Red Plume — page 45: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE TRAIL. . AS his fair cousin, uncouth as it was, was genuine and earnest, and he was by no means lacking in physical or moral courage. He was resolved to attempt her rescue, whatever dangers might- be in his way, and Black Beaver was obliged to accept his company with as good a grace as he could. He was armed only with a pair of pistols and his formidable harpoon, refus- ing a rifle, as he declared that he “ couldn’t git used to the tarnal thing, by no manner of means.” Black Beaver and his long comrade returned, in as direct a line as possible, to their camping-ground of the previous night, in order to take up the trail of the savages at the beginning. David Carver was anxious to go with them, but he was obliged — to attend his father, who had been severely hurt, and his own wound had proved quite troublesome. ; When the Delaware and the Yankee reached the pleasant grove, they found the bodies of two Indians who had been killed in the brief conflict, still untouched by wolves: or buz- zards. Black Beaver had already secured\their scalps, and neither he nor Eben felt sufficiently merciful to bury the bodies ; so they pressed on in search of the trail: That was easily found, as the ground had been considerably trampled by the savages in their hasty exit, and as a few scraps of Ellen’s light garments had been left upon bushes and twigs, when she was borne hurriedly along. Once found, the trail was easily followed, through the thick . grass and over the soft ground of the prairie, for a heavy dew - had fallen during the night of the attack, and the Blackfeet had taken no pains to hide the traces of their course. Neither of the pursuers was mounted, for the Delaware considered that horses would be an impediment, rather than an assistance, on such a scout, and the Yankee vowed that it was impossible for him to keep his balance on such a rough-riding craft. So. they ran along the trail, in a sort of dog-trot, Black Beaver in advance, with his keen eyes fixed on the ground, and Eben wondering how he could find his way in that trackless prairie Without a compass. They continued to travel in this manner until they reached a small stream, when Eben declared that he was tired and hungry, and could go no further until he was rested and fod- dered. Black Beaver offered no objection to this, as he , Comicookxs.conn