At once Frank was sent out with two or three other runners on the right track, and by forenoon of the next day one of the scouts2 came back with word that the others were bringing in the Americans. Immediately the chiefs rode out with all the warriors4, to receive the visitors in state. The ceremonies opened with a mock charge, during which the balls from the old fusils and trade guns of the savages5 flew about far too promiscuously7 for comfort. There followed a horse-smoke, in which some of the Pawnees presented ponies8 to the few Osages with the party.
After this White Wolf shook hands with Pike, and invited him and myself to dine at his lodge9. We did so, while Wilkinson marched the party on across the river to a strong position on a hill.
This welcome to the village could not have been more ceremonious and friendly. But a few days later, when we met the chiefs and warriors in grand council, the situation took on a much less favorable aspect. Lieutenant10 Pike effected a burial of the hatchet11 between the Osages and three or four Kans warriors who had come down from their village on the Kansas River. He then distributed honorary presents and a quantity of goods to the Pawnee chiefs, explaining that President Jefferson was now their great father, instead of the Spanish Governor-General Salcedo, and that he had been sent with these gifts to show the good-will of their new father.
The Pawnees accepted the presents readily enough, but I doubt if they either understood or cared about the transfer of Louisiana Territory. To them the prairies,—north, south, east, and west,—were their own land so far as their guns and bows could hold back the other prairie tribes. Judging from what little they knew of the two rival nations of white men, they had better reasons to turn to the Spaniards than to us, for the Mexican expedition had come among them with a force fifteen times greater than our little band.
Yet in the face of this disadvantage, Pike was determined12 to press home his point to the great ring of chiefs and headmen which encircled us and to the crowds of younger warriors without. Owing to the great number who had wished to share in the council or to witness the proceedings13, we had met in the open space before the entrance of the council-lodge. Standing14 thus in the midst of the hundreds of red warriors, with none but Wilkinson, myself, and Baroney the interpreter to back him, Pike turned and pointed15 to the Spanish flag.
"Men of the Pawnee nation, how comes that flag here?" he demanded. "Is that the flag of your father in Washington, from whose people you receive in barter16 all your guns and powder and lead, your strouding and beads18? No! it is the flag of a far-off chief, who lives beyond your deadly foes19, the Ietans. This land is no longer under his hand; that flag has no right to float over these prairies. Take it down and give it to me."
"It is a gift to us from those other white men," protested White Wolf.
"It is the flag of a people who have no right in this land," rejoined Pike, and he unrolled the glorious Stars and Stripes which he held in his hand. "Chiefs and men of the Pawnee Republic, this is the flag of your great father. I command you to hand over that flag of Spain to me and raise instead the banner of my chief!"
At this audacious demand, even the stolidity20 of the chiefs could not hide their concern, and the warriors began to mutter and scowl21. Yet Pike stood stern and resolute22, awaiting the answer. After a full minute, one of the older warriors rose, took our flag, and going to the lodge, raised it in the place of the Spanish banner, which he handed to Pike. At this I am not ashamed to confess that inwardly we all breathed a sigh of relief. I say inwardly, for it was no time to show other than a bold front.
The Pawnees were not so successful in the concealment23 of their feelings. It was all too evident from their looks that they were in deadly fear that this insult to the Spanish flag would bring upon them the vengeance24 of the white men of the Southwest. For it seems the Spanish leader had told them his people would return the following year in great numbers, to build a large town. But Pike, having gained his point, relieved their fears by at once returning the flag, under condition that it should not again be raised during our stay.
Throughout this exchange of colors, my apprehensions25 of a treacherous26 outbreak had not prevented me from watching for some one to discover and remark upon the tattered27 corner of the Spanish banner. But if it was noticed at all, the mutilation was probably laid to the thieving hand of some young brave who might have thought himself in need of a bit of bright cloth.
Pike now stated the wish of the great father at Washington that the Pawnee chiefs should make him a visit, in company with a few of their Kans brothers. To this White Wolf replied that the matter would be considered. Next Pike explained that he wished to secure the services of one of their Ietan, or Comanche, prisoners, to act as interpreter on our westward28 trip; also that he wished to barter for several good horses. Again White Wolf replied that the wishes of the white chief would be considered. With that the council rose.
There followed some days of anxious waiting, during which our savage6 hosts suddenly took on a hostile attitude. In the end we were given to understand that they would not comply with any of our requests, but on the contrary would seek to prevent our marching on westward, according to their agreement with the Spaniards.
It was in the midst of the stress and anxiety caused by this delay and the menacing actions of the Pawnees, that we received from two French traders the joyful29 news how Lewis and Clark had brought their expedition safely back from the far Pacific, and should by now have gone on down the Missouri to St. Louis.
A few days later, near the beginning of the second week in October, having at last secured a few miserable30 horses out of the splendid herds31 of the Pawnees, we struck our tents and packed for the march. It was a ticklish32 moment, for there was not a man among us who did not fear that noon might find our scalps dangling33 above the Pawnee lodges34. Our little party, barely over a score, all told, was about to defy the power of an Indian town which numbered over five hundred warriors.
For the first time since our start at Belle35 Fontaine I had occasion to observe the mettle36 of our eighteen soldiers. Not one among them required the admonitions of the lieutenants37 to ram38 full charges into their muskets39, to fix bayonets, and look to their priming. I was no less ready, having provided myself with a sabre, in addition to my rifle and tomahawk and brace40 of duelling pistols. I told Pike that I did not consider myself bound by his orders to reserve fire, in the event of an attack, until the enemy were within half a dozen paces. After a little argument on the point, he consented that I should seek out their chiefs with my rifle the moment the savages commenced hostilities41. With Indians, no less than with whites, it is good strategy to pick off those in command at the beginning of an engagement.
By way of explanation of what followed, it is as well to state that during the night two of our horses had been stolen by our light-fingered neighbors, and though one had at once been delivered up when we sent over to the village, the other was still missing. As we fell in about the pack horses, I saw Pike turn back to address a question to young John Sparks, his waiter. The bright-eyed lad saluted42 and stepped out, with evident eagerness, to mount one of the led horses. Pike signed him to take position at the head of our little column, and himself rode forward with Baroney.
The moment they reached the van, he gave the order to march, and we swung away down the hill toward the river. Across in the village we could see that the savages had made preparations which bore out in most menacing fashion their threats to oppose our march westward. Every woman and child had been sent away during the night or else hidden in the lodges. This of itself was a most ominous43 sign. But that was the least of it. All about the lodges we could see swarms44 of warriors, armed with guns, bows, and lances, while here and there one of the naked young braves showed the hideous45 black and vermilion markings of the war paint.
But if the savages thought to awe46 and turn us back by this warlike display, they were never so mistaken. The Osages had slipped off at dawn, with the explanation that they wished to hunt, and would join us later in the day. None of our men wished to hunt. They swung along down the slope as steadily47 as on parade, some of the younger ones a trifle flushed, some of the older a shade paler beneath their tan and sunburn. Sergeant48 Ballenger marched along as stiff as his ramrod. Sergeant Meek49 rocked a little in his step from sheer exuberance50 of feeling over the prospect51 of a fight. His grim, scarred face fairly glowed.
We came down to the river bank a little above the town, and crossed over without breaking column, those on foot holding their muskets and powder horns well up above the water. When all were across, command was given to halt and look to the primings. Again the order was given to close up and march. We swung steadily up the bank, but obliquely52, that we might pass by the village. Already we could see every movement of the savages, who swarmed53 over to the near side of the village, waving their buffalo54-hide shields and their weapons and shouting insults at us. Once or twice we heard the shrill55 Pawnee war whistle. In the midst of this wild uproar56, when we were directly opposite the upper side of the village, Pike wheeled and raised his hand.
Wheeling again, he galloped58 straight at the yelling mob of savages, followed closely by Baroney and Sparks. The Pawnees trained their guns upon him and levelled their lances. Without checking the pace of his horse, he held out his bare palm to them. They opened their ranks to let pass the three mad white men, and closed quickly in their rear. But Pike and his two followers59 galloped on without check until they came to the lodge of White Wolf.
We now perceived that the head chief was standing before the entrance of the lodge, wrapped about in his buffalo robe; but whether or not he held his weapons concealed60 beneath the cloak we could not tell. He waved back with a grand gesture the warriors who would have crowded around, and stood like a statue while Pike, sitting his horse no less calm and impassive, addressed him with the aid of Baroney.
The savages, yet more astonished than ourselves at this strange parley61, for the most part turned to stare at the mad white chief who had so dauntlessly ridden into their very midst. We had looked to see them instantly fling themselves upon our three lone62 comrades and massacre63 them before our eyes. In anticipation64 of the murder, more than one among us picked his man for reprisals65, Wilkinson singling out Pitaleshar, the war chief, while I drew a bead17 on White Wolf. Iskatappe was not to be seen.
The very air seemed to tingle66 with that feeling which thrills a man's nerves and sends the blood leaping through his veins67 when lives hang by a thread. More than one of the younger warriors, infuriated at the delay in the attack, bent68 their bows. Had a single arrow been shot at us another instant would have seen us in the midst of a bloody69 battle. All hung upon the will of White Wolf. He had only to make a sign, and my ball would pierce his brain, Pike and his companions would be stabbed and mutilated, and we ourselves rushed by a furious mob of bloodthirsty savages.
Fortunately for all alike, White Wolf had arrived at years of wisdom. As they watched his impassive face, the warriors gradually stilled their ferocious70 yells and gestures. Within two minutes all was so quiet that we could hear the quick, guttural syllables71 of Baroney's translations.
"It is over!" said Wilkinson, as White Wolf suddenly made a gesture of assent72. We saw Pike turn to Sparks, who promptly73 dismounted and walked into the chief's lodge. Baroney took the riderless horse in lead, and rode back to us with Pike, through the now silent but still scowling74 crowds of warriors.
The moment they had joined us, our leader, as cool and steady as throughout his daring venture, gave the word to march. The savages continued to stand silent and motionless, watching us slip out of their clutches without so much as a parting yell. Yet had it not been for the unequalled courage and firmness and sheer cool audacity75 of our leader, there can be no doubt we should have been in for a most desperate fight.
In justice to the rank and file, I must add that the men had borne themselves throughout the affair in a manner fully76 creditable to their leader, who afterwards told us that he had counted upon our disposing of at least a hundred of the enemy before being ourselves rendered hors de combat. The men, I believe, half regretted that they had not had the opportunity to test the accuracy of this estimate. This was certainly true of Meek, than whom no man was ever more maligned77 by his name.
Baroney was no less courageous78 than the enlisted79 men, as was shown by the cool manner in which he returned the following day to look for Sparks. Both the brave lads overtook us during the afternoon, safe and sound, and Sparks riding the stolen horse!
They arrived shortly before we came upon the first outgoing encampment of the Spaniards, and relieved by their safe return, we swung away at our best pace in the tracks of the invaders80. Our immediate3 purpose was to follow the trace made by these soldiers of His Most Catholic Majesty81, and so discover in what direction their expedition had turned after the visit to the Pawnees.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
scouts
|
|
| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
promiscuously
|
|
| adv.杂乱地，混杂地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
ponies
|
|
| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
lodge
|
|
| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
hatchet
|
|
| n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
barter
|
|
| n.物物交换，以货易货，实物交易 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
bead
|
|
| n.念珠；(pl.)珠子项链；水珠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
beads
|
|
| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
foes
|
|
| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
stolidity
|
|
| n.迟钝，感觉麻木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
scowl
|
|
| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
resolute
|
|
| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
concealment
|
|
| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
apprehensions
|
|
| 疑惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
treacherous
|
|
| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
tattered
|
|
| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
westward
|
|
| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
joyful
|
|
| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
miserable
|
|
| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
herds
|
|
| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
ticklish
|
|
| adj.怕痒的；问题棘手的；adv.怕痒地；n.怕痒，小心处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
dangling
|
|
| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
lodges
|
|
| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
belle
|
|
| n.靓女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
mettle
|
|
| n.勇气，精神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
lieutenants
|
|
| n.陆军中尉( lieutenant的名词复数 )；副职官员；空军；仅低于…官阶的官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
ram
|
|
| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
muskets
|
|
| n.火枪，（尤指）滑膛枪( musket的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
brace
|
|
| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
hostilities
|
|
| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
saluted
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
ominous
|
|
| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
swarms
|
|
| 蜂群，一大群( swarm的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
awe
|
|
| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
sergeant
|
|
| n.警官，中士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
meek
|
|
| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
exuberance
|
|
| n.丰富；繁荣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
prospect
|
|
| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
obliquely
|
|
| adv.斜； 倾斜； 间接； 不光明正大 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
swarmed
|
|
| 密集( swarm的过去式和过去分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
buffalo
|
|
| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
shrill
|
|
| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
uproar
|
|
| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
repel
|
|
| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
galloped
|
|
| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
parley
|
|
| n.谈判 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
lone
|
|
| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
massacre
|
|
| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
anticipation
|
|
| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
reprisals
|
|
| n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
tingle
|
|
| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
veins
|
|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
ferocious
|
|
| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
syllables
|
|
| n.音节( syllable的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
assent
|
|
| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
promptly
|
|
| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
scowling
|
|
| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
audacity
|
|
| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
maligned
|
|
| vt.污蔑，诽谤（malign的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
courageous
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
enlisted
|
|
| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
invaders
|
|
| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |