Bennett, Emerson - Prairie Flower 01

by The Prairie Flower (lit)

  get captured by some roving tribe and put to the tortures."

  " There are many dangers, sweet Prai rie Flower, as you say ; but had we feared to encounter them, we should never have been here."

  " But you have no horses."

  " We can purchase them at Fort Lara- mie, together with what other things we may need.''

  " You have no companions ! "

  " We may find some there, also if not, we can venture alone."

  " But but . You will go, then ? "

  " I fear we must loth as we are to part from you and your people, with whom (I wish not to flatter when I say it) some of the happiest moments of my life have been spent."

  For some time Prairie Flower did not reply, during which her eyes were cast upon the ground, and a look of deep sor row settled over her lovely features, and her bosom lieaved with internal emotions. Raising her soft, dark eyes again to mine, I was pained to behold them slightly dim med with tears, which she had striven in vain to repress.

  " I did not think," she said, with a deep sigh, " that you would leave us so soon."

  " Soon ? dear Prairie Flower ! God bless your noble soul ! Soon, say you ? Why, have we not been here two long months and more ? "

  "True," she answered, as I fancied a little reproachfully, " I had forgotten that the time must have seemed long to you." " Nay, sweet Prairie Flower, I meant not that. You are too sensitive you mis construe me. I only meant, it was long for utter strangers to share your hospitali ty, and trouble you with their presence."

  " You would not trouble us if you staid forever," she rejoined, with an air of such sweet simplicity, that in spite of all my as sumed stoicism, I felt a tear trembling ia my eye.

  Prairie Flower saw it, and quickly add ed, with an earnest, tender expression, which could only be realized by being seen :

  " Oh sir ! I fear I have wounded your feelings ! "

  No wonder Huntly was in love, if h had ever seen anything like tin's for witk

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  THE PRAIRIE FLOWER; OR,

  ai my philosophy and sober reasoning, I felt myself in a fair way of becoming his rival.

  " God bless you, Prairie Flower ! " I exclaimed from my very heart. " If Heav en holds many like you, no wonder it is a paradise beyond mortal conception."

  " 0, do not compare me with those who dwell in that bright realm," she quickly rejoined ;" for I at best am only a poor sinful mortal."

  " Then God help me ! " I ejaculated " if you are considered a sinner."

  " But your your friend?" she said, hesitatingly. " Is he anxious to leave us?"

  She strove to assume an indifference as she said this, but the effort to do so only the more exposed her feelings, of which becoming aware, she blushed deeply, and on the conclusion hung her head in real embarrassment.

  " No, dear Prairie Flower, " I said, ap pearing not to notice her confusion ; " my friend is not anxious to leave ; on the con trary, it was with much difficulty I could convince him of the necessity of our im- mucliau} departure, and gain his consent to set forth."

  "And wherefore, do you think, is he loth to go?" she asked, carelessly turn ing her head aside, and stooping to pick a beautiful flower that was growing at her feet.

  "Because sweet Prairie Flower goes not with him," I answered, rather abrupt ly, curious to see what effect such infor mation would produce.

  The next moment I regretted I had not hinted, rather than spoken, this important truth. As I pronounced the sentence, the hand of Prairie Flower, which already clasped the stem of the flower in the act of breaking it, became violently agitated and relaxed its hold ; while its owner, raising her face, as pale as death, stag gered back, and, but for my support, would have fallen to the ground.

  " Good Heavens ! Prairie Flower," I exclaimed, throwing an arm around her lendei waist, and feigning ignorance of

  the cause of her agitation ; " what LM happened ? Are you bit, or stung ? Speak ! quick ! tell me ! "

  " A-a-little weakness a-a-sudden weak ness a-a-kind of faintness," she stam mered, endeavoring to recover her compo- . sure, and evidently relieved that I had not imputed her agitation to the right cause. " I don't know that I ever was so affeqted before," she continued, smiling faintly. " But I think it will soon pass away. I feel much relieved now. There, there thank you ! that will do. Quite sudden, was it not ? "

  "Quite, indeed!" I replied, adding mentally, " Poor, poor girl ! how I pity thee ! thy peace of mind is gone for ever."

  " But you spoke of leaving immediate ly," she resumed. "What day have you set for your departure ? "

  " This."

  " Not to-day, surely ! " she exclaimed, in surprise.

  " So had we determined."

  "But you must not go to-day ! "

  "And why not? "

  " 0, it is not right to leave us so ab ruptly ; and besides, I have reasons for wishing you to delay three days at least 1 "

  "What reasons ?"

  " I cannot tell you now ; but remain, and you shall know."

  " Anything to please you, swe» t Prairi* Flower."

  " Then I have your promise ? "

  " You have."

  " Thank you ! thank you ! yi will not regret it. But come, let us return to the village, for I see the sun is three good hours above the hills, and I have * long journey before me."

  " What ! are you going to leave, thn ? "

  " I must ! I have important business. But ask me no questions, and do not de part till I return."

  Half an hour later, Prairie Flower mounted on her beautiful Indian pony, a* I had first beheld her at Fort Laramie, rode swiftly out of the village, unattended, and disappeared down the mountain.

  ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST.

  CHAPTER XX.

  RHAIUIE FLOWER STILL ABSENT RESOLVE

  TO DEPART BID OUR FRIENDS ADIEU SET

  FORWARD WITH OUR GUIDE UNEXPECT ED MEETING WITH PRAIRIE FLOWER

  RETURN TO THE VILLAGE A SPLENDID

  PRESENT OUR ROUTE CHANGED ^SECOND

  ADIEU PRATRTE FLOWER AS GUIDE OUR

  .LAST PAINFUL PARTING WITH OUR SWEET BENEFACTRESS.

  THREE days dragged on wearily for without Prairie Flower, the Indian village Deemed gloomy and insipid both to Humtiy and myself and the fourth morning had come, and yet our fair benefactress had not made her appearance. Where had she gone, and wherefore did she not return? We ques tioned several of the villagers; but all shook their heads and replied, some in good and some in broken English, that they did not know, that she was frequently absent a month at a time, and that she rarely told on leaving where she was going or when she would return. Perhaps, then, her journey was merely taken to avoid a fare well scene, thinking we should depart in her absence ; and this I mentioned to Huntly, whose surmises I found corres ponded with mine.

  She has done it," he said, somewhat itterly, "to put a slight upon us, or rather pon me, whose presence lately seems ost offensive to her ; and for myself I am going to leave you can do as you ike."

  In this I knew my friend was wrong al- rether; but I did not contradict him or under the circumstances, I preferred he hould think as he did, rather than be ade aware of what, as I imagined, was e true cause of her actions. I therefore eplied :

  " Let us away, then, as soon as pos- ible." "Agreed."

  Upon this we hastened to bid our Indian lends a long adieu, who seemed greatly urprised and expressed astonishment that ve should leave so suddenly, without hav- ng given them a previous notice. Hav- ng gone the entire rounds, shook the dus- f hands of each, young and old Great edicine not excepted, who enlarged his

  small, dark eyes to their utmost tension, but merely grunted a farewell and thank ed each and all heartily for their hospitality and kindness to us as strangers, we pre pared to set out at once for Fort Laramie. As the direct route was unknown to us, we inquired the way particularly where upon a stout, rather good-looking, intelli gent Indian youth volunteered his services to act as guide a proposition which we readily and gratefully acc
epted, witli a promised reward when we should arrive safely at our destination.

  It was a bright, clear, frosty morning, and the sun, just rising above the moun tains, poured down his radiant light, glad dening the forest and our hearts witli his presence ; and this, together with the bra cing air, the freedom we fancied we were

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  about to experience after our long confine ment, in being once more upon our journey in good health, produced feelings of buoy ancy and independence, such as we had not known for many a long day.

  Our gukie had left us, as he said, to make preparations for our journey, and we were already becoming impatient at what we considered his tardiness, when, to our surprise, he reappeared, mounted on one, and leading two horses, which he signifi cantly intimated were at our service. This was a kindness we could fully appreciate, and of course felt no desire to chide him for his delay. Thanking him in unmea sured terms for his happy foresight in thus insuring us speed and safety against fa tigue, we vaulted into the saddles with as much agility as if we had never known a mishap.

  Waving a silent adieu to the villagers, who came forth in a body to see us depart, we turned our horses' heads down the hill, and setting forward, soon reached the val ley, crossed the stream, and burying our selves in the forest, shut the Indian village completely from our view.

  " Well, Frank," exclaimed Huntly, gay- ly, as with a spirited gallop we buried our selves deeper and deeper in the forest of the valley, " this seems like old times eh ! my dear fellow ? "

  " It does, indeed ! " I replied in the same joyous manner, as I felt the warm blood of active excitement again cours ing through all my veins.

  THE PRAIRIE FLOWER: OR

  Scarcely had the words passed my lips, when our guide, who was riding in ad vance, suddenly drew rein, brought his horse to a halt, and exclaimed :

  " She comes ! "

  Ere we had time to inquire who, we be held, much to our surprise, the beautiful Prairie Flower dashing up the valley we were descending, directly in our front. Of course there was no means of avoiding her, had we designed doing so, and ac cordingly we rode slowly forward to meet her. As we advanced, I could perceive that her pale features looked unusually care-worn, and that her lips were com pressed, as by some inward struggle to appear entirely at her ease. As we met, she said, half in jest and half in earnest, while a slight flush tinted her cheeks and made her sweet countenance look lovely beyond description :

  " Good morning, my friends. Not run ning away, surely ? "

  " Why," I answered, in some confusion, " we have bidden our friends of the village a last adieu, and are, as you see, already on our journey."

  " Indeed ! you surprise me ! And could you not have deferred your departure till my return ? "

  " Why, the fact is we that is I we waited three days the time mentioned by you and as we thought that as you had not made your appearance that "

  " I would not return at all," she rejoined, completing the sentence which my embar rassment forced me to leave unfinished. " I truly grieve, my friends," she contin ued, with a look of sorrowful reproach, " that, having known me so long, you should be led to doubt my word. Did I ever deceive you, that you thought I might again ? "

  "Never! never!" cried both Huntly and I in the same breath, while the con science of each accused him of having done wrong. "But as the three days had ex pired," I added, by way of justification, " and as none of the villagers knew whither you had gone, we feared to tarry longer, lest the coming storms of winter should catch us on the mountains."

  'Perhaps, then, you were right after ail," she said with a sigh. " True, I did not return so soon as I expected, on

  account of an unforseen delay ; and though I did request you not to depart till I came back, and though I fondly relied on seeing you again, still I must admit that your pro mise has been faithfully kept, and that you had a perfect right to go, and I none to think you would stay to your own incon venience."

  This was said in a tone so sad, with such modest simplicity, that, knowing the true state of her heart, and remembering that to her generous nature and untiring watchfulness and care we both owed our lives, every word sunk like burning lava into my heart, and I felt condemned be yond the power of self-defence. For a moment I knew not what nor how to re ply, while Prairie Flower dropped her eyea to the ground and seemed hurt to the very soul.

  " Forgive us, sweet Prairie Flower ! " I at length exclaimed, to the promptings of my better nature. " Forgive us both, fof having done you wrong ! I cannot exone rate myself, whatever my friend may do. I had no right to doubt you no right to wound your feelings by leaving in a man* ner so cold, so contrary to the dictates of friendship and gratitude. But still, dear Prairie Flower, if you knew all my motives, you would, perhaps, blame me less "

  She looked up at the last words, caught the expression of my eye, and seemed to comprehend my meaning at a glance ; foi she colored deeply, turned aside her he and quickly answered :

  " I do not blame you. Let it pass. Bi whither are you bound ? "

  " To Fort Laramie."

  " I trust, then, I have saved you thai journey."

  " Indeed ! " I exclaimed in surprise, a; a new idea suddenly flashed across mj mind. " You have been there, then ? "

  " I have."

  "And all for us?"

  " But for you, I do not think I shoul« have gone at present."

  " God bless your noble, generous soul ! ' I cried, feeling more condemned than evei " How fortunate that we have met you that we can at least make the slight repa ration of apology and regret for havia misconstrued your motives ! What mm have been your feelings, had you returnee

  ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST

  87

  rour heart bounding with delight at hav- » H done us a service, and found we had repaid you by leaving in your absence, without even so much as thanks for your kindness !"

  "1 should have felt hurt and grieved, I must own," she answered, quietly.

  " It is my fault, Prairie Flower," said Huntly, riding up to her side. " Blame me for all, and not my friend ! To speak j plainly,! fancied my presence was hateful to you, and that you had gone away, merely Lo put a Slight upon me, by avoiding even to I the last, as you had Avoided me all along." i

  " You you think this ? " cried Prairie | Flower, turning upon him a look of an guish I shall never forget, and becoming so agitated she could scarcely sit her horse. " You think this ? 0, no, no, no ! you did not, could not, think I intended to insult you !" and she buried her face in her hands and shook violently.

  " Great Heaven ! what have I done ! " erred Huntly in alarm. " Look up, sweet Prairie Flower look up and forgive me ! If I thought so then, I do not think so now, and God pardon me for harboring such a thought at all ! But I could not un derstand why you avoided me, unless it was through dislike in which case niy absence would be little likely to cause a regret. 1 see my mistake now, and am satisfied that, whatever your motive might have been, it was one which you at least fell to be rii'ht and pure."

  " Indeed it was ! " returned Prairie Flower, raising her sweet, sad face, and her soft, dark eyes to his, and then modest ly (iropping her gaze to the ground.

  Huntly seemed about to reply, but paused and gazed silently upon Prairie Flower, who, again raising her eyes, and meeting a peculiar glance fromhirn, blushed and turned her head quickly away. It was evident that both were getting embar-

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  rassed, and I hastened to relieve them by saying :

  " And what news from Fort Laramie, Prairie Flower ? What of our friends ? "

  " I could learn nothing definite, save that eight only, of the sixteen with whom you went into battle, returned, and that the rest, including yourselves, were supposed to have been killed or taken prisoners. One of the fc -mer, I think they called him

  an Irishman, made great lamentations over you, declaring that the Indians or wild beasts had destroyed you."

  " Poor Teddy ! " I sighed ; " he did in deed love us. But what became of h
im.? "

  " He left a few days after, with a party of trappers."

  " Then it may be a long time before we meet again, if ever. But do you think we can procure a regular outfit at the fort?"

  " What do you require ? "

  " Two good horses, a brace of rifles, plenty of ammunition, and three or four buffalo skins. By the way, this reminds me that we left our possibles at the fort, stuffed with clothes, which will now be of valuable service."

  " Come with me to the village," rejoin ed Prairie Flower, " and we will talk the matter over."

  " Why, as we are so far on the way, it will only cause us unnecessary delay ; be sides, we have spoken our farewells to all, and turning back, when once started on a journey, is said to give bad luck."

  " Yet I have but one observation to make to all your objections," returned Prairie Flower, peremptorily ; " and that is, you must come*with me."

  " If you insist on it, certainly."

  "I do."

  On this we turned, without more ado, and took our way back, wondering what new mystery .or surprise would greet us next. The Indians appeared more rejoiced than astonished at seeing us again, and crowded around us, and shook our hands, with as much apparent delight as if we had been absent a month.

  " What is the utmost limit of your stay with us, my friends ? " inquired Prairie Flower.

  "An hour is the extreme," I replied*

  Upon this she turned and addressed a few words to the young Indian who had volunteered to act as our guide, and then bidding us dismount and follow her, she led the way into the lodge of Great Med icine. Making some excuse, she went out, and shortly returned, bringing with her our rifles and plenty of powder and balL

  " Now that you are going," she said, " I will restore you your arms, with a sincere prayer that, with the aid of Hea ven, they may prove sufficient to preserT*