After the rear of the herd4 had thundered past, bellowing5, flinging their heels and putting forth6 their best exertions7, as if Death himself were nipping at their heels, the little party having quieted their horses, remounted and gazed after the vanishing drove. A singular result of the shots of Deerfoot and Mul-tal-la showed itself. In neither case was the bison killed outright8, but the one struck by the Shawanoe and four of those hit by the Blackfoot were so badly wounded that they wabbled and sagged9 down and were quickly crushed. Here and there, at varying distances, the dark humps were seen in the trampled10 grass, looking like mounds11 of brown dirt.
Since the four made it a rule to depend upon their rifles for food, they had no sooner reloaded the weapons than they set out to secure their dinner from the spoils before them. All had eaten bison meat before. Though some profess12 to relish13 it, the flesh is rather tough and sometimes so strong that it takes a hungry man to enjoy such a meal. The animal, however, like all others, has his choice portions.
Mul-tal-la was sure that no more palatable14 feast could be had than from buffalo15 tongue. Accordingly, he and Deerfoot, leaving the rest of the game untouched, provided themselves with those delicacies16, which were well cooked by means of dried buffalo chips, and all declared themselves well satisfied.
Strange that only a comparatively short time ago millions of bison roamed over the prairies of the West, and to-day you never meet a specimen17 except the few that are preserved with difficulty in Yellowstone Park, and in several zoological collections. The last bison must soon disappear and the animal become extinct, all because of the wanton cruelty of men who called themselves sportsmen and butchered the creatures by the thousand.
The dinner was made without water, which was a small matter, for there was no need of the explorers suffering on that account, since streams were abundant and they did not have to travel far to obtain the element of the best quality.
It was about the middle of the afternoon that Deerfoot led the way up another of the numerous rises in the prairie, and halted to give the horses a needed rest. Although the pace was kept at a walk, traveling through the luxuriant grass was trying, and consideration was due the animals who did the work.
As usual, the four who dismounted scanned every part of the visible horizon. George Shelton often called his spyglass into use while riding over the plain, and thus gained the pleasure of being the first to announce certain discoveries; but the elevations18, that were never of much extent, gave a more favorable view.
Directly westward20, in a line with the course they were pursuing, all, without the aid of the glass, observed five or six animals cropping the grass. They were of delicate build, resembling deer, but looked more dainty and graceful21. It was not until after Mul-tal-la and Deerfoot had studied them for several minutes through the glass that the former made known their nature. They were antelopes22, one of the fleetest and most quick-sighted animals in the West.
Although they were fully24 a fourth of a mile away, they saw the travelers the instant they came up the rise of land. They tossed their heads and stared at the strangers while the latter were studying them. Then they dashed off with the speed of the wind, but did not go far when they stopped short, turned part way round and gazed at the horsemen, as if expecting them to follow. Seeing they did not, the antelopes resumed their grazing, the two most timid stopping every now and then to look up, as if in doubt whether they ought not to place a greater distance between them and the strange-looking creatures on the elevation19.
“Would my brothers like to eat of antelope23!” asked Mul-tal-la, addressing all three of his companions.
“I suppose it would taste good,” replied Victor, “for everything tastes that way in this part of the world, which I suppose is because I’m so plaguey hungry most of the time.”
“Mul-tal-la cannot get nigh enough to bring down the antelopes,” remarked Deerfoot, “for they go faster than any of our horses can run.”
“My brother Deerfoot cannot get near enough to shoot an antelope, but Mul-tal-la finds no trouble in doing so.”
The brothers were astonished by the audacity25 of this remark. Did the Blackfoot presume to think his fleetness of foot could be compared with that of the Shawanoe, who had never met his equal? They looked at Deerfoot to see how he took the slur26. He was never troubled by such trifles.
“It will please the heart of Deerfoot to see his brother bring back one of the antelopes. Does he want Deerfoot’s gun?”
“No; it shall be done with Mul-tal-la’s bow and arrow,” was another surprising declaration.
Saying no more, the Blackfoot, bearing his long bow in his right hand, walked down the gentle slope and moved, not toward the antelopes, but to the south. The timid creatures noticed him at once, for he made no effort to conceal27 himself. All the six raised their heads and watched him with evident misgiving28. The two that had shown so much fear from the first glanced first at him and then at the group on the rise in the prairie, as if uncertain which was the most to be dreaded29.
Had Mul-tal-la walked directly toward the animals they would have been off like so many arrows, but he bore away as if they were not in his mind. As it was, however, three of the antelopes galloped31 a hundred yards or so to the north, when, seeing that their companions did not follow, they stopped and resumed their staring.
The warrior32 walked steadily33 until he was equidistant from his friends and from the antelopes. Still facing away from the latter, he now sank to the ground and began creeping toward the animals. Deerfoot, who, like the boys, was watching every movement, smiled.
“They will not let my brother come nigh enough to reach them with an arrow,” he remarked, not a little amused over what looked like the certain discomfiture34 of his companion, for, despite the tall grass, he was sure to be detected by the creatures.
Sure enough, he had advanced but a little way when the whole six bounded off as if they would never stop. Mul-tal-la ceased crawling, but did not rise.
“What is he doing?” asked the puzzled Victor, closely watching the red man, who could be plainly seen without the aid of the glass.
His action was curious. Still lying on his face, he raised one hand as far above his head as he could reach, and slowly waved it from side to side with a regular, pendulum35 movement. The antelopes that were bounding off abruptly37 stopped, wheeled part way round and stared at the oscillating hand. They stood for a little while, and then one of them began stepping cautiously toward the object. The others reluctantly imitated him, so that the singular sight of six antelopes marching carefully in Indian file was displayed. Deerfoot chuckled38, for he now understood the trick.
Before long the leader paused, stared a moment, and then, whirling suddenly around, dashed off with an amazing burst of speed, only, however, to run for less than fifty yards, when the former performance was repeated. The foremost halted, turned once more and stepped gingerly in the direction of that hand, with the fringed covering for the arm, swaying from side to side. This time he approached nearer than before, though with frequent halts and bluffs39 at dashing off again.
Had Mul-tal-la varied40 his rhythmic41 swing or risen to a stooping posture42 even, or tried to creep nearer, the antelopes would have fled like so many birds on the wing. But his action was that of an automaton43, and all the time he lay low in the grass, never removing his eyes from the game he had marked for his own.
First forward, then a halt, then a brief retreat, followed by a still closer approach, the little farce44 went on, until the interested Deerfoot and the boys saw that the foremost antelope was almost within reach of Mul-tal-la. Then for some time the issue looked doubtful.
But the same cause that has been the death of unnumbered antelopes proved the undoing45 of another on this particular afternoon. Five remained in the background, but one, and he the best of the bunch, kept slowly stepping, with frequent stops, until at last he crossed the dead line and sealed his fate.
The pretty creature seemed to awaken46 to the startling fact, for he abruptly wheeled to dash off. In the act of turning Mul-tal-la quickly drew his arrow to a head and launched it. The watchers caught a glimpse of the feathered missile as it rose from the grass, made a slight curve, and, while the antelope was turning, buried itself to the feather in his side, entering just back of the fore3 leg.
The victim made a leap straight up in air, spun47 around several times like a top, and then dived to the ground, rolled on its side, and, after some pawings, ceased to struggle. Never was game more fairly brought down.
The moment Mul-tal-la let fly with the arrow he sprang to his feet and hurried after it. The five antelopes were off at full speed, never pausing, and soon disappeared in the distance. The Blackfoot was seen to bend over his quarry48 and busy himself with his knife. Then he walked proudly toward his friends, bringing his prize with him. He had done what he promised, and all congratulated him.
It was still early in the afternoon and the party resumed traveling, deflecting49 a little to the south. Before it was dark they came to a small tributary50 of the Arkansas, where they decided51 to camp for the night. When the antelope meat was dressed, washed and broiled52 in the same way as their midday meal had been prepared, it proved rather disappointing. The animal was lean, the meat tough and not specially53 palatable. It was agreed that they would have done better by making use of the best portions of one of the bison which had been brought down.
Mul-tal-la, who knew all about these timid creatures, told his friends of their most striking peculiarity54. While it is impossible to approach them by direct means, an appeal to their insatiate curiosity rarely or never fails. Even the wolves make use of this remarkable55 weakness. One of the cunning pests will lie in the grass, revealing just enough of his head or body to attract the notice of the antelopes in the distance. The trick is more difficult in this case than when a hunter plays it. Sometimes it is so prolonged, because of the suspicions of the game, that one wolf will relieve another before the victim is brought near enough to be seized.
A more common plan is for the wolves to attack the creatures when crossing rivers or large streams. They are poor swimmers, though among the fleetest of animals, and are helpless when thus assailed56.
The morrow proved as fine as the preceding two or three days. The sun shone bright and the few clouds drifting across the sky only served to make the deep blue softer and more beautiful. While the morning was somewhat cool, the weather was quickly modified by the rays of the sun. Even the horses seemed to catch the glow of high spirits and broke into an easy gallop30 without any urging on the part of their riders. Zigzag57 was the only one that objected, and he did it through simple stubbornness, for his burden was not onerous58.
The afternoon of this day brought an experience to Deerfoot the like of which was never known before or afterward59. He was thrown from his horse, and that, too, when his gait was a walk. It came about in this manner:
He was riding slightly in advance, as was his custom. He had swept the horizon with his eyes, as he always did at intervals60, and seeing nothing unusual, allowed himself to sink into a reverie. This was not amiss, for such spells of meditation61 never lasted long and nothing of an alarming character could steal undetected upon them, even if he should forget his surroundings for an indefinite time. Mul-tal-la was always alert, and George Shelton was as fond as ever of appealing to his spyglass.
The horse Simon was walking easily forward when one hoof62 entered a gopher hole and he sank to his knee. The stop was so abrupt36 that Deerfoot, who was entirely63 off his guard, slid over the animal’s neck to the ground. He was taken completely by surprise, without a second for preparation, but even then he dropped upon his feet and turned to learn the cause of the mishap64.
George and his brother smiled at the discomfiture of their friend, but ceased the next instant when they saw that his horse had been seriously hurt. He attempted to take a step, but checked himself with a moan of pain, and then rested on his three legs. The alarmed Deerfoot stooped and gently passed his hand over the injured portion. Simon moaned again and placed his nose on the shoulder of his owner, as if begging him to give him relief.
The young Shawanoe straightened up, patted the forehead of the suffering beast, and said in a choking voice:
“His leg is broken!”
And then he nerved himself to do the hardest thing of his life. With the eyes of the dumb animal fixed65 appealingly upon him, as if he read his purpose, Deerfoot brought his rifle to a level and sent a bullet through the brain of the horse.
It was an act of mercy, but it hurt the youth more than the victim. He stood with the smoking weapon in his hand, looked at Simon as he sank unconscious to the ground, breathing out his life as he did so with a single pitiful moan. Then Deerfoot turned away and, bowing his head, sobbed66 like a child.
Simon had always been a good animal, though he was not the equal, either in speed or intelligence, of many others; but a man and horse cannot be comrades very long without forming an affection for each other. Deerfoot’s kindness to such dumb beasts always drew them toward him, and he had learned to love this devoted67 horse who had borne him hundreds of miles from his home.
Neither George nor Victor Shelton spoke68, for they sympathized so deeply with their friend that their voices would have broken had they tried to utter a word. They had reined69 up their own animals, and now quietly waited for the Shawanoe to speak. The Blackfoot had also halted and, instead of looking at his comrade, turned his face toward the west. Not a muscle of his face moved, and no one could have read his thoughts, but it cannot be doubted that he sympathized with the young Shawanoe. Unable to console him, Mul-tal-la held his peace.
It was several minutes before Deerfoot was able to master his grief. By and by he regained70 his self-control, but all saw the traces of tears when he faced his friends. He spoke in an even voice, but his words were remarkable:
“My brothers, Deerfoot has read the Bible through many times. He has searched every page, but has not yet found a place where it says that the poor animals like Simon shall not inherit the kingdom that awaits us. Deerfoot believes he shall meet Simon again in that country, and if my brothers think different let them not say so.”
And yet there are thousands to-day who hold the same sweet belief that was held by Deerfoot the Shawanoe.
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1
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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infliction
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| n.（强加于人身的）痛苦，刑罚 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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bellowing
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的现在分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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sagged
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| 下垂的 | |
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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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mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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12
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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13
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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14
palatable
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| adj.可口的，美味的；惬意的 | |
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buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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elevations
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| （水平或数量）提高( elevation的名词复数 )； 高地； 海拔； 提升 | |
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elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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antelopes
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| 羚羊( antelope的名词复数 )； 羚羊皮革 | |
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antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
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slur
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| v.含糊地说；诋毁；连唱；n.诋毁；含糊的发音 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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30
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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pendulum
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| n.摆，钟摆 | |
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abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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rhythmic
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| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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automaton
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| n.自动机器，机器人 | |
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44
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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45
undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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46
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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47
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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48
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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49
deflecting
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| （使）偏斜， （使）偏离， （使）转向( deflect的现在分词 ) | |
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50
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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51
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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52
broiled
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| a.烤过的 | |
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53
specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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54
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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55
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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56
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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57
zigzag
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| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
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58
onerous
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| adj.繁重的 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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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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61
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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62
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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63
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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64
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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66
sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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67
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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68
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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69
reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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70
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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