Beadle's Dime Library, No. 149 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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8 been leading for some time past seems to me more than suspicious. It has, therefore, attracted my attention; and I expect a satisfactory answer from you,” The red-skin had stood unmoved; not a muscle of his face moved; and the captain, who watched him slosely, could not notice the slightest trace of emo- tion on his features. The Indian had expected the question asked him, and was prepared to answer it. ‘* Monkey face led my father and his children from . the great stone v es of the Long-knives of the West to the spot. as my father had any cause to reproach the chief ?"’ ‘None, I am bound to allow,’’ the captain an- swered, frankly; “ you did your duty honestly." ‘Why, then, does a skin now cover my father’s heart? and why has suspicion crept into his mind about a man against whom, as he says himself, he has not the slightest reproach to bring? Is that the justice of the pale-faces?"’ “Let us not drift from the to erery chief, or change it, if you please. I could not follow you through all your Indian circumlocution, I will, there- fore, confine myself to saying that, unless you con- sent to tell me frankly the cause of your repeated absences, and give me proof of your inno- cence, J will have you turned out of the colony, and ou shad never set foot again on the territory I oc- cupy.”’ Apteam of hatred flashed from the red-skin’s eye; pen how ediately recalling it, he replied, in his soft- ce: eon ¢ agony is a poor Indian; his brothers have on account of his friendship with the faces. He hoped to find eg he Loug- nives of the West, in the absence of friendship, gratitude for service rendered. He is mistaken.” “That is not the question,” the captain continued impatiently; ‘‘ will you answer Yes or No?”’ Indian drew himself in, and walked up to the speaker close enough to touch him. ‘“‘And if I re:use?"’ he said, as he gave him a glance of defiance and fury. me you a sooundanst 7 forbid bt Madd ap, ng n before me; an ou y me, will steaks ou with my dog-whip!”’ The ca had hardly uttered these insul words ere he repented of them. He was alone, unarmed, with a man whom he had mortally insult- ed; hence he tried to arrange matters. ‘But Monkey-face,”’ he went on, “is a chief; he ~ wise; he answer me—for he knows that I love _ ‘You lie, dog of the pale-faces!’’ the Indian yelled, as he ground his teeth in fury; “you hate me almost as much as I hate .you!”’ The captain, in his exasperation, raised the switch he carried in his hand; but, at the same moment, the Indian, with a DODNeT 08D bounded on his horse's Group, dragged the captain out of his stir- rups, and rudely hurled him to the ground. “The _ peterhacrs are cowardly old women,’’ he said; ‘‘the Pawnee warriors despise them, and will send them petticoats.” uttering these words with a sarcastic ac- cent impossible to describe, the Indian bent over the horse’s neck, let loose the rein, uttered a fierce yell, and started at full speed, not troubling himself fur- ther about the captain, whom he left severely bruised by his fall. James Watt was not the man to endure such treatment without trying to revenge himself; he got np as quickly as he could, and shouted, in order to get together the hunters and wood-cutters scattered over (the plain. Some of them had seen what had happened, and started at fulls to help their captain; but before they reached him, and he could give them his orders to pursue the fugitive, the latter had ag ey in the heart of the forest, toward which he had di- rected his rapid course. The hunters, however, at the head of them. being Sergeant Bothrel, rushed in pursuit of the Indian, swearing they would bring fim in either dead or ve, The captain looked after them till he saw them disappear one after the other in the forest, and then returned. slowly to the colony, reflecting on what had taken place between himself and the red-skin, and his heart contracted by a gloomy presentiment. Something whispered to him that, for Monkey- face, generally so prudent and circumspect, to have acted as he had done, he must have fancied himself very strong, and quite certain of impunity, 66 re CHAPTER VIIL. THE DECLARATION OF WAR, THERE is an incomprehensible fact, which we were many times ina position to appreciate, during the adventurous course of our len ed wanderings in America—that a man will at times feel the approach of a misfortune, though unable to account for the feeling he m; he knows that he is menaced, though unable to tell when the peril will come, or in what way it will arrive; the day seems to grow more gloomy, the sunbeams lose their bril- liancy, objects assume a mournful a - ance; there are strange murmurs in the air; ina word, seems to feel the impression of a vague and “Though nothing cocurred $0 justity. thé captais o D u ca 's fears after his altercation with the Pawuee, an only he, but the whole peyote of the colony felt un- , der the weight of dull terror on the evening of this aay f t six o’cl as usual, the bell was rung to recall the Bee hom and herds; all had returned, the beasts vans See up in their nr Magy ose and, apparen any rate, not out o common troubled the calm existence of the colonists. Se t Bothrel and his comrades, who had pur- sued Wonkey -tace for several hours, had only found the horse the Indian so audaciously carried off, and which he probably abandoned, in order to hide his more effectually. y wa = be Tecan, Kee vee visible in Se nae he on cap:a ore anxious n he wlohe te soobat, had doubled the sentties intnaiod to wateh over the common safety, and ordered the serge t to patrol round the intrenchments every wo hours, ~~ i rr a ee The Border Rifles. — a _ —— — — ee When all these precautions had been taken, the | ‘‘ There is a man on the edge of the ditch who insists family and servants assembled on the ground floor of the tower to spend the etoanee f as had been their wont ever since the beginning of the settlement. The singe sitting in an easy-chair by the fire, for the nights were beginning to become fresh, was reading an old work on Military Tactics, while Mrs. Watt, with the servants, was engaged in mending the household linen. This. evening, however, the captain, instead of reading, seemed to be thinkin profoundly, with his arms crossed on his chest, and his eyes on the fire. At last he raised his head, and turned to his wife— | ch re ron not hear the children crying?” he said. “ec rea them to-day,”’ she answered, “‘for we cannot quiet them; Betsy has been with them for more than an hour, and has not been able to get them to ents “You should go Set any my dear; that would be more proper than these things to, the care of a servant.” Mrs. Watt went out without answering, and her voice could soon be heard on the upper floor, where was the children’s room. “*So, sergeant,” the captain went on, addressing the old soldier, who was busy in a corner mending a eaving do not know what is the matter with | — yoke, “ you found it im ble to catch = ac- | mee heathen, who threw me so roughly this morn- We could not eveu see him, captain," the ser- | | geant replied; *‘ these Indians are like lizards, they slip through anywhere. Luckily I found Boston. The pot brute seemed delighted at seeing me oa. é, “Yes, yes. Boston is a noble brute; I should have been vexed to lose him. The heathen has not wounded him, I hope, for you know that these demons are accustomed to treat horses ve ** There is nothing the matter with him as far as I can see; the off his back in a hurry upon finding us so close at his heels."’ “* It must be so, se neighborhood carefully ?”’ “With the greatest attention, captain, but I noticed nothing suspicious. The red- s will look twice before at gus; we gave them too rude a shaking for them to forget it. “Tam not of your opinion, sergeant; the are vindictive; I am convinced that they would like to avenge themselves on and that some day, be- forelong perhaps, we shall hear them utter their war-yellin the valley.” “‘T do not desire it, itis true; but I believe, if they out they would sing small.” ‘*T think so too; but they would give us a sorrow- ful surprise, especially now that, through ovr labors and our care, we are on the point of receiv- ing the price of our fatigues, and beginning to sev the end of our troubles.’ “ That is true, it would be vexatious, for the losses an attack from these bandits would entail on us are incalculable.”’ * Unluckily, we ean only keep on our guard, and it will be impossible for us to foil the plaus which these red demons are doubtless ruminating against us. Have you placed the sentinels as 1 recommended, sergeant?’ * Yes, eta Pap Tordered them to display the utmost watchfulness; I do not believe that the Paw- nees can surprise us, however clever they may be.” “We cannot take our oath of on yw mg sergeant,” the captain answered, as he shook his head with a doubtful air, At this moment, and asif accident wished to con- firm his views, the bell hung outside, and which was used to tell the colonists some one desired to come in, wasr violently. ‘What does that mean?’ the captain exclaimed, as he looked ata clock on the wall in front of him; “it is nearly eight o’clock, who can come so late? Have not all our men returned?” * All, captain; there is no one outside the pali- es,” James Watt rose, seized his rifle, and making the sergeant a sign to follow him, prepared to go out. “Where are yougoing, my love?” a gentle, anx- ious voice asked é The captain turned; his wife had re-entered the mg room unnoticed by him. “Did you not hear the bell?’ he asked her; ‘‘some one wishes to come in.”’ “Yes, I heard it, dear,’’ she replied; “but do you intend to open the gate at this hour?” “Tam the head of this colony, madam,” the Idly but firmly; “and at such captain answered, co an hour as this it is my duty to open the gin. for may be danger in doing it, and I m give to rn om example of courage and accomplishment of u y ” j eant. Have you examined the At this moment the bell pealed a second time. 30 nee Oe go,’ the Captain, added, turning to the an wife made no reply. She fell into a chair, pale and tremb with gen In the meanwhile the captain had gone out followed by Bothrel and four hunters, all arm with rifles. The night was dark. There was nota star in the heavens, which were black as ink, Two paces ahead it was im le to dis “—- objects, and a cold breeze w fitfully, threl had taken down a lantern to guide him through the room. * How is it,’’ the captain said, ‘‘ that the sentry at the drawbridge has not ‘Of givhes note! * Per 6 is afraid of giving an alarm, knowing, - he did. that we should hear the bell from the wer.”’ “Hum!” the captain muttered between his teeth. nay walked onward. Presently they heard a aorih of voiees, to which they listened. It was the sentry speaking. t Pationce Che said, ‘Some one isco . Isee a lantern shining. You will only have a few mo- ments longer to wait, though for your own sake I rhe mmoend you not to stir, or I s put a bullet ou,” _ it!’’ a sarcastic yoice replied outside, “ you have a curious idea of hospitality in there. No mat- ter, I will wait; so you can raise your barrel, for I have no idea of carrying your works by myself.” ane captain reached the intrenchments at this mo- ment. -- t is it, Bob?” he asked the sentry. *“Treally dou’t know, captain,”’ he answered, Indian was probably compelled to leap | on coming in.”’ Who are you? What do you want?” the captain chouted. Ke gs pray who may you be?’’ the stranger re- piled. | “Lam Captain James Watt, and I warn you that unknown vagabonds are not allowed to enter here at such an hour. Return at sunrise, and then I may possibly allow you to come in,” ‘Take care what you. are about,” the stranger said. ‘ Your obstinacy in causing me to shiver on the brink of this ditch may cost you dearly.” ‘Take care yourself,” the captain answered, im- tiently. *] am not in the mood to listen to hreats.”’ *] do not threaten; I warn you. You have al- ready committed a grave fault to day. Do not com- mit a grave one to-night by obstinately refusing to let me come in,” P a answer struck the captain and made him re- ect. Supposing,” he said presently, “I allow you to enter, who guarantees that you will not betray me? The night is dark, and you may have a large band with you, which 1 am unable to see.” * 1 have only one companion with me, for whom I answer with my head.” ‘Hum!’ the captain remarked, more undecided than ee “and who will answer for you?” * se ve “Who are you, as you speak our language with such correctness that you might almost be taken for one of our count en?” “Well, I am nearly one, for I am a Canadian, and my name is Tranquil.” “ Tranquil!” the captain exclaimed. ‘Are you, then, the celebrated wood-ranger, surnamed the “Ido n now whether I am celebrated, ca » me Il am certain of is, that I am the ae refer oO” “If you are really Tranquil I wil) allow you to enter; but who is the man that accompanies you, and for whom you answer?” te Black-deer, the first Sachem of the Snake Paw- “Oh! oh!" the captain muttered, “ what does he want here?” ** Let us in and you will know.” “Well, be it so,’ the captain shouted; “but I warn you that, at the slightest appearance of treach- a and your comrade will be mercilessly 5 ane you will be justified in doing itif I break my word. The captain after recommending his hunters to hold themselves in readiness for any event, ordered tne drawbridge to be lowered. Tranquil and Black-deer entered. Both were unarmed, or, at any rate, seemed so. In the presence of such a proof of confidence, the captain felt ashamed of his suspicions; and after the bridge had been raised , he dismissed his escort, and only kept Bothrel with him. “ Follow me,’ he said to the oo The latter bowed without er reply, and walked at his side. They reached the tower without exchanging a syllable. ‘ The captain introduced them into the keeper’s room, where Mrs. Watt was alone, a prey to the most lively anxiety. By a sign her husband ordered her to retire. She nat him a suppliant glance, which he understood, fe he did not insist, and she remained silent in her chair. Tranquil had the same calm and open countenance as of yore. Nothing in his manner seemed to evi- dence that he had any hostile intentions toward the colonists. Black-deer, on the contrary, was gloomy and one The captain offered his guests seats by the re. “Be seated, gentlemen,” he said. “You must feel the need of warmth. Have you come to me as friends or foes?” ‘It is more easy to ask that question than answer it,’ the hunter said, honestly; “up to the present our intentions are kindly; you will decide yourself, captain, as to the terms on which we shall leave ou,” “In any case you will not refuse some slight re- freshment?’’ | “For the present, I must ask you to excuse us,” Tranquil replied, who ap to be kesman for himself and friend; “it is better, I think to set- tle at once the point that brings us here.” ‘“Hum!"’ the captain muttered, a in his heart at this re , Which foreboded nothing good; ‘in that case, speak, and an amicable interview will not depend on me,” ; “] wish it with all my heart, captain; the more SO, if 1 am here it is with the object of avoiding the consequences either of a mistake or a mornent of n.”’ The captain bowed his thanks, and the Canadian went on. “You are an old rokiier, sir,” he said, ‘and the shorter the speech the better you will like it: in two words, then, this is what brings us: the Snake Pawnees accure you of hay seized their village by treachery, and massac the ter part of their relations and friends. Is that true?” “It is true that I seized their village, but I bad the right to do so, since the red-skins refused to sur- render it to me; but I deny that I acted treacherous- ly; on the contrary, the Pawnees behaved in that way to me.”’ ov Oh!" Black-deer exclaimed, as he rose quickly, ‘the pale-face has a tying tongue in his mouth.” ** Peace!" Tranquil cried, and he forced him to take his seat again, “leave me to disentangle this skein, which seems to me very troublesome. For- give me for insisting,” he went on, addressin captain, “‘ but the question is a grave one, and the truth must. out, ere you not received, on your Fw ia by the chiefs of the tribe, in the light of a end?” ‘Yes; our first relations were amicable.” “Why then, did they become hostile?” “T have told you; because, contrary te sworn eed and pledged word, they refused to give up the Jan ” JOO lin “S co (G (E(o)