Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1151 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

al J Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. * “7% satisfied, an’ you oughter be, Leastways, I'm goin’ to-morrow, an’ ron kin stay and play with those Blackfeet as long as you like. I've been up to gee the horses, dnd fixed things so as to start as soon as daylight. Any ‘jections?”’ * None at all,” “ Then ’tis settled, and let’s snooze.”’ Bat it was by no means settled. As I la night ruminating upon the scenes through which I had so recently passed, the pledge that I had made with Nat came back to mé. I had promised to re- iain by him as long as there was hope; to desert him now, would be a violation of that vow, and an unworthy act upon my part. For us both to leave him would probab his fate if alive. It was by no means certain that if lost, he was irrecoverably one, and I resolved if the trapper should depart on the morrow that 1 would remain. In making this resolution, perhaps it was not the desire alone to benefit my chr Ronan that prornnsed it, although Laver that that alone would have been sufficient. Unconsciously, almost, I found my thoughts wandering from Nat tor the being who had been the cause of all this trouble. At most, I could only speculate and conjecture with regard to we and the same speculations and conjectures I ta made before, ndoubtedly she was a captive among a tribe of Indians, over whom she wielded a reat intluence; and that she was the same maid re- erred to by Biddon, seemed certain to me. I had mentioned this thought to him, in the hope of per- suading him to remain, He started somewhat as the unexpected suggestion, and, after a few mo- ments’ thought, adinitted the probability of such be- the case. To my surprise I found I had completely defeated my own plans. ‘I kinder thought then, that little thing war suth- in’ more nor human, an’ ef it’s her, you see I’m purty sure now. No use talkin’, 1 shan’t stay here onger than time ‘nough to start. It might be that gal, and ag’in it moughtn’t. Shoot me if it mought- a't v7 that I said no more, for I saw it would be useless, When he had once determined upon a matter there was nochanging him, He was satisfied that ‘spirits tnvisible ” hac encompassed him, and there was but one way of escaping them. He was now reposing beside me, oblivious to ex- ternal things; and as the night was far advanced, I | down and slept. awoke éarly and caught a glimpse of Biddon as he departed, doubtless after the horses, in order to leave at once the place which had such terrors for im. In the course of a half-hour he returned. “She horses are waitin’,”’ said he. T arose and passed out, The three animais stood @utside, a short distance away, each saddled and prepared for travel. ; : “Come, work han wt fetch them skins out,” said Biddon. I assisted him until everything was in readiness for starting. : * Jump on, and shoot me ef we won’t soon be cl'ar of this outlandish place.” *Biddon I am not going with you,” I said mildly. ** What?’ he asked, ooking wonderingly at me. “T intend to remain here,’ “‘Ogh! Jump on; it’s time we started.” *T said I was going to remain here.”’ “Do you mean it, Jarsey?’’: he queried, bending such a fierce look upon me. ** Most. certainly 1 do.” “Then all Bill Biddon’s got to say is, you're a fool.” f colored slightly at this, but made no reply. “ What yer going to stay fur? Get shot and lose yer ha'r, I s’pose, jist to please the reds.”’ “Tam sorry, friend Biddon, that you feel thus. Whon Nathan Todd and I[ left the States for this country, we pledged eternal friendship to each other, and lam sureI should never feel at ease if I ee — i eee SN > . Ne ea a ~ —_ | desolate moaning, like the precursor of winter, could be heard in the forest. Darkness came on earlier than usual, and, as I passed into the trapper’s home, the storm burst upon me, No one who has not wit- nessed a storm in the wilderness can appreciate the awful grandeur. AsI cowered within the heart of the old forest king, its power was subdued to my é€ars; but enough reached them to give me an idea of the terrific spectacle without. The huge sides of the tree surrounding me rumbled and groaned as though it were yielding to the hurricane; the wind blew with such fury that at times it sounded as though wailing screams were rending the air above me; and the sharp splintering of the trees riven by the lightning rivaled the erash of the thun- derbolt itself. As the morning approached, the storm died away, and as I stepped forth, the sun was shining in unclouded splendor. Slinging my rifle over my shoulder, 1 wandered almilessly forward, folowing the course of the stream for several hours, Becoming considerably wearied, I seated myself upon a fallen tree; but my mind was in sucha state of excitement that the desire to press forward was irresistible, and I arose again. The river at this point was flowing east and west, so that [looked to the southward. As I did so,I saw Biddon in the distance, riding leisurely away. He was miles distant, and as the prairie in many parts was submerged, it was out of the question to pursue with the hope of overtaking him. I contented my- self with watching him, until he disappeared. ~He appeared precisely the same as when Nat and I first caught sight of him; and it struck me as a rather curious coincidence that my first and last glimpses of him were similar. Soon he was a mere speck on the horizon, and presently disappeared altogether. The storm which had just ended was the usher of the cold season. A strong wind had arisen, and was blowing coldly through the forest. The changes in these regions are remarkably sudden; and by the middle of the afternoon needles of ice put out along the shores of the stream, I suffered much from this sudden and severe cold; and to make it worse, every- thing upon which I could lay hands was so water- soaked as to make it impossible to kindle a fire. I continued wandering aimlessly forward, until I descended a large valley, filled with- trees of enorm- ous growth. As I entered, I heard a crackling in the bushes above me, I looked carefully about, but could detect nothing. Creeping stealthily up the bank, Icame upon the cause of this apprehension, There was a species of fruit called the ‘* buiégio ber- ry,’ quite numerous here,g@nd in among them, seat- ed on his haunches, and contentedly devouring them was a grizzly bear. I started as I took in his colossa form, and turned to make a hasty retreat; but curi- osity held me to the spot. He was a huge beast; his massive form being enveloped in a coat of long, black, glossy hair, and his eyes small and glittering. His qeliek BaP rattled among the leaves, as he pulled ~ bus es toward him,-and plucked the delicate All at once a mad desire to take this formidable creature’s life Came upon me. I knew it was only the most skillful hunter who could prevail ageinst him, and yet I determined to take the risk. As he sat, his side was turned toward me, and I made a low whistle to attract his attention. He stopped chewing instantly, and turned his bead toward me as if listening. I could see his two coal-black eyes glistening plainly. I was lying upon my face, with my rifle resting upon a stone in front. Raising the hammer, I took a deliberate, sure aim at one of his eyes, and pulled the trigger. ; “How does that suit?” I asked, exultingly. To my surprise and terror, I saw him sitting apparently un- hurt, but looking about him, as if to ascertain from what direction the shot had come. The uxext in- stant he caught sight of the bluish wreath from my rifle, and, with a low growl plunged directly toward should leave him in this dire extremity. Iam by no | me. means satisfied that I can afford him no assistance, | He has no claims upon you, and I should not expect | much faster than I[ suspected, and I foun u to remain, but as I said, Lam determined not to ped this place untii I have obtained satisfactory in- formation of him.”’ The trapper remained silent a few minutes, then ange: + g’ simple.. Yer’s as what hopes you'll find the other chap right side 2 Gate squar’ with his ha’r on, but I don’t spect your ha'r ’ll be yer’s to-night. Howsum- ever, you're bound to stay, I see, so yer’s good luck. ‘d like to stay with you, but I ain’t backward to say 1 Biddon knocks under (tAis time.”’ He reached his hard, horny hand, and I took it. **Good-by Bill, I hope we shall meet again. We have not n long acquainted, but I trust long h to be friends.” ‘And you'll remem as how old Bill Biddon did- Oy Certainly, cortainky, X know you gia not” aad, nly, ce ow you not,’ “Wal, good-by it is, then.” I was alone in the great wilderness of the North- west. Iremained stationary a After parti time, m e strange resolve that I with Biddo tating upon Pon. If looked at with the common-sense view that the honest trapper gave it, I was sensible it wasn pris 5 less than a piece of recklessness upon my which only could be excused by the motives | bh } — Bare sorunted me, Il felt some regret, certainly, at- parce with Biddon, for that vp Sp which bbed within bis massive breast drawn me him, and I knew he had come to regard me a far diffe ent light than he did at first. Howeve r 1 was hopeful, ent. onle not persuade myself that i Was never Lo see ve evidence of an Toward night the shane" esvene wind aptan heal a.m | round that, when alarmed, Il could also travel rapidly. But in the tangled undergrowth I was no match for him, as e crushed through it without the least inconveuni- ence, I saw he would assuredly overtake me before I could go a hundred yards further; so throwing m That cumbrous body could roll over the pose you mean right, Jarsey, but you're awful | rifle to the ground, | drew my knife and waited his attack. As he came rolling forward, the biood from his wound trickled down, and daubed his mouth; his red tongue lolied out, his mouth was wide open, and his long and white teeth shore with terrible ferocity. , He was, indeed, a terrific animal, and I drew a deep breath as I felt that a struggic was close at hand: Suddenly, when a hundred feet distant, there came the report of another rifle, and the brute halted, and gazed about him. also cast a wondering look around to see who my new friend was. No one was in sight, yet Isawa faint curl of smoke rising from the bushes above me. The bear also discovered it and with another growl made towardit, He had evidently been struck, and his rage was turned in another direction, Hastily loading my rifle, I ran up the hill, intending to follow and assist my unknown friend, but both he and the brute had disappeared, L stood anxiously listening for some guiding sound, and soon heard the report of a gun in the distance, followed by a faint shout. Tearing through the undergrowth, I dashed hastily forward. The trail of the bear was very plain by the blood-marks upon t.e ground. Soon I reached the spot where a strug- gie had taken I pene The ground was torn up and east about, and the blood was spattered for many feet around. Following further, I came wpon the dead body of the brute, There was another bullet- mark.in the head, and a ghastly wound in the throat trom which an enormous quanticy of blood had roach- poured aaisky, pe But where was the author of this deed? Vhy had eee eee eee ee —_—_--- “SS. er"=—"--—-—-———-—-- -—nr— a SSS he fled?) Who was he? I looked about to see him near at hand, but was e ground were the marks of a seam tg: it was evident my presérver was an Indian. fact sug- ested other questions. Had he been £ me? lse how came he to be present just at the instant needed? And what was his object? It coukid not be that my life was sought, for, if such were the » it had been really spared, as I bad been contin ex- posed through the day; and in the oocurrence just narrated, he had preserved my hfe at the imminent, risk of his own. At any rate, the affair was singular and wnac.- countable. The Indian was probably gazing mpon me this moment, and I looked furtively about, half-ex- thiek ahrub- pecting to see his glowing eyeballs in the ry around, It was now wing late, and I cast about for some place in which to spend the night. The wind sii lew, and a fire was indispensable. I gathered sey- eral armfuls of twigs and branches, and pitched my camp upon the banks of a small stream, a tributary of the river referred to. Here, after the expense of an almost incredible amount of yee I succeeded in starting a fire. The pangs of hunger now pega to make themselves felt, as I had tasted no food the entire day. The grizzly lay but a short distance away, and I concluded that he should answer the de- mands of nature, As I drew my knife and started_toward him, a shadow glided from before me, and I saw a human form stealthily make off. I stopped suddenly and hesitated, but finally went on, cut a piece from the animal, and returned. Just before I reached the crackling fire, I saw a shadow flit before me and dis appear. It was too distinct and plain to be a freak of imagination, and it was evident that something - or somebody was following or watching. Whoever he might be, I determined that, upon the first oppor- tunity, he should have the contents of my gun for his temerity. The consciousness that some one was near at hand, watching, perhaps, every motion, lessened my appetite somewhat. However, after skewe1ing a rood sized piece and roasting it, 1 made a hearty sup- 6r; and, as I produced my inseparable pipe, 1 think, had it not been for the instinctive preseuceg? that invisible form, my enjoyment would have betn com- rlete, : The oe warmth of the fire, the soothing ef- fect of the pipe, gradually threw a dreamy, balt-un- consciousness over me, into which I sunk with wil- ling delight. As my listless eyes rested upon the glowing. embers, there came a strain of wonderful musie, like the faint tones of a distant wind-harp. I stirred not, but listened, fearing to move, lest the spell should be broken, Again came the wave of heavenly harmony, swelling to the most inspirag grandeur and then dying away into faint, fluctuating tremors, fainter and fainter, till the strained ear could just feel their waves. It.sounded in the air above me. Iknew there was net hing real in my ex: periences, yet I listened breathlessly for it again, The musie continued, I think, over an hour, ong to this day, it seems as if I can still hear it. Suc music I have never heard before or since. As I sa, alohe that dark, stormy night, in the wilderness of the North-west, hundreds of miles from civilization, it seemed there was a chord within me that respond- ed to the air-tones above. It appeared sometimes to sink until ithad enveloped me in its wild, thrilling power, and then suddenly swept upward, until I was pained with intense listening. and with a long sigh of relief 1 awoke to full con- sciousness. 1 have heard others narrate experiences similar to mine, and I leave the explanation to the curious and investigating, convinced that I can offer pone which will be satisfactory. . I replenished the fire, folded my blanket around me, and lay down to sleep. The night-wind was howling dismally through the forest, and the distant rush of the river made melancholy music, In a short time I fell into a deep seep. I was aroused from this by feeling something work- ing at my blanket. I lay mytionless a moment to escertain the character cf the threatened danger. The next moment something struck me like the paw of an animal; and Sane a wolf had attacked me, I sprung to my feet, with a shout, threw off my blanket, and drew my knife. Instead of confronting wolves, I met the gaze of a half-dozen savages! For a moment I was com pletely bewildered, “You go long with us,” said one, laying his hané upon my arm. eat CHAPTER VIL. TRAPPING AMONG THE INDIANS, Arter I hac@ arisen to my feet, the captors con- tinued conversing in am unknown tongue. It per- plexed me to understand how one of them was able to address me in tolerable English. I suppose he must nave had intercourse with the traders and hunters and the forts and stations o? the North-west, After a few minutes’ conversation, the Indians ap- ntly came to a satisfactory conclusion; for the seated themselves around the fire, ordering me to do the same, and here they sat as grim an nt as statues, not a muscle moving, excepling an L- al wink of ‘the eyes at long intervals. I watched them, it seemed for an hour, shivering with cold all the while, although my captors had not deprived me of my blanket, At last, as I looked up, I saw that day was break- ing. There was a faint light in the east, the approach of the sun. Shortly after, it above the forest line, lich up the intermimable prabie and wilderness with its ee Slory. The savages sprung to their feet, se their weapons, and started away. | 900 (é At last it dicd away,,. com >, Ss. ee » ; H ! | | : Jn 3 = . | ' ; | i t "fe! ms