"Melville Clarendon.
"In haste; read instantly."
He took the letter from his sister and trembled, as if from a chill, as he hurriedly unfolded the paper and read—
"My Dear Mel,—Leave at once! The Sioux have taken the war-path, and a party of their worst warriors2 from the Muddy Creek3 country have started out on a raid. They are sure to come this way, and I suppose the house will be burned, and everything on which they can lay hands destroyed. They are under the lead of the desperate Red Feather, and will spare nothing. A friendly Sioux stopped this morning before daylight and warned me. I gathered the animals together, and your mother and I set out for Barwell in all haste, driving the beasts before us.
"I feel certain of either finding you and Dot at my brother's in the settlement or of meeting you on the way, for I suppose, of course, you will follow the regular trail; but, at the moment of starting, your mother suggests the possibility that you may take the upper route. [15]To make sure, I write this letter. If the Indians reach the building before you, they will leave such traces of their presence that you will take the alarm. If you arrive first and see this note, re-mount Saladin, turn northward4, and lose not a minute in galloping5 to the settlement. None of them can overtake you. Avoid the upper trail, where it is much easier for them to ambush6 you; keep as much on the open prairie as possible; see that your weapons are loaded; make Saladin do his best; and God be with you and Darling Dot.—
Your Father."
"He hurriedly unfolded the paper and read."
The youth read this important message aloud to Dot, who stood at his side, looking wistfully up in his face. She was too young to comprehend fully7 its meaning, but she knew that her parents had left for the settlement, and that her father had ordered Melville to follow at once with her.
"The bad Indians are coming," he added, "and if we stay here they will shoot us. I don't think," he said, glancing around, "that [16]they are anywhere near; but they are likely to come any minute, so we won't wait."
"Oh, Mel!" suddenly spoke8 up Dot, "you know I forgot to take Susie with me when I went away; can't I get her now?"
Susie was Dot's pet doll, and the fact that she left it behind when making her visit to Uncle Jack's had a great deal more to do with her home-sickness than her friends suspected. The thought of leaving it behind again almost broke her heart.
"I am sure mother took it with her when she went off this morning," replied Melville, feeling a little uneasy over the request.
"I'll soon find out," said she, stepping hastily towards the door.
He could not refuse her wish, for he understood the depth of the affection she felt for the doll, whose dress was somewhat torn, and whose face was not always as clean as her own. Besides, it could take only a minute or two to get the plaything, if it had been left in the house. Although his situation prevented his seeing anything in the rear of the building, he was sure the dreaded9 Indians were not yet in sight, and he desired to make a hasty survey of the interior of the house himself.
How familiar everything looked! There were the chairs placed against the wall, and the deal table in the middle of the room. Melville noticed that the pictures which had hung so long on the walls had been taken away. They were portraits of the members of the family, and the mother looked upon them as too precious to be allowed to run any risk of loss. A few other valuables, including the old Bible, had been removed; but the parents were too wise to increase their own danger by loading themselves with goods, however much they regretted leaving them behind.
[17]Although there was an old-fashioned fire-place, the Clarendons used a large stove standing10 near it. Curiosity led Melville to examine it, and he smiled to find it still warm. The ashes within, when stirred, showed some embers glowing beneath. There was something in the fact which made the youth feel as though the distance between him and his parents had become less than a short time before.
"Strange that I took the upper trail," he said to himself, resuming his standing position, "and thereby11 missed them. It's the first time I have been over that course for a long while, and it beats me that to-day when I shouldn't have done so I must do it; but fortunately no harm was done."
It struck him that Dot was taking an unusually long time in the search for her doll. Walking to the foot of the stairs, he called to her—
"It won't do to wait any longer, Dot; we must be off. If you can't find your doll, it's because mother took it with her."
"I've found it! I've found it!" she exclaimed, dancing with delight; "I had hid it in the bed, where mother didn't see it; bless your soul, Susie!"
And Melville laughed as he heard a number of vigorous smacks12 which told how much the child loved her pet.
"I suppose you are happy now," remarked Melville, taking her hand, while he held his gun in the other, as they walked towards the door.
"Indeed I am," she replied, with that emphatic13 shake of the head by which children of her years often give force to their words.
Melville placed his hand on the latch14 of the door, and, raising it, drew the structure inward. He had lowered his arm and once more [18]taken the hand of his sister, and was in the act of stepping outside, when the sharp report of a rifle broke the stillness, and he felt the whiz of the bullet, which grazed his face and buried itself in the wall behind him.
The lad was quick-witted enough to know on the instant what it meant; and, leaping back, he hastily closed the door, drew in the latch-string, and, leaning his rifle against the side of the room, slipped the bar in place.
He had hardly done so when there was a shock, as if some heavy body were flung violently against it. Such was the fact, a Sioux warrior1 having turned himself sideways at the moment of leaping, so that his shoulder struck it with a force sufficient to carry a door off its hinges.
"What's the matter?" asked the frightened Dot; "why do you fasten the door, Mel?"
"The bad Indians have come; they are trying to get into the house so as to hurt us."
"And do they want Susie?" she asked Melville, hugging her doll very closely to her breast.
"Yes, but we won't let them have her. Keep away from the window!" he added, catching15 her arm, and drawing her back from the dangerous position into which her curiosity was leading her. "Sit down there," he said, pointing to one of the chairs which was beyond reach of any bullet that could be fired through a window; "don't stir unless I tell you to, or the bad Indians will take you and dolly, and you will never see father or mother or me again."
This was terrible enough to scare the little one into the most implicit16 obedience17 of her brother. She meekly18 took her seat, with Susie [19]still clasped in her arms, willing to do anything to save the precious one from danger, and content to leave everything to her brother.
The youth had not time to explain matters more fully to his sister, nor would it have been wise to do so; she had been told enough already to distress19 and render her obedient to his wishes.
Following the startling shock against the door came a voice from the outside. The words were in broken English, and were uttered by the Sioux warrior that had made the vain effort to drive the structure inward.
"Open door—open door, brudder."
"I will not open the door," called back Melville.
"Open door—Injin won't hurt pale-face—come in—eat wid him."
"You cannot come in; we want no visitors. Go away, or I will shoot you!"
This was a brave threat, but it did not do all that the lad hoped. Whether the assailants knew how weak the force was within the house the youth could not say. He was not without belief that they might think there were several armed defenders20 who would make an attack or siege on the part of the Sioux too costly21 for them to continue it long.
The first purpose of Melville, therefore, was to learn how strong the force was that had made such a sudden attack. It was too perilous23 to attempt to look through one of the four narrow windows lighting24 the large room where he stood, and which covered the entire lower part of the building, and he decided25, therefore, to got upstairs.
Before doing so, he made Dot repeat her promise to sit still where she was. She assured him that he need have no fear whatever, and he hurriedly made his way to the rooms above.
[20]Advancing to one of the windows at the front, he peered out with the utmost caution.
The first Indian whom he saw was the very one he dreaded above all others. He recognized him at the first glance by the cluster of eagle-feathers stuck in his crown. There were stained of a crimson26 red, several of the longer ones drooping27 behind, so as to mingle28 with his coarse black hair which streamed over his shoulders.
This was Red Feather, one of the most desperate Sioux known in the history of the border. Years before he was a chief noted29 for his daring and detestation of the white men. As the country became partly settled he acquired most of the vices30 and few of the virtues31 of the white race. He was fond of "firewater," was an inveterate32 thief, sullen33 and revengeful, quarrelsome at all times; and, when under the influence of drink, was feared almost as much by his own people as by the whites.
Red Feather was mounted on a fine-looking horse, which there is little doubt had been stolen from some of the settlers in that part of the country. He had brought him to a stand about a hundred yards from the building, he and the animal facing the house.
As the Sioux chieftain held this position the lad was struck by his resemblance to the horseman whom he and Dot noticed at the time they halted on the other bank of the stream.[21]
[22] "Red Feather, one of the most desperate Sioux."—Page 20
This discovery of young Clarendon suggested an explanation of the sight which so puzzled him and his sister. The chief had descried34 them at the same moment, if not before they saw him. Inasmuch as the occupants of the building were absent, he must have thought they had gone off together, and he could not have believed that, if such were the case, any members of the company would return—the [23]boy, therefore, had ridden part way back to learn what was to be fate of the cabin and property left behind. Red Feather had waved his blanket as a taunt35, and then rode off for his warriors, encamped near by, with the purpose of directing them in an attack on the house.
It was a most unfortunate oversight36 that Melville did not make a survey of the surrounding country before entering his own home, for had he done so, he would have learned of his peril22; but you will remember that his first purpose was not to enter his house, and in truth it was Susie, the little doll, that brought all the trouble.
The dismay caused by his unexpected imprisonment37 was not without something in the nature of relief.
In the first place, a careful survey of his surroundings showed there were only six Sioux warriors in the attacking party. All were mounted, as a matter of course, fully armed, and eager to massacre38 the settler and his family. You will say these were enough to frighten any lad, however brave; but you must remember that Melville held a strong position in the house.
Such a fine horse as Saladin could not fail to catch the eye of the dusky scamps, and at the moment Red Feather fired his well-nigh fatal shot at the youth three warriors were putting forth39 their utmost efforts to capture the prize.
But the wise Saladin showed no liking40 for the red men, and would not permit any of them to lay hands on him. It was an easy matter to do this, for among them all there was not one that could approach him in fleetness. He suffered them to come quite near, and then, flinging up his head with a defiant41 neigh, sped beyond their reach like an arrow darting42 from the bow.
Melville's eyes kindled43.
[24]"I am proud of you, Saladin," he said, "and if I dared, I would give you a hurrah44."
He watched the performance for several minutes, the rapid movement of the horses causing him to shift his position once or twice from one side of the house to the other. Finally, one of the Sioux saw how idle their pursuit was, and, angered at being baffled, deliberately45 raised his rifle and fired at Saladin.
"Saladin showed no liking for the red men."
Whether he hit the horse or not Melville could not say, though the animal showed no signs of being hurt: but the lad was so indignant that he levelled his own weapon, and, pointing the muzzle46 out of the narrow window, muttered—
"If you want to try that kind of business, I'm willing, and I think I can make a better shot than you did."
[25]Before, however, he could be sure of his aim, he was startled by a cry from Dot—
"Come down here quick, Mel! A great big Indian is getting in the house by the window!"
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
creek
|
|
| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
northward
|
|
| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
galloping
|
|
| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
ambush
|
|
| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
dreaded
|
|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
thereby
|
|
| adv.因此，从而 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
smacks
|
|
| 掌掴（声）( smack的名词复数 )； 海洛因； （打的）一拳； 打巴掌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
emphatic
|
|
| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
latch
|
|
| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
catching
|
|
| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
implicit
|
|
| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
meekly
|
|
| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
distress
|
|
| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
defenders
|
|
| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
costly
|
|
| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
peril
|
|
| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
perilous
|
|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
drooping
|
|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
mingle
|
|
| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
vices
|
|
| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
inveterate
|
|
| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
descried
|
|
| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
taunt
|
|
| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
oversight
|
|
| n.勘漏，失察，疏忽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
imprisonment
|
|
| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
massacre
|
|
| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
liking
|
|
| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
defiant
|
|
| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
kindled
|
|
| （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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
hurrah
|
|
| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
muzzle
|
|
| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |