THE SETTLERS DETERMINE TO ACCEPT MR. SPARKS' OFFERS--LILY'S SORROW AT
LEAVING THE OLD SETTLEMENT--MODE OF ADVANCE--SABBATH OBSERVANCE ON THE
MARCH--WE ARE LEFT BEHIND, IN CONSEQUENCE OF OUR WAGGON BREAKING DOWN--
OUR GREAT WANT OF WATER--A DANGEROUS DESCENT--THE HORRID SPECTACLE OF
THE WOLVES--OUR OXEN FLAGGING, I PROCEED FORWARD ALONE IN THE DIRECTION
OF A FIRE IN THE DISTANCE--MY JOY UPON DISCOVERING OUR FRIENDS--REUBEN
OFFERS TO ACCOMPANY ME BACK--WE GET LOST--FAITHFUL MIKE FINDS US--
STRANGE HORSEMEN--MIKE, REUBEN, AND I TAKEN PRISONERS BY THE SIOUX.
The fire gave more support to the schemes of Mr Sparks than did all his
arguments and glowing descriptions. Mr Claxton, my uncles, and most of
the settlers who possessed the means of transport, resolved to accept
his offers, and at once prepared for the journey. Those who had no
waggons made up their minds to remain where they were, and to cultivate
the ground, which the ashes would render more fertile than before. The
grass, after the first rain, would spring up and afford a rich pasture
for their cattle; and the charred trunks would enable them to rebuild
their log-huts and put up fences. I had reason afterwards to believe
that they chose the wisest course; though at the time I was well pleased
at the thought of the long journey we were to take, and the adventures
we might expect to meet with.
I was surprised to find that Lily did not enter into my feelings. "I
would far rather have stayed where we were," she said. "The trees would
soon have become green again, and we could have cultivated the ground as
before, and the river and hills would have remained the same; though, as
Uncle Stephen and aunt, and you, Roger, wish it, I am ready to go."
My uncles had saved a bag of dollars, and the Claxtons and others were
provided with cash. Therefore, as soon as the country was sufficiently
cool to enable the waggons to move, two were sent off to the eastward to
bring back such stores as were required; while the main body began to
move southward, along the bank of the river, to a spot where we intended
to cross.
Our course for some distance was to be to the southward; after which we
were to turn to the south-west till we reached the prairie. I cannot
describe each day's journey. In front marched a body of a dozen men,
with their axes, to clear the road. The waggons, drawn by long teams of
oxen, followed; and the loose cattle, driven by the younger men and
boys, brought up the rear.
While no fears existed of an attack from the Indians, the axemen
generally marched a day in advance of us, to cut a road through the
woods. Another party, acting as hunters, ranged on one side or the
other of the line of march in search of deer, bears, or any other
animals, and birds; and they contrived, when possible, to reach the
camping-ground an hour or two before the waggons, so that they might get
the fires lighted, and have the game they had killed cooking on the
spits, in readiness for the women and children. Reuben and I undertook
to hunt, since we were as good shots as any of the emigrants. We always
went together, and seldom failed to bring in game of some sort.
As evening approached we made our way towards the spot fixed on for the
encampment. Before nightfall the main body usually arrived, and the
waggons were arranged in a circle, so as to form a sort of fortification
in case of attack from the Indians: though we had no great reason to
apprehend such an event at that period of our journey. No time was lost
in commencing supper; and as soon as it was over the women and children
went to rest inside the waggons, while the men not on guard lay down
either under them or in the neighbourhood of the fires. A spot was
always chosen--either by the side of a stream or near some pool--where
the cattle could find water and good grass. They were then turned out
to graze, under charge of a few armed men. Of course, we all kept our
rifles by our sides, so that we might be ready to defend ourselves at a
moment's notice.
We met with very few Indians, and those we fell in with seemed disposed
to be friendly. They saw that we were merely passing through their
hunting-grounds, and had apparently no objection to our killing the
comparatively small amount of game we met with. Had we shown any
intention of settling, the case might have been different.
We thus pushed on for many days together, halting only on the Sabbath,
to obtain the rest which both we and our cattle required. This was a
day we all enjoyed. One of the elders conducted a service, and the
wilderness we were traversing resounded for the time with praise and
prayer.
Thus we travelled on day after day; but we made but slow progress
through the densely-wooded country, having sometimes to cut our way amid
the trees, though we were generally able to find a passage without
felling them. Occasionally, however, we were compelled to do even that,
and to drag the huge trunks out of the road, before the waggons could
proceed. We had also frequently to cross rivers. When no ford could be
found, we built large rafts, on which the waggons were ferried over,
while the oxen gained the opposite bank by swimming. They were
accustomed to the undertaking; and, strange as it may seem, we never
lost any by this means.
At length we gained an open but more desert region. The ground was
stony and uneven, and we had rocky hills to ascend and dark gorges to
pass through. Water was scarce, and we had often to carry sufficient to
supply our wants for a couple of days; while our cattle suffered greatly
from thirst. We could no longer hunt in small parties, for fear of
encountering hostile Indians; but we were able to kill game without
going to any great distance from the camp, as we found several species
of deer inhabiting those wilds.
My uncle's waggon was one day bringing up the rear of the train; and our
water being nearly exhausted, we were pushing forward as fast as the
oxen could move, in the hope of reaching a stream before dark, when one
of the wheels came off, and the waggon, in falling over, suffered
considerable damage. Under other circumstances, the train would have
stopped till our waggon was put to rights; but as most of the oxen were
suffering from thirst, and many of the party had no water remaining, it
was important for them to push forward without delay. We were therefore
compelled to remain by ourselves; but no Indians had as yet been seen in
this part of the country, and we hoped that we should escape without
being attacked.
My uncles were not men to be frightened by difficulties. They and Mike,
with Quambo and I, immediately set to work to do what was necessary. We
unloaded the waggon, and commenced repairing the damage it had received.
This, however, took us some time, and it was quite dark before we got
the wheel on again and the waggon reloaded. Having been more provident
than the rest of the party, we were able to wet our beasts' muzzles, and
still have sufficient water to last ourselves for a few hours.
As we wished to overtake our companions as soon as possible, we
immediately pushed forward, and soon got into a somewhat more level
country than we had lately been passing through; but the ground was very
hard, and in the darkness we could not perceive the tracks made by those
in advance. Had an Indian guide been with us, he would undoubtedly have
discovered them; but we had to trust to our own sagacity, and we had not
gone far when we found that we had got out of the right road. We did
our utmost to regain it, but in vain. Still, believing that we were
going in the proper direction, we proceeded onwards. The stars came out
brightly from the sky, and we shaped our course as directly as we could
by them.
While Uncle Stephen drove, Uncle Mark and I, with Mike and Quambo,
marched on either side, our faithful dogs following at our heels. We
kept a look-out in every direction, lest we should chance to be observed
by a band of Indians, who, seeing a small party, might pounce down upon
us; still, we were all accustomed to look on the bright side of things,
and though we were aware of the possible danger, we were not
unnecessarily alarmed. Our chief anxiety arose from a fear of not
finding water for our thirsty beasts. They might hold out during the
cool hours of night; but should they not be supplied with the necessary
fluid, they must in a short time succumb, and dreadful indeed would be
the consequences to ourselves.
When I occasionally went up to the waggon, I found Aunt Hannah and Lily
awake. They kept up their spirits very well, and naturally inquired
whether we had as yet discovered the track of those who had gone before.
"Not yet," I answered in as cheerful a voice as I could command; "but we
soon shall, I dare say; and, at all events, we are going in the right
direction. The stars are shining brightly, and by them Uncle Stephen
can guide the waggon as well as if we had the train of our friends in
view. But we shall soon be up with them, I hope, and find them all
comfortably encamped."
"I trust that we may," said Aunt Hannah, "if not, we shall find water, I
suppose, in a few hours, and we shall certainly overtake them
to-morrow."
This showed what was passing in her mind. She had begun to suspect--
what really was the case--that we had widely deviated from our course.
One thing was very certain,--that it would be destruction to stop; so,
although our oxen were beginning to show signs of fatigue, and we felt
our own legs aching, we continued to move forward.
At length, about a couple of hours before dawn, we arrived at the edge
of a ravine, the sides of which, though not precipitous, appeared to be
_very_ steep, and down which it would have been madness to attempt
taking the waggon in the dark. We must either stop, or try to find a
passage across to the north or south. We had observed that the valleys
already passed by us were shallower to the southward; we therefore
turned our waggon in that direction, hoping shortly to discover a
practicable path, though we suspected that it would lead us even further
from the track of our friends.
We went on and on, fancying that we could discern the bottom of the
valley more clearly than at first, and hoping soon to discover a
sufficiently gentle slope which we might be able to descend. But we
were deceived, and though Uncle Mark and I made our way down in several
places, we saw that the waggon would certainly be upset should we
attempt to get it down. We were almost in despair of success, for the
ravine appeared to run on to the southward with equally rugged sides as
at first. The panting oxen, too, could scarcely drag on the waggon, and
we began to fear that they would fall unless water should be found. We
urged them on, however, for stopping to rest would not avail them, and
might prove our destruction.
Morning at length broke, when we saw a hill before us which seemed to be
the termination of the ravine; and as the light increased, to our joy we
caught sight of a silvery line of water making its way along the course
of the valley. Our eagerness to reach the bottom was now greater than
ever; and we could with difficulty restrain the oxen from rushing down
the bank. We had to keep at their heads, indeed, to prevent them
attempting so mad a performance.
On we went, till we saw before us what we had so long been looking
for,--a gentle slope which it would be easy to descend, while on the
opposite side the ground was equally favourable for again ascending to
the same elevation as before. Putting the drag on the wheel, we
commenced the undertaking; and though I more than once feared that the
waggon would be upset, we reached the bottom in safety. Then,
immediately unyoking the tired oxen, we hurried to the fountain-head to
obtain water, while they rushed to a pool close below it, where they
could more easily drink. Near at hand was an abundance of fresh grass,
with which they quickly recruited their strength.
Aunt Hannah and Lily offered to watch while we lay down and took the
sleep we so much required.
"I will keep a look-out all round, and if I see any suspicious Indians
approaching I'll scream loud enough to wake you all," said Lily, half in
joke, as if she were not at all anxious on the subject.
"One thing is very certain,--if they do come, we cannot run away from
them," observed Uncle Mark. "We must hope that they will prove
friendly, for if not we shall have to beat them or be cut to pieces.
However, we will trust to your watchfulness, and pick up a little
strength to continue our journey."
We accordingly lay down under the waggon, and in less than a minute were
fast asleep.
We rested till about ten o'clock, when Aunt Hannah, as Uncle Stephen had
desired, awoke us. Not a human being had approached the valley, though
she said that she had seen some creatures moving along on the top of the
heights; but what they were she could not make out, though they did not
look, she thought, like deer.
Having taken a hurried meal, we again yoked the oxen; and going behind
with crowbars to assist, we commenced the ascent of the hill. It was
harder work than we expected, but, by making a zigzag course, in about
half an hour we got to the top. Looking ahead, the country appeared to
be pretty level, with rocky hills rising out of it in various
directions, but we expected to have no difficulty in making our onward
way. We had filled all our skin-bottles with water, and even should we
meet with no more till the following day the cattle would not materially
suffer.
My uncles were of opinion that we had crossed near the source of the
stream at which the rest of the party must have stopped, and that by
verging to the right we should fall upon their tracks, although we did
not expect to meet with them till the close of the day, owing to the
direction we were taking. They might possibly have sent back to help
us; but as they had not many men to spare, it was more likely that they
would push forward, expecting us ultimately to overtake them. We kept a
look-out for water as we went along, that we might allow our animals to
drink, and thus be able to continue our journey the next day although
none should be found at the camping-ground. Still, though we went on
and on, no signs could we discover of our friends. Already the sun was
sinking towards the west.
I had gone on ahead, and made my way up a hill over which we should have
to pass, that I might obtain before sunset a wide view around, when I
saw some way before me a number of creatures moving about. They seemed
to be very busy, but what they were doing I could not make out. Some
objects lay near them on the ground. I hastened on, and when I got
nearer I perceived that the objects were broken pieces of waggons,--
several wheels, and portions of the woodwork,--while the animals, I had
no doubt, were wolves, from the horrid sounds which reached me; a
mixture of snarling, yelping, barking, and growling, for I cannot
otherwise describe the noise made by the creatures.
Not wishing to approach closer by myself, I returned to tell my uncles
what I had seen. Uncle Mark and Quambo accompanied me back, and as we
got nearer the wolves looked up and snarled at us, and continued their
occupation; but what was our horror, on advancing a little further, to
discover that they were feeding on the dead bodies of a number of
persons stretched on the ground! A dreadful fear seized us. Could they
be those of our late companions? I shuddered, and burst into tears.
Yes! there could be no doubt about it, I thought. There lay those we
had lately parted from in health and strength, cruelly murdered, and now
the prey of the savage wolves. Our friends the Claxtons!--Dora! honest
Reuben! and their parents!
Then the fearful thought that such might ere long be our fate came over
me.
"Can none have escaped?" I exclaimed.
Uncle Mark advanced a few paces nearer the wolves, with his gun, ready
to fire should they attack him. He was looking at a man whom the wolves
had not yet torn to pieces. Apparently he was only just dead, and had
probably defended himself to the last, keeping his assailants at bay.
"That man did not belong to our party," I heard Uncle Mark cry out.
"These people must have formed part of another emigrant-train."
Quambo and I ran up to him. We then shouted together, and some of the
wolves nearest to us, startled by our approach, left their prey, when we
were convinced, by the dresses of the corpses, that Uncle Mark's surmise
was correct. This discovery somewhat relieved our minds. Our friends
might have escaped; but at the same time it was too evident that hostile
Indians were scouring that part of the country, and that we ourselves
might ere long be attacked, and share the fate of the unhappy persons we
saw before us.
We now slowly retreated, shouting as we did so to keep the wolves at
bay, and turning every few paces to face them; for had they seen us fly,
they might have been induced to follow. They were now, however, happily
for us, too much engaged in their dreadful feast to take further notice
of us.
Having told Uncle Stephen what we had seen, we turned the heads of the
oxen away from the spot, directing our course to the right, where the
ground appeared to be more even than any we had yet gone over. We
agreed not to let Aunt Hannah and Lily know of the dreadful scene we had
witnessed; but it was important to get as far as possible from the spot,
and we determined, if the oxen could drag the waggon, to continue on all
night.
"Do you think it likely that the wolves, when they have finished their
horrible feast, will track us out?" I said to Uncle Mark.
"I hope not," he answered. "Were they starving, they might do so; but
only the younger animals, which would have been prevented by their
elders from joining in the feast, may possibly follow us. If they do,
we can keep them at a distance, for they are more easily frightened than
the older brutes."
The stars, as on the previous night, were very bright, and we were able,
by them, to keep a direct course. Our chief desire now was to rejoin
our friends, and next to that to find water. We, of course, as we moved
along, kept a strict watch, as before; but the scene I had witnessed
made me feel much more anxious than usual, and every moment I expected
to see a band of Indians start up from behind the rocks which here and
there rose above the plain, or to hear a flight of arrows whistling
through the air past our ears--perhaps to feel one sticking in my body.
Uncle Stephen had advised Aunt Hannah and Lily to lie down in a space
left vacant for them in the middle of the waggon, where they would be
protected by the luggage piled up on both sides.
We had now gone on many hours without water, and our cattle began to
show signs of being very thirsty. All we could do was to wet their
muzzles with a little of the water we had brought with us; but our lives
might depend upon our pushing on.
As we generally marched apart--two of us on either side of the waggon--
we had no opportunities for conversation, and were left, consequently,
to our own melancholy thoughts. Had I been by myself, or with male
companions only, I should not have cared so much; but my mind was
troubled by the idea of what might be dear Lily's fate, and that of Aunt
Hannah, should we be attacked, or should our cattle break down and we be
unable to proceed.
The oxen went slower and slower, notwithstanding every effort of Uncle
Stephen to make them move at their usual pace. At last they came to a
stand-still. Mike and Quambo, who at the time were ahead, endeavoured
in vain to induce them to move on. Uncle Mark and I ran forward to
assist them. As I was about to do so I caught sight of a ruddy spot in
the distance, away somewhat to the left. That must be a fire, I
thought, and I pointed it out to Uncle Mark.
"It may be the camp-fire of our friends," he observed; "but we must not
be too sure, for it may be that of a band of Indians."
He asked Uncle Stephen what he thought.
"The Indians generally take care to have their fires in places where
they cannot be seen from a distance, so that is much more likely to be
what you at first supposed," he answered. "At all events, we will try
and find out."
"If the oxen cannot be got to move, I will go on and ascertain," I said.
"I can direct my course by the fire, and will approach cautiously.
Should I discover that Indians are encamped there, I will hurry back and
let you know. We must then try and make our way in some other
direction."
"I am afraid, Roger, that in such a case our hope of escape will be very
small," said my uncle in a grave tone. "Unless we can find water in
some hollow in which it will be possible to conceal ourselves, at the
return of day, the Indians are sure to see us. Should they cross our
track, they are equally certain to come upon us before long. We must,
however, hope for the best. Go forward as you propose, and may Heaven
protect you, my boy."
Without stopping to bid Lily and my aunt good-bye I hurried on, keeping
my gaze on the fire, which, growing brighter as I advanced, enabled me
without difficulty to direct my course for it. The ground was tolerably
even, but sloped slightly downwards in the direction I was taking. The
fire, indeed, when I first saw it, appeared to be in a hollow, or at all
events at a lower elevation than that where we were standing. I looked
back once or twice, and quickly lost sight of the waggon. So far I was
satisfied that, should the people who had made the fire be Indians, they
would not discover the waggon until daylight, by which time I hoped we
should be able to conceal ourselves among the hills in the
neighbourhood.
I hurried on as fast as I could venture to move, ignorant of what was
before me. It would be useless, I knew, to attempt concealing my trail,
but as I did not intend to go nearer the camp-fire than was necessary to
make out who were there, I hoped some time would elapse after I had
retreated before the Indians could discover that any one had been near
them. Now and then, when crossing a hill, I lost sight of the fire, and
had to direct my course by the stars overhead. Again I saw it before
me, blazing brightly. I hoped that Uncle Stephen was right in his
conjectures. The fire, however, was further off than I had supposed,
and the greater part of an hour was consumed before I got close enough
to see the figures moving about it.
I now crept on as noiselessly as I could, for I knew that the least
sound would be conveyed to the quick ears of the Redskins. Fortunately
there were a number of bushes in the neighbourhood, behind which I could
conceal myself.
As I was going on I heard voices, and stopped breathlessly to listen.
They did not sound like those of Indians, and presently I saw a couple
of figures pass in front of the fire. I almost shouted for joy as I
distinguished by their outlines against the bright blaze that their
dress was that of white men. I felt sure that the people I saw before
me were our friends; still, caution was necessary, for it was possible
that they were prisoners of the Indians, saved from the caravan lately
destroyed, only to meet with a more cruel death by torture. There might
be a large party of Indians encamped.
Presently two other fires came into view, which had been hitherto
concealed by the thick bushes surrounding the hollow in which the camp
was formed. I crept on and on, crouching down like a panther about to
spring on its prey. The voices became more and more distinct, and at
last I found myself on the top of the bank, with only a few bushes
intervening between me and those encamped below.
On pushing aside the branches my eyes were greeted by the pleasant sight
of waggons, cattle, and a number of people; some cooking before the
fires, others preparing their resting-places for the night. Not far
off, at the lower part of the hollow, for it could scarcely be called a
valley, was a pool reflecting the stars overhead.
Feeling sure that I saw my friends before me, I now rushed down the
slope towards them. The first person I met was Reuben Claxton.
"Why, Roger! where have you come from?" he exclaimed. "We were very
anxious about you, and my father had determined, should you not appear
soon, to return with a party to your relief."
I quickly told him what had occurred, several others gathering round to
hear my account. They were greatly alarmed at the description I gave of
the remains of the emigrant-train we had discovered. I pointed out that
their own camp was formed with less care than usual; of which fact they
were convinced, but excused themselves on the plea that they had arrived
very tired just at dark, having had a rough country to traverse, and
that their cattle had suffered from want of water since the last place
they had stopped at. The way I had approached showed them how easily
they might have been surprised by a party of hostile Indians.
I told them that I must be off again at once, as I was anxious to get
back to our waggon, in order that we might join them without delay.
Reuben offered to accompany me, and I was very glad to have him. We
therefore set off immediately.
It was necessary to be careful, however, to keep a direct course; and
this could only be done by watching a star which I had marked,
overhanging the spot where I had left the waggon. By any deviation to
the right hand or to the left we might easily pass it.
Reuben told me that many of the emigrants had become very anxious, and
the account I had brought would make them still more so. Could they
venture back alone, he thought they would be willing to return to the
settlement.
"For my own part, I like the wild sort of life we are leading; but I
should be happier if I knew that Lily and my aunt were in safety,
whereas they are exposed to as much danger as we are," I observed.
More than once I thought that we had gone wrong, as it was impossible to
distinguish objects clearly in the gloom of night. I fancied that we
must have performed the distance; still I could nowhere see the waggon.
The dreadful thought occurred to me that some prowling Indians might
have pounced upon it, and carried it off.
"I hope not," said Reuben, when I told him my fears. "We may not have
gone far enough yet; or we are perhaps too much on one side or the
other."
We went on a little further, trying to pierce the gloom. Then we
stopped to listen, but could hear no sounds.
"We must have gone wrong," I said; "for I am certain that we should
otherwise have got up to the waggon by this time."
Still Reuben thought that I might be mistaken.
"Let us shout, and perhaps they will hear us;" and before I could stop
him, he cried out at the top of his voice--"Hallo! Mr Tregellis,
whereabouts are you?"
Thinking it too probable that Indians were not far off, I dreaded lest
the shout might be heard by them, and I advised Reuben not to cry out
again.
I was still fearing that we had missed the waggon, when a voice reached
our ears. It was that of Mike.
"Is that you, Masther Roger? If you are yourself, come on here; but if
not, I'll throuble you to stop where you are, or I'll be afther shooting
you through the head."
"All right, Mike!" I exclaimed, as we made our way in the direction
from whence the voice came.
He had grown anxious at my long delay, and had got leave from my uncles
to try and find out what had become of me.
We soon got back to the waggon; and by giving the patient oxen the
remainder of our water, they having in the meantime cropped some grass,
we were able to move forward. The road, in the dark, was difficult; but
we managed to reach the camp without any accident, and were heartily
welcomed by our friends.
Those who wished to return had, we found, summoned a meeting, and it was
settled that the matter should be decided by the majority of votes. My
uncles turned the scale in favour of going on. They pointed out that it
would be as dangerous to retreat as to advance.
Mr Sparks urged that it would be madness to give up the enterprise.
Water, he assured us, would be found at the end of every day's march, or
even oftener; and though Indians might be met, with our rifles we could
without difficulty keep them at bay, as none of them were likely to
possess firearms--their only weapons being bows and arrows and spears.
His remarks prevailed; and it was agreed that after a day's rest, which
the cattle greatly required, we should recommence our march.
Once more we were making our toilsome way across the desert. For two
days we had moved on without interruption, keeping scouts out as usual
on either side to give notice should any Indians approach. Reuben and
I, and other young men, performed that necessary duty for several hours
each day.
Early in the morning of the second day we caught sight in the distance
of a couple of horsemen with long spears in their hands. They galloped
towards us, apparently to ascertain who we were; then, wheeling round,
they quickly disappeared, and though we were on the watch we saw no more
of them. When we halted at noon, we of course reported the
circumstance. As it showed that Redskins were in the neighbourhood,
several more men were told off to act as scouts, with orders to retreat
towards the train the moment they might see any Indians, whether few or
many.
Reuben, Mike, and I were advancing as I have described, somewhat ahead
of the train, when towards evening we entered a valley, the hills
sloping away on either side of it. At the further end we expected to
find a stream, at the side of which we could encamp. I was leading,
Mike was next to me, and Reuben was nearest the train. The ground I was
traversing was somewhat rough, and I was leaping from one rock to
another, when I fell and sprained my ankle. Just as I got up--being
then on higher ground than my companions, and having a more extensive
view--I saw a large band of horsemen approaching at full gallop. I knew
at once that they were Redskins.
"Indians! Indians!" I shrieked out to Mike. "Tell Reuben to run and
let our friends know that the enemy are upon us."
Mike shouted at the top of his voice, as I had desired him. I saw
Reuben set off, and Mike following him. Presently Mike stopped and
looked back to see what had become of me. I endeavoured to run, but
found it impossible to move. Before I had made a second step, I sank to
the ground.
"Sure, you are not coming, Masther Roger," cried Mike, on seeing me
fall.
The pain I endured prevented me speaking.
Mike rushed back towards me, crying out all the time, "Come along! come
along!" But move I could not.
He was still at some distance from me, when, looking round, I saw that
the Indians were rapidly approaching. I made signs to him to save
himself, but he either did not, or would not, understand them.
"Go back! go back!" I at length cried out.
"Arrah! and sure, not till I've got you on me back," he answered, still
making his way towards me.
I felt very certain that, with me to carry, he could not possibly reach
the train before the Indians would be up with us, and he could scarcely
have failed to know this.
"Cling to me back, Masther Roger, and I'll show the Ridskins how a
bog-trotter can get over the ground;" and stooping down, he seized my
arms and threw me on his back. "Now, here we go!" he cried out, and
began leaping over the ground with as much agility as if he had had no
burden to carry.
But his efforts, as I feared they would be, were in vain. A wild whoop
sounded in my ears, and looking back I saw upwards of a dozen Indians in
their war-paint--their feather-plumes and cloaks flying in the air, as
they galloped forward on their mustangs over the rocky ground, sending
the stones and dust flying away from their heels. I expected every
instant to feel one of those ugly-looking spears plunged into my back.
One of the painted warriors was just about to finish my career, when I
heard a loud voice shouting in an authoritative tone; and instead of
transfixing me, he let the point of his spear fall, then, seizing me by
the collar, dragged me up on his steed, and laid me across his saddle in
front of him. Another treated Mike in the same manner, in spite of his
struggles to free himself. I made no resistance, knowing it was useless
to do so.
The two Indians who had captured us wheeled their horses round and
galloped away, and we met crowds of other warriors galloping at full
speed in the track of the first. I got one glance round, which enabled
me to see that the enemy were close up to the waggons, while the puffs
of smoke and the report of rifles showed that my friends were determined
to defend themselves. Several of the Indian saddles were emptied in a
minute, but still a whole host of the savages appeared charging down on
the train. Whether or not Reuben had succeeded in getting under shelter
of the waggons, I could not tell. I saw no more, for my captor galloped
off with me round the hill, and they were concealed from view, though I
could still hear the sound of the shots and the shrieks and shouts of
the combatants. I had no hope of escaping with life, and believed that
I was reserved to suffer the fearful tortures to which the Redskins so
frequently subject their prisoners.
After going some distance the Indian stopped, and lifting me up from the
painful position in which I lay, placed me behind him; fastening me by a
leather strap round his body, and so securing my arms that I could not
move. He had previously deprived me of my rifle, which I had hitherto
held firmly in my grasp, hoping against hope that I might have an
opportunity of using it. I saw Mike not far off, he having been treated
much in the same manner, though not without the assistance of another
Indian, who had accompanied the one on whose horse he was placed.
Having secured us, the Indians again galloped forward. After going some
distance, I saw that we were approaching a more wooded region than the
one we had left, with a stream or river running through it; and I
thought that I could distinguish cliffs, below which the river, in part
of its course, made its way.
I could manage to turn my head, and as I did so I fancied that I
discerned another horseman coming up behind us, with a prisoner, whom I
naturally feared was Reuben. Further off were numerous Indians, but
whether they formed the whole of the body which had attacked the train
or not I could not make out. If they were, I had great hopes that the
Redskins had been defeated, although they would probably wreak their
vengeance on us, their unfortunate captives. Still, in either case I
felt sure that we should be put to death--though I rejoiced in the
belief that Lily and my other relatives and friends had escaped; for as
none of the Indians I had seen had firearms, I had good reason for
hoping that our party had gained the victory. Should Mr Sparks prove
equal to his professions, by leading them well and taking the necessary
precautions against surprise, they might still fight their way through
the hostile territory.
My mind being relieved of anxiety about my friends, I was able to think
more about myself and Reuben and Mike. Had we any chance of escaping?
I was determined, at all events, to make the attempt; and I was very
sure that they would do likewise. I resolved, could I get near enough
to Mike, to tell him of my intention, and to advise him to keep up his
spirits; and before long I had an opportunity.
"Bedad! it's what I have been afther thinking about," he answered.
"I'll let young Reuben know me thoughts, too. We've outwitted the
Ridskins once before, and, sure, we'll thry to play them another trick."
He spoke in a tone of voice which showed that no coward fears had
overcome him.
We galloped on until we reached the wood, where our captors dismounted,
aided by the third Indian I have mentioned. I had scarcely thought
about my foot during my ride, but when I was cast loose and attempted to
move by myself, I found that I could not stand, and presently sank to
the ground. Mike, on finding himself at liberty, hurried to my
assistance, and, taking off my shoe, examined my ankle.
"It's a bad sprain," he observed; "but maybe these rid gintlemen will
just let me get some cowld wather. I'll bathe it and bind it up, and in
the course of a few days, or in less time than that, it will be all to
rights again."
I could only smile, not believing that I should be allowed many days to
get well.
He then carried me under the shade of a tree, against the trunk of which
I reclined. The pain rapidly went off, and I was better able to
consider our position, and the possibility of escape.