Glen of the High North

by H. A. Cody

  CHAPTER XIV

  ANOTHER PRISONER

  It was morning when Reynolds opened his eyes and looked around. Hebelieved that he had been dreaming, and a horrible dream it was. In afew minutes his senses returned, and he vividly recalled the terribleexperiences through which he had recently passed. But where was he?What had happened to him? Why was he not yet upon the raft, driftingwith the wind and tide? He glanced about the room and saw that it wasa cozy place, with the sunlight streaming in through an open window onthe right. He attempted to rise, but fell back wearily upon the bed.Then he called, and the sound of his own voice startled him, sostrangely hollow and unreal did it seem.

  A light footstep near the door caused him to look in that direction.An Indian woman was coming toward him, a big motherly-looking person,with a smile upon her face.

  "Where am I?" Reynolds asked. "And how did I get here?"

  The woman made no reply, but still smiling with apparent satisfaction,she turned and left the room. She was back again in a few minutes,this time carrying in her hand a bowl of steaming broth.

  "Eat," she ordered, offering him a spoon. "No talk."

  But Reynolds did not take the spoon. He was too famished for that.Seizing the bowl with hands that trembled from weakness and excitement,he drained it to the last drop.

  "More, more," he cried. "I'm starving."

  Again the woman smiled as she took the bowl.

  "No more now," she told him. "Sleep."

  "But where am I?" Reynolds demanded. "I must know."

  "Bimeby. Sleep now," was all the satisfaction he obtained, as thewoman left the room and closed the door.

  For several minutes Reynolds lay there uncertain, what to do. But thebed was comfortable, and he was so tired. It was good to rest, and notworry about anything. He was in friendly hands, and that wassufficient for the present.

  When he again awoke, he felt much refreshed, and longed to get up. Heattempted to do so, but in an instant the same Indian woman was by hisside.

  "No get up," she ordered, handing him another bowl of broth she hadbrought with her.

  Reynolds drank this more leisurely, the woman watching him closely allthe time.

  "Thank you," he said, when he had finished. "I feel better now. Butplease tell me where I am, and how I came----"

  The words died upon his lips, for in the doorway Glen had suddenlyappeared. She looked at him, and with a bright smile upon her face,came to his side. So surprised was Reynolds that he was unable toutter a word. He merely stared, so great was his astonishment.

  "I hope I have not startled you," the girl began. "You lookfrightened."

  "But where have you come from?" Reynolds asked, not yet sure that hewas in his right mind.

  "From the other room, of course," and again Glen smiled. "You need notlook at me that way for I am no ghost. I do not feel like one, anyway."

  Reynolds gave a sigh of relief, and a thrill of joy swept over him. Itwas almost too good to be true. He had found the girl at last!

  "Are you feeling better now?" Glen asked.

  Reynolds put his hand to his face, and glanced at the rags upon hisbody.

  "I am not sure," he doubtfully replied. "But perhaps I shall when thisbeard is removed and I get some decent clothes. I must be a fearfullooking object."

  "I have seen you look better. But, then, you need not worry, Klotawill attend to you presently."

  "And you know who I am?" Reynolds eagerly asked.

  "Certainly. You are my brave rescuer. You saved me from the grizzlyon Crooked Trail, didn't you?"

  "I know I did, but I am surprised that you recognize me in my presentcondition."

  "Oh, I knew you as soon as you were taken off the raft."

  "You did! And so it was you who saved me?"

  "I had something to do with it, though not all. But won't you tell mewhat happened to you? Why were you adrift on the lake?"

  "I can not tell you now," Reynolds replied. "I want to forget theterrible experiences through which I have just passed. I hope you donot mind."

  "No, certainly not. I am only curious, that's all. When you get wellyou can tell me everything. I shall leave you now, for you must betired."

  "Don't go yet," Reynolds pleaded. "It is so nice to have you here, andtalking does not tire me. Do you mind telling me where I am?"

  "Why, at Glen West, of course. Where did you think you are?"

  "Glen West," Reynolds repeated. "I cannot recall that name. Is it farfrom Big Draw?"

  "Too far for anyone but you," and the girl smiled. "You are beyond theGolden Crest, remember, and you have heard what that means."

  "I am! Why, I thought one could only get here by crossing the range."

  "But you came by water; that is the only other way. And it is luckyfor you that you did," she added after a slight pause.

  "You mean that my life would be in danger had I come over Golden Crest?"

  "Most likely."

  "And am I safe now?"

  The sunny expression vanished from Glen's eyes, and her face becameserious. She gazed out of the window, as if watching several Indianchildren at play. To Reynolds she had never seemed more beautiful, andhe could hardly believe it possible that she was standing there but afew feet away. She turned her face suddenly to his, and the look ofadmiration in his eyes brought a deep flush to her cheeks.

  "Pardon me for not answering your question at once," she began. "I amafraid you are not safe, as you are on forbidden ground, though thefact that you were brought here in a helpless condition may make adifference. But, then, one can never tell what daddy will think aboutit."

  "Does your father know I am here?"

  "Not yet. He has been away in the hills for some time, and we areexpecting him home at any minute."

  "What do you suppose he will do with me? I fear he will find my bonespoor picking after what I have gone through."

  "Oh, daddy is not such a cannibal as all that," Glen laughinglyreplied. "But he is very jealous of this place, as others have foundout to their sorrow. I cannot understand him at times, although he isvery good to me."

  "Have you lived here long?"

  "Ever since I was a child. But I am tired of it now, and want to liveoutside. I was satisfied until I attended the Seminary and sawsomething of the world beyond the Golden Crest. What is the use ofhaving an education if one must always live in a place like this?"

  "I agree with you," Reynolds emphatically declared. "You should induceyour father to go outside."

  "You do not know daddy, or you would not speak about inducing him.But, there, I must go. I have been talking too much, and you aretired."

  Reynolds lay there thinking about Glen long after she had gone. He hadfound her at last, and she was just as sweet and beautiful as the dayhe had rescued her on Crooked Trail. Yes, he had found her, but was henot as far from gaining her as ever? he asked himself. He thoughtabout her father, and wondered what he would do when he returned home.Perhaps he would pack him at once across the Golden Crest, if he did noworse. But what could be worse than to be driven from her who hadbecome so dear to him, and for whose sake he had ventured and sufferedso much?

  The next morning he felt almost like his former self, and when Klotabrought him his breakfast, he informed her that he was going to get up.The woman smiled, left the room, and returned when Reynolds hadfinished the meal, and viewed with satisfaction the empty dishes.

  "Did you cook my breakfast?" Reynolds asked.

  "Ah, ah," was the reply. "Good, eh?"

  "Good! It's the best I've had in a long time. I feel like a new manthis morning, and must get up. I wish I had a shave, a bath, and somedecent clothes. Look at these," and he pointed to his rags.

  "Come," the woman simply ordered. "Me fix you, all right."

  Reynolds at once got up, and followed her into the kitchen. He wasgreatly surprised at the neatness of the place, as he had no idea thatan Indian woman could be such a g
ood housekeeper. Klota noted his lookof wonder, and smiled.

  "Injun all sam' white woman, eh?" she queried.

  "Why, yes. You do all this?"

  "Ah, ah. All sam' beeg house."

  She then opened a door to the left, and pointed within.

  "See. All sam' white woman. All sam' Missie Glen. Savvey?"

  Reynolds certainly did understand, and with an exclamation of surpriseand delight, he entered the little room, where he found a bath-tubpartly filled with water, clean towels, a suit of clothes, and ashaving-outfit.

  "Where did all these things come from?" he asked.

  "Sconda fix 'em all sam' beeg house. Savvey?"

  "And are these clothes for me?"

  "Ah, ah. Missie Glen send 'em."

  Reynolds asked no more questions just then. He was more than satisfiedat the kindness he was receiving. He believed it was due to Glen, andthat she had instructed the Indians to do all in their power for hiscomfort. This filled his heart with gladness, for it told him that thegirl was interested in his welfare, and that she looked upon him withkindly eyes. He was beginning to understand, too, something of JimWeston's influence among the Indians. He had taught them the value ofcleanliness, at any rate, and if all the natives in the place were likeKlota and her husband, it must be an ideal settlement.

  An hour later Reynolds came forth looking like a new man, and greatlyrefreshed after his bath. Klota's eyes beamed their approval as hestood before her.

  "Do I look better now?" he asked.

  "Good," was the reply. "All sam' white man. No Injun now."

  Reynolds laughed as he went out of the house. The woman amused him,although he was most grateful for her kindness. It was a beautifulmorning, and not a ripple ruffled the surface of the lake. The villagewas astir with life, the voices of children and the barking of dogsresounding on every side. No one interfered with him as he walkedslowly along the street, but he could easily tell that he was beingwatched by many curious eyes. He had the feeling, too, that he was aprisoner, and while he could roam about at will, to escape would beimpossible. The strong burly Indians he saw seemed to have nothing todo, but he knew that this was their idle season, and that during thewinter they would be off to their hunting-grounds.

  Reynolds was much interested in the store which he presently reached.A couple of Indians were in charge, who nodded to him as he entered,but apparently paid no further attention to him after their formalsalutation. The building was well filled with all kinds of goods, andresembled a large up-to-date store in some large country town such ashe had often seen. The sight of pipes and tobacco made him realisethat he had not smoked for days, and having his money with him, he soonmade his purchase. He stayed for a while at the store, smoking, andwatching the customers as they came and went. It was all ofconsiderable interest to him, and he beheld in this trading-placeanother tangible evidence of Jim Weston's influence.

  He spent the rest of the morning wandering about the village, and itwas noon by the time he returned to the house, which for the present hecalled home. Here he found Sconda near the back door carefullyexamining a large bearskin. He turned as the young man approached, andwithout the least sign of surprise, motioned to the skin.

  "See um?" he asked. "Beeg skin, eh?"

  "It certainly is," was the reply. "A grizzly?"

  "Ah, ha. You shoot um, eh?"

  "Why, that's not the one I shot on Crooked Trail, is it?" Reynoldsasked in astonishment.

  "Ah, ah. All sam' bear. Skin dry bimeby."

  "What are you going to do with it? Will you let me have it?"

  Sconda shook his head as he again felt the skin.

  "Missie Glen get skin bimeby."

  "Is it for her?"

  "Ah, ah. She want skin. She send Injuns to Deep Gulch. She tellSconda make good skin. Bimeby Missie Glen put skin in room, all sam'dis," and Sconda stooped and spread his hands over the ground.

  Reynolds understood, and his heart bounded with joy. So Glen was goingto keep the skin as a souvenir of her rescue on Crooked Trail. Thenshe must care something for him after all, more than he had expected.The thought made him happier than he had been for days, and he wasgrateful to Sconda for what he had told him.

  That afternoon Glen came again to see him. She was greatly pleased atthe change in his appearance, and suggested that they should go for aspin upon the creek.

  "I want to show you what a beautiful place Glen West really is," shetold him. "We can take Sconda's canoe, which is at the shore."

  Reynolds was delighted, and eagerly he agreed to the proposition. Glenseated herself in the middle of the canoe, and the deft manner in whichshe handled the paddle showed that she was well accustomed to thewater. Reynolds paddled aft, and headed the light craft up the creek.

  "I am anxious for you to see what a wonderful piece of water this armof the lake is," Glen remarked. "I have never seen anything like it inthe north, and we are all very proud of it. Oh, if more people couldonly see it!"

  She sighed as she drove the paddle into the water. Reynolds was moreintent upon watching the graceful poise of her body as it swayed to therhythmic stroke of the paddle than he was in viewing the scenery. Hecould hardly believe it true that she was seated there before him, andthat he was privileged to watch her to his heart's content. He wasvery happy, and to him Glen West was the most delightful place in theworld.

  At length they came in front of the big house, and when Reynolds sawit, and also _The Frontiersman_ lying at her wharf, his interest wasintense. He ceased paddling, and stared in amazement.

  "Am I dreaming, or have I taken leave of my senses?" he asked.

  Glen laughed, as she rested on her paddle, and turned partly around.

  "That is where I live," she explained. "And that is our boat. Youwere brought in on it the day we picked you up on the lake."

  Reynolds made no immediate reply, but drove his paddle suddenly intothe water. He knew that this girl had been largely instrumental insaving his life, and he was learning more and more what an importantpart she was playing in his life, and how one by one the links werebeing formed to bind them closer together.

  Reynolds believed that he had seen the most wonderful sights in thenorth, but he had to confess that the grandest of all had been reservedfor him that afternoon. As they moved on their way, the creeknarrowed, and passing through an opening with high frowning rocks onboth sides, they ran into a body of water of unruffled calmness, withsteep banks, wooded to the shores. On the left rose the high ridge ofthe Golden Crest, as it shouldered in close to the stream, while on theright towered another crest, grand and austere. Their pinnacles werereflected in the lake, which was one of nature's jewels of surpassingbrilliance, set by unseen hands on the fair bosom of the virgin north.

  Many were the things the happy young couple talked about thatafternoon. They did not paddle all the time, but often were content tolet the canoe drift or lie still along the shore. Glen described thelife at the Seminary and at Glen West, while Reynolds told of histerrible experiences in the hills and his voyage on the raft down theriver.

  "I am afraid that Frontier Samson is still hunting for me," he said."He is a fine old man, so kind and humorous. Have you ever met him,Miss Weston?"

  "Not to my knowledge," was the reply, "although I have heard a greatdeal about him."

  "He has never been here, I suppose?"

  "Oh, no. Daddy never permits any white man to come, not even that oldprospector."

  "But I am here," Reynolds reminded.

  "I know you are. But you came in a different way, you see. I believeyou are the first white man who ever stayed this length of time here."

  "I would like to stay here forever," Reynolds fervently declared. "Ihave never been so happy in my life as I have been since I came to thisplace. I wonder what your father will do when he comes home."

  "I wish I knew," and Glen sighed. "Anyway, it's no use to worry aboutthat now. Let us enjoy ourselves wh
ile we can."

  It was supper time when they at length reached Sconda's shore, wherethey pulled the canoe out of the water. They then walked up to thehouse, talking and laughing like two children. They had just reachedthe street, when a strange noise to their left arrested theirattention. Looking in that direction, they saw a number of Indian menand children surrounding a man, who was evidently a prisoner. As theydrew nearer, Reynolds saw that it was a white man, and that his handswere tied behind his back.

  "Another prisoner, I believe," he remarked. "I shall have company."

  Then he gave a sudden start, and took a quick step forward as if toobtain a better view.

  "Why, it's Curly!" he exclaimed. "What in the world is he doing here!"

  But Glen made no reply. Her eyes were fixed upon the prisoner, and herface was very white, as she turned slightly, as if about to flee intothe house. In another minute Curly was near, and a most wretchedfigure he presented. His clothes were torn and his face dirty andbleeding. He had apparently received severe treatment at the hands ofhis captors. He walked with a shambling and unsteady gait, with hiseyes fixed upon the ground. But as he came to where Glen and Reynoldswere standing, he suddenly lifted his head, and seeing the two, hestopped dead in his tracks. For an instant he stared as if he had notseen aright. Then his face became contorted with a mingled expressionof surprise and hatred. He strained at his bonds in a desperate effortto free himself, but he was immediately checked by his Indianguardians, who caught him by the arms, and hustled him along. Hestruggled violently for a few seconds, pouring forth at the same time astream of blood-curdling oaths, abuse and vile words, which caused Glento put her hands to her ears, and flee hurriedly into the house, whileReynolds slowly followed.