This was not caused so much by what the children had done as by the course of the Sioux themselves, for nothing was plainer to the chieftain than the manner in which Melville and Dot had escaped.
They had been on the alert, and when the warriors2 hastened to the top of the hill Melville Clarendon was bright enough to seize [92]the opportunity thus given. He had quietly stepped out of the front door, where, in the gloom and the absorbing interest of the red men in another direction, neither he nor the little girl attracted notice. The two were doubtless making all haste from the endangered spot.
But the chieftain was astounded4 over another discovery: in order to make his search absolutely thorough he had caught up a smouldering brand, quickly fanned it into a flame, and then explored the upper and lower storys. Not a nook or corner was left unvisited, and a hiding cat would have been brought to light.
That which almost knocked Tall Bear breathless was the fact that he found nothing of the remains5 of Red Feather, who had entered the chimney before the eyes of five of his own warriors.
"Explored the upper and lower storys."
The inference was certain: Red Feather had not been killed, but had gone out of the front door just as the children had done.
Tall Bear was still far from suspecting the whole truth, though, had he been left with nothing else on his mind for a short time only, he must have divined, or at least suspected, what actually took place.
But a party of horsemen were approaching, and must already be close at hand. They required attention, for if they should prove to be enemies, the chief would have his hands full. His position, [93]with a lighted torch within the building, was not the most prudent6 he could take, and as he came outside he flung the light to the ground where it sputtered7 out in the darkness.
Tall Bear's pony8 was standing9 where he had left him, and vaulting10 lightly upon his back, he sent him on a gallop11 to the top of the hill, to learn something about the new-comers.
The main party of warriors were some distance off, awaiting the signal to know whether they were to fight or to join the parties whose identity was still in doubt. The couple whom Tall Bear had despatched to reconnoitre were still absent, so that he found himself alone on the elevation12.
It is at such times that the American Indian displays a wonderful keenness of sight and hearing. The chief sat motionless, peering into the gloom and listening. None could know better than he that he had taken a most dangerous position.
If the horsemen, who could not be far off, were hostile, they would surround the hill whereon they last saw the Sioux, and unless Tall Bear kept his wits about him he was likely to be shut in on every hand.
But it would have been hard for the most skilful13 Indian scout14 to take him unawares. He was certain to see and hear the approach of any one as soon as the latter could see or hear him, and the chieftain was not the one to fall asleep under such circumstances.
Darting15 his penetrating16 glances here, there, and everywhere, he suddenly fixed17 them upon a point directly ahead. Something was vaguely18 assuming form in the gloom, and a minute later he observed a man walking toward him.
Tall Bear leaned forward over the neck of his pony, that he might not lose the advantage of an inch of space. The stranger was [94]advancing without any more noise than if he was a shadow, and he was alone, or, if he had any companions, they were so far behind when he was in full view as to be invisible.
The man on foot came to a halt while still too far off to be more than faintly visible, and emitted a low tremulous whistle. Tall Bear promptly19 answered in the same manner, and then the other ran forward to his side. He was one of the two scouts20 the chief had sent out, and he brought important tidings.
The party of horsemen which caused the Sioux such concern were white men—every one—under the leadership of the famous frontier scout Nat Trumbull. The warrior3 had ventured near enough to the company to recognize his voice when he gave the order for his men to move around to the south and approach the house from that direction.
Trumbull was a veteran who had done good service during the lurid21 summer of 1862, when the Sioux desolated22 a large portion of the Minnesota frontier, and Tall Bear feared him more than any white man living. He knew that if Trumbull and his rangers23 got a chance at the Sioux they would force matters without mercy. No sooner, therefore, did the Sioux scout tell what he had learned than Tall Bear made up his mind that the best place for him and his warriors was somewhere else. When he asked after the other scout who accompanied the one that returned, the chieftain was told that he had ventured so near the white men that he narrowly escaped capture, and was forced to dodge24 off in another direction.
That was enough. Tall Bear wheeled his pony like a flash, and galloped25 toward the point where he knew his warriors were awaiting the news with as much anxiety as his own.
[95]Such tidings travel fast, and within five minutes after the return of the scout with his message Tall Bear and his warriors were riding as if for life from the neighborhood.
It may as well be explained how it was that the relief which Melville Clarendon expected hours before was so delayed that, but for an unexpected occurrence, it would have arrived too late.
You have learned that Mr. Clarendon and his wife left their home early that morning and hurried northward26 over the ten miles between them and Barwell.
All went well until they had passed half the distance, when the sudden appearance of three mounted Indians showed that they were not likely to get through without trouble. The settler at once came to a halt and prepared to make the best defence possible. The animals were gathered near the wagon27, where Mr. Clarendon made his wife crouch28 down to escape the flying bullets, and, loaded gun in hand, he waited the attack that was sure to come.
A skilful marksman in the situation of Mr. Clarendon generally considers himself the equal of three mounted men on the open plain, and the conduct of the warriors showed that they held the settler in respect. Keeping beyond easy range, they circled about the wagon and its inmates29 as if looking for an opening, and finally all three brought their guns to their shoulders and let fly.
The volley killed one of the horses, which dropped dead as he stood near the wagon.
The settler instantly returned the shot, and—rather curiously—though the distance was considerable, he brought down the pony of the nearest Indian, which made such a frenzied30 leap that his rider was thrown. Mr. Clarendon at first thought it was he who [96]had been struck; but he quickly sprang to his feet and vaulted31 upon another pony behind one of his comrades.
The Sioux continued circling around the settler at a still greater distance, and sent in another volley, which did no harm. At last they concluded the risk of a charge and attack too great, and drew off, finally disappearing in the distance.
"He brought down the pony of the nearest Indian."
Mr. Clarendon waited an hour or more, expecting them to return, but they did not, and he resumed his journey to the settlement.
Having but a single horse, he was obliged to leave part of his load behind, and such slow progress was made in his crippled condition that the day was well gone before he reached Barwell.
There he was startled to learn that his children had started home[97]ward early in the day, and were still absent. He set about organizing a rescue party at once. Fortunately, Nat Trumbull and several of his rangers were present, and they eagerly gave their help. Within half an hour after the father received the alarming tidings Trumbull was cantering southward with a dozen tried men and true, and among them was Archibald Clarendon himself.
Although the escape of the three parties from the beleaguered32 cabin may strike you as wonderful, yet, after all, there was nothing very remarkable33 in it.
Red Feather would have forgotten his lifelong training, had he failed to see and take instant advantage of the providential diversion when the Sioux, in the gathering34 darkness, made all haste to the top of the hill to learn about the horsemen approaching from the north.
Had the Sioux suspected that the brain of one of their shrewdest chiefs was helping35 the boy and girl, they would have been far more vigilant36; but, as it was, they must have believed that nothing could draw the lad outside of his shelter until the appearance of his friends.
Red Feather was standing as before at one of the upper windows when the stampede took place to the crest37 of the hill. He read its meaning, and saw his golden opportunity.
"Now we go," he said in an undertone; "me carry pappoose (child)—you come 'long—put blanket round—den look like Indian."
There was another reason for using the blanket; the air was cold enough to require it.
Melville was quick to catch the idea, and, whipping a quilt from the bed, he gathered it about his shoulders, so that it came almost to his crown. His straw hat would have been too conspicuous38, and [98]he held that in front of his breast, under the blanket, to be put in its proper place again when it should become safe to do so.
"I'm ready," he said, standing erect39, and looking at Red Feather as well as he could in the gloom.
"Me too."
The chief had lifted Dot in his arms, and he covered her with his thick blanket, doing so with such skill that hardly any one would have suspected the nature of the precious burden he carried next to his heart.
Not a minute was lost. Red Feather passed down the steps, paused in front of the door, and waited for Melville to unfasten it. The youth donned his hat, flung aside his blanket, and set his gun down to give his arms play. The heavy bar was lifted from its place, and then, in obedience40 to an odd whim41, he thrust the end of the leathern string through the orifice above the latch42.
He gathered his blanket about his shoulders and head as before, doffing43 his hat and returning it to its hiding-place, and paused for the chieftain to precede him.
Red Feather stood a minute on the threshold, peering out in the darkness. Everything looked favorable, and he stepped forward. Melville was directly behind him, and softly closed the door as he left the cabin.
The Sioux, instead of walking straight away from the building, moved stealthily along the front, passed around the corner, and started southward. By this means he interposed the cabin between himself and the party on the hill.[99]
[100] "The youth was almost on his heels. His heart beat fast, and he was eager to break into a run."—Page 98
The youth was almost on his heels. His heart beat fast, and he was eager to break into a run that would quickly increase the [101]distance between him and the war-party. He was about to suggest that they should hasten, when, to his surprise, he perceived that his friend was moving so much faster than he that he threatened to leave him out of sight altogether. Red Feather had struck a peculiar44 gait. It looked as if he was walking, but his pace was a loping trot45, in which the feet were lifted only slightly from the ground. The movement was as smooth as that of a pacing horse, and he adopted it in order to save Dot from jolting46.
The Sioux, on emerging from the building, had glanced sharply about him, in the hope of catching47 sight of his own pony, or one belonging to a warrior; but there was none convenient, and he dared not wait.
"Saladin must be hovering48 somewhere in the neighborhood," thought his young owner, "and it would be mighty49 fine if I could run against him, but it doesn't look as if there is much chance."
Red Feather continued his loping gait for two or three hundred yards, when he once more dropped to a walk; but his steps were so lengthy50 and rapid that the lad had to trot most of the time to hold his own.
Melville fancied his leader was changing his course, but he could only guess its direction. Looking back, nothing was visible of the cabin left a few minutes before. Everything was dark, the country being an undulating prairie. Mr. Clarendon used no fences, and the ground travelled by the fugitives51 had not been broken.
It seemed to the youth that the most natural thing for Red Feather to do was to make directly for the settlement, ten miles to the northward. It was a long tramp, but the two were capable of doing much more without special fatigue52.
[102]The chieftain did not speak as he hurried forward; and the boy asked him no questions, content to wait until he chose to tell his plans. His pace grew more moderate, and soon became easy for Melville to keep his place beside him.
It need not be said that both made good use of their eyes and ears. Although beyond sight of the house, it was too soon to think themselves safe. If a collision took place between Tall Bear and the new-comers, some of the Indians were likely to be skurrying backwards53 and forwards on their ponies54, and it was probable they would come upon the fugitives.
Whenever Red Feather should meet his fellows there would be a sensation, but he was not the warrior to shrink the test, though he wished it to be deferred55 until the brother and sister were beyond the resentment56 of every one of his tribe.
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1
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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astounded
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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sputtered
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| v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的过去式和过去分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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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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vaulting
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| n.（天花板或屋顶的）拱形结构 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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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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darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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16
penetrating
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| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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desolated
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| adj.荒凉的，荒废的 | |
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rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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crouch
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| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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30
frenzied
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| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
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31
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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beleaguered
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| adj.受到围困[围攻]的；包围的v.围攻( beleaguer的过去式和过去分词)；困扰；骚扰 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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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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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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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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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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41
whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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42
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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43
doffing
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| n.下筒，落纱v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的现在分词 ) | |
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44
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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45
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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46
jolting
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| adj.令人震惊的 | |
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47
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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48
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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49
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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50
lengthy
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| adj.漫长的，冗长的 | |
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51
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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52
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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53
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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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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55
deferred
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| adj.延期的，缓召的v.拖延，延缓，推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 )；服从某人的意愿，遵从 | |
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56
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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