Though his brave companion had fallen almost at his side, Brinton Kingsland had reached the camp of the supply train without receiving so much as a scratch. He mourned him, for he was a worthy1 man; but he was heart-broken at his failure to gain tidings of his loved parents and little sister. He did not know what to do, and could only fear the worst.
When he had told his story to his new friends, none of them were able to offer any encouragement or hope.
The supply train consisted of a dozen waggons2, in charge of sixteen teamsters. As a matter of course, all were armed, and had come thus far without trouble.
They were making ready to resume their journey to Wounded Knee when the affray already described took place. This caused an hour's delay, and now, when about to start again, the signs of danger became so threatening, they held back for consultation3.
The Indians whom they had driven from the prostrate4 form of Scout5 Jackson reappeared on the crest7 of the hill over which they had skurried, and it was noticed that their number was increased to fully8 a dozen.
While the teamsters were watching them another band came into sight, in the opposite direction.
To the dismay of the spectators, this party was more numerous than the first. Not only that, but both bands advanced at a slow trot9, and met at a point a couple of hundred yards distant, and in a place over which the train would have to pass if it pushed on toward the camp at Wounded Knee.
"Boys," said Captain Wadsworth, who was in charge of the train, "there's going to be a fight."
"We ought to be able to keep them off," replied one of his men.
"So we shall if no more appear; but the Sioux are as thick as berries, and by-and-by we shall have a hundred or more of them popping away at us. We may as well get ready for what's certain to come."
"Jackson said something to me," observed Brinton, "about an escort having been sent out from Wounded Knee to bring you in."
"They can't come any too soon," responded the captain, who fully comprehended the peril10; "but I'm afraid they will be too late. Those Indians don't let the grass grow under their feet."
The leader did not content himself with talking, but began to prepare for the attack, which might come at any moment. The waggons were drawn11 up in a circle, in the middle of which were placed the horses. Bags of grain, boxes and bundles, were piled on the ground underneath12 the waggons. These served as an additional protection for the animals, and screened the men, when kneeling behind and firing at their assailants.
The hostiles were quick to detect what was going on, and did not allow the work to be completed without interference. They began circling back and forth14, riding entirely15 around the camp and discharging their guns at it. The exhibition of horsemanship was a fine one; but they kept at such a distance that their shots did little damage. In some way, one got through the entrenchments, as they might be called, and slightly wounded a horse in the shoulder. He made more fuss than if it had gone through his head, rearing, snorting, and plunging16, and throwing the rest into a panic, which would have ended in a stampede, had they not been guarded with unusual care.
The teamsters did not accept these unwelcome attentions meekly17, but fired at their circling assailants; the cause named, however, prevented much success. It looked as if one or two of the shots inflicted18 damage, but not to the extent of disabling any pony19 or his rider.
Standing20 at the rear of one of the waggons, where he could see everything that was going on, Captain Wadsworth watched the exciting incidents. At his elbow was Brinton Kingsland, who did not think it worth while to try his hand with his Winchester, though the others were continually cracking around him.
"What is to be feared," said the captain, "is that the hostiles will soon increase to such an extent that they will overwhelm us."
"How many do you think are out there now?" inquired Brinton.
"I should say between twenty and thirty—that is, there were a few minutes ago, but there are five or six less now."
"What is the meaning of that?"
The leader turned his bronzed face toward the youth and smiled significantly.
"Don't you catch on? They have sent after reinforcements: a slight number now means a big number pretty soon."
Captain Wadsworth looked in the direction named. Three Indians had dismounted, and were standing close together, or rather two of them were, while the third seemed to be stooping and busy with something on the ground.
"How long have they been there?" asked the leader.
"They rode up the slope within the last five minutes. They were off their ponies24 before they stopped. I can't guess what they are doing."
"I don't know; but we shall soon learn."
Although the cracking of rifles continued, and the teamsters, kneeling behind the fortifications, were doing their utmost to pick off some of the dusky riders, who in turn sent in their dropping shots, Captain Wadsworth gave them little heed25. The position of himself and Brinton was exposed, and, had their assailants come closer, they would not have dared to maintain it; but with the combatants so widely separated, it cannot be said they were in much real danger.
The three Indians in whom our friends were so much interested just then were beyond and apart from the others. Their horses were cropping the few blades of withered26 grass that had survived the winter's tempests; but not one was a dozen yards from his master, all of whom were so grouped together that their movements could not be identified.
Rather curiously27 there was not a spy-glass among the teamsters. Such an article would have been valuable just then; but they had to depend upon their unaided vision.
The captain and Brinton, however, agreed that two of the bucks were bent28 over and busy with something on the ground, while the third, standing on the crest of the ridge, appeared to be awaiting the action of his companions before carrying out some plan he had in mind.
"Look!" whispered the youth; "isn't that smoke?"
The captain was silent a moment before answering—
"Yes; the Indian is like the Chinaman: he can start a fire where you and I couldn't kindle29 a spark. I believe they will make a bundle of water-soaked leaves crackle and burn like tinder wood. Those fellows have got some of the dried grass together and have managed to touch it off. You understand what that means, of course?"
"I cannot say that I do."
"It is a signal fire."
"To call all the other hostiles in sight here, to take a hand in the fun of massacring us and plundering31 our train. Such a signal can be seen a long way and will do all that is intended. Look at it now!"
From between the two, who now rose from their stooping posture32, a thin finger of vapour arose, going straight upward as if it were a shadowy arrow aimed at the clouds.
"One of the bucks is waving his blanket," observed Brinton; "he must mean something by that. I suppose he is fanning the blaze to keep it from going out."
"Ah! I notice it now."
The vapour showed a striking change of appearance; instead of climbing in a straight line, it now waved gracefully34 from side to side. It was something which never can occur unless with the help of some person.
"That is the signal," said Captain Wadsworth; "it can be seen for miles in all directions, and every Indian eye that catches sight of it will read its meaning as plainly as our soldiers do the looking-glass signals. It's a bad thing for us."
The captain was an old campaigner, and knew what he was talking about; his impressive manner was not lost upon Brinton Kingsland.
"How far are we from Wounded Knee?" he asked.
"Anywhere from a dozen to twenty miles; it depends on the course we take—that is," he added, with a shake of his head, "whether we ever take any course at all."
"I cannot recall just what Jackson said about an escort from that camp, but I think he told me such an escort had been sent."
The captain shook his head.
"You must be mistaken; for, if that were the case, why did he ride out here alone? Was it not more likely that he came to learn whether we needed protection? and if that is so, they will wait for his return and report before sending out the escort which is the only thing that can save us."
This view was so reasonable that Brinton could not combat it.
"I see one chance," ventured the youth, after a moment's silence, during which he watched the actions of the signal corps35 on the ridge.
The officer turned wonderingly toward him.
"I shall be glad to hear what it is."
"If a messenger can get through to Wounded Knee with word of your extremity36, they will send you help without delay."
"True; but how can such a thing succeed? If it were night it might be done; but in what possible way can a horseman dash through the lines when the bucks would see him start, and they have us surrounded?"
"It will be taking big risks, but I would like to try it."
Captain Wadsworth, who had been leaning against the hind13 wheel of one of the waggons, with his arms folded, abruptly37 straightened up and stared at the youth, as if uncertain whether he had heard him aright; then he repeated—
"You would like to try it, did you say?"
"Yes, sir; and I believe I can get through."
The officer looked off toward the ridge and shook his head.
"Don't think of such a thing; we must stay here and fight it out, and trust to Providence38 to open the way, if any is to be opened."
But Brinton was in earnest, and his eagerness was increased by the discouraging manner of the captain.
"I understand your feelings, and I am not blind to what is in the path of the one who attempts to do what I have proposed; but, captain, bear two things in mind: there isn't a fleeter horse in the whole West than my Jack6. When I gave him rein21 he pulled away from those Indians as though their animals were walking. So all I have to secure is a fair start."
"Exactly," replied the leader with a grim smile, "and therein you sum up the whole business. All that you need to succeed is to succeed. But what is the other point you wish me to hold in mind?"
"The fair start can be secured."
"How?"
"Pretend to ride out against the hostiles. They will gather in front of the threatened point; I will be on the watch, and, when the way opens, will scoot for Wounded Knee."
Brinton saw that Captain Wadsworth was interested. Once more he came to the erect39 position, and looking kindly40 in his face, said—
"Your plan has something in it."
The heart of the youth leaped with hope.
"I am sure of it; but there's not a minute to lose."
This was self-evident, and the captain, having made up his mind, passed among his men and hurriedly explained what he had decided41 to do. It was for eight or ten of them to mount their horses and move cautiously toward the ridge, as if with the intention of attacking the little signal party there and stamping out their tiny fire. This would cause a concentration (or, more properly, it was hoped that it would) of the hostiles on that side of the camp, of which Brinton Kingsland would take advantage by dashing out on the other side and riding at full speed to Wounded Knee.
It was the only thing that offered hope, and, therefore, was eagerly accepted by all. The firing was so scattered42 that no fear was felt in moving about within the circle of waggons, for, as we have shown, Captain Wadsworth and Brinton had been exposed all the time without harm. The Sioux kept so far away that it was evident they were waiting for the arrival of reinforcements before making a real attack.
The preparations on the part of the teamsters had hardly begun when Brinton, who had led his pony forth and stood ready to leap into the saddle, called out—
"You needn't do it! Here's my chance!"
The majority of the Indians were near the ridge at that moment, but some of them were quite a distance off, and, in fact, alarmingly close to the opposite side of the camp. The impatient youth was confident that he could dash through the opening before they could stop him.
"It won't do!" protested Captain Wadsworth; "don't try it! wait till we get them nearer the ridge they will cut you off——"
"I'm off! Good-bye!"
Brinton Kingsland was in the saddle, and shot out from among the waggons like a thunderbolt.
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1
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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2
waggons
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| 四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 )； 铁路货车； 小手推车 | |
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3
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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4
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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6
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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crest
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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8
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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9
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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10
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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11
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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12
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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13
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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16
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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17
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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18
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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bucks
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| n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
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23
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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24
ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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25
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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26
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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27
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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28
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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29
kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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plundering
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的现在分词 ) | |
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32
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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33
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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34
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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35
corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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36
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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37
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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38
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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39
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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40
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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41
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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42
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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