Oliver Optic

“ The horses of the Indians were as they had ridden them, wearing their bridles, and the folded blankets, which served us saddles, strapped upon their backs.
"We needn't spend much time thinking about it," said I, after I had patted Firefly on the neck to assure him I was still his friend. "They have nothing but halters on their necks, though we have only to mount them, and they will go home without any guiding."
"The Indian horses have saddles and bridles on," answered Mr. Mellowtone. "I think we had better do as the redskins did—ride their horses, and lead the others." ”

“ I put some more pitch wood on the fire, and seated myself opposite the father and daughter, where I could see the glowing faces of both.
"Now, Ella, tell me how you happen to be so far from St. Louis," said Mr. Gracewood.
"We were going to Portland, Oregon. Mr. Sparkley failed in business, and lost all his property," replied she.
"Mr. Sparkley is my brother-in-law, Phil," added Mr. Gracewood. "And you are going with him, Ella?"
"Yes; Mr. Sparkley has a good chance to go into business there."
"Is your—is your mother with him?" asked Mr. Gracewood, with some embarrassment.
"She is." ”

“ Greasewood. You are a good man, and you will allus be happy. Don't forget old Kit."
"I never shall," protested Mr. Gracewood, as the old hunter stepped on shore; and that was the sentiment in all our hearts.
The bell rang, the boat started, and we waved our adieus to the old man on shore, who stood gazing solemnly and sadly at us. The wheels of the steamer were turning, and as I gazed upon the familiar shore, I realized that I was departing, perhaps forever, from my Field and Forest. ”

“ At any rate, these Indians knew that a large force of their own people were coming down the Fish, and they were in some manner to assist them.
Lieutenant Jackson and myself went to the bank of the river, and soon saw the dugout, two of the Indians in it paddling with all their might. They had discovered their blunder, in part at least, when the soldiers opened upon them. The fact that any one was awake at the Castle was enough to turn them from their purpose, for they had not the courage to stand up before the rifle of Kit Cruncher, whom they doubtless supposed to be there. ”

“ I jumped upon his back, and rode down to the landing, where Mr. Gracewood was hauling up his boat. My appearance on horseback startled him and Ella, but the sound of my voice reassured them. I explained in what manner I happened to be mounted so speedily.
"I will ride up to the Castle, and see that the soldiers are on the lookout for those Indians," I added. "I will return with the wagon in a few minutes, and carry you to the house."
"And leave us here alone?" said Mr. Gracewood.
"Do you think there is any danger?" I inquired.
"Those Indians may land here and discover us. ”

“ The raft was gradually pried off the shore with levers, and as it came to a level, the box was moved farther upon it, till it had been placed in the centre. Then the structure floated in all its parts, and I was glad to see that its equilibrium had been correctly calculated. The piano was not a heavy load for the raft, for it floated well out of water, and had buoyancy enough to sustain the weight of a dozen men.
"What shall we do with that wounded Indian, Phil?" asked Mr. Jackson, when we had completed the loading of the box. "He will starve to death in time, if we leave him here." ”

“ Gracewood's house, and entered it. The Indians had been there before us. In the middle of the floor was a pile of goods, which they had intended to carry down to the boat. They had done no injury to the building, though they would doubtless have burned it if we had not disturbed them. The gun for which we had come was in the rear chamber, limbered up and ready for use. The recluse of the island had brought it as a weapon of defence. It could be discharged from any door or window; and, loaded with canister and fired into an invading horde of savages, it would produce fearful havoc among them. ”

“ But, after all, the white man is more to blame for their present degraded condition than they are themselves. Out of the reach of the vices of civilization there are still noble red men."
"I never saw any of them," I added, rather incredulously.
We continued on our way through the solemn forest, and by the side of the rolling river. Old Firefly and Cracker were ahead of us, but we could hear the tramp of their feet, and were satisfied that they were on the right track. When we reached the Castle, we found them patiently waiting at the stable for our arrival. ”

“ For bread we had cold johnny cake, for we were out of flour, as no trading steamer had passed since the ice in the river broke up. We lived well at the Castle, for besides the game and fish supplied by the woods and the rivers, we had bacon, pork, potatoes, and vegetables from the farm.
"Now, Phil, you must be keerful," said old Matt, as we were eating our supper. "Injuns is wicked, and Injuns is cunnin'."
"I will try to be careful," I replied. "I suppose, if we follow Little Fish Creek, we shall find the Indians before morning." ”

“ Kit had come to the conclusion that we could defend ourselves better in the open space than in the woods, so long as we were able to prevent the Indians from dashing suddenly upon us on horseback.
"Our army's small," said the old hunter, as we met again in front of the Castle. "We must see, and not be seen." ”

“ Mellowtone came in.
"I have been out into the woods," said he; "but I see no signs of any Indians."
"I don't think there are any very near us," I replied. "If there were, Kit Cruncher would return, and let us know of their approach. I have some company in the Castle, Mr. Mellowtone."
"Company?"
"Yes; a young lady."
"Is it possible!"
"She was left by the steamer. She had been to walk in the forest, and did not heed the whistle."
"This is not a very good place for ladies. We are liable to receive a visit from the Indians at any time." ”

“ Loading the ammunition, which I had put into several boxes in order to trim the raft, we pushed it off from the shore.
"Now we are all ready," said Morgan, as he leaped into the boat, with the rope attached to the raft in his hand.
"What is to be done with that Indian up by the house?" asked Plunkett.
"Nothing," replied Morgan.
"Don't you think it is more humane to kill him than to let him starve to death?"
"He won't starve to death," I added. "He will crawl up to Mr. Gracewood's house, where there is enough to feed an army for a short time." ”

“ So dense was the column in front of the fort, that it was not possible for any man in it to fire without hitting an Indian, while the scattered missiles from the canister shot probably did as much execution as a dozen muskets.
The men were prepared to repel an assault with the bayonets; but no attack was made, for the Indians fled with the utmost precipitation from the deadly spot. The soldiers promptly reloaded their muskets, and the cannon was ready for another discharge.
"You can go now, Phil," said Lieutenant Jackson. "The battle is fought for the present. They will not renew it." ”

“ I added; and I proceeded to inform the corporal in what manner the Indians had made their escape.
"They are cunning," said he. "They know the country better than we do."
"Whar's the cap'n?" demanded Kit, who had been engaged in hauling the barge out of the water, and concealing it in the bushes.
"Who are you?" replied Corporal Flint, as the tall hunter loomed up before him.
"I don't reckon it makes any matter who I am; but I want to see the cap'n, and show him whar the redskins is."
"Lieutenant Pope commands the troops, and he will be very glad to know where the redskins are." ”

“ Firefly and Cracker were harnessed, and I had only to take my seat on the load. The soldiers had repaired the bridge over the brook, and everything was ready for a start.
"Of course you leave a guard here, lieutenant," I said, as I took my place on the wagon.
"I have detailed a corporal and three men to take care of the Castle," replied Mr. Jackson. "Do you think that is force enough?"
"Plenty, sir, if they keep their eyes wide open," I replied. "They have only to guard the approach on the water side." ”

“ IN WHICH PHIL ASSISTS IN THE BUILDING OF A BLOCK HOUSE.
Kit Cruncher was a prudent man, brave as he was. We did not therefore march boldly through the forest, for there were only three of us against four times as many Indians. We dodged from tree to tree, always keeping our bodies sheltered from the bullets of the savages. Kit went along near the brook, and presently I saw him raise his rifle and fire. The shot was followed by a wild yell from the savages. ”

“ The din of the strife gradually became more distinct as the combatants approached, the Indians being driven before the soldiers. By this time the sergeant and his party, who had gone up the brook with Kit, were taking the enemy on the flank. Presently we saw a few of the Indians rushing wildly through the woods, and occasionally a riderless horse came into view. We realized that the savages had been routed, scattered, and dispersed. We saw them swimming across the river, and skulking into the woods. ”

“ Matt's farm—as he called it—was situated between two deep creeks, the Fish on the west and the Bear on the east. Half a mile from the cabin, in the midst of the forest, was a lake, through which flowed Bear Creek. Half way between this sheet of water and the Little Fish ran Kit's Brook, on the bank of which was a path leading to the hunter's cabin. The great thoroughfare to the north was by the Fish, and this was the only practicable way for mounted men, and was the road by which the Indians came down to the Missouri to exchange their peltries for powder and whiskey. ”

“ I had finished harnessing the horses, and was putting old Matt's bed upon the wagon for Ella to lie upon, when Lieutenant Jackson, the officer in command of the detachment, rushed up to me.
"What is the matter?" he demanded. "Are we attacked?"
"There are three Indians on the river. I suppose your men are firing at them. Here is an order from Lieutenant Pope," I added, handing him the paper, and jumping upon the wagon, where Mrs. Gracewood had already placed herself. "We have recovered the young lady, and I am going down to the landing after her." ”

“ Mellowtone?" I asked, after the sentinel had given me a pleasant greeting.
"Kit told me not to call you, and I did not intend to do so, Phil Farringford. You are a boy, and you need sleep."
"I'm willing to do my share of the watching."
"You shall take your turn to-night. We can do nothing to-day but eat and sleep. If you will give us some breakfast, we shall be ready for it."
"I will—right off. Have you seen anything of the Indians?"
"No; not one of them has ventured into the clearing. Being ready for them is more than half the battle. ”

“ Mellowtone, with an expression of disgust.
"I don't see why Indians take to whiskey so readily. It is a curse to all the redskins I ever knew."
"It is a curse to any man, red or white."
"I never saw a white man drunk."
"Your experience has been very limited, Phil Farringford."
"That's very true. I never saw much of the world, but I hope to see more of it one of these days. What do you suppose these Indians will do when they become sober?" I asked.
"No doubt they will try to get back their horses. They came down for more, and they go back with fewer, unless they can recover them. ”

“ I replied. "If you say it must go, it shall be at the landing when the steamer comes down."
"Two men and a boy cannot put it into the box, to say nothing of loading it upon the wagon."
"I think we can, sir, if we have time enough; for, as you taught me, what is gained in power is lost in time. I will take the job, sir."
"You are very confident, Phil Farringford," added Mr. Gracewood, with a smile.
"I got up the plan by which we brought it over here from the island."
"But you had a dozen men to lift it up and put it in the box." ”

“ Gracewood is there."
"So are the soldiers."
"They may capture her if she is in the Castle, while the soldiers are encamped in the rear, not expecting an enemy on the river side."
"We need not stay here any longer," I added, letting go the branch, and permitting the current to carry the barge down the stream. "Don't make any noise with the oars, Mr. Gracewood."
"We must hurry forward and alarm the soldiers. They have no suspicion that there are any Indians within many miles of them."
"What's the matter, father?" cried Ella, waking with a start. ”

“ It was possible that they were still able to use their rifles and knives, though, if they had drank the entire contents of the whiskey jug, which probably was not less than a quart, we had little to fear from them. Some Indians, however, could drink a pint, and still be able to use a rifle, while others would be overcome with half that quantity.
"We can't get out in this way," said Mr. Mellowtone, after we had vainly sought a passage around the Indians.
"I will take a look at the drunken redskins," I replied, dismounting, and fastening my two horses to a sapling. ”

“ The dugouts were hauled up on the shore; but we could see nothing of the savages, who had disappeared in the forest, half a mile from the stream, where the land began to rise.
"Can we make a landing here?" asked the captain.
"You can," I replied.
"Do so, captain," added Lieutenant Pope.
"I wouldn't land here," I interposed.
"Why not?"
"This boat can go three miles up the river, sure, and perhaps five. The Indians must travel up stream in order to escape you. If you go up two miles farther, you can head them off." ”

“ Mellowtone, as he discharged his rifle.
"You didn't hit nothin', Mr. Mell'ton," said Kit, quietly, as he gazed through the loophole in front of him.
"I see that I missed my aim that time. Well, it's too late now; they are running away again."
"They kin no more stand it to be shot at than they kin live without eatin'," added Kit, as he set the rifle against the palisades. "They was go'n to run up and shoot, because they see we hadn't nary gun in our hands. We kin leave this place now."
The Indians had disappeared in the forest, bearing with them the body of the one who had fallen. ”

“ I pulled at the oars, and my companions on the raft tugged at the poles. We cleared the shore, and in a few minutes the action of the current gave us a good headway.
"We are all right. We could go down to St. Louis on this craft," said Morgan.
"We could, but I think we won't," I replied. "We must be sure and not let the current carry us beyond Fish River. If we do, we can never get back again."
Fortunately the current set towards the landing-place, which was our destination, and I pulled well towards the north shore.
"Indians!" shouted Plunkett, after we had gone a short distance. ”