Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1151 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

‘1s Beadle’s Half-Dime —— ++ the last. In this was imprisoned a beautiful | had no thoughts of my attempting a flight, as I had * fox, the ture of which nearly set the two es in ecs s. The fur of this animal is more uable than that of any other caught by the trap- pers one alone sometimes bringing as high as two undred dollars, It is so rarely captured, and suck a prize, when taken, that a hunter would be satisfied with one single animal during the whole season. Our two animals being secured upon our sled, and the traps carefully reset, we commenced our return journey, The night was far advanced when we reached the Indian village. As we entercd the lodge, Jim's squaw arose noiselessly and replenished the fire, While removing my snow-shoes, I remarked to Jim that my feet had felt for the last half-hour as thou¢h they were aslee e “Tet me see him,” he asked, quickly, jerking off the thick moccasins which I had donned a few weeks baok, He looked at my feet a moment, and ex- claimed: ‘* Him froze up!" I was considerably startled at: this, and anxiously asxed him if they were badly frozen. “Yaw, but me fix ’em,” he ansvered, and com- menced immediately rubbing until I begged him to desist. He paid no heed to my entreaties, but con- tinued this treatment until he had restored com- sletely the congealed circulation, and saved: the use- ul members, The savages had but poor fortune in trapping this winter, and there was considerable suffering. The Indians of the North-west rely solely upon what they are thus able to take for their food during the eol(l season, and, as there is generally plenty of game, they fare well. But now and then some un- accountable cause drives all the animals away, and cases of actual starvation have occurred. Jim told e that three winters before a case of cannibalism occurred in their tribe, and years before that, when a mere child, there came an appalling time. Half the families were obli to devour some of their members to support life until spring, and, for over a week, a miserable old bison supported the whole tribe. Jim said he had more than once cooked his moccasins and eaten them. The tribe was driven to no such extremity as this while I was with them, and I saw no want myself, Jim was one of their’ best hunters, and he supplied his own lodge before that of others. Yet, there were others who were not so fortunate, and who were often compelled to endure the pan unger for days at atime, Whenfood was kk aa, t ey gO red themselves snort to bursting, and were the potent of mortals, until the wants of nature again made (themselves felt. During my captivity, several things occurred to make me suspect that the mysterious captive refer- red to was in this village the whole time, and I was satisfied that Indian Jim knew more of Nat than he would impart to me. These imaginings filled me with moody misgivings, and I made a resolve that as £000 as spring came Il would make my escape; and ¥ I could learn nothing of the two beings whose fate was unknown to me, to depart for the States. The life I was leading was a wearisome, monotonous one, and in time would become unendurable. Spring was but a month or two distant, and in its approach I placed my fondest hopes. CHAPTER IX. THE BUPPALO-HUNT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. A® stated in the last chapter, there was consider- able suffering on account of the seareity of food. The country to the north of Nebraska is the paradise of all species of game in the summer months, but during the winter, the large animals proceed to the southward, and the deep snows prevent the capture of the smaller ones, except by means of traps. Spring, therefore, was looked forward to with eager expectation, as the harbinger of enjoyment and the season of the chase. And itcame at last. First the sun grew hotter and more fiercely; the snow became damp and cloggy, and the dripping of water could be heard through the day night. Streams of melted snow poured into the rivers all along the barks, and the ice became weaker and weaker each moment, till, at last, with a terrific crashing and thundering, the whole mass and a week after, the clear, blue running water only was seen. The thaw con- tinued, and with feclings of indescribable’ joy, we once more saw the face of the earth. Vegetation now commenced with surprising growth, and in an almost incredibly short space of time, bright, radi- ant, glorious sp ng held indisputable reign. Indians were departing and arriving every day with loads of fish, wild fowl, and game, and the village was a scone of unbridled feasting for many a day. One forenoon a savage announced thst @ herd of buffaloes was quietly browsing a few miles to the southward, This produced corsnotion through the Merve and preparations were at once made for the grand hunt. Some twenty or thirty splendid Indian ponies were mounted by as eo warriors, and to my inexpressible delight, Jim informed me that I should accompany them. A small, high-spirited an- inal was given me. He was of a dark eolor, and his dappled haunches glistened in the sun like polished ebony. Aboist noon we sallied forth from the village, and struck a southward direction, restraining our ani- mals to a walk, in order to preserve their wind for the severe test at hand. ile riding along by the gide of Jim, the beltig ie of escape—which had not beep absent from me for the last six months—came with double force. Iwas now mounted upon a fleet, long-winded ani who could hold his own with ‘any horse bestréde by the Indians: what was to pre- vent escape? In the excitement of the chase, I micht wander miles away, and be goke many hours | instant I was beside him, and helcing my gun i ny | ue i 08099 A —— eee eee _— eS vermitted so many Opportunities to pass, and I felt ‘here would be no suspiciwus eyes watching my mo- tions. The prairie stretcnaed hundreds of miles to the southward, and it seeme] my animal longed to bound away upon it, tive. An hour or so after, we came in sight of tha drove, cropping the new grass of the prairie. So numerous were gy that as we looked over them, it was impossible to se their extent. Far away, until they touched the Aorizon, the ocean of dark, swarming bodies could be y Our animals now partook of the excitement of their masters. Archie their necks, they scented the prey afar, and it was nearly impossible to re- strain their impatience. They snorted, plunged champed their bits, shook their heads, and seem determined to rush ‘forward despite all restraint. We continued stealthily approaching in a body, preserving strict silence, order not to alarm the game. In this way, wé came within a hundred yards, when a bull raised his alarmed 2 at us, and, giving a Icud snort, heaved his huge bod round and plunged madly into the herd. All too the alarm and went thundering away, making the earth tremble with their multitudinous tread. It was now vholly useless to undertake to check our animals longer, and oa a wild yell, the Indians plung after them, The btffalo is not a runner, and, owin legs, ap to roll in his gait. soon bring their riders alongside the bisons, and as soon as the shot is given, they shy off to avoid the infuriated animal’s horns. Before I was pre pared for it, my animal was abreast of a buffalo, and waiting for my shot. Here I committed a blun- der common to all beginners of the hunt. I fired while holding the reins in my hand, The conse- quence was, my bullet hit the animal somewhere about the head, got entangled in his mane, where it would drop out in a day or two. My horse immedi- ately vee to one side, and allowed the buffalo to run until I could reload. I now saw my beast knew more of the chase than I did, and, dropping the rein upon his neck, allowed him full freedom. Cautiously, but; rapidly, he came alongside the lunging buffalo, and, taking more care, I sent a bul- et through the fore part of his body. It was his death-wound; and, seemingly conscious of his fate, and determined on revenge, he wheeled instantly round, drove his fore-feet into the ground, and drop- ped his head to ripup my charger. This movement was so sudden, and we were so close upon him, that my horse erzid neither check his speed nor turn to oné side. But he avoided him for all that. Dropping upon his haunches with a snort, he made a terrific bound upward, and went clean over the buffalo. The maddened animal e ‘ted this, and struck his horns upward, expecting still to kill him, The in- stinct of the horse was too much, however; he, #00, feared such a fate, and leaped bigh enough to avoid the horns. As he came to the earth again, he plunged swiftly away, the enraged buffalo in full pursuit; but he easily kept clear from him, wheeling and dodging, and still remaining nigh aes for me to give my snot. My gun was unloaded, and before [ could charge it, the buffalo had fallen to the earth and was fast dying. I now looked about me. Buffaloes were flying in every direction, and the forms of the savages could be seen darting to and fro among them, dealing de- struction at-every turn. The main herd was oe simultaneously southward, while the scores that h been cut off were endeavoring to rejoin them, car- rying us along with them. In different parts of the prairie could be seen, the dark, motionless forms of the slain buffaloes, showing how successful the chase had been thus far. The sky, which in the morning was fair and clear, was now becoming overcast, atid two or three warn- ing rumbles of thunder were heard in the distance, Still, the Savages were too excited to notice the inter- ruption, as i, too a single buffalo remained. I saw Jim plunge his horse unhesitatingly into a crowd of a dozen or so, when, as he commenced dealing de- struction, his horse became entangled, and he was compelled to make a flying leap over the backs of the animals around him. is he accomplished success- fully, leaping from one baek to the other, until he was clear of them all Suddenly, it occurred to me, while holding my flery horse, that, if I meditated escape, it was high time to be about it. Turning to the southward, I could just desery the drove thundering away, a vast cloud of dust circling above them. ‘The rein was drop upon the neck of my horse, and stretching out his head, he bounded away like the wind. He was a noble animal, and was now in his element. He enjoyed he chase as much as any of the savages; and, as mile after mile of prairie flew beneath his feet, he was enly warming inte the excitement. As Llooked back, I could just discern the Indians, like specks in the distance, still at their bloody work, We were now at no great distance from the herd, and my horse, catching sight of an old worried bull, somewhat in the rear, instantly made toward him. He was too jaded to hastew his pace, and I could see his fury was roused, I prepared to shoot him, as it would go to show my pursuers, if I should have any, that the excitement of the chase had .alone carried me away. While yet some distance, he shied to one side, and turned his head warningly toward us, but without halting. The horse, however, finding that I still retained my shot, continued to bring me closer. At last the bison stru to a swifter run, and made desperate efforte to réjoin his companions. In an “he Indians’ horses Library. 1 felt the time had come, and | resolved never to return “> the Indian village a cap- to the shortuess: of his fore-, a suddenly stood at bay, in precisely th, same manner as the other. My horse, instead of making a.running leap this time, stopped instantaneously, planting his feet firmly in the ground, I was not prepared for this, and shot a dozen feet over his head, falling upon my face within a foot of the buffalo. The shock was terrible, and I was severely injured. I endeavored to rise, fearing that I should be gored and trampled to death, but was unable, and heard the buffale scampering away. I placed my hand to my face, and found it covered with blood, and a strange be- wilderment was coming over me, I arose to my knees and gazed about me. The buffalo was plung- ing in the rear of his drove, while my horse was ~ loping wildly around me, his mane and bridle flying in the wind. Lheard the bursting of thunder over- head, and everything was growing dark and confus- ed, I tried again to rise, but failed. There was a thick darkness about me, a heavy hand pressing me to the earth, and all became chaotic. When consciousness returned, all Was blank dark ness. The rain was pouring down in torrents, and stunned and bleeding, I lay on the soaked, cold, spongy earth. Gradually the remembrance of r7 misfortune came over me. I must have been 173 several hours upon the prairie, exposed to the evld, dismal storm. My clothes were saturated with tk. chilling rain, and my face and hands bedabbled w*%: mud and dirt. I struggled eit hney § to my feet, and o.deavored to pierce the oe gloom around; but it was use- less; not the smallest point of the faihtest ght eould be seen in any direction. Up, down, on every hand, the same solid wall of darkness enveloped me, l was many miles from the Indian village, and had lost its direction. At that moment, I would have given worlds to’ have been within Jim's lodge. Flight, in my present condition, was not to be thought of, and I must soon receive succor or I should perish, [ listened. In the dismal sweep of the rain some- thing like a footstep was hearc. I called out, but there was no reply. Again the splash of a foot was heard, now from a different point. Soon I discov- ered some animal was walking around me in a circle, Feeling round in the spongy prairie, 1 found my rifte, but it was useloss as a means of defense, as the charge was thoroughly wetted. I clubbed it, and then for = aor e seoane and around the same step went. onc oped it ht be Jim, er one of his cohapantons. but ite feottel showed it to be a quadruped, and its approach waa toe oxutious. Suddenly it halted and walked direct- ly toward me, I drew my rifle back, ready to brain it the minute it was within my reach. A faint neigh was beard Joy, inexpressible} ik was my faithful horse. As I ed to him, he approached, and low- ered his head for me to take his bridle. With a feel- ing of deep thankfulness and hope, I clambered into the saddia and he bounded away, his unerring im stinct leading him straight towa ome, The rain continued to beat, cold and dismal, and I felt already burning within me a hot, fiery fever from the terrible suffering I had undergone, i should soon be prostraied, and without some kindly hand to nurse me, would inevitably perish. But the horse was certain; and after an hour or two, my heart leaped as we entered the silent Indian village. But one hght was burning, and that was tn the ledge of Jim, showing that he expected my return, I 5) instantly up to the entrance and dismounted, while my noble horse made off to look out for himself, Jim arose as he heard my approach, and, lifting his torch, advanced to meet me, “You had a long hunt—”’ He started back in horror at my appearance, Then, peer his light over his head, and peering at me, he asked: ‘“What de matter? Been in fight?’ **No; I was thrown from my horse, and lay sense- less upon the prairie until a short time ago. I feel bad, Jim, and fear I am severely injured,” said I, starting to seat myself, ‘* Wait minute; am hurt; let me fix 'em.” He clapped his hands, and instantly the bundle of blankets at the side of the lodge arose te an u right position, and his squaw walked forth. My wounds were now d my garments changed for dry ones, and with a hot cup of drink, I was swathed in blankets, and. placed the fire. Jim said it was not far from morning, and if at that time I was worse, he would call in the Medicine Man, All night the fever burned and raged, and when morning came I was partially delirious, Jim exam- ined my pulse, shook his head pce and de- parted from the lodge. In a short time he returned, and with him came the Medicine Man, an Indian considerably advanced in years, and much loved and honored by his tribe. He, too, looked grave, and held a consultatiam in an undertone with Jim. From these signs, I knew I was dangerously, probably fa- tally, injured. And now came days of those strange, indescriba- ble visions that come over one in high fever, I was in all imaginable "places, and saw wonderful per- sons and scenes. ow and then, there were mo- ments when reason flitted to its throne, At such times I saw the Medicine Mau or Jim near me; and once, as I wonderingly opened my eyes, I saw the mysterious captive bending over me. I looked straight into her dark, liquid eyes, and reached forth and touched her garments, to satisfy myself that it was no freak of mind. My fixed stare alarmed her, and she looked in uringly at the Medicine Man, He mumbled som x, and she departed. About a week after my acaident, as I ly learned, I awoke with my full reason: As I look- woaderingly about me, the first object that en- countered my eyes wes the captive to whom I have alluded. My fixed stare af her seemed tc alarm ber withowt exciting suspicion, My captors, 1 suppose, | shoulder, was just ou the pom of firing, woen he | and she aross te pass out. f comicbooks