Red Plume — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

50 , RED PLUME. “*Spect he know best.” As no satisfactory information could be got out of the Dela- ware, Eben, after lying in concealment for nearly an hour, watching the village in vain for some sign of Ellen, concluded that he would climb a tree, and thus gain a more extended view of the situation. Accordingly, leaving his harpoon on the groynd, he went up a tall tree with true sailor-like agility, and soon reached a position from which he could see, not only the village, the plain and the river, but the vast extent of prairie that spread out on either side of the valley. As has been previously stated, the night was not dark, although no moon was shining. ~ The Yankee had not. be long in the tree, when he observed an unusual commotion among the lodges. Men, women and children poured forth in a body,.and streamed down on theplain, where they commenced to give utterance to the most doleful cries and lamentations. Presently the crowd returned, bearing on a litter something that was covered with a blanket, the yells and howls increasing as they approached the village. Eben made these facts known to his comrade, in his usual viva voce style. “T say, Beaver, the Injuns are raisin’ the Old Harry in par- tic’ lar—bringin’ that dead chap in from below, I calkilate.” “°Spect Red Plume killed a chief?’ answered the Delaware. “ But don’t speak so loud. Somebody hear.” Eben heard this caution, but did not heed it, for he saw, at that: moment, Ellen Carver, who had doubtless been oyer- louked during the excitement, walking in front of the lodge, and looking about. He immediately proclaimed his discovery with a stentorian shout, such as he might have uttered from the masthead of the brig Dolphin, on catching a glimpse of a distant whale. “ There she blows | Beaver, I sce cousin Nelly !” Ile was instantly heard and seen by the Blackfeet, a num- ber of whom, with a yell of mingled rage and exultation, rushed up the slope. Eben Gookin hastily descended the tree, and picked up his harpoon, but, before he could use it, was overpowered and bound. The Delaware, perceiving that he could not aid his indiscreet comrade, sought his own. safety in speedy flight. ; : - CORDICHOOKS.COn y