Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1151 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

— SS — ee — —™~ i eS ee ee a rw a i - Bill Biddon, Trapper. 16 ———— “ How so?" | “You are aware we are now in the United States gerritory. It is not often that we extend our work iato it, except in Oregon, which has lately fallen into the hands of the Americans. Biddon hase ed a large quantity of furs of the Indians in the neighbor- hood, intending them for one of their fur companies, but after his digpute he offered them to us, and this brigade was dispatched for them. He will find quite @ pile of money due him at York fort when he ar- rives there.”’ : : Further time was spent in conversation with the elerk, when I noticed a person had taken Biddon’s fag at the oars. The trapper motioned me beside im. Seating ourselves in the opposite end of the boat, he said: “ Now, we'll have a talk, Jarsey, ogh! ‘The first thing to be knowed,” said Biddon, “is how in the name of human natur’ you come in these parts? Howwar it, Jarsey?” “You must remember, Biddon, I have been a pris- oner for the last six months,’ and thereupon I told my story. * Did you never hear nothin’ of Greeny?” ‘Yes: a rumor reached me that he was living with a tribe of Indians to the east of us.’’ “Altogether onpossible,”’ answered the trapper, with a shake of his head. ‘* Why is it impossible?” “He's had his ha’r raised, sure, and never see’d the next day arter we see'd the last on him.”’ ‘‘T am more hopeful than you are. Recollect, J have been a captive, and am now here without bodily harm.” “Tt’s qua’r, I allow, how you come out as you did. The reds in them parts are ERED OERECOUS, and if it hadn't been for that Jim, and that gal, you’d 'a’ gone under, sure. I's tuck once by them same chaps. Me an’ Snapper Jack was sot on one dark night in an awful snow-storm by a hundred on ’em. ey blaz- ed right into us, and Jack rolled over with a pound of lead in him, and never said aword. I's purty well riddled in my lower story, but I got off with my ha’r while Jack never knew who tuk his. They ca’c’lated 1 toastin’ you up brown, and would ef it wa’n’t fur at gal.’’ ; The brigade proceeded regularly and rapidly down the Yellowstone, until the sun sinking in the west, warned them that night was at hand. The steers- man informed me they should not be able to reach the Indian village that night, but would early the next day. Just as the shadows were blending with the darkness on the river banks, the brigade ran in to shore for the night’s encampment, A dense forest on either side of us rende our situation gloomy; but this was soon dispelled by the jolly vovyageurs. Fuel wascollected, and three fires crack- led and blazed cheerily around us. The mén passing to and fro, chatting and joking, the confusion of pre- arations for supper, made a scene well calculated dispel all gloom, All gathered around the Seed f evening aca. These hardy fellows, after the labori- ous day’s work, their appetites sharpened, ‘* Ate like horses, when you hear them eat.” The meal finished, the indispensable pipes were in requisition, The brigade included men in it who. had trapped and hunted from the shores of the frozen sea to the plains of the Kansas, and from Labrador to the mouth of the Columbia, beyond the Rocky Moun- tains. They had encountered every imaginable foe; the intense cold and the polar bear of the North, and the innumerable hordes of sayages of the more temperate regions; and now they recounted their reminiscences, and speculated upon the fate still in store forthem. The hours passed rapidly, and, ere I was aware, the voyageurs were gathering their blankete around them for the night's rest. - “Gorae, bundle up, Jarsey,”’ said Biddon, “for thar’ll be no time to snooze in the daylight.”’ The men were stretched at every point around the fire, their feet being toward it, their heads radiating outward, so that the three groups resembled the same number of immense wheels. places were occupied, I lay a little beyond the circle, within-a foot or two of Biddon. The fires now smol- dered, and the heavy darkness again settled over wood and river, Nothing disturbed the deep silence gave the faint flow of the Yellowstone, or tne dull noise of an ember as it broke apart, and now and then the distant wail of some wild an I soon joined the rest in the land of dreams. The first apprisal [had of the approach of env were the loud cries; ‘‘Leve! leve! leve!’’* uttered by nu- merous voices. Starting up, I saw the voyageurs all astir, makin ready to embark. The boats were launched, an " beinz too early for breakfast, the men sprung in an ceived the oars. 3 ‘*‘ We halt for breakfast,”’ said the steersman, “ at tho Indian village, which I understand is your destin- ption.”’ With the same inspiring song. of previous days, the men kent to their oars, and the boats shot rapidly through the foaming water. In the course of an hour or more the brigade put in for breakfast, and the same b scene t had taken place the ht befere was re-e : e place chosen was a bread, open plot of grass, reaching down to the water's edge and extending some hurrdred feet back to the e of the forest. No of Indians were seen, and I was somewhat to know how it was knownthey were in the vicinity. The clerk explained to me that Biddon had described the halting oe and the distancé so accu- rately, that there could be no mistake, and the sav- would soon make their aymeaTAnCe. scarcely spoken, W @ movement was As most of the: heard in the forest, and several Indians made their a rance. They seemed to understand the mean- ing of the pee: for, directly behind them came numbers of others bearing loads of peltries—the furs of beavers, foxes, badgers, lynxes, martens, otters, and wolverines, A barter at once commenced, and in less than half an hour the whole array was deposited in the boats, and the Indians were proudly parading in the gaudy trinkets and dresees which had just fallen to their lot. ‘* Where is their village?’’ I asked of Biddon, mn ‘*A mile or so back in the woods; you can’t miss i . 9 ‘*T can remain here without danger, can I not?”’ ** Yas, I guess so—hold on, I'll fix it for you,”’ With this he strode rapidly toward a man who ap- peared to be the chief, and commenced a conversa- tion, He understood the Sioux tongue well enough to hold quite an intelligible conversation. The talk lasted but a moment, when he returned. ‘You needn't be skeerish,” said he; “ ve made it allright. Itold that old chap you wanted to take a look at the country hereabouts, to skeer up some furs for us ag’in. He was a little s’pishus at fust shoot me if he warn’t! and he'’axed ef you wanted to run off with that gal o’ theirs, ’cause.ef you war, you'd better leave yer ha’r behind you. There's been two or three round these parts after her, and he won't stand it no longer. You've got to be mighty shy, Jarsey, I kin tell yer; but I hope you'll git her fur all that, ogh!”’ ‘*T am grateful to you for this kindness, Biddon—”’ ‘‘Never mind "bout that; come to the pint ef you've got any thing to say.” ‘Thad nothing except to express my thanks, which you seem averse to receiving.” “It does go ag’in’ my stummick, I allow, Jarsey; when you come the squaw over me, I can’t stand it. Yer’s as likes to talk fair and squar’ and leave the rest. Shoot me ef I doesn’t!” a suppose the time has come for us to separate, t then, Biddon?”’ Berndt « it’s close at hand, Think you’d bet- ter go up to Selkirk settlement with us; don’t s’pose you hf 3 t you're @ fool, shoot me ef I don't, 0g ‘Tt Seems our separation is to be something like it was before,” ILlaughed. ‘I believe you had a small opinion of my abilities at that time.” ‘Wal, yer’s as hopes you'll come out right side up this time. In course I'll have a glimpse of that ugly face of your’nag’in, In course.” **T don’t know about that. As you have gone into the service of the Hudson Bay Company, your sphere of action will be far removed from mine, and it will be an occurrence which I cannot imagine at this time that will bring us together again.” ‘That ain’t so sartin,” said the trapper, in a low, confidential tone. “I rather vt a I'll be down in In- dependence this fall, and ef these fellows ca’c'lates on keepin’ me around, they've gottostep round ’em- selves. Shoot me if they hain't, ogh!” ‘*T hope you will not spend your live in the dreary region north of this, for it will indeed be a dreary, lonely life for you.” ‘Wal, you see; Jarsey,”’ he continued, with a shade of feeling, “it don’t make much difference whar I traps. Yer’s as s’pects to go under somewhar in the mountains, and leave my top-knot fur the buz- zards and reds, and it mought as well be in one part as t’other of this country.’ ‘Fudge, Biddon, don’t talk that way. Why, I am sure I shall see you settled down in the States, with a wife and a dozen children—"’ [paused as I noticed the trapper’s face. Some strange emotion was gaining the mastery over him; but he conquered it in a minute, it. ““ Pardon me; you will soon be under way,” Ispoke, Wishing to painful to him. He turned, and lhoking at the bri- gade, which was making preparations to start, an- swered: “Yas; the boys are near ready, and they won't wait. What yer goin’ to do, Jarsey, when we leave you ‘mong the reds?” ‘I have told you, Biddon, that my sole purpose is to seek out Nat Todd. I have given you an account of my meeting and partial flight with Imogene, the captive, who has told me of his whereabouts. She is now waiting at Death Rock for me, and is as confi- dent as lam that I shall bring Nat with me. These Indians, believing Imogene to be with the other tribe, will not suspect her flight unless a runner ar- rives here and acquaints them with it; butI have little fear of that, as I have no expectation of remaén- ing any length of time.” Wal, as that little gal has see'd Nat, of course he’s kickin’. Bless her soul! I'd like to see her sweet face, but ls’pose the brigade can't spare me just now. Jarsey, lve my s’picions that that other sperit is some- where out tow Oregon, ‘mong a tribe of red-slsins, I've had my s’picions I say, but I'll say nothin’ more now ‘cept to kind of hint I may take a tramp out in them parts some day to see ef thar be signs of her.”’ ‘*T sincerely hope that such may be the case, al- though I cannot be as sanguine as youare. Should you rescue her, the debt of gratitude—” “There! that'll do, ogh!’’ interrupted Biddon, im- ratively. “Such things go "fou my stummick, and ou’ don’t want to hear'em, As pe on the track of Nat, go, fur he may be somew t, in spite of the fears I have that he isn’t, arter all.” “Rest assured I shall leave no stome unturned, I shall seek him at once.” ** And when you finds him, tell him eld Bill Biddon is about, and ready to hunt sa with him any time, ef he don’t. git behind mew shootin’ time comes. Ogh! ogh!”" aad the enjoyed his ass from the aHusion which had been so | —_—————aeil tit ili LE CD eee | include the rene Bees of the vast territory — -—_— —————————————————— | all the attention [ could wish was given. | oke merrily. He stopped suddenly and looked ag he brigade. “Wal, J , talkin’ time’s gittin’ mighty short, I'd like to longer, but can't do ft thts time, OOS ee have a time down in the States ‘fore 0 ‘“*T sincerely trust we shall,” I answered, unwilling to turn the hopeful picture which he was drawing for himself. ‘** And we'll have Nat ‘long with us,” he added. “Of course, for Il am sure he would not willingly miss an opportunity of seeing his old friend again, Of course, Biddon, we shall meet, ifj] not in thig world, I hope in the next.”’ ‘P’raps so, though I can’t tell till we gits Don’t know much ‘bout them matters, ogh!"” At this moment the voice of the steersman was heard, ordering the men to their places. Biddon turned, took a step, then halted and faced me, ‘‘Good-by, Jarsey.”’ He extended his hand, but ere I could take it It was hastily withdrawn. He mumbled something, dashed his hand across his face, and strode rapidiy toward the boat, Rn Biddon. God bless you!” I called after im. The vtoyageurs seized their oars, and in a few mo ments they were in the stream, their same chee song echoing.as loudly and as joyously as before, § stood upon the bank, watching them as the current bore them onward, In a few moments they reached a knoll in the river—Biddon made a signal to me, and the next minute they had vanishe As the Aig of the voyageurs grew fainter and fainter, until it died away in the distance, I awoke from the mournful reverie into which I had fallen, and turned to the work before me. There was a4. dozen Indians around, all busy with their new pos- sessions, Some were pereding bompousiy in their new blankets, some examining their glittering knives, and others wrenching off t mouthfuls from huge twists of tobacco, and all evidently in the highest spirits. The chief had been presented with a fing, olished rifle, and he was apr; Ba are trying ite lock, and “drawing bead,” on erent objects im the distance. I waited till he appeared satisfled, and then ap proached and made a complimentary remark; I saw at once it was not comprehended, and there was not robably a savage who could a word of Eng~ shin the tribe. However, as they spoke the same tongue as the tribe in which I spent my captivity, my situation was not as bad as it might have beat In course of half an hour, the chief started toward his village, the others sauntering along behind him, and myself at his side. His xifle was now thrown over his shoulder, and he seemed to have lost all im- terest in it as he walked forward, his dark eyes bent upon the ground, A few minutes’ walk through the forest brought us to the Indian village. It was so similar to the one before described, that it needs na mention here. The Blackfeet Sioux are one of the many divisions of the Dacotah or Sloux tribe, whose hunting-grounds. of Ne- braska, ‘These sub-divisions of this numerous people are tribes within themselves, gets speaking the same tongue, they are separate and literally in dependent of each other. ch has its village and chief, whose authority is absolute. Like all North American Indians, their life is a migratory one; and the traveler who to-day finds them located on the Yellowstone or little Missouri, may a year after, find them as far westward as the Great Falls of the Mis- souri, My advent among the savages excited no unusual | attention, as they are often visited by traders and , ., Never talk that way ag’in, Jarsey; I can’t stand | hunters. The chief took me to his'own lodge, where I was glad- ly surprised to find upon the next day, that there was a half-breed among them who could speak the English tongue. His acquaintance I soon made, He was a middle-aged man, who had spent most of hig life in trapping, sometimes as far northward as the Saskatchewan, and who often acted as interpreter for his tribe. He possessed the daring hardihood of the French trapper, and the low ferocious cunn of the savage. e had ever considered this tribe as his people, having a squaw and several children. From this half-breed I learned that the flight of Imogene was not yet discovered, and that the tribe which held Nat was about a dozen miles to the east- ward, Linformed the chief, through the interpreter, that I should make several days’ ramble through the: woods, in order to get a better idea of the face of the country and of its resources. He seemed to believe I really was an agent of one of the fer compan and offered me an escort. I declined, however, an the next morning started on foot in the direction of the tribe alluded to, CHAPTER XII. FOUND AT LAST, | 1 Took a direction nearly due east toward the Black Hills. Near the middle of the day I reached the shore of a lake. It was a small, beautiful sheet of water, its glistening surface unruffied by a single ripple, and I stood a long time gazing upon its placid. oeenn The blue outline of the op : shore Waa faintly visible in the distance, and here and there the green face of a tiny island protruded from the surface, adding greatly to the Dicbaréeationsas of the scene. As I stood looking dreamily out upon this lake, eyes upon a small disoprnthe fae toward the other side. It was too smalland dark to be an island, and, furthermore, I fancied it was moving. A moment more satisfled me that it was a canoe crossing Se Seay tO SOL ae which 1 was standing. #o small] and was & 7 a 900 Comic cs co