At sight of this charming equestrian, all thoughts of leaping the log
were driven out of my mind; and I rode quietly forward, with the
intention of going round it. It might be that I timed the pace of my
horse--_mechanically_, no doubt--but however that may have been, I
arrived at the prostrate tree, just as the young girl reached it from
the opposite side. We were thus brought face to face, the log-barrier
between us. I would have spoken; but, for the life of me, I could not
think of something graceful to say; and to have used the hackneyed
phraseology of "Fine morning, miss!" would, in those beautiful blue eyes
that glistened under the shadow of the sun-bonnet, have rendered me as
commonplace as the remark. I felt certain it would; and therefore said
nothing.
Some acknowledgement, however, was necessary; and, lifting the
forage-cap from my forehead, I bowed slightly--as such a salutation
required--but with all the _verve_ that politeness would permit. My
salutation was acknowledged by a nod, and, as I fancied, a smile.
Either was grace enough for me to expect; but, whether the smile was the
offspring of a feeling in my favour, or at my expense, I was unable at
the moment to determine. I should have an opportunity of repeating the
bow, as we met again in going round the tree. Then I should certainly
speak to, her; and, as I turned my horse's head to the path, I set about
thinking of something to say.
I had taken the path leading to the right--that which passed round the
root of the tree. Of the two ways this appeared to be the shorter and
the more used. What was my chagrin, when, in glancing over my arm, I
perceived that I had made a most grievous mistake: the girl was going in
the opposite direction! Yes--she had chosen to ride round the branching
tops of the dead-wood--by all the gods, a much wider circuit! Was it
accident, or design? It had the appearance of the latter. I fancied
so, and fell many degrees in my own estimation. Her choosing what was
evidently the "round-about" direction, argued unwillingness that we
should meet again: since the _mazy_ movement we were now performing
precluded all chance of a second encounter, except with the great log
still between us. Even then we should be no longer _vis-a-vis_ as
before, but _dos-a-dos_, almost on the instant of our approaching! To
insure even this poor privilege, I rode rapidly round the great buttress
of roots, that for a moment concealed the fair equestrian from my sight.
I did this with the intention of getting forward in time. So rapidly
did I pass, and so absorbed was I in the idea of another sweet
salutation, that I saw not the fearful creature that lay basking upon
the log--on the sunny side of the upheaved mass of earth.
Once on the other side, I discovered that I had made a third mistake--
equally as provoking as the second--I had arrived _too soon_!
Golden-hair was away up among the tangle of the tree-tops. I could see
her bright face gleaming through the branches--now and then hidden by
the broad leaves of the bignonias that laced them together. To make me
still more miserable, I fancied that she was moving with a _studied
slowness_! I had already reached that point, where the path parted from
the log. I dared not pause: there was no excuse for it. Not the shadow
of one could I think of; and, with a lingering towards that glittering
attraction, I reluctantly headed my horse to the forest. A last glance
over my shoulder disclosed no improvement in my situation: she was still
behind the trellised leaf-work of the bignonias, where she had stayed
perhaps to pluck a flower.
"Happier far if I had never seen her!" was the reflection that occurred
to me, as I entered the gloomy shadow of the trees--less gloomy than my
own thoughts.
With one circumstance I now reproached myself: why had I been so shy
with this forest damsel? The very way to secure her indifference. Why
had I not _spoken_ to her, if only in commonplace? Even "Good-day"
would have promised me a response; and the result could not have been
more unfavourable. Why the deuce had I not bidden her "Good-day"? I
should have heard her voice--no doubt an additional charm--for I never
yet saw a beautiful woman with a harsh voice; and I fear the inverse
proposition is equally true. Why passed I without speaking? No doubt,
she deems me a _yokel_! Perhaps it was my very shyness she was smiling
at? S'death! what a simpleton--Ho! what do I hear? A woman's voice--a
cry?--of terror? There again!--a scream! the words, "Help, oh! help!"
Is it she who is calling? Yes--yes it is she! By such strange sounds
were my reflections interrupted. Turning my horse with a wrench, I
urged him back along the path. I was yet scarcely a dozen lengths from
the log--for the reflections above detailed were but the thoughts of a
moment. Half-a-dozen bounds of my steed brought me back to the edge of
a standing timber--where I pulled up, to ascertain the purport of this
singular summons that had reached me.
I made no inquiry--no explanation was needed. The scene explained
itself: for, at the moment of my emerging from the shadowy path, I had a
tableau under my eyes, expressive as it was terrifying. The girl was
upon the other side of the log, and near the point where she should have
turned off from it; but, instead of advancing, I saw that she had come
to a halt--her attitude expressing the wildest terror, as if some
fearful object was before her! The jade, too, showed affright, by
snorting loudly--his head raised high in the air, and his long ears
pointing forward. The young girl was dragging mechanically on the
bridle--as if to head him away from the spot. But this was impossible:
another log, overlapping the first, formed an avenue, so narrow as to
leave not the slightest chance of a horse being able to turn in it.
Into this the animal had backed. There was no way of his getting from
between the two trunks, but by going straight forward or backward.
Forward he _dared not go_; and backward he was moving, as fast as the
nature of the place would permit: now halting with his hips against one
of the logs; then with a quick rush backing against the other, that, but
for the support thus obtained, would have brought him upon his haunches!
The retrograde movement on the part of the horse was evidently the
result of terror, at the sight of some object in front. It was aided
also by the half-mechanical action of the rider: who, pulling
continuously on the bridle, and repeating her cries for help, appeared
equally to suffer from affright! My astonishment was of short duration.
Effect and cause came under my eye almost at the same instant. The
latter I saw upon the log in hideous form--the form of a _couguar_!
Slowly advancing along the dead-wood--not by bounds or paces, but with
the stealthy tread of a cat--his long red body stretched out to its full
extent--the beast more resembled a gigantic caterpillar than a
quadruped. I could scarcely detect the movement of his limbs, so
closely did the monster crawl; but his great tail, tapering three feet
behind him, was seen vibrating from side to side, or at intervals moving
with quick jerks--expressive of the enjoyment he was receiving in the
contemplation of his prey--for such he deemed the helpless maiden before
him.
I saw not the couguar's face--hideous sight at such a moment--nor yet
his eyes. Both were turned from me, and fixed steadfastly upon his
intended victim. The fierce beast did not perceive my approach--perhaps
a fortunate circumstance. Once or twice I saw him pause, as if
crouching for a spring. Luckily, the old horse, making a fresh
retrogression, caused the couguar again to advance along the log, in the
same creeping attitude as before. With a glance, I had comprehended the
situation: indeed, at the first glance I understood it perfectly. My
delay in acting only arose from the necessity of preparing for action;
and that did not take long.
It was habitual with me to carry my rifle over my shoulder, or rested
across the pommel of my saddle: in either case, always in hand. It was
but the work of a moment to get the piece ready. The pressure of the
muzzle against my horse's ear, was a signal well understood; and at once
rendered him as immobile as if made of bronze. Many years of practice--
during which I had often aimed at higher game--had steeled my nerves and
straightened my sight. Both proved sufficiently true for the
destruction of the couguar. Quick after the crack, I saw his red body
roll back from the log; and, when the smoke thinned off, I could see the
animal writhing upon the ground. Why the couguar had fallen to my side,
I could not tell: for he was fairly on the ridge of the dead-wood when I
fired. Perhaps, on receiving the shot, he had fancied that it came from
the only enemy visible to him; and, by an instinct impelling him to
escape, had tumbled off in the opposite direction. I perceived that he
was not yet dead. He was still wriggling about among the branches; but
it was clear that the piece of lead had taken the "spring" out of him.
The bullet had passed through his spine, crashing the column in twain.
After playing upon him with my revolving pistol, until I had emptied
three or four of its chambers, I had the satisfaction of seeing him give
his last spasmodic "kick."
------------------------------------------------------------------------
What followed, I leave to the imagination of my reader. Suffice it to
say, that the incident proved my friend. The ice of indifference was
broken; and I was rewarded for my sleight-of-hand prowess by something
more than smiles--by words of praise that rang melodiously in my ear--
words of gratitude spoken with the free innocent naivete of childhood--
revealing, on the part of her who gave utterance to them, a truly
grateful heart.
I rode back with my fair protegee across the track of fallen timber--I
could have gone with her to the end of the world! The tortuous path
hindered me from holding much converse with her: only, now and then, was
there opportunity for a word. I remember little of what was said--on my
side, no doubt, much that was commonplace; but even _her_ observations I
can recall but confusedly. The power of love was upon me, alike
absorbing both soul and sense--engrossing every thought in the
contemplation of the divine creature by my side I cared not to talk--
enough for me to look and listen.
I did not think of questioning her as to whence she had come. Even her
name was neither asked nor ascertained! Whither she was going was
revealed only by the accident of conversation. She was on her way to
visit some one who lived on the other side of the creek--some friend of
her father. Would that I could have claimed to be her father's friend--
his relative--his son!
We reached a ford: it was the crossing-place. The house, for which her
visit was designed, stood not far off, on the other side; and I must
needs leave her. Emboldened by what had passed, I caught hold of that
little hand. It was a rare liberty; but I was no longer master of
myself. There was no resistance; but I could perceive that the tiny
fingers trembled at my touch.
The old horse, with provoking impatience, plunged into the stream; and
we were parted. I watched her while crossing the creek. The crystal
drops sparkled like pearls upon her naked feet. Some of them, dashed
higher by the hoofs of the horse, were sprinkled upon her cheek, and
clung to the carmined skin as if kissing it! I envied those diamond
drops!
Lingering upon the bank, I gazed upon her receding form--with my eyes,
followed it through the forest aisle; and then, saw it only at
intervals--moving like some bright meteor among the trees--until by a
sudden turning in the path, it was taken from my sight.