A stern chase is usually a long one. There are not many proverbs the truth of which comes more powerfully home than this—at least to those who have had the misfortune to engage in many such chases. To make a slant1 at a fugitive2, so as to cut him off, or to make a short cut and head him, is pleasant if you be strong in wind and limb, but to creep up right astern, inch by inch, foot by foot, yard by yard, and to overcome him at last by sheer superiority and perseverance3, is a disheartening task.
That was the task we undertook the night we left the Indian camp, and went off at full gallop4 over the rolling prairie in pursuit of the scoundrel Attick and his crew.
But Indians are by nature persevering5, and, for myself, I was roused to the highest pitch of indignation and anxiety. Salamander and I had ridden far and fast that day, besides which we had eaten only a mouthful of pemmican and biscuit since breakfast; nevertheless, under the excitement of the moment our weariness vanished, our hunger fled, and we engaged in the pursuit with all the ardour of the youngest brave among them.
Fortunately I had secured two exceptionally fine horses, so that they were quite able to compete with the inferior, though fresher, horses of the Indians.
“How long is it since you discovered that they were gone?” said I, as I galloped6 alongside of Big Otter7.
“Not more than an hour,” he replied.
“Do you think they had a long start before that?”
“I cannot tell. Perhaps two hours, perhaps four. Certainly not five, for they were seen in camp when the sun was high.”
I was greatly relieved to learn that they had not got a longer start of us, and very thankful that I had come up in time to join the pursuers. I was calming down somewhat under the influence of these thoughts, when I had a sudden feeling of being shot from a cannon8 into the air. This was succeeded by a sensation of having my nose converted into a ploughshare, and that was instantly followed by oblivion!
In the uncertain light my steed had put his foot in a badger9 hole—that was all, but it sufficed to check the pace of the whole party!
On recovering I found my head on Salamander’s knee. I felt dreamy and indifferent. “What has happened?” I asked, in English.
Our interpreter, who had a tendency to answer in whatever language he was addressed—whether English, French, or Indian—replied—
Suddenly the true state of the case flashed upon me. Langour fled. I leaped up, and scrambled12 somehow into the saddle.
“Have I been long insensible, Salamander?” I asked, as we resumed our headlong pace.
Rejoiced to find that no longer time had been lost, I galloped along contentedly14, and in silence, though with a rather confused feeling in my brain, and a sensation of being possessed15 of six noses rolled into one.
Although no one, as I have said, seemed to lead the party when we started, I soon found that Big Otter was really our chief. He rode ahead of us, and more than once pulled up to dismount and examine the trail. On these occasions the rest of the party halted without orders, and awaited his decision. Once we were completely thrown off the scent16. The fugitives17 had taken to a wooded tract18 of country, and it required our utmost caution not to lose the trail.
Presently we came to a small stream and crossed it, but the trail ended abruptly19 here. We were not surprised, being well aware of the common Indian device of wading20 in a stream, which holds no footprints, so as to throw pursuers out. Dividing our force, one party went up stream, the other down, but although eager, sharp, and practised eyes examined the banks, they could not discover the spot where the fugitives had again taken to dry land. Returning to the place where we had divided, Big Otter again examined the trail with minute care, going down on his knees to turn over the blades of grass and examine the footprints.
“Strange,” said I, impatiently, “that so simple a device should baffle us.”
As I spoke21, the chief arose, and, dark though it was, I could see a gleam of intelligence on his swarthy visage.
“Attick thinks he is wise,” he said, in a low voice, “but he has no more brains than a rabbit. He was from childhood an idiot.”
Having paid his tribesman this compliment, he remounted, and, to my surprise, went straight back the way we had come.
“What means this!” I asked, unable to restrain my impatience22.
“Attick has doubled back, that is all. If there had been more light we should easily have seen that. We shall soon find the place where the trail breaks off again.”
The Indian was right. On clearing the wooded land we found that the moon was up, and we followed the trail easily. Coming to a hillock in the open ground, the top of which was covered with thick and stunted23 bushes, we rode into them and there experienced much difficulty in picking our way.
Suddenly Big Otter turned at a right angle from the line we had been hitherto pursuing, and, putting his horse to the gallop, held on with the decision of one who knows he is on the right road.
As the prairie was open, and the moon growing brighter, we had now no difficulty in following up the fugitives, and pressed on as fast as our horses could go.
Daylight came and found us still galloping24; but as there was no sign of those whom we pursued, and as our horses were getting tired, we halted at a small stream for a short rest and breakfast.
“They must be well mounted,” said I, as we sat on the banks of the stream appeasing25 our hunger with masses of dried buffalo26 meat, while the horses munched27 the grass near us.
“Attick is always well mounted,” replied Big Otter; “but his men may not be so well off, and women are difficult to urge on when they are unwilling28.”
“Then you have no doubt that we shall overtake them?” I asked.
“We must overtake them,” was the laconic29 reply. I felt somewhat comforted by the decision of the Indian’s tone, and a good deal more so by his ordering his warriors30 to remount before half an hour had passed. He did not however, press on as hard as before, fearing, no doubt that the horses would break down.
I felt assured that Attick would not dare to halt until he believed himself almost beyond pursuit; and, as the chase therefore bade fair to be a very long one, it seemed wise thus to spare the horses.
About noon, however, we passed through a strip of woodland, and, on coming out at the other side, observed a party of horsemen on the distant horizon.
“Waugh!” exclaimed Big Otter, shaking the reins31 of his steed and going off at racing32 speed. We soon began to overhaul33 the cavalcade34, and then perceived that they were doing their utmost to get away from us.
“It is Attick and his party—is it not?” I asked, excitedly.
“It is Attick,” was the brief reply.
Another belt of woodland lay a little to the right on the horizon. The fugitives headed for it. We urged our horses to their utmost speed and soon dashed through the belt of wood, expecting to see the fugitives on the plain beyond. What was our surprise, then, to find them assembled in a group, calmly tying up their horses, and kindling35 a fire as if for the purpose of cooking their mid-day meal. As most of the men had laid aside their guns, and we outnumbered them by two to one, we checked our headlong course, and trotted36 quietly up to them.
To my great joy I saw, as we approached, that the girl who stooped to kindle37 the fire was Waboose. Her mother sat on a bank near her, looking very pale and worn.
Attick, who still carried his gun in the hollow of his left arm, expressed well-feigned surprise at seeing us.
“Big Otter seems to be on the war-path,” he said, “but I have seen no enemies.”
“Big Otter’s enemy stands before him,” returned our leader, sternly. “Attick has been very foolish. Why did he run away with the daughter of Weeum the Good?”
“Attick scorns to run away with a squaw. Waboose agreed to go with him on the hunt. There she is: ask her.”
This was a bold stroke of the wily savage38. Instead of flying from us, he pretended to have been merely hurrying after a band of buffalo, which was said to be moving southward, and that he had halted in the chase for a short rest and food. This plan he had hastily adopted, on perceiving that it was impossible to escape us, having previously39 warned Waboose that he would shoot her dead if she did not corroborate40 what he said. But Attick was incapable41 of believing that fearless heroism42 could dwell in the breast of a woman, and little knew the courage of the daughter of Weeum the Good. He mistook her silence and her downcast eyes for indications of submission43, and did not doubt that the delicate-looking and shrinking girl was of much the same spirit as the other women of his tribe.
Great, then, was his astonishment44 when he saw the Saxon blood in her veins45 rush to her fair brow, while she gazed at him steadily46 with her large blue eyes, and said—
“The tongue of Attick is forked. He lies when he says that the daughter of Weeum agreed to follow him. He knows that he carried her from the camp by force against her will.”
Attick had thrown forward and cocked his gun, but happily the unexpected nature of the girl’s reply, and the indignant gaze of her eyes, caused an involuntary hesitation47. This did not afford time for any one to seize the intending murderer, but it enabled me hastily to point my rifle at the villain’s head and fire. I have elsewhere said that my shooting powers were not remarkable48; I missed the man altogether, but fortunately the bullet which was meant for his brain found its billet in the stock of his gun, and blew the lock to atoms, thus rendering49 the weapon useless.
With a fierce shout he dropped the gun, drew his scalping-knife, and sprang towards Waboose, or—as I had by that time found a pleasure in mentally styling her—Eve Liston.
Of course every man of our party sprang forward, but it fell to Salamander to effect the rescue, for that light-hearted and light-limbed individual chanced to be nearest to the savage when I fired at him, and, ere the knife was well drawn50, had leaped upon his back with the agility51 of a panther. At the same moment Big Otter flung his tomahawk at him. The weapon was well, though hastily, aimed. It struck the savage full on the forehead, and felled him to the earth.
The rest of Attick’s party made no attempt to rescue him. Like all bad men, they were false to each other in the hour of need. They quietly submitted to be disarmed52 and led away.
We had to encamp early that evening, because the unwonted and severe exercise to which Waboose’s mother had been exposed had rendered her quite unfit to travel further without rest. Attick, who had soon recovered sufficiently53 to be able to walk, was bound, along with his men, and put under a guard. Then the encampment was made and the fires kindled54. While this was being done I led Waboose aside to a little knoll55, from which we could see a beautiful country of mingled56 woodland and prairie, stretching far away to the westward57, where the sun had just descended58 amid clouds of amber59 and crimson60.
“Is it not glorious!” I exclaimed. “Should we not be grateful to the Great Spirit who has given us such a splendid home?”
Waboose looked at me. “Yes, it is glorious,” she said—“and I am grateful; but it is strange that you should use the very same words that were so often on the lips of my father just before he—”
She stopped abruptly.
“Just before he went home, Eve,” I interposed; “no need to say died. Your father is not dead, but sleepeth. You shall meet him again. But it is not very strange that men should use the same words when they are animated61 by the same love to the Great Spirit.”
“What troubles you, Eve?” I asked.
“Eve!” she repeated, almost anxiously. “Twice you have called me by a name that father sometimes used, though not often, and when he used it he always spoke low and very tenderly.”
I felt somewhat perplexed as to how I should reply, and finally took refuge in another question.
“Tell me, Waboose,” said I, “did your father ever tell you his own name?”
“Of course he did,” she answered, with a look of surprise—“you know well it was Weeum.”
“Yes, William,” said I; “but—”
“No—Weeum,” she said, correcting me. “Once or twice I have heard him say Willum, but all our people call him Weeum.”
“Had he no other name?” I asked.
“No. Why should he have another? Is not one enough?”
“You never heard of Liston?”
“Liston?—No, never.”
“Waboose,” said I, with sudden earnestness, “I am going to tell you something that will probably surprise you, and I will show you something that may give you pleasure—or pain—I know not which. You remember, that when I found the curious ornaments63 near to the stunted pine-tree, I asked you not to question me at that time about the packet you gave to me long ago. Well, the time has come when I ought to tell you all about it. But, first, look at this.”
I had taken from my pocket, while speaking to her, the miniature of her father, which I now handed to her. She fixed64 her eyes on it with a startled look, then sprang up with an exclamation65, at the same time drawing one hand across her eyes, as if to clear away some mists that dimmed them. Eagerly she gazed again, with parted lips and heaving bosom66, then burst into a passionate67 flood of tears, pressing the miniature alternately to her lips and to her heart.
I stood helplessly gazing at her—anxious to comfort but unable.
“Oh! why, why,” she cried, suddenly dropping the miniature, “why do you mock me with this? It is so little, yet so like. It looks alive, but it is dead. It is nothing—a mockery!”
Some time elapsed before her passionate grief was sufficiently subdued69 to permit of her listening to me. When it was nearly exhausted70, and found vent71 only in an occasional sob72, I took her hand gently and said—
“Give me the picture now, Waboose. I will wrap it up again, for I have much to say.”
Then, unfolding the last writing of the poor fellow whom the Indians had styled Weeum the Good, I slowly translated it into the Indian language. It was not an easy task; for, besides feeling that it stirred the heart of the listener with powerful emotions, I had great difficulty in taking my eyes off her changeful face, so as to read the manuscript.
“Now, Eve Liston—for that is your real name,” said I, when I had finished, “what do you think ought to be done?”
The girl did not reply at once, but sat so long with her hands clasped tightly on her lap, and her eyes fixed wistfully on the ground, that I had to repeat the question.
“What is to be done?” she replied, simply; “of course, what father wished to be done.”
“And are you ready to go with me to the far south to see your father’s mother? Can you trust me to protect you?”
“Oh, yes,” she replied, with a straightforward73 look that almost disconcerted me; “have you not protected me well already?”
“And are you willing, Eve, to leave your tribe and go off alone with me?”
“Alone!” she repeated, with a look of surprise; “oh! no—not alone. Mother must go too, and also Big Otter.”
Once more I felt somewhat confused, for, to say truth, I had totally forgotten her mother and Big Otter for the moment.
“Well now, Eve—for I intend to call you by that name in future, except when in the presence of your people—I must talk this matter over with your mother and Big Otter. I have some fear that the latter may object to go with us.”
“He will not object,” said Waboose, quietly. “He loved my father, and always obeyed him.”
“Very good. So much the better. Now, as to the valuable jewels—the ornaments, I mean.”
“Have you got them here!” asked Eve.
“Yes. Knowing the risk I shall run of losing them or having them stolen from me, I have had a belt made which fits round my waist under my clothes, in which the jewels and the money are placed. If I can manage to get them and you safely conveyed to Colorado, all will be well, but it is a long, long journey, Eve, and—”
I was interrupted at this point by Big Otter, who came to tell us that supper was ready, and that, as the region in which they were encamped was sometimes visited by hostile Indians, as well as by white trappers—many of whom were great scoundrels—it would be prudent74 to keep within the circle of sentinels after dark.
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1
slant
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| v.倾斜，倾向性地编写或报道；n.斜面，倾向 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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3
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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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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persevering
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| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
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6
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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7
otter
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| n.水獭 | |
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8
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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11
busted
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| adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词 | |
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12
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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13
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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16
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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17
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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18
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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19
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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20
wading
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的现在分词 ) | |
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21
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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22
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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23
stunted
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| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
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galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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25
appeasing
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的现在分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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26
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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munched
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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laconic
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| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
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30
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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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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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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overhaul
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| v./n.大修，仔细检查 | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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35
kindling
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| n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式 | |
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trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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37
kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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38
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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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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40
corroborate
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| v.支持，证实，确定 | |
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41
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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42
heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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43
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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44
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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45
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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46
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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47
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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48
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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49
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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50
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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51
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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52
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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53
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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54
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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55
knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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56
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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57
westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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58
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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59
amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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60
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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61
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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62
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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63
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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64
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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65
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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66
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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67
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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68
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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69
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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70
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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71
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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72
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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73
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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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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