Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 6 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

“ 2m gh Fog = SS eee OP Ee EP PY Ee eee, Bee Veoh | | 10 “I’m satisfied, an’ you oughter be. Leastways, I’m goin’ to-morrow, an’ you kin stay and play with those Blackfeet as long as you like. I’ve been up to see the horses, and fixed things so as to start as soon as daylight. Any ’jections?” ** None at all.” “Then ‘tis settled, and let’s snooze.” But it was by no means settled. As I lay that night ruminating upon the scenes through which I had so recently passed, the pledge that I had made with Nat came main by him as long as there was ope; to desert - him now, would be a violation of that vow, and an unworthy act upon my part. For us both to leave him would probab his fate if alive. It was by no means certain that if lost, he was irrecoverably one, and I resolved if the trapper should depart on e morrow that I would remain. In making this resolution, perhaps it was not the desire alone to benefit my companion that ‘sem aa it, although I aver that that alone would have sufficient. Unconsciously, almost, found my thoughts manny Aye at to the being who had been the cause of this trouble. At most, I could — speculate and conjecture with an the same speculations and conjec made before. Jndoubtedly she was a captive among a tribe of Indians, over whom she wielded a great influence; and that she was the same maid re- ferred to by Biddon, seemed certain to me. I had mentioned this thought to him, in the hope of per- suading him to remain. He started somewhat at the unexpected s estion, and, after a few mo- ments’ thought, admitted the probability of such be- ing the case. o my surprise I found I had completely defeated my own plans. ‘I kinder thought then, that little thing war suth- in’ more nor human, an’ ef it’s her, you see I’m urty sure now. No use talkin’, I shan’t stay here loaner than time — to start. It might be that gal, and ag’in it moughtn’t. Shoot me if it mought- g Ss I said no more, for I saw it would be useless. When he had once determined upon a matter there was nochanging him. He was satisfied that “spirits invisible * had encom him, and there was but one way of escaping them. He was now re ing beside me, oblivious to ex- ternal things; and as the night was far advanced, I a down and slept. genase of Biddon as res I ha awoke early and caught a he departed, doubtless after the horses, in order to leave at once the place which had such terrors for him. In the course of a half-hour he returned. “The horses are waitin’,’’ said he. I arose and passed out. The three animals stood outside, a short distance away, each saddled and prepared for travel. **Come, work ited, and fetch them skins out,” said Biddon. I him until everything was readiness for starting ‘* Jump on, and shoot me ef we won't soon be cl’ar of this outlandish place.” with you,”’ I said mildly. ‘**Biddon Iam not ing ‘* What?”’ he asked, loo ng wonderingly at me. started.” ‘*T intend to remain here.’ ‘‘Ogh! Jump on; it’s time we ‘*T said I was going to remain here.’ “De _ mean it, Jarsey?”’ he queried, bending such a fierce look upon me. ** Most certainly I do.”’ “Then all Bill Biddon’sgot to say is, you're a fool.” I colored slightly at this, but made no 4 “What yer to stay fur? Get h and lose yer ha’r, Ts'pose, k| to Dp, Semen “T am sorry, friend — that you feel thus. When Nathan Todd and I the States for this country, we pledged eternal friendship to each other, and Iam sure I should never feel at ease if I | rifle, and, with a low growl plunged directly toward should leave him in this dire . Lambyno | m means satisfied that I can afford him no assistance, | That cumbrous body could roll over the ground He has no claims upon you, and I should not expect | much faster than I suspected, and I found that, ou to remain, but as I said, Lam determined not to | when alarmed, I could also travel rapidly. But in eave this place untii I have obtained satisfactory in- formation of him.” The trapper remained silent a few minutes, then ke. Rey s’pose you mean right, Jarsey, but you're awful simple, Yer’s as what hopes you'll find the other chap right side up and squar’ with his ha’r on, but I don't ’ your ha’r’ yer’s to-night. Howsum- you're bound to ever d like to stay with you, but I ain't backward to say ill Biddon knocks under (Ais time.” He reached his hard, horny hand, and I took it. ? Spee Rg I hope we shall meet again. We have not long acquainted, but I trust long enough to be friends.” ‘** And you'll remember as how old Bill Biddon did- n't mean eee he said Mg Bene dua ‘Certainly, certainly ow you not.”’ “Wal, -by it is, then.” I was alone in the great wilderness of the North- west. After parting with Biddon, I remained stationary a long time, meditating upon the strange resolve that I had acted upon. If looked at with the common-sense view that the honest trapper gave it, I was sensible it was nothing less than a piece of recklessness upon my which only could be excused by the motives that’ actuated me. I felt some regret, certainly, at with Biddon, for that manly heart which bbed within his massive breast drawn me toward him, and I knew he had come to me in a far diffe ent light than he did at first. However I was hopeful, and could not persuade myself that i was never to see him again. Toward night the ny gere evidence of an approach- ing storm. A strong wind arose, and a melancholy, ack to me. I had promised to re- | een | ard to her, | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. be heard in the forest. the storm burst upon me. rr eee terrific s surrounding me rumbled and groaned it were yielding to the hurricane; riven by the lightning riv derbolt itself. As the mornin storm died away, and as I step ' shining in unclouded splendor. Slinging aimlessly forward, followin for several hours. | IL seated myself upon a fallen tree; but m _ forward was irresistible, and I arose again. The river at this point was ie | so that I looked to the southward. _ Biddon in the distance, riding leisurely away. with the hope of overtaking him. ' self with watching him until he disappeared. | ap curious coincidence that m of him were similar. Soon be was a mere spec the horizon, and presently magn ar de: altogether. The storm which had just en the cold season. A stron blowing coldly through the forest. middle o _ the shores of the stream. thing upon which I could —f seaked as to make it impossible to kindle a fire. I continued wandering aimless] descended a large valley, filled wit ous growth. As I entered, I bushes above me. I could detect nothing. bank, I came upon ry,’ quite numerous here, and in among them, ed on his haunches, and contentedly devouring them was a grizzly bear. I started as I took in his ; form, and turned to make a hasty retreat; but curi- He was a huge beast; his enveloped in a coat of long, littering. rattled among the leaves, as he pulled es toward him, and plucked the delicate t. All at once a mad desire to take this formidable osity held me to the spot. black, gl se re d his small and ossy hair, an eyes an | His lo opalla Tedd ; the b frui creature's life came upon me. I knew it was only the most skillful hunter who could prevail him, and ae I determined to take the risk. sat, his low whistle to attract his attention. t He oo ye chewing instantly, and turned his head tow me as if listening. I could see his two coal-black eyes upon my face, with ront, Raising the m Bee ee a stone | ei I took a deliberate, sure aim at one of his glistening plainly. I was lyi rifle and pulled the trigger. “How does that suit?” I asked, exultingly. To my un- to ascertain from The aext in- but looking about him, as if hurt, bu and ened 5 saw him sitting apparen | what. direction the shot had come. stant he caught sight of the bluish wreath from my | the ta I could a hundred yards further; so throwing m _ rifle to the ground, I drew my knife and waited h | attack. As he came rolling forward, the biood from his wound trickled down, and daubed his mouth; or n, an I see, so yer’s good luck. | his long and white teeth shone with terrible ferocity. ; | animal, and I drew a y wo | red tongue lolled out, his mouth was wide o He was, indeed, a terrific breath as I felt that a struggle was close at hand. ie panne i "cho a hun @ repor gazed about him, around to see who m in sight the ushes above me, new friend was. bear also discovered it and with another grow] made towardit. He had S rage was turned in Hastily loading my rifle, I ran up evidently been struck, and_ hi another direction, the intending to follow and assist my unknown friend, but both he and the brute had disap . I stoo jag l for some guiding sound, and soon heard the report of a gun in the distance, followed out. Tearing through the by a faint undergrowth, I dashed hastily forward. The trail of the bear was very plain by the blood-marks upon t where a strug- lace. The ground was torn up and the blood was spattered for many feet around. Following further, I came upon the dead body of the brute. There was another bullet- e head, and a ghastly wound in the throat from which an enormous quantity of blood had te und. Soonl reached the gle taken P cast about, an mark in desolate moaning, like the precursor of winter, could arkness came on earlier than usual, and, as I passed into the trapper’s home, No one who has not wit- nessed a storm in the wilderness can appreciate the awful grandeur. AsI cowered within the heart of the old forest king, its power was subdued to my ears; but enough reached them to give me an idea of the ctacle without. The huge sides of the tree as though the wind blew with such fury that at times it sounded as though wailing screams were rending the air above me; and the sharp splintering of the trees aled the crash of the thun- age Onn the forth, the sun was my rifle over my shoulder, I wandered the course of the stream Becoming considerably wearied, mind was _ in sucha state of excitement that the desire to press east and west, s Idid so, I saw He _ was miles distant, and as the prairie in many parts - was submerged, it was out of the question to pursue I contented m yr. e peared precisely the same as when Nat and I first caught sight of him; and it struck me as a rather first and last coe pee ck on ed was the usher of wind had arisen, and was The changes in these ry are remarkably sudden; and by the the afternoon needles of ice put out along I suffered much from this sudden and severe cold; and to make it worse, every- hands was so water- forward, until I trees of enorm- heard a crackling in the looked carefully about, but Creeping stealthily up the e cause of this apprehension. There was a species of fruit called the “ buffalo ber- seat- ainst s he de was turned toward me, and I made a ed undergrowth I was no match for him, as he crushed through it without the least inconveni- ence. I saw he would assuredly overtake me before feet distant, there came another rifle, and the brute halted, and also cast a wondering look No one was yet Isawa faint curl of smoke rising from poured. But where was the author of this deed? Why had | a he fled? Who was he? I looked about expecting to see him near at hand, but was disappointed. On the ground were the marks of a moccasin, and it was evident my preserver was an Indian. This fact sug- ested other questions. Had he been following me? Ise how came he to be ee just at the instant needed? And what was his object? It could not be that my life was sought, for, if such were the case, it had been really spared, as Il had been continually ex- posed through the day; and in the occurrence just narrated, he had preserved my life at the imminent risk of his own. : At any rate, the affair was singular and unac- countable, The Indian was probably gazing upon me this moment, and I looked furtively about, half-ex- pos to see his glowing eyeballs in the thick shrub- ‘ry around. It was now growing late, and I cast about for some ee in which to spend the night. The wind still lew, and a fire was indispensable. I gathered sev- eral armfuls of twigs and branches, and pitched my camp upon the banks of a small stream, a tributary of the river referred to. Here, after the expense of an almost incredible amount of patience, I succeeded in starting a fire. The pangs of hunger now began to make themselves felt, as I had tasted no food the entire day. The grizzly lay but a short distance away, and I concluded that he should answer the de- mands of nature, As I drew my knife and started toward him, a shadow glided from before me, and I saw a human form stealthily make off. I stopped suddenly and hesitated, but finally went on, cut a piece from the animal, and returned. Just before 1 reached the crackling fire, I saw a shadow flit before me and dis- appear. It was too distinct and plain to be a freak of imagination, and it was evident that something or somebody was following or watching. Whoever he might be, I determined that, upon the first oppor- tunity, he should have the contents of my gun for his temerity. The consciousness that some one was near at hand, watching, perhaps, every motion, lessened my appetite somewhat. However, after skeweiing a good sized piece and roasting it, Il made a hearty sup- ver; and, as I produced my inseparable pipe, I think, had it not been for the instinctive presence of that aver form, my enjoyment would have been com- ete. : The pleasant warmth of the fire, the soothing ef- fect of the pipe, gradually threw a dreamy, half-un- consciou over me, into which I sunk with wil- ling delig As my listless eyes rested upon the glow embers, there came a strain of wonderful music, like the faint tones of a distant wind-harp. I stirred not, but listened, fearing to move, lest the spell should be broken. Again came the wave of heavenly harmony, swelling to the most inspiring grandeur and then dying away into faint, fluctuating uremors, fainter and fainter, till the strained ear could just feel their waves. It sounded in the air above me. I knew there was nothing real in my ex- periences, yet I listened breathlessly for it again. The music continued, I think, over an hour, and, to this day, it seems as if 1 can still hear it. Such music I have never heard before or since, As I sat alone that dark, stormy night, in the wilderness of the North-west, hu 0 es from civilization, it seemed there was a chord within me that respond- ed to the air-tones above. It ~ gag sometimes to sink until it had envelo me in its wild, thrilling power, and thén suddenly swept upward, until I was pained with intense listening. At it died away, and with a long sigh of relief I awoke to full con- sciousness, 1 have heard others narrate experiences similar to ‘mine, and I leave the explanation to the curious and investigating, convinced that I can offer none which will be sat es I replenished fire, folded my blanket around me, and lay down to sleep, The night-wind was howling dismally through the forest, and the distant rush of the river made melancholy music. In a short time I fell into a deep sleep. I was aroused from this by pres something work- ing at my blanket. I lay motionless a moment to ascertain the character of the threatened danger. The next moment something struck me like the paw of an animal; and ee | a wolf had attacked me, 1 sprung to my feet, with . shout, threw off my blanket, and drew my knife. .s.stead of confronting wolves, I met the gaze of a half-dozen savages! For a moment I was cmeney bewildered. | “You go ‘long with us,” said one, laying his hand upon my arm, CHAPTER VIII. TRAPPING AMONG THE INDIANS, Arter I had arisen to my feet, the captors con- tinued ph eee in an unknown tongue. It per- lexed me to understand how one of them was able address me in tolerable English, I suppose he must have had intercourse with the traders and hunters and the forts and stations of the North-west. After a few minutes’ conversation, the Indians ap- parently came to a satisfactory conclusion; for they seated themselves around the fire, orde me to do the same, and here they sat as grim and silent as statues, not a muscle moving, excep an occasion- al wink of the eyes at long intervals. I watched them, it seemed for an hour, shivering with cold all the while, although my captors had not deprived me of my blanket. _ At last, as I looked up, I saw that day was break- ing. There was a faint light in the east, herald the approach of the sun. Shortly after, it burs above the forest line, light up the interminable prairie and wilde with its golden glory. The savages sprung to feet, seized their weapons, and started away. JOO “SEO (E@ (E