We left Oowikapun hurrying along on willing feet at the place in the
forest where he had first observed the snowshoe tracks of the hunter of
the village he was approaching. Observing that the tracks were those of
a woman, he could not help hoping that they were those of the fair
maiden whom he had met near that same spot two winters before. This
hope filled him with pleasant anticipation, and so on and on he hurried.
As he strode along swiftly but quietly, an object caught his attention
that filled him with excitement and called for all his hunter's
experience and trained instincts. Crouching down, and yet hurrying
along rapidly, in front of him, not three hundred yards away, was an
enormous catamount. This was not a mere lynx or wild cat, but one of
those great fierce brutes, more allied to the mountain lion of the
Rockies, or the panthers, now about extinct, in the western and northern
part of this continent.
As Oowikapun watched the graceful, dangerous brute gliding along before
him, the thought came into his mind that perhaps this was the very one
whose wild, weird shrieks had sounded in his ears so dolefully, as he
shivered in the little wigwam of the village he was now approaching.
Knowing the habits of these animals, he supposed this one, from its
rapid, persistent, forward movements, and the absence of that alert
watchfulness which they generally possess, was on the track of a deer.
Oowikapun dropped to the ground and carefully looked for the tracks of
the game that this fierce catamount was pursuing, but to his surprise he
could not discover the footprints of any animal. All at once the truth
flashed upon him, that this fierce brute had got on the trail of the
woman, and, maddened it may be by hunger, was resolved to attack her.
As he hastened on he became more thoroughly convinced of this, as he
observed how like a great sleuth-hound it glided along in the snowshoe
tracks before them. Quickly did Oowikapun prepare for action. His
trusty gun was loaded with ball. His knife and axe were so fastened in
his belt that they were ready for instant use if needed. The strap of
his sled was dropped from his shoulders, and thus disencumbered--with
all a hunter's excitement in such a position increased by the thought
that perhaps it was Astumastao who was in such danger--he glided along
silently, cautiously, and rapidly. Indian trails are very crooked, and
so it was that he only now and then caught a glimpse of the bloodthirsty
brute; but when he did, he observed it was intent on its one purpose, as
it hardly turned its head to the right or the left as it crouched or
bounded along. Soon, however, the trail led from the open forest, where
the trees were not clustered together very closely, into a dense, gloomy
place of venerable old trees, whose great limbs stretched and
intertwined with each other for quite a distance. This was the same
gloomy part of the forest into which we had seen Astumastao go as she
was returning with her heavy load of game.
When Oowikapun reached the entrance to this part of the trail, he was
surprised to notice the sudden disappearance of the tracks of the
catamount. Rapidly did his eye scan every spot within jumping distance,
and still not a vestige of a footstep was visible. However, he was not
to be deceived, but, knowing the habits of these animals, he carefully
examined the trunks of the trees close at hand, and on one of them he
found the marks of the creature's claws, as it had sprung from the trail
into it. This discovery, while it added to the excitement of Oowikapun,
caused him to be, if possible, more alert and cautious, as he rapidly
and silently moved along. These animals can climb trees like squirrels,
and glide along from branch to branch with amazing celerity where the
trees are large. They seem to prefer to make their attack by springing
upon their victims from a tree rather than from the ground, as their aim
is, if possible, to seize them by the throat. Oowikapun was aware of
this, and it added to his anxiety.
Once or twice he caught sight of the creature as, like a South American
puma, it glided along from tree to tree. Soon he saw it pause for an
instant, and become greatly agitated, and apparently quiver with
excitement. It was still a long shot from him, as he had only a
smooth-bore, flintlock gun. The temptation to fire was great, but,
wishing to be sure of his aim, he resolved to follow on, and get so near
that no second ball would be needed. On again glided the beast, and was
soon lost to view, while Oowikapun followed as rapidly as he thought it
was best in the crooked trail, when suddenly he heard the wild shriek
that seemed to tell of the triumph of the savage beast. As he dashed
on, a sharp turn in the trail showed him the bloodthirsty brute tearing
at the back of a prostrate woman, upon whom he had sprung from the tree,
thus dashing her to the ground.
With all an Indian's coolness and presence of mind, Oowikapun knew that,
while he must act quickly, he must also guard against accidentally
injuring the woman, and so, raising his gun in position, he shouted the
Indian word for "keep still," and as the fierce brute raised his head at
the unexpected sound, the bullet went crashing through his brain, and he
fell dead as a stone.
To rush forward and find out who the woman was he had rescued, and the
extent of her wounds, was but the work of an instant. And that instant
was all the woman required to spring up and see who it was that she had
to thank for her sudden deliverance from such a terrible death.
Thus face to face they met again--Oowikapun and Astumastao. Reaching
out her hand, while her bright eyes spoke more eloquently than her
words, she said, "I am very thankful for your coming and for my speedy
rescue; and not less so," she added, "when I see it has been by
Oowikapun."
"Oowikapun is glad to be of any service to Astumastao," he said, as he
took the proffered hand and held it, while he added, "But you are not
badly wounded?"
"Only in my arm do I feel hurt," she replied.
On inspection it was found that the wounds there were made by the claws
and not by the teeth, and so did not appear serious.
As these very practical young people discussed the attack and escape, it
was unanimously agreed that it was fortunate for Astumastao that she had
the heavy load of rabbits on her back and several brace of partridges
about her neck. So when the brute sprang upon her, with the exception
of wounding her arm, he had only plunged his teeth and claws into the
game.
We need not here go into the particulars of all the beautiful things
which were said by these two interesting young people. Human nature is
about the same the world over. This is not a romantic love story, even
if it turns out to be a lovely story. Suffice it here to say that at
first a fire was kindled and the wounded arm was dressed and bandaged.
Some balsam from the trees was easily obtained by Oowikapun for the
purpose, and a warm wrapping of rabbit skins taken from the newly caught
animals sufficed to keep the cold from the wounds. These prompt and
thorough Indian methods for curing wounds were most successful, and in a
few days they were completely healed. When the dressing of the arm was
attended to, Oowikapun returned for his sled, which he had left at the
spot where he first caught sight of the catamount, while Astumastao
busied herself with cooking some of the game which she had caught, and
which she had about ready when he returned.
Perhaps some of my fastidious readers would not have cared much for a
simple meal thus prepared, and eaten without the use of plates or forks;
but there are others who have dined in this way, and the remembrance of
such meals, with the glorious appetite of forest or mountain air, is to
them a delicious memory. This one at any rate was very much enjoyed by
these young people. When it was over Oowikapun quickly skinned the
catamount, and, leaving the head attached to the skin, he placed it on
his sled that it might be shown to the villagers when they arrived. The
body he left behind as worthless, as it is never eaten by the Indians,
although they are fond of the wild cat, and some other carnivorous
animals. Astumastao's load of game was also placed upon his sled, and
then together they resumed their journey to the village.
Great was the excitement among the people when the story became known,
and in their Indian way they at once promoted Oowikapun to the ranks of
the great "braves." He was considered quite a hero and made welcome in
all of the wigwams he chose to visit. The aunt of Astumastao welcomed
him most cordially, and, kissing him again and again, called him her
son, while she thanked him most gratefully for his noble deed. Gladly
accepting her invitation, he repeated his visits to her wigwam as often
as Indian etiquette would sanction.
One day, when only the three were present, Oowikapun, who had heard from
some of the people of the heroic way in which Astumastao had rescued her
Uncle Kistayimoowin from a watery grave, asked her to tell him the
story.
As a general thing among the Indians, but little reference is made to
the dead. The whole thing to them, without any light to illumine the
valley of the shadow of death, is so dreadful that they do not mention
the word death. When obliged to speak of those who have gone they say,
"Non-pimatissit," which means, "He is not among the living." However,
Astumastao and her aunt had none of these foolish notions, especially
as, since the sad event, the aunt had eagerly drunk in air the
information she could get from her niece, who now had none in the wigwam
to crush her song or quiet her speech.
As Astumastao had a double object in view, she willingly, at the request
of her aunt, described the scene as we have already done. She dwelt
fully upon Kistayimoowin calling for her to sing, and his longing to
learn all he could about the name of Jesus. The recital produced a deep
impression upon Oowikapun, and brought up all the memories of his own
darkness and mental disquietude, while, month after month, he had been
groping along in his vain attempts to find soul-happiness.
During this interview she told him how she and her aunt had tried ever
since her uncle's death to live in the way of the book of heaven; but
that they knew so little, and there were so many mysteries and
perplexities all around them, that they were at times much discouraged.
Yet there was one thing that they had resolved upon, and that was never
to go back to the old pagan religion of their forefathers, for they were
happier in their minds now, with the glimmering light of the white man's
way, than ever they had been in their lives before.
Oowikapun listened and was encouraged. He told them fully of his own
troubles, for he felt he had for the first time sympathetic listeners.
When he described his various methods to get peace and quiet from his
fears and anxieties, and referred to the ceremony of torture through
which he had gone, Astumastao's eyes seemed to flash at first with
indignation, and then to fill up with tears. Strong words seemed about
to come from her lips, but with an effort she controlled herself, and
remained quiet.
Very frequently did Oowikapun find his way to the wigwam where dwelt
these two women, and doubtless many were the things about which they
talked.
For a time he visited the snares and traps and brought in the game. One
day he returned with the splendid black fox which Astumastao had tried
so hard to capture. For this they gratefully thanked him, as well as
for the great, tawny skin of the catamount, which he had carefully
prepared as a splendid rug, and spread out for them in their wigwam.
The wounded arm was now completely healed, and the business which
Oowikapun had used as his excuse for coming to the village was long ago
arranged, still he lingered.