew over the bushes and covered the face of the lake. 
 Joe very deliberately fired in the midst of them, and the 
 rebound of his gun throwing him against Sneak, who was 
 still in a stooping posture, they both fell to the ground. 
 
 " I did that on purpose, I'll take my oath I knew you 
 had put in two loads," said Sneak, rising up. 
 
 " Yes, but I ain't hurt falling over you saved me, or 
 else I'd a thrashed you or got a thrashing," replied Joo, 
 his good humour recovered on beholding some fifteen or 
 twenty dead and wounded ducks and geese on the surface 
 of the water. By the time he had collected his birds, by 
 means of Sneak's canoe, Glenn, who had met with the 
 like success, emerged from the bushes on the opposite 
 verge of the lake, bearing with him his game. Being well 
 satisfied with the sport, he and Joe retraced their steps 
 homeward. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The bright morning Sneak's visit Glenn's heart The snake hunt 
 Love and raspberries Joe is bitten His terror and sufferings 
 Arrival of Boone Joe's abrupt recovery Preparations to leave the 
 west Conclusion. 
 
 THE sun rose the next morning in unusual glory. Not 
 a breath of air stirred the entranced foliage of the dark 
 green trees in the valleys, and the fresh flowers around ex- 
 baled a swtfet perfume thaty*emained stationary over them.' 
 The fawn stood perfectly stm in the grassy yard, and seemed 
 So contemplate the grandeur of the enchanting scene. The
 
 A NARRATIVE. 243 
 
 atmosphere was as translucent as fancy paints the realms 
 of the blest, and quite minute objects could be distinctly 
 seen far over the river many miles eastward. Nor were 
 any sounds heard save the occasional chattering of the 
 paroquet in the dense forest across the river, a mile dis 
 tant, and yet they appeared to be in the immediate vicinity. 
 The hounds lay extended on the ground with their eyes 
 open, more in a listless than a watchful attitude. The 
 kitten was couched on the threshold (the door having been 
 left open to admit the pure air,) and looked thoughtfully at 
 the rising sun. The large blue chanticleer was balanced 
 on one foot with an eye turned upwards as if scanning the 
 heavens to guard against the sudden attack of the far-seeing 
 eagle. Nature seemed to be indulging in a last sweet 
 morning slumber, if indeed not over-sleeping herself, while 
 the sun rose stealthily up and smiled at all her charms 
 exposed ! 
 
 " Hillo ! ain't you all up yit? Git up, Joe, and feed your 
 hoss.es," cried Sneak, approaching the gate on the outside, 
 and thus most unceremoniously dispelling the charm that 
 enwrapped the premises. 
 
 " Who's there ?" cried Joe, springing up and rubbing 
 his eyes. 
 
 " It's me dod, you know who I am. Come, open the 
 gate and let me in." 
 
 "What's the matter, Sneak? Are the Indians after you?" 
 said Joe, running out, but pausing at the gate for an answer 
 before he drew back the bolt. 
 
 "No I thought you had sense enough by this time to 
 know no Indians ain't going to come this time a-year. Lot 
 rne in !" added he, impatiently. 
 
 " What are you doing with them long sticks ?" asked 
 Joe, opening the gate and observing two hickory poles 
 in Sneak's hand. "Are you going to try your luck 
 .fishing?" 
 
 " No, nor ducking nother," replied he, sarcastically. 
 
 "Plague it, Sneak," said Joe, deprecatingly, "never 
 mind that affair; you were mistaken about my being fright 
 ened. The next chance I get I'll let you see that I'm not 
 afraid of any thing." 
 
 " Well, I want you to g<^with me on a spree this morning 
 that'll try you."
 
 244 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " What are you going to do ?" asked Joe, with some 
 curiosity in his looks. 
 
 " I'm going a snaking," said Sneak. 
 
 At this juncture the dialogue was arrested by the appear 
 ance of Glenn, whose brow was somewhat paler than usual, 
 and wore an absent and thoughtful cast; yet his ab 
 stract meditations did not seem altogether of a painful 
 nature. 
 
 " Joe," said he, " I want you to exercise the horses more 
 in the prairie. They are getting too fat and lazy. If they 
 cannot be got on the boat when we leave here, we will have 
 to send them by land to St. Louis." 
 
 " Dod you ain't a going to leave us ?" cried Sneak. 
 
 " Well, I thought something was in the wind," said 
 Joe, pondering ? " but it '11 break Miss Mary's " 
 
 " Pshaw !" replied Glenn, quickly interrupting him ; 
 "you don't know what you are talking about." 
 
 "Well, I can't say I do exactly," said Joe; "but I 
 know its a very mysterious matter." 
 
 " What is such a mysterious matter?" asked Glenn, 
 smiling. 
 
 " Why, you Miss Mary" stammered Joe. 
 
 " Well, what is there mysterious about us ?" 
 
 " Hang it, you know !" replied Joe. 
 
 "Pshaw !" repeated Glenn, striding out of the inclosure, 
 and descending the path leading to Roughgrove's house, 
 whither he directed Joe to follow when he had galloped the 
 horses. 
 
 " Have you got any licker in the house ?" asked Sneak, 
 staving at the retreating form of Glenn. 
 
 " No its all gone. Why do you ask ?" returned Joe. 
 
 "Becaise that feller's drunk," said Sneak, with a pecu 
 liar nod. 
 
 "No he ain't he hasn't drunk a drop for a month." 
 
 "Then he's going crazy, and you'd better keep a sharp 
 \ook-out." 
 
 ' "I know what's the matter with him he's- in love!" 
 aid Joe. 
 
 " Then why don't he take her ?" asked Sneak. 
 
 "I don't know," replied Joe; "maybe he will, some 
 iay. Now for a ride how are^you, Pete ?" he continued,
 
 1 NARRATIVE. 245 
 
 opening th^ utable door and rubbing the pony's head that 
 was instantly thrust out in salutation. 
 
 " I'll ride the hoss," said Sneak. 
 
 "Will you? I'm glad of it," said Joe, "for that'll 
 save me the trouble of leading him." 
 
 " That's jest what I come for," said Sneak, " becaiee 
 this hot morning the snakes are too thick to fight 'em on 
 foot." 
 
 " Can you see many of them at a time ?" 
 
 " Well, I reckon you kin." 
 
 " Won't they bite the horses ?" 
 
 "No, the bosses knows what a snake is as well as a 
 man, and they'll keep a bright eye for 'emselves, while we 
 siave out their brains with our poles," said Sneak. 
 
 In a few minutes the companions were mounted, and 
 with the fawn skipping in advance, and the hounds in the 
 rear, they proceeded gayly out toward the prairie on a 
 making expedition. 
 
 The sunlight was now intensely brilliant, and the atmo 
 sphere, though laden with the sweet perfume of the count 
 less millions of wild flowers, began to assume a sultriness 
 that soon caused the horses and hounds to loll out their 
 tongues and pant as they bounded through the rank grass 
 Ere long the riders drew near a partially barren spot in the 
 prairie, where from some singular cause the grass was not 
 more than three inches high. This spot was circular, 
 about fifty paces in diameter, and in the centre was a pool 
 of bright water, some fifty feet in circumference. The 
 grass growing round this spot was tall and luxuriant, and 
 terminated as abruptly at the edge of the circle as if a 
 mower had passed along with his sharp scythe. 
 
 " Sneak, I never saw that before," said Joe, as they 
 ttpproached, while yet some forty paces distant. " What 
 does it mean ?" 
 
 "You'll see presently," said his companion, grasping 
 more firmly the thick end of his rod, as if preparing to 
 deal a blow. " When I was out here this morning," he 
 continued, " they were too thick for me, and I had to make 
 tracks." 
 
 " What were too thick for you ?" asked Joe, with a sin 
 gular anxiety, and at the same time reining in hs pony. 
 " VVh}', the snaken," said Sneak with much deliberation 
 21*
 
 246 WILD WEFTERtt SCENES: 
 
 " I was a-foot then, and from the style in which thej 
 whizzed through the grass, I was afraid too many might 
 git on me at a time and choke me to death. But now I'm 
 ready for 'em ; they can't git us if we manage korect." 
 " I won't go !" said Joe. 
 
 " Dod, they ain't pisen!" -said Sneak; "they're nearly 
 all black racers, and they don't bite. Come on, don't be 
 suuh a tarnation coward; the rattlesnakes, and copper 
 heads, and wipers, wont run after us ; and if they was to, 
 they couldn't reach up to our legs. This is a glorious day 
 for snaking come on, Joe !" 
 
 Joe followed at a very slow and cautious pace a few 
 steps farther, and then halted again. 
 
 " What're yxm stopping for agin ?" asked Sneak. 
 " Sneak, the pony ain't tall enough !" 
 " That's all the better," replied Sneak ; "you can whack 
 'em easier as they run and then they can't see you as fur 
 as they kin me. I'll swap bosses with you." 
 
 "No you won't!" replied Joe, whipping forward again. 
 But he had not advanced many seconds before he drew up 
 once more. This time he was attracted by the unaccount 
 able motions of the fawn, a short distance ahead. That 
 animal was apparently striking some object on the ground 
 with its feet, and ever and anon springing violently to one 
 side or the other. Its hair stood erect on its back, and it 
 assumed a most ferocious aspect. Now it would run back 
 toward the men a moment, and, wheeling suddenly, again 
 leap upon the foe, when its feet could be heard to strike 
 against the ground ; then it plunged forward, and after 
 nrxking a spring beyond, would return to the attacif. 
 
 u Here, Ringwood ! Jowler !" cried Joe, and the hounds 
 r^n forward to the spot pointed out to them. But no sooner 
 had they gone far enough to see the nature ot the enemy 
 that the fawn was attacking, than they tuined away af 
 frighted, and with their tails hanging down retreated from 
 the scene of action. 
 
 They rode up and surveyed more clo&ely the strange 
 battle. The fawn, becoming more and more enraged, did 
 not suspend hostilities at their approach. They paused in 
 voluntarily when, within a few feet of the object, which 
 proved to be a tremendous rattlesnake, some five feet in 
 tength, and as thick as a man's arm. It \vas nearly dead,
 
 It grew weaker and weaker, and finally turned over on its back. P 247
 
 A NARRATIVE. 247 
 
 Its body, neck, and head, exhibited many bloody gashes cut 
 by the sharp hoofs of the fawn. Every time the fawn 
 sprang upon it, it endeavoured in vain to strike its fangs into 
 its active foe, which sprang away in a twinkling, and before 
 it could prepare to strike again, the fatal hoofs would inflict 
 another wound on its devoted head. It grew weaker and 
 weaker, and finally turned over on its back, when the in 
 furiated deer, no longer compelled to observe cautionary 
 treasures, soon severed its head entirely from the body and 
 stood over it in triumph. 
 
 "Pete can do that if a deer can !" said Joe, somewhat 
 emboldened at the death of so formidable a reptile, and be 
 holding the fixed though composed gaze of the pony as he 
 stood with his head turned sideways towards the weltering 
 snake. 
 
 " Sartinly he kin," said Sneak, standing up in his stir 
 rups, and stretching his long neck to its utmost tension to 
 see if any snakes were in the open area before them. 
 
 "Do you see any, Sneak?" asked Joe, now grasping his 
 rod and anxious for the fray. 
 
 " I see a few about forty, I guess, lying in the sun at 
 the edge of the water." 
 
 " Sneak, there's too many of them," said Joe. 
 
 " Dod you ain't a going to back out now, I hope. 
 Don't you see your pony snuffing at 'em ? He wants to 
 dash right in among 'em." 
 
 " No he don't," said Joe " he don't like the smell, nor 
 I either faugh !" 
 
 " Why, it smells like May-apples I like it," said Sneak; 
 "but there ain't more than one or two copper-heads there 
 they're most all racers. Come on. Joe we must gallop 
 right through and mash their heads with our sticks as we 
 pass. Then after a little while we must turn and dash 
 back agin that's the way to fix 'em." 
 
 " You must go before," said Joe. 
 
 The number that Sneak mentioned was not exaggerated. 
 On the contrary, additions were constantly made to the 
 number. The surface of the pool was continually agitated 
 by the darting serpents striking at the tadpoles and frogs, 
 while on the margin many were writhing in various fantas 
 tic contortions in their sports. Nearly all of them wer< 
 large, and some could not have been less than eleven feel
 
 248 WILD WESTERN SCENES : 
 
 long. They were evidently enjoying the warm rays of the 
 Bun, and at times skipped about with unwonted animation. 
 Now one of the largest would elevate his hlack head some 
 four feet from the ground, while the others wrapped them 
 selves around him, and thus formed the dark and horrid 
 spectacle of a pyramid of snakes ! Then falling prostrate 
 with their own weight, in less than a twinkling they were 
 dispersed and flying over the smooth short grass in every 
 direction, their innumerable scales all the time emitting a 
 low buzzing sound as they ran along. Every moment 
 others glided into the area from the tall grass, and those as 
 sembled thither rushed towards them in a body to manifest 
 a welcome. 
 
 "Now's the time!" cried Sneak, rushing forward, fol 
 lowed by Joe. When Joe's eyes fell upon the black mass 
 of sexpents, he made a convulsive grasp at the reins with an 
 involuntary resolution to retreat without delay from such a 
 frightful sceae. But the violence of his grasp severed the 
 reins from the bit, and the pony sprang forward after the 
 steed, being no longer subject to his control ! There was 
 no retreating now ! Sneak levelled his rod at a cluster just 
 forming in a mass two feet above the ground, and crushed 
 the hydra at a blow ! Joe closed his eyes, and struck he 
 knew not what but Sneak knew, for the blow descended 
 on his head though with feeble force. In an instant the 
 horsemen had passed to the opposite side of the area and 
 halted in the tall grass. Looking back, they beheld a great 
 commotion among the surviving snakes. Some glided into 
 the pool, and with bodies submerged, elevated their heads 
 above the surface and darted out their tongues fiercely. 
 Others raced round the scene of slaughter with their heads 
 full four feet high, or gathered about the dead and dying, 
 and lashed the air with their sharp tails, producing sounds 
 like the cracking of whips. The few copper-heads and 
 rattlesnakes present coiled themselves up with their heads 
 in the centre in readiness to strike their poison into what 
 ever object came within their reach. 
 
 So sudden had been the onset of the horsemen that the 
 surprised serpents seemed to be ignorant of the nature of 
 the foe, and instead of flying to the long grass to avoid a 
 recurrence of bloodshed, they continued to glide round the 
 pool, while their number increased every moment.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 249 
 
 '' Whal'd you hit me on the head for?" asked Sneak, 
 after regarding the snakes a moment, and then turning to 
 Joe, the pony having still kept at the heels of the steed in 
 Bjite of his rider's efforts to the contrary. 
 
 "Oh, Sneak," cried Joe, in tones somewhat tremulous, 
 " do, for goodness' sake, let us go away from here !" 
 
 " I sha'n't do any such thing what'd you hit me on 
 the head for?" 
 
 "I thought I was a killing a sqake," replied Joe. 
 
 "Do I look like a snake?" continued Sneak, turning 
 round, when for the first time he discovered the condition 
 of his companion's bridle. 
 
 " Sneak, let's ride away !" said Joe. 
 
 " And leave all them black sarpents yander poking out 
 their -tongues at us ? I won't go till I wear out this pole 
 on 'em. Ha ! ha ! ha ! I thought you hadn't spunk enough 
 to gallup through 'em on your own accord," said Sneak, 
 looking at the pony, and knowing that he would follow the 
 steed always, if left to his own inclination. 
 
 " Come, Sneak, let's go home !" continued Joe, in a 
 supplicating tone. 
 
 " Come ! let's charge on the snakes agin !" said Sneak, 
 raising the rod, and fixing his feet in the stirrups. 
 
 " Hang me if I go there again !" said Joe, throwing 
 down his rod. 
 
 "You're a tarnation coward, that's what you are! But 
 you can't help yourself," replied Sneak. 
 
 " I'll jump off and run !" said Joe, preparing to leap to 
 the ground. 
 
 " You jest do now, and you'll have forty sarpents wrap 
 ped round you in less than no time." 
 
 At that moment two or three racers swept between them 
 with their heads elevated as high as Joe's knees, and en 
 tered the area. 
 
 " Oh goodness !" cried Joe, drawing up his legs. 
 
 " Git down and git your pole," said Sneak. 
 
 " I wouldn't do it if it was made of gold !" 
 
 " If you say you'll fight the snakes, I'll git it for you 
 I'm a going to stay here till they're all killed," continued 
 Sneak. 
 
 " Give it to me, then I'll smash their brains out the 
 next time!" said Joe, with desperate determination.
 
 250 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " But you musn't hit me agin !" said Sneak, dismount 
 ing and handing up the weapon to Joe, and then leaping 
 on the steed again. 
 
 " Sneak, you're no better than a snake, to bring me into 
 Guch a scrape as this !" said Joe, leaning forward and 
 scanning the black mass of serpents at the pool. 
 
 In a few minutes they whipped forward, Sneak in ad 
 vance, and again they were passing through the army of 
 snakes. This time Joe did good service. He massacred 
 one of the coiled rattlesnakes at a blow, and his pony 
 kicked a puffing viper to atoms. Sneak paused a moment 
 at the pool, and dealt his blows with such rapidity that 
 nearly all the black racers that survived glided swiftly into 
 the tall grass, and one of the largest was seen by Joe to 
 run up the trunk of a solitary blasted tree that stood near 
 the pool, and enter a round hole about ten feet from the 
 ground. 
 
 But if the serpents were mostly dispersed from the area 
 around the pool, they were by no means all destroyed ; 
 and when the equestrians were again in the tall grass, they 
 found them whizzing furiously about the hoofs of their 
 horses. Once or twice Sneak's horse sprang suddenly for 
 ward in pain, being stung on the ham or shoulder by the 
 tails of the racers as they flew past with almost inconceiv 
 able rapidity. 
 
 " Oh ! St. Peter ! Sneak !" cried Joe, throwing back his 
 head, and lifting up his knees nearly to his chin. 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! did one of 'em cut you, Joe ? They 
 hurt like fury, but their tails ain't pisen. Look what a 
 whelk they've made on the hoss." 
 
 "^Sneak, why don't you get away from this nasty place ! 
 One of them shot right over the pony's neck a while ago, 
 and came very near hitting me on the chin." 
 
 " You must hit 'em as they corne. Yander comes one 
 now watch me !" Saying this, Sneak turned the steed 
 83 as to face a tremendous racer about forty paces distant, 
 that was approaching with the celerity of the wind with its 
 head above the tall grass. When it came within reach of 
 his rod, he bestowed upon it a blow that entirely severed 
 the head, and the impetus with which it came caused the 
 oody to fly over the steed, and falling upon the neck of the 
 pony, with the life yet remaining (tor they are constrictors,)
 
 A NARRATIVE. 251 
 
 instantly wrapped In a half dozen folds around it ! Pete 
 (Snorted aloud, and, springing forward, ran a hundred paces 
 with all the fleetness of which he was capable. But being 
 unable to shake off the terrible incumbrance, with hia 
 tongue hanging out in agony, he turned back and ran di 
 rectly for the horse. When he came up to the steed, he 
 pushed his head under his neck, manifesting the greatest 
 distress, and stamping and groaning as if becoming crazed. 
 
 " Dod ! let me git hold of him !" cried Sneak, bending 
 forward and seizing the snake by the tail. The long head 
 less body gave way gradually, and becoming quite relaxed 
 fell powerless and dead to the iarth. 
 
 " Oh, Sneak, let's go !" said Joe, trembling, his face hav 
 ing turned as pale as death while Pete was dashing about 
 in choking agony under the tight folds of the serpent. 
 
 " Smash me if I go as long as there's a snake left !" 
 replied Sneak, striking down another huge racer; but this 
 one, having its back broken, remained stationary. 
 
 Thus he continued to strike down the snakes as long as 
 any remained on the field ; and, as they became scarce, 
 Joe grew quite valorous, and did signal service. At length 
 the combat ceased, and not a living serpent could be seen 
 running. 
 
 " Sneak, we've killed them all huzza !" cried Joe, 
 flourishing his rod. 
 
 "Yes, but you didn't do much you're as big a coward 
 as ever." 
 
 " Oh, I wasn't afraid of them, Sneak," said Joe ; " I 
 was only a little cautious, because it was the first time I 
 ever went a snaking." 
 
 " Yes, you was mighty cautious ! if your bridle hadn't 
 broke, you'd have been home long ago." 
 
 "Pshaw, Sneak!" said Joe; "you're much mistaken. 
 But how many do you think we've killed ?" 
 
 " I suppose about a quarter of a cord but I've hoard 
 tell of men's killing a cord a day, easy." 
 
 " You don't say so ! But how does it happen so many 
 are found together ? When I go out I can never find more 
 than a dozen or so." 
 
 " There's i snake den under that clear place," 'jaid 
 bneak, " where they stay all winter but its not -^ big a 
 ien is some I've seen."
 
 252 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " I don't want to see more than I have to-day '" said 
 Joe, whipping past the steed as they started homewards 
 having mended his bridle. But as he paced along by the 
 decayed tree mentioned above, he saw the glistening eyes 
 of the large racer peering from the hole it had entered, 
 and he gave it a smart blow on the head with his rod and 
 spurred forward. The next moment, when Sneak came 
 up, the enraged serpent sprang down upon him, arid in a 
 twinkling wound himself tightly round his neck ! Sneak's 
 eyes started out of his head, and being nearly strangled 
 he soon fell to the earth. Joe looked on in amazement, 
 but was too much frightened to assist him. And Sneak, 
 unable to ask his aid, only turned his large eyes implor 
 ingly towards him, while in silence he vainly strove to teai 
 .away the serpent with his fingers. He thrust one hand in 
 his pocket for his knife, but it had been left behind ! He 
 then held out his hand to Joe, and in this dumb and piteous 
 manner begged him to lend him his knife. Joe drew it 
 from his pocket, but could not brace his nerves sufficiently 
 to venture within the suffocating man's reach. At length 
 he bethought him of his pole, and opening the blade thrust 
 it in the end of it and cautiously handed it to Sneak. 
 Sneak immediately ran the sharp steel through the many 
 folds of the snake, and it fell to the ground in a dozen 
 pieces ! The poor man's strength then completely failed 
 him, and he rolled over on his back in breathless exhaus 
 tion. Joe rendered all the assistance in his power, and 
 his companion soon revived. 
 
 "Dod rot your skin !" exclaimed Sneak, getting up and 
 seizing Joe by the collar. 
 
 "Hang it, it wasn't me! it was the snake!" said Joe, 
 extricating his neck from his companion's grasp. 
 
 " What'd you hit the sarpent for ?" 
 
 "Why, I wanted to kill him." 
 
 " Then why didn't you help me to get it away from my 
 neck ?" 
 
 " You didn't asJc me," said Joe, with something like in 
 genuousncss^ though with a most provoking application. 
 
 " I couldn't speak ! The tarnation thing was squeezing 
 my neck so tight I couldn't say a word. But I looked at 
 you, and you might 'ave understood me. Never mind, 
 you'll git a snake hold of you some of these days."
 
 A NARRATIVE. 253 
 
 " I'll- keep a sharp look out after this," said Joe. "Bat 
 Sneak, I'll swear now you were not born to be hung." 
 
 " You be dod rot !" replied Sneak, leaping on the steed, 
 and turning towards the river. 
 
 " I would have cut him off myself, Sneak," said Joe, 
 musing on the odd affair as they rode briskly along, " if I 
 hadn't been afraid of cutting your throat. I knew you 
 wasn't born to be hung." 
 
 " Ha ! ha ! ha ! that was the tightest place that ever I was 
 in," said Sneak, regaining his good humour, and diverted 
 at the strange occurrence. 
 
 "Didn't he bite you?" asked Joe. 
 
 " No, a black snake can't bite they havn't got any fangs. 
 If it had been a rattlesnake or a viper, I'd been a gone 
 chicken. I don't think I'll ever leave my knife behind 
 again, even if I wasn't to go ten steps from home. Dod 
 my neck's very sore." 
 
 The companions continued the rest of the way in silence. 
 When they reached home, and returned the horses to the 
 stable, they proceeded down the path to Roughgrove's house 
 to report their adventure. 
 
 Glenn and Mary, William and La-u-na, were seated un 
 der the spreading elm-tree, engaged in some felicitous con 
 ference, that produced a most pleasing animation in their 
 features. 
 
 Mary immediately demanded of Joe a recital of his ad 
 ventures that morning. He complied without reluctance, 
 and his hearers were frequently convulsed with laughter 
 as he proceeded, for he added many embellishments not 
 narrated by the author. Sneak bore their merriment with 
 stoical fortitude, and then laughed as heartily as themselves 
 at his own recent novel predicament. 
 
 La-u-na asked Sneak if he had been bitten by any of the 
 poisonous snakes. Sneak of course replied in the nega 
 tive, but at the same time desired to know the name of 
 the plant that was used by the Indians with universal 
 success when wounded by the fangs of the rattlesnake. 
 The girl told him it was the white plantain that grew in 
 the prairies. 
 
 "I'll go and get some right straight," said Joe, "because 
 I don't know what moment I may be bitten." 
 
 "Never mind it, Joe," said Glenn, rising. "Wo are now
 
 254 WILD WESTERN SCEKErft 
 
 going to gather wild raspberries on the cliff south of ua. 
 and we want you and Sneak to assist us." 
 
 " Well I like raspberries, and they must be ripe by this 
 time, if the chickens havn't picked them all before us." 
 
 "Dod if the chickens have ett 'em can that make 'em 
 green agin ?" replied Sneak to Joe's Irishism. 
 
 " You'd better learn how to read before you turn critic," 
 said Joe, taking up the baskets that had been brought out 
 of the house. He then led the way, quarrelling all the 
 time with Sneak, while Glenn, placing Mary's arm in his, 
 and William imitating the example, followed at a distance 
 behind. 
 
 When the party reached the raspberry thicket, they found 
 truly that the fowls were there before them, though quite an 
 abundance of the delicious berry still remained untouched. 
 A few moments sufficed to drive the feathered gatherers 
 away, and then without delay they began to fill their bas 
 kets. 
 
 Many were the hearty peals of joyous laughter that rang 
 from the innocent lovers while momentarily obscured by 
 the green clustering bushes. Ere long they were dispersed 
 in various parts of the thicket, and Glenn and Mary being 
 separated from the rest, our hero seized -the opportunity to 
 broach a tender subject. 
 
 "Mary," said he, and then most unaccountably paused. 
 
 "Well," said she turning her glorious dark blue eyes 
 full upon him. 
 
 " I have something of moment to say to you, if you will 
 listen attentively and I know not a more fitting time and 
 place than this to tell it. Here is a natural bower sur 
 rounded by sweet berries, and shielded from the sun by the 
 fragant myrtle. Let us sit on this mossy rock. Will you 
 listen ?" he continued, drawing her close to his side on the 
 seat in the cool retreat. 
 
 " Have I ever refused to listen to you ? do I not love to 
 iiear your voice ?" said the confiding and happy girl. 
 
 " Bless you, Mary my whole heart is yours !" exclaimed 
 5ur hero, seizing a rapturous kiss from the coral lips of the 
 inaidar.. Mary resisted not, nor replied; while tears, but 
 not of grief, glistened on her dark lashes. 
 
 " You will not reject uiy love, Mary ? Why do you 
 weep V"
 
 A NARRATIVE. 255 
 
 "It is with joy my heart is so happy that tears gush 
 oat in spite cf me !" 
 
 " Will you then be mine ?" continued Glenn, winding hia 
 arm round her yielding waist. 
 
 " Forever !" she replied, and, howing her head slightly, 
 a shower of dark silken tresses obscured her blushing face, 
 and covered our hero's panting breast. Thus they remained 
 many moments in silence, for their feelings were too bliss 
 ful for utterance. 
 
 " Are you always happy, Mary ?" said Glenn, at length, 
 taking her little white hand in his. 
 
 " No !' she replied, with a sigh. 
 
 "Why?" 
 
 " When you are away, I sometimes fear the Indians or 
 a snake or or something may harm you," said she, fal- 
 teringly. 
 
 " I thank thee, Mary, for thinking of me when I am 
 away." 
 
 " I always think of thee !" said she. 
 
 "Always, Mary?" 
 
 " Ay, by day and thou art ever with me in my 
 dreams." 
 
 "And I will be with thee always !" 
 
 " Do !" said she. 
 
 " But dost thou not sometimes repine that thy life is thus 
 spent in the wilderness far from the busy world ?" 
 
 " I sometimes wish I could see the beautiful cities I read 
 of but when I think of the treacheries and miseries of the 
 world, I look at the pure fresh flowers, and list to the sweet 
 birds around me, and then I think there is more happiness 
 to be enjoyed here than anywhere else." 
 
 "And such is truly the case," said Glenn, pondering 
 "But then, Mary, we all have obligations to discharge. 
 We were created for society to associate with our species, 
 and while mingling with kindred beings, it is our duty to 
 bestow as many benefits on them as may be within the 
 flcope of our power." 
 
 "You think, then, we should leave our western home?" 
 she asked, with undisguised interest. 
 
 "Wilt thou not consent to go?" 
 
 "If you go, I will go !" said she.
 
 256 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 " And now I declare I will not go unless thou art will 
 ing." 
 
 "But is it a duty?" she asked. ' 
 
 "Your fa Mr. Roughgrove says so." 
 
 " Then let us go ! But why did you not say father f" 
 
 " He is not your father." 
 
 " No !" exclaimed the maid, turning pale. 
 
 " I will tell thee all, Mary." And Glenn related the 
 story of the maiden's birth. "Now, Mary," he continued, 
 " thou knowest thine own history. Thou art of a noble 
 race, according to the rules of men nay, thy blood is roja) 
 if thou wouldst retract thy plighted faith (I should have 
 told thee this before,) speak, and thy will shall be done !" 
 
 " Oh ! Charles ! I am thine, THINE OXLY, were I born an 
 angel !" she cried, throwing herself into his arms. At thia 
 juncture a violent rustling was heard in the bushes not far 
 distant, and the next moment Joe's voice rang out, 
 
 "Oh me ! Oh St. Peter! Oh murder! murder! murder!" 
 cried he. Instantly all the party were collected round him. 
 He lay in a small open space on the grass, with his basket 
 bottom upward at his side, and all the berries scattered on 
 the ground. 
 
 "What is the matter ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "Oh, I'm snake-bitten! I'm a dead man ! I'm dying!" 
 cried he, piteously. 
 
 "That's a fib," said Sneak, "bekaise a dead man can't 
 De a dying." 
 
 " Let me see," said William, stooping down to examine 
 the place on which Joe's hands were convulsively pressed. 
 With some difficulty he pulled them away, and tearing down 
 the stocking, actually saw a small bleeding puncture over 
 the ankle bone ! 
 
 " What kind of a snake was it ?" asked Glenn in alarm 
 
 " A rattlesnake Oh !" 
 
 "Did you see it?" continued Glenn, knowing Joe's foi 
 ble, though it was apparent he suffered from some kind of 
 a wound. 
 
 " I heard it rattle. Oh, my goodness ! I'm going fast ! 
 I'm turning blind !" 
 
 La-u-na told him to run to the house and cover the 
 Wound with salt, and remain quiet till Sneak could obtain 
 some plantain *eayes from the prairie. Joe sprang up and
 
 A NARRATIVE. 257 
 
 rushed Jown the hill. Sneak set out in quest of the anti 
 dote, and the rest directed their steps homeward. 
 
 When they reached Roughgrove's house, they found Jol 
 lying in the middle of the floor on his back, and groaning 
 most dolefully. He had applied the salt to the wound as 
 directed, and covered it and his whole leg so plentifully 
 with bandages that the latter seemed to be as thick as his 
 body. 
 
 " How do you feel now, Joe ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " I'm a dead man !" said he. 
 
 La-u-na told him not to be alarmed, and assured him 
 there was no danger. 
 
 " But I'll die before Sneak can get back !" 
 
 "Your voice is too strong to fear that," said William; 
 "but do you suffer much pain ?" 
 
 " Oh, I'm in agony !" said he, rolling back his eyes. 
 
 " Where does the pain lie ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 " Oh, St. Peter ! all over me ! In my toes, ankles, legs, 
 arms, heart, throat, mouth, nose, and eyes ! Oh, I'm in 
 tortures ! I'm blind I can't see any of you !" 
 
 At this moment Roughgrove, who had been over the 
 river on a visit to Boone, entered the apartment with the 
 renowned hunter at his side. When fully informed of the 
 circumstances, Boone stooped down and felt Joe's pulse. 
 
 " The strokes are irregular," said Boone. 
 
 " Oh heaven !" exclaimed Joe. 
 
 "But that may be caused by fright," continued Boone. 
 
 " Oh goodness ! it ain't that I'm a dying n:an !" 
 
 "Is the leg much swollen?" asked Boone, endeavouring 
 to ascertain without taking off the bandages. 
 
 " Oh ! oh ! don't do that ! it '11 kill me in a minute for 
 its swelled fit to burst !" cried Joe, shrinking from Boone's 
 grasp. 
 
 " All the cases of snake-bite that I have seen differ from 
 this. I have always found the swollen limb neaily devoid 
 of feeling. Did you kill the snake ?" 
 
 "No Oh!" 
 
 " Tell me precisely the place where you were standing 
 when it bit you there is a mystery about it that I must 
 solve." 
 
 "Oh it was I can't speak! my breath's g')ing fast! 
 Oh ! Paternoster " 
 
 22*
 
 258 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 William then described the spot to Boone in such precise 
 terms that the old woodman declared he would immediately 
 repair thither and endeavour to find the snake. He ac 
 cordingly set out in the direction indicated without 
 further delay; while Roughgrove, believing that pool 
 Joe was really on the verge of eternity, strove to com 
 fort his departing spirit with the consolation that religion 
 affords. 
 
 " Oh ! that ain't the right one !" exclaimed Joe, pushing 
 away the Episcopal prayer-book held by Roughgrove. 
 
 "Then here is one you cannot object to," said Rough- 
 grove, opening the Bible. 
 
 " Oh, that's not it, either !" cried Joe, in great distress. 
 "Is there no priest in this region? I'm a Roman Catholic 
 oh !" 
 
 " Can you not confess your ,sins directly to God the 
 God who is everywhere, and governs all things?" said the 
 aged man, impressively, and with animation. 
 
 "I have prayed," said Joe; "but now I want the oint 
 ment !" 
 
 "Your body, which must be placed in the damp cold 
 earth, needs no oil. It is far better to purify the soul, which 
 perishes not," said Roughgrove,' in fervent and tremulous 
 tones. 
 
 " Oh ! Oh ! Ugh !" cried Joe, in a deep guttural voice, 
 and turning over on his face. His fears had evidently been 
 increased by the solemn tone and look of Roughgrove. 
 
 " Don't be alarmed, Joe," said Glenn, turning him again 
 on his back. " Sneak will soon be here, and La-u-na says 
 the plantain will be sure to cure you. William tells me 
 that he has seen the Indians permit the snakes to bite them 
 for a mere trifle in money, so certain were they of being 
 restored by the plant. And indeed he never knew a bite 
 to terminate fatally." 
 
 "But I'm afraid Sneak won't come in time," replied 
 Joe, somewhat comforted. 
 
 " Pshaw ! he won't loiter in a case of this kind he knows 
 it is no joke,'' continued Glenn. 
 
 " But suppose he can't, find any plantain then I'm dead 
 to a certainty ! Oh me !" 
 
 "Does the pain increase much?" asked Mary. 
 
 " Oh, yes ! its ten times worse than it was ten minutes
 
 A NARRATIVE 259 
 
 age ? I'm going fast I can't move either leg now," he 
 continued, in a weak utterance. 
 
 Glenn grew uneasy. Joe was pale very pale, and 
 breathed hard. 
 
 Boone entered, with a smile on his lip. 
 
 " Have you got the plantain ?" asked Joe, in feeble 
 accents, with his languid eyes nearly closed, thinking it 
 w^as Sneak. 
 
 " Sit up and tell me how you feel," said Boone, in vain 
 striving to repress his smile. 
 
 " Oh, St. Peter ! I haven't strength enough to lift my 
 hand," said Joe, his eyes still closed. 
 
 " Did you find the snake ?" asked Glenn. 
 
 "Yes," replied Boone. Joe groaned audibly. "I will 
 tell you all about it," he continued; "I found the spot 
 where Joe had been gathering the berries, and tracked him 
 without difficulty to every bush he visited by the bruised 
 grass under his foot-prints. At length I came to the cluster 
 of bushes where he received the wound. I stood in his 
 cracks and saw where he had plucked the raspberries. When 
 about to cast down my eyes in quest of the snake, suddenly 
 I felt a blow on my own ankle !" 
 
 "Did the same snake bite you?" asked Mary, quickly. 
 
 "Yes," replied Boone, still smiling. Joe opened his 
 eyes, and after gazing a moment at Boone, asked him if 
 he did not suffer much pain. 
 
 " Fully as much as you do but hear me through. I 
 sprang back with some violence, I admit, but I did not run 
 away. Lifting my cane, I returned with a determination 
 to kill the snake. I stooped down very low to ascertain 
 the precise position of its head, which was concealed by a 
 large mullen leaf I saw its eyes and its bill " 
 
 " What !" exclaimed Joe, rising up on his elbow with 
 unwonted vigour, and his eyes riveted on the speaker. 
 
 "Yes, its bill," continued Boone. "And while my cane 
 was brandished in the air and about descending on its de 
 voted head, a low clucking arrested my arm, and approach 
 ing closer to it than before, and gazing steadfastly a mo 
 ment, I lowered my cane to its usual position, and fell 
 back laughing on the grass among the raspberries you had 
 dropped." 
 
 " Mr. Boone Mr. Boone !" cried Joe, springing up iu a
 
 260 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 Bitting attitude, and seizing the hand of the veteran, ** fo? 
 Heaven's sake tell me what it was ?" 
 
 "It was an old SITTING HEN!" said Boone. 
 
 " Upon your honour?" continued Joe, leaping upon his 
 feet, and staring the aged hunter in the face, while his eyeff 
 gleamed with irrepressible hope and anxiety. 
 
 "It was nothing else, upon my honour," replied Bcone, 
 laughing in concert with the rest. 
 
 "Huzza! huzza!! huzza!!!" shouted Joe, casting the 
 bandages hither and thither, and dancing nimbly over the 
 floor. " Fal-de-lal tider-e-i tider-e-o tider-e-um !' he 
 continued, in frenzied delight, and, observing Sneak at the 
 door with an armful of plantain (who had returned in time 
 to witness his abrupt recovery, and now continued to regard 
 him with wonder and doubt at times thinking he was de- 
 lirous,) skipped up and held out both hands, as if inviting 
 him to dance. 
 
 " Dod rot it, your leg ain't swelled a bit !" said Sneak. 
 
 "Don't use that bad word, Sneak," said Mary. 
 
 "I won't but dod he's had me running all over " 
 
 " Tider-e-i tider-e-um !" continued Joe, still dancing, 
 while the perspiration streamed over his face. 
 
 "Have done with this nonsense, Joe!" said Glenn, "or 
 else continue your ridiculous exercises on the grass in the 
 yard. You may rejoice now, but this affair will be sport 
 for others all your life. You will not relish it so much 
 to-morrow." 
 
 " I'd rather all the world would laugh at me alive and 
 kicking, than that one of you should mourn over my dead 
 body," replied Joe, leaping over Sneak, who Ayas sitting in 
 the door, and striding to the grass plot under the elm, 
 where he continued his rejoicings. Sneak followed, and, 
 sitting down on the bench in the shade, seemed to muse 
 with unusual gravity at the strange spectacle presented 
 by Joe. 
 
 This was Joe's last wild western adventure. The inci 
 dent was soon forgotten by the party in the house. Serious 
 and sad thoughts succeeded the mirthful scene described 
 above. Roughgrove had brought Boone thither to receive 
 their last farewell ! The renowned woodman and warrior 
 wore marks of painful regret on his pale features. The 
 cst M'ere in tears.
 
 A NARRATIVE. 261 
 
 " William," said Roughgrove, " listen to a tale concern 
 ing thy birth and parentage, which I feel it to be my duty 
 to unfold. Your sister has already learned the story from 
 your friend, who sits beside her. But I will repeat it to 
 al: present. You who are the most interested can then 
 determine whether it shall ever be disclosed to other ears. 
 The secret was long locked in my bosom, and it was once 
 my purpose to bury it with my body in the grave. I pon 
 dered long on the subject, and prayed to Heaven to be 
 instructed. I have satisfactory evidence in my own heart 
 that I have acted correctly." He then related the history 
 of the twins, as we have given it to the reader. When 
 he concluded, La-u-na, who had betrayed much painful 
 interest during the recital, threw her arms round William's 
 neck, and wept upon his breast. 
 
 " Why do you weep, La-u-na?" asked the youth. 
 
 " La-u-na must die !" said she ; " her William will leave 
 her and forget her. The wild rose will bend over her 
 grave the brook will murmur low at her cold feet the 
 rabbit will nip the tender grass by her tombstone at night 
 fall the katydid will chirp over her, and the whippor- 
 will will sing in vain. William will forget her ! Poor 
 La-u-na !" 
 
 " No La-u-na ! no ! Thou shalt go with me and be my 
 bride, or else I will remain with thee ! Death only shall 
 separate us !" said the youth, drawing the slight form of 
 the Indian maiden closer to his heart, and imprinting a 
 rapturous kiss on her smooth forehead. 
 
 "We will all go together," continued Roughgrove, 
 " save our beloved friend here, who tells me that no earthly 
 consideration could induce him to dwell in cities among 
 civilized men." 
 
 " True," said Boone ; "1 would not exchange my resi 
 dence in the western wilds for the gorgeous palaces of the 
 east. Yet I think you do right in returning to the society 
 which you were destined to adorn. I shall grieve Then I 
 miss you, but I will not persuade you to remain. Every 
 one should act according to the dictates of his conscience. 
 It is my belief that Providence guides our actions. You, 
 my friends, were fitted and designed to move in refined 
 society, and by your example and influence to benefit tho 
 world around you. The benefits bestowed by me will not
 
 262 WILD WESTERN SCENES: 
 
 be immediate, nor altogether in my day. I am a PIONEER, 
 formed by nature. Where I struggle with the savage and 
 the wild beast, my great grandchildren will reside in cities. 
 I must fulfil my mission." 
 
 At this moment Joe and Sneak appeared at the door. 
 
 " There's a covered flat-boat just landed down at the 
 ferry," said Joe. 
 
 " It is from the island above," said Roughgrove, " and 
 the one I have had constructed for our voyage down the 
 river." 
 
 "Are we going, sure enough?" asked Joe. 
 
 "Yes; to-morrow," said Glenn. 
 
 "Dod are you all going off?" asked Sneak, rolling 
 round his large eyes, and stretching out his neck to an un 
 usual length. 
 
 "All but me, Sneak," said Boone. 
 
 " And you won't be any company for me. Dod I've 
 a notion to go too ! If I could foller any thing to make a 
 living in Fillydelfa " 
 
 "If you go with us, you shall never want I will see 
 fchat you are provided for," said Glenn. 
 
 " It's a bargain !" said Sneak, with the eager emphasis 
 characteristic of the trading Yankee. 
 
 "But poor Pete the horses!" said Joe. 
 
 " There are stalls in the boat for them," said Roughgrove. 
 
 " Huzza ! I'm glad. Huzza !" cried Joe. 
 ******* 
 
 The next morning beamed upon them in beauty and in 
 Badness. The sun rose in majesty, and poured his brilliant 
 and inspiring rays on peak and valley and plain. But the 
 hearts of the peaceful wanderers throbbed in sorrow as 
 they gazed for the last time on the scene before them. 
 Though it had been identified with the many perilous and 
 painful encounters with savages, yet the quivering green 
 leaves above, the sparkling brook below, and the soft 
 melody of happy birds around, were intimately associated 
 with some of the most blissful moments of their lives. 
 
 La-u-na retired to a lonely spot, and poured forth a fare 
 well song to the whispering spirits of her fathers. Long 
 hsr steadfast gaze was fixed on the blue sky, as if com 
 muning with the departed kings from whom she descended. 
 At length her tears vanished like a shower in the sunshine,
 
 A NARRATIVE. 263 
 
 and a bright smile rested upon, her features, as if her 
 prajer had been heard and all she asked were granted ! 
 Prophetic vision ! While the race from which she sepa 
 rated is doomed to extinction in the forest, the blood she 
 mingled with the Anglo-Saxon race may yet be destined 
 to sway the councils of a mighty empire. 
 
 William mused in silence, guarding at a distance the 
 bride of his heart, and not venturing to intrude upon her 
 devotions. The past was like a dream to him the present 
 a bright vision the future a paradise ! 
 
 Glenn and Mary were seated together, regarding with/ 
 impatience the brief preparations to embark. Boone, 
 Roughgrove, Sneak, and Joe were busily engaged lading 
 the vessel. Sneak had hastily brought thither his effects, 
 and without a throe of regret abandoned his house for ever 
 to the owls. Joe succeeded with but little difficulty in 
 getting the horses on board. . The fawn, the kitten, the 
 hounds, and the chickens were likewise taken along. 
 
 And now all was ready to push out into the current. 
 All were on board. Boone bid them an affectionate adieu 
 in silence in silence, but in tears. The cable was loosen 
 ed, and the boat was wafted down on its journey eastward. 
 William and La-u-na sat up'on the deck, and gazed at the 
 receding shore, rendered dear by hallowed recollections. 
 Glenn and Mary stood at the prow, and as they marked 
 the fleeting waters, their thoughts dwelt on the happy 
 future. Roughgrove was praying. Joe was ct resting the 
 pony. Sneak was counting his muskrat skins. And thus 
 we must bid them adieu.
 
 fiiiky& 
 
 University of California 
 
 SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 
 
 Return this material to the library 
 
 from which it was borrowed.
 
 PS 
 
 Jones - 
 
 2151 Wild western 
 
 scenes 
 
 1875 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 A A 000033375 7