The Border Rifles: A Tale of the Texan War

by Gustave Aimard

  CHAPTER IX.

  THE SNAKE PAWNEES.

  We will now clear up a few points in this story which may appear obscureto the reader.

  The Redskins, however great their other faults may be, have a fanaticlove for the country where they are born, and nothing can take itsplace.

  Monkey-face did not speak falsely when he told Captain Watt that he wasone of the principal Chiefs of his tribe; but he had been careful not toreveal for what reason he had been expelled from his tribe.

  This reason the time has now arrived for us to make known.

  Monkey-face was not only a man of unbridled ambition, but also, anextraordinary thing for an Indian, he had no religious faith, and wascompletely exempt from those weaknesses and that superstitious credulityto which his fellows are so amenable: in addition, he was faithless,dishonourable, and of more than depraved manners.

  Having been taken, when young, to the towns of the American Union, hehad been in a position to see closely the eccentric civilization of theUnited States. Unable to comprehend the good and bad sides of thiscivilization, and steer between them, he had, as generally happens insuch cases, been seduced by that which most flattered his tastes andinstincts, and had only taken from the customs of the whites whatevercompleted and furnished his precocious depravity.

  Hence, when he returned to his tribe, his language and manners were sodiscordant with what was done and said around him, that he speedilyexcited the contempt and hatred of his countrymen.

  His most violent enemies were naturally the priests, or, at least, thesorcerers, whom he had tried several times to turn into ridicule.

  So soon as Monkey-face had put on his back the omnipotent party of thesorcerers, it was all over with his ambitious plans: all his manoeuvresfailed, a dull opposition constantly overthrew his schemes at the verymoment when he expected to see them succeed.

  For a long time, the Chief, not knowing how to act, kept prudently onthe defensive, while actively watching the movements of his enemies;awaiting, with that feline patience which formed the basis of hischaracter, for chance to reveal to him the name of the man on whom hisvengeance should fall. As all his measures were taken, he soondiscovered that the man to whom he owed his continual checks was noother than the principal sorcerer of the tribe.

  This was an aged man, respected and beloved by all on account of hiswisdom and goodness. Monkey-face hid his hatred for a season; but oneday, in full council, after a lively discussion, he allowed his rage tocarry him away, and, rushing on the unhappy old man, he stabbed him inthe sight of all the elders of the tribe, before those present couldprevent the execution of his design.

  The murder of the sorcerer put the climax on the horror this villaininspired. On the spot, the Chief drove him from the territory of thenation, refusing him fire and water, and threatening him with theheaviest punishment if he dared to appear before them again.

  Monkey-face, too weak to resist the execution of this sentence, retiredwith rage in his heart, and uttering the most horrible threats.

  We have seen in what way he revenged himself by selling the territory ofhis tribe to the Americans, and thus causing the ruin of those whobanished him. But he had scarce obtained the vengeance he had so longpursued, when a strange revolution took place in this man's heart. Thesight of the land where he was born, and where the ashes of his fatherreposed, aroused in him with extreme force that love of his countrywhich he thought dead, but was only asleep in his heart.

  The shame at the odious action he had committed by surrendering to theenemies of his race the hunting grounds which he had himself so longfreely traversed, the obstinacy with which the Americans set to workchanging the face of the country, and destroying their aged trees, whoseshadows had so long protected the councils of his nation--all thesecauses combined had caused him to reflect, and, rendered desperate bythe sacrilege which hatred impelled him to commit, he tried to rejoinhis comrades, in order to assist them in recovering what they had lostthrough his fault.

  That is to say, he resolved to betray his new friends to the profit ofhis old friends.

  This man was unhappily engaged in a fatal path where each step he tookmust be marked for a crime.

  It was easier than he at first supposed for him to rejoin hiscountrymen, for they were scattered and wandering in despair through theforests round the colony.

  Monkey-face presented himself boldly to them, and was very careful notto tell them that he alone was the cause of the misfortunes thatoverwhelmed them. On the other hand, he made a secret of his return,telling them that the news of the calamities which had suddenly fallenon them was the sole cause of his coming; that, had they continued to behappy, they would never have seen him again; but that, in the presenceof such a frightful catastrophe as that which had crushed them, everyfeeling of hatred must disappear before the common vengeance to be takenon the Pale-faces, those eternal and implacable enemies of the Red race.

  In a word, he displayed such noble sentiments, and put the step he wastaking in such a brilliant light, that he completely succeeded indeceiving the Indians, and persuading them of the purity of hisintentions, and his good faith.

  After this, with the diabolical intelligence he possessed, he formed avast plot against the Americans, a plot into which he had the clevernessto draw the other Indian people allied to his tribe; and, whileostensibly remaining the friend of the colonists, he silently preparedand organized their utter ruin.

  The influence he succeeded in obtaining over his tribe within a shorttime was immense: three men alone entertained an instinctive distrust ofhim, and carefully watched his movements; they were Tranquil, theCanadian hunter, Black-deer, and Blue-fox.

  Tranquil could not understand the conduct of the Chief; it seemed to himextraordinary that this man had thus become a friend of the Americans.Several times he asked him explanations on this head, but Monkey-facehad always answered in an ambiguous way, or evaded his questions.

  Tranquil, whose suspicions daily grew, and who was determined to knowpositively what opinion to have of a man whose manoeuvres appeared tohim daily more suspicious, succeeded in getting himself chosen withBlack-deer, by the Great Council of the Nation, to bear the declarationof war to Captain Watt.

  Monkey-face was vexed at the choice of the envoys whom he knew to besecretly his enemies; but he concealed his resentment; the more so,because matters were too far advanced to withdraw, and everything was inreadiness for the expedition.

  Tranquil and Black-deer consequently set out with orders to declare waron the Palefaces.

  "If I am not greatly mistaken," the Canadian said to his friend as theyrode along, "we are going to hear something about Monkey-face."

  "Do you think so?"

  "I would wager it. I am convinced the scamp is playing a double game,and cheats us all to his own profit."

  "I have no great confidence in him, still I cannot believe that he couldcarry his effrontery so far."

  "We shall soon see what we have to depend on; at any rate, though,promise me one thing."

  "What is it?"

  "That I be the first to speak. I know better than you how to deal withthe Palefaces of the West."

  "Be it so," Black-deer replied, "act as you think proper."

  Five minutes after, they reached the colony. We related in the previouschapter how they were received, and what passed between them and CaptainWatt.

  This custom of the Indians of declaring war against their enemies mayappear extraordinary to Europeans, who are accustomed to regard them asstupid savages, but we must make no mistake; the Redskins have aneminently chivalrous character, and never, except in the case of a horserobbery or such matter, will they attack an enemy before warning himthat he may be on his guard.

  In fact, it is by cleverly working on this chivalrous character, ofwhich the North Americans, we regret to say, do not possess a particle,that the Whites have gained the majority of their victories over theRedskins.

  When a few yards from the colony, the two men found aga
in their horseswhich they had hobbled; they mounted, and went off at a rapid rate.

  "Well," Tranquil asked the Chief, "what do you think of all this?"

  "My brother was right, Monkey-face has constantly cheated us; it isevident that this deed emanates from him alone."

  "What do you intend doing?"

  "I do not know yet; perhaps it would be dangerous to unmask him at thismoment."

  "I am not of your opinion, Chief; the presence of this traitor among uscan only injure our cause."

  "Let us have a look at him first."

  "Be it so! But permit me a remark."

  "I am listening, my brother.'

  "How is it that after recognizing the falseness of that deed of sale,you insisted on declaring war against this Long knife of the West, sincehe has proved to you that he was deceived by Monkey-face?"

  The Chief smiled cunningly. "The Paleface was only deceived," he said,"because it suited him to be so."

  "I do not understand you, Chief."

  "I will explain myself. Does my brother know how a sale of land iseffected?"

  "No, I do not; and I confess to you, that, never having got to buy orsell, I have not troubled myself about it."

  "Wah! In that case I will tell my brother."

  "You will cause me pleasure, for I always like to gain information, andthis may be useful to me at some time," the Canadian said with a grin.

  "When a Paleface wishes to buy the hunting-ground of a tribe he goes tothe principal Sachems of the nation, and after smoking the calumet ofpeace in council, he explains his meaning; the conditions are discussed;if the two contracting parties agree, a plan of the territory is drawnup by the principal sorcerer, the Paleface gives his goods, all theChiefs place their sign manual at the foot of the plan, the trees areblazed with a tomahawk, the borders marked, and the purchaser takesimmediate possession."

  "Hum," Tranquil remarked, "that seems simple enough."

  "In what council has the grey-head Chief smoked the calumet? Where arethe sachems who have treated with him? Let him show me the trees thatwere marked."

  "In truth, I fancy he would find that difficult."

  "The Grey-head," the Chief continued, "knew that Monkey-face wascheating him; but the territory suited him, and he calculated on thestrength of his arms to hold his own."

  "That is probable."

  "Conquered by evidence, and recognizing too late that he actedinconsiderately, he fancied he could recover all difficulties byoffering us a few more bales of merchandize. Whenever did the Palefaceshave a straight and honest tongue?"

  "Thank you," the hunter said, laughingly.

  "I do not speak of my brother's nation; I never had to complain of them,and I only refer to the Long knives of the West. Does my brother stillthink that I was wrong in throwing down the bloody arrows?"

  "Perhaps, in that circumstance, Chief, you were a little too quick, andallowed your passion to carry you away, but you have so many reasons forhating the Americans that I dare not blame you."

  "Then, I can still count on my brother's assistance?"

  "Why should I refuse it to you, Chief? Your cause is still as it was,that is to say, just; it is my duty to help you, and I will do so,whatever may happen."

  "Och! I thank my brother; his rifle will be useful to us."

  "Here we are; it is time to form a determination with reference toMonkey-face."

  "It is formed," the Chief answered, laconically.

  At this moment, they entered a vast clearing, in the centre of whichseveral fires were burning.

  Five hundred Indian warriors, painted and armed for war, were lyingabout in the grass, while their horses, all harnessed, and ready formounting, were hobbled, and eating their provender of climbing peas.

  Round the principal fire several Chiefs were crouching and smokingsilently.

  The newcomers dismounted, and proceeded rapidly toward this fire, beforewhich Monkey-face was walking up and down in considerable agitation.

  The two men took their places by the side of the other Chiefs, and littheir calumets; although every one expected their arrival impatiently,no one addressed a word to them, Indian etiquette prohibiting a Chieffrom speaking, before the calumet was completely smoked out.

  When Black-deer had finished his calumet, he shook out the ashes, passedit through his belt, and said:--

  "The orders of the Sachems are accomplished; the bloody arrows have beendelivered to the Palefaces."

  The Chiefs bowed their heads in sign of satisfaction at these news.

  Monkey-face walked up.

  "Has my brother Black-deer seen Grey-head?" he asked.

  "Yes," the Chief answered, drily.

  "What does my brother think?" Monkey-face pressed him.

  Black-deer gave him an equivocal glance.

  "What matters the thought of a Chief at this moment," he answered,"since the Council of the Sachems has resolved on war?"

  "The nights are long," Blue-fox then said, "will my brothers remain heresmoking?"

  Tranquil remarked in his turn--

  "The Long knives are on their guard, they are watching at this moment,my brothers will remount their horses, and withdraw, for the hour is notpropitious."

  The Chiefs gave a sign of assent.

  "I will go on the discovery," Monkey-face said.

  "Good," Black-deer answered, with a stern smile; "my brother is skilful,he sees many things, he will inform us."

  Monkey-face prepared to leap on a horse which a warrior led him up, butsuddenly Black-deer rose, rushed toward him, and laying his hand roughlyon his shoulder, compelled him to fall on his knees.

  The warriors, surprised at this sudden aggression, the motive of whichthey did not divine, exchanged glances of surprise, though they did notmake the slightest movement to interpose between the two Chiefs.

  Monkey-face quickly raised his head.

  "Does the Spirit of evil trouble my brother's brain?" he said, as hetried to free himself from the iron grip that nailed him to the ground.

  Black-deer gave a sarcastic smile, and drew his scalping knife.

  "Monkey-face is a traitor," he said in a sullen voice "he has sold hisbrothers to the Palefaces; he is about to die."

  Black-deer was not only a renowned warrior, but his wisdom and honourwere held in just repute by the tribe; hence no one protested againstthe accusation he had made, the more so, because, unfortunately for him,Monkey-face had been long known.

  Black-deer raised his knife, whose bluish blade flashed in thefire-light, but by a supreme effort Monkey-face succeeded in freeinghimself, bounded like a wild beast, and disappeared in the bushes with ahoarse laugh.

  The knife had slipped, and only cut the flesh, without inflicting aserious wound on the clever Indian.

  There was a moment of stupor, but then all rose simultaneously to rushin pursuit of the fugitive.

  "Stay," Tranquil shouted in a loud voice, "it is now too late. Makehaste to attack the Palefaces before that villain has warned them, forhe is doubtless meditating fresh treachery."

  The Chiefs recognized the justice of this, advice, and the Indiansprepared for the combat.