AS THE LIEUTENANT AND I ARE STARTING, WE HEAR THAT KLITZ AND BARNEY HAVE
GONE OFF WITH A WHEEL-BARROW FOR CALIFORNIA--A PLEASANT BIVOUAC--AT LAST
WE CATCH SIGHT OF THE DESERTERS--THE LIEUTENANT IS ABOUT TO RIDE AFTER
THEM, WHEN A PARTY OF INDIANS APPEAR--THE INDIANS TAKE TO FLIGHT, AND WE
LOSE SIGHT OF THE RUNAWAYS--FORM OUR CAMP--DISCOVER THAT WE ARE
WATCHED--FOLLOW THE SPY, WHO PROVES TO BE MAYSOTTA--FIND THE DESERTERS
TAKING THEIR EASE--WE CAPTURE THEM, AND, GUIDED BY MAYSOTTA, TAKE THEM
TO THE INDIAN CAMP--RESOLVE TO RETURN TO THE FARM.
The lieutenant and I had arranged to start at daybreak, on horseback,
with a couple of baggage-mules carrying provisions and camp utensils.
Clarice was up to give us our breakfast, and I heard the lieutenant tell
her how much he hoped to meet her again.
"Not very likely, in this wild region," she answered with perfect
composure, although a slight blush came to her cheek as she spoke.
The lieutenant having given directions to Pat to remain and do his
duty,--charging him not to get drunk again, and to come on with the
sergeant as soon as he was able to travel,--we were on the point of
mounting our horses, when Bartle came up.
"I thought that I should get something out of our fellows," he said.
"Of all the strange things I have ever heard of people doing, the
strangest is what your two troopers are attempting. It seems that the
Dutchman and the Irish chap have taken possession of one of our
wheelbarrows and a couple of pick-axes and spades, with such other
things as they had a fancy for, and have gone off, expecting to make
their way to California, where, it is said, gold can be had to any
amount by digging for it."
"The rascals!" exclaimed the lieutenant; "they will not get there in a
hurry, and we shall probably come up with them before long."
"They have had a good many days' start of you," observed Bartle, "and if
they have kept on going, they must be some distance on their road by
this time."
"Then we must push on all the faster," said the lieutenant. "I should
like to catch the fellows before the Indians take their scalps;
although, when we have got them, it will be difficult to know what to do
with them, as they will delay me while they move slowly along on foot."
"Send them back to us; we will soon show them how to use their picks and
spades," said Bartle.
After the usual hand-shaking at parting, and the lieutenant had once
more lifted his cap to Clarice, who stood at the door watching us, we
set off down the hill, each of us leading a baggage-mule by the bridle.
Every inch of the way, for some miles, was known to me, so that we could
move on without troubling ourselves about the road. We had occasionally
hills to go over, spurs of the big mountains on our left; but we kept as
much we could on the level ground,--sometimes having to make a detour
for the sake of avoiding the rocky heights, which were inaccessible to
our animals.
As the day advanced we began to look out for the runaways, although the
lieutenant was of opinion that they must be still some way ahead of us.
We also kept our eyes open on the chance of any Indians coming down upon
us,--although I did not think that there was much risk of that; for
every one at the farm had been convinced that the Arrapahas had long
since gone away to the southward, and that we should hear no more of
them.
That night we encamped at a snug spot near a stream, with a wood to the
southward almost surrounding us, so that the light of our fire could not
be seen by any one on that side. There was rich grass for our animals,
and they were therefore not likely to stray. We were both young, in
good health and spirits, and with no cares to oppress us, so we greatly
enjoyed our bivouac. We sat by the fire chatting away for some time;
then we lay down, wrapped in our buffalo robes, to sleep, resolving to
awake at intervals, in order to put on fresh fuel, as it was important
not to let our fire get low. Fortunately, we awoke as often as was
needful, and by maintaining a good blaze we kept at a distance any bears
or wolves which might have been prowling about. The next morning, at
daybreak, we once more moved on. As yet, we had discovered no signs of
the runaways; indeed, when we came to think over the matter, we
considered that they would probably have kept out of the beaten track,
in order to avoid discovery should they be pursued. From the nature of
the ground, they would not have gone to the left; and I therefore
suggested that we should keep to the right, where, if they really were
making for the pass, we should be pretty certain of coming upon them.
We accordingly struck off at an angle in the direction I proposed, and
then once more continued our former course northward, keeping a bright
look-out ahead and on either side.
"If the fellows are still before us, they deserve credit for the speed
at which they must have been travelling," observed the lieutenant.
"But, notwithstanding, we shall be up with them before dark," I
exclaimed. "See there!" and I pointed to a mark on the grass, which my
quick eye had detected as that made by a single wheel.
The lieutenant, however, could not see it, and thought that my fancy was
deceiving me.
Had we not been detained by the baggage-mules, we should, I was sure,
have quickly overtaken the runaways. I must own, however, that I felt
very little interest in their capture, for I considered them not worth
their salt as soldiers,--a couple of "Uncle Sam's" hard bargains,--but
the lieutenant had no wish to be blamed for losing his men, should he
arrive at the fort without his escort.
We had to call a halt twice in the day, to allow our animals to feed and
drink, and to take some refreshment ourselves. Two or three times, as I
looked round, I fancied that I saw some objects in the distance; it
might have been Indians or deer, or perhaps even buffalo, although the
latter seldom came so close to the mountains.
We, of course, kept our arms ready for any emergency; and as but few of
the natives in those regions had at that time firearms, I knew that
Indians would be very wary how they approached within range of our
rifles.
The day was drawing to a close, and I was looking out for a convenient
spot for camping, when I saw in the far distance ahead of us, and just
on the summit of some rising ground, a couple of figures.
"Who can these be?" exclaimed the lieutenant, who saw them at the same
time.
"Unless I am greatly mistaken, they are your two deserters, Klitz and
Gillooly."
We dragged on the unwilling mules, in the endeavour to overtake them;
but I think the fellows must have seen us, for they moved forward at a
rapid rate. The fat little Irishman was ahead trundling the
wheel-barrow, while the tall German followed close at his heels carrying
a couple of muskets, one over each shoulder.
"Stay by the mules, Ralph; pray do!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "I will
gallop after the rascals, and bring them to a halt."
"There is a deep stream between us and them," I observed, "and you may
have some difficulty in crossing it alone; we will follow at our
leisure, for we are sure to catch them up before dark."
Just as I spoke, the ominous cry of an Indian war-whoop came from behind
us; and looking round, we saw nearly a dozen mounted warriors coming on
at full gallop. To throw ourselves from our horses, and to get our
rifles ready for firing, was the work of a moment.
The Indians had expected to see us take to flight, so on observing our
determined attitude they pulled rein. They stopped and watched us for
some time; and then, apparently considering that the risk they would run
of certainly losing two of their number, if not more, was not worth the
object to be attained, they wheeled round and galloped off in the
direction from whence they had come.
We continued watching them until they had disappeared in the distance;
and when we turned about and again looked for the runaways, they were
nowhere to be seen.
"Never fear," I observed; "we shall soon catch them up. But I would
rather that those Redskin fellows, if they are enemies, had not been in
the neighbourhood; for they may take it into their heads to pay us a
visit while we are encamped at night. Knowing, however, that we are
well armed, and likely to be prepared for them, they will not attack us
openly; yet they will, if they can, steal up to our camp, and try to
take us by surprise."
Our great object now was to find a secure camping-ground; so we pushed
on, and I led my companion across the stream by a ford somewhat further
up. But still we saw nothing of Klitz or Gillooly, while the waning
light prevented me from discovering their trail, had they crossed where
we did. Some way ahead was a large wood, which extended to the very
foot of the mountains, and within its recesses we should be able to
shelter ourselves from any onset of horsemen, although the trees would
favour the approach of enemies who might attempt to take us by surprise.
We rode on, skirting the forest as long as we had sufficient light to
distinguish objects at any distance, still with the hope that we might
find the runaways encamped, in case they should not have seen us. That
they had not perceived us, near as we were to them, was quite possible,
as their backs had been turned towards us the whole time they were in
sight; and their moving on so quickly might be accounted for by their
wish to reach a good spot for camping on before dark.
We ourselves, after searching about for some time, and being unable to
find any traces of them, resolved to encamp in a small recess in the
wood which presented itself. There was water near, from a rivulet which
came winding through the forest, and plenty of grass. We accordingly
hobbled and staked our horses close at hand; and we then collected wood
for our fire, and made down our beds with our saddles and horse-cloths.
While we were seated at supper, I proposed to my companion to go a short
distance from the wood, that we might command a more extensive range of
view than we could where we were seated; so that should the runaways be
anywhere in the neighbourhood, we might find them out by the light of
their fire. No glare appeared, however, along the whole length of the
forest; but still that was no proof that they were not somewhere in one
of its recesses, as, even should they have kindled a fire, the trees
might conceal its light from us.
Neither of us feeling inclined for sleep, we sat up talking.
"I much regret being obliged to leave the farm, for I confess that I am
not quite satisfied about the movements of the Indians who have been
seen by the chief Winnemak," observed Lieutenant Broadstreet. "Should
they return to the farm, your friends will be exposed to great danger.
I purpose, on reaching Fort Harwood, to lay the state of the case before
the commandant, and to try and induce him to send me back with a body of
men, either to relieve the garrison of the farm should it be attacked,
or to go in search of the marauders."
I thanked the lieutenant kindly for this offer, although I did not
suppose that Uncle Jeff and his companions would have any difficulty in
beating off their assailants.
"As we must be off by daylight, it is now time to turn in," said the
lieutenant. "Suppose you keep one eye open, and I another! We must
not, if we can help it, be surprised by wolves or bears--nor Indians
either. It is just possible that the fellows whom we saw in the
afternoon may follow us."
"Then I will sit up and keep watch while you sleep," I said. "If they
come at all, they will try and steal upon us when they think that we may
be asleep."
"I agree to your proposal," answered my companion. "If you will call me
in a couple of hours, I will then take my turn, and thus let you have
the morning watch. I am accustomed to have my sleep broken."
Nothing occurred during the first watch, and at the end of it I roused
up the lieutenant and lay down. I suspect that he had intended to keep
on watch for the rest of the night; but I happened to awake, and
insisted--finding he had had a long spell--on his lying down. The young
officer, therefore, rolling himself in his buffalo robe, was again
quickly asleep.
I sometimes walked up and down, my rifle in my hand; sometimes leaned
against a tree, peering in every direction. It could not then have
wanted more than a couple of hours to dawn. The only sounds which
reached my ear were those from our animals as they cropped the rich
grass, or the occasional scream of some night-bird in the forest. The
moon, too, was nearly at its full, and I was thus enabled to see objects
at a distance distinctly. I could judge pretty well of the hour by the
appearance of the fire, on which, from time to time, I threw a few
sticks to keep up the blaze.
I was leaning against a tree, beginning to feel somewhat sleepy, and
thinking that it would soon be time to call the lieutenant, when a sound
as of something moving in the forest behind me struck on my ear. I
remained perfectly motionless, and again I heard the sound. "It may be
a bear," was my first thought; "but then, a bear moving among the bushes
would make more noise than that. It must be some human being; perhaps
an Indian, who is watching an opportunity to shoot us down."
I kept completely in the shade, while I turned my eyes in the direction
from whence the sound came. I thus hoped, should there be an enemy
near, to get sight of him before he could discover me.
On arousing the lieutenant, I told him of the sounds I had heard.
"If there are Indians near, we had better at once go in search of them,"
he answered. "I have no fancy to be shot down, as you suppose it likely
we may be; and as it will not do to leave our horses, I propose that we
mount them, and try and push through the forest. The moonlight will
enable us to make our way without difficulty."
I should have preferred going on foot, but, of course, there was a risk,
as the lieutenant had observed, of our horses being carried off. I
therefore thought it wisest to agree to his proposal.
Our animals were quickly saddled, and we at once pushed into the forest.
After we had passed through the outer belt, the trees grew wide apart,
and as we soon came to several broad glades, we had no difficulty in
making our way.
We had gone some distance, when suddenly my horse gave a start, and I
caught sight of a figure, partly concealed by a tree, right ahead of me;
but as I saw neither bow nor rifle-barrel, I had no fear of encountering
an enemy.
"Who is there?" I asked. "Come forth and show yourself. We wish to be
friends, and will not harm you."
I rode on, and just then the moonbeams, shining amid the boughs, shed
their light on the figure of a young girl, whose countenance and costume
plainly showed that she was an Indian. After surveying my companion and
myself--apparently to ascertain who we were--she stepped forth from her
place of concealment, and advanced fearlessly towards us.
"How comes it that you are wandering in this forest by yourself?" I
asked.
"My friends are not far off," she answered; "and they are your friends
also. I am Maysotta, the daughter of Winnemak. Seeing the light of
your fire, I approached your camp, in order to ascertain who you were;
but as you concealed yourself, I was unable to do so. As I had promised
not to be long absent, I was returning to the camp of my people when you
overtook me. My father has directed us to come on here; while he has
gone back to the farm to warn your friends that the Arrapahas have once
more turned their faces northward, and are very likely to carry out
their hostile intentions."
"This is important information you give, Maysotta," I observed, "and we
thank you for it. Are you certain if is correct?"
"My father is never deceived," she answered. "He believes that the farm
will certainly be attacked, and that if those living there are not
prepared, they will run a great risk of being cut off."
The lieutenant and I had dismounted, and were holding our horses by the
bridle, while we talked to the Indian girl.
"If I could get hold of these deserters, I should feel warranted in
returning to assist your friends," observed the lieutenant to me. "But
do you think that we can depend upon the information this girl gives
us?"
"I feel sure that we may," I answered. "And as I should not like to be
absent while Clarice and Uncle Jeff are exposed to danger, I would
certainly urge you to return. Perhaps our friend here may be able to
assist us in discovering the runaways!"
I turned to Maysotta and asked her whether she or any of her people had
seen the two truants, or had observed the light of a camp-fire anywhere
in the forest.
"Are you seeking for any one?" she asked.
I told her that two of the lieutenant's men, forgetful of their duty,
had gone off by themselves, and that they might now be of use, could
they be discovered, in defending the farm.
"Will they be punished for what they have done?" she inquired.