Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1151 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

7? -& “'% sounded jist under your feet about.” “Jerusha!’ exclaimed the affrighted Nat, as he sprung nervously toward me. ‘*te must have been the Indian who made that yell,” said I. “In course; but things are beginnin’ to look quar- ish to me.” The same look of uneasiness pe passed over the tra ‘s face; and I saw that although he strove to hide it he was by no means at rest, Matters were beginning to put on an unusual aspect, and that was reason. Give the trapper of the north-west flesh and blood to contend aga let him know that nothing supernatural is arrayed against him, and he is the last man in the world to yield an inch, But the moment he sees something unexplainable to his simple mind (and the trapper is a credulous being), his, courage deserts him. He believes that other spirits than those of men visit this earth, and they are his greatest horror. **Let’s go home; there’s Injins all around us,”’ pleaded Nat. “How'd you know?” ** Because I seen one myself.” Biddon looked sigan es. at mre, and deeming it best, I related the incident given in the chapter. I saw at oncehis uneasiness was crgnsed. “Why didn’t you shoot the red-skin?” he asked of Nat. t Why didn’t you shoot the red-skin?’”’ added Nat, wae did—hit him fair and square as I ever hit any- But didn't do any more good than I did.” ‘ , pit 4 we ww o fF o° +; \) , App; Beadle’s* Hal#Dime Library. “No doubt about that. I’ve been thinking that some of them helped off that fellow when I was load- ing my gun,’’ We moughbt as well go back “pie said Biddon. ‘*T’'m tired of huntin’ spirits, and I dunno but what we'd better move traps and leave this place to ’em.” * That's what I am in favor of—” Nat suddenly paused, for Biddon, with a slight ‘““*sh!’? motioned us down. We sunk quickly and silently to the earth, while he, in a cro posi- don. gaeee steadily up-stream. se at is it, Bill?’’ whispered Nat, “ There's a canoe comin’ down-stream!”’. We said nothing; and Nat looked meaningly in the water, ‘Skin me, if there ain’t two reds and a squaw in it,” added Biddon, without changing his position, or removing his faze. I could not restrain the singular agitation that came over me at this moment. Fearing to betray myself, I cautiously arose beside Biddon. ‘Let me take a look,” I aig) ge ‘Be keerful you ain't seen,”’ he whispered, in turn, as he stepped back. As I looked, I saw, not more than two hundred yards distant, the canoe approaching, heading di- ectly toward us. For this reason, I could only see the foremost Indian, though I was positive another together with the white captive, was in it. gazed bet @ moment, and then looked inquiringly at the trapper. He made no reply; but peered forth. ‘That ain't a squaw; it’s a white gal,’’ said he, looking reund upon us with an astounded look. “Shall we rescue her?” I asked, —_—— — se + me = ~~ head so closely as to wo “ Wonder if that was m ? Sure borre ry rhe an pe me a em ‘Wasa if your gun?”’ repea ppeor, his krow dark like a thunder-cloud, and laying his hand Ps, ieee his 6-handie, as he pie gama Nat look- up and started as he saw nis visage faicly glexum- with passion. BS didn't shoot it, Bill, by thunder!” he expootu- ted, The face of the tra changed. % grew paler, but the dark cloud fled from it. Ho een tne drawn knife. He believed the words of Nat, tters were approaching a crisis. The reeent tag events had their effect upon us all. The trapper avowed he couki not stand “sich goin’s on,”’ and shoulki leave for some other quarters. Little sleep came to Nat that night. His adventure with the savage, and the more recent occurrence alarmed him. He had discovered that there were consequences to be feared from both sides, I was still unwilling to believe that there was any thing in the events given which would not be soun explained. It was evident our foes were around, and from some inexplicable cause, had pursued an up usual course toward us. We had all been exposed to their power, yet had escaped harmless. t was the meaning of this? And, above all, what was the object of the a rance and disappearance of the canoe at the di nt times mentioned? These questidns prompted my anxious curiosity, OOMRAT AIN'T A SQUAW, IT’S A WHITE GAL,” SAID BILL, LOOKING ROUND UPON US WITH AN ASTOUNDED LooK.—Page 8. 6 the infarnal imp howl,” I made mine grunt,” added Nat, triumph- OT Fiore is no need of words,”’ I inte d, ‘* Hach of you did yeur best, Nat included, You, Bill, I be- hit your man and mortally wounded him, yell was of agony, though I can’t conceive how “Im fe mistake it for yours. The dead or dying we came to body of that Indian, I believe, is near at hand, See, what does that mean?’ I asked, as I detected some red fluid dripping from the limb of a bush to the earth, The trapper stepped forward and looked at it. ‘That's the blood of a Blackfoot, or I’m a skinned beaver !"’ he remarked, with a glow of relief. Nat I'm pre ae Oke Or ere aed a, SOME ween the tip 0 finger an thumb, “ ‘ 4 man’s about thirty-two years old. Probably a bre- _ ther to the one [ “* Biddon, I believe as I just said, that we will find the body of that savage, near at hand. Let us fol- w it. “ Jes’ what I’s going to do,’ he replied, starting at once. It was easy to follow the trail, as every step Pg p- marked by bl which many. places was Se tee bhanes to the oa direct line to the river, “Tt's as I s’pected,”’ . “He's taken to water to hide his trail, ’ ag hike as not some of the oth ted hea- save betped hin off.” ict : ’ @ blood of a Biackfoot Injin, too—a ground, It was fol- ed but a short distance, however, as it led ina Biddon, turning round in “if she wants us to, in course.” ** You going to shoot them?" asked Nat, anxiously. ‘*Oan’t tell yit. Jest see that yer irons is ready, and we'll wait till they get out yer: Don't make no noise til I give the motion.” The trapper stole a yard or two In front of us, where he sunk softly down upon his face till only his head was visible. Nat fingered his gun nervously beside me, while I, not a whit less agitated, waited for the canoe to appear through the interstices of the bushes in front. In a moment [heard the faint ppp of an oar, and saw the trapper slowly raising his head and bringing his rifle in front of him. He raised his hand wara- ingly for us to remain quiet until the moment should arrive. I heard the click of my companion’s gun, as he raised the hammer, and admonished him to be careful. Suddenly Isaw the red head-dress of one of the savages glitter through the bushes, and, before I could speak, carne an explosion beside me like the crash of a thunderbolt. Almost simultaneously, the herevlean frame of the trapper bounded over me, and he exclaimed: “Who fired that? I'm shot,” Nat and I sprung to our feet awd dashed after him; but as I turned, though bewildered with excitement, I looked at the spot where the canoe was seen. It was gon’! We dashed up the bank, and in a moment reached Biddon. The excitement had completely gone, and he stood coolly feeling bis ear. “Was that your gun, Jersey?’ he asked, “No, sir; mine is still loaded ” and a desire to learn more of that mysteriou, pelng whom I bad now twice seen, I ridiculed the ideas o Biddon, and Nat strove herd to convince him that he was not afraid. Biddon consented to remain ur- til more was learned, intimating, at the same time that it must be very soon. He visited the horses each day, and found them undisturbed. This, how- ever, only! added to his anxiety. Had thoy been ne he wonld have taken it as convincing proof Aisa there were lona jide Indians in the neighbor- ood, The next day, after the closing scene of the last chapter, Nat agreed to accompany me for the last time to the spot where we had seen the canoe, The trapper could not be Cea Shee upon to £o, affirming that he should probably have his hands full at home. It required my utmost skill to succeed with Nat, as the borror has! plainly settled upon him, “It’s awful,” said he, as we started, “this walking rizht into danger, but I want fo sce that canoe ag’in, and especially that gal, and so I'll go.” ‘“‘ And, I trust, behave yourself. You well know, Nat, you fired that shot which came so near ending Biddon’s life.” “ Wonder if I did pull the trigrer!’-he exclaimed, suddenly stopping and looking around at me. “You know you did, and had he known, it too it would have been a sorry piece of business for you, rem temper of his is terrible, when itis ouce ex- cited.”’ “T remember cocking my gun and kind of pulling the trigger, rn I didn’t mean ic pull enougk to make it go off.”’ “] suppose not. I cannot conceive how Biddon 900 : ad :