CHAPTER XI.
THE BRIGADE AND AN OLD FRIEND.
After bidding Imogene good-by, I started on a rapid pace to thenorthward. At night I kindled a fire by which I slept in safety, andat an early hour resumed my journey. The character of the countrycontinued much the same--broad belts of prairie relieved by groves oftrees and streams of considerable magnitude. Birds of all kindswhirred through the air and sang within the wood, and the dark formsof wild animals were more than once seen gamboling in the distance.
At noon I reached the banks of a river, so large that I was prettycertain it was the Yellowstone, and hence was able to judge prettycorrectly of my locality. The river was very broad, and it was quite aserious undertaking to cross it; but, nevertheless, it had to be done,and I commenced making my preparations.
As I was stepping in, a sound of voices struck me. I paused andlistened, and soon could hear the loud, regular swelling songgradually approaching nearer and nearer, and at stated intervals thepowerful chorus. There was something in the sound of this song, atsuch a time, that was indescribably stirring and inspiriting; and, asit came nigher and nigher, and grew louder, its power increased.Hardly satisfied of the nature of the approaching body, I withdrew ashort distance, and waited its appearance. Soon a large canoe, nearlyfull of men, came to view around a bend some hundred yards distant,and it was instantly followed by another and another, all keeping timeto the words of the song:
We are going with the tide, Yoho! yoho! Free as the mountain-winds we glide, Yoho! yoho! Oh! ours is a merry life, Yoho! yoho! And full of danger, toil, and strife, Yoho! yoho! Then join your voices In the glad refrain, And let the mountains Echo back the strain.
As over a score of majestic voices joined in the deep swelling chorus,the echoes were awakened for miles around. I watched them in wonderand admiration. Soon, to my surprise, they made toward the shorewhere I stood. As it was noon, they were probably putting in for theirdinner. In a moment the boats were hauled up on the bank, and as roughand hardy a set of fellows as ever met, sprang upon the shore. A halfdozen scattered along the bank, and in a moment returned bearingarmfuls of sticks and fuel. A huge fire was soon blazing and roaring,an enormous quantity of meat steaming and spitting, and the men,excepting the cook, were lolling about on the grass, each one smokingand chatting, and making a scene of pleasant confusion and enjoyment.
I now stepped forth from my concealment. Several turned their facestoward me as I passed them, but no unusual amount of astonishment wasmanifested. I made my way to a group of three, and seated myselfbeside them.
"Whar'd you come from?" asked a short, gruff-looking man.
"No place in particular, at present," I replied, pleasantly.
"One of them Nor'west chaps, I s'pose?"
"No, sir; I am no trapper at all, but a mere adventurer in theseparts."
"Pooty story to tell them as will believe it," he retorted, angrily.
"I am sure it is immaterial with me whether you believe it or not.If I were a member of the Northwest Fur Company, I should not beashamed or afraid to own it, as I believe that is as respectable andhonorable as the one in whose service you are."
"A fight! a fight! make a ring for them."]
"Boys! do you hear that?" called out a fellow beside me. "Yer's one ofthem sneaking chaps--a Nor'wester, and he's insulted us--"
"Beg your pardon, sir," I interrupted; "I did no such thing."
"Do you hear that, I say?" he called out, without regarding my words."Here's a sneaking Nor'wester cracking up his party afore us."
I was so provoked that I made no reply or noticed him. His wordsattracted their attention, and, anxious to see the trouble, theygathered round.
"What's up?" demanded a stumpy fellow, pushing his head in between theothers.
"A fight! a fight!"
"Make a ring for 'em."
"Blow me, if he don't look like one o' them Nor'westers as sentGovernor Semple out the world.[6] Go in, Tom!"
[6] In an affray between two parties, belonging respectively to the Hudson Bay and Northwest Fur Companies, the leader of the former, Mr. Semple, was shot by a member of the latter. This happened some years before the date of our story, but for a long time there was ill-feeling and frequent encounters between the members of the companies.
"I'll maul him as soon as I get in fightin' order," said Tom--he of myfirst acquaintance.
Matters were now getting serious. A collision between the redoubtableTom and myself seemed unavoidable. His impudent bravado and insultshad roused me somewhat, and I made up my mind that I should withdrawnothing I had uttered, and bear none of his insolence.
"What's the row?" demanded another; "I don't understand it."
"Why, here's a sneakin' Nor'wester," answered Tom, "blowin' 'boutthings, and I've made up my mind I won't stand it;" and he continuedhis war-like preparations.
"That's right, Tom, go in and win," added several voices.
"Gentlemen," said I, "all I ask is that you shall understand thismatter and show fair play--"
"We'll do that, you!" interrupted several.
"In the first place," I continued, "I have said nothing against thecompany in whose service you are. This man, whom you call Tom, accusedme of being a member of a rival company; I replied I was not, althoughI should not be ashamed if such were the case, as I considered thelatter as respectable as yours. He avers, however, I have insultedyou, and seems determined to avenge it, and I am perfectly willing togratify him. As I told him, I am not in the service of any company,but am a mere adventurer in these parts. With this explanation I amnow ready for any proceeding he may wish."
"Smash me to nuthin', ram me down and shoot me, if thar ain't Jarsey,or I'm a sinner!" exclaimed a familiar voice, and the same instantBill Biddon stepped into the ring before me. "Give us your paw,Jarsey."
He grasped my hand and gave a vigorous gripe, while his scarredcountenance was dissolved in one great broad smile. It is needless tosay I was delighted beyond measure at this unexpected meeting.
"Why, Bill, I little thought to meet you here."
"And yer's as what thinks Bill didn't think so himself."
During this passage of words between us, the others stood wonderingand perplexed. The honest old trapper turned, and seeing Tom standingwith his fists still clinched, shouted:
"Ef you say another word to that gentleman thar, as is worth fortylike you, there'll be only a grease-spot left of you. Do you hear,eh?" and he shook his ponderous fist beneath his nose.
The fellow did hear, and with a muttering, "It's cu'rous, I allow,"donned his coat with the most perfect meekness.
"Now," said Biddon facing the rest, "if thar are any 'bout yer aswants to take up this fout, why jist step forward and get lammed."
"Is he a Nor'wester?" asked one, breaking the perfect silence.
"What you want to know fur?"
"'Cause if he is, he can't pass this crowd without swallerin' themwords."
"What words?" demanded Biddon, fiercely.
"What Tom said he said."
"Have I not explained--" I commenced.
"Now jist hold on, Jarsey," interrupted the trapper, turning toward mewith a backward wave of his hand. "Now, hold on, you, fur ef you takeback anything you've said, shoot me, ef _I_ don't lick you. Ogh!" Thenturning to the others he continued, "He ain't goin' to take backnothin' he's said yerabouts; and ef Tom Wilson thar don't swaller what_he_ said, yer's as will make him do it."
"I mought've be mistaken," said the now thoroughly-frightened Tom.
"That won't do."
"Wal, he didn't say so," he jerked out.
"That'll answer. S'posen I say he is a Nor'-wester, how 'bout that?"demanded Biddon, glaring about on the rest.
There was no response. All was still as death.
"Wal, boys," added Bill, returning to his good nature, "he _ain't_ atrapper; never took a skin in his born days; is a
parfect gentleman,and I'll make you 'quainted with Bill Relmond, from the States, or, asI call him, Jarsey, as fine a chap as ever tramped these parts."
The scene that followed was singular and amusing. All crowded aroundme, smiling and talking and shaking hands; and the first hand Igrasped was Tom Wilson's.
"Hope you won't mind what I said;" he spoke in a lower tone, "I orterbeen lammed for it, sure."
"Don't refer to it," I laughed; "I suppose you were only anxious for alittle amusement to pass away time."
"That's it 'zactly, Jarsey, you're a trump."
"It's my private opine," called out Biddon, "that this coon is goin'inter these eatables, and ef you wants a bite, Jarsey, you'd betterjine."
All now crowded around the meal-pot, and commenced devouring itscontents with the avidity of wild animals. It consisted mainly ofpemmican (dried buffalo flesh), a food much in vogue in the northwest,with several biscuits and some scalding tea. The meal finished, themen instantly produced their pipes, which they indulged in for ten orfifteen minutes. The boats were then shoved into the water, thecooking-utensils placed on board, and preparations made for starting.
"Whar you bound to?" asked Biddon, just as they were ready.
"The Blackfeet-Sioux," I answered, unable to repress a smile.
"The Blackfeet-Sioux?" he repeated.
"Yes; do you know their grounds?"
"I's 'bout twenty miles down-stream--that is the village. We cac'lateto camp thereabouts to-night. What, in the name of beavers, do youwant with them?"
"I'll explain matters when we have a better opportunity," I answered.
"Jump in with me then, an' I'll git Tom Wilson to rest a while, andwe'll talk over matters and things."
I sprang into the boat, and the brigade was soon under way. TheYellowstone, being broad and deep and the current quite powerful, thework was comparatively light. The song was again taken up by the_voyageurs_, all joining in the chorus and keeping time with themeasured dip of their paddles. I seated myself in the stern, besidethe steersman, who I found to be a clerk in the Hudson Bay Company,and a gentleman.
"How long will you remain with us, Mr. Relmond?" he asked.
"Only until night."
"I was in hopes you would accompany us to the settlement."
"I should be glad to do so, but circumstances forbid."
"It was quite fortunate," he smiled, "that you and Biddon wereacquainted. He is a noble fellow."
"Most assuredly he is. I accompanied him, as a seeker of adventures,last summer from Independence, and we separated in the autumn, whilein the wilderness. I was considerably surprised to find him in yourservice."
"He had a misunderstanding with his employers, I believe. He had adispute with one of their agents, and gave him a severe pounding. Hewas reproved rather sharply for this and left the company in disgust.This was during the winter. Shortly after he visited Red Riversettlement, and volunteered his services, and they were gladlyaccepted, as his skill was known to many."
"He has been then but a short time with you."
"Only a few weeks--but long enough to let us know the value of hisservices. This brigade is all owing to him."
"How so?"
"You are aware we are now in the United States territory. It is notoften that we extend our work into it, except in Oregon, which haslately fallen into the hands of the Americans. Biddon had engaged alarge quantity of furs of the Indians in the neighborhood, intendingthem for one of their fur companies, but after his dispute he offeredthem to us, and this brigade was dispatched for the purpose ofcollecting them. He will find there is quite a pile of money due himat York fort when he arrives there."
Further time was spent in conversation with the clerks when I noticeda person had taken Biddon's place at the oars. The trapper motioned mebeside him, and seating ourselves in the opposite end of the boat hesaid:
"Now we'll have a talk, Jarsey, ogh!"
"The first thing to be knowed," said Biddon, "is how in the name ofhuman natur you come in these parts. How war it, Jarsey?"
"You must remember, Biddon, I've been a prisoner for the last sixmonths."
"Did you ever hear nothin' of Greeny?"
"Yes; a rumor reached me that he was living with a tribe of Indians tothe east of us."
"Altogether onpossible," answered the trapper, with a shake of hishead.
"Why is it impossible?"
"He's had his ha'r raised sure, and never seed the next day arter weseed the last on him."
"I am more hopeful than you are. Recollect _I_ have been a captive andam now here without bodily harm."
"It's qua'r, I allow, how you come out, as you did. The reds down inthem parts are ramparageous, and if it hadn't been for that Jim, youspoke about, and that gal, you'd a gone under sure. I's tuck once bythem same chaps one time. Me an' Snapper Jack was sat on one darknight in an awful snowstorm by a hundred on 'em. They blazed rightinto us, and Jack rolled over with a pound of lead in him and neversaid a word. I's purty well riddled in my lower story, but I tukthrough and got off with my ha'r, while Jack never knowed who tuk his.They cac'lated on toastin' you up brown, and would ef it want fur thatgal, as I's sayin' while he's had it all."
"I cannot yet see, Biddon, why there is not a probability of Nat'sbeing alive. The Indians in these parts are on friendly intercoursewith the traders, and it is in this region, if anywhere, that he willbe found."
"I don't b'lieve he's about. They got him down thar, and he got itdown thar, _sure_."
These words of the trapper dampened my expectations greatly. Much ofthe joy of my hope was that I expected to again grasp the hand of myold friend, and the thought that he had long been dead made me sad andgloomy. However, I was not ready to give up all hope, and determinedthat I should be satisfied of his fate before I returned to theStates.
The brigade proceeded regularly and rapidly down the Yellowstone,until the sun sinking in the west, warned them that night was at hand.The steersman informed me they should not be able to reach the Indianvillage that night, but would early the next day. Just as the shadowswere blending with the darkness on the river banks, the brigade raninto shore for the night's encampment. There was a dense forest oneither side of us, which rendered our situation dark and gloomy; butthis was soon dispelled by the jolly _voyageurs_. Fuel was collected,and a great roaring fire crackled and blazed cheerily around us; andthe men passing to and fro, chatting and joking, the confusion ofpreparations for supper, made a scene well calculated to dispel allgloomy reveries. The three boats were hauled up on the banks, turnedover, and their contents scattered among the owners, and all gatheredaround the hearty evening meal. These hardy fellows after thelaborious day's work, their appetites sharpened, and healthy truly,
"Ate like horses, when you hear them eat."
The meal finished, the indispensable pipes were in requisition. Threeor four huge fires were kindled, around which the men lazily stretchedthemselves, to while away the hour that must elapse ere they "turnedin" for the night. The brigade included men in it, who had trapped andhunted the shores of the Frozen Sea to the plains of the Kansas, andfrom Labrador to the mouth of the Columbia, beyond the RockyMountains. They had encountered every imaginable foe: the intense coldand the polar bear of the far North, and the innumerable hordes ofsavages of the more temperate regions; and now they recounted theirthrilling reminiscences to each other, and speculated upon the fatestill in store for them. The hour passed rapidly, and ere I was aware,the _voyageurs_ were gathering their blankets around them for thenight's rest.
"Come, bundle up, Jarsey," said Biddon, "for thar'll be no time tosnooze in the daylight."
The men were stretched at every point around the fire, their feetbeing toward it, their heads radiating outward, so that the threegroups resembled the same number of immense wheels. As most of theplaces were occupied, I lay a little beyond the circle, within a footor two of Biddon. The fires now smoldered, and the heavy darknessagain settled over wood and river. Nothing disturbed the deep
silencesave the faint flow of the Yellowstone, or the dull noise of an emberas it broke apart, and now and then the distant wail of some wildanimal. But a short time elapsed ere I joined the rest in the land ofdreams.
The night passed away without any event worthy of note; and the firstapprisal I had of the approach of day, was by hearing loud cries of"Leve! leve! leve!"[7] uttered by numerous voices.
[7] Arouse, or get up.
Starting up, I saw the _voyageurs_ were all astir, and making ready toembark. The boats were launched, and being too early for breakfast,the men sprang in and seized the oars.
"When we halt for breakfast," said the steersman, "it will be at theIndian village, which I understand is your destination."
With the same inspiring song of yesterday, the men bent to their oars,and the boats shot rapidly through the foaming water. In the course ofan hour or more, the brigade put in for breakfast, and the samebustling scene that had taken place the night before was re-enacted.
The place chosen was a broad, open plot of grass, reaching down to thewater's edge, and extending some hundred feet back, when the edge ofthe forest was reached. No signs of Indians were seen, and I wassomewhat puzzled to know how it was known they were in the vicinity.The clerk mentioned before, explained to me that Biddon had describedthe halting spot, and the distance so accurately, that there could beno mistake, and the savages would soon make their appearance.
We had scarcely spoken, when a movement was heard in the forest, andseveral Indians made their appearance. They seemed to understand themeaning of the brigade; for, directly behind them came numbers ofothers bearing loads of peltries--the furs of beavers, foxes, badgers,lynxes, martens, otters, and wolverines. A barter at once commenced,and in less than half an hour the whole array was deposited in theboats, and the Indians were proudly parading in the gaudy trinkets anddresses which had just fallen to their lot.
"Where is their village?" I asked of Biddon.
"A mile or so back in the woods; you can't miss it."
"I can remain here without danger, can I not?"
"Yas, I guess so--hold on, I'll fix it for you."
With this he strode rapidly toward a man who appeared to be the chief,and commenced a conversation. He understood the Sioux tongue wellenough to hold quite an intelligible conversation. The talk lasted buta moment, when he returned.
"You needn't be skeerish," said he; "I've made it all right. I toldthat old chap you wanted to take a look at the country hereabouts, toskeer up some furs fur us agin. He was a little s'pishus at fust,shoot me ef he warn't! and he axed ef you wanted to run off with thatgal o' theirs, 'cause ef you war, you'd better leave yer ha'r behindyou. There's been two or three round these parts after her, and hewon't stand it no longer. You've got to be mighty shy, Jarsey, I kintell yer; but I hope you'll git her fur all that, ogh!"
"I am grateful to you for this kindness, Biddon----"
"Never mind 'bout that; come to the pint ef you've got anything tosay."
"I had nothing except to express my thanks, which you seem averse toreceiving."
"It does go again my stummick, I allow, Jarsey; when you come thesquaw over me, I can't stand it. Yer's as likes to talk fair andsquar, and leave the rest. Shoot me ef I doesn't! Wal I does, ogh!"
"I suppose the time has come for us to separate, then, Biddon?"
"Leastways it's close at hand. Think you'd better go up to Selkirksettlement with us; don't s'pose you will; think you're a fool, shootme ef I don't, ogh!"
"It seems our separation is to be something like it was before," Ilaughed. "I believe you had a small opinion of my abilities at thattime."
"Wal, yer's as hopes you'll come out right side up this time. Incourse I'll have a glimpse of that ugly face of your'n agin. Incourse."
"I don't know about that. As you have gone into the service of theHudson Bay Company, your sphere of action will be far removed frommine, and it will be an occurrence which I cannot imagine at this timethat will bring us together."
"That ain't so sartin," said the trapper, in a low, confidential tone."I rather opine I'll be down in Westport or Independence this fall,and ef these fellows cac'lates on keepin' me around, they've got tostep round 'emselves. Shoot me if they hain't, ogh!"
"I hope you will not spend your life in the dreary region north ofthis, for it will indeed be a dreary, lonely life for you."
"Wal, you see, Jarsey," he continued, with a shade of feeling, "itdon't make much difference whar I traps. Yer's as s'pects to go undersomewhar in the mountains, and leave my topknot fur the buzzards andreds, and it mought as well be in one part as t'other of thiscountry."
"Fudge, Biddon, don't talk that way. Why I am sure I shall see yousettled down in the States with a wife and a dozen children--"
I paused as I noticed the trapper's face. Some strange emotion wasgaining the mastery over him; but he conquered in a minute.
"Never talk that way agin, Jarsey; I can't stand it."
"Pardon me; you will soon be under way," I spoke, wishing to pass fromthe allusion which had been so painful to him. He turned, and lookingat the brigade, which was making preparations to start, answered:
"Yas; the boys are near ready, and they won't wait. What yer goin' todo, Jarsey, when we leave you 'mong the reds?"
"I have told you, Biddon, that my sole purpose is to seek out NatTodd. I have given you an account of my meeting and partial flightwith Imogene, the captive, who has told me of his whereabouts. She isnow waiting at Death Rock for me, and is as confident as I am that Ishall bring Nat with me. These Indians, believing Imogene to be withthe other tribe, will not suspect her flight unless a runner arriveshere and acquaints them with it; but I have little fear of that, as Ihave no expectation of remaining any length of time."
"Wal, as that little gal has _seed_ Nat, of course he's kickin'. Blessher soul! I'd like to see her sweet face, but I s'pose the brigadecan't spare me just now. Jarsey, I've my s'picions that that othersperit is somewhere out toward Oregon, 'mong a tribe of redskins. I'vehad my s'picions I say, but I'll say nothin' more now 'cept to kind ofhint I may take a tramp out in them parts some day to see ef thar besigns of her."
"I sincerely hope that such may be the case, although I cannot be assanguine as you are. Should you rescue her, the debt of gratitude--"
"There! that'll do, ogh!" interrupted Biddon, imperatively. "Suchthings go agin my stummick, and I don't want to hear 'em. As you'reon the track of Nat, _go_, fur he may be somewhar yit, in spite of thefears I have that he isn't, arter all."
"Rest assured I shall leave no stone unturned. I shall seek him atonce."
"And when you finds him, jest tell him old Bill Biddon is about, andready to hunt savages with him any time, ef he don't git behind mewhen shootin' time comes. Ogh! ogh!" and the trapper enjoyed his jokemerrily. He stopped suddenly and looked at the brigade. A few momentsmore and they would be under way.
"Wal, Jarsey, talkin' time's gittin' mighty short. I'd like to talklonger, but can't do it this time. Hope we'll have a time down in theStates 'fore long."
"I sincerely trust we shall," I answered, unwilling to turn away fromthe hopeful picture which he was drawing for himself.
"And we'll have Nat 'long with us," he added.
"Of course, for I am sure he would not willingly miss an opportunityof seeing his old friend again. Of course, Biddon, we shall meet, ifnot in this world, I hope in the next."
"P'r'aps so, though I can't tell till we gits there. Don't know much'bout them matters, ogh!"
At this moment the voice of the steersman was heard, ordering the mento their places. Biddon turned, took a step, then halted and faced me.
"Good-by, Jarsey."
He extended his hand, but ere I could take it it was hastilywithdrawn. He mumbled something, dashed his hand across his face, andstrode rapidly toward the boat.
"Good-by, Biddon. God bless you!" I called after him.
The _voyageurs_ seized their oars, and in a few moments they were inthe stream,
their same cheery song echoing as loudly and as joyouslyas before. I stood upon the bank, watching them as the current borethem onward. In a few moments they reached a bend in the river--Biddonmade a signal to me, and the next minute they had all vanished.
As the brigade vanished down the river, and the song of the_voyageurs_ grew fainter and fainter, until it died away in thedistant windings of the Yellowstone, I awoke from the mournful reverieinto which I had fallen, and turned to the work before me. There was adozen Indians around, all busy with their new possessions. Some wereparading pompously in their new blankets, some examining theirglitterng knives, and others wrenching off great mouthfuls from hugetwists of tobacco, and all evidently in the highest spirits. The chiefhad been presented with a fine, polished rifle, and he was standingapart, trying its lock, and "drawing bead" on different objects in thedistance.
I waited till he appeared satisfied, and then approached and made acomplimentary remark; I saw at once it was not comprehended, and therewas not probably a savage who could speak a word of English in thetribe. However, as they spoke the same tongue as the tribe in which Ispent my captivity, my situation in this respect was not as bad as itmight have been.
In the course of half an hour, the chief started toward his village,the others sauntering along behind him, and myself at his side. Hisrifle was now thrown over his shoulder, and he seemed to have lost allinterest in it as he walked thoughtfully forward, his dark eyes bentupon the ground. A few minutes' walk through the forest brought us tothe Indian village. It was so similar to the one before described,that it needs no mention here.
The Blackfeet-Sioux are one of the many divisions of the Dacotah orSioux tribe, whose hunting-grounds include the greater part of thevast territory of Nebraska. These subdivisions of this numerous peopleare tribes within themselves. Although speaking the same tongue, theyare separate and literally independent of each other. Each has itsvillage and chief, whose authority is absolute. Like all NorthAmerican Indians, their life is a migratory one; and the traveler whoto-day finds them located on the Yellowstone or Little Missouri, may,a year after, find them as far westward as the Great Falls of theMissouri.
My advent among these savages excited no unusual attention, as theyare often visited by traders and hunters. The chief took me to his ownlodge, where all the attention I could wish was given. I was gladlysurprised to find upon the next day, that there was a half-breed amongthem who could speak the English tongue. His acquaintance I soon made.He was a middle-aged man, who had spent most of his life in trapping,sometimes as far northward as the Saskatchewan, and who often acted asinterpreter for his tribe. He possessed the daring hardihood of theFrench trapper, and the low, ferocious cunning of the savage. He hadever considered this tribe as his people, having a squaw and severalchildren.
From this half-breed I learned that the flight of Imogene was not yetdiscovered, and that the tribe which held Nat was about a dozen milesto the eastward I informed the chief, through the interpreter, that Ishould make several days' ramble through the woods, in order to get abetter idea of the face of the country and of its resources. Heseemed to believe I really was an agent of one of the fur companies,and offered me an escort. I declined, however, and the next morningstarted on foot in the direction of the tribe alluded to.
CHAPTER XII.
FOUND AT LAST.
I took a direction nearly due east toward the Black Hills. Near themiddle of the day I reached the shore of a lake. It was a small,beautiful sheet of water, its glistening surface unruffled by a singleripple, and I stood a long time gazing upon its placid bosom. The blueoutline of the opposite shore was faintly visible in the distance, andhere and there the green face of a tiny island protruded from itssurface adding greatly to the picturesqueness of the scene.
As I stood looking dreamily out upon this lake, my eyes rested upon asmall speck, just discernible far toward the other side. It was toosmall and dark to be an island, and, furthermore, I fancied it wasmoving. A moment more satisfied me that it was a canoe crossing thelake nearly to the point upon which I was standing. So small and blackwas it, that for a long time I was tempted to believe it was nothingbut a bird floating upon the surface; but the flashing of the oars inthe sunshine showed its true nature, and I waited anxiously itsapproach.
On it came, slowly and steadily, its form gradually increasing as itapproached, until I could discover the outlines of a single manpropelling it over the water. A sudden hope that it might be Nathimself came over me, but as it came nigher, the dazzling plumes of asavage convinced me of my mistake. It struck me as a little singularthat the Indian, solitary and alone, should approach so unhesitatinglya stranger, and I was upon the point of concealing myself; but,knowing that I must have been seen, and that such a proceeding wouldonly awaken suspicion upon his part, I remained boldly in view.
A few minutes later and the canoe grated upon the sand a few yardsfrom me; and, daubed in all the glittering paraphernalia of savagewar-paint and plumes, no less a personage than Nat stepped ashore andapproached me!
I was upon the point of calling out to him, when I saw he did notrecognize me. Since we had last been together my beard had grownconsiderably, and my dress was also changed to that of asemi-barbarous one. I drew my hat down to my eyes, and spoke in achanged voice.
"A pleasant day this, my friend."
"No less personage than Nat stepped ashore."]
"Yes, it is," replied the same natural, cracked voice.
"A fine country this, too,"
"Yes, that's so; didn't expect to see you."
"And why not, my friend?"
"'Cause 'tain't often you see a white man in these parts; you're thefirst one I've seen."
"And how is it you are here yourself?"
"Wal, stranger, there's a long story fastened to that question--alonger one than I care about spinning at present."
"You are not a prisoner, I hope."
"It was some time last fall I got tuk, and I've been with them, ofcourse, ever since."
"And why have you remained with them so long? It strikes me that if Ihad the fine opportunity you have, I should not be long waiting to bidthem farewell."
"You see, when I landed down here, it was winter, and if you're anyhunter, as I calculate you are, from your dress, you must know that afellow from the States would make poor work tramping a thousand milesat such a time. So I concluded to wait till spring, and have beenthinking about going for the last month or two, but, somehow or otherI haven't got started; I suppose 'cause I haven't had a good start."
"What were you doing on the lake?"
"I came down this morning to fish, and seeing you on t'other side,took you to be an Injin fishin' and so I paddled across."
"You are allowed considerable liberty, it seems, after all."
"Well, I have considerable, though it hain't done me much good sofur."
"You wish to return to the States, I presume."
"I guess I do; I am about as homesick a dog as you ever laid eyes on,and there's a gal home that I want to see amazingly."
At this remark I was compelled to cough several times, to preventbursting into a loud, boisterous laugh. I felt like dropping upon thegrass and rolling over and over, and yelling like an Indian. But Irestrained myself, and determined to carry the deception further.
"She most likely has given you up as dead by this time."
"I'm a little afraid she has, and that's the reason I want to go downand tell her her mistake. But I don't know as it would be any use, bygracious!" he added, in a desponding tone.
"And why not, pray?"
"Oh, there's a chap named Bill Hawkins, who thinks he's mighty smart,all the time flourishing round there. I'd just like to lay hands onhim once," and Nat clinched his hands and shook his head menacingly.Then resuming his natural manner, he added, quickly, and with a sortof desperation, "I don't care though. If Sal wants him, she can havehim."
"That's it. Take things philosophically is my motto, when you arecompelled to."
> In making this last remark, I unwittingly dropped my voice to itsnatural key. Nat started and raised those large, blue innocent eyes ofhis, and stared wonderingly at me.
"Did my remark surprise you?" I asked, working harder than I ever didto restrain my gravity.
"It weren't what you said, but your voice sounded amazingly like aperson I used to know, and I thought maybe you might be him."
"Perhaps I am."
"No; you don't look like him. He was about your size, but didn't dresslike you, nor didn't have such whiskers."
"What was his name?"
"William Relmond, from New Jersey."
"William Relmond, from New Jersey," I repeated, as though trying torecall some half-forgotten remembrance.
"He used to be called 'Jarsey' by Bill Biddon," added Nat, quickly, asif to aid my recollection.
"And do you know Bill Biddon, a trapper?" I demanded, eagerly.
"I am of the opinion that I do, being as I have hunted with him a longtime."
"Ah! indeed. He is an old friend of mine. I saw him some time since,and he was then in the service of the Hudson Bay Company."
"Didn't he say anything about 'Jarsey?'"
"I've hit it now! There's where I heard the name. Yes; he said a greatdeal about him, and he also mentioned a person called Nathan Todd, Ithink."
"I am the man, sir," responded Nat, with considerable dignity.
"You are! I recall now that he mentioned the fact of your captivity,although he was more inclined to say you were dead and gone longsince."
"Bill is a pretty 'cute chap, but he's mistaken there."
"Yes; he seemed to cherish a warm friendship for you."
"You see the way of it was this: Me and Bill Relmond started fromIndependence last summer for California. The company we was with ranaway from us, taking my knife and mare with them. So we started furCaliforny on our own hook. We came across this Bill Biddon and changedour minds, or, rather, Relmond did, and concluded to go on a hunt upin these parts. Well, we did, and this is the end of that hunt. Wefixed on a place down on the Yellowstone, and would have spent a goodtime if it hadn't been for that Relmond. He was a good fellow, butbetwixt you and me (you needn't say nothing about it, you know), hewas rather soft, and I had to keep a clus watch over him to preventhis getting into danger. There used to come some Injins down thestream in a canoe, and they set his head crazy. It wasn't the Injins,though, but a white gal they had. She was pretty, I allow, but heought to have knowed better than to chase her as he did; he might haveknowed what would have come of it. We used to go down and watch thiscanoe. One day I went a little lower down the stream than he did, andhid in some bushes beside the water to take a good look at the gal andthe Injins. Pretty soon they came, and as they got along by me, bygracious if they didn't start right into the bushes after me! I was sofast in the roots and limbs that I hadn't time to git out before theygot right on to me. I then up and blazed away to keep them off, but Iforgot to take aim, and didn't hit them, and the first thing I knowedI didn't know anything. One of them smashed his tomahawk square at me,grabbed me by the neck, whopped me into the canoe, paddled to theother side, and made me walk all the way here. I haven't seen Relmondor Biddon since, and I should like to know what has become of them."
"Biddon is safe, of course; and Relmond was a captive, I believe,awhile, but he managed to make his escape some time since."
"How do you know that much, I should like to know?"
"Simply for the reason that I am William Relmond."
Nathan Todd started as if struck by a thunderbolt. His eyes and mouthopened, his rifle fell unheeded to his feet, and he stared all agapeat me. His face was such an embodiment of wonder, doubt, thencertainty and pleasure, that I gave way completely to my feelings,and, seating myself upon the ground rolled over and laughed one ofthose laughs which rack our whole being, and make us as weak as aninfant. When I again resumed my feet, my old friend approached andextended his hand.
"What you laughing at? I knowed it was you all the time."
It is hardly worth time to dwell upon the words which passed betweenNat and myself after my identity became known to him. Of course hewas half frantic with joy in turn, and overwhelmed me with questionsand explanations, and in the course of half an hour we both came to afull understanding.
I had acquainted Nat with my separation from Imogene, and that she waswaiting for me at "Death Rock." He knew the place well and withoutlosing time we hastened forward. He had become acquainted withImogene, and had often conversed with her about her lost sister, andof me, little dreaming that she had ever seen me.
Nat proved his knowledge of the country, for his course toward theDeath Rock was direct, and, ere we had traveled many miles it loomedup to view. It seemed a long while to reach it, but before dark wewere both conversing with Imogene.
The night was spent within the cave, Nat and I conversing around thefire, while Imogene, wrapped in our blankets, slumbered unconsciouslybeside it. Nat succeeded in catching several fine trout from a smallmountain-stream, and when we resumed our journey, I hardly think threemore hopeful people could have been found in the universe.
Our progress was less rapid than usual, as we feared for Imogene,although her life had been such as to make her the very embodiment ofhealth and activity. At night we reached a bend of the Yellowstone,and camped upon its banks. A fire was again kindled, and while Natkept watch, I concluded to take a little rest. He allowed me to sleepheavily until morning, when I was aroused by one of the most terrific,unearthly shrieks that ever greeted mortal ear.
"God of heaven! what does that mean?" I exclaimed, springing to myfeet.
"Sounds like the 'Snorter,' the engine that I heard on the Bostonroad," answered Nat, rubbing his eyes, and listening.
"Hush!" I admonished, as again that hideous scream burst upon us.
"Wonder if the Pacific Railroad's built yet?" remarked Nat, with theutmost _nonchalance_; "or, maybe, some of their engines have run awayfrom them."
As I stood wondering and waiting, the gray light of morning commencedappearing through the forest, and shortly the day dawned. A momentafter, as I was about to awaken Imogene, the awful scream wasrepeated, seemingly directly across the river. It was different from ahuman voice, but sounded like the cry of a wild animal in extremity ofthe direst agony.
As if our terror was still too faint, we now heard the loud ring of a_bell_, apparently from the very forest.
"What is that?" asked Imogene, pale with horror.
"Heaven knows!" I answered.
"Sounds like the old bell up in Lubec," remarked Nat; who, singularlyenough, was the least agitated.
"Listen!" whispered Imogene, raising her hand.
Now was heard a dead sound like the distant heave of the stormy sea,growing stronger and nearer each second, and at intervals that wild,unearthly shriek reverberated through the forest arches with a horridpower.
Matters were now assuming such an inexplicable form I began to fear Iwas losing my senses. I looked around upon the faces of others; butno--it was all a terrible reality.
"Look!" spoke Imogene, in a husky whisper, pointing down the river.
I did look and what was seen? There, just rounding the curve of theYellowstone below us, burst the broad flaming hull of a steamboat.
For a moment I could scarce believe my senses. Nat was the first torecover himself.
"I knowed what it was all the time, by gracious! Hilloa, you!"
The latter exclamation was addressed in vociferous tones to thesteamboat; and, fearing lest he might still escape notice, he spranginto the water and waved his plumes excitedly over his head, yellingat the top of his voice all the time. We had been seen, however, andheeded by those on the boat. A small bell tinkled, and instantly thehuge wheel of the steamer reversed, plowing the water into foamywaves, and quickly bringing it to a stand still. The captain thenstepped from his wheelhouse and hailed us:
"What's wanted?"
"Supper and lodging," answered Nat.
"Who are you?"
"White men of course."
"White men; I see only one, and you're an Injin, sure as I'm CaptainGarbold."
I now stepped forward from the shelter of the forest, to which I hadinstinctively retreated with the trembling Imogene, upon theappearance of the boat.
"Ah! who are those?" called the captain, instantly.
"We are whites, as you can readily see, and only ask to be taken toour friends."
The captain immediately turned and spoke to several beside him. A fewminutes afterward a small boat put out from the steamer, and Imogene,followed by myself, stepped into the boat, but Nat lingered.
"Hilloa, you!"]
"Come, hurry, Nat, don't keep them waiting," said I.
"_I'm going to remain!_" he remarked, quietly.
"What do you mean?" I asked, in astonishment.
He approached, and whispered in my ear:
"_I'm going to hunt up Irene Merment!_"
"Why----"
"Don't say anything," he interrupted, with a smile. "I will do it.There is no use of trying to persuade me to go with you. My mind ismade up, and has been made up a long time."
Imogene joined her entreaties with mine, but he could not be made tochange his resolution. Not wishing to detain our friends, I extendedmy hand.
"If you are determined to remain, I must now bid you good-by, Nat.Your determination is so new to me that I can hardly realize it. It isa hopeless search upon which you are going, I fear. May the One whohas so mercifully watched over all of us, still protect you. If youever see Biddon, don't forget me to him. Good-by."
"Nor me either," said Imogene, taking his hand. "I long to see him, topour out my heart's gratitude to him. I hope we shall see you again."
"Oh! you will, sure. I shall be down in the States one of these days,and like enough bring a wife with me, and several little Nat Todds, asgood-looking as your heirs will be. You mustn't think this is a lastfarewell, for I know it isn't."
We exchanged farewells once more, and then were rowed out to thesteamboat. As we were received on board, Nat swung his plume over hishead, and shouted:
"Long life to you! the fust news you will receive from Nat Todd willbe a telegraphic dispatch from the Rocky Mountains, 'that he is makinga sensation in that neighborhood.'"
Another and a last farewell, and the eccentric being had vanished inthe forest.
Imogene had no suspicion of the true cause of Nat Todd's erraticcourse, and I judged it best to let her remain in ignorance until Natshould inform her himself. Whether that time was ever to come or not,no one could tell; but I had strong hope that it would.
As may be supposed, our advent created an infinite amount ofquestioning and wonderment for our new-found friends. The boat was thesteamer "Shooting Star," which had been sent to trace the Yellowstone,as far as it was navigable, by a company in St. Louis. They proposedopening trade in this section, and knowing well the prodigiousresources of the country watered by its tributaries, had sent askillful captain and crew to ascertain its character and availability.This river had, however, been ascended before.
The "Shooting Star" ascended the Yellowstone several hundred milesfurther, until brought to a stand still by the rapids in its upperpart. Several days were spent in running up Clark's Fork, the BigHorn, Tongue, Powder, and numerous other streams, many of which, asyet, have received no names though of considerable size. All along thebanks of these gathered crowds of wondering Indians, who surveyed uswith mingled terror and amazement. On two occasions, when halting towood, the crew were attacked by them, and one of their number wasslain. At other points they manifested a friendly disposition andbartered extensively with us.
Finally the bow of the boat was turned home, and on a gloriousmorning, in the latter part of June, 1850, we glided into the turbidwaters of the mad Missouri, and a few days later "Shooting Star" sunkto rest at the wharves in St. Louis. Accompanied by Imogene, I made myway home as rapidly as possible. As may be supposed, my return was anever-to-be forgotten day to my friends. The caravan which I hadjoined at Independence, had been attacked, a few days subsequent to myseparation from it, by an overwhelming body of Apache Indians. Rumorsreached the States that all had fallen in the massacre, and myreappearance was like the dead returning to life. The reader, I trust,can imagine the few remaining incidents. After inducing Imogene toreturn to the States, I do not think I should have ever forgivenmyself had I not offered her all the protection within my power. Shewas like an exotic at first, taken from a distant clime; but loveworks wonders. To-day there are few accomplishments of her sex whichshe does not possess. True there was no great romances or mystery yetto be developed in her history. She had been orphaned when a youngchild, in the terrible manner described by the trapper at thecommencement of this tale. I had gained no princess or wealthyheroine, but simply a _wife_, in the truest sense of the word.
The history of Nat Todd's adventures and journey to the RockyMountains, together with a further account of Bill Biddon, theTrapper, and of Irene Merment, the lost sister, will be given thereader in another volume.
THE END.
Bill Biddon, Trapper; or, Life in the Northwest Page 11
