Are flecked with gleams of light and spots of shade;
Here, golden sunshine spreads in mellow2 rays, and there,
Stretching across its hoary3 breast, deep shadows lurk4.
A stream, with many a turn, now lost to sight,
And then, again revealed, winds through the vale,
Shimmering5 in the early morning sun.
A few white clouds float in the blue expanse,
Their forms revealed in the clear lake beneath,
Which bears upon its breast a bark canoe,
Cautiously guided by a sinewy6 arm.
High in the heavens, three eagles proudly poise7,
Keeping their mountain eyrie still in view,
Although their flight has borne them far away.
Upon the cliff which beetles8 o'er the pool,
Two Indians, peering from the brink9, appear,
Clad in the gaudy10 dress their nature craves—
Robes of bright blue and scarlet11, but which blend
In happy union with the landscape round.
Near by a wigwam stands—a fire within
Sends out a ruddy glow—and from its roof,
Cone12-shaped, a spiral wreath of smoke ascends13.
Not far away, though deeper in the woods,
Another hut, with red-men grouped about,
Attracts the eye, and wakens saddened thoughts
Of that brave race who once were masters here,
But now, like autumn leaves, are dying out.—BARRY GRAY.
"Shtop dat noise! shtop dat noise!" vociferated Hans Vanderbum, growing red in the face with fury, because his repeated commands had received so little attention.
The scene was deep in the forests of Ohio, a short distance from the Miami river. An Indian town of twenty-five or thirty lodges16 here stood, resembling a giant apiary17, with its inhabitants flitting in and out, darting18 hither and thither19, like so many bees. The time was early in the morning of a radiant spring, when the atmosphere was still and charming; the dew lingered upon the grass and undergrowth; birds were singing in every tree; the sky glowed with the pure blue of Italy; and the whole wilderness20 in its bloom looked like a sea of emerald. Everything was life and exhilaration, one personage alone excepted—Hans Vanderbum was unhappy!
The Indian lodges differed very little from each other, being of a rough, substantial character, built with an eye to comfort rather than beauty. One at the extreme northern edge of the village is that with which our story deals. A brief description of it will serve as a general daguerreotype21 of all those wild abodes22.
The wigwam was composed of skins and bark, the latter greatly predominating. The shape was that of a cone. The framework was of poles, the lower ends of which were placed in a sort of circle, while the tops were intersected, leaving a small opening, through which the smoke reached the clear air above. Unsightly and repulsive23 as this might seem from the outside view, the dwelling24, nevertheless, was water-proof and comfortable, and abundantly answered the end for which it was built.
A thin vapor25 was ascending26 in a bluish spiral at the top of the lodge15 indicated. A Shawnee squaw was occupied in preparing the morning meal, while her liege lord still reclined in one corner, in the vain effort to secure a few minutes more of slumber27. This latter personage was Hans Vanderbum—our friend Hans—a huge, plethoric28, stolid29, lazy Dutchman, who had "married" an Indian widow several years before. At the time of her marriage this squaw had a boy some three or four years of age, while a second one, the son of the Dutchman, was now just large enough to be as mischievous30 as a kitten. They were a couple of greasy31, copper-hued little rascals32, with eyes as black as midnight, and long, wiry hair, like that of a horse's mane. Brimful of animal spirits, they were just the reverse of Hans Vanderbum, whose laziness and stupidity were only excelled by his indifference33 to the dignity and rights of human nature.
Hans Vanderbum lay fiat34 upon his back, for the atmosphere of the wigwam was too warm for covering, his ponderous35 belly36 rising and falling like a wave of the sea, and his throat giving forth37 that peculiar38 rattling39 of the glottis, which might be mistaken for suffocation40. The boys certainly would have been outside, basking41 in the genial42 sunshine, had not their mother, Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, positively43 denied them that coveted44 privilege. The commands of the father might be trampled45 upon with impunity46, but the young half-breeds knew better than to disobey their mother.
"Shtop dat noise! shtop dat noise!" repeated Hans, raising his head without stirring his body or limbs.
His broad face seemed all ablaze47 from its fiery48 red color, and the threatening fury throned upon his lowering forehead would almost have annihilated49 him who encountered it for the first time. As it was, the two boys suddenly straightened their faces, and assumed an air of meek50 penitence51, as if suffering the most harrowing remorse52 for what they had done; and the father, after glaring at them a moment, as if to drive in and clinch53 the impression he had made, let his head drop back with a dull thump54 upon the ground, and again closed his eyes.
The black, snaky orbs55 of the boys twinkled like stars through their overhanging hair. Glancing first at their mother, who did not deign56 to notice them, the eldest57 picked up his younger brother, who was grinning from ear to ear with delight, and, summoning all his strength, he poised58 him over the prostrate59 form of his father for a moment, and then dropped him! The prolonged snore which was steadily60 issuing from the throat of the sleeping parent, terminated in a sharp, explosive grunt61. As his eyes opened, the boys scrambled62 away like frogs to the opposite side of the lodge, under the protecting care of their mother.
"Dunder and blixen! You dunderin' Dutch Indians, dishturbin' your poor old dad dat is wearing his life out for you! I'll pound both of you till you're dead!"
Hans Vanderbum's system had suffered too great a shock for further slumber. He rose to the sitting position, and, digging both hands into his head, glared at his offspring a moment, and then began his regular lecture.
"Quanonshet, you little Dutchman, and Madokawandock, you little bigger Dutchman, vot does you t'ink of yourselves? Vot does you t'ink will become of you, disgracing your parents in this manner? You oughter be pounded to death to treat your poor old fader in this manner, who is working of himself away to bring you up in the way you ought for to go. Eh? vot do you t'ink of yourself, eh? Vot do you t'ink of yourself?" demanded Hans, furiously shaking his head toward the boys at each word.
Quanonshet and Madokawandock were too confounded for reply.
"Shposing your poor old fader should go crazy!! Here he is working himself to skin and bone—Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, ain't you got dat cooked?"
"Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, ain't you got dat cooked?"]
[Illustration: "Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, ain't you got dat cooked?"]
"No!" screamed the wife. "You big, lazy man, get up and stir yourself! You don't do anything but sleep and smoke, while I'm working all the flesh off my bones for you!"
These forcible remarks were made in the pure Shawnee tongue, and were accompanied by gesticulation too pointed63 and significant for Hans to mistake the spirit in which they were given. Although it is the invariable custom among the North American Indians for the husband to rule the wife, and impose all burdens upon her, except those of the hunt, and fight, such, by no means, was the case with the present couple. Hans Vanderbum's body was too unwieldy for him to accompany the young men (or even the old men) upon their hunting expeditions; in short, he contributed nothing toward the support of his interesting family. The first husband of Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock had been an Indian, with all the characteristics of his race—indolent, selfish and savage64; and her life with him had been that of the usual servitude and drudgery65. Accordingly, when she ventured a second time upon the sea of matrimony, she naturally fell into the same routine of labor66, planting and cultivating what little corn, beans and vegetables were raised for the family, and doing all the really hard work. Hans Vanderbum sometimes gathered firewood, and frequently, when the weather was pleasant, spent hours in fishing. He was an inveterate67 smoker68 and sleeper69; and, beyond doubt, was perfectly70 content in his situation. Having been taken a prisoner some years before, and adopted into this branch of the Shawnee tribe, he was offered the hand of Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock in marriage, and accepted it at once, totally forgetful of his first love, which had been the beautiful inmate71 of the Hunter's Cabin.
Hans Vanderbum sat and gazed at his wife with an admiring eye, as she busied herself with the preparations of the morning meal. Hoping to mollify her, he commenced flattering her, speaking in a low tone as if it were not his wish that she should hear him, but taking good care, at the same time, that nothing should escape her ears.
"Shplendid figger, Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock has got. No wonder all te braves of te Shawnee tribe should love her, and dat Hans Vanderbum gots her at last. Jis' look at dat foot! long and flat like a board, and she's de same shape all de way down from her head to her heels. Ishn't dat breakfast ready, my dear wife?"
The wife gave a spiteful nod, and Hans Vanderbum shambled up beside her, where the food, consisting of meat and a few simple vegetables, was spread upon a rude table which had no legs. Quanonshet and Madokawandock were not behind-hand in their movements, and the whole four fell to with such voracity72, that, in a very short time, their hunger was satisfied.
"Now, you two fellers come out doors and learn your lessons," said the father, lighting73 his pipe, and putting on a very stern and dignified74 look.
The boys tumbled over each other in their eagerness to get into the open air. Hans followed them, while Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock busied herself about her household duties. Quanonshet and Madokawandock rollicked and frisked awhile before they were "called to order." After repeated commands, they approached their father, and standing75 side by side, awaited his instructions.
Hans Vanderbum had provided himself with a long pole, and stood by a sandy portion of ground, upon which he had no difficulty in tracing what letters and characters he wished. With due preparation and importance he marked out the first letter of the German alphabet, and then, straightening himself up, demanded in a thundering tone "vot dat was." His two sons looked mute and dumbfounded. They had not the remotest idea in the world of its name and significance. For over three months the patient father had instructed them daily in regard to this character, and the two together must have repeated it several thousand times. But, it mattered not; neither had any conception now of it, and their looks showed such unmistakably to their instructor76.
"Dunder and blixen, vot Dutch Indians!" he exclaimed, impatiently. Repeating its name, he again demanded "vot dat was." This time they answered readily, and his eyes sparkled with pleasure.
"Shmart boys," said he, approvingly. "You learns well, now. One dese days—"
Hans Vanderbum's words were cut short by the sudden sharp explosion of his pipe, the bowl being shattered in a hundred pieces, while nothing but the stem remained in his mouth.
"Where's mine pipe?" he asked, looking around in the vain hope of descrying77 it somewhere upon the ground. Quanonshet and Madokawandock indulged in one short scream of laughter, then instantly straightened their faces and looked as meek and innocent as lambs. Gradually the truth began to work its way into the head of Hans. Looking sternly at the two, he asked, in a threatening voice:
"Which of you put dat powder in mine meerschaum, eh? which of you done dat, eh?"
Neither answered, except by hanging their heads and looking at their bare feet.
"I axes you once more, and dis is de last time."
Each now protested that it was not himself but the other, so that if there really were but one culprit, Hans had no means of determining. Under the circumstances, he concluded the safest plan was to believe both guilty. Accordingly he made a sudden dash and commenced whacking78 them soundly with the stick he held in his hand. They yelled, kicked, and screamed; and squirming themselves loose, scampered79 quickly away from their irate80 instructor.
"Dat meerschaum can't be fixed," he soliloquized, taking the bare stem out of his mouth and looking sorrowfully at it. "'Cause dere ishn't anything to fix it mit. It ish wonderful what mischief82 gets into dem boys; dere ain't no time when dey ain't doin' notting what dey hadn't not ought to—all de times just de same way, while I toils83 myself to death to educate dem and bring 'em up in de way apout which dey ought to go."
Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock being in the habit of frequently indulging in the use of tobacco, her husband was not deprived entirely84 of his solace85. Going into the wigwam, he unbosomed his griefs to her, and she kindly86 loaned him her own pipe.
"I hopes dere ain't no powder in dat," he remarked, glancing uneasily into the bowl.
"Nothing but tobac," replied his spouse87, in her native tongue, "unless you've put the powder in yourself."
"Dunderation, I don't does dat, and blow mine eyes out my head. Dem little Dutchmen is up to all kinds of such tricks, and some dese days dey will blow deir poor fader's brains out of his head, and den1 what will become of dem?" feelingly inquired Hans Vanderbum.
"What will become of them?" repeated Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, her voice rising higher and higher at each word. "Who is it that supports them now and takes care of them? Who is it that does that? Who is it—"
"It's you—it's you," replied her husband, seeing the mistake he had made. "I doesn't do nottings—I doesn't do nottings; it's my wife, my good Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, dat does it all. She's a very nice squaw, de same shape all de way down."
These concessions88 and compliments greatly soothed89 the feelings of the incensed90 spouse. She scolded her husband no more.
"What you going to do, my dear frau?" he asked, in a voice as cooing and winning as a dove's.
"Going to work, to plant the corn, to get food for you and Quanonshet and Madokawandock when the snow falls."
"Very kind, clever woman; good frau is mine Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock."
"What are you going to do?" asked the wife, as the two passed out the wigwam.
"Going to shmoke and meditate—meditate hard," replied Hans Vanderbum, impressively.
"Can't you think as well while you're fishing?"
"I shpose I can; if my Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock t'inks so, I can."
"Well, she thinks so."
The fact that his wife "thought so" was equivalent to a command with Hans. He manifested no unwillingness91 or reluctance92 in obeying. Accordingly, he furnished himself with a hook, line and bait, and set out for the river.
It was now getting well along in the forenoon, the sun being above the tree-tops. The Shawnee Indians had left their wigwams to engage in their daily avocations93. The women were mostly toiling94 in the field, their pappooses hanging from the trees or leaning against their trunks. The older children were frolicking through the woods, or fishing or hunting. A few warriors95 and old men still lounged about the wigwams, but the majority either were engaged in the hunt, or were upon the war-trail.
Stolid and indifferent as was the nature of Hans, it struck him that there was something unusual in the appearance and actions of the Indians. It seemed as though some startling event had occurred from which they had not fully81 recovered. They were uneasy and restless in their movements, constantly passing to and from the river. Upon reaching the banks of the latter, the Dutchman found a considerable number already there. They were not engaged in fishing, but lay close to the edge of the water, as if they expected the appearance of something upon its surface. Had he been a little more observant, there was something else which would have attracted his attention, on his passage through the woods. Fully a dozen times a peculiar sound, like the whistle of a bird, reached his ears, and he supposed it to be nothing more, although it did seem odd to him that the bird should follow him almost to the river bank. Besides this, he caught a flitting glimpse of an Indian now and then, some distance in the woods, that appeared to be watching him; but Hans did not care, even if such were the case, and he paid no further heed96 to him.
Reaching the river, he made his preparations with great care and elaboration. He had several hooks pendent from his line, upon each of which he shoved the wriggling97 worms, spitting upon them during the operation, as if to make them more tractable98. To the line also was fastened a pebble99, to make it sink. Swinging this several times around his head, he let go, when it spun100 far out in the river, and he commenced cautiously following it by means of a projecting tree-trunk. This latter extended a dozen feet out over the surface of the water, and had been used as a seat a great many times by him. Passing out to the extremity101, he was afforded a comfortable resting-place where he could sit hour after hour smoking his pipe and engage in fishing. Had he noticed the large branch of the tree upon which he seated himself, he would have hesitated before trusting the weight of his body upon it, but his nature was too unsuspicious to be attracted by anything trivial in its appearance, and he made his way out upon it, as he had done scores of times before.
Ensconcing himself in his seat, he gave his whole attention to his line and his pipe, not noticing the interested glances which the Shawnees along the bank bestowed102 upon his operations. After the space of a few minutes, he felt something pull at his line, and doing the same, he hauled a fine plump fish out of the water, casting it upon the land.
"Dat is purty goot," he mused103, "and I will soon got a lot more, and my Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock will feel goot too, when I takes 'em home. She won't— Dunder and Blixen!"
The limb upon which he was seated suddenly broke short off, and Hans dropped into the river out of sight. But such a ponderous body as his could not sink, and upon coming to the surface, he paddled hurriedly to the shore.
"Dem little Dutchmen, Quanonshet and Madokawandock, will be de death of deir old fader afore long. Dat is deir work. I knows it, I knows it, and I will pound 'em all up when I gits home."
Looking about his person, he found that one of the hooks, catching104 in his clothes, had brought the line to shore; and, as his involuntary bath had not really been unpleasant, he was able to continue his labor. But, before going out upon the tree he examined the roots to satisfy himself that no further mischief had been perpetrated by his hopeful sons. Feeling assured upon this point, he again passed out on the tree, and was soon engaged in fishing as before, totally unmindful of the broad grins of the delighted Shawnees who had witnessed his discomfiture105.
The fish bit readily. In a short time he had taken enough to insure him a welcome reception in his own wigwam. He was debating with himself whether it would not be better to return, especially as his pipe had been extinguished by his immersion106, when a piece of bark floated down toward him and caught against his line.
There certainly was nothing remarkable107 in this. After freeing it of the obstruction108, he continued fishing. But, scarcely a minute had elapsed before a second and a third piece of bark, precisely109 like the first, lodged110 against his line, and remained there with such persistency111 that it required considerable effort upon his part to remove them.
"Where in dunderation did dey come from?" he asked, looking inquiringly about him. His first impression was that the Shawnees along the banks were throwing these pieces out into the river for the purpose of annoying him; but, on looking toward them, he could discover nothing in their appearance to warrant such a supposition. He turned elsewhere for the cause. Resuming his attention to his line, he found several other pieces passing beneath him, and he began now to feel really provoked at this repeated annoyance112. He was about to break out into some exclamation113, when the appearance of these floating objects arrested his attention. A glance showed him there was something meant more than mere114 mischief. The pieces of bark were of a peculiar construction, roughly cut into the shape of an Indian canoe, showing unmistakably that they were sent down the stream for the purpose of arresting his notice.
"Dat means something," exclaimed Hans, decidedly, "and I must find out what it is."
By simply looking up-stream, he could discern this fleet of miniature boats coming down toward him in a straight line. In the clear sunlight they were visible for a great distance, and it was no difficult matter to determine their starting point. Some two hundred yards above, another tree projected out over the water very much the same as that upon which Hans was seated, so similar in fact that he had often used it for the same purpose. As the line of the pieces of bark pointed directly toward these, there was but little doubt that here they were launched upon the water.
"It can't be dat Quanonshet and Madokawandock is dere," mused Hans Vanderbum, "for to try to worry deir poor old fader. Dey're too big Dutchmen to build such boats, and dey wouldn't know how to make 'em float under me if dey did. No; dere's somebody out on dat tree, and he's doing it to make me look up at him. I'm looking but I can't see notting."
He shaded his eyes as he spoke115, and looked long and searchingly at the tree, but for a considerable time could discover nothing unusual about it. At length, however, he fancied that he saw one of the limbs sway gently backward and forward in a manner that could hardly be caused by the wind. Gradually it began to dawn upon him that if there was any person upon the tree, he meant that his presence should not be suspected by the Shawnees along the bank. Accordingly Hans Vanderbum was more circumspect116 in his observations.
Still watching the tree, he soon discovered something else that he thought was meant to attract his eye. The water directly beneath it flashed and sparkled as if it was disturbed by some object. Straining his gaze, he finally discerned what appeared to be a human hand swaying backward and forward.
"Dat is enough!" thought Hans Vanderbum. "Dere's somebody dere dat wants to see me, and is afeard of dese oder chaps about, so I goes to him."
Working his way cautiously backward, he reached the land and started apparently117 to return to his wigwam. As he did so, he looked at the Shawnees and was gratified to see that their suspicions had not been aroused by his movements. Proceeding118 some distance, he hid his fish and line and made his way up the river, escaping the Shawnees by means of a long détour.
Reaching the stream and tree, he was somewhat taken aback by not finding any one at all. Considerably119 perplexed120, he looked about him.
"Can't be dat Quanonshet and Madokawandock have been fooling deir poor old fader again," said he. "I'm purty sure I seen some one on the tree, when dem pieces of bark come swimming downstream."
A subdued121 whistle reached his ear. Looking behind him, he saw a Huron Indian standing a few yards away. The eyes of both lit up as they encountered the gaze of each other, for they were both friends and old acquaintances.
"Ish dat you, Oonomoo?" inquired Hans Vanderbum.
"Yeh—me—Oonomoo," replied the Indian, pronouncing his name somewhat differently from the Dutchman, (and from that by which we have before referred to him).
"Was dat you on de tree out dere?"
"Yeh, me—Oonomoo out dere on log."
"And did you make dem pieces of bark to come swimming down by me?"
"Yeh, me made 'em."
"And shtirred de water wid yer hand and moved de limb?"
"Yeh, Oonomoo do all dat."
"I shpose you wanted to see me?"
"Yeh, wanted to see you—want talk wid you," said the Huron, motioning for Hans to follow him. The latter did not hesitate to do so, as he had perfect faith in his honesty, knowing much of his history. The savage led the way some distance into the woods, where they were not likely to be seen or overheard, and then stopped and confronted his companion.
"Where'd you come from, Oonomoo?" asked the latter.
"From fightin' de Shawnees," replied the savage, proudly.
"Yaw, I sees yer am in de war-paint. Did you get many?"
"The lodge of Oonomoo is full of the scalps of the cowardly Shawnees, taken many moons ago," answered the Huron, his eyes flashing fire and his breast heaving at the remembrance of his exploits. This reply was made in the Shawnee language, as he spoke it as well as one of their warriors; and, as Hans also understood it, the conversation was now carried on in that tongue.
"When did you see Annie Stanton last?" inquired the Dutchman, showing considerable interest.
"Several moons ago, when the sun was in the woods and the waters were asleep."
"Is her husband, that rascally122 Ferrington, living?"
Oonomoo replied that he was.
"And is their baby, too?"
"Yes, they have two pappooses."
"Dunder and blixen!" exclaimed Hans Vanderbum, and then resuming the English language, or rather his version of it, he added:
"Dat gal123 wanted to marry mit me once."
"Why no marry den?" inquired Oonomoo, also coming back to the more difficult language.
"She wan't te right kind of a gal—she wan't like my Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock, dat is de same shape all de way down from her head to her heels. So I let dat Ferrington have her."
The Huron, who understood all about that matter, indulged in a broad smile at this remark. Whatever his business was, it was manifest he was in no hurry, else he would not have indulged in this by-play of words with his friend.
"You doesn't t'ink de baby will dies, does you?"
"No—in de settlement—Shawnee can't git her now—don't live off in de woods like as dey did afore."
"Dat's lucky for her; don't t'ink dey will get her there, 'cause dey tried it once—dat time, you remember, when we was all in de HUNTER'S CABIN in de woods, and you came down de chimney, and I watched and kept de Shawnee off."
The Huron signified that he remembered the circumstance well.
"Dem was great times," added Hans Vanderbum, calling up the recollection of them. "I left de village one hot afternoon, and walked all de way t'rough de woods to get to de cabin to help dem poor folks. We had mighty124 hard times. I catched a cold and couldn't shtop my dunderin' nose one night when it wanted to shneeze, and dat's de way de Shawnee catched me. Twan't so bad arter all," added Hans Vanderbum, musingly125, "'cause if it wasn't for dat I wouldn't got my Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock."
"How soon go back?" asked Oonomoo.
"To de village, do you mean?"
"Yeh."
"Any time afore noon will does, so Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock gits de fish for our dinner."
"One, two hours," said the Huron, looking up at the sky, "den sun git dere," pointing to the zenith. "Shawnees know here?"
"Know me here? Guesses not; don't care if dey does, nor dey doesn't care neider."
"Shawnees won't come here?"
"No, no, Oonomoo, you needn't be afraid—"
"Afraid who?" demanded the Huron, with quick fierceness. "Oonomoo never run afore one—two—t'ree—dozen Shawnees. He only runs when dey comes like de leaves in de woods."
"Dey won't come like de leaves. If dey does, why you can leave too, and I t'inks you know how to use dem legs dat you've got tacked126 onto you. I t'inks you run as fast as me."
"So I t'inks," replied the Indian, with a grin.
"Dere's no mistake but dem Shawnees would like to get your scalp, Oonomoo."
"Two—t'ree—hundreds—all Shawnees like to git Oonomoo's scalp—nebber git him—Oonomee die in his lodge—scalp on his head," said the Huron, proudly.
"I hopes so; hopes I will, too."
The expression of the Indian's face was changed. It assumed a dark, earnest appearance. He was done trifling127, and wished to commence business.
"See her dis mornin'?" he asked, in short, quick tones.
"See who?" asked Hans Vanderbum, in turn, completely at a loss to understand him.
"De gal."
"De gal? Who you talking about—Keewaygooshturkumkankangewock?"
"De gal Shawnees got in de village."
The Dutchman's blank expression showed that he did not comprehend what the Huron was referring to; so he added, by way of explanation:
"Shawnees kill women and children—deir warriors squaws—don't fight men—burn houses toder day—run off wid gal—got her now in de village—she gal of Oonomoo's friend—Oonomoo want to get her."
From these rather disconnected expressions, Hans Vanderbum understood that a war-party of Shawnees had brought in a prisoner who was a friend of the Huron's. It was for the purpose of learning something regarding her that he had signaled the fisherman to leave his hook and line and come to him. The captive having reached the village quite recently, he had failed to be apprised128 of it, so that Oonomoo learned no more than he already knew regarding her.
"When did dey took her?" asked Hans Vanderbum.
"When sun dere, yisterday," replied the Indian, pointing off in the western horizon.
"Do you want to know 'bout14 her?"
"Yeh."
"Den I goes find out."
So saying, Hans Vanderbum strode away through the forest in the direction of the Shawnee village.
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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hoary
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| adj.古老的；鬓发斑白的 | |
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lurk
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| n.潜伏，潜行；v.潜藏，潜伏，埋伏 | |
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shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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sinewy
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| adj.多腱的，强壮有力的 | |
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poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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beetles
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| n.甲虫( beetle的名词复数 ) | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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gaudy
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| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
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11
scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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12
cone
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| n.圆锥体，圆锥形东西，球果 | |
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13
ascends
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的第三人称单数 ) | |
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14
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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15
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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16
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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17
apiary
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| n.养蜂场，蜂房 | |
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18
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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19
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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20
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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21
daguerreotype
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| n.银板照相 | |
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22
abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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23
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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24
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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25
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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26
ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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27
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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28
plethoric
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| adj.过多的，多血症的 | |
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29
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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30
mischievous
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| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
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31
greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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32
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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33
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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34
fiat
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| n.命令，法令，批准；vt.批准，颁布 | |
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35
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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36
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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37
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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38
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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39
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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40
suffocation
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| n.窒息 | |
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41
basking
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| v.晒太阳，取暖( bask的现在分词 )；对…感到乐趣；因他人的功绩而出名；仰仗…的余泽 | |
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42
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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43
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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44
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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45
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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46
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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47
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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48
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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49
annihilated
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| v.（彻底）消灭( annihilate的过去式和过去分词 )；使无效；废止；彻底击溃 | |
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50
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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51
penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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52
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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53
clinch
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| v.敲弯，钉牢；确定；扭住对方 [参]clench | |
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54
thump
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| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
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55
orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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56
deign
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| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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57
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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58
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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59
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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60
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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61
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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62
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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63
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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64
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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65
drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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66
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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67
inveterate
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| adj.积习已深的，根深蒂固的 | |
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68
smoker
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| n.吸烟者，吸烟车厢，吸烟室 | |
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69
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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70
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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71
inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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72
voracity
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| n.贪食，贪婪 | |
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73
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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74
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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75
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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76
instructor
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| n.指导者，教员，教练 | |
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77
descrying
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| v.被看到的，被发现的，被注意到的( descried的过去分词 ) | |
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78
whacking
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| adj.（用于强调）巨大的v.重击，使劲打( whack的现在分词 ) | |
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79
scampered
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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81
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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82
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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83
toils
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| 网 | |
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84
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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85
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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86
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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87
spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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88
concessions
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| n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权 | |
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89
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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90
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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91
unwillingness
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| n. 不愿意，不情愿 | |
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92
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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93
avocations
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| n.业余爱好，嗜好( avocation的名词复数 )；职业 | |
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94
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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95
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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96
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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97
wriggling
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的现在分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等）；蠕蠕 | |
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98
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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99
pebble
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| n.卵石，小圆石 | |
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100
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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101
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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102
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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104
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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105
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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106
immersion
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| n.沉浸；专心 | |
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107
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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108
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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109
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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110
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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111
persistency
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| n. 坚持(余辉, 时间常数) | |
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112
annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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113
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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114
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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115
spoke
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| 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 | |
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116
circumspect
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| adj.慎重的，谨慎的 | |
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117
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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118
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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119
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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120
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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121
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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122
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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123
gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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124
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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125
musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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126
tacked
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| 用平头钉钉( tack的过去式和过去分词 )； 附加，增补； 帆船抢风行驶，用粗线脚缝 | |
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127
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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128
apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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