Balle-Franche. English

by Gustave Aimard

  CHAPTER XIV.

  THE RECEPTION.

  Like all the centres of Indian population near the American clearings,the Kenha village was more like a fort than an open town. As we saidbefore, the Kenhas had only a short time previously establishedthemselves there, by the advice of Natah Otann. The spot wasmagnificently selected, and owing to the precautions taken, the hillwas completely protected from a sudden attack. The wigwams were builtwithout any order, on both sides a stream, and the fortificationsconsisted of a sort of intrenchment formed of dead trees. Thesefortifications formed an inclosure, having several angles, and thegorge or open part rested on the spot where the stream fell into theMissouri. A parapet of tree stems and piled up branches, built upon the edge of a deep ditch, completed a very respectable defensivesystem, which few would have expected to find in the heart of theprairies.

  In the centre of the village, a wide, vacant spot served as the meetingplace for the chiefs. In the centre there was a wigwam of wood, in theshape of a sugar loaf. On either side of the building, maize, wheat,and other cereals kept for winter consumption were drying. A little inadvance of the village were two block houses, formed of arrow-shapedintrenchments, covered with wickerwork, provided with loopholes, andsurrounded by an enclosure of palisades. They were intended for thedefence of the village, with which they communicated by a coveredway, and to command the river and the plain. To leeward of theseblock houses, and about a mile to the east, might be seen a number of_Machotle_, or scaffoldings, on which the Blood Indians lay their dead.At regular distances on the road leading to the village, long poleswere planted in the ground, from which hung skins, scalps, and otherobjects offered by the Indians to the Master of Life and the first man.

  The Indians made their entrance into the village amid the cheers of thewomen and children, the barking of dogs, and the deafening clamour ofdrums, shells, chichikoues, and war whistles. On reaching the square,at a signal from Natah Otann, the band halted, and the noise ceased. Animmense fire had been prepared, before which stood an aged chief, stillrobust and upright. A shade of melancholy was spread over his face. Hewas in mourning, as was easily to be seen by the ragged clothes thatcovered him, and his hair cut short and mingled with clay. He held inhis hand a Dacotah pipe, the stem of which was long and adorned withyellow glistening beads. This man was Cloven Foot, the first and mostrenowned sachem of the Kenhas. So soon as the band had halted, headvanced two paces, and with a majestic gesture invited the chiefs todismount.

  "My sons are at home," he said, "let them take their seats on thebuffalo robes around the council fire."

  Each obeyed silently, and sat down, after bowing respectfully to thesachem. Cloven Foot then allowed each to take a few puffs from hispipe, still holding it in his hand. When it was returned to him, heemptied the burning ash into the fire, and turning with a kind of smileto the strangers, said:--

  "The Palefaces are our guests. There are fire and water here."

  After these words, which ended the ceremony, all rose and retiredwithout uttering a word, according to the Indian custom. Natah Otannthen went up to the Count.

  "Let my brother follow me," he said.

  "Where to?" the young man asked.

  "To the cabin I have had prepared for him."

  "And my companions?"

  "Other wigwams await them."

  Bright-eye made a sign, immediately checked by the Count.

  "Pardon, chief," he said, "but with your permission my comrades willlive with me."

  The hunter smiled, as a shade of dissatisfaction crossed the Indian'sface.

  "The young Pale chief will be uncomfortable, for he is accustomed tothe immense huts of the whites."

  "That is possible; but I shall be more uncomfortable if my comrades donot remain with me, in order to keep me company."

  "The hospitality of the Kenhas is great. They are rich, and could giveeach a private cabin, even if their guests were more numerous."

  "I am convinced of it, and thank them for their attention, by which,however, I decline to profit. Solitude frightens me. I should beworried to death had I not with me someone to talk with."

  "Be it then as the young Pale chief desires. Guests have a right tocommand. Their requests are orders."

  "I thank you for your condescension, and am ready to follow you."

  "Come."

  With that rapidity of resolution which the Indians possess in soeminent a degree, Natah Otann shut up his vexation in his heart, andnot a trace of emotion again appeared on his stoical countenance. Thethree men followed him, after exchanging a meaning glance. A handsome,lofty cabin had been built in the square itself, near the hut of thefirst man, a species of cylinder formed in the earth, and surroundedwith creeping plants. To this cabin the chief now led his guests. Awoman was standing silently in the doorway, fixing on the newcomers aglance in which admiration and astonishment were blended. But was it awoman? this angelic creature, with her vague outline, whose deliciousface, blushing with modesty and simple curiosity, turned towards theCount with anxious timidity. The young man asked himself this veryquestion on contemplating this charming apparition, which resembled oneof those divine virgins in the mythology of the ancient Sclavons. Onseeing her, Natah Otann paused.

  "What is my sister doing here?" he asked her, roughly.

  The girl, startled from her silent contemplation by this brusqueaddress, shuddered, and let her eyes fall.

  "Prairie-Flower wishes to welcome her adopted father," she repliedgently, in a sweet melodious voice.

  "Prairie-Flower's place is not here, I will speak with her presently:let her go and rejoin her companions, the young maidens of the tribe."

  Prairie-Flower blushed still deeper, her rosy lips pouted, and aftershaking her head petulantly twice, she flew away like a bird, castingat the Count, as she fled, a parting glance, which caused him anincomprehensible emotion.

  The young man laid his hand on his heart, to suppress its beating, andfollowed the girl with his eyes till she disappeared behind a cabin.

  "Oh!" the chief muttered aside, "can she have suddenly recognized abeing of that accursed race to which she belongs?"

  Then turning to the white men, whose eyes he felt instinctively werefixed on him,--

  "Enter," he said, raising the buffalo skin, which served as a door tothe cabin.

  They went in. By Natah Otann's care the cabin had been cleaned,and every comfort it was possible to find placed in it, that is tosay--piles of furs to serve as a bed, a rickety table, some woodenclumsy benches, and a species of reed easy chair, with a large back.

  "The Paleface will excuse the poor Indians if they have not done moreto welcome him as he deserves," the chief said, with a mixture of ironyand humility.

  "It is all famous," the young man answered with a smile; "I certainlydid not expect so much; besides, I have been on the prairie long enoughto satisfy myself with what is strictly necessary."

  "Now I ask the Pale chiefs permission to retire."

  "Yes, go, my worthy host; do so: do not put yourself out of the way.Attend to your business. For my part I intend taking that rest I needso sadly."

  Natah Otann bowed in reply, and withdrew. So soon as he was gone,Bright-eye made his comrades a sign to remain motionless, and beganinspecting the place, peering into every corner. When he had endedthis inspection, which produced no farther result than proving to himthey were really alone, and that no spy was on the watch, he returnedto the centre of the hut, and calling the Count and Ivon toward him,said in a low voice:--

  "Listen: we are now in the wolfs throat by our own fault, and we mustbe prudent; in the prairies the leaves have eyes and the trees ears.Natah Otann is a demon, who is planning some treachery, of which heintends to make us the victims."

  "Bah!" the Count said, lightly. "How do you know it, Bright-eye?"

  "I do not know it, yet I feel sure of it; my instinct never deceivesme, Mr. Edward. I have known the Kenhas a long time; we must get out ofthis as adroitly as we can."

 
; "Eh! what use are such suspicions, my friend? The poor devils, I amconvinced, only think of treating us properly; all this appears to meadmirable."

  The Canadian shook his head.

  "I should like to know the cause of the strange respect the Indians payyou; that conceals something, I repeat."

  "Bah! they are afraid of me; that's all."

  "Hum! Natah Otann does not fear much in this world."

  "Why, Bright-eye, I never saw you in this state before. Did I not knowyou so thoroughly, I should say you were afraid."

  "Hang me! if I'll try to conceal it," the hunter replied, quickly. "Iam afraid, and terribly so."

  "You?"

  "Yes; but not for myself; you know that during the time I havejourneyed on the prairies, if the Redskins could have killed me, theywould have done so. Hence, I am perfectly calm on my own account, andwere there only myself--"

  "Well?"

  "I should not be at all embarrassed."

  "Whom are you afraid for, then?"

  "For you."

  "Me!" the Count exclaimed, as he reclined carelessly in the easy chair."You do these scamps a deal of honour. With my whip I would put allthese hideous people to flight."

  The hunter shook his head.

  "You will not, Mr. Edward, persuade yourself thoroughly of one thing."

  "What?"

  "That the Indians are different men from the Europeans with whom youhave hitherto had dealings."

  "Nonsense, were a man to listen to you wood rangers, he would be, atevery two steps, in danger of death, and it would be impossible tomove, except by crawling on all fours, like the wild beasts; that isall trash, my good fellow. I fancy I have already twenty times provedto you that such precautions are useless, and that a man, who boldlymeets danger, will always get the best of the most warlike Redskins."

  "It is exactly the reason that makes them act toward you in that way, Iwish to discover."

  "You would do better to try and discover something else."

  "What is it?"

  "Who that charming girl is, of whom I only had a glance, and whom thechief sent away so brutally."

  "Good! then I suppose you have fallen in love now; that's the lastthing wanting."

  "Why not? She is a charming girl."

  "Yes; she is charming, sir; but, believe me, do not trouble yourselfabout her."

  "And why so, if you please?"

  "Because she is not what she seems to be."

  "Why, it's a perfect romance of the Anne Radcliffe school; we have beenadvancing from mystery to mystery during the last few days."

  "Yes, and the further we go, the more gloomy matters will become aroundus."

  "Bah, bah! I do not believe a word. Ivon, take off my boots."

  The man-servant obeyed. Since his entry into the village, the worthyBreton had been in one continued trance, and trembled in all hislimbs. All he saw seemed to him so extraordinary and horrible, that heexpected every moment to be massacred.

  "Well," the Count asked him, "what do you think of it all, Ivon?"

  "Your lordship knows that I am a great coward," the Breton stammered.

  "Yes, yes, that is agreed; go on."

  "I am terribly afraid."

  "Naturally."

  "And if your lordship will allow me, I will carry my furs over there,and sleep across the doorway."

  "Why so?"

  "Because, as I am very frightened, I shall not sleep soundly; and ifanyone comes in the night, with ill intentions, he will be obliged tostep over me; I shall hear him, and, in that way, be able to warn you,which will give you time to defend yourself."

  The young man threw himself back, and burst into a Homeric laugh, inwhich Bright-eye joined, in spite of his thoughtfulness.

  "By Jove!" the Count exclaimed, looking at his servant, who was inamazement at this gaiety, which seemed to him unsuitable at so gravea moment--"I must confess, Ivon, that you are the most extraordinarypoltroon I ever saw."

  "Ah, sir," he answered with contrition, "it is not my fault; for I doall I can to gain courage, but it is impossible."

  "Good, good!" the young man went on, still laughing. "I am not angrywith you, my poor fellow; as it is stronger than yourself, you must putup with it."

  "Alas!" the Breton said, uttering an enormous sigh.

  "Well, you can sleep how and where you like, Ivon; I leave it entirelyto you."

  The Breton, without further reply, began transferring the furs to theplace he had selected, while the Count went on talking with the hunter.

  "As for you, Bright-eye," he said, "I leave you at liberty to watchover our safety as you may think proper, promising not to disarrangeyour plans in any way, and even to promote them, if necessary--but onone condition."

  "What?"

  "That you will arrange so that I may meet again that charming creature,of whom I have already spoken to you."

  "Take care, Mr. Edward!"

  "I want to see her again, I tell you, even if I am obliged to go andlook for her myself."

  "You will not do so, Mr. Edward."

  "I will do so, on my soul! and at once, if you continue in that tone."

  "You will reflect."

  "I now reflect, and find it the best plan."

  "But do you know who that girl is?"

  "By Jove! you have just said it; she is a girl, and a charming one inthe bargain."

  "Granted; but I repeat, she is loved by Natah Otann."

  "What do I care?"

  "Take care!"

  "I will not: I must see her again."

  "At any risk?"

  "At all."

  "Well, listen to me, then."

  "I will, but be brief."

  "I will tell you this girl's history."

  "You know her then?"

  "I do."

  "Go on; I am all attention."

  Bright-eye drew up a bench, eat down with an air of dissatisfaction,and, after a moment's reflection, began.

  "Just fifteen years ago, Natah Otann, who was hardly twenty years ofage, but already a renowned warrior, left his tribe, at the head ofsome fifty picked warriors, to attempt a _coup de main_ on the Whites.At that period, the Kenhas did not live where they now are; the FurCompany had not advanced so far on the Missouri, and Fort Mackenzie didnot exist. The Blood Indians hunted freely on the vast territories fromwhich the Americans have since expelled them. Up to that moment, NatahOtann had never been the commander in chief of an expedition; like allyoung men of his age and circumstances, his brow shone with pride; heburned to distinguish himself, and prove to the sachems of his nationthat he was worthy to command brave warriors. So soon as he enteredon the war trail, he scattered his spies in every direction, and evenforbade his men smoking, lest the light of their pipes might betray hispresence. In short, he took, with extreme wisdom, all the precautionsemployed in similar cases. His expedition was brilliant; he surprisedseveral caravans, and plundered and burned the clearings; his menreturned laden with booty, and the bits of their horses garnished withscalps. Natah Otann only brought back, as his share, a weak creatureof two or three years of age at the most, whom he bore tenderly in hisarms, or laid on the front of his saddle. That child was the tall andlovely girl you saw today."

  "Ah! Is she white or red, American or Spanish?"

  "No one knows; no one will ever know. You are aware that many Indiansare born white, thus colour is of no avail in finding her relationsagain. In short, the chief adopted her; but, strange to say, as shegrew up, she gained such an ascendency over Natah Otann's mind,that the chief of the tribe grew alarmed; besides, the life led byPrairie-Flower--that is her name--"

  "I knew it," the Count interrupted him.

  "Good," the hunter continued, "I say, then, that this girl's life isextraordinary; instead of being sportive and laughing, like girls ofher age, she is gloomy, dreamy, and wild, wandering ever alone on theprairie, flying over the dew-laden grass like a gazelle; or else, atnight, dreaming in the moonlight, and muttering words no one hears. Attimes, fro
m a distance (for no one ventures to approach her), anothershadow may be traced by the side of her's, and moving for hours at herside: then she returns alone to the village; if questioned, only shakesher head, and begins crying."

  "That is really strange."

  "Is it not? so much so, that the chiefs assembled in council, andagreed that Prairie-Flower had cast a charm over her adopted father."

  "The asses!" the Count muttered.

  "Perhaps so," the hunter went on, turning his head; "at any rate, theyagreed that she should be left alone to perish in the desert."

  "Poor child! Well, what happened then?"

  "Natah Otann and White Buffalo, who were not summoned to the council,went there on learning this decision, and succeeded by their deceitfulwords in so thoroughly altering the chiefs' sentiments, that they notonly gave up all idea of deserting her, but she has since been regardedas the tutelary genius of the tribe."

  "And Natah Otann?"

  "His condition is still the same."

  "Is that all?"

  "It is."

  "Well, then, Bright-eye, within two days I shall know whether thatgirl is the enchantress you fancy her, and what I am to think on thesubject."

  The hunter only answered by an unintelligible grunt, and, saying nomore, lay down on his furs.