Daybreak found us moving forward and already a couple of miles from our
last resting-place. We hoped thus to keep ahead of our enemies, who,
our Indian allies calculated, had camped some distance to the northward.
We thought it probable also, should they have discovered our
whereabouts, that they might have intended to attack us before we
started in the morning. They would know that we should keep careful
watch during the night, but they were very likely to fancy that while
breakfasting we should be off our guard, and that they might then take
us by surprise. If so, they were disappointed. We rode steadily on, we
Whites keeping together, while the Indians on their active mustangs,
scouted on either side, their keen eyes searching every thicket and bush
for a concealed enemy.
"Can they be trusted?" asked Dick of Armitage.
"They will lose the reward I engaged to give them, should they prove
treacherous," was the answer, "and Pierre considers them honest."
"I cannot help suspecting that they are very sure no enemy is near, by
the way they are showing off," observed Story.
"They behaved as well as men could do, when we were last attacked,"
remarked Charley, who way always ready to stick up for the Indians, of
whom he had a great admiration. I agreed with Jack, but at the same
time I did not wish to disparage our gallant-looking allies.
While we were speaking two of them came up and addressed Pierre in their
own language which he understood thoroughly.
"They say that they have caught sight of a mounted war-party, who are,
they think, trying to steal upon us round yonder wood, and take us by
surprise," said Pierre.
"We'll be prepared for them then, my friends!" exclaimed Dick; "but
we'll ride on as we have been going, and not dismount until they show
themselves; we shall then be able to turn the tables on them. You all
know what you have to do; but remember again, our powder is running
short; don't throw a shot away."
"Ay, ay, captain," was the reply from all of us, for we had given Dick a
title he well deserved although the Lords of the Admiralty had not thus
favoured him.
Our scouts on the left flank now drew in closer to us, they having made
up their minds that we should be attacked on that side. Almost ahead--
or, as Dick called it, on our starboard bow--was a clump of trees,
backed by rocky ground. It would assist at all events to protect us, on
one side. We accordingly directed our course towards it. Anyone seeing
us riding along would not have supposed that we were well aware of a
powerful body of enemies being close to us, as we might have been seen
laughing and joking, one of the party occasionally breaking out into a
jovial song.
Our behaviour encouraged our allies, and should the enemy have perceived
us, it would have made them suppose that we were quite unconscious of
their presence.
We had almost gained the clump of trees I have mentioned, when from the
end of the wood about half a mile away, appeared the head of a column of
mounted warriors. The moment they showed themselves, with fierce yells
and shrieks they dashed on towards us. "Forward, my friends, and let us
take up the post I proposed," cried Dick; and, urging our horses into a
gallop, we reached the clump just in time to dismount and arrange our
horses before the Indians got within range of our rifles. We were thus
better able to defend ourselves than we had been on the previous
occasion. The Coomanches came on bravely enough at first, shrieking and
hooting at the top of their voices, but we were prepared to receive them
in a way they did not expect. Before they began to wheel and throw
themselves over on the sides of their horses, Armitage, Story and I, who
were considered the best shots of the party, each singled out a man. We
fired, and three warriors dropped to the ground. At the same moment,
our brave allies dashed forward, with lances in rest, and charged boldly
at the advancing foe, who were discharging a shower of arrows at us.
One of the Coomanches threw himself on the side of his horse and shot an
arrow which pierced our friend's shoulder, but he was himself the next
instant thrust through by his opponent's lance, his horse galloping off,
however, with his dead body. This bold manoeuvre gave us time to
reload. We were able to fire a volley as the rest of the party came
sweeping by. Two more saddles were emptied, and another warrior was
wounded. The latter, however, managed to regain his seat so as to wheel
round and rejoin his companions.
Had we been a more numerous party, and armed with swords and lances, we
might have mounted and pursued the enemy; but as we possessed only our
rifles, it was far more prudent to remain on foot, whence we could take
a steady aim.
It was surprising to see the way our persevering assailants came on, and
threw themselves over the sides of their horses. It was not until we
had an opportunity of examining their trappings, that we discovered how
they managed to do so. We found attached to the mane of each horse a
strong halter composed of horse-hair, which being passed under the
animal's neck, was firmly plaited into the mane, thus leaving a loop
hanging under its neck. When about to fire, the warrior drops into this
loop, and he manages to sustain the weight of his body by the upper part
of the bent arm. In this way, both his arms are at liberty, either to
use his bow or his spear. In his left hand he grasps a dozen arrows,
together with his bow, and is not compelled to apply his hand to his
quiver, which hangs with his shield at his back, while his long spear
being supported by the bend of the elbow he can use it at any moment.
Our allies, on this occasion, rendered us essential service by
distracting the attention of our active foes, thus preventing them from
shooting with as much accuracy as usual. Their arrows came flying about
us, many sticking in the trees behind our backs; but happily only two of
our people and one of our horses were slightly wounded, although one of
our Indian allies fell to the ground, and before any of his companions
could rescue him, a Coomanche, who had ridden up, leaning over his
horse, took his scalp and rejoined the main body.
The steady fire we kept up, prevented the Indians from coming close to
us; still they were evidently unwilling to abandon, the attempt, in
spite of the numbers they had already lost. As far as we could judge,
the party which had before attacked us had been increased by many fresh
warriors, eager to distinguish themselves. Could they obtain the white
men's scalps, they would be able to boast of their achievement to the
end of their days.
We had no intention, could we help it, of giving them this satisfaction.
One thing was remarkable--the regular way in which they came on and
retreated, like any civilised people engaging in warfare. Our allies,
after our first attack, had rejoined us, and waited close at hand to
dash forward again, should they see a favourable opportunity. At length
the Coomanches, having swept round out of rifle-shot, disappeared
behind, the wood from which they had emerged. No sooner had they gone,
than our allies threw themselves from their horses and dashed forward
towards the bodies of the slain. In vain Dick shouted to Pierre to tell
them to let the carcases alone. Never did I witness a more horrid
sight; with their scalp-knives in their hands, they sprang forward, and
in an instant had passed the sharp blades round the heads of two of
them. A third, though badly wounded, both by one of our bullets and an
arrow in his side, raised himself up, and fiercely regarding his
advancing foe, mocked and derided him as an ally of the whites.
The Indian advanced, and springing on the prostrate man, without waiting
to give him the merciful blow, whipped off his scalp, and left him still
bleeding on the ground. On seeing this, Pierre, who seemed rather
ashamed of his friends, sent a bullet into the poor wretch's head, and
put him out of his misery.
The knife of one of the others must have been blunt, for finding that
the scalp did not come off as quickly as he wished, seating himself on
the ground with his feet against the dead man's shoulders, he pulled it
away by main force. So far we had been more successful than we had
expected; but our enemies might rally, and, hovering in the
neighbourhood, keep us constantly in a state of anxiety. We were
unwilling to leave our secure position until we could ascertain whether
the Indians had retreated. To learn this, it was necessary to get to
the other side of the wood, which hid them from view. For this purpose,
one of our allies volunteered to ride forward and ascertain where they
were. The risk, however, was great, for should he be pursued, and
overtaken, his death was certain. Still, the advantage to us would be
so great, that Armitage consented to his going. Instead of making
directly towards the wood, however, he rode first to the east and then
suddenly turning his course northward, galloped along at full speed,
until he got a good view of the north side of the wood which was a mere
belt of trees, scarcely thick enough to conceal a large body of
horsemen.
We watched him anxiously. At any moment his enemies might sally out and
attack him. At length we saw him turn his horse's head, when he came
riding leisurely back. Perceiving this we forthwith mounted and
continued our journey, leaving the bodies of the Indians to be devoured
by the prairie wolves, for we had no time, even had we wished it, to
bury them.
We of course kept a bright look out behind us as well as on either side,
for as Pierre observed, "It never does to trust those varmints of
Redskins; they come like the wind, and are off again with as many scalps
as they can lift before a man who has shut his eyes for a moment has
time to open them."
I confess that I heartily hoped we should in future be left alone; for,
although I had no objection to an occasional brush with the red men, I
had no fancy to be constantly harassed by them, and to be compelled to
remain in camp without the chance of a shot at a deer or buffalo for
fear of losing one's scalp. I thought, however, that we had now done
with them and should the next night be able to sleep in peace. Again we
continued on until it was nearly dark, when we formed camp in as
sheltered a position as we could find.
Of course our trail would show the way we had taken, and, should the
Indians be so disposed, they might follow us. The only question was
whether they could or could not take us by surprise. We had,
fortunately, enough meat for supper, but we agreed that it would be
necessary to hunt the next day at all risks. When, however, we came to
examine our powder horns, we found that we had scarcely more than a
couple of charges each. It would be impossible therefore to defend
ourselves, should we be again attacked, and a difficult task to obtain
game sufficient to last us to the end of the journey. We had
fortunately a good supply of bear's meat, which, as Dick observed, "went
a long way;" but our Indian friends were voracious feeders and it was
necessary to give them as much as they wanted. Our chief hope now of
obtaining food was that we might come across some buffalo which our
Indians would be able to shoot with their bows and arrows: at all
events, having already escaped so many dangers, we determined to keep up
our spirits and not to be cast down by the difficulties in the way.
As our Indians had been on the watch the previous night, we undertook to
keep guard this night, two at a time. Charley and I were to be
together.
What the captain called "the middle watch" was over, when we mounted
guard, Charley on the horses, I on the camp. Just then the moon, in its
last quarter, rose above the horizon, shedding a pale light over the
prairie. We had been on foot a couple of hours and I was hoping that it
would soon be time to rouse up my companions and commence the day's
march, when Charley came to me.
"Look there!" he said, "I fancy that I can make out some objects in the
distance, but whether they are prairie wolves or men I am not quite
certain. If they are Indians, the sooner we secure the horses the
better. If they are wolves they can do us no great harm. We will
awaken our friends, at all events!"
I quickly, in a low voice, called up all hands; and each man, without
standing on his feet, crept towards his horse. In a few seconds we had
secured the whole of them.
"Now!" cried Dick, "mount and away." No sooner were the words uttered,
than we sprang into our saddles. As we did so a loud shout saluted our
ears, followed by the whistling of arrows; and, turning round, we saw
fifty dark forms scampering after us. Had we possessed ammunition, we
should not have dreamed of taking to flight; but, without the means of
defending ourselves, it was the only safe thing to be done. The arrows
came fast and thick.
"Keep together lads," cried Dick, "never mind those bodkins, we shall
soon distance our pursuers."
I heard a sharp cry from Charley and turning round I saw an arrow
sticking in his side. The captain had already been wounded, but he did
not betray the fact of his being hurt.
Our horses, seeming to understand our dangerous position, stretched out
at their greatest speed. I turned round and could still see the Indians
coming on and discharging their arrows; but we were now beyond their
range, and, provided our horses kept their feet, we had no fear of being
overtaken. It was very trying to have to run away from foes whom we had
twice defeated, for we had no doubt that they were the same band of
Redskins we had before encountered and who now hoped, by approaching on
foot, to take us by surprise. Had not Charley's quick sight detected
them indeed, we should probably have lost our horses and have been
murdered into the bargain. On we galloped, yet for a long time we could
hear the shrieks and shouts of our distant foes. Their horses were not
likely to be far off, and we knew that they would probably return for
them and again pursue us. We must, therefore, put a considerable
distance between ourselves and them. Fortunately, not having tired our
steeds, we should be able to go on without pulling rein for the whole
day; we must, however, camp to feed them, but not for a moment longer
than would be absolutely necessary for the purpose. I asked Charley how
he felt.
"Never mind me," he answered, "the arrow hurts somewhat, but I would not
have our party stop to attend to me. If I feel worse I'll tell you,
lest I should drop from my horse."
The captain said not a word of his wound, nor did anyone else complain
of being hurt; though, as daylight increased, I observed blood streaming
from the leg of one of the Indians, and another with a pierced coat
through which an arrow had gone. At length our steeds gave signs of
being tired, and we ourselves had become very hungry. We agreed,
therefore, to pull up near a stream, with a knoll close to it, from
which we could obtain, through our spy-glasses, a wide view across the
prairie, so that we could see our enemies before they could discover us.
To light a fire and cook our bear's flesh while our horses were turned
loose to feed, occupied but little time. We had saved a couple of tin
mugs with which we brought water from the stream; but our kettle, and
several other articles, in the hurry of our flight, had been left
behind. Our first care was to see to Charley's wound. He heroically
bore the operation of cutting off the head of the arrow, which had to be
done before the shaft of the arrow could be drawn out. We then, with a
handkerchief, bound up the wound. Dick was less seriously hurt, an
arrow having, however, torn its way through his shoulder. The Indian
made light of his wound which was very similar to that Charley had
received. His companions doctored him, we supplying them with a
handkerchief which they bound round his wounded limb. I was still
resting when Story, who had taken his post on the knoll, spy-glass in
hand, shouted out--
"I have just caught sight of the heads of the Redskins, over the grass,
so the sooner we are away the better."
Saying this he hurried down the hill. We, having caught the horses and
packed up the remainder of our meat, mounted and rode on. Both Charley
and Dick declared they did not feel much the worse for their wounds, the
blood they had lost probably preventing inflammation. Though the
Indians could not see us, they must have discovered our trail; and they
would soon ascertain, by the remains of our fire, that we were not far
ahead. This might encourage them to pursue us; but our horses being
better than theirs, we might still, should no accident happen, keep well
ahead of them.
We galloped on until dark and then we were once more compelled to camp.
Only half our party lay down at a time, the remainder keeping by the
horses while they fed, to be ready to bring them in at a moment's
notice. Our pursuers would also have to stop to feed their horses, and
as they had not come up to us during the first watch, we hoped that they
would leave us in quiet for the remainder of the night.
We were not disturbed; and before daybreak, jumping into our saddles, we
pushed on. I must pass over the two following days. As yet we had met
with no signs of civilisation, when we saw a wreath of smoke rising
above the trees in the far distance. It might come from a
backwoodsman's hut, or it might be simply that of a camp fire. It was
not likely to rise from the camp of Indians, so Pierre thought, as they
do not generally venture so far east. However, to run no risk of
falling among foes, we sent forward one of our scouts, while we
proceeded at the pace we had before been going. We felt most anxious to
get some shelter, where we could sleep in security and obtain food, for
our bear's flesh was well-nigh exhausted, and we had not hitherto fallen
in with buffalo; while both our wounded men required more care than we
could give them in the camp, with the chance of having to mount and ride
for our lives at any moment.
After riding some distance we heard a shot.
"All's not right," cried Dick; "we may have either to fight, or run for
it."
In a short time we saw an Indian riding at full speed towards us.
"What's the matter?" asked Pierre as he came near.
He pointed to the wood, when presently two white men appeared with
rifles in their hands. As soon as they caught sight of us, they shouted
out and made signs of friendship to us, while they grounded their arms.
We were soon up to them.
"Sorry to have shot at your Redskin friend, but we took him for an
enemy, that's a fact," said one of them; "however, as the bit of lead
missed his head, he's none the worse for it."
Dick assured him we had no wish to complain, and asked whether we could
find any shelter in the neighbourhood.
"You are welcome to our hut, friends," answered the other man, "it's big
enough for all hands except the Indians, and they can put up wigwams for
themselves. Come along, for there's a storm brewing, I guess; and
you'll be better under cover than in the open air."
We gladly accepted the invitation, and guided by our new acquaintances,
we soon found ourselves in a clearing, with a good-sized log-hut and a
couple of shanties at the rear of it. The rain had already begun to
fall; so speedily taking off the bridles and saddles of our steeds, we
hobbled them and turned them loose; we then hurried under cover, our
Indian guides taking possession of one of the shanties.
Our hosts, Mark and Simon Praeger, told us that they and their brothers
had built the log-hut the previous winter. They had already a
good-sized field fenced in and under cultivation and had besides a herd
of cattle, the intention of the family being to move west in a few
months.
On hearing of the loss of our provisions and stores, they at once set to
work to get supper ready; and, as they had killed a deer that morning
and had a good supply of flour, coffee and other articles, they soon
placed an abundant meal smoking on the table. We at once discovered
that they were superior to the general run of backwoodsmen, having a
fair education, at the same time that they were hardy persevering
fellows, and bold buffalo and deer hunters, who held the Redskins in
supreme contempt. Their family, they told us, resided somewhere about a
hundred miles away to the eastward. They had pushed thus far into the
wilderness to form a home for themselves, both young men intending to
marry shortly and set up house. Their father's farm was close to the
very settlement for which we were bound, and the nearest where we were
likely to get our wants amply supplied. They were sure, they said, that
their father would be happy to receive us and assist us in obtaining all
we required. We thanked them and gladly accepted their kind offer.
Supper being over, we lay down in our buffalo robes; and I need scarcely
say that, having no longer the fear of being aroused by finding an
Indian's scalping-knife running round my head, I was quickly fast
asleep, fully expecting to have a good night's rest.
My sleep, however, at length became troubled. I dreamed that I heard
the Indian war-whoops, and saw a whole band of savages spring out of the
darkness and rush with uplifted tomahawks towards me while I lay
helpless on the ground. Presently the cries increased, and I awoke with
a start to hear a terrific growling sound. It was that of a bear, I was
convinced. I saw that Mark Praeger, having got up and struck a light,
had taken down his rifle from the wall and was going towards the door.
I jumped up, as did Armitage and Story, and followed him. As he threw
open the door, we saw, not a dozen paces from the hut, a huge bear
squatting on his hindquarters and apparently taking a leisurely survey
of the hut.
Mark, as soon as he caught sight of his visitor, lifted his rifle and
fired, but the cap failed to go off. It would have been a fine
opportunity for Bruin to have made a rush upon us; when he might, by
dashing into the hut, have taken possession and killed us all one after
the other, or driven us out. Instead of doing so, alarmed by the shouts
we raised, uttering a low growl, he turned round and broke away through
the brushwood on one side of the hut.
"On lads!" cried Mark, "we must get that fellow for the sake of the meat
and skin."
As he spoke he replaced the copper cap and dashed forward in pursuit of
the intruder. As we had no wish to go bear-hunting unarmed, we hurried
back to obtain our rifles and some powder and bullets from Simon. By
the time we were supplied, the rest of the party who had been aroused by
our shouts, were on foot and preparing to accompany us. On returning to
the door, we could nowhere see Mark; but Simon taking the lead we
followed him. The moon had got up, so that we managed to see our way
with tolerable clearness, by a path leading down to a stream, with
precipitous banks, rising in some places into cliffs of considerable
height. We had gone some distance when we heard a shot fired.
"Mark has brought Master Bruin to bay," cried Simon; "I wish he had
waited until we had come up."
I heard the sound of footsteps behind us, and looking round saw that our
Indian allies had followed, as eager as we were to get the bear's meat.
Just then we saw Mark bending over the bear which he had shot; but what
was our horror the next moment to observe another huge monster rush out
from behind a rock and lifting itself on its haunches make a spring at
him, before he could even turn round to defend himself. His death
seemed certain. In attempting to shoot the bear, we should too probably
kill him. No one therefore dared to fire. In vain he endeavoured to
escape from the claws of the creature who held him in a fast embrace.
His brother and Armitage, who were leading, dashed forward, the one
drawing a long knife, the other armed with an axe which he had caught up
as we left the hut. I held my gun ready, waiting to fire should I be
able to do so without running the risk of shooting one of my friends.
It was a fearful moment. It seemed scarcely possible, even should we
kill the bear, that poor Mark would escape destruction. Simon,
springing close to the monster, dealt it a tremendous blow with his axe,
hoping to draw its attention on himself; while Armitage, with his
uplifted knife, dashed forward, and as he did so plunged his weapon
behind the bear's shoulder. The monster turned round on feeling the
wound, and I thought would have bitten Mark's head. Simon again plied
the brute with his axe. The huge jaws relaxed, the head sank down,
Armitage had driven his knife home to the beast's heart.
With shouts, indicative of their satisfaction, the Indians now hurried
up and assisted us in dragging off the body from our fallen friend who
was by this time nearly senseless. The bear's claws had torn him
fearfully about the breast and shoulders, besides having given him a
tremendous hug, but had, we hoped, injured no vital part. He was
unable, however, to speak or stand. We at once, therefore, formed a
litter with poles speedily cut from the banks of the stream, on which we
bore him back to the hut, leaving the Indians under the command of
Pierre to cut up the bears and bring in their flesh and skins, an
occupation to which they applied themselves with evident delight.