Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1151 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

16 that for 4 long time I was tempted to believe it was nothing but a bird floating upon thesurface: but the flashing of the oars in the sunshine showed its true pature, and I awaited anxiously Its approach. On it came, slowly and steadily, its form gradually increasing as it approached, until I could discover the outlines of a single man. It struck meas a little singular that the Indian should approach so unhesi- tatingly a stranger, and I was upon the point of con- cealing myself; but, knowing that I must have been seen, and that such a exh rai as would only awaken suspicion, [ remained boldly in view. A few minutes later and the canoe grated upon the sand a few yards from me; and, daubed in all the glittering paraphernalia of savage war-paint and plumes, po less a person than Nathan Todd stepped ashore and approached me. I was upon the point of calling out to him, when I gaw he did not recognize me. Since we had last been together my beard had grown ede bare and my dress was also Changed to that of a semi-barbarian. I-drew my hat down to my eyes and spoke ina changed yoice. ‘A pleasant day this, my friend.” ‘* Yes, it is,’ replied the cracked voice. ‘* A fine country this, too.” ' ** Yes, that's 60; didn’t expect to see you.,”’ ** And why not, my friend?”’ **'Cause ‘taint often you see a white man in these parts; you're the first one I’ve seen.” ** And how is it you're here yourse!f?" ‘*Wal, stranger, there's a long story fastened to that question—a longer one than I care about spin- ning at present.” ‘* You are not a prisoner, I hope?” ‘*it was some time last fall I got tuk, and I’ve been with them, of cotrse, ever since.” “And why have you remained with them so long? It strikes me that if ' had the fine opportunity you have, I should not be long waiting to bid them fare- well.” ‘* Yon see, when I landed down here it was winter, and you must know that. a fellow from the States would make poor work tramping a thousand miles at auchatime. Sol concluded to wait till spring, and have been thinking about going for the last month or two, but somehow or other I haven’t got started; I suppose ’cause I haven't had a good start.”’ * You wish to return to the States?’ ‘*T puess T do; Tam aboutas homesick a dog as you ever laid eyes on; and there’s a gal home that I want to see amazingly.” At this remark Iwas compelled to cough several times, 1 felt like dropping peor the grass and rolling over and over, and yelling like an Indian. But I de- termined to carry the deception still further. ‘She most likely has given you up as dead by this time,”’ ‘I'm a little afraid she has, and that’s the reason I want to go down and tell her her mistake. ButI don't know as it would be any use, by gracious!”’ * And why not, pray?” ‘‘Oh, there's a chap named Bill Hawkins, who thinks he’s mighty smart, all the time flourishing round there: I'd just like to lay hands on him once,”’ and Nat shook his clinched hands menacingly. Then resuming his natural manner, he added, and with a sort of desperation, “I don’t care, though. If Sal wants him. she can have: him.” * That's it. Take things philosophically is my mot- to, when you are compelled to." In making this last remark, I unwittingly dropped my voice to iis natural key. Nat started, and stared wonderingly at me. ‘Did my remark surprise you?’ I asked, working harder than Lever did to maintain my gravity. ‘‘ It weren't what you said, but your voice sounded amazingly like ¢ person I used to know, He was about your size, but don't dress like you, nor didn’t bave such whiskers.”' ‘* What was his name?” * William Relmond, from New Jersey.” * William Relmond, from New Jersey,” I repeated, as though trying to recall some half-forgotten re- membrance. ** He used to be called ‘ Jarsey ’ by Bill Biddon,”’ add- ed Nat, quickly, as if to aid my recollection. * and do you know Bill Biddon’"' I demanded, ‘*T am of the opinion that I do, being as I have hunted with him a long time.” * Ah, indeed! Heis an old friend of mine. I saw him some time since, and he was then in the service of the Hudson Bay Company.” * Didn't he say anything about ‘ Jarsey?’”’ “I've hit itnow! That’s where I heard the name, Yes, he said a great deal about him, and he.also men- tioned a person called Nathan Todd, I think."’ ‘*T am the man, sir,’ responded Nat, with dignity. * You are! I recall now that he mentioned the fact of your captivity, although he was more inclined to gay you were dead and gone long since,”’ ** Bill is a ‘cute chap, but he’s mistaken there.”’ ‘Yes, he seemed to cherish a warm friendship for ou."’ ms You see, the way of it was this: Me and Bill Rel- mond started from Independence last summer for California. The company we was with ran away from us, taking my knife and mare with them, So we started for Californy on our own hook. We came across this Bill Biddon and changed our minds, or, rather, Relmond did, and we concluded to go ona hunt, We fixed on a place down on the Yellow- atone. and would have spent a good time if it hadn't been for that Relmond. He was a good fellow, but betwixt you and me (you needn't say nothing about it, you know), he was rather soft, and I had to keep a clus watch over him to prevent his gettin’ into dan- ger. here used to come some Injins down the stream in a canoe, and they set his head crazy. It wasn’t the Injina, though, but a white gal they had. LL LLL LLL LL LLL LL LLL LLL LLL LLL LL LL CC LL SS eS Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. She was pretty, I allow, but he ought to have knowed better than to chase ber as he did; he might have knowed what would come of it. We used to go down and watch this canoe, One day Lwent a. little lower down the stréam than he did, and hid In some bushes beside the water to take a good look at the gal and the Injins. Pretty soon they came, and as they got along by me, by gracious if they didn’t start right into the bushes after ine! I was so fast in the roots and limbs that I hadn't time to get out before they got right ontome. I then up and blazed away to keep them off, but I forgot to take aim, and didn’t hit them, and the first thing I knowed I didn’t know anything. One of them smashed his tomahawk square at me, grabbed me a the neck, whopped me into the canoe, paddled to the other side, and made me walk all the way here. I haven't seen Relmond or Biddon since, and I should like to know what has become of them.” * Biddon is safe, of course; and Relmond was a captive, I believe, awhile, but he managed to make his escape some time since,”’ “How do you know that; I should like to know?” “Tam William Relmond !” Nat started as if struck bya thunderbolt. His face was such an embodiment of wonder, doubt, and pleas- ure, that I gave way completely to my feelings, and seating myself upon the ground, rolled over and laughed one of those laughs which rack our whole being, and make us weak as an infant. When I again resumed my feet, my friend approached and extend- ed his hand, “ What are you laughing at? all the time.”’ It is hardly worth while to dwell upon the words which Saheed between Nat and myself after my iden- tity became known to him. Of course he was half frantic with joy, in turn, and overwhelmed me with questions and explanations, and in the.course of half an hour we came to a full understanding. I had acquainted him with my separation from Imogene, and that she was waiting for me at **‘ Death Roek.”” He knew the place well, and without losing timé we hastened forward. He had become acquaint- ed with Imogene, and bad often conversed with her about her Jost sister, and of me, little dreaming that she had ever seen me. Nat proved his knowledge of the country, for his course toward the Death Rock was direct, and, ere we had traveled. many miles, it loomed up to view. It seeméd a Jong while to reach it, but before dark we were both conversing with Imogene, The night was spent within its natural cave, Natand I conversing around the fire, while Imogene, eerie in our blankets, slumbered unconsciously beside it Nat succeeded in catching several fine trout from a sinall mountain-stream, and when we resumed our journey, three more hopeful people cou'd not have been found in the universe, Our progress was less rapid than usual, as we feared for Imogene, although her life had been such as to make her the very embodiment of health and activity. At night we reached a bend of the Yellow- stone, and camped upon its banks. A fire was again kindled, and while Nat kept watch, I concluded to take a little rest. He allowed me to sleep heavily un- til morning, when I was aroused by one of the most unearthly shrieks that ever greeted mortal ear. ‘God of Heaven! what does that mean?’ I ex- claimed, springing tomy feet, ‘Sounds like the ‘Snorter,’ the engine that I heard on the Boston road,” answered Nat; rubbing his eyes. ‘* Hush!" I admonished, as again that hideous scream burst upon us, ‘* Wonder if the Pacific Railroad's built yet?" re- marked Nat, ‘‘or maybe some of their enginés have run away from them,” As I stood wondering and waiting, the gray lizht of morning commenced appearing through the forest, and shortly the day dawned. A moment after, as I was about to awaken Imogene, the awful scream was repeated, seemingly directly across the river. It was not a human voice, but sounded like the cry of a wild animal in the direst agony. As if our terror was stijl too faint, we now heard the loud ring of a bell. ‘* What is that?’ asked Imogene, pale with horror. ‘** Heaven knows!’’ I answered. ** Sounds like the old bell up in Lubec,” remarked Nat, who, singularly enough, was the least agitated. ‘* Listen!’ whispered Imogene, raising her hand. Now was heard a dead sound like the distant heave of the stormy sea, growing stronger and nearer each second, and at intervals that wild, unearthly shriek. * Look!" spoke Imogene, in a husky whisper, poimting down the river. I did look, and what was seen? There, just round- ing the curve of the Yellowstone below us, burst the broad, flaming hull of a steamboat. For a moment I could scarce believe my senses. Nat was the first to recover himself. *T knowed what it was all the time, by gracious! Hillea, you!”’ The latter exclamation was addressed in vociferous tones to the steamboat; and, fearing lest he might still escape notice, he sprung into the water and waved his ante excitedly over his head, yelling at the top of his voice all the time, We had been seen, however, and heeded by those on the boat. A small bell tinkled, and instantly the huge wheel of the steamer reversed, plowing the water into foamy waves, and quickly bringing it to a stand-still, The captain then hailed us. , ** What's wanted?” “ Supper and lodging,’’ answered Nat. ** Who are you?’ “White men, of course.” “White men? J see only one, and you're an Injin, gure as I'm Captaln Garoold.”’ I knowed it was you —_——— ue I now stepped forward from the shelter of the for- est, to which I had instinctively retreated with the trembling Imogene. “Ah! who are these?”’ called the captain, inataneiys ‘*We are whites, as you can readily see, and only ask to be taken to our friends.” A few minutes afterward a small boat put off from the steamer, and Imogene, fullowed by myself, stepped into the boat, but Nat lingered. re $e hurry, Nat, don’t keep them waiting,” said I, * I’m going to remain,” he remarked, quietly. ** What do you mean?’ I asked in astonishment. He approached and whispered in my ear: " a going to hunt up Irene Merment !" a) 7 1y— ’ ‘** Don’t say anything,” he interrupted, with a smile. “I willdoit, There is no use trying to persuade me to go with you.- My mind ig made up, and has been made up a long time.”’ Jmogene joined her entreaties with mine, but he could not be made to change his resolution. Not wishing to detain our friends, I extended my hand. “If you are determined to remain, I must now bid you good-by, Nat. Your determination is so new to me that I can hardly realizeit, Itisa hopelesssearch I fear. May the One who has so mercifully watched over all of us still protect you. If you ever see ‘Bid- don, don’t forg+t me to him. Good-by.” ‘*Nor me, either,”’ said Imogene, taking his hand. ‘“*T long to see him, to pour out my heart's gratitude to him, I hope we shall see you again.”’ “Oh! you will, sure. I shall be down in the States one of these days, and like enough bring a wife with me, and several little Todds, as good-looking as your heirs willbe. You mustn't think this is a last fare- well, for I know it isn't.”’ We exchanged farewells once more, and then were rowed out to the steamboat. Aswewere received on board, Nat swung his plume and shouted: “Long life to you! The fust news you receive from Nat Todd will be a dispatch from the Rocky Mountains, ‘that he is making a sensation in that neighborhood,’ ’’ and the eccentric being vanished in the forest. Imogene had no suspicion of the true cause of Nat Todd's erratic course, and I judged it best to let her remain in ignorance until Nat should inform her him- self. Whether that time was ever to come no one could tell; but I had strong hope that it would, As may be supposed, our advent created an infinite amount of » pee and wonderment for our new- found friends. The boat was the steamer * Shooting Star,’’ which had been sent to trace the Yellowstone, as fur as it was navigable, by a company in St. Louis. They proposed opening trade in this section, and knowing well the prodigious resources of the coun- try watered by its tributaries, had sent a skillful captain and crew to ascertain its character and avail- BOMLY The river had, however, been ascended be- ore, The “Shooting Star’? ascended the Yellowstone several hundred miles further, until brought to a stand-still by the rapids in its upper part. Several days were spent in running up Clark’s Fork, the Big Horn, Tongue, Powder, and numerous other streams, many of which, as yet, have received bo names, al- though of considerable size.. All along the banks of these gathered crowds of wondering Indians, who surveyed us with mingled terror and amazement. On two occasions, when halting to wood, the crew were attacked by them, and one of their number was slain, At other points they manifested a friendly dis position and bartered extensively with us. Finally the bow of the boat was turned home, and on a glorious morning in the latter part of June, 1850, we glided into the turbid waters of the mad Missouri, and a few days later the ** Shooting Star” rested at the wharves in §t, Louis. Accompanied by Imogene I made my way home as rapidly as possi- ble: As may be supposed, my return was a never-to- be-forgotten day to my friends. The caravan which I had joined at Independence had been attacked, a few days subsequent to my separation from it, by an overwhelming body of Apache Indians, Rumors reached the States that all had fallen in the magsa- cre, and my reappearance was like the dead return- ing to life. The reader, I trust, can imagine the few remaining incidents. After inducing Imogene to re- turn to the States, Ido not think I should have ever forgiven myself had I not offered her all the pro- tection within my power. She was like an exotic at first, taken frem a distant clime; but love works wonders. T6-day there are few accomplishments of her sex which she does not possess, I had gained no princéss or wealthy heroine, but simply a wife in the truest sense of the word. THE END. — ee Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 1145 Hercules. By Oll Coomes. 1146 Baby Sam. By Oll Coomes. 1147 Webfoot Mose, By Oll Coomes, 1148 Buck Taylor. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. 1149 The Mad Man-Fiunter. By Maj. H. B. Stoddard, 1150 Scar-Face Saul. By Oll Coomes, 1151 Bill Biddon. By Edw, §, Ellis, 1152 Ned Hazel. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 1153 The White Indian. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams, 1154 Old Zip’s Cabin. By Capt. J, F. C, Adams, 1155 Hawkeye Harry. yD Coomes. 1156 The Huge Hunter. By Edw. 8S. Ellis. A New Issue Every Month. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all news- dealers, at five cents 3 a ore or sent by mail on re- ceipt of 6 cents. M. J. IVERS & CO., Publishers, (James Sullivan, Proprietor), 379. Pearl St., New York. | 900 mM €oO Cc cS