Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1151 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

eS ee * tion in the hut, the comin sf “ Wait,’ said I; ‘ pray do not leave me."’ * But you must not »’ she replied, much ayi- tated, “‘ the Medicine Man will not allow it; you will zapure yourself,’’ You and the Medicine Man are both mistaken. I knowl have been sick and delirious, but my mind was never clearer than it is thisinstant. I knowa few moments’ conversation can not injure me. Let me beg you not to refuse, as I can not tell whether the opportunity will ever again be offered.” The young woman before,me was much embar- Onesed, and for a moment hesitated, a scyn d in doubt between duty and inclination. Seizing the op- portunity, lurged my wish with greater fervor than Over. Finally she glanced furtively around as though ' $$ | | i | he expected to meet the twinkling orbs of the Medi- | sine 1, and then answered: *I cannot refuse pont request, and yet it seems | wrong that I shoul wish to ask me?’’ ‘Am I out of danger?’’ “Not yet. You have been crazy for a long time, thus disobey the injunctions | that were given for your good. What is it that you | | Ladmitted this, but I was compelled to at last, Death and more than once the Medicine Man has shaken | his head in doubt when he looked upon you.”’ ‘*Have you not watched by me nearly all the time ft have been thus?” I gazed full in her face as I uttered this question, — she dropped her eyes in confusion, as she re- ied: a I have agsisted the Medicine Man several times as he wished me to, and I have done no more to you than I would to any one in similar circumstances.”’ ‘No, sweet lady, I know elaimed, in admiration; ‘‘ your heart is open to any one, © you are I know not, but I can see your race is similar to my own, and judge you to be a ng prisoner among these Indians. Your image has long been before me, and I can never forget your fair, angelic face. What first was merely interest me grown into a stronger passion for you, though ear—’’ I paused as she suddenly arose to her feet, and raised her hand in a warning manner. could ask the meaning of this, a shuffling step was heard, and the next minute the Medicine Man made his appearance, He gesticulated angrily toward her, and she passed quietly out of the lodge. lowed her with my eyes, and as she reached the pas- rites she turned toward me with a look told more than words, ou haven’t,’’ I ex- The Medicine Man evidently sapere what I had | there was @ pause and stillness; and then the efforts been doing; I could see he was excited, and mumbled continually to himself, drink to my lips, which. was soothing in its effects, and in a short time I sle t. Now comes a long blank in my memory, After | this incident, black night shut around my mind. There is a faint recollection of again seeing Jim and the Medicine Man bending over me, and the sweet pale face of the fair captive, and then again came utter oblivion, CHAPTER X. AN AWFUL AWAKENING. I nAvE now reached a point in my life over which I would fain pene in silence. It is an experience so strange, so like some horrid vision of sleep, so dif- ferent from what usually falls to the lot of n, that, at this remote day, I cannot look upon it with- out a recoiling shudder of horror, I times persuaded myself that it was unreal; but no, it is true, and time can never clothe. the. memory of it in a different drees than that of unearthly terror. Bleak and bare it stands alone, in my check- ered lot, and the silver that now glistens prema- turely in my hair, came upon that night. —— I remember falling into a deep sleep, in which the fast form that before my eyes was that of the dark Medicine Manthere was a confused mur- mur of voices, and then all became dark. Gradu- ally the darkness was es by the glittering folds of a dream—a dream which had little form or theme, but the minutest particulars of which I re- member to this day. ere were airy, waving res gliding silently about me, without voice, but th every variety of motion. They and re- _— before my face, frequently pausing and ex- pding their arms over my body, and sometimes standing and intently scanning my countenance. This continued a long time, not a word spoken either by myself or the forms, when suddenly the whole ¢ The waving figures darted with the hanged. ~ papidity of lightning among each other, and the a radiance became instantly as black as night. n this I could distinguish the rushing forms grow- ing fainter and fainter, until at last all was black- ness again. Then came a feeling as though the thick dark- ness in one yolume were grad crushing me be- neath it, and then a st © feeling of being cramped and held forcibly still. en came a long, deep, in- drawn breath, and I awoke, All was confused and inexplicable. Open my e as wide as I might, I could not pierce the S n gloom. I tried to move, but could n not stir a limb, and only the rs of my hand. The air ye steamy an omen I was gyi are by somet w every part. rove collect wa thoughts. I remem the consulta- unconsciousness, and— ; Baar impression, after was that the house a over ae : clenc hands—they closed u ear’ con ay Pile Me: and licked the darkness. I sasted earth /~—and then came the sudden, overwhelming knowledge— 1 WAS BURIED ALIVE! pba gr awakening draw the faintest picture, no soul con- ie 060 Penuttorable horror, unless that youl has | Before I | around me; and then the long, labored inspiration I fol- | hat | air of heaven before death. He forced a bitter, scalding | | a strong band seized my arm, and—oh, joy inex- ave some- | | LN eee eee ee eee eee ae Bit Bidson “Trapper. —_-—- -- —— gone through the same awful exp rience, that filled my soul at that discovery. Sucha whirlwind of fire as seethed through my bursting brain, sich a per- feet blaze of all the passions that can rack the human mind, I cannot portray with this feeble pen. For a moment I was frantic, and then suddenly a dreadful and frightful calmness soothed my frame, Ay, I was buried alive! The savages had mistaken my trance-like stupor for death itself, and I had been hurried prematurely into the grave, Oh, the appalling discovery! To die while in the grave! The thought was too horrible! I was not yet ready to give way to utter despair. I durst not yause a second for thought, for I knew it woudd sure- y come. I twisted and struggled with the strength of fury. I could turn my body around, and use my arms. There was an open space before my face, as I had been buried in the sitting position. Had I lain back I could not have survived five minutes; as it was, my limks were immovably secured, and it was absolutely tinpossible for me to free myself. It was a long time, for such an experience, before — > oe — by suffocation was rapidly approaching, and all that was left for me was to pre are for it. The small breath of air around me ot already been breathed over and over again, and was becoming hot, steamy, and sickening. I was gasping and panting, but strove to collect my thoughts and keep them from wandering. I commenced praying. Suddenly a muffled sound reached my ear, as ——— po] 13 apon her. Should I ever see the land I lett na child, I should be a stranger among strangers. ere ose here who love me, I remain and die among them.” ‘*¥lee with me," I impetuously urged. ‘ You will not be a stranger. Hundreds will love ron and you can die with your own kindred. Jim, who is faithful to you, will furnish us both with a fleet horse, and we can elude all pursuit. I—’’ I paused, for her agitation had become nful. She was sinking to the earth, when I caught her, and leading her a short distance, seated myself beside her on a fallen tree. Then I gently pulled her head, over On my bosom, and looked down upon her fea- tures. Her gaudy head-dress was removed, and her white face lay among the mass of jetty hair like a jewel set in darkness. The dark, sweeping lashes, the faint roseate glow of each cheek, the delicate nose and lips, as the moonlight rested on them, were indescribably beautiful. 1ere was, too, a tumul- tuous throbbing that showed what a powerful emo- tion was agitating her. t was that emotion? Was it a response to my own t passion? What else could itbe? Encour- aged by the certainty that the latter was the case, I urged my suit with redoubled ardor. I pietured the ae that would be hers in a civilized country, and the utter misery that must follow her life among the savages. She informed me that she was a cap- tive, not of the tribe near at hand, but of one further north, which had held her ever since the massacre of though something had fallen to the earth above. her parents; and that she had been told, in case she listoned—it was repeated directly over me, now rap- | attempted to leave them, instant death would be the idly and regularly, Whatcould itmean? Wasitthe | result. I saw she wished—she /onged to flee, and the sign of dissolution, or was it real? I listened, and | objections she offered were only suggested by her heard it plainer and plainer above the wild throbs of my heart. Jt was real/ Something or somebody was di ging at the grave above! Could I now hold out till I was reached? The air had already become. thick and palpable, and strange fires were ane before my eyes. I held my breath till the distended blood-vessels seemed bursting, and then as I respired, the earth turned to soft mud was like drawing in some loathsome reptile. But what was above? Itcould not be a person, as I had beén buried by them, It must be a famished animal hastening to devour me. Yet this would be a relief, to gain one more draught of the sweet, cool Now I heard the murmur of woices/ I shouted— were renewed with greater’vigor, I shouted again. I could feel the jarring trembling of the loose earth above, Some one was. endeavoring to rescue me from my awful fate, thank God! A moment after, and the cool air brushed my face; pressible! I was on the earth again. For a moment I was bewildered and dizzy, and my ulse fluttered wildly, for I had been very nigh death. was recalled to full consciousness by the familiar voice of Jim. ‘* Got in a tight fix, Will. Ole Jim jus’ in time.” _ I took the savage’s hand without a word, and sink- ing upon my knees, sent up a deep, heartfelt prayer to the Merciful Being who had thus snatched me from the most appalling death. There was a bright moon shining, and,as I turned, 1 saw the dark I» dian’s eyes fixed wonderingly upon me. Jim,” said I, solemnly, ‘may the God who has put it into your heart, reward you for this act, . I never, never can.” * Jim didn’t do it,” he did!” and disengaging his grasp, he darted out of sight. I turned and looked behind mé. There, standing motionless as a statue, ber slight form wrapped in a thick mantle, her sweet, white face appearing like a spirit’s, stood the fair, mysterious captive.* ora moment I was disposed to believe it was a spirit before me, so still and motionless she remained, Sudden! she turned to depart. Hold!” exclaimed I, springing forward and seiz- ing her arm; ‘ Hold one moment, till J thank thee.” Thank the Great One above,” she replied, in a ds Sweet voice. , ‘ He it ig who has preserved your As she uttered these words, she turned her dark eyes upward, and the moonlight streamir wea upon her face, threw a vail Tike a halo of slays Ps it. Then, looking me calmly in the face, *You have ésca an awful death, it is true; and you are not the only one who bas thus risen from the aye. When delirious, you spoke of home and of riends there, and I know your presence is prayed for. The chance of reaching them is now placed within your reach. A horse is saddled and bridled, and awaiting you, but a short distance away. Jim will furnish you with a rifle, You know the direc- tion.to take, and let me u re you to flee.” You are a white petson, und do you wish to I & Ww rson, and do you ” antl die with these sacecen?™ ‘ The tears glistene& on her face as she replied: “I have not a friend in the civilized world. My parents were murdered by the Indians, and myself and sister carried away in captivity, Wewere separated; I was taken eastward, and she westward beyond the Rocky Mountains. She cannot be living, for she was a deli- cate child, younger than me, incapable of bea one-half the suffering that must have been im quickly interrupted. * In the north-western part of n isa tribe of Indians called Chenooks, who bury their sick as soon as the Medicine Man pronounces them beyond re- covery. This horrid practice is not confined to them alone, for other tribes in the North-west have been | known to inflict it :pen their captives. s She ' _ -* ears. ‘* Hist!’ she whispered, ‘There is some one,” I turned. Jim stood beside me, ‘** How soon goin’?’’ he asked, anxiously turning to me, ‘Shortly; why do you ask?” ‘** Day comin’, and if you git cotched, no use!” he repliec , meaningly. ‘I was not aware, Jim, that I had enemies among ou.”’ * Yout hain’t; but—” The rest of the sentence was gesticulated, first pointing to me and the fair one beside me. ‘*Do you not understand?” asked the latter. ‘There are several in the tribe who look upon me with envious eyes, and were they conscious that you knew of my existence, you would not be spared a moment. is is what Jim means, and his words must be heeded.” : Pa I travel afoot and alone?” I asked of the ndian, “There’s hoss what tossed you over buffler,” he answered, pointing to a clump of trees, ‘and I've brought your other things,” he added, handing me my knife, powder-horn, and rifle, *‘and I'll show through woods to perarie.”’ “Thank you; but I shall not need you, as I know the v ay well enough,” ** How soon you goin’ to start?”’ he asked, turning to depart. **In less than an hour I shall bid you farewell,” * Jim,’ interposed the fair captive, “bring my horse to the same spot. I think I shall also leave for home to-night, If inquiry is made, you can tell them this, and add that I shall probably be with them in a few days again, As I know the wilderness well, I will guide our friend here through it,” The savage looked cautiously at us both. If he was shrewd enough to suspect the truth, he wasalso polite enough not to show it. He replied that her wish should be gratified, and he disappeared as noiseless! as he came. It was now getting far in the night. The moon rode high in the heavens, and shed a full, perfect light down upon us. “So you are going,’’ said I, looking at her. ‘‘Lam going to attempt it,” she answered, firmly. ‘‘And through no action of mine shall you ever regret this step,’’ lL added, warmly. ‘Oh! [hope he will soon return, for I wish to go," she Said, as with a shiver of apprehension she look: ed hurriedly about in the dark shadows of the for- est. “As yet we know not each other’s names,"’ said I, antly. hee True, she answered, with a faint smile, ‘ Mine is Imogene Merment.”’ ‘And mine is William Relmond; but where can Jim be?” “ Ah! there he is now,’’she answered, with a dee flush, and the next minute the savage stood beside us. ‘‘The animal's there; you'd better be off. Soon as you git away, I'll cover up hole, but I’m afeard there am some kin’ about here.” ‘* We will go at once,"’ said Imogene, gathering up her dress. I turned to give a last word to Jim, but he had vanished, * Let us ke fe said she, “for I have adread that we are Watched, and will not get away after all. | pray God that nothing may prevent us, now that we are started,”’ She almost ran, In a minute we reached the grove, Here we found two horses for a journey. Without losing a moment, we mounted struck to the nortward, ** Why this direction, Imogene?" I asked. “To avoid pursuit,” she answered. “At daylight we will change it, and proceed to the south-east,’ The open prairie wa some miles distant, and as the gepatast Ancien was tote ananeatiogle th tan e r was a . was more than probable that the sataeuial absence of Jim and ea prs at the same time, had aroused the suspicions of more than ome savage. As all must ComiIcboo CS co