Beadle's Dime Library, No. 13 — page 31: what you’re looking at

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ry a me; miles and mi Pathaway. 31 and an ear for ’em that shortens their days. ‘Tisn’t because I seek ’em that sich things happen. ‘Tis‘nt my natur to hurt nobody, but the Master o’ Life says to avery one plain!y enough: ‘Take care o’ yourself!’ Now if didn’t take care myself, who’d take care on me While Nick was speaking, the Shoshoné dragged a iarge canoe from the bushes, and launched it upon the stream. “Get in—et in!” said Nick. “Go fust, Sebastian, and you next, little Ingin. That’s it! Mind what you do, Jeanjean, or you’ll tip the frail consarn vver. Youre the bop for a paddle, Portneuf; you used to drive a canoe right smart. That hangin’ affair hasn’t strengthened your arias any, I take it. Path- away, you'd better set in the middle, with your rifle povty consider’ble convenient. Sparrer- Legs, don't shiver as if you s’pected a cold shower-\ath, for the thing won't tip if you keep quiet. A ship o’ the line isn’t ae & nor an In- gin bark well managed.” The digs, which, in obedience to the com- mand of their master, had crouched beside bastian, now stood on shore, looking wish- fully at, Nick. “ Let the animiles get in,” said the latter. There’s room enough, and they’ll make too ‘auch noise runnin’ along the bank if we don’t give ‘em a chance with us. I never desart my ogs, Galamity, leastwise. He’s been true me,and I'll be the same to him. Once, when ‘there was a cussed little diffikilty with the Ingins, and he was sick, and his le was weak, took him up.and carried him in my arms. Many and many a step has them legs took for bs have they trotted me, my companions and my friends when there’s nobody to speak to. I'd thank ye,” added Nick, unconsciously raising his voice addressing Pathaway, if any one in j articular, “ jest to take a p’int blank look at .vem eyes; a a’n’t blue nor black, nor like a woman’s lookers ; but they’re mighty good dog’s eyes, and have a heap of understannin’ in ’em.” vigilance of eye and ear, or thought it prudent to trust the sound of his voice. that Pathaway had opportunity to observe him when peril impended ; to note. his coolness ; the absence of hurry and perturbation from his deportment, and to recognize the wonderful acuteness of hissenses. For himself, he mani- fested no uneasiness; it was only when his gaze rested upon the slight figure of Sebastian that a wave of anxiety ruffled his features. “The branches hang low,” he muttered, raising his head, and speaking in those inde- scribable tones that are the true index of dan- ger, “the branches hang low, and the trees stand thick together like platoons of soldiers. I notice the timber when it grows in that way ; t’s a pooty sight to me in gin’ral, for Natur aud I are on friendly footin ; but on sich oc- casions as this, I see the rows of trunks and the green follyage with. distrust—a ecreepin’ of the blood, like little mites of ice in the veins. "Tisn't fear—you understan’ the feelin’, Sho- shone. Take away the ‘sponsibility of per- tectin’ und carin’ for somebody, and I should walk this timber like a Camanche on the trail ; or what's more Christiax and civilized, like an old free trapper, as i be.” ‘*« What = you think?” Pathaway asked, bending toward the hunter, and unconsciously, as it would seem, in his earnestness, placing his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder. The youth shrank from the touch, then smiled at his own sensitiveness. Indian Joe flashed apltnny at the hunter as he withdrew his hand. “T think that my shootin’-tube spoke ray- ther loud, and must have been heerd by them that seek us; but the simple crack of a rifle wouldn’t locate us with any great sartinty. O» the water we leave no trail, but if they dis- iver the place where we launched this eanos, they'll be houndin’ arter us afore long.” “Do you not know,” continued Pathaway, ‘some covert, nook, or hiding-place where this wounded lad can find safety ?”' “T wish you and Nicholas would feel less It was now | “Many eyes might be deceived,” observed Nicholas, ‘‘ and mistake that smoke for a vapor risin’ from the ground; but it’s real smoke comin’ from a fire kindled with dry leaves and sticks, fed slowly ey exper’enced hands, to keep a clear flame. e of the wilderness under- stan’ these things, you see.” “Tt is smoke, without question,” the other replied. “ T won't tell ye to be cautious, cause yua've sense encugh to know that we must be carpent like when we're dealin’ with the heathen that make tricks and stratagems a part o’ their life. Come on, colonel, and show your p’ints.”’ Throwing forward his thin and supple body, the trapper pushed his way into the timber. His form had lost none of ts more youthful vigor. The muscles had grown stronger with exercise, and toil had consvlidated bone and sinew. While the hunter admired his noiseless loco motion, he strove in vain to equal it. “You do ‘mazin’ well, colonel,’ he whis- pered ; “ but a stick will sometimes crack and a bush shake with the most skillful of us. You'll git the knack on’t with practice. Hist! We're clost onto ’em, by mighty!” Nick's long finger was pointed to an open- ing in the trees, aud Pathaway following its di- rection, saw dusky figures sitting by a tire sv small that the blaze could have been covered by one’s hand. Nicholas made a warning ges- ture to the hunter, and again moved on, with his knees to the earth and his rifle thrown out before him. Several minutes passed before they attained @ position offering them a full view of the roup. ““Look !” said Nick, grexping Pathaway by the arm, and putting his lips to nisear. “See that varmint with his back partly toward rs It's Jack Wiley! The p’ison eritter’s forgot the sarvice I Aove him. If it hadn't heen for me, his skulp would be hangin’ this minute in a Blackfoot leit ” The trapper threw his rifle a trifle more in Calamity’s. rizzly eyes twinkled inquiringly. care for me. Safety is worth mo more to me | adyvenee, and laid his cheek to the breech. There certainly were interrogation points in | than to you. This wound is comparatively of | “A nice chance! a nice chance!’ he mat- them. tered. ‘ What a pity the airth can’t be re- et | don’t say that his’n’s a handsome head, but it’s a honest one. He does snap ‘casion- ally at Smuggler, and snubs him when he’s too familiar, as ’twere; and he will bite your ‘ege if you tread on him; but he’s got quali- ties that put him on a footin’ with) many var- mints that go on two feet instead o’ four.” The dogs sprang into the little vessel, and the chief, taking hie place in the stern, sent it into the middle of the stream with a stroke of his paddle. Portneuf aided his efforts, and the canoe shot onward like an arrow. Trees fringed the bank, and, easting their branches over the water, were mirrored duskily upon itssurface. As the paddles sank and rose, noiselessly, Nick, reclining in the bow of the birchen craft, with his rifle thrown forward across his arm, watched the coverts and the La a ag oh side, . an an to feel a sense of security, which Pathaway noticed with satisfaction, nf was turning to express his thanks to Multno- mah, when the war-cry of a Blackfoot broke the silence with a ya and explosive disso- nance. The paddles of the Shoshoné and the voyageur simultaneously backed water. The rifle of Nick Whiffles seemed to spring to his cheek by instinct, rather than to be placed there by his usually deliberate hands. The canoe vibrated and quivered on the stream, so abruptly was its momentum checked. The long barrel had become fixed, and hurled forth its nnerring messenger before a word was spoken, or ere the quick eyes of Sebastian had disenvered the object of his aim. The leaves stirred overhead and the rocks rang hack the echo. Something fell into the stream, redden- ing its clear surface. As the canoe swept on, Sebastian glanced backward, and beheld a lon tuft-lock trailing upon the water. For the next few seconds nothing was heard save the alight sound of the skillfully and rapidly fall- ing paddles. igi CHAPTER XXYVI. ON THE WATER. Each of the Northern adventurers expected to hear the thrilling war-cry of the Blackfoot anewered from many clamorous throats ; but the intermountain quietude remained unbro- ken. Neither wolf, rales nor panther, disturbed the deep solitude. The canoe shot steadily onward. Considerable time jelngeed before the wily trapper perceptibly relaxed his no account, only so far as it prevenis me from—from defending myself. It cannot, it shall not make me burdensome!” exclaimed Sebastian. “Stop the craft, Ingin,” said Nick, with a backward motion of his hand. ‘‘ Doubledark is a fox!” answered the Sho- shone, They had reached a spot where the banks were less thickly studded with trees, and which permitted a further range of vision. Nicholas pointed with his rifle to a cluster of piven that was scarcely perceptible in the darkness and distance. “The eyes of Doubledark conquer the night!” added Multnomah. ‘Put the birch ashore, chief.” Pathaway strained his eyes, but saw nothing to render the clump of trees an object of sus- picion. The vessel touched the bank; Nick a pe out. ' “ Wait for me, redskin, and I'll soon bring you word whether the stream is clear.” “T will go also,” said Pathaway, leaping te the bank. : “No,” replied the trapper, ‘I’m afeard your foot is not on enough. You’re better used to the trail of four-footed animiles than to them with tyro.” “JT am accustomed to an active life, and cannot remain passive when there is danger, and action is required. Lead on, Doubledark, and possibly you'll think less lightly of mg | in, isn’t he ? akill." “] know you’re mighty good at some thin colonel ; but approachin’ an inemy at his bi- vouac is a different matter from stannin’ bold. ly up toa danger that’s right afore ye, and don't need to be unmasked.” “Tam nota novice, and do insist upon shar- ing my proportion of danger,” returned Patha- way, with firmness. “ Well, you're a handy lad, and I allow can be trusted where others would be in the wav.” Wi hout further discussion, Nick started ofl at a q -ick pace, followed by Pathaway. Had the ground been even, the distance to the pifion would have been quickly and easily ac- complished ; but being rough and unequal, the task. was not unattended with difficulty. Giiding through grate and bushes without effort, apparently, Nicholas reached the mai- in of the timber; before which time the gray Fctites had discovered light puffs of smoke occasionally mounting against the sky, or Grifting fitfully along the tops of the trees. ee eee eee... | | | q y y lievel of sich a mean skunk immejiate! Ah, solone]! how human uatur is sometimes put to it for patience !” The object of the hunter's remarks turned his face to the fire iv addressing one of his savage comrades; Pathaway recognized it at once. ‘“‘ They've killed some kind o’ game lately, most likely, and have stopped to cook and eat. Huge hedons are Ingins, nondh they cau fast when worst comes to worst. If you'd jest tried your skill on his jug’lar art’ries when you had him tied at Trapper Trace, you wouldn't been guilty o’ no great crime.” Pathaway had frequently seen Indians in their war-paint, but never so completely changed from the common form of humanity as these. There were eight of them, most wickedly bedaubed and’ metamorphused with yarious apents and savage arts. Their visa- ges, as lighted up by the tremulous blaze, were truly startling. Pathaway thought of Sebastian, and expewenced painful anxiety for his safety. “T’ve drawed a bead on him,” said Nick, whose ire was excited by the treachery of Wi- ley. “Shall I pull trigger, colonel?” * No, no!” Peeaered Pathaway. Such sn act would be folly. Calm yourself!” “] couldn t be calmer; and not that, neither, for I’m stirred up in‘ardly. Fine company he’s hat’s more frightful hor an Ingin in his paint ; to them, I mean, that isn't ’oustomed to the sight. But whatisit? On'y a little red and white clay with a streak o’ black in’t. Sich contrivances may do for wo- men and children, boys leastwise ; but full rowed men, of whatsomnever color, should be (bes it. But it’s their natur’, and that’s all we can say. Light of ’em besides Wiley, and uite near the stream, too. You can jes’ ketch a glimpse on’t runnin’ like a silver thread out yender. Wonder how we shall git by? We can try it, and if they sight us we've the consolation o’ knowing’ we've four good rifles.” The hunter made no answer, but watched the grim grpUp with breathless interest. A noise, so very slight that it was scarcely audi- ble, caused him to look backward over his shoulder; behind him stood the dog Calamity, with his nose uplifted, and his large eyes fixed with striking intensity upon the sayages, the hairs on his head and back erect and bristling. “The dog has come !” said the hunter. | CGOMIERVOOKS EO -_———— ~~. Le