Throughout the afternoon hours both parties remained stationary3; the pursued indulging in a siesta4, which days of rough riding and raiding, with nights of watchfulness5, have made necessary; the pursuers, on their part, wearied as well, but unable to sleep so long as their vengeance6 remains7 unappeased, and such dread8 danger hangs over the heads of those near and dear to them.
Above the bivouacs the black vultures spread their shadowy wings, soaring and circling, each “gang” over the cohort it has been all day accompanying.
Every now and then between the two “gangs” one is seen coming and going, like so many mutual9 messengers passing between; for, although the flocks are far apart, they can see one another, and each is aware, by instinct clearer than human ken10, what the other is after. It is not the first time for them to follow two such parties travelling across the Texan prairie. Nor will it be the first for them to unite in the air as the two troops come into collision on the earth. Often have these birds, poised11 in the blue ether, looked down upon red carnage like that now impending12. Their instincts—let us call them so, for the sake of keeping peace with the naturalists14 of the closet—then admonish15 them what is likely to ensue. For if not reason, they have at least recollection; and as their eyes rest upon men with dusky skins, and others dimly white, they know that between such is a terrible antagonism16, oft accruing17 to their own interest. Many a time has it given them a meal. Strange if they should not remember it!
They do. Though tranquilly18 soaring on high—each bird with outstretched neck and eye bent19, in hungry concupiscence, looks below on the forms moving or at rest, saying to itself, “Ere long these vermin will furnish a rich repast.” So sure are they of this—the birds of both flocks—that, although the sun is nigh setting, instead of betaking themselves to their roosts, as is their wont20, they stay, each by its own pet party. Those accompanying the pursuers still fly about in the air. They can tell that these do not intend to remain much longer on that spot. For they have kindled21 no fires, nor taken other steps that indicate an encampment for the night.
Different with those that soar over the halting-place of the pursued. As night approaches they draw in their spread wings and settle down to roost; some upon trees, others on the ledges22 of rock, still others on the summits of the cliffs that overhang the camping place of the Indians.
The blazing fires, with meat on spits sputtering23 over them; the arms abandoned, spears stuck in the ground, with shields suspended; the noise and revelry around—all proclaim the resolve of the savages to stay there till morning.
An intention which, despite their apparent stolidity—in contradiction to the ideas of the closet naturalist13 and his theory of animal instinct—the vultures clearly comprehend.
About the behaviour of the birds the marauders take no note. They are used to seeing turkey-buzzards around—better known to them by the name “zopilotés.”
For long ere the Anglo-American colonists24 came in contact with the Comanche Indians a Spano-Mexican vocabulary had penetrated25 to the remotest of these tribes.
No new thing for the Tenawas to see the predatory birds swooping26 above them all day and staying near them all night. Not stranger than a wolf keeping close to the sheepfold, or a hungry dog skulking28 around shambles29.
As night draws near, and the purple twilight30 steals over the great Texan plain, the party of chasing pursuers is relieved from a stay by all deemed so irksome. Remounting their horses, they leave the scene of their reluctant halt, and continue the pursuit silently, as if moving in funeral march.
The only sounds heard are the dull thumping31 of their horses’ hoofs32 upon the soft prairie turf; now and then a clink, as one strikes against a stone; the occasional tinkle33 of a canteen as it comes in contact with saddle mounting or pistol butt34; the champing of bits, with the breathing of horses and men.
These last talk in low tones, in mutterings not much louder than whispers. In pursuit of their savage1 foe35, the well-trained Rangers36 habitually37 proceed thus, and have cautioned the settlers to the same. Though these need no compulsion to keep silent; their hearts are too sore for speech; their anguish38, in its terrible intensity39, seeks for no expression, till they stand face to face with the red ruffians who have caused, and are still causing, it. The night darkens down, becoming so obscure that each horseman can barely distinguish the form of him riding ahead. Some regret this, thinking they may get strayed. Not so Cully. On the contrary, the guide is glad, for he feels confident in his conjecture40 that the pursued will be found in Pecan Creek41, and a dark night will favour the scheme of attack he has conceived and spoken of. Counselled by him, the Ranger27 captain shares his confidence, and they proceed direct towards the point where the tributary42 stream unites with the main river—the little Witchita, along whose banks they have been all that day tracking. Not but that Cully could take up the Indian trail. Despite the obscurity he could do that, though not, as he jestingly declared, by the smell. There are other indices that would enable him, known but to men who have spent a lifetime upon the prairies. He does not need them now, sure he will find the savages, as he said, “squatted on the Peecawn.”
And, sure enough, when the pursuers, at length at the creek’s mouth, enter the canon through which it disembogues its crystal water into the grander and more turbid43 stream, they discovered certain traces of the pursued having passed along its banks.
Another mile of travelling, the same silence observed, with caution increased, and there is no longer a doubt about the truth of Cully’s conjecture. Noises are heard ahead, sounds disturbing the stillness of the night air that are not those of the uninhabited prairie. There is the lowing of cattle, in long monotonous44 moans, like when being driven to slaughter45, with, at intervals46, the shriller neigh of a horse, as if uneasy at being away from his stable.
On hearing these sounds, the Ranger captain, acting47 by the advice of the guide, orders a halt. Then the pursuing party is separated into two distinct troops. One, led by Cully, ascends48 the cliff by a lateral49 ravine, and pursues its way along the upper table-land. The other, under the command of the captain, is to remain below until a certain time has elapsed, its length stipulated50 between the two leaders before parting.
When it has passed, the second division moves forward up the creek, again halting as a light shines through the trees, which, from its reddish colour, they know to be the glare of log fires.
They need not this to tell them they are close to an encampment—that of the savages they have been pursuing. They can hear their barbarous jargon51, mingled52 with shouts and laughter like that of demons53 in the midst of some fiendish frolic.
They only stay for a signal the guide arranged to give as soon as he has got round to attack on the opposite side. The first shot heard, and they will dash forward to the fires.
Seated in their saddles, with reins54 tight drawn55, and heels ready to drive home the spur—with glances bent greedily at the gleaming lights, and ears keenly alert to catch every sound—the hearts of some trembling with fear, others throbbing56 with hope, still others thrilling with the thought of vengeance—they wait for the crack that is to be the signal—wait and listen, with difficulty restraining themselves.
It comes at length. Up the glen peals57 a loud report, quickly followed by another, both from a double-barrelled gun.
This was the signal for attack, arranged by Cully.
Soon as hearing it, the reins are slackened, the spurs sent home, and, with a shout making the rocks ring, and the trees reverberate58 its echoes, they gallop59 straight towards the Indian encampment, and in a moment are in its midst.
They meet little resistance—scarce any. Too far from the settlements to fear pursuit—in full confidence they have not been followed, the red robbers have been abandoning themselves to pleasure, spending the night in a grand gluttonous60 feast, furnished by the captured kine.
Engrossed61 with sensual joys, they have neglected guard; and, in the midst of their festivities, they are suddenly set upon from all sides; the sharp cracking of rifles, with the quick detonation62 of repeating pistols, soon silences their cacchinations, scattering63 them like chaff64.
After the first fusillade, there is but little left of them. Those not instantly shot down retreat in the darkness, skulking of! among the pecan trees. It is altogether an affair of firearms: and for once the bowie—the Texan’s trusted weapon—has no part in the fray65.
The first rays of next morning’s sun throw light upon a sanguinary scene—a tableau66 terrible, though not regrettable. On the contrary, it discloses a sight which, but for the red surroundings, might give gladness. Fathers, half frantic67 with joy, are kissing children they never expected to see again; brothers clasping the hands of sisters late deemed lost for ever; husbands, nigh broken-hearted, once more happy, holding their wives in fond, affectionate embrace.
Near by, things strangely contrasting—corpses strewn over the ground, stark68 and bleeding, but not yet stiff, all of coppery complexion69, but bedaubed with paint of many diverse colours. All surely savages.
A fearful spectacle, but one too often witnessed on the far frontier land of Texas.
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1
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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siesta
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| n.午睡 | |
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watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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naturalist
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| n.博物学家(尤指直接观察动植物者) | |
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naturalists
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| n.博物学家( naturalist的名词复数 )；（文学艺术的）自然主义者 | |
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admonish
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| v.训戒；警告；劝告 | |
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antagonism
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| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
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accruing
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| v.增加( accrue的现在分词 )；（通过自然增长）产生；获得；（使钱款、债务）积累 | |
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tranquilly
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| adv. 宁静地 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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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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ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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23
sputtering
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| n.反应溅射法；飞溅；阴极真空喷镀；喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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swooping
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的现在分词 ) | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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28
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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thumping
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| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
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32
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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tinkle
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| vi.叮当作响；n.叮当声 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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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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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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41
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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42
tributary
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| n.支流；纳贡国；adj.附庸的；辅助的；支流的 | |
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43
turbid
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| adj.混浊的，泥水的，浓的 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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45
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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46
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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47
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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48
ascends
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的第三人称单数 ) | |
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49
lateral
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| adj.侧面的，旁边的 | |
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50
stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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51
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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52
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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53
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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54
reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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55
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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reverberate
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| v.使回响，使反响 | |
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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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gluttonous
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| adj.贪吃的，贪婪的 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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detonation
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| n.爆炸；巨响 | |
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scattering
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| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
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chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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frantic
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| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
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stark
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| adj.荒凉的；严酷的；完全的；adv.完全地 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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