“Neither of us can express our thankfulness,” replied Wharton; “we have seen a good deal of trouble during the last few days, but our suffering all the time had been about them.”
“Yis,” added Larry with a sigh; “it was mesilf that had not only them to think about, but Whart was on me hands, too, and thare was times whin I was ready to give up entirely.”
“Well, Simon,” said the head of the family, “we’ve had good fortune so far, but I have had enough experience to know that we are not out of the woods yet.”
“Not by a long shot,” was the expressive comment.
“How do things look to you?”
“Yer see that Blazing Arrer and one of his varmints has gone ahead and across the clearin’ out yender. They know that we have started to round this part of the trail with the idee of comin’ back agin beyend whar they’re watchin’ for us.”
“And they will try to prevent us doing so?”
“That’s it, and it’s goin’ to be a tough job, with the hosses to take care of.”
“I’ve been thinking lately that the only safe plan is to abandon the animals and push on ourselves.”
“That will give us the best show, thar’s no doubt about that; but I hate powerfully to let the varmints get ahead of us, even as much as that.”
“You and I, Simon, have tramped the woods long enough to know that we must take things as we find them. It’s a hundred times better that we should leave the horses than to imperil our lives by keeping them with us.”
“The man as would deny them sentiments is a fool, but we hain’t got to that p’int yet.”
“I notice that the ground is much more difficult to get over than where we turned out to avoid the swamp. Both the horses fell once or twice with their loads, and I had almost reached the conclusion that we would have to turn back or abandon them. They are the only animals I own, and their loss would be a serious one, but it won’t do to stop at that.”
While this fragmentary conversation was going on, Arqu-wao, or Red Crow, held his position as motionless as before, and seemingly occupied with something among the trees, invisible to the rest. The boys noticed that he assumed his old attitude, which had caused them so much uneasiness before. But, inasmuch as there could be no misgiving now as to his intentions, they were certain that their former suspicions were unjust. When he surrendered to them in the early light of that breaking morning, he did so unreservedly, and had done his best to serve them. It was a great comfort to know this, but how much greater it would have been had they known it from the first.
He showed a quicker perception than any of his companions suspected, for he understood the doubt in the mind of the ranger and the settler concerning the horses. Turning about, he said:
“Arqu-wao show way to settlement.”
“But we know the way ourselves,” said Mr. Edwards, kindly.
“Show way for hosses.”
“You mean by the trail yonder; we have come over that, but the Shawanoes are on the watch, and we dare not follow it.”
“Arqu-wao show way for hosses—Shaw’noe don’t know—get dere quick—Snaw’noe don’t see.”
The pioneer turned to the scout.
“He means to say that he knows of a route to the settlement different from the regular trail, over which we can take the animals in safety.”
“That’s what the varmint is drivin’ at.”
“What do you think of it, Simon?”
The scout significantly touched his forehead and shook his head.
“I know that, but he has done well so far. He lives by himself in the woods, and must be more familiar with it than any of his people. I’m inclined to believe there is something in what he says.”
“I haven’t much faith in a chap whose brain is twisted hind side afore, but I don’t know as it will do any harm to try it; leastways we’ve stood here longer than we oughter.”
CHAPTER XXXI
The New Route
Simon Kenton had spent so many years of his life in the woods and had been among the Shawanoes so much that he spoke their language like a native. The reader need not be told that he was once a prisoner of the Shawanoes, and was condemned to death by them, but was saved through the interference of the renegade Simon Girty, to whom the scout had done a kindness years before. This is the only instance of the kind known of that miscreant.
It had also fallen to the lot of Kenton to run the gantlet, and he had desperate scrimmages without number with members of that warlike tribe. His frequent association with them, his companionship with the extraordinary but unfortunate Deerfoot, had given him a mastery of the tongue used by these people.
Kenton now turned to Red Crow and addressed him in the language of his tribe:
“Arqu-wao, tell me why you wish to prove yourself a friend of the white man.”
“Arqu-wao crept upon the palefaces; they ran away with his canoe; they came near his home, where the red and white man must not come; but they went away, they did not hurt his canoe; he followed them; he was about to kill them when they slept, but they awoke; they could have killed him, but they did not; they spared his life; then the Great Spirit whispered in his heart that he must be the friend of the paleface youths; so Arqu-wao is their friend; he will give his life for them.”
Kenton listened gravely to this singular statement. His knowledge of the Indian character assured him that every word was the truth. Red Crow did not show by his words or manner that his brain was not as clear as that of his brother, Blazing Arrow. The probability was that it was partially affected only by the injury received years before. It had led him to make a recluse of himself, and to indulge in some whimsical performances. In other respects, as he had proven, his cunning and ability were greater than before.
All doubt of his loyalty removed, Kenton proceeded to the business he had in mind:
“Today you met your brother, and you had a quarrel.”
The black eyes flashed.
“Blazing Arrow is a snake in the grass, that bites when you are not looking; he hates Arqu-wao; Arqu-wao hates him; some time one will kill the other; the Great Spirit has said so.”
“But you quarrelled,” repeated Kenton, wishing to hear the explanation of that dispute.
“Blazing Arrow said to Arqu-wao that he had turned against his people; he said he had become the friend of the white man, and he said he would kill him.”
“And what did Arqu-wao do?”
“He drew his bow and arrow,” replied Red Crow, with another flash of his black eyes, “but Blazing Arrow said he would wait till he learned more; then he would kill him.”
Kenton suspected this from what the boys had told him, and he plainly foresaw that the fatal encounter must come, sooner or later, between these brothers, who hated each other with consuming hate.
“You say that you know a better way to the settlement, where we can take the horses?”
“Yes—me know—me show,” replied Red Crow, with such haste that he unconsciously dropped into English, which he spoke ill.
“Where is it?”
The Shawanoe pointed behind him, and almost in the direction of the lake, on whose shore he made his home.
“Ober dere—not far—show de way.”
While Kenton believed in the truthfulness of the strange being, he was disturbed by the fact that he himself had traversed this section so many times that he was familiar with every portion, and he could not recall any part answering to the description of Red Crow. He feared that, while his intention was honest, the thing itself was only a figment of the Indian’s brain, and that he was liable to draw them into greater difficulties than before.
If this should prove to be the case, it would be better to abandon the animals at once, for the remark of Mr. Edwards about the forest being most difficult of passage was true. Not only that, but it grew worse, until it became absolutely impassable for any quadruped as large as a horse.
The plan the scout had in mind was that of the whole party
returning without delay to the block-house, and waiting till the danger passed. Inasmuch as there was no call for haste on the part of the pioneer in reaching his home, this, unquestionably, was the better course to adopt. But Kenton was curious to learn something more about this new route, for he saw that if it proved an actuality, and was known to the Shawanoes, it was sure to be of vast value to himself and other rangers who were compelled frequently to pass back and forth between the two points. So, after a little more unimportant talk, he added:
“Well, Arqu-wao, we will follow you. Show the way.”
It will be remembered that when the pioneer and his wife set out with Red Crow to find the boys they left the two horses behind them. It was useless to bring them back over the route that had cost the animals so much labor, and which would necessitate the whole thing being done over again. In order to carry out the plan of Red Crow it was necessary to go to where the horses were, or to bring them back to the party. Kenton asked him what should be done, and he replied that they were to await him where they were while he brought the beasts to them. Accordingly the company assumed new positions on the ground, Wharton sitting close to his mother.
Before Red Cloud left, the boys restored to him the knife and tomahawk, so that he was as fully armed as before. The Indian smiled in his shadowy way, and showed that he appreciated the confidence implied in the little act, which would have been performed before had it not been overlooked.
When the Shawanoe was beyond hearing, Kenton said:
“I shouldn’t be surprised if that varmint had trouble afore he brings them hosses back.”
“Why so?” asked Mr. Edwards.
“We’ve been talkin’ and actin’ as though thar warn’t one of them varmints in ten miles of us; but I haven’t forgot that Blazing Arrow knows why you turned off the trail with the hosses, and if he hain’t gone back himself he has sent some of ’em to l’arn how things are goin’.”
“Why haven’t they appeared to us?”
“We ain’t in the hole they want to get us into,” replied Kenton, who, in accordance with the custom of those of his calling, kept glancing to the right and left, on the lookout for the first appearance of peril. “They may have had a peep at us, and will keep an eye on our movements, but are more likely to watch the hosses. They ain’t fur off, Brigham?”
“No; I didn’t go far with them.”
“Has Red Crow had time to reach the spot?”
“If he kept up the gait with which he started I should say he is about there.”
“Now, don’t speak till I give the word,” said Kenton, in a low voice, “but listen with all your ears.”
The entire party assumed attitudes of intense attention, and were rewarded sooner than they anticipated. Amid the profound stillness a sudden, sharp, twanging noise reached them, followed instantly by a smothered, gasping cry, and then all was still.
The party looked in one another’s faces. No need of any one speaking a word, for all knew what those awful sounds meant.
Red Crow had driven an arrow into some dusky thief with such swiftness and force that he had no time to utter the proverbial yell of his race when he sank to the ground.
“Thar must have been only one of ’em,” quietly remarked Kenton, “or thar would be more of a rumpus. He has started.”
The sound of the animals laboring through the bushes and among the trees was plainly heard, and a minute later Red Crow appeared, leading the pioneer’s horse, while that of his wife followed close behind.
It was agreed that no reference should be made by any one to the tragedy that had taken place so near them. They waited for Red Crow himself to tell the story, but though he was questioned quite closely, he never said a word.
“Arqu-wao,” said Kenton, in the Shawanoe language, “you have a single tongue; you are a good Indian; now lead the way; we believe in you and will trust you to the death.”
For the first time since the Shawanoe had joined them, his painted face gave evidence of emotion. He stood for several seconds with his eyes fixed on Kenton, who calmly confronted him. He was on the point of speaking, and once the boys, who were studying his countenance with curious interest, observed a movement of his thin lips, but he changed his mind and no words escaped him.
Turning abruptly away, he held the bridle-rein of the pioneer’s horse in one hand, and, with his long bow in the other, began moving through the wood, which route may roughly be described as half way between that just followed and the course of the trail nearest them.
The work for a time was as hard as before, and the animal showed so much reluctance that, in addition to the tugging at the rein by the leader, he required some vigorous prodding from his master before he would do his duty; but ere long a pleasant fact became apparent to all; the wood was so open that it was a comparatively easy matter for all to advance. If it should remain thus, they could push on with little more trouble than that encountered in travelling over the trail itself.
Of course, nothing was easier than for the Shawanoes to follow the footprints of the party, and it was to guard against any surprise of this kind that Kenton remained some distance behind the others.
CHAPTER XXXII
The Last Halt
Within the following half hour a pleasant surprise came to the little party.
“My gracious!” exclaimed the pioneer to his wife, “do you see that, Margaret?”
He pointed to the ground between them as he spoke, and she nodded her head with a smile.
“We are travelling over a trail,” he added; “Red Crow is keeping his promise; he knows what he is doing.”
It was the truth. The path was faintly marked, but it was unmistakable, and all knew the meaning. They were approaching one of those open spaces, known as “salt licks,” which are quite numerous in Kentucky and Ohio. Naturally they are the resort of animals who thread their way over long distances to the spots where the brackish moisture, oozing through the ground, affords a taste of the mineral which is as indispensable to beasts as to human beings.
The bears, deer, buffaloes and other inhabitants, journeying toward one common point, gradually form paths through the forest, into which additional brutes turn, adding to the distinctness of the trails, which sometimes radiate outward from the common centre like the spokes of a wheel, until they gradually lose themselves in the wood, as the brutes diverge from the route, whose individuality becomes lost like the course of the streams in the sandy wastes of Africa or the barren regions of the Southwest.
By and by the path was as clearly defined as the trail connecting the settlement and the block-house. A short distance farther and they arrived at the lick.
The favorite time for the wild animals to visit these places of refreshment is early in the morning, but when our friends arrived there, a huge wolf was lapping the ground on the other side. They caught but a single glimpse of him, when he skurried off among the trees, vanishing in a twinkling.
The sight was a singular one, with the ground worn as smooth as the floor of a barn by the licking of multitudinous tongues, and its moisture glistened in the sunlight, as if it had been oiled.
The horses showed their appreciation of the luxury by stretching out their necks and eagerly applying their tongues to the saltish surface. They were allowed to do so freely, and a few minutes later Kenton joined them. His handsome face expanded with a broad grin, and he surprised all, especially the recipient of the compliment, by slapping Red Crow on the shoulder.
“Arqu-wao, you’re a powerful good chap, and here’s my hand on it.”
The Shawanoe, rather gingerly, allowed his palm to be almost crushed in that of the scout.
“He’s doin’ jes’ what the varmint said he would,” added Kenton, addressing the rest of the party. “If nothin’ don’t happen, he’ll land us at the settlement all right, but we’re goin’ to be followed.”
“Have you discovered anything?” asked Mr. Edwards.
“Not as yet, but they won’t let us slip away in
this style without some kind of a rumpus; we musn’t stay here too long.”
Red Crow was of the same mind, for he tugged at the rein of the leading horse, who was reluctant to abandon his feast, while the pioneer had to work as hard with the other before he would leave the spot. The lick was skirted and another trail taken on the other side, so that the journey was continued in substantially the same direction as before. Inasmuch, however, as this path must soon dissipate itself, there was some curiosity to know what their guide would do when the point of vanishing was reached. Not a member of the party, however, felt distrust of his ability and loyalty to them.
Kenton, as before, fell to the rear, for there was every reason to believe that whenever the Shawanoes chose to make a demonstration, it would be from that quarter. As anticipated, the path grew fainter as they progressed until it was hardly perceptible, but the wood remained open, and progress was comparatively easy.
For some minutes before this the whites had been sensible of a dull, roaring sound, which at times was quite distinct, and then sank again beyond their power of hearing.
“I believe that is the stream where Larry and I had so much trouble yesterday and last night,” said Wharton to his father.
“Undoubtedly you are right.”
“I wonder whether he intends we shall cross it?”
“If he does, he knows the way.”
“I guess we will not, for you know the regular trail doesn’t take the other side.”
“But if he means to follow a new course to the settlement, it may be necessary.”
The afternoon was well along, and some of the party had eaten nothing since early morning. All were hungry, but though there was a substantial lunch in the packs carried by the horses, no one spoke of it. They were too desirous of getting forward while the opportunity was theirs, to pay any attention to their appetites.
They had not yet reached the torrent, which was now close at hand, when Red Crow halted the animals and said to the pioneer:
“Wait here—Arqu-wao go ahead—won’t stay long—want to see.”
Mr. Edwards bowed his head, signifying that it should be as he wished, and the Shawanoe was off in a twinkling before Kenton, who was hardly out of sight to the rear, could come up. He soon appeared, and inquired what had taken place.
The Edward S. Ellis Megapack Page 141
