"I just thought I would send you off on a fool's errand," said he, "but I never thought you would go so far, and frighten us nearly to death, and most kill yourself. I was so scared when you didn't come back I didn't know what to do. Father missed you, but thought you were somewhere about the wagons5, and I dared not tell him you were not; but Gus turned coward during the afternoon, and told that I had sent you away—and then didn't I catch it?" and George grimaced6 most dolefully, pointing to poor Guy's sprained7 ankle, and declaring that the pain of that was nothing to what he had had in his back for days past.
Mrs. Loring came in then, and sent him away, as Guy had been ill with fever ever since his night's exposure, and could bear but little excitement. It was nearly two weeks before he could rise, and they had even then to carry him from place to place, because he could not bear his weight upon his wounded limb. It fretted8 him sorely when they camped at night, to see how hard she must have worked while he lay ill; yet he could but perceive that she looked better and stronger than she had done since his father's death, and joyfully9 felt that the excitement and toil10 of a journey across the plains would restore his mother to health, whatever might be the effect upon him.
How kind they all were to him during the time he was slowly regaining11 his health and strength. Aggie12 sat by him constantly, in her childish way telling him of the wonders she daily saw, or coaxing13 him to tell her some pretty tale. Mrs. Harwood always smiled upon him when she passed, and Amy and Carrie Graham often asked him to their wagon, and lented to find.
All the men missed Guy so much, he had always been so useful and good-natured. Mr. Harwood daily said, that there should be a jubilee14 in camp when Guy got well again. But he recovered so gradually that he took his old place in the train by almost imperceptible degrees, and was at the end of a month as active as ever.
They were then on the borders of the Rio Platte, or Nebraska River, in the country of the Pawnee Indians. They were about to leave behind them the vast, luxuriant prairie, and enter upon what may more properly be called the plains. Guy was not sorry to see the thick grass become thinner and thinner, for he remembered that amid its clustering blades he had nearly lost his life, and therefore looked with much complacency upon the broad, shallow river, along which their course lay; the sandy loam15 beneath their feet, and the sand hills that arose like great billows of earth, rolling in regular succession over the level surface. George and Gus thought the country most dreary16 and wretched, and would scarcely believe Guy, when he told them of a desert called Sahara, that had not even a blade of grass upon it, save an occasional oasis17, many miles apart, and which were often sought for, by the weary traveler, as he had himself sought the camp, during his terrible night on the prairie.
"It can't be worse than this," they eagerly contended, "I don't believe even Indians live here."
But they were soon convinced to the contrary, for a few days afterwards Guy startled them by the exclamation18 "see the Indians! There are the Indians coming!"
George very boldly told them to "come on," but Gus went close to Guy, and declared that such mere19 specks20 as they saw in the distance couldn't be Indians; yet was suddenly most anxious to know whether they were cannibals, and if so, whether he looked a tempting21 morsel22 or not.
Guy could not help laughing at his questions, although he himself felt quite uneasy at the approach of the wild hunters of the prairies, which were seen rapidly drawing near to them. The men in the train formed a closer circle about the wagons, and hastily inspected their rifles, while Mr. Harwood gave them instructions how to proceed in case of an attack.
That, however, he did not greatly apprehend23, as they soon perceived the Indians were but a small party of middle-aged24, or old men, and squaws, and it is seldom such a party attempts to molest25 any number of travelers.
However, Mr. Harwood thought it best to keep them at a safe distance, and when they approached within a hundred yards of the train, suddenly commanded them to halt by raising his right hand with the palm in front, and waving it backward and forward several times. They, upon this, stopped their horses, and consulted together a few moments, then fell into a posture26 indicative of rest. Then, Mr. Harwood raised his hand again and moved it slowly from right to left. This they understood to mean "who are you?" One of the oldest of them immediately replied by placing a hand on each side of the forehead, with two fingers pointing to the front, to represent the narrow, sharp ears of a wolf.
"They are Pawnees," said Mr. Harwood. "Ah! there is the chief making signs that they wish to talk with us."
A long conversation by means of signs, in the use of which the prairie Indians are very expert, was then carried on between Mr. Harwood and the old chief. Remembering his promise to Aggie, to protect her from the Indians, Guy went to Mrs. Harwood's wagon to assure her there was no danger, and that he would remain near, and then took a stand behind the wagon where he could see and hear all that passed.
He was soon joined by George and Gus, for Guy was always so calm and collected that they felt quite safe near him, though he was no stronger or older than themselves.
They all watched the Indians with much interest, and were surprised to see that instead of being giants, as accounts of their cruel and wonderful deeds had led them to expect, they were of medium height. In place of the horrible face, and the flaming eyes they had pictured, they saw the countenances27 of these Indians were intelligent, and although of course of a bright copper28 hue29, were in some instances quite handsome. The hair of the men was very long, and streamed like black pennants30, upon the wind. Their arms, shoulders, and breasts were quite naked, and their dress consisted only of deer skin, with a cloth wound around the lower part of the body. One or two were covered with buffalo31 robes, of which every warrior32 carries one, in which he wraps himself when cold.
Guy thought that the men as they sat proudly upon their beautiful horses, holding in their hands long bows made of the tough wood of the osage orange, which is as supple33 as elastic34, looked very noble and fine. Their bows were about eight feet long and were wound around with the sinews of deer, and strung with a cord of the same. The arrows were about twenty inches long, of flexible wood, with a triangular35 point of iron at one end, and two feathers intersecting each other at right angles, at the opposite extremity36.
This description Guy quoted to his companions, from a book he had once read, and they saw at once how perfectly37 true it was. While they were astonished at the appearance of the men, they were much diverted at that of the women. They were very short and ugly; each had her hair cut short, and they were dressed the same as the men with the addition of a skirt of dressed deer skin. Their faces were tattooed38 in the most uncouth39 devices, and altogether they appeared quite hideous40, as they sat upon their horses, in the same position as the men, regarding with much interest the movements of their chief who had been made to understand that he might come alone to the train.
At first, he seemed doubtful about the propriety41 of such an act, but his wish for gain soon overcame his caution, and he rode up to Mr. Harwood, making many signs and protestations of friendship, which were returned most graciously. After a long series of compliments had passed between them, the old chief gave Mr. Harwood to understand that his people were hungry and needed sugar, corn, and many other things. Mr. Harwood replied by saying there were many deer upon the prairie, which they could kill, that they themselves had but little provision but would give them some beads42, and bright paints, in token of the good feeling of the whites toward them.
At that the old man was delighted, for the Indians are very fond of beads and all kinds of ornaments43, and of paints, with which they daub their faces and arms in the most grotesque44 manner, upon any grand occasion. But the old chief disdained45 to exhibit any satisfaction, and smoked the pipe, that had been offered him, in the most indifferent manner while the presents were being procured46 from the wagons.
When the old man had entered the camp, George and Gus thought it prudent47 to retreat to their mother's wagon, from whence, they could look out and see all that was going on. Aggie, on the contrary was so anxious to have a nearer view of the Indians, when she found them so much less terrible than she had imagined, that she begged her mother to allow her to stand with Guy outside the wagon, and after some little hesitation48, Mrs. Harwood permitted her to do so.
When Guy lifted the little girl from the wagon, the savage49 gave a grunt50 of surprise, and gazed for a long time upon her with such evident admiration51 that Guy was greatly afraid he would take a fancy to carry her off. But Aggie, herself entertained no such fears, and after looking at the old man curiously52 for some little time, approached him slowly and examined his strange dress, the circular shield covered with buffalo hide that was strapped53 on his left arm, and the formidable war-club that lay at his side. It was made of a stone, about two pounds in weight, round which a withe of elastic wood was bound, being held in its place by a groove54 which had been formerly55 cut in the stone. The two ends of the withe formed a handle about fourteen inches long, and were bound together with strips of buffalo hide, which rendered it strong and firm, totally preventing it from either splitting down, or breaking when used, as no doubt it often was, with great force, upon the heads of unfortunate enemies.
The old chief allowed Aggie to examine all those things with the greatest good nature, and when she touched his quiver of arrows, and asked him to give her one, he grunted56 assent57; so she took the prettiest one, and after admiring it for some time, nodded and smiled, and walked toward Guy with the prize in her hand. But immediately the Indian darted58 to his feet, frowning with anger, and sprang toward the frightened child. Mr. Harwood and most of the men believed for the moment that he was indeed about to attempt to carry her off, and with loud voices bade him stand back, and levelled their rifles upon him, to enforce obedience59. The old man raised his hand, and immediately the whole force on the prairie commenced galloping60 toward them.
"Aggie give him his arrow!" cried Guy at this juncture61, "he misunderstood you; he thinks you have stolen his arrows! Give it to him."
She did so, the old man released her, and she fled to the wagon like a frightened deer. With a few expressive62 gestures Guy explained to the Indian the mistake that had been made, and at the same time it became evident to Mr. Harwood and his party. The chief signaled to his party to retire, and in less time than it has taken to describe it, peace was restored; whereas but for Guy's presence of mind a terrible battle might have followed Aggie's innocent freak.
But, notwithstanding that peace had been restored, they were all glad when the chief took up his presents and went back to his motley followers63, and even more so, when they put their horses to their utmost speed, and returned to their lodges64; where no doubt they gave to their tribe an astounding65 account of the adventure of their chief in the camp of the white man.
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1
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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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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divans
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| n.（可作床用的）矮沙发( divan的名词复数 )；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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6
grimaced
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| v.扮鬼相，做鬼脸( grimace的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sprained
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| v.&n. 扭伤 | |
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fretted
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| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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aggie
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| n.农校，农科大学生 | |
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coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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14
jubilee
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| n.周年纪念；欢乐 | |
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15
loam
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| n.沃土 | |
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dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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oasis
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| n.（沙漠中的）绿洲，宜人的地方 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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specks
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| n.眼镜；斑点，微粒，污点( speck的名词复数 ) | |
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tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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molest
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| vt.骚扰，干扰，调戏 | |
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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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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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28
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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30
pennants
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| n.校旗( pennant的名词复数 )；锦标旗；长三角旗；信号旗 | |
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buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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33
supple
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| adj.柔软的，易弯的，逢迎的，顺从的，灵活的；vt.使柔软，使柔顺，使顺从；vi.变柔软，变柔顺 | |
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elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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38
tattooed
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| v.刺青，文身( tattoo的过去式和过去分词 )；连续有节奏地敲击；作连续有节奏的敲击 | |
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39
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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40
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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41
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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42
beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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43
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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44
grotesque
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| adj.怪诞的，丑陋的；n.怪诞的图案，怪人（物） | |
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45
disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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46
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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47
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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48
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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49
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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50
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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51
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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52
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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53
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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54
groove
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| n.沟，槽；凹线，（刻出的）线条，习惯 | |
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55
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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56
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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57
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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58
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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59
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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60
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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61
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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62
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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63
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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64
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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65
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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