OBED'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED--JOURNEY WITH THE DELAWARE--THE PRAIRIE ON
FIRE--THEY FLY FOR THEIR LIVES--A STAMPEDO--A NARROW ESCAPE ON THE
ROCK--LONG JOURNEY--APPROACH OF WINTER--THEIR LIFE IN A CAVE--EXPECTED
VISIT FROM BEARS--JOURNEY CONTINUED--ARRIVAL AT THE FORT--FURTHER
ADVENTURES WITH BEARS AND WOLVES--SAVE THE LIFE OF A YOUNG CHIEF--CARRY
HIM ONWARD TILL THEY REACH THEIR CAMP--THE YOUNG RED-SKIN'S GRATITUDE--
END OF OBED'S NARRATIVE--FRESH ALARMS--AGAIN THE ENEMY APPROACH.
"The Delaware and I ran on at full speed through the high grass,"
continued Obed.
"Every instant I expected to be tripped up by its tough roots which
trailed along the earth, but my companion, who was well accustomed to
the sort of ground, kept me from falling. I asked him, as we ran, why
he did not stop, and, as I knew to be the custom, cut down and burn a
clear space round us, so as to let the conflagration pass by on either
side.
"`The deer and buffaloes, and other wild animals, would rush through the
space and trample us to death,' he answered. `Even now I hear the sound
of their hoofs in the distance--haste! haste!'
"I tried to listen as I ran, and I fancied that I did hear a low,
murmuring, hollow sound, which had a peculiarly terror-inspiring effect.
The wind blew stronger, the air became denser and more oppressive, and
the ashes fell thicker around us. We distinctly heard the noise of the
rushing flames. The rock towards which we were running rose before us,
but, yet near as it was, the fire came roaring on so rapidly that I
fully expected it to overtake us. On it came, hissing and crackling.
The air grew hotter and hotter, and more and more oppressive. As I
struggled on I felt as if I could scarcely move my limbs. It was like a
dreadful dream, when a person fancies that danger is near, and that he
cannot fly from it. I gasped for breath. The Indian also was much
distressed. Some things men can get accustomed to, but to have to run
for one's life, with a prairie-fire roaring at one's side, one does not
like a bit more the tenth time it is encountered than the first. `On!
on!' cried out the faithful Delaware. He could run faster than I could,
but still he delayed for me. Besides the crackling and hissing of the
fire, there was a loud, roaring, trampling, crushing, thundering sound,
or mixture of sounds, utterly indescribable. The rock was reached--we
clambered up it. We gained the summit. It was a wide, open space,
entirely free of grass.
"Almost fainting, I was sinking to the ground, when I saw the Delaware
pointing to the plain below us. There, across the ground we had just
left, came tearing along, in strange confusion, herds of buffaloes,
deer, wolves, foxes, prairie-hares, several bears, and even birds,
turkeys, prairie-hens, and other wild fowl, all uttering their peculiar
cries of terror, and utterly disregarding each other. Not one stopped
to prey on another.
"One feeling of intense terror inspired the whole mass. On they flew,
fleet as the wind; all they seemed to think of was that the fire was
behind them, and that, unless they would be destroyed, they must fly.
Some were left dead or wounded; the weak trampled on by the stronger;
but still on scampered the mass, with the fire raging at their heels. I
saw what would have been our fate, had we not reached the rock before
the herd passed by, and I thanked Heaven that we had been preserved. We
remained on the rock for some hours, till the ground below was cool
enough to enable us to proceed; but, after the heat of the fire, the air
felt bitterly cold, and we had no shelter from it. I do not think we
could have endured it during the night. We descended, and began to
cross the remainder of the plain, but even then our feet struck up
sparks from the yet smouldering ashes, and light clouds of smoke rose up
continually, circling round our heads till they were dispersed in the
clear atmosphere.
"Desolate, dismal, and barren looked the country through which we
journeyed on the following day. Not a vestige remained of animal life,
but here and there appeared the skinless skulls and bones of some huge
buffalo or stately stag, which had long lain there blanching in the sun.
The sky had for some time been overcast. The Delaware pointed towards
it. `The winter is coming,' he observed; `this is not the place to be
overtaken in a snow-storm.' I agreed with him; so, in spite of the
fatigue which, after my wounds and loss of blood, I felt in a way I had
never before done, I dragged my heavy legs after him. We reached about
nightfall a clump of trees. Under their shelter we lighted our fire,
cooked our provisions, and lay down to rest. Nature required rest.
Often have I thought of those words: `The Sabbath was made for man, and
not man for the Sabbath.' Constituted as man is, what a blessing truly
is the Sabbath! how sweet, how necessary is rest!
"We rose before daybreak, stirred up our fire, cooked and ate our
breakfast, and, as the light of dawn found its way through the trees
which surrounded us, we started on our way. The sky was ominously dark,
but the snow had not yet begun to fall, yet the piercing air told us
that it would not long be delayed. The Delaware spoke but little. He
evidently did not like the state of things. I had made up my mind from
the first to be guided by his judgment. One thing was very certain,
that we could not stop where we were. Our only chance of safety
depended on our pushing on. `Where to?' I thought. I saw nothing but
the wide-rolling, blackened prairie before me. The sight alone was
depressing, independent of the anticipation of coming evil. Hour after
hour passed. Not a break appeared in the clouds, not a gleam of
sunshine burst forth to cheer us. Still the snow did not fall, and
there was nothing to impede our progress. We stopped at noon to dine.
A few minutes sufficed us for our frugal meal. The bitter cold did not
tempt us to rest longer than was necessary.
"On again we went. `Where is the wood in which we are to pass the
night?' I asked of the Delaware. `It is yet far-off,' was his
unsatisfactory answer. Evening was drawing on. I saw a bleak hill, but
no wood capable of affording us shelter. Just then a snowflake settled
on my face. It was a slight thing. How indifferent should I have been
to it at other times! Now it made my heart sink lower than it had ever
done before. Another and another fell; then down the snowflakes came
rapidly, thickly sprinkling the ground and our garments. The wind sent
them driving against us over the prairie. The Delaware pointed to the
hill. On towards it we pushed. The snow in a few minutes completely
covered the ground, a sheet of white was spread out where lately all had
been black, here and there only the taller tufts of grass appearing
above it. There was no prospect of the snow ceasing to fall. Soon it
covered our moccasins and reached to our ankles. Walking became more
and more difficult. It was half-way up to our knees, still we pushed
on. My companion remained silent. I did not trouble him by asking
questions. He had hopes of escaping, or he would, I thought, very
likely have sat down where he was and quietly awaited his fate. Had he
done so, it would have been my business to rouse him to exertion. The
snow fell thicker and thicker. Daylight was rapidly decreasing. It
grew less and less. All we could see was the sheet of snow immediately
surrounding us. Still my companion went steadily on.
"Backwoodsman as I am, and am proud to be, I should have been completely
at a loss in what direction to go had I been left by myself, except I
had trusted to the wind. As long as that blew it would have served as a
guide, though a somewhat uncertain one. Even that guide proved fickle.
The wind fell and the snow came down perpendicularly, or rather on all
sides, floating here and there, and completely surrounding us. Still my
companion went on without hesitation. At first I had walked by his
side, now I dropped behind him and trod in his footsteps. This enabled
me to keep up with him better. As far as I could judge, I believe his
course was straight as an arrow for the point at which he was aiming.
The cold was less intense than it had been before the snow began to
fall, still I felt that if we were to stop we should very likely be
frozen to death. Though I kept as close as I could to my companion,
almost touching him indeed, so thickly did the snow come down that often
I could barely distinguish his misty form before me.
"I never felt so helpless; my manhood seemed to have deserted me. I
thought if I should stumble and fall, before I could cry out he might be
out of sight and be unable to find me. I confess that all sorts of
dreadful fancies came into my head. At last I got ashamed of them, and
tried to get a better heart in my body. I began to whistle, but that
would not do, then I tried to sing; I got on badly enough in that way
also. I don't think the Delaware quite approved of the attempt. He
grunted out something once or twice. Perhaps he was trying to join in
the chorus. My voice, indeed, grew fainter and fainter, and at last I
was obliged to give up the attempt. My knees, too, were less and less
able to support me; I felt them trembling under my weight. Still I
toiled on. I would not complain, that would have lowered me in the
estimation of my guide, and I would not ask questions, so I remained
ignorant as to what prospect there was of our reaching shelter from the
storm.
"At last I found that we were going up hill over rugged ground, and I
concluded that we had reached the hill I had seen before it grew dark.
We went on for some way up and then down, and then along a level place,
and then up again, and I saw a dark object rising on my right side, high
above our heads it seemed. It looked to me like a precipice. Presently
my guide stopped, so suddenly that I ran against him. Then he turned to
the right without speaking, and I followed him. We went on a few paces,
and I found that we were in total darkness. No snow fell on me, the air
felt comparatively warm, and I was conscious that there was something
above my head.
"`Stay,' said the Delaware, and I heard the click of his flint and
steel. The bright sparks came forth and he applied them to his tinder,
and I saw the glowing mass lowered to the ground; and the countenance of
the Indian lighted up as he blew against it till it grew larger and
larger, and a bright flame burst forth, and I found that we were in a
high arched cavern. How cheerful the fire looked as it burned up, and
sitting round it we warmed our numbed limbs, and felt that we had found
a shelter from the storm. The place had evidently constantly been used
for the same purpose. There was a good supply of wood on one side,
sufficient to light many a fire for some time to come. Farther up, the
floor of the cavern was strewed with the bones of animals, many of which
must have been of vast size, and have lived in bygone ages. We had
killed a deer not long before, so having warmed our hands we set to work
to toast some of the meat at the end of our ramrods. The food and
warmth once more wakened the Delaware's tongue, and he told me that in
five days, after leaving our present position, we should be able to
reach Fort Laramie.
"`When shall we be able to leave it?' I asked. `Is there not some
probability of our being snowed up?'
"`I cannot answer two questions in one breath,' answered the Delaware.
`As to when we can leave the cavern, depends on when the snow ceases
falling. It may be in three days, or it may fall for a week or more.
As to being snowed up, there is not much probability of that. Should it
by any chance drift against the mouth of the cavern, we must cut our
out. But do not fear. We are warm here, we have fire and food. Let us
be thankful for the blessings we enjoy.'
"I felt the truth and wisdom of his observations, and having piled up
more wood on the fire, we wrapped ourselves up in our buffalo robes, and
lay down with our feet towards it. The Indian was asleep in an instant.
Though I thought for a minute or so, I very quickly followed his
example. We both of us awoke at intervals and made up our fire, but
were instantly again asleep, and I do not think I ever enjoyed more
refreshing slumber. It was broad daylight when I awoke. I got up and
went to the mouth of the cavern; the snow fell as thickly and fast as
ever, but as it did not appear to be blocking up our cavern, that did
not concern me.
"After some time the Delaware awoke, and then we toasted some more
venison. After he had eaten it, he lay down and went fast asleep again.
I slept a good deal, but I could not manage as much as he did. I asked
him how he contrived to sleep so much. He laughed calmly.
"`When I have thought of what is to be done, why should I think of
anything more? Then I sleep to be ready for the work to be done.'
"Day after day passed by; I began to grow very weary of being shut up in
the cavern, though I exercised my limbs by walking up and down it
continually, and amused myself by examining the bones of the animals in
the interior. Many of them were, I doubted not, of elephants, and
lions, and tigers, strange animals which I had read about, while with
the others I was familiar enough--buffaloes, bears, wolves, stags, and
others. I must own that I was not always quite comfortable when I lay
down to sleep, expecting that perhaps we might be visited by a roving
bear, or a hungry wolf; and more than once, when I opened my eyes, I
fully expected to see one poking his head in at the entrance, or
standing by ready to fly at one of us the instant we made any movement.
The Delaware did not appear to be troubled about the matter, and certain
it is that none came near us all the time we were in the cave. The only
reason the Indian could give for our not being attacked, was that the
animals were afraid of the spirits of their long-dead fellows, whose
bones were found there. I suspect that the bears did not come because
the cave was so frequently visited, while the wolves kept to their lower
grounds, where they were more likely to find animals to prey on.
"The snow ceased at last; but it was not till the tenth day that the
Delaware said that it would be hard enough for us to travel on without
snow-shoes. We had to ascend the mountain some way, and then to
descend. The western side was thickly covered with trees; indeed, the
country through which we passed was very rich, and only wanted the hand
of an industrious people to make it fertile. We each night reached a
good camping place, and as we were fortunate in killing two hen turkeys,
the Delaware said we should not be pressed for want of food, and we
accordingly travelled on at an easy pace. One forenoon, as we were
passing over a height, I knew from the way the trees grew that there was
a river below us, though now it was covered with nature's uniform of
white. Carrying my eye along it in the far distance, I saw a wreath of
white smoke ascending into the clear, bright blue sky. There was
something inexpressibly cheering in the sight, after going so long
without seeing the slightest sign of human beings. However, the smoke
might be produced by Indians, and perhaps enemies, whom we must of
necessity avoid. I asked the Delaware if he would tell what he knew
about the matter.
"`That is the fort,' he answered; `you will there very likely gain
tidings of your friends.'
"My heart bounded within me at the thought of being once more united to
my family.
"`The sun will sink thus far down before we can reach the place,' said
the Indian, pointing to the sky with his hand.
"This good news added fresh vigour to my muscles, and I found myself not
only keeping up with the Indian, but actually hurrying his steps. After
walking for nearly two hours over very rugged ground, up and down steep
and wild hills, we saw before us, on an elevated mound overlooking the
river, a strong stockade, over which peeped the roofs of several
cottages, while a deep trench cut round the hill added yet more to the
strength of the place. As the Delaware and I drew near, we saw that we
were closely watched through a spy-glass. We waved our hands to show
that we came as friends, and as we began to climb the steep height
towards the fort, several people came out by the door of the fort to
meet us. How pleasant it was to be welcomed as a white man by white
men, to hear them talk and to be treated as a brother! The honest
Delaware, too, was welcomed, for he had brought letters for many in the
fort, and undertook to deliver any others in return, with which he might
be intrusted. How pleasant was a cup of hot tea, and some soft bread,
and the vegetables for dinner, and then to find myself turning into a
real bed, with sheets and blankets! The truth is, however, that after
sleeping so long in the open air, I found that of a small room so
oppressive that I could not breathe, and had to get up and open the
window, and let the cold in. But I am going ahead too fast.
"Having satisfied the governor of the fort all about myself, I inquired
if they could give me tidings of my family. What was my satisfaction to
find that a party answering their description were encamped in winter
quarters not more than a week's journey to the north-west. My friend
the Delaware knew the spot, and undertook to guide me there. We spent
two days longer in the fort to refresh ourselves, and both of us truly
needed rest, and then we set out. He had guided me so far in safety,
that I felt the most perfect confidence in his courage, judgment, and
honesty. We got new moccasins at the fort, and our clothes mended, and
our friends furnished us with an ample supply of provisions. Though I
had been very happy in the fort, and very kindly treated, I felt as I
could fancy a man would, just let out of prison, when I found myself
once more walking along with my faithful companion over the snow. The
weather was very fine, there was no wind, and at times in the day we
found it much too hot to wear our buffalo-skin coats.
"One day with us was much like another, though, by the bye, we did meet
with some few adventures. We fell in with a fine old grizzly bear, whom
we turned out of his cave; but the Delaware shot him through the head,
and we afterwards had some capital steaks out of him. Then we were
pursued by a pack of wolves, but we climbed a tree and let them pass by
us. We were, the Delaware computed, about half a day's journey from the
spot at which we were aiming, when we entered a valley, with a high hill
on one side of it, broken into rugged precipices. We had advanced some
way along the valley, when, as we happened to look up at the heights
above us, we saw a figure rapidly coming down towards it. He was
hunting some animal, we thought. He did not see his danger. We shouted
to him, but it was too late; he did not hear us, and over he went down a
frightful precipice. We ran forward, and thinking he must be killed,
expected to see his mangled body hanging to some rugged projection in
the rock; but the very precipitous character of the cliff had been the
means of his preservation. He had fallen directly into a snow-drift,
and though a limb apparently was broken, and he was much hurt, he
speedily came to himself. To leave him where he was would have been
sheer barbarity; so we told him that we would carry him to my father's
camp, where he would be quickly cured. He thanked us much, and
consented willingly to do as we advised. Cutting some boughs from the
trees which grew around, we speedily formed a litter, on which we placed
him.
"Carrying him between us, we approached the spot where my family were
supposed to be encamped. From a hill at a little distance I got a view
of it. My heart beat quick at the thought of seeing them all again.
They had selected a rocky mound for the site of their encampment, and
had surrounded it with a stockade and ditch, so that it was capable of
resisting any attack the Indians were likely to make on it. There was
room inside, I calculated, not only for their own huts, but for their
cattle and wagons, and a supply of fodder and wood. They had spared no
pains, I guessed, to make themselves secure and comfortable. The very
look of the place convinced me that my family were there. As we drew
near, a gate opened, and several people came out. There were, I saw,
father and mother, and sisters, and all my brothers but Joab. Then I
feared, as I found, that brother Joab had been killed. I said nothing,
for I was afraid to ask about him. They all welcomed me as one from the
dead, for they thought that I had been killed, and never expected to
hear anything of me again, for they had seen me fall, as they had Joab,
and he, poor fellow, had been scalped before their eyes, so they had no
hopes for him. After they all had done talking to me, I told them about
the young red-skin, whom the Delaware and I had brought. The women at
once took charge of him, and doctored him in their own kind way.
"In the meantime the Delaware was not forgotten, and everybody tried to
show their gratitude to him for the service he had been to me. It was
several days before the young Indian began to recover; indeed I believe
any one but a red-skin would have been killed with such a fall as he
had. When he got better he began to talk to us, but we could make out
but little of what he said. At last I begged the Delaware to come to
him, as he understood his language. After some hesitation, and a long
talk with the Delaware, he told us that he was the eldest son of the
chief of the Kioway tribe; that he and his people had planned an attack
on our fort, and that it was to take place in three days by that time.
He said that his people did not know what had become of him, but that
they would not abandon their plans on account of his loss.
"`Now,' he added, `I will go to them, and tell them all you have done
for me, and instead of enemies, they will become your friends.'
"In two days more he was strong enough to move, and he insisted on
setting out, saying that he should soon fall in with his people. Off he
went, and we waited anxiously his return; but in case of treachery we
put everything to rights in the fort to resist an attack. In a few
hours the young chief came back with some twenty or more painted
warriors in his train--very formidable customers they would have proved
if they had come as enemies. Well, to make a long story short, when he
heard that I was going to set out with my brothers to bring you
assistance, he undertook to send twenty of his people with us, while he
and the remainder stopped in the neighbourhood to guard our camp. We
lost no time in getting ready; I was as fresh as a lark; we travelled
fast, and came in time `to do the happy deed which gilds my humble
name,' quoth Dick.
"`No, no,' exclaimed several of the party simultaneously, `honest Obed
Ragget never finished a sentence with a quotation from a play, though it
was writ by a minister.'
"`To confess the truth, no,' said Dick; `indeed honest Obed's
expressions were not always, though highly graphic, grammatically
correct, so I have given his narrative in what is generally considered
the more orthodox vernacular; yet you have, I own, thereby lost much of
the force of his descriptions and no little amusement.'
"Obed had scarcely finished his account, when from every part of the
whole surrounding wood resounded the most terrific war-whoops and
unearthly shrieks and cries. Seizing our weapons, we sprang from our
seats, and rushed to repel the expected assault."