IN PERIL.
It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from
the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to
inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders
they had been engaged in. But the folly of the proceeding when their
numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and
the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.
And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine. But
the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered
conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be
able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them
afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation
concerning it.
But, the journey resulted in nothing, save that he gathered the mangled
bodies that had been left to the mercy of the wolves, scooped out a
rude grave, placed them within, covered it with earth and sod, leveled
and stamped it down, and dragging the remnants of the wagons together,
kindled a fire, that would keep away the animals and obliterate the
marks of what he had done.
Then he returned toward the encampment, and began spying around for
something that would be of advantage, and to learn where the girl was
concealed, and to take measures to steal her away, if such a thing
should prove to be possible.
Chance brought him to the vicinity of the cave of the Medicine, at the
very moment when he was releasing the traitor Parsons, and when the
twain had departed, he could not resist the temptation to explore the
bowels of the earth, and learn what it contained. But he very soon paid
the penalty of his folly, and death had laid his iron hand upon him.
Not being familiar with the locality, and the mysteries contained
within, he stumbled along in the darkness, came suddenly upon the
hissing, snarling wildcat, and as it sprung fiercely toward him, he
leaped to avoid it, and fell directly into the clutches of the huge
bear that had been watching him with open jaws and snapping eyes, and
was instantly imprisoned by its mighty arms!
Had he been possessed of any weapon, even a knife--the battle would
have been short and decisive. But he had nothing save his naked hands
to fight with, and it would have been madness to attempt such a thing,
for the brute was of monstrous size.
"Ef I don't play 'possum I'm a gone sucker," muttered the scout as he
relaxed his muscles, fell to the rocky floor, held his breath, and
remained motionless.
It was a difficult task, however, to remain so, for the bear was moving
him around, and its long sharp claws scratching his flesh, and any
instant his heart might be torn out. A very difficult task indeed,
and nothing but the frontier training and strong self-command of the
scout enabled him to counterfeit death. Yet he did so, until almost
exhausted, and then as a favorable opportunity presented itself, he
rolled swiftly away, and as soon as out of reach, grunted forth, as if
in answer to the astonished and angry brute:
"You hug most mighty clus, that am er fact. Er leetle too much so fer
friendship, and I rayther reckon once will do me fer er lifetime. No,
I shan't fergit yer--shall remember yer at least ontil I git short of
meat and want er roast or er steak."
A few moments given to rest, and he dodged between the watching
animals, and was about to pass out when the hissing of the snakes (that
had been aroused by the noise) caught his ear, and he stopped, listened
and gave vent to his surmises:
"Here's more deviltry. But the old humbug knows what he am erbout, and
keeps a supply of ash leaves on hand. Perhaps I'll come and see ye
ag'in, ladies and gentlemen," making a bow in the direction of the den,
"but I hain't got time now--have rayther pressin' business on hand."
And he went out and carefully closed the opening to the cave in the
same manner as he had found it.
And as he dared not venture near the wigwams until night came, he
crawled into a neighboring thicket through which the trail to a spring
passed, and covering himself with brush and leaves, waited very
anxiously for the darkness.
Very frequently the sound of voices reached his ears, and he learned
enough to satisfy him of the treachery of Parsons, and swore a deep
oath that the scoundrel should suffer for his villainy.
Satisfied that no actual harm had come to either of the prisoners, this
greatly relieved his mind, and gave him patience to wait until the hour
came when he could continue his scout.
It came at last, and fortunately the night was dark and stormy. Almost
with the going down of the sun the clouds had begun to gather, the wind
to blow and the rain to fall, and, knowing that the Indians would not
long remain from under shelter, he watched yet a little and then drew
more near.
An hour passed. Then some brute of an Indian, who had managed to
conceal a portion of the fire-water that had been taken from the wagons
of the emigrants, came staggering along and fell over him--saw him, and
drawing his knife attacked and at the same time endeavored to give the
alarm.
The situation of the scout became desperate. If the noise reached the
wigwams--if the warriors learned that a white man was skulking so
near, there would be no possibility of escape, and if he attempted to
strangle the Indian his knife would not be idle. Indeed, he had already
been slightly wounded.
But there was no time for thought. With a mighty blow he felled his
assailant to the earth, and before he could recover sprung upon him,
falling so that his knees struck full upon his breast and completely
taking away his breath. That accomplished, the rest was easy. He
immediately obtained possession of the knife that had been aimed
against his own life, buried it in the heart of the Indian, left it
sticking there, and, finding that he was quivering in death, coolly
turned him upon his face, arranged him so that it would appear as if
his life had been accidentally taken, and retreated to the opposite
side of the village.
The temptation was very strong to supply himself with weapons, but he
could only gratify it at the expense of the danger of detection, and
was forced to wait a better opportunity.
Driven by the storm, the Indians left the camp-fires early, save the
few who were detailed to watch the male prisoner--the female one being
secured by the attendance of squaws--so that, with the exception of
numerous dogs, the coast was clear, and the scout no longer hesitated
to enter the village, though his movements were of the most crafty kind.
Fortune was in his favor, for, even as he came near where the physician
was confined, the discovery of the dead Indian was made, and the guards
rushed thither--at least he fancied so--and was about to enter the
wigwam, when two of them, who had been concealed, sprung upon him, and
a desperate struggle ensued. And very hard would it have been for him
had he not been fertile in expedients. Shaking loose, he dodged between
the legs of the foremost and threw him like a bombshell into the face
of the other, darted to the nearest fire, caught a handful of blazing
brands, and whirled them, as he ran, into the wigwams, causing screams
and dismay, and forcing the majority to stop and put out the flames.
Still a few swift-footed ones followed; the race was rapid, and,
to the scout at least, over unknown ground. But on he dashed until
his progress was suddenly stopped. A wall of rock rose in his
path--the fierce cries of the savages were ringing in his ears like
a death-knell--there was not a single instant for delay. He gave one
swift glance and boldly leaped. At some distance below he had seen a
tree, and calculated to alight in its branches, trusting to luck for
what should follow. He did so, but luck was against him. The impetus
was too great--he whirled entirely over--caught his foot in the forks
and hung suspended between heaven and earth, without the possibility of
release.
The Indians flung over torches and saw his desperate situation--some
watched till the light, saw him still hanging there, and foul birds
fluttering around and picking at him--knew he was dead and carried the
good news to the village.