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Title: Joe Napyank; or, The River Rifles
Beadle's Pocket Novels No. 56
Author: Billex Muller
Release Date: August 28, 2021 [eBook #66157]
Language: English
Produced by: David Edwards, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
(Northern Illinois University Digital Library)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOE NAPYANK; OR, THE RIVER
RIFLES ***
Vol. V.] [No. 56.
AUGUST 19, 1876.
JOE NAPYANK;
OR,
THE RIVER RIFLES.
BY BILLEX MULLER.
NEW YORK:
BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS,
98 WILLIAM STREET.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by
FRANK STARR & CO.,
in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Southern District of New York.
CONTENTS
I. On the Ohio 9
II. Night on the Ohio.—A Visitor.—An Original
Character.—Premonitions of Danger 19
III. Teddy O’Donnell and His Love Adventure. Startling Catastrophe 28
IV. On the Island.—Environed by Peril.—Sad Forebodings.—Young
Smith’s Desperate Adventure 33
V. Sad News.—Recovery of a Rifle 45
VI. A Reckless Adventure.—Capture of Teddy.—A Visit to the
Flat-boat.—Thoughts of Rescue 52
VII. Death and Capture.—The Companions in Captivity 59
VIII. A Night Voyage Down the River.—Singular Appearance.—The
Departure 65
IX. In the Dark and Bloody Ground.—The Separation 74
X. A Vain Hunt.—The Indian Camp.—Discovery.—Pursuit.—Desperate
Conflict.—A Meeting 81
XI. Teddy O’Donnell and Ruth McGowan—Irish Shrewdness—A Pugilistic
Triumph—The Indian Fight—Liberation 90
XII. The End 98
JOE NAPYANK.
CHAPTER I.
ON THE OHIO.
“I’ve had a pretty good tramp to-day, that’s sartin!” Such was the
exclamation of a tall, gaunt, ungainly hunter,—Joe Napyank, as he
dropped the butt of his rifle upon the ground, and folding his arms over
the muzzle, looked out upon the broad Ohio, rolling by in quiet
grandeur.
“I’ve tramped nigh unto twenty miles without once stopping; and, when a
fellow goes that distance through woods, cane-brakes, and thickets,
dodging the redskins and varmints, it’s no wonder if he’s a _leetle_
blowed. Can’t be I’m too late after all.”
The thought seemed to bring him some discomfort for a moment.
“No; it can’t be, no need of thinking that. I’ve made pretty good time,
and have struck the river low ’nough down.”
From his position, a view of the Ohio, for several miles below was
afforded him, but the prospect above was cut off by a sweeping bend in
the river. The hunter—for such he evidently was—took a long searching
scrutiny of the river below, as if in quest of some object. Suddenly he
started.
“Yonder _is_ something that’s sartin, but it must be an Injin canoe.
Yes, I know it is.”
The object referred to was simply a dark speck, gliding straight across
the stream. In a few moments, it struck the other shore and as speedily
disappeared.
“Yes; that’s a canoe, that can be told by the way it acts. It’s plain
McGowan has not reached this point yet.”
Thus satisfied beyond all conjecture, Joe took a seat upon a tree,
prepared to wait the appearance of some object. As we have already
remarked, he was very tall and remarkably attenuated,—his weight barely
a hundred pounds, while his height was fully six feet. His features were
sharp and angular, characteristic more of the New Englander than of his
native state of New York. His face seemed as devoid of beard as a
child’s; but he had a pleasant blue eye, and there was an expression of
good nature on his face, more prepossessing than otherwise. When he
talked or laughed he displayed a fine set of teeth, and a remarkably
musical voice. His hair was sandy and almost as long and straight as an
Indian’s.
Joe Napyank sat some time in a reverie, when chancing to raise his head,
he saw in full sight, coming around the bend above, a goodly sized
flat-boat, such as were frequently seen upon the western waters,
three-quarters of a century since. The hunter’s eyes sparkled.
“That’s McGowan! I knowed he couldn’t be far out of the way. I don’t see
any of ’em on the look out, which, howsomever, is a good sign, as it’s
one that ought to do the looking out,—that is such looking out as makes
me show myself.”
Joe kept his seat for a few minutes longer, and then withdrawing into
the wood so as to conceal himself, he deliberately raised his gun and
discharged it in the direction of the flat-boat and then, dropping his
piece, looked to see the result.
He caught a glimpse of two or three hats moving around near the stern of
the boat. Enough to satisfy him, that his friends were not asleep, nor
so reckless as to expose themselves, when no possible good could result
from it. The hunter now stepped forward, and called out,
“Helloa there, you, can’t you take a poor fellow on board?”
All this time, he was careful to keep his body concealed; and,
observing, that his call attracted no notice, he speedily repeated it,
still hiding his body, and disguising his voice as much as possible.
“I say you, won’t you take a poor fellow on board, that’s been badly cut
up by the Injins, and can’t get off.”
Still there was not the least sign that his words were heard, which
perhaps rather curiously did not seem to displease the hunter. By this
time, the flat-boat had approached a point directly opposite, so that he
was compelled to begin walking to keep pace with it. This he managed to
do, without exposing himself to the inquiring eyes, that he knew was
piercing out upon him.
“I say, be you so cruel as to leave a poor wounded man of your own race
and blood to perish among these outrageous Injins?”
Still no response, and the hunter tried it once more.
“Can’t you let me know that your hear me?”
A moment later, a huge red face appeared over the gunwale,
“Git out! you can’t come that game over me.”
Joe Napyank now stepped forth to view, and swung his hat with a loud
laugh.
“That’s right, McGowan, belive every man in these parts an enemy till
he’s proved a friend.”
The same rubicund face rose like the moon over the horizon of the high
gunwale, and a cheery laugh rolled over the water—
“Ha! ha! ha! you can’t hide that voice of yours, Joe; I knowed you all
the time.”
“You did, eh?” replied the hunter somewhat crestfallen, “why didn’t you
answer me then?”
“You didn’t apply in the proper manner,—that’s it, ha! ha! ha! Now when
you show yourself like a man, I’ll notice you. I suppose you want to
come on board.”
“If you’ve no objection, I should like to do so.”
“How do you propose to do it?”
“I ’pose you work your old pile of lumber into shore.”
“No, you don’t. It would be a little better if you should work yourself
a little _out_ from shore.”
The hunter could not avoid laughing at the good natured shrewdness
displayed by McGowan.
“I’m glad to see you’ve larned something. ’Twouldn’t be safe to get
along the shore when there’s no current.”
“What made you ask me to do it then?”
“Just to see whether you had enough sense not to mind me. I tell you
what you can do though, McGowan,” added Napyank in a more serious voice.
“What’s that?”
“Work the boat a little toward this bank so that I can wade out to you.
A few yards will answer.”
“I suppose there is no objection to that, but you will have to go down
stream a little further.”
“Of course.”
The long sweeping oars that were hung at either end of the flat-boat
were now called into requisition and applied by seemingly invisible
hands. Under their influence, the huge unwieldy mass of lumber began
sidling toward the bank, somewhat after the fashion of a cautious
turtle, that had not made up his mind as yet, whether he was doing an
exactly proper thing or not. The hunter kept pace with it, manifesting
considerable anxiety, and surveying both shores, as though he were not
satisfied with their appearance. One or two things had caught his eye
that gave him some uneasiness, and he was rather impatient to get upon
the boat. This perhaps made the movements of McGowan and his friends
unnecessarily tardy.
“There! I think that will do!” exclaimed the man on the flat-boat. “Now
see whether you can walk out to us.”
But Joe was already several yards out in the stream, carefully feeling
his way. The water slowly rose, so that he was to his arm-pits before he
had passed half the intervening distance.
“Ay g-r-a-c-i-o-us!” he shivered out, as he tediously made his way
along. “This is awful cold, and is getting deeper and deeper.”
“Keep along. You’re in the deepest part,” cheered McGowan.
“I—I—don’t know about that.”
“A few more yards and you will be here.”
“I—oogh!”
The last exclamation was forcibly ejected, as he suddenly dropped out of
view. Just as McGowan’s hearty laugh was ringing over the water, he shot
upward again and struck out vigorously for the flat-boat.
“Confound it! Why didn’t you tell a feller?”
“How could I know there was a hole there? Let your feet drop and see if
they don’t touch bottom.”
The hunter did as was requested and was surprised to find that he was
again in five-foot water.
“That’s better,” he added, as he rapidly neared the flat-boat. “In a
minute——”
Joe Napyank suddenly paused, at the sharp crack of several rifles upon
the bank, and the whizz of the bullets in alarming proximity to his own
person.
“Indians!” exclaimed McGowan, excitedly. “Quick Joe, for God’s sake;
you’ll be killed!”
The hunter was fully impressed with the danger, and was making all haste
toward the flat-boat. He sank down so that nothing but the upper part of
his head was visible above water. The bullets rained like hail around
his head but still he was unharmed.
“McGowan, can’t you give ’em a shot?” he called out.
“I can try.”
Saying which his gun was speedily raised and discharged among the
shouting savages, who took no pains to conceal their bodies. The shot
seemingly was a good one, for they scattered to cover like a flock of
frightened partridges. During the temporary lull the hunter reached the
flat-boat and with the assistance of two or three friendly hands was
received on board.
The Indians disappeared with almost the suddenness of magic. Not another
yell was heard, not another gun fired. Five minutes after the discharge
of the first shot, a stillness deep and profound reigned over wood and
river.
For a long time those in the flat-boat maintained an unremitting watch
upon both shores. More than once they were certain they saw some
redskins leaping stealthily from cover to cover—they were in momentary
expectation of another volley. But none came. It seemed as if the
savages had been controlled entirely by the desire to slay or obtain
possession of Napyank, and failing in this, they had quietly withdrawn.
“They have left, I guess,” finally remarked Napyank.
“I don’t know,” replied McGowan, “it seems to me that every rod of these
bordering woods, contain a dozen of the creatures, and it _does_ seem as
if they had all taken a great notion to watch us.”
“No doubt about that, and they _will_ keep on watching us till we reach
the settlement. Haven’t they attacked you previous to this?”
“I should think they had. There hasn’t been a night since we got fairly
into the West, that they haven’t tried to board us.”
Joe Napyank, although an experienced hunter, seemed really surprised to
hear this. McGowan added by way of qualification.
“I speak the literal truth when I say there hasn’t a night passed
without some hostile attempt upon their part; but I must say, that it
does seem to me that they didn’t try very hard.”
“That is qu’ar. When Injins try such things, they’re apt to do the best
they can.”
“Perhaps they had a good fear of the mettle of those on board this
boat,” smiled McGowan.
“Per-h-a-p-s,” drawled the hunter, in a voice that was far more
significant than a simple denial could have been.
“I don’t think any of them have learned how many we have on board,”
added McGowan.
“It is well they didn’t.”
But it is high time the inmates of the flat-boat should receive a more
special introduction to the reader.
Theophilus McGowan, the author of this emigration scheme, was a middle
aged man of large frame, weighing considerably over two hundred pounds.
He came from Western Pennsylvania, where he was a prominent citizen,
greatly respected, having performed a very important part in the
Revolutionary war, now brought to a close. He procured a wife as obese
and genial-natured as himself, and a daughter as pretty and plump as it
is safe to imagine. This was their only child, and, at first, it may
seem hard to find a reason why he should leave his comfortable home and
emigrate to this great solitude, the abode of the deadly red man. But it
requires no prophetic eye, to see that this very region—the great
West—was destined speedily to become settled, civilized, and one of the
most important sections of the young nation. His experience in camp life
and the vicissitudes of the great contest, had nurtured a roving
disposition in him, and he had entered into the scheme with as much
zest, as if he were a young man, and was in quest of a bride and a new
home.
Associated with him was Abram Smith, a man somewhat younger than
himself, who brought with him his two sons, Abram and Stoddard. Abram
was a quiet, reserved sort of man like his father, and nearly thirty
years of age. Both had the true mettle of the pioneer in them. Reticent
and undemonstrative, yet they possessed that noiseless, unwavering
determination, which could be checked by no obstacle that it was
possible for human will to overcome. Every trial and difficulty they
took as a matter of course, and it may be safely ventured that if father
and son ever knew that it was appointed to run a gauntlet of Indians, in
order to reach their destination, they would not have hesitated or
turned aside for an instant.
Mrs. Smith was a cypher,—meek, uncomplaining, faithful, she went through
her routine of duties, greatly after the manner of a machine that is
regularly wound up and runs itself down. She would no more have dreamed
of questioning the authority and wisdom of her husband, than a slave
would have dared to dispute with a despot.
Stoddard Smith, who was several years younger than his brother, (it may
as well be expressed at this point,) was prompted more by admiration of
Ruth McGowan, than a love for this outrageous solitude. Brought up in
the neighborhood, he had learned to look upon her with admiring eyes,
and came in due time to be accepted as her lover, in preference to
scores of others, who had cast longing looks in that direction. His
disposition was such that he would have been pronounced a son of
McGowan, far sooner than one of his rightful father. Free, open-hearted,
brave almost to recklessness, sometimes noisy in his exuberance of
spirits, he was the very antipode of his family.
“Friend and companion! I greet you,” was his salutation, as Joe Napyank
came over the gunwale. “You seem rather anxious to see us.”
“And so would you be,” answered the hunter, as he turned towards
McGowan, and the other two devoted themselves to the danger that had
sprung so suddenly upon them. A few more words which have been already
recorded, and the conversation was reduced to disjointed sentences,
principally occasioned by what was happening around them. Finally, when
it became certain there was no fear of further molestation from the
savages, they mingled more freely with each other. Mrs. McGowan and
Smith came above and greeted the hunter, who was a most welcome addition
to the party, and after remaining a few moments went below. Ruth,
however, staid on deck in converse with her father, lover and Napyank.
Abram Smith and father were at the bow, where they had abundant
opportunity for their favorite pastime—silence.
“It seems to me you don’t look very much scart,” replied the hunter,
addressing Ruth McGowan.
“I have been frightened for all that—but we are getting so accustomed to
these Indians, that I am in constant expectation of their guns.”
“She was frightened enough when the first shot was fired the other day.
She believed it was certainly all over with us,” said her father. “She
ain’t so brave as you are trying to make out. I’ve no doubt she would
run into the cabin, if we should be boarded by a half hundred of the red
skins.”
“I’ve no doubt of it either,” returned Ruth, not detecting the quiet
humor of her father, beneath the serious surface.
“Yes; she is a regular coward; I don’t know what we shall do with her in
this western country. I almost wish we had left her at home.”
“I am sure you can’t wish it any more than I do,” rejoined the daughter,
with some feeling. The father looked her quietly in the face a moment,
and then with a pleasant smile drew her affectionately to his heart.
“No, my darling,” he said, as the tears came in his eyes. “I would not
have left you behind for the world.”
Ruth covered her face, and for a few moments complete silence held
reign. Joe Napyank considered the tableau quite interesting. Stoddard
Smith was reflecting how truly he might appropriate the words just
uttered by McGowan, and how decidedly agreeable it would be if he were
her father for the time being.
In the meantime, the keen eye of the hunter was scrutinizing the Ohio
and Kentucky shore in search of signs that it may be said were hardly
ever invisible.
CHAPTER II.
NIGHT ON THE OHIO.—A VISITOR.—AN ORIGINAL CHARACTER.—PREMONITIONS OF
DANGER.
The eagle eye of Napyank, the hunter, failed to detect anything
suspicious. He knew that they were journeying through the most dangerous
part of the great wilderness which at that day, stretched for hundreds
of miles west of the Alleghanies. As he reflected upon the unanimity
which his friends had enjoyed thus far, he could but wonder at the
cause. There had others attempted this same project, and bitterly rued
the day that the thought entered their heads.
Only a few months before, Napyank himself had attempted to pilot a
flat-boat down the river. In the dead of night, when the whole crew were
on the watch, a large body of Indians stole upon them, and in a
twinkling had possession of the boat, and most of its inmates. What
became of the unfortunate captives, none could tell, for neither
Napyank, nor the two or three who escaped with him ever saw or heard of
them again. But imagination can easily decide their fate, in the face of
what was so well known to all those who had heard of the North Americans
Indians.
The afternoon was far advanced, and still the flat-boat glided
uninterruptedly forward. As yet no further sign of their enemies were
visible. The vast forests lining the shores, were as quiet and
motionless as if no man or animal had disturbed the solitude. The river
flowed as placidly forward as it had for centuries. The sun had risen on
the same scene that day that it had thousands of times before, and was
about to set as it had for ages, when this sudden evidence of the
advancing white men made his appearance.
Not another sign of life except the whirring of a flock of birds
overhead was seen. The flat-boat with its handfull of human beings, was
alone in that great solitude floating slowly and gently down the river,
in which hundreds of similar adventurers were yet to find their graves.
In a few moments, the flat-boat swept around a bend in the river, and
came in view of another extended portion of the Ohio. Viewed from a
distance, it had much the appearance of a huge square box floating
aimlessly onward. At either end a lengthy oar was hung, which now and
then some hand dipped into the water, when, after surging a few moments,
it remained at rest. The box-like appearance of the boat, ended at the
prow and astern, where it took more the shape of a lawful boat. The
cabin ran the entire length, except at each end stern was left a space
of sufficient dimensions to contain a half-dozen men. Above these
spaces, the heavy bullet-proof planks rose for fully five feet. A small
narrow window was pierced in the side, opening and shutting from within,
while a trap-door above afforded still more secure means of obtaining
light, or of affording egress to those within. The spaces referred to at
the end communicated with the cabin, so that the entire length of the
flat-boat could be traversed, without being exposed to a shot from the
most vigilant enemy outside. This was McGowan’s arrangement, and he
deserved credit for the originality he had shown. Under his skilful
management the lumbering vessel had been constructed into a regular
floating fort. A hail-storm of bullets were as harmless as so many
pebbles. To this fact, perhaps, may be attributed the remarkable good
fortune that had attended our friends from the start. The ever-watchful
savages, seeing such a craft,—so different from that which had usually
met their gaze—naturally supposed there was a formidable force behind
it, and frequently were reluctant to attempt to board it.
Still Napyank was too experienced and shrewd to believe this state of
things would last much longer. The prize was too tempting for the
savages to allow it to glide quietly through their grasp.
The hunter informed McGowan, that he strongly suspected the real crisis
was to come that night.
“Yes, sir, I do,” he exclaimed in a low and emphatic tone. “Look out for
night.”
“If we get through that?”
“Well enough; you ain’t got much furder to go.”
“We’d better stay up to-night.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then, I’ll go below for awhile.”
A moment later and Joe Napyank was left alone on the deck of the
flat-boat.
As he stood with his right arm partly raised, resting upon the oar his
keen nervous eyes fixed upon the river beyond, he was a fine specimen of
the daring pioneer of the West.
Gradually the day waned and the gloomy shadows lengthened over the
river. The great wilderness became darker and gloomier and the form of
the hunter gradually blended with the night.
An hour later, the full moon rolled above the forest, and the river
glistened brightly in its rays. Silently the flat-boat glided onward,
its skilful pilot ever maintaining its position as near the centre of
the river as possible.
The cabin, we may remark in this place, was divided into two
compartments of nearly the same size. The forward was the sleeping one
for the females, and was only occupied by them during the night. The
other was the general sitting-room in which all remained most of the
day, and in which the men spent the night.
A dim light was burning, sending forth a heavy oily smoke, which found
vent through the trap-door above. The faces of all looked wan and
ghastly in the sickly yellow light.
They, however, remained but a comparatively short time below. Their meal
finished and they all went above,—the two Smiths, including also the
wife, took their position at the bow of the boat, when they could look,
fight if necessary and—keep still.
It was far from being the case at the bow, where were congregated
McGowan, Napyank, young Smith, and Mrs. McGowan and her daughter. They
were disposed to enjoy the scene as much as possible.
“If we could feel safe,” remarked Ruth, “how happy we could be. This
scenery is splendid.”
“Yes,” replied the father, who was somewhat impressed by the majestic
solemnity of his surroundings. “It’s enough to make any man feel
solemn.”
“This would be a grand old night to go on a serenade,” said young Smith,
glancing at Ruth.
“I’ve no doubt there are several Indian residences in the vicinity,”
said McGowan. “Suppose you sing a song in front of them. No doubt it
will be appreciated.”
“I should like to sing the death-song of all of them.”
“How soon before we reach our home?” inquired Ruth McGowan of the
hunter.
“We ought to be there to-morrow afternoon, if we suffer no
interruption.”
“And this is the last night we are to spend upon the river?”
“I hope it is.”
“How rejoiced I am!” exclaimed Ruth with a glowing face.
“But,” said the hunter deeming it best to check her exuberance, “we
haven’t reached that point yet.”
“Of course not, but we soon shall. How brightly the moon shines! It is
almost as light as day.”
“It is not going to last,” said Napyank, “there are clouds coming up in
the sky, and it will not be long before we are in the darkness. Hello?
Smith there has discovered something. What is it, Smith?”
“Look over the side of the boat,” said the elder, making a desperate
effort to break his reticence.
The hunter did so, and instantly detected the head of a man on the
surface of the water, approaching the boat.
“I ought to have seen that,” he said catching up his rifle. “There is a
man swimming out to us. I say, you,” he called, addressing the
individual in the river, “What is it you want?”
The man puffing and blowing, continued rapidly to near the vessel, but
made no reply. The hunter raised his rifle in a significant manner.
“Don’t shoot,” admonished McGowan, “one man can do no harm.”
All were now crowding toward the gunwale, when Napyank requested them to
keep back. A moment later, the form in the water had reached the
flat-boat and now called out,
“Would yees have the onspakable kindness to lower a rope jist, and
assist a gintleman on board?”
What a revulsion the sound of that voice created! The cheery brogue, of
a humorous Irishman established a feeling of brotherhood on the moment.
“Teddy O’Donnell, as certain as I’m alive,” exclaimed Napyank, as he
assisted him on board.
The next moment a great, huge, strapping Irishman came floundering over
the gunwale, like a prodigious porpoise that had just been hooked.
“The top of the morning to yees, barrin it isn’t morning but night,”
said he. “I graats yees with plisure.”
“You are welcome, very welcome,” said McGowan. “We are glad of a friend
at any time. But you are very wet. Would it not be best to change your
clothes.”
“Yas,” drawled the Irishman, with irresistible comicality, “there’s only
a slight objection to these same. This is the ownly suit I possesses,
and therefore if I should attimpt to change it, me costhume would be
rather too airy for the obsarvers.”
There was such a dry humor in all that the man uttered, that he soon had
his listeners on a broad grin. The Irishman seemed totally unimpressed
by the gloom and threatening stillness of the woods, and could joke even
over his own descomfiture. The manner of his meeting with the hunter
showed that both were friends, though none of the others recollected
ever having seen him. Five minutes after his advent upon the deck, all
were as well acquainted, as if they had known each other for a lifetime.
“I did not exactly mean that,” said McGowan, alluding to his last
remark. “We are well provided with clothes, and if you will go below
with Smith here, he will see that you are speedily adjusted in a
comfortable rig.”
“Your obedient sarvant,” said Teddy, tipping his hat to young Smith,
with all the gallantry of a cavalier, and descending with him into the
cabin.
“He is what I call an original genius,” remarked McGowan to Napyank,
when Teddy had departed.
“He is a great fellow Teddy. He’s one of the best hearted Irishman I
ever met.”
“I noticed you were acquainted.”
“I’ve known him for a dozen years; he’s sort of a scout for the frontier
posts. I can’t say I’m really glad he has joined us.”
“Why not?” inquired McGowan in astonishment.
“’Cause he’s always been considered the onluckiest dog in these parts. I
never knowed him to go on a scent but what he had got into some
confounded scrape.”
“I should consider him very fortunate then, that he has escaped with his
life, and lives to tell the tale,” said Ruth.
“Perhaps he is,” answered the hunter, who did not wish to occasion any
alarm. “I didn’t think of that way of looking at it.”
“Why does he continue such a life?”
“It’s just his delight. That feller is covered with cuts and scars, and
hacks he’s got from the Injins. I couldn’t tell how many times he’s had
his skull cracked.”
“What brings him here?”
“He’s had the redskins after him, and has had to take to the river to
get away from ’em. If it hadn’t been for the flat-boat, it would’ve been
all over with him.”
“He must be a brave man indeed.”
“He’s all that; he’d rather fight any time than eat. If he can work it
to get into a scrimmage with the dogs, before we reach the settlement he
will do so.”
“If he is so pugnacious as that, I trust you will be able to restrain
him. He has no right to run us into any danger to justify his
predilections.”
“He won’t do that; it will be himself only that he will try to get into
trouble. Last summer, I went out in Kentucky with him. Afore we knowed
it, we got a whole batch after us, and had to take to the river to give
’em the slip. We managed to throw ’em off the scent, and being pretty
well worn out, hide under some bushes. We hadn’t been there long, when
another party came along and squatted down right by us. They staid
awhile and was going off without disturbing us, when this Teddy jumped
up with a yell, and went right among ’em, using his gun for a shillalah,
and whacking ’em over the head.”
“Of course, I had to pitch in with him, and it was about the worst
scrimmage of my life. We gave some of the tallest kind of yelling, and I
s’pose it must have been that scart ’em, for it want long before they
left.”
“It is strange he escapes with his life.”
“Some of these days he will go under. His head is so hard that it seems
to me he never can get it hurt, and, as that’s where he does generally
get basted, that must be the reason he stands it so well.”
At this juncture, the subject of their remarks reappeared on deck, in
such grotesque attire, that laughter was involuntary upon the part of
all who saw him. His pantaloons were too baggy and far too large, his
coat reached to his heels, and the sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
As for the shirt there can be nothing said regarding that, as there was
none at all; for shoes, he retained his moccasins.
“That’s what I tarm a butiful shtyle of avening dress; also a choice
one, bein’ there is no other to take your choice from.”
“You are comfortable at least,” remarked McGowan.
“I faals so jist at praisent. I haven’t got exactly, sot to ’em but I
s’pose I will pretty soon.”
“You remain with us, I hope.”
“I hopes the same; I s’pose you’re bound for the settlement down the
river?”
“Yes.”
“I have an appointment to meet Simon Kenton there, so if yees doesn’t
object to my company, I’ll jine yees.”
“With all pleasure. The sight of a white face in these parts does us
good.”
Teddy laughed heartily.
“It’s meseelf that doesn’t lay claim to being the same. When I had to
dodge me head to give the redskins the slip, it was the first washing I
had given my face since this saison set in—that’s the fact the first
time since this saison set in.”
Ruth McGowan’s horror was unbounded, until her lover reminded her that
this was the first day of summer, so that Teddy perhaps was as tidy as
the generality of humanity.
“You came on us rather unexpectedly,” said young Smith.
“Yees did the same wid meself if you’ll allow to make the observation.”
“Another scrimmage?” inquired Napyank.
“Nothing hardly worth of mentioning. I undertook to crack the heads of a
half-dozen I found slaping, and would have done it, if it hadn’t been
for a thrifling thing.”
“And what was that?”
“They cracked mi own widout given me the chance to return the
compliment.”
“You then took to the water?”
“I did not. I tuk to the woods, with the intention of coming back and
given ’em a partin’ crack, when I cotched sight of this old barn
floating down shtream.”
“Why didn’t you hail us?” inquired the hunter, with a peculiarly
significant intonation.
“Arrah git out! din’t I try that last shpring, and you holding the
guiding oar in your hand all these times, and knowin’ it was meself, and
you bawling it was a decoy so as to keep me thramping till I had to
shwim out to yees and haul meself on boord? Git out wid yer nonsense.”
Napyank laughed as if the recollection afforded him great pleasure.
“Yees are an unfaaling creature,” continued Teddy. “Yees have sarved me
more that one ongintlemanly thrick.”
“Why, what now, Teddy?”
“Yees remimbers when ye wid not lit me tackle the ridskins out in
Kaintuck.”
“But they were a dozen, and we were only two.”
“What the odds! We had not cracked a head for a waak, and there was
emminent danger of me losing the scientific touch of the business.”
“It’s plain to see when you are in your element,” commented McGowan, and
then addressing the ladies,
“Come, it is time you went below; it is getting quite late.”
The females took this palpable hint; and bidding their friends good
night descended into the cabin. Teddy tipped his hat and scraped his
foot, with all the politeness at his command and then turned to his new
made friends.
CHAPTER III.
TEDDY O’DONNELL AND HIS LOVE ADVENTURE. STARTLING CATASTROPHE.
For the last hour the sky had been rapidly becoming overcast, and a
thick fog was gathering over the river, which beyond doubt would enclose
our friends in impenetrable gloom. There was not much probability of a
storm, but it was certain regarding the obscuration of the moon and the
approaching darkness.
Napyank, on the whole, was inclined to regret this. While it gave them a
greater chance of being discovered by their vigilant enemies along
shore, as they could proceed absolutely without noise, it still was
emphatically venturing in the dark. Whether they were drifting in toward
shore could not be known, until too late. Beside this the hunter called
to mind that there was a large island near the center of the river which
could be at no great distance from them, and it was his wish to avoid
running upon this. As all were opposed to lying to for the night, the
plan was not broached.
The settling gloom around them finally attracted the notice of young
Smith who remarked,
“It’s getting dark as sure as we live.”
“I observe too, that a heavy mist is settling over the river,” added
McGowan.
“In an hour you won’t be able to see tother end the boat,” replied
Napyank. “Smith there will have all he can do to manage to spy out the
Injins.”
“Do you think they will trouble us?”
“Not unless we run right into ’em.”
“And how can we do that?”
“We can’t very well unless we get into a powerful big island that is
somewhere in these parts.”
“I am certain we ought to be able to steer clear of that.”
“If we can only see it—there’s the trouble.”
“Joe,” said McGowan, after a few minutes silence, “Why not run into the
shore and tie up for the night?”
The hunter shook his head.
“’Twouldn’t do; I seen that tried once, on jest such a night as this.
Them reds, it seems to me, can smell a flat-boat a mile off. They’d
swarm down on us like a lot of flies.”
For some time Teddy had stood silent and thoughtful. His arms were
folded, and he was looking out upon the still surface of the river.
“What is it you’re thinking about?” inquired Napyank.
“I feels sorryful, by the same token,” he replied in a sad tone, heaving
a tremendous sigh.
“What is the cause?”
“I was jest thinkin of a wee bit of a girril that I had left at me home
in ould Ireland—God bless her.”
“An affection of the heart, eh?”
“It bees; and it’s sthrange—there’s a very sthrange sarcumstance
connected wid the same girril.”
“What is it?”
“It’s now good ten years since I last saw her, and I’ve niver once
brought her to mind till this same minute.”
“You certainly could not have thought much of her.”
“I sartinly did; I’ve just thought of what it was that brought her to
mind. It’s this ould coat.”
“And how should that do it?” inquired young Smith, who seemed about the
only one who felt any interest in the matter.
“The last time I saw her she had on jist the same article; Ah! but she
looked swate in it. She was diggin pataties at the time. It was the same
that had the sphlendid fut for yees—none ov yer little cramped up
nothin’—but a reg’lar stunner—as flat as a pancake. Ah! she was a
girril.”
Another great sigh, showed how deep the Irishman’s feelings were
regarding his almost forgotten love.
“And her ringlets—ah! if ye could but have seen them. They war’nt
twisted up like a nagur’s, but long and graceful with jist the slightest
twist to ’em, and as red as the fire in me own pipe.”
“It is strange you left her Teddy, if you held her in such high
estimation.”
“I didn’t hould her, she staid there widout the howlding. Ah! she was
the gal for me. I niver called on her but what we had a fight. We both
used a shillalah, and it was there I got the scientific touch of that
beautiful instrument. We always had black eyes after we left each other.
It was that what gave me the high respect for her, that I shall
entertain up to the day of my death.”
“But you haven’t told me why it is you left her society?”
“That was alas strange, but when I state the circumstances, you will see
how great should be my respect toward the young lady.”
“I’m anxious to hear it, I’m sure.”
“Wal!” proceeded Teddy, with another great sigh. “I called an her one
evening in the spring time of the year, when the flowers were in bloom
and the petaties were getting ready to be, I proposed that we should
have another set to, when we went at it right away. Begorrah but Bridget
got the best of me that time. She fetched me a whack over the eye afore
I knowed anything about what was comin’ and laid me out shtiff. When I
came to she was still lambasting me, and she kept at it, till I had to
lave the counthry to get away from her. Ah! me own swate jewil, if I but
had you here this minute,” sighed Teddy, after he had concluded the
narrative.
“What was the name of your love?” inquired Smith.
“Bridget Moghoghlmeoghan.”
By this time the gloom had become so heavy, that the heads of the two
Smiths could scarcely be discovered, as they stood at the prow silent
and faithful to their duties. The obscurity became greater and greater
until the hunter’s prediction was literally fulfilled. The prow of the
boat was a dim, vague, shadowy representation, whose outlines could not
have been defined, had not one known its identity. The shores had long
since faded from vision, that our friends were drifting helplessly
forward—knowing that if danger lay in their path there was no
possibility of discovering it, until they were fairly upon it.
Under these circumstances, the hunter considered the propriety of tying
to the shore until morning. If they could hit upon some retired spot,
where there was little probability of attracting attention, they ran far
less risk of being molested, than by continuing onward in this aimless
manner.
“What I’m the most afeard of,” said Napyank, “is that they’ll hear the
creaking of the oars. The night is very still, and such a racket as they
would make, a noise you could hear a half mile.”
“Be the same token don’t let ’em make any noise,” was the brilliant
suggestion of Teddy O’Donnell.
“Easier said than done. Then the splashing wo’d make; that would be just
as bad.”
“Can’t we work into shore gradually?” inquired or rather suggested
McGowan. “We can dip the oars very quietly and work them with great
care.”
“I can’t hardly think what to do,” said the hunter in some perplexity.
“I think, howsumever, we’ll go ahead for the present.”
“But the island.”
“That is the only thing that troubles me.”
“Most likely the current will drift us by that.”
“I hope it will, but it is powerful onsartin.”
After some further consideration, it was concluded that it would be best
to glide onward as they were doing at present, keeping in the meantime,
as close a watch as was possible under the circumstances for the island
that they all had so much reason to fear.
“The poorest part of this boat is the bottom,” remarked McGowan.
“We couldn’t get the proper timber, I remember we put in or two pieces
that I am anxious about.”
“That makes it worse nor I thought,” replied Napyank, betraying his
anxiety in his words. “By gr-a-c-io-us! if we should run into the
island, it would be sure to punch a hole in the bottom.”
“And what if we did, couldn’t we fill the same hool up agin?” asked
Teddy.
“Hardly——”
“Hello! what’s the matter with Smith?” interrupted the hunter.
“Here’s the island!” exclaimed the old man.
“Use your oar!” called Napyank, dipping his own deep in the water and
swaying it with all the force at his command.
And here a most unfortunate mistake occurred. The two Smiths worked in
one direction, and the hunter, assisted by his friends, in the opposite.
Before the error was discovered, the flat-boat swung around, and the
next moment went broad-side upon the island.
“By heavens! we have struck!” exclaimed McGowan.
“Yes; and the boat is sinking,” added the hunter. “Git the women out and
be powerful quick about it!”
CHAPTER IV.
ON THE ISLAND.—ENVIRONED BY PERIL.—SAD FOREBODINGS.—YOUNG SMITH’S
DESPERATE ADVENTURE.
It was an appalling fact that the flat-boat had staved in its bottom and
was rapidly filling with water. With one bound McGowan sprang to the
cabin and aroused the inmates. Before they were fairly arisen, he
discovered they were in no immediate danger. The bow of the boat rested
on the sand, while the stern had swung around and was settling some five
or six feet—a depth sufficient to carry the rear entirely below the
surface.
It was the work of a few moments, to land Mrs. Smith, McGowan and Ruth
upon the island. Napyank leaped down, and assisted them to the ground so
successfully that all landed dry shod. Their valuables (which being few
were indeed valuable) were speedily cast out and in fifteen minutes
after the flat-boat struck, its entire contents, both animate and
inanimate were upon the island.
“This is a little too bad,” said McGowan gloomily. “Those few rotten
planks have played the mischief. The boat can never do us any more
good.”
“Can’t yees repair it, as the cobbler axed the docthor after he’d
cracked his wife’s skull.”
“Repair it? No, we should never have started with such an old hulk as
that.”
“Perhaps now we’re near enough to the mainland to be able to wade over,”
suggested young Smith.
“Can’t do it,” replied the hunter shaking his head. “We’ll have to make
a raft and paddle over.”
“With the old hulk bulging up there, it will be sure to be seen in the
morning,” said McGowan gloomily surveying the dark mass of useless
lumber. “Can’t we shove it further back into the water, and let it sink
out of sight.”
“We will try it.”
The six men waded into the stream and pressed their shoulders against
the boat. Teddy’s first essay was accompanied by a slipping of the foot
which left him fall flat upon his face, where he floundered some time
before he regained his upright position.
The united effort of the half-dozen men failed to budge the craft. It
was as heavy and had settled so firmly that it was absolutely immoveable
unless by more strength than our friends had at their command. As Teddy
remarked, the “owld critter had sat down to stay.”
“We can’t do anything with it,” said McGowan, “and that being the case,
what shall we do with ourselves?”
“Get off the island as soon as possible,” replied young Smith.
“It is now so dark that I don’t suppose anything can be done before
morning,” added McGowan.
“Take things easy,” said Teddy. “Don’t you see we’re safer here than we
was on that owld mud-scar. We could go to the bottom of river wid that
any time; but here we can sleep as sound as snorting tapple.”
“We may as well make ourselves comfortable like till morning,” added
Napyank. “Fix up the women-folks, and we can take care of ourselves.”
The island was found to be larger than they had at first supposed. It
was more than an eighth of a mile from one end to the other, thickly
wooded, and covered with rank grass and a dense undergrowth. It was oval
shaped, and very regular in its outline, being rather more than two
hundred feet broad in its widest part.
“What a magnificent summer sate this would make for a gintleman like
meself,” said Teddy, as the two stood in the shadow of a tree, on the
lower part of the island.
“So it would,” replied young Smith. “I shouldn’t be surprised if it was
used for that purpose before many years.”
“Be the same token it’s the summer sate of a party of travellers at this
very minute, and it’s probable we’ll make quite a stay upon it.”
“I hope there ain’t any Indians looking at us,” said McGowan with a
shudder, as he glanced toward the shore of the dark and bloody ground.
“I am afraid for the women.”
“So does I,——but——”
“Look there!” exclaimed McGowan fairly springing off his feet.
“What? where? I don’t see anything.”
“Here! here! this way!” said he pulling his companion around. “’Tain’t
there——_it’s on the island_, right below us! look, can’t you see it?”
“I saas the traas and the fog and that’s all.”
“It disappeared the very minute you looked. There it is again! Now it’s
gone! I wonder what makes it act that way.”
“What is it, man, you’re making such a noise about?”
“Why sir,” said McGowan solemnly, “as sure as you and I stand here, I
seen a light moving about on the island.”
This being the case, McGowan and the two silent Smiths at once returned
to the women, while the others passed down the shore of the island. They
had gone a considerable distance in silence when young Smith suddenly
caught the arm of the Irishman like a vice, and without a word pointed
meaningly toward the trees where the alarming manifestations had first
been seen. There was no mistaking this time. Napyank saw a bright light
shining steadily through the trees—so brightly and steadily that he was
certain it could not be far from them. Moving back more closely under
the shadow of their own tree, he whispered,
“We must find out what the dogs are doing.”
“I say, there ought to be only one or two of us,” said young Smith.
“Suppose you let me and Joe go?”
“I can, to be sure, but then what use would it be?” replied the hunter.
“I can go, while you stay here and keep watch.”
“And where’s the naad of our keeping watch here?”
“You know some of the Injins might slip onto the island while I’m gone,
and it wouldn’t take them long to play the mischief with the women
folks.”
“Do yees do the same duty then, for I’m naaded ilsewhere, and here’s
good luck to yees,” said Teddy.
“But——”
But the Irishman and hunter disappeared.
“I hope they won’t get us into trouble,” said young Smith when he found
he was alone. “I think the Irishman ought to know by this time that we
do not relish his madcap scheme. I would never have come into such a
country as this if we were to be ruined by him. I don’t know about that,
either,” he added, after a moment’s thought; “I _did_ hate to see Ruth
go, and I don’t believe I could have contented myself at home. The dear
sweet girl! What a pity she should be subjected to this danger and
suffering and that, too, when we are so near our journey’s end.
To-morrow we should have been able to reach our destination if it had
not been for this bad accident. We have already enough,” he added, after
a moment’s pause, “to let us know we are in danger this very minute. I
understood Joe to say that this part of the river was the most dangerous
of any that he knew, so, I can’t see how we are going to get safely
through. God watch over the poor beings that are dependent under thee,
upon us for safety.
“I hope the Irishman has sense enough to keep his eyes about him,” he
continued. “That Joe was right in saying the crisis of the danger would
be reached to-night. We’re in the crisis I believe in this very minute.”
Young Smith was standing in the attitude of acute attention, every
faculty absorbed in the one of listening, when his whole being was
thrilled by the explosion of two rifles, followed by a succession of
horrid yells that made his very blood curdle! It needed no thought to
tell him that these came from the throats of the savages, and that the
worst that he had feared, had taken place.
His first impression was, that the two scouts had been discovered, and
fired upon, and that his own life was in peril. But, upon second
thought, he knew by the direction of the sounds, that they proceeded
from the lower part of the island, and that it was the friends whom he
had left behind, that were attacked. Believing then, that the scouts
were safe, for the present, he was debating whether to remain where he
was, until rejoined by them or to hasten at once to his friends.
He had not yet come to a conclusion, when a slight grating noise upon
the shingle of the beach caught his ear, and turning his head, he saw
that a canoe had just landed within a few feet of him, and, at that very
moment, two painted savages were in the act of stepping ashore. With his
heart in his throat, he moved around to the opposite side of the tree,
and watched the motions of these Indians.
They acted very deliberately, seeming to take no notice of the tumult,
which a moment before, had broken the profound stillness of stream and
wood.
They first pulled the canoe high upon the land, each took a rifle from
it, and then strode directly toward the tree which concealed the
apprehensive man. As they passed so near that he could have touched them
with his hand, he absolutely believed they would hear his heart beat.
But such a thing has never occurred, no matter how wildly that organ has
throbbed, and then the Indians who would have detected the faintest
sound, passed on, and disappeared in the wood of the island, without
once suspecting how nigh they had been to one of the very persons for
whom they were searching.
They had hardly gone when Smith stole cautiously forth to view, and
looking carefully about him detected Teddy stealing up to where he had
concealed himself.
“What did you see?” he inquired of the Irishman.
The latter looked carefully about him a moment before he made a reply.
“May our howly mother presarve us, but the island is full of the
haythen.”
“What is that light we saw?”
“It was the camp fire of a whole pack of the divils. But, we’re in a bad
fix.”
“Didn’t you hear rifles? They’re in a worse fix,” said young Smith, in
an under tone. “What’s to be done?”
“That’s what I don’t know. We must get back if we can, and see what the
outlandish divils have been at. _Yapnank_ has left me out there and
maybe he’s gone back already.”
They both started toward the upper end of the island, the Irishman not
disdaining to use the utmost caution. Every few yards he paused and
listened for the slightest warning of danger, and, so for Smith, he
expected in his excited condition each moment to see a whole horde of
screeching savages rush out from the trees.
Although naturally brave he had not as yet acquired that familiarity
with this species of danger to make him cool and collected.
The whole distance was passed without any further evidence of the
presence of the enemy. Upon reaching their friends they found them
vigilant and cool. They stated that a number of canoes had come from the
mainland, and after reconnoitering the flat-boat had discharged a couple
of rifles and then departed.
No one had been injured by the shots although they came dangerously near
the elder Smith. Napyank had not yet returned, and the young man could
see on the faces of those around him the impress of the most depressed
and saddened forebodings. Some of them, especially his own cherished
Ruth, was endeavoring to keep up a brave spirit, but none of them could
conceal the discouragement they really felt in their hearts. Young Smith
conversed with them in an under tone for a few moments and then withdrew
to a retired spot.
Scarcely knowing what he did he walked slowly out from the protection
which the tree afforded him, and stood on the moonlit beach. He placed
the stock of his rifle on the hard shingle, and leaning upon it gave way
to the most saddened meditations.
Just before him, as motionless as a rock, rested the hulk of the sunken
flat-boat. The soft ripple of the Ohio against the sand at his feet,
that deep hollow murmur of the great wilderness were the only sounds
that reached his ear; and these from their monotonous continuity, seemed
silence itself. The moon was nearly over head, shining in that peculiar
manner, that the river seemed to reflect more light than it received. A
few straggling clouds as white as snow-drifts, now and then floated
before the moon, and huge grotesque shadows glided over the island,
across the stream and into the wood like phantoms. On either side the
frowning forest rose like a wall of blackness, and seemed to close the
whites in an impregnable prison.
It was no wonder that the young adventurer felt gloomy and despairing.
It could not be otherwise than this, while within a dozen miles of the
settlement, and in the most dangerous portion of the river, an accident
should place himself and his friends in imminent peril, and make the
escape of all of them in it seemed to him, an utter impossibility. He
was in the midst of these gloomy forebodings, when the sound of a light
footstep startled him, and looking around, he turned to greet his
friends.
“Well, what have you discovered?” he added. “Are we alone in the
island?”
To his surprise he received no reply.
“What are our prospects of getting over to the mainland?”
As quick as lightning young Smith’s rifle was at his shoulder, and one
of the approaching Indians was shot through the breast. With a wild yell
he sprang high in the air and fell dead upon the sand. At the same
moment the white man saw something flash and heard a rushing sound close
to his face, followed by the splash of the tomahawk in the water behind
him. Clubbing his rifle he stood on the defensive, when he noted that
neither of the savages possessed a rifle, and conscious that he was more
than a match for the surviving one he made a rush at him.
The Indian turned to flee, and Smith had hardly started in pursuit, when
the report of a second rifle was heard among the trees, followed by a
series of whoops and yells as if a legion of demons had suddenly been
loosed. With a rare presence of mind the young man comprehended his
critical situation in an instant. The wood was swarming with Indians. If
he went a rod further his own destruction would be inevitable.
Wheeling around with such celerity that his momentum carried him nearly
off his feet, he flung his gun from him and ran for his life to the
flat-boat. Stepping one foot into the water he made a tremendous bound
and alighted upon the gunwale, the same as a bird would have done; and
then tearing his hat from his head, he concentrated all his energies in
the one effort and sprang full a dozen feet out into the river.
The instant he came to the surface he gasped for breath and dove again,
swimming while beneath the surface, as far out toward the Kentucky shore
as possible, repeating the manoeuvre several times, until believing that
he was at a safe distance from the island, he swam sideways and
anxiously surveyed it.
So prompt and rapid had been his movements, that he had not been seen,
and his own escape, if he chose to improve the opportunity given him,
was at least insured; but he would rather have been smitten by instant
annihilation rather than desert those he had left behind him. The
thought had never once entered his head.
He continued off the island until the current had carried him nearly
half way to the lower end when he cautiously approached the shore. As he
walked in under the shadow, several forms followed him like phantoms,
while as many more closed around him from the wood. He had taken but a
few steps, when he was startled by hearing a suppressed exclamation. His
apprehension told him at once that it was the voice of an Indian, and he
was moving away from the point from which it came, when he caught a
glimpse of the shadow-like figures around him, and saw that the most
dangerous crisis of his life was upon him.
The Indians had not yet surrounded him, and conscious that all depended
upon a quick and energetic decision, he made a dash toward the river.
The dense undergrowth at this portion of the island impeded the
movements of both pursuer and pursued; but the activity of the white man
was superior, and he was first at the beach, when making another
terrific leap, he bounded out into deep water and dove beneath the
surface.
While beneath the water, young Smith heard distinctly the dull report of
the rifles, and the skipping of the bullets as they glanced over the
water. Being a skillful swimmer, he turned upon his back, and as he was
borne along upward, he allowed only his mouth and nose to be exposed,
when inhaling a sufficient quantity of air, he again dove, and repeated
precisely the same manoeuvre that we have described before.
Finally believing he was once more safe, he allowed his head and
shoulders to come to view, and looked back toward the island. To his
dismay, an Indian canoe was within a dozen feet of him! Its occupants
descried him at the same moment that he discovered them, and now
commenced a most exciting race of life and death!
One minute would have decided the contest in the middle of the river,
but fortunately indeed, Smith’s efforts had brought him within a few
rods of the shore. Fearful of being fired upon he repeated his stratagem
of diving, and when he came to the surface, struggled frantically to
gain the shore, with the canoe darting forward like a shadow. As soon as
he could gain a foothold, he tore through the foaming water and dashed
into the woods, while the canoe was scarcely twice its length behind
him.
It was now only by the most skillful running, dodging and doubling, that
he succeeded in freeing himself from his agile pursuers. He had gone
fully half a mile in the forest before this was accomplished, but he
found himself at length entirely alone, and panting and exhausted he
seated himself upon the ground, to decide upon the next course to
pursue.
He could not think of leaving the island when he had every reason to
believe that all he held dear on earth was upon it. She whom he
cherished above all others on earth was there and in imminent danger.
And although there were more skilful arms than his left behind, still he
knew his presence and aid were sorely needed. He resolved to return.
With this determination he arose and retraced his steps. It is needless
to say he made his way as silently, stealthily and cautiously as he was
able to do, starting at every rustling wind and falling leaf. Upon
reaching the shore of the river, he found that he was above the island,
and wading it, swam out toward it.
He wished if possible, to recover his rifle and gain a glimpse of the
band of Indians who had so well nigh slain him, and who beyond all
question were plotting further hurt.
Steadying himself he allowed the current to carry him downward, and when
several rods distant, checked his motion, and took a survey of the
flat-boat and its surroundings.
He saw his rifle lying upon the beach, its ornamented stock and barrel
shining in the moonlight. After carefully surveying every portion of the
island that came under his observation, he detected no sign of danger,
and was about to let himself float forward again, when the lifted head
of a savage rose above the gunwale, and remained in view for fully a
minute.
As the moon shone fully upon the Indian he distinguished his features
plainly. He concluded at once that there were several others on the
flat-boat, and all waiting for his return. The savage gazed carefully
about him, and descrying nothing, his head disappeared from view.
“Ah, my fine fellow,” thought Smith, as he noiselessly swam toward the
Ohio shore. “You may watch there quite a while before you can catch me
in any of your traps.”
He now floated slowly down the river, keeping about midway between the
island and the Ohio bank, and so far as possible examined the former as
he passed the bank. Reaching its extremity he passed around it and
commenced ascending the opposite side, so as to complete his
reconnoissance. This was an extremely difficult task, and none but the
most powerful swimmer could have accomplished it. But he succeeded, and
finally “anchored” for a few moments, abreast of the flat-boat, while he
took another observation. He saw nothing more of the Indians, although
he believed they were still upon it.
He was convinced that the majority of the Indians were still upon the
island, and after floating somewhat lower, he landed at precisely the
same spot where he came so near being captured before. Feeling confident
that he had not been seen, he unhesitatingly came ashore and passed
beneath the shadow of the trees.
Upon coming from the water, his limbs were so heavy and felt so
exhausted that he threw himself upon the ground to gain a few moments’
rest. Despite the exciting scenes in which he had just participated, and
the terrible ordeal through which he had passed, he fell asleep almost
immediately.
It was in the midst of a fearful dream he was awakened by a grasp upon
his arm. Believing resistance to be useless, he lay motionless, waiting
for the command of his captors.
“Begorrah but bees you goin’ for to shleep a month whin your friends are
in the greatest anxiety on yer account, barrin the little blue-eyed
maiden that is the most anxious of ’em all.”
A moment later Napyank came from the trees and congratulated our hero on
his escape. He announced that their friends were withdrawn to a secluded
spot on the island, where they were to remain for the present, if
undisturbed by the Indians.
CHAPTER V.
SAD NEWS.—RECOVERY OF A RIFLE.
The dull gray light that now began to overspread the sky, gave token of
the coming day, and these whites withdrew further into the grove for
consultation.
“This is a bad business,” remarked young Smith, after he had exchanged
experiences with his friends. “The fiends have outwitted us at last. God
knows what will become of the others.”
As delicately as possible it was announced to young Smith that his
father had been slain. He was overcome for a few moments, but by a great
effort, he choked down his emotion. Finally he asked the particulars,
and said,
“Let us hunt him up and give him a decent burial. Poor mother. We can
find some means to scoop out a grave for him.”
The three moved away to the clearing, but, upon reaching it, nothing of
the body was to be seen. The Indians had carried it from the island.
“Perhaps it is as well,” said the hunter. “He is beyond all pain, and
suffering, and the disposal of his body can make no difference to him,
although I would that we could have done our duty to him.”
At this period the stricken man received the intelligence that at the
same time that his parent was slain, Ruth McGowan was captured. He
looked up with an expression of literal horror.
For a few moments nothing was said, and then the hunter, anxious to
relieve the suspense, clamped his rifle down upon the ground as he came
to a halt, and folding his arm over it, “Here we are, and the question
before this assembly is, how we’re going to get away. What do you
propose to do Teddy?”
“I advise that we ate breakfast.”
“The only objection to that,” replied Napyank, “is that we have nothing
to eat; but we must first go over the island again and learn if there
are any of the demons left. If not we must get on their tracks, for as
true as the heaven is above me, I’ll never go to that settlement without
Ruth.”
“I am certain—that is, as certain as I can be—that the last of the
Indians left the island a half hour ago. We saw their canoes going off.”
“It is best be certain. We will go to the lower end of the island, and
proceed to the upper end, to learn whether any of the reds are left, and
if——”
“And if—what then?”
“You will see,” replied Napyank, shaking his head very significantly.
At the extremity of the island the three separated, as had been
proposed, and commenced making their way back again.
In doing this, it was necessary to avoid exposing themselves, and from
the great caution that was necessary, the work was an entirely difficult
and tedious one.
It was not until full two hours had elapsed that three whites met on the
spot that had been designated as their rendezvous.
Their search, or examination, as it might be termed, proved that the
savages had indeed left the island, not a sign of one having been
discovered. They had probably done this under the belief that the whites
had succeeded in reaching the mainland, so that the latter were
convinced that if they kept themselves concealed during the day, they
would not be disturbed, and could easily get away when night came again.
The ashes of their camp-fire had been discovered, and blood upon the
leaves and other evidences of their recent visit.
“But, where’s your rifle?” asked Joe, who noticed that young Smith had
been unprovided with that weapon.
The latter looked through the trees.
“Yonder it lies this minute. Strange that they did not steal that also.
I will go and recover it.”
He paused ere he had passed out from among the trees, for the very fact
that the rifle lay there undisturbed, sent a suspicious pang through
him. It seemed probable that such an occurrence could be a mere
accident. A true Indian, rarely, if ever, committed such an oversight.
The rifle was magnificently mounted and would have been a prize to any
one.
There was another matter, which in Smith’s state of mind excited
suspicion and apprehension. He believed the gun did not lie on the
precise spot where he had thrown it. He recollected that he had flung it
with such force that it must have gone very nearly to the edge of the
beach, whereas it now lay either on the very spot that he had passed
over, or a few feet on the opposite side.
This circumstance, which at any other time, would have attracted no
attention at all, caused our hero much uneasiness. He felt that it was
by no means certain that every thing was right upon the island, although
it had just been proven, that their enemies had left it. It looked to
him as though a trap had been laid to ensnare him, and this rifle of
his, lying but a few yards distant was the bait.
Feeling very well convinced that there was some design in the presence
of the rifle, he set himself to work to discover the precise means by
which it was intended to entrap him. There being no Indians on the
island, of course he ran no risk of being taken prisoner, in case he
ventured out to secure the weapon. The distance from this point to
either shore was so slight, that it would have been the easiest matter
in the world for a concealed savage to pick him off.
Ah! the flat-boat! Smith’s heart leaped at the thought. Strange that it
had not occurred to him before. There it lay just as it had during the
night, save, perhaps, that it had sunk a few inches lower. It was upon
that he had seen the heads of several Indians, and there, in all
probability, they still lay in wait, watching for his reappearance.
What reason had the Indians to suppose that Smith would again return to
the island. The best of reasons. He had shown to them a desire to do so,
and as long as he believed that his friends were there, the savages well
knew he would linger in the vicinity. Once upon the island he would not
fail to recover his gun, provided he believed he incurred no additional
danger in doing so.
That, then, was the solution of the question. Taking all matters into
consideration, Smith came to the conclusion that it was their desire to
take him prisoner, instead of shooting him, deeming most probably, the
latter death far too comfortable a mode for him to use of getting out of
the world. He knew enough of the bloodthirsty savages to understand what
a terrible fate would be his, in case he fell into their hands. They
would take a fearful vengeance, for the Indian he had killed in
self-defence. Well, indeed had it been for the elder Smith, that he was
so speedily slain. It brought him a quick death, instead of a lingering
torture.
These reflections, which we recorded at some length occupied but a few
seconds. He saw everything with a hunter’s eye and with a shake of the
head, stepped back a pace or two, and resumed his position beside the
Irishman and hunter.
“What’s the matter?” asked the latter.
“It won’t do—it won’t do.”
“What won’t do? Do you mean to go out there and pick up your rifle?”
“Yes, that is what I mean.”
“What is to hinder?”
“I don’t like the looks of that flat-boat.”
“Whew!” blew the hunter, surveying the object in question as though he
had never seen it before.
“Why you don’t like it?”
“I am afraid there are Indians concealed upon the boat. I saw them there
last night.”
And now arose a dispute in which all three of the whites engaged. The
hunter, most certainly was the best qualified to judge, expressed it as
his firm conviction, that half a dozen Indians at least were at that
moment glaring out from the flat-boat, and waiting for their
reappearance. Teddy persistently maintained that there was but one
savage upon the raft, and that he lay in the cabin sound asleep! He
could give no satisfactory reasons to the others for this belief, but he
appeared sincerely to believe it himself.
Like all excited debaters, the longer they argued, they more strenuously
did each affirm his belief in what he first stated. How long the dispute
would have lasted, it is impossible to tell, had not the Irishman
proposed to decide it at once.
“Be jabers, it’s meself that ses there’s not more nor one haythen upon
the raft, and it’s meself that’ll prove it to yees.”
“How are you going to do it?” asked Smith.
“Why, like a gentleman, by walking out there and picking up the rifle
for yees.”
“That would be folly upon your part. The weapon is not worth risking
your life for.”
“I doesn’t intend riskin’ me life for it.”
“Well, don’t go Teddy; there is no need of it. I will give up my side of
the question and agree with you, if you will stay with us.”
“You will agree with me, will yees?” asked Teddy with a curious
expression of his fine blue eyes.
“Yes, if that will satisfy you.”
“It suits me to a tee. You agree with me then, when I say there isn’t
more nor one of the haythen within five miles. Begorra then, if that’s
what yees believes, what harrum can come to me in picking up yer gun for
yees alone! so here goes.”
The hunter placed his hand on the shoulder of the Irishman and
interposed.
“Don’t do it, Teddy; there is no need of it.”
“There is every need in the world for the young gentleman to have his
gun, and there is every need of my getting it for him, being as he’s
afraid to get it himself.”
“But it is too dangerous—it is too dangerous. I wouldn’t do it.
“Don’t make a fool of yourself, Teddy.”
“Why, by what token have ye any reason to object, bein’ that ye think
there is but one of the dogs on the boat and he sound asleep.”
“He might wake up and shoot at you. You might stub your toe.”
The Irishman was getting impatient. He waved them off, and stooping down
rolled up his pantaloons and put his cap on one side, so as to give
himself a saucy dare-devil air. Then, without any weapon at all in his
hand, and whistling “St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning,” he walked boldly
out on the beach and picked up the rifle of Smith.
It would be difficult to portray the emotion of the two whites as they
watched the reckless Irishman. They scarcely breathed as he walked away
from them, and with painfully throbbing hearts they kept their eyes
fixed upon his every movement. While in the act of stooping to pick up
the piece, the hunter thought his ear caught a noise upon the flat-boat,
and he turned his head away, not wishing to see the venturesome man shot
down. But while his eyes were still closed, Teddy reappeared beside him,
and with an exulting look handed his rifle to young Smith.
“What do yees think now?” he asked.
“I still believe there are savages concealed in that flat-boat; and they
only refrained from shooting you, in the belief that an opportunity of
taking you a prisoner would soon be given them.
“And as for me,” said the hunter, “I am morally convinced that a half
dozen rifles were ready cocked to blow your brains out; but they knowed
you’d come right into their hands, so they can afford to wait.”
“Be jabers I’ll soon find out!”
“How?”
“I’m goin’ on the owld flat-boat itself.”
If the two men had been earnest in the objections, to the venture he had
just made, they were nearly frantic in their efforts to restrain him
from this fool-hardy exposure.
CHAPTER VI.
A RECKLESS ADVENTURE.—CAPTURE OF TEDDY.—A VISIT TO THE
FLAT-BOAT.—THOUGHTS OF RESCUE.
Teddy announced that he intended visiting the boat for the further
purpose of “detecting the apparance of things generally.”
“You won’t do any such thing,” said Smith somewhat impatiently. “You
have already made a fool of yourself several times.”
“Be the same token I must then remain one, I suppose.”
“I object,” said the hunter, shaking his head, “it can’t do any good,
and it _may_ do a mighty sight of hurt.”
“And haow?”
“I will tell you. The redskins know that we three are bobbing round the
island, and so long as they know that, they will give us a wide berth.
They know that we’ve got some women with us, and a few more rifles too,
but it’s we three that are keeping them away. S’pose one of us gets tuk,
what’ll hinder ’em longer?”
“’Spose one of ’em doesn’t get tuck.”
“He will then be killed.”
“But there are no Injins there.”
It is a fact, that a man may commence with an assertion of absolute
falsehood and, conscious at the beginning that he is defending such,
argue himself in time, into the belief that it is truth. Then it was
that Teddy, as he stepped gaily out upon the beach, was greatly relieved
of anxiety by his own persistency in adhering to what he well knew was
error. He was well nigh convinced of what he had scarcely a hope before,
that there were no savages upon the flat-boat.
Teddy had walked two-thirds of the distance to the hulk, and was within
a few feet of the water, when he paused. He had discovered a startling
thing!
That which arrested the brave-hearted Irishman, was the sight of a tuft
of an Indian’s head, visible for one moment only just above the gunwale,
when it dropped suddenly from view again.
Smith and Napyank, noticing his hesitation, called out in a whisper for
him to return. This very call was the means of sending him forward
again. He was resolved that they should never laugh at this adventure,
and with rather a quickened step, he strode forward, and grasping the
gunwale with one hand, he carried himself with one bound, over upon the
deck.
He had left his rifle behind, and was armed only with his knife. His two
friends breathlessly watched him and listened. They saw his head and
shoulders gradually lower as he walked undauntedly toward the stern of
the boat, until the bow hid them from sight, and then all was still.
The silence lasted for perhaps, a full minute, and then was broken by a
yell as startling and terrific as an explosion of thunder in the clear
summer sky. Instantly a half dozen tufted heads was seen dodging hither
and thither over the deck, all centering around one burly, bareheaded
figure, that was struggling like a lion amid a score of enemies which
had dogged him nigh to death.
While the two men gazed transfixed with horror, a powerful-limbed Indian
shot up like a rocket in midair, and came down in the river. Ere he had
struck, another went spinning after him, falling flat on his face in the
water, with a concussion that cracked like a pistol. While they were
swimming with all speed, back to the boat, a heavy fall was heard, a
faint shuffling noise, and then all was still.
As the foremost Indian was in the act of pulling himself over the
gunwale of the flat-boat, he let go with a horrid whoop, and fell back
dead, shot through the brain by a bullet from the rifle of the hunter.
The other attempted to swim behind the stern, but Smith shot him ere it
could be accomplished.
There could be but one cause for the sudden cessation of the tumult upon
the flat-boat. Teddy had either been overcome or slain. The silence that
succeeded the fearful yell and struggle was equally painful to his two
friends. They waited long and impatiently for it to be broken.
“It’s all up with him,” whispered Smith, as he primed his rifle. “I pity
him, but our hands are clear of his blood.”
“Too bad, too bad,” muttered Joe, who had just loaded his rifle, “he was
a good fellow, my dear Teddy was indeed. I am sorry that he has come to
this bad end.”
“We must look out for ourselves, now. The best thing we can do, is to
get off this infernal island, which has been the scene of so much
misfortune to us, I am afraid that if we remain much longer, you will
take it into your head to perform some such feat, and I shall be left
alone.”
“No, indeed, I won’t; there is no danger of that,” replied Joe. “I’ve
lived long enough to larn common sense I think.”
“It is yet early in the forenoon, and I suppose we shall be compelled to
remain here until night.”
“Of course we shall! It won’t do to start out in the river in open
daylight. We’d be killed before we had gone a dozen yards.”
“Hello! did you hear that?” exclaimed Smith, with a start.
Several whoops were heard upon the Kentucky shore, apparently in answer
to those which had been uttered some minutes before, by the captors of
Teddy. Peering through the trees, Smith added,
“There is a party coming off in a canoe. Get ready for hot work.”
“There don’t seem to be any good chance to hide,” remarked Joe, glancing
around him, as though he cared little whether there was such place or
not.
“No, we must stand our ground; they have just started.”
The canoe which was approaching was a large Indian one, in which were
seated some three or four Indians, all busily plying their paddles. They
headed straight for the upper end of the island, while the whites stood
each behind a tree, with cocked rifles, waiting until they were
compelled to fire.
Just as the canoe seemed about to touch, it sheered off and ran
alongside of the flat-boat, where it lay against and parallel to it. The
heads of four savages immediately appeared above, as though they were
staggering under the weight of some heavy load. The next second, Teddy,
bound hand and foot, was handed over and deposited in the bottom of the
canoe. His friends could hear him muttering dire threats of vengeance,
and daring his captors to loose him for a moment, all of which, it is
needless to say, attracted no notice whatever from them.
The captive disposed of, the Indians followed, sinking the canoe to its
very gunwales. They paddled away toward the shore, and in a few moments,
disappeared from view.
“Now, at least,” said Smith, “the island and boat are free from the
imps, and we can have a breathing spell. Let us go upon the old hulk.”
“What in the world do you want to do that for?”
“It is the safest place.”
“I should like to inquire how it is.”
“In the first place, there is no one upon it, and in the second place,
as its sides are bullet-proof, we can use it as a fort, and keep off any
number of foe until dark, when we can get off ourselves.”
The hunter smiled grimly as if the conceit of the young man pleased him.
Adding that it was time they paid their friends a visit, he consented to
young Smith’s proposition.
It was with some misgiving, slight enough, but still sufficient to
occasion uneasiness, that the young man once more approached the
flat-boat. When he reached the deck, he experienced an irresistible
desire to explore every portion of it; not that he suspected the
presence of any Indian, but that he could not feel positively assured,
until he had done so. The result was, that it was found to be entirely
destitute of any persons except themselves. The cabin was half full of
water, and it was here that the Indians had concealed themselves while
their victim was approaching.
This proceeding of the two men, in taking possession of the old craft,
was the most prudent thing he could have done. Had the two remained upon
the island, they both would have been captured or shot, and the
destruction of the entire party completed; but, as one had remarked,
they had gained a fort where they could keep ten times their number at
bay.
To the infinite joy of both, Joe stumbled upon a loaf of bread, which
had escaped the eyes of the Indians. He pounced upon it greedily, and to
the two famished adventurers, it was a perfect godsend. This devoured,
and their hunger appeased—for it was an old fashioned loaf—both felt
hopeful again.
“If there were anything in the hulk,” said Smith, “we might stand a
regular siege, and bid defiance to the whole redskin nation.”
“There ain’t a single bit more,” replied Joe, “except a few crumbs upon
that shelf there.”
“Gather them up, gather them up; they may do us good.”
“I have gathered them up. I thought they’d git wasted, so I jest rolled
my tongue about the cupboard, and finished ’em.”
During this fragmentary conversation, Joe was constantly glancing about
the river to see that no foe approached them unaware. The sad experience
of the last few hours, had educated young Smith wonderfully. All this
time, the reader will have noticed, his actions were controlled simply
by necessity; he had taken no step except such as had been compelled by
a regard for his own personal safety. Now, that that was attended to, he
had leisure to look further into the future, and to reflect upon some
definite plan for the rescue of Ruth from the hands of the savages.
This was the great question, and it was this which troubled him sorely.
He could not think of leaving the neighborhood while she was a prisoner;
and yet he could see nothing at all, that he was able to accomplish
against the formidable band of savages. Although he pitied Teddy from
the bottom of his heart, it could not be suspected that under the
present circumstances, he could do anything toward his rescue.
Somehow or other, the thought constantly recurred to the young man, that
something important would result from the fact that the Irishman was a
fellow-captive with her. He was bold to recklessness, quick-witted, and
faithful, and more from the natural kindness of his disposition, than a
desire to return the interest shown in his own welfare, would he do all
in his power, to befriend the helpless captive.
There were two schemes that Smith and the hunter thought long and
earnestly upon. The first was to leave the flat-boat as soon as the
darkness would permit, and accompanied by all the remaining fugitives
make all haste to the settlement, and rally a large party of the
frontiermen, who would be able to overcome the entire force of the
Indians.
The main objection to the proceeding was, that it required too much time
for its execution. Ere the party could be raised the savages would have
penetrated so far into the labyrinths of the wilderness as to make
pursuit hopeless. If they chose they would have abundant time to reach
one of their towns, where it would require an army to dislodge them.
The other plan and the one which the ardent adventurer most favored,
was, to attempt to regain her by stratagem—to cross over to the
mainland, and to hang constantly in the vicinity of the savages, keeping
a watch upon their movements, and trusting to his own quick perception
and promptness of action, when the all-important occasion arrived.
The more he reflected, the more he was pleased with this project, and he
finally imparted it a final resolution to his friend.
“It’s running a great risk,” replied the latter, scratching his head;
“but I don’t see any other way of getting the gal; I’m with you in
whatever you want to do. You’re considerable green I allow, but you’ve
larned a powerful lot in the last day or two, and I think could manage
it. But jist now I’m right hungry.”
“We will find means to obtain that when we once get into the woods. For
the present we must bear our hunger patiently, and thank God we’re not
dependent upon the Indians for food.”
“I should like to inquire what time you think it is?”
“It must be considerably advanced in the afternoon,” replied Smith,
looking up at the sky. “The weather still remains clear, and there is no
evidence of an approaching storm. I am glad that there will be no moon
to-night. What we want is darkness—darkness.”
The afternoon gradually wore away, the sun went down, and evening once
more settled upon wood and river. The same silence as profound as the
tomb, held reign, and cautiously and silently the two whites let
themselves down from the flat-boat, and made their preparations to leave
the island, which had been the scene of such woe and suffering to their
little party.
CHAPTER VII.
DEATH AND CAPTURE.—THE COMPANIONS IN CAPTIVITY.
The reader will recollect, that a few hours after the flat-boat had
grounded, and when the moon had risen Napyank, Teddy and young Smith set
out to explore the island. McGowan and his family and the remaining
Smiths staid behind. The former had left the trees, and the two latter
were engaged in an affectionate earnest conversation, when some five or
six Indians appeared beside them. Before Ruth could recover her
self-possession, one of them raised his piece within a dozen feet of the
older Smith, and discharged it full at him, while several of the others
sprang forward and grasped her.
Smith was severely wounded and blinded by pain; he sprang up with
supernatural strength, and made off at the top of his speed through the
wood. He was pursued to the edge of the clearing, when he was despatched
with alarming celerity.
The savages who held the daughter prisoner, waited but a few seconds
when they embarked in their canoe, and crossed to the mainland. A
portion however remained upon the island, and we have recorded young
Smith’s adventures with them.
The Indians fully conscious that the whites were alarmed for their own
safety, despaired of capturing them upon the island by stratagem, and
were on the point of making a bold attack upon them, when eight stole
out on the flat-boat, and concealed themselves upon it, in the belief
that the whites would visit it by the succeeding day, at least, when
they would fall an easy prey to them.
We have shown how this stratagem partially succeeded. The head which
Teddy descried prepared him for danger, and he went over the side of the
flat-boat, in the full expectation of a “free fight.” He was somewhat
surprised on reaching the deck to see nothing of his enemies; but
rightly conjecturing that they were concealed in the cabin, he passed it
with the same impudent, swaggering air that he had left the island. He
was even whistling “St. Patrick’s Day” louder than ever.
Right abreast of the cabin door, a powerful half-naked Indian sprang up
and made at him. The Irishman caught a glimpse of several other tufted
heads, and springing like a panther upon the one in question, he lifted
him from his feet, and by sheer animal strength flung him over the
gunwale into the water. By this time a second Indian was beside him, and
as quick as lightning he was served in the same manner.
The bronzed heads were now coming up out of the cabin rather too rapidly
for the excited Irishman. Nevertheless it is by no means improbable,
that at the disadvantage which he had his enemies, he would have
successfully resisted them all, had not an accident turned the scales
against him.
It has been stated that Teddy had no weapon but his knife, and in the
melee he had not once thought of it, fighting, Irishman-like with his
naked fists. The third face that appeared above the deck received a
tremendous blow square on the nose, that completely mashed it; and
another terrific right-hander gave the fourth savage a glimpse of more
stars than are generally visible, and sent him as limp as a rag, back
among his fellows.
The fight now culminated in the most glorious fun that the Irishman
could have desired. He was striking out right and left his stunning
blows, when, concentrating all his strength in his right arm, he dashed
his fist at the savage who stood the tallest, intending to lay him
insensible, when the agile foe dodged him, and carried forward by the
momentum of his own blow, the Irishman went headlong right among the
redskins, where he was, pounced upon, and bound in a twinkling.
“Thrate me gintlemanly,” he exclaimed, “ye can’t say but what I did
yees; and dont come any of your tricks over me.”
The undaunted bravery and remarkable skill exhibited by the Irishman,
could but excite admiration in his captors; and actuated by that
chivalrous feeling existing in the breast of every brave-hearted being,
whether he be savage or civilized, they forebore heaping any insult upon
him, or offering him any indignity.
Some time after, the canoe came alongside, and he was handed over and
deposited in it.
“Handle me with care,” remarked Teddy, “for ye can’t say that I didn’t
handle yees in that manner. If ye don’t belave it look at them chaps’
noses there! Begorrah, but them’s the ornaments ye might be proud to
wear!”
Shortly after, the canoe touched shore, and the Irishman’s lower limbs
were unbound and he placed upon his feet.
“Just sarve my arms in the same manner,” said he, “and let’s pitch in,
in thrue style. Be the powers but I wants a little exercise, and that’s
the kind I always fancied. That’s what I took to when I was a wee
childer.”
It is not probable that the Indians would have heeded this request, even
had they understood it; but having no idea of the meaning of the words
addressed them, of course Teddy’s wish was not gratified.
Securely guarded by his captors, Teddy walked several hundred yards
through the woods when he came to the encampment of the savages. Some
six or eight were here waiting for their companions, so that the entire
party numbered about twenty, all of whom were congregated together.
Teddy’s great curiosity was to obtain a glimpse of his companion in
captivity, Ruth McGowan, and he was greatly disappointed and surprised
to see nothing of her. The Indians were gathered in an irregular circle
around the fire, some smoking, some chatting, and others apparently
asleep. While looking around him the Irishman’s eyes fell upon her, and
the cause of her escaping his notice was immediately manifest.
The savages had thrown a brilliant crimson shawl over her shoulders, and
her hair being as jetty black as theirs, and her head bowed, he had
taken her for one of their number when he had first looked upon them.
Ruth sat, as we have said, with her head bowed, for her heart was
stricken with grief. The picture of the old man, Mr. Smith, springing up
with his wild look, and running through the trees, pursued by his
merciless enemies, was ever before her. She could not drive it from her,
and shudder after shudder ran through her frame, and the tears trickled
thick and fast between her fingers.
How changed since yesterday! Suffering, misfortune and death had come
upon them, and separated her from him who was dearer than any relative
could be! All alone!—alone!
No, she was not all alone! There was One who was ever nigh her—who never
lost sight of His stricken ones, and who only could comfort her in this
dark hour which had come upon her. To Him she turned, as the human heart
will turn, when bleeding and lacerated, and refusing to be comforted by
any sympathy the world can give.
But it was hard to be separated from all kindred. The thought was
loathsome and full of abhorrence, that she, an unprotected woman, was
alone among a party of bloodthirsty savages. She hardly dared look upon
them, and yet looking through her tears, she ventured to steal a glance
at them. How her heart leaped as her gaze rested upon the broad, jovial
face of Teddy, the Irishman, his pitying blue eyes fixed upon herself.
Removing her hands, she looked up, and with a mournful smile returned
his nod of recognition. Comprehending the question her very looks
formed, the quick-witted Irishman replied,
“Yes, I’m the only one beside yourself that the haythen have, and they
wouldn’t have got me if I hadn’t struck at one of ’em and missed ’em. Ye
just keep quiet me jewil and you’ll hear of Teddy agin.”
A sort of consultation was now held among the Indians relating to the
prisoners, but to those who were not, the debate being as to what means
should be employed to capture them also. After a protracted discussion,
it was decided that the whole party, with the exception of enough to
guard the prisoners, should cross over to the island and boldly attack
them.
This decided upon, the preparations were instantly completed, and the
warriors moved down to the bank, leaving Ruth and Teddy to the
guardianship of two of their number. At the very moment of reaching the
river, they descried the two whites as they climbed upon the flat-boat.
This caused a halt and a further debate. Large as was the Indian party,
a majority were opposed on assaulting the stronghold. They had already
learned enough of their mettle to understand that this would be a
dangerous undertaking upon their part, and many more were convinced that
there was no hope at all, of success.
It was finally decided to give up the hope of securing the remaining
whites by this means. The sagacious Indians suspecting the relation
which existed between one of them and one of the captives already in
their possession, believed a much better opportunity would be offered.
Love will play the _wild_ with any man, and lead him to attempt deeds,
which, in his cooler moments, he would pronounce madness. So they were
content to bide their time.
CHAPTER VIII.
A NIGHT VOYAGE DOWN THE RIVER.—SINGULAR APPEARANCE.—THE DEPARTURE.
Huddled together in the densest portion of the wood on the island, were
the little band of fugitives. While the fitful tumult of deadly strife
was going on around them, they had been compelled to sit still and not
raise a hand either on the defensive or offensive.
To McGowan especially this was exceedingly galling. Strong, ambitious
and genuinely brave as he was, he longed to give the persecuting
redskins a taste of his temper, and more than once he clutched his rifle
with a resolve to go to the assistance of his friends. But there were
more helpless ones that it was his duty to guard. He had agreed to
remain by these unless called forth by imperative necessity.
The death of his old comrade Smith was a severe trial to him as well as
to his family. He was stricken down so suddenly that he had scarcely
time to realize it until now, when he sat quiet and meditative. Mrs.
Smith had been bowed with grief ever since. Her smothered sobs now and
then reached the ears and hearts of those around her, as she vainly
endeavored to keep down her emotion.
Abram Smith sat stern and silent, grasping his gun and looking around
him, as if longing for a chance to revenge the death of his parent. No
evidence of feeling escaped him, but “still waters run deep,” and there
can be no question but that the inmost recesses of his heart were deeply
stirred.
As the night advanced and darkness increased, the fugitives gathered
more closely together. In addition to the distress of mind they were
exceedingly hungry, and their condition was therefore as uncomfortable
as could be well imagined.
Suddenly a light footstep caught the ear of the two sentinels, and as
they looked up they distinguished two forms that glided insidiously
among them. The assuring voice of Napyank was immediately heard.
“Don’t be skeart; it’s us.”
“We are glad of your return; we’re beginning to get lonely.”
“And hungry too, I make no doubt.”
“You are right there, if you refer to myself, and there can be no doubt
but that the others are in the same condition.”
“Well, I tried to get you a bite, and succeeded, I think. It won’t do to
start a fire, so I’ll hand it round.”
“That is what you called a bundle of clothes?” remarked the young man.
“You were very prudent to say the least.”
The thoughtful hunter had managed to secure and cook some game, which he
passed around to the distressed fugitives. It was partaken of with a
keen relish, despite their gloomy situation, and each was filled and
refreshed.
“Now,” said McGowan, when they had finished, “it seems to me it is time
we began to think of getting from the island. God help poor Ruth! what
is to become of her?”
“She’ll be rescued,” was the hearty response of the hunter.
The agonized father caught at the words as a drowning man at a straw.
“And how can that be done?”
“In a great many ways; _it’s to be done_; that’s settled.”
“I don’t see Teddy with you.”
“He has gone after Ruth, and we are going to follow him in a few hours.”
“God grant you success.”
At this juncture Mrs. McGowan fell into such agonized lamentations that
all were compelled to quiet until she could recover. The hunter then
said,
“The Injins have all left the island, but there is no telling when they
may come back again. So the best thing we can do is, to leave it while
we have the chance.”
“But Ruth——”
—“Will be attended to. We are just going to put you into a place of
safety, where you can stay until we come back. There’s a considerable
slice of meat left, and we don’t ’xpect to be gone more than a day or
two, and maybe not as long as that.”
“How are we going to leave?”
“On a raft.”
“And have you it ready?”
“No; but won’t take us long. As you have been setting here a good while.
Suppose I take you and Abe to help me and leave young Smith to stand
guard.”
This was quite a relief to McGowan and Smith, and the proposal was
gladly accepted by them, while Stoddard, the younger, experienced a
mournful pleasure in remaining behind and attempting to comfort his
mother.
“I have noticed,” said the hunter, as they made their way to the upper
portion of the island, “that there is a powerful lot of drift wood lying
around here.”
“Can’t we get considerable material from the flat-boat?”
“Sartinly—sartinly; I didn’t think of that.”
“You have no fear of the Indians; have you?”
“I’m purty sartin there ain’t one upon the island, but I think they’ll
be back some time afore morning.”
“Then we can’t leave too soon.”
“You’re right this time.”
A few moments later and they reached the island’s margin, where the
great dark hulk of the flat-boat was seen grim and silent, as if it had
never looked upon the deadly affray between men. Cautioning his
companions to remain silent, the hunter made ready to board it. He
experienced some apprehension, as he cautiously walked toward it, and he
stepped a few feet in the water, placed his hand on the gunwale he
paused a moment and listened.
All was still save the soft wash of the current against the side of the
flat-boat.
Waiting but a moment, he leaped lightly over and came down upon the
deck. Even then he was somewhat apprehensive of danger. It was not until
he had traveled every portion of it, that he felt entirely free from a
shivering anticipation of a blow from behind. Firmly convinced at length
that he was alone upon the unlucky craft, he called his companions to
approach. By their united efforts they loosened the cumbersome roof of
the cabin, and let it into the water. It was their intention to let it
down easily, but its great weight precipitated it into a loud splash
that caused each to start with alarm.
“We must be expeditious,” said McGowan, who seemed to be in a constant
dread of the return of the Indians. “They’ll begin to suspect something
is going on, and there’ll be half a hundred over here before we know
it.”
“Don’t be too skeart,” said Napyank, who was ever cool and collected.
All three busied themselves in collecting the driftwood. A large portion
of this consisted of goodly-sized trees, which had lain in the sun until
thoroughly dried, and was therefore as buoyant as cork. These were
secured together by withes until a goodly-sized craft was constructed.
“It will take more wood than we can get to float all of us.”
“What shall we do?”
“We have enough to float the two women. The rest of us must keep in the
water and swim along with it.”
To test the structure all three got upon it and floated downward by the
island. It bore them well, and gave them considerable confidence in it.
At the lower portion it was drawn upon the beach, and Smith remained to
watch it, while the others went into the wood in quest of their friends.
The latter were found quiet and patient, waiting for the summons to take
them from the island. No time was lost by delay, and it seemed to the
silent Abram that his comrades had been gone scarcely five minutes, when
they all came silently out of the wood and stood beside him.
The darkness by this time had so increased that the objects were
scarcely visible a dozen feet away. This was all the more favorable to
the fugitives who fully appreciated the importance of improving this
advantage that might not come to them again.
Some delay was occasioned by the timidity of the females who were
fearful of trusting themselves upon the raft. It was not until the
hunter and McGowan had demonstrated their buoyancy, that they were
willing to trust themselves to the current. The rifles of the party were
placed upon the raft, and shoving it gently forth the entire party
commenced floating down stream.
The four men clung to the raft with their hands, it being scarcely
disturbed by the additional weight. McGowan was the only man who was
unable to swim. As he was carried off his feet and appreciated that he
was really beyond his depth, a shiver of terror ran through him that
almost unmanned him. None around him saw it, as he regained his usual
self-possession in a few moments.
For the space of twenty minutes the party glided forward in this
singular manner without a word being spoken, when suddenly Joe Napyank
whispered, “Sh! down! quick!”
The females did not comprehend him, until he repeated his order more
energetically than before, and reached over the raft and twitched their
clothes. They then reclined upon logs, but their curiosity was
sufficient to tempt them to look around, and endeavor to learn the
meaning of this sudden command.
Neither of the females nor those who had heard the word of caution,
comprehended the cause of it. Young Smith and McGowan especially were
puzzled. They peered into the surrounding darkness, but failed to detect
anything. Stoddard was on the point of questioning the hunter, when
through the deep gloom he discovered a bright point of light, slowly
passing over the surface of the water. It had not the twinkle,
glimmering glow, such as a lantern or a star would naturally have made;
but it burned with a mild steady light similar to that of an ember.
What puzzled the whites was to tell the distance this was away. Stoddard
and Smith at first glimpse thought it within thirty feet, but
continually after it seemed fully a hundred yards. Regularly forward it
continued to glide, until finally it disappeared as if it had been the
ember of a torch suddenly thrust beneath the surface of the water.
During all the time not the slightest ripple was heard as explanatory of
the singular occurrence. Smith turned toward the hunter,
“What is the meaning of that?”
“Some more of the blasted heathen.”
“How, I don’t understand.”
“In a canoe. Didn’t you see ’em?”
“I saw nothing but the light.”
“One of ’em was smoking—that was what you seen.”
“How far away were they?”
“Just make a guess.”
“A hundred yards I should say.”
“What do you think?” added the hunter addressing McGowan.
“I should say fully that, if not more.”
Joe indulged in a suppressed laugh before he made answer.
“You’re both mistook. I could put out that pipe with a mouthful of
tobacco juice.”
“Impossible! they must have been within a dozen feet of us—not a bit
more.”
“And they wan’t neither. Didn’t you see the canoe?”
“I never once caught sight of it!”
“I seen it as it went by.”
“What a narrow escape!” exclaimed McGowan, appreciating the great danger
which had passed them so closely.
“How did you know they were coming?” inquired Stoddard.
“I hear the noise of their paddles.”
“You have sharper ears than any of us if that is the case.”
“Not at all; I expected maybe there was something up, so I jest let my
ear drop below the surface, and then heard the paddles. You could have
done the same if you only thought of it.”
“But we did not; which is generally the difference between us. They
might have run into us before. I should have seen them.”
“Just let your ears drop under water, and tell me whether you can hear
anything,” said the hunter.
Stoddard Smith did as was requested, and detected faintly but distinctly
the dip of a paddle. He spoke in considerable excitement,
“They’re coming back again.”
“Not quite, I guess; it is the same ones going away.”
“God grant they may remain away,” exclaimed McGowan, in an under tone,
“They have caused us enough agony already.”
At this juncture the hunter admonished silence, and for some time
nothing more was said. Soon, however, young Smith observed Joe
struggling as though he were endeavoring to change the position of the
raft.
“Make for the Kentucky shore,” he whispered. “It is time we began to
hunt the land.”
“Do you want to go in at any particular spot?”
“No; you need not work very hard. Shove the thing gently and we’ll land
soon enough.”
It was not long before the great wall of overhanging trees was
discernible, and simultaneously all three felt their feet touch bottom.
The water, however, was of sufficient depth to float the raft to shore,
and it was run directly under a morass of overhanging limbs and
undergrowth. This accomplished, the entire party landed.
“Now, what is to be done?” queried McGowan.
“Sleep? all of you.”
They were tired and exhausted, and the females making themselves as
comfortable as possible, dropped off into a profound slumber. Abram
Smith shortly followed them, so that the two adventurers and McGowan
were the only ones who remained awake.
“Now,” said the hunter, addressing McGowan, and speaking in a manner
that showed he was conscious that all looked to him for advice and
direction in this hour of danger, “there is no telling how long we may
be gone; so you must not be frightened if you do not see us for two
days. I have left you enough meat to last you, if you are saving. There
is plenty of game about you, but you must starve to death before you
risk a shot. If you can fix up any contrivance to fish you can do so,
but you mustn’t build any fire unless it’s during the day time, and then
be powerful careful about it.”
“Joe, we are but a short distance off from the settlement; why not float
on. We would reach it by morning—would we not?”
“I have been thinking of that. In the first place, you couldn’t reach it
by morning; it would take you well into to-morrow. You would be pretty
sure to be seen, and a single redskin would have you at his mercy.”
“But we might go into shore, as we have just done, when we found day was
breaking.”
“You might and you might not. Stay here until next night after to-morrow
night; if we don’t appear by that time, swing loose and do the best you
can to reach the settlement; but don’t go before that time.”
“Good bye, and God be with you, and grant that you may be the means of
restoring my dear Ruth to me.”
Exchanging farewells, Stoddard, Smith and Napyank, the hunter, plunged
into the woods and embarked upon their perilous undertaking.
CHAPTER IX.
IN THE DARK AND BLOODY GROUND.—THE SEPARATION.
As the Indians had invariably come from, and returned to, the Kentucky
side of the river, our friends concluded that the entire war-party was
upon that shore, and it was therefore determined in leaving the island,
that they should cross over to the same bank.
We have detailed the manner in which this was accomplished, and stated
how the fugitives securely sheltered themselves in the wood, while our
hero and the hunter started upon their undertaking, which, when all the
circumstances connected with it, are considered can be termed as nothing
more nor less than simply desperate. Two men, one of whom was almost
entirely unacquainted with woodcraft, were about to attempt to rescue a
captive from the grasp of a larger party of fierce and vengeful Indians.
The night was of inky darkness; the most favorable that the two
adventurers could have desired. This fact, together with that of the
Irishman being a prisoner among the same redskins who held Ruth may be
said to have determined the two to make the attempt as they did. Teddy
was quick-witted, and had encountered savages until he knew them “like a
book.”
Beside this, as we have hinted in another place, Stoddard Smith was led
by the controlling love toward Ruth McGowan. So long as she was a
captive in the hands of those who knew no mercy, so long would he be
unable to find rest for the soles of his feet. No; he fully resolved
that she should be rescued, or he should perish with her!
The darkness being so intense, young Smith experienced considerable
difficulty in making his way through the wood. He bumped his head
several times, before he dare rise to a perfectly upright position, and
then could only discern the dim, shadowy form of his companion beside
him.
“Whatever happens, or whatever you see,” whispered Joe, “don’t speak or
start.”
“Drat that limb! it has nearly sawed my neck off!” he involuntarily
exclaimed, forgetting the caution he had just received.
Knowing that the current must have carried them a considerable distance
down the river, the hunter used the bank as his guide, and ascended a
considerable distance, before he began to look about him for the
savages. After having progressed somewhat over a quarter of a mile, he
caught the glimmer of a light through the trees, and touched Smith upon
his arm, as a caution for him to be upon his guard.
Making their way carefully through the tangled undergrowth, through
hollows and over fallen trees, across brooks and miry patches of earth,
they at length stood within a hundred yards of the Indian camp-fire.
Napyank’s heart sank within him, for he understood at once, that the
war-party had divided, and that neither of the captives was before him.
When had the separation taken place? What direction had the other taken?
How could its trail be gained?
There were questions which instantly presented themselves to the
hunter’s mind, and which, for a long time, he was unable to answer. Amid
the profound darkness which held reign, it was very obvious that nothing
could be done. Even the full, bright moon, was unable to penetrate with
its light, the solemn labyrinth of the Dark and Bloody Ground. Nothing
could be done until morning.
As neither Joe nor Stoddard had enjoyed any sleep for many hours, they
both felt fatigued, despite the exciting situation in which they were
placed. Withdrawing a considerable distance farther into the forest,
they both lay down beside an uprooted tree, and were almost immediately
locked in slumber.
The sleep of Smith was deep and dreamless. It was not until the sun had
been up several hours, that he opened his eyes. As soon as he recovered
from his temporary bewilderment, he arose, chagrined that he had lost so
much valuable time. To his surprise, upon looking around, nothing was
seen of Napyank. Thinking, however, he should not be far away, he seated
himself upon the tree, to wait for his return.
An hour passed away, and still no sign of his missing companion. The
young man had whistled, and given utterance to all the signals he had at
his command, but had elicited no response. He was now alarmed and
greatly vexed; alarmed at the singular disappearance of his friend, and
vexed that now, when every minute was of the utmost value to him, he was
thus compelled to remain and accomplish nothing. At length his patience
became exhausted.
“There is no use of remaining behind,” he muttered. “The Indians have
gone, and every minute places them further from me. I will follow them
alone, relying upon my own arm, and the kindness of Heaven, for
success.”
Throwing his rifle over his shoulder, he moved resolutely off, resolved
never to turn his back upon his enemies, until he had learned something
of the fair captive they held. It was a desperate proceeding, indeed,
for a single man thus to pit himself against a whole party of redskins,
but our hero felt no hesitation in doing it.
It was now, too, that Stoddard began to experience the pangs of hunger.
He had eaten very sparingly the night before, in order that the others
might not want, and was so famished, that he determined to secure some
food at all hazards. At the period of which we write, game was very
abundant in this portion of the West, and the decision had scarcely
entered his mind, when several wild turkeys, their wings outspread, and
their feet scarcely touching the ground, sped along within a stone throw
of him. As quick as thought, the foremost was shot and in his hand.
The instant that Smith had secured his game, he regretted having
discharged his piece, for he felt certain he had exposed himself to
danger. Some of the Indians must certainly be within hearing, and would
be attracted thither, by a suspicion of a true state of the case.
To guard against capture, he made all haste through the woods in the
direction of the camp-fire, which had been deserted by the savages, in
the belief that this would be the last place where his enemies would
seek him. Upon reaching it, he was gratified to find a large quantity of
live coals, and without hesitation, he plucked, dressed the turkey, and
proceeded to cook it.
The bird afforded him a most needed and nourishing meal, beside
furnishing enough for future use; and now, that his immediate wants were
attended to he set to work in earnest upon the all important object that
has brought him thither.
In the first place, it was necessary to discover the trails of the two
war-parties, and in the first place, he failed completely. Although
gifted with more than ordinary intelligence, shrewdness, and cunning, he
had not yet learned enough of wood-craft to follow the faint footsteps
of the wild Indians through its labyrinths, when the traces left, were
so faint that the human eye, unless trained by an experience of years,
could not detect the least signs of the passage of any one.
Had the Indians proceeded with their usual caution, it would have been
absolutely impossible for our hero to have followed them a hundred yards
through the wilderness. But, believing that no enemy, that need cause
them the least uneasiness, was in their vicinity, they straggled forward
as carelessly as a party of school boys. This only, was the reason why
our hero was enabled to follow them.
Smith, under the belief that they had penetrated further in Kentucky,
for a long time examined the ground only upon that side of the fire. His
efforts meeting with no success, he resorted to the opposite side, where
the trail was discovered at once. It being impossible to find any
further signs of the passage of the Indians in any other direction, he
concluded that both parties must have gone this way, which, somewhat to
his surprise, led toward the river. Keeping along on the trail, he
found, as he had feared, that they had embarked in their canoes, and
gone either up, down or across the stream.
“And how am I to tell which way?” he muttered, “I must run the risk of
getting the wrong choice out of these three.”
Smith, under ordinary circumstances, certainly would have been
discouraged at the formidable obstacles which now rose before him; but
one of his temperament, could never rest while the object of his choice
was captive in the hands of the savages, and he, therefore, did not
think of returning back.
“They cannot have gone up the river,” he reflected, “because they have
come from that direction. And yet, what reason is that why they should
not have done so? Still it strikes me that they have not taken that
course. They could have gone much more rapidly overland. If their
destination is in Kentucky, it surely is not on the bank of the Ohio; it
must be a good distance back from the river, so that they would only
have lengthened their journey by taking to the water. From all that I
have heard or read of these Shawanoe Indians, I have been led to suppose
that although they range at will on both sides of the river, still their
towns and villages, and their homes, in fact, is in southern Ohio. And
what more natural, now, that they have secured their prisoner, than that
they should return to their home as rapidly as possible? Such, it seems
reasonable to believe, is the true state of the case, and I must cross
the river again.”
Stoddard was upon the point of venturing into the river, when his
attention was arrested by a loud splash in the direction of the
flat-boat, and to his surprise, he descried several Indians upon it.
Finding that he was not observed, he drew back and watched their
actions.
A glance convinced him that they belonged to the same war-party of
Indians, and were searching the craft for plunder. They had thrown over
a sort of bench, which was fastened—bottom upward—to the stern of the
canoe. There were some half dozen savages, who, a moment later, shoved
off, and paddled down stream.
Their light craft shot rapidly forward, inclining neither to one shore
nor the other. From this, his belief that the main body had crossed the
river, was changed in the conviction that they had all gone down stream
in their canoes; and that all that remained for him to do, was to keep
these redskins in sight.
This was a difficult task indeed. Under the skilful guidance of the
sinewy Indians, their canoe skimmed like a swallow over the water, and
it required the most strenuous efforts of Smith to keep it in sight.
Fortunately indeed, the wood, a few yards from the shore, was open, and
his footsteps were not much impeded.
Hurrying thus forward, now and then darting to the river bank, he kept
up the pursuit for five or six miles, the canoe all the time gaining
upon him, until finally he lost sight of it behind a bend in the river.
Our hero was panting and perspiring, and in no pleasant mood, that,
after all his efforts, he was compelled to fall behind; and he relaxed
into a sullen walk.
“It seems as though everything is conspiring against me,” he muttered.
“I have done everything in my power, and here I am at last, left
entirely alone, without knowing whither a single one of my friends has
gone. It matters little what becomes of me. A curse upon the infernal
Indians that have persecuted me thus!”
He walked moodily forward for an hour or so, by which time he had passed
the bend in the river, around which the canoe had disappeared. The river
at this point took a due southwest direction, running so nearly
straight, that a view of several miles was afforded. Nothing of the
canoe, however, had been seen. It had gone he knew not where.
Wearied and dispirited, he threw himself upon the ground, and endeavored
to sleep. But he was too excited and nervous to rest; and devouring what
he could, of the remaining portion of the turkey, he threw the rest from
him, and leaned his hand, to reflect upon the best course for him to
pursue.
He had lost all traces of the Indians and their captives. How he should
ever meet Ruth again, it was impossible for him to imagine. In the
impenetrable depths of the great wilderness which surrounded him, where
the merciless redmen wandered for miles, how could he, a single,
unaided, white man, follow them? And even should he chance upon them,
how could he wrest a captive from their jealous grasp? What would be her
fate? A drudge, a slave, but he hoped no worse unless she voluntarily
took to herself an Indian husband. They might tomahawk or scalp her, but
he believed they would do no more. But Smith believed that the honor of
his betrothed was safe in the hands of her deadliest enemies. This
knowledge afforded him unspeakable satisfaction.
And then there was the mysterious disappearance of Joe. Where could he
have gone in the night? Could it be possible that he, too, had fallen
into the hands of his foes. Had they gained all of the whites except
himself? Had they——?
The explosion of a rifle broke the stillness of the woods, and springing
to his feet, Stoddard hurried madly forward scarcely conscious of what
he was doing. After running a short distance, he paused, and parting the
bushes gazed upon a scene that thrilled his very being with the wildest
of thoughts.
CHAPTER X.
A VAIN HUNT.—THE INDIAN CAMP.—DISCOVERY.—PURSUIT.—DESPERATE CONFLICT.—A
MEETING.
Joe Napyank, the hunter, was a possessor of a peculiarity, which, with
those of his profession, is certainly rare. He was a somnambulist or
sleep-walker. This affliction—as it may perfectly be termed—had taken
him in extreme peril on several occasions. It once made him a prisoner
among the Indians and it once effected his escape.
Joe was generally affected, when he had undergone some severe
deprivation such as hunger or thirst. He lay down with Smith, and for
several hours slumbered peacefully. But finally, while in a state of
coma, rose to his feet and made off. He awoke to find himself lying at
the foot of a tree, with a sensation of hunger, strong, gnawing hunger,
a craving that demanded instant satisfaction.
He knew all at once that he had been indulging in one of his nocturnal
walks and he therefore lay still until morning, by which time he had
become so ravenous that he would have made a respectable cannibal, and
despite the imperative necessity of his immediately rejoining Smith,
everything else gave way to the necessity of food—food—food, was what he
must have.
Impelled forward by this blind craving, he forgot his usual caution and
paid little heed to his footsteps. The truth was his mind was in a
morbid condition, and he was not prepared to act coolly and
deliberately. His sensation was that nothing could be done until he had
satisfied this greatness of his system. After that, he could rejoin his
young friend, and they two could carry out the objects of their
expedition.
While thus wandering carelessly forward, his excited imagination
detected a faint gobble in the wood as if a turkey were lost and was
signalling to its companions; and proceeding stealthily onward, he
suddenly came upon a large gobbler that was wandering disconsolately
about as if utterly lost. Before it could get out of his reach, Joe had
forgotten his usual prudence, and discharged his piece, succeeding in
nothing more than wounding it.
It started off on a rapid run, and fearful that it would escape him, if
he paused to load his piece, he dashed after it at the top of his speed,
and now began an exceedingly interesting chase or rather race.
All things considered, perhaps in the condition of the gobbler, the
hunter could outrun it, that is when both possessed the same advantage;
but the bird had a way of slipping through the undergrowth, dodging
under bushes, and trotting over fallen trees as though they were not
there, that gave him a great advantage over his pursuer.
The latter tore headlong through the bushes, sometimes a rod or two in
the rear, sometimes almost upon it, his hope constantly maintained at an
exciting point, by the hair-breath escapes it made from him. More than
once, he made a resolute leap forward, and, as he nearly stumbled,
caught perhaps the tail feather of the bird, while the creature itself
glided through his grasp, leaving a most vivid impression of its
tapering form upon his hands, which had slipped over it so nicely. Then
again perhaps he struck at it with his rifle and pinned another feather
to the ground.
It is a fact, to which all hunters will testify, that, in the exciting
pursuit of their game, they can travel mile after mile with hardly any
sensible fatigue. It is not until the hunter comes to retrace his
footsteps that he comprehends how great a distance he has passed over.
The attendant, perhaps whose mind does not participate in the same
excitement, is exhausted even in following the hunter.
Thus it happens that Joe, who would not have believed he had gone more
than three-quarters of a mile, chased the bird for fully a half-dozen
times that distance, at the end of which it did not manifest the least
fatigue, the wild turkey, as our readers are aware, being a noted
runner. With no thought of giving it up, Joe still pursued it at the top
of his speed, occasionally making a leap forward at it, and the bird as
often as cleverly eluding him as ever.
Suddenly he caught the shimmer of something through the trees, and saw
that they were approaching the banks of a river. He was now sure of his
bird; he had fairly earned it, there was no escape for it; and his
torturing hunger was about to be satisfied.
Gracefully and majestically, as the bird reached the river margin, it
spread out its wings, and, sailing through the air, landed upon the Ohio
side and disappeared in the woods.
Considerably chagrined,—as who would not have been?—he turned back into
the woods to cogitate upon his future action. Then, as he looked about
him, he saw that he was lost. He might retrace his trail, but he now
comprehended that he had passed over too great a distance to make this
advisable.
While thus debating with himself, he detected a peculiar smell in the
air, which he understood, at once, was caused by a camp-fire. Knowing
full well that he was in a hostile country, he kept a sharp look-out
upon his footsteps.
It turned out as he had suspected. He was close upon an Indian
encampment. He caught a glimpse of the gaudy fantastic costumes of the
savages through the trees, and approaching as nigh as he could, he
concealed himself, and surveyed them as well as his position could
admit.
It was with a singular emotion that the hunter recognized this party, as
the identical Shawanoes for whom he was searching, and who held Teddy
and Ruth as captives. The party seemed to have lost several of their
number—a half dozen or so—but there was no mistaking the others. The
keen eye of the hunter recognized them at once. What surprised him still
more, was that neither of the captives was visible. What had become of
them? Had they been sent in advance in charge of a smaller party? What
possible cause could the savages have for taking such a step?
These questions ran rapidly through the mind of the hunter, but there
was another which unpleasantly protruded itself, and that was the one in
regard to obtaining food for which, if possible was growing greater.
There seemed to be but one course left for him and that was to take to
the woods again. He was on the point of doing so, when he detected an
unlooked for opportunity.
More than once he was sure he detected the smell of burning meat and the
cause of it was soon explained. Some twenty rods or so away from the
encampment of the savages, was a smaller fire at which a single squaw
had momentarily abandoned her post, and the tempting prize was left
unguarded.
The temptation was too great for the naturally cool-headed and cautious
hunter. Running back into the woods a few rods, and totally unmindful of
his imminent danger, he came in the rear of the fire, snatched the meat,
and seating himself upon the ground, commenced devouring it like a wolf.
The first mouthful was dropped most suddenly, it being so hot that his
tongue was blistered. But he soon became used to, and in a few moments,
had swallowed the entire piece, and was in the act of wiping his fingers
upon his hair, when a shrill swoop broke the stillness of the woods, and
turning his startled gaze, he saw the wrathful squaw standing within a
few feet of him.
With the ear-splitting screech of this creature, Joe Napyank, gained
like a flash of lightning, a true idea of the fool-hardy recklessness he
had displayed. Her outcries were continued and immediately attracted the
attention of the Shawanoes, who had caught a glimpse of the white man,
as he was rising to his feet, and their fleetest runner started in
pursuit.
The hunter’s frame was gaunt and muscular, and he was sinewy and
fleet-footed. His Indian experience also had given him great endurance,
and he now darted off in the woods at a rate that excited the admiration
of his pursuers. The three separated, so as to make sure of the
fugitive, and called all their energies into play to overtake him.
The forest for a considerable distance was open, and afforded a good
field for the runners. The distance between Joe and the savages remained
about the same for some five or ten minutes, when one of the latter
discharged his rifle, and the white sprang high in air with a loud yell.
But he hadn’t been struck. It was only a habit he had gained years
before. The report of the gun gave an impetus to his flight which soon
carried him far ahead of the redskins. Dodging hither and thither,
flitting in and out among the trees, it was impossible for the latter to
gain anything like an accurate aim, and they did not repeat the attempt
to bring him down.
All was now going well for the fugitive, and he would have escaped had
he understood the woods. But his ignorance was fatal. Directly ahead of
him was a deep gorge, or ravine toward which the Shawanoes had managed
to direct his footsteps, and unconsciously to himself he was running
directly into a trap.
It was not until he was upon the very brink that Napyank comprehended
his peril. His hair fairly rose on his head, as he glanced about him. To
the right or left, stretched the deep yawning gorge, too broad to be
leaped over, and offering no means of access except a sheer precipice,
down which it would have been certain death for him to have gone. Escape
was cut off! There was no help for him! He was fairly at bay!
“It’s all up!” he muttered, wheeling around and placing his back toward
the gorge. “Joe Napyank is fairly cornered and now there is going to be
a row!”
The three Shawanoes, as we have already stated, had separated during the
pursuit and were now quite a ways apart. The center one being directly
in the rear, was the closest to the fugitive, and came up to him,
considerably in advance of the others. This was fortunate in one sense
for the hunter, as for the time, he had but a single opponent with which
to contend.
The lithe, agile Indian was all eagerness to secure the white as his
capture, and forgetful of the axiom “a stag at bay is a dangerous foe,”
that is, if he had ever heard it, he halted not in the least, but came
at full speed toward him. When within a rod or two, he whirled his
tomahawk in a circle over his head, and hurled it with tremendous force
full at the breast of his dauntless adversary. The latter from the
motion of his arm comprehended what was coming, and dodging his head
with lightning-like quickness, the weapon flashed over him, and went
spinning end over end down the ravine.
Both the combatants had dropped their rifles and drawn their knives.
With an exultant shout the warrior leaped forward, and swinging his
knife, sprang upon his adversary. In a twinkling both were disarmed in a
singular manner.
It so happened that the two struck at each other at precisely the same
moment, the knives encountering with such force, that the Shawanoe’s
shot out of his hand, and followed his tomahawk down the ravine, while
the hunter’s was turned with such suddenness that it fell to the ground
several yards distant. Both were now entirely disarmed, and glancing at
each for a second like infuriate tigers, they closed in the struggle of
life and death.
In point of strength the two were very nearly equally matched. Joe had
the advantage of being an expert wrestler, while the savage was a
perfect novice. The hunter had scarcely grasped him in his long arms,
when, with a peculiar thrill, he felt that the victory was his own.
By a trick, or rather act, well known to skilful wrestlers, the white
man twisted the redskin off his feet, and throwing him with stunning
violence upon the ground fell heavily upon him. Permitting him to rise,
he repeated the thing again and again, until the savage became so
exhausted as to be perfectly helpless.
The cunning Shawanoe had noticed where the knife of his adversary lay,
and each time that he went down, he managed to work himself nearer it.
The hunter did not notice his stratagem, until the savage clutched it,
and as if rejuvenated by his advantage sprang to his feet, and
confronted him with the weapon.
Not the least daunted—for Joe was terribly excited—he closed again with
his adversary, receiving an ugly wound in his arm as he did so. At this
moment he heard the outcries of the other two Shawanoes, and driven to
fury by his imminent peril he gathered all his strength in one mighty
effort, and grasping the warrior around the waist, he lifted him clear
from his feet, and flung him like an infant over the precipice.
Down like a meteor through the dizzy air, shot the Shawanoe, with his
arms clutching wildly at vacancy, spinning from crag to crag with his
awful cry coming up like the wail of some lost spirit!
The struggle occupied scarcely a fifth of the time we have taken in
describing it. Impelled by the most implacable hate on each side, the
blows were quick and fierce, and the termination speedy and tragic. A
shriek when the two encountered, a few blows and stunnings, another
struggle more desperate than the others, and it was ended.
Joe had secured his knife before throwing the savage into the ravine,
and with this single weapon he confronted his two foes. They were both
about the same distance from him and he was in doubt whether to expect
their united visit at the same moment, or whether they were going to
attack him singly. The latter proved to be the case.
One of the Indians seemed to be a sort of chief, or, at least, superior
in authority, to the other; for waving his hand for him to keep his
distance, he advanced upon the white man, with the manifest resolve of
disposing of him without aid from any one else.
The savage was a much more formidable foe than the other, and Joe
Napyank, being greatly exhausted from his recent terrible struggle, he
was in a poor condition to receive him. Nevertheless there was no
avoidance, and he showed an undaunted front. The Shawanoe halted a
moment, as if to decide upon the best methods of attack, and then with
the same yell, as his predecessor gave, he sprang forward.
He had passed over half the intervening space, when he gave utterance to
another outcry, not of exultation, but of agony, and throwing up his
arms, fell dead!
The hunter had caught the report of a rifle, and saw a red spot appear
on the forehead of the Indian, so that he understood instantly that he
had been shot. The remaining aborigine, having seen all, displayed his
common sense by turning on his heel, and fleeing at the top of his
speed.
But whence had come this shot so opportunely? What friend had he in the
Dark and Bloody Ground? How came he to be here at the critical moment?
Joe looked inquiringly around, and for the space of a few moments, his
question remained unanswered. But while still wondering, who should step
forth to view but Stoddard Smith?
“Just in time, it seems!” he exclaimed cheerily as he came forward and
grasped his hand.
“I never was so glad to see a man in my life. How came you to be here at
this time?”
“Looking for you, and what made you leave me?”
A few words explained all.
“It was Providence that brought me here,” added Young Smith. “I think he
is smiling on our efforts to obtain Ruth.”
“She isn’t far away. We’ll travel together after this.”
“Hope so. You at least have found it rather dangerous to be alone. But
are there no other Indians in the neighborhood?”
“Yes; and it’s time we left these parts. I’ve an idea, as I said, that
Ruth and Teddy ain’t far away; so let’s tramp.”
And once more, our two friends set about accomplishing the direct object
of their expedition.
CHAPTER XI.
TEDDY O’DONNELL AND RUTH McGOWAN—IRISH SHREWDNESS—A PUGILISTIC
TRIUMPH—THE INDIAN FIGHT—LIBERATION.
It was one of those singularly fortunate occurrences that rarely happen
more than once in a lifetime, that made Teddy the Irishman a prisoner in
the hands of a body of Indians, possessing some claims—although it must
be confessed rather slight—to chivalry. The identical chief of the party
had once been made a prisoner by Teddy and a celebrated scout, and on
that occasion was treated as a lawful prisoner of war, and formally
released.
The leader being a genuine Indian never forgot the kindness. He was not
one of the original party that captured the Irishman upon the flat-boat,
but when he was brought ashore he recognized him at once. Teddy with all
his shrewdness, contended that every Indian looked precisely as did all
other Indians, and he therefore failed to suspect his identity.
The party, as has been already hinted, divided about a dozen, among whom
was the chief just referred to, taking charge of the two captives and
starting on a direct line for the Indian towns in the valley of the
Piqua.
To the surprise of both they were allowed to walk side by side and no
restraint was placed upon their conversation. No burdens or indignities
were imposed upon each, and the chief seemed to graduate the progress of
the party to the disposition and strength of the girl.
“Why do they not kill us!” asked Ruth, after Teddy had related the
particulars of his capture, and the situation in which he had left his
friends upon the island.
“Injins doesn’t always do things in that shtyle. It’s meself that has
been a presn’r among ’em afore this, and they didn’t kill me but once.
That time I broke me neck, but it was speedily set and mended agin.”
“Will they not slay me?”
“I hardly think so. How would ye like one of these copperskins for a
husband?”
The look of detestation and horror which answered this, made the
Irishman regret his attempt at a joke.
“Please don’t worry about this matter. It’s the habit of these same
gintlemen to ax for a wife afore they take her. But the way that chief
views yourself and me, he has taken a strong notion to one of us.
P’rhaps he has a bootiful daughter and mither at hum, and he is admirin’
me as a future husband for one of ’em.”
The genial, good-natured air of the Irishman had its effect upon Ruth,
who for the time may be said to have forgotten her captivity.
“Why, Teddy, would you like one of those dusky beauties for a life
partner?”
“I couldn’t tell very well till I tried, as the man said when he was
recommended to die by drowning; but one of ’em might do till I got tired
of——. Begorrah! but Miss Ruth, does ye obsarve how that chap keeps his
eye upon me? If I’m not as greatly mistook than I ever was in my life,
I’ve met him afore.”
Teddy tried to recall the features. The more he looked at him the more
certain was he that the two had encountered previously. But he was
unable to place him in his memory; and the Indian, observing that he was
subject to remark and scrutiny, turned his face away, and henceforth
remained out of view as much as possible.
“Oh!” said Ruth, relapsing into her former despondency, “Are we ever to
see our friends again?”
“Of course we are although we may be subjected to slight delay in the
same. I expect to meet them considerable soon.”
“But how—how shall we do it?”
“Can’t exactly tell yet, but we’ll all larn in due season. They’d get
tired of keeping us perhaps after awhile and give us lave to walk away.”
“Do they ever do such things?”
“I can’t say they do,” laughed Teddy, who hardly expected the
earnestness manifested in the question. “But as my ould friend Patrick
Henry observes, there is no way of judging by the future but by the
past, and looking to the past, I axes what has been the conduct of the
haythen Injins for the last ten years to give me hope of keeping me for
any considerable time in their clutches. I’ve been there before and
never staid.”
“But, how has it been with me?”
“Yes, being with me makes the same rule apply to yer own government, so
be aisy and don’t worry and fret yourself which there is no good to come
from it.”
But Ruth McGowan found it hard work to extract relief from the ingenious
sophistries of her companion. Look at it as she might, everything was
gloomy and cheerless. Her cherished friends left behind her, instead of
being able to come to her rescue, most probably were unable to provide
for their own safety. It was therefore vain to look for assistance from
that direction.
Perhaps her father and mother were prisoners at that moment—perhaps
murdered. And her lover Stoddard Smith—where was he? Free, a captive, or
dead? If either of the former, were not his thoughts turned to her, and
was he wondering at her situation? Should they ever meet again on
earth—or were they now separated forever in this world!
The thought was saddening, and the distressed girl covered her face and
wept. Teddy observing her sorrow remained silent awhile, but he was too
cheerful himself to allow any unnecessary grief around him.
“If it was meself I wouldn’t shed a tear to plase ’em,” he said. “Some
of the haythen are just cruel enough to be pleased to see it, although
it doesn’t sthrike me that the chief is one of the number. He seems to
be more tender-hearted than the others.”
“But how can I help it when I think of my friends?”
“I s’pose it ain’t aisy, but then don’t think of ’em. Just think of the
situation we bees in this minute, and then larf.”
“Ah! it’s hard work to see anything to laugh at—oh!”
At this juncture, Teddy caught his toe in a root and stumbled to the
ground. His fall was so ridiculously grotesque, that several of the
stoical bronzed faces were relaxed, and Ruth could not forbear a smile
herself. Not one of them suspected it was a piece of strategy, got up
for the especial benefit of the female captive herself. Teddy took his
discomfiture good-humoredly.
“You are not injured, I hope,” said Ruth; “you must pardon me, but I
could not keep from laughing, you seemed so much taken by surprise.”
“I’d much rather see you laugh than cry; it’s more pleasant to all
concerned. But did you see the unmannerly dogs grin at me? That chap
seemed to enjoy it as much as yourself.”
Teddy was going sideways, looking toward the savages as he spoke, when
he again stumbled so awkwardly as to bring a grin into the face of every
savage in the company.
“What yes laughing at?” he demanded in either pretended or real fury.
“Have ye no more manners than to laugh at a fellow that stubs his toe?
Yer no christians but haythens, all of yes.”
“Poor man!” said one of them in much sympathy, “much hurt pale
face—sorry—much hurt?”
“Don’t get too far wid your tongue or, or ye’ll run agin the fist of Mr.
Teddy O’Donnell, who understands the noble art.”
“Poor man—much hurt—sorry——”
A terrific whack took the tantalizing Indian directly in the mouth and
he toppled over backward like a ten pin. As he went to the ground, the
spectators all manifested their enjoyment of the scene. The Indian was
stunned and bewildered for a moment, and then, as he rose up with his
mouth bleeding, his flashing eyes and wrathful demeanor showed that he
was fully bent on avenging the mortal insult. Drawing his knife, he was
about to spring upon him, when the chief advanced and disarmed him of
his knife and tomahawk, seeing which Teddy voluntarily resigned his, and
the two confronted each other with the arms only that nature had given
them.
It is possible that in that moment, that the dusky pugilist was sensible
that he stood at a disadvantage but there was no retreat for him, and he
therefore advanced to the attack.
Teddy “squared” in the most approved style, and danced around on his
feet as if anxious for the contest to begin. Pausing a moment, the
Indian made an awkward plunging blow, and received another shock in the
mouth that laid him as flat as before.
Nothing daunted, he sprang to his feet and made at his antagonist more
resolutely than ever. Teddy now toyed awhile in order to give the savage
more confidence, and then getting him fairly at his mercy, he dealt him
a more tremendous blow than before—one that completely “knocked him out
of time,” and ended the contest triumphantly in favor of the Irishman.
Upon rising to his feet, the Indian slunk among his comrades, who did
not hesitate to jeer at him unmercifully, and to admire the conqueror in
a proportionate degree.
This incident would be scarcely worthy of narration, were it not that it
had an important bearing on the fate of the two captives themselves.
Brave men always admire skill and bravery. This is especially true of an
uncivilized people, who sometimes look upon a hero with a feeling of the
strongest admiration.
It cannot be pretended that Teddy O’Donnell excited any such emotion as
this, but he did produce a sentiment, that under Heaven, eventually
proved the salvation of himself and Ruth McGowan. The leader, who
entertained none but the kindest feelings toward him, was still doubtful
whether it would do to allow him to go free, even with the explanation
he might make to his brother followers. But now when he had witnessed
his vanquishing of one of his best warriors he felt no hesitation in
claiming the greatest favor for him.
In fact he was fully resolved that the man should be liberated but that
the girl should be retained!
The chief now advanced straight to the Irishman and addressed him.
“Glad see you—me Wahlangson.”
“Mighty glad to see you,” responded Teddy, grasping his hand, and
identifying him the moment he heard his name pronounced.
“Brave man,” added the chief admiringly. “Like much.”
Teddy understood Indian ways well enough to understand what all this was
tending to. He felt that his case was safe and he did not hesitate to
manifest a little of his joviality.
“Would yes like a thrial? If ye does, jist say the word, and I’ll do my
best to accommodate yes.”
The Indian did not understand the precise meaning of this, at any rate
he concluded to take no offence at it.
“Fight for Wahlangson?”
“That depends on circumstances, as the cobbler—”
An exclamation from one of the warriors arrested their attention. The
chief turned his head, and his immobile countenance for once betrayed
signs of emotion. The whole party manifested excitement, and it was not
long before Teddy understood that a hostile party of Indians had
appeared, and a conflict was inevitable.
“Big fight—big fight!” said the chief. “Kill big fight—white man fight
for Wahlangson?”
“Aye! that he will,” replied the chivalrous Irishman, going into the
trouble for the reason that he loved it, and because he believed it was
policy to do so.
“Take her away,” said he, pointing to Ruth.
“Yes—you take.”
Teddy grasped her hand and led her some distance in the wood.
“Now do you stay there till the fight is done wid. It won’t be long, and
I’ll soon be wid yes.”
“God protect you.”
Teddy hurried back, arriving just as the conflict began. Instead of
fighting behind trees, as is the general custom of Indians, they
“charged” on and the fight became hand-to-hand. This was just the thing
for Teddy, who laid about him in the same ecstatic manner that he did
before being captured on the flat-boat. While thus engaged he saw his
old friend Wahlangson upon the ground, and hard pressed by two huge
redskins. Springing forward he sent one turning flip flap, which so
relieved the chief that he regained the advantage he had lost, and soon
stood on the same footing with his warriors.
The contest was short, sharp and decisive. Ten minutes after it was made
the attacking party fled in confusion, leaving two dead and several
badly wounded.
If Wahlangson had experienced a deep admiration for the reckless
Irishman, he was now literally overflowing with it. Going up to him, he
took his hand, and undoubtedly, with great agitation, said,
“Much like—heap like—big like—heap like—B-I-G like!”
“Begorrah the same to yes. I intertain the most unbounded riverence to
yer honor, as the boy said to the snapping turtle.”
“Want go home?”
“Well, yes, yer honor, I should rather like to do the same, bein’ as the
ould woman will be out of praties, if I don’t help dig her some.”
“Go—go—Wahlangson willing.”
“Ye bees now—ye ain’t lying I hopes.”
“Go—no me follow—trail no touch—Wahlangson say so—no Shawanoe follow.”
“I axes only that condition—that none of yees attempt to foller me. Does
ye agree to that?”
After considerable explanation, and by the help of pantomime, Teddy made
the chief understand his wishes. The latter gave his promise, and gaily
kissing him good-bye went off whistling St. Patrick’s Day in the
morning.
Some considerable distance away he came up with Ruth, and gallantly
offered her his arm. It need not be said she gladly took it, and the two
speedily left the ground.
When the chief discovered that Teddy had taken away his cherished
captive, he was somewhat chagrined, as this was more than he counted
upon. But he did not follow. He was too much of a true Indian to molest
one who had served him so well.
CHAPTER XII.
THE END.
Napyank the hunter and Stoddard Smith stood consulting together.
“We must now hunt the trail,” said the former; “and to do that we’ve got
to go some way back into the wood.”
The two set out, and the greater part of the day was consumed in
traveling. Toward the middle of the afternoon they struck a trail,
which, after following for a mile or so, they became convinced was in
seeking, as there did not appear the least evidence of either Teddy or
Ruth forming one of the company. Finally when darkness closed around
them, they were still at a loss, and decided to encamp until morning.
“Here seems to be as good a spot as any,” said the hunter, halting by
the side of a small brook.
“Sh! there is some one ahead of us,” returned young Smith, pointing up
stream, where a trembling light could be discerned through the trees.
“Let us see who they might be.”
The two stole cautiously forward. When a few yards away, they gained a
glimpse of the party and heard some speaking.
“As I was about to observe when yees interrupted me, we’re now at no
great distance from the river, and we’ll reach there in due time, that
is if we travel. I s’pose you’ve no ’bjection to seeing your parents
jist now.”
“Indeed I can hardly content myself Teddy in remaining here until
morning.”
“Yees wouldn’t be particularly angry if yees should meet that young man
they calls Smith, I suppose?”
“Certainly not.”
“Arrah! Miss Ruth: there is a great wild beast behind yees.”
Ruth sprang to her feet, and glanced back, and instead of encountering
the angry front of some wild animal, she saw—Stoddard Smith and Joe
Napyank before her.
* * * * * * *
The next day as McGowan was beginning to grow desponding and hopeless,
and had made up his mind to cast the raft loose at nightfall, and risk
the attempt to reach the settlement, Joe Napyank and his three
companions made their appearance. The wonderful skill of the matchless
hunter had led them directly to the spot.
The sacred joy of father and mother, and the restoration of their
daughter, of whose deliverance at one time there could scarcely seem the
least grounds of hope—was too sacred—too holy for pen like ours to
attempt to depict.
The raft was strengthened by the addition of much more material, so that
it easily buoyed the entire company; and when it was fairly dark, it
came forth from its concealment, and the fugitives committed themselves
once more to the treacherous Ohio.
There were yet dangers and perils to be encountered, and it was not
until the afternoon of the ensuing day, when the unsightly cabins of the
settlement appeared, that the little party breathed freely, and felt
that they were at last—_safe_.
The surviving Smiths became identified with this portion of the West,
and there are found there their descendants at this day. Joe Napyank
fell during Wayne’s celebrated campaign against the western Indians.
Teddy O’Donnell lived a bachelor, and, as a matter of course, died at a
ripe old age. The grandchildren of Stoddard Smith were those who stood
by his bedside during his last moments.
THE END.
Frank Starr’s American Novels.
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138—Kid Kerley, the Trapper; or, Nattie of the Woods. By Dr. J. H.
Robinson.
139—The Fighting Trapper; or, Kit Carson to the Rescue.
140—Thayendanegea, the Terrible; or, The War Eagle the Mohawks. By Ned
Buntline.
141—The Black Horse of the Prairies; or, Days of Peril. By James L.
Bowen.
142—The Texan Spy; or, The Prairie Guide. By Newton M. Curtis.
143—The Gulf Pirate; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By
Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine.
144—One-Eyed Sim; or, The Forest Home. By James L. Bowen.
145—Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Capt. Hamilton
Holmes.
146—Doblado, the Outlaw; or, The Oronoco Chief. By J. Thomas Warren.
147—The Red Warrior; or, Stella Delorme’s Comanche Lover. By Ned
Buntline.
148—The Son of the Sea; or, The Cutter’s Cruise. By Roger Starbuck.
149—The Texan Herdsman; or, The Hermit of the Colorado Hills. By W. H.
Bushnell.
150—Stung Serpent, the Last Chief of the Natchez. By Captain Hamilton
Holmes.
151—Scouting Dave; or, The Winnebago Renegade. By James L. Bowen.
152—The Arkansas Regulators; or, How Ned Studley Won His Wife. By
Edward Willett.
153—The Slaver Captain; or, Scuttled at Sea. By Roger Starbuck.
154—The Secret Shot; or, The Rivals of Misty Mount. By Herrick
Johnstone.
155—Mike, the Guide; or, Lost upon the Plains. By James L. Bowen.
156—Waving Plume; or, The Free Trappers’ Pass. By William R. Eyster,
M. A.
157—Border Ben; or, The Fatal Treasure. By James L. Bowen.
158—The Black Hunter; or, The Cave Secret. By Burton Saxe.
159—The Young Ranger; or, The Frontier Scouts. By James L. Bowen.
160—Tom Wiley, the North-west Scout. By I. M. Nichols.
161—Loyal Heart, the Pale-face Hunter; or, The Trappers of Arkansas.
By Gustave Aimard.
162—Old Nick Whiffles; or, The Trapper of the North-west. By Dr. J. H.
Robinson.
163—The Gold Guide; or, Steel Arm, the Regulator. By Francis Johnson.
164—The Death Track; or, The Outlaws of the Mountain. By the author of
“The Gold Guide.”
165—The White Wizard; or, The Great Prophet of the Seminoles. By Ned
Buntline.
166—Hirl, the Hunchback; or, The Swordmaker of the Santee. By Dr. J.
H. Robinson.
167—Tiger-Slayer; or, Eagle Head to the Rescue. By Gustave Aimard.
168—Alapaha, the Squaw; or, The Renegades of the Border. By Francis
Johnson.
169—The Border Bandits; or, The Horse Thief’s Trail. By Francis
Johnson.
170—Assowaum, the Avenger; or, The Doom of the Destroyers. By Francis
Johnson.
171—Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy; or, Luliona, the Seminole. By Ned
Buntline.
172—Prairie-Flower; or, The Baffled Chief. By Gustave Aimard.
173—Mountain Max; or, Nick Whiffles on the Border. By Dr. J. H.
Robinson.
174—The Silent Rifleman. A Tale of the Texan Trail. By Henry W.
Herbert.
175—Long-armed Sampson; or, The Scout of the Silver Pond. By Newton M.
Curtis.
176—Red Ralph, the Ranger; or, The Brother’s Revenge. By Ned Buntline.
177—The Giant Trailer; or, The Lost Scalp. By Francis Johnson.
178—The Doomed Guide; or, The Hunter’s Trail. By Francis Johnson.
179—The Ranger’s Rifle; or, The Wolf of the War-path. By Francis
Johnson.
180—War-Ax; or, The Trapper’s Revenge. By Francis Johnson.
181—Redpath, the Avenger; or, The Fair Huntress of the
Trapping-grounds. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.
182—The Blue Brotherhood; or, The Young Patroon’s Inheritance. By
Newton M. Curtis.
183—The Smuggler; or, The Skipper’s Crime. By Ned Buntline.
184—The Trail-Hunter; or, Red Cedar, the Prairie Outlaw. By Gustave
Aimard.
185—The Pirates of the Prairies; or, The Bandit at Bay. By Gustave
Aimard.
186—The Trapper’s Daughter; or, The Outlaw’s Fate. By Gustave Aimard.
187—Old Tiger, the Patriot; or, The Heroine of the Mohawk. By Newton
M. Curtis.
188—The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. By Ned Buntline.
189—The Bush Ranger; or, The Half-breed Brigade. By Francis Johnson.
190—The Outlaw-Hunter; or, Red John, the Bush Ranger. By Francis
Johnson.
191—Golden Feather, the Buccaneer’s Daughter. By Arthur M. Granger.
192—California Joe; or, The Angel of the Wilderness. By Lieut.-Col.
Hazeltine.
193—Bob Brant, Patriot Spy. By Edward Willett.
194—The Border Spy. By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine.
195—Old Hal Williams; or, The Spy of Atlanta. By J. Thomas Warren.
196—The Bushwhacker’s Daughter. By Edward Willett.
197—Sergeant Slasher. By Herrick Johnstone.
198—Old Guess Markham. By J. Thomas Warren.
199—Crazy Dan. By Edward Willett.
200—Old Ben Manx. By J. Thomas Warren.
201—Old Bill Woodworth. By Edward Willett.
Frank Starr’s American Novels are always kept in print, and all back
numbers can usually be supplied by news agents; but where any given
number cannot be found on the news stands, it will be sent to any
address by mail, prepaid, on receipt of price—TEN CENTS, six months (13
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THE STAR WEEKLY!
The Saturday Journal!
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By the Best Living American Writers!
Leads all the Popular Weeklies in the maintained interest and
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BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers,
98 William Street, New York.
THE ILLUMINATED DIME
POCKET NOVELS!
PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY.
Comprising the best works only of the most popular living writers in the
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NOW READY, AND IN PRESS.
No. 1—Hawkeye Harry, the Young Trapper Ranger. By Oll Coomes.
No. 2—Dead Shot; or, The White Vulture. By Albert W. Aiken.
No. 3—The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. By Edward S. Ellis.
No. 4—Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief’s Vengeance. By Capt. Mayne
Reid.
No. 5—Nat Wolfe; or, The Gold-Hunters. By Mrs. M. V. Victor.
No. 6—The White Tracker; or, The Panther of the Plains. By Edward S.
Ellis.
No. 7—The Outlaw’s Wife; or, The Valley Ranche. By Mrs. Ann S.
Stephens.
No. 8—The Tall Trapper; or, The Flower of the Blackfeet. By Albert W.
Aiken.
No. 9—Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail. By Capt. Adams.
No. 10—The Island Pirate. A Tale of the Mississippi. By Captain Mayne
Reid.
No. 11—The Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress of the Golden Horn. By Oll
Coomes.
No. 12—Bess, the Trapper. A Tale of the Far South-west. By Edward S.
Ellis.
No. 13—The French Spy; or, The Fall of Montreal. By W. J. Hamilton.
No. 14—Long Shot; or, The Dwarf Guide. By Capt. Comstock.
No. 15—The Gunmaker of the Border. By James L. Bowen.
No. 16—Red Hand; or, The Channel Scourge. By A. G. Piper.
No. 17—Ben, the Trapper; or, The Mountain Demon. By Maj. Lewis W.
Carson.
No. 18—Wild Raven, the Ranger; or, The Missing Guide. By Oll Coomes.
No. 19—The Specter Chief; or, The Indian’s Revenge. By Seelin Robins.
No. 20—The B’ar-Killer; or, The Long Trail. By Capt. Comstock.
No. 21—Wild Nat; or, The Cedar Swamp Brigade. By Wm. R. Eyster.
No. 22—Indian Jo, the Guide. By Lewis W. Carson.
No. 23—Old Kent, the Ranger. By Edward S. Ellis.
No. 24—The One-Eyed Trapper. By Capt. Comstock.
No. 25—Godbold, the Spy. A Tale of Arnold’s Treason. By N. C. Iron.
No. 26—The Black Ship. By John S. Warner.
No. 27—Single Eye, the Scourge. By Warren St. John.
No. 28—Indian Jim. A Tale of the Minnesota Massacre. By Edward S.
Ellis.
No. 29—The Scout. By Warren St. John.
No. 30—Eagle Eye. By W. J. Hamilton.
No. 31—The Mystic Canoe. A Romance of a Hundred Years Ago. By Edward
S. Ellis.
No. 32—The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes. By Roger
Starbuck.
No. 33—The Scalp King. By Lieut. Ned Hunter.
No. 34—Old Lute, the Indian-fighter; or, The Den in the Hills. By E.
W. Archer.
No. 35—Rainbolt, the Ranger; or, The Ærial Demon of the Mountain. By
Oll Coomes.
No. 36—The Boy Pioneer. By Edward S. Ellis.
No. 37—Carson, the Guide; or, the Perils of the Frontier. By Lieut. J.
H. Randolph.
No. 38—The Heart Eater; or, The Prophet of the Hollow Hill. By Harry
Hazard.
No. 39—Wetzel, the Scout; or, The Captive of the Wilderness. By
Boynton Belknap, M. D.
No. 40—The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Man of the Prairies. By Edward
S. Ellis.
No. 41—Wild Nat, the Trapper. By Paul Prescott.
No. 42—Lynx-cap; or, The Sioux Track. By Paul Bibbs.
No. 43—The White Outlaw; or, The Bandit Brigand. By Harry Hazard.
No. 44—The Dog Trailer. By Frederick Dewey.
No. 45—The Elk King. By Capt. Chas. Howard.
No. 46—Adrian, the Pilot. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
No. 47—The Man-hunter. By Maro O. Rolfe.
No. 48—The Phantom Tracker. By Frederick Dewey.
No. 49—Moccasin Bill. By Paul Bibbs.
No. 50—The Wolf Queen. By Captain Charles Howard.
No. 51—Tom Hawk, the Trailer. By Lewis Jay Swift.
No. 52—The Mad Chief. By Captain Chas. Howard. Ready.
No. 53—The Black Wolf. By Edwin E. Ewing. Ready.
No. 54—Arkansas Jack. By Harry Hazard. Ready.
No. 55—Blackbeard. By Paul Bibbs. Ready.
No. 56—The River Rifles. By Billex Muller. Ready Aug. 15th.
No. 57—Hunter Ham. By J. Edgar Iliff. Ready Aug. 29th.
☞ Beadle’s Dime Pocket Novels are always in print and for sale by all
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Address,
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Transcriber’s Notes
—Silently corrected a few typos.
—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook
is public-domain in the country of publication.
—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by
_underscores_.
—Created a Table of Contents based on the chapter headings.
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