Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1151 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

* a back. Howsumever, I changed my mind, and yer we is. Move keerful and don't make a big trail.” We followed nearly a quarter of a mile directl up- stream, when he halted and loeked carefully about “TI don’t s’pose thar’s red ment, Dut thar’s no tellin’, I didn’t see none last year, but they mought be "bout now. Jes’ hold ona minute.” The banks of the stream were fringed by a deep undergrowth upon both sides. Stepping forwari to the water's edge, the aver parted the branches, and glancing a moment within, motioned for us to ap- proach, {t's all right,” said he, *‘ there hain’t been no reds kin' "bout yer while I's gone,”’ : “With this he stooped and pushed a small canoe in- to the water and slipped within it, We joined him, although our combined weight brought the frail vessel down to its very gunwales. It was made of bark after the Indian fashion, ve ht, but strong. Biddon dipped a long Indian pad dle in the water and we moved slowly up-stream, After going a short distance, he again touched the , and from beneath another lot of shrubbery w forth a number of bea@r-traps. These were similar to the common trap tsed in all parts of the world, and set much after the same fashion, but with a very diferent bait. At every point where signs of the animals were visible, he dug down the bank, so as to make a certain sido perpendicular. Just be- neath the surface of the water he then placed the trap,. The next and last proceeding was to smear the bank around with a very odoriferous oil, obtain- ed from the beaver itself. This smell attracts the beavers in the vicinity, who immediately s to the shore to learn more of it. The trap isso arranged that one is sure to place his foot directly upon it for support in x ge the bank, and the natural con- s*qnence follows. He is caught and falls into his mor- tafbenemy's hands. “Ef we con't have a dinner on beaver-tails to- orrow, then I’m a beaver,” remarked Biddon, after he had set all his traps and headed his canoe down- “tream. “A dinner on beaver-tails!’’ exclaimed Nat, in as- tonishiwent. ‘‘ That must bea fine dinner, I swow.”’ ‘Tf you had read much of these animals, you would know that the part mentioned by Biddon is the most delicious and nourishing portion,” said I. | * And when you gits a bite of it, you'll find it so, I reckons!” * Perhaps so,”’ replied Nat, doubtingly; “ but whar ar’ you going to take us?”’ * You'll find out when we get thar.”’ The trapper rowed the canoe quite a distance down- stream, when he sheered in to shore close to where a huge chestnut tree, larger than ahy I had ever be- fore seen, overhung the water. Its base was envel- oped by a mass of undergrowth, denser than com- man, and we were obliged to stoop to the edge of the boat before we could make our way beneath it. As we @pr'ung up the bank, it pulled up behind us, and L then noticed that the chestnut was hollow, and had a deep orifice at its base. “ Voller,” commanded Biddon, stooping and craw!l- 6 did so, although there was some hesitation Bpon my part, and my astonishment was unbounded at what I witnessed when within. At first nothin was visible but the darkness, and I stood, fearful o advancing or retreating. ‘Where are you, Biddon?”’ asked Nat, in a slightl wavering tone. The nextinstant the trapper struc e light; and as its rays filled the chamber, I repeat, my astonishment was unbounded. We were stand- ing in an open space, at least eight feet in diameter. é chestnut was but a mere shell, with its trunk ut a few inches in thickness at the most. The in- terior of this was fitted up like a house. The rotten chunks upon the sides had been torn down, and formed a beeen velvety carpet beneath the feet. All around the walls were hung numerous furs, and a pile at one side_afforded a bed such as we had not enjoyed for cay car epronss arabia _ ne, there wae an arrangement so as to make it perfectly and con- venient to kindle a fire. Nat was the fret bo express his unbounded astonishment. “P..is beats all. I never seen anything like it. But ) ton’t the Indians know anything of it?’ ‘No, sir; and I cac’late as how they won't, neyther, ef you don’t tell ’em,”’ Oh! I won't tell them. I swow this is queer,” end he looked slowly about and above him. * What's ‘nat hole for?” he asked, pointing to a small osifiee vist visible far above us. * That's for the smoke to go out.” ‘ aor it must be likely to attract attentiom,” I re- \rarked, ‘J never start a fire 'cept at night.” ‘*T see—wonderful!” and I, too, epmgeclarn Sf e yout me. The light made the whole interior visible, Vhe dark, snuff-colored fragments of decayed wood inumg in ponderous masses above us, and the im- wense diameter gradually tapered as it ascended, until only the soil opening, far above, was seen, re- sembling a faint star. The hickness of the wood, to- gener with the great number of furs, protected us so ell from the cold, that there could be little need of fire in the coldest weather except for cooking pur- ei ee “ This is rather odd,I allow, to you, Jarsey; but ef you had been with me down on the’ Yallerstone, you'd seen suthin’ as would ’ve made you look, you would, You may shoot me, ef you wouldn't.” *T su I should, but not more than this has.” * Mebbe not; but don’t stand gapin’ there all day. kt’s ’ dark, and we’ll have our fodder.”’ Pe fy Bahay ae esca : g ce of m San ebaead ant we we? a hearty supper upon it, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. After this the fire was aBowed to slumber, but the light remained burning until a late hour. We lit our pipes, and chatted dredamily for a long time in our new home. The trapper, feeling in the mood, related many reminiscences of his life, including adventures both tragical and comical, and Nat gave a few of his own experiences. Ata late hour we ceased, and fell into a peaceful, dreamless slumber. When I awoke the trapper had disappeared. Nat was stretched beside me, still asleep. In a short time - former entered as noiselessly as he had de- parted. ‘*What fortune?” I asked, “Good; had two fat fellers. Wake up, and we'll have a meal as is a meal.” Nat soon made a movement, and, after several yawns, became fully awake. The trapper kindled a smnall fire, and cooked his beaver-tails. The two made as choice and delicious a meéalas I had ever eaten. Nat was convinced. The day was clear and pleasant, and Biddon ex- pressed his determination of going up the stream in order to see the signs of game. I accompanied him, but Nat chose to remain at home and sleep a few hours longer. We sauntered carelessly forth up the stream through the tangled underwood. It was a clear day in autumn; the air was keen and bracing, and the woods gloriously fine. Some of the leaves were dust beginning to fall, and they made a dappled and fiery carpet for our feet, rustling with a soft, pleasant sound at every step. Now and then we could hear the shrill notes of some songster of the forest, and once or twice the faint bay of some distant animal. We had wandered some distance, wher Biddon pro- posed turning back, as he had just discovered he 1ad forgotten his pipe. I was too well pleased, how- ever, with the prospect to retrace my footsteps. Ac- cordingly, we parted company fora time, he remark- ing that probably he would return when he had re- gained his indispensable article. Left alone, I now wandered dreamily onward in a Jleasant reverie, hardly conscious of what I was do- ng, until I was recalled to my senses by the gran- deur of a new scene that suddenly burst upon my view. I had ascended a small rise on the bank of the stream, from which I had an extended view of the river. I stood for a moment rapt in the glories of the scene, Far behind could be discerned the broad bosom of the river, stretching away like a vast body of molten silver, bordered on each side by the mighty forest, until it disappeared in a sweeping curve, with- in the interminable wilderness. Above me the same winding course could be seen, brightly glistening for several miles. Not a ripple disturbed the surface, save when a bird skimmed over it, just tip jing its wings, and making a flashing circle or two, The blue sky above, unflecked by a gle cloud, harmonized so well with the magnificent view, that I stood a long time, drinking in the splendor of the scene. My eye was still resting upon the glistening bend of the river above, when the quietness of the scene was interrupted by a dark speck which suddenly came in view around a curve about a mile above. At first I supposed it to be some animal or log floating upon the surface; but as I looked at it, I saw to my astonishment that it was a canoe coming down- stream. Several forms wert visible, yet their num- ber, at that distance, was uncertain. The bright flash-of their paddles was visible in the morning sun- shine, and they maintained their place near the cen- ter of the stream. -Iserutinized them, vainly, to make out their num- ber, until it occurred to me that it would be best to make myself invisible. The approaching canoe might contain nothing but Indians, and it was not desirable that our presence in this section should be known to any but ourselves. I slipped behind the trunk of a tree, nearer the water, yet still upon the elevated knoll, which entirely concealed my body from sight, From this point I watched the approach of the canoe with interest. Soon it came nigh enough to enable me to distinguish the forms within it. There were two Indian warriors, seated, each with a paddle in his hands, but not using them, except to mee the eanoe inthe channel, and in the stern, with a guiding oar, sat a young female, I supposed her a squaw, belonging to the same tribe with her com- panions, and scrutinized her as closely as my po- sition would permit. She wore a beautiful head- dress, gayl ornamented with stained porcupine- quills an heads, and a brilliant crimson shaw! en- veloped her slight form. The sa $ maintained their places as motionless as statues, their gaze ap- paren ay earns upon the stream behind them; while. that of the female was fixed upon the stream in front, and her whole attention absorbed in direct- ing her canoe. know not whether the inmates discovered me be- fore I concealed myself, but I fancied I detected a glance of the Indians at my hiding-place, as they oated slowly by, and some cause led the female when directly Cech and but a few hundred fee distant, to turn her face toward me. Judge of my astonishment, at perceiving that she was not an In- dian—but a white woman! Her appearance, as she turned her gaze directly upon the spot where I was standing, I can never forget, She was so close at hand, and my view so perfect in the clear sunlight, that I saw every feature. The pale white face, sur- rounded dark, luxurjant hair falling upon the shoulders, the dark eyes shaded by long inky lashes, and the mute, untrausiatable look, haunted me for ‘many a night after. She merely glanced*toward me, and slowly floated past. Dropping upon my bands and knees, I crept hasti- ly from the Knoll into the undergrowth below, and made my way hurriedly but m2 reg Be the stream, I couki not have been over a minute in so doing, but when I reached the water, and peered era the bushes, not a trace of the canoe was visible. Idook- ed closely into each shore, 3 and down the stream, everwhere that I could look, but could not detect the slightest ripple or movement to account for this rg eag e pearance. Forever an hour I wait- in thé hope that the canoe would reappear, but I saw nothing more of it, OHAPTER VY. CONVERSATIONS AND PLANS. Tur disappearance of the canoe, altho we lar in itself, had nothing supernatural about it. ° shrubbery, which overhung the water on either shore offered a secure and impenetrable hiding-place, and a few dextrous, vigorous strokes of the oars were all that was needed to send it beneath their shadows, That this had been done, was plainly evident. Yet why had it been done? ‘What motive was there for concealment? And why, if apprehensive of danger, had the Indians waited till they were in its vicinity? I carefully retraced my steps down-stream agal . The whole proceeding was mysterious. I doubfless, exposed myself while watching the eanoe and its occupants, and thus betrayed to an enem our presence in their country. at would result from this I could not conjecture, and determined to make every thing known to the i But then I felt somewhat fearful of this. He wonkd, doubt. less, be incensed at my thoughtlessness, whicl might conrpel him to leave a country offering suck inducements to the trapper and fur-trader; and 7, argued it was not certain that I had really been seer by the Indians in Fyn If they meditated hos. tility, Biddon would be warned soon enough for alk oses—and so I decided.to keep my own secret or the present. But the question whieh occupied my thoughts, al- most to the exclusion of every thing else, was the identity of the female im the canoe. What could bring a white maiden to these wild ions? What meant her appearance in the canoe with two Indian warriors? Whatif she was the child which Biddon had referred to, as being captured upon the night of the massacre? This thought intensified the interes® I already felt in her. I believed she had seen me; and her silent look toward the shore had something more than curiosity in it. I imagined there was a mute, eloquent appeal in those dark eyes. I reached the tree, and, stooping upon my hands and knees, crawled within. The movement had well- nigh cost me my life. As my head entered I en- countered the alarmed visage of Nat, and Biddon, with his knife drawn, just prepared to spring upon me. “You liked to got rubbed out that time)’’ he ex- claimed, pe seg his weapon. ‘'What made you forgit the sign?” ‘‘It must have been because it did not occur to me,’ I laughed; “I have had no occasion to use it, and forgot it altogether; but I will remember it, be assured, in future.” ** You’d better, for I was just going to shoot, too,” added Nat; rising to his feet, and then seating him. self again. “You shoot!” repeated Biddon, contemptuously. ** Your shooter ain’t loaded.” ‘“*T forgot that. I wonder if I couldn’t load it, say?” he indignantly demanded, ‘* Yes, in course, if the reds waited fur yer.” Nat made no reply to this, except that of instantly proceediae to lo s piece. As it was near noon, he meal was prepared—this time from the beaver’s body. The hair was singed off from a piece, which was then cooked in the usual manner. 8, although Mod f palatable, was not equal to the tail of the ani. mal, the meat being more tough and oily. Shortly after, the trapper Le eee for the pumpoes of visiting his ie aud” setting new ones, en alone with Nat I determined to impart to him my morning’s experience **Nat, Ihave seen tone. * You hain’t!” he exclaimed, starting up from hi bed of skins with such suddenness as to break the remains of bis pine. ‘‘T have; and what is more, they have seen me."~ ‘“‘T should think it was considerably more! What did you do? I didn’t hear you shoot. Why didn’t you tell Biddon? Why didn’t you—why, it seems to me pal very cool about it,” “ There is no oceasion for excitement atall. Just apap quiet, and I will tell you how it all hap- pened.” And thereupon I related the particulars. Nat's wonder and apprehension were roused to the . est pitch. Springing to his feet, he pulled his hat violently over his forehead, and striding about a mo- ment, demanded; ‘“Why didn’t you tell Bill? Like as not he'll be shot and scal before he gets back.” “You are not afraid, I hope?” . “Oh no! not a bit; but then you know it’s rather unpleasant to feel that those infernal Blackfeet are all about you, and waiting for a chance to shoot you from behind every bush.’ ‘Nat,’ I commenced, earnestly, ‘‘you say you are not afraid of Indians, ana $e you show it in every word, look, and action. Thereis no excuse for this. Isaw only two savages, and a girl, evidently a captive. EL disa suddenly, and were, robably, frightened at my presence. I see nothing this to excuse exhibited.” “I wonder who that girl is?’’ : ‘*T am afraid ype have to wonder & time.” “Ts she good looking?” asked my com n, sort ously. “Very. What makes you ask that question?” | 900 € ~» = the excitement and terror you have ~~ Indians,” I remarked, in a quiet ¥ ' a ae Fae. a Se ae Oe ee ‘ ~ an tay lO tk 4 a eet.” Sees — - : S " —_ ee = - - ; id é ” ”" ' by — . See — ’ . J \. & * od —- c al ee, “eek “~“s eh, - : a 4 « - wn * % “> ee : ar. : ¢ \I Ye eo : ( & >> UOiry. —— ~ ~