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Ellis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: The Lost Trail + +Author: Edward S. Ellis + +Posting Date: November 1, 2014 [EBook #6906] +Release Date: November, 2004 +First Posted: February 10, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST TRAIL *** + + + + +Produced by Sean Pobuda + + + + + +</pre> + + +<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<tr> +<td> +THERE IS AN ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11151"> +[# 11151 ]</a></b></big> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<h1> +<br /><br /><br /> +THE LOST TRAIL +</h1> + +<p class="t2"> +By Edward S. Ellis +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3b"> +CONTENTS +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + I <a href="#chap01">AN ENEMY IN A TREE</a><br /> + II <a href="#chap02">WHAT A RIFLE-SHOT DID</a><br /> + III <a href="#chap03">ON THE BANK OF THE MISSISSIPPI</a><br /> + IV <a href="#chap04">THE VISITOR FROM THE OTHER SHORE</a><br /> + V <a href="#chap05">AROUND THE CAMP-FIRE</a><br /> + VI <a href="#chap06">NIGHT AND MORNING</a><br /> + VII <a href="#chap07">A SURPRISED FISHERMAN</a><br /> + VIII <a href="#chap08">BEHIND THE TREE</a><br /> + IX <a href="#chap09">A TIMELY ARRIVAL</a><br /> + X <a href="#chap10">AT BAY</a><br /> + XI <a href="#chap11">A PRIMITIVE FORT</a><br /> + XII <a href="#chap12">AMONG THE TREE-TOPS</a><br /> + XIII <a href="#chap13">A MESSAGE</a><br /> + XIV <a href="#chap14">THE MANEUVRES OF DEERFOOT</a><br /> + XV <a href="#chap15">"TALL OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW"</a><br /> + XVI <a href="#chap16">ON THE RIVER</a><br /> + XVII <a href="#chap17">THE LOUISIANA SHORE</a><br /> + XVIII <a href="#chap18">ON THE LOUISIANA SHORE</a><br /> + XIX <a href="#chap19">THE SMOKE OF A CAMPFIRE</a><br /> + XX <a href="#chap20">"GOOD-BYE!"</a><br /> + XXI <a href="#chap21">THE NEIGH OF A HORSE</a><br /> + XXII <a href="#chap22">A STRANGER</a><br /> + XXIII <a href="#chap23">AN ABORIGINAL HOME</a><br /> + XXIV <a href="#chap24">DEERFOOT</a><br /> + XXV <a href="#chap25">AT BAY</a><br /> + XXVI <a href="#chap26">AN UNEXPECTED INTERVIEW</a><br /> + XXVII <a href="#chap27">A FAILURE</a><br /> + XXVIII <a href="#chap28">THE EAVESDROPPER</a><br /> + XXIX <a href="#chap29">WITHIN THE WIGWAM</a><br /> + XXX <a href="#chap30">AN UNWELCOME VISITOR</a><br /> + XXXI <a href="#chap31">PURSUER AND PURSUED</a><br /> + XXXII <a href="#chap32">TURNING THE TABLES</a><br /> + XXXIII <a href="#chap33">CONCLUSION</a><br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER I +</h3> + +<h3> +AN ENEMY IN A TREE +</h3> + +<p> +One afternoon in early spring, Jack Carleton, a sturdy youth of +seventeen years, was following a clearly-marked trail, leading +through the western part of Kentucky toward the Mississippi river. +For many a mile he followed the evenly spaced tracks made by a horse +on a walk, the double impressions being a trifle more than three +feet apart. +</p> + +<p> +"Helloa!" exclaimed, Jack, when he looked at the earth again and +observed that the tracks had taken a new form, with nearly eight +feet between them. "Otto has forced the colt to a trot. He must be +in a hurry, or he thinks I am fond of traveling." +</p> + +<p> +Thus far the lusty young Kentuckian felt no misgiving, but within +fifty yards the trail underwent the startling change—the footprints +being separated by more than three yards now. +</p> + +<p> +"My gracious," muttered the boy, coming to a full stop, "something +is wrong: Otto would not have put the horse on a dead run if he +hadn't been scared." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton proved his training by the keenness and quickness with +which he surveyed his surroundings. The woods were on every hand, +but they were open and free from undergrowth, so that he gained an +extensive view. +</p> + +<p> +As he advanced with vigorous steps along the winding path, his eyes +sometimes rested on the pendulous branches of the majestic elm, a +small purple flower here and there still clinging to the limbs and +resisting the budding leaves striving to force it aside; the massive +oak and its twisted, iron limbs; the pinnated leaves of the hickory, +whose solid trunk, when gashed by the axe, was of snowy whiteness; +the pale green spikes and tiny flowers of the chestnut; the +sycamore, whose spreading limbs found themselves crowded even in the +most open spaces, with an occasional wild cherry or tulip, and now +and then a pine, whose resinous breath brooded like a perennial balm +over the vast solitude. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton was arrayed in the coarse, serviceable garb of the +border: heavy calf-skin shoes, thick trousers, leggings and coat, +the latter short and clasped at the waist by a girdle, also of +woolen and similar to that of the modern ulster. The cap was of the +same material and, like the other garments, had been fashioned and +put together by the deft hands of the mother in Kentucky. +Powder-horn and bullet-pouch were suspended by strings passing over +alternate sides of the neck and a fine flint-lock rifle, the +inseparable companion of the Western youth, rested on the right +shoulder, the hand grasping it near the stock. +</p> + +<p> +Jack's hasty survey failed to reveal any cause for fear, and he +resumed his pursuit, as it may be termed. The quick glances he cast +on the ground in front showed, in every instance, that the horse he +was following was fleeing at the same headlong pace. His rider had +spurred him to a dead run, at which gait he had shot underneath the +limbs of the trees at great risk to himself as well as to his rider. +</p> + +<p> +The trail was broad, for loaded horses had passed in both +directions, and wild animals availed themselves of it more than once +in making their pilgrimages to the Mississippi, or in migrating from +one part of the country to the other. +</p> + +<p> +But there were no footprints that had been made within the past few +days, with the single exception noted—that of the horse which had +abruptly broken into a full run. +</p> + +<p> +The balmy afternoon was drawing to a close, and Jack began to +believe the chances were against overtaking his friend and +companion, young Otto Relstaub. +</p> + +<p> +"If he has kept this up very long, he must be far beyond my reach, +unless he has turned about and taken the back trail." +</p> + +<p> +Glancing at the sky as seen through the branches overhead, the youth +observed that it was clear, the deep blue flecked here and there by +patches of snowy clouds, resting motionless in the crystalline air. +</p> + +<p> +Comparatively young as was Jack, he had been thoroughly trained in +woodcraft. When beyond sight of the cabins of the straggling +settlement, where he made his home, he was as watchful and alert as +Daniel Boone or Simon Kenton himself. His penetrating gray eyes not +only scanned the sinuous path, stretching in front, but darted from +side to side, and were frequently turned behind him. He knew that +if danger threatened it was as likely to come from one point as +another. +</p> + +<p> +He could not avoid one conclusion: the peril which had impelled the +young German's horse to such a burst of speed must have been in the +form dreaded above all others—that of the wild Indians who at that +day roamed through the vast wilderness of the West and hovered along +the frontier, eager to use the torch, the rifle, or the tomahawk, +whenever and wherever the way opened. +</p> + +<p> +The probability that such was the cause of the horseman's haste +threw the young Kentuckian at once on his mettle. Inasmuch as he +was putting forth every effort to rejoin his companion, there was +good reason for fearing a collision with the red men. He had been +in several desperate affrays with them, and, like a sensible person, +he spared no exertion to escape all such encounters. +</p> + +<p> +"If they will let me alone I will not disturb them," was the +principle which not only he, but many of the bravest frontiersmen +followed daring the eventful early days of the West. +</p> + +<p> +The youth now dropped into the loping trot of the American Indian—a +gait which, as in the case of the dusky warrior himself, he was able +to maintain hour after hour, without fatigue. The sharp glances +thrown in every direction were not long in making a discovery, +though not of the nature anticipated. +</p> + +<p> +A short distance in front a white oak, whose trunk was fully two +feet in diameter, grew beside the trail which he was following. Its +shaggy limbs twisted their way across the path and among the +branches on the other side. The exuberant leaves offered such +inviting concealment to man and animal that the youth subjected them +to the keenest scrutiny. +</p> + +<p> +His trot dropped to a slow walk, and he instinctively glanced at the +lock of his gun to make sure it was ready for any emergency. +</p> + +<p> +Something was moving among the branches of the forest monarch, but +Jack knew it was not an Indian. No warrior would climb into a tree +to wait for his prey, when, he could secure better concealment on +the ground, where he would not be compelled to yield the use of his +legs, which play such an important part in the maneuverings of the +red man. +</p> + +<p> +The lad caught several glimpses of the strange animal, and, when +within a few rods, identified it. +</p> + +<p> +"It's a painter," he said to himself, with a faint smile, resuming +his slow advance and giving a sigh of relief; "I don't know whether +it is worth while to give him a shot or not." +</p> + +<p> +The name "painter," so common among American hunters, is a +corruption of "panther," which is itself an incorrect application, +the genuine panther being found only in Africa and India. In South +America the corresponding animal is the jaguar, and in North America +the cougar or catamount, and sometimes the American lion. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carlton did not hold the brute in special fear, though he knew +that when wounded or impelled by hunger he was a dangerous foe. +During an unusually cold day, only a few months before, one of them +had made an open attack on him, inflicting some severe scratches and +tearing most of his clothes to shreds. +</p> + +<p> +It would have been one of the easiest things in the world for the +young Kentuckian to settle the whole question by leaving the trail +and making a detour that would take him safely by the treacherous +beast, which, as a rule, is afraid to assault a person. The lad was +certain that at that season of the year it would not leave the tree +to attack him. +</p> + +<p> +But if he took such a course, it would be a confession of timidity +on his part against which, his nature and training rebelled. +</p> + +<p> +"No," Said he, after brief hesitation, "I won't leave the path for +all the painters this side of the Mississippi. It may not be wise +for me to fire my gun just now and I won't do it, if he behaves +himself, but I don't mean to put up with any nonsense." +</p> + +<p> +He brought his weapon in front, raised the hammer and closely +watched the animal above, while the quadruped was equally intent in +observing him. It was a curious sight—the two scrutinizing each +other with such defiant distrust. +</p> + +<p> +The cougar was crouching on a broad limb, just far enough from the +trunk of the oak to be directly over the trail. He was extended +full length, and, as partly seen through the leaves, offered the +best target possible for the marksman below. +</p> + +<p> +But Jack preferred not to fire his gun, for the reason that the +report was likely to be heard by more dangerous enemies. His +purpose was to refrain from doing so, unless forced to shoot in self +defense, and his pride would not permit him to deviate a +hair's-breadth from the path in order to escape the necessity of +shooting. +</p> + +<p> +He walked with the deliberate, noiseless tread of an Indian, looking +steadily upward at the eyes which assumed a curious, phosphorescent +glare, that scintillated with a greenish light, as the relative +position of the enemies changed. +</p> + +<p> +The lad passed under the limbs staring unflinchingly aloft. When +exactly beneath, the cougar was hidden for an instant from sight, +but, recognizing the changing conditions, he quickly lifted his head +to the right, and the lad again saw the greenish glare, the white +teeth, and blood red mouth. He traced the outlines of the sinewy +body close along the limb, and through which he could have driven a +bullet with fatal certainty. The "painter," whose scream is often +mistaken for the cry of a human being, uttered an occasional +snarling growl as he looked down on the lad. His attitude and +manner seemed to say: "I've got my eye on you, young man! Walk very +straight or you will find yourself in trouble." +</p> + +<p> +The probability that a cougar is gathering his muscles on a limb +with the intention of bounding down on one's shoulders, is enough to +make the bravest man uneasy. Jack Carleton did feel a creeping +chill, but the same pride which prevented him deviating a +hair's-breadth from the trail, would not allow him to increase or +retard his gait. +</p> + +<p> +"If you think you can make me run, old fellow," he muttered, with +his gaze still fixed on the beast, "you are mistaken. We don't meet +wild animals in Kentucky that are able to drive us out of the woods. +You needn't fancy, either, that I am in any hurry to walk away from +you." +</p> + +<p> +And, to show the contempt in which he held the beast, the youth at +that moment came to a full stop, turned about and faced him. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER II +</h3> + +<h3> +WHAT A RIFLE-SHOT DID +</h3> + +<p> +The moment the young Kentuckian assumed this attitude, he became +aware that the cougar had determined upon hostilities. +</p> + +<p> +With a rasping snarl he buried his claws in the shaggy bark, +pressing his body still closer to the limb, and then shot downward +straight toward Jack, who was too vigilant to be caught unprepared. +Leaping backward a couple of steps, he brought his gun to his +shoulder, like a flash, and fired almost at the moment the animal +left his perch. There could be no miss under the circumstances, and +the "painter" received his death wound, as may be said, while in +mid-air. He struck the ground with a heavy thump, made a blind leap +toward the youthful hunter, who recoiled several steps more, and +then, after a brief struggle, the beast lay dead. +</p> + +<p> +During these moments, Jack Carleton, following the rule he was +taught when first given his gun, occupied himself with reloading the +weapon. A charge of powder was poured from the hollow cow's horn, +with its wooden stopper, into the palm of his hand, and this went +rattling like fine sand down the barrel. The square piece of muslin +was hammered on top until the ramrod almost bounded from the gun; +then the bullet which the youthful hunter had molded himself, was +shoved gently but firmly downward, backed by another bit of muslin. +The ramrod was pushed into its place, and the hammer, clasping the yellow, +translucent flint, was drawn far back, like the jaw of a wild cat, +and the black grains sprinkled into the pan. The jaw was slowly let +back so as to hold the priming fast, and the old fashioned rifle, such +as our grandfathers were accustomed to use, was ready for duty. +</p> + +<p> +Jack surveyed the motionless figure on the ground and said: +</p> + +<p> +"I don't think you'll ever amount to anything again as a painter; at +any rate, you ain't likely to drop on to a fellow's head when he is +walking under a tree." +</p> + +<p> +And, without giving him any further notice, he turned about and +resumed his walk toward the Mississippi. +</p> + +<p> +It was vain, however, for him to seek to suppress his anxiety. The +trail of the flying horse still indicated that he was going on a +dead run, and some unusual cause must have impelled him to do so. +Jack could not doubt that his friend Otto was driven to such severe +effort by the appearance of Indians, but it would seem that the +terrific gait of the Steed ought to have taken him beyond all danger +very speedily, whereas, for more than a mile, the pace showed not +the slightest diminution. +</p> + +<p> +At the most, Otto was not more than an hour in advance, and his +friend, therefore, had good reason to fear he was in the immediate +vicinity of the dreaded red men. +</p> + +<p> +The young hunter was brave, but he was not reckless. He had refused +to turn aside to avoid a collision with the cougar, but he did not +hesitate to leave the trail, in the hope of escaping the savages who +were likely to be attracted by the report of the gun. +</p> + +<p> +From the beginning the lad had stepped as lightly as possible, +bringing his feet softly but squarely down on the ground, after the +fashion of the American Indian, when threading his way through the +trackless forest. He now used the utmost care in leaving the trail, +for none knew better than he the amazing keenness of the dark eyes +that were liable to scan the ground over which he had passed. +</p> + +<p> +Not until he was several rods from the footprints of the flying +horse did he advance with anything like assurance. He then moved +with more certainty until he reached a chestnut, whose trunk was +broad enough to afford all the concealment he could desire. +</p> + +<p> +Stepping behind this, Jack assumed a position which gave him a view +of the trail, with no likelihood of being seen, unless the suspicion +of the Indians should be directed to the spot. +</p> + +<p> +"If they are coming, it is time they showed themselves." +</p> + +<p> +The words were yet in the mouth of the youth, when something seemed +to twinkle and flicker among the trees, in advance of the point +where he had turned aside from the path. A second look allowed that +two Indian warriors were returning along the trail. +</p> + +<p> +He recognized them as Shawanoes—one of the fiercest tribes that +resisted the march of civilization a century ago. It may be said +that they corresponded to the Apaches of the present day. +</p> + +<p> +The couple were scrutinizing the ground, as they advanced with heads +thrown forward and their serpent-like eyes flitting from side to +side. Manifestly they were expecting to discover certain parties +along the trail itself. There may have been something in the +peculiar sound of the rifle, which raised their suspicions, though +it is hard to understand wherein the report of two similarly made +weapons can possess any perceptible difference. +</p> + +<p> +Be that as it may, that which Jack Carleton feared had taken +place—the shot which killed the cougar brought far more dangerous +enemies to the spot. +</p> + +<p> +The lad would have had no difficulty in picking off one of the +warriors, but he had not the remotest intention of doing so. There +could be no justification for such a wanton act, and the consequences +could not fail to be disastrous to himself. He was never better +prepared to support the creed of the frontiersmen who would willingly +leave the red men unmolested if they in turn sought to do them no harm. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoes soon passed by, making no pause until they reached the +carcass of the panther. They quickly saw the bullet-wound, between +his fore legs, and understood that his heart had been pierced while +in the act of leaping from his perch upon the hunter beneath. A +brief scrutiny of the ground brought to light the impressions of the +calf-skin shoes of him who had fired the fatal shot. +</p> + +<p> +They understood at once that the party was a white person, and, +judging from the size of the footprints, he clearly was an adult-one +who, it was safe to conclude, was able to taking good care of +himself; but it must have been a relief to the warriors when their +examination of the earth showed that only a single member of the +detested race had been concerned in the death of the cougar. +</p> + +<p> +That which followed was precisely what the watcher expected. The +moment the red men were certain of the direction taken by the hunter +they started along the same line. The foremost looked down for an +instant at the ground, and then seemed to dart a glance at every +visible point around him. The other warrior did not once look down, +but guarded against running into any ambush for it need not be said +that the task on which they were engaged was most delicate and +dangerous. +</p> + +<p> +The American Indian cannot excel the white man in woodcraft and +subtlety, and no Kentucky pioneer ever stood still and allowed a +dusky foe to creep upon him. +</p> + +<p> +It will be conceded that a point had been reached where Jack +Carleton had good cause for alarm. Those Shawanoe were following +his trail, and they had but to keep it up for a short distance when +he was certain to be "uncovered." +</p> + +<p> +"I wish there was only one of them," muttered the youth, stealthily +peering from behind the tree; "it will be hard to manage two." +</p> + +<p> +The coolness of Jack was extraordinary. Though he felt the +situation was critical in the highest degree, yet there was not a +tremor of the muscles, nor blanching of the countenance, as it would +seem was inevitable when such a desperate encounter impended. +</p> + +<p> +There was a single, shadowy hope; it was fast growing dark in the +woods, and the eyes of the Shawanoes, keen as they were, must soon +fail them. The sun had set and twilight already filled the forest +arches with gloom. +</p> + +<p> +Peering around the bark, Jack saw the leading Indian bend lower, +leaving to the other the task of guarding against mishap. He walked +more slowly; it was plain his task was not only difficult, but was +becoming more so every moment. +</p> + +<p> +Jack followed the movements with rapt attention. Knowing the +precise point where he had left the path, his heart throbbed faster +than was its wont, when he saw his enemies close to the tingle in +his course. A half minute later they were beyond—they had overrun +his trail. +</p> + +<p> +A short distance only was passed, when the warriors seemed to +suspect the truth. They came to a halt, and the trail-hunter sank +upon his knees. His head was so close to the ground that it looked +as if he were drawing lines and figures with his curving nose, which +slowly circled around and back and forth. At the same time the palm +of his right hand gently moved over the leaves, touching them as +lightly as the falling snowflakes, and with as wonderful delicacy as +that of the blind reader, when his fingers are groping over the +raised letters of the Book of Life. +</p> + +<p> +The young Kentuckian from his place of concealment smiled to +himself. +</p> + +<p> +"There are some things which even a Shawanoe, cannot do, and that's +one of them." +</p> + +<p> +Such was the fact; for, with that care which the trained pioneer +never permits himself to forget or disregard, the lad had adopted +every artifice at his command to add to the difficulty of +identifying his footsteps. +</p> + +<p> +The warrior straightened up with an impatient "Ugh!" which brought +another smile to the face of the watcher, for it proved beyond +question the failure of his foes. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe, however, had established one fact—the overrunning of +the trail. The one for whom they were searching had left the path +at some point behind them. Scant chance was there of learning the +precise spot. +</p> + +<p> +"Follow me if you can," was the exultant thought of Jack, who +carefully lowered the hammer of his rifle. "I'm glad that as the +painter was determined on picking a quarrel with me he did not do it +earlier in the day—helloa!" +</p> + +<p> +While speaking to himself, he became aware that the warriors were +invisible. They may have believed they were acting as oscillating +targets for some hidden enemy, who was likely to press the trigger +at any moment; and, unable even to approximate as they were his +biding-place, they withdrew in their characteristic fashion. +</p> + +<p> +Jack thrust his head still further from behind the tree, and finally +stepped forth that he might obtain the best view he could. But the +red men had vanished like the shadows of swiftly-moving clouds. +Nothing more was to be feared from that source. +</p> + +<p> +But with the lifting of the peril from his own shoulders, there +returned his distressing anxiety for his absent companion. No doubt +could exist that when he put his horse to his hurried flight, he had +done so to escape the Indians. Whether he had succeeded remained to +be learned, but Jack felt that every probability was against it. +</p> + +<p> +He might well debate as to his own duty in the premises. His one +desire was to learn what had become of Otto, the German lad, with +whom he left the Settlements a couple of days before. Neither had +ever visited this section, but they were following the instructions +of those who had, and the young Kentuckian knew the precise point in +their journey that had been reached. +</p> + +<p> +Standing as motionless as the trees beside him and amid the +darkening shadows, Jack Carleton listened with the intentness of an +Indian scout stealing into a hostile camp. +</p> + +<p> +The soft murmur which seems to reach us when a sea-shell is held to +the ear filled the air. It was the voice of the night—the sighing +of the scarcely moving wind among the multitudinous branches, the +restless movements of myriads of trees—the soft embrace of millions +of leaves, which, like the great ocean itself, even when the air is +pulseless, is never at rest. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton had spent too many days and nights in the woods to be +greatly impressed with the solemnity and grandeur of his +surroundings. That which would have awed his soul, if noted for the +first time, had lost the power to do so from its familiarity; but +while in the attitude of listening, he became conscious of another +sound which did not belong to the vast forest, the throbbing air, +nor the gathering darkness. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER III +</h3> + +<h3> +ON THE BANK OF THE MISSISSIPPI +</h3> + +<p> +That which reached the ears of Jack Carleton, while he stood in the +woods, silent and listening, was a peculiar swashing noise, which +continued a few seconds, followed by the same space of silence—the +intervals being as regular as the ticking of a huge pendulum. +Accompanying the sound was another, a soft, almost inaudible flow, +such as one hears when standing on the bank of a vast stream of +water. +</p> + +<p> +He knew that both were caused by the sweep of the mighty Mississippi +which was near at hand. The reason for the first he could not +understand, but that of the latter was apparent. He had never +looked upon the Father of Waters, but many a time he had rested +along the Ohio and been lulled to sleep by its musical flow, even +while the camp-fires of the hostile red men twinkled on the other +shore. +</p> + +<p> +Manifestly nothing could be done by remaining where he was, and, in +the same guarded manner in which he left the trail a half hour +before, he began picking his way back. Probably he ran greater +personal risk in following the beaten path, yet he was controlled by +a true hunter's instinct in every movement made. +</p> + +<p> +When he reached the trail, he observed that not only had the night +descended, but the full moon was shining from an almost unclouded +sky. The trees, crowned with exuberant vegetation, cast deep +shadows, like those of the electric light, and only here and there +did the arrowy moonbeams strike the ground, redolent with the odors +of fresh earth and moldering leaves. +</p> + +<p> +"Some of the warriors may be returning or groping along the trail," +was the thought of the youth, who glided silently forward, his +senses on the alert. His misgivings, however, were much less than +when watching the two Shawanoes, for with the dense gloom of the +forest inclosing him on every hand, he felt that the shelter was not +only secure but was of instant avail. +</p> + +<p> +Less than a furlong was passed, when he caught the shimmering of +water. A few steps further and he stood for the first time on the +bank of the Mississippi. +</p> + +<p> +The youth felt those emotions which must come to every one when he +emerges from a vast forest at night and pauses beside one of the +grandest streams of the globe. At that day its real source was +unknown, but Jack, who was unusually well informed for one of his +years, was aware that it rose somewhere among the snowy mountains +and unexplored regions far to the northward, and that, after its +winding course of hundreds of leagues, during which it received the +volume of many rivers, enormous in themselves, it debouched into the +tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico. +</p> + +<p> +The reflection of the turbid current showed that it was flowing +swiftly. The dark line of the forest on the other shore appeared +like a solid wall of blackness, while to the north and south the +view ended in the same impenetrable gloom. +</p> + +<p> +Impressed and awed by the scene, the lad saw something which at +first startled him by its resemblance to a man, standing in the +river, with his feet braced against the bottom and his head and +shoulders above the surface. The current seemed to rush against his +bared breast, from which it was cast back and aside, as though flung +off by a granite rock. Then the head bowed forward, as if the +strong man sought to bathe his brain in the cooling waters, that he +might be refreshed against the next shock. +</p> + +<p> +A minute's scrutiny was enough to show Jack that the object was a +tree, which, rolling into the river at some point, perhaps hundreds +of miles above, had grown weary of its journey, and, plunging its +feet into the muddy bed of the stream, had, refused to go further. +The fierce current would lift the head several feet with a splash, +but could hold it thus only a part of a minute, when it would dip +for a brief while, to rise again and repeat the action. +</p> + +<p> +The tree was what is known to-day on the Mississippi as a "sawyer," +and which is so dreaded by the steamers and other craft navigating +the river. Many a boat striking at full speed against them, have +had their hulls pierced as if by a hundred-pound shell, and have +gone to the bottom like stone. +</p> + +<p> +It was the sound made by the "sawyer" which had puzzled Jack +Carleton before he caught sight of the great river. He could not +wonder that he had failed to guess the cause of the intermittent +swash which reached him through the woods. +</p> + +<p> +"And we must cross that stream," murmured Jack, with half a +shudder, as he looked out upon the prodigious volume rushing +southward like myriads of wild horses; "it seems to me no one can +swim to the other shore, nor can a raft or boat be pushed thither." +</p> + +<p> +The plucky boy would not have felt so distrustful and timid had the +sun been shining overhead. +</p> + +<p> +"Ish dot you, Jack?" +</p> + +<p> +Young Carleton turned his head as if a war hoop had sounded in his +ear. He fairly bounded feet when he recognized his old friend at +his elbow. The good-natured German lad was grinning with delight, +as he extended his chubby hand and asked: +</p> + +<p> +"How you vos?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why, Otto!" gasped Jack, slapping his palm against that of his +friend and crushing it as if in a vise. "I am so glad to see you." +</p> + +<p> +"So I vos," was the grinning response; "I'm always glad to shake +hands mit myself." +</p> + +<p> +"But," said the other, looking furtively over each shoulder in turn, +"let's move away the trail, where we cannot be seen or heard." +</p> + +<p> +The suggestion was a wise one, and acted upon without delay. The +friends entered the wood, which continued quite open, and tramped +steadily forward with the intention of finding place where they +could start a fire and converse without danger of discovery by +enemies. +</p> + +<p> +The hearts of both were too full for hold their peace while stealing +forward among the trees. +</p> + +<p> +"Otto," said Jack, "where is the colt?" +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks he's purty near New Orleans as soon as dis time." +</p> + +<p> +Young Carleton looked wonderingly toward friend and asked, "What do +you mean?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't mean vot I don't say and derefore dinks I mean vot I vos." +</p> + +<p> +"So the colt went into the river? Where were you?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mit de colt and he vos mit me, so we bot vos mit each other. Just +feels of me." +</p> + +<p> +Jack reached out his hand and pinched the clothing of his friend in +several places. It was saturated. +</p> + +<p> +"Ven I valks, de vater in my shoes squishes up to mine ears—don't +you hear 'em?" +</p> + +<p> +"Why don't you pour it out?" +</p> + +<p> +"I hef done so, tree time already—I done so again once more." +</p> + +<p> +And, without ado, the young German threw himself forward on his +hands and head and kicked his feet with a vigor that sent the +moisture in every direction. Indeed the performance was conducted +with so much ardor that one of the shoes flow off with considerable +violence. Otto then reversed himself and assumed the upright +posture. +</p> + +<p> +"Mine gracious," he exclaimed, "where didn't dot shoe of mine went?" +</p> + +<p> +"It just missed my face," replied Jack, with a laugh. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot vos lucky," said Otto, beginning to search for his property. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; it might have hurt me pretty bad." +</p> + +<p> +"I means it vos lucky for de shoe," added Otto, who, in groping +about, stumbled at that moment upon the missing article. "Bime by +de vater soaks down mine shoes agin and I stands on head and kicks +it out." +</p> + +<p> +But Jack Carleton was anxious to learn what had befallen his friend +since their voluntary separation some hours before, and so, while +they were advancing along the shore, the story was told. +</p> + +<p> +Otto, as he had agreed to do, was riding at a leisurely pace, when, +without the least warning, the sharp crack of a rifle broke the +stillness of, the woods on his right, and the bullet zipped so close +to his forehead that it literally grazed the skin, leaving a faint +mark, which was visible several days afterward. +</p> + +<p> +The lad was never so frightened in all his life. For a minute or so +he was absolutely speechless, during which the horse, alarmed in a +less degree than he, broke into a trot. Otto, however, quickly +regained his self-control, and fully realized his danger. He did +not glance behind him nor to the right or left. No investigation +was needed convince him of his peril. He put the horse to a dead +run, first throwing himself forward on his neck so as to offer the +least possible target to his enemies. +</p> + +<p> +Only the single shot was fired, and Jack counted it strange that the +report failed to reach his ears. When the fugitive had gone a +considerable distance, he ventured to look back. He thought he saw +several Indians, but it was probably fancy, for had they observed he +was leaving them behind (as would have been the case), they surely +would have appealed to their rifles again. +</p> + +<p> +Otto was in such danger from the overhanging limbs, and was so +fearful that he was running a gauntlet of Indians, that he kept his +head close to the mane of his steed and scarcely looked to see where +they were going. +</p> + +<p> +The awakening came like an electric shock, when the terrified horse +made a tremendous plunge straight out into the river. The first +notice Otto received was the chilling embrace of the waters which +enveloped him to the ears. He held his rifle in his right hand, +and, in his desperate efforts to save that, was swept from the back +of the animal, which began swimming composedly down stream, +carrying saddle, blankets and other valuable articles that were +strapped to him back. +</p> + +<p> +Encumbered with his heavy clothing and his gun, young Otto Relstaub +had all he could do to fight his way back to land. He escaped +shipwreck as by a hair's-breadth, from the sawyer which had +attracted the notice of Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"I vos swimming as hard as nefer vos," he explained, "and had just +got in front of the tree, ven as true as I don't live, it banged +right down on top mit me and nearly knocked out my brains out. I +grabbed hold of it, when it raised up and frowed me over its head. +Den I gots mad and swims ashore." +</p> + +<p> +Jack laughed, for, though he knew his friend was prone to +exaggeration, he could understand that his experience was similar, +in many respects, to what he had stated. +</p> + +<p> +"After the shore reaches me," continued Otto, "I turns around free, +four times to find where I ain't. I see de colt going down stream +as fast as if two Indians was on his back sitting and paddling him +mit paddles. I called to him to come back and explained dot he +would cotch him cold if he didn't stay too long in de vater, but he +makes belief he don't hears me, and I bothers him no more." +</p> + +<p> +"There will be trouble at home when your father finds out the colt +is lost," said Jack Carleton, who knew how harsh the parent of Otto +was; "it must be he returned to land further down." +</p> + +<p> +"Yes; bimeby he comes ashore." +</p> + +<p> +"Why didn't you recover him?" +</p> + +<p> +"'Cause he swims out on de oder side and he would not wait till I +could go back mit de settlements and got mine frens to come and +build one boat. I vos gone so long dot it vos night ven I comes +back, and ven I sees you I dinks you vos an Indian or maybe some +other loafer." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton was about to reply to this remark when both he and his +friend caught sight the same moment of the star-like twinkle of a +point of light. +</p> + +<p> +While there was nothing specially noteworthy in this, yet both were +impressed by the fact that the light was not only on the river, but +was serving as a signal to some one standing on the same shore with +them. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER IV +</h3> + +<h3> +THE VISITOR FROM THE OTHER SHORE +</h3> + +<p> +Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub saw the twinkling point of light, +glowing like a star from the bank of darkness on the other side the +Mississippi. It shone for a minute with an intense brightness, and +then, to their amazement, began revolving in a circle of a foot or +more in diameter. It sped round and round with such swiftness that +it resembled a wheel of fire without the slightest break in the +flaming periphery. +</p> + +<p> +"What can it mean?" asked the mystified Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"I vos told something apout afire dot vos to jump apout in one +circle," was the remarkable statement of Otto. +</p> + +<p> +"What was it?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't forgot him now," replied the German with the hesitating +speech of one in doubt. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, you're the prize blockhead of the West," was the impatient +comment of the young Kentuckian. "How you could have heard anything +of that signal—as it must be—and forget it is beyond my understanding." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot's what I dinks. I'll remember sometime after a few days—helloa!" +</p> + +<p> +His exclamation was caused by the blotting out of the circular fire +which had caused so much speculation. Looking toward the western +bank of the Mississippi all was darkness again, the light having +vanished. +</p> + +<p> +Jack stooped so as to bring his head on a level with the surface of +the river, and peered intently out over the moonlit surface. +</p> + +<p> +"That torch was waved by an Indian in a canoe," said he, in a low +voice, "and he is paddling this way." +</p> + +<p> +Otto imitated the action of his friend, and saw that he had spoken +the truth. The outlines of a boat, dimly distinguishable, were +assuming definite shape with such rapidity that there could be no +doubt the craft was approaching them. +</p> + +<p> +As there was no question that the fiery ring was meant for a signal, +Jack Carleton concluded that a party of red men were communicating +with those from whom the boys had effected so narrow an escape. +Such a supposition showed the necessity of great care, and the +friends, without speaking, stepped further from the edge of the +stream, where they were in no danger of being seen. +</p> + +<p> +As the boat came nearer, and its shape was more clearly marked, the +boys discovered that only a single warrior sat within. He was in +the stern, manipulating his long, ashen paddle with such rare skill +that he seemed to pay no heed to the current at all. +</p> + +<p> +"There's only one of them," whispered the astonished Jack. "How +easily we can pick him off!" +</p> + +<p> +Otto brought his gun to his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +"What do you mean?" demanded the angry Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Pick him off!" +</p> + +<p> +"No, you don't. He may be a friend." +</p> + +<p> +"We'll found dot out, after we don't shoot him. Let's shoot him +first," was the suggestion of Otto, "and then ax him the question." +</p> + +<p> +"Even if an enemy—as he undoubtedly is—it would be cowardly to +slay him in that fashion. As there is only one—!" +</p> + +<p> +"Dere!" exclaimed the young Teuton, hardly to suppress his +excitement over the recollection; "I knowed dat I had recumlected +some dings." +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Dot young gentleman in dot boat is a great friend of mine. He told +me he would meet me at the crossing, if I didn't reach him pefore +till it was come dark. Dot vos vat I didn't forget till de fire +pegun to whirl apout, and then I didn't remember." +</p> + +<p> +"Who is he?" asked the astonished Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot, the Shawanoe," was the reply of Otto, who, with a light +heart, stepped closer to the edge of the swiftly flowing river and +called out: +</p> + +<p> +"Holloa, Deerfoot! How you vos?" +</p> + +<p> +The mention of the name called up strange emotions in the breast of +Jack Carleton. For a year previous, stories had reached the +settlement where he had made his home, of the wonderful Shawanoe +youth, who was captured when a child, and while he was as untameable +in his hatred of the whites as a spitting wildcat, but who was +transformed by kindness into the most devoted friend of the +pioneers. +</p> + +<p> +Ned Preston, who lived at Wild Oaks, nearly a hundred miles distant +from Jack's home, visited the latter a few months before, while on a +hunting excursion, with his colored friend Wild-blossom Brown, and +it was from him that Jack had gained many particulars of the +remarkable history of the young Shawanoe. +</p> + +<p> +Jack credited the statements of Deerfoot's amazing skill in the use +of his bow and arrow, his wonderful fleetness of foot, and his +chivalrous devotion to his friends; but when told that the youth +could not only read, but could write an excellent hand, and that he +was a true Christian, Jack felt many misgivings of the truth of the +whole story. +</p> + +<p> +Jack recalled further the statement that Deerfoot was held in such +detestation by his own race that he became convinced his presence +was an element of weakness rather than strength to his friends, and +it was for that reason he had migrated west of the Mississippi. +</p> + +<p> +The youthful warrior, seated in the stem of the canoe, gave no +evidence that he saw the stubby figure of the German lad who stepped +close to the water and hailed him by name. One powerful impulse of +the paddle sent the bark structure far up the bank, like the snout +of some aquatic monster plunging after the lad awaiting it. +</p> + +<p> +Before it came to rest, Deerfoot sprang lightly ashore, and, +grasping the front of the boat, drew it still further from the +river, where it was not only safe against being swept away, but +could not be seen by any one passing in the neighborhood. +</p> + +<p> +His next proceeding was to pick up his bow from the bottom of the +canoe, after which he was prepared to see that others were near him. +Turning about, he extended his hand to Otto with the smiling +greeting: "How do you do, my brother?" +</p> + +<p> +The words were spoken with as perfect accentuation as Jack Carleton +could have used. Had the speaker been invisible, no one would have +believed him to be an Indian. +</p> + +<p> +"I does vell," replied Otto, shaking his hand firmly. "Dis ish my +friend, Jack Carleton, dot I dinks a good deal of." +</p> + +<p> +Dropping the hand of the German, Deerfoot took one step forward and +saluted the young Kentuckian in the same manner. He pressed his +hand warmly, and, with the same smile as before, said: +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot is glad to meet his brother." +</p> + +<p> +As he uttered these words the moonlight fell on his face and the +front part of his body, so that a better view of countenance and +features could not have been obtained. +</p> + +<p> +Nearly a year had passed since we last saw Deerfoot (see "Ned on the +River"). During that period, he had almost attained the full +stature of a warrior. It may be said that there was no single +person, whether of his own or the Caucasian race, whom Deerfoot held +in personal fear. +</p> + +<p> +Those who have done me the honor of reading the "Young Pioneer +Series," will recall the marked attractiveness of Deerfoot's +countenance. The classical regularity of his features was relieved +from effeminacy by the slightly Roman nose, which, with the thin +lips, gave him an expression of firmness and nerve that was true to +his character. +</p> + +<p> +When he stepped in front of the great Tecumseh, with his knife +clenched in his band, and dared the chieftain to mortal combat, the +luminous black eyes flashed lightning, and the muscles on the +graceful limbs were knotted like iron. They were now in repose and +the eyes were as soft as those of a maiden. +</p> + +<p> +When Deerfoot smiled it was rarely more than it faint, shadowy +expression, just sufficient to reveal the small, even, white teeth +and to add to the winsomeness of his expression. +</p> + +<p> +The love of finery and display seems natural to every human being, +and it manifested itself in the dress of the young Shawanoe. The +long black hair, which streamed down his shoulders, was ornamented +at the crown by several eagle feathers, brilliantly stained and +thrust in place. The fringes of the neatly fitting leggings were +also colored, and the moccasins which incased the small shapely +feet, were interwoven with beads of every line of the rainbow. The +body of the hunting shirt as well as the skirt, which descended +almost to his knees, showed what may be called a certain subdued +gaudiness which was not without its attractiveness. +</p> + +<p> +The waist of the Shawanoe was clasped by a girdle into which were +thrust a knife and tomahawk. Relying upon the bow, instead of the +rifle, he carried a quiver full of arrows, just showing over the +right shoulder, where they could be readily plucked with his deft +left hand, whenever required. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot had tested both the rifle and the bowl and as has been +shown gave his adherence to the latter. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton said to himself, "He is the handsomest being I ever +looked upon." +</p> + +<p> +He was perfect in build, graceful in every movement, with an +activity and power almost incredible, an eye large, black, and +honest, but keen and penetrating, and a command of which approached +the marvelous. +</p> + +<p> +These characteristics of the young warrior struck Jack Carleton +while pressing the warm hand of his new friend and looking into his +pleasing countenance for the first time. +</p> + +<p> +"I am delighted to see you," he said, recalling the amazing stories +told of Deerfoot by Ned Preston, and beginning to think that, after +all, they may have contained more truth than fiction. +</p> + +<p> +Before Jack could add anything more, Otto Relstaub, who was staring +at the two, heaved a great sigh, as if fearing some danger would +come upon them. +</p> + +<p> +"What is the matter with my brother?" asked Deerfoot, looking +inquiringly toward him with his old smile. +</p> + +<p> +"I asks mineself if we stands here till all last night, don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose we may as well seek more comfortable quarters," remarked +Jack Carleton, who turned to the young warrior and added, "When +Deerfoot is present no one else dare lead. What says he?" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER V +</h3> + +<h3> +AROUND THE CAMP-FIRE +</h3> + +<p> +On a tempestuous night in midwinter the little settlement of +Coatesville, in Kentucky, was assailed by a fierce band of Shawanoes +and Hurons. The pioneers were surprised, for the hour was near +daybreak, and, accustomed as they were to the forays of the border, +they were without the slightest warning of the danger which burst +upon them. They rallied, however, and made an heroic defense, but +when with the dawning of day the warriors withdrew, they left more +than half the hearthstones darkened with sorrow and woe, because of +one or more of its defenders who had fallen in the strife. +</p> + +<p> +Among those that had perished was Abram Carleton, shot down on his +own threshold while fighting for his wife and his boy Jack, who +themselves were doing their utmost to beat back their merciless +enemies. +</p> + +<p> +The youth, as he grew older, gradually recovered from his grief, but +the blow was so terrible to the stricken widow that its effect +remained with her through all the years that followed. The +vivacious, bright-hearted wife became the sad, thoughtful woman, who +rarely smiled, and who walked forever in the shadow of her +desolation. She had only her boy Jack, and to him she gave the +whole wealth of her attention; but she could never forget the brave +one that had yielded his life for her and her child. +</p> + +<p> +Some years later a portion of the settlers became dissatisfied with +their home, peculiarly exposed as it was to attacks from marauding +red men, and determined to cross the Mississippi into that portion +of Louisiana which to-day forms the great State of Missouri. +</p> + +<p> +To many it seemed a strange refuge, for the change, it may be said, +took them still further from civilization; but the reader well +knows that the settlement of no portion of the Union was marked by +such deeds of ferocity as that of the Dark and Bloody Ground, and +the pioneers had good grounds to hope for better things in the +strange land toward which they turned their footsteps. +</p> + +<p> +The lead mines of Missouri attracted notice a early as 1720, and +Saint Genevieve, its oldest town, was founded in 1755. At the +breaking out of the Revolution, St. Louis contained nearly a +thousand inhabitants, the country at that time belonging to Spain, +and a considerable fur trade was carried on with the Indians. +</p> + +<p> +Among those who crossed the Mississippi was the widow Carleton. Her +friends believed that if she removed forever from the scene of her +great affliction she might recover; but if she remained she must +soon succumb. She suffered herself to be persuaded, and went in the +company of those who promised to give her the tenderest attention +and care. +</p> + +<p> +Her decision was not made until the little company, that had spent +weeks in preparation, was on the eve of starting. It thus became +necessary for Jack to stay behind to look after certain interests of +both, his purpose being to follow in the course of a few weeks. +</p> + +<p> +The long journey westward was made in safety, a thriving settlement +begun, and young Otto Relstaub, the son of a hard-hearted, penurious +German, was sent back over the trail, according to promise, to guide +Jack Carleton, who was impatiently awaiting him. The next morning +after his arrival the two started westward, all their earthly +effects packed upon the single horse. +</p> + +<p> +They took turns in riding the animal. Accustomed as they were to +constant activity, they would have enjoyed the journey on foot much +more than on horseback. At first both walked, but, after their +animal had run away several times, his capture causing much delay, +trouble, and roiling of temper, they concluded that a change would +have to be made if they expected ever to reach their destination. +</p> + +<p> +One afternoon, when Otto was riding considerably in advance of his +friend, he was fired upon by Indians, narrowly escaping with his +life. The incidents immediately following have already been told the +reader. +</p> + +<p> +It was yet early in the evening when Deerfoot the Shawanoe acted +upon the request of Otto, that some more convenient spot should be +selected in which to continue their talk. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as the destination of the boys lay to the westward, it +seemed to Jack Carleton that, the wisest thing to do was to enter +the canoe, and allow the young Shawanoe to paddle them across; but +he held the gifts and skill of the wonderful warrior in such high +estimation that he feared a hint of the kind might not be received +with favor. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot led the way through the wood until a depression was +reached, where considerable undergrowth grew. He came to a stop and +seemed to be looking around in the darkness, which to the others was +impenetrable. +</p> + +<p> +"Let a fire be kindled," said he. +</p> + +<p> +Only a few minutes were needed to gather all the fuel required. It +was heaped against the trunk of a tree, and as each carried a flint +and steel, a bright roaring blaze was soon under way. +</p> + +<p> +Had Jack and Otto been alone, they would have been troubled by the +fear that their campfire would be seen by prowling enemies but the +air of unconcern on the part of the Shawanoe infused into them a +feeling of confidence which drove away all fear. +</p> + +<p> +Enough branches and leaves were piled together to afford them the +best sort of couch. Not one had it blanket with him, and had the +weather been cold, they must have suffered not a little. The boys +had lost theirs when their horse ran away the last time, and +Deerfoot had not brought any with him, though one remained in his +canoe. +</p> + +<p> +Fortunately the night was not only mild, but scarcely a breath of +air was stirring. The fire radiated all the heat needed to make +each comfortable. They assumed easy postures on the ground, and, as +the reflection lit up each countenance, they looked curiously at one +another, as if seeking more intimate knowledge of their appearance. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot and Jack have already been sufficiently referred to, and a +little attention is due to the honest German youth, who has his part +to play in the following pages. +</p> + +<p> +Otto was about a year younger than his friend, and bore very little +resemblance to him. Jack possessed a certain rugged grace, and, +while he was not handsome, his face showed intelligence with mental +strength, sustained by bounding youth, and a physical vigor which +was perfect. +</p> + +<p> +Otto was a head shorter than Jack, and his growth seemed to run +mostly to breadth. His short legs bowed outward at the knees, and a +curve seemed necessary in order to preserve the harmony of general +expanse. +</p> + +<p> +His face was very wide, the small twinkling eyes fax apart, and the +funny pug nose inclined in the same direction. His neck was short, +and hair long and thick. His dress was similar to that worn by Jack +Carleton, except that everything, even to the shoes, were of the +coarsest possible nature. +</p> + +<p> +Jacob Relstaub, the father of Otto, was not merely penurious, but he +was miserly and mean. Jack Carleton knew him so well that he was +certain there would be serious trouble with the lad if he showed +himself in the little frontier town without the valuable horse which +had run away and swam the river. +</p> + +<p> +There was one respect in which the dress of the German differed from +that of the American. Instead of wearing a cap, he was furnished +with a hat something similar to those seen in some portions of the +Tyrol. It had a brim of moderate width, and the crown gradually +tapered until it attained a height of six inches, where it ended in +it point. The thrifty mother possessed a secret of imparting a +stiffness to the head gear which caused it to keep its shape, except +when limp from moisture. +</p> + +<p> +Such youths as Otto and Jack are always blessed with the most +vigorous appetites, but they had eaten during the afternoon and were +well content to wait until the morrow. As for Deerfoot, it made +little difference to him whether he had partaken since the rising of +the sun, for he had been taught from his infancy to hold every +propensity of his nature in the sternest check. Oft-times he went +hungry for no other purpose than that of self-discipline. +</p> + +<p> +"How was it you came to meet Otto?" asked Jack of the dusky youth, +who, assuming an easy position on the ground, was examining his bow. +He looked up, smiled faintly, and hesitated a moment before +answering. +</p> + +<p> +"Two suns ago Deerfoot came upon a log cabin. It was raining and +cold, and he was a long ways from home. He saw the glimmer of a +light and reached for the latch-string, but it was pulled in. He +knocked on the door and it was opened by the man who lived there. +Deerfoot asked that he might stay till morning, but the pale face +called him an Indian dog, and said that if he did not hasten away he +would shoot him—" +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you know who dot vos?" interrupted Otto, whose face seemed to +grow wider with its immense grin. +</p> + +<p> +"How should I know." asked Jack, in turn. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot was mine fader. I dinks yon vosn't such a fool dot you +wouldn't know dot right away." +</p> + +<p> +"I knew that he was the stingiest man in Kentucky, but I didn't +suppose you spelled his name 'h-o-g."' +</p> + +<p> +"Dot's just de way to spell it," said Otto, slapping his friend on +the shoulder and laughing as though pleased beyond measure. "Wait +till you don't know him as well as I don't." +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot turned to walk away," continued the young Shawanoe; "he +had slept many times in the wood, and he was not afraid, but he had +not taken many steps when some one called him. It was too dark to +see, but the voice was of a boy. While Deerfoot waited he threw a +heavy, blanket over his shoulders and made Deerfoot walk back to the +cabin. He asked him to enter the window where the father could not +see him, and he told Deerfoot he would place him in his bed and he +should have food." +</p> + +<p> +The narrator paused in his story and glanced toward Otto Relstaub. +Jack, with a laugh, looked at the stubby youngster, who was blushing +deeply and holding one hand over his face, the fingers spread so far +apart that he could see the others. Otto was also smiling, and his +hand could not begin to hide it, so that each side of his mouth wits +in sight. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot was too proud to receive the offer of the boy, but he took +the blanket." +</p> + +<p> +"And mine gracious!" struck in the lad again; "didn't mine fader +whip me for dat? He proke up three hickory sticks onto me and kept +me dancing out of de cabin and in again, and over the roof, till I +vos so disgusted as nefer vos." +</p> + +<p> +"How did you explain the absence of the blanket?" asked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"I told mine fader I didn't know not any nodings apout it, and he +whipped me 'cause I didn't know vot I did know, and, when Deerfoot +brought pack de blanket next day, den he knows dat I lied and he +whipped some more as nefer pefore." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton threw back his bead and laughed, though he took care +that he made little noise in doing so; but the face of the Shawanoe +was grave. His refined nature could see nothing mirthful in the +cruel punishment inflicted upon the boy because he did a kindness to +a stranger of another race. The brutal father had only to thank the +Christian restraint of Deerfoot that he was not pierced by an arrow +from his bow for his conduct. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe did not need explain that the little act of Otto had +secured his lasting gratitude. The latter was not one to seek his +company or intrude himself upon him; but he was ready to do the +young German any service in his power. +</p> + +<p> +A few days before, when Deerfoot was returning from the direction of +the Mississippi, he met Otto on horseback. The latter told him he +was going to Coatesville to bring back a young friend, whose mother +was in the new settlement. For some reason, which the Shawanoe did +not make known, he could not accompany Otto, or he would have done +so; but he gave him full directions and numerous suggestions, every +one of which Otto forgot within the following fifteen minutes. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot, however, after making some calculations as to the time the +boys would reach the Mississippi on their return, promised to meet +them there and to take them across in his canoe, which was hidden +not far away. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe particularly instructed Otto that, if the meeting +should take place at night, he would make known his departure from +the Louisiana side by swinging a torch in a circular manner. It was +this signal which recalled the agreement to the mind of Otto +Relstaub, who remembered much more than he would have Jack Carleton +believe. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER VI +</h3> + +<h3> +NIGHT AND MORNING +</h3> + +<p> +Deerfoot made known his purpose to take his friends across the +Mississippi on the morrow in his canoe, after which he would keep +them company for some distance along the trail, though he would be +forced to leave them long before reaching their destination. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton naturally felt a deep interest in the youthful +warrior, and expected him to give some facts in his wonderful +history, as well as an intimation of what his life was likely to be +in the new country to which he had removed, but much to the young +Kentuckian's disappointment, he carefully avoided all reference to +himself. His conversation being of such a nature that it is hardly +worth recording in this place. +</p> + +<p> +When the evening was well along, Otto threw more wood on the flames +which crackled and gave out a cheerful glow. Deerfoot rose to his +feet, and without a word passed out into the gloom. The hour for +retiring was close at hand, and he preferred to make a +reconnaissance before trusting themselves to slumber. +</p> + +<p> +He returned as noiselessly as he went, remarking as he resumed his +seat that no danger whatever threatened them, and they could slumber +in peace. While speaking, he drew from a pocket within the skirt of +his bunting-shirt, the little Bible which had been presented to him +months before by Mrs. Preston of Wild Oaks, after the other volume +was destroyed by the bullet that was aimed at the heart of the +youth, by the hostile chieftain. +</p> + +<p> +Adjusting himself in an easy posture on the ground, so that the +ruddy fire-light came over his shoulders and fell upon the page with +its minute letters, the young Shawanoe read for several minutes to +himself. The others held their peace, impressed with the singular +sight. Neither could doubt that he clearly comprehended every word +of the sublime volume, and they felt that it was wrong to break in +upon his meditation. +</p> + +<p> +All at once he raised his head and asked, "Would my brothers wish to +hear Deerfoot read?" +</p> + +<p> +"We would, indeed," was the reply of Jack Carleton; "I never saw an +Indian who could read from a, printed book, but I have been told +that you can write an excellent hand." +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot shook his head disparagingly. +</p> + +<p> +"My brother mistakes, but Deerfoot will try and read the words which +the Great Spirit speaks to all his people, whether they are pale +faces or red men." +</p> + +<p> +And then, in a low musical voice, tremulous with emotion and +impressive beyond description, the Shawanoe read an entire chapter +from the book of Revelations, his favorite portion of the blessed +Book, the others listening spellbound. Even Otto Relstaub, who saw +and heard little of genuine Christian teachings in his cheerless +home, was touched as never before by the indescribably solemn story +of the apocalyptic vision. +</p> + +<p> +The silence which succeeded lasted several minutes, when Jack said +in a low voice: +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot, I wish you would speak some sentences from the Bible in +your own tongue." +</p> + +<p> +"Does my brother wish to learn the Shawanoe language?" +</p> + +<p> +"I have heard Shawanoes, Hurons and Miamis talk, but I can't +understand a word; I have a curiosity to know how it will sound to +hear some parts of the Bible with which I am familiar tittered in an +unknown tongue." +</p> + +<p> +"What part of the book can my brother repeat without reading the +words?" +</p> + +<p> +"Well—that is—I don't know," replied Jack, confused by the +question of Deerfoot, who fixed his eyes inquiringly upon him; "I +mean any sentence." +</p> + +<p> +"Does my brother not read the Bible every day?" asked the Indian, in +a grieved rather than a reproving voice; "he must know the Lord's +Prayer—" +</p> + +<p> +"O yes, yes," replied Jack, desperately clutching at the single +straw. "I meant to ask you to repeat that." +</p> + +<p> +In the same low, reverent voice he had used while reading, the +warrior uttered the inspired petition, which shall last through all +time. When he had finished, he said: +</p> + +<p> +"My brother would like to remember the words as Deerfoot has spoken +them; Deerfoot will print them for him." +</p> + +<p> +And drawing a species of red chalk from the same pocket which held +the Bible, he wrote for several minutes on one of the fly-leaves of +the bock. When he had finished he glanced over the words, carefully +tore out the leaf and handed it across to Jack. +</p> + +<p> +The latter examined the paper, and saw written in a fine, delicate +hand the following words, which are preserved to this day, and +which, when properly pronounced, constitute the Lord's Prayer as it +has been uttered many a time by the dusky lips of the Shawanoe +warrior, when his fiery nature was subdued by its blessed teachings: +</p> + +<p> +"Coe-thin-a, spim-i-key yea-taw-yan-ee, O wes-sa-yeg +yey-sey-tho-yan-ae; Day-pale-i-tum-any-pay-itch tha-key, +yea-issi-tay-hay-yon-ae, issi-nock-i-key, yoe-ma assis-key-kie +pie-sey spin-I-key. Me-li-na-key oe noo-ki cos-si-kie ta-wa-it-ihin +oe yea-wap-a-ki tuck-whan-a; puck-i-tum-I-wa-loo +kne-won-ot-i-they-way. Yea-se-puck-I-tum-a-ma-chil-i-tow-e-ta +thick-i na-chaw-ki tussy-neigh-puck-sin-a wa-pun-si-loo wau po +won-ot-i-they ya key-la tay pale-i-tum-any way wis-sa kie +was-si-sut-i-we-way thay-pay-wo-way." +</p> + +<p> +Jack studied the singular words several minutes, and then, with some +hesitation, undertook to pronounce them. He did only fairly, even +when corrected by Deerfoot, who added the rebuke: +</p> + +<p> +"Let my brother say them over many times in his own language, for +the Great Spirit knows all tongues when he who speaks the words +speaks them with his heart." +</p> + +<p> +The consciousness that these words were uttered by one who belonged +to what is generally regarded its a pagan race, brought a blush to +the face of the sturdy youth that had listened to the same appeal +more than once from the lips of his mother. +</p> + +<p> +Under the assurance of Deerfoot, the boys stretched themselves on +the leaves and branches and soon sunk into a refreshing slumber. +Jack recalled that his last remembrance was of Deerfoot resting his +head on his elbow, while he seemed absorbed in his book. He lay as +motionless as a figure in bronze, but no matter how much he might be +enchained by the words, he could not be insensible of what was going +on around him. +</p> + +<p> +Both Jack and Otto slept until the light of morning was stealing +through the woods. Then, when they arose to their feet, they saw +the Shawanoe broiling a couple of whitefish which he had managed to +coax from the Mississippi. He had almost finished before his +friends suspected what was doing. +</p> + +<p> +After greeting the warrior, the others passed through the woods to +the margin of the mighty river, where they bathed their faces and +hands, took a slight swallow of the somewhat muddy water and then +rejoined Deerfoot, who had their breakfast ready. +</p> + +<p> +"Did my brothers see any signs that frightened them?" asked +Deerfoot, when the three had seated themselves on the ground and +were partaking of their meal. +</p> + +<p> +"I took the best survey I could of the river," replied Jack, "but +saw nothing of friend or foe. I don't suppose, as a rule, there are +many Indians in this section." +</p> + +<p> +"The Shawanoes often hunt to the river, but do not cross; the Miamis +come down from the north, and Deerfoot sees their footprints in the +Woods." +</p> + +<p> +"What tribes are we likely to meet on the other side of the +Mississippi?" asked the young Kentuckian, who naturally felt much +interest in the land wherein he expected to make his home. +</p> + +<p> +"There are many red men, even to the mountains which stretch far +beyond the rivers and prairies, and raise their heads among the +clouds." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton was surprised at this reference, which, he believed, +was to the Rocky Mountains, of which little more than their simple +existence was known to the rest of the Union at that day. But the +words which followed astonished him still more: +</p> + +<p> +"Beyond the mountains opens the great sea, wider than that which the +pale faces came across from the Old World; beyond that great sea +lies the land where He died for you and me; all the way to the +shore, of the great water you will find the red men; they are like +the leaves in the woods, and Deerfoot and his friends will die +without ever hearing their names." +</p> + +<p> +"But you have spent some time on the other side the Mississippi, and +must know something of your race there." +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot has seen the Osages hunting among the mountains and in the +forest; has seen the Miamis, and, to the northward, may be met the +Sacs and Foxes. Far toward the ice of the North is the land of the +Assiniboine and the Dacotah." +</p> + +<p> +"I should like to know where you gathered all that information?" +remarked the amazed Jack Carleton; "the country beyond the +Mississippi is greater than that on this side, and one of these days +it will overflow with population, then what a country ours will be!" +exclaimed the young patriot, with kindling eye. "But you and I, +Deerfoot, can never live to see that time, which is for those that +come after us." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw," said Otto, seeming to feel it his duty to say something; +"dere is enough land over dere, I 'spose, for that horse to hide a +week before I don't catch him." +</p> + +<p> +Jack intimated that he was likely to find his search extended beyond +that time, while Deerfoot smiled over the simplicity of the lad, +whose information was so small compared with his opportunities. +</p> + +<p> +Conversing in this pleasant manner, the meal was soon finished, and +they made ready to cross the river. +</p> + +<p> +When the three emerged from the woods they were close to the swiftly +flowing current. Jack and Otto paused, while Deerfoot walked the +few rods necessary to find the canoe that had been drawn up the +bank. +</p> + +<p> +Both the boys could swim the Mississippi if necessary, though, with +their rifles and clothing to take care of, it was anything but a +light task. Had they been without any boat at command, they would +have divested themselves of their garments and placed them and their +"luggage" on it small float, while they swam behind and pushed it +forward. +</p> + +<p> +When the emigrants moved westward they halted long enough on the +bank to construct a raft, sufficient to carry everything in the +course of several trips back and forth. Otto made preparation when +he reached the river some days before on horseback, and, forcing the +animal into the current, slipped back, grasped his tail and allowed +himself to be towed across. He might have done the same on the +preceding day had he been given a few minutes in which to make +preparation, and had he not been unwilling to leave his friend +behind. +</p> + +<p> +"But it will beat all that," remarked Jack Carleton, after they had +discussed the different plans, "to be paddled over in the canoe of +Deerfoot." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw, but I dinks dot we should go across last, night." +</p> + +<p> +"What would we have gained by that?" +</p> + +<p> +"Then we wouldn't have to go ober agin dis mornings." +</p> + +<p> +"True, but there is no haste called for; if it was not that I am so +anxious to see mother, I would as lief spend a week on the road." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot wouldn't do for me, for mine fader would be looking for me wid +two big gads to him—" +</p> + +<p> +"Helloa! Here comes Deerfoot. What can be the matter? He is +excited over something." +</p> + +<p> +Such was the fact, indeed, for the sagacious Shawanoe had made an +annoying if not alarming discovery. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER VII +</h3> + +<h3> +A SURPRISED FISHERMAN +</h3> + +<p> +It may be said that Deerfoot the Shawanoe never lost his senses +excepting when slumber stole them away. Young as he was, he had +been through some of the most terrific encounters the mind can +conceive, and yet, when he stood erect in the full glare of the +noonday sun, not a scratch or scar spoke of those fearful affrays in +the depth of the forest, among the hills and mountains and along the +Shores of the rivers of Kentucky and Ohio. +</p> + +<p> +I have said that he was so hated by his own people that he felt his +presence near the settlements to the eastward was more to the +disadvantage than the help of his friends, and that was one of the +causes which led him to bid adieu forever to his friends. +</p> + +<p> +It has been intimated also that still another reason actuated him, +and that reason shall appear in due time. +</p> + +<p> +When Deerfoot assured Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub that they +might slumber in peace, he spoke the truth; it has been shown that +not the first breath of danger touched them during the darkness, and +the morning meal was partaken in the same enjoyable fashion. +</p> + +<p> +But before the subtle young Shawanoe reached the spot where he left +his canoe, he was disturbed by discovering the imprint of moccasins +along shore. They led away from his friends and toward the canoe. +A few minutes showed the latter had "received" some visitors since +its owner left it. +</p> + +<p> +It was utterly destroyed. The knives and tomahawks of several, +warriors had hacked be bark structure to pieces. Even the paddle +had been broken into a half dozen parts. Nothing was left of which +use could be made, the blanket of the owner of course being absent. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot looked on the wreck with something like dismay, which +speedily turned to anger. The wantonness of the act roiled his +feelings and stirred up the "old Indian" in his nature. +</p> + +<p> +He surveyed the destruction for a minute or two, and then made a +careful examination of the signs the perpetrators could not avoid +leaving behind them. +</p> + +<p> +There had been three Indiana engaged in the mischief, and the first +supposition of Deerfoot was that they were the Shawanoes whom Jack +Carleton saw the day previous; but a few minutes' study of the +footprints betrayed a certain peculiarity (a slight turning outward +of the left foot so slight, indeed, as almost to be imperceptible), +which identified them as Miamis. Deerfoot had noticed the "sign +manual" years before, so there was no room for mistake on his part. +</p> + +<p> +The party had come down from the northward, most likely with other +warriors, and had stumbled by mere chance upon the partially hidden +canoe. They probably investigated matters enough to learn that it +was in charge of two white persons and one red one—enough to +satisfy them that the single Indian was friendly to the settlers, +and therefore one to be despised and harried in every way possible. +</p> + +<p> +It was that discovery which undoubtedly caused them to destroy the +property and steal the blanket. They were not enough interested to +seek the lives of the others, though it may be they were restrained +by fear from doing so. +</p> + +<p> +When Deerfoot came back to the boys, he purposely displayed some +excitement in order to amuse them. He quickly explained what he had +learned, and then, in the most indifferent voice and manner, said +"The Miamis shall pay Deerfoot for his canoe." +</p> + +<p> +"How will you make them do that?" asked Jack, who noticed the +peculiar sparkle which the friends of the warrior always observed +when his feelings were stirred. +</p> + +<p> +"I doesn't not believes dot you and dem cannot agrees mit de price," +said Otto; "derefore you sends for me and I tells you what de price +ain't, and if dey don't agrees, den I knocks 'em ober de head—don't +it?" +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot will not need his brother," said the Indian, gravely; "but +he asks his brothers to wait till he comes back." +</p> + +<p> +"We'll do that," said Jack; "that is, as long as there is a prospect +of your return. When shall we expect you?" +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot will be with his brothers before the sun reaches yonder." +</p> + +<p> +He pointed to the place in the sky which the orb would touch about +the middle of the afternoon. Then, warning the two to be very +careful, and to keep continual watch against detection, he moved +away, vanishing from sight in the woods behind them, instead of +keeping close to the shore. +</p> + +<p> +He wept to the southward until he once more reached the spot which +contained the remains of his canoe. He spent another minute in +grimly surveying the ruins, and then, glancing down at the +footprints, followed their direction. He had determined to call the +scamps to account for the injury done him. +</p> + +<p> +As they belonged to the Miami tribe, it was quite likely they had a +boat with them, though their hunting-grounds were east of the +Mississippi, and possibly they had other property upon which the +offended Shawanoe meant to levy. +</p> + +<p> +He followed the trail for nearly a furlong, when it divided; two of +the warriors turned to the left and went deeper into the woods, +while the third continued down stream in the same general direction +as before. +</p> + +<p> +The sagacious Shawanoe suspected the truth; the single Indian had +gone to look after a canoe or something which lay close to the +river, while the others were about to engage in a hunt of so kind. +The discovery pleased Deerfoot; for, beside indicating that there +was a boat for him to take it showed that he had but a single red +man to meet. +</p> + +<p> +Within less than a hundred yards this solitary warrior was found. A +large canoe, evidently belonging to the three warriors, or possibly +a larger party, lay against the bank, with one end on the land, +while the other projected several yards into the river. In the +stern sat an Indian, after the fashion of a civilized man; he was +astride of the end, his moccasins banging over, one on either side, +his back toward shore, while he leaned forward and sleepily watched +a fish-line, one end of which rested in his hand, while the other +was far out in the Mississippi. +</p> + +<p> +His attitude was as lazy and contented as though he were a white +man. It looked as if he had chosen the sport while his companions +were off on a hunt that required more effort and exertion. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot stood only a few seconds, when he smiled more fully than he +had done for along time. He saw his opportunity, and he proceeded +straightway to "improve" it. +</p> + +<p> +He stole forward, as quietly as a shadow, until he had gone the few +yards intervening. All that he feared was that the aboriginal +fisherman might obtain a bite before the boat was reached. If he +could catch a fish on his bone hook, he would be likely to fling him +into the canoe behind him and to turn himself around. +</p> + +<p> +From the moment Deerfoot placed eyes on the motionless figure, he +felt he was master of the situation; but, with his usual quickness, +he had formed his plan and was desirous of carrying it out in spirit +and in letter. +</p> + +<p> +Reaching the canoe, he laid his long bow on the ground beside it; +then, stooping over, he seized the gunwale with both hands and, +quickly as the blow of a panther, he jerked the craft slightly more +than a foot further up the bank. +</p> + +<p> +The result was inevitable. The astonished Miami sprawled forward +from his seat and went down into the muddy Mississippi out of sight, +doubtless frightening away the fish that was nibbling at his bait. +</p> + +<p> +"Hooh!" he groaned, ejecting the water from his mouth as he came to +view, and following it with an expression much in the nature of an +expletive. +</p> + +<p> +Only a couple of strokes were needed to bring him into the shallow +water, when he rose to his feet and walked out upon dry land. Up to +that moment he did not know the cause of his mishap, for the author +stooped down on the upper side of the craft; but as the Miami +stepped out, Deerfoot rose to his full height, with his keen +tomahawk grasped in his left hand—that being his best one. +</p> + +<p> +The dripping warrior, to put it mildly, was astonished, when he +found himself confronted by the stranger. He stood staring and +speechless, while the mouth of Deerfoot again expanded. +</p> + +<p> +"Does my brother's heart grow weary that he seeks to urge the fish +to bite his hook before they are ready?" asked the Shawanoe in the +Miami tongue. +</p> + +<p> +It was all clear to the victim, and, when he understood the trick +that had been played upon him, his anger showed through the paint +daubed on his face. +</p> + +<p> +"The Shawanoe is a fool," he replied. "His heart is filled with joy +when he acts like a papoose." +</p> + +<p> +"But he will now act like a warrior," said Deerfoot, in a sterner +manner. "The dogs of the Miamis broke the canoe of the Shawanoe and +stole his blanket." +</p> + +<p> +"The Shawanoe is the friend of the white man," said the other with a +sneer, though not without some misgiving, for, to use the language +of the West, the young warrior "had the drop on him." He had only +to make one movement in order to drive the glittering weapon through +the skull of the Miami, as though it were mere card-board. +</p> + +<p> +It must be confessed that he looked very much as if such was his +intention. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot is the friend of the white man," repeated the Shawanoe; +"he hoped to paddle them across the great river. The Miami dogs +have broken his canoe, so Deerfoot will take their boat." +</p> + +<p> +The warrior showed that he was astounded by the daring of the youth. +Within the canoe lay the blanket of Deerfoot, beside the rifle; +powder-horn, and bullet pouch, doubtless owned by the moist +fisherman. The latter looked at his property as if he could not +believe any one would dare molest that; but Deerfoot settled the +question in his terse fashion. +</p> + +<p> +"Let the dog of a Miami seat himself on the ground like a squaw, and +watch his Shawanoe master while he takes the canoe and all that it +holds." +</p> + +<p> +The Miami stared at his conqueror as if uncertain whether he had +heard aright. The conqueror enlightened him. +</p> + +<p> +"The dog of a Miami longs to go to the happy hunting-grounds of his +fathers." +</p> + +<p> +As he uttered the words, he quickly feinted with the hand grasping +the tomahawk. The warrior made such a sudden start to obey that his +moccasins slipped on the wetter earth, his feet spread apart, as +though he were learning to skate, and he sat down with such a sudden +bump that it forced a grunt from him. He hastily scrambled up, and, +with a frightened glance over his shoulder, sprang forward and sat +down again, though the last time was according to instructions. +</p> + +<p> +It required all the self-restraint of Deerfoot to suppress his mirth +over the ridiculous performance of his captive, if such he may be +called. When, the Miami seated himself with a grotesque effort at +dignity, the Shawanoe placed his bow in the front of the canoe and +then shoved the boat into the stream. +</p> + +<p> +As it shot from the shore, he leaped in, and caught up one of the +long three paddles with which it was navigated. Dipping it beneath +the surface he made one prodigious sweep, which drove the craft +swiftly ahead. +</p> + +<p> +While thus employed the Miami faithfully obeyed orders. He sat +immobile and silent, watching the daring young warrior making off +not only with his private property, but with that which belonged to +others. +</p> + +<p> +The Miami must have thought to himself more than once—"Ah, if my +comrades would only appear at this moment! They would make you +change your tune very soon." +</p> + +<p> +All at once the warrior uttered a whoop which plainly was meant as a +signal to his friends. Instantly Deerfoot laid down his paddle, +and, catching up the gun, pointed it at the redskin. The latter, in +the extremity of his terror, turned a somersault backwards, and +tumbled and scrambled into the woods, desperately striving to get +beyond sight of the terrible youth who showed such recklessness in +handling weapons. +</p> + +<p> +No doubt the Miami believed his escape was a narrow one, when, the +next instant, the rifle was discharged and the bullet cut through +the leaves near his face. +</p> + +<p> +And so, in truth, his escape was very narrow, but it was just as +narrow as Deerfoot chose to make it. He had not the remotest +intention of injuring the Miami. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER VIII +</h3> + +<h3> +BEHIND THE TREE +</h3> + +<p> +The report of the gun reached the ears of Otto and Jack, and +naturally caused them alarm. They hurriedly made their way to the +edge of the river and peered out from cover, not forgetting the +warnings previously given by Deerfoot. +</p> + +<p> +They had but to look a short distance down stream to see the +Shawanoe paddling the large Indian canoe toward the other shore. +</p> + +<p> +"Well, dere!" exclaimed Otto. "Deerfoot dinks as how I ain'ty +forgotful, but don't he forget more than I does, when he dinks he +has us in the canoe and we be here?" +</p> + +<p> +"There is no danger of that," said Jack; "he knows it would not do +for him to come after us, for the Indians would shoot him from this +side."' +</p> + +<p> +"Why would dey do dem things?" +</p> + +<p> +"Because it is the nature of Indians to revenge themselves that way. +Don't you see he has taken their canoe, and I shouldn't wonder if +he killed one or two of their warriors before he was able to get +off with it. That shot which we heard was probably fired at him." +</p> + +<p> +But in this instance the ears of the German proved more correct than +those of the American. He had noticed that the gun was discharged +from the river, establishing the fact that it was fired by Deerfoot, +though Jack Carleton could not understand the reason why it was +done. +</p> + +<p> +It was manifest that the Shawanoe meant to cross to the other side +the Mississippi, in order to throw the Miamis "off the trail "—that +is, he would keep out of their sight until he gained a chance to +return for his friends. +</p> + +<p> +It occurred at once to the young Kentuckian that such being the +case, the situation of himself and Otto was one of considerable +danger. +</p> + +<p> +The high-handed course of the Shawanoe would rouse the enmity of the +Miamis to the highest point. Revenge is one of the most marked +characteristics of the American Indian, who is eager to retaliate +upon the innocent when he cannot reach the guilty. The three who +had suffered the indignity could easily follow the trail of the +boys, wheresoever it might lead, excepting through water. What, +therefore, was more likely than that they would seek to adjust +matters by slaying those who had taken no hand in the capture of the +canoe? +</p> + +<p> +Jack knew that there were only three Miamis directly concerned, but +Deerfoot had spoken of others in the neighborhood, beside which the +young Kentuckian himself had seen a couple of Shawanoes, only a few +hours before, at no great distance from that very spot. +</p> + +<p> +When he made known his fears to Otto, the latter agreed they were in +great peril, and the utmost care was necessary to keep clear of the +red men. +</p> + +<p> +The precise course best to adopt was hard to determine, but they +began a guarded departure from the spot, stepping as carefully and +lightly as possible. +</p> + +<p> +Though Otto Relstaub, like his, parents, had never been able to +handle the English language intelligently, and though he was +afflicted with a forgetfulness all too common with most boys of his +age, yet his life on the frontier had not been without its lessons +to him. At times he showed a shrewdness and knowledge of woodcraft +which surprised Jack Carleton, who often became impatient with his +shortsightedness. The manner in which he seconded the efforts of +his companion to mislead the Indians, known to be close at hand, +certainly was deserving of high praise. +</p> + +<p> +The friends advanced some twenty rods or more, Otto keeping close +behind Jack, without seeing or hearing anything of their enemies. +Looking across the Mississippi, nothing was observed of Deerfoot or +his canoe, so that no help was to be expected for many hours from +him. Indeed, Jack was confident that nothing of the kind could be +done before night, when the matchless Shawanoe would have the +darkness to help him. To the young Kentuckian, the advent of +Deerfoot was of that nature that he failed to see that it had +accomplished any good. If he and Otto could gain a suitable start, +they would swim across. +</p> + +<p> +"Sh!" whispered the German, reaching forward and catching the arm of +his friend; "waits one, two, dree smond." +</p> + +<p> +"What is the matter?" asked the alarmed Jack, as he turned hastily +about. +</p> + +<p> +"Let you go dot way and me go dot way, and it leetle ways off we +comes togedder agin once more." +</p> + +<p> +Rather curiously, the leader was asking himself at that moment +whether something could not be gained by him and Otto separating and +afterward meeting at some point further up stream. +</p> + +<p> +Such, as is well known, is the practice of the Apaches when hotly +pursued to their mountain fastnesses. A large company will dissolve +into its "original elements," as may be said, rendering pursuit out +of the question. +</p> + +<p> +The wisdom of this course on the part of Jack and Otto might well be +questioned, but, without giving the matter any thought, the young +Kentuckian acted upon the suggestion. +</p> + +<p> +"You keep close to the river," he said, "while I turn to the right, +and will come back to the shore a few hundred yards above. We'll +use our old signal if we have anything to say to each other." +</p> + +<p> +Otto nodded his bead to signify that he understood the arrangement, +and, without another word, the two diverged, speedily losing sight +of each other in the wood, which showed more under growth than that +through which they passed the day before. +</p> + +<p> +"I declare," said Jack to himself, before he had gone far, "I much +misgive myself whether this is going to help matters; it must be a +good deal easier for the Indians to pick up one of us at a time, +than it is to take the two together. It may be best after all," he +added a minute later, with the natural hopefulness of his nature, +"for I learned long ago that if two or three hunters separate while +in the Indian country, they can take better care of themselves than +if they stay together." +</p> + +<p> +He stood still and looked and listened. The wood, as has been said, +was denser than that to which he had been accustomed, and, when he +used his eyes to the utmost, he saw nothing to cause alarm. The +lynx-eyed Miamis could follow his trail with little trouble, no +matter how much be sought to conceal it, and the fact that he saw +and heard nothing could be no proof that danger itself was not near. +</p> + +<p> +"I am sure those were Shawanoes that I saw yesterday," he muttered, +"and yet Deerfoot insists they were Miamis who broke up his canoe. +Wonder whether there's a war party of both—" +</p> + +<p> +The bright eyes of the youth at that very moment told him a singular +fact: only a short distance in front of him stood two red men in +their war paint. They were talking together and had their backs +toward him. Indeed, they were so motionless, that he had failed to +see them in the first place, and would have failed again but for the +low, guttural murmur of their voices. +</p> + +<p> +Jack instantly stepped behind the large trunk of a tree and peered +out with an interest that may well be understood. It was curious +that the youth should have approached so close without detection, +but it was complimentary to his woodcraft that such was the fact. +</p> + +<p> +Whatever the subject of conversation between the Indians, they +speedily became absorbed in it, their arms sawed the air, and their +voices rose to it pitch that carried the sound far beyond where he +stood. +</p> + +<p> +Their interest in the discussion frequently brought the profile of +the further one into view and showed so much of his front, that his +tribal character was settled beyond question; he was a Shawanoe, one +of the dreaded people who did more than any other to earn the name +of Dark and Bloody Ground for one section of the Union. +</p> + +<p> +It was established, therefore, that there were two distinct parties +in that particular section. The Miamis and Shawanoes were natural +allies, and there could be no question that a perfect understanding +existed between those who gave our friends so much concern. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton was debating with himself whether it would be a safe +undertaking for him to withdraw, and, venturing further into the +woods, seek to flank the warriors who had risen so unexpectedly in +his path. He had already been so delayed that his agreement with +Otto was likely to be disarranged, and it would not do to stay too +long where he had halted. +</p> + +<p> +Before a conclusion was formed, the interview between the couple +ended. They abruptly ceased talking, and one started north and the +other south. +</p> + +<p> +As they did so Jack learned another significant fact—they belonged +to different tribes. The one who went northward looked squarely in +the face of his friend, just before moving out, and, in doing so, +gave the best view of his countenance that the boy had yet obtained. +That view revealed him as a Miami beyond all question. +</p> + +<p> +The other wheeled about and advanced almost in a direct line toward +Jack, who felt that his situation was becoming very delicate and +peculiar. There could be no mistaking the tribe of that warrior, +who was a splendid' specimen of physical vigor and manhood. Jack +suspected that he was not only a Shawanoe, but was a chief or +leader. The hideous paint which was smeared over his repulsive +face, was more elaborate than in the case of the two from whom the +youth effected such a narrow escape. +</p> + +<p> +That which Jack saw confirmed his belief of a perfect understanding +between the different parties. They probably numbered a dozen +altogether, and had determined to bring the friendly Indian and two +white men to account for the outrage of the young Shawanoe—for, +brief as was the time mince it had been perpetrated, it was more +than probable that it was known to all. +</p> + +<p> +"I wish that heathen would take it into his head to move some other +way," thought Jack to himself, as he drew his head back, fearful of +being seen. "If he comes straight on, he'll bump his forehead +against this tree, and, if he turns out, he will pass so close to +the trunk that I've got to be lively if he doesn't run against me." +</p> + +<p> +Listening intently, he was able to hear the soft footfall of the +warrior upon the leaves, scarcely louder than the faint tipping of +the claw of a small bird. Had the Shawanoe suspected there was the +slightest need for care, his tread would have been silent. +</p> + +<p> +A few seconds passed when the delicate sound ceased. What could it +mean? Did the Indian suspect the truth? Was he standing +motionless, or was he advancing with that noiseless step which the +ear of the listening Indian himself fails to note? +</p> + +<p> +These were the questions which the young Kentuckian asked, and which +for the time he could not answer. He shrank close to the bark of +the tree, with his gun clasped and the hammer raised ready to fire +at an instant's notice. Knowing so well the subtlety of the red +men, it occurred to Jack that his foe perhaps was stealthily +flanking him. He was moving to one side and the moment he could +gain a shot he would fire. +</p> + +<p> +The suspense became more trying than disaster itself could be, and +Jack determined to end it by learning the precise situation of the +Shawanoe, and what he was likely to attempt to do in the way of +hostilities. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER IX +</h3> + +<h3> +A TIMELY ARRIVAL +</h3> + +<p> +One of the most convincing evidences of a Power beyond our +comprehension, governing and directing everything for the best, is +the marvelous degree to which the different faculties of our nature +can be trained. There is a skill which cannot be explained or +understood by him who attains it; and, interwoven through the five +senses which science assigns to us, seems to be a sixth not yet +understood, of whose wonderful functions every one of us has seen +proof. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe warrior, after parting with his companion, walked +leisurely toward the tree behind which the young Kentuckian was +hiding, until about twenty yards separated them. Then he stopped as +abruptly as if stricken by a thunderbolt. There was "something in +the air" which whispered danger. +</p> + +<p> +The Indian had neither seen nor heard anything to cause this +misgiving, but he knew that peril confronted him. What he would +have done in the event of Jack Carleton remaining silent and +stationary behind the trunk can only be conjectured; but the +impatience of the youth ended that phase of the situation. +</p> + +<p> +Softly removing his cap, the young Kentuckian slowly moved the side +of his head to the right. In doing so, he kept his face in a +perpendicular position, so that the least possible part of his head +was exposed. Had he inclined it, the upper portion would have shown +before the eye could have been brought into use. +</p> + +<p> +The first object on which Jack's vision rested was the Shawanoe +warrior, standing erect, one foot slightly advanced and both hands +grasping the rifle in front of him. The face was daubed and +streaked with paint, and the gleaming black eyes were looking +straight at the startled youth. +</p> + +<p> +Like a flash the dusky arms brought the gun to his shoulder, and it +is safe to say that Jack Carleton never in all his life drew back +his head with such celerity. +</p> + +<p> +Quick as was the Indian, he was not quick enough to catch the lad, +who, it will be seen, had very little to do in order to save himself +for the moment. With a faint whoop, the redskin bounded behind the +nearest tree, and, with his cocked rifle at command, awaited an +opening that would allow him to slay his foe. +</p> + +<p> +Thus the two occupied precisely the same, relative position; each +was protected by a trunk of a tree large enough to shield his body, +and each grasped a loaded and cocked rifle, eager to use it the +instant the opportunity presented itself. +</p> + +<p> +Who was to win in this curious contest? Looking at the situation +dispassionately, it must be admitted that the chances favored the +Indian. He was older, stronger, more active, and possessed greater +cunning than did the youth. What, after all, is one of the most +important factors in such a problem, the American race possess by +training, and nature—patience scarcely second to that of the +Esquimau. The probabilities were that the Shawanoe would wait until +the youth was led into some fatal indiscretion. +</p> + +<p> +All this, be it remembered, is based on the condition that no such +thing as "foreign interference" took place. +</p> + +<p> +Is there any reader of mine who has not been entertained in his +early youth by the story of the white man and the Indian, who, being +placed in the situation of Jack and the Shawanoe, remained in hiding +from each other, until the Caucasian drew the shot of the American, +by placing his cap on the end of the ramrod or gun and projecting it +far enough from behind the tree, thus leading the Indian to believe +that the head of his foe was in range? If such an incident ever +took place, the warrior must have been unusually stupid to leap from +cover, as the story makes him do, until certain he had brought the +other down. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton attempted the same artifice, except that, instead of +taking the trouble to draw his ramrod or using his rifle for that +purpose, he held his cap in hand, shoving it forward very slowly and +with great care. +</p> + +<p> +The trick failed. The Shawanoe must have suspected the truth on the +first appearance of the head-gear. Jack pushed it forward until +sure it was seen, but no demonstration came from the warrior, who, +for aught the youth knew, was essaying the same deception. +</p> + +<p> +Determined to learn something about his enemy, Jack threw his head +to one side and drew it back again before the warrior could pull the +trigger. He knew precisely where to look, but he was unable to +catch sight of the Shawanoe or his weapon. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder whether he has shifted his quarters," said Jack to +himself. "If he has, he will shot at me before I can learn where he +is. Holloa!" +</p> + +<p> +The second time he thrust forward his face withdrawing it with the +same celerity as before, he caught a passing glimpse of the +Shawanoe, who, rather curiously, adopted exactly the same artifice. +This "located" the savage and relieved Jack, for the moment, of his +terrifying dread that death threatened from an unknown point. +</p> + +<p> +But, within the next minute, the redskin utterance to a faint whoop, +clearly meant as a signal to a comrade not far off. +</p> + +<p> +"He is calling back the Miami, who left him a few minutes ago," was +the conclusion of Jack. "It'll go rough with me if I have two of +them to fight. I'll try a little of the signaling myself." +</p> + +<p> +Placing the thumb and forefinger of his left hand against his +tongue, he emitted a low, tremulous whistle, such as he and Otto +used when on hunting expeditions together. He repeated it, and +then, greatly to his relief, received a reply, though it was so +guarded that he could not guess the point whence it came. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, if Otto proves sharp enough to grasp the situation, without +running into ambush, we may settle the matter with this fellow +before the other can take a hand—" +</p> + +<p> +As on the previous day, something twinkled among the trees to the +left. A glance in that direction and Jack saw, with dismay, that +the Miami warrior had arrived. +</p> + +<p> +The worst of it, too, was that he appeared so far over from where +the Shawanoe stood that lines connecting the three would have made +almost a right angle. It looked as if the youth must be exposed to +the enfilading fire of one of his enemies. +</p> + +<p> +It was a frightful situation, but the brave Kentuckian did not lose +heart. He pressed against the bark as closely as he could, +endeavoring to watch both points, but he was fearfully handicapped, +and there was little hope for him, unless his friend could +interfere. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly the Miami, who, naturally enough, had taken to the shelter +of a tree, after the manner of his comrade, made a bound of several +feet which placed him behind a second trunk that was still further +to the rear of Jack Carleton. Another such leap and the youth would +be effectually uncovered. +</p> + +<p> +But the anxiously prayed for deliverance came at this critical +moment. While the Miami was maneuvering for position, Otto Relstaub +appeared behind him, and, in the twinkling of an eye, the merciless +warrior was placed between two fires. +</p> + +<p> +"You let dot chap alone?" called out the German, with his gun to his +shoulder, "or py gracious I'll shoot my ramrod clean through you as +nefer vos I don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +The unexpected discovery of his mortal peril threw the Miami into a +panic. It was impossible for him to find shelter at the same moment +from both his enemies, for, on whatever side of the tree he took +refuge, he would be in range of one of them. With a howl of +consternation, he whirled on his heel and ran like a frightened +deer. As he did so, he ducked his head and leaped from side to +side, after the manner of the Digger Indians of the present day, +with a view of distracting the fire of his enemies. +</p> + +<p> +It would have been a feat of marksmanship had either lad brought him +down, when so many and varying objects intervened, and neither of +the youths made the attempt. When the terrified fugitive vanished, +he was without a wound or scratch to tell of the danger from which +he had fled. +</p> + +<p> +During these stirring moments, the Shawanoe had taken no part and +given no sign of interest in what was going on; but Jack, who was +fully aroused by the venomous attempt on his life, called to his +friend, whose position he knew commanded that of the savage: +</p> + +<p> +"Otto, shoot the wretch!" +</p> + +<p> +"Dot is vot I vos going to do," was the reply of the German, who +took careful aim around the side of the tree. +</p> + +<p> +He was in plain view of Jack, who watched him with a rapidly beating +heart, knowing as he did that the fellow carried an excellent gun +and was it good shot. +</p> + +<p> +But, while glancing along the rifle-barrel, with one eye closed, +Otto raised his head, opened both eyes and looked toward the point +at which he had been aiming. Then his cheery laughter rang out. +</p> + +<p> +"What is the matter?" asked the astonished Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, ain't dot funny? He Indian ain't dere!" +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, he is," shouted Jack, suspecting trickery. "He will shoot +you, if you don't bring him down!" +</p> + +<p> +Otto glanced affrightedly behind him, as though he heard a stealthy +footstep, but called back once more that the Shawanoe had +disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +It occurred to the other youth, just then, that if the warrior was +in the vicinity and could be seen by Otto, he must be visible to +him. But a sweeping survey of the field failed to bring to light +the painted face and feathered crown. +</p> + +<p> +There could be no doubt that the Shawanoe had taken advantage of the +diversion caused by Otto's arrival, and had not stood on the order +of his going. Five minutes before, there seemed no chance of Jack +Carleton preserving his life. Now, how changed! Toward whatever +point of the compass he looked, he saw not the first evidence that +peril threatened. +</p> + +<p> +But for all that, it was uncomfortably nigh, and it was difficult to +find a place in which there was less safety than where they were. +Jack resolved to leave at once. +</p> + +<p> +At the moment he stepped from behind the tree which had sheltered +him, Otto strode toward him, his broad face still broader on account +of his beaming pleasure. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot vos me," he said, triumphantly. "Otto doned it." +</p> + +<p> +"Did what?" +</p> + +<p> +"Scared 'ern so dot they forgits him nefer." +</p> + +<p> +"You did well, beyond question. I cannot see how I would have saved +myself if you hadn't come as you did. I shall never forget it, +Otto, though I think it was a mistake when we parted company it +short while ago. It looks as though these Miamis and Shawanoes are +on all sides of us, and we must find some kind of shelter or make a +hasty change of base." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot's vot I dinks," assented the other. "I am waiting for you to +show me vot's I doesn't do." +</p> + +<p> +"It is hard to tell what is the best course," said Jack, who, while +talking, was moving slowly toward the Mississippi, watching, +meanwhile, every point of the compass. "But, somehow or other I +feel there's less danger by the river than anywhere else." +</p> + +<p> +"I likes it dere better than other places, for if we finds the +Indians are going to boder us, we can cheat 'em as easy as nefer +vos." +</p> + +<p> +"How?" +</p> + +<p> +"We can jump in the river and drowns mit, ourselves; won't dey be +fooled!" +</p> + +<p> +"Perhaps they would be disappointed; but I don't see where we are +likely to gain anything." +</p> + +<p> +"I doesn't see hims mineself," grinned Otto, whose whims led him to +be amusing during the most trying moments, as well as grave when +others were light-hearted. +</p> + +<p> +"I only wish we were on the other side," said the young Kentuckian, +who at that moment caught the gleam of the Mississippi through the +trees in front. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER X +</h3> + +<h3> +AT BAY +</h3> + +<p> +While Jack and Otto were talking in guarded tones, and carefully +picking their way through the wood, each stopped and became silent +at the same instant. They saw nothing, but their ears told them +some person or animal was approaching through the undergrowth behind +them. +</p> + +<p> +Within the same minute the creature revealed himself in the form of +a large, black bear, which was lumbering along unmindful that +enemies were near. +</p> + +<p> +"Mebbe he don't be an Indian," whispered Otto, who knew much of the +cunning of the red men. +</p> + +<p> +The same thought had occurred to the Kentuckian, who held his gun at +full cock, until he should be able to learn the truth. While thus +employed he could not help reflecting on the improbability of such a +clumsy artifice being that time, for there was no call for the +attempt, no prospect of deceiving two persons who displayed such +excellent woodcraft. +</p> + +<p> +Jack speedily saw that the bear was a genuine one, probably on his +way to the river. There no occasion for shooting him, and the +hunters stepped aside to allow him to pass. Jack kept eye on him, +however, for it being the spring of year, he had not been long out +of his hibernating quarters, and was likely to be lean, hungry, +fierce. +</p> + +<p> +Bruin caught sight of the hunters, while several rods off, and +throwing up his snout, took a look at them, as though uncertain of +the species to which they belonged. +</p> + +<p> +"He looks pig, don't he?" said Otto, referring to his size, and half +inclined to give him a shot. "One pullet would make him put up dot +snout down." +</p> + +<p> +"Let him alone, so long as he doesn't disturb us. He isn't half so +dangerous as the Indians and they would be likely to rush upon us +before you could reload your gun." +</p> + +<p> +Otto saw the prudence of his friend's words, and he not only let +down the hammer of his rifle, but emphasized his intention by +turning his back upon the bear. +</p> + +<p> +The huge beast seemed disposed to attack the boys. It may be that +the plump, ruddy-faced Gorman looked specially tempting to him while +in his hungry state, for Jack fancied that it was he on whom his +large eyes were fixed with a peculiar lodging. +</p> + +<p> +The bear took several steps toward the couple, and Jack cocked his +gun, believing he would have to fire. Otto, seeing the movement, +turned, but at that moment the animal, if he had actually any +purpose of opening hostilities, changed his mind, moving off to one +side, and continued his awkward gait toward the river. +</p> + +<p> +The boys watched him until he reached the stream and began lapping +the water, when they resumed their withdrawal from the spot, still +walking in a northerly course along the right bank of the +Mississippi. +</p> + +<p> +Both were anxious to get as far away as they could, in the hope that +they would be able to keep a safe space between themselves and the +red men, whom they held in such fear. +</p> + +<p> +Their uneasiness was not lessened when the sharp crack of a rifle +broke upon their ears, from a point not far down the stream. It was +followed by another report deeper in the woods, and then several +whoops came from different parts of the forest, all being within a +short radius. +</p> + +<p> +The boys could not guess the cause of the firing, unless they were +meant as signals, but they were sure the cries referred to them. +Most likely, as they viewed it, they were meant to direct the +actions of the parties, who must have felt that it only needed a +little care and energy to capture the youths that, up to that time, +had baffled the enmity of both the Miamis and Shawanoes. +</p> + +<p> +The result was, that Jack and Otto, keeping as near as was prudent +to the river, pushed on as fast as they could. A species of running +vine close to the ground caused them much annoyance, the more chubby +one falling forward several times on his hands and knees. +</p> + +<p> +They had traveled a short distance only, when the signals that had +so alarmed them were heard again. The Indiana called to each other +by means of the whoops and shouts, as intelligible to those for whom +they were meant as if they were so many spoken words. +</p> + +<p> +The lads could not fail to observe that they were considerably +nearer than before. The red men were evidently converging in their +pursuit, and meant to force the struggle to an issue with the least +delay possible. +</p> + +<p> +"We must travel faster," said Jack Carleton, compressing his lips, +after glancing behind him. "This has settled down to a regular race +between us." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot is so," assented Otto, sprawling forward again on his hands and +knees, from the running vine which caught, like fine wire, around +his ankles. "If it Vos who falls down the most and cracks his head, +den I would beat dem, don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +"We shall have to make a fight for they can travel a great deal +faster than we—" +</p> + +<p> +"Let's jump mit the river; we gets so far off afore dey learns vot +we don't do." +</p> + +<p> +It seemed to be the only recourse left to the fugitives, and they +turned toward the Mississippi. But at that very moment Jack caught +sight of a pile of logs only a short distance ahead. +</p> + +<p> +It seemed a direct interference of Providence, totally unexpected by +both. Whether the logs were the retreat of a friend or enemy could +only be guessed. The probabilities were that the former was the +case, since the structure was not of the kind made by Indians. +</p> + +<p> +Jack caught the arm of Otto and whirled him back. +</p> + +<p> +"Vot ain't de matter?" asked the German, half angrily at the check, +when there was so much necessity for haste. +</p> + +<p> +"See?" asked Jack, in turn, pointing to the logs as seen through the +trees. +</p> + +<p> +Otto nodded his head. It was enough, and he made a desperate rush +to reach the refuge, catching his foot and falling headlong again. +</p> + +<p> +"Dunderation!" he exclaimed; "wonder if dere ain't no blamed vines +that I hef not fall over and proke mine nose." +</p> + +<p> +The whoops of the Miamis and Shawanoes sounded still closer; they +were pressing the pursuit with utmost vigor, and were upon the heels +of the fugitives. +</p> + +<p> +The Kentuckian, who continually glanced back, caught sight of more +than one figure flitting among the trees. Suddenly something red +gleamed; it was the flash of a gun, and, at the same moment the +sharp report rang out, the bullet passed between Jack and Otto, who +were striving desperately to get beyond reach before a fair aim +could tempt their enemies. +</p> + +<p> +The second view which Jack caught of the shelter told him it was +simply four walls of logs, a dozen feet square, half as high, and +without any roof. When, why, and by whom they had been put up was a +mystery. +</p> + +<p> +But no oasis in the flaming desert could be more welcome to the +traveler dying with thirst than was this simple structure to the +panting fugitives. Jack Carleton, with a recklessness caused by the +imminence of his peril, flung his gun over into the enclosure, +sprang upward so as to grasp the topmost log, and scrambled after it +with the headlong impetuosity of a wounded animal. +</p> + +<p> +Otto was only a second or two behind him, and, puffing and gasping, +he dropped squarely on his head and shoulders, rolled over, caught +up his gun again, and sprang to his feet. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot's de way I always climb down stairs," he exclaimed, raising the +hammer of his gun and holding it ready to fire on the first +appearance of a foe. +</p> + +<p> +"It's all well enough, if you ain't hurt, but look out for the red +men; they're right on us." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot's vot I don't dinks," replied Otto, who, still panting from his +exertion, seemed to have recovered his coolness; "if dey climbs up +dot vall, den dey run agin de, pall of mine gun and one of dem gets +hurt, and it ain't de pall-don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +The pursuers were so close to the fugitives that the tramp of their +moccasins was heard at the moment the boys braced themselves for the +shock which they were sure would come within the next few seconds. +The sight of a flying foe intensifies the courage of the pursuer, +and it may have been that the Shawanoe who discharged his gun at the +lads, when they were so close to the shelter, believed he had +wounded one at least, and that a vigorous assault could not fail to +end the struggle speedily. There may, in fact, have been a dozen +causes which incited him to a bravery and personal effort greater +than that of any of his companions. +</p> + +<p> +"They'll try to overwhelm us," said Jack. "Hold your gun ready." +</p> + +<p> +The words were yet in his mouth, when a peculiar, soft scratching, +which was ended the instant it began, told that one of the warriors +had inserted the toe of his moccasin in a crevice of the logs, with +the purpose of climbing over into the enclosure. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll attend to him if there's only one," added Jack, naturally +fearful of throwing away a shot. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks I 'tends him mit myself—" +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly the painted face of a Shawanoe Indian rose to view. One +hand had grasped the top log, and he was drawing himself rapidly +upward with the purpose of leaping over. The countenance was +frightful beyond description—the streaks and circles in red, +yellow, and black, from amid which glared the black eyes, with an +expression of ferocity like that of a Bengal tiger, and the white +teeth, gleaming between the parted lips, drawn far back at the +corners, gave a hideous fierceness to the visage that would have +appalled a brave man who saw it for the first time. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks I 'tends him mit myself—" +</p> + +<p> +Just as Otto Relstaub reached that point in his remark, he pulled +the trigger of his rifle. A rasping howl followed, and the horrible +face vanished a speedily as if the owner had been standing on a +trap-door, which was sprung. +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw—I dinks I 'tends mit him," repeated Otto, coolly lowering his +gun and looking at the spot where the head and shoulders were +visible an instant before. +</p> + +<p> +"Load up quick!" said Jack, who held his cocked rifle in hand while +his eye glanced hastily along the upper part of the logs, "don't +lose a second." +</p> + +<p> +The thump of the body was heard as the Shawanoe—dead before he +could fall the brief space—struck the ground on the outside. At +the same moment a second warrior (a Miami that time), drew himself +upward close to the place from which the Shawanoe had dropped. He +rose until his tufted head, his sloping forehead and his gleaming +eyes appeared just above the horizon of the enclosure. Staring +downward, he looked straight into the muzzle of a rifle, held by a +young Kentuckian, who had just become aware of his presence. +</p> + +<p> +Down went the Indian, possibly with a suspicion that his bronzed +skull was also perforated, as he fell across the limp body beneath +him; but Jack Carleton had not fired, not because the opportunity +was not inviting enough nor because he felt the least scruple about +shooting one of the savages who were thirsting for his life, but he +was afraid to discharge his piece before Otto should force another +bullet home. +</p> + +<p> +Repeating and percussion rifles were unknown at that day, and it +took much valuable time to reload musket or gun after its discharge. +Knowing this, the infuriated redskins were likely to make a rush +whenever they knew that the weapons within the enclosure were +unloaded. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as the boys possessed no other firearms, it will be seen +that in such an event they would be helpless. Indeed, it was +impossible for them to hold out if their assailants determined to +force matters. They had but to leap over the walls, as could be +easily done, and the contest would be decided right speedily; that +decision must inevitably be against the daring defenders. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XI +</h3> + +<h3> +A PRIMITIVE FORT +</h3> + +<p> +The sharp repulse of the Indians delayed rush which, as has been +said, could ended only in the discomfiture of the defenders. The +occurrence proved that the first warriors to scale the walls were +certain to share the fate of him who had already made the attempt. +</p> + +<p> +With such knowledge it would be unnatural to expect any Shawanoe or +Miami to throw himself into the breach, since, as a rule, men are +not anxious to sacrifice themselves for others. +</p> + +<p> +The brief respite thus afforded Jack and Otto enabled them to make a +closer survey of the shelter which had presented itself so +providentially to them. They found little not apparent to their +terrified gaze when they scrambled within. There were the four +walls and nothing more. With that morbid interest in trifling +things which often manifests itself in the most critical moments, +Otto counted the logs on each of the four sides. +</p> + +<p> +"Dere be nine dere," said he, indicating the western side, "ten +dere, and nine and ten on de other sides." +</p> + +<p> +"That must be right," remarked Jack, "for I make them the same." +</p> + +<p> +"Tis funny dat we bofe counts dem at de same tine, when each one is +not doing it togedder." +</p> + +<p> +The only entrance to the enclosure, as it seems proper to call it, +was the one used by the boys. Nothing to suggest a door, or any +purpose of making one, was to be seen on any side of the walls. +</p> + +<p> +It was not impossible that some hunters, who had encamped in the +vicinity, had started the structure with the intention of roofing it +over, and of providing some original means of ingress and egress +which was not apparent to the little garrison. +</p> + +<p> +Convinced that they would not be disturbed for some time to come, +Jack hastily searched for loopholes, with which it would seem the +structure ought to have been provided, but nothing of the kind was +discovered. +</p> + +<p> +Whoever had hewn and put together the logs, had done so with +admirable skill. The gaps in the ends had been cut with a nicety +that made a perfect fit in every case. Had the house been +completed, it certainly would have been a substantial one. +</p> + +<p> +While the absence of loop-holes removed to a great extent the fear +of treacherous shots from the outside, yet in another respect it was +an annoyance. The boys could see nothing of their assailants. The +sense of hearing and conjecture itself were all that were left to +inform them of what was going on so near them. +</p> + +<p> +It was not to be supposed that the Indians, after driving the youths +into shelter, would leave them undisturbed. The death of one of +their warriors was enough to rouse the passion of revenge to the +highest point—a necessity which, as shown by the incidents already +narrated, did not exist. +</p> + +<p> +When Jack and Otto were given a little time for reflection, they +were forced to see that their situation was hopeless. Every +advantage was with their enemies, who, if they chose to save +themselves the risk of a determined assault, had only to wait. +Without food or water, with no means of leaving the place, the hour +must surely come when exhausted nature would compel this little +garrison to yield. +</p> + +<p> +The boy's were many miles from the settlements on either side of the +river, and there was no means of sending word to their friends of +the dire strait in which they were placed. Even could such message +reach Coatesville, or the cabins on the other side of the +Mississippi, several days must necessarily elapse before assistance +could arrive. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton's thoughts naturally turned to Deerfoot the Shawanoe. +He had heard so many stories of his wonderful woodcraft and skill +that he leaned upon him, when he was present to lean upon; but, +hopeful as was the nature of the young Kentuckian, he could gather +no crumbs of comfort in that direction. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot had crossed the river in the Miami canoe, and could not be +expected to return until under cover of darkness. Even then he must +be powerless. There are limits to all human skill, and what greater +folly than to expect him to release two boys, shut in a log +enclosure, and surrounded by a score or less of vigilant Indian +warriors. +</p> + +<p> +But it was not the nature of either Jack or Otto, to yield without a +struggle. So long as they could fight off the dread end, so long +they would put, forth every effort to do so. +</p> + +<p> +For fifteen minutes after the discharge of gun absolute silence +prevailed. Not the slightest rustling told of the crouching savages +without. The boys leaned against the logs of waited and listened. +</p> + +<p> +During the interval, the young Kentuckian became filled with +irresistible curiosity to learn what their enemies were doing. It +was certain they were plotting mischief, but he could form no idea +of its nature. +</p> + +<p> +How was he to gain the coveted knowledge? Manifestly there was but +the one way. +</p> + +<p> +"Otto," he said in a low voice, "I'm going to climb up the logs and +look over." +</p> + +<p> +"And got your head blown off, dot's vot you does!" exclaimed his +horrified friend. +</p> + +<p> +"I'll come to that sooner or later any way," was the reply; "but I'm +not going to be shot; I'm not such a dunce as that; I mean to take +one glance over the logs, and will draw back so quickly that no one +will get a chance to shoot me." +</p> + +<p> +Otto protested, but, seeing it was useless, gave over and made the +sensible suggestion that, instead of climbing up the wall and +thereby probably making known what he was doing, he should stand on +the shoulders of Otto. That would give him enough elevation, and +the lad added: +</p> + +<p> +"If I sees any noise vot I don't like, den I drops you so quick dot +you vill bump the ground so hard dot it bulges out mit China on de +other side." +</p> + +<p> +At the very moment Jack made ready to avail himself of his friend's +support, they heard a movement on the part of the Indians, the +meaning of which was not understood. +</p> + +<p> +A number of them seemed to be moving heavily over the ground, as +though carrying some weighty body or marching in military step. The +boys listened closely, but it was impossible to tell what it meant. +</p> + +<p> +The noise added to Jack's curiosity, and, leaning his gun against +the logs, he said: +</p> + +<p> +"Help me up, Otto; I'm bound to find out what all that is about." +</p> + +<p> +It was an easy matter to mount the shoulders of his young friend, +whose strength would have supported double his weight. Jack found, +as he anticipated, that he would be able to look over the logs +without difficulty. Steadying himself by placing his hand against +the wall, he slowly raised his head until almost on a level with the +top, when he quietly looked over. +</p> + +<p> +No movement of the kind was expected by the Indians, and the face +was withdrawn before any one of them could fire. +</p> + +<p> +Under such circumstances, a person can see a great deal in an +exceedingly brief space of time. Jack Carleton learned much about +that which had excited his curiosity. +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch as the walls had been put up from material cut in the +immediate vicinity, a number of stumps surrounded the structure, +beside which a single unused log was lying. It had been cut +entirely off at the base, several of the lower limbs trimmed, but +most of the bushy top remained. It looked as if the builders had +been interrupted while at work, or they had voluntarily abandoned it +for something else. +</p> + +<p> +Some six or eight warriors had lifted this log from the ground and +were laboriously hearing it In the direction of the fort (if the +name can be permitted). Others were moving hither and thither, as +though they enjoyed viewing the job more than assisting with it. +One of them caught sight of the face of the young Kentuckian and +brought his gun to his shoulder; but, quick as he was, he was just a +moment too late. When he was ready to fire, the target was gone. +</p> + +<p> +"They're going to batter down the logs!" exclaimed Jack, dropping +lightly to the ground, and taking possession of his gun; "they're +carrying a log toward us, and mean to hammer these down about our +heads." +</p> + +<p> +"What for they don't want to do dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"It seems to me it would be a good plan for them to tumble our house +about our heads." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't dink they doos dots," persisted the German, and he proved +to be right in his surmise. +</p> + +<p> +With great labor the warriors bore the heavy tree forward, so that +the larger end was against the side of the fort. Then, instead of +using it as a battering ram, they lifted it higher until, with an +exertion that must have been very great, it was raised even with the +log wall. A combined effort rested the butt on the support, the +trunk sloping downward, until the top reached the ground, probably +thirty feet away. +</p> + +<p> +As the butt was a foot in diameter, it will be seen that the work +must have been very onerous to the American Indian, who hates +physical labor as much as does the tramp of modern times. +</p> + +<p> +Having accomplished what must be admitted to be quite a feat, the +toilers rested, while the boys looked up at the jagged end on the +logs, suggesting the head of some monster peering down upon them, +and speculated as to the meaning of the movement. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot is so to help dem climbs to de top," said Otto, "or maybe they +will runs him across and play I see-saw.' +</p> + +<p> +"It is to cover up some mischief on their part." +</p> + +<p> +"If we only knowed when dey don't stands right under him, we would +shove off de end off and let him drop onto dem and mash 'em all!" +</p> + +<p> +"It would take a good deal more strength than we have to do that," +said Jack. "I would like to take another peep over the edge, but it +won't do, because they will be on the lookout for us." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot's vot I didn't dink some times ago," maid Otto, meaning a +little different from what his words implied. +</p> + +<p> +It was yet early in the day, and the boys could not but feel that +the crisis was sure to come long before night. The temperature was +mild and pleasant, no clouds floating in the space of clear sky +visible overhead. The friends kept their loaded and cocked guns in +their hands all the while and moved to and fro, in the circumscribed +space, on the alert for the first demonstration from the red men, +distressed by the consciousness that their cunning enemies were sure +to do the very thing which was least expected. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton noticed that whenever he stood with his back against +the logs, he could see the upper portions of the trees which grew +close to the structure. It occurred to him that some of the daring +warriors were liable to turn the fact to account. It would take no +great skill for one or two of them to climb into the limbs, from +which they would command a portion of the interior. No better +opportunity could be asked—in case they were not discovered by the +lads—to fire down upon them. +</p> + +<p> +"I've been dinking of dot," replied Otto, when the matter was +mentioned; "and I dinks dot iss de tree yonder, and py gracious dere +is an Indian 'mong de limbs!" +</p> + +<p> +This startling declaration was the truth. The friends were standing +at the eastern end of the structure, so that they looked in the +direction of the river, where towered a bushy oak, fully twenty feet +of the upper portion being in sight. Something was among the +branches, though the object could not be seen distinctly. Fortunate +it was that both were gazing toward the point when their suspicion +was first awakened. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, it is an Indian, as sure as I live!" added Jack, in an excited +manner. "Rash fool! He has sealed his fate, for I couldn't want a +fairer target. Leave him to me!" +</p> + +<p> +"All right; I leaves him!" +</p> + +<p> +The young Kentuckian was sure of his man, even though he was only +partially revealed, when the rifle was pointed. He took careful +aim, but while in the act of pressing the trigger, he lowered the +weapon, with the whispered exclamation. +</p> + +<p> +"Great heavens! It is Deerfoot the Shawanoe!" +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XII +</h3> + +<h3> +AMONG THE TREE-TOPS +</h3> + +<p> +Jack Carleton was astounded. Up to that moment he was absolutely +certain that the young Shawanoe was on the other side of the +Mississippi, and would make no attempt to return to the Kentucky +shore until night. Yet he had not only recrossed, but was actually +within fifty feet of the enclosure, directly among his fiercest +enemies, who were assailing it, and, more remarkable than all, he +had climbed among the limbs of a tree, where he could gain a view of +the interior. +</p> + +<p> +There was a minute or so during which the Kentuckian actually +doubted his own senses. +</p> + +<p> +"He must be an enemy who closely resembles Deerfoot," was his +thought; "I will shoot him before he shoots me." +</p> + +<p> +The probability of such being the case was increased by the fact +that the Indian had a rifle instead of a bow and arrow, and there +were some daubs of paint on his face; but, for all that, the warrior +was Deerfoot, as a second scrutiny convinced Jack and Otto beyond +all question. +</p> + +<p> +"It ish Deerhead! I means Deerfoot," whispered the German lad; +"dinks a whirlwind lifs him out te boat and drops him in de tree; +what don't he vants?" +</p> + +<p> +The young Shawanoe had managed to reach a place amid the foliage, +where, if he could be seen at all by those below, the view was +indistinct, while, by pushing the branches carefully aside in front +of his face, he was plainly revealed to his friends. +</p> + +<p> +When Jack Carleton raised his gun and sighted at the object in the +tree, the latter swept aside the curtain in front and made a signal +with his hand, which declared his identity. Even though the paint +had been plentifully used by him, his regular features were +recognized when he smiled, and kept his hand waving in front of him +as though brushing smoke from his eyes. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, it's Deerfoot!" muttered Jack, lowering his weapon, and +staring with open mouth at the figure; "but things are getting +mixed, and I ain't exactly understand what it is all about." But +the situation was too critical on every hand for the young friends +to give way to the wonderment caused by the discovery. It speedily +became clear that while the Shawanoe dare not speak, he was trying +very hard to convey some message to his friends by means of +pantomime. Holding the gun of the Miami in one hand, he kept the +other going energetically, but neither Jack nor Otto could guess his +meaning. +</p> + +<p> +"Speak louder!" called Otto, forgetting himself; "vot vasn't dot dot +you didn't say?" +</p> + +<p> +Instantly Deerfoot drew back his head, allowing the bushes to close, +so that he was only partly revealed. +</p> + +<p> +"He is going to shoot!" exclaimed Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Such, it was evident, was the intention of their friend, who brought +his rifle to a level, the black barrel plainly visible as it was +thrust among the branches. Instead of being aimed downwards, it was +pointed at a considerable elevation above the defenders at some +object at the other side of the fort. +</p> + +<p> +Turning their beads, the boys saw, from the agitation in the +branches of a tree, almost large as the oak, that something was +moving among the limbs. The truth flashed upon both. While they +were watching their friend, he had detected an enemy stealing into +the tree behind them, and sought to make known the alarming truth by +means of gesture. Seeing they failed to catch his meaning, he +decided to attend to the matter himself, though it can be understood +that the shot would render his own death almost certain. +</p> + +<p> +"That will never do!" exclaimed the young Kentuckian; "Deerfoot is +too valuable to be sacrificed." +</p> + +<p> +The savage, who was climbing, did so with great care. Now a beaded +moccasin would twinkle alongside the trunk, whisking out of sight +like a frolicking squirrel; then a red feather flashed to sight and +away again, the broad, painted face peeped from behind the tree, +while glimpses of the clothing here and there showed the rate with +which the warrior went upward. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot must have seen the savage at the moment he began ascending +the trunk, and could not fail to know his purpose. It was +all-important that the dangerous individual should be "attended to," +and, observing that his friends were too much absorbed in watching +his movements to remember their own peril, the friendly Shawanoe did +not hesitate to take the frightful risk upon himself. +</p> + +<p> +It may be said that it would be utterly impossible for him to +discharge his gun from the elevation without the other warriors +discovering the fact, though one or two might suspect the weapon was +fired within the enclosure; yet it was characteristic of the youth +that, when the necessity presented itself, he did not hesitate. +</p> + +<p> +But Jack Carleton's presence of mind came to his assistance. He +began such vigorous gestures that the attention of Deerfoot was +caught; without lowering his gun, he glanced downward. He saw Jack +shaking his head from side to side, swinging his hand back and forth +and darting his finger excitedly at the tree on the other side of +the fort. +</p> + +<p> +The quick-witted Shawanoe caught his meaning, and took his gun from +his shoulder. Again he pushed the bushes aside, so that his face +came to view, and, looking down on his friends, smiled, nodded, and +made several gestures toward the other redskin, who was still +cautiously climbing the tree. Then the curtain was drawn again, and +Deerfoot assumed the part of spectator instead of actor. +</p> + +<p> +It is almost incredible that this performance could have taken place +without detection from below; but it came about that, while it was +going on, the attention of the red men was occupied by another +occurrence which will be told at the proper time. The only ones who +showed any interest in Deerfoot and his enemy, steadily making his +way aloft, were the boys within the enclosure. +</p> + +<p> +Accepting the lesson, Jack told Otto in a low voice to keep the +closest watch on all the tree-tops within sight, for it seemed +likely that still more of their enemies would resort to the same +strategy. +</p> + +<p> +"Let there be no mistake about this," he said to his companion; "if +you catch sight of any one else, give him a shot, but I'm to settle +the question with this particular gentleman." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish all right," assented Otto; "dot ish, it will be all right +if he ain't all wrong when you hits him." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton made no reply. He was standing with his left foot +thrown slightly forward, his rifle, at his right shoulder, his head +inclined and his left eye, closed. He was following the movements +of the Miami (as he judged him to be), who was seeking a perch from +which to fire down on the defenders of the primitive fort. +</p> + +<p> +It would have been the easiest thing in the world for our friends to +place themselves beyond danger from that particular warrior; they +had only to step a little nearer the eastern wall, when it would +intervene between them and the savage; but Jack grasped the +situation well enough to understand the advantage of impressing +their assailants with the danger of any kind of attack. If the +defenders should busy themselves with dodging the aim of their foes, +the trees were likely to swarm with them, and it would become +impossible to elude their aim. +</p> + +<p> +As before, the climbing Miami afforded occasional glimpses of +himself. Now a moccasin, then a hand, his gun, the black +horse-hair-like covering for his crown, with the painted eagle +feathers, then an instant gleam of the eyes, and then nothing at +all. +</p> + +<p> +Remembering that a wound would be as effective its death itself, +Jack coolly waited the opportune moment. Suddenly he saw the rifle, +arm and shoulder of the warrior, as he flung them partly over a limb +to help draw himself upward. Without a second's delay the youth +fired, his view being much less obstructed than was the care with +his friend in the other tree. +</p> + +<p> +An ear-splitting screech broke the stillness, and the wounded Miami +came tumbling downward as though every possible support had given +way beneath him. To the watchful lads it looked as if he struck +nothing at all in his descent, but fell with the swiftness of a +cannon-ball, until the intervening logs shut him from sight. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks some dings dropped," said Otto, with a grin; "mebbe he +don't try to fool us some more agin, don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack made no comment, but, as was his rule, reloaded his gun with +utmost haste, dreading all the time a rush from their enemies. It +may be set down as singular that something of the kind did not take +place, since the assailants must have known it could not fail to be +effective. +</p> + +<p> +The sagacious Deerfoot seemed to believe that his position was no +longer tenable, for, instead of staying where he was, he began +descending, apparently in panic of fear, lest he should share the +fate of the other red man. So far as he could, he kept the trunk of +the tree between him and the youthful marksmen until beyond all +danger of being harmed. +</p> + +<p> +Jack saw just enough of the movement to understand its meaning, and +he smiled grimly. +</p> + +<p> +"After doing what you have done, you ought to take the part of +leader and draw off the warriors." +</p> + +<p> +The young Kentuckian stood near the middle of the enclosure glancing +upward in different directions while reloading his piece, for he +understood too well the necessity of unremitting vigilance whenever +the American Indian takes a hand in proceedings. +</p> + +<p> +Otto was not behind him in that respect. He walked softly around +the fort close to the walls, attentively listening for sounds that +would give some knowledge of what was going on outside. At +intervals he stopped and with his knife gouged the wood, where it +seemed thinner than usual, but in every case found the thickness too +great to be pierced. +</p> + +<p> +Just beneath the spot where the butt of the tree rested on the upper +edge of the wall, he stopped Once more and pressed his ear against +the logs. He stood fully a minute, when, without moving his head, +he looked sideways at his friend, who was watching him. The +expression of his face was so significant that Jack knew he had made +a discovery of importance. +</p> + +<p> +"What is it?" he asked. +</p> + +<p> +Otto motioned for him to keep quiet. Jack stepped forward in front +of him. +</p> + +<p> +As Otto was looked at him without speaking, he also pressed his ear +against the logs, with a view of learning what was going on. +</p> + +<p> +Every one knows that wood is a good conductor of sound, and, though +in this case there were several layers of logs through which the +noise passed, the second listener at once suspected the truth. +</p> + +<p> +The scratching of the bark indicated that some one was carefully +climbing up the inclined tree. +</p> + +<p> +"That is to be their next move," muttered. Jack, hastily stepping +back to the centre of the space; "if they make a rush over that +bridge they will be down in a twinkling—" +</p> + +<p> +Otto kept his position, with his ear still glued to the logs, and +not yet certain what the noise meant. +</p> + +<p> +Just as Jack looked upward he saw, to his amazement, the head and +front of the huge black bear coming up the inclined tree with the +intent purpose of entering the interior. It instantly occurred to +the youth that it was the same daring bruin that came so near +attacking them a short while before. +</p> + +<p> +He has used this place as his den and means to return to it; the +Indians have seen him prowling around, and placed the tree so as to +temp him to climb upward on it. +</p> + +<p> +The beast advanced until he could look downward on the couple, and +then, gazing only a second or two, he backed out of sight and +dropped to the ground with a strange, chuckling growl. +</p> + +<p> +At the same instant a feeling of unutterable chagrin came over the +lad who witnessed the maneuver, for, just a breath too late, he +comprehended the shrewd trick by which he had been outwitted. +Confused by the unexpected sight, he failed to note that the +creature was not a bear at all, but a Shawanoe warrior skillfully +disguised as much. +</p> + +<p> +With the skin of one of the beasts gathered over his head and +shoulders, he had made his way up the support, peered at the +defenders, and then withdrawn before the watchful Jack could tumble +him to the earth with the bullet that would have pierced his body +had five seconds more been given in which to aim and fire. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap13"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XIII +</h3> + +<h3> +A MESSAGE +</h3> + +<p> +Jack's chagrin was deepened the more he reflected upon the singular +occurrence. Had he been outwitted by some skillfully-executed trick +of the Indians, he would have accepted it as a mishap liable to +overthrow the most experienced ranger of the woods; but he felt he +ought to have known on the instant that no real bear would have +attempted anything of the kind. +</p> + +<p> +There was not a phase of the artifice which was not a reproach to +him. Had the beast used the enclosure as a den or a retreat—a +thing of itself incredible—the evidence of that fact would have +been noticed the moment the boys climbed within. Then the +likelihood of his clambering up the inclined tree in the presence of +a war party of Shawanoes and Miamis, who had laid it for that very +purpose, was too grotesquely absurd to be thought of with patience. +</p> + +<p> +"Maybe it is as well," he said, with an effort to extract some +consolation from the blunder; "for perhaps it will lead them to +repeat the trick." +</p> + +<p> +"Mine gracious! why didn't he drop down onto mine bead?" said Otto, +stepping hastily away from his position; "he would have mashed me +out as flat as—-as—as a big tree itself." +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see why they didn't form a procession of bears and walk +right over among us? We would have stood still and allowed them to +hug us to death." +</p> + +<p> +Admitting the only explanation that presented itself, Jack and Otto +were not yet able fully to account for the proceeding. The labor of +dragging the fallen trunk and lifting the butt to the wall, seemed +too great to suppose it was to be used only to allow one of the +Indians to climb to the top and peer over upon the boys beneath. +The same thing could be accomplished by ascending one of the trees +and avoiding the peril to which some of them had been exposed. +</p> + +<p> +But, beside all that, what in reality was gained by taking a peep at +the youths? The assailants knew they were there, and it could not +matter a jot in what particular manner they were employing +themselves. They could do nothing that could give those on the +outside the slightest concern. It was the defenders whose interests +required the anticipation of the movements of the warriors. +</p> + +<p> +"I can't understand it," said Jack, standing close to his friend and +talking in a low voice. +</p> + +<p> +"So ain't I—harks!" +</p> + +<p> +They listened a full minute, but the silence could not have been +more profound. A gentle wind stirred the leaves overhead, and the +tops of the trees nearest them could be seen slightly swaying +against the clear sky beyond. The murmur of the great forest was +like the voice of silence itself while the almost inaudible murmur +of the Mississippi, sweeping so near, made itself manifest the first +time since they had turned at bay. +</p> + +<p> +The deep quiet was more impressive than the whoops and screeches of +the warriors would have been. Under such circumstances, it boded +mischief, and the utter uncertainty of its nature almost unsettled +the remarkable courage both up to that moment had displayed. +</p> + +<p> +"I hears nodings," added Otto; "I'mebbe don't go to sleep and wait +for the night to come." +</p> + +<p> +"Night is a good many hours off," replied Jack, with an uneasy +glance at the sky, which showed him the sun had not yet reached +meridian; "they can beat any people in the world waiting, when they +have a mind to do so, but there's been no necessity of halting at +all. If they had followed up over the logs it would have been all +ended by this time." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw; they would have tumbled all over us, like a pig lot of trees +falling down, but now I dinks they waits." +</p> + +<p> +"Why will they do that?" +</p> + +<p> +"If dey climbs over like as dey didn't does, don somepody git hurt, +but if dey holds on till night den we'll have to climb over and +falls on 'em." +</p> + +<p> +This was Otto's manner of expressing what was inevitable, in case +the besiegers should conclude to wait for the hour, which could not +be very distant, when the defenders must lose all power of +resistance. +</p> + +<p> +The two did not forget to keep a continuous guard over the +"watch-towers" of the enemy. Despite the repulse that had followed +their attempts, it was by no means uncertain that they would not +repeat them. The success of the bear trick was likely to tempt them +to another essay in the same direction. +</p> + +<p> +Otto Relstaub was leaning against the solid logs, his position such +that the sun, which was now near meridian, shone directly upon him. +His friend was almost immediately opposite—the two looking in each +other's face, and exchanging words in low tones. +</p> + +<p> +All at once the German became sensible of something cool just behind +his neck. +</p> + +<p> +"Vot ain't dot?" he said, putting up his hand as though to brush +away some insect. Striking nothing, he turned to look. +</p> + +<p> +"O-oh-oh!" he said, with a wondering expression, and an expansion of +his big, honest eyes. +</p> + +<p> +"There's an opening behind you," remarked his friend, moving hastily +across to where he stood. +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw; I sees him. Where's he been hiding himself when I voon't +looking for him not a little while ago." +</p> + +<p> +It certainly was curious that both boys should have made such a +minute examination of the interior without finding the crevice +between a couple of the logs, large enough to admit the passage of +several bullets, and through which it would have been an easy matter +for their enemies to shoot him who stood immediately in front. +</p> + +<p> +The opening was some six inches wide, and no more than an eighth of +an inch in height, resembling the crevice through which the captain +looks out upon the enemy from the turret of a monitor. The fact +that the red men had made no use of it was proof they did not +suspect its existence, though that did not lessen the wonder of Otto +that he had failed to find it himself, when making search. +</p> + +<p> +"I see!" suddenly exclaimed Jack, who was attentively examining the +place. "No wonder you missed it, for it was closed up. You must +have rubbed one of your long ears against the stick which fits it so +closely." +</p> + +<p> +The piece with which it had been closed lay on the ground, at the +feet of the boys, and made clear why they had failed to find that +for which they had hunted so carefully. +</p> + +<p> +Jack cut the stick apart with his knife and reinserted one half with +a view of rendering it less liable to attract the notice of the +besiegers. Then, quite sure that it was still unknown to them, he +leaned forward with his eye to the opening. +</p> + +<p> +"While I'm peeping here keep a lookout elsewhere, Otto." +</p> + +<p> +His friend nodded, to signify he would be obeyed, and then Jack took +a survey of his surroundings. +</p> + +<p> +It so happened that he stood nearly under the tree which leaned +against the wall, and thus gained a good view. He certainly saw +enough to interest the most indifferent spectator. Five painted +Indian warriors were seen standing around what seemed to be a +dancing bear, who was gesticulating with his fore paws. Suddenly he +cast off the shaggy hide and revealed the redskin who bad made the +audacious ascent on the log in his disguise and peeped over on the +boys below. +</p> + +<p> +He seemed to be talking with his friends, while the whole half dozen +were gesticulating with great energy, though, in spite of their +excitement, their words were spoken so low that our friends could +hear little more than the jumbling murmur of their voices. +</p> + +<p> +No doubt more Indians were close at hand, but Jack saw none. He +stealthily removed the other part of the stick, and thereby widened +his view considerably, but he still failed to discover anything +more. His vision took in the tree up which Deerfoot had climbed, +but nothing was to be observed of him, or of any others gathered +around the base. +</p> + +<p> +Convinced that they were on the other side of the fort, Jack gave +his whole attention to those before him. +</p> + +<p> +It looked very much as if the author of the trick described was +regaling his friends with an account of the highly successful manner +in which he had played his points on the unsuspecting parties within +the enclosure. +</p> + +<p> +Jack was convinced that the rifle-shot which he and his friend +heard, before rushing into the refuge, was the one that slew the +bear. The Indians had hastily skinned the animal, probably +completing the task near the time they became aware of the presence +or rather the flight of the two boys. They had united in the +pursuit, taking the bear-skin with them, and its use in the manner +described was suggested by the prostrate tree lying so close to the +logs, though even that theory failed fully to satisfy the questions +of the youth. +</p> + +<p> +Another interesting discovery was that he had seen two of the +Shawanoes before. He had no difficulty in recognizing them as those +who had shown such eagerness to follow the trail of the hunter that +had shot the panther some distance back on the path. +</p> + +<p> +The warrior who had masqueraded in the character of a big, black +bear belonged to the Miami tribe, the representatives of the two +joining hands in the crusade against the young pioneers. Neither +the wounded red man nor the one who was past wounding was to be seen +anywhere. +</p> + +<p> +The vigorous and somewhat suppressed conversation among the group +continued a few minutes and then abruptly stopped. The entire party +seemed to have become "talked out" the same instant. +</p> + +<p> +"Now they will hatch up some more mischief," was the thought of the +watcher. "I don't think it likely they will send that bear up the +tree again. If they do he will come down a little quicker than he +goes up." +</p> + +<p> +The sensations of the young Kentuckian were very peculiar, when he +became aware that the Shawanoe who had displayed so much skill in +hunting for his footprints in the twilight was looking directly +toward him. He seemed in fact to be gazing into the eyes of the +youth, as though he was striving to stare him out of countenance. +</p> + +<p> +Jack would have been glad at that moment had the opening been +hermetically sealed; but, hopeful that he was not seen, he held his +place, not stirring in the slightest, and striving to the utmost to +keep from winking his eyes. +</p> + +<p> +The singular tableau lasted much less time than the boy imagined. +All at once the hum of conversation was renewed, every one of the +half dozen seeming to be seized with the impulse at the same moment. +He who had been gazing so steadily at Jack looked in the face of one +of his comrades. Instantly the boy moved to one side and replaced +the rest of the stick, so that the crevice was closed once more. +</p> + +<p> +"There," he exclaimed, with a sigh, "I never was placed in a more +trying situation than that." +</p> + +<p> +"Vot voon't dot?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack quickly told his experience, and his companion shuddered and +shrugged his shoulders in sympathy. +</p> + +<p> +"Have you seen any of them among the trees?" +</p> + +<p> +"No. They vill not go to roost, I dinks, till the sun comes down." +</p> + +<p> +"It won't do to calculate on that. If they wait they will try some +new tricks." +</p> + +<p> +"Vot can't them try?" +</p> + +<p> +"The trouble is we cannot guess. You know the Indians are so +cunning that they will think out something—" +</p> + +<p> +Zip! +</p> + +<p> +Both boys started and looked around. Something had entered the +enclosure like a bullet fired from a gun. +</p> + +<p> +"Look!" whispered Jack, pointing to the other side, where an Indian +arrow was seen sticking in the logs, at a point half way between the +ground and the top. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks they used guns and not arrows," said the astonished, Otto, +standing motionless and staring at the missile, whose barb was still +trembling from the force with which it had been driven into the +solid wood. +</p> + +<p> +"They do use guns only," said Jack. "That arrow was fired by +Deerfoot!" +</p> + +<p> +"Dere is one piece of paper tied around mit it." +</p> + +<p> +"It is a message from Deerfoot!" said Jack, stepping forward and, +with considerable effort, drawing forth the arrow. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap14"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XIV +</h3> + +<h3> +THE MANEUVRES OF DEERFOOT +</h3> + +<p> +Deerfoot the Shawanoe committed a serious mistake as he himself was +the first to discover, when he upset the Miami warrior into the +Mississippi and made off with his canoe. He had started out to help +his friends, but his course was an injury to them, for it increased +their danger without giving them the least assistance. +</p> + +<p> +What he ought to have done, when he observed the drowsy fisherman, +was to bring the boys to the spot, so that, directly after the red +man was dispossessed, the three could have entered the boat and +hastened across the river. Had he done so, all that which followed +would have be averted. +</p> + +<p> +In referring to the course of the young Shawano the most incredible +statement is that the blunder was altogether due to his waggishness, +because in his eagerness to play a joke upon an enemy, he forgot his +usual caution; but such was the truth. +</p> + +<p> +The warrior, however, was not the one to stay on the western shore +when his friends were in danger. Though he had told them to expect +him back at a certain hour, early in the afternoon, his intention +was to return much earlier. It would have been folly for him to +make for any point near that from which he departed when he set out +from the Kentucky shore. Such a proceeding would be seen by his +enemies, and would invite them to riddle him with bullets as he +approached. +</p> + +<p> +The moment he touched the Louisiana side, he ran under the +overhanging limbs far enough to be out of sight of any who might be +on the watch, and then pushed vigorously up stream. He continued +until he had gone fully a half mile and had rounded quite a bend in +the river. Then he paddled straight across to the other bank, down +which he made his way with the same haste. +</p> + +<p> +He speedily arrived in the vicinity of the lads and prepared, in his +characteristic fashion, to take a hand in their rescue. Hoping that +the chance for flight would speedily come, he carefully drew the +canoe under cover, where he was confident it would not be seen by +any enemies prowling in the vicinity. Then he stealthily plunged +into the wood to give what help he could to his friends. +</p> + +<p> +It took him only a little while to find they were at bay within the +log enclosure and in much greater danger than he first supposed. +The discovery caused a change in his plans. He returned to the +canoe and took out the rifle which he had captured; his bow and, +arrows were not left within the boat, for he valued them too highly +to incur such risk; they were hidden where he knew no one could +possibly steal them away from him. Then the little phial which he +carried in the receptacle with his Bible was uncorked and the +crimson paint applied with his forefinger to his face. The +ornamentation was as fantastical as the imagination of the native +American could make it. +</p> + +<p> +Viewed for the first time by those who did not know him, he would +have been classed as one of the fiercest warriors that ever went on +the war trail. Had he been a pagan instead of a Christian, the idea +would have been a correct one. +</p> + +<p> +But Deerfoot was handicapped from the first by the fact that he was +known to more than one of the party. It may be said that at that +day there was scarcely a Shawanoe east of the Mississippi who had +not heard of the execrated friend of the white men. They knew that +his favorite weapons, beside his knife and tomahawk, were his bow +and arrows; that his skill with them approached the marvelous; they +knew that his fleetness surpassed that of any living person that he +possessed a form and features of rare beauty; that his courage was +surpassed by none, for, when but a stripling, he had handed a knife +to the furious Tecumseh, and dared him to fight unto the death, and +that his cunning and subtlety were beyond the reach of the ordinary +warrior. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot himself was aware of his general notoriety, and, though he +might not have been seen by the Shawanoes, yet they would identify +him at the first glance, provided he appeared before them in his own +proper person. +</p> + +<p> +It will be understood, therefore, why he disguised his appearance +with such care. With the shrewdness of one of our modern +detectives, he made a change also, as may be said, in "himself" +that is, he walked differently, and used his arms and legs in style +altogether foreign to his custom. +</p> + +<p> +It must be remembered that there were several strong points in his +favor; his was the tribe whose warriors hated him with unspeakable +hatred, and he therefore was a master of every detail. When he was +assisted by the gloom of night, he was in scarcely any danger, +though it was far different under the glare of the sun. +</p> + +<p> +Another advantage should be named, inasmuch as the reader is apt to +overlook it; the separate war parties from the Shawanoe and Miami +tribes were not only few in numbers, but they had not met until +after arriving in the neighborhood where the youthful pioneers were +traveling with little fear of molestation. Thus, in a certain +sense, the warriors, while allies, were comparative strangers. +After disguising himself he believed his identity would not be +discovered by the Miamis, unless, possibly, by the lone fisherman. +There was also a fair prospect that he could avert suspicion for a +time on the part of the Shawanoes, unless particular attention was +directed to him. +</p> + +<p> +The foregoing seems necessary in order to justify what was done by +the wonderful Deerfoot. He managed to appear on the outer fringe of +the ring of assailants, without drawing special notice, and he used +all his skill in learning what the assailants intended to do. +</p> + +<p> +The warrior who had been shot while in the act of climbing over the +logs after the boys, met his fate before Deerfoot arrived on the +scene. The Indians were in a revengeful mood, and were unanimous in +their determination to visit the worst punishment on the youths who +were making such a brave fight for their lives. +</p> + +<p> +"But for Deerfoot they would not be in this sad plight," was the +thought of the young Shawanoe; "therefore the Great Spirit expects +Deerfoot not to think of his own life until they are saved from the +death which threatens them." +</p> + +<p> +Fortunately for this purpose the warriors were scattered to a +considerable extent, and seemed to give their whole thoughts to +those within the enclosure. Deerfoot knew, when he observed the +heavy log borne forward, and the butt placed on the wall, that it +was meant to be used to carry out some plan not clearly settled in +the minds of the assailants themselves. When he saw a move to climb +the trees which stood near the rude fort, he feared his friends +would be caught unawares, and he took to a tree with the hope of +being able to give them warning in time. +</p> + +<p> +On this point it will be seen the young warrior underrated the +woodcraft of his friends. With a thrill of pleasure he glanced at +the rifle of Jack Carleton pointed at him, before he had sought to +open communication. It was only a natural precaution which led him +to select a tree where he was able to use the sign language, without +being seen by any of his enemies below. He made sure that enough +foliage intervened to screen him from the inquiring gaze of his +enemies during the proceeding. +</p> + +<p> +Having made certain that his identity was known to his friends, it +will be remembered that the sought to warn them of the very peril +which threatened from the tree on the other side. Failing to make +himself clear, he raised his own gun with the intention of shooting +the savage from the perch, but providentially Otto Relstaub averted +the necessity. +</p> + +<p> +It is difficult to believe that had Deerfoot fired the shot he could +have effected his own escape. The point from which the gun was +discharged must have made itself manifest to more than one warrior +below, and would have involved him in a labyrinth of peril, where +his subtlety must have failed him. +</p> + +<p> +But it need not be repeated that he would not have faltered on that +account, had the need existed. He believed it his duty to hesitate +at no risk, because he himself was wholly to blame for the dire +straits in which the boys found themselves. +</p> + +<p> +With a grim enjoyment that can hardly be understood, Deerfoot stood +in the background and watched the antics of the warrior who had +wrapped the bear-skin about his shoulders and body. He could not +avoid a feeling of admiration for the cleverness with which the +front was arranged, so as to resemble that of the beast, but he felt +not the slightest fear that the trick would succeed. It was such an +antiquated stratagem that he wondered it was attempted, especially +after the defenders had given so convincing evidence of their +watchfulness. +</p> + +<p> +His amazement, therefore, may be appreciated when he saw the +creature slowly make his way to the edge of the fort, look down on +the boys, and then back a few steps and drop to ground. +</p> + +<p> +He could not believe they had failed penetrate a disguise which +could scarcely hope to deceive, except under very favoring +circumstance but concluded they must have refrained good reason of +their own. +</p> + +<p> +While these troublesome thoughts were in the mind of Deerfoot, he +kept his eye on the Miami, whose scant clothing had not dried after +his voluntary plunge into the Mississippi, from the bow of his +canoe. His victim acted as though he entertained some doubts as to +the identity of the individual that did not mingle with the main +body of the warriors. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot knew that if he did suspect the truth, his curiosity was +likely to cause trouble. The time had come when it was the part of +wisdom to withdraw. +</p> + +<p> +At last the Miami walked toward the enclosure, where two of his own +tribe were talking same number of the Shawanoes. He said something +which stirred up matters at once. All five began talking +vigorously, and then they turned take a look at the youthful +warrior. +</p> + +<p> +He was gone, having vanished as silently as he appeared on the +scene, and it was well that he did so, for the deception could have +been carried no further. +</p> + +<p> +Within the succeeding ten minutes the report of a rifle came from +the direction of the river. Then a second was heard from another +point in the wood, and again a third report awoke the echoes among +the trees. +</p> + +<p> +The red men did not know what it meant. All the surviving members +of the two parties were together, and they could not understand who +the new comers were. They were probably those of their own race, +though the discomforting possibility remained that they might be +white men on their way to the help of the beleaguered boys. +</p> + +<p> +The truth was, Deerfoot was convinced that if Jack and Otto were not +extricated from their peril long before night, no hope could remain +for them. It was so clearly in the power of the red men to capture +or destroy them whenever they chose to put forth the effort, that he +knew they would not wait until night. +</p> + +<p> +There were trees on every hand which would shelter the +sharp-shooters. If they ensconced themselves among the limbs of +these, the lads would be shut off from the chance of protecting +themselves, for on whichsoever side of the space they stood, they +would be within the range of one or two of the gunners. +</p> + +<p> +The plan which he next proceeded to put into execution was in the +mind of Deerfoot from the first moment he learned of the situation +of the endangered ones. It was impossible to succeed without a +perfect understanding with his friends, for they necessarily had an +important part to play in the programme. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot will send them a message," he said to himself, with a +throb of pride over the facility at his command; "that will tell +everything." +</p> + +<p> +Making his way to a safe point in the forest, he sat down on the +ground, tore off a piece from the paper which he carried with his +Bible, and with red chalk, sharpened to a point, he proceeded to +write the words intended only for the eyes of his friends within the +enclosure. The paper was twisted around the arrow, just back of the +bead, and he then was ready to adopt the means which he had employed +more than once in somewhat similar situations. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap15"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XV +</h3> + +<h3> +"TALL OAKS FROM LITTLE ACORNS GROW" +</h3> + +<p> +Jack Carleton walked across the slight space that separated him from +the arrow, quivering in the log on the opposite side of the +enclosure. He knew that it had come from the bow of the young +Shawanoe, who displayed his extraordinary skill by sending it at +such an elevation that it passed over the heads of his friends. +</p> + +<p> +"It is a message from Deerfoot," repeated the Kentuckian, as he drew +out the missile and unwrapped the paper wound around it. "Let us +see what he has to say." +</p> + +<p> +The paper being unfolded, showed the following words in the small +but graceful hand of the Shawanoe: +</p> + +<p> +"Let my brothers listen! They will hear one gun; they will hear +another, and then will sound a third! Let them listen closer, for +they are meant for their ears! Then will come shouts and the sound +of a gun the fourth time! Let my brothers climb over the logs and +run as fast as they can to the river. Close by the ash that lies +with its limbs in the water, they will find the canoe; they must +make haste to paddle across or it will be too late. They must not +wait for Deerfoot. He will take care of himself. Let my brothers +listen and be not slow." +</p> + +<p> +"There's no trouble to understand what he means," said Jack, after +reading the words aloud. +</p> + +<p> +"What ish it dot he does?" asked Otto, not quite certain as to the +purpose of their dusky ally. +</p> + +<p> +"He means to start a panic. He is going to try to scare the red men +so that they will scatter and give us a chance to get away." +</p> + +<p> +The German lad shook his bead. +</p> + +<p> +"Nix. He can't do dot." +</p> + +<p> +"It looks to me like a wild scheme, but as it is the last hope, we +must be ready to give all the help we can, for I don't know of any +one who ought to be more interested than we. Sh! What was that?" +</p> + +<p> +Just then it was so still that the slightest noise made by a falling +fragment of a stick reached their ears. Looking quickly around they +saw that the bit of wood which had been used to close the orifice +between the logs had fallen or had been pushed out and lay on the +ground. The narrow slit would have shown daylight through it had it +not been closed by altogether a different object or rather series of +objects; for when the astonished boys contemplated the spot they +caught the gleam of two pairs of eyes peering at them. +</p> + +<p> +The Indians had found the opening and were scrutinizing the +interior. The glitter of the four orbs which filled the crevice +caused most peculiar sensations on the part of the boys who saw +them. +</p> + +<p> +"Ain't you not ashamed mit yourselves!" exclaimed Otto, quickly +bringing his gun to his shoulder and firing directly through the +opening. +</p> + +<p> +"I teaches you mit better manners." +</p> + +<p> +But, quick as he was, the warriors were quicker, and the darkened +slit became light with the noiseless speed of a twinkling sunbeam. +The Indians needed no second intimation of what was coming. +</p> + +<p> +The crisis which followed this shot was more imminent than the +defenders supposed. The assailants had become convinced that they +were throwing away valuable time, and they assembled in a group to +consider the best means of forcing matters to an issue. +</p> + +<p> +It was at that moment that the report of the gun was heard from the +direction of the river. Shawanoe and Miami suspended conversation +and, looking inquiringly at each other, listened. +</p> + +<p> +A brief while after, the second shot was heard from another point, +followed by a third from still another direction. +</p> + +<p> +"There are strangers in the woods," remarked one of the warriors, in +a guarded voice. +</p> + +<p> +"Our brothers have come to look for us." +</p> + +<p> +As suddenly as the crash of a thunderbolt, the Shawanoe war-whoop +broke on the air, followed by what seemed to be the shouts of white +men. +</p> + +<p> +Then a voice of mortal terror shouted in the same tongue: +</p> + +<p> +"The white men are coming! The white men are coming!" +</p> + +<p> +The sound of hurrying feet was heard, as though a dozen warriors +were fleeing in hot haste from a dreaded foe. The effect intended +by this diversion of Deerfoot promised the brilliant success he +hoped rather than expected. One of the savages standing close to +the fallen tree, started with an exclamation and dashed off in an +opposite direction from the point whence came the alarming sounds. +The effect was contagious: the others followed pell-mell, every one +plunging forward with the frantic desperation which the bravest man +will show in moments of panic. +</p> + +<p> +It need not be said that Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub listened to +these favorable sounds with breathless interest. They understood +the stratagem of Deerfoot, and could not feel very hopeful of its +success; but the noise of hastily departing warriors thrilled them +with delight. +</p> + +<p> +"They are running!" exclaimed the young Kentuckian, with beaming +face; "who would have thought it?" +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks it time dot we vasn't doing the same," said Otto, who, +catching the top of the wall with both hands, drew himself upward +and peered over. He was gratified with the sight of the two +hindmost warriors just vanishing from sight. The whole party were +panic-stricken. +</p> + +<p> +Otto turned his head to tell the joyful news to his companion, when +he saw that he had also drawn himself up beside him. The fourth +report of a gun was heard. +</p> + +<p> +"Now is your time," said Jack: "over with you; I'll hand you your +gun." +</p> + +<p> +Otto lost no time in scrambling over, and his feet scarcely touched +the ground when his rifle whizzed end over end after him. It +required all his activity to dodge it, and, while doing so, he +received a sound thump from the gun of his friend, who seemed to be +flinging weapons around with wild recklessness. +</p> + +<p> +One important fact was clear to the boys: the panic of the Indians +was certain to be short-lived. Before fleeing far, they would +suspect the trick played on them, and would return with tenfold more +fierceness than before. +</p> + +<p> +The hearts of the boys throbbed high with hope when they found +themselves outside the enclosure which had served them as a prison, +and they knew the irrevocable step had been taken; they must now go +forward at all hazards. +</p> + +<p> +The Mississippi was near, and thither they made all haste, +remembering the instructions of Deerfoot as conveyed through the +note borne to them on the wings of the arrow. Jack, who was the +fleeter of foot, kept slightly in advance, though he had no purpose +of leaving his friend behind. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish one good things as nefer vos," Otto took occasion to say, +while panting close behind him: "dere ish not so many of demi +blagued vines dot cotches me all de times ven I vos—oh mine +gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +As is too often the case, the lad rejoiced too soon, for the words +were yet in his mouth when the very mishap he referred to overtook +him. A running vine became entangled around his ankles, and he went +forward on his hands and knees; but he was not injured, and speedily +rose again. +</p> + +<p> +In spite of their imminent peril, the young Kentuckian could not +repress a smile when he glanced back and saw Otto picking himself +up; but the smile was gone instantly, for the situation was anything +but a mirthful one. +</p> + +<p> +"Here we are!" called out Jack, halting on the bank of the river and +glancing around him. "But where is the canoe?" +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks the first things ish to find the ash tree what ish not +laying up but standing down," suggested Otto, moving along the +stream. +</p> + +<p> +It was manifest that the boat could not be found until after +locating the landmark named by the young Shawanoe; for it was +certain Deerfoot had taken care to hide the canoe where some search +would be necessary to find it. +</p> + +<p> +But in specifying the fallen tree, Deerfoot gave no idea of where it +was to be found. He must have believed it was so conspicuous that +no direction was required. +</p> + +<p> +During the few seconds that the friends stood irresolute, they used +ears as well as eyes. Suddenly the whoop of an Indian was heard a +brief distance away. +</p> + +<p> +"My gracious!" whispered Jack; "they're coming back! They have +discovered the trick." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish so; let's jump on to de water and swim to de oder side." +</p> + +<p> +The situation was enough to make the bravest nervous, and the sturdy +German could not repress his impatience. Every second was of +incalculable worth, and yet, knowing they were close to the means +which was to take them to safety, they could not seize it. +</p> + +<p> +"No; that won't do," replied Jack, resolutely; "they will stand on +the bank and pick us off without trouble to themselves; we must find +the boat." +</p> + +<p> +"But how can't we do dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"You move up the bank and I will hurry down it the canoe cannot be +far off; the instant you catch sight of it, whistle, and I'll do the +same if I see it before you." +</p> + +<p> +Otto sprang away with a more anxious expression on his broad, honest +face than it wore when he was crouching behind the logs, and the +young Kentuckian was scarcely less agitated. His feelings were +similar to those which come to us in sleep, when we see some grisly +terror approaching and have no power to flee before it. Somewhere, +almost within reach, was the vehicle to carry them out of peril, and +yet they could not lay their hands on it. +</p> + +<p> +Jack was resolved, in case the canoe was not speedily found, to do +as Otto advised—leap into the Mississippi and swim boldly for the +other shore. If they could gain a fair start, they would have cause +to hope; but such an attempt, desperate as it was, must be +undertaken very soon or not at all. +</p> + +<p> +Again the dreaded whoop reached them from the woods, and the leader +started as though he had caught the click of a gun-lock from behind +a tree. +</p> + +<p> +The cry was not a loud one, and was no doubt meant as a signal to +some one not far off. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder where Deerfoot can be," muttered Jack, pushing his way +hurriedly through the underbrush, and glancing in every direction +for the fallen tree which was to show them the craft. "He told us +not to wait for him, but it seems to me he ought to have given us +help in finding the boat." +</p> + +<p> +Again, and for the third time, the frightful signal trembled among +the trees close behind him. +</p> + +<p> +"He shan't catch me unprepared, at any rate," muttered the young +Kentuckian, raising the hammer of his gun and looking defiantly +toward the point whence came the cry. +</p> + +<p> +The Indian did not show himself, and conscious that he was throwing +away precious seconds, Jack pushed forward once more, keeping watch +of his flank as well as his front, for a treacherous shot from the +forest would render a canoe altogether useless, so far, at least, as +Master Jack Carleton was concerned. +</p> + +<p> +He was impatient and desperate. There is often a perverseness in +inanimate things which is beyond endurance. He had started with the +highest hopes a few minutes before, confident of finding the Indian +canoe without trouble, and now he was baffled and held back when on +the very threshold of safety. +</p> + +<p> +"It is useless to wait," he finally said, coming to an abrupt halt. +"I will call to Otto and we will swim for it." +</p> + +<p> +But, before he could emit the whistle that had been agreed upon, his +ears were set tingling by the identical signal coming from a point +up the bank. +</p> + +<p> +"Thank heaven!" was his exclamation, as he wheeled about and, +forgetful of the other signal that had told him of peril, dashed +along the bank of the stream with furious haste. +</p> + +<p> +"Otto has been more fortunate than I," he added, as he bounded +forward; "he has found the canoe, and I pray that he has not been +too late for us to use it." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap16"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XVI +</h3> + +<h3> +ON THE RIVER +</h3> + +<p> +The experience of Otto was somewhat similar to that which befell +Jack Carleton in his search for the Indian canoe. Strong, +self-possessed, and courageous by nature as was the German lad, he +fretted over his forced restraint more than did the other. +</p> + +<p> +He pushed forward with grim recklessness. He caught the signal of +the warrior which caused Jack so much disquiet, but he did not +permit it to interfere with his purpose. +</p> + +<p> +"Let him boot all dot he doesn't vant to," muttered the angry lad; +"he don't drive me away from looking for dot canoe, don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +Several minutes passed, during which he failed to discover the first +sign of the missing boat. Finally, realizing that a considerable +distance must intervene between him and Jack, he came to a pause, +and, sitting on a fallen tree, took off his cap, mopped his +forehead, and heaved a great sigh: +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish queerer as efer vos; Deerfoot, he tells me dot we find his +boat and we don't finds him; he says we must jump into the boat and +paddles out mitdle Mississippi, but we finds the Mississippi, but +vere ain't dot canoe? Dot ishn't the question. Vere isn't Jack? +He ish looking for de canoe also mit likevise, and I don't bear him +vistle for me—mine gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +Otto spoke slowly, giving utterance only to a few of the thoughts +which stirred his brain. He was on the point of signaling to his +friend to return, and, insisting that they should swim the river +together, when he became aware that the undergrowth in front of him +and close to the water, partially screened some object whose +outlines could be faintly trace from where he sat. +</p> + +<p> +With the exclamation, he straightened up and stared in blank +astonishment. The contour of what he saw was so distinct that there +could be no mistake; he was staring straight at the canoe for which +he had been hunting so long. +</p> + +<p> +Otto softly rose to his feet and looked behind him. He had been +sitting on the very ash which Deerfoot had named as the guide that +would direct them in finding the craft. Otto threw back his head +and laughed, overcome by the reaction from the tense strain to which +his nerves had been subjected. +</p> + +<p> +"Ven somepody axes for de biggest fool dot efer vos, he looks at +Otto Relstaub and says, 'I Dot ish him,' and dot will be him." +</p> + +<p> +But he, shivered at the thought of the minutes that had slipped by, +and, without indulging in any more soliloquy, placed his finger and +thumb in his mouth and emitted the whistle which thrilled Jack +Carleton down the river and brought him hurrying to the spot. +</p> + +<p> +Satisfied that no repetition of the call was required, Otto gave his +attention to the boat. It was a fine Indian canoe, buoyant enough +to carry six or eight warriors, and furnished with three long +paddles which, in skillful hands, could drive it with great speed +through the water. It was made of bark, bow and stern being +similar, curving inward toward the middle of the boat, and painted +with rude designs outside, which showed more taste than did the +ornamentation of the aboriginal countenances. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot had displayed no little ingenuity in screening the craft +from sight. Inasmuch as Otto had forgotten himself so far as to sit +down on the very tree for which he was searching without once +suspecting his forgetfulness, it is not to be supposed he would have +discovered the boat at all but for the accident named. +</p> + +<p> +Grasping one end, he began vigorously pushing it into the current. +It was heavy, and he wondered at the strength of the young Shawanoe, +who had drawn it clear of the water, overlooking the fact that +moderate strength, skillfully applied, succeeds more frequently than +does simple physical power. +</p> + +<p> +After much effort, he shoved it clear of the land and held it +floating on the surface. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if Jack didn't hear me," he thought, looking around; "I +thinks I calls him agin once more." +</p> + +<p> +He did not utter the signal, however, for just then he heard +approaching footsteps, and, a minute later, the flushed and panting +Jack Carleton was beside him. +</p> + +<p> +"Thank heaven!" he exclaimed; "I was in despair when your signal +reached me; we haven't a second to lose." +</p> + +<p> +"We ishet going to lose him, not at all. Hark!" +</p> + +<p> +They heard just then, not only the faint whoop that had caused them +so much disquiet, but caught sight of the warrior who uttered the +alarming call. +</p> + +<p> +He whisked between the trees with such bewildering quickness of +movement that Jack, who had turned with his rifle half raised, saw +no chance of firing with effect. Fortunately, the necessity for +doing so did not exist, for the boys at the same moment recognized +the red man as their friend Deerfoot, who walked forward smiling and +pleased, carrying his bow and gun. +</p> + +<p> +"My brothers did well," he said in his quiet way; "but they did not +hasten as does the deer when the hounds are on his trail." +</p> + +<p> +"We could not have hurried more than we did," replied Jack Carleton, +taking the hand of the youthful warrior; "a little more haste and +both of us would have broken our necks." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish so," added Otto, emphatically; "I sot down on dis log to +dinks if I couldn't run fitstery but I couldn't. What for you keep +whooping all the time like a crazy person?" +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot wished to see his brothers run, for the red men are +looking for them." +</p> + +<p> +"I've no doubt of that, and the wonder to me is how you managed to +give them such a scare that they scattered and left us a chance to +dig out." +</p> + +<p> +"The wicked flee when no man pursueth," was the apt quotation of the +extraordinary youth, who was so fond of studying his Bible. "But +their fright will not last long." +</p> + +<p> +"Such being the case we must not tarry." +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe acted as though he did not intend to enter the canoe +with them, seemingly having some object in remaining on the Kentucky +side; but he changed his mind, probably concluding that his services +were still needed by his friends. +</p> + +<p> +He motioned to Jack, who stepped into the boat and picked up one of +the paddles, Otto having done the same. Deerfoot leaped lightly +after them, the impulse carrying the craft fully a rod from shore. +He laid down his gun and bow, and, seizing the third paddle, made +such a powerful sweep through the water that the others almost lost +their balance. They essayed to help him, but he asked them with a +smile to cease and leave the management of the boat entirely to him. +</p> + +<p> +"We might as well," said Jack, "for we shall only hinder you." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish de same as I doesn't dinks." +</p> + +<p> +A few strokes sent the canoe well out from the land, and the +Shawanoe still plied the paddle with extraordinary skill; but, as he +left the shore, he knew that in one respect the danger of himself +and companions was increased. If their enemies were anywhere along +the Mississippi, with a suspicion of the truth, they could not fail +to detect them. +</p> + +<p> +It proved as he suspected. Several whoops echoed from a point a +short distance below, and the quick eye of the leader caught sight +of the Miamis and Shawanoes on the bank. +</p> + +<p> +"Down! Down!" he said, excitedly; "let my brothers lower their +heads or they will be killed." +</p> + +<p> +Both Jack and Otto extended themselves flat on the bottom of the +boat, but Deerfoot remained upright, plying the paddle with might +and main. He headed out in the stream, and used every effort to get +beyond reach of the rifles of his enemies. +</p> + +<p> +"Why don't you duck your head, too?" demanded the alarmed Jack; +"they can hit you as easily as us." +</p> + +<p> +But Deerfoot had his eyes on the party and did not mean to throw +away his life. He saw there were four red men who stood together on +the very edge of the wood. When two of them raised their guns and +sighted at him, he dropped like the loon, which dodges the bullet of +the hunter by the flash of his gun. +</p> + +<p> +A couple of reports sounded like one, and the three on the bottom of +the canoe heard the bark fly. Both balls had pierced it, entering +one side and passing out on the other. The weight of the occupants +caused the boat to sink sufficiently to protect them, so long as +they remained flat on the bottom. One of the bullets was aimed so +low that it struck the water, ricocheting through the bark and +bounding off in space. The other went within an inch of Deerfoot's +figure, he being slightly higher than either of the others. +</p> + +<p> +The echoes of the guns were ringing through the wood, when the +Shawanoe straightened up and dipped the paddle into the waters +again; but he had time for only one sweeping stroke when down he +went once more, barely in time to escape the third shot. +</p> + +<p> +Before using the paddles, he raised his head just enough to peep +over the gunwale. He saw the three warriors deliberately reloading +their weapons, while the other was waiting for his target to present +itself. There were two others, who had been drawn thither by the +calls of the first party. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks maybe I can does somedings to help," said Otto, timidly +looking over the side of the craft; "mebbe I sees—mine gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +The gun which was fired just then sent the bullet, as may be said, +directly under the nose of the German, who lowered his face with +such quickness that the whole boat jarred from the bump against the +bottom. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot, won't it be a good thing to send a shot at them?" asked +Jack; "it seems to me they would not be quite so ready with their +guns." +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe was evidently of the same mind. He had the choice of +two weapons, and need it be said which was the one selected? +</p> + +<p> +Standing erect in the canoe, he fitted an arrow to the string with +incredible dexterity and launched it with a speed that rendered it +almost invisible. The distance caused him to elevate the missile +slightly, but the aim of Simon Kenton or Daniel Boone, with his +long, trusty rifle, could not have been more unerring. +</p> + +<p> +The red men on shore were well aware of his amazing skill, and they +lost no time in adopting the dodging tactics. The instant the form +of the graceful young warrior was thrown in relief against the sky +and wooded shore, they bounded behind the nearest trees, peering +forth like frightened children. +</p> + +<p> +The movement saved one life at least, for the winged missile which, +a second later, whizzed over the spot where they had been standing, +was driven with a force that would have caused it to plunge clean +through the body of any one in its path. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot remained erect in the canoe until the shaft had landed, +when he gave utterance to a defiant shout; sat down, and +deliberately took up the paddle again. +</p> + +<p> +It will be borne in mind that the yellow current of the Mississippi +was swollen by freshets near its headwaters, and the canoe not only +danced about a great deal, but was borne swiftly downward, seeing +which the Indians hastened in a parallel course, with the purpose of +holding it within range. Furthermore, other red men continually +appeared at a lower point. It is within bounds to say that there +was not one who did not understand the stratagem by which the young +Shawanoe had outwitted them, and there was no means within their +reach which they would not have put forth to revenge themselves upon +him. +</p> + +<p> +Within a brief space of time the guns of the warriors began popping +from so many different points that Deerfoot dare not attempt to use +the paddle. The blue puffs of smoke were so near that it would have +been fatal to expose himself to the aim of his enemies, but, unless +the canoe could be propelled still further from them, it was likely +to be riddled by the converging fires. +</p> + +<p> +"Things are in a bad shape," remarked Jack Carleton, afraid to raise +his head a single inch, for the boat rode most uncomfortably high; +"we must do something, and yet what can we do?" +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot made no answer; his fertile brain had extricated other +parties from more critical situations than the one in which he was +now placed, and he was quick to decide upon an expedient for doing +the same in the present instance. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap17"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XVII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE LOUISIANA SHORE +</h3> + +<p> +Deerfoot threw himself over the side of the canoe into the river, +holding fast to the gunwale with one hand and keeping the boat +between him and the Indians on shore. With the arm which was free, +he swam toward the Louisiana side, towing the craft after him. +</p> + +<p> +While it seemed absolutely necessary that something of the kind +should be done, yet the reader will perceive that the course of the +Shawanoe was extremely perilous, not only for himself, but for his +friends whom he was so anxious to benefit. His removal from the +canoe caused it to ride higher, and thereby exposed them to the +bullets that were continually skipping about it. Deerfoot himself +was forced to keep his shoulders at such an elevation that he was +liable to be perforated by some flying missiles, but he increased +the distance between himself and enemies with greater speed than +would be supposed. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks dis ish good style," said Otto to Jack, who moved his head +so as to see what he was doing. The sagacious German had gathered +the three paddles so they were added to that side of the craft which +served as a partial shield against the shots from the shore. The +implements were so arranged that the lad felt safe against harm, +unless the boat should turn half way round before he could +accommodate himself to the changed condition of things. +</p> + +<p> +"It is a good idea," said Jack, admiringly, as he hastened to avail +himself of the defense; "I don't believe one of their bullets can +pierce our shield." +</p> + +<p> +Something cold made itself felt through the clothing of the young +Kentuckian, where his hip pressed the bottom of the canoe. Groping +with his hand he found it was water, which he saw bubbling through a +bullet-hole that was forced below the surface by the vigor of +Deerfoot's arm. The opposite side of the boat was lifted +correspondingly high, so that the sunlight shone through. +</p> + +<p> +It will be understood that the conditions prevented the Shawanoe +from towing the boat directly across the Mississippi. The swift +current rendered a diagonal course necessary, and even that could +not be pushed with enough power to prevent the party drifting down +stream. +</p> + +<p> +The red men kept up a desultory fire, but it was less frequent and +manifestly less hopeful than at first. They could not but see that +the craft was steadily passing beyond range, and the chances of +inflicting injury grew less every moment. Soon the firing ceased +altogether. +</p> + +<p> +A moment later, the dripping form of Deerfoot flipped over the +gunwale again, diffusing moisture in every direction. Without a +word, he seized the paddle and plied it with his old-time skill and +vigor. He looked keenly toward Kentucky, but saw nothing of his +enemies: they must have concluded to withdraw and bestow their +attention elsewhere. +</p> + +<p> +But, convinced that they were still watching the course of the +canoe, he again rose to his feet, and, circling the paddle over his +head, gave utterance to a number of tantalizing whoops. His enemies +had been outwitted with such cleverness that the youth could not +deny himself the pleasure of expressing his exultation in that +characteristic fashion. +</p> + +<p> +When Jack Carleton discovered the water bubbling through the +bullet-hole in the side of the canoe, as though it was a tiny spring +that had just burst forth, he was afraid it would sink the craft. +He inserted the end of his finger to check, in some measure, the +flow; but Deerfoot, observing the act, shook his head to signify it +was unnecessary. +</p> + +<p> +"My brothers shall reach land," he said. +</p> + +<p> +"I have no doubt we shall, since you are using the paddle again, but +a little while ago it looked as though the land we were going to +reach was at the bottom of the river. Deerfoot," added Jack, with a +smile, "they have punctured this boat pretty thoroughly. I cannot +understand how it was we all escaped when the bullets seemed to be +everywhere." +</p> + +<p> +"The Great Spirit turned aside the bullets," said the Shawanoe. +</p> + +<p> +"No he didn't," was the sturdy response of Jack; "I acknowledge His +mercies, which have followed us all the days of our lives, but that +is not the way He works. You know as well as do I, that if yon get +in the way of a Shawanoe or Miami rifle, you will be hit unless yon +are very quick to get out of the way again; but for all that," the +Kentuckian hastened to add, noticing a reproving expression on the +countenance of his dusky friend, "my heart overflows with gratitude +because we have been saved, when there seemed not the first ray of +hope for us. The bullets came near, but none touched us." +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks different," was the unexpected remark of Otto, who, +assuming the sitting position, took off his cap, and, after fumbling +awhile through his shock of yellow hair, actually found a ball, +which he held up between his fingers. +</p> + +<p> +"Vot don't you dinks ob him, eh?" he asked, triumphantly. +</p> + +<p> +The amazed Jack took the object and examined it. No need was there +of doing so; it was a rifle ball beyond question. +</p> + +<p> +"How in the name of all that's wonderful did that get into your +hair?" asked his friend. +</p> + +<p> +"I 'spose he was shot dere, and my head was too hard for it to pass +through, so he stops, don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +The canoe was so close to shore that Deerfoot stopped paddling for +the moment and extended his band for the missile. He simply held it +up, glanced at it, and then tossed it back to Otto with the remark: +</p> + +<p> +"The head of my brother is thick like the rock, but the ball was not +fired from a gun." +</p> + +<p> +With a bewildered expression, as though some forgotten fact was +beginning to dawn upon him, Otto laid his cap in his lap and began +searching through his hair with both hands. A moment later, his +face beamed with one of his most expansive smiles, and he showed two +more rifle-bullets that had been fished from the capillary depths. +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw, I forgots him; I puts dem pullets in mine hat yesterday and I +dinks dey was lost; dat is looky, ain't it?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't see anything particularly lucky about it," said Jack, who +suspected that much of the lad's stupidity was assumed. A healthy +youngster never fails to have the organ of mirth well forward in +development, and the promptings of Otto's innate love of fun seemed +to have little regard for time, place or circumstances. +</p> + +<p> +The American Indian is probably the most melancholy of the five +races of men; but even he is not lacking in the element of mirth +which it is maintained is often displayed by dumb animals. +</p> + +<p> +When Deerfoot heard the explanation of Otto, he did not smile, but +with a grave expression of countenance gave his entire attention to +the paddle in his hand. The German sat with his back toward the +front of the canoe, the other two facing him, the Shawanoe being at +the rear. The shore was only a few rods away, the Mississippi being +much less agitated at the side than in the middle. +</p> + +<p> +Without any display of effort, the warrior used the long paddle with +all the power he could put forth. Very soon the craft attained a +speed greater than either of the pale faces suspected. +</p> + +<p> +"No," repeated Jack Carleton, "I can't see where there is any +special luck in finding the bullets in your hair; I shouldn't be +surprised if they had been there for a week. You must use a very +coarse-toothed comb." +</p> + +<p> +"My brother uses no comb at all," suggested Deerfoot, in a solemn +voice, from the rear of the boat, which was speeding like an arrow +over the water. +</p> + +<p> +"Now you have struck the truth," laughed Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Otto rose to a stooping position, steadying himself as best he +could, and extended his hand to shake that of the Shawanoe, as proof +that he indorsed his remark. He placed a hand on the shoulder of +the Kentuckian to steady himself, for he knew that it is a difficult +matter for one to keep his balance in such a delicate structure as +an Indian canoe. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot ish not such a pig fool as he don't look to be, somedimes +I dinks he knows more nodins dan nopody; den van he h'ists sail in +his canoe and sails off mitout saying nodings to nopody, den I don't +dinks." +</p> + +<p> +Otto Relstaub had reached that point in his remark, when the bow of +the canoe arrived in Louisiana. It struck the shore with a violence +that started the seams through the entire structure. The author of +all this of course kept his seat, for he had braced himself for the +shook. At the same time he caught the shoulder of Jack Carleton, as +if to hold him quiet, but it was all pretense on his part. There +was no "grip" to his fingers, and Jack immediately plunged forward, +his head bumping the bottom of the boat with a crash. +</p> + +<p> +As for Otto Relstaub, the consequences took away his breath. As he +was trying to stand on his feet, he had a great deal more of falling +to do it than his friend. He did it most thoroughly, sitting down +with such emphasis that the side of the canoe gave way, and he +continued the act on dry land, being stopped by a small sapling in +his path. +</p> + +<p> +Otto whirled over on his face, and scrambling to his feet, stared +around to learn the extent of the calamity. He gathered up his gun +and hat, and then, stooping, passed his hands over the bark and +attentively examined it. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks it ish split a good deal mit my head," he remarked, with a +grave countenance. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile, Jack Carleton had regained his upright position and +shaken himself together. When he saw Otto in an inverted position, +he broke into hearty laughter, hastened, no doubt, by the fact that +Deerfoot was shaking from head to foot with mirth. His black eyes +glistened with tears, caused by his amusement over the performance +of the German. He was laughing all over, though he gave out not the +slightest sound. +</p> + +<p> +As for Jack Carleton, he chuckled and gurgled with a noise like that +of water running out of a bottle, while the main victim of all this +merriment was as solemn as an owl. After rubbing and adjusting +himself, as may be said, he turned slowly about and gazed inquiringly +at his friends in the boat, as if puzzled to understand the cause of +their emotions. +</p> + +<p> +"Vot ish dot you seem to laugh mit?" he demanded, in an injured +voice; "I see nodings." +</p> + +<p> +When the others had somewhat recovered from their mirth, Otto began +laughing with scarcely less heartiness than they showed. The absurd +occurrence seemed slow to impress itself upon his consciousness. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot did not allow himself to remain idle many minutes. The +fractured front of the craft being immovably fixed in the bank, he +leaned his head over the side and washed the paint from his face. +He disliked to disfigure himself in that fashion, though he always +carried the stuff with him, to be used in such an emergency as has +been described. +</p> + +<p> +The blanket stolen from him had been carried away by one of the +warriors, so that Deerfoot held only the rifle and ammunition in the +way of a reprisal; but they were more than sufficient to replace the +property he had lost, and he had no cause for complaint. +</p> + +<p> +Stepping on solid land again, with the water dripping from his +clothing, the handsome warrior stood erect, and looked at Kentucky +across the "Father of Waters." Instead of the villages and towns +which now grace the locality, he saw only the lonely woods +stretching north and south until lost to view. +</p> + +<p> +But he knew enemies were there, and the keen vision of the youth was +searching for them. They must have become discouraged over what had +taken place, for not the first sign of the red men could be discerned. +They seemed to have "folded their tents," and stolen off as silently +as the Arabs. +</p> + +<p> +But far down the Mississippi, a canoe put out from the Kentucky side +and approached the opposite bank. It kept out of sight until +Deerfoot the Shawanoe had withdrawn, and then it advanced with the +care and stealth of the trained Indian on the war-path. +</p> + +<p> +The craft was full of Miamis and Shawanoes, armed to the teeth, and +impelled by the greatest incentive that can inflame the passions of +the American Indian—revenge. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap18"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XVIII +</h3> + +<h3> +ON THE LOUISIANA SHORE +</h3> + +<p> +At last the little party were across the Mississippi. The Indian +canoe, so injured that it was useless until repaired, was pushed +back into the turbid current and went spinning down the river, +sometimes bumping against the bank and then dancing further from +shore, until striking broadside against a nodding "sawyer," it +overturned, and thereafter resembled an ordinary log, on its way +toward the Gulf. +</p> + +<p> +It was the first time that Jack Carleton had placed foot on +Louisiana soil, and he stood for a moment gazing backward at +Kentucky, amid whose confines he was born and beyond which he never +strayed, except when on an occasional hunting excursion into Ohio. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder whether I shall ever tread those forests again," he said +to himself; "I can't say that I'm anxious to do so, for there have +always been too many Indians for comfort. They killed my father and +broke the heart of my mother. No, Kentucky, good bye," he added, +turning his face toward the west, with a feeling that in that +direction lay his future home. +</p> + +<p> +Meanwhile Deerfoot and Otto took but a few minutes to prepare for +their journey. The Indian having lost his blanket, held only the +rifle and ammunition by way of superfluous luggage, and it could not +be said that his companions were unduly burdened, since the runaway +colt had relieved them in that respect. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot slung his long bow back of his shoulders, as he was +accustomed to do when he wished the unrestrained use of both arms, +and carried the rifle as the others did theirs. +</p> + +<p> +The belief obtained with all three that in leaving Kentucky they +bade good-bye to most of the personal peril to which they had been +subjected. The reader knows that that section was ravaged by the +fierce Shawanoes, Miamis, Hurons and other tribes who were +implacable in their hostility to the white men, and who did so much +to give it the name of the Dark and Bloody Ground by which it was so +long known. There were thousands of red men ranging through the +immense province known as Louisiana, and the crack of the hostile +rifle, the war-cry of the dusky chieftain, and the shock, of mortal +combat marked the meeting of the races, whether on the clearing, in +the forest, or in the lonely defile in the mountain. +</p> + +<p> +In that section to which I have referred more than once, as now +bearing the name of Missouri, the fighting between the whites and +Indians was much less than on the eastern bank of the Mississippi. +It will be understood, therefore, why, when the little company of +friends stood on the western shore, they felt much less concern than +while on the other side. +</p> + +<p> +Less than two days' tramp to the westward lay the young settlement +where dwelt the mother of Jack Carleton, the parents of Otto +Relstaub and a dozen other families who had emigrated thither from +Kentucky. Far beyond and to the southward among the wildest +fastnesses of the Ozark mountains the young Shawanoe had taken +refuge, where he felt secure against those of his race who hated him +with irrestrainable ferocity. +</p> + +<p> +As it would require no great digression on the part of Deerfoot, and +as it was not to be supposed that time was very valuable to him, +Jack and Otto supposed he would go with them the entire distance to +the log cabin of Jacob Relstaub. To their surprise, however, he +quietly said he could keep them company only a short time longer. +</p> + +<p> +"I had no doubt you would be with us to the end," said the +disappointed Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"It would make the heart of Deerfoot glad if he could go with his +brothers whom he loves; but he cannot." +</p> + +<p> +"Vot ain't de reason?" asked Otto, unrestrained by the sense of +propriety which held the tongue of Jack silent. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot is called yonder," was the reply, pointing south of the +path which lay before the others. +</p> + +<p> +They were silent a minute or so, in the hope that, he would explain +his meaning, but he did not, and even Otto saw that he had no right +to question him further. +</p> + +<p> +Aware that his friends were waiting for him to add something, +Deerfoot continued: +</p> + +<p> +"The path of my brothers is straight, and they will not get down on +their knees to look for the trail. There are no Shawanoes among the +trees to fire when they are not looking, and Deerfoot can may no +words that will do good." +</p> + +<p> +"It is not that which causes us to hope for your company," replied +Jack, who was standing several feet away from the youthful warrior +and looking in his serious countenance; "but it is because we like +you, not only for what we have heard from others, but for what we +have seen with our own eyes, and for what you have done for us, that +we are loath to part with you." +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot will go part of the way," the Indian hastened to say, +perceiving the feeling of his friends, "but it cannot be long." +</p> + +<p> +"Far be it from me to question what you do; no right belongs to me, +but I could not let you go without telling bow much we appreciate +what you have done for us, and how much we admire your noble +character." +</p> + +<p> +It was one of the peculiarities of Deerfoot that he never accepted +the most pointed compliment. When forced to reply to a direct one, +he turned it aside with an indifference which showed he placed no +value upon it. As Jack Carleton remarked later on, praise ran from +Deerfoot like water from a duck's back. +</p> + +<p> +But another matter forced itself upon the attention of the boys, who +were on their way to the settlement. It has been stated already +that the father of Otto Relstaub was penurious, miserly, and cruel. +The colt on which the boy had ridden to Coatesville, Kentucky, and +part of the way back again, was the better of the two horses owned +by him. Its loss was certain to throw him into a great rage, and +doubtless would bring down the severest punishment on the back and +shoulders of the son. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton understood this prospect as well as did Otto himself, +and he was of the belief that a resolute effort should be put forth +to recover the horse. When the matter was stated to Deerfoot, his +own knowledge of the ill-tempered German caused him to urge the +attempt. In fact he would have done so, had the case been otherwise, +for the value of the animal was considerable. Furthermore, Deerfoot +was of the opinion that the colt could be regained without serious +difficulty, and he told them they had little to fear from hostile +Indians. +</p> + +<p> +Had the Shawanoe seen the canoe, loaded to the gunwales with red men +in their war paint, which at that very moment was stealing close +under the Louisiana shore, he would have modified his remarks to a +very considerable extent. +</p> + +<p> +The peculiarly original manner in which the boys crossed the +Mississippi had resulted in carrying them some distance below the +trail that trended to the westward. As the runaway horse had +undergone the same experience, and as Otto had descried him when he +emerged from the river, it was easy to locate quite closely the +point where he entered Louisiana. +</p> + +<p> +"It ish below vere we don't stands not dis moment," he said, when +they were ready to move off. +</p> + +<p> +"My gracious, Otto," exclaimed Jack, "can't you handle English a +little better than that? I thought your father was the crookedest +of speech of any person I ever heard, but he can't be any worse than +you." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw-don't it?" grinned Otto. +</p> + +<p> +"Try to improve yourself! You ain't much of a fool on other +matters, and you may as well learn to talk like a civilized being. +I have seen Deerfoot shocked more than once at the horrible style in +which you mangle the king's English. I want you to promise to make +an effort to do better; will you?" +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw; I dinks not efery dimes dot I does much better as nefer vos; +vot doesn't you dinks not apout it, eh-don't it? Yaw!" +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot had taken a couple of steps along the bank with the purpose +of hunting the hoof-prints of the missing horse, but he paused and +half turned about, looking with an amused expression at his friends +who were holding their characteristic conversation. +</p> + +<p> +There was something noteworthy in the fact that while Otto had heard +the English tongue spoken quite correctly, from the hour he was able +to toddle out doors, he could not compare in his lingual skill to +Deerfoot, who had never attempted a word of the language until +wounded and taken prisoner by the whites. What caused all this +difference? +</p> + +<p> +The same thing which distinguishes one man from another, and crowns +failure with success, or reverses it, as the case may be—brains. +</p> + +<p> +The three youths moved down the bank in an irregular Indian file, +for no one saw the need of extra precaution. Deerfoot was about a +rod in advance, walking with a brisk step, for his searching eyes +took in everything in the field of vision, and the trail for which +he was searching was sure to be marked with a distinctness that +could permit no mistake. +</p> + +<p> +It was the same apparently endless forest which met their eyes when +they looked across from Kentucky, and which seemed to encroach on +the borders of the river itself, as though envious of its space. +There was little undergrowth, and they advanced without difficulty. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks be ish close to vere de colt goomes owet", said Otto, his +words uttered with such deliberation that it was manifest he was +doing his best to heed the appeal of the young Kentuckian. +</p> + +<p> +"That is a decided improvement," Jack hastened to say, with an +approving smile. "You don't pronounce very well, but you built up +that sentence better than usual." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot's vot I dinks no times, yaw—I means dot ish vot I dinks mine +Belf." +</p> + +<p> +"Good!" said Jack, reaching out and patting his shoulder; "if you +will devote a few minutes to hard thought before speaking a single +word, you will improve until one of these days you will be able to +speak as well as Deerfoot." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw, dot ish nodings—yaw, holds on I dinks hard!" exclaimed Otto, +resolutely checking himself until he could gain time to frame the +expression he had in mind. But before he succeeded, a slight +exclamation from Deerfoot made own his discovery of the trail for +which they were hunting. +</p> + +<p> +The others hastened to his side, and looking at the ground, saw the +hoof-prints of the horse that had run away with Otto Relstaub. As +the animal was well shod, there could be no mistaking the trail, +differing from that of the Indian ponies, which, as a matter of +course, were without such protection for their feet. +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw, dot ish him," remarked the German, his effort being to surprise +Deerfoot as well as to please Jack Carleton by the correctness of his +diction. +</p> + +<p> +A brief examination of the foot-prints showed that the colt had +taken matters leisurely after emerging from the Mississippi. +Instead of breaking into a gallop and plunging straight into the +woods, he had halted long enough to eat what little grass grew +within reach, after which he wandered off for more. +</p> + +<p> +The trail was followed several hundred yards, until a rising ground +was reached. It was observed that for the distance named, the colt +was following a course slightly north of west-the very one which, if +persevered in long enough, would take him to the log cabin of his +owner. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot said it was likely that the animal had set out of his own +accord to go home, and, provided he was not secured by some +wandering Indians, it was more than likely he would arrive at that +point in advance of the boys themselves. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton held the same views, and Otto, after taking a full +minute to shape up his ideas, said with great impressiveness: +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish vot I dinks as—yaw, I dinks dot." +</p> + +<p> +"Hold on," interrupted Jack, raising his hand with a laugh; "you +have it straight now; don't spoil it by trying to improve it." +</p> + +<p> +Otto nodded his head and held his peace. He was wise when he did +so. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot was on the point of adding an encouraging remark, when his +keen vision detected something a short distance in advance which +claimed his attention. Without a word, he motioned for them to hold +their peace, and then ran rapidly several paces toward that which +had caught his eye. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap19"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XIX +</h3> + +<h3> +THE SMOKE OF A CAMPFIRE +</h3> + +<p> +Deerfoot identified the object before reaching it. His friends +followed him doubtingly, and while a rod to the rear, saw him gather +it up and hold it aloft. +</p> + +<p> +"It is your blanket," said Jack Carleton to his companion. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish what it be." +</p> + +<p> +It was easy to understand why the piece of coarse cloth lay on the +ground. Instead of rolling it up with the smaller one belonging to +Jack Carleton, Otto had made a separate bundle and strapped it +behind the other effects on the back of the horse. The latter in +moving among the trees had displaced it. +</p> + +<p> +It was saturated with water, which dripped from the folds when +raised from the ground. Jack and Otto twisted it between them until +all the moisture it was possible to wring out left it in a dozen +tiny rills. "Deerfoot," said the German, wheeling about, "dot ish +de blanket vot—vot I don't—vot I put on your shoulders ven it +rained." +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe bowed his head, smiled and said: +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot knows his brother speaks truth." +</p> + +<p> +"I gives him to you—be ish yours." +</p> + +<p> +The Indian made no move to take it, and Jack added: +</p> + +<p> +"We shall soon find the colt and with him my blanket and the other +articles he has with him. We do not need this; you have none, and +you have many miles to traverse before you reach your home; we shall +be glad if you will take it from us." +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot partly raised his hand to accept the gift, but stepped back +with a shake of his head. +</p> + +<p> +"When my brother goes to the cabin of his father, and, he asks him +for the blanket, what will he say?" +</p> + +<p> +"I vill tells him dot I gives him mit you." +</p> + +<p> +"Then the father of my brother will strike him." +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks dot ish so," said Otto with a grin and shrug of his +shoulders, "but I be glad to take a flogging for him dot does so +much for me—don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +The youth compressed his thin lips and made a single shake of his +head, so positive in its character that nothing more was needed. +</p> + +<p> +"But," added Jack Carleton, convinced from the hesitancy shown at +first by Deerfoot, that he really wished the blanket, "if you are so +desirous of saving Otto from a flogging, it can be easily done. When +we take back the colt and Mr. Relstaub asks for the blanket, we can +tell him that an Indian took it before we found the horse. That +will be the truth." +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot looked straight in the face of the young Kentuckian, and +his lips parted as if on the point of speaking, but he refrained, +and with his shadowy smile, again shook his head. The gesture said +as plainly as the words could have done: +</p> + +<p> +"What you propose is as much a falsehood as anything can be." +</p> + +<p> +"But I will give Otto my blanket," persisted Jack Carleton, determined +to overcome the scruples of the remarkable Indian, "that will make +things right." +</p> + +<p> +"Where is my brother's blanket?" asked Deerfoot with a grave +countenance. +</p> + +<p> +"I shall soon find it: the horse can't be far off." +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot will wait till my brother finds it." +</p> + +<p> +"Well! well", said Jack, with a wondering sigh, "you are the +strangest person I ever saw. It isn't worth while to argue any +question with you. So we'll let it pass." +</p> + +<p> +Such seemed to be the wish of Deerfoot, for, with his silent step, +he moved along the elevated ground, until he arrived at a spot where +the trees were so few and stunted that an extended view was obtained. +There the three halted side by side, and spent several minutes gazing +over the surrounding country. +</p> + +<p> +Looking toward Kentucky, the majestic Mississippi was in plain sight +as it swept southward, while beyond stretched the undulating forest, +until it met the dim horizon in the distance. Far to the southward +was seen the smoke of a campfire. It was unusually murky, and, as +it ascended in a wavy line through the clear atmosphere, it looked +as if the soiled finger of some great ogre had been drawn against +the clear blue sky. +</p> + +<p> +But it was a sight which every one of the party had seen before, and +it excited little interest. It was no concern of theirs what took +place in Kentucky, and Jack and Otto turned to survey the "promised +land," which opened out to the westward. +</p> + +<p> +Woods, patches of natural clearing, hills and misty mountains many +miles away: these were the general features of the immense area +which expanded before their sight. Ordinarily there was nothing +among these of special account, but the eye of Deerfoot, which never +seemed to lose anything, detected almost instantly a "sign" that +signified a great deal to him and his companions. +</p> + +<p> +In a depression, no more than a furlong distant, could be observed +the faintest possible tinge of smoke, slowly ascending from a mass +of dense forest. It was so faint, in fact, that neither Jack nor +Otto noticed it, until Deerfoot pointed his finger in that +direction, and said "The camp of red men!" +</p> + +<p> +The vapor was of a light blue, just above the tree-top's, and it +rose only a few feet more, when it dissolved in the clear atmosphere. +But it showed that a camp-fire was burning beneath, though it may +have been kindled many hours before, and those who started it +possibly were miles away in the depths of the forest. +</p> + +<p> +"Suppose they are Shawanoes or Miamis?" remarked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"They are not Shawanoes," said Deerfoot quietly. +</p> + +<p> +"Miamis then?" +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot thinks they are not Miamis, but he cannot be sure till he +sees the camp." +</p> + +<p> +And without further remark, he went down the slope with a rapid +step, which, it is hardly necessary to say, gave out no noise at +all. Jack concluded he could not feel much misgiving or he would +not have allowed him and Otto to follow so close on his heels. But +they were some distance off, when he turned about and motioned them +to halt. +</p> + +<p> +"Let my brothers wait for Deerfoot," he said softly. +</p> + +<p> +Knowing he would be obeyed without question, Deerfoot continued his +advance, speedily disappearing from sight among the trees and +undergrowth, while the others did as he requested. +</p> + +<p> +The discovery of the camp-fire not only caused some misgivings about +the personal safety of the little company, but it suggested that the +missing horse was lost beyond recovery. Horse-flesh is the most +"sensitive capital" on the frontier, and he who pilfers it runs more +danger of lynching than does the man who takes the life of a fellow +being. To the Indian, the noble animal is as indispensable as to +the settler, and, if the party who had made the halt in that +neighborhood learned that an unusually fine steed was wandering near +them, they would lose no time in making him captive. +</p> + +<p> +But from the moment our young friends left their elevated position, +they followed a different route from that of the colt. +</p> + +<p> +"Mine gracious!" whispered the disturbed German lad: "I dinks dot if +they don't got de golt then the golt don't got dem, and fader he +won't be as bleased as nefer vos." +</p> + +<p> +"There isn't any hurry, Otto, in putting your words together, and it +is a good time for you to try to string them so they will make a +little sense." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw; I vill tries." +</p> + +<p> +"Sh! There comes some one!" +</p> + +<p> +It was Deerfoot, who appeared a moment later, and beckoned his +friends to join him. His manner, while not careless, was so +manifestly free from solicitude, that Jack knew there was no ground +for alarm. He and Otto overtook the Shawanoe at the moment he +stepped into the open space where a camp-fire had been burning some +time before. +</p> + +<p> +In fact it was still burning, else the smoke would not have caught +the eye of the Indian youth; but it must have been smoldering for +hours, judging from the thinness of the vapor, and the fact that +little more than a pile of ashes and decaying embers met the sight. +</p> + +<p> +There is naught to be said in the way of description. The fire, +when kindled, had been a large one, and all the burning sticks were +in one pile instead of two or three, as is often the case. The +charred ends protruded irregularly from the white, feathery ashes, +and one solitary brand, smothered almost from sight, sent up the +faint bluish vapor which, creeping through the foliage overhead, +told the vigilant Shawanoe where to look for the camp of his +enemies. +</p> + +<p> +"How long have they been gone?" asked Jack, gazing carefully around +and assuring himself that no strangers were near. +</p> + +<p> +"They went away when the sun first came up from the woods; many +hours have passed since they left." +</p> + +<p> +"Which course did they take?" +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot pointed toward the south. +</p> + +<p> +"Were you right in saying they were not Shawanoes?" +</p> + +<p> +"They did not belong to my tribe." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, then they were Miamis. I made up my mind to that." +</p> + +<p> +"My brother is wrong," replied Deerfoot, with a flitting smile; +"they were Osage Indians." +</p> + +<p> +"How don't you know dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"My other brother is wrong: Deerfoot said not he did not know it; he +does know they were Osages." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton poked Otto in the side. +</p> + +<p> +"Even Deerfoot corrects your language." +</p> + +<p> +"All rights," said Otto, bristling up; "I'ven I don't haf a mind to, +I talks mebbe better nor you does; but ven I does, den I don't; so I +shets up my mouth up, mebbe—don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot stepped to a fallen tree, which no doubt had served as a +seat for most of the party, and picked up a strip of blanket, hardly +a foot long and no more than an inch wide. It was not only +cunningly woven, but showed brilliant blue and yellow colors on a +background of black. +</p> + +<p> +"This was the blanket of an Osage warrior," said the Shawanoe, +flinging it to Otto, who turned it over several times in silence, +Jack looking over his shoulder. +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose he caught sight of that before we came up and learned the +truth; don't you think so?" +</p> + +<p> +"I don't dink nodings more," replied Otto, still pouting from the +offence given a few minutes previous. +</p> + +<p> +Bending over, Deerfoot carefully drew some leaves aside and revealed +the upper bone of a deer's foreleg, to which a good quantity of +partially broiled venison was clinging. Judging from this discovery +and the number of bones scattered about, the Osages had more food +than they needed. +</p> + +<p> +"We—that is, you and I, Deerfoot—are hungry. Is the meat in shape +for us to eat?" +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe had satisfied himself by examination that it was ready +for the palate, and he so expressed himself. +</p> + +<p> +"That is good; there is just enough to make as a good dinner. Otto +doesn't look as though he cared about any, and he can wait till +tomorrow." +</p> + +<p> +This statement of the situation quickly loosened the tongue of the +sturdy German, whose hunger had reached a ravenous point. +</p> + +<p> +"I speaks mit myself luf ven I vishes," he hastened to say; "I vos +as hungry as nefer could be, and what for you dinks I ain't, eh?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack laughed, and, sitting on the same tree which had served the red +men, all three used their keen hunting-knives upon the rarely-cooked +meat. They could have enjoyed much more had it been at their +disposal; but as it was, they made a substantial meal, receiving +enough nourishment to last them till the morrow. +</p> + +<p> +"How many warriors were here?" asked Jack of their leader. +</p> + +<p> +"Seven," was the prompt reply. +</p> + +<p> +"What brought them to this place?" +</p> + +<p> +"They were hunting; an Osage village is not many miles off yonder," +said Deerfoot, pointing to the southwest; "and they have gone there. +They spent the night here." +</p> + +<p> +"Did they get my horse?" asked Otto, whose face was aglow with good +nature and grease. +</p> + +<p> +"My brother shall soon know." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap20"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XX +</h3> + +<h3> +"GOOD-BYE!" +</h3> + +<p> +Deerfoot directed his course toward the elevation where he and his +friends stood when they first caught sight of the smoke of the +camp-fire. It was an easy matter to determine, whether the Osages +had discovered the horse while in that section. If they had not +done so, the probabilities were against their finding him at all. +</p> + +<p> +An interesting question had already been answered by Deerfoot, +respecting the degree of hostility of the Osage Indians. There was +comfort in the thought that they were not active and malignant in +their enmity. They were not likely to trail a white man for the +sake of taking his life, as their fierce brethren across the +Mississippi loved to do, nor did they possess the courage of the +warlike Shawanoes, whose encounters with the early pioneers of the +West form the most thrilling episodes in its history. +</p> + +<p> +But, like the vagabond red men of to-day, the Osages were of that +character that a white man would much prefer not to meet them in a +lonely place, unless help was present or within call. If they +should come across the two boys, their treatment of them would +depend very much on the mood in which they happened to be. They +would be inclined to rob them of everything worth taking, and might +end the matter by shooting both or turning them adrift without guns +or ammunition. +</p> + +<p> +Had Deerfoot been alone, he would have given them no thought. He +had visited their villages more than once, and though the questions +of several of their warriors showed that they regarded him with +suspicion, they offered no indignity, and made no objection to his +departure. +</p> + +<p> +Had the Osages found the wandering they would refuse to give him up +on the demand of the owner. In that case, as in one already +related, he could be regained only by strategy, in which the boys +were sure to need the help of Deerfoot. +</p> + +<p> +But all this speculation speedily ended. An examination revealed +the fact that the trail of the steed and that of the warriors +crossed, but the latter was fully two hours older than the former, +and from the point of intersection they diverged. Thus it was +proven that the colt had been grazing for a considerable time close +to the Indians without them suspecting it. +</p> + +<p> +The Osages had continued traveling in a southwesterly direction, +while the stray horse had kept on in a course slightly to the north +of west. There could be no doubt that the warriors were making +their way homeward, while the animal seemed guided by an instinct +that promised to place him in the possession of his owner, without +any assistance from the son. +</p> + +<p> +The discovery was most gratifying to all parties, Deerfoot +expressing his pleasure that Otto was not likely to suffer at the +hands of his irate parent for the disaster which was unavoidable on +his part. +</p> + +<p> +"Good fortune awaits my brother," said he; "he may not meet any red +men on his way home, where Deerfoot hopes the horse will greet him +when he arrives." +</p> + +<p> +"Did you see any Indians on this side the Mississippi when you were +riding him?" asked Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Otto shook his head, as he was sure that style of answer could not +be criticized by either of his companions. +</p> + +<p> +"The outlook is a good one indeed," said Jack, heartily; "and what +you have done, Deerfoot, is more than we can ever repay. You need +not be, told that if it ever comes within our power to give you +help, it will not be denied." +</p> + +<p> +To their surprise the young Shawanoe extended his hand to Otto. +</p> + +<p> +"Good-bye, brother." +</p> + +<p> +The lad shook it warmly, and said: +</p> + +<p> +"Ish you going not—I means, will you leave us?" +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot must go; good-bye, brother." +</p> + +<p> +The second farewell was addressed to Jack Carleton, who fervently +pressed the soft hand, an said with much feeling: +</p> + +<p> +"Sorry are we to part company, but you your own master. I hope we +shall soon meet again!" +</p> + +<p> +"We shall," was all that the Shawanoe said as he released his hand +and moved off, vanishing almost instantly among the trees. +</p> + +<p> +The boys stood several minutes, silent and thoughtful, looking +toward the point where the Shawanoe was last seen, as though they +expected him to return; but the silence around them continued as +profound as at "creation's morn." They knew that when the young +warrior took such a step, he was in earnest. +</p> + +<p> +He would have been glad to keep them company, but some good reason +took him in another direction. +</p> + +<p> +"We shall meet him again," said Jack Carleton, with a slight sigh of +regret, recalling the last words of Deerfoot; "from all that was +told me about him in Kentucky, he is such a friend to the whites +that he was never away from their settlements for a very long time. +I have been anxious to know him." +</p> + +<p> +"They used to dell von great shtories apout him," said Otto, +speaking with great care. +</p> + +<p> +"And I never believed one half of them. The idea of a young Shawanoe +reading his Bible every day, and being able to write the prettiest +kind of a band, was something that made us laugh, but every word of +it was true, as he proved to us." +</p> + +<p> +"Den vot pig dings be doos in de woods!" +</p> + +<p> +"I should say so. Just think of it, Otto! There we were among a +pile of logs, surrounded as you may say by Indian warriors, bent on +having our scalps, and yet he delivered a letter to us, explaining +the plan he had formed, and then alone scared away the whole lot, so +we could out. When you get back home and tell parents this story, +what will they say?" +</p> + +<p> +"Mine fader will say nodings, but he vill cut pig stick and bang me +as bard as nefer vos lying." +</p> + +<p> +"And I can't wonder much at it," said Jack with a laugh, "but it +will be truth, nevertheless, and it is no more wonderful than many +things he has done." +</p> + +<p> +"Vy doesn't dey calls him Deerfoot—dot ish, why does dey?" +</p> + +<p> +"On account of his fleetness; he is the swiftest runner ever known +in Kentucky. A year or two ago, he was captured by the Wyandots, +who hate him worse than poison. He pretended he was lame, which put +the idea in the head of his capture to have some fun with him. They +took him out on a long clearing and placed him in front of the +swiftest warriors, and then told him to run for his life. Well, he +ran." +</p> + +<p> +"Did they cotch him and kill him, or didn't he get away?" +</p> + +<p> +"Those Indians," said Jack, ignoring the absurdity of Otto's +question, "saw such running as they never looked upon before. +Deerfoot just scooted away from them, as though he had wings. One +of the Hurons had treated him very bad and Deerfoot paid him." +</p> + +<p> +"How vosn't dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"He drove his tomahawk through his skull." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw; I dinks he doesn't bodder Deerfoot not much more." +</p> + +<p> +"I never heard that he did, but you can't understand why the Indians +hate him as they do. I've heard that Tecumseh offered a dozen +horses, and I don't know how much wampum and other presents, to the +warrior who would bring back his scalp. But I've no doubt he had to +send out a proclamation taking back the offer." +</p> + +<p> +"Vy vosn't dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"I've been told that the rule was when a Huron or Shawanoe went out +to hunt for Deerfoot, that was the last heard of him. He never came +back, and you see that Deerfoot still wears his scalp." +</p> + +<p> +"Vere didn't them goes to vot didn't comes back?" +</p> + +<p> +"To their happy hunting-grounds. Sometimes, their bodies were found +moldering in the woods. And sometimes no one ever knew where they +perished. Deerfoot is a Christian (and, Otto, made me feel ashamed +of myself), but he isn't the kind to sit down and allow any one to +walk off with his scalp. Tecumseh is a young chief, who's is ambitious +to make war upon the whites. He must have concluded that if he didn't +stop his warriors hunting Deerfoot there would be none left for him! +I can't understand, Otto, how it was your father turned him away from +his door, when he stopped there at night in a storm." +</p> + +<p> +"Ah, Jack, you doesn't know how mean mine fader ish," said the +German with a grin though proud of his parent. +</p> + +<p> +"He couldn't have known that it was Deerfoot," said Jack, +reflectively. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot wouldn't make no difference; he treat all Indians de same. One +dimes they stole a pig vot didn't pelongs to him and he whipped me +as hard as nefer vos, and he hates all Indians for dot." +</p> + +<p> +"It is a great mistake," added Jack thoughtfully, "for you know how +revengeful they are, and one of these days some trumping redskin +that he has abused will steal up to his house and shoot him dead." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot is vot I tolds him," said Otto; "and he will be as sorry as +dunderation ven it afift too late." +</p> + +<p> +"Well," added Jack, looking around him, "it isn't worth while to +stand here, when we have such a long ways to travel, and there is no +certainty the colt hasn't changed his course and gone away from the +settlement instead of toward it." +</p> + +<p> +Otto agreed with his friend, and, picking up his damp blanket, he +threw it over his shoulder, and each with his gun in his hand, +resumed the pursuit of the stray, which they hoped was at no great +distance. +</p> + +<p> +The hoof-prints showed that the horse continued to take matters very +philosophically. His fastest gait was a leisurely walk, and often +he stood still and nibbled the buds of the vegetation not yet fully +developed. +</p> + +<p> +It was gratifying to find that in spite of an occasional digression, +his general course was as named. It is pleasant to discover that +the missing wanderer is steadily making his ward, even though he is +a long time in arriving at his destination. +</p> + +<p> +It was comparatively early in the afternoon when Deerfoot the +Shawanoe bade them good-bye, and for two hours the route underwent +little change; but at time, Jack Carleton was forced to admit that +the course they were following was not the one to take them to the +settlement. +</p> + +<p> +Shortly after the departure of their friend, they crossed the trail +over which Otto had ridden some days before, and then the hoof-prints +tended more to the north, so that, in a general way, the boys took +the direction of the Mississippi itself. It could not be expected +that while keeping a considerable distance from water, would follow +its amazing tortuosity, probably surpasses that of any river on the +globe. Thus it came about that sometimes Jack and Otto found +themselves close to the immense stream and then again they were a +long ways inland. +</p> + +<p> +"It seems to me," said Jack, when the afternoon was drawing to a +close, "that we ought be quite near the colt; we have gone steadily +forward, while he has often stopped, and as yet has not traveled +faster than a walk." +</p> + +<p> +"But he starts a long time pefore we starts," said Otto. +</p> + +<p> +"Not so very long. There's one thing quite certain: he doesn't care +whether he finds his way to the settlement or not, for he isn't +trying to do so." +</p> + +<p> +"He changes agin, don't he?" +</p> + +<p> +"Likely enough, and he may turn still further off from the right +course. It is getting so late that we shall have hard work to reach +home with him to-morrow." +</p> + +<p> +"When we fluds him we gots on him and makes him go like he nefer +goes mit pefore." +</p> + +<p> +"We won't be able to travel fast until we get him back to the +regular path, where the trees and limbs won't interfere with us." +</p> + +<p> +"If Deerfoot vos mit us he tells us how close he be to us," said +Otto, alluding to the skill of the Shawanoe in interpreting the age +of a trail. +</p> + +<p> +"He would do so at a glance. Helloa!" +</p> + +<p> +Just then Jack, who was slightly in advance of his friend, caught +sight of a bundle similar that which the Shawanoe found several +hours before. +</p> + +<p> +Hurrying forward, it was seen to be the blanket of Jack Carleton, +which, like the other, had come displaced and fallen from the back +of the wandering horse. Like that, too, it was saturated with +Mississippi water, which, as far as could, the boys wrung from it. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap21"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXI +</h3> + +<h3> +THE NEIGH OF A HORSE +</h3> + +<p> +The stray horse appeared to be distributing the property of the boys +in a promiscuous fashion. So far as they knew, he still retained +his equipments and a roll of personal effects, fastened in front of +the saddle instead of behind it, as was the case with the blankets. +</p> + +<p> +"Seems to me," remarked Otto, who began to feel some weariness and +impatience, "dot the animal ish not a good vile getting tired so as +he vants to sot down and rest." +</p> + +<p> +"He is likely to do so when it begins to grow dark, which will be +before long," added Jack Carleton, noting the closing day. +</p> + +<p> +The friends had been hopeful from the first that they would overtake +the missing horse before sunset. They had been cheered by the +belief that they were not far behind him at the start, and it was +certain they had made much better progress than he, but it now +looked as if they were to be disappointed. +</p> + +<p> +When they arrived on the edge of a natural clearing, several acres +in extent and covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, they were +sure the horse was there, but a careful scrutiny showed no signs of +him, though his tracks indicated that he had cropped some of the +grass before passing on. +</p> + +<p> +It was comparatively easy traveling for the boys, the woods being +notably clear of the vines and undergrowth, which often added to the +labor of journeying through them. They had not yet seen bird, +animal or living person after parting company with Deerfoot, and +Jack was conscious more than once of a strange feeling of +loneliness, such as comes over the traveler when wandering in a vast +and desolate land. +</p> + +<p> +"Is this so different from Ohio and Kentucky?" he asked himself; +"are there no Shawanoes because there is no game for them to hunt?" +</p> + +<p> +He smiled when he asked himself the latter question, for his own +knowledge rendered it pointless. He knew that the game was as +limitless on one side of the Mississippi as on the other. +</p> + +<p> +The sun-had gone down behind the rim of forest, when they found +themselves on the edge of a clearing more extensive than the former, +and intersected by a small, winding stream of water. +</p> + +<p> +"Here, we will camp," said Jack, throwing down his moist bundle and +leaning his rifle against a tree; "it will soon be so dark that we +can't see the tracks of the horse, and, if we push on, we'll only +have to do our work over again." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish vot I dinks," said Otto, imitating the action. It must not +be forgotten that the German, since the reproof received from the +young Shawanoe, had resolved to improve his manner of expressing +himself. He was of the age that he could do so rapidly, and he had +(what he never possessed before) an earnest wish to succeed. +</p> + +<p> +Something in the way of food would have been appreciated by both the +sturdy youths, but nothing of the kind presented itself, and it was +no great hardship for them to wait until the morrow. +</p> + +<p> +"Vill a fire we kindle?" asked Otto. +</p> + +<p> +"We may as well do so, for we shall need it to help dry our +blankets, which have enough moisture, even after wringing them, to +last a week." +</p> + +<p> +The night was more chilly than the preceding one, and the warmth of +the blankets would have been pleasant to both. As it was, their +only resource was the extra fire, for which they began preparations. +</p> + +<p> +They were plentifully supplied in the way of fuel, which they +gathered, throwing it down in a pile near where they intended to +start the blaze. The stream was small, but the water was clear, +cool and refreshing. Whoever has been burned with consuming fever, +or tormented by a torturing thirst, can never forget the ecstasy +which thrilled every nerve, when he quaffed his full of the +colorless, odorless and tasteless fluid, more exquisite in the +delight it imparted than can be the "nectar of the gods." +</p> + +<p> +"Ali!" said Otto, with a long-drawn sigh of happiness, "I could live +on dot." +</p> + +<p> +"It's certain you couldn't live very long without it," remarked his +friend, as he drew down another armful of dry and decayed wood. "I +don't think there is much to fear in the way of thirst in this part +of the world. There may be deserts further west toward the Pacific, +such as they have in other parts of the world, but I don't believe +we can reach them in a week's journey." +</p> + +<p> +"Ish not looking for them," said Otto, with a grin, "'cause I does +not see vot I does with them ven I finds 'em." +</p> + +<p> +"Our country is too rich in its natural resources to make it +probable that it has much in the way of waste land—" +</p> + +<p> +"Mine gracious!" exclaimed Otto, with a start, "didn't you hear +dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"Of course I did," replied Jack, turning his head like a flash and +gazing across the clearing. +</p> + +<p> +Indeed it would have been impossible for either to avoid noting the +sound, which was the unmistakable neigh of a horse at no great +distance from them. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot vos de golt," said Otto, with a beaming countenance. "He vos +near by and not far off." +</p> + +<p> +Night was closing in so rapidly that the vision of the two was +necessarily shortened. They could not see entirely across the +clearing or opening, but in the dim, uncertain light, Otto Relstaub +was positive he detected the animal they were so anxious to find. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish he," he insisted, leveling his arm with the extended finger +pointed at a certain spot. "He ish looking mit dis way; he has seen +us and he dinks he don't know us, and he sings out mit dot way to ax +us who we ain't; dot ish his style." +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton was naturally strong of vision, and he believed his +companion was right. He was able to discern some object, which, +through the gloom, resembled a horse that seemed to have become +aware of the presence of strangers, and, throwing up his head, had +challenged them in the manner named. +</p> + +<p> +"I think you are right," said Jack, still going across the +intervening space, "though we can't make sure without getting closer +to him. It is barely possible that he may be a horse of another +color." +</p> + +<p> +Otto shook his head by way of dissent. He could not be convinced he +was not looking upon the very animal for which they had been hunting +ever since they reached the western bank of the Mississippi. +</p> + +<p> +The only way to settle the doubt was at their command. Nothing was +to prevent a closer inspection of the quadruped that had awakened +such interest. +</p> + +<p> +They felt the necessity of great care. The horse was high-spirited +and wild, and the taste gained of freedom had undoubtedly increased +the difficulty of his capture. Great caution would be necessary to +avoid scaring him away altogether. +</p> + +<p> +It will be seen also that if they frightened the colt into dashing +into the woods, it would be hard, under any circumstances, to secure +him. He would run a good distance, and the morrow would compel +another long and laborious search. +</p> + +<p> +A simple plan suggested itself: one would make a cautious advance +across the clearing, while the other worked his way around to the +other side, so that the two would close in upon the animal, as may +be said, and if he fled from the first he would run into the custody +of the second. +</p> + +<p> +As Jack was quicker in his movements, beside being a better +horseman, than Otto, it was agreed that he should pass through the +woods until beyond the animal; when he arrived at the proper point +he was to notify Otto by means of the whistle which had served them +so often as a signal. Then the young German would use the most +seductive methods of which he was master soothe the colt into +submission. +</p> + +<p> +What was to be feared was that in the gloom the animal would fail to +recognize his master an would be unusually timid on that account. +The moon would shed no light on the scene for an hour or two, and +from what has been said it will be admitted that the friends had +undertaken a delicate and difficult task. +</p> + +<p> +But the anxiety of both to obtain the animal was too great for them +to throw away an opportunity, however slight. Jack, therefore, +passed the few paces necessary to reach the cover of the wood, and +with the promise that he should soon be heard from, disappeared. +</p> + +<p> +The fire had not yet been started, and Otto, stood leaning on his +gun and looking off in the gloom toward the colt that had led him on +such a long chase. The darkness had increased since the first sight +of the animal, so that he was no longer visible; but the lad was +confident he had not changed his position, nor was he likely to do +so for some time to come. The trail showed that he had been on the +move almost continuously since morning, and he must feel a certain +degree of fatigue that would make such a rest acceptable. +</p> + +<p> +Otto held his position until Jack bad time to reach a point beyond +the colt, when he laid down his gun and began his cautious advance. +He walked straight across the clearing, until once more he was able +to trace the outlines that caught his eye some time before. +</p> + +<p> +"I doesn't knows vot he don't change mit, he stands where he stood a +few minutes after awhile," said Otto to himself, relapsing into his +old unintelligible style of expression, now that no one was at his +elbow to criticize him. "Mebbe he don't do dot and mebbe he does, +don't it?" +</p> + +<p> +What the lad meant to express was his doubt whether the colt had +moved during the preceding few minutes. If he had done so, it was +to so slight extent, that it was hardly noticeable. +</p> + +<p> +So soon as the boy's eyes rested on him again he was satisfied the +colt was asleep in the standing position. His head was down, and +his whole demeanor was that of rest, and consequently ignorance of +what was going on near him. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish goot," was the thought of Otto, "for he don't hear me ven I +creeps up to him, and perfore he don't knows it he don't know +nodings and I have him." +</p> + +<p> +There was promise of such an issue of the attempt be proposed to +make, provided he should succeed in stealing up to the animal +without detection. +</p> + +<p> +Otto stood motionless a moment, hoping to hear some signal from Jack +Carleton, but none came, and it was only simple prudence on his part +to move forward without delay. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks I does it," he muttered, hopefully, when he found himself +within a couple of rods of the colt without having disturbed it in +the slightest degree. "It ish as easy as nefer vos, and I will grab +him in one two dree minute, and den I whips him 'cause he runs mit +away, and den—mine gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +It seems as if the vines which had tormented him so much during the +day were not yet through with the honest German. Even on the tract +of open-forest or clearing they intruded themselves, and he suddenly +felt the familiar rasping vegetable wire twisting about his ankles. +Impatient that such an obstruction should be encountered, he made a +spiteful kick of the foot, meant to snap the vine asunder and to +free himself; but he miscalculated the strength of the resistant. +</p> + +<p> +His foot was more inextricably entangled than before, and a second +fierce effort sent him forward on his hands and knees. Had his +rifle been in hand it is more than likely it would have been +discharged. +</p> + +<p> +Otto was angered, because he was sure he had frightened the colt +into dashing off at full speed. He sprang to his feet and made for +the horse, resolved to secure him at all hazards. +</p> + +<p> +He was spurred on by observing that the animal was slumbering so +soundly that he had not yet taken the alarm. The distance was +short, and he was very hopeful. +</p> + +<p> +"Whoa, whoa dere," called out Otto, in a soothing voice, "don't you +runs away agin dimes more, or py gracious I vill whip you so dot you +vill want to die—" +</p> + +<p> +While uttering the words he was advancing with the utmost haste. +Feeling himself nigh enough to make the leap, he did so, and threw +both arms around what he supposed to be he head of his colt. And as +he did so he discovered that it was not the colt at all! +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap22"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXII +</h3> + +<h3> +A STRANGER +</h3> + +<p> +No boy could feel more chagrin and humiliation than did Otto +Relstaub, when he sprang forward, and, seizing what he supposed to +be the stray colt, found instead that he had grasped the stump of a +tree. +</p> + +<p> +He was speechless for a full minute, and could only stand still and +wonder how it was possible for him to make such a blunder. A tree +close to the edge of the clearing had been stricken by lightning, +and partly breaking off some three or four feet above ground, a +couple of yards of length lay with the top on the earth. In the +gloom of the evening it could be readily mistaken for a different +object, though Otto might well wonder where the resemblance to a +horse could be figured out. But for the neigh which reached the +ears of the young pioneers, they never would have made the mistake. +</p> + +<p> +Still the fact remained that a short time before a horse was within +call, and Otto was quite sure it was the one he was seeking. Night, +however, had fully descended, and it was useless to hunt further +before the morrow. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish too bad," he said to himself, "but ishn't I glad dot Jack +didn't come up and sees me, for he vould laugh till he went dead—mine +gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +It seemed indeed as if the youth had arrived in a strange latitude, +for while he remained communing with himself, he caught the +unmistakable odor of tobacco-smoke in the air. Some one was smoking +a pipe whose fumes were too rank to permit any mistake on his part. +</p> + +<p> +The discovery was startling enough to cause a shiver of fear, for it +was manifest he was close to a stranger, since Jack Carleton did not +use the noxious weed in any form. Otto bitterly reproached himself +for leaving his rifle beyond reach, for his was the situation of the +individual who may not have needed such a weapon often, but when he +did, he wanted it with an emphasis beyond question. +</p> + +<p> +"Dis ish de spot where I doesn't vant to be," was his truthful +conclusion, "so I dinks I goes somewhere else." +</p> + +<p> +He felt a strong yearning to break into a run, but dared not do so. +Though filled with fear, his right policy was to conceal all +evidence of it. He therefore turned about with the purpose of +walking off with a dignified air; but he had taken only the first +step, when a shock like that from an electric battery went through +him, caused by the single exclamation: +</p> + +<p> +"Oof!" +</p> + +<p> +It was the hail of an Indian. Otto was riveted to the spot by the +sight of a brawny savage striding toward him. He came from the +darkness of the wood, and, when he moved into the clearing, was just +in time to catch the first beams of the moon rising above the +forest. +</p> + +<p> +The warrior was large, and his size was magnified by the blanket, +which, wrapped like a shawl about him, reached below his knees. The +long, black hair dangling around his shoulders, was ornamented at +the crown by a number of eagle feathers; but the countenance, when +shown by the moonlight, was devoid of paint, which, it may be said, +was not needed to add to its ugliness. +</p> + +<p> +His forehead was low and broad, the eyes small, black and restless, +while the cheek-bones were not only protuberant, but were unusually +far apart. Instead of the aquiline nose, which is so often a +feature of the American Indian, his was as broad as that of the +African, badly disfigured by a scar across the bridge, probably made +by a knife or tomahawk. +</p> + +<p> +When it is stated that his mouth was wider than that of Otto, enough +has been said on that score. In one corner, the warrior held a pipe +made of red clay, whose stem was a foot in length. He must have +stood placidly puffing this during the entire time the boy was +stealing upon the supposed horse. In the increasing moonlight, the +strong vapor rose in blue puffs from both sides of his face and +poisoned the air above and around him. +</p> + +<p> +The position of the Indian was such that the blanket covered both +arms, and Otto could not see whether or not he grasped a rifle +beneath. +</p> + +<p> +The entire manner of the red man showed that he knew he was master +of the situation. He could not have felt otherwise, when he saw a +partly grown boy standing before him, without any firearms with +which to defend himself. +</p> + +<p> +"Howdy, brudder?" he asked, in a gruff, guttural voice, extending +his huge hand to Otto, who dared not refuse it. +</p> + +<p> +"I isb—ish—dot be—ish well," stammered the poor fellow, vainly +trying to speak in a steady voice. +</p> + +<p> +The Indian gave a fervency to his grip of Otto's fingers which made +him wince with pain, though he dared utter no protest. +</p> + +<p> +The act of the warrior in advancing and saluting, caused his blanket +to open in front, so as to disclose an untidy sash around his waist. +The view was not clear, as the rays of the moon came over his +shoulder, but the lad saw enough to satisfy him that the Indian +carried a tomahawk and hunting-knife. However, as the other hand +removed the pipe from between the leathern lips and held it, there +was no instant intention of using either weapon. +</p> + +<p> +It is only justice to the young German to say that, had he possessed +his gun, he would not have permitted the Indian to take his hand. +He knew the treacherous character of the race too well to give them +the least advantage; but his belief was that the best, and indeed +the only thing to do, was to avoid, so far as he could, giving any +offence to his captor. +</p> + +<p> +"Ven he don't be looking at me," was Otto's thought, "then I gives +him the slip, and runs and gots mine gun, and shoots him afore heban +do nodings." +</p> + +<p> +The programme was a good one, provided it could be carried out, but +it cannot be admitted that it offered much chance of success. Otto +was never fleet of foot, and as his rifle was fully a hundred yards +distant, there was no way of recovering it except by permission of +the red man. +</p> + +<p> +"Where brudder's home?" was the query, as he allowed the hand of the +lad to fall from his grasp. +</p> + +<p> +Otto felt authorized to answer that question at least truthfully. +</p> + +<p> +"Good ways from dish place—a way off yonder." +</p> + +<p> +The boy meant to locate his home correctly, but when he pointed +toward the north, he unconsciously made a great error. However, it +was unimportant. +</p> + +<p> +The Indian slowly shoved the stem of the pipe in the comer of his +immense mouth, sent out several pungent puffs towards the face of +Otto, who, accustomed as he was to the sickening odor of his +father's tobacco, was forced to recoil a step and cough the +strangling vapor from him. +</p> + +<p> +Then the warrior solemnly turned his head and looked behind in the +gloomy depths of the wood, as though he expected to see the home of +the boy. It isn't necessary to say that, if such was his +expectation, he was disappointed. +</p> + +<p> +When Otto observed the face of his dreaded captor turned away, he +was thrilled by the sudden belief that the chance for which he had +been praying had come at last. This was his time to make a sudden +dash, regain his gun, and become master of the situation. +</p> + +<p> +Was it possible? Beyond question, it was literally life or death +with the lad. The red man would pursue and show him no mercy. If +Otto failed to reach his rifle in time, a second trial would never +be given him. +</p> + +<p> +Absurd! he saw there was not an earthly chance of success; he could +only wait and hope. +</p> + +<p> +Failing to discern the log cabin in which Otto made his home, the +Indian turned back his head, swinging it as on a pivot, so that the +end of the pipe-stem, which, for the moment, he had been holding +stationary in his hand, resumed its former place in the comer of his +mouth. +</p> + +<p> +"Where brudder's gun?" +</p> + +<p> +"I—I don't not have him mit me," was the awkward reply of Otto, +nervously anxious to escape saying anything which would give his +captor a clue to his property. +</p> + +<p> +The warrior did not press the question, as he might easily have +done, but he smoked his pipe another minute in dignified silence, +while Otto stood trembling and wondering how many more breathe he +would be permitted to draw before the savage would leap upon him +with upraised knife. +</p> + +<p> +"Brudder go with Osage chief—he big warrior—oof!" +</p> + +<p> +This was the first announcement the Indian made of his tribe, and +the declaration that he was a chief astonished Otto Relstaub, who +held no suspicion that he was in the presence of such a dignitary. +</p> + +<p> +But he had been commanded to go with him, and the youth could only +await more pointed instructions. The Osage motioned him to turn +about and he did so, hopeful that his captor meant to drive him +across the clearing toward the spot he and Jack Carleton had fixed +upon for their camp. If such was the intention of the chief, it +would be extremely favorable to the lad, but, unfortunately, the +opposite course was the one fixed upon. +</p> + +<p> +While Otto's face was away from his master, the latter stalked +around in his front, where, taking the pipe from his dusky lips, he +repeated his order, by means of gesture. +</p> + +<p> +"I vonder if he don't make a top mit me," muttered Otto; "vy don't +he tie von string round me and spin me dot way?" +</p> + +<p> +But the boy was not in a situation to refuse, and, when ordered to +walk, he did so. While seeking to obey the Osage, Otto unwittingly +turned too far to the right. +</p> + +<p> +"Oof! Dog!" grunted the Indian, catching him by the shoulder and +wrenching him part way around; "go—go—go!" +</p> + +<p> +The lad was startled, for the grip was of that violent nature that +it pained him severely. It effectually dissipated his purpose of +making a break for liberty, at least until a much more promising +opening presented itself. +</p> + +<p> +He began timidly feeling his way through the darkness, dreading +every moment that he would take a misstep, that would bring down the +anger of the Indian in a more dangerous form than before. He was +enveloped in gloom, so that he kept both hands extended in front to +protect his face. +</p> + +<p> +"I goes as right as I can," he observed, seeking to avert the wrath +of the terrible being that was at his heels: "when I doesn't goes +right dot ish, 'cause I goes wrong—mine gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +It was only a twig which just then collided with his eye. It +inflicted no injury, and he still pushed forward as obediently as if +it was his father who was driving him. The Indian said nothing, but +he rustled the leaves with his moccasins, as if to prevent the lad +forgetting his presence. +</p> + +<p> +Here and there the arrowy moonlight pierced the foliage and afforded +Otto a glimpse of his surroundings, but most of the time the gloom +was so dense as to be absolutely impenetrable. Passing across a +dimly-lit space, he could not avoid turning his head and looking +back at the Osage chief as he stepped into the feeble light. +</p> + +<p> +The figure of the Indian was striking. He was striding slowly +along, as if impressed with his own importance, his arms folded +beneath the blanket in front, so as to hold it together and keep +them out of sight. His teeth were still closed on the red +pipe-stem, and the blue puffs passed over his head as if it were +steam which was working the machinery of his legs. +</p> + +<p> +The thought which constantly remained with Otto Relstaub, and which +caused him the keenest suffering, was that the Indian was likely at +any moment to leap upon him with uplifted knife. It is a characteristic +of the American race that its representatives often add to the distress +of their captives by toying with them as a cat does with a mouse before +crunching it in its jaws. +</p> + +<p> +The lad was almost certain his captor meant to slay him, after first +torturing him in this manner, but the poor boy could see no possible +way in which to help himself. If the savage should spring upon him, +it would be like the leap of the panther-quick, crushing, and +resistless in its fury. +</p> + +<p> +With a faint hope that he might be able to do something for himself +when the worst should come, Otto stealthily drew out his hunting-knife, +and held it tightly grasped. One thing was certain, that, weak and +almost helpless as he was, he would not submit without making a good +fight for himself. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap23"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXIII +</h3> + +<h3> +AN ABORIGINAL HOME +</h3> + +<p> +The terrifying walk of Otto Relstaub ended sooner and more agreeably +than he anticipated. He had in fact gone but a short ways when he +became aware that the Osage had a definite destination before him. +A light flashed out from the gloom in front, vanishing before the +boy could locate it. A few steps further and it reappeared, again +dropping from sight. +</p> + +<p> +Otto was walking slowly, intently peering in the direction and +naturally wondering what it all meant, when, as he moved slightly to +the left, it once more came to view. This showed that it was +visible only when approached along a certain line. It was not an +ordinary camp-fire, but the light flitted in and out of sight, on +account of the objects intervening between it and the spectator; +there was absolutely but a single line of advance which would keep +it in view. +</p> + +<p> +The Indian gave no expression to his views, but the rustling leaves +told that he was still treading on the heels of the lad, who knew +that so long as he walked straight toward the light, he was +following the wishes of his master. +</p> + +<p> +Suddenly something flitted in front of the blaze, as though a person +had stepped quickly past. But Otto had secured the range, so to +speak, and so far as the trees and undergrowth permit, he advanced +in a direct line. The distance being short, the whole thing +speedily became clear to him. +</p> + +<p> +The fire was burning within and at the further side of a wigwam, and +was first seen through the opening which served as an entrance. +Thus it was that when he diverged to the right or left it was shut +from sight. +</p> + +<p> +"It ish, de vigvam of him," thought Otto, "ish going to takes me mit +dere, and pieces to makes de childrens laugh." +</p> + +<p> +The boy softly returned the knife to its place, for he was anxious +that the chieftain should see no signs of fear on his part. A few +steps further and he stopped in front of the door of the lodge, +afraid to enter until something more was said by his master. +</p> + +<p> +The entrance of Otto into the aboriginal home was anything but +dignified. The proprietor observing that he had halted, gave him +such a powerful shove that he sprawled headlong in the middle of the +"apartment." +</p> + +<p> +"Oof!" grunted the sachem, bending his head so as to push his body +through the opening, which was not closed after him; "lazy dog!" +</p> + +<p> +Otto did not think it wise to dispute the question. He was not hurt +by the fall, and rising, stepped back against the side of the lodge +and took a good view of his surroundings. +</p> + +<p> +The wigwam of the Osage chieftain was similar to those which may be +found to-day on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains, in the depths of +the wilderness along the Assiniboine, on the shores of Athabasca +Lake in the far North, and beyond the Llano Estacado of the South. +It was modeled in the same style that was fashionable when Columbus +saw the lights of the New World twinkling through the gloom of the +night across the unknown sea, and which will prevail so long as the +American Indian roams the woods and wields the tomahawk. +</p> + +<p> +A half dozen poles were pushed into the ground in a rude circle, so +as to include a space between four and five yards in diameter. The +tops of the poles joined, as do the bayonets of muskets when stacked. +This framework was covered with the skins of bison and deer, sewed +together with the sinews of the latter. At the peak of the roof was +an opening a foot in diameter, partly filled by the network of poles +there locked together. This answered for a chimney to the fire +kindled at one side of the lodge. +</p> + +<p> +Directly opposite the fireplace (if it may be called that), was the +opening which served as a door, there being no other outlet except +the one named. The deer-skin could be flung back or allowed to hang +down. If the wind set it to flapping, it was pinned fast with a +knife or sharp stick. +</p> + +<p> +The ground in most places was covered with bison-skins, so that in +moderately cold weather they were comfortable and pleasant to sit +and recline upon. The skins composing the sides of the wigwam were +soiled with smoke, grease and dirt for alas! nearly all the romance +and charm enveloping the American Indian is dissipated at first +sight by his frightful lack of cleanliness. +</p> + +<p> +But Otto Relstaub had viewed the interior of Indian wigwams before, +and his interest was fixed upon the occupants, of whom there were +three beside himself. The squaw or wife of the chief was at the +further end, or rather the side opposite the door, busy broiling two +slices of venison on the coals. She had no kettle, pan, knife or +fork in the lodge, her sole implement being a sharpened stick, +scarcely a foot in length, which she used in turning and handling +the meat. +</p> + +<p> +When Otto came tumbling through the door, the mistress was in the +act of lifting one of the slices from the coals. She was on her +knees, and paused for a second with the meat in air, while she +glanced around to see whether her lord and master had been imbibing +too much fire-water. One glance was enough, and she turned back and +gave her attention to the culinary operations. +</p> + +<p> +She wore moccasins, leggings, and a species of loose hunting-shirt, +tied with a cord about the waist, and which protected her-body quite +well, though the deer-skin composing it looked as if it had served +as a part of the wigwam for a number of years. Her long, black hair +dangled about her shoulders, as did that of her husband, and she +was no more cleanly in her person than was he. +</p> + +<p> +Perhaps the most interesting object in the place was an Indian +infant, less than a year old, which lay on a bison-robe not far from +the fire. It was a male, too young to walk, though it had been +freed from the coffin-like cradle in which the aboriginal babies are +strapped and carried on the backs of their mothers. +</p> + +<p> +The little fellow was covered to his arm-pits, the bare arms lying +outside on the bison-robe. He kept these going in an awkward, +spasmodic fashion, which caused the infantile fist now and then to +land in his eye. On such occasions the organ winked very suddenly, +and the boy seemed to start with a gasp of surprise, but he did not +cry. Young as he was, he had been trained in the iron school which +makes the American Indian indifferent to suffering and torture. +</p> + +<p> +This aboriginal youth showed more interest in the new arrival than +did any one else. His fists became motionless, his head flapped +over on one side, and the twinkling black eyes were fixed upon Otto +as though they would read him through. If we could recall the +fancies that flitted through our brains at that early stage of +existence, what a wonderful kaleidoscope it would present! +</p> + +<p> +The limits of the wigwam were so moderate that the sachem was +compelled to lay aside most of his dignity. Seating himself on a +robe, just across from their guest, he said something to his squaw, +and then, leaning back, with his legs crossed and his arms folded, +he placidly smoked his pipe and awaited supper. The wife answered +with what sounded like a half dozen grunts, but did not look around +or cease giving her full attention to the broiling venison. +</p> + +<p> +The prisoner observed a long, fine-looking rifle leaning against one +side of the wigwam, the powder-horn and bullet-pouch on the ground +near the stock. Beside them, a bow as long and powerful as that of +Deerfoot; and a quiver half full of arrows also lay on the earth. +Like the Shawanoe, the Osage was an adept in the use of both +weapons. +</p> + +<p> +In addition to the furniture referred to, a few cast-off garments of +the owners were flung on one side, while some additional pieces of +venison lay upon, or rather among, a mass of leaves, where they +could be found when needed. The smoke from the fire found its way +through the opening in the roof, and the vapor from the pipe of the +Osage, after slowly winding above his head, seemed to lean off to +one side and grope its way toward the same vent. A partial draught +was created through the door of the wigwam, by which the impure air +was carried away, and the interior rendered much more pleasant than +would be supposed. +</p> + +<p> +Like a true native American gentleman, the chieftain sat calmly +enjoying his pipe, while his wife did the work of the household, and +she, in accordance with universal law, accepted the drudgery as one +of the necessities of existence. +</p> + +<p> +There were some facts respecting the Indian wigwam and its owner +which may as well be stated in this place. The red man had been a +chief of the Osage tribe, but a violent quarrel with his people +caused him to withdraw, and he was living entirely alone in the +woods with his family. The village where he had reigned so long was +miles distant. He had a number of partisans who occasionally called +at his "residence" to see and urge him to return, but he continued +sulking in his tent, smoked his awful pipe, and shook his head to +all their appeals. +</p> + +<p> +The wigwam, while similar in shape to the hundreds still to be found +in the wilderness of the North American continent differed in some +respects, while retaining the same general form. Many a lodge +contains but the single ridge-pole, standing in the centre of the +structure, which, in the shape of a cone, is gathered at the top and +spreads out at the bottom, where it is fastened in place by pegs, +similar to those of the ordinary army tent. +</p> + +<p> +Otto Relstaub, being relieved from his fear of instant death, became +sensitive to the appetizing odor of the broiling deer-steaks, and +looked longingly toward the unattractive cook, whose only redeeming +feature was the beauty of her teeth, which were as regular and +almost as white as those of Deerfoot. +</p> + +<p> +When, a few minutes later, the slices of meat were ready, the squaw +flung one to her master, who dextrously caught it with his right +hand while he removed the pipe with the other. Laying the latter on +the ground beside him, he began eating his supper, using both hands, +much as a bear employs his paws. +</p> + +<p> +The wife devoured her share in the same manner, the two forming a +striking, but by no means attractive, picture. The meat was +obviously tough, but their teeth were equal to the work, and plates, +knives and forks would have been only an encumbrance. +</p> + +<p> +While the mother was thus occupied, she kept looking across at her +baby, who seemed to be watching her with comical wishfulness. +By-and-by, the parent gave a flirt of her hand, and a piece of the +venison, which she had bitten off, went flying toward the head of +the youngster. He made an awkward grab with both hands, but it +landed on his pug nose. He quickly found it, and shoving it between +his lips, began fiercely sucking and tugging, as though it afforded +the most delicious nourishment, which undoubtedly was fact. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks they have forgot me," Otto said himself, with a sigh; "I +vish dot she would fro me a piece of dot, and see whedder she could +hit mine nose; yaw—Id just open mine mouth and cotch him on de +fly." +</p> + +<p> +The lad had seated himself with his back against the side of the +wigwam, and no one could have looked at his face and failed to know +he was as hungry as one of his years could well be. Had the people +possessed more food than they wished, and had it been cooked, it is +possible they would have tossed him a piece, but, as it was, they +had no intention of doing anything of the kind, as Otto plainly saw. +</p> + +<p> +"They am pigs," he said, taking care that the huge chief did not +overhear his muttered words; "if I starve, dey will sot dere and +laugh at me till they dies." +</p> + +<p> +The meat soon vanished, and then the squaw began fumbling among the +leaves where the uncooked venison lay. Otto's eyes sparkled with +hope. +</p> + +<p> +"She is going to cook mit a piece for meawh!" +</p> + +<p> +Instead of food, she fished out a pipe, similar to that of her +master. Walking to him she held out her hand, and he passed over a +pouch of tobacco, from which she filled the bowl of her pipe, +punching in and compressing the stuff with her forefinger. Then it +was lighted, with a coal of fire which she deftly scooped up, and +sitting, so that she faced her guest, she crossed her feet, and +leaning her elbows on her knees, stared at him, the picture of +enjoyment, as she puffed her pipe. At the same time, the baby +eagerly sucked and chewed his bit of meat, and, no doubt, was as +happy as its parents. +</p> + +<p> +But this had continued only a few minutes, when all the adults +started, for footsteps on the outside showed that some one was +approaching the wigwam. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap24"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXIV +</h3> + +<h3> +DEERFOOT +</h3> + +<p> +When Deerfoot the Shawanoe bade good-by to Jack Carleton and Otto +Relstaub, it was with the declaration that they would soon see each +other again. Precisely what he meant would be hard to say; but +probably it implied that he would take pains in the near future to +make them a visit when they should be settled in their own +log-cabins at home. +</p> + +<p> +He left them, as has been intimated, because he believed there was +no further need of bearing them company, and because business of +great importance to himself demanded that he should take another +course, and travel many long miles toward that wild region in the +southern part of Missouri, which is broken and crossed by the Ozark +range of mountains. +</p> + +<p> +For fully an hour after he turned away from his friends he pushed +through the forest in a south-western direction. He advanced at a +leisurely pace, for there was no call for haste, and he loved to be +alone in the vast solitude, where he often held sweet communion with +the Great Spirit, whom he worshiped and adored with a fervency of +devotion scarcely known except by those who have died for His sake. +</p> + +<p> +The sun had descended but a brief way in the western sky when the +youthful warrior found himself steadily climbing an elevation of +several hundred feet. He had been over the ground before, and he +knew that, after passing the ridge, the surface sloped downward for +many miles, shutting the Mississippi out of sight altogether. +</p> + +<p> +For some time a suspicion had been steadily taking shape in the mind +of Deerfoot, and it was that which led him to hasten his footsteps +until he reached the crest of the elevation, where he paused to make +an investigation. +</p> + +<p> +The thought which ran through his mind was the probability that all +danger from the Miamis and Shawanoes (especially the latter) was not +yet at an end. He reasoned from well established facts; they knew +beyond question that it was he who had outwitted them in his efforts +to save the boys when they were placed in such extreme peril. The +Shawanoes hated him with an intensity beyond description, and, +despite the repeated disasters which had overtaken those who sought, +his ruin, they would strive by every means to revenge themselves +upon him. +</p> + +<p> +What more likely, therefore, than that they had crossed the +Mississippi in pursuit? The certainty that they had done so would +have caused Deerfoot no misgiving, so far as he was concerned, but +his fear was for the boys. He reasoned that the Shawanoes would +follow the trail of the three, including also that of the stray +horse. When they reached the point where Deerfoot left them they +would read its meaning at a glance. They would know the whites were +following the animal, while the Shawanoe had gone about his own +business. +</p> + +<p> +Deprived of his matchless guidance and skill, the destruction of +Jack and Otto would seem so easy that two or three would hasten +after them. The action of their guide would naturally imply that he +had no thought of any such attempt on the part of his enemies, who, +therefore, would be the more strongly tempted to go in quest of his +scalp. +</p> + +<p> +As I have said, Deerfoot could laugh at all such strategy when +directed against himself, but he was uneasy about the others, who +would never think of their danger until too late. Ordinarily they +were not likely to encounter any red men, except the half friendly +Osages, and would be without protection against a stealthy shot from +the woods behind them. +</p> + +<p> +If such an issue threatened, Deerfoot felt that his duty was clear: +he must spare no effort to protect the boys to the last extremity, +and it was the hope that he would be able to catch sight of some +almost invisible sign which would tell the truth that led him to +halt on the crest of the elevation and gaze long and searchingly +toward the Dark and Bloody Ground, which had been the scene of so +many fearful encounters between the pioneers and untamable red men. +</p> + +<p> +The great river was several miles distant, the almost unbroken +forest stretching between. Deerfoot narrowly scrutinized the yellow +surface as far as the eye could follow the winding course, but not +the first evidence of life was to be seen. Not a solitary canoe or +wild animal breasted the swift current which is now laden with +thousands of crafts of almost every description. +</p> + +<p> +The searcher after truth hardly expected to discover anything on the +river itself, for if the Shawanoes were hunting for him they had +crossed long before; but away beyond, in the solemn depths of the +Kentucky wilderness, burned a camp-fire, whose faint smoke could be +traced as it rose above the tree-tops. A careful study of the vapor +led Deerfoot to suspect that it had served as a signal, but it was +beyond his ken to determine its nature. +</p> + +<p> +There was nothing on the other side of the Mississippi which could +afford the faintest clew, and he began the study of Louisiana, so +far as it was open to his vision. His altitude gave him an extended +survey toward every point of the compass. As it was impossible that +any of his enemies should be to the west of him, he did not bestow +so much as a glance in that direction. +</p> + +<p> +Again and again the keen eyes roved over the space between him and +the great stream, but nothing rewarded the visual search. It was +not to be expected that if the Shawanoes were stealing along his +trail they would stop to build a fire—at least not before night +closed in. The only circumstances under which they would attempt +anything of the kind would be in the event of their wishing to +signal some message to those left on the other shore. Possibly they +wanted reinforcements, or wished those who were in waiting to make +some movement of their own, and, if so they would be sure to +telegraph. +</p> + +<p> +If such was the case, the telegrams had been sent and the +instrument—that is, the camp-fire had been destroyed. Nothing of +the sort was now to be seen. +</p> + +<p> +But Deerfoot did discover something to the northward. A long +distance away could be detected another column of vapor—slight, but +dark, and with a wavy, shuddering motion, such as is observed when +the first smoke from the fire under an engine rises through the +tall, brick chimney. +</p> + +<p> +He watched it fixedly for several minute and then smiled, for he +rightly interpreted its meaning. +</p> + +<p> +"There is the wigwam of the Osage chief, Wish-o-wa-tum, the +Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder, who lives alone with his family in the +woods, and smokes his pipe. He cares not for Miami or Huron or +Shawanoe, but smokes in peace." +</p> + +<p> +Inasmuch, as no other vapor met the eye, the sagacious Shawanoe +adopted a very different line of investigation, or rather research. +He was able to tell where the lesser elevation stood, on which he +had bidden good-by to the boys, and could form a tolerably correct +idea of the line he had followed since then. +</p> + +<p> +If the Shawanoes were pushing the search for him, several must be +somewhere along that line. Most of the time they would be effectually +hidden from sight by the foliage of the trees, but there were open +places here and there (very slight in extent), where they would be +visible for the moment to one who fixed his eyes on that particular +spot. On the site of the encampment, where the little party had +eaten their meal, and where not the slightest ember remained, the +pursuers would halt for a brief consultation. If they divided into +two companies of pursuit, it was there the division had taken or +would take place. +</p> + +<p> +Unfortunately the vegetation was so abundant just there, that he +could not hope to catch sight of any of his enemies, until after +they should reach a point a considerable distance away. It would +therefore seem impossible for him to tell whether a portion of the +war party turned to the northward in quest of the boys, or whether +they all concentrated in the search for Deerfoot himself. +</p> + +<p> +It would appear beyond his power, I say, for the extraordinary youth +to settle the question, while standing carefully hidden behind the +trunk of a tree, but a single slight chance presented itself, and to +that he appealed. +</p> + +<p> +He knew the general direction of the horse's trail after it had left +the spot where Deerfoot parted company with his friends. Unless it +turned abruptly to the right or left, it led across an open space, +which was in plain view of the Shawanoe, and provided the crossing +had not already been made, he would be able to observe it. +</p> + +<p> +He therefore watched this opening with a keenness which would permit +nothing to elude it. His brain had handled the problem with the +certainty of intuition. Following a process of reasoning which +cannot be fully explained, he convinced himself that the redskins +had not yet fled across the narrow space. Whether they were to do +so or not would be determined in a brief while. +</p> + +<p> +If the savages hunting Jack and Otto had gone beyond the point +named, before Deerfoot fixed his attention on it, then it followed +of necessity that those who were so eager to suspend the scalp of +the youth from the ridge-pole of their wigwams were at that moment +close upon him. In any event, he was morally certain the whole +question would be settled within the coming hour, for, if no sign +appeared, it would be a sign of itself that nothing was to be +feared. +</p> + +<p> +Fully aware of the woodcraft of his own people, Deerfoot threw away +no chances. He kept closely hidden behind the tree which served as +a screen, as though an enemy was in ambush within bowshot. +</p> + +<p> +He waited a briefer time than he anticipated. His eyes were flitting +hither and thither, when a couple of warriors deliberately walked +across the opening on which his attention was fixed. Though only two, +they moved in Indian file, one directly behind the other. +</p> + +<p> +There could be no doubt they were after the scalps of Jack Carleton +and Otto Relstaub. +</p> + +<p> +It was equally certain that a larger number were hunting for Deerfoot. +The fact would not have caused him an additional throb of the pulse, +could he have been assured that no harm, would befall his friends. +True, they had displayed much courage and brilliancy a few hours +before in their contest on the other side of the Mississippi, and +it would seem that, with their training from earliest youth, they +ought to be able to protect themselves against an equal number of +red men. But, reason on the matter as he chose, Deerfoot could not +drive away the feeling that it was his duty to go to their help. +</p> + +<p> +"The Great Spirit wills that Deerfoot shall be the friend of the +white people who are his friends. The Shawanoes and Miamis have no +right on these hunting-grounds," he added, with a dangerous flash of +his black eyes; "if they follow Deerfoot here, he will teach them +they do wrong." +</p> + +<p> +Clearly it would not do for him to take the back trail and retrace +his steps, for that would insure a collision with those who were so +anxious to meet him. Much as he detested them, and little as he +feared the issue of such a meeting, it would be certain to delay his +good offices for those who caused him so much anxiety, and such +delay was dangerous. +</p> + +<p> +His purpose was to "cut across lots," that is, to hasten by the +nearest route to a point which would place him in advance of the +couple that were giving their attention to Jack and Otto, and to +carry out that plan necessitated his making no mistake in his +judgment as to the trail of his friends. +</p> + +<p> +"The warriors will have to walk until the sun goes down," he said to +himself, "before they will come up with them; if they run, or if my +friends have paused to rest, then they will find them sooner. +Deerfoot must not wait, for he is needed." +</p> + +<p> +He had not yet left his place behind the tree, for he was convinced +that some of the Shawanoes were close to him, even though he had +received no proof that such was the fact, but that proof came within +the following few minutes and before he had yet stirred from his +position. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap25"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXV +</h3> + +<h3> +AT BAY +</h3> + +<p> +The "old Indian" asserted itself in Deerfoot the Shawanoe. While +every act, and in deed every thought, of the wonderful young warrior +was prompted by conscience, yet his views of duty under certain +circumstances, were fitted to bring a smile to the face of an +impartial judge. +</p> + +<p> +While standing behind the tree on the crest of the elevation, he was +sure of two things: he had little time to lose in going to the help +of Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub, and the Shawanoes who were +trailing him were close at hand. He settled the dispute by deciding +to stay where he was a few minutes longer. If his enemies did not +appear within that brief period, he would hasten from the spot. +</p> + +<p> +This conclusion on the part of the young Shawanoe presaged a +desperate encounter between him and his foes, and he made preparation +for it. He set his rifle on the ground, with the muzzle leaning +against the tree which served to screen his body, and brought his +long bow to the front. Drawing an arrow from its quiver, he glanced +at it as if looking for some defect, but he knew none was there, nor +was a single shaft of the score and a half in the quiver imperfect +in any respect. The youth always made his own weapons. He glued on +the feather which guided and steadied the missile in its flight, and +he fastened the heads with metal obtained from the whites. Every one +of his possessions had been tested and proven. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot grasped the bow loosely in the centre, one finger of the +same band also holding the arrow in place, with the notch against +the deer sinew, not yet drawn backward. The amateur archer will +understand that he was in form to bring the shaft to a head on the +instant it should become necessary. +</p> + +<p> +It was some five minutes after he had assumed this position, and +while looking back over his own trail, that two Shawanoe warriors +silently emerged from the bushes fifty yards off, and stealthily +approached him. They moved absolutely without noise, for their +woodcraft told them they were close upon the most dangerous being +they had ever undertaken to hunt. +</p> + +<p> +The foremost lifted his foot just clear of the ground and placed it +squarely down again. His head and shoulders were thrown forward, so +that most of his long, coarse, black hair dangled on both sides of +his neck and over his chest. It hung in front of his face also, +and, as his forehead was very low, he had the appearance, while +continually glancing from side to side and in front, of a wild beast +glaring from behind a hedge. He trailed his rifle in his right +hand, the left resting on the handle of a knife, which, with that of +a tomahawk, protruded from his girdle. He wore the usual hunting-shirt, +leggings and moccasins, his body and limbs being well protected. His +blanket would have been only an encumbrance, and while he was engaged +in such delicate business, it was left with the canoe on the bank of +the Mississippi. The ears when visible through the dangling hair, were +seen to hold enormous rings of bone, while the nose hooked over and +dipped in a fashion that showed that the organ had at some time held a +pendant in the way of an ornament. +</p> + +<p> +The countenance was blackened and disfigured with paint, in the +style already made familiar to the reader, and the protuberant nose +was rendered more striking by the retreating chin. The Shawanoe was +crafty, cunning, treacherous and revengeful, which characteristics +it may be said belong to the entire American race. +</p> + +<p> +The second warrior, with the exception of his features, was the +counterpart of the leader. Dress, paint, and ornaments, even to the +strings of wampum around the neck, were similar. He carried his +rifle in the same style, and his left hand rested on the weapons in +his girdle. Both were strong and sinewy, and their sight lost not +the slightest object in their field of vision. +</p> + +<p> +It was this precaution which apprised them, at the same instant, +that they were confronted by the most terrifying picture on which +their eyes had ever rested. They halted as if transfixed by a +lightning stroke. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot the Shawanoe stood behind the trunk of an oak, a foot in +diameter, with his arrow drawn to a head and pointed at the heart of +the foremost warrior. The matchless youth was at bay, and in the +exact posture for launching his deadly weapon—right foot forward, +bow grasped in the centre, arrow held by the fingers of the left +hand, which were drawn backward of the shoulder, while the bow +itself, on account of its great length, was held diagonally in +front. +</p> + +<p> +The two Shawanoes who suddenly became aware of their danger, did not +see all that has been described, for Deerfoot utilized the shelter +so far as he could. Most of his body was carefully protected, and, +though the bow was slanted, the lowermost point scarcely showed on +the opposite side of the tree from the top of the weapon. +</p> + +<p> +The warriors saw the head, left shoulder and hands of Deerfoot and +the upper part of the bow, whose arrow was on the very point of +speeding toward them. Directly over the shaft, with head slightly +inclined, like that of a hunter sighting over his gun, were the +gleaming eyes and face of the young Shawanoe. It looked as if he +had turned his head to one side that he might catch the music made +by the twang of the string when it should dart forward with the +speed of the rattlesnake striking from its coil. +</p> + +<p> +No more startling sight can be imagined than that of a gun aimed +straight at us, with the finger of the marksman pressing the +trigger. The first proof the pursuers received that they were +within sight of the youth they were seeking was of that nature. +Both stood for a second or more unable to stir. But their training +prevented the spell lasting more than the briefest while. +</p> + +<p> +The second warrior made a tremendous bound directly backward, +dropping to a squatting posture as he landed, and then scrambling to +cover with a quickness the eye could hardly follow. While employed +in doing so, his companion emitted an ear-splitting screech which +made the woods echo. He caught a shadowy glimpse of him as he +leaped high in the air and fell backward, carrying with him the +arrow of the marvelous archer, which had gone clear and clean +through his body, and remained projecting both from the breast and +back. A defiant shout rang from the elevation, and, peeping timidly +forth, the crouching red man saw Deerfoot holding his bow aloft with +one hand, while he swung the gun with the other and strode off, his +face toward his pursuers. +</p> + +<p> +"Where are the Shawanoes? Do they love to follow Deerfoot across +the great river? His heart was sad for them because so many bowed +to his bow and arrow—so he left them that his eyes might not look +on their warriors who fell by his hand; the Shawanoes are fools, +because they follow Deerfoot. They cannot harm him, for he is the +friend of the white man, and the Great Spirit gives him his care; +let the Shawanoes send Tecumseh and the Hurons send Waughtauk; +Deerfoot stayed his hand when the time had come for Waughtauk to +sing his death-song, but if the chief trails him across the great +river, Deerfoot will not spare him." +</p> + +<p> +The young warrior doubtless would have indulged in further annoying +remarks, had he not kept moving all the time, so that his last words +were uttered while he was beyond sight of the terrified Shawanoe +crouching on the ground; but the voice of Deerfoot was raised to a +key which prevented any observation being lost. +</p> + +<p> +The declaration, following the act of the youth, showed that in his +mind his relations toward his enemies changed when they followed him +beyond the Mississippi. In Kentucky all stood on the same footing, +and he often showed mercy, but if they pursued him into Louisiana +they became his persecutors, and whoever crossed his path or sought +to molest him, did so at his peril. He had voluntarily withdrawn +from their chosen hunting-grounds, and they would be wise if they +left him alone. He would not flee from them like a hunted deer, but +would teach them severer lessons than they had ever yet learned. +</p> + +<p> +The death-yell of the stricken Shawanoe was certain to bring others +to the spot, but Deerfoot cared nothing for that. It mattered not +if there were a score, for, if he chose to flee, he could out-speed +the swiftest runner on either side the Mississippi. With the +thousands upon thousands of miles of mountain, prairie, river, and +wilderness at his back, he could laugh to scorn the rage of his +enemies. +</p> + +<p> +Though he had lived several months in this section, it was the first +time his deadly foes had attempted to molest him. Self-defense +demanded that they should be shown it would not pay to repeat the +attempt. +</p> + +<p> +Still retaining gun and bow, he passed rapidly down the slope, and, +having previously fixed in his mind the course to pursue, pushed +forward at an easy pace, which was much swifter than would be +supposed. +</p> + +<p> +Fast as he journeyed, he had not gone far when five Shawanoes +(including him who had so narrowly escaped his bow), hurried to the +spot where the smitten warrior lay. They had heard agonized cry in +battle and knew what it meant. The second survivor was given but a +minute to flee, when he encountered the others rushing thither, and +he turned about and joined them. They would have been less arduous +had they not known that the terrible Deerfoot was gone, as was shown +by his defiant shout, which came from distant point in the woods. +</p> + +<p> +Precisely eight Shawanoes (not a Miami among them) paddled over the +Mississippi to hunt the youth: the only two absent from this party +were pursuing Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub, while they journeyed +toward the northwest, after the stray horse. The occasion, +therefore, was a fitting one in which to consult as to the line of +policy to be followed. +</p> + +<p> +It may seem incredible, but it is an unquestioned fact, that five of +the best warriors of the most formidable tribe in the West decided +to give up the attempt to capture or kill a single one of their race +whose years were considerably less than those of the youngest member +of the party, and that, too, on the ground that the undertaking was +too dangerous. One of those five Shawanoes, became converted to +Christianity after the war of 1812, and settled in Kentucky, near +the home of Ned Preston, to whom he gave the particulars of the +council held by him and his comrades more than twenty years before. +</p> + +<p> +Of course no one of the five admitted that personally he was afraid +of Deerfoot. All expressed the greatest eagerness to meet him, +where a chance to engage in fatal combat could be gained. +Apparently no greater boon could befall them than such extreme good +fortune. +</p> + +<p> +But they could not shut their eyes to one or two discouraging facts: +they had entered a country entirely strange to them, but which was +familiar in a great measure to the fleet-footed traitor, who could +never find himself lacking for some hole in which to hide himself. +It was very much like hunting in an endless forest for the fawn that +leaves no scent for the dog to follow. +</p> + +<p> +But worse than all, the Shawanoes could not doubt that the execrated +Deerfoot had formed alliance with the Osages, who would give him +help whenever wanted. Such being their theory followed that they +were not fleeing from a despised foe, but from a whole tribe of +Indians. For five warriors to withdraw in the face of such +overwhelming odds, could not be construed as cowardice, but only as +wise discretion. +</p> + +<p> +Such were the grounds on which the party based their decision, which +was accompanied fierce lamentations that the fates had interposed to +save Deerfoot from their vengeance. +</p> + +<p> +"We talk that way," said the old Indian, long years afterward, while +telling the story in broken English, "and," he added with a laugh +twinkle in his dark eyes, "we much brave—we want to meet Deerfoot +but we looked to see he did not come; if he came, then we wouldn't +be so much brave; we turn, and run like buffalo, we much afraid of +Deerfoot; we no want to see him." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap26"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXVI +</h3> + +<h3> +AN UNEXPECTED INTERVIEW +</h3> + +<p> +Having turned his back on his pursuers, Deerfoot gave them no +further attention. His purpose now was to defend Jack Carleton and +Otto Relstaub from the two red men in pursuit. +</p> + +<p> +It will be remembered that the youthful warrior had fixed in his own +mind the course taken by the others, and he hastened to a point +where he was hopeful of finding the trail. But the calculation +which led him thither was drawn too fine. Like the detective who +spins a theory, perfect in every part and bristling with proof, he +found that a slight hitch at the beginning destroyed it all. +Neither the pursuers nor pursued had crossed the spot where he was +so certain he would discover their footprints. +</p> + +<p> +This was a disappointment to Deerfoot, who stood several minutes +debating what to do. It would require considerable time to return +point where he separated from the boys follow them thence, beside +placing him well to the rear of the red men from whom the harm was +dreaded. It was this fact which disturbed Deerfoot, but there +seemed no other course open. He could easily speculate as to the +routes by which to head off the warriors, but the mistake just made +warned him that he had no time guesses of that character. +</p> + +<p> +Clearly the only thing to do was to follow the course named, and +with his usual promptitude, he moved through the wood toward the +point where he was more than likely to come into collision with the +larger party of Shawanoes. He turned aside from his own trail, as +he invariably did under circumstances, but had not gone far when he +found that which was lost. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe halted and looked at the ground with a grim smile, for +he saw the print of the horse's hoof, the tracks made by Jack and +Otto, and the lighter impressions of two pain of moccasins. +</p> + +<p> +Having caught sight of the warriors not long previous, he knew they +were at no great distance. They were walking at such a leisurely +pace that unless it was increased, they were not likely to overtake +the unconscious fugitives before they halted for the night. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe wheeled and hurried along the trail, with the loping, +noiseless trot which could be maintained without distress from rise +of morn till set of sun. He did not scrutinize the earth directly +at his feet, but glanced several rods in front. He could readily +detect the trail that far, and was thus enabled to keep keen watch +of his surroundings, without retarding his own gait. +</p> + +<p> +He occasionally flung a glance over his shoulder, but he was well +satisfied that none of the larger party was after him: they had +become impressed with the fact that it wouldn't pay. +</p> + +<p> +A quarter of a mile off and he leaped lightly over a small stream, +which crossed his path. He paused long enough to learn that the +home had stopped to drink, doing so with some difficulty, for the +water was so shallow that his lips must have stirred the mud on the +bottom. +</p> + +<p> +The boys did not halt, but one of the warriors had got down on his +knees and hands, the latter spread apart like the fore legs of a +camelopard, as to touch his dusky lips to the water, of which he +drank his fill. All this Deerfoot noted, with only a few moments' +pause, then he was off again. +</p> + +<p> +But he had gone only a little way, when he observed other facts that +were more disquieting. The Shawanoes had changed pace similar to +his own, and beyond question were gaining upon the boys, who could +not know peril. Deerfoot was convinced that the red men had +hastened through fear of losing the trail in the coming darkness. +It followed, therefore, that he himself must advance faster or lose +the scent. +</p> + +<p> +While able to follow the tracks of a horse, entirely by the sense of +feeling, the progress must necessarily be too slow to be effective +under circumstances like those which now confronted him. +</p> + +<p> +The youth made a tremendous bound and struck a gait which rendered +it unnecessary to look behind him, for no pursuer could equal his +speed. He watched only the forest in front, through which he was +hurrying with a velocity that raised a gale about his ears and kept +him dodging and ducking his head to avoid unpleasant consequences. +</p> + +<p> +All at once, he leaped sideways behind the nearest large tree, set +down his rifle and bow and drew his tomahawk. He had discovered +through the gathering twilight one of the Shawanoes returning over +the trail. It was a fortunate accident which prevented him +detecting his pursuer, since he was on the watch against that very +danger, but Deerfoot was an instant quicker, and awaited him as +grimly as he confronted the two warriors who followed him to the +base of the hill, where one was pierced by his unerring arrow. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot at first believed both were coming back, having been +summoned thither perhaps by some signal from the larger party, but +he saw there was only one. The youth could have picked him off +without difficulty, but he was too chivalrous to do so, inasmuch as +the red man was actually retreating instead of advancing, and had +not as yet made the first move against him. +</p> + +<p> +A guarded peep from his hiding-place showed the warrior approaching +on a loping trot, similar to his own, his long rifle in his right +band, while a glimpse was obtained of his blanket rolled and +strapped like a knapsack behind his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +He held his head well forward, his restless eyes scanning the wood +as it opened before him, but evidently with no thought of the danger +which really menaced him. All at once, the figure of Deerfoot +glided softly from behind the tree and confronted him with his +tomahawk drawn back and ready to throw. +</p> + +<p> +The Indian checked himself as abruptly as if an unfathomable chasm +had opened at his feet, but quick as he was, Deerfoot was so close +that the latter could have touched him with his extended bow. +</p> + +<p> +The warrior, old enough to be the father of the other, saw that he +was helpless. He was without the power to raise a finger to save +himself, even though he held a loaded rifle in one hand and carried +the regulation knife and tomahawk in his girdle. Had he made the +first motion toward using his weapons, the upraised tomahawk would +have left the grasp of Deerfoot with the swiftness of lightning, and +the skull of his foe would have been cloven as though made of tissue +paper. +</p> + +<p> +"Let the Shawanoe obey the words of Deerfoot," said the youth, "and +he shall not be harmed." +</p> + +<p> +The other made no answer, but his frightened looks showed he was +ready to follow any orders received from such high authority. +</p> + +<p> +"He carries a blanket on his back which Deerfoot would love to have, +that he may sleep upon it when the night is cold and he has no +camp-fire to warm him." +</p> + +<p> +The elder Shawanoe dropped his gun to the ground beside him, that he +might use both bands more readily to unfasten the bundle for his +master. Flinging it at his feet, he looked inquiringly up and +awaited the next command. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot did not stoop to take the article, for that would have +invited a treacherous attack. He merely glanced downward and then +asked, "Whither is my brother going?" +</p> + +<p> +"He seeks those who sent him here; they are not far and we heard the +shout of one of our warriors, which we did not understand." +</p> + +<p> +"'Twas his cry when the arrow of Deerfoot pierced his heart," said +the youth with flashing eye. "Deerfoot has crossed the great river +and means never to visit the other shore; he has left Kentucky and +Ohio, and the Shawanoes must look for his footprints on this side. +They cannot find him, and he will shoot them from behind the trees +and rocks. He will flee from them no more." +</p> + +<p> +The red man to whom these words were addressed could not fail to +understand their meaning. They gave distinct notice that the youth +would strike back, whenever harm was offered him, while west of the +Mississippi. He had located there for life and was prepared to +defend himself against one and all of his enemies. +</p> + +<p> +Beyond question, the elder Indian would have given much could he +have been in Kentucky at that moment. He was watching for some +chance to turn with panther-like quickness on his youthful +conqueror, but the latter took care that no such opportunity was +given him. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot could not know that the group whom he left behind had +resolved to withdraw from the dangerous country, and while their +agreement would have been interesting and possibly gratifying news +to him, yet he was not particularly concerned, since he was +determined to force them sooner or later to that conclusion. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot took a gun that belonged to one of those who stole his +blanket and broke his canoe; his blanket has been restored to him +and he will now give the gun to his brother." +</p> + +<p> +This statement was not understood by the other, which fact is not to +be wondered at, since it was not only in violation of what may be +called common sense, but the gun itself was not in sight. +</p> + +<p> +It was within reach, however, and the youth had but to take a single +step backward, when he grasped it with his right hand and proffered +it to the other, whose very amazement caused him to take it with +much awkwardness. Thus it came about that Deerfoot allowed the +warrior to have two rifles, both loaded, while he stood guard over +himself, with only his tomahawk in hand. +</p> + +<p> +The transfer being made, the elder was at liberty to go, so soon as +he answered a few questions. He knew much of Deerfoot from +reputation, and, therefore, was not so dumfounded as otherwise he +would have been, when informed that no harm would be done him. +</p> + +<p> +"When my brother left his comrades, he took a warrior with him," +said Deerfoot in his native tongue. "Where is he?" +</p> + +<p> +Daring as the young Shawanoe was, he was guarded to give up the gun, +until satisfied the second foe was not likely to appear on the +scene. While he would have made his usual brilliant stand against +two of his enemies, he would have needed all the means which he +possessed to combat them. +</p> + +<p> +"My brother waits my return; he sits on fallen tree and listens for +my footsteps that may learn what ill has befallen our brothers +nearer the great river." +</p> + +<p> +"When my brother has learned and tells them what then will they do?" +</p> + +<p> +"They will hasten across the great river and never come back." +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot smiled faintly, for he saw the purpose of this remark; the +warrior was seeking to propitiate his conqueror. The latter might +well have added that, inasmuch as he had already given him the fact, +the elder was in duty bound to turn about and hasten to his waiting +friend with the news; but it was too much to ask him to accept the +word of an enemy, and the youth preferred that he should make the +slight journey and ascertain the truth for himself. +</p> + +<p> +What followed was unique and curious. Deerfoot stepped aside, just +enough to allow the other to pass. The elder held a gun in each +hand and stood motionless a moment, as if uncertain what to do; but +his conqueror was waiting, and he, therefore, advanced three steps, +enough to bring him opposite Deerfoot, while the fourth carried him +beyond. It was at that juncture he caught sight of the long bow +leaning against the tree where the gun had been standing. He longed +to seize it, but he knew instant death would follow the attempt. +</p> + +<p> +Without turning to the right or left, the released Shawanoe strode +by with deliberate and dignified step. He held his own gun in his +right hand, and with no evidence of what he was doing, he stealthily +drew back the hammer which clasped the flint. He then noted +carefully the number of paces he took. +</p> + +<p> +When he had counted nearly fifty, he felt safe from the crash of the +tomahawk. Dropping the strange rifle to the ground, he wheeled like +a flash and sighted quickly at the spot where he last saw his +conqueror, but he had vanished. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap27"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXVII +</h3> + +<h3> +A FAILURE +</h3> + +<p> +The task which Jack Carleton took upon himself, when he parted +company with Otto Relstaub on the clearing, was of the simplest +nature, and one which he was confident could be accomplished without +trouble; it was to reach by a circuitous course a point directly +opposite to his friend, and on a line with the horse, so that if the +latter fled from one, he could be secured by the other. +</p> + +<p> +The experience of the young Kentuckian averted some mistakes into +which others might have fallen. One of the hardest things for a +hunter to do, while tramping the forest, is to keep his bearings. +There are few who have shouldered a gun that have not learned this +fact, and, without a compass, landmarks, the bark of trees, or some +other artificial aid, it may be set down as impossible for any one +to escape bewilderment. If his wanderings are extended he will find +himself traveling in a circle, and instances are known in which a +person has followed his own trail for hours, without suspecting the +grotesque truth. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton therefore took every precaution against going astray. +He had in fact but one landmark, so to speak, and that was the moon, +then well up in the sky. He located the luminary with such exactness, +that he knew it would be directly over his right shoulder when he +arrived at a point precisely opposite his friend, and, as he hoped, +in a straight line with the colt between them. +</p> + +<p> +"That means good luck," said he to himself, with a smile; "I always +like to see the moon over my right shoulder, though it can't mean +anything after all, as mother has told me many a time. She said +that she and father, a few nights before he was killed by the +Shawanoes, watched the new moon, which shone through the window, +over his right shoulder and on my bare head. Father was in good +spirits, for he believed in signs, and I think mother, though she +chided him, had a sly belief in them, too; but," added the boy with +a sigh, "she shudders now at the mere mention of such a thing." +</p> + +<p> +While Jack was indulging in this sad reminiscence, he was carefully +picking his way among the trees, making sure that he did not get the +points of the compass confused. There was no call for haste, and it +may be said he felt every step of the way. +</p> + +<p> +"Otto is an odd fellow," he muttered, allowing his fancy to stray +whither it chose, "and I hope he won't become bewildered. He is so +anxious to get the colt, that he will run into trouble if there's +any into which he can run. He is shrewd, brave, and somewhat +stupid, and it is never certain what he will do or say. Let me +see." +</p> + +<p> +He stood still, and, peeping at the moon, as beat he could through +the foliage overhead, studied its position in the heavens, with +particular reference to his own. +</p> + +<p> +"I haven't reached the right spot yet; it must be a hundred yards +further." +</p> + +<p> +His aim was to halt some twenty or thirty rods beyond the clearing. +Then, when assured he had gone far enough, he would walk directly +toward Otto, the two keeping the horse between them. +</p> + +<p> +"I do so hope we will get him," muttered Jack, beginning to feel a +misgiving now that the decisive moment was at hand, "for if we fail +it will end the business. If he goes home without the colt, his +father will beat him, and more than likely will drive him into the +woods and forbid him to come back till he brings the horse with him. +He is such a hard-hearted, miserly old fellow, that he will accept +no excuse from Otto, and his mother doesn't seem to be much better." +</p> + +<p> +After a time Jack reached the point where he found the moonlight +streaming over his right shoulder. Of course, he could have secured +that lucky omen at any time, but it resulted now from the systematic +course he had followed, and he was sure no mistake had been made. +</p> + +<p> +He had no more than formed the conclusion that everything was as it +should be, when he was surprised to hear the neigh of a horse within +bowshot of where he stood. As it came from the direction of the +clearing, no doubt remained that it was the animal for which he was +hunting. +</p> + +<p> +"It looks as if it is to be my fortune after all to recover the +colt," thought the pleased lad. "It will be a surprise to Otto, but +I hope we shall not have to wait any longer, for we have lost a good +deal of time." +</p> + +<p> +He moved through the wood, stepping softly, so as not to frighten +the animal, which probably had had enough of liberty to be unwilling +to go back to bondage. +</p> + +<p> +A brief distance was passed, when the young Kentuckian caught sight +of the stray steed. In an opening, less than a tenth of an acre, +where there was an abundance of grass, stood the identical colt +which ran away the day before. Saddle and bridle were still in +place, though even the moonlight was sufficient to show they had +suffered much from the journey of the horse. The latter, evidently +was suspicious that something was amiss. He was cropping the grass, +when the sound of Jack's footsteps alarmed him. He stood with his +head up, the grass dripping like water from his mouth, while he +listened for the cause of alarm. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton was well aware of the difficulty that faced him when +on the very threshold of success. Though he was close to the +animal, he was not yet secured. +</p> + +<p> +"Ah! If Deerfoot was here," sighed the boy, "then there would be no +doubt of the result, for he would dart forward and catch him. If +the horse wanted to run away, he would let him do it, and then the +Shawanoe would chase him down, just as easily as he would me or +Otto; but it is going to be hard work for me." +</p> + +<p> +It was difficult to decide on the best course of procedure. The +sagacious creature would not only be quick to recognize Jack, but +equally quick to understand his purpose in approaching him. It was +too much to expect him to submit quietly to recapture. +</p> + +<p> +Jack softly plucked a handful of grass, and, stepping out from the +cover of the woods began moving gently toward the colt. The latter +turned his head and uttered a sniff of inquiry, at the same time +showing an inclination to whirl about and gallop off. The boy stood +still and, holding out the grass, deftly manipulated it so that a +part dropped loosely to the ground: this insured its notice by his +victim. Jack also addressed him in his most soothing tones. He +called him all the pet names at his command, and, as the steed still +held his ground, the youth resumed his stealthy advance. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton's heart throbbed with hope. The animal threw his head +higher, snuffed louder, and manifestly was hesitating whether to +permit a closer approach before fleeing, or whether to turn his face +at once from temptation. +</p> + +<p> +"A few steps more and he is mine," was the thought of Jack, who +repeated the pet names with greater ardor, interspersing them with a +variation of cluckings and chirpings that would have charmed a +prattling baby. He increased his pace, for he was almost within +reach, while the beast snorted with excitement. +</p> + +<p> +All at once Jack dropped the gun in his other hand, and made a +desperate plunge, meaning to grasp the forelock of the horse. It +may be said that he succeeded, for he felt the coarse, cool hair as +it was swept through his fingers by the flirt of the animal's head. +Jack missed success, by what may be truly said to have been a hair's +breadth. +</p> + +<p> +"Whoa! confound you!" +</p> + +<p> +This command was uttered in a very different tone from that in which +he had been addressing the colt a minute before. There was nothing +soothing in it, and the animal showed his contempt by whirling +about, kicking up his heels and dashing into the woods. +</p> + +<p> +Jack snatched his gun from the ground and bounded after him at the +imminent risk of breaking his neck. He was too far from Otto and +his captor to attract attention, but the noise may have reached the +ears of the Indian. The angered pursuer did not coax or order the +colt, for what he had done in that line was sufficient to show the +effort was thrown away. +</p> + +<p> +He listened: the animal was still going at a rate which showed he +believed the danger was at his heels. The sound he made, while +galloping over the leaves and through the bushes, grew fainter and +fainter until it died out altogether. +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose he will keep it up for several hours. If he faces toward +the settlement, he will reach it to-morrow, but if he veers to the +right or left, Otto may as well give up the job." +</p> + +<p> +Jack was keenly disappointed, for he had been confident of success, +and now he was forced to admit there was scarcely a hope of ever +seeing the colt again. +</p> + +<p> +"It's a bad go," he said, turning about and moving toward the +clearing, where he had left his friend; "we'll keep up the hunt +to-morrow, but if he isn't caught before sundown, I shall insist +that we go home. Mother's anxious to see me," he added, in a softer +voice, "but no more than I am to see her. It has been weeks since +we parted, and if anything should happen to her while I am loitering +by the way, I can never forgive myself." +</p> + +<p> +He did not reflect that he was exposed to tenfold more harm than his +parent. He reproached himself that he had tarried in Coatesville +until Otto came for him. He was ready and waiting several days, +during which he could have made the journey on foot, without the +guidance of his friend. +</p> + +<p> +However, it was too late now for regrets, and he tried to take +matters philosophically. +</p> + +<p> +The young Kentuckian made certain he was steadily pursuing the right +course, and, when he thought he had advanced far enough, he emitted +the whistle agreed upon. Of course no reply came back, for, as the +reader knows, the young Teuton for whom the signal was meant was not +in a situation to make suitable answer. In fact it did not reach +his ears at all. +</p> + +<p> +Without losing any more minutes, Jack Carleton pushed forward, until +he was brought to a stand-still by catching the unmistakable glimmer +of a light a short distance ahead among the trees. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap28"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXVIII +</h3> + +<h3> +THE EAVESDROPPER +</h3> + +<p> +Naturally the first impression of Jack Carleton, on seeing the +light, was that it proceeded from the fire kindled by Otto. It +struck him as curious that he should do so before he could be +certain the horse was captured; but, in accordance with his +training, Jack took nothing for granted. A few guarded steps, and +he discovered the truth; the light was much closer than he +suspected, and came through a slight rent in the side of an Indian +wigwam. +</p> + +<p> +The young Kentuckian was astounded, for he had never dreamed of +anything of the kind. He concluded he must be on the confines of an +Indian village, and made a further investigation; but it did not +take long to learn that the lodge stood alone in the great forest. +</p> + +<p> +"I suppose some chieftain or warrior has quarreled with his people +and lives by himself," was the remarkably accurate guess of the boy; +"I don't know how he feels toward white folks, but I'll take a +little further look and then hunt up Otto." +</p> + +<p> +He could not fail to note that the lodge stood close to the clearing +where he had agreed to meet his friend, and he was unable to free +himself of a dread, while stealing forward for the purpose of +peeping through the rent in the side of the aboriginal structure. +Otto must have seen the wigwam before reaching it, though the +proprietor might have been quicker in detecting the approach of a +stranger. +</p> + +<p> +Fully sensible of the care required, Jack advanced slowly, without +noise, feeling every inch of the way. At last he was able to bend +forward and peep through the slight opening, which first told him of +the location of the wigwam. It required some delicate maneuvering +to gain a good view of the interior, and it need not be said that +the result was of the most interesting nature. +</p> + +<p> +His eyes, or rather eye (inasmuch as he used only one), first rested +on the dusky baby, that had managed to kick off the blanket, and was +fiercely tugging at the piece of cooked venison which his dusky +mother bad tossed him. He held it between his scant teeth, grasping +it with his chubby hands, while his feet beat the air, occasionally +catching under his chin, as though he was using hands and feet to +force the meat apart. He worked his legs with such a vigor that at +times he seemed in danger of making a back somersault and bumping +through the side of the lodge. +</p> + +<p> +Under other circumstances Jack Carleton would have laughed outright +at the comical figure of the bright-eyed infant; but the sight of +Otto Relstaub checked all such feeling, and deepened the alarm which +came with the first sight of the wigwam. +</p> + +<p> +It so happened that Jack was much closer to his friend than he was +to any of the other three figures. No more than two feet separated +the boys, and in peering into the lodge, the eavesdropper looked +directly over the head and shoulders of Otto. The familiar peaked +hat, which had not been removed, the rather long, curling hair, the +round, rosy check, broad shoulders, the tip of the pug nose, the +plump chin, the feet, and the arms resting idly on the drawn-up +knees—all these made the young German look like an exaggerated +fairy, that had dropped in on some superstitious mortals and was +regaling them with tales of wonderland. But Otto was not +discoursing to listeners; he was looking from one to the other, +sometimes smiling at the snuffing, kicking, clawing infant, and then +assuming an anxious expression, when his eyes rested on the face of +the others who shared the lodge with him. +</p> + +<p> +The squaw was slowly drawing in and exhaling the vapor from her +pipe, with the deliberate enjoyment of an old smoker. With her +elbows on her knees, she stared fixedly at Otto, who must have been +annoyed by her persistency. +</p> + +<p> +Wish-o-wa-tum, the Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder, occupied his throne of +bison skin on the other side of the wigwam, and, having tired of +sitting erect as became a monarch, was lounging on his right elbow, +leaving his left hand free to manipulate his pipe, which was +occasionally taken from his lips, after the cheeks were filled to +overflowing with pungent vapor. Then, forming his immense mouth +into a contracted circle, be ejected the smoke with his doubled +tongue, sending forth ring after ring, in any direction he chose. +Looking up at the opening in the top of the lodge, he started a +regular procession of blue circles, twisting inward and slowly +expanding as they climbed toward the fresh air, where they were +suddenly caught and whirled into nothingness. +</p> + +<p> +Jack had the best view of the chieftain he could wish, and fearful +of being detected, drew his head back a few inches so as to be in +entire darkness, and studied the ugly countenance. He observed the +small, piggish eyes far apart, the big cheek bones, the disfigured +nose, the enormous mouth, the slouchy, untidy dress, and even the +half dozen straggling hairs that sprouted here and there over his +massive chin. +</p> + +<p> +He noticed the flitting glances of the black eyes, and knew that the +unattractive Indian had, in some way or other, made a prisoner of +Otto Relstaub, whose rifle was missing. Standing on the outside +with his loaded gun in hand, the young Kentuckian could have done as +he pleased with the red man, who had no suspicions of danger; but +the thought of shooting him was unspeakably shocking to Jack, who +could not have been persuaded to the step unless forced to do so, in +order to save the life of Otto or himself. +</p> + +<p> +Cruel indeed must any one be who could look on the picture of +domestic happiness, the stolid father, the contented mother, and the +lusty youngster, without feeling his heart stirred by that deep, +inborn sympathy which makes the whole world akin. +</p> + +<p> +"He isn't a Shawanoe or Miami," was the conclusion of Jack, after a +careful study of the warrior's face and general appearance; "I have +never seen an Osage, but have heard much of them, and I'm quite sure +he is one. If that is so, he isn't as fierce as his race on the +other side the Mississippi, and I think we can get Otto out of there +without harm to any one. If we are going to live in this part of +the world, we must keep on good terms with the Indians. Helloa! +what is the old fellow going to do?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack noticed that the head of the family had stopped glancing from +one part of the lodge to another, and was looking steadily at Otto, +as if he meditated some design against him. +</p> + +<p> +And so he did. Drawing in an enormous quantity of smoke, he removed +the stem from his leathern lips, contracted them into another O, and +suddenly shot out a vapory ring, followed instantly by a second, +third and fourth, and then by so many that they stumbled over each +other's heels, as may be said. Indeed, the mouth of Wish-a-wa-tum +seemed to have become a mitrailleue for the moment, that sent a +continuous volley across the wigwam. +</p> + +<p> +When the bombardment opened, Otto was looking thoughtfully at the +ground in the middle of the lodge, so that his face was turned +toward the chieftain. The latter aimed with such skill that, as he +intended, the first ring passed directly over the end of Otto's pug +nose, which for the instant looked as though some painter had +enclosed the organ in a delicately tinted circle. +</p> + +<p> +The latter was no more than in place, when it was followed by +several others. The series, however, was blown into nothingness by +a resounding sneeze from Otto, which started the vapor toward the +opening above, that seemed to exert a greater power as the distance +from the ground increased. When within a few inches of the outlet, +the smoke flew apart, spun around and whisked out of sight, with the +current that was borne upward from every part of the lodge. +</p> + +<p> +"Donderation!" exclaimed Otto as best he could, through the +strangling vapor; "what for you don't do dot? Don't you vants to +kill somepodys mit your smoke—don't it? Yaw I oogh!" +</p> + +<p> +Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder did not stir. Still holding his pipe +suspended in his left hand, he looked at the discomfited youth and +smiled. +</p> + +<p> +The smile was the most prodigious on which Jack Carleton had ever +looked. He saw the corners of the mouth move back on the cheeks +until it seemed they must touch the ears. Perhaps the chief smiled +so seldom that the few served to bring up the "general average" of +those that were lacking. +</p> + +<p> +Wish-o-wa-tum could have added to the distress of Otto by continuing +his vapory cannonade, but he refrained, and amused himself by +sending the rings once more toward the chimney. +</p> + +<p> +While this little episode was going on, the squaw, with her chin on +her hands and her elbows on her knees, continued to stare at Otto; +but she showed no disposition to smile even in the slightest degree. +In her the element of mirth appeared to be totally lacking. +</p> + +<p> +It is more than probable that she had not acquired the art of +ejecting the circles of smoke, or she would have followed up the +exhibition of her husband with a similar one, inspired thereto by +the innate ugliness of her nature. +</p> + +<p> +The incident described did much to dissipate the alarm of Jack +Carleton for his friend. The overwhelming smile on the countenance +of the chieftain made it attractive, for it was free from the +disfigurement of hate. +</p> + +<p> +"Yes, he is an Osage, with his wife and little one. He may not be a +pleasant neighbor, but he would not dare to live away from his +tribe, if he was as cruel as the Shawanoes or Hurons. Some of the +settlers would shoot him and his squaw and papoose." +</p> + +<p> +This theory was reasonable, but from the nature of the case it could +not be complete in the assurance it brought to the mind of the young +Kentuckian, inasmuch as it failed to explain several alarming facts. +</p> + +<p> +In the first place, Otto, manifestly, was a prisoner in the lodge. +He had no gun with which to defend himself, nor could the guarded +peeping of the eavesdropper discover the weapon within the wigwam. +In what manner the German had fallen into the power of the Osage was +beyond conjecture, nor could Jack guess the ultimate intentions of +the captor. +</p> + +<p> +"I have my loaded gun," was the thought of the youth, "and I ought +to be able to get Otto out of this scrape. I shall be sorry, indeed, +to harm any one in the wigwam, and so long as it is possible to avoid +it, I will. If the warrior receives injury it will be his own fault." +</p> + +<p> +At such times, the most curious fancies often take possession of a +person. Jack Carleton had convinced himself that the Indian, wigwam +was the only one in the neighborhood; but he had scarcely decided +what his course should be, when he began to fear he had made a +mistake. It seemed unlikely that a single Osage should dwell apart +from his tribe in that fashion. +</p> + +<p> +"There must be other lodges near me," he thought, stepping softly +back and peering around in the gloom. +</p> + +<p> +It mattered not that he saw no lights from any of them, for he +reasoned that they might be hidden by the intervening trees. So +strong was the feeling, that he moved further off and repeated the +very reconnaissance made a short time previous. +</p> + +<p> +He would not have done so, had he not known that Otto was in no +immediate danger from his captor. Had the latter offered him harm, +the struggle would have been heard in the stillness of the night, +and Jack would have rushed to the relief of his friend. +</p> + +<p> +Finally, the eavesdropper became satisfied that whatever the issue +of the strange situation, he had but the single family to face. +Then he was distressed by the doubt as to what the squaw would do, +it he carried out his scheme. It is well known that the Indian +women are as brave, and frequently more cruel, toward their captives +than are the warriors themselves. If the one before him became +violent, Jack would be likely to find he had undertaken a task +beyond his power. +</p> + +<p> +His determination was to walk directly into the lodge and act as if +he believed the occupants were his friends. He therefore strode +forward toward the entrance, purposely kicking the leaves with his +feet; and it was that noise which apprised those within of his +approach. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap29"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXIX +</h3> + +<h3> +WITHIN THE WIGWAM +</h3> + +<p> +Jack Carleton walked to the flapping deerskin which closed the +entrance to the wigwam, flung it aside, and, stooping slightly, +stepped within. Looking into the face of Wish-o-wa-tum, he made a +half military salute and, straightening up, called out: +</p> + +<p> +"How do you do, brother?" +</p> + +<p> +The etiquette of the visitor required him to advance and offer his +hand, but he was afraid to do so while in doubt as to the sentiments +of the chief. The young Kentuckian recalled an instance somewhat +similar to the present, wherein a Huron warrior, grasping the hand +of the white man who offered it, suddenly drew him forward and +plunged his hunting-knife into his side. +</p> + +<p> +The unexpected visit of Jack produced a sensation amounting, for the +moment, almost to consternation. For the first time the squaw showed +genuine surprise. Snapping the pipe from her mouth, she threw up her +head with a grunt, and stared at the athletic youth. The kicking baby +on the hearth appeared to understand that something unusual was going +on, and held arms and legs still, while he stared, with his round +black eyes, toward the figure at the other end of the lodge. +</p> + +<p> +Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder turned his head, holding his pipe in hand, +and looked inquiringly at the visitor. He showed no signs of fear, +but, manifestly, he was astonished. His fragmentary conversation +with the other boy had given him no cause to look for such a call, +though he saw at a glance that the two were friends. +</p> + +<p> +Otto Relstaub beamed with delight. With an expanse of smile second +only to that of which the sachem was capable, he rose partly to his +feet and, looking at Jack, called out: +</p> + +<p> +"Mine gracious! Jack, I didn't look for nodings of you pefore, as +dot ish—" +</p> + +<p> +"Hold on!" interposed the lad at the door, with a laugh and wave of +the hand, "sit down and compose yourself till you can talk +straighter than that." +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks I does—yaw," muttered the happy fellow, willing to do +anything suggested by his companion; "but come in and sot down." +</p> + +<p> +While addressing Otto, Jack kept his eyes on Wish-o-wa-tum, for it +may be said he was the key of the situation. If he showed hostility, +trouble was sure to follow. Jack half expected to see him make a +leap for his bow or rifle, or attempt to draw his tomahawk. +</p> + +<p> +If he does thought the boy, "I'll raise my gun first, and he will +understand what that means." +</p> + +<p> +But the looks and manner of the host (if such he may be called) were +neither hostile nor friendly; they were indifferent, as though the +whole business possessed no interest to him. After his first +surprised stare, he swung his head back to its former position and +slowly smoked his pipe as before. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton made up his mind on the moment that his true course +was to carry out his first idea that is, to act as though there was +no doubt of the friendship of the Osage. +</p> + +<p> +Stepping to the left, he set his gun on the ground with the muzzle +leaning against the side of the lodge. No more expressive sign of +comity could have been given than this simple act. He then advanced +to the beefy, stolid chieftain, to whom he offered his hand, +repeating the words: +</p> + +<p> +"How do you do, brother?" +</p> + +<p> +Wish-o-wa-tum took the fingers in his own immense palm, and gave +them a moderate pressure. Though it might have been called a warm +salute, it sent a shiver through the youth, who unconsciously braced +himself against any sudden pull of the savage, his other hand, at +the same time, vaguely seeking the handle of his knife. +</p> + +<p> +But, whatever thoughts or intentions may have stirred the massive +chieftain, they gave no evidence of their nature in his face. He +looked up at the boy, and, as he slightly wabbled the hand within +his own, said: +</p> + +<p> +"How do, brudder?" +</p> + +<p> +Jack then turned about and greeted Otto, who could scarcely contain +himself. The movement, it will be noticed, placed the back of the +former toward the chief, and he was conscious of another chill +running up and down his spine; for no better opportunity could be +given the Indian to strike one of those treacherous, lightning-like +blows peculiar to the savage races. +</p> + +<p> +"Keep your eye on him," said Jack, in an undertone, while shaking +the hand of Otto, and both were talking loud and effusively. +</p> + +<p> +Otto nodded his head and winked, to signify he caught on, and did +not check, for a single moment, his rattling flow of talk. Jack, in +the most natural manner, shifted his position to one side, so he was +able to look upon every one in the wigwam without the appearance of +any special object in doing so. +</p> + +<p> +The great point with the callers was to secure the good-will of the +savages. It may seem shrewd on their part, but any boy, no matter +what his age, knows that the surest way to win the friendship of a +household is to magnify the importance of the baby. +</p> + +<p> +The thought occurred to Otto long before, and more than once he +explored his garments in search of some present for the youngster; +but he possessed nothing that would answer. His pockets were empty +of anything in the shape of coin, bright medals, buttons, or +playthings of any sort likely to attract the eye of the aboriginal +American infant. +</p> + +<p> +He might have handed his hunting-knife to him, but more than likely, +in his blind striking and kicking, he would gouge out an eye or +attempt to scalp himself, and then the mother would turn upon the +donor in her wrath. Otto considered the project of borrowing the +tomahawk of the chief and passing it over to the heir, but feared he +would knock out his own brains or do something desperate, by which +retribution would be visited on the head of Otto. +</p> + +<p> +But Jack Carleton was more fortunate, for in the pocket of his +trousers was an English shilling, worn smooth and shining with the +friction to which it had been long subjected. It was just the thing +to catch the eye of any baby, no matter what its nativity, and he +stepped hastily forward and handed it to the one before him. +</p> + +<p> +The movement interested the parents scarcely less than the child. +They watched Jack closely. The little fellow snatched the bright +coin in his snuffling, awkward fashion, and, when it was clutched in +his fingers, made a furious shove, intending to drive it into his +mouth. +</p> + +<p> +"Hold on," called Jack, in alarm; "I didn't give it to you to eat; I +don't believe you can digest it." +</p> + +<p> +Just then the little fellow began to kick, cough, and fling himself +harder than ever. The mother sprang forward with an exclamation in +her native tongue, and, catching her baby in her arms, began +manipulating him in the most original fashion. Standing upright in +the middle of the wigwam, she inverted him, and, holding him by the +heels, worked him up and down, as though he were the dasher of a +chum. +</p> + +<p> +"If she don't do dot a leedle harder his head vill bounce off," +remarked Otto. +</p> + +<p> +The shilling flew from the throat of the baby, and Jack, thinking it +had done enough harm, scooped over to pick it up; but, before he +could lay hands on it, the mother snatched it from the ground and +shoved it into one of the capacious receptacles of her dress. +Evidently she identified the coin and knew its value. +</p> + +<p> +"All right," laughed Jack; "I'll be glad to have you keep it, if it +will help to buy your friendship for us." +</p> + +<p> +During this stirring episode, and when the boys feared the heir of +the wigwam was likely to choke himself to death, the father never +ceased smoking, his pipe. His piggish eyes were turned sideways, as +though he thought the performance worth looking at; but, beyond +that, he did not disturb himself. +</p> + +<p> +The infant, after his unpleasant experience, seemed to be as well as +ever, and being tumbled back on the bison skin resumed his kicking +and, crowing, as though seeking to make up for lost time. +</p> + +<p> +The occurrence produced an effect on Jack Carleton similar to that +caused by the sight of the expansive smile of the Osage chieftain: +he felt that no dangerous ill-will could exist wigwam which was the +scene of the incident. +</p> + +<p> +The boys resumed their seats beside each other, where the other +occupants of the lodge were in sight all the time, and then spoke +with freedom. +</p> + +<p> +"I don't think they will offer any harm," Jack, alluding, of +course, to the squaw and the warrior. "I suspect he is an Osage." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw—dot ish vot he tolds me," said Otto carefully weighing his +words. +</p> + +<p> +"What else did he tell you? But, first of all, let me know how you +came to be his guest." +</p> + +<p> +Thereupon the German related, in his own fashion, the story which +long since became familiar to the reader. Jack Carleton listened +with much interest, glancing from the husband to the wife and back +again, with an occasional look at the baby, that had become so +motionless as to show that he was asleep. +</p> + +<p> +"So you didn't get anything to eat?" remarked the young Kentuckian; +"when I first saw you here I thought you were after food. I am +hungry, but I think the best thing we can do is to leave the lodge." +</p> + +<p> +"Vy not stays till mornings?" +</p> + +<p> +"It might do; but I'm a little too nervous to sleep, for there can +be no certainty about them. I hunted around for other lodges, but +found none, and yet there may be plenty not far off. He may have +visitors, and, if they find us here, there's no telling what they +will do." +</p> + +<p> +"What for you leave your gun ober dere just as I does mit mine?" +</p> + +<p> +"It struck me that that was the best way to show the old fellow that +not only was I friendly myself, but that I took him to be a friend." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish so; but it would be as nice as nefet vos if bofe of our +guns had us." +</p> + +<p> +"I will get mine." +</p> + +<p> +"Mebbe he won't lets you." +</p> + +<p> +"I'm almost as close to it as he; I can take a step or two before he +will see what I mean to do, and then, if he undertakes to stop me, +he will be too late." +</p> + +<p> +"Vot musn't I does?" +</p> + +<p> +"Attend to the squaw: if she makes a dive after me, you grab and +hold her." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw," was the hesitating response of Otto, who saw what unpleasant +phases the situation was likely to assume. +</p> + +<p> +Before Jack Carleton rose to his feet, he discovered that something +extraordinary was going on in the lodge. Although the chief was +sitting in his lazy attitude, yet his senses were on the alert and +some sort of telegraphy was passing between him and his wife. Both +continued smoking their pipes and did not speak nor move their +bodies. Any one unable to see their faces would not suspect they +were looking at each other. +</p> + +<p> +But they were not only doing so, but, singular as it may seem, were +sending messages mainly by means of the smoke issuing from their +dusky lips. It was puffed forth, in every variety of manner, +sometimes with little short jets, then with longer ones, then from +one corner of the mouth and again from the other, all being +accompanied by a contortion of the flexible lips which doubtless +suggested some of the words in the minds of the two. +</p> + +<p> +"That's very strange," said Jack, in an undertone, after he and Otto +had watched the performance several minutes. +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw, dot ish vot I dinks." +</p> + +<p> +"Why do they affect all that mystery? If they want to say anything +to each other, why not speak in their own tongue? Neither of us can +understand the first word." +</p> + +<p> +"But they doesn't knows dot." +</p> + +<p> +"They ought to know it. However, we can't guess what they're +talking about, though I would give much to know." +</p> + +<p> +Husband and wife were quick to observe they were under scrutiny, but +they continued the curious interchange of thoughts for some time +longer. By and by they ceased and seemed be doing nothing beside +smoking; Carleton was right in his belief that the sachem had heard +something on the outside wigwam which greatly interested them. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap30"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXX +</h3> + +<h3> +AN UNWELCOME VISITOR +</h3> + +<p> +Both Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub were disturbed by the singular +behavior of the squaw and chief. +</p> + +<p> +"They're talking about something outdoors," whispered Jack; "keep +quiet and listen." +</p> + +<p> +The faint rustling of the leaves, the gentle breathing of the +sleeping infant, and the soft purring of the fire (caused by the +sudden flaring up of one of the brands), were the only sounds that +came to their ears. Wish-o-wa-tum held the stem of his pipe between +his lips, without ejecting any smoke, while his eyes were fixed on +the ground in front of his feet, with that absent expression which +showed he was listening intently to something not visible to the +eye. The attitude of the wife was similar, except that she looked +steadily in the face of Jack Carleton, as though seeking to read his +thoughts. +</p> + +<p> +Hark! both the boys caught a stirring of the leaves, precisely as if +made by the foot of an animal prowling around the wigwam. +</p> + +<p> +"Sh!" warned Jack; "it's a man or beast!" +</p> + +<p> +The words had no more than left his lips, when the flapping deerskin +was silently drawn backward and an Indian warrior entered. +</p> + +<p> +He was powerful and well formed in his war paint, and with his long +rifle in his right hand. He had no blanket thrown over his +shoulders, but he was fully dressed in other respects, with knife +and tomahawk thrust in the girdle around his waist. +</p> + +<p> +The first glance showed that he not only belonged to the Shawanoe +tribe, but he was one of the most dreaded members of the same. Both +Otto and Jack had seen him before, his forehead and cheeks being so +curiously marked as to identify him wherever no one else was +similarly ornamented. +</p> + +<p> +When the boys were making their desperate run for the shelter of the +logs on the other side, of the Mississippi, Otto threw back an +affrighted look, which gave him such a vivid picture of that +particular savage that he felt the memory would remain with him +through life. A few minutes after, as my reader will recall, Jack +deliberately held fast to the upper edge of the rude fort and looked +over upon the fierce warriors outside. The one who particularly +impressed him was the Shawanoe with the hideously painted +countenance. It was this same Indian that flung the bear skin about +his shoulders and, creeping up the inclined tree trunk, surveyed the +astonished youths below, and it was he who now entered the lodge of +Wish-o-wa-tum and confronted the inmates. +</p> + +<p> +The truth flashed upon the boys: he was one of a party that had +followed them across the Mississippi, and had traced them to this +lodge. It was natural the youths should believe that others were +not far off. +</p> + +<p> +It will be remembered that Otto had left his gun on the edge of the +clearing some distance away, while the weapon of Jack stood near the +entrance of the lodge. The instant the Shawanoe stepped inside, his +eye rested on it, and, as if divining the truth, he extended his +hand and picked it up. The act gave him two guns, while neither of +the boys possessed a fire-arm. +</p> + +<p> +Having performed this clever exploit, the Shawanoe, still standing +erect, just within the lodge, turned to the chief and addressed him +in what may be termed a mixture of the Shawanoe and Osage tongues. +He paid no attention to the squaw at the other end of the wigwam, +for to an American Indian the native woman is of little account +under any circumstances. +</p> + +<p> +Nor did his face indicate that he was aware of the presence of the +boys, who looked at him with dismay; but it was morally certain that +the conversation which opened immediately related almost solely to +them. +</p> + +<p> +"My gracious!" said Jack, when able to recover himself, "this is bad +for us. I never dreamed of anything of the kind." +</p> + +<p> +He spoke very guardedly, with his head close to his friend's though +both narrowly watched the warriors, while giving expression to their +own fears. +</p> + +<p> +"Vie didn't we start sooner don he comes?" whispered Otto, his jaw +trembling with fear; "I don't see vot we doted does." +</p> + +<p> +An absurd scheme of escape suggested itself to Jack. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder whether we can't dash through the side of the lodge and +get away." +</p> + +<p> +"Wait till I sees." +</p> + +<p> +Otto carefully leaned back with a view of learning bow much +resistance the deerskins would offer. While they were quite strong, +they were not taut, and yielded so much that the boy tipped over +backwards, with his feet in the air, somewhat after the style of the +baby when frolicking on the blanket. +</p> + +<p> +The two warriors, including the squaw, looked stolidly at him, and +there was not the trace of a smile on any countenance. Agitated as +was Jack, he could not repress a slight laugh when he witnessed the +discomfiture of his companion. +</p> + +<p> +"Mine gracious!" muttered Otto, clambering to the sitting position +again; "I dinks dot some one have pulls de lodge away van I don't +leans against him." +</p> + +<p> +Jack shook his head. +</p> + +<p> +"There's no use of trying that; before we could get through they +could catch us both. If they attack us, we'll have to make the beat +fight we can." +</p> + +<p> +"And dot won't be good for nodding," was the truthful remark of +Otto, who looked toward the two warriors again. +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe must have felt he was entire master of the situation. +As if to remove any doubt on that point in the minds of the youths, +he now set down the gun he had picked up, leaned his own against the +side of the lodge, close to it, and then seated himself about half +way between the door and the sleeping baby. This placed him +opposite Wish-o-wa-tum and closer to the entrance where were Otto +and Jack. For the latter to pass out, they must rush by both +warriors, a feat utterly impossible, should the Indians object. It +was equally beyond their power to secure the guns, which would have +proven potent factors in settling the question. +</p> + +<p> +"I believe he has left the rifles there on purpose to tempt us to +make a dash for them," said Jack, half inclined to accept the +challenge, hopeless as it was. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish vot they does him for," assented Otto. +</p> + +<p> +Jack was strongly of the belief that other Shawanoes were near. It +was unreasonable to suppose that a single warrior would have crossed +the Mississippi alone, when a dozen of them had proven unable to +bring the boys to terms. +</p> + +<p> +"They have found we are in here," was the thought of the boy, "and +becoming tired of waiting for us, have sent this one to talk with +the Osage and to hurry us out. Ah, why did Deerfoot leave us so +soon? If we ever needed him, now is the time." +</p> + +<p> +The name of the wonderful youth gave a new turn to the thoughts of +the lad. He asked himself whether it was probable that the +Shawanoes and Miamis had sent a party over to pursue the boys alone, +or to revenge themselves upon Deerfoot. Their enmity against the +latter must be tenfold greater than it could be against any one +else. +</p> + +<p> +The most natural decision to which the lad could come was that the +hostiles were numerous enough to divide and follow both trails. At +any rate it was improbable, as has already been said, that the task +of running the youths to earth was entrusted to a single warrior. +</p> + +<p> +While Wish-o-wa-tum and his latest visitor were talking in their +odd, granting fashion, the boys carefully studied their +countenances, in the vain effort to read the meaning of the words +that passed their lips. They occasionally glanced at the squaw, who +manifested more interest than was expected. Sometimes she held the +pipe for a minute or two motionless, her eyes on the warriors, as if +anxious to catch every word. Then she would give a snuff or grunt, +lean forward and stir the fire and smoke with great vigor. +</p> + +<p> +To the amazement of the listening boys, the red men all at once +changed their language to the English—or rather they attempted to +do so, for they made sorry work of it. +</p> + +<p> +"Dog Deerfoot—he dog," was the somewhat obscure remark of the +latest arrival. +</p> + +<p> +"Him so," nodded Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder, who probably had never +beard of the individual until within the last few minutes. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot dog—coward—shoot Injin no more." +</p> + +<p> +Wish-o-wa-tum started a reply in English, but the difficulty was +such that he slid back into his own lingo. Consequently, the +purport of what he said was lost upon the youths. Jack Carleton, +however, was quick enough to suspect the meaning, of the proceeding +which troubled him so much at first. The words in broken English +were intended for the friends of Deerfoot. It was characteristic of +the Shawanoe visitor that he should attempt to play upon the +feelings of the hapless boys. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot dead," he added, with a sidelong glance toward the latter, +which confirmed the suspicion of the young Kentuckian. +</p> + +<p> +Otto started on hearing the words, but whispered, as he hitched +closer to his friend: +</p> + +<p> +"I don't dinks so." +</p> + +<p> +"Nor do I—hark!" +</p> + +<p> +"How die?" asked Wish-o-wa-tum again struggling with the tongue to +which he was a subject rather than of which he was master. +</p> + +<p> +"Arorara threw him down," replied the visitor, striking his fist +against his breast to signify the name was his own; "jump on +him—take scalp. Deerfoot dog!" +</p> + +<p> +"I know how deceitful the Indians are," said Jack in the same low +tone, "but that fellow don't know bow to lie in English. I should +like to see the warrior that can throw Deerfoot down and take his +scalp." +</p> + +<p> +The Shawanoe seemed to have overheard the expression, or at least +suspected its meaning, guarded though the words were in their +utterance, for he leaped to his feet and again striking his fist +against his chest, exclaimed in hot anger: +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot dog—Deerfoot dead! Arorara take scalp." +</p> + +<p> +To the amazement of Jack Carleton, Otto also sprang to his feet, and +struck his chest a resounding thump. +</p> + +<p> +"Arorara ish one pig liar!" he shouted; "he is a liar as never vos! +He says dot Deerfoot is dead, and dere stands Deerfoot now!" +</p> + +<p> +And as the German lad thundered the words, he pointed toward the +deerskin, which had been flung back once more. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap31"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXI +</h3> + +<h3> +PURSUER AND PURSUED +</h3> + +<p> +When Deerfoot the Shawanoe encountered his enemy in the path and +turned over the rifle to him, he knew that his leniency toward his +implacable foe had not softened his heart in the least. He only +awaited the opportunity to turn like a rattlesnake on his +magnanimous master, and the youth therefore took particular care +that such opportunity should not be given him. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot held his tomahawk tightly grasped and poised, determined to +hurl it with resistless and unerring aim on the very first move of +the warrior against him. He remained as rigid as bronze until the +other was a couple of rods distant. Then he noiselessly shoved back +the tomahawk in his girdle, picked up his bow and vanished like a +shadow. When the warrior turned, as the reader will recall, he saw +no one. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot was confident that after such a meeting, the one whom he +had spared would not follow him. He would be glad enough to escape +altogether without arousing the wrath of him who would not show +mercy a second time. Nevertheless, the matchless youth sped along +the path in the gathering gloom, with that swiftness which earned +him his expressive name while he was yet a mere boy. No man, +American or Caucasian, could hold his own against him in his +phenomenal fleetness. He swept through the forest, never pausing, +but darting forward like a bird on the wing, that eludes by the +marvelous quickness of eye the labyrinth of limbs and obstructions +which interpose almost every second across his line of flight. +</p> + +<p> +Not until he had sped fully a half mile did slacken in the slightest +his astonishing pace, and then there was not the least quickening of +the pulse or hastening of the gentle breath. Had chose, he could +have maintained the same for hours without discomfort or fatigue. +</p> + +<p> +While, in one sense, Deerfoot was fleeing a Shawanoe, he was, in the +same sense, pursue another, in whom his chief interest centered. +The night deepened, and the moon, climbing above the tree tops, +penetrated the gloomy recesses in few places with its silvery beams. +When a mile had been passed, the young warrior paused and listened. +</p> + +<p> +"He cannot follow me when his eyes see no trail," he said to +himself, alluding to the Shawanoe whom he had spared. +</p> + +<p> +It followed as a corollary that the same difficulty confronted him +in pursuing his friends and the enemy who clung so close to their +footprints. He stopped and softly passed his hand over the leafy +ground. Not the slightest artificial depression was there; he had +lost the trail of the party. +</p> + +<p> +As it was utterly out of the question to learn how far he had +diverged from the path, it was also beyond his power to return to +it—that is, so long as the night lasted. The hoof-prints of the +horse were cut so deep in the yielding earth that, with considerable +trouble, he could have traced them among the trees; but even then he +would lack the great help which the scout is generally able to +command. In following a trail at night, he needs to possess a +thorough knowledge of the country, so as to reason out the probable +destination of his enemies, and consequently the general route they +will take. More than likely they will aim for some crossing or +camping ground, many miles in advance. The knowledge of the hunter +may enable him to take a shorter course and, by putting his horse to +his best, reach of them. About all he does, when engaged in this +hot chase, is to take his observations at widely separated points, +with a view of learning he is going astray. +</p> + +<p> +It was precisely in this manner that the greatest scout of modern +days, Kit Carson, led a party on the heels of a party of Mexican +horse-thieves, with his steeds on a fall gallop the night thoroughly +overtook the criminals at daylight, chastised them and recaptured +the stolen property. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot was lacking in that one requisite—familiarity with the +country. He had journeyed up and down the shores of the Mississippi, +had visited the settlement further west, and had gain much knowledge +of the southwestern portion of the present State of Missouri; but +this member of our Union occupies an immense area, and years would +be needed to enable him to act as guide through every section of it. +He had never traveled in many parts, and it will be perceived, +therefore, that it was out of his power to theorize in the wonderfully +brilliant manner which often made his successes due to an intuitive +inspiration that at times seemed to hover on the verge of the +unknowable sixth sense. +</p> + +<p> +But strange must be the occasion in which Deerfoot would feel +compelled to fold his, arms and say, "I can do no more." +</p> + +<p> +He had stood less than three minutes in the attitude of deep +attention, when he emitted a peculiar fluttering whistle, such as a +timid night bird sometimes makes from its perch in the up most +branches, while calling to its mate. It was still trembling on the +air, when a response came from a point not far away and to the +right. Could any one have seen the face of the youthful Shawanoe, +he would have observed a faint but grim smile playing around his +mouth. +</p> + +<p> +He had uttered the signal which the Shawanoes rarely used. When +members of their scouts became temporarily lost from each other, +while in the immediate neighborhood of an enemy, and it was +necessary they should locate themselves, they did so by means of the +signal described. They refrained from appealing to it except in +cases of the utmost urgency, for if used too often it was likely to +become known to their enemies and its usefulness thus destroyed. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot had secured a reply from the Shawanoe for whom he was +hunting, and thus learned his precise whereabouts. He instantly +began stealing his way toward him. +</p> + +<p> +The usage among this remarkable tribe of Indians required him to +repeat the peculiar cry after hearing it, and the party of the +second should respond similarly. When the call had been wafted back +and forth in this fashion, Shawanoe law forbade its repetition, +except after a considerable interval, and then only under the most +urgent necessity. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot held his peace, though he knew warrior was awaiting his +answer. Failing to call the response, the other would conclude that +the signal was in truth the call of a bird; but to guard against any +error, he repeated the tremulous whistle, when the stealthy Deerfoot +was within a few rods. +</p> + +<p> +The latter could have taken his life with suddenness almost of the +lightning bolt, but he had no wish to do so. If Jack Carleton and +Otto Relstaub were in danger it would be from this warrior alone, +and so long as Deerfoot could keep him "in hand" no such danger +existed. +</p> + +<p> +In the open forest, where the moonlight penetrated, a shadowy figure +assumed shape, and the pursuer recognized it as that of the Indian +whom he was so anxious to find. He had concluded to wait no longer, +and was advancing in a blind way along the trail of the lads. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot stooped and passed his hand over the ground. One sweep was +enough to, identify the prints of the horse's hoofs, and the more +delicate impressions made by shoes and moccasins. The young Shawanoe, +by a careful examination of the trail, did that which will scarcely +be believed: he ascertained that one pair of moccasins went forward +and the other took the opposite course. Consequently, the Shawanoes +had parted company at a point slightly in advance (it could not be +far), and the warrior whom he saw must have waited where he was +while the night was closing in. +</p> + +<p> +A few rods further and a second examination revealed the trail of a +single pair of moccasins, the line of demarcation had been passed. +</p> + +<p> +All this time the elder was pushing among trees, Deerfoot catching a +glimpse of him now and then, so as to be able to regulate his own +pace that of his enemy. It was needful also that much +circumspection should be used, for when one person can trace the +movements of another, it follows that the possibilities are +reciprocal and the law vice versa obtains. The youth therefore held +resolutely back, and so guarded his movements that he was assured +against detection by any glance the warrior might cast behind him. +</p> + +<p> +The trees in front diminished in number and soon ceased altogether. +The Shawanoe had reached the edge of a natural opening or clearing. +Pausing a moment, he stepped out where the moon shone full upon him, +and then halted again. Having the advantage of cover, Deerfoot +slipped carefully forward, until he stood within a few yards of the +red man, who little dreamed of the dreaded one that was within the +throw of a tomahawk. +</p> + +<p> +The elder Indian seemed to be speculating the probable course of the +unconscious fugitives. It could not be supposed that he was familiar +with the country (since his home was on the other side of the +Mississippi), but like the majority of mankind when in difficulty, he +was able to form a theory, but unlike that majority, he proved his +faith in it by his works. Instead of following the footprints, he +diverged to the right and coursed along the edge of the clearing, +where he was almost entirely concealed by the shadow of the trees. +</p> + +<p> +He had not gone far, when Deerfoot silently emerged from the wood. +His keen eye revealed what must have been noticed by the other: on +that spot the boys had stopped with the intention of encamping for +the night. Had they remained, beyond all doubt one or both would +have been slain, but from some cause (long since explained to the +reader) they passed on. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot hurried on with a speed that was almost reckless, for that +marvelous intuition seemed to whisper that the crisis was near. His +friends could not be far off, and the question of safety or danger +must be speedily settled. +</p> + +<p> +Just beyond the clearing, while hastening forward, he caught, the +glow of the fire shining through the rents and crevices of the shabby +skin of the Osage wigwam. He heard the of voices within, and a few +seconds later he was peeping through the same orifice that had a +similar purpose for jack Carleton when played the part of eavesdropper. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap32"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXII +</h3> + +<h3> +TURNING THE TABLES +</h3> + +<p> +Although Jack Carleton and Otto Relstaub understood nothing of the +conversation (excepting the few words of mangled English) between +Wish-o-wa-tum, the Osage chieftain, and the Shawanoe who entered his +lodge, little was lost upon Deerfoot. +</p> + +<p> +Without quoting the language, it may be said that Arorara declared +the two boys to be thieves and wretches of the worst imaginable +degree. They had stolen the horses of the Shawanoes and Miamis, and +had treacherously shot, not only the warriors, but the squaws and +papooses, when they lay asleep by their camp-fires. +</p> + +<p> +Arorara said he had been sent by his people to follow across the +river, and punish them for their many crimes. His purpose in +placing the guns as he had done, near the entrance of the lodge, was +to tempt the boys to make a rush to escape. +</p> + +<p> +When they did so, Arorara proposed that he and Wish-o-wa-tum should +leap upon them with knives. +</p> + +<p> +When this plan was fully explained to the chief, he nodded his head +and signified that he would willingly lend his hand. It was a +matter of indifference to him, and, but for the coming of the +Shawanoe, he probably would have allow the boys to depart without +harm. With Wish-o-wa-tum the whole question resolved itself into +one of policy. He lived alone and had never been disturbed by the +white settlers, who were locating in different parts of the territory. +If he should help in the taking off of youngsters, their friends +would not be likely to suspect him, and there was little probability +of the truth ever reaching their ears. +</p> + +<p> +But, if he refused the request of the guest, the fierce tribe to +which he belonged would be sure to go out of their way to punish +him. He therefore gave his assent, and added that he was ready do +his part whenever Arorara wished. +</p> + +<p> +It was at that juncture that the two red men essayed expression in +English, and Deerfoot saw that he must interfere at once. While +moving to the front of the lodge, he scanned his immediate surroundings, +so far as he could, but neither saw nor heard anything of the other +Shawanoe. In short, from what has already been told, it will be seen +that it was impossible for him to be in that vicinity. +</p> + +<p> +Throwing back the deerskin, the youthful warrior stepped quickly +within the wigwam. His bow was flung over his back, and, being +perfectly familiar with the interior, he extended his hand and +caught up the weapon nearest him, standing erect and facing all the +occupants as did Arorara a short time before. This movement and the +entrance itself were made with such deftness that no one observed +his presence, with the exception of Otto Relstaub, who by accident +happened to look toward him just as he entered. +</p> + +<p> +But the startling words of the German lad, accompanied by the +extension of his arm and finger toward the door, turned every eye +like a flash in that direction. They were just in time to catch a +glimpse of the arms of Deerfoot, as they were raised like the +flitting of the wings of a bird, and almost in the same breath the +youth was seen to be looking along the gleaming barrel pointed the +breast of the astounded warrior. +</p> + +<p> +"Dog of a Shawanoe!" exclaimed Deerfoot, his voice as firm and +unwavering as his nerves; "coward! Serpent that creeps in the grass +and strikes the heel of the hunter; Arorara speaks with a double +tongue; he says he took the scalp of Deerfoot, but the scalp of +Deerfoot is here, and he dares Arorara and Waughtauk and Tecumseh +and all the chiefs and sachems and warriors of the Shawanoes, to +take it!" +</p> + +<p> +The rifle, with the hammer drawn back, was flung to the ground, and +whipping out his hunting knife, the youth grasped the handle with +fingers of steel and assumed a defiant attitude. His face was aflame +with passion, and his breast became a raging volcano of wrath. +</p> + +<p> +In truth, Deerfoot had lost control of himself for the moment. An +overwhelming sense of his persecution caused his nature to revolt, +and he longed for the excuse to leap upon the Shawanoe who had +followed him across the Mississippi. There was a single moment when +he gathered his muscles for a tiger-like bound at his enemy, he was +restrained only by the pitiful expression on the terrified +countenance. +</p> + +<p> +The youth addressed his words to Arorara and his blazing eyes were +fixed on him. He had no quarrel with Wish-o-wa-tum and understood +his position, but he would not have shrunk from an attack by both. +Deerfoot knew that either was more powerful than he, but in cat-like +agility there could be no comparison between them. +</p> + +<p> +Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder, however, showed very plainly that he held +the invader of his lodge in great fear. He displayed visible emotion, +when listening to the ringing words of defiance; but he possessed +sense enough to perceive they were not addressed to him, and he +continued to smoke his pipe in silence. +</p> + +<p> +The squaw at the further end of the wigwam started, and with the +pipe in her grasp, stared with a dazed expression at the daring +intruder; then, like the true mother the world over, she leaned +forward, caught up her sleeping infant and held him to her breast, +ready to defend him with her life. +</p> + +<p> +Arorara looked in turn straight into the burning countenance of +Deerfoot. The elder warrior had unconsciously assumed an admirable +pose, his left foot forward, his hand resting on the handle of his +tomahawk, his whole position that of a gathering his strength for a +tremendous leap. But though his fingers toyed with the weapon at +his waist, they did not draw it forth; it was for that precise +signal the youth was waiting. +</p> + +<p> +While in this attitude, which might have been accepted as indicating +the most heroic courage, Deerfoot saw the lump or Adam's apple rise +sink in his throat, precisely as if he were to swallow something. +It was done twice, and was a sign of weakness on the part of +Arorara. +</p> + +<p> +The consuming anger of Deerfoot burned out like a flash of powder. +Hatred became contempt; enmity turned to scorn, and the mortal peril +of the warrior vanished. +</p> + +<p> +"Who now is the dog?" asked Deerfoot in English, with a curl of his +lip. "Arorara is brave when he stands before the youths who have no +weapons; he then speaks with the double tongue; he cannot utter the +truth. Arorara has his tomahawk and knife, Deerfoot has his; let +them fight and see whose scalp shall remain." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you do dot, old Roarer," exclaimed Otto Relstaub, stepping +forward in much excitement; "if you does, den you won't be old +Roarer not any more, as nefer vose-yaw! Dunderation!" +</p> + +<p> +"Let them alone," commanded Jack Carleton, catching his arm and +drawing him back; "don't interfere." +</p> + +<p> +"Don't you sees?" asked Otto, turning his head and speaking in a +whisper; "I want to scare old Roarer." +</p> + +<p> +"There's no call for doing that, for he's so seared now he can't +speak; he won't fight Deerfoot." +</p> + +<p> +Arorara possessed less courage than Tecumseh, who, when challenged +by Deerfoot in almost the same manner, would have fought him to the +death had not others interposed. The Shawanoe was now in mortal +terror of such an encounter. +</p> + +<p> +"Deerfoot and Arorara are brothers," said he, swallowing again the +lump that rose in his throat; "they belong to the same totem; they +are Shawanoes; the Great Spirit would frown to see them harm each +other." +</p> + +<p> +The words were spoken in Shawanoe, but Jack and Otto saw, from the +looks and manner of the elder warrior, that he was subdued and could +not be forced into a struggle with the lithe and willowy youth. +</p> + +<p> +It was not flattering to the pride of the young Kentuckian and his +companion that while Arorara felt no fear of them jointly, he was +terrified by the bearing of Deerfoot, who voluntarily relinquished +the advantage he possessed in the hope that it would induce the +other to fight. +</p> + +<p> +The abject words of Arorara caused a reaction in the feelings of +Deerfoot. His conscience condemned him for his outburst of passion, +and had the situation permitted, he would have prostrated himself in +prayer and begged the forgiveness of the Great Spirit whom he had +offended. +</p> + +<p> +But nothing in his face or voice or manner betrayed the change. +</p> + +<p> +He remained standing in front of the deerskin, which was thrown +back, so that the light from the camp-fire shone against the gloom +beyond; his left hand held the knife with the same rigid grasp, and +the limbs, which in the American Indian rarely show much muscular +development, were as drawn as steel. +</p> + +<p> +The squaw clasped the sleeping infant to her husky bosom and glared +at Deerfoot, like a lioness at bay. Had he advanced to do harm to +her offspring, she would have sprang upon him with the fierceness of +that beast and defended the little one to the death. Had the youth +assailed Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder, probably she would have sat an +interested spectator of the scene until it became clear which way it +was going, when she might have wrapped her baby in bison-skin, +placed him carefully away, and taken a part in the struggle. +</p> + +<p> +The Osage resumed the deliberate puffing of his pipe, but glanced +from one face to the other of the two Shawanoes. Stolid and lazy as +he was, by nature and training, he could not help feeling stirred by +the curious scene. +</p> + +<p> +Jack Carleton and Otto were on their feet, studying the two +countenances with equal intentness. Both were cheered by the +consciousness that danger no longer threatened them, and that +whatever followed must accord with the fact that Deerfoot the +Shawanoe was master of the situation. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p><a id="chap33"></a></p> +<h3> +CHAPTER XXXIII +</h3> + +<h3> +CONCLUSION +</h3> + +<p> +"My brother speaks with a single tongue," said Deerfoot, replying to +the cringing words of Arorara: "the Great Spirit will frown when he +sees two brothers fighting each other. Deerfoot has slain more than +one Shawanoe and has spared others; he will spare Arorara; he may +sit down beside the Osage warrior and smoke pipe with him." +</p> + +<p> +Immediately the youth shoved his knife in place, and for the first +time seemed to become aware that he stood in the presence of others. +He bestowed no attention on Wish-o-wa-tum or his squaw, but +addressed his young friends. +</p> + +<p> +"Let my brothers go from this lodge and make their way homeward; +Arorara will not pursue them." +</p> + +<p> +"Arorara will do them no harm," said the individual in as cringing +manner as before. +</p> + +<p> +"No, he will not, for Deerfoot will watch and slay Arorara if he +seeks to do so," quietly remarked the youth, who, in every sense of +the word, continued master of the situation. +</p> + +<p> +"Let us do vot he tells us," suggested Otto, moving awkwardly toward +the door. +</p> + +<p> +Deerfoot stepped slightly aside, to make room for them, and Jack +accepted the movement as an invitation for them to pass out. Otto +held back so as to permit the other to go first, and he followed +close behind him. Otto did not glance at or speak to either. He +had his misgivings concerning not only Arorara, but the Osage, who +might resent this invasion of his castle. Like the finely trained +Indian, he "took no chances." +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Otto were intensely interested in the situation, but they +did not forget themselves. The former, as he passed out, picked up +his own rifle, while Otto took the one belonging to the Indian, who +was left at liberty to hunt the gun left on the clearing by the +German lad when he prepared to start his camp-fire for the evening. +Thus each boy was furnished with the weapon which is indispensable +to the ranger of the woods. +</p> + +<p> +Every one can understand the reluctance of the two to walk from the +lodge with their turned upon their foe. With all their confidence +in the prowess of Deerfoot, they felt a misgiving which was sure to +distress them, so long as the enemies were in sight. On reaching +the outside, therefore, they turned about, walked slowly backwards, +and watched the wigwam. +</p> + +<p> +The deerskin being drawn aside, they could the figure of the young +Shawanoe, who had stepped back in front of it. Just beyond was partly +visible the subdued Shawanoe, he and his conqueror obscuring +the squaw, still further away, while Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder was +out of range. +</p> + +<p> +"I think that little place saw more surprises, this evening than it +will ever see again," said Jack Carleton, bending his head with the +purpose of gaining a better view; "in fact it has been a series of +surprise parties from the beginning." +</p> + +<p> +"Yaw, dot ish vot I dinks all a'while, but mine gracious!" +</p> + +<p> +Hitherto it had been the running vines, growing close to the ground, +which caused overturnings of Otto, but now it was another obstruction +in the shape of a tree trunk, over which Jack stepped, taking care +however, to say nothing to his companion concerning it. The smaller +sticks lying near made it look as if the trunk served to help the +squaw of Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder, when she was breaking or cutting +wood for the wigwam. +</p> + +<p> +Be that as it may, the heels of Otto struck it and he went over on +his back, with hat and gun flying and shoes pointed upward. +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks dot vos a pig vine," he said, clambering to his feet and +shaking himself together again. +</p> + +<p> +"You're getting to be the best fellow at tumbling I ever saw," said +Jack, suppressing, as well as he could, his laughter. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish so," assented the victim, too good-natured to find fault +after his fortunate escape. +</p> + +<p> +By this time, they were so far from the Osage lodge that very little +could be seen of the interior, and they turned round and walked side +by side. +</p> + +<p> +"It seems like a dream," remarked the young Kentuckian; "a few +minutes ago, there was no escape for us, and now I cannot think we +are in the least danger." +</p> + +<p> +"Who dinks dot de Shawanoes comes over der river after us?" asked +Otto. +</p> + +<p> +"Nobody besides Deerfoot: there isn't anything that he doesn't think +of that is worth thinking about." +</p> + +<p> +"Den vy he leaves us, when we leaves him?" +</p> + +<p> +"I've asked myself that question, Otto; it must be that, after we +parted, he learned something which told him the Shawanoes had +crossed the Mississippi after us. He changed his course and came to +our help, and it's mighty fortunate he did so." +</p> + +<p> +"I guess dot ish so; we will asks him when we don't see him." +</p> + +<p> +"I have my doubt about seeing him again." +</p> + +<p> +"How ish dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"You remember he said more than once he had reason to take another +course, and he did do so. He could not have been blamed for +believing we were able to get along without him, after entering +Louisiana. At any rate, he will think so now." +</p> + +<p> +This was a reasonable conclusion, and Otto agreed with his friend +that they were not likely to meet the extraordinary youth for some +time to come. He would probably take another direction, for, after +the threat he uttered to Arorara, and the panic into which he had +thrown him, that warrior would be glad to hasten back to his +friends, who were equally eager to reach Kentucky without loss of +time. +</p> + +<p> +The moon was high in the heavens and the woods open. Much to the +relief of Otto, the vines gave him no further trouble, and they +progressed without difficulty. The neighborhood was strange to +them, but they had tramped the wilderness too often to care. They +were sure of the general direction they were following, and were +confident now of reaching home, which could be no great distance +away. +</p> + +<p> +Such a buoyancy of spirits came over the boys that it was hard to +restrain themselves from shouting and leaping with joy. But for the +mishaps attending such sport they would have run at full speed and +flung their hats in air. Several miles were passed before they +became thoughtful and quiet. +</p> + +<p> +"Mine gracious!" abruptly exclaimed Otto, stopping short and +striking his knee a resounding whack; "vere ain't dot hoss?" +</p> + +<p> +"Had you forgotten about him?" asked companion with a smile. +</p> + +<p> +"I nefer dinks apout him since we comes the lodge." +</p> + +<p> +"I have, more than once; I made up my mind, when I found you in the +wigwam, that if you got out alive, I would insist that we go +straight home and think no more about the animal; but matters are in +a better shape, and we'll wait till to-morrow before we decide." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot suits me," assented Otto, nodding his head several times. +</p> + +<p> +As nearly as they could conjecture, they were some six miles from +the residence of Wish-o-wa-tum or Man-not-Afraid-of-Thunder, when +they decided to stop for the night. They were fully warranted in +believing that all danger from red men was ended; and, as they had +no means of finding a good camping site, they stopped at once and +began gathering fuel. The task was soon over, and the flint and +steel gave the speedily grew into a roaring blaze, the boys sat and +looked in each other's face. +</p> + +<p> +The night was cool, but pleasant. Clouds, however, were continually +drifting across the face of the moon, and a certain restlessness of +feeling, of which even the rugged youngsters were sensible, told +that a change was coming. +</p> + +<p> +The hour spent in the Osage wigwam was redolent of smoking venison, +and the boys smacked their lips and shook their heads, after the +manner of youngsters, with healthful appetites but there was no way +of procuring food, and they philosophically accepted the situation, +refraining from reference to eatables until there was a prospect of +obtaining them. +</p> + +<p> +Through all the eventful experience of the evening, Jack and Otto +had retained their blankets. The circumstances were such that +neither of the Indians with whom they were brought in contact cared +to secure them, though it may be suspected that, Wish-o-wa-tum would +have laid claim to that of the German, except for the visit of +Arorara and Deerfoot. +</p> + +<p> +Seated by the cheerful fire, the friends talked in rambling fashion +until drowsy, when they wrapped their blankets around them and lay +down to sleep. Some risk was involved in the proceeding, inasmuch +as the fire was likely to attract wild animals to the spot, but +providentially none disturbed the young pioneers, who slept quiet +and security until the sun was in the sky. +</p> + +<p> +The first step was a hunt for breakfast, for Jack and Otto were in a +state of ravenous hunger. They separated and were gone a half hour, +when the rifle of the young Kentuckian rang out and he soon +reappeared by the renewed camp-fire with a fine wild turkey, which, +it need not be said, afforded a nourishing and delightful meal for +them both. +</p> + +<p> +"Otto," said Jack, springing to his feet like a refreshed giant, "we +must hunt again for the horse." +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ishn't vot I don't dinks too—dot ish I does dinks so." +</p> + +<p> +"And you must now try to straighten out your English, so that +Deerfoot and I may not be ashamed of you." +</p> + +<p> +Otto nodded his head by way of assent, while he thought hard about +the proper manner of expressing himself. +</p> + +<p> +But an almost insurmountable difficulty confronted the boys from the +first. It was impossible to make search for the missing animal +until his footprints should be found, and the only way in which that +could be done was by retracing, to a considerable extent, their own +footsteps. Though somewhat disappointed, Jack Carleton was not +surprised, when taking his bearings by the sun, he learned they had +wandered from the proper path. They had turned to the left, until +the course was south of southwest. They had gone far astray indeed. +</p> + +<p> +The weather became more threatening. The sun had been above the +horizon less than an hour when its light was obscured by clouds, and +the windows of heaven were certain to be opened long before the orb +should sink in the west. +</p> + +<p> +Two miles were traveled, when the boys found themselves so close to +a large clearing, that they wondered how it escaped their notice the +preceding night. It covered more than an acre, and at one time was +the site of an Indian village. As a matter of course a small stream +ran near, and the red men who at no remote day made their dwelling +places there must have numbered fully a hundred. +</p> + +<p> +While wandering over the tract and looking about them, their eyes +rested on an elevation no more than a third of a mile distant. It +was thickly wooded, but a prodigious rock near the crest resembled a +spot that had been burned clear. +</p> + +<p> +"Helloa!" suddenly called out Jack Carleton, while gazing in the +direction, "there's someone on that rock." +</p> + +<p> +"I guess it ish a crow or bear—no, it ishn't." +</p> + +<p> +"My gracious! it's Deerfoot." +</p> + +<p> +A moment's scrutiny proved that the individual, beyond all question +was an Indian. Furthermore, he was making signals, probably having +descried them before they saw him. +</p> + +<p> +"I guess he only means to salute us," said Jack. +</p> + +<p> +Such seemed to be the case. The red man who was Deerfoot, waved his +hand in friendly salutation several minutes, then leaped from the +rock and vanished. It looked as if he had taken several hours to +assure himself the boys were in no danger from the Shawanoes; and, +having done so, he now bade them good-bye in his characteristic +fashion, giving his whole thought and energy to the business which +carried him far into the southwestern portion of the present State +of Missouri. +</p> + +<p> +Jack and Otto gazed in the direction of the rock a considerable +while, hoping their friend would reappear, or that he had started to +join them; but they were compelled to believe he had left, and for a +time at least, would be seen no more. +</p> + +<p> +The boys followed the back trail some distance further, when to +their delight they came upon the footprints of the missing horse, +marked so distinctly in the yielding earth that there could be no +mistake as to their identity. +</p> + +<p> +"Now, that's what I call good luck," exclaimed Jack, slapping his +friend on the back. +</p> + +<p> +"Dot ish vot I dinks—how ish dot?" asked Otto with a beaming face, +alluding to his own diction. +</p> + +<p> +"Capital!—think twice before you speak once, and before long you +won't be the worst bungler with your tongue that lives west of the +Alleghenies." +</p> + +<p> +'The German gazed at his companion as if on the point of reproving +him, but concluded to take time to put his words in proper shape. +</p> + +<p> +An interesting fact was noticed by both: the trail verged toward the +elevation where they last saw Deerfoot. Jack Carleton was set to +thinking and speculating over the situation. He asked himself +whether, when Deerfoot was about to pass out of their sight, his +gesticulations did not signify more than his friends supposed. +</p> + +<p> +"I wonder if he did not mean to tell us the horse was not far off: I +believe he did." +</p> + +<p> +"I—dinks—ot—ish-likely—vot—he—does," assented Otto, speaking +with such deliberation that Jack looked in his face, laughed and +nodded his head, approvingly. +</p> + +<p> +"We shall soon find out, for the trail is plain and must be new." +</p> + +<p> +But an unpleasant truth forced itself on their notice. Rain drops +were pattering upon the leaves, and the darkening sky presaged a +storm. +</p> + +<p> +As the best and indeed the only way to protect themselves against a +good drenching, the boys selected a tree whose foliage was +particularly abundant, and seated themselves on the ground with +their backs against it. Then the blankets were gathered over their +heads and around their shoulders, and they felt as secure as if in +their own log cabins, miles distant. +</p> + +<p> +The rain fell steadily for nearly two hours, when it gradually +ceased, and Jack and Otto quickly made ready to resume their +journey. The leaves, twigs and limbs were dripping with moisture, +so that, with the utmost care, it was impossible to advance far +without their garments becoming saturated. That, however, was not a +serious matter, and caused little remark. +</p> + +<p> +For some rods the hoof-prints of the horse were followed, but then +came the trouble. The rain had beaten down the leaves on the ground +with such force that even the keen eyes of the young Kentuckian +began to doubt. Finally the two paused, and Otto, having carefully +prepared himself, said: +</p> + +<p> +"I dinks dot ish no use for us to hunt the horse." +</p> + +<p> +"I am sorry to give it up and own we are beaten, but that is what we +shall have to do." +</p> + +<p> +"Vy do we does dot?" +</p> + +<p> +"We are trying to follow a Lost Trail." +</p> + +<p> +"If we does dot den we gots lost ourselves." +</p> + +<p> +"More than likely we shall, but I am afraid that if we go home +without the colt, your father will punish you." +</p> + +<p> +Otto shrugged his shoulders. +</p> + +<p> +"It vill not be the first times dot he does dot. I can stand it, I +dinks." +</p> + +<p> +"It will be a great pity, nevertheless, and shall do my best to +shame him if he should be mean enough to hold any such purpose." +</p> + +<p> +"Mebbe after we gots home and stays one while, we start out agin +some times more and look for the golt." +</p> + +<p> +"I have been thinking of the same thing," said Jack, who now changed +their course with the view of reaching home with the least possible +delay. +</p> + +<p> +The boys pushed forward with so much energy that on the next day, +before the sun had reached the meridian, they arrived home, where +for present we must bid them good-bye. +</p> + +<p> +But what befell them and Deerfoot in the eventful journey which they +speedily ventured upon in search of the LOST TRAIL, will be told in +Number Two of the Log Cabin Series, entitled "CAMP-FIRE AND +WIGWAM." +</p> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +THE END +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lost Trail, by Edward S. 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