CHAPTER FOUR.
On arriving at the hut with our almost inanimate burden, we found thecaptain and Charlie in a state of great anxiety to know what hadhappened; for they had, I should have said, been undressed, and placedin our hosts' beds, their wounds preventing them from putting on theirclothes. The captain insisted on turning out when he saw the sadcondition of Mark; and he moreover undertook to doctor him as well as hewas able. It appeared evident, however, that as soon as possible Markand Charley should be removed to the settlement, where they could obtainsurgical aid. Mark in a short time revived. From the captain's report,we had hopes that, on account of his fine constitution, he would escapeinflammation, which was chiefly, under his circumstances, to be feared.
The Praegers had a light wagon, into which, soon after breakfast wasover the next morning, we put our three wounded companions, and leavingPierre and the Indians with Simon Praeger, we set off for Tillydrone.We would gladly have had another day's rest, but the impossibility ofobtaining medical assistance for poor Mark and Charley made us willingto undergo the fatigue.
The country was tolerably level, there being a fine open prairie, acrosswhich we rattled at a good speed, though the unavoidable jolting musthave greatly tried our poor friends within. I was very thankful whenMark, looking out of the wagon, told us that we were approaching hisfather's house. Our cavalcade must have been seen, for in a short timetwo horsemen came galloping up to us: the elder, a fine-looking,middle-aged man, Mark saluted as his father; the other as brother Peter.A few words explained what had happened. Mr Praeger immediatelyinvited us all to his house, while Peter started off as fast as he couldgo to summon the doctor.
The house to which we were conducted was a picturesque,comfortable-looking building, constructed of wood, with a low pitchedroof, and wide long verandah, up to which a flight of broad steps ledus. We found a matronly-looking dame, with a bevy of young ones,standing in the verandah, evidently wondering at the number of guestsMr Praeger was bringing to the house. They were all activity onhearing the state of the occupants of the wagon, and hurried down thesteps to assist in lifting in our wounded companions, for neitherCharley nor Mark were able to walk. The captain, however, got up thesteps by merely leaning on Mr Praeger's arm.
In a few minutes all three were placed in bed, Mrs Praeger declaringthat it was the only place fit for either of them, though her son wascertainly the most hurt.
The young ladies were so busy during the evening, flitting about hereand there, that I could scarcely tell how many there were of them. Iremarked, however, that one was taller than the others, very fair, andwith a graceful figure. When Armitage--who had remained out of sight,looking after the horses--came in, she was not in the room, and it wassome time before she returned. When she did so, he rose to his feet,and regarded her earnestly, while the colour mounted to his cheek andbrow; then he bowed, and stood apparently irresolute whether to advanceor retreat. She started on seeing him and then put out her hand. Hesprang across the room and took it.
"I little expected to have the happiness of seeing you, Miss Hargrave,"he said.
"Is it a happiness?" she asked, in a calm tone.
"Indeed it is," he replied. "I heard that you had left England, butcould not ascertain to what part of the world you had gone."
What further passed between our friend and the young lady I cannot tell,as they lowered their voices, while they retired to a window at theother end of the room, Armitage forgetting all about his supper.
The ladies of the family, I should say, did not sit down to table, asthey had already taken their evening meal, and insisted on waiting uponus.
Peter Praeger returned sooner than was expected with the doctor, whom hefound on a visit to a family five or six miles off.
He gave a more favourable report of Dick and Charley than I expected,but young Mark, he said, would require the greatest possible care; agood constitution, however, he hoped, would enable him to pull through,though his hurts were of a most serious description.
I had no opportunity of speaking to Armitage before turning in, so I wasunable to ascertain more about the young lady he had so unexpectedlymet. The rest of the family were very nice and pretty girls, theirmanners much superior to what I had reasonably supposed would be foundin the "Far West."
Soon after breakfast the next morning, I saw Armitage and Miss Hargravewalking out together, he having asked her to show him a beautiful viewshe had spoken of at the other end of the estate. The rest of the youngladies being occupied, Story and I lit our pipes, and were sittingsmoking them in the verandah, when we were joined by Mr Praeger.
"Your companion appears to be an old friend of my young relative," heobserved, as if apparently wishing to learn something about Armitage.
I replied that he was well known to Lieutenant Buntin, who spoke highlyof him; and that he was evidently a man of some means, as we judged fromhis outfit and the number of his attendants, while we had found him amost excellent fellow in every respect.
"I'm glad to hear it, for the sake of my wife's young cousin Ellen," heanswered. "She came out to us a few months ago, having lost herparents, and having no relatives for whom she cared in England. Shehad, however, very little idea of the rough style of life we arecompelled to lead; but she at once got into our ways, though I observedwhat I could not account for, that she was often more melancholy thanwas consistent with her disposition. Now, however, I suspect thecause."
I fully agreed with our out-spoken host. I soon found that we were notlikely to learn anything of the interesting subject from Armitagehimself, for he was remarkably reticent, and I saw that it would not doto banter him, or allude in any way to it.
I must pass over several days, during which the doctor as well as theladies of the family were unremitting in their attentions to the woundedmen. The captain was soon himself again, though still too weak totravel; but Charley's wound took much longer to heal, and Mark was notlikely to be on foot again for three or four weeks at soonest. In themeantime, Story and I, with our constant companion, Peter, rode over tothe settlement to obtain the stores we required for our journey, as wellas to replace our baggage mules.
While thus engaged, we found an old trapper also making purchases at thestores. He was tall and gaunt, his countenance weather beaten andsunburnt, of a ruddy brown hue, his hair--which hung over hisshoulders--being only slightly grizzled, while his chin and face weresmooth shaved. He was dressed in a hunting-frock of buckskin, andpantaloons of the same material ornamented down the seams with longfringes. On his feet he wore mocassins of Indian make; his head wascovered by a neatly-made cap of beaver; an unusually large powder-hornwas slung over his shoulders, together with a rifle, carefully coveredup; while in his belt, in addition to a knife and tomahawk, he carried abrace of pistols with long barrels, showing that he was accustomed totravel amongst enemies, and was prepared to make a stout fight if he wasattacked. On seeing us, he enquired who we were, where we had comefrom, and in what direction we were going.
We told him without hesitation.
"I guess the old hoss will go with you some of the way," he said. "TellMaster Praeger that Ben Folkard will pay him a visit before long, Ican't say when. He knows me, and he knows when I say I'll do a thing Iintend to do it."
We promised to give old Folkard's message, and soon afterwards we partedfrom him. Peter told us that he had heard his father speak of BenFolkard as one of the most noted and skilful trappers of the RockyMountains, and that he never turned up without a large supply of skinsand peltries.
We were fortunate in obtaining some fine Mexican mules and all thearticles we required, though we had to pay somewhat highly for them.Well satisfied, we set off to return to Mr Praeger's. The houses andthe stores were few and far between, the intermediate country beingstill in a state of nature. As our laden mules could not travel fast,we had to camp on the way. We chose a grassy spot near a wood, offeringsufficient attractions to our animals to prevent them from straying,though of
course we hobbled them as an additional security.
While Peter remained in camp, Story and I took our guns to get a turkey,or any other game which might come in our way. We had not gone far when
Story called my attention to an animal standing on the fallen trunk of atree, and told me to keep back the dogs, which would be sure to sufferif they were to attack it. I was about to fire, when I caught sight ofanother animal of similar size with a long, thin body and sharp nose,which I at once recognised as a marten. It had apparently been watchingthe porcupine, who, unconscious of its approach, remained perfectlystill, its spines scarcely visible. The marten was intent on taking itsenemy by surprise; and, stealing up, threw itself on the unsuspiciousporcupine before it had time even to raise its spines. The moment itfelt itself seized, it began to lash its tail about and throw out itsquills in all directions; but the marten, by its wonderful agility,escaped the blows aimed at it. In a short time it gained the victory,and was already sucking the blood of its victim when Story fired and hitit in the head. As the skin was of considerable value, we quicklyflayed it, and with a couple of turkeys which we were fortunate enoughto shoot, returned to camp, where, to our surprise, we found old Folkardseated smoking his pipe.
"I'm going along with you, boys," he said. "Good company isn't alwaysto be got, and it's not always safe, while the Redskins are on thewar-path, to travel through the country alone. You can help me and Ican help you, so that we shall be quits."
We, of course, told the trapper that we should be very happy to have thebenefit of his experience.
We passed the night quietly enough; but the next morning, to ourexcessive disgust, half the mules were missing. In spite of theirhobbles, they had managed to get away. Peter and I with two men at onceset off in search of them; but it was not until late in the day that wefound the runaways. As soon as we had brought them back we started, butof course could make but a short distance. On camping, with theassistance of the old trapper we hobbled them more securely than on theprevious night, and by his advice a watch was set, we all taking theduty in turns. Old Ben, however, excused himself from watching,declaring that his mules never ran away and that as he should have tokeep wide awake during most nights by and by, he should prefer a soundsleep while he could get it.
To this we made no objection. We placed the packs on one side of ourcamp-fire, near which, having taken our suppers, the old trapper, Peter,and Story lay down to sleep; while I, with my rifle in my hand, walkedoff to look after the horses and mules. I kept walking up and down,keeping my eyes open, and when any of the animals appeared inclined tohead off from the rest turned them back. The night was fine and thestars shone out brightly, but it was otherwise somewhat dark. At last Ibegan to yawn and to wish heartily that Story would come and relieve me.Once or twice I heard cries in the distance very similar to those whichhad disturbed us when further to the west, but here, so near the settleddistricts, I thought nothing of the matter. I suspected that thecunning mules were watching me, for when I turned towards the camp tocall Story, off one or two of them bolted. They had played me thistrick two or three times, and at last one of them led me so long a chasethat when I caught him I determined to punish the brute by securing himto a tree. Having done so I turned towards the camp, but the fire hadburnt so low that I could scarcely see the spot. There was lightenough, however, to enable me to distinguish several objects moving overthe ground. Can they be Indians? I thought, as I ran forward hoping toarouse my companions in time to defend themselves. Before I got up tothe camp, however, I saw what I at once knew to be a pack of wolves. Onthey came without bark or yelp, making straight for our baggage. Amongthe provisions we had purchased was a quantity of pemmican placed on thetop. I really believe that the wolves, cunning as foxes, had surveyedour camp and knew exactly what to go in for. I shouted loudly, hopingto frighten them off and awaken my friends; but even old Ben wassleeping so soundly that for some time no one heard my voice, while Iwas afraid to fire at the wolves for fear--in the uncertain light--ofhitting one of my sleeping companions. At length up sprang Story andPeter, and their cries aroused the old trapper. It was too late,however, to prevent the wolves making an onslaught on our baggage. Eachseized something in his mouth, but our cries prevented them fromremaining and devouring the whole of our provisions, which theyundoubtedly otherwise would have done. Off they went, several of therascals carrying bags of pemmican or of flour, or packages of hams intheir mouths. I fired and stopped the career of one of them, while mycompanions, imitating my example, shot three others. We then, havingreloaded, made chase and brought down two or three more.
We should have regained the whole of our provisions, but, in severalinstances, the moment a wolf was shot another brute seized his prize andmade off with it. Under other circumstances we should not have expendedpowder on the brutes. We fired away, however, as long as any remainedwithin shot, and on searching for the booty we recovered nearly thewhole of it. Our chief loss was in our flour, as the animals, whilegrabbing the bags from each other, had well nigh torn them to pieces andlet the contents run out.
Old Ben took matters very coolly, but Story and Peter were so vexed thatthey undertook to ride back and replace our loss, if we would consent tomove on slowly with the rest of the animals. This we gladly did, theold trapper managing them with perfect ease. He said that he had seldomknown a pack of wolves to come so far east, and advised that in futurewe should keep a sharp look-out lest we might encounter others.
Our friends overtook us the next day, and in the evening we reached MrPraeger's. We found Dick quite recovered and ready to set off again;but it seemed doubtful whether Armitage would continue his expedition.It struck me that although Mr Praeger was very civil, he would be gladto have us go. To say the least, we occupied a great deal of theattention of the ladies of the family, and Charley hinted that honestDick was somewhat spoony on one of them. Story had also been warm inhis praises of another, and it struck me that the young lady's colourheightened and her eyes brightened when he spoke to her.
Mr Praeger seemed less contented with his location than I should havethought. He had evidently been captivated by the accounts of the wealthof California, and he made his "woman kind" somewhat uneasy by talkingof travelling across the country, bag and baggage, to settle in the newEldorado. They evidently had no wish to move; which was but natural, asthey appeared to me to have everything they could desire, besides beingfree from the risk of Indian raids to which the settlers farther westwere constantly exposed. Dick, Story and I now made active preparationsfor our departure; and, to my surprise, and much to our satisfaction,Armitage expressed his intention of accompanying us.
I thought that Ellen's countenance and those of some of the other youngladies had a shade of sadness on them as they saw us engaged in doing upour packs and trying our newly-bought mules. Dick and I each purchaseda strong, active horse from Mr Praeger, for which we gave him longprices as some return for his hospitality; and we then presented himwith our own steeds, which were likely to pick up muscle and flesh onhis rich pastures.
Though he was as courteous as ever, he did not press us to stay, and atlength, all our traps being prepared, we set off, accompanied by oldFolkard, who did not even ask whether we wished for his society or not.Armitage remained behind, so I did not witness his parting with MissHargrave, but he soon galloped after us. Peter accompanied us as far ashis brother's, to take the place of poor Mark, who was still unfit forwork, though in a fair way of recovery. We spent a day with the youngbackwoodsmen, whose hearts were delighted with a present of a first-rateJoe Manton. Our intention was to push on for the base of the RockyMountains to a region where deer and buffalo and big-horns abounded. Weshot several deer, but as we had come across no buffalo, the largerherds had, we supposed, moved northward. We had encamped one afternoonearlier than usual, being tempted to halt by a wide stream and a woodnear at hand. Our fire being lighted and our meat put on to roast andstew, Armitage, Story, and I took our guns t
o go out in search ofturkeys or other small game, should we be unable to find deer. Armitagetook two of his dogs, though they often gave us more trouble thanassistance in hunting. We had, however, been tolerably successful, andshot three fine gobblers and some smaller birds, when, as we werereturning towards camp, the dogs gave tongue and started off to theright, refusing to return at their master's call.
We hurried on as fast as the rough nature of the ground would allow us.We were on the top of some low cliffs which had formed at some time orother of the world's history the side of a torrent now dried up andovergrown with trees. Presently we heard a cry of--
"Here, boys, help, help!"
At the same time one of the dogs leaped over the cliff, and we saw ashort distance from us Charley struggling with a brown bear,providentially not a grizzly, which with great courage he had grasped bythe throat so as to prevent the brute from biting him; but he wasbrought on his knees, his cap had fallen off, and his gun lay on theground beside him. In another instant the bear would have seized hishead, when the dog leaped down on the creature's back and caused adiversion in his favour. To fire would have been dangerous, for had wetried to kill the bear we should have run a fearful risk of shootingCharley. We therefore trusted to the assistance of the dogs, the other,following its companion, having fixed its teeth well into the bear.Charley manfully continued the contest, but was afraid of releasing hishold of the bear's throat lest it should bite him.
We shouted and shrieked, hoping to frighten Bruin, as we scrambled overthe rocks. At length Charley, still holding the bear's throat with onehand, managed to get hold of his knife with the other, and in spite ofthe creature's claws round his waist, using all his strength he struckthe weapon into its breast. The bear opened its paws as it felt theknife entering, and Charley, having driven the weapon home, sprang back,when the creature rolled over, almost crushing one of the dogs in itsconvulsive struggles. Before we could get up to the scene of thecontest it was dead, and most thankful were we to find Charleywonderfully little injured, though his clothes were somewhat torn. Ouryoung friend showed indeed remarkable nerve, for he scarcely eventrembled, though his cheek was somewhat paler than usual from thedesperate exertions he had made.
On examining the bear we found that it was an old one, and somewhat thinfrom want of food; its claws also were blunted from old age, whichcircumstance accounted for Charley's almost miraculous escape, for hadit possessed its full strength a single hug would have pressed the lifeout of his body.
We congratulated him heartily on his preservation, and complimented himon the courage he had exhibited.
"Let us have the skin, at all events," he said. "I would sooner carryit on my own shoulders into camp than leave it behind."
"We'll not disappoint you, my boy," said Story; and he immediately beganto flay the animal; but as its flesh was likely to prove tough, we leftthe carcase for the benefit of the prairie wolves.
While Story and I carried the skin between us, Armitage assistedCharley, who was less able to walk than he had at first supposed. A mancannot get even a moderate hug from a bear without suffering.
At the camp we found two strange Indians, who seemed disposed to be veryfriendly, and invited us to pay them a visit at their lodges only anhour's march off. One of them was a fine young fellow, dressed in aleathern jacket and leggings richly ornamented, while on his head hewore a circlet of feathers. He appeared to be greatly struck withCharley on hearing of his exploit with the bear, and putting out hishand, declared that they must henceforth be brothers.
Dick, though greatly delighted at hearing of Charley's behaviour, wasmuch concerned on seeing the injuries he had received, which were moreserious than we had at first supposed. He insisted on his turning intoa hut which old Folkard and Pierre immediately set to work to construct.
Our guests begged that he might be conveyed to their wigwams, sayingthat their squaws would doctor him and soon restore his strength.
"They may be honest--those Shianees--but they may be rogues like manyother Redskins," observed old Ben. "Better not trust them."
We therefore thanked our guests, but declined their offer for thepresent, saying that our young companion was unfit to be moved, thoughwe hoped to pay them a visit on the following day.
They, nothing abashed, continued to squat round the fire, smokingtobacco and quaffing with evident pleasure the small glasses ofusquebaugh which Dick bestowed upon them. Armitage objected, however,to the captain's giving them liquor.
"Let them take as much as they've a fancy to," said Ben. "It won't dothem any harm once in a way, and it will let us know what they arethinking about."
Our guests having drunk the whisky, showed the same friendly dispositionas at first, nor did they complain when Dick refused to give them anymore.
"A little do good, too much do harm," observed Dick, at which theynodded as if perfectly agreeing with him.
As the shades of evening approached, they got up, and shaking hands allround, took their departure.
"They're all right, we may trust them," said Ben.
We nevertheless kept a strict watch over our cattle, for the temptationto steal a fine stud might have been too great for our Indian neighboursto resist. No attempt was made on the camp however, and the nextmorning the animals were found feeding as quietly as usual.