Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 137 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

22 with me, for he isa brave old codger and knows every foot of ES along St. Clair. LIhope you will git rid of that lower regioner, Kirby Kale, and that you may live a long and happy life yet; I do for a sublime fact.” “Thank you, Harry; thank you.” ‘““Well, good-by, Big Beard,” the lad said, extending his hand, ‘*Good-by, Harry: may God guide and pro- tect you through all the dangers that beset your path.” Tears rolled up into the lad’s eyes as he turned away. To prevent an outburst of feeling, he broke into arun and hurried on, never daring to look back until assured he was out of sight of Long Beard; then he slackened his pace toa walk ‘Here we are again, ole dog, alone in the woods,” he said, brushing away the mist from his bas ‘‘It seems kind a-natural, don’t il, old friend? The birds, and the squirrels, and the wind whistling among the trees and the droning around us—great hornits! who says it isn’t music, sweet music?” Presently the pout began his favorite amuse- ment of calling the birds around him through his power of imitation. A robin was the first to answer his call. It perched itself high ina tree-top, but when assured that it bad nothing to fear, it descended closer. Then, one by one, came other winged songsters, until nearly a score had gathered around him. They took their position among the branches of the green- robed trees; and as he moved on, they followed him, singing, chattering, and chirruping in concert. Now and then a squirrel frisked out of a gnarled old oak, and regarding the passin youth and his escort of songsters with a look o apparent delight, sent forth a sharp bark that rung clearly through the woods. And thus for hours the youth journeyed on through the great forest, the birds following— some dropping out of the ranks and others joining. Andas he was now approaching the enemy’s country, he watched the birds closer and eloser. Long association with them had taught him their habits and peculiarities. He knew by their movements whether danger was about or not. The sun had long since crossed the meridi- an, and the shadows of evening were gather- ing. The last bird had deserted the youth and, instead of the music of the feathere tribe, the hoot of an owlrung upon his ears. This was suddenly followed by the tramp of oofed feet and jingle of military trappings. ‘Armed horsemen were approaching through the woods, but Harry knew not whether they were friends or foes. Ishazzar pricked up his ears and whined uneasily. ** Hist, Bell!” weclaithed the youth in an un- dertone; ‘‘some one’s comin’! git away from here—out into the woods, ole dog, for I’m goin’ to climb this tree and hide. Away, Bell, away!” and he motioned the dog away toward the south. ve The sagacious animal seemed to comprehend, and at.once scampered away, and Harry, sling- ing his rifle at his back by means of a stra attached for that purpose, climbed a huge oa tree with low, far-branching limbs, and en- sconced himself among the dense foliage ona bough about ten feet from the main trunk and twice the distance from the ground. He had scarcely done so, and the foliage around him was still rustling from his move- ments, when a number of mounted soldiers in the English uniform appeared in sight. Happy ry was almost afraid to breathe, for at once discovered that the soldiers were a squad of the king’s cavalry, and the advance guard of an invading army. Of this he was Be iy for he could hear, in the dis- tance, the tramp of the army, the rumble of artillery and baggage-wagons, the blows of axes clearing a way through the woods for the teams, commands of authoritative voices and the general confusion of sounds inciden to a moving army. To Harry’s surprise and fear the detachment of cavalry drew rein within a few rods of where ee byes concealed, and the officer in command said: “We will wait bere until the main column comes up. It will require some time to bridge that creek, and so by the time they get across it it will be time to gointo camp. This will be a favorable spot for an encampment.” So saying they dismounted, and just about sunset Major-General Brock and staff rode up at the head of the advancing army. “Have you selected grounds suitable for an encampment, colonel?’ demanded Brock of the cavalry officer. “This spot, general, is the most favorable one convenient,” replied the colonel, ** Then here we will balt,” replied the general. Harry heard every word, and it almost chilled the blood in his veins. The army soon came up, and was halted upon the grounds surrounding the tree in which our hero was ensconced. A baggage wagon was drawn up near the huge eg oe a number of tent equipments removed therefrom prepara- tory te being erected for the accommodation of the officers. General Brock selected a spot directly under the very limb upon which the boy was perched, and ordered his tent pitched upon it; and asa number of men proceeded to work, Harry’s heart almost ceased to beat through fear of de- tection. The tent was a large conical structure about ten feet in hight at the apex, which reached well up among the limbs. few minutes to prepare it for occupation, and, thanks to the providential shadows that lurked among the foliage, Harry was not discovered. But he was in for a night there in the tree, and ina position, too, that might prove more than his endurance could bear. The deeper shadows of night proved a great relief to the boy, and he gradually settled him- self into a more comfortable position. The soldiers lighted no fires. They feasted their hunger on cold provisions, and slaked their thirst at the little stream that rippled close by. The low murmur of voices rose on all sides. The animals were hitched here and there to trees and bushes, and given their provender on the ground. The harness and saddles had not been removed for fear of surprise. The whole camp was a continuous stir ef mingled life and sounds, and arelief to Harry; for the stamping of hoofed feet, the rustling of busbes and the clinking of harness chains served to drown any noise that he might make. Suddenly a faint ray of light pierced the loom within a few feet of his face. It came rom a small, round hole in the very top of the British commander’s tent, and the lad could not resist the temptation to lean oe gag Mo and peer Gown through the hole. e saw a lamp burning on a small stand, and before it sat General Brock and two of his officers on camp stools, examining a map that was out- read upon the general’s knees. He could see their faces but indistinctly. He could hear the murmur of their voices, but could only make out a word now and then, At length, however, one of the de-camps appeared at the door of said, in a tone quite audible: ‘General, pardon my intrusion, but there is an Indian chief at the door desiring an audience with you.” ‘*Of what tribe?” inquired the general, a lit- tle Faro g at being disturbed. “Of tribes, general; it is the great Te- cumseh,” The general started as if at a hostile shot. He rose to his feet, and as he folded the map he ca am the two officers, and then said to the aid: ‘* Admit the great chief, Tecumseh.” rry’s curiosity now assumed a more eager form. oercieg he dropped from limb to limb until he actually pressed bis eye to the little opening to obtain a glimpse of the mighty war- rior, as well as to catch the words that passed between him and Brock, With stately dignity Tecumseh stalked into the presence of the English general, who ad- vanced to meet him with the palms of both hands outward in token of friendship. They shook hands, Brock welcomed the Breet warrior, and with his own hands spread a blan- ket upon the ground for him to be seated upon. When Tecumseh sat down the general sat down upon his camp stool facing him. Then the chief demurely filled the pipe on the head of his tomahawk, lit it, and having taken a whiff or two, passed it to the general. The latter knew its signification, and followed the chief’s example by smoking with Tecumseh the pipe of peace. Assured of the general’s friendship now, the chief said: ** Messengers from the Canada Father told me of your friendship to the red-men,” He spoke English fluently, and Harry could hear every word he said. ‘**] have no cause to entertain other than the kindliest feelings toward my red brothers,” re- sponded Brock; they have long been the friends of the English, ‘We are friends now because the Yankees are our enemies. e red-men have dug u the hatchet, and are ready to recover the lan of their forefathers, The Great Canada Father said to Tecumseh, in a whi : ‘Go, fight the Yankees; strike when the English strike, but tell it not that I thus whispered in my red children’s ear. Fight as though you fought in- dependent of the English, for if it should be known that we urged the red-mam to fight for us, other nations re age execrate us, and send their soldiers and big boats to belp the Ameri- cans years ago.’ en my Canada Father said this, I come to see the chief of the English warriors that I might know when to strike.” neral’s aid- e tent, and ‘‘T will be glad to have you co-operate with | suspect him o me,” replied the British general, encouraging the great chief in what English history dis- claims to be true, ‘ for the and cunning. They cannot stand, however, It required but a | ‘Long Beard, the Giant Spy. -: gg SSS “Tecumseh and his braves will be there to fight with his white brothers,” ‘* How far away is your village?” ** Not a half sun’s travel.” ‘Then I can depend upon your assistance at Detroit?” ‘* Yes, when my white brother is there.” “Then let this be so understood,” ‘Tecumseh always keeps his word with a friend.” By this time the greatest excitement pre- vailed in camp. The news had spread like wild- fire that the great Tecumseh was a guest at head-quarters, andin a very few minutes hun- dreds of men had gathered around the tent, eager to get a glimpse of the mighty chieftain, But of course not one in twenty could get near the door, and many were compelled to retire to their quarters without having a chance to gratify their curiosity. One young soldier, however, determined not to leave without seeing the notorious Indian; that faint beam of light shining from the apex of the tent suggested a means, and so he hastily climbed the huge oak under which the tent stood, and began crawling along the very limb upon which Happy Harry was concealed! And the tree-top spy found himself in a ter- rible dilemma, from which there appeared no possible chance of escape! CHAPTER XXVII. “IN A BOX.” Happy HARRy drew back as far as possille to get out of the way of the inquisitive sol- dier, but he could retreat only a few feet as the limb had been broken and drooped downward at an inclination of forty degrees. This left but one course to pursue, and he quickly made up his mind to adopt it. He drew his pistol, and as the soldier came within reach, dealt him a powerful blow upon the head. A groan escaped the Englishman’s lips, as he tumbled from the limb upon the tent. It so happened that he fell where the selvages of the canvas lapped one over the other, and under his weight they parted and he fell apa og into the tent, landing squarely on the princely head of the great Tecumseh. , A war-whoop burst from the savage chief- tain’s lips, and an oath from Brock’s. The for- mer sprung to his feet and drew his tomahawk and the latter his sword. Butin the confusion consequent upon the unceremonious intrusion of the soldier, the table was tipped over and the lamp upset. The canvas took fire, and in a mo- ment the whole structure was in flames, the eneral, the chief and the wounded soldier arely escaping. Up among the foliage of the great oak rose the smoke and flame. e n leaves crackled and crisped in the excessive heat which soon became more than human endurance could withstand. Harry was right over the worst of it. He began sneezing and coughing violently, but owing to the general confusion below, no one heard him. en crowded and jostled each other eager to get a view of Tecumseh in the low of the burning tent. The horses near at and snorted and pawed uneasily. A number of men with bucketfuls of water made their ha to the fire and dashed it on the flames, This proved the worst blow of all to Harry. Steam, ashes and smoke whirled up into the fuliage so strong and suffocating that he was compelled to leave his perch, and slide down the limb to the ground in the midst of the as- tonished army! ‘‘Great hor-nits!” he exclaimed, rubbing bis eyes and gasping for breath, “what the tar- _ nation’s up here?—a camp-meetin’ on ‘‘By heavens! a young Yankee!” exclaimed a soldier, * Ay, that accounts for Dinwiddie’s fall,” re- plied a colonel; ‘‘lead the little ferret out and oe him; the surgeon says Dinwiddie will e. ‘*'Yes, shoot him! shoot him!” cried a bun- dred voices. ‘Order! order!” thundered General Brock. ‘‘Have you forgotten, men, that you are sol- diers of the English crown? Shame for such conduct; he is but a boy, not the American army!” This merited rebuke at once restored order then Brock led the boy into the tent of one of his generals and questioned him regarding his presence there. The youth talked in sucha childish, frivolous manner, the commandant came to the conclusion that he was a little runaway Yankee, who bad become imbued with the spirit of some hero of a fireside story, and had rambled forth to seek renown in the great wildwood. .Brock did not paying dealt Dinwiddie the wound upon the head, from which the surgeon feared there was no recovery. All had seen the goin’ ankees are many | soldier climb into the tree, but the fact that the the time, was no evidence to” boy was there at before the Indian’s tomahawk and the English | the general that he— Harry —had dealt the soldiers’ muskets. Already the Yankee chief, Governor Hull, has retreated from Canada like a coward. He has gone to Detroit, and there sought his forts as a fox pursued seeks his den. There will I strike him.’ blow. His natural conclusion was that Din- widdie had received his injuries by his fall. However, as the dion, ‘ok was in their power the commandant concluded to retain him, for while he appeared to be not overly stocked with “EO poo mic —_ _s