CHAPTER VI
THE STUMP BURNING
Enoch and Lot Breckenridge, with Robbie Baker, had completed all theplans for the stump burning that first training day at Bennington. Lot,who lived so far from the Harding cabin, agreed to come over the nightbefore if his mother would let him, and Robbie was to remain with Enochthe night after. The stumps and rubbish would be pretty well piled upand fired by afternoon, and then the boys could run races, and playgames, and perhaps shoot at a mark, until supper-time. Mrs. Harding hadalready promised if the boys worked well to make a nice supper for them.
"An' we'll have the girls," said Lot.
"Oh, what good'll they be at a stump burnin'?" demanded young Baker,ungallantly.
"Lots o' good. They allus want good times, too," said Lot, standing upfor his sisters manfully. "You have no sisters, an' that's why you don'twant 'em."
"They'll be in the way. Their frocks'll git torn if they help us, an'they'll git afire--or--or somethin'!"
"Nuck's sisters will be there. They'll want other girls," said the wiseLot. "An' b'sides, Mis' Harding'll be lots better to us if the girls isthere. She allus is--my marm is. Mothers like girls, but boys is only anuisance, they says." Lot had drawn these conclusions from the remarksof his own mother, who was troubled by many children and lacked that"faculty," as New England folk used to term it, for bringing them upcheerfully.
"I guess we'll get a better supper if the girls are there," admittedNuck, quietly.
"But what'll they do?" demanded Robbie, the embryo woman-hater.
"I'll get mother ter be layin' out a quilt, or something, an' the girlscan help about that."
"Zuckers!" cried Lot. "We'll have the finest time ever was. I'll be surean' tell ev'rybody down my way. An' we'll all bring powder an' shot; itwon't matter so much about guns, for them that don't have 'em can borryof them that has, when it comes to shootin'."
"And I'll get Master Bolderwood to come an' be empire," declared Nuck,no farther out in his pronunciation of the word than some boys arenowadays.
So the girls were allowed to come, and an hour or two after sun-up onthe day in question the Harding place was fairly overrun with young folkof both sexes. Those boys who came from a goodly distance brought theirsisters with them; but the greater number of the girls, living within aradius of a few miles of the Harding cabin, did not come until afterdinner, having to remain at home to help their own mothers beforeattending the merrymaking.
And what a merrymaking it was! Truly, all work and no play makes Jack adull boy, and in a country and at a time when all young people had towork almost as hard as their parents, the pioneer fathers and mothersencouraged the young folk to mix pleasure well with their tasks. Indeed,it was a system followed by the older folks as well on many occasions.Corn-shuckings, apple-parings, log-rollings, sugaring-off--all thesetasks even down to "hog-killings"--were made the excuse for socialgatherings. The idea of helping one another in the heavier tasks oftheir existence on the frontier was likewise combined in this. Manyhands make light work, and a cabin which would have kept one family busyfor a fortnight was often put up and the roof of drawn shingles laid ina day's time, by the neighbors of the proprietor of the new structureall taking hold of the work.
So in this stump burning, which usually followed upon the clearing of anew piece of ground. More than a year before Jonas Harding had begun onthis lot, with the intention of clearing it entirely and in the endhaving a handsome piece of grass-land along the edge of the creek. Inthe fall a fire had run over the piece and now the stumps were mostlydead, although the fire-weed was waist high. Some of the stumps hadalready been pulled up, but many were too large for the muscles of theyoung Hardings and it was the help of their companions to pull thesestumps to which they looked forward to-day.
With patience remarkable in such youngsters, Enoch and Bryce had dugaround the base of all the big stumps, had cut off the long side roots,and when possible had dug beneath and cut the tap-root of the tree, thusmaking the final extraction of the big stumps all the easier ofaccomplishment. They were piled up and set burning, and round thesebonfires the boys danced like wild Indians and kept the fires fed up tonoon-time. Between the sunshine and the flames the youngsters were allpretty well scorched by then.
But before the horn was blown for dinner there were two arrivals on thescene, one joyfully welcomed by all and the other rather unexpected butnot less welcome to many of the boys. 'Siah Bolderwood entered theclearing from a forest-path at almost the same instant that a litheyoung figure appeared from the direction of the creek. Enoch ran to hisold friend and hugged him in his delight. "Ain't I glad you've come,'Siah! We got most of the work done; we're goin' to get lots of niceashes, too. We're goin' ter have races and a wrastling match afterdinner."
"Hullo! who's this?" said 'Siah, pointing across the clearing.
Enoch turned to see the Indian youth, Crow Wing, striding up from thewater's edge. A good half of the boys had turned with shouts of welcometo meet him, for he was popular with them. Ordinarily Crow Wing was avery social fellow and taught the white boys to make arrows, stringtheir bows, build canoes, and set ingenious snares. "I don't want himhere!" declared Enoch to the ranger.
"Tut, tut, what do you care? There's no need in your making an enemy ofthat fellow, Nuck. Let him be."
"But think how he used me the other night when I was trying to find outabout that man in the woods! I don't like him."
"Well, we can't like everybody in this world," said Bolderwood,philosophically. "We gotter take folks as we find 'em--that's my motter.You let the Injin stay. He's come to help and to have the fun arterward;you sent 'round the invitation pretty promisc'us like, an' I calkerlateyou can't ask him to leave 'thout makin' yerself mighty onpop'lar. Takemy advice an' let him stay."
So, much against his will, Enoch did so. But he and the Indian ladavoided each other and nothing Crow Wing did could gain any word ofapprobation from his young host. However, Crow Wing and Bolderwood werein time to help do the heaviest of the work and soon the last stump wasout of the soil and piled upon a flaming pyre. The several bonfirescould not spread to the underbrush, so the boys were able to leave themfor the time and rush away to the creek for a swim before dinner. Afterthey had washed off the smut and smoke, they engaged in races and indiving matches until the horn blew to recall them to the house. In allaquatic sports Lot Breckenridge was the master, for even Crow Wing couldnot perform the tricks that he could, nor could the Indian swim so farnor so fast.
Mistress Harding had arranged two long tables outside the cabin, makingthem of planks and "horses," and spreading her unbleached sheets overthem for table-cloths. The girls had picked flowers and decorated thetables very prettily. There were all kinds and conditions of dishes foruse--earthen, tin, pewter, and even wooden bowls carved out of "whorls."And as for spoons and knives and forks--well, they were very scarceindeed. But every boy carried a pocket or hunting knife, and some hadeven been thoughtful enough to bring a knife and fork from home.Nevertheless, despite the lack of articles which we now consider thecommonest of possessions, the table manners of these pioneer boys andgirls were very good. They were on their best behavior while visiting,and the presence of the girls had a good influence on the boys.
The dinner was not to be the great meal of the day, for the boys did notwish to eat too much before the activities of the afternoon. MistressHarding and the big girls had promised several dainties for supper,among which was a berry pudding, the girls having picked the berriesthat morning while their brothers were clearing the stumpage. The daybefore Enoch had shot a quantity of wood-pigeons, too, and there was tobe a huge pigeon pie baked in the Dutch oven. There could be no stuffedlamb on this occasion, however; sheep were too hard to raise and thepioneers tasted mutton but seldom, for the fleece was too valuable forthem to kill the animal which supplied it. But Bolderwood had brought ina fawn which he had hung until it was of the right flavor, and this wasdressed and roasted like a young kid. When the boys heard of these goodthings i
t almost took their appetites away at the dinner table, for theydid not wish to eat more than was absolutely necessary before theholiday supper.
They were quickly back in the new lot, raked the fires together, flungthe last root and chip on the blaze, and then repaired to the levelmeadow by the riverside where the games were to take place. The meadowhad been mown some days before (they always got two mowings a season offthe rich creek bottoms) and the new grass had sprung up just enough tobe soft and velvety to the feet. Off came the shoes and stockings ofthose boys who had been trammeled by such articles of attire--all exceptCrow Wing. He still wore his moccasins. The foot-races were to comefirst, and Bolderwood and Lot carefully measured the distance along thebank where the land was almost level, setting stakes at either end ofthe course. It was not a long run and everybody lined up for the firsttrial and they charged down upon the further stake like a gang of wildcolts. Crow Wing, Enoch, Lot, and Robbie Baker were easily ahead of theothers, and they with two more who had shown promise, were lined up fora second trial. This was really to be the contest and the six preparedto do their best, while the onlookers, girls and all, cheered theirfavorites.
Bolderwood lined up the half dozen youths very carefully. The white boyshad thrown aside their outer shirts so as to give the freer play totheir muscles. Crow Wing wore but one upper garment anyway, and he madeno change in his dress excepting to pull his belt a little tighter. Whenthe ranger had them placed to his satisfaction and all had signifiedthat they were ready, he started them off with a shout. This time therace was to be down to the further post and back again, each contestantbeing obliged to go around the post before turning back, and a watch wasset there that no one should make a mistake in this. There was a swiftpatter of feet on the sod for a minute and then Crow Wing and Enochforged ahead. They rounded the stake almost together and came down thehome stretch far in the lead of the other contestants. First the whiteboy was ahead, then the Indian, and finally when the race ended theywere elbow to elbow and one not an inch in advance of the other!
The spectators cheered lustily, but the race must be run over by thesetwo to learn who really was the winner. Bolderwood allowed them a fewminutes between the trials; but the Indian did not seem to need therest. He still breathed easily, while Enoch lay panting on the sod. Thewhite boy finally went to the line with the assurance in his own heartthat he should be beaten; but he was too plucky to give up the fightwithout trying again. This race was even more hardly contested than theothers had been and although it was apparent that Crow Wing ran moreeasily than did Enoch, the latter worked so hard that it was doubtfulfor a time whether the Indian could win after all. Enoch ran until hisknees almost gave under him and his breath came in great gasps from hischest. Had he been a less healthy and active boy he might havepermanently injured himself from the overstrain of the contest. As itwas, Crow Wing managed to cross the line first and was pronouncedchampion.
Enoch had just strength enough to shake the winner's hand before he fellupon the grass, and there he lay exhausted while the other boys held a"potato race" and jumped hurdles. It provoked young Harding terribly tosee how seemingly fresh Crow Wing still was, while he was nearly deadwith fatigue. He began to take interest in the proceedings, however,when his brother Bryce won the potato race after a close contest withRobbie Baker; and rejoiced when Lot beat Crow Wing in jumping. "That redrascal ain't goin' to beat everybody here," thought Enoch, and he got upand ceased sulking.
The wrestling match was the last of the day's sports. Bolderwood pairedthe boys off to the best of his judgment for the first bout; but thewinners drew lots to see who they should wrestle with the second time.Lot had Crow Wing for an antagonist on this occasion, and Enoch waspaired with Smith Hubbard, a hulking great fellow, bigger and tallerthan any other boy in the crowd. But he was also slower and more awkwardthan most, having won his first throw by sheer weight rather than skill.Enoch threw him fairly at the second trial, while the Indian lad quiteas easily worsted young Breckenridge.
The winners drew again and Enoch had quite a tug with anothercontestant; but Crow Wing put his antagonist on the ground three timesin succession, and with apparent ease. It was plain that the match wasto end with another contest between the Indian and Enoch Harding and theinterest waxed high. Enoch was determined to keep his head and controlhis temper this time. Crow Wing was nominally his guest and he playedfair; there was no reason why he should not bear off all the honors ifhe could do so. But the white boy determined to give the red the fightof his life for the honor of champion wrestler.
Enoch had long been considered the best wrestler among the boys of hisage. Although Lot was older and taller than him, he threw the bigger boyeasily. Crow Wing had quite as easily worsted young Breckenridge; butwhen the Indian and Enoch finally faced each other in the ring thelatter gritted his teeth and determined to put forth every ounce ofstrength, and use every legitimate trick he knew, to beat hisantagonist.
He had recovered his wind now and felt fresh and strong. He measured thelithe form of Crow Wing before the word was given and saw that, althoughthe Indian was doubtless stronger than he in the legs and through theloins, where much of the strain comes in a wrestling match, his own armsand shoulders were much better. Crow Wing ran a great deal, or walked.He was on the trail almost continually, and thus his leg muscles weresplendidly developed. Whereas the white boy swung an axe or wielded ahoe almost every day and the upper part of his body was in excellentcondition. He saw that if he could seize Crow Wing quickly and with afirst effort overpower him, the victory would be his.
So he went into the wrestling match with the intention of getting a"down" at once, and the first round was over almost before Crow Wingknew what Enoch was about. "A fair fall! a fair fall!" cried the boys,and danced about the pair as it was seen that both Crow Wing's hips andhis shoulders were squarely on the turf. The Indian rose slowly,evidently much surprised by the white boy's tactics. If he was angry hedid not show it. His face was as passive as ever.
"Quick work that," said Bolderwood. "You'll have to wake up, Crow Wing,if you want to get the best of Nuck."
"Hurrah for Nuck!" shouted the boys.
But the second trial was another matter. Crow Wing approached warily. Hefeinted several times and then leaped away when Enoch tried to seize himas he had before. He had felt the power of the white boy's muscles, andhe did not propose to allow a second quick stroke. Enoch followed himaround the ring and finally clutched him, but at arms' length. It wasnot a good hold; he knew it on the instant. But he had as good a chanceas Crow Wing and there they were, swaying to and fro, and panting forseveral minutes, before either obtained the advantage.
Finally the Indian lad forced Enoch over his leg and slowly, yetdeterminedly, pushed him backward to the ground. When they fell CrowWing was on top, but it was several moments ere he managed to forceEnoch's shoulders and hips to the earth together. The second round wasdeclared won by Crow Wing and the boys took a rest before the third andfinal one. Enoch was glad to see that his antagonist suffered as much ashe did this time, laboring for breath and with his face and arms coveredwith perspiration. When Bolderwood called them for the third round theIndian flung off his hunting shirt, thus showing that he considered thewhite boy a worthy antagonist indeed.
Enoch was more confident than before. He saw that he could not repeathis first quick throw; but he would not be deceived again into gettingany uncertain hold. Crow Wing continued his former tactics, but Enochsimply followed him about, feinting as well as the Indian, and at last,when Crow Wing ran in, thinking he had a chance for an under hold, hecaught him like a young bear and hugged him to his chest until thebreath was fairly forced from the other's lungs. Although taller thanthe white boy the Indian was not so heavy and this display of musclestartled him. With one arm caught between his own body and Enoch's hecould do little to help himself and Enoch squeezed hard before he lethim go. Then, with a quick toss, stooping as he made it, Enoch flunghim, long legs and all, over his shoulder, and before Crow Wing co
uldrise he was upon him and held him down. The Indian was so breathlessthat it was a small matter for Enoch to get the "four points" necessaryto win the fall and he rose at last triumphant.
The boys and girls cheered him and Bolderwood said he was a goodwrestler, and then Crow Wing, who had slipped into his shirt again, cameto him and said, with a still impassive face: "Umph! white boy bigwrestler--beat Crow Wing fair!" He held out his hand gravely and, aftershaking Enoch's, stalked away while the others were busy, his absencebeing unnoticed until it came time to go up to the house for supper."Guess he didn't like being licked," said Robbie Baker to Enoch. "Youbetter look out for him, Nuck. My pa says them Injins is as treacherousas wolves."
But somehow Enoch felt that Crow Wing was a better friend to him than hehad been before. Something in the Indian's handshake seemed to have toldhim this. The supper was quite as good as the boys had expected. Afterthe meal they shot at a target under 'Siah Bolderwood's direction andRobbie Baker, son of the greatest shot in the settlement, as wasexpected, bore off the honors. The company went home through the foresttrails by moonlight and thus ended a long and happy day, in which muchthat was useful had been accomplished as well as a "good time" enjoyed.
As Enoch stood at the door of the cabin and watched the red glow fromthe fires in the newly cleared lot, he went over in his mind theincidents of the day. Such holidays were not plentiful in his life. Itwas mostly work and little play, and he would remember this occasion formany months. He did not suspect how many months would elapse, and howmany momentous happenings would occur, before he saw all his youngfriends together once again.