CHAPTER XXXVII. AN INDIAN GUIDE.

 "Is that your husband?" asked Rupert, in a tone that betrayed his surprise.

 

"Yes. What yer gawkin' at? He's enough sight better'n my first husband, who was a white man. Isn't he, Sal?"

 

"You bet, mam!"

 

The Indian, who had an air of natural dignity, seemed pleased with their tributes to his excellence¹.

 

"Yes," continued Sal's mother, "he's my man now. John, this boy wants you to take him to Giles Packard's ranch²."

 

"It's a long way," said the Indian, slowly.

 

"Yes, I know that," answered Rupert, "but I am willing to pay you. That is, I haven't money with me, but Mr. Packard will pay you fifty dollars, and I will give you my gun besides."

 

[Pg 327]

 

The Indian seemed most impressed with the last part of the offer. He held out the gun and examined it closely. Then a look of satisfaction overspread his face, and he said "Good."

 

"He seems straight, though he's only a boy," remarked the woman. "You'd better go. Fifty dollars is a good deal of money."

 

"Gun good," said the Indian, sententiously.

 

"Yes, but the money is better."

 

"When you want to go?" asked John.

 

"You'd better wait till to-morrow morning," put in the woman. "I'll bake up some bread and fry some bear steak for you to carry."

 

"That will suit me if you will give me a place to sleep and some supper," said Rupert.

 

This was readily agreed to.

 

One of those best pleased with this arrangement was Sal. She seemed so impressed with Rupert that the latter was afraid she would kiss him again, but fortunately she refrained.

 

She made up her mind, however, to enjoy the boy's companionship, and challenged him[Pg 328] to a trial of speed. Rupert was almost ashamed to compete with a girl, but he found that Sal was a rival by no means to be despised. She kept up well with him in a quarter mile run, and in a running jump she beat him once out of three times.

 

"You jump very well—for a girl," said Rupert.

 

"You're taller'n I be, or I'd beat you. Besides, you're older."

 

"And your mother's older than you. Can she beat you?"

 

"I'd jump mam out of her boots," said Sal, confidently. "Want to try, mam?"

 

"Try what?"

 

"Jumpin'."

 

"Oh, quit yer foolin'. A nice sight I'd be, jumpin'. Your dad will jump with you."

 

"Yes," said John, smiling gravely.

 

"Oh, he can beat me, of course."

 

"Won't you jump, John?" asked Rupert, thinking the Indian looked desirous of a trial.

 

"Yes," answered John.

 

Like most of his race, he was supple³ and[Pg 329] well trained in all athletic⁴ exercises. He jumped three feet farther than Rupert, though the white boy plumed⁵ himself on his agility⁶.

 

Later Rupert and Sal took a trip down the river on the raft. Sal desired to do the paddling, and Rupert was obliged to confess that she understood the art of paddling a raft better than he.

 

"You gave it to me, didn't you?" she said.

 

"Yes, Sal, it is yours."

 

The girl looked pleased.

 

"I will go out on it a good deal," she said. "Dad doesn't like me to use his canoe."

 

"Where does he keep his canoe?"

 

"Up the river a way. Shall I show you?"

 

"Yes, if you will."

 

She kept on paddling till they reached a secluded⁷ part of the stream, where there was a circular indentation in the bank. Here was the Indian's canoe. It was higher than the skiff in which Rupert had traveled with Ben Boone, and though as long, was narrower.

 

"It is a beautiful canoe!" said Rupert, admiringly.

 

[Pg 330]

 

"Isn't it? Dad's proud of it."

 

"How long has he been married to your mother?"

 

"'Bout⁸ three years."

 

"You don't mind having an Indian for a father?" asked Rupert, feeling that he might be on delicate ground.

 

"No, John's a good man. He never drinks, as my own father did. He's good to mam. Then he is a good hunter, and brings us plenty of bear's meat."

 

"Would you be willing to marry an Indian yourself?"

 

"No, I'd rather marry you," was Sal's disconcerting reply.

 

"I am not old enough to be married," said Rupert, blushing.

 

"You will be some day."

 

"Yes. I shall be some day—if I live."

 

"Then will you come and marry me?"

 

This was a leap year proposal with a vengeance⁹. Rupert was hardly prepared with an answer. He replied diplomatically, "I can't tell yet. I must ask my mother."

 

"Mam would be willing I should marry[Pg 331] you," said Sal. "Where does your mother live?"

 

"Near New York."

 

"Won't you ask her?"

 

"Yes," answered Rupert; "but perhaps you will see some one else you will like better."

 

"No, I shan't," said Sal, positively¹⁰. "You are awful handsome."

 

"Am I?" said Rupert, in rather an embarrassed tone.

 

"Yes, you've got such nice red cheeks."

 

Rupert scanned her critically, but he was unable to return the compliment. Her face was thin and sallow, and the only feature that was passable was her bright black eyes.

 

The next morning, when Rupert was ready to start, Sal showed an inclination¹¹ to kiss him again, but he hurried off with the Indian, and escaped this affectionate demonstration¹².

 

"You'll come back some time?" said Sal, anxiously, as she looked after him.

 

"Yes, some day."

 

Rupert hoped that before he saw Sal again she would have secured a husband in her own station in life.

 

[Pg 332]

 

Rupert found the Indian a very satisfactory companion. Compared to Ben he was silent and reserved, but he was willing to answer questions, and the young traveler managed to extract considerable information from him.

 

There was no unnecessary delay. Rupert had no desire to remain longer in the wilderness¹³. So on the evening of the third day he reached Red Gulch¹⁴ and sought out his friend Giles Packard.

 

The cattleman eyed his companion with surprise.

 

"Where have you left Ben?" he said.

 

"He left me," answered Rupert, and he told the story of Ben Boone's treachery.

 

Giles Packard was very angry.

 

"The rascal¹⁵!" he said. "I knew he was lazy and shiftless, but I didn't think he was a villain¹⁶. If I could get hold of him he'd find it worse than being in a bear's clutches. Have you any idea where he went?"

 

"No; I thought he might have come home."

 

"He wouldn't dare to come home without you."

 

[Pg 333]

 

"I've got it!" exclaimed Rupert, suddenly.

 

"What is it?"

 

"I understand now. He's on his way to New York."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"He asked a great deal about New York, and said he would go there if he only had money enough. I expect he is using my money for traveling expenses."

 

"Where did you pick up your Indian friend?"

 

Rupert told of the compact he had made with the Indian, and asked Mr. Packard to lend him money enough to keep it.

 

"Certainly, lad, and I'd do a great deal more for you, if necessary."

 

John was paid his money, and received the gun besides as a free gift. With them he started for home happy and proud.

 

Rupert might have sent his love to Sal, but he refrained.

 

"By the way, Rupert," said Giles Packard, "I have two letters for you."

 

Rupert opened them hastily. The first was from his mother. The important part ran thus:

 

[Pg 334]

 

"Mr. Strathmore is sick with pneumonia¹⁷, and there is little hope of his living. Of course this will make it necessary for me and Grace to seek a new home. I wish we might all be together again. I have been contented¹⁸, because I knew you were doing well, but I should be happier to have you with me. Will you be back soon? I will make no arrangements till you return."

 

The second letter was from Leslie Waters. He wrote:

 

"Congratulate me, Rupert! I have at last realized my ambition and am to become an actor. I have been engaged to play a part in the comedy of 'Fireflies.' You won't get any idea of the piece from the title. My part is a very good one. I am to represent a Broadway swell¹⁹. I can't give you any idea of the plot, but I hope some time you may be able to see it played. Of course I have resigned my position as a bell-boy. We start on the road on Monday, opening at Albany, and going thence to Buffalo²⁰. I will send you my route as soon as I can. Answer this to Cleveland, Ohio."

 

"I suppose Leslie is happy," thought Rupert. "I hope he will succeed."

 

"I trust your letters contain good news," said Giles Packard.

 

"One contains bad news. My mother is about to lose her home, and I am afraid I must start at once for New York."

 

"Wait till to-morrow, Rupert, and I will go with you. I have a capable superintendent²¹ who will take my place, and a journey will do me good."

 

"I shall be delighted to have your company, Mr. Packard."

 

Giles Packard looked pleased, for the longer he knew Rupert the better he liked him.

1 excellence   

n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德

参考例句：

• His art has reached a high degree of excellence.他的艺术已达到炉火纯青的地步。
• My performance is far below excellence.我的表演离优秀还差得远呢。

2 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

3 supple   

adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺

参考例句：

• She gets along well with people because of her supple nature.她与大家相处很好，因为她的天性柔和。
• He admired the graceful and supple movements of the dancers.他赞扬了舞蹈演员优雅灵巧的舞姿。

4 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

5 plumed   

饰有羽毛的

参考例句：

• The knight plumed his helmet with brilliant red feathers. 骑士用鲜红的羽毛装饰他的头盔。
• The eagle plumed its wing. 这只鹰整理它的翅膀。

6 agility   

n.敏捷，活泼

参考例句：

• The boy came upstairs with agility.那男孩敏捷地走上楼来。
• His intellect and mental agility have never been in doubt.他的才智和机敏从未受到怀疑。

7 secluded   

adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• Some people like to strip themselves naked while they have a swim in a secluded place. 一些人当他们在隐蔽的地方游泳时，喜欢把衣服脱光。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• This charming cottage dates back to the 15th century and is as pretty as a picture, with its thatched roof and secluded garden. 这所美丽的村舍是15世纪时的建筑，有茅草房顶和宁静的花园，漂亮极了，简直和画上一样。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 bout   

n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛

参考例句：

• I was suffering with a bout of nerves.我感到一阵紧张。
• That bout of pneumonia enfeebled her.那次肺炎的发作使她虚弱了。

9 vengeance   

n.报复，报仇，复仇

参考例句：

• He swore vengeance against the men who murdered his father.他发誓要向那些杀害他父亲的人报仇。
• For years he brooded vengeance.多年来他一直在盘算报仇。

10 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

11 inclination   

n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好

参考例句：

• She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
• I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。

12 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

13 wilderness   

n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

14 gulch   

n.深谷，峡谷

参考例句：

• The trail ducks into a narrow gulch.这条羊肠小道突然下到一个狭窄的峡谷里。
• This is a picture of California Gulch.这是加利福尼亚峡谷的图片。

15 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

16 villain   

n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因

参考例句：

• He was cast as the villain in the play.他在戏里扮演反面角色。
• The man who played the villain acted very well.扮演恶棍的那个男演员演得很好。

17 pneumonia   

n.肺炎

参考例句：

• Cage was struck with pneumonia in her youth.凯奇年轻时得过肺炎。
• Pneumonia carried him off last week.肺炎上星期夺去了他的生命。

18 contented   

adj.满意的，安心的，知足的

参考例句：

• He won't be contented until he's upset everyone in the office.不把办公室里的每个人弄得心烦意乱他就不会满足。
• The people are making a good living and are contented,each in his station.人民安居乐业。

19 swell   

vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强

参考例句：

• The waves had taken on a deep swell.海浪汹涌。
• His injured wrist began to swell.他那受伤的手腕开始肿了。

20 buffalo   

n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛

参考例句：

• Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of America's. 亚洲水牛比美洲水牛温顺些。
• The boots are made of buffalo hide. 这双靴子是由水牛皮制成的。

21 superintendent   

n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长

参考例句：

• He was soon promoted to the post of superintendent of Foreign Trade.他很快就被擢升为对外贸易总监。
• He decided to call the superintendent of the building.他决定给楼房管理员打电话。