THE PURSUERS.
About a hundred yards from where Boone and his young companions set
forth, the dog, which was running along before them, paused, and with
his nose to the ground, set up a fierce bark. When arrived at the spot,
the party halted, and perceived the body of an Indian, slightly covered
with earth, leaves, and a few dry bushes. Hastily throwing off the
covering from his head, they discovered hideous features, wildly
distorted by the last throe of death, and bloody from a wound in his
forehead made by a ball. His scalp had been taken off also, by those who
buried him--from fear, probably, that he would be found by enemies, and
this secured as a trophy--a matter of disgrace which the savage, under
all circumstances, ever seeks to avoid, both for himself and friends.
"Well done, Master Reynolds!" observed Boone, musingly, spurning the
body with his foot, turning away, and resuming his journey: "You're a
brave young man; and I'll bet my life to a bar-skin, did your best under
the sarcumstances; and ef it's possible, we'll do somewhat for you in
return."
"Well, ef he arn't a brave chap--that thar same Algernon Reynolds--then
jest put it down as how Isaac Younker don't know nothing 'bout faces,"
returned the individual in question, in reply to Boone. "I never seed a
man with his fore'ed and eye as would run from danger when a friend war
by wanting his sarvice."
"Ay, he is indeed a clever youth!" rejoined Boone.
"Well, Colonel, he's all that," again returned Isaac; "and I'll al'ays
look 'pon't in the light o' a sarvice, that you jest placed him in my
hands, when he war wounded; for to do sech as him a kindness, al'ays
carries along its own reward. And Ella--my poor, sweet cousin, as war
raised up in good sarcumstances, and lost her all--she too I reckon
feels kind o' grateful to you, Colonel, besides."
"As how?" asked Boone.
"Why, I don't know's it's exactly right for me to tell as how," replied
Isaac, shrewdly, who was fearful of saying what Ella herself might wish
kept a secret.
"I understand ye," said Boone, in a low tone, heard only by Isaac; and
the subject was then changed for one more immediately connected with
their present journey.
In the course of conversation that followed, it was asked of Boone how
he chanced to be in the vicinity, and learned of the calamity that had
befallen Algernon and Ella, before any of the others; to which he
replied, by stating that he was on his way from Boonesborough to Bryan's
Station, and coming into the path just above the ravine, had been
indebted to his noble brute companion for the discovery--a circumstance
which raised Cæsar in the estimation of the whole party to a wonderful
degree. Nor was this estimation lessened by the conduct of Cæsar himself
in the present instance; for true to his training, instinct, and great
sagacity, he led them forward at a rapid pace, and seemed possessed of
reasoning powers that would have done no discredit to an intelligent
human being. One instance in point is worthy of note. In passing through
a dense thicket on the Indian trail, the noble brute discovered a small
fragment of ribbon, which he instantly seized in his mouth, and, turning
back to his master, came up to him, wagging his tail, with a look
expressive of joy, and dropped it at his feet. On examination it was
recognized as a detached portion of a ribbon worn by Ella; and this
little incident gave great animation and encouragement to the party--as
it proved that she at least was yet alive, and had a hope of being
followed by friends.
Some two hours from their leaving the ravine, they came to the dark
pass, where we have seen the meeting between the two Indian parties.
Here our pursuers halted a few minutes to examine the ground, and form
conjectures as to what had taken place--in doing which, all paid the
greatest deference to the opinions and judgment of Boone, who was looked
upon by all who knew him as a master of the woodman's craft.
After gazing intently for some time at the foot prints, Boone informed
his companions that another party had been in waiting, had been joined
by the others, and that all had proceeded together down the stream; and
moreover, that there was an addition of white prisoners, one of which
was a child. This caused a great sensation among his listeners--many of
whom had lost their relatives, as the reader already knows--and Hope,
the cheering angel, which hovers around us on our pathway through life,
began to revive in each breast, that the friends they were mourning as
dead, might still be among the living, and so made them more eager than
ever to press on to the rescue.
At the river's bank, the sagacious Cæsar discovered another piece of
ribbon--dropped there as the reader knows by Ella--which he carried in
triumph to his master, and received in turn a few fond caresses.
"Here," said Boone, as himself and companions entered the streamlet,
whose clear, bright waters, to the depth of some three inches, rolled
merrily over a smooth bed, with a pleasing murmur: "Here, lads, I reckon
we'll have difficulty; for the red varmints never enter a stream for
nothing; and calculating pretty shrewdly they'd be followed soon, no
doubt they've taken good care to puzzle us for the trail. Ef it be as
I suspect, we'll divide on the other side, and a part o' us go up, and
a part down, till we come agin upon thar track. But then agin," added
Boone, musingly, with a troubled expression, "it don't follow, that
because they entered the stream they crossed it; and it's just as likely
they've come out on the same side they went in; so that we'll have to
make four divisions, and start on the sarch."
Accordingly on reaching the other shore, and finding the trail was lost,
Boone divided the party--assigning each his place--and separating, six
of them recrossed the stream; and dividing again, two, headed by Isaac,
went up, and two, led by Henry Millbanks, went down along the bank;
while Boone and Seth Stokes, with the rest, proceeded in like manner on
the opposite side; and the dog flew hither and yon, to render what
service he could also. For something like a quarter of an hour not the
least trace of the savages could be found, when at last the voice of
Isaac was heard shouting:
"I've got it--I've got it! Here it is, jest as plain and nateral as
cornstalks--Hooray!"
In a few minutes the whole company was gathered around Isaac, who
pointed triumphantly to his discovery.
"That's the trail, sure enough," observed Boone, bending down to scan
it closely; "and rather broad it is too. It's not common for the wily
varmints to do thar business in so open a manner, and I suspicion it's
done for some trickery. Look well to your rifles, lads, and be prepared
for an ambush in yon thicket just above thar, while I look carefully
along this, for a few rods, just to see ef I can make out thar meaning.
They've spread themselves here considerable," continued the old hunter,
after examining the trail a few minutes in silence; "but ef they think
to deceive one that has been arter 'em as many times as I, they've made
quite a mistake; for I can see clean through their tricks, as easy as
light comes through greased paper."
"What discovery have you made now?" inquired young Millbanks, who,
together with the others, pressed eagerly around Boone to hear his
answer.
"Why I've diskivered what I war most afeard on," answered the woodsman.
"I've diskivered that the varmints have divided, for the sake of giving
us trouble, or leading us astray from them as they cares most about. See
here!" and bending down to the ground, Boone pointed out to his young
companions, many of whom were entirely ignorant of that ingenious art of
wood-craft, whereby the experienced hunter knows his safety or danger in
the forest as readily as the sailor knows his on the ocean, and which
appears to the uninitiated like a knowledge superhuman--Boone pointed
out to them, we say, three distinct foot prints, which he positively
asserted were neither made by the Indians nor the captives of the
ravine.
"But I'd jest like to know, Colonel Boone, how you can be so sartin o'
what you declar, ef it would'nt be for putting you to too much trouble,"
said one of the party, in surprise.
"Obsarve," replied Boone, who, notwithstanding it would cause some
little delay, was willing to gratify his young friends, by imparting to
them what information he could regarding an art so important to frontier
life: "Obsarve that print thar (pointing with his finger to the largest
one of the three;) now that war never made by Master Reynolds, for it's
much too big; and this I know from having got the dimension o' his track
afore I left the ravine to trail him; and I know it war never made by
one o' the red heathen, for it arn't, the shape o' thar feet,; and
besides, you'll notice how the toe turns out'ard from the heel--a thing
an Indian war never guilty on--for they larn from children to tread
straight forward. The next one you'll obsarve turns out in like manner;
and though it's smaller nor the first, it arn't exactly the shape of
Reynold's, and it's too big for Ella's; and moreover I opine it's a
woman's--though for the matter o' that I only guess at it. The third you
perceive is the child's; and them thar three are the only ones you can
find that arn't Indian's. Now note agin that the trail's spread here,
and that here and thar a twig's snapped on the bushes along thar way;
which the red-skins have done a purpose to make thar course conspicuous,
to draw thar pursuers on arter 'em, prehaps for an ambush, prehaps to
keep them from looking arter the others."
"In this perplexity what are we to do?" inquired young Millbanks.
"Why," answered Boone, energetically, "Heaven knows my heart yearns to
rescue all my fellow creaters who're in distress; but more particularly,
prehaps, them as I know's desarving; and as I set out for Master
Reynolds, and his sweet companion, Ella Barnwell, God bless her! I
somehow reckon it's my duty to follow them--though I leave the rest o'
ye to choose for yourselves. Ef you want to divide, and part go this
trail and part follow me, mayhap it'll be as well in the end."
This plan seemed the best that could be adopted under the circumstances;
and after some further consultation among themselves, it was finally
agreed that Isaac, with six others--two of whom were Switcher and
Stokes--should proceed on the present trail; while Millbanks and the
remainder should accompany Boone. Isaac was chosen as the most suitable
one to lead his party, on account of his foresight and shrewdness, and,
withal, some little knowledge which he possessed of the country and the
woodsman's art, previously gained in a tour with his father, when
seeking a location, together with an expedition of considerable extent
shortly after made with Boone himself.
To him, as the leader, the noble old hunter now turned, and in a brief
manner imparted some very important advice, regarding his mode of
proceeding under various difficulties, particularly cautioned him
against any rash act, and concluded by saying, "Wharsomever or
howsomever you may be fixed, Isaac, and you his companions, (addressing
the young men by his side) don't never forget the injunction o' Daniel
Boone, your friend, that you must be cool, steady and firm; and
whensomever you fire at a painted varmint, be sure you don't throw away
your powder!"
He then proceeded to shake hands with each, bidding them farewell and
God speed, in a manner so earnest and touching as to draw tears from
many an eye unused to the melting mood. The parting example of Boone was
now imitated by the others, and in a few minutes both divisions had
resumed their journey.
Dividing his party again as before, Boone proceeded with them to examine
closely both banks of the stream for the other trail. Commencing where
they had left off on the announcement of Isaac, they moved slowly
downward, taking due note of every bush, leaf and blade as they went
along--often pausing and bending on their knees, to observe some spot
more minutely, where it seemed probable their enemies had withdrawn from
the water. Cæsar, too, apparently comprehending the object of their
search, ran to and fro, snuffing at every thing he saw, sometimes with
his nose to the ground and sometimes elevated in the air. At length he
gave a peculiar whine, at a spot about twenty yards below that which had
been reached by his master, on the side opposite Isaac's discovery; and
hastening to him, Boone immediately communicated to the others the
cheering intelligence that the trail had been found.
Each now hurrying forward, the old hunter was soon joined by his young
friends; not one of whom, on coming up, failed to express surprise that
he should be so positive of what their eyes gave them not the least
proof. The place where they were now assembled, was at the base of a
hill, which terminated the flat or hollow in that direction, and turned
the stream at a short bend off to the left, along whose side its waters
ran for some twenty yards, when the arm projection of the ridge ended,
and allowed it to turn and almost retrace its path on the opposite
side--thus forming an elliptical bow. At the point in question, rose a
steep bank of rocks, of limestone formation, against which the stream,
during the spring and fall floods had rolled its tide to a height of six
or eight feet; and had lodged there, from time to time, various sorts of
refuse--such as old leaves, branches and roots of trees, and the like
encumbrances to the smooth flow of its waters. On these rocks it was
that the eyes of the party were now fixed; while their faces exhibited
expressions of astonishment, that the old hunter should be able to
distinguish marks of a recent trail, where they could perceive nothing
but the undisturbed surface of what perhaps had been ages in forming.
"And so, lads, you don't see no trail thar, eh?" said Boone, with a
quiet smile, after having listened to various observations of the party,
during which time he had been carelessly leaning on his rifle.
"Why, I must confess I can see nothing of the kind," answered Henry.
"Nor I," rejoined another of the party.
"Well, ef thar be any marks o' a trail here, jest shoot me with red
pepper and salt, ef ever I'm cotched bragging on my eyes agin," returned
a third.
"That thar observation'll hold good with me too" uttered a fourth.
"Here's in," said the fifth and last.
"You're all young men, and have got a right smart deal to larn yet,"
resumed Boone, "afore you can be turned out rale ginuine woodsmen and
hunters. Now mark that thar small pebble stone, that lies by your feet
on the rock. Ef you look at it right close, you'll perceive that on one
side on't the dirt looks new and fresh--which proves it's jest been
started from its long quietude. Now cast your eyes a little higher up,
agin yon dirt ridge which partly kivers them thar larger stones, and
you'll see an indent that this here pebble stone just fits. Now
something had to throw that down, o' course; and ef you'll just look
right sharp above it, you'll see a smaller dent, that war made by the
toe of some human foot, in getting up the bank. Agin you'll observe that
thar dry twig, just above still, has been lately broke, as ef by the
person war climbing up taking hold on't for assistance; but that warn't
the reason the climber broke it--it war done purposely; as you'll see by
the top part being bent up the hill, as ef to point us on. By the Power
that made me!" added Boone, gazing for a moment at the broken twig
intently, "ef I arn't wondrously mistaken, thar's a leaf hanging to it
in a way nater never fixed it."
"Right, there is!" cried Henry, who, looking up with, the rest, chanced
to observe it at the same moment with Boone; and springing forward with
a light bound, he soon reached the spot, and returned with it in his
hand. It was a fall leaf, which had been fastened in a hasty manner to
the twig in question, by a pin through its center. On one side of it was
scrawled, in characters difficult to be deciphered:
"_Follow--fast--for the love of Heaven!--E._"
As Millbanks, after looking at it closely, read off these words, Boone
started, clutched his rifle with an iron grasp, and merely saying, in a
quiet manner, "Onward, lads--I trust you're now satisfied!" he sprang up
the rocks with an agility that threatened to leave his young companions
far in the rear.
All now pressed forward with renewed energy; and having gained the
summit of the hill, which here rose to the height of eighty feet, they
were enabled, by the aid of Cæsar, to come quickly upon the trail of
the Indians, who, doubtless supposing themselves now safe from pursuit,
had taken little or no pains to conceal their course. Of this their
pursuers now took advantage, and hurried onward with long and rapid
strides; now through thick dark woods and gloomy hollows; now up steep
hills and rocky barren cliffs; now through tangles and over marshy
grounds--clearing all obstacles that presented themselves with an ease
which showed that notwithstanding some of them might be inferior as
woodsmen, none were at all events as travelers in the woods.
By noon the party had advanced some considerable distance, and were
probably not far in the rear of the pursued--at least such was the
opinion of Boone--when they were again, to their great vexation, put at
fault for the trail, by the cunning of the renegade, who, to prevent all
accidents, had here once more broken it, by entering another small
streamlet--a branch of Eagle river; and although our friends set to with
all energy and diligence to find it, yet, from the nature of the ground
round about, the darkness of the wood through which the rivulet
meandered, and several other causes, they were unable to do so for three
good hours.
This delay tended not a little to discourage the younger members of our
pursuing party, who, in consequence, began to be low spirited, and less
eager than before to press forward when the trail was again found; but
a few words from Boone in a chiding manner, telling them that if they
faltered at every little obstacle, they would be unfit representatives
of border life, served to stimulate them to renewed exertions. To add to
the discomfort of all--not excepting Boone himself--the sun, which had
thus far shone out warm and brilliant, began to grow more and more dim,
as a thick haze spread through the atmosphere overhead, foretokening an
approaching storm--an event which might prove entirely disastrous to
their hopes, by obliterating all vestiges of the pursued. As the gallant
old hunter moved onward with rapid strides--preceded by the faithful
brute, which, on the regular trail, greatly facilitated their progress,
by saving the company a close scrutiny of their course--he from time to
time cast his eyes upward and noted the thickening atmosphere with an
anxious and troubled expression.
For some time the sun shone faintly; then his rays became entirely
obscured, and his position could only be discerned by a bright spot in
the heavens; this, ere he reached the horizon, became obscured also;
when the old hunter, who had watched every sign closely, looking
anxiously toward the west, observed:
"I don't like it, lads; thar's a storm a brewing for sartin, and we
shall be drenched afore to-morrow morning. Howsomever," he continued,
"it arn't the wetting as I cares any thing about--for I'm used to the
elements in all thar stages, and don't fear 'em no more'n a dandy does a
feather bed--but the trail will be lost, in arnest this time; and then
we'll have to give in, or follow on by guess work. It's this as troubles
me; for I'm fearful poor Ella and Reynolds won't get succor in time. But
keep stout hearts, lads," he added, as he noticed gloomy expressions
sweep over the faces of his followers; "keep stout hearts--don't get
melancholy; for in this here world we've got to take things as we find
'em; and no doubt this storm's all for the best, ef we could only see
ahead like into futurity."
With this consoling reflection the hunter again quickened his pace, and
pressed forward until the shadows of evening warned him to seek out an
encampment for the gathering night. Accordingly, sweeping the adjoining
country with an experienced eye, his glance soon rested on a rocky
ridge, some quarter of a mile to the right, at whose base he judged
might be found a comfortable shelter from the coming rain. Communicating
his thoughts to his companions, all immediately quitted the trail and
advanced toward it, where they arrived in a few minutes, and found, to
their delight, that the experienced woodsman had not been wrong in his
conjectures. A cave of no mean dimensions was fortunately discovered,
after a short search among the rocks, into which all now gathered; and
striking a light, they made a small fire near the entrance; around which
they assembled and partook of the refreshments brought with them--Boone
declaring he had not tasted a morsel of food since leaving Boonsborough
early in the morning. The meal over, the young men disposed themselves
about the cave in the best manner possible for their own comfort: and
being greatly fatigued by their journey, and the revels of the night
previous, they very soon gave evidence of being in a sleep too deep for
dreams. Boone sat by the fire, apparently in deep contemplation, until
a few embers only remained; then pointing Cæsar to his place near the
entrance, he threw himself at length upon the ground, and was soon
imitating the example of his young comrades.
Early in the evening it came on to blow very hard from the east; and
about midnight set in to rain, as Boone had predicted; which it
continued to do the rest of the night; nor were there any signs of its
abatement, when the party arose to resume their journey on the following
morning.
"What can't be cured must be endured," said Boone, quoting an old
proverb, as he gazed forth upon the storm. "We must take sech as comes,
lads, without grumbling; though I do'nt know's thar's any sin in wishing
it war a little more to our liking. Howsomever," he added, "prehaps it
won't be so much agin us arter all; for the red varmints mayhap 'll
think as how all traces of 'em have been washed away, and, feeling safe
from pursuit, be less cautious about their proceedings; and by keeping
on the same course, we may chance upon 'em unawares. So come, lads,
let's eat and be off."
Accordingly, making a hasty breakfast, and securing the remainder of
their provision as well as ammunition in the ample bosoms of their
hunting frocks--which were always made large for such and similar
purposes--tightening the belts about their bodies, and placing their
rifles, locks downward, under the ample skirts of their frocks, to
shield them from the rain, the whole party sallied forth upon their
second day's adventure. Regaining the spot they had quitted the evening
before, Boone took a long look in the direction whence they first
approached; and then shaping his course so as to bear as near as
possible on a direct line with it, set forward at a quick pace, going a
very little west of due north.
In this manner our pursuers continued their journey for some three or
four hours, scarcely exchanging a syllable--the storm beating fiercely
against their faces and drenching their bodies--when an incident
occurred of the most alarming kind.
They had descended a hill, and were crossing an almost open plain of
some considerable extent--which was bounded on the right by a wood, and
on the left by a cane-brake--and had nearly gained its center, when they
were startled by a deep rumbling sound, resembling the mighty rushing of
a thousand horse. Nearer and nearer came the rushing sound; while each
one paused, and many a pale face was turned with an anxious, inquiring
glance upon Boone; whose own, though a shade paler than usual, was
composed in every feature, as he gazed, without speaking, in the
direction whence the noise proceeded.
"Good heavens! what is it?" cried Henry, in alarm.
"Behold!" answered Boone, pointing calmly toward the cane-brake.
A cry of surprise, despair and horror, escaped every tongue but the old
hunter's--as, at that moment, a tremendous herd of buffaloes, numbering
thousands, was seen rushing from the brake, and bearing directly toward
the spot where our party stood. Escape by flight was impossible; for the
animals were scarcely four hundred yards distant, and booming forward
with the speed of the frightened wild horse of the prairie. Nothing was
apparent but speedy death, and in its most horrible form, that of dying
unknown beneath the hoofs of the wild beasts of the wilderness. In this
awful moment of suspense, which seemingly but preceded the disuniting of
soul and body, each of the young men turned a breathless look of horror
upon the old hunter, such as landsmen in a terrible gale at sea would
turn upon the commander of the vessel; but, save an almost imperceptible
quiver of the lips, not a muscle of the now stern countenance of Boone
changed.
"Merciful Heaven!--we are lost!" cried Henry, wildly. "Oh! such a
death!"
"Every man's got to die when his time comes--but none afore; and yourn
hasn't come yet, Master Harry," replied Boone, quietly; "unless," he
added, a moment after, as he raised his rifle to his eye, "Betsey here's
forgot her old tricks."
As he spoke, his gun flashed, a report followed, and one of the foremost
of the herd, an old bull, which had gained a point within a hundred
yards of the marksman, stumbled forward and rolled over on the earth,
with a loud bellow of pain His companions, which were pressing close
behind, snorted with fear, as they successively came up; and turning
aside, on either hand, made a furrow in their ranks; that, gradually
widening as they advanced, finally cleared our friends by a space of
twenty yards; and so passed they on, making the very earth tremble under
their mighty trend.[8]
It was a sublime sight--to behold such a tremendous caravan of wild
beasts rushing past--and one that filled each of the spectators, even
when they knew all danger was over, with a sense of trembling awe; and
they stood and gazed in silence, until the last of the herd was lost to
their vision; then advancing to the noble hunter, Henry silently grasped
his hard, weather-beaten hand, and turned away with tearful eyes--an
example that was followed by each of the others, and which was more
heart touchingly expressive of their feelings, than would have been a
vocabulary of appropriate words.
Our party next proceeded to examine the wounded bull, which was still
bellowing with rage and pain; and having carefully approached and
despatched him with their knives, they found that the ball of Boone had
entered a vital part. Taking from him a few slices of meat, to serve
them in case their provisions ran short, they once more resumed their
journey--the wind still easterly and the storm raging.
About three hours past noon the storm began to show signs of
abatement--the wind blew less hard, and had veered several points to the
north--an event which the old hunter noted with great satisfaction. They
had now gained a point within ten miles of the beautiful Ohio; when the
dog--which, since he had had no trail to guide him, ran where he
chose--commenced barking spiritedly, some fifty paces to the left of the
party, who immediately set off at a brisk gait to learn the cause.
"I'll wager what you dare, lads, the pup's found the trail," said Boone.
The event proved him in the right; for on coming up, the footsteps of
both captors and captives, who had evidently passed there not over three
hours before, could be distinctly traced in the soft earth. A shout--not
inferior in power and duration to that set up by crazy-headed
politicians, on the election of some favorite--was sent away to the
hills, announcing the joy of our party; which the hills, as if partakers
also of the hilarious feelings, in turn duly echoed.
This new, important, and unexpected discovery, raised the spirits of all
our company to a high degree; and they again set forward at a faster
gait than ever, so as to overtake the pursued if possible before they
crossed the Ohio river. The trail was now broad and distinct; and the
footprints of the Indians, as also those of their captives, Algernon and
Ella, could be clearly defined wherever the ground chanced to be of a
clayey nature. In something like two hours our pursuers succeeded in
reaching the river; but unfortunately too late to intercept their
enemies and rescue their friends, who had already crossed sometime
before. By trailing them to the water's edge, they discovered the very
spot where the canoes of the savages had been secreted on the beach,
behind some drift-logs, nearly opposite the mouth of the Great Miami.
"Ef we'd only been here a little sooner," observed Boone, musingly,
"we'd ha' saved some o' the varmints the trouble of paddling over thar;
or ef we only had the means o' crossing now, we'd be upon 'em afore they
war aware on't. Howsomever, as it is, I suppose we'll have to make a
raft to cross on, and so give the red heathen a little more time."
"Is it not possible, Colonel," answered Millbanks, in a suggestive way,
"that the Indians, forming the two parties, may all be of the game
tribe, and have crossed here together, when they came over to make the
attack? and that the boats of the other division, unless they have
recrossed, may still be secreted not far hence?"
"By the Power that made me!" exclaimed Boone, energetically; "a good
thought, lad--a good thought, Master Harry--and we'll act on't at once,
by sarching along the banks above here; for as the other varmints took
off to the east, it am't improbable they've just steered a little round
about, to come down on 'em, while these went right straight ahead."
At once proceeding upon this suggestion, Boone and his companions
commenced a close examination along the shore; which finally resulted
in their finding, as had been premised, not the canoes themselves, but
traces of where they had recently been, together with the trail of the
other party, who had also arrived at this point and crossed over.
This caused no little sensation among our pursuers; who, scanning the
footprints eagerly, and perceiving thereby that the prisoners were
still along with their captors, scarcely knew whether most to grieve or
rejoice. One thing at least was cheering--they were still alive; and
could their friends, the present party, succeed in crossing the river
during the night, might be rescued. But where was Isaac and his band,
was the next important query. If, as they ardently hoped, he and his
comrades had not lost the trail, they might be expected to join them
soon--a reinforcement which would render them comparatively safe.
Meantime the storm had wholly subsided--the wind blew strong and cold
from the northwest--a few broken, dripping clouds sailed slowly
onward--while the sun, a little above the horizon, again shone out clear
and bright, and painted a beautiful bow on the cloudy ground of the
eastern heavens.
"Well, lads, the storm's over, thank God!" said Boone, glancing upward,
with an expression of satisfaction; "and now, as day-light'll be scarce
presently, we'll improve what there is, in constructing a raft to cross
over on; and maybe Isaac and the rest on 'em will join us in time to get
a ride."
As the old hunter concluded, he at once applied himself to laying out
such drift logs as were thought suitable for the purpose, in which he
was assisted by three of the others, the remaining two proceeding into
the bushes to cut withes for binding them together; and so energetic and
diligent was each in his labors, that, ere twilight had deepened into
night, the rude vessel was made, launched, and ready to transport its
builders over the waters. They now resolved to take some refreshment,
and wait until night had fully set in, in the faint hope that Isaac
might possibly make his appearance. With this intent, our party retired
up the bank, into the edge of the wood that lined the shore, for the
purpose of kindling a fire, that they might dry their garments, and
roast some portions of the slaughtered bull.
Scarcely had they succeeded, after several attempts, in effecting a
bright, ruddy blaze--which threw from their forms, dark, fantastic
shadows, against the earth, trees and neighboring bushes--when Cæsar
uttered a low, deep growl; and Boone, grasping his rifle tightly,
motioned his companions to follow him in silence into an adjoining
thicket. Here, after cautioning them to remain perfectly quiet, unless
they heard some alarm, he carefully parted the bushes, and glided
noiselessly away, saying, in a low tone, as he departed:
"I rather 'spect it's Isaac; but I'd like to be sartin on't, afore I
commit myself."
For some five or ten minutes after the old hunter disappeared, all was
silent, save the crackling of the fire, the rustling of the leaves, the
sighing of the wind among the trees, and the rippling of the now swollen
and muddy waters of the Ohio. At length the sound of a voice was heard
some fifty paces distant, followed immediately by another in a louder
tone.
On hearing this, our friends in the thicket rushed forward, and were
soon engaged in shaking the hands of Isaac and his comrades, with a
heartiness on both sides that showed the pleasure of meeting was
earnest, and unalloyed.
As more important matters are now pressing hard upon us, and as our
space is limited, we shall omit the detail of Isaac's adventures, as
also the further proceedings of both parties for the present, and
substitute a brief summary.
The trail on which Isaac and his party started the day before, being
broad and open, they had experienced but little difficulty in following
it, until about noon, when they reached a stream where it was broken,
which caused them some two hours delay. This, doubtless, prevented them
from overtaking the enemy that day; and the night succeeding, not having
found quarters as comfortable as Boone's, they had been thoroughly
soaked with rain. The trail in the morning was entirely obliterated; but
pursuing their course in a manner simitar to that adopted by Boone, the
result had happily been the same, and the meeting of the two parties the
consequence, at a moment most fortunate to both.
All now gathered around the fire, to dry their garments, refresh
themselves with food, tell over to each other their adventures, and
consult as to their future course. It was finally agreed to cross the
stream that night; in the hope, by following up the Miami, to stumble
upon the encampment of their adversaries; who were, doubtless, at no
great distance; and who, as they judged, feeling themselves secure,
might easily be surprised to advantage. How they succeeded in their
perilous undertaking, coming events must show.
[Footnote 8: A similar occurrence to the above is recorded of Boone's
first appearance in the Western Wilds.--_See Boone's Life--By Flint_]