THE COMPANION IN CAPTIVITY.
When Leland left the boat, he wandered forward for a considerable
distance, not noticing the direction in which he was going, only intent
upon securing game of some sort or other. Still, he exercised
considerable caution in his movements, and determined not to risk a shot
unless he was certain of his success. Birds and quadrupeds were plenty,
and he did not entertain any doubts of his ability to secure all that he
wished. He permitted several good shots to pass, for the reason that he
did not wish to fire until the hour was up. By this means he
unconsciously increased the distance between himself and Leslie, until
it occurred to him that the hour had nearly expired. A few minutes
after, having a good opportunity, he improved it, and, securing his
prize, turned to retrace his steps.
Then it flashed upon him, for the first time, that he was lost. As we
said, he had failed to notice the direction, and had no idea of the
course to pursue in order to reach the river. The only means left was to
proceed by guess; contrary to what might be expected, he took the right
course. His anxiety caused him to be somewhat heedless; and after
proceeding a short distance, he again discharged his rifle. Then hearing
the report of Leslie's rifle but a short distance away, he set joyously
forward, confident of soon coming up to him. He had not gone far when he
heard a suppressed, significant whistle. Hardly conscious of its
meaning, he paused and listened. It was repeated, and becoming
suspicious, he sprung behind a tree. While listening, the subdued voice
of Kent reached him:
"Make for the river, George; the imps are on your trail."
He turned to obey this injunction, but had not taken a dozen steps when
a rifle flamed from some concealment, and a twinge in his side told him
that he was wounded. At the same instant several savages sprung toward
him, setting up their demoniac howls. The pain of his wound maddened
him, and, regardless of consequences, he raised his rifle and shot the
foremost through the breast, when scarcely the length of his gun from
him.
This act, though rash, and one which he would not have done in his
cooler moments, was the means eventually of saving his life. The
intention of the savages was to kill him on the spot; but the death of
one of their number increased their fury and thirst for vengeance, and
the chief or leader deterred the others from further violence,
determined that his death should be at the stake.
"You shoot Indian, eh?" said one, through his closed teeth, brandishing
his knife at the same time in the face of the young man.
[Illustration: "You shoot Indian, eh?" said one, brandishing his knife
at the same time.]
He made no reply; but weakened by the loss of blood, sunk fainting to
the ground. He was jerked to his feet, and although barely able to
stand, was forced forward, and compelled to keep pace with the others.
The Indians who had thus captured Leland were the same band who had
pursued him and Kent. The latter had taken a circuitous course, and,
after placing a considerable distance between himself and his enemies,
took the back track and reached the gorge where Leslie had fallen,
hoping to find him there; but being disappointed, followed his trail to
the river where he saw that he had embarked in the boat.
Kent knew that his own trail would be followed. In order to mislead the
savages, he took to the water and swam about a half-mile down-stream
before he landed upon the opposite side. But it seemed that fate was
against him. The savages in pursuing him had separated somewhat. Kent's
ruse one of them accidentally discovered, and apprised his companions.
They collected and immediately took the right trail. The first
intimation the ranger had of his danger was the whistling of a bullet a
few inches from his head, as he was nearing the bank; and when his feet
rested upon land, his unwearied and tenacious enemies were in the river,
boldly crossing toward him.
When the Indians reached the bank, Kent was already at a great distance,
yet they continued their pursuit, and had gone some distance, when the
first report of Leland's rifle reached their ears. This they mistook for
Kent's, and abandoning the trail, made directly toward it. The second
discharge of the young man's gun occurred when he was but a short
distance from them. Kent endeavored to warn him of his danger, but as we
have seen, it was too late. He himself was discovered and hotly pursued
to the boat, where he barely succeeded in making his escape.
Leland's captors took up their march toward the Ohio. Here, although
their captive was suffering intense agony, they forced him into the
water, and compelled him to swim across. Every stroke he thought would
be his last, yet he reached the shore in safety. The band set forward at
once. There were six savages, upon two of whom the duty of attending
Leland devolved. Yet he required little watching or attention. The
thought of escape was far from his mind; he was in a sad situation to
rebel or offer resistance. Both hands were firmly secured behind him,
and his strength was taxed to the utmost to keep up with his captors.
In the course of a couple of hours they came upon two of their
companions, seated around and amusing themselves with a negro. Each
appeared to enjoy himself prodigiously at the expense of the poor
African, who was boiling over with furious rage.
"Get out, niggers!" he shouted, "my head's split wide open now, sure!"
Here one of the savages amused himself by letting the end of a weighty
stick fall upon the head of the negro. The luxuriant wool caused it to
re-bound again, to the infinite delight of the tormentors, who smiled
horribly at it.
Leland recognized Zeb as he came up. It gave him a sort of pleasure, or
rather served to lighten his pain, to know that they were to be
companions in captivity. He could probably obtain information of
Rosalind, while the conversation of the slave might assist to keep off
the gloom which was settling over him.
"Gorra, ef dar ain't massa Leland," exclaimed the negro, turning toward
the approaching Indians. "High! whar'd _you_ come from, George? What did
you let 'em cotch _you_ fur?"
"Because I could not prevent it," returned he, with a faint smile.
"Well, now, if't had been dis pusson, you see, dey'd 've had some
trouble."
"How is it that you are here, then?"
"Well, dat question requires considerable explanation. I know'd as how
dey's agoin' to git _you_, and so I just come along to help you out de
scrape."
Here the conversation ceased for the present. Leland had stretched
himself upon the ground, and the pain of his wound increased. A savage
noticing this, prepared a sort of poultice of pounded leaves and herbs,
and placed it upon his side. Had this been done with a view to
alleviate his suffering and not to preserve him for a great and awful
torture, as it really was, Leland might have felt disposed to thank him
for it.
It had now begun to grow dark. A fire was started, and in a short time a
large quantity of meat was roasted. A piece of this was offered to
Leland, but, though a short time before he had felt keenly the pangs of
hunger, the sight of food now filled him with loathing.
"S'posen you offer dis pusson a few pounds, just to see if he'll take
it," suggested Zeb, gazing wistfully toward the Indian who held it.
Several pieces were given him, all of which he devoured voraciously and
demanded more. An Indian approached him, and holding a piece within a
few inches of his mouth, jerked it away as he was about to seize it.
This was repeated several times, until Zeb, losing all patience, became
morose and sullen and refused to snap at it. The savage seemed disposed
to humor him and held it still closer. Zeb, watching his opportunity,
made a quick motion, and nearly severed the finger of his tormentor's
hand, between his teeth. The savage dropped the meat with a howl, and
furiously shaking his wounded member, fairly danced with pain. He would
have undoubtedly killed the negro had not his companions prevented. They
enjoyed the sport and encouraged Zeb, who devoured his food for some
time in dignified silence.
"Wouldn't mind tryin' some more. S'posen you hold out yer other hand!"
No one noticed this remark, and the negro was obliged to rest satisfied
with what he had obtained.
As night came on, the savages stretched themselves upon the earth and
left the prisoners to themselves. Each was securely fastened. Leland was
within a few feet of Zeb, yet he concluded to wait until all were asleep
before he ventured to hold converse with him.
At length when the night had considerably advanced, and the heavy
breathing of the savages showed that slumber had at last settled upon
them, George turned his head so that he faced the negro, and abruptly
asked:
"Zeb, what do you know of my sister?"
"Noffin'!" returned the negro, earnestly.
"Were you not taken off together?"
"At fust we was; but dey took her one way and me anoder." He then
proceeded to narrate all the circumstances which had occurred to him,
since the burning of the house, in his own characteristic way.
"I am afraid you will soon have your last adventure," said Leland.
"Gorra! does you s'pose dat dey'd dare to shake a stick at me when I's
mad."
"I think they were engaged at that when I came up."
"Well, dat you see is a mistake."
"Have you heard anything hinted of the manner in which they intend to
dispose of you?"
"Not much, but I consates dat I knows. Dey'll just make me dar chief, if
I'll stay wid 'em, and I's bout 'cluded dat I would, just so dat I can
pay 'em for dis trick."
"Have they made the proposition yet?" asked George, feeling a strange
impulse to amuse himself.
"Well, 'bout as good. Dey axed me not to hurt 'em, and said somefin'
'bout tying somebody to a tree and roastin' 'em. S'pose dey's 'fraid
I'll do it to all ob 'em one dese days, if dey isn't careful."
"Why do they misuse you, if they intend to elevate you?"
"Well, dat's hard to tell. They've gone and went and cut all my curls
off."
"Never mind such things," said Leland, again feeling depressed. "In all
probability neither you nor I will see many more days. Unless we are
rescued pretty soon, we shall be past all human help. I advise you, Zeb,
to let serious thoughts enter your mind. Think of the world which you
are soon to enter, and try and make some preparation for it."
The negro gazed wonderingly at Leland, then turned his head without
speaking. The words probably had some effect upon him, for he made no
further observations. His silence seemed occasioned by the doom pending
over him.
That night was one never to be forgotten by Leland. The pain of his
wound, and the still greater pain of his thoughts, prevented a moment's
sleep. Hour after hour he gazed into the smoldering embers before him,
buried in deep meditation, and conjuring up fantastic figures in the
glowing coals. Then he watched the few stars which were twinkling
through the branches overhead, and the sighing of the solemn night-wind
made music that chorded with the feelings of his soul.
Far in the small hours of the night, he lay still awake, sending up his
prayer to the only eye that saw him, and to the only one that could
assist him.