By the loss of our baggage, we were reduced to hard fare. We had no
coffee, no corn meal, no salt or pepper; but our greatest want was
powder. Should the ammunition in our pouches hold out, we hoped to
obtain food enough to keep us from starving till we could reach the
nearest settlement of Tillydrone. Before commencing our return journey,
however, it would be necessary, we agreed, to obtain a supply of meat,
as we should find but little game in the region we had to cross. We
must push on through it, therefore, as fast as our horses could carry
us; but after their hard gallop on the previous day, it would be
necessary to give them several hours rest, and it was settled that we
should remain encamped where we were until the following morning. The
locality had many advantages: it was high and dry, while, commanding as
it did an extensive view over the prairie, we could see any hostile
Indians approaching, and could defend ourselves should they venture to
attack us.
As soon as breakfast was over, and we had rested from the fatigues of
the morning, we again set out on foot with our guns. Charley and I, as
before, kept together. The rest divided into two parties, each hoping
to add a good supply of meat to the common stock. We had entered into
an agreement not to fire a shot, unless sure of our aim, as every
charge, to us, was worth its weight in gold. A spot had been fixed on,
where we were to meet, about a couple of miles from the camp, in the
centre of the ridge. Charley and I had gone on for an hour or more, but
had met with no game, when what was our delight to see a herd of a dozen
large deer feeding in a glade below us; and, although too far off to
risk a shot, we hoped that by making a wide circuit we should be able to
creep up to them on the lee side.
Taking the proposed direction, we observed a large clump of rose-bushes,
which grew in great profusion in that region. Near them also were two
or three trees, behind which we expected to be able to conceal ourselves
while we took aim at the deer. Keeping as much under cover as possible,
we reached the rose-bushes, when we began to creep along on hands and
knees, trailing our guns after us. To our delight we found that the
deer were still feeding quietly, unsuspicious of danger. I managed to
reach one of the trees, Charley another. The two nearest animals were a
stag and a doe. I agreed to shoot the former, Charley the latter.
He waited until I gave the signal, when our guns went off at the same
instant. As the smoke cleared away, we saw that both our shot had taken
effect. It had been settled that, in case the animals should attempt to
get up, we were to rush out and despatch them with our hunting-knives.
I ran towards the stag, which made an effort to escape, but rolled over
and died just as I reached it. Turning round to ascertain how it fared
with Charley, I saw the doe rise to her feet, though bleeding from a
wound in the neck. I instantly reloaded to be ready to fire, knowing
that under such circumstances even a doe might prove a dangerous
antagonist. It was fortunate that I did so, for the animal, throwing
herself upon her haunches, began to strike out fiercely with her
fore-feet, a blow from which would have fractured my friend's skull.
Seeing his hat fall to the ground, I was afraid that he had been struck.
Holding his rifle, which he had unfortunately forgotten to reload,
before him in the fashion of a single-stick, he attempted to defend
himself; but one of the animal's hoofs, striking his shoulder, brought
him to the ground, so that he was unable to spring back out of harm's
way. For a moment the deer retreated, but then again came on with her
fore-feet in the air, intent on mischief. Now was the moment to fire,
as the next Charley might be struck lifeless to the ground. I pulled
the trigger, aiming at the head of the doe; for, had I attempted to
shoot her in the breast, I might have hit my companion. As the smoke
cleared away I saw the deer spring into the air and fall lifeless to the
ground. The bullet had struck her in the very spot I intended. Charley
rose to his feet, and I ran forward, anxious to ascertain if he was
injured. Providentially, his ramrod alone was broken, and, except a
bruise on the shoulder which caused him some pain, he had escaped
without damage.
We lost no time in skinning and cutting up the deer, which having done,
we formed two packages of as much of the meat as we could carry, while
we suspended the remainder to the bough of a neighbouring tree, to
return for it before night-fall. Our companions were nearly as
successful, each party having killed a deer, the whole of which they
brought into camp. We left them all employed in cutting the chief
portion into strips to dry in the sun, so that it could be transported
more easily than in a fresh state. As we approached the spot where we
had left the venison, a loud yelping which reached our ears told us that
the coyotes had found it out. The brutes were not worth powder and
shot, so getting some thick sticks, we rushed in among them and drove
them off to a distance. They returned, however, as soon as we had got
down the venison and were employed in packing it up, and we had to make
several onslaughts, during which we killed three or four of the wolves,
who were instantly devoured by their companions. While they were thus
employed, we had time to pack up our game, but the rapacious creatures
followed howling at our heels until we reached the camp. All night long
also they continued their unpleasant chorus.
In the morning, having breakfasted on fresh venison, we started, each
man carrying a load of the dried meat. Our object was to push on as
fast as possible, only halting when necessary to rest our horses, or to
kill some buffalo or deer, should any be seen. Pierre especially
advised that we should otherwise make no delay, saying that he had
observed the trails of Indians, who were probably out on the warpath,
and that, at all events, it would be necessary to be on our guard
against them.
We crossed the burnt prairie, our horses' hoofs stirring up the ashes as
we scampered along. Frequently we came upon the bodies of small animals
which had failed to escape from the fire. We saw also numbers of
snakes, some burnt to death, others only scorched and still managing to
make their way over the ground. We were thankful when, having crossed a
stream, we got into a more cheerful tract of country. Here Pierre
advised that we should be doubly on our guard, as in all probability the
Indians themselves had fired the grass, either to burn us, or to deprive
us of our beasts of burden, as they succeeded in doing, that we might
the more easily fall into their hands, but that such was the case it was
difficult to say. Perhaps, when they found us strongly posted, they had
considered it prudent not to attack us.
We had started before day-break, and proposed halting for a couple of
hours to breakfast and rest our beasts, when, just as the rich glow
which ushers in the rising sun had suffused the sky, one of the Indians,
addressing Pierre, pointed to the south-west.
"What is it he says?" I asked.
"Indians!" answered Pierre, "on foot and on horseback, and no small
number of them. We must be prepared for them, messieurs; for, if I
mistake not, they are Coomanches, and they are difficult customers to
deal with in the open. If we were within a stockade, we should quickly
send them to the right about, though, as they stand in awe of our
rifles, it is a question whether they will attack us as long as we show
a bold front."
"It is of little use to show a bold front in the centre of a wild
prairie, with a hundred howling savages galloping about one," I thought
to myself.
However, none of our party were men to flinch. By Pierre's advice we
rode steadily forward. There was a slight elevation at some distance,
with a small lake beyond it. Buntin, who took the lead, proposed that
we should try to gain it, as it would give us an advantage over our
nimble foes, as, while they were ascending its steep sides, we could
shoot them down without difficulty. On we rode therefore as fast as we
could venture to go, for it was important not to blow our horses, lest
we should have to come to an encounter with the Redskins.
We had got to within a quarter of a mile or so from the height, when we
saw that the Indians had divined our intention, a party of them, who
must have made a wide circuit, having already taken possession of it.
"Never mind, boys," said Dick in a cheery voice--"we can fight them if
they are in a fighting mood just as well on the plains as on the top of
yonder hill. They probably think that all our powder is lost, and
expect to gain an easy victory."
"It will be wise to dismount, messieurs," said Pierre. "Each man must
take post behind his horse, and when the savages come on we must wait
until they get near enough to afford us a sure mark."
"We will follow Pierre's advice," said Dick, "but we will wait to
ascertain whether they have hostile intentions or not. Our best plan is
to proceed steadily on as if we were not conscious of their presence."
We continued, therefore, riding forward, so as to pass the hill about
the eighth of a mile on our right, keeping a careful watch on the
Redskins. Suddenly there was a movement among them, and out dashed
several horsemen. Sweeping around the hill, they approached us. We
lost not a moment, and, placing ourselves as arranged, we stood with our
rifles ready to receive them. On they came, shrieking at the top of
their voices and uttering their war-cries, until they got almost within
shot. Seeing this we presented our rifles, but, just at the moment that
we were about to fire, the warriors threw themselves over on the
opposite side of their horses, and, sweeping by like a whirlwind,
discharged their guns.
Although it was a fine exhibition of horsemanship, the fellows,
evidently afraid of us, had kept too far off for their object, and the
bullets fell short. At the same moment Armitage, Story, and Pierre
fired. Armitage's bullet struck the horse of the leading brave, which
however still galloped on. Story wounded the next warrior, who turning
tail rejoined his companions, while the third--who had lifted up his
head to take better aim--got a bullet through it from Pierre's unerring
rifle. He fell to the ground, along which he was dragged by his horse,
which followed the one immediately before it.
Seeing what had befallen their leaders, the other Indians, who were
riding furiously towards us, reined in their steeds, considering
discretion the better part of valour.
"We must not trust to the fellows," cried Dick; "we must hold our ground
until they move off."
It was fortunate we did so, for in a short time the whole troop, gaining
courage and hoping to frighten us with war-whoops, came sweeping down
upon us. Fortunately but few had fire-arms, and their powder was none
of the best. Their arrows fell short, while their bullets, which struck
our saddles, failed to pierce them. I got a slight graze on my cheek,
and a piece of lead went through Charley's cap.
Our rifles in the meantime returned the salute in good earnest. Three
of us only fired at a time, and three Indians were hit--one of whom was
killed outright, though his companions managed to drag off his body.
Still the odds were greatly against us. Had we been well supplied with
ammunition we should have had no fear as to the result of the encounter,
but we dared not fire a shot more than was absolutely necessary.
Notwithstanding the way we had handled them, the Indians did not appear
inclined to give up the contest, but, after wheeling out of reach of our
rifles, again halted.
"They have had enough of it, I should think," observed Story.
"I'm not so sure of that," answered Dick, "our scalps, our horses, and
our fire-arms, are too tempting prizes to allow the rascals to let us
escape if they fancy that they can get possession of them. See, here
they come again!"
As he spoke the whole troop, giving utterance to a terrific war-whoop,
passed ahead of us, and then, wheeling round, dashed forward at full
speed to attack us on the opposite side. As they got within range, half
our number, as before, fired. Three more of them appeared to be hit,
and one, evidently a chief, fell from his saddle.
The Redskins had had enough of it, and the rest, crawling round the
chief, bore him off. Away they went fleet as the wind. I felt very
much inclined to follow. Dick advised us to remain where we were to see
what they would do. At length we were satisfied that they had received
a lesson by which they were likely to profit, and that they would not
again venture to attack us, unless they could take us by surprise. We
now found the advantage of not having over-exhausted our horses.
"Mount, and push forward!" cried Dick. "But I say, lads, while those
fellows are watching us we'll move at a steady pace."
After we had ridden for a couple of miles or so, Dick advised that we
should put our horses to their full speed, so as to place as wide a
distance between us and our enemies as possible, before we halted for
breakfast.
No sooner was the word given than away we went. Pierre proved an
excellent guide, and took us across the most easy country, so that by
noon it was considered that we might halt without fear of interruption
from the same band, though it would be necessary to keep a sharp look
out lest another troop of savages might be scouring the country in
search of us.
We were by this time desperately sharp set, and while our steeds cropped
the grass around, we quickly lighted our fire and put on our venison to
cook. Pierre and the Indians did not wait for that operation, but ate
the dried venison raw, and I was tempted to chew the end of a strip to
stop the gnawings of hunger.
After a couple of hours' rest, which our horses absolutely required, we
again pushed on, anxious to find a safe camping-place for the night.
Pierre led us to a spot which appeared as secure as we could desire, by
the side of a broad stream of sufficient depth to afford us protection
on that side, while a high knoll, with a bluff, would conceal our fire
on the one side, and a thick wood on the other, leaving thus only one
side towards the prairie. Thus, at all events, we had all the
requirements for camping--wood, water, and grass.
The night passed quietly, and the following day we did not fall in with
any Indians, so that we ventured to camp at an earlier hour, on a spot
very similar to that we had chosen on the previous night. We were
getting somewhat tired of our dry venison, and Armitage proposing to go
out in search of a deer, I volunteered to accompany him, hoping to find
one coming down to drink at the stream. We accordingly kept along its
banks, taking with us one of the spare horses, that we might bring home
any game we might shoot; but as I wished to give mine a rest I went on
foot.
Armitage was some little way in advance, I following close along the
borders of the stream, when I heard him fire. Pushing forward I saw him
bending over the body of a fine deer. I was making my way through the
bushes to assist him, when what was my dismay to catch sight of a huge
bear, which Armitage had not perceived, coming along the edge of the
stream from the opposite direction.
I shouted to him, to warn him of his danger. He rose to his feet,
holding the rein of his horse; for the animal, conscious of the presence
of the bear, showed a strong inclination to bolt. The bear, which had,
apparently, not before perceived Armitage, came cantering slowly on,
until within twenty paces of him. I shouted at the top of my voice for
the purpose of distracting the bear's attention; but Bruin, intent on
mischief, took no notice. I was too far off to have any hope of
mortally wounding the bear should I fire, and the undergrowth was so
thick that I could only slowly make my way through it. Already the bear
was scarcely more than a dozen paces off from Armitage, who with his gun
levelled stood ready to receive his formidable antagonist. The bear
raised itself on its hind legs, giving a roaring grunt, and balancing
itself, as bears are wont to do, before making its fatal spring. Should
Armitage miss, it seemed impossible that he could escape with his life.
I struggled desperately to make my way through the brushwood to go to
his assistance.
Again the bear roared, and stretched out its paws, evidently showing
that it was about to spring, when my friend fired.
Great was my relief when I saw the bear roll over, floundering about for
a few seconds in a vain endeavour to rise and renew the combat; but the
bullet had been surely aimed, and before I reached the scene of the
encounter the animal's struggles were over.
We walked round and round the monster, surveying its vast proportions,
and then set to work to remove its hide and cut off the most delicate
portions of the meat. This occupied us some time. I suggested that the
skin might be left behind, but, as the bear was of unusual size,
Armitage declared his intention of preserving it if he could. At length
we succeeded in strapping it on the back of the horse, and set off to
return to the camp.
We walked leisurely along, leading the horse, well satisfied with the
result of our short expedition; for bear's flesh, though not equal to
venison, is superior to that of the lean deer we often shot. We found
our friends anxious about us; for two of the Indians who had gone out
scouting reported that they had fallen in with a suspicious trail, and
they warned us that we should very likely be again attacked before we
could reach the settlement.
"Let them come on then!" cried Dick, "we'll treat them as we did the
others."
I have said but little about the Indians accompanying Armitage. They
were fine fellows, armed with spears and bows and arrows, as well as
with carbines, while they carried in their belts the usual
scalping-knives and tomahawks, so that they were likely to prove
formidable opponents to our foes.
Having set a double watch, one man to look after the horses, and another
the camp, we lay down to obtain the rest we so much needed.