“Can you get them to do enough talking to fill their positions?”
“Plenty, plenty. Fact is, Mr. Wainwright, teachers do too much talking altogether. They’re just the men for the position, I swan if they aint.”
“And yourself?”
“Professor of Belles Letters, modern languages, &c. I’ve got another idee!”
And totally unable to control himself Mr. Swipes boiled over, laughed, gave utterance to several strange squeaking screams, which drew all eyes toward him, and wound up by declaring,
“It is a grand idea—grand! oh! so grand!”
“Pray let’s hear it, and don’t make quite such an excitement!” said the young hunter, feeling some embarrassment at the attention which was being drawn in his direction.
“It is grand—a grand idea, worth forty thousand droves of such sheep as I lost; bound to make Professor Swipes and the Fort Mifflin Institute for the Education of the Youths of Both Sexes famous from one end of the country to the other. What do you think of the idea, Mr. Wainwright?”
“I can tell better when I know what it is.”
“At the head of the ladies’ department, I will place, whom do you ’spose?”
“Araminta, your beloved in Connecticut.”
“N—no!” was the somewhat hesitating response. “I propose to place Miss Florence Brandon! Aint that grand?”
“You mean the young lady who is a member of this party?”
“Certainly; who else could there be?”
“But you must remember, my good friend, that the consent of herself and father is to be gained in this matter, before you would be warranted in publishing her as the head of your department for the instruction of young ladies.”
“Her consent,” repeated Swipes with the greatestamazement. “Why—why she’ll be crazy at the chance? You won’t be able to hold her, when she knows what a grand opening it will be for her.”
Fred Wainwright shook his head.
“Begin modestly, Mr. Swipes; begin modestly; establish your school, get it in thorough operation, and then look about you for a female assistant. Why not send for your Araminta?”
“Well, you see, she isn’t quite so pretty as this Miss Brandon, and I’ve thought of having Miss Brandon’s likeness published and distributed with the circulars. I think it would help. I will mention the matter to her the first chance.”
“Take my advice and don’t do it; it will do no good.”
“You speak as if you knowed her.”
“I—I know how any modest woman would act under such circumstances.”
The conversation was interrupted at this point by the stoppage of the emigrant train, near a small stream of water, and it was observed that Lancaster was talking quite earnestly with the male members who were gathered around him. Riding forward the young hunter and Yankee heard him.
“I don’t want to scare you but there’s a good sized war party of Apaches in the hills yonder and they’n been following us all the afternoon, and we’ll see more of ’em pretty soon.”
The trapper pointed toward a pile of wooded hills, in which direction every eye was immediately drawn, without discovering, however, the “signs” to which he alluded.
“They’re there,” he added, “and I’ve had a half a dozen glimpses of ’em since we started. It won’t be long before you all see ’em.”
In confirmation of the hunter’s words, at this moment a couple of mounted Indians were seen to come forth from the wood and undergrowth, ride to the bottom of the hill, where they halted as if waiting for something. The next moment a half a dozen followed them until ten were gathered together upon their gaudily-caparisoned mustangs.
The next moment, they commenced riding at an easy gallop toward the expectant train.
“By jingo! they’re going to tackle us!” exclaimed Leonidas Swipes in considerable excitement, and with the hope of alarming those around him.
“Hardly,” replied Fred, “Apaches don’t do things in that style; they generally take the night time and steal upon their enemies unawares.”
“But what does it all mean?”
“Such an approach in broad day generally means peace.”
“But—but—” persisted Swipes, as if unable to comprehend what it all meant; “the Apaches are not on friendly terms with us.”
“When it suits their purpose it may be so.”
The emigrants understood, as a matter of course, that the approach of the redskins meant nothing hostile, although more than one of them quietly examined his rifle to make sure it was loaded and ready for instant use.
A few moments later, the war party came to a dead halt about a hundred yards distant, and the leader or chief made a gesture of friendship, which was answered in pantomimes by Lancaster, who muttered at the same time to those near him.
“Two of them dogs is Comanches.”
“Wonder if they aint the ones that stole my sheep!” exclaimed Leonidas, sagely.
The preliminaries being arranged the chief now rode forward, his warriors following at a distance of a dozen yards or so. The emigrants reassured them by signs that they were welcome, whereupon the whole ten slid lightly from their horses, and, leaving them stand without any fastening or guardianship, came forward, until it may be said, they mingled in with the whites, at which point they laid their arms upon the ground, and waited for their white friends to do the same.
“Put down your guns,” said the trapper, “that’s what they’re waiting for, but if you can hang on to your pistols at the same time without their noticing you, why I haint any ’bjection.”
“I swan, if I let go of my revolver,” muttered Swipes, as he shoved the weapon as far as possible down his pantaloons pocket.
The Apaches now came forward, and seated themselves upon the ground, placing themselves in a semi-circle, while the circle was completed by a dozen of the emigrants, including the hunters, Swipes taking good care to occupy the centre of the Caucasian line, so as to be as far away as possible from the American.
At this juncture, Mr. Bonfield whispered to Lancaster,who was sitting next to him, that the chief or leader was the same fellow who had visited their camp alone, about a week before. He was now painted and bedaubed, with the evident intention of concealing his identity, but Mr. Bonfield was sure he recognized him. When finally he opened his mouth, and spoke, the last atom of doubt was removed.
Lancaster nodded his head to signify that he understood what it all meant.
At this point, the chief uttered an exclamation, spoke several words, and lit a large ornamented pipe. The trapper immediately replied.
“Can you understand him?” inquired Mr. Bonfield.
“Yes; he speaks the Apache tongue.”
“What did he say?”
“He announced himself as Cherouka, mighty chief of the Apaches, and that he was our friend, which you know is the thunderingest lie ever told.”
Cherouka took a few whiffs at the pipe, passed it to his neighbor, who imitated him, and in this manner it passed the entire circuit, including the white men. This was an official declaration of friendship, but it deceived no one.
The way being now opened, Cherouka recognizing Lancaster, as his “man,” addressed his words to him, while the trapper responded promptly and unmistakably. The language, as a matter of course was all “Greek” to the emigrants, who could only gain a knowledge of its meaning, when their guide chose to enlighten them.
The first remark of the Apache was a repetition of his friendship, and his best wishes for the safe advance of the party “toward the setting sun.” This was “chaff” and was so understood by him who comprehended the words, who replied in the usual diplomatic manner, returning the hypocritical professions, and seeking to draw the real meaning from the crafty Apache.
But it seemed impossible to get any word fromCherouka, explanatory of his true object in thus visiting a camp of people, between whom and his own kindred it was generally understood, the most implacable enmity existed. This fact convinced the shrewd guide, that the whole thing was a ruse to cover some hidden design.
As Lancaster looked the painted redskin in the face his own wits were busy, and his keen eyes constantly wandered hither, and to make sure that he should not be surprised by any suddencoup-d’etatof the enemy. Finally the presence of the two Comanches in the party, gave him as he believed the correct clew.
Undoubtedly these two gentlemen were concerned in the theft of Leonidas Swipe’s sheep; and, fully impressed with the value of their prize, they were resorting to every means to delay pursuit. They had known or suspected of the union of the unfortunate sheep dealers, with emigrants, and fearful that they might thus organize a vigorous and dangerous campaign against them, they had adopted this artifice of keeping them and their friends off the scent, until the plunder was beyond their reach.
Five thousand and odd sheep are not a very mobile organization in a precipitous country; and if any one thinks they are, we advise him to try the experiment and undeceive himself.
Consequently the Comanches only displayed ordinary sagacity in attempting the stratagem to which we have referred.
“All well, if it’s no more,” was the reflection of the trapper, as these thoughts passed through his mind, “but these dusky scamps may have something behind all this.”
As the interview progressed, the emigrants gradually gathered around the parties. The curiosity, naturally enough affected the women; and, when they saw the Indians, in their war-paint and war-dress seated upon the ground, gravely chaffering with thewhites, they too approached until they were within a few feet of the parties.
As Fred Wainwright sat looking upon the face of the Apache chief, during the interview, he noticed that he kept gazing to his left as though something in that direction attracted his attention. His looks became so fixed at last, that he turned his head, and then discovered that the all absorbing object which had caught the dusky scamp’s eye was no less a personage than Miss Florence Brandon, who, occupied in the scene itself was unconscious of the attention which she had attracted.
“By jingo! he’s smitten!” whispered Swipes to the young hunter.
“The old dog is struck with her,” was the reply, “and if we aint careful, there’ll trouble come from this. Just watch him!”
“I never shall give my consent to his taking Miss Brandon away; you see it would be a severe loss for the Fort Mifflin Institute.”
“Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open,” was the somewhat strong hint that Mr. Swipes received to remain quiet during the progress of the interview. He looked at the young hunter a moment as if he were about to resent this insult to his dignity; but he finally concluded to remain silent and look on.
Cherouka hadn’t sense enough to conceal his admiration of Miss Brandon or he didn’t care if it was observed. Fixing his sharp black eye upon the girl, he suddenly arose to his feet and walked toward her. Alarmed at the movement, she started back with a slight exclamation, and the Apache chief found his progress suddenly checked by Fred Wainwright the young hunter, who strode across his path and waved him back.
This occurrence created some little excitement, and for a moment threatened serious consequences. The brow of the chief darkened and he placed his hand upon his knife handle; but, his second thought evidentlyprevailed, and he sank back again, addressing Lancaster the interpreter. The latter laughed,
“What do you s’pose he says?” he asked turning to his friends.
No one could possibly imagine.
“He says he loves that gal, begging her pardon, that lady, and he wants her to go to his wigwam with him.”
This caused a smile, but, as it was plain that the chief was in earnest, all felt the propriety of hearing his ridiculous passion, as if it were entitled to serious consideration. Lancaster was therefore directed to inform the dusky dog that his compliment was duly appreciated, but that the “White Plume” could not accept his offer.
This being duly communicated to Cherouka served only to make him eager to secure the coy prize. He instantly offered a large belt of wampum and two horses for her. This was courteously but firmly refused as before, whereupon he made still more extravagant offers.
These meeting with the same fate as the others, he demanded the reasons why his offers were refused.
“What shall I tell him?” asked Lancaster, looking at the blushing girl. “Hanged if I know what excuse to give him.”
“Tell him she’s engaged!” called out Swipes in a husky whisper.
“Shall I tell him you’ve got another feller?” asked the trapper, with all the simplicity imaginable.
“No; tell him no such thing for I have not!”
Little did Florence Brandon dream of the vast happiness produced by that declaration in the breast of a certain young hunter standing near her, with his eyes fixed upon her face with almost the keen eagerness of the Apache lover himself.
The latter was made to believe, at length there was no hope for his suit; and mounting his horse, he and his followers rode away sullen, lowering and vengeful, while the whites breathed freer, when the troublesome visitors were fairly out of the range of the camp.
When the Indians, including the lover-like Apache were fairly beyond hearing of the emigrants, they ventured to indulge fully in their mirth.
There was something so inexpressibly ridiculous in the facts of this courtship, which could only find expression of laughter. None enjoyed it more than the fair one concerned; she considered it the greatest adventure of her life, and never wearied of listening to all its particulars, from those who had taken a closer observation of Cherouka’s actions than she had.
But after all there was a serious side to this matter,—at least the trappers concluded there was. They understood perfectly well the treacherous nature of these redskins, were certain that this chief would neglect no means of securing the prize which had been so decidedly refused him.
Believing it inadvisable to alarm their friends, they discussed the matter among themselves. The conclusion was that all three should stand guard that evening; and that through the day, one or two of them at least should keep unremitting watch.
When the suppers were eaten, several of the leaders of the emigrant train were acquainted with the facts of the case, while the others believed that only a prudential course was taken to guard against the thieving propensities of the redskins.
Fred Wainwright took his station near the wagon which contained the sleeping Florence Brandon, and tohim no occupation could have been more delightful than thus to watch by the side of her whom he loved,—yes, madly loved: he confessed it, standing there alone in the gloom of the night. This girl, who little imagined that Fred Wainwright was not Fred Wainwright—but——ah! well, perhaps the past was to be a dream and perhaps not. At any rate his duty just there was to stand guard over the fair being who occupied his waking and sleeping thoughts to the exclusion of almost everything else.
Not a minute’s sleep visited the eyes of the Trappers of the Gila, through that same summer night. They passed from point to point, continually moving through the train, among the wagons, and once or twice, one or two of them passed out upon the prairie and scrutinized every point visible.
The night was semi-dark,—a faint moon rising high in the sky, now and then obscured by the passing clouds. Occasionally the vision was able to penetrate for several hundred yards, and then it was restricted to a fifth of that distance.
Leonidas Swipes had scented the danger, and declared that he would also keep guard during the night; for he could not consent to run any risk of losing the intended head of the female department of the Fort Mifflin Institute. He averred that his sense of hearing was so acute that he could instantly detect the approach of any creature,—no matter if it was a weasel, or the tiny serpent that sometimes moves among the grass.
Mr. Swipes took his position just in the rear of the large white-covered wagon in which Florence Brandon was sleeping, all unconscious of the faithful guardianship which was kept over her. Here he leaned against the heavy rear wheel, and gave himself up to cogitation.
The young hunter, toward the middle of the night, made a circuit of the encampment; and, as he came back, observed the figure of the man leaning againstthe wagon, and concluded to test the extreme watchfulness of which he had boasted. Walking rather lightly, therefore, he approached him from behind, and, finding he attracted no attention, he stepped more heavily until he was making more than usual noise. Still the vigilant sentinel did not turn his head, and Fred noticed that he was muttering something to himself.
“No doubt she’ll be just the ticket, I swan if she won’t; but to wake her now, or to wait till morning is the question. I’d have a better chance to talk it over with her, and by jingo! I’ve a good notion to give the wagon a rattle so as to wake her up——Injins! Injins!”
At that instant, the heavy hand of the young hunter grasped the Yankee’s shoulder, and, fully assured that he was in the power of the dreaded Cherouka, he sprang several feet from the ground, and shouted at the top of his voice; but, confronting Wainwright, and immediately comprehending his mistake, added in fully as loud a tone,
“No Injins! No Injins! I was mistaken!Jingo! what’s the use of scaring a fellow that way?” he demanded, still shivering from the shock he had received.
“I didn’t know you were so easily frightened.”
“But you come on a feller so suddent like,—didn’t give me time to collect my presence of mind.”
“That is about the style that a redskin would have approached you, except that instead of his hand, he would have brought down his tomahawk on your head.”
“You don’t say so! I s’pose he would, but then I wouldn’t ’ve let him come in that style. I’d ’ve fout him mighty hard.”
“Didn’t you tell me, you would detect the approach of an Indian, no matter how stealthy he came up to you?”
“Well, so I would.”
“Why didn’t you hear me?”
“You didn’t come up like an Indian, as you say yourself.”
“I know that; I made twice as much noise.”
“That is just the reason I didn’t notice you; if you had come up natural like,—that is as one of your genouine redmen always do, I’d ’ve heard you, you may be sure.”
“And what would have been the consequence?”
“I would have whipped round with the quickness of lightning, if not a little quicker, and blowed the audacious redskin to blue blazes, before he would have known anything or could have said Jack Robinson.”
At this juncture, a figure suddenly appeared among them, which quickly resolved itself into Ward Lancaster, their guide.
“What’s all this húbub about?”
“Nothing at all, Mr. Lancaster, nothing at all,” replied Swipes.
“But if I aint powerful mistaken, I heern some one yell out that the Injins were coming.”
Thus fairly detected, the Yankee was compelled to acknowledge the truth, and receiving a warning from the trapper to “put a stopper in his meat-trap,” the guide sauntered away to his own post of observation where he remained until the break of day.
Finally morning came, and with it the pleasant fact that nothing had been seen or heard of a single redskin since the departure of the party the evening before. This was a pleasant fact we say, and was a great relief to the trappers, who had concluded to a certainty that there would be trouble before the night passed.
As soon as it was fairly light Lancaster and Harling rode out on the prairie and took a survey of the surrounding country to look for signs of their enemies. They scrutinized the hills closely, but with the same result,—nothing was seen or heard regarding them.
“We’ll keep a sharp look-out for the warmints to-day,and if we don’t see nothin’ of ’em, why it’llkinderlook as though they didn’t intend to trouble us.”
“Your fear, I suppose, is that Cherouka became so desperately enamored with the young lady we have in our charge that he may try to take her away from us against our will.”
“Injins are queer critters,” replied the guide, “and it’s just like ’em to try some such a trick. I’ve knowed of such things before.”
“That fellow was desperately smitten, wasn’t he?”
“Yes,” drawled the trapper, “but not much more than another person we’ve got with us.”
“Who is that?” demanded Fred innocently.
“Him as riding alongside of me on his horse. They call him Fred Wainwright I b’leve; and, if I aint powerful mistaken, the gal has took quite a shine to him.”
The poor young hunter almost sank from his beast. He never dreamed for an instant that any one suspected his secret, and he now feared that it had been discovered by all.
“Shoot me, you’re red in the face as a b’iled lobster,” laughed the guide perfectly merciless. “It’s plain enough you’re gone any way. Wal, she’s a pretty critter to look and to have take a hawkerin’ for a feller.”
“Do you think she has noticed me,—that is—that is—”
“Loves you, why don’t you say?”
“Well, yes, if you please.”
“Can’t say that. When you stepped in atween the Apache and her, all so sassy and bold, I could see plain enough she rather liked your way of doing things. I think everything is plain sailing for you.”
There was a vast deal of comfort in the words of the honest hearted trapper, and the young hunter reflected upon them many a time through the day. They stirred old emotions in his breast, and nothing that could have been said by any one—always excepting the fairFlorence herself—could have been more prized or imparted a greater degree of pleasure.
The journey of the train was resumed, and progressed through the day without any incident worthy of record. The character of the country changed, becoming more rugged and precipitous and they came in sight of several snow-covered peaks, towering against the blue sky beyond, like masses of white clouds. Now and then, too, a breeze of wind—chilling and penetrating swept over them, bringing the climate of these icy regions with it.
Mr. Swipes introduced himself to Miss Brandon during the afternoon, and regaled her for over an hour with his plans for the successful establishment of the Fort Mifflin Institute, greatly to her edification and amusement. She listened patiently to him, and then, as in duty bound, referred him to “papa,” with which the enthusiastic educator was compelled to content himself for the time being.
A sharp vigilance was maintained during the entire day; but nothing was seen of wild Indians although there was any abundance of wild animals. This fact led the trappers to the hope and half belief that they would suffer no further molestation from Cherouka and his party at least.
The encampment at night was in a small beautiful grove, on the banks of a tiny stream of icy cold water, where abundance of the best of fodder was found. Everything was arranged with the usual care, and, as the trappers were considerably wearied, Lancaster and Wainwright concluded to obtain a good night’s rest, while the opportunity was given them. There was no saying when a like chance would occur.
Harling remained up, taking a general oversight of the sentinels, while Swipes, as before placed himself in the vicinity of the wagon, containing the precious person of her whom he intended should help him make a fame and fortune in the State of the Golden Gate!He affirmed that she could not be safe unless he were in the immediate vicinity.
It was far beyond midnight, and Leonidas Swipes was soundly sleeping, when a shadow emerged from the darkness that surrounded the grove, and stole as noiselessly forward as a phantom. Straight toward the wagon it glided. Sh! it pauses and glares around in the darkness; the sentinel is soundly sleeping—now it enters the rear of the wagon; there is a slight sound but not enough to wake the dilatory sleeper—the next moment he reappears bearing a form in his arms, with his broad hand pressed over her mouth,—with the same absolute silence it steals through the encampment and the next moment Cherouka, the Apache chief has vanished and with him Florence Brandon.
Just as day was breaking over prairie and mountain, a succession of ear-splitting shrieks issued from the wagon in which Miss Sillingsby had passed the night. They were so terrific and rapid that in a few minutes the whole camp was active, and the people hurrying toward the poor lady, and anxiously inquiring the cause of her alarming terror.
“Oh! Florence! Florence! Florence! I shall die! I shall die! Oh! what will Mr. Brandon say! I wish I was dead! I wish I was dead!”
It was a long time before she could be quieted, and then the dreadful truth became known. Florence Brandon was missing!
With the first shriek of Miss Sillingsby, a suspicion of what had occurred flashed through the minds of Lancaster and Wainwright with the instantaneousness of an electric thrill. They were sleeping together near one of the large camp fires, and they instantly sprang to their feet; but, instead of running to the wagon toward the shrieker, they hurried outside the encampment and the grove, and gazed around in search of some evidence of this excessive fright. It is scarcely necessary to say that they discovered nothing at all.
“Maybe it isn’t as bad as we imagine!” said the young hunter, addressing his elder companion, for the first time since they had risen from their sleep. “It may not bethat.”
Lancaster shook his head.
“I’ve been a fool to go to sleep; we’ve been outwitted by that infernal Apache. I feel it in my bones. He has stolen in on her while we were asleep and walked off with that critter.”
“But let us find out the truth from Miss Sillingsby.”
“I ’spose we may as well, ’though I know what it is,” muttered the trapper, as he sullenly complied with the request.
Miss Sillingsby, in answer to the clamorous demands made upon her, finally let the truth ooze out. Near the middle of the night, as she imagined, she dreamed of seeing a terrible Indian crawl into the back part of the wagon and carry off her ward. It was so dark that she could only catch a glimpse of him as he came in and went out.
She woke up with a conviction that her dream was true; and now that she was awake long enough, she was satisfied that it was no dream at all, but an actual occurrence that had taken place before her eyes. Hence her excitement.
Then did the cheeks of the females blanch with terror. Florence Brandon spirited away in the night by an Apache Indian! The very thought was enough to fill one with shuddering terror.
“Yes, she is gone,” exclaimed Miss Sillingsby, wringing her hands and threatening to go into hysterics again. “She is gone, and what is to become of me and her poor father?”
“Yes, by jingo!” wailed Leonidas Swipes, darting hither and thither and fairly dancing in excitement to the tune of the lamentations around him. “What’s to become of the Fort Mifflin Institute for the Education of the Youths of Both Sexes? Gone up, and my hopes and fortunes dashed to the ground; jest as they always get dashed when they are about to bud and blossom; I swan if they don’t.”
“See here, my man,” called out Fred Wainwright, “you acted as sentinel last night—didn’t you!”
“I believe—come to think, I am almost sure I did.”
“And you took this wagon of Miss Brandon’s under your special charge, as you were satisfied that was the only way of making her safe; you did this, didn’t you?”
“I believe—come to think I s’pect I did do something like that.”
“Then what kind of a sentinel are you?” demanded the young hunter, contemptuously, “to allow an Indian to come in here at night and steal her away.”
“By jingo, I don’t understand it; I swan if I do; I must have been—ah—have been—”
“Asleep of course.”
“No, no, oh no; I was abstracted at the time—absorbed in the investigation of some great truth which made me oblivious, as it were, to what else was going on around me.”
By this time the first fever of excitement was over, and the people began to converse rationally upon the all-absorbing subject, while the trappers occupied themselves in searching through the camp for some evidence of the direction taken by the audacious Apache with his prize.
When it was stated that the entire grove had been traversed back and forth by the men and animals, it will be seen that this was about impossible, even when all three of the keen-eyed hunters set themselves to work at the task, passing back and forth and scrutinizing every foot of ground.
But upon the outside of the encampment, beyond the range of the travel by the whites, Lancaster detected the print of a moccasin in the dusty earth. He followed it for twenty yards out upon the prairie, and then looking up, saw that it led directly toward a clump of trees about a quarter of a mile distant, and along the branches of the creek on which they wereencamped—the stream making a sharp bend just above where the train halted.
“We’ll find something there,” said the old hunter, pointing toward the tree, “the snip has made for that point.”
“And left it as soon as he reached it.”
“I s’pose so; but he wouldn’t have gone there, if it wasn’t for something particular. Let’s go and see.”
The hunter hurried over the prairie, and in a few minutes reached the trees. Here, upon looking down at the ground, they were rewarded with another sight of the trail, proving the correctness of the conclusion at which Lancaster had jumped.
“And we’ll soon see what it all means,” he said, as he passed in among the trees.
It required but a moment indeed; a sudden “Ah!” was heard from the old hunter and he pointed down to the ground.
“Do you see that?”
“Horse tracks, I believe.”
“Yes, that tells the whole story; the scamp had his horse fastened among the trees, and has toted the gal here as fast as he could travel, mounted his critter and then put.”
“Shall we follow any further?”
“No; I don’t see as there is any use just now, as we haint got our horses; we’ll go back to camp and let ’em know what we’ve learned.”
Fred Wainwright all this time was in a fever of excitement, although he had made superhuman efforts to conceal it from his practical companion thus far; but he began to be seriously alarmed at the coolness and indifference which he manifested.
“Ward,” said he, endeavoring to speak in a matter-of-fact tone, “we’re going to follow these scamps, are we not?”
“I’ll promise you they’ll get such a chase as they never dreamed of; but you know enough to understandit’s going to be work and not play. That Apache having got his hands upon the gal, won’t let her go in a hurry.”
“You know the Apaches are an ugly set of people. How do you suppose they will treat her?”
“Just as the folks out east would treat General Washington’s mother, if she was alive and should go through the country. Cherouka wants to make her his squaw, and the old fool will try and win her love by kindness. No; we may take a week to capture her in and bring her back just as unharmed and free from insult as she was before she heard of Cherouka.”
“O heavens! Ward, you cannot imagine how much you have relieved me.”
“I seed you was kinder worked over it, though your’ne been trying mighty hard to keep it from me,” replied Lancaster with a sly grin.
“Of course; who is there in our whole party that doesn’t feel terrible over it?”
“Y—a—s, I know, but I reckon you feel a little terribler than the rest.”
“I don’t know as I do.”
“But I do though; don’t try to play any of your foriniky tricks on me, Fred; I’m an old enough coon to know what it all means.”
“If that is the case where is the use of any reference being made to it, by either you or me?” asked Wainwright.
Lancaster and Wainwright made their way back to camp, where they had found the excitement among the females had increased, while upon the men it had settled into a determination, that if it were possible for mortal man to rescue the fair captive, it should be done. Not a man among them all but was ready and anxious to join in the pursuit.
Time was precious, the guide, who from his position, naturally fell into that of a guide in other matters, determined to organize the pursuit at once. It would be madness to think of allowing all the men ora majority to undertake the business, as the train was in a dangerous part of the country, and such a proceeding would invite their destruction by the thieving hordes who would be very quick to discover their defenceless condition, and take advantage of it.
Ten men well mounted and armed were all he needed, and he selected these at once. It is hardly necessary to say that himself and Wainwright were the first two. Harling, it was concluded best, to leave with the train, where his knowledge and watchfulness would detect the very first opinion. Mr. Templeton and seven others, whose appearance struck the trapper as being favorable, were then selected—he expressing the belief that each of them possessed the requisite amount of “grit” for the business before them.
Leonidas Swipes insisted that he should accompany the expedition. It may have been that he felt an obligation in the matter, thus to seek to repair, in so far as possible, his shame or rather remissness as a sentinel; or, it may be, that his shrewd mind saw a slight opportunity of gaining some knowledge of the five thousand and odd sheep which had been so unceremoniously taken from him.
But Lancaster would not count him as an effective man, and as it came about that the Yankee made the eleventh or odd man, a matter which created much merriment, but no ill will upon the individual concerned.
Mr. Bonfield remained with the emigrant train. At the advice of the guide he agreed to throw up some temporary fortifications, to insure safety in case of attack. It was not at all improbable that the eleven men would be seen as they rode away, by the sharp eye of some prowling Indians, who might deem the occasion just the one, in which to make an attack on the remaining ones in the hope of securing plunder, and perhaps destroying the whole party. The loss of their animals would be an irreparable one just as theywere entering that mighty wall of rocks and chasms which separate California from the territories, where every ounce of their animal strength would be needed.
Mr. Bonfield’s intention was to make a sort of “outer wall” to inclose the entire encampment, and from behind which, in case of attack, he and his men could rain their bullets upon the redskins, without fear of return.
The eleven men were mounted on the fleetest and best animals that could be selected from the party, and the sun was hardly above the horizon, when they rode forth in their attempt to rescue Miss Florence Brandon from the hands of Cherouka, the Apache chief.
Fairly outside of the encampment, the little party of hunters struck wide a sweeping gallop toward the hills where Lancaster had discovered the evidence of Cherouka’s having mounted his horse and fled. Here he made another examination of the ground, when he discovered the direction the trail took, his manner showed that it was precisely what he anticipated and desired.
“Do you see that grove yonder?” he asked of his men, pointing toward a clump of trees about a mile distant. As a matter of course all replied in the affirmative.
“Wal, now, we’ll just not notice the trail and strike a bee line for them trees. If we find the trail there, and p’raps a few other horse’s feet, there it is all right and I know just where to look for the Apaches.”
As he spoke he again loosed his rein, and the whole eleven went galloping almost in a compact body across the country, toward the grove which had been indicated. In doing so, all of those who were capable of doing so, observed that they left the trail, in taking another course. They, and among them was our hero, the young hunter, looked upon this proceeding with strong misgivings as to its prudence. It was a comparatively easy matter to follow the footprints of the horses over the open plain, and this leaving it for a doubtful matter, looked like a waste of precious time.
However, Ward Lancaster was the leader of the expedition, and he was the last one who should attempt to gainsay any command of his.
A few minutes brisk ride brought them to the grove in question; and on the very edge of the timber, the eyes of all were gladdened by a sight of fresh tracks of horses.
“What I expected,” remarked Lancaster, as his grey eyes sparkled with pleasure. “The rest of the dogs waited him.”
“How many of them?”
“Only a half dozen; don’t you see where their horses have gnawed the bark off the trees? Six of ’em.”
“I swan we ought to be able to managethem, without difficulty,” remarked Swipes. “Just foller ’em up, sail in a dash around: that’s my advice.”
“It wouldn’t do,” replied Fred with a shake of the head, while Lancaster did not deem it worth while to notice the Yankee’s ignorance.
“Why not? I tell you, my friend, that’s just the thing, and jingo, I claim the credit of originating that’ere idea. Like all of mine it’s rather hefty.”
“It is about the most foolish plan that could be proposed,” said Fred, a little anxious to take some of the conceit out of the fellow, “and is the one which would be sure to be the death of the girl, we hope to rescue.”
“What’s that?” he demanded in amazement.
“It is the quickest plan that could be devised to ensure Miss Brandon’s death.”
“Show me how,” added Swipes, with the air of a man who had proposed an unsoluble puzzle. “Demonstrate that as we say in geometry.”
“Suppose now that we should catch sight of this party of Apaches, out on the prairie, and should dash away after them at the top of our speed. There are six of them and eleven of us: what do you suppose would happen?”
“They’d drop the lady like a hot potatoe, or elseput her in a safe position and then turn round and fight us.”
The young hunter laughed.
“Neither; they would see that there was no chance of getting the girl away, when they would tomahawk her, leave her dead on the plain, and then do their best to take care of themselves.”
“Good heavens!” exclaimed Swipes, perfectly aghast, “that would never do! Tell, Mr. Lancaster, I recall that advice, and do not risk him to follow it out.”
“There is no necessity of going to that trouble.”
“Yes; why not?”
“Because there is no danger of his following it; he knows too much; and, Mr. Swipes, you will allow me to suggest that it looks rather out of place for you or me, who never saw a prairie, except a short time ago, to attempt to advise a man who hunted upon them before either of us were born.”
Leonidas could only stare his surprise, as the hunter allowed his horse to walk around to a point a few yards away, where Lancaster was earnestly discussing some matter with several of his friends.
“That’s cool,” muttered the Yankee, as he gazed after him, “but I swan, I think it served me about right; that’ere Lancaster knows more about the prairies, and the mountains and Indians in one week than I could learn in my life time; so, after this, I’ll keep still that is so far as giving advice is concerned, though I do think I might give him a good idea now and then.”
As Lancaster was talking about something which interested all, Swipes concluded to join the group around him, and learn what it all meant. Just as he did so, it seemed matters reached a decision.
“I’m satisfied,” said Lancaster, with a decided shake of his head, “I know just what point them dogs are aiming at.”
“Where is that?”
“The Chevenine Hills.”