 | CHAPTER V. The trapper's bride, or, Spirit of adventure |  |
5. CHAPTER V.
Charles arrived at St. Louis without
meeting with any other accidents or incidents
worthy of notice. This city has
come into existence within a few years
past. It is now only in its infancy in
years, but is already large and populous,
and embraces much wealth. It is occupying
a singularly interesting position at
present—standing as it does, at the extremest
western bound of civilization, as
it were on the dividing point or line
which divides the domains of the red
man, from those occupied by his white
brother.
On the east, stretching away for hundreds
and hundreds of miles to the great
Atlantic coast, and covered over with cities,
towns, and growing villages, that
have sprung up fresh and beautiful on
the ruins of the old forests, that have for
ages unknown, been slumbering in undisturbed
repose and solitude in this fair
land, lay the possessions of civilized and
enlightened man. Turn now to the opposite
direction:—there, extended in one
wild, unpeopled, uncultivated tract meets
you—the red man's home. In those
close and grand old woods, the Indian
loves, in wild native freedom, to pursue
the careless, easy habits of his roving
life, hunting and fishing for pastime and
subsistence, and warring with a spirit
and show of chivalry and daring, not unequal
to that of the knight of olden times,
for his mistress, fame and glory.
In these pathless, solemn woods, was
Charles to spend his time. Here lay
the theatre of his labors and pleasures;
here he was anxious to penetrate and
were masters of this fair land, which
they held like princely lords for their
hunting grounds.
But obstacles which Charles had not
foreseen, which in his preparation were
entirely forgotten, now unexpectedly presented
themselves to him on the very
threshhold of the forest. He must of necessity
have a guide, to point out and
show him his way; for it would hardly
be possible for him to strike out alone,
by himself, into the woods even for a
single day, without being entangled in
its labyrinths, and losing his path, or direction
rather, for these woods are pathless
save only the ways that are marked
by the wild bison, as he traverses its
long extent in search of food, in herds of
thousands and tens of thousands; or else,
perhaps, the narrow path that the light
footed deer might have traced on the
grassy turf, as they bounded in exulting
leaps upon the prairies.
In this city Charles was to provide
himself with everything necessary for
his equipment during the campaign.—
As he revolved these thoughts in his
mind, he could not but perceive how
pleasant and welcome a companion for
his wanderings through the forest would
be, and he resolved to make every effort
in his power to provide himself with
such an one.
While making inquiries the day after
his arrival in the city in a furnishing
store, with regard to the articles it would
be necessary for him to take with him,
he observed a young man of very interesting
appearance, who seemed like a
stranger in the store, regarding him attentively,
and listening very closely to
what he was saying, as if he was deeply
interested in his personal welfare. Observing
this conduct on the part of the
young man, who was an entire stranger
to him, he was induced to turn his attention
more closely to him; and looking
attentively at him, he very soon made
up his mind as to the birthplace and
origin of the stranger. There was in
his looks, and in all his manners and appearance,
that peculiar physiognomy,
that deep, shrewd expression, that restless
prying curiosity which make it so
easy to detect the Yankee wherever you
may find him. He had met with Yankees
everywhere on his route, since
leaving home; they seemed to be omnipresent
almost, and were sure to be discovered
in some way or other. Charles
was pretty well versed in physiognomy,
and was quite proficient in reading characters,
and he had risked his reputation
for this skill often on his journey; and
whenever the subject upon which it was
exercised happened to be a genuine Yankee,
he had not failed in his suspicions.
There is such an air of energy, activity,
and intelligence about them, that
they cannot easily be mistaken or passed
by in neglect. They are great on interrogatories,
and famous for their skill
in extracting. Questions come from
their lips as naturally and readily as
sparks from a fire, or drops from a cloud.
The topic of discussion is not of the
slightest consequence—they are up to
everything. Charles finished his business
and left the store, but scarcely had
he left the door-step, ere he was accosted
by the stranger we have spoken of, who
followed close after him:
“Good day, sir,” said he, “a fine day,
sir—excellent weather this.”
Charles, though not altogether unprepared
for such a salutation from him,
was yet a little surprised by the ease
and familiarity of tone and manner in
which it was uttered. He however returned
his greeting in the usual manner,
with rather a cool tone, and was in the
act of proceeding on, when the stranger
again interrupted him, saying:
“I guess you are right from New
York, sir—you sorter look that way,
sir?”
Charles good naturedly heard him,
and slackened his pace. He was a good
deal amused at the pertinacity of the fellow,
and his curiosity was awakened to
know who he was, and what business he
had with him; for it was evident that he
was anxious to communicate something
to Charles, and was driving to the point
as he best knew how. Therefore,
Charles said to him in a more familiar
free tone than he had used before:
“You have guessed right, my friend,
I came from New York, and arrived here
“Well, I really thought I could'nt be
much out of the way, anyhow. Do you
wanter know why I set you down, as
soon as I set my eyes on you, for a
Yorker, hey?”
Charles replied that he should indeed
be glad to know what there was so peculiar
about his appearance, as to have
caused his attention, and led him to suppose
that he came from New York.
“Well, sir, I can tell a Yorker as
quick as I can tell an Indian, anywhere;
I don't care where you put him. In
the first place, he don't look, nor he don't
dress like anybody else; and then the
moment he opens his mouth, and begins
to make a bargain, he shows himself
right out. He talks right up and
down, and don't banter and beat down,
as other people do; and he has the queerest
way of sayin' shillin', too, in the
whole world. He bites it clean off, before
he comes to the eend of it, as if he
was in such a hurry he could'nt spare
time for the whole on't. That are, sir,
is why I guessed you was one of 'em.—
But, sir, may I be so bold as to ask if
you are bound any further west? This
ere St. Louis is a terrible smart place,
but it are most a mighty hot place in
summer, and 'taint none of the dryest
neither, in winter time; and I tell you,
I guess you don't catch me staying here
much longer, any how you can fix it.—
But maybe, sir, we are goin' the same
way—where did you say you was goin',
eh?”
Charles could hardly restrain the
laugh which rose to his lips, as the Yankee
concluded. He was amused and
pleased with the shrewdness he possessed
and displayed, and his method for
discovering who he was, and where he
was going. All he said was so cool, so
perfectly easy and friendly that it seemed
ludicrous and comic in the extreme.—
Charles thanked him for the explanation
he had given him, and replied to him that
he doubted not but what his remarks upon
St. Louis were perfectly correct; as
to his last inquiry, he said that it would
require more time than he could spare, to
answer it fully, but said he would be
pleased to have an interview with him at
a suitable place, and when he had more
time on his hands. He concluded by inviting
him to dine with him that day, at
the Planter's Hotel; but said in a laughing
tone, “as to whether we may, or may
not be going the same route depends very
much on the direction you shall take, and
that is a profound mystery, unless I shall
or may possess your skill in guessing,
which I entirely disclaim; but come to
my hotel, and we, together, may perhaps
find out where we are travelling
to. Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, sir,” replied the
Yankee, “I will be sure and meet you,
sir.”
The Yankee slowly went his way,
appearing not hardly satisfied with what
he had done.
“Well, I declare now, that is a pretty
smart sort of a chap, to slip me in this
way before I'd half found out what I desired
to; but he is a real gentleman, I
saw that at once. But what on earth
has brought him, all alone, away out
here? Some love-scrape, I guess; for
there is not a particle of the rogue written
in his face. No matter; I'll find it
all out at dinner time. I think I shall
go with him—he's just such a one as
would suit me, I think. I can help myself,
and not injure him at the same time.
I really like his looks much.”
Such were the thoughts of the Yankee,
as he went on his way, after parting
with Charles. Charles, rashly perhaps,
certainly suddenly, resolved to persuade
this new acquaintance to accompany
him, on his wandering and roving expedition;
he thought his meeting with him,
just at the nick of time, when he was
wishing for a companion, exceedingly
fortunate, if not providential. As for the
Yankee, he was firmly resolved, on reflection,
to accompany him. He rather
guessed, from the questions he heard him
put to the storekeeper, that he was bound
off west, on a hunting trip; if so, it would
suit him very well—it would turn out all
right, he concluded, and he settled it
without further difficulty, in his own
mind, that they were to go together.
At the dinner hour, true to his word,
the Yankee presented himself at our
friend's table. They conversed during
avoiding, however, the plan which each
had laid respecting the other, and which
had brought them together. The Yankee,
as we have already said, was a
young man, not more than twenty-five
years of age; and was as stout, well
built, athletic looking a person as you
would wish to see. His features, though
not regular and handsome, were yet good
and manly; and there was about him, an
air of mingled intelligence and amiability
joined to a bold, free bearing, which
could not fail both to attract and please.
Honesty and integrity beamed in his
face and shone in his eye, inviting confidence,
and giving assurance of his good
faith. In manners he was polite and
kind, treating all about him with respect
and kindness. He conversed with great
ease and was remarkably social; rather
disposed to enter into discussion and debate.
He seemed to enjoy this much,
and was ready to enter the lists with any
one, upon any topic. His remarks were
full of good sense and practical reason;
and showed that he possessed a shrewd
and observing mind; and that, young as
he was, he had been a keen, close observer
of men and manners, and was
well versed in the knowledge of the busy
world. He discussed the affairs of the
nation like a sage old politician; and
while he pitied the ignorance of his opponents,
he was ready and willing at the
same time to instruct and enlighten them
if they would but listen to him. He was
a religious man, too, in his way; and
considered himself a pretty good expounder
of the truth. His habits, if not
graduated after the strictest code of morals,
were such as prevented in him a
breach of the laws of society, and entitled
him to the esteem and respect of good
citizens. Such, in brief, was the character
of the man Charles had fixed upon as
a companion, in his wanderings.
And a very good choice he made, too.
Where he would have done better once,
he would have done worse a hundred
times. The more Charles saw of him,
the better he liked him. He discovered
that he was not only a man of good sound
sense, but he also mingled in his conversation
much original wit and humor,
and proved himself a very amusing companion
for his leisure hours.
After they had finished their dinner,
they withdrew to a part of the room,
where they could converse without interruption;
and Charles gave his new friend
at once a detailed account of his plan,
and declared what his intentions were in
making the expedition; and then warmly
urged his companion to join him. It
would, at least, be a pleasant trip, and he
thought his Yankee friend, with his ready
wit, and quick invention, might make
it turn to his account. He concluded by
offering him whatever assistance he
needed, in preparing or procuring an
outfit.
Our Yankee friend heard him through;
not, however, without interrupting him
occasionally, and wedging in sundry
suggestions of his own, as Charles went
on speaking of his intentions. As soon
as he finished, the Yankee, with but few
remarks, agreed to accompany him, already
as we have said before, having
made up his mind to this end. Our
two young friends parted after their sociable
dinner mutually pleased; and
their plans, as we have seen, all pleasantly
settled.
| CHAPTER V. The trapper's bride, or, Spirit of adventure | |