Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 6 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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- 12 Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. cept the last. In this was imprisoned a beautiful black fox, the capture of which nearly set the two savages in ecstasies. The fur of this animal is more valuable than that of any other caught by the trap- aoe one alone sometimes bringing as high as two undred dollars. It is so rarely captured, and such a ha when taken, that a hunter would be satisfied with one single animal during the whole season. . Our tivo animals being secured upon our sled, and the traps carefully reset, we commenced our return journey. The night was far advanced when we reached the Indian village. As we entered the lodge, Jim’s squaw arose noiselessly and fe pti e the fire. While Nica | my snow-shoes, I remarked to Jim that my feet had felt for the last half-hour as though they were asleep.” ‘Let me see him,” he asked, quickly, jerking off the thick moccasins which I had donned a few weeks back. He looked at my feet a moment, and ex- claimed: *‘ Him froze up!” I was considerably startled at this, and anxiously asked him if they were badly frozen. ‘Yaw, but me fix ‘em,’ he answered, and com- menced immediately rubbing until I begged him to desist. He paid no heed to my entreaties, but con- tinued this treatment until he had restored com- letely the congealed circulation, and saved the use- ul members, The savages had but poor fortune in trapping this winter, and there was considerable suffering. The Indians of the North-west rely solely upon what they are thus able to take for their food during the cold season, and, as there is generally plenty of game, they fare well. But now and then some un- accountable cause drives all the animals away, and cases of actual starvation have occurred. Jim told me that three winters before a case of cannibalism had occurred in their tribe, and years before that, when a mere child, there came an appalling time. Half the families were obliged to devour some of their members to support life until spring, and, for over a week, a miserable old bison had supported the whole tribe. Jim said he had more than once cooked his moccasins and eaten them. The tribe was driven to no such extremity as this while I was with them, and I saw no want myself. Jim was one of their best hunters, and he supplied his own lodge before that of others. Yet, there were others who were not so fortunate, and who were often compelled to endure the pangs of hunger for days at atime. When food was secured, they gorged themselves nearly to bursting, and were the happiest of mortals, until the wants of nature again made themselves felt. During my captivity, several things occurred to make me t that the mysterious captive refer- red to was in this village the whole time, and I was satisfied that Indian Jim knew more of Nat than he would impart to me. These imaginings filled me with mbody misgivings, and I made a resolve that as soon as spring came I would make my escape; and if I could learn nothing of the two beings whose fate was unknown to me, to depart for the States. The life I was leading was a wearisome, monotonous one, and in time would become unendurable. Spring was but a month or two distant, and in its approach I placed my fondest hopes. CHAPTER IX. THE BUFFALO-HUNT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. As stated in the last chapter, there was consider- able suffering on account of the searcity of food. The count the north of Nebraska is the paradise of all es of game in the summer months, but during the winter, the large animals proceed to the southward, and the deep snows prevent the capture of the smaller ones, except by means of traps. Spring, therefore, was looked forward to with er expectation, as the harbinger of enjoyment and the season of the chase. And itcame at last. First the sun grew hotter and blazed more siege the snow became damp and cloggy, and the dripping of water could be heard through the day and night. Streams of melted snow poured into the rivers all along the banks, and the ice became weaker and weaker each moment, till, at last, with a terrific crashing and thundering, the whole mass started, and a week after, the clear, blue running water only was seen. The thaw con- tinued, and with feelings of indescribable joy, we once more saw the face of the earth. Vegetation now commenced with surprisin wth, and in an almost incredibly short space of time, bright, radi- ant, glorious sp ng held indisputable reign. Indians were departing and arriving every day with loads of fish, wild fowl, and game, and the village was a scene of unbridled feasting for many a day. One forenoon a savage announ that a herd of buffaloes was quietly browsing a few miles to the southward, s produced commotion theeoen the village, and preparations were at once made for the grand hunt. Some twenty or thirty splendid Indian ' ponies were mounted by as yo warriors, and to 0 my inexpressible delight, Jim informed me that I should accompany them. A small, high-spirited an- imal was given me. He was of a dark color, and his dappled haunches glistened in the sun like polished ebony. ‘Adout noon we sallied forth from the village, and struck a southward direction, restraining our ani- mals to a walk, in order to preserve their wind for the severe test at hand. While riding eee the side of Jim, the thought of escape—which had not been absent from me for the last six months—came with double force. Iwas now mounted upon a fleet, long-winded animal, who could hold his own with any horse bestrode by the Indians: what was to pre- vent escape? In the excitement of the chase, I might wander miles away, and be gone many hours without exciting suspicion. My captors, I suppose, — ——— eS i Re a ae Se ee had no thoughts of my attempting a flighd, as I had rmitted so many opportunities pass, and I felt here would be no suspicious eyes watching my mo- tions. The prairie stretched hundreds of miles to the southward, and it seemed my animal longed to bound away upon it. Ifelt the time had come, and roavee never to return to the Indian village a cap- ive. An hour or so after, we came in sight of the drove, cropping the new grass of the prairie. So numerous were they, that as we looked over them, it was impossible to see their extent. Far ONAY, until they touched the horizon, the ocean of dark, swarming bodies could be seen. Our animals now partook of the excitement of their masters. Arching their necks, they scented the prey afar, and it was nearly impossible to re- strain their impatience. They snorted, plunged champed their bits, shook their heads, and seeme determined to rush forward despite all restraint. We continued ome | approaching in a body, preserving strict silence, in order not to alarm the game. In this way, we came within a hundred yards, when a bull raised his alarmed gaze at us, and, giving a loud snort, heaved his huge poe | round and plunged madly into the herd. All too the alarm and went thundering away, making the earth tremble with their multitudinous tread. It was now wholly useless to undertake to check our animals longer, and setting up a wild yell, the Indians plunged after them. The buffalo is not a runner, and, owing to the shortness of his fore- legs, appears to roll in his gait. The Indians’ horses soon bring their riders alongside the bisons, and as soon as the shot is given, they shy off to avoid the infuriated animal's horns. efore I was pre- pared for it, my animal was abreast of a buffalo, and waiting for my shot. Here I committed a blun- der common to all beginners of the hunt. I fired while holding the reins in my hand. The conse- quence was, my bullet hit the animal somewhere about the head, got entangled in his mane, where it would drop out in a day or two. My horse immedi- ately veered to one side, and allowed the buffalo to run until I could reload. I now saw my beast knew more of the chase than I did, and, dropping the rein upon his neck, allowed him full freedom. Cautiously, but rapidly, he came alongside the lunging buffalo, and, taking more care, I sent a bul- et through the fore part of his body. It was his death-wound; and, seemingly conscious of his fate, and determined on revenge, he wheeled instantly round, drove his fore-feet into the ground, and drop- ped his head to ripup my charger. This movement was so sudden, and we were so close upon him, that my horse could neither check his Speed nor turn to one side. But he avoided him for all that. Dropping upon his haunches with a snort, he made a terrific bound upward, an‘ went clean over the buffalo, The maddened animal expected this, and struck his horns upward, ng still to kill him. The in- stinct of the horse was too much, however; he, too feared such a fate, and leaped high enough to avoid the horns, As he came to the ea agen, he plunged swiftly away, the enraged buffalo in full pursuit; but he easil kept clear from him, wheeling and dodging, and still remaining nigh enough for me to give my shot. My gun was unloaded, and before I could charge it, the buffalo had fallen to the earth and was fast dying. I now looked about me. Buffaloes were flying in every direction, and the forms of the savages could be seen darting to and fro among them, dealing de- struction at every turn. The herd was pouri simultaneously southward, while the scores that been cut off were endeavoring to rejoin them, car- rying us wes, Bafeber them. In different parts of the rairie could be seen the dark, motionless forms of he slain buffaloes, showing how successful the chase had been thus far. The sky, which in the morning was fair and clear, was now becoming overcast, and two or three warn- ing rumbles of thunder were heard in the distance. Still, the savages were too excited to notice the inter- ruption, as se Tyee a ee buffalo remained. I saw Jim plunge his horse unhesitatingly into a crowd of a dozen or so, when, as he commenced dealing de- struction, his ‘horse ‘became entangled, and he was compelled to make a fying leap over the backs of the animals around him. s he accomplished success- fully, leaping from one back to the other, until he was clear of them all. Suddenly, it occurred to me, while holding m flery horse, that, if I meditated escape, it was ee i time to be about it. Turning to the southward, could just descry the drove thundering away, a vast cloud of dust circling above them. The rein was drop upon the neck of my horse, and stretching out his head, he bounded away like the wind. He was a noble animal, and was now in his element. He enjoyed he chase as much as any of the savages; and, as mile after mile of kagh 4 flew beneath his feet, he was only warming into the excitement. As I looked back, I could just discern the Indians, like specks in the distance, still at their bloody work. We were now at no great distance from the herd, and my horse, catching sight of an old worried bull, somewhat in the rear, instantly made toward him. He was too jaded to hasten his pace, and I could see his fury was roused, I prepared to shoot him, as it would go to show my pursuers, if I should have any that the excitement of the chase had alone carried meaway. While ba: some distance, he shied to one side, and turned his head warningly toward us, but without halting. The horse, however, finding that I still retained my shot, continued to bring me closer. At last the bison struck intoa swifter run, and made desperate efforts to rejoin his companions. In an instant I was beside him, and holding my gun to my shoulder, was just on the point of firing, when he =e SS SSeseesessnsnessismnsssesststseesseeeenseee rr a a suddenly stood at bay, in precisely the same manner as the other. My horse, instead of making a running leap this time, stopped instantaneously, planting his feet firmly in the ground. I was not prepared for this, and shot a dozen feet over his head, falling upon my face within a foot of the buffalo. The shock was terrible, and I was severely injured. I endeavored to rise, fearing that I should be gored and trampled to death, but was unable, and heard the buffalo scampering away. I placed my hand to my face and found it covered with blood, and a strange be- wilderment was coming over me. I arose to my knees and gazed about me. The buffalo was plung- ing in the rear of his drove, while my horse was gal- loping wildly around me, his mane and bridle flying in the wind. I heard the bursting of thunder over. head, and everything was growing dark and confus- ed. I tried again to rise, but failed. There was a thick darkness about me, a heavy hand pressing me to the earth, and all became chaotic. When consciousness returned, all was blank dark- ness. The rain was pouring down in torrents, and, stunned and bleeding, I lay on the soaked, cold, spongy earth. Gradually the remembrance of my misfortune came over me, I must have been lyin several hours upon the prairie, exposed to the cold dismal storm. My clothes were saturated with the chilling rain, and my face and hands bedabbled with mud and dirt. I struggled yank a A to my feet, and endeavored to pierce the Stygian g oom around; but it was use- less; not the smallest point of the faintest light could be seen in any direction. Up, down, on every hand, the same solid wall of darkness enveloped me. I was many miles from the Indian village, and had lost its direction. At that moment, I would have given worlds to have been within Jim’s lodge. Flight, in my present condition, was not to be thought of, and I must soon receive succor or I should rish. I listened. In the dismal sweep of the rain some- thing like a footstep was heare. I called out, but there was no reply. again the splash of a foot was heard, now from a different point. Soon I discov- ered some animal was walking around me in a circle, Feeling round in the spongy prairie, 1 found my rifle, but it was useless as a means of defense, as the charge was thoroughly wetted. I clubbed it, and waited for the attack. Still around and around the same step went. At first I fondly hoped it might be Jim, or one of his companions, but its footfall showed it to be a quadruped, and its approach was too cautious. Suddenly it halted and walked dérect- ly toward me. I drew my rifle back, ready to brain it the minute it was within my reach. A faint neigh was heard—joy inexpressible! it was my faithful horse. As I called to him, he approached, and low- ered his head for me to take his bridle, With a feel- ing of deep thankfulness and hope, I clambered into the saddle, and he bounded away, his unerring in- stinct leading him straight hogs home, The rain continued to t, cold and dismal, and I felt already burning within me a hot, fiery fever from the terrible suffering I had undergone, I should soon be prostra and without some kindly hand to nurse me, would inevitably perish. But the horse was certain; and after an hour or two my heart lea as we entered the silent Indian village, But one light was burning, and that was in the e of Jim, showing that he expected my return. I fede instantly up to the entrance and dismounted, while my. noble ome pe off to look ape ig mself, m arose as he heard my approach, and, lifting his torch, advanced to méet me. ** You had a long hunt—”’ He started back in horror Then, ye ow his light over his me, he - ete de yoo pean in fehtr ‘No; I was thrown from m rse, and lay sense- less upon the rie until oe time ~y I feel at my appearance, head, and peering at bad, Jim, and fear I am severely injured,”’ starting to seat myself. ees oer ¢ t minute; am hurt; let me fix ’em.” He clapped his hands, and instantly the bundle of blankets at the side of the lodge aaa to an u right position, and his squaw walked forth. My wounds were now my garments changed for dry ones, and with a hot cup of drink, I was swathed in blankets, and placed the fire. Jim said it was not far from morning, and if at that time I was worse, he would call in the Medicine Man. All night the fever burned and raged, and when morning came I was partially delirious. Jim exam- ined my pulse, shook his head eg omy eg and de- parted from the lodge, Ina short time he returned, and with him came the Medicine Man, an Indian considerably advanced in years, and much loved and honored by his tribe. , too, looked ve, and held a consultation in an undertone with Fira. tien these I knew I was dangerou “ ily, i nye Sly, probably fa : And now came days of those strange, indescriba- ble visions that come over one in high fever. I was in all imaginable places, and saw wonderfui per- sons and scenes, Now and then, there were mo- ments when reason flitted to its throne. At such times I saw the Medicine Maz or Jim near me; and once, as I wonderingly opened my eyes, I saw the mysterious captive bending over me. I looked straight into her dark, liquid eyes, and reached forth and touched her garments, to satisfy myself that it was no freak of mind. My fixed stare alarmed her, and she looked inquiringly at the Medicine Man, He mumbled somet , and she departed, About a week after my accident, as I subsequent- ly learned, I awoke with my full reason. As I look- ed wonderingly about me, the first object that en- countered my eyes was the captive to whom I have alluded, My fixed stare at her seemed to alarm her, and she arose to pass out, OOO) (EO) COMMUCG