On arriving at the hut with our almost inanimate burden, we found the
captain and Charlie in a state of great anxiety to know what had
happened; for they had, I should have said, been undressed, and placed
in our hosts' beds, their wounds preventing them from putting on their
clothes. The captain insisted on turning out when he saw the sad
condition of Mark; and he moreover undertook to doctor him as well as he
was able. It appeared evident, however, that as soon as possible Mark
and Charley should be removed to the settlement, where they could obtain
surgical aid. Mark in a short time revived. From the captain's report,
we had hopes that, on account of his fine constitution, he would escape
inflammation, which was chiefly, under his circumstances, to be feared.
The Praegers had a light wagon, into which, soon after breakfast was
over the next morning, we put our three wounded companions, and leaving
Pierre and the Indians with Simon Praeger, we set off for Tillydrone.
We would gladly have had another day's rest, but the impossibility of
obtaining medical assistance for poor Mark and Charley made us willing
to undergo the fatigue.
The country was tolerably level, there being a fine open prairie, across
which we rattled at a good speed, though the unavoidable jolting must
have greatly tried our poor friends within. I was very thankful when
Mark, looking out of the wagon, told us that we were approaching his
father's house. Our cavalcade must have been seen, for in a short time
two horsemen came galloping up to us: the elder, a fine-looking,
middle-aged man, Mark saluted as his father; the other as brother Peter.
A few words explained what had happened. Mr Praeger immediately
invited us all to his house, while Peter started off as fast as he could
go to summon the doctor.
The house to which we were conducted was a picturesque,
comfortable-looking building, constructed of wood, with a low pitched
roof, and wide long verandah, up to which a flight of broad steps led
us. We found a matronly-looking dame, with a bevy of young ones,
standing in the verandah, evidently wondering at the number of guests
Mr Praeger was bringing to the house. They were all activity on
hearing the state of the occupants of the wagon, and hurried down the
steps to assist in lifting in our wounded companions, for neither
Charley nor Mark were able to walk. The captain, however, got up the
steps by merely leaning on Mr Praeger's arm.
In a few minutes all three were placed in bed, Mrs Praeger declaring
that it was the only place fit for either of them, though her son was
certainly the most hurt.
The young ladies were so busy during the evening, flitting about here
and there, that I could scarcely tell how many there were of them. I
remarked, however, that one was taller than the others, very fair, and
with a graceful figure. When Armitage--who had remained out of sight,
looking after the horses--came in, she was not in the room, and it was
some time before she returned. When she did so, he rose to his feet,
and regarded her earnestly, while the colour mounted to his cheek and
brow; then he bowed, and stood apparently irresolute whether to advance
or retreat. She started on seeing him and then put out her hand. He
sprang across the room and took it.
"I little expected to have the happiness of seeing you, Miss Hargrave,"
he said.
"Is it a happiness?" she asked, in a calm tone.
"Indeed it is," he replied. "I heard that you had left England, but
could not ascertain to what part of the world you had gone."
What further passed between our friend and the young lady I cannot tell,
as they lowered their voices, while they retired to a window at the
other end of the room, Armitage forgetting all about his supper.
The ladies of the family, I should say, did not sit down to table, as
they had already taken their evening meal, and insisted on waiting upon
us.
Peter Praeger returned sooner than was expected with the doctor, whom he
found on a visit to a family five or six miles off.
He gave a more favourable report of Dick and Charley than I expected,
but young Mark, he said, would require the greatest possible care; a
good constitution, however, he hoped, would enable him to pull through,
though his hurts were of a most serious description.
I had no opportunity of speaking to Armitage before turning in, so I was
unable to ascertain more about the young lady he had so unexpectedly
met. The rest of the family were very nice and pretty girls, their
manners much superior to what I had reasonably supposed would be found
in the "Far West."
Soon after breakfast the next morning, I saw Armitage and Miss Hargrave
walking out together, he having asked her to show him a beautiful view
she had spoken of at the other end of the estate. The rest of the young
ladies being occupied, Story and I lit our pipes, and were sitting
smoking them in the verandah, when we were joined by Mr Praeger.
"Your companion appears to be an old friend of my young relative," he
observed, as if apparently wishing to learn something about Armitage.
I replied that he was well known to Lieutenant Buntin, who spoke highly
of him; and that he was evidently a man of some means, as we judged from
his outfit and the number of his attendants, while we had found him a
most excellent fellow in every respect.
"I'm glad to hear it, for the sake of my wife's young cousin Ellen," he
answered. "She came out to us a few months ago, having lost her
parents, and having no relatives for whom she cared in England. She
had, however, very little idea of the rough style of life we are
compelled to lead; but she at once got into our ways, though I observed
what I could not account for, that she was often more melancholy than
was consistent with her disposition. Now, however, I suspect the
cause."
I fully agreed with our out-spoken host. I soon found that we were not
likely to learn anything of the interesting subject from Armitage
himself, for he was remarkably reticent, and I saw that it would not do
to banter him, or allude in any way to it.
I must pass over several days, during which the doctor as well as the
ladies of the family were unremitting in their attentions to the wounded
men. The captain was soon himself again, though still too weak to
travel; but Charley's wound took much longer to heal, and Mark was not
likely to be on foot again for three or four weeks at soonest. In the
meantime, Story and I, with our constant companion, Peter, rode over to
the settlement to obtain the stores we required for our journey, as well
as to replace our baggage mules.
While thus engaged, we found an old trapper also making purchases at the
stores. He was tall and gaunt, his countenance weather beaten and
sunburnt, of a ruddy brown hue, his hair--which hung over his
shoulders--being only slightly grizzled, while his chin and face were
smooth shaved. He was dressed in a hunting-frock of buckskin, and
pantaloons of the same material ornamented down the seams with long
fringes. On his feet he wore mocassins of Indian make; his head was
covered by a neatly-made cap of beaver; an unusually large powder-horn
was slung over his shoulders, together with a rifle, carefully covered
up; while in his belt, in addition to a knife and tomahawk, he carried a
brace of pistols with long barrels, showing that he was accustomed to
travel amongst enemies, and was prepared to make a stout fight if he was
attacked. On seeing us, he enquired who we were, where we had come
from, and in what direction we were going.
We told him without hesitation.
"I guess the old hoss will go with you some of the way," he said. "Tell
Master Praeger that Ben Folkard will pay him a visit before long, I
can't say when. He knows me, and he knows when I say I'll do a thing I
intend to do it."
We promised to give old Folkard's message, and soon afterwards we parted
from him. Peter told us that he had heard his father speak of Ben
Folkard as one of the most noted and skilful trappers of the Rocky
Mountains, and that he never turned up without a large supply of skins
and peltries.
We were fortunate in obtaining some fine Mexican mules and all the
articles we required, though we had to pay somewhat highly for them.
Well satisfied, we set off to return to Mr Praeger's. The houses and
the stores were few and far between, the intermediate country being
still in a state of nature. As our laden mules could not travel fast,
we had to camp on the way. We chose a grassy spot near a wood, offering
sufficient attractions to our animals to prevent them from straying,
though of course we hobbled them as an additional security.
While Peter remained in camp, Story and I took our guns to get a turkey,
or any other game which might come in our way. We had not gone far when
Story called my attention to an animal standing on the fallen trunk of a
tree, and told me to keep back the dogs, which would be sure to suffer
if they were to attack it. I was about to fire, when I caught sight of
another animal of similar size with a long, thin body and sharp nose,
which I at once recognised as a marten. It had apparently been watching
the porcupine, who, unconscious of its approach, remained perfectly
still, its spines scarcely visible. The marten was intent on taking its
enemy by surprise; and, stealing up, threw itself on the unsuspicious
porcupine before it had time even to raise its spines. The moment it
felt itself seized, it began to lash its tail about and throw out its
quills in all directions; but the marten, by its wonderful agility,
escaped the blows aimed at it. In a short time it gained the victory,
and was already sucking the blood of its victim when Story fired and hit
it in the head. As the skin was of considerable value, we quickly
flayed it, and with a couple of turkeys which we were fortunate enough
to shoot, returned to camp, where, to our surprise, we found old Folkard
seated smoking his pipe.
"I'm going along with you, boys," he said. "Good company isn't always
to be got, and it's not always safe, while the Redskins are on the
war-path, to travel through the country alone. You can help me and I
can help you, so that we shall be quits."
We, of course, told the trapper that we should be very happy to have the
benefit of his experience.
We passed the night quietly enough; but the next morning, to our
excessive disgust, half the mules were missing. In spite of their
hobbles, they had managed to get away. Peter and I with two men at once
set off in search of them; but it was not until late in the day that we
found the runaways. As soon as we had brought them back we started, but
of course could make but a short distance. On camping, with the
assistance of the old trapper we hobbled them more securely than on the
previous night, and by his advice a watch was set, we all taking the
duty in turns. Old Ben, however, excused himself from watching,
declaring that his mules never ran away and that as he should have to
keep wide awake during most nights by and by, he should prefer a sound
sleep while he could get it.
To this we made no objection. We placed the packs on one side of our
camp-fire, near which, having taken our suppers, the old trapper, Peter,
and Story lay down to sleep; while I, with my rifle in my hand, walked
off to look after the horses and mules. I kept walking up and down,
keeping my eyes open, and when any of the animals appeared inclined to
head off from the rest turned them back. The night was fine and the
stars shone out brightly, but it was otherwise somewhat dark. At last I
began to yawn and to wish heartily that Story would come and relieve me.
Once or twice I heard cries in the distance very similar to those which
had disturbed us when further to the west, but here, so near the settled
districts, I thought nothing of the matter. I suspected that the
cunning mules were watching me, for when I turned towards the camp to
call Story, off one or two of them bolted. They had played me this
trick two or three times, and at last one of them led me so long a chase
that when I caught him I determined to punish the brute by securing him
to a tree. Having done so I turned towards the camp, but the fire had
burnt so low that I could scarcely see the spot. There was light
enough, however, to enable me to distinguish several objects moving over
the ground. Can they be Indians? I thought, as I ran forward hoping to
arouse my companions in time to defend themselves. Before I got up to
the camp, however, I saw what I at once knew to be a pack of wolves. On
they came without bark or yelp, making straight for our baggage. Among
the provisions we had purchased was a quantity of pemmican placed on the
top. I really believe that the wolves, cunning as foxes, had surveyed
our camp and knew exactly what to go in for. I shouted loudly, hoping
to frighten them off and awaken my friends; but even old Ben was
sleeping so soundly that for some time no one heard my voice, while I
was afraid to fire at the wolves for fear--in the uncertain light--of
hitting one of my sleeping companions. At length up sprang Story and
Peter, and their cries aroused the old trapper. It was too late,
however, to prevent the wolves making an onslaught on our baggage. Each
seized something in his mouth, but our cries prevented them from
remaining and devouring the whole of our provisions, which they
undoubtedly otherwise would have done. Off they went, several of the
rascals carrying bags of pemmican or of flour, or packages of hams in
their mouths. I fired and stopped the career of one of them, while my
companions, imitating my example, shot three others. We then, having
reloaded, made chase and brought down two or three more.
We should have regained the whole of our provisions, but, in several
instances, the moment a wolf was shot another brute seized his prize and
made off with it. Under other circumstances we should not have expended
powder on the brutes. We fired away, however, as long as any remained
within shot, and on searching for the booty we recovered nearly the
whole of it. Our chief loss was in our flour, as the animals, while
grabbing the bags from each other, had well nigh torn them to pieces and
let the contents run out.
Old Ben took matters very coolly, but Story and Peter were so vexed that
they undertook to ride back and replace our loss, if we would consent to
move on slowly with the rest of the animals. This we gladly did, the
old trapper managing them with perfect ease. He said that he had seldom
known a pack of wolves to come so far east, and advised that in future
we should keep a sharp look-out lest we might encounter others.
Our friends overtook us the next day, and in the evening we reached Mr
Praeger's. We found Dick quite recovered and ready to set off again;
but it seemed doubtful whether Armitage would continue his expedition.
It struck me that although Mr Praeger was very civil, he would be glad
to have us go. To say the least, we occupied a great deal of the
attention of the ladies of the family, and Charley hinted that honest
Dick was somewhat spoony on one of them. Story had also been warm in
his praises of another, and it struck me that the young lady's colour
heightened and her eyes brightened when he spoke to her.
Mr Praeger seemed less contented with his location than I should have
thought. He had evidently been captivated by the accounts of the wealth
of California, and he made his "woman kind" somewhat uneasy by talking
of travelling across the country, bag and baggage, to settle in the new
Eldorado. They evidently had no wish to move; which was but natural, as
they appeared to me to have everything they could desire, besides being
free from the risk of Indian raids to which the settlers farther west
were constantly exposed. Dick, Story and I now made active preparations
for our departure; and, to my surprise, and much to our satisfaction,
Armitage expressed his intention of accompanying us.
I thought that Ellen's countenance and those of some of the other young
ladies had a shade of sadness on them as they saw us engaged in doing up
our packs and trying our newly-bought mules. Dick and I each purchased
a strong, active horse from Mr Praeger, for which we gave him long
prices as some return for his hospitality; and we then presented him
with our own steeds, which were likely to pick up muscle and flesh on
his rich pastures.
Though he was as courteous as ever, he did not press us to stay, and at
length, all our traps being prepared, we set off, accompanied by old
Folkard, who did not even ask whether we wished for his society or not.
Armitage remained behind, so I did not witness his parting with Miss
Hargrave, but he soon galloped after us. Peter accompanied us as far as
his brother's, to take the place of poor Mark, who was still unfit for
work, though in a fair way of recovery. We spent a day with the young
backwoodsmen, whose hearts were delighted with a present of a first-rate
Joe Manton. Our intention was to push on for the base of the Rocky
Mountains to a region where deer and buffalo and big-horns abounded. We
shot several deer, but as we had come across no buffalo, the larger
herds had, we supposed, moved northward. We had encamped one afternoon
earlier than usual, being tempted to halt by a wide stream and a wood
near at hand. Our fire being lighted and our meat put on to roast and
stew, Armitage, Story, and I took our guns to go out in search of
turkeys or other small game, should we be unable to find deer. Armitage
took two of his dogs, though they often gave us more trouble than
assistance in hunting. We had, however, been tolerably successful, and
shot three fine gobblers and some smaller birds, when, as we were
returning towards camp, the dogs gave tongue and started off to the
right, refusing to return at their master's call.
We hurried on as fast as the rough nature of the ground would allow us.
We were on the top of some low cliffs which had formed at some time or
other of the world's history the side of a torrent now dried up and
overgrown with trees. Presently we heard a cry of--
"Here, boys, help, help!"
At the same time one of the dogs leaped over the cliff, and we saw a
short distance from us Charley struggling with a brown bear,
providentially not a grizzly, which with great courage he had grasped by
the throat so as to prevent the brute from biting him; but he was
brought on his knees, his cap had fallen off, and his gun lay on the
ground beside him. In another instant the bear would have seized his
head, when the dog leaped down on the creature's back and caused a
diversion in his favour. To fire would have been dangerous, for had we
tried to kill the bear we should have run a fearful risk of shooting
Charley. We therefore trusted to the assistance of the dogs, the other,
following its companion, having fixed its teeth well into the bear.
Charley manfully continued the contest, but was afraid of releasing his
hold of the bear's throat lest it should bite him.
We shouted and shrieked, hoping to frighten Bruin, as we scrambled over
the rocks. At length Charley, still holding the bear's throat with one
hand, managed to get hold of his knife with the other, and in spite of
the creature's claws round his waist, using all his strength he struck
the weapon into its breast. The bear opened its paws as it felt the
knife entering, and Charley, having driven the weapon home, sprang back,
when the creature rolled over, almost crushing one of the dogs in its
convulsive struggles. Before we could get up to the scene of the
contest it was dead, and most thankful were we to find Charley
wonderfully little injured, though his clothes were somewhat torn. Our
young friend showed indeed remarkable nerve, for he scarcely even
trembled, though his cheek was somewhat paler than usual from the
desperate exertions he had made.
On examining the bear we found that it was an old one, and somewhat thin
from want of food; its claws also were blunted from old age, which
circumstance accounted for Charley's almost miraculous escape, for had
it possessed its full strength a single hug would have pressed the life
out of his body.
We congratulated him heartily on his preservation, and complimented him
on the courage he had exhibited.
"Let us have the skin, at all events," he said. "I would sooner carry
it on my own shoulders into camp than leave it behind."
"We'll not disappoint you, my boy," said Story; and he immediately began
to flay the animal; but as its flesh was likely to prove tough, we left
the carcase for the benefit of the prairie wolves.
While Story and I carried the skin between us, Armitage assisted
Charley, who was less able to walk than he had at first supposed. A man
cannot get even a moderate hug from a bear without suffering.
At the camp we found two strange Indians, who seemed disposed to be very
friendly, and invited us to pay them a visit at their lodges only an
hour's march off. One of them was a fine young fellow, dressed in a
leathern jacket and leggings richly ornamented, while on his head he
wore a circlet of feathers. He appeared to be greatly struck with
Charley on hearing of his exploit with the bear, and putting out his
hand, declared that they must henceforth be brothers.
Dick, though greatly delighted at hearing of Charley's behaviour, was
much concerned on seeing the injuries he had received, which were more
serious than we had at first supposed. He insisted on his turning into
a hut which old Folkard and Pierre immediately set to work to construct.
Our guests begged that he might be conveyed to their wigwams, saying
that their squaws would doctor him and soon restore his strength.
"They may be honest--those Shianees--but they may be rogues like many
other Redskins," observed old Ben. "Better not trust them."
We therefore thanked our guests, but declined their offer for the
present, saying that our young companion was unfit to be moved, though
we hoped to pay them a visit on the following day.
They, nothing abashed, continued to squat round the fire, smoking
tobacco and quaffing with evident pleasure the small glasses of
usquebaugh which Dick bestowed upon them. Armitage objected, however,
to the captain's giving them liquor.
"Let them take as much as they've a fancy to," said Ben. "It won't do
them any harm once in a way, and it will let us know what they are
thinking about."
Our guests having drunk the whisky, showed the same friendly disposition
as at first, nor did they complain when Dick refused to give them any
more.
"A little do good, too much do harm," observed Dick, at which they
nodded as if perfectly agreeing with him.
As the shades of evening approached, they got up, and shaking hands all
round, took their departure.
"They're all right, we may trust them," said Ben.
We nevertheless kept a strict watch over our cattle, for the temptation
to steal a fine stud might have been too great for our Indian neighbours
to resist. No attempt was made on the camp however, and the next
morning the animals were found feeding as quietly as usual.