TOM MITCHELL.
The sun had long since gone down, the night was dark and cloudy, not
a star shone in the sky. George Clinton, seated on a bench before
his door, awaited the return of Keen-hand and his two dogs, who had
accompanied the three travellers a short distance; the two serving men
had gone to bed.
George Clinton, half an hour before, had satisfied himself that his
wounded guest slept soundly.
His eyes fixed on vacancy, the young man was dreaming, giving way to
soft and melancholy reverie; his soul, borne on the wings of fancy, was
far away; it was wandering in the realms of space after the beloved,
after the idolised young girl, for whom he had sacrificed and abandoned
everything, and the mention of whose name made him quiver with delight.
Suddenly he was awakened from his Elysian dream by an almost superhuman
cry of anguish.
The young man started as if he had received an electric shock; he
turned pale, clutched the barrel of his rifle, and then listened,
trying in vain to pierce the intense darkness which wrapped all nature
as in a winding sheet.
Some minutes passed, during which there was not a breath in the air,
not the slightest sound. George Clinton breathed more freely, wiping
the sweat from his brow.
"Heaven be praised," he said, "I was mistaken."
Scarcely had he uttered these words, which he hardly believed, when the
same frightful cry was repeated.
"It is a terrible warning," he cried; "some fearful crime is being
accomplished. I cannot hesitate."
And, without another thought, he darted off in the direction whence
came the lugubrious sound.
Almost ere George had quite disappeared in the darkness a shrill
whistle, modulated in a certain way, was twice repeated; then a heavy
black mass appeared crawling on the earth; this dark mass stopped at
short intervals, and then again advanced. This strange phenomenon was
soon followed by a second, a third, another, in all ten.
In a few minutes all were round the hut. Then a second whistle was
heard, a signal of course, as they all rose and revealed ten armed
men. They were ferocious-looking beings, with sinister features--true
bandits of the prairies.
"We are the masters," said one; "the serving men sleep, the master is
away, let us waste no time."
"Do you know where he is?" asked a second.
"I pretty well guess. The place is familiar to me. But let us be
careful. I don't want to be caught."
"Be satisfied; Versenca and Jonathan never left their post, and Paddy
is on the watch. All is safe."
"I am not more timid than another, but I like to be sure."
"We are losing time, and should act."
"Quite so, Sleepy; but I want to know why the captain, who must have
heard our signal, is still quiet?"
"But you know the captain is wounded."
"True, but he is no puling girl to be affected for long by a wound. Let
us go in and find him."
"'Tis useless, I am here," said a grave voice.
And a man leaning on his rifle and walking with some difficulty
appeared before them in the doorway.
"The captain!" they all cried.
"Silence, boys," with an imperious gesture; "I am happy to see that you
have not forgotten me."
"Forgotten you!" cried Versenca, boldly; "Do we not follow wherever you
go? Are we not devoted to you body and soul?"
"Quite right," said the captain, with a bitter smile; "let us say no
more about it. I am here, and all is well."
"And now, captain, we await your orders."
"Right! And how many are here?"
"Ten here ready to obey--three on the watch."
"Have you horses?--but of course, I need not ask. Bring them up and let
us be off."
"With empty pockets?" cried Sleepy.
"What do you want?" asked the captain.
"Want!" exclaimed Sleepy, shrugging his shoulders; "Why, is not this
wigwam very rich, and the owner absent? There can be no two opinions as
to what should be done."
"Comrades," said Tom Mitchell, "the owner of this home found me wounded
in the prairie and took me in."
"We know that--what then?"
"What then! Not only did George Clinton shelter me beneath his roof,
but saved my life from the lynchers."
"Thank goodness," said Versenca, "that induced him to leave the hut by
the exercise of cunning."
"Without violence, I hope," said Tom.
"Quite so; sent him on a false trail, that is all."
"Then you are agreed with me--no pillage."
"No pillage!" cried all; "Let us go."
None had entered the house, and now, on the order of the chief, they
turned to go. George Clinton was before them.
"Gentlemen," he cried, standing resolutely before them, "what is the
meaning of this visit in my absence?"
"Confound the fools who did not warn us."
"I was never far. I have heard nearly all."
"Much good may it do you; and now let us pass."
"On the contrary; I decline to let you pass," said Clinton.
"Good!" said Sleepy, rubbing his hands together; "After all there will
be some broken bones here."
"Perhaps," continued Oliver, clutching his rifle.
"Ah! Ah! So the fun is going to begin," said the outlaw.
"Silence," cried the captain, sternly; "silence, and fall back." As
soon as they had obeyed he advanced to Clinton.
"As you have heard our conversation," he said, "why do you try and
oppose our free departure?"
"Because, as you know, I am answerable for your person. I promised you
should not leave my house until you were quite cured of your wounds."
"Your solicitude for my health is charming," said the captain,
ironically, "and I really know not how to thank you."
"I take little interest in you. My honour is concerned."
"You are not polite, while I try to be courteous. I will therefore
simply remark that strength is on my side. Still I should be sorry to
proceed to extremities."
"Menaces are useless. Will you return to the house?"
"The demand is ridiculous," cried the captain.
"How so?" said a voice, and at the same time two magnificent dogs
bounded to where Clinton stood.
There was a moment of profound stupefaction on the part of the outlaws,
who saw this succour arrive.
Tom Mitchell, however, stooped towards Sleepy and whispered a few words
in his ear. The man nodded, turned away and disappeared.
"Beware!" said the captain; "I have hesitated to attack one man. But if
blood is shed it is your fault."
"We shall see," said Keen-hand, appearing beside his master, "you are
ten and we are five. What do you think?"
"Nothing," replied the chief, laughing; "but you seem to forget that we
have the advantage of the situation. If we like we can take possession
of the hut, whence I fancy my good friend will find it difficult to
dislodge us."
"Without counting that we are master of the person of the owner of the
wigwam," cried Versenca, triumphantly.
It was true. Assisted by the sentinels whom the outlaw had brought up
behind, he had been seized.
He was at once taken inside and then secured with his servants, whom
the noise had at last aroused.
But even this had not been done without a struggle. The two splendid
dogs on seeing their master attacked had flown at the throats of the
bandits, had knocked two down and throttled them in a minute; then,
obedient to a whistle from Charbonneau, they had darted into a thicket,
whence came a discharge of firearms. The three young men had returned.
The outlaws retreated into the hut, prepared to defend themselves to
the last gasp. Battle was imminent.
"Stop," cried the voice of Oliver, "stop, for heaven's sake," and
rushing forward he added, "Captain Tom Mitchell, I demand safety for
myself and friends, and a truce until this unfortunate affair can be
settled amicably. Speak."
"I consent at once," said the captain, frankly; "what has happened was
not of my doing. Down with your arms. Let all retain their positions.
As for you, sir, you may advance, you are entirely under the protection
of my honour."
"I am here," replied Oliver, advancing.
The two men went into the house and seated themselves at a table near
an open window.
"I am prepared to listen," said the captain; "I suppose you think I
deceived you, or the young girl was gone."
"It was our opinion, sir."
"Don't be in the least uneasy," said the captain, "I only secured the
girl as a hostage for my own safety."
"A hostage!" replied Oliver.
"Yes. I have an important question to treat of with her tribe. But let
us speak of our own affairs."
"I don't understand you."
"I will explain, and you will find that all that has taken place today
has been caused by yourself."
"Really," cried Oliver, "I understand you less and less."
"I have no doubt you are astonished," said the captain; "but we can
come to an explanation in a few words, M. Oliver."
"You know my name."
"And a great many other things besides, as you will soon know,"
continued the other, coldly; "but let me explain. For reasons which it
is unnecessary to mention, I had deep interest in making acquaintance
with two new arrivals in this country, you, sir, and Mr. George
Clinton. My plan of introduction was rough. My wound, which I inflicted
on myself, and which is only a scratch, deceived you all. I am now
personally acquainted with you both, and I am delighted. Still, things
looked ugly for me--but what is the use of a battle in which half of
us would be massacred? I want nothing of the kind. I have important
business to transact and must go. In this instance I count wholly on
you."
"On me, sir! By what title?"
"I cannot explain. I have promised to restore Evening Dew, and I will
keep my promise. Just now she serves as a hostage. She is treated with
the utmost deference and respect. Now let me pass at once. Delay is
useless."
"But, sir--can I--" stammered Oliver.
"Save an outlaw, a man with a price on his head!" said the other,
bitterly; "But I am not what I seem. One day--"
But Oliver was thinking, and, after some minutes of reflection, said,
"It shall be as you wish."
"Thank you; and now away to your friends and take George Clinton with
you," said the captain.
Oliver went out with the young American and soon returned.
"You are free to return with your companions," he said, on re-entering
the hut; "I give you my word."
"Farewell until we meet again. We part friends."
"I have no hatred against you, but I sincerely hope we shall never meet
again."
"It shall be as Providence wills," was the reply.
Five minutes later the outlaws were galloping away, and soon
disappeared in the darkness.
"Who is this man?" murmured Oliver, sadly; "Is he one of those enemies
who pursue me everywhere?"
At that moment his friends came up and his thoughts went into a
different channel. Still he did not easily forget his interview with
that extraordinary man, who seemed to know him, and by whom he was
really fascinated.