Lettie Artley Irons

“ The Indians, of whom there were fifteen or sixteen, began to yell and jabber violently, and jumped about, brandishing their war-clubs and tomahawks alarmingly near the prisoner’s head, who heartily wished they would strike a hatchet into his skull, and save him from the fearful death before him. He could meet death bravely in any form, but to be burned at the stake—to die by inches in excruciating torture—the thought was one of horror. ”

“ It was dark—so dark that they were in some danger of encountering foes, or making some noise that might betray them; but, the dexterity of the old trapper carried them safely to the edge of the plain, where they halted a moment to make sure of their bearings.
“All right, this way,” said Wild Nat, in a suppressed voice, as he led the way in the darkness. “Keep powerful still.”
Fortunately, the trapper’s expertness and knowledge of woodcraft enabled them to avoid the Indians, who were lurking on the opposite side of the timber, unaware, as yet, of the proximity of the whites. ”

“ Silently the little band, led by Wild Nat, kept on in the darkness, and were soon two miles distant from the grove, and under the shelter of some low hills and timber. The east was beginning to grow light, and morning would soon be there. They kept on at a sharp trot for a few miles, the darkness slowly lifting till the eastern horizon was bathed in rosy light, and the last shadows of the night vanished in the west. ”

“ He was now completely surrounded by the savages, who were pressing forward, eager to capture him. To the right, left and rear were the woods; before him the plain; on every side, the Indians. With a comprehensive glance at the case, the trapper came to a halt, turned toward the nearest of his foes, and swinging his rifle over his head, with a yell that would have shamed a Comanche warrior’s best effort, dashed forward. ”

“ Hearing the unusual noise throughout the camp, a couple of girls came hurriedly from the edge of the grove, where they had been strolling around, with faces full of alarm and apprehension.
The tallest one, a pretty, slender maid, with dark eyes and floating black curls, whose name was Marion Verne, ran up to the old trapper before mentioned, and exclaimed:
“What is the matter, Vic? Have the Indians come?”
“Nary an Injun,” replied Vic Potter, springing into his saddle; “only a herd of buffler. We’re goin’ to have a few shots at ’em. Ready, Kent?” ”

“ Vic, Wild Nat and Scip were prowling about the various rooms, endeavoring for the hundredth time, to discover some mode of escape, while in the outer cavern Marion and Kent, sat engaged in conversation.
“I could meet death bravely for myself,” Kent was saying, 61 “but for you to die in such a fearful manner, away in this wilderness—oh, my darling, it is so hard!”
Marion looked up with a brave smile.
“Death will not seem hard, knowing that you love me,” she said, simply. “We will go together.” ”

“ The men returned to camp, when it was decided that pursuit was simply impossible; and with gloomy forebodings and sad hearts, the emigrant-train prepared to move on. During these preparations, Wayne Kent stood a little apart in silence, his usually bright, frank face overclouded and troubled.
Wild Nat stood near, watching the breaking up of the camp, one elbow leaning on the saddle that covered the back of a large mustang, which he had procured from the train, and the other hand holding “Roarer,” as he termed his rifle. ”

“ The trapper fired his revolver at two of the enemy and then grappled with a third, leaving only one for the negro to contend with. The trapper’s adversary was a large, muscular Indian, and for a time it seemed doubtful which one would come off conqueror. They rolled over and over in the darkness, sometimes the hunter uppermost and anon the savage. At length the trapper, whose right hand held the throat of the savage, and whose left pinioned the arm of his adversary, discovered that the Indian, with his unoccupied hand, was endeavoring to draw his knife. ”

“ The front door is open, and a dark-eyed woman, young and fair, is sewing by the window. At a little distance from her is a white-robed baby playing on the floor, to which her eyes wander with a tender glance. ”

“ There is a step on the piazza; a manly form darkens the door; a cheery voice chirps to the laughing baby, and the mother looks up with a smile. It is our old friends, Marion Verne, now Marion Kent, and Wayne. This beautiful country-place is their home, and a happier family it would be hard to find. ”

“ As Wild Nat untied the halter of his steed from the horns of a buffalo, he suddenly straightened himself up, and bounding into the saddle, exclaimed:
“Look thar! We’re in for a race.”
Kent turned, and looked in the direction indicated, and saw, not forty rods distant, a large band of mounted Indians coming toward them at a furious gallop.
“Turn toes!” shouted Nat. “Don’t let the grass grow under yer feet nuther,” and in an instant the three were flying over the prairie, followed by the whooping savages. ”

“ Seating himself gravely, he continued in silence for some minutes.
“The Panther seeks the Dark Eyes,” he said at last. “He would have her to tan his skins, and keep his lodge-fire burning. When three suns shall pass, the marriage-feast will be eaten and the Dark Eyes be given to the Panther. Let her prepare.”
So saying the chief arose, and folding his blanket around him left the lodge, leaving Marion bewildered and despairing. She sat for a long time weeping bitterly, and paying little heed to Neenah’s expression of sympathy, and then retired to her couch. ”

“ The wood was piled about him, at a little distance, to the hight of a couple of feet, built up artistically with dry fagots, that looked as if they carried in their gray hearts a world of heat and flame. ”

“ In the midst of a lovely garden stands a fine white house, whose shady piazza is overrun with climbing roses and scarlet creepers. Large trees throw their cool shadows over the roof and furnish homes for numberless birds. ”

“ She had barely done so when the Indians burst into the opening, and ran whooping and yelling in every direction around the tree, and passing so close that Marion trembled lest the loud throbbing of her heart should betray her.
46
The savages beat the bushes all around, and for some distance in advance, of course without success. The constantly deepening darkness made every minute add to her security. In a half-hour’s time the savages were gone. ”

“ Instantly a wild whoop rent the air, and half a dozen tomahawks were buried in the cap, as the savages dashed forward to the opening. One of the Indians exposed his person to view, and instantly Vic sent a bullet into him. The howl that followed proved that the wound was fatal. Wild Nat instantly drew back his stick, and the half-raised stone fell back to its place, while the two trappers backed into the cave.
“That’s over,” said Vic, “an’ jist as I told ye. Thar’s one red-skin less tew dance over our bodies, an’ thet’s one comfort.” ”

“ You don’t want to kill the bird and let the poor little ones starve?” said Marion. “Vic and Wayne will get plenty of food. Do let her go.”
Scip rose rather reluctantly and released the bird, with a longing look at her plump proportions, but getting a glimpse of the sportsmen returning with hands full of game, he followed Marion with alacrity.
“Jist look here, will ye?” said Vic, holding up to view a brace of ducks and a large goose. “Don’t thet look like eatin’?”
Kent followed with several more fowls, and they fell to work to prepare them for cooking. ”

“ It was no part of their programme to dally by the way, that the Indians might overtake them in case they were following, and they traveled steadily, only stopping two hours at noon to allow their tired horses to feed and rest. Meeting with no obstacles and encountering no foes, their progress was rapid, and sunset found them about seventy miles from Fort Laramie. Here they encamped for the night, selecting a sort of grotto in some rocks, where they would be sheltered from observation. No one felt disposed to sit up “star-gazing,” and as soon as it was dark they prepared to “turn in.” ”

“ They will kill you if they discover you. Have a care!”
“Poor child,” murmured her lover, “even her dreams are haunted by the thought of our foes. Marion,” he added, louder, “awake.”
She started up in affright, and collecting her scattered senses, asked what was wanted.
“We are forced to continue our journey,” answered Kent; “the Indians are near enough to render our presence here dangerous.”
She sprung to her feet, frightened but calm.
“Wayne,” she said, steadily, “you do not tell me all. I am not afraid. How near are they?”
“Forty or fifty rods,” was the answer. “We must make haste. ”

“ My motter is, ’plenty of br’iled buffler-hump, an’ onlimited liberty.’”
The Indians were evidently satisfied with their attempt, for they made no further movement. Dawn soon came, but brought no change to the imprisoned party. The day wore on, noon followed morning, and evening noon, as Kent’s watch showed; and still there was no change. Immured in the bowels of the mountain, afar in the vast wilderness, with no human being who knew of their situation, save their merciless foes outside, how could they hope for aught save death? ”

“ All git on their knees, an’ when the grizzly comes up one of ’em tackles him, an’ thet draws his attention, an’ then the others pile on tew him, an’ he’s gener’ly dispatched ’thout any one gittin’ ser’usly hurt. It’s all the way ye kin do when ye don’t hev guns, or a chance to use ’em ef ye do hev ’em.”
“Exactly,” replied Kent. “I understand now, but it strikes me I shouldn’t like to have a battle with one every day.”
“No more should I. But it’s ’bout time we war on the move, I reckon. It’s gittin’ late,” said Vic, rising to his feet.
“Thet’s so,” exclaimed Wild Nat; “so let’s tew hoss. ”

“ Mought I ask what ye call goin’ fast, ef yer gait was slow? I shouldn’t like tew run a race with ye ef thet’s a slow gait with ye. Why didn’t ye hug thet feller thet ’peared to ye thar in the gorge, ’stead o’ runnin’ like a streak o’ lightnin’?” asked the trapper.
Scip stared. “I didn’t—I—I never run!” he ejaculated at last. “Whar was you?”
“Wagh,” laughed Wild Nat. “I crept up thar an’ riz up suddently afore ye. Reckon yer blood must be kinder stagnated standin’ so long, an’ thought, a leetle exercise mought be good for ye. Ha! ha!” and the trapper laughed till the cave rung. ”

“ Vic Potter tied his horse to the horns of the cow he had secured, and then looked around for his companions. All were near except Wayne Kent. The trapper raised himself and gazed earnestly down the valley.
Far away toward the south-east he descried a small, moving object. One whose eyes were less keen would never have seen it. The trapper shook his head at the sight.
“The boy’s chasin’ a buffler, an’ he’s lettin’ his excitement run away with his reason. Don’t he see thet the sun is down, an’ he’s plump tew miles from camp, an’ goin’ like mad? ”

“ The trapper’s weapons were next lowered, and the Wolf placed the tomahawk and knife in the prisoner’s belt and leaned the rifle against the rock, regarding him, meanwhile, with a mocking smile.
“Long-knife has his weapons,” he said; “he can shoot the antelope beneath him.”
“Blast ye, who cares?” retorted Wild Nat. “Think yer’ll tanterlize me, I s’pose, leavin’ ’em here; but yer won’t.”
“The Long-knife has killed his last warrior,” continued the Indian, exultingly. “He will take no more scalps. Long-knife is conquered ”

“ In dead silence the little party kept up the stream, while the yelling Indians followed their land-trail, and arrived at the stream about the time our friends were twenty rods above.
“Keep powerful still,” admonished Nat, as he turned his horse’s head to the shore. “Don’t make a sound. Ef ye do, we’re jest as good as baldheaded. Keep clus tew me.”
The others were not disposed to disregard this advice, and in a moment they were all on dry land.
“This way,” said the trapper, starting off through the woods. “Step karful, Rocky.” ”

“ As the trapper was looking at the precipice, with which 13 he was quite familiar, the pompous chief before mentioned accosted him:
“Does Long-knife behold? The ledge shall be his grave! He will thirst, but there will be no water; he will hunger, but there will be no food. Below him, the birds will fly, the antelope will jump, and the buffalo graze, but it will be nothing to him. Long-knife will not be able to reach them!”
Wild Nat looked at him, at first puzzled ”

“ The little party felt very merry and laughed and talked till a late hour. Wild Nat was “moved” to relate some large stories.
“Golly,” said Scip. “Dese skeeters is mighty sassy. Der awful big, too! Yah, but dey bites sharp!”
“Pooh,” said Wild Nat, “these ain’t nothin’ tew what I’ve seen. When I war down in Texas I seen skeeters. They war big as woodpeckers.”
“Oh, g’way now!” remonstrated Scip. “’S if I didn’t kno’ dar neber war no skeeters big ’s dat ar’! ’Tain’t in de line o’ reason, dat ain’t.”
“It’s so,” said the trapper, gravely. “Ye see, Scip, in the hot countries they grow bigger. ”

“ I tell ye dar’s no— Oh, de Lor’! G’long!”
The frightened darkey “ducked” his head, as an arrow struck the fore-shoulder of the mule, and was agreeably surprised to see that this time his “G’long” was heeded, for, the mule, feeling the arrow, kicked his heels in the air, and with a snort was off, with such an increase of speed, that in a moment he had overtaken the others, and thereafter, the only trouble his rider had, was to keep him from going too fast.
“Ye ain’t takin’ it so cool as ye was, be ye?” asked Wild Nat, as the negro shot past him.
“Ye’d better go faster,” answered Scip ”

“ Don’t worry ’bout the red-skins. Ef they hear my gun, which ’tain’t likely they will, as it’s got the faculty of not soundin’ off, they’ll know it’s a trapper or an Injun, an’ it’s the gal they’re arter. Ef they git arter me, I’ll bet they’ll have a chance tew measure sile.”
The cave was dreary enough. The only light was that afforded by a torch, and as, of course, the inmates were doomed to idleness, time passed rather slowly. Marion expressed a wish to see the cave, and Kent procured a torch and led the way, followed by Scip and the maid. ”

“ I’ll learn ye to tackle niggers what’s walkin’ peaceably ’long an’ mindin’ dere own concerns. Don’t ye wish ye’d never see’d dis chile? Yah, yah!”
“Want enny help?” asked Wild Nat.
“Not a spec’! Dis chile’s good fur one Injum. He’s mos’ dead now. Take dat; durn ye,” and with a tremendous whack on his adversary’s head, the negro rose to his feet. In the excitement of the flight he had forgotten his cowardice and fought with a purpose, and to a purpose, as his prostrate foe showed.
“We’d better be gittin out o’ this,” remarked the trapper, as he coolly replaced his knife. ”