MY MOTHER IS TAKEN DANGEROUSLY ILL--DIO AND I SET OFF TO FORT HAMILTON--
BOXER DISOBEDIENT--END OF OUR FIRST DAY'S JOURNEY--AN AGREEABLE ADDITION
TO OUR SUPPER--CAT-FISH--MY DOG ON THE WATCH--A MIDNIGHT INTERRUPTION--
OVERTAKEN BY THE SNOW--A TRYING DAY'S MARCH--WE ARE AT LENGTH ABLE TO
CAMP--STRONG INCLINATION TO SLEEP--BOXER KEEPS WATCH--THE RED-SKINS
NEAR--OUR HORSES AND RIFLES STOLEN--WE SUFFER FROM HUNGER--WE CONTINUE
OUR WAY ON FOOT--SLEEP IN A HOLLOW TREE--PURSUED BY WOLVES--WE KILL ONE
OF THE PACK--SAVED BY OUR DOG AND A BUFFALO CARCASE--WORN OUT--CAMP.
Hitherto our community had enjoyed the most uninterrupted good health,
no accidents had even occurred requiring more surgical skill than my
father or uncle were able to afford. In this we were especially
fortunate, for we knew of no doctor nearer than Fort Hamilton, and we
could scarcely expect him to come in any ordinary case of illness. At
length our dear mother began to ail, and her pale cheek and sunken eye
showed that she was suffering greatly. One evening, towards the end of
the year, the trees being already stripped of their leaves, Lily came to
me.
"Our dear mother is, I fear, very, very ill," she said; "I don't think
that your father is aware how serious her case is, and unless we can get
a doctor to prescribe for her, I am afraid that she will die. I should
be sorry to frighten you unnecessarily, Mike, but I am sure it is of the
greatest importance that a medical man should see her without delay."
"I am ready to set off this moment, and I will endeavour to bring back a
doctor at all costs," I answered.
"Do go, Mike," she said; "and yet I fear that you may encounter dangers
on the way, the journey is long, and the Indians are less peaceably
disposed, it is reported, than they have been of late, but I pray that
God will protect you, and I am sure that He will, when you are
performing an act of duty."
"Neither difficulties nor dangers shall prevent me from going, and I
feel as you do, that it is most important our mother should have medical
assistance. I am the fittest person to go, and I shall have no fears,
knowing that you, dear Lily, are praying for me."
"Remember too, Mike, that God will hear my prayers, and grant them too,
as He has promised," exclaimed Lily; "what an encouragement it is to
know that He does hear faithful prayer, and never fails to attend to
it."
As may be supposed, this was not the whole of our conversation. When my
father came in, I broke the subject to him; not wishing to alarm him
more than necessary about my mother's health, at the same time anxious
to obtain his permission for going. He at first hesitated, as I
expected that he would do, being more aware even than Lily was of the
difficulties of such a journey at that season of the year, when at any
time a snow-storm might come on and cover the ground many feet in depth.
At last, however, when I told him what Lily had said, he consented. I
had intended to go alone, trusting to my rifle for support, should I
require more provisions than I could carry on my horse. As soon as I
announced my intention of starting, Dio entreated that he might
accompany me.
"I will keep up wid you, Massa Mike, however fast you may hab to go.
Watch at night when you camp, and will remain by you while I have life,
should you be attacked by Indians or grizzlies. Do let me go?"
exclaimed the faithful fellow.
"I only hesitated, Dio, lest you might suffer from the weather, should
the winter begin before we can get back," I answered.
He thanked me when I consented, as much as if I had granted him a great
favour. He at once proposed that, as the winds were already cold, we
should put on our warm clothing, so as to be prepared for snow and
frost, should it overtake us. As his advice was good, I of course
agreed to follow it.
The next morning we were on foot before daybreak. My father had
authorised me to offer a large fee to the surgeon, and he sent a message
entreating the commandant to allow him to come, and promising to send
him back under a strong escort if necessary.
Kathleen and Lily were up to get my breakfast and to see us off.
"May Heaven protect you, my boy, and bring you back in safety with the
doctor," said my father, as he wrung my hand.
Other farewells were said, and mounted on our favourite horses, with our
rifles and pistols ready to our hands, our buffalo robes and blankets
strapped behind us, and our haversacks filled with provisions and
cooking utensils hung to our saddles, we set off. The increasing light
enabled us to go at a good speed. We had got some distance from home,
when looking round I saw that Boxer was following us. I ordered him to
go back, but though always obedient, after stopping an instant, he came
on again, and as he had volunteered to undergo the fatigues of the
journey, I allowed him to come. As soon as I called him, he rushed
forward, leaping and barking to show his delight, and then fell behind
again, steadily making his way at the heels of our horses. With the
first part of the country we were well acquainted, and as the weather
promised to be fine, we hoped to make a rapid journey. We got over a
good distance during the first day, and camped comfortably in the
sheltered nook of a wood near a stream, where our horses could obtain
plenty of grass. As it was important to husband our provisions, Dio,
who had brought a fishing-line and hooks, fitted up a rod, and was
fortunate enough to catch two fine cat-fish. The cat-fish, although its
name is not attractive, is excellent when cooked. It has, indeed, a
very fine flavour, is firm, white, and very rich. In appearance it is
like a diminutive dolphin. It has double fins in addition to those on
its back, and a long beard-like excrescence hangs from each side of its
mouth. One was more than sufficient for our supper, but Boxer had no
objection to eat the remainder. I was very glad my faithful dog had
come, as he assisted to keep watch, and was not likely to allow any foe
to approach the camp without giving us warning. Having built a lean-to,
we arranged our beds, composed of twigs and leaves, of which there were
abundance on the ground, and with our saddles for pillows and our feet
to the fire, we rolled ourselves up in our blankets, feeling as
comfortable as any people could do on feather beds. I, however, had not
been long sleeping, when I was awakened by hearing Boxer barking
furiously close to my ears. Starting up I saw a huge white animal, with
glaring eyes, staring at us from a respectful distance. Boxer, though a
brave dog, had apparently thought it prudent not to attack the creature
without arousing me to be ready to assist him. Leaping to my feet, I
instinctively seized my rifle, and, remembering the tricks played by
Indians, my first idea was that it was an enemy covered up by a
wolf-skin, trying to inspect our camp, and perhaps to steal our rifles
and other property, should he have an opportunity. I then recollected
that an Indian was much more likely to carry off our horses, and looking
round I saw them feeding quietly at the spot where they had been left.
They could not have seen the wolf, and the wolf could not have seen
them. I was convinced, however, that the animal I had seen was really a
wolf. On observing me move, huge as it was, it began to slink away,
showing that it was alone, and had not the courage to attack a man and a
dog. Though I could have knocked it over with my rifle, I did not think
it worthy of powder and shot, but calling to Dio, I picked up a thick
stick, that had served to poke up the fire, and ran forward. The
creature now took the alarm, and bounded off at full speed, Boxer and I
following close at its heels. The dog, exerting itself to the utmost,
at last made a spring and fixed his teeth in the hind-quarters of the
wolf, somewhat impeding its progress. This enabled me to get up and
deal several hard blows on the creature's head, one of which, given with
more force, or better aim, brought it to the ground, and Dio coming up,
we quickly deprived it of life. The skin, from the size of the animal
and its rare colour, was of some value, but as we could not carry it
with us, we hung it up to the branch of a tree, on the chance of finding
it on our return, merely taking some of the flesh to reward Boxer for
his vigilance and exertions.
"Dis not good ting to do, Massa Mike," observed Dio, as we returned to
camp; "maybe other wolves come, too many for us, when we sleep, and we
find hard job to get away from them."
"I don't see why, because we have killed one white wolf, we are more
likely to be attacked by the brown ones," I answered; "had we let it
escape, we might with more reason suppose that it would tell its
fellows."
Dio shook his head, but he let the subject drop, and once more, on
reaching camp, we went to sleep, trusting to Boxer to call us if
necessary, and as we could not take the wolf-skin, he benefited most by
the adventure.
The night had been lovely, the stars were still shining brightly
overhead when we awoke. Knowing that it was nearly morning, I proposed
that we should breakfast and ride on. There was daylight sufficient to
enable us to see our way. Boxer, not content with his plentiful supper,
as soon as he saw us moving, started off in the direction of the dead
wolf, and when we were on the point of mounting, reappeared with his
mouth besmeared with blood, showing how he had been employed. From the
way he moved on, I was afraid he had over-eaten himself; he, however,
contrived to keep up with our horses. During the night there had not
been a breath of wind, but as the sun rose, it began to blow fresh from
the east, and soon shifted to the northward, from which quarter a bank
of clouds rising rapidly, formed a dark canopy over the sky. On one
side the sun shone brightly across the prairie, lighting up its vivid
tints of green and brown and yellow, while on the other the whole
country wore a wintry aspect. Every instant the wind became stronger
and stronger, and the cold increased. Unbuckling our buffalo robes, we
put them over our shoulders, drawing down the flaps of our caps to keep
our ears warm. Before long it began to rain, but the rain soon changed
into snow, which came down thicker and thicker, until, in the course of
an hour, the whole face of the country was covered by a sheet of white,
making it difficult to distinguish the marks which had hitherto guided
our course.
"Dis not pleasant, Massa Mike," observed Dio; "we must push on to a
wood, for if de snow falls as it now does, before many hours de horses
will not be able to travel through it."
Dio was perfectly right, but the question was whether we could find the
desired wood. From my knowledge of the country, I believed that no
forest existed for many miles, the intermediate space being one
extensive prairie, the very worst description of country to be caught in
by a snow-storm. Still it would not do to pull up where we were, as we
had no means of lighting a fire. We urged on our horses therefore,
trying to keep as direct a course as possible. The snow, however, fell
so thickly, that we could no longer discern objects at any distance. It
was difficult, indeed, to steer a straight course, for the flakes
quickly obliterated the tracks of our horses' hoofs. We could only
judge that we were going right by the wind, which blew on our left
cheeks. That, however, veered about, coming in fitful gusts, and
driving the snow against our eyes with a force that almost blinded us.
Our horses, too, began to grow weary by their efforts to make their way
through the snow, and I feared, after all, that we should have to
dismount, and lead them on by the bridle. Still it would not do to give
in.
"We must push forward, Dio, and perhaps the snow before long will
cease," I observed.
"Nebber fear, Massa Mike," answered the faithful black whose teeth were
chattering with the cold; "worse things dan dis happen 'fore now, and we
got safe out of dem."
I remembered, indeed, my many former providential escapes, and I had not
forgotten that my dear little Lily was praying for us. Still matters
looked worse and worse. The snow gave no sign of ceasing, while the
wind blew more keenly and fiercely than before. The day, too, was
drawing to a close. A night on the prairie under such circumstances
would be truly dreadful. There was no moon, and with the sky obscured,
should the snow continue to fall, we might even possibly become
separated. I urged Dio to keep close to me, and I knew that Boxer would
not fail to do so. We rode on and on, but our steeds went slower and
slower, while the cold had become so intense that I feared we should be
frozen if we continued to ride; I therefore, in the hopes of getting my
blood into quicker circulation, by the exertion of walking, got off, as
did Dio, and we led our horses. I went first, he following close behind
me, and Boxer bringing up the rear. The snow had become so deep, that I
had to lift up my feet at every step, making the exertion excessively
fatiguing. Our horses went on readily enough. As I beat a path, Dio
had somewhat less difficulty than I had. At last he begged that he
might lead the way to relieve me, but this I would not allow. Severe as
was the exercise, I still preferred it to riding. At last, our horses
being somewhat rested, having brushed the snow from our saddles, we
remounted and endeavoured to urge them on at a faster rate than we had
lately been going. The snow suddenly ceased falling. I stood up in my
stirrups to look round, in the hopes of distinguishing a wood in one
direction or another where we might find shelter, but one uniform sheet
of white covered the whole ground as far as the eye could see. Our
great object was to keep in a straight line towards the east, but, as
before, we had only the wind to guide us. Scarcely had we gone a
hundred yards, when the snow again fell as thickly as ever. I felt the
cold creeping over me. Poor Dio I knew must be suffering even more than
I was, but not a word of complaint did he utter.
"Long lane, massa, dat hab no turnin'!" he cried out, trying to laugh.
"Perhaps 'fore long we come to de wood where plenty of sticks, and we
light fire, build hut, an' de horses find grass, an' we sit down warm
and comfortable."
"I shall be very thankful if we do," I answered; "but it has become
terribly dark. It will be a difficult matter to see a wood, even should
we get near one."
"Yes, Massa Mike, but de hosses find it out, even it we don't," answered
Dio in a cheery tone; "what we best do is to let dem take dare own way;
dey know what the wood is, dough we no see him."
I followed Dio's advice, but our horses showed no inclination to turn
either to the right hand or to the left, but ploughed on through the
snow, as though unwilling to remain exposed to it as we were; I took out
my watch, but could scarcely see the hands, though I managed to make out
that it was about five o'clock, and that the sun must have set; indeed,
the rapidly increasing darkness assured me that in a short time night
would overtake us. I soon could only barely distinguish the outline of
my horse's head against the white ground. I frequently spoke to Dio,
for fear any accident should make him drop behind, when he might have a
difficulty in finding me again.
"Do not lose sight of my horse's tail, whatever you do," I shouted out.
Dio promised to keep me in sight, but that was not so easy, though
probably his horse would from instinct keep close behind mine. At last
I could scarcely see my own hand when I held it up, and my horse's ears
were totally invisible. I had heard of travellers crossing the open
prairie perishing in a snow-storm, and I began to fear that such might
be our fate, but then I recollected Lily and my little sister. They
were praying for us, and I took courage. Several times Dio and I got
off to warm ourselves, but as I found on the whole that we made slower
progress on foot than on horseback, we again remounted. I have since
wondered how we could have endured the chilling breath of that piercing
wind for so many hours. On and on we went, the time appeared longer
indeed than it really was, but we had no means of calculating how it
went by. Dio continued talking, both to assure me that he was close
behind, and to keep up my spirits, though the idea of giving in as long
as we and our horses had strength to move, never occurred to me. At
length it seemed to me that my horse was verging to one side, as I felt
the wind blowing in my teeth, more directly than it had hitherto done,
then, after some time longer, a low murmuring sound reached my ears. It
was, I fancied, the soughing of the wind among the branches of tall
trees. Still I could see no object ahead. Next there came a lull, but
the snow did not decrease. Presently I made out what seemed like a
large column close to me, on the right hand side, then I saw another on
the left. They were the trunks of trees, and from the irregular way the
snow flakes fell, I was sure that we had gained the confines of the
wood.
"We all right now, Massa Mike," sang out Dio; "dis is de wood: we get
off and build a hut under some of dese trees."
On dismounting, as Dio proposed, I found that the snow was scarcely an
inch deep. By creeping about we discovered a clump of trees, under the
lee of which but little snow had rested. We could feel that there was
grass, and were consequently sure that our horses would not stray from
the spot. We therefore took off the saddles and saddle-bags, and,
having put on their halters instead of their bridles, left them to feed,
while we broke off, from the lower branches and bushes, a sufficient
amount of dead wood to kindle a fire. It was somewhat doubtful,
however, whether the wind would allow us to light it, or if we succeeded
in doing so, whether it would scatter the sparks about, and perhaps
ignite some of the underwood, so as to set the whole forest in a blaze.
Against such a catastrophe as this we had especially to guard. The idea
also occurred to me that possibly some old bear might have taken up its
winter-quarters in the hollow trunk of one of the trees, but I was
satisfied from Boxer's quiet behaviour that such was not likely to be
the case; he followed close at my heels wherever I went, and I knew that
he would spring forward, should any savage animal be near, to do battle
in my defence. Dio and I kept talking the whole time, that we might not
run the risk of being separated. As I was groping about, I observed a
luminous appearance, somewhat like the embers of a fire, though of a
paler hue. It was a mass of touchwood in the hollow of a tree. I put
my hand in and broke off a lump. Though it would not afford flame
itself, it would enable us to kindle a blaze. Close below it I
discovered a quantity of dry leaves, and we now had the means of making
what we so much required, a fire to warm our benumbed limbs. No hunter
in the prairies is ever without a flint and steel, and we soon had a
cheerful fire, burning away between the roots of a thick tree, round
which we crouched with our buffalo robes over our shoulders, Boxer
joining us to enjoy the warmth. We had had no food since the morning,
and as we began to grow warm our hunger also increased.
"Where are the saddle-bags?" I asked, thinking they were close at hand.
"I put dem down whar' we unsaddled the horses--I go get dem," said Dio.
Jumping up he speedily returned with them, bringing also the saucepan
and tin mugs, with a water-bottle which was still quite full, but he
left the saddles, where they had been first placed on the ground. Our
hunger made us immediately apply to the contents of the saddle-bags,
while we put on our saucepan to brew some tea, which served more quickly
than anything else to restore warmth to our bodies. Poor Boxer,
however, came off but badly, as we could only afford to give him a small
portion of the bacon and bread, being disappointed of the game we hoped
to shoot to feed him. As to building a hut, besides the difficulty of
obtaining materials, both Dio and I were so fatigued, that once having
sat down we felt no inclination to move about more than was necessary.
All we could do, indeed, was to collect a further supply of wood to keep
up our fire. On looking at my watch I found that it wanted scarcely
three hours to morning. I felt by this time an overpowering inclination
to sleep, and Dio, I saw by the way he uttered his words, was affected
in the same manner. As far as we could judge the snow continued to come
down as heavily as before, but as we were protected by the thick
overhanging limbs of the trees, very little fell on us. We could hear
our horses cropping the grass, where we had tethered them, and we hoped
they would obtain sufficient to enable them to continue the journey the
next day. To keep awake any longer I found was impossible, so, drawing
my blanket tightly round me, I lay down with my feet towards the fire,
as near as I could venture to place them without fear of being burned.
Dio was already asleep, and I dropped off immediately afterwards. I do
not know how long it was after I had closed my eyes, when I became
conscious that Boxer was crawling close to me, licking my face,
trembling and whining in a peculiar manner. I was, however, so heavy
with sleep, that I did not comprehend for some time the cause of this.
Finding that he could not rouse me, he rushed across to Dio, whose voice
I soon heard.
"Some ting de matter, Massa Mike. Wake up, wake up. Boxer know dat
red-skin not far off."
Boxer again came back to me and gave a pull at my blanket, which
effectually awakened me.
"Red-skins!" I cried out, sitting up and listening. "I can hear
nothing."
"Boxer does dough," answered Dio.
The fire had burnt low, a few glowing embers alone remained,
insufficient to cast a light to any distance, I sprang up, intending to
put some more wood on to kindle a blaze, when the sound of horses' feet
reached my ears. "Our animals have got loose at all events, and if we
are not quick about it, we shall have a hard job to recover them," I
exclaimed.
Without a moment's delay I dashed forward in the direction in which we
had left the horses tethered, followed by Dio. They were both gone. If
they had pulled up the tether-pegs, and we were under a mistake in
supposing that Indians had carried them off, we might easily catch them
in the morning. Should we follow them now, we might run the risk of
losing ourselves, and indeed it was too dark to see their tracks in the
snow; still, hoping that we might come up with them before we lost sight
of our fire, we went on, until Dio stumbled over the trunk of a fallen
tree, and I, knocking my head against a bough, was almost stunned. I
heard Dio cry out, but I was too much hurt to reply. Boxer was close at
my heels; he uttered a bark which brought the black to my assistance.
In less than a minute I recovered.
"We must go back to the fire," I said, "for we shall be frozen if we
remain long away from it."
Just at that moment, looking in the direction of our camp, I saw--unless
I was deceived--two figures, on which a flickering flame cast an
uncertain light, pass by on the other side of the fire. The alarming
thought occurred to me, that we had come away without our rifles, and
that, should the persons I fancied I had seen prove to be enemies, we
were entirely in their power. On looking again, I could see no one. I
told Dio, but he had not seen the figures. My first impulse was to rush
forward, to ascertain if our rifles had been taken; then I thought, if
hostile Indians are on the watch, they will shoot us down as soon as we
appear within the light of the fire.
"It will be more prudent to ascertain whether any enemies are near," I
whispered to Dio; "we will creep up, keeping as close as possible to the
trunks of the trees, until we get nearer the fire, and learn what has
happened."
We did as I proposed, Boxer keeping close to my heels. This was
somewhat suspicious, as it showed that he, at all events, believed that
Indians were not far off, he sharing the dislike of all white men's dogs
to the red-skins. We managed to creep up to within a short distance of
our camp, without, as we supposed, exposing ourselves to view. When we
looked round from behind the trunk of a tree which we had gained, we
could see no one.
"After all I believe that my fancy has deceived me," I whispered to my
companion; "probably the horses have only gone a short distance, to find
more grass. We may as well go back and sleep quietly until morning."
We accordingly, without hesitation, returned to the camp. The first
thing I did was to look about for the rifles; what was my dismay not to
find them where I felt sure they had been left. Our saddle-bags, too,
were gone. We walked round and round the fire, to be certain that we
were not mistaken, but we could discover neither the one nor the other.
We were now convinced that Indians must have visited our camp during our
absence, and that our horses also had been carried off. The only
surprising thing was, that they had not attacked us. Perhaps they only
waited until we were seated before our fire to shoot us; they might
suppose that we had pistols, and were afraid of venturing near while we
were on the watch. My first impulse was to fly and try to escape, but
in what direction should we go? Until daylight, we could not find our
way out of the forest. We should in all probability fall into their
hands. I never before felt my scalp fit so uncomfortably to my head.
The thieves, whoever they were, had, however, left us our blankets,
which perhaps had escaped their observation. To stay where we were,
with the prospect of being shot, would be madness. Snatching up our
blankets, therefore, we secured them over our shoulders, and, followed
by Boxer, endeavoured to make our way through an opening, which as far
as we could calculate, led towards the east. We went on groping our
way, sometimes falling over logs, but managing again to recover our
feet. It was better to keep moving than to sit down. Although the cold
in the forest was much less than in the open prairie, it was still very
severe, and we might very easily be frozen to death. Our chief
consolation was, that day would soon return, and that we might at all
events be able to see our way. We were still a long distance from the
fort, and even should we ultimately reach it, the delay of sending
medical assistance to my dear mother might be of serious consequence.
Daylight at last returned, but not a break in the sky indicated that the
snow was about to cease. It was important to keep under the shelter of
the trees as long as we could. Should we venture after we got out of
the forest to cross the open prairie without weapons to defend ourselves
against enemies, or any means of obtaining food? Dio and I decided that
it must be done at all risks; that on we would go as long as our legs
would carry us. It was now broad daylight. We were making our way on,
when we came to a stream, which flowing but slowly, had been frozen over
during the night. As I knew the rivers in that locality ran more or
less to the eastward, it would assist in guiding our course, but the
appearance of the ice did not encourage us to use it as a high road. We
settled therefore to keep along the bank, crossing it or cutting off
angles as might appear advisable.
"Before we go far, I tink we get arms," said Dio; "dat saplin' make good
spear." And taking out his axe, he cut down the young tree, while I
formed a heavy club from a branch of hickory, which had been torn off
apparently by a storm. If we had had time, we might have formed bows
and arrows, but the cold was too great to allow us to do so, until we
had put up a hut in which to work; besides, before they could be
finished, we might starve with hunger. We therefore contented ourselves
with the weapons we had formed, and Dio having scraped one end of his
pole into a sharp point, we continued our journey.
We had not gone far, when we discovered a hollow tree, and as we were
very weary, besides being hungry, after examining it, to ascertain that
it was unoccupied, we crawled in. We had not much fear of being
attacked by the Indians, who, although they certainly could have
followed our trail, would, we concluded, have made us prisoners or put
us to death when they had us in their power, should they have been so
disposed. The tribes of red-skins are not all equally blood-thirsty,
some being addicted rather to stealing horses and cattle than to
murdering the whites; and we had no doubt that such were the people who
had carried off our horses and rifles. We therefore, squatting down in
the confined space of the tree, folded our arms across our breasts, and
immediately dropped off asleep. Weary as I was, my slumbers were
troubled and far from sound. I did not intend to rest more than an hour
at the utmost, as I was afraid of wasting too much precious time.
Before that period had elapsed, I opened my eyes and awoke Dio. Looking
out, I found that the snow had ceased. I could nowhere see Boxer. I
called to him again and again, but he did not come.
"He gone to de hunt for himself," observed Dio; "perhaps he come back
with young hare or 'possum."
We waited a few minutes. As I knew that Boxer would follow up the trail
as well as any Indian could do, I did not think it necessary to wait for
him. Scarcely had we recommenced our journey, when the well-known howl
of a wolf reached my ears, repeated by several other brutes of the same
species. Had we possessed our rifles, we should not have been afraid of
a hundred of them, but, unarmed as we were, it would be difficult to
defend ourselves against them, should they follow us. To retreat to the
hollow tree would be useless, for although we might keep them at bay,
should they besiege us, we might starve before we could regain our
liberty. We therefore continued our course, hoping that they would not
scent us out. The sounds of barking and yelping increased. It made me
fear that Boxer had fallen into their power; if so, he would long ere
this have been torn to pieces, and there would be no use in going to his
rescue. We were close to the stream, when, on looking round, I saw an
animal coming out of the wood on the opposite side. At first I thought
it was my faithful dog, but a second glance showed me that it was a
wolf--a savage looking brute it was too. The sight of one wolf however,
did not give us the slightest alarm, and even if I had had my rifle in
my hand, I would not have shot it. When we stopped, the wolf stopped
and looked at us, but as soon as we went on again, I saw that it was
following, though at a respectful distance.
"Nebber fear; if he come near, I gib him poke with my spear," said Dio;
so on again we went.
The howls which we had before heard, again broke out, and the brutes
appeared to be coming nearer.
"We must keep ahead of them at all events, Dio," I observed; "if we
cross the river, they are less likely to follow. Let us push on!"
We reached the ice, which appearing firm, we ventured on it. As it bore
our weight better than we expected, we could now run on at a quick pace.
I led, Dio following close behind me.
"Go on, massa! go on!" I heard him sing out continually.
I kept verging towards the opposite side of the stream, where the ground
was more open, and I hoped that we should make better progress.
Presently I heard Dio utter an exclamation, and looking round, I saw a
wolf close at his heels, while several more were following at a short
distance. Should the brute once attack us, it would be the signal for
the others to set on us.
On the impulse of the moment, not thinking of what he was about, Dio
took off his cap and threw it at the brute, which stopped, and quickly
tearing it to pieces, came rushing on faster than before. Dio, now
again turning round, pole in hand, stood ready for the attack, the next
instant he plunged it into the wolf's side, pinning the creature to the
ice. Even then, so violent were its struggles, that it would have
broken away, had I not come up and finished it with a blow of my club.
"On now, massa! on!" cried Dio; "dey rest stop an' eat their friend, and
we get 'way."
This was obvious enough, and we set off running as fast as we could over
the ice. Several loud cracks, however, warned us that it would be
prudent to gain the shore as soon as possible, although we might not
make our way so fast over it as we had been doing on the ice. As I
glanced over my shoulder, I saw that the pack had attacked their
comrade, and were busily employed in devouring his carcase. They would
not, however, take long in doing that, and we might soon expect to have
them at our heels. Hungry as we were, our strength was not exhausted,
and we resolved not to give in while life remained. We might hope to
reach some place where we could defend ourselves until the savage pack
had grown weary of besieging it. We had gained a considerable distance,
and were almost out of hearing of the yelping and barking, when again
those horrid sounds began to draw near. The brutes had eaten up their
companion, and were once more on our trail. How many miles we had run I
could not tell, when we saw that the pack were rapidly gaining upon us,
and that we should have to stop and fight for our lives. As I was
expecting every instant that we should have to turn round and commence
the battle, I saw a dark object on the ground, and at the same moment I
heard a bark, uttered certainly not by a wolf. Presently a dog came
rushing towards us whom I at once recognised as Boxer, holding a huge
piece of meat in his mouth. Regardless of the wolves, he leapt up as if
to offer it to us. A short distance off lay a buffalo bull, which
probably had been shot by some hunter, and had there fallen down and
died. Taking the meat, I threw it towards the wolves, then Dio, Boxer,
and I continued our flight, passing close to the bull. We were saved
from the imminent danger which had threatened us, for the wolves would
certainly be delayed long enough over the carcase to enable us to make
good our escape. I was rushing on, when Dio cried out--
"Stop, massa, I git out some meat for our supper."
With his axe he quickly cut off a huge piece of the flesh. The morsel I
had thrown to the wolves, had delayed them longer than I might have
supposed. The brutes having stopped to quarrel over it, had furiously
attacked each other, so that we were already a considerable distance
beyond the buffalo before they reached it. So completely did it occupy
their attention, that they no longer thought of us, and at length, when
we from a distance looked back, we could see a tossing, moving mass of
animals, their barks and yelps sounding faintly in our ears. Hungry as
we were, I thought it prudent not to stop until we could reach some
sheltered place where we could light a fire, and at the same time,
defend ourselves, should any of the pack follow us. We had been saved
from one danger, we might hope to escape others. The wind had fallen,
though it still blew from the north, and the cold was severe. The
exercise, however, kept us warm. We were again in open ground, but we
could see the wood ahead, bordering the stream, an angle of which we had
cut off. Continuing on, we once more gained the wood, and soon fixed on
a spot for camping. Near it was a tree, the branches of which we could
reach, so that should the wolves again come near us, we might climb up
out of their reach. Collecting sticks, we soon had a fire lighted, and
a part of our meat spitted and roasting before it. As we had lost our
buffalo robes, it was absolutely necessary to form some sort of shelter,
and while our supper was cooking, we began to collect materials for
forming it. Well accustomed to such work, we did not take long about
it. The necessary stakes were cut, the branches and pieces of bark
collected, and by the time Dio pronounced the meat "done," we had our
hut up, resting against the trunk of a tree. Had we not been so busily
employed, we could not have waited so long without food. Tough as was
the meat, it greatly restored our strength, while we quenched our thirst
with handfuls of snow. I had not before felt sleepy, but scarcely had I
swallowed the food, than I became almost overpowered by drowsiness, and
had just sense enough to crawl into the hut, when I dropped off to
sleep.