 | CHAPTER IX. The trapper's bride, or, Spirit of adventure |  |
9. CHAPTER IX.
But to resume the broken thread. Our
young gentlemen had many opportunities
offered them during their days' ride to
display their skill as marksmen, upon
which they were to depend for their
supply of food. During the forenoon
nothing of importance came across their
path. There were, it is true, squirrels
without number running along the ground
beside their way, or leaping from bough
to bough amongst the trees, but this was
not the game they had come so far to
hunt. Rabbits, too, frequently crossed
their track, and often was their speed
augmented, and their timid natures startled
into terror, by the watchful blood-hounds
that followed Charles, which
would sometimes spring after them, and
pursuing them, make the old woods echo
with the deep baying of their open
throats, until recalled by the hunter's
whistle. In this way they rode leisurely
along through the whole of the forenoon,
very natural and pertinent questions
touching the character of sundry strange
looking trees and bushes which grew
along the path. If any new thing in
the shape of tree, bush, bird, or beast
caught his eye, he was sure to point it
out to the guide, and inquire of him its
nature; and nothing he saw, nothing he
asked, but Le Beaux was acquainted with,
and ready to explain to him.
At noon, under the lead of the guide
they sought a green grove by the side of
a cooling stream, whose pure and sparkling
waters afforded them a refreshing
draught, and stretching themselves on the
soft green grass beneath the shady trees
they are the luncheon which they had
brought with them with infinite relish,
and keen appetites. Here they rested
for an hour or more, sheltered from the
mid-day sun, and gave their horses a
chance for a dinner off the rich grass that
covered the ground by the stream's green
banks. At the expiration of this time,
they were again in motion. High in
spirits, delighted with every thing about
them, they gave full flight to the bright
fancies of the future, which sported in
dazzling, alluring hue, before their mental
vision, and often would they picture
forth in glowing descriptions their future
fancied scenes. Towards the close of
the afternoon they came to a hill, around
which their path wound in its ascent. It
was covered with a thick, heavy growth
of beech and chestnut, and as they began
to climb its first gentle slope, the guide
suddenly checked his horse, and turning
his head in the direction of the hill above
him, placed his hand just back of his
ear, and leaning forward listened attentively
to some sound which he seemed
to hear in that quarter. Our young
friends instantly checked their nags, and
they too listened, but could hear nothing
save the soft murmur of the running
brooks that trickled down the hill side,
and the low rustling of the moving leaves
upon the tree tops. After remaining for
a few minutes perfectly still, Le Beaux
turned to them and said:
“There is a flock of turkies about
three hundred yards above us, and they
are on the ground; which of you will
bring us in a couple of them for our
supper to-night.”
Both were ready and anxious to try
their skill, but each from courtesy gave
way to the other. Le Beaux, however,
decided for them without delay, observing
that Jonathan had better go, as the dogs
would best remain quiet and obedient to
our hero, and if they went they would
certainly start the game, and they might
lose them. Jonathan jumped from his
horse, gave the rein to the guide, then
loaded his fowling piece with large shot,
and went cautiously in the direction
pointed out by the guide. He knew
the habits of the bird well, and was
aware that he must approach them noiselessly,
if he did so at all. He soon
came to a spot where he saw them at
a short distance off feeding on the ground
as the guide had said. There was a large
flock, and they were walking very near
each other, so that he thought by getting
a little nearer, and to the other side of
them, he might fire in such a range as to
kill several of them. This he accomplished
without alarming them, and raising
his piece to his shoulder, blazed away
at them; then pushing forward the instant
he had fired, he picked up three that lay
on the ground mortally wounded; and a
fourth with a broken wing and fractured
leg, was making the best time he could
for a thicket in the vicinity. This one
received the second barrel of Jonathan's
piece, which brought him to a sudden
halt, and terminating his mortal existence
added one more to the number of the
captures. He picked them up and hastened
back to his companions, well pleased
with this first test of his shooting.—
When they saw him laden with four, instead
of two, fat turkies, they expressed
a great deal of surprise at his success.—
Le Beaux took them from him and looking
at them said:
“You took them at just the right distance;
had you gone nearer you would
have missed two, perhaps three of them,
for the shot would not have had distance
enough to scatter; had you fired further
from them it would have scattered too
much, and very likely killed not a single
one. We are much indebted to you for
the good supper we are now sure of to-night.”
and flung them across his horse's
back, and Jonathan mounting his steed
they continued on. A short time after
this as the sun was going down and the
last flickering beams of daylight were
hovering on the western clouds ere the
reign of twilight should banish them from
sight, and just as they entered a closely
wooded valley, the dogs began to snuff
the air, pointing their noses to the upper
side of the path and pricking up their long
ears, then uttering low growls, off they
started in that direction. They had been
gone but a few minutes ere their quick,
short bark, so welcome a sound to the
eager hunter, gave notice that they had
started their game; and then followed
the chase, enlivened by the loud and
constant baying of the hounds, as on
they came, driving before them their flying
victim. From the sound, whatever
animal they had started, was evidently
approaching them. They cocked their
guns and all stood ready to give him a
warm greeting, should he come within
range. They had but brief time of expectation,
for soon a large buck having
made a circuit about them, came out into
the path about fifty yards ahead of them.
The guide gave them warning of his approach,
saying at the same time “fire
when he is in the air.” Scarcely had
he uttered these words, before both fired
at the same instant. So true was their
aim that he fell headlong, tumbling upon
the grass, and died without again rising.
Le Beaux, when they had come up to
him, drew his hunting knife and cut his
throat, saying the venison would be the
better for letting out the blood. Just as
he did this, the hounds came up; Charles
kept them back as they stood impatiently
licking their jaws.
As soon as the deer was dead, Le
Beaux went to work taking off his skin;
this done, he then cut him up after hunter's
fashion. This gave them all a load,
and an abundant supply for their camp,
which they pitched a short distance
ahead, at a spot selected by the guide.—
Here for a time all found employment.
The game was stored away with their
baggage, their horses unsaddled and
turned out to graze, a little camp was
built from the green boughs of the trees,
which should shelter them for the night
from wind and storm, their rifles and
the few equipments they carried were
brought into camp, boughs were cut and
spread upon the ground, over which their
blankets were spread, and all prepared
for spending their first night in camp, in
the woods. Next followed the preparation
for supper. The turkies were
dressed, and two of them roasted, the
guide having kindled a fire from the dry
brush, which sent up a column of black
smoke that rose curling above the branches
of the tall trees, while the flames
crackled and sparkled cheerfully as they
consumed the dry limbs, giving a lively
animated aspect to the little camp. The
turkies were suspended on a stick close
to the burning coals and blaze, and the
party sitting around recounted the adventures
of the day, indulging in frequent
sallies of wit and humor, which were followed
with free shouts of laughter and
unrestrained merriment, as Jonathan
gave them some laughter moving pictures
of wild life, which came from his
lips with lively touches, and glowing
conceptions. His spirits were always
buoyant and fresh; his wit delighted to
play and sport with ludicrous images and
fantastic creations, which provoked mirth
and put to flight all gloom from those
about him. It was irresistible and always
pleasing.
Nothing but success, uninterrupted
success, had attended their day's ride,
and all were in a fit mood to enjoy and
contribute to the social glee which Jonathan
felt, and led them to indulge in.
We will here again take the liberty,
to make a digression in our narrative—a
brief one only, so do not be alarmed—in
order to introduce the contents, or part of
the contents of a manuscript now in the
possession of our hero, and written by
him after the scenes and the events which
it describes, had passed, and were concluded.
Thus it runs:
“It might have been perhaps an hour
after we stopped to camp for the night,
the sun was just sinking behind the western
hills, that lay far off in the distance,
seeming like ridges of blue haze, or
piles of heavy atmosphere, as it went
over the wide forests, that bathed in beauty
the hill-tops and the green valleys,
while here and there it came stealing
through the dense foliage of the spreading
trees, and glancing along the glassy bosom
of the narrow lake, where all the
rich and gorgeous drapery of clouds,
and varied hues of light that hung the
heavens above, were reflected back again
to view, and there the struggling beams
fall on the waters of the swift running
streams, giving a brighter sparkle to the
tiny waves that play over its ever changing
face, or in sportive eddies and fretful
currents went circling round the jutting
rocks that reared their time-worn and
rugged heads above the surface. While
far off in the western sky floated the limitless,
unmeasured fields of glorious
clouds, in all of perfect nature's loveliest
forms, there they rise, pile upon pile,
like heaps of mountains thrown one
above another, and yonder their graceful
lines and slender bands seem like proud
streamers that float upon the breeze from
the lofty masts of some tall ship; here
again you behold a flock of curling, wavy
clouds that hang upon the sky like
the shining ringlets and waving locks
that erst floated around the polished neck
and snowy bosom of the celestial Venus;
from all these various forms and beauteous
shapes, are reflected back the resplendent
glories of the retiring god of
day, in hues so bright and varying in
tints, so soft, so entrancing, that all man's
art, and toil, and striving pains, can but
feebly imitate; as doth the transient,
flickering glow of a candle resemble and
compare with the dazzling splendor of a
mid-day sun.”
The three wanderers who stood alone,
far from the haunts of civilized man,
in those vast, wild solitudes, at this quiet
hour, when all seemed as if preparing for
repose after the joys of another glad day
of life, as if moved by the same impulse,
secret and unspoken, but deep in their
hearts, sought a gentle eminence that
rose from the bosom of the wide extended
valley, near to the place where the fires
of their little camp were cheerfully blazing,
and stretched forth far and wide, on
every side its green, native fields, and
standing there in pleasant silence, gazed
with enchanted rapture upon the lovely
scene. Their eyes eagerly drank in the
glorious prospect that lay above and
around them, and their bosoms swelled
with lively, delighted emotions, as they
beheld and felt the power, the wondrous,
perfect beauty of nature's own painting,
that now met their delighted vision and
bound them in silent adoration before
its glory. For some time it continued unchanged,
undimmed in all its brightness,
its beaming effulgence; then gradually a
change came over the earth; the twilight
shades of evening gray rose slowly,
creeping over the sky from the far off
chambers of the east, first indeed but
slightly veiling and dimming the beauteous
hues and glories of one of earth's
fairest scenes. Little by little the shadows
thicken, and spread out farther and
farther; now they speed their flight
across the blue fields of heaven; the hills
are wrapped in evening's mantle, they
grow misty and indistinct before the eye;
the valleys, too, are covered as with a
broad veil. Suddenly a flashing beam
lights up the scene again; it darts swift
as thought across the arched dome of
earth; it is but for an instant: like the
last expiring struggle of a departing spirit,
and so the vanquished god of day has
departed; and already shadowy night invests
the earth in noiseless haste, with her
darkening hosts. Now the scene is
changed once more. Now from the quiet
sky the thousand thousands of ever
burning stars come forth from their hiding
places in heaven's deep vault; in
joyous throngs and peaceful bands they
come, singing, as they burn, in celestial
strains, the praises of their great Maker,
God. They come from east, they come
from west, where burning climes below
them lay; the frozen north, too, sends
forth her sparkling bands that join the
innumerable and countless throng, and
swell the hallelujah chorus of the sky.
Far down beyond the ice-bound shore the
obedient south hears and answers to the
call, and with quick haste leads forth
her multitudes in myriad ranks, and never
varying order, that nought be lacking
in this glad evening song. Unheard by
mortals, they breathe their heavenly melodies
angels delighted, bow in wonder and adoration
before the Maker of all worlds.
Softly the silvery beams of light break
on the eastern bounds of heaven's wide
plains, the first swift messengers who
proclaim the rising of the queen of night.
To her is granted the rule of earth's quiet
hours. Before her coming the thousand
sentinel bands of watchful stars are at
their appointed posts; more modest
than the proud, dazzling god of day, she
mounts her heavenly way with softer
sight and now all nature is clad in
shining silvery hues, the tall trees catch
the chastened beams upon their elevated
tops, the far-off hills are magnified beneath
her spreading beams of softest hue,
will they seem to rise and mingle with
the clouds.
Wrapped in her loving smile, the valleys
sleep in sweet repose; the struggling
seams that pierce the thick over-hanging
leaves dance with flying feet upon the
clear bosom of the rippling stream, or
sparkle like shooting stars in all the breaking
waves. Thus passes night; in hushed
deep the earth is locked, while the sleepless
ever-vigilant Queen rides through all
her celestial course, watching over her
wide-spread domain. But now night is
last waning—her hours of rule are almost
sped—fainter and fainter glow her
silver tints in the high firmament above.
Again the shadowy hosts come forth from
the eastern bounds of the bending sky;
again they fly over the celestial fields as
of chasing the retreating footsteps of the
paling Queen; faster and farther they
wing their flight: 'tis finished. The fair
moon has sunk beneath those same cloud-capped
hills, where at yester evening's
birth the bright sun fled. Now gray-eyed
morn holds her brief sway o'er a
sleeping world: flitting shadows, fantastic
spirits, and ghostly forms, that love these
veiled shades, and rest uneasy and un-blest
in their cold homes, still silently
gliding about through the sick man's
chamber, and filling him with gloomy
ears and anxious doubts; or startling
guilty wretches that seek in vain to hide
their crimes beneath the covering of
night, or still the disturbed spirit that
haunts with prophecy of coming woe:
all these attend her reign, and disturb
with restlessness the half-vexed, half-satisfied
subjects of old Morpheus.—
Another change: the rosy daughter of the
morn, gay Aurora, blushing springs from
her violet-tinted couch, sending her red
beams of light to streak the eastern horizon,
and warn all nature of the approach
of the King of light. Swift her gray-eyed
sister flies her coming, while beam
after beam of rosy light runs flashing
along the morning sky, louder and clearer
its voice grows, as it calls all nature from
repose, to usher in the glad, returning god
of day, who comes in fresh, dazzling
splendor, before which the eye quails,
that fain would scan with steadfast gaze
his brightness. In splendor he rises o'er
the mountain's peak, and swiftly the dimness
of night's shadows fly away. The
morning songs of all the feathered tribes
that warble forth in rich, sweet notes of
praise; the hum of thousands of various
insects that love the light, and delight to
sport in its beams; the innumerable
and distinct classes of animals that seek
their pleasures and follow their unchanging
course beneath the light of day, all
hail each in their heaven ordained way,
the rising of the dazzling King, and fill
his listening ear with grateful worship
and sweet notes of praise.”
Thus runs the description, which, as
we stated at its introduction, was taken
from our hero's MSS. But to return to
our tale. We left the little party very hungry,
after a long day's ride, without any
supper, although we had pretty nearly
prepared a bountiful meal for them.
When our friends returned from the
ramble they took after having prepared
the camp and made arrangements for
supper, they found their turkies well
roasted and fit for eating. The venison
was just right to be placed upon the table:
a large stone near the front of their
camp served their purpose, and upon it
they laid out their repast. The gathering
shades of evening had closed about
them, and they were now dependent upon
the blaze of their fire for light to furnish
forth the feast. Just as they had taken
their seats around the stone and were on
the point of commencing the attack, they
were arrested and startled from their purpose
of the hounds; getting up from the warm
turf where they had stretched their weary
limbs, they threw up their heads and began
to snuff the air, and their pricked up
ears gave notice too that they were listening
to some sound that was near the
camp; soon going a few steps in front of
their master, in the direction by which
they had at first approached the camp,
they uttered a low muttering growl, as
if preparing to defend him from some unseen
danger. As we have said, the party
were stopped in their repast by the
hounds, and turned to watch them, looking
in the direction they pointed out, and
listening in silence; but they could neither
see nor hear anything in that quarter.
The two young men then turned to
Le Beaux, to ask his opinion as to the
course to be pursued by them: as they
did so, he rose up from his seat and went
to his rifle, examined the priming, then
said to his companions,
“Something, man or beast, I know not
which, for I cannot see or hear any signs
of them, is either approaching, or skulking
near us; our trusty sentinels tell no
lies, and this they speak as plainly as
they can to us. You had better get
your rifles and be ready.”
Just as they had obeyed his suggestion
and had returned to his side, they
heard a noise in the direction indicated
by the hounds, and at the same instant
they started forward and gave several
loud, fierce barks, then uttered again the
low savage growl which they are wont
to use when about to spring upon their
prey. At that moment the noise came
nearer and grew more distinct.
“I hear them,” said the guide, “it is
the half-breeds with the pack-horses;
they will be here immediately.”
Hardly were the words out of his
mouth, before they came in sight, and
proved his suspicions true. Charles
immediately called in his hounds, that
stood at their post, as the advanced
guard, and bade them lay down, at the
same time bestowing praise on them and
patting them kindly for their watchfulness.
Le Pere and Le Noir were soon
dismounted, their horses unpacked, and
they at the table. Supper was now en
joyed without further interruption. Le
Beaux said their alarm had served a good
purpose, as it showed them the value and
confidence they could put in the hounds,
and hereafter they would rely upon them
as their night sentries. They sat long at
the feast, and ate hearty, and with excellent
relish, their rich repast. After supper
they lighted their pipes, and sitting
around the fire, conversed about the route
they were to pursue on the next day.
Le Beaux suggested several rules that
they should observe, now that they had
fairly entered upon Indian ground, to
provide against surprise, or attack from
any wandering party that might chance
to meet them. The little party were
hereafter to travel all in one band. The
evening wore away while planning for
the future, and the half-breeds having secured
the horses by picketing them, the
party sought the luxury of sleep, for
which their fatigue had well prepared
them. The night passed quietly, all the
party slept soundly on their bed of leaves
and green branches. The next morning
the sun rose in a clear, bright sky, and
with his first light the forest gave signs
of awakening life. The birds shaking the
dew drops from their shining wings, and
stretching their slender necks as they
stood upon their perch, soon began to
flutter among the branches of the trees,
calling each other from their roost. As
the sun came up above the hills and threw
his beams along the sky, and over the
earth, they commenced their morning
songs, and perched upon the tree tops, on
every side they poured forth their sweet
melodies. At the same time as if attracted
by the songs, the sprightly squirrel
left his burrow, and chirping ran in full
glee, jumping over and amid the rustling
leaves that strewed the ground, or springing
with graceful motion, climbed the
steep side of the giant oak, and sat dancing
upon its waving boughs. All nature
was astir again—the tide of life was
again flowing onward with increasing
waves. These sounds soon reached the
sleeping friends, and half-waking they
remained some moments, listening in
delicious dreamy fancy to the delightful
sounds that filled the air with varied warblings;
then rousing themselves and recollecting
arose, and donning their hunter's
dress, they came out from the camp. A
single look around assured them that
every thing was safe, and that the guide
and the half-breeds were already astir.
Taking the path to the stream that
flowed near by, they performed their
morning ablutions in its clear, cool waters.
Returning to the camp, they found
the guide leading the horses to a green
plat a little distance below, that they
might feed before starting again. The
half-breeds had kindled the fire afresh,
and were busy in preparing breakfast.
The camp kettle was placed on the coals,
and they drew forth from the sack a
supply of coffee, which was put into it;
then out came the gridiron, and soon the
venison steak that was smoking on it,
sent up its grateful odor; breakfast was
then spread upon their rustic table, and
all gathered around it, to taste the luxuries
of their bountiful repast.
They were anxious to be on their
way early, and intended to rest in the
middle of the day, both to avoid the
heat and also to rest and refresh their
horses. Le Beaux repeated some of
the instructions he had given the evening
before, concerning the route. Their direction,
he told them, would be along
the course of the Loup Fork; that they
would pass through a prairie country
during the day, and very probably they
would fall in with some roving bands of
Indians, in which case he warned them
all to keep close together, and preserve
a sharp watch over their baggage, as
those Indians were great thieves, and as
skillful, light-fingered covies as any land
could produce, and would be sure to
carry off any thing they could lay their
hands upon. Every thing being ready,
they mounted their horses and left the
camp behind them, pushing forward on
their route.
The surface of the country over which
they passed, was undulating, rolling land,
and occasionally they ascended considerable
hills that lay in their direction. In
the course of the forenoon the hounds
drove a fox or two across their track,
which fell the victims of their own cunning,
in following a circuitous course,
and thus exposing themselves to the skill
of our marksmen. Charles fired at them,
and hit them so handsomely as to draw
forth the loud praises of the whole party,
and fully establish his reputation as a
bold, sharp shot.
At noon they encamped a couple of
hours at a spot which offered good grazing
for their hungry horses, and a pleasant
retreat for their party. The turkies
stood another attack at this time, and
again hot venison steaks satisfied their
keen appetites, and was eaten with a
hearty relish. After refreshing themselves
they again set forth on their route.
About four o'clock in the afternoon, as
they were crossing the open prairie, they
heard the report of a rifle, apparently
some distance ahead of them; at the
same time the hounds, snuffing the
breeze which came blowing gently from
that quarter, sprung away in the same
direction.
“Some hunter is close at hand,” said
the guide, “and is now in close pursuit
of his game. Let us ride forward cautiously,
and I will discover who it may
be, whether red skin or white man.”
The baying of the hounds, which
they kept up since leaving, still sounded
in their ears, and was now approaching
them. Following the sound with
their eyes, they were soon enabled to
see them far off, in full chase, driving
before them a large buffalo, which
seemed nearly exhausted and quite tired
out. Beyond him they could see four
or five Indian hunters, mounted upon
horses, who stood still, looking on in
perfect amazement, pointing after the
hounds. They had evidently never
seen such animals before; and it was
from the strange, loud baying with
which they followed the buffalo, that
they had halted in the pursuit.
“Wait until he comes up,” said Le
Beaux, bringing his rifle to his shoulder,
“and take your rifles, instead of your
fowling pieces.”
Our two young hunters were all excitement,
gazing with an all-absorbing
interest at the chase, which was now
continued in full view before them, and
longed to enter upon it. It was the first
time either had seen the wild buffalo
almost level field, came a huge bull, at a
heavy, sweeping gallop, making right
for the spot where they were standing.
Le Beaux directed the half-breeds to
move one side a short distance, that they
might be out of reach of the buffalo, in
case he should become furious by being
wounded, and be disposed to attack his
pursuers, and then motioned to Charles
and his cousin to follow him. The
next minute the horses, which were all
impatience since the buffalo came in
sight, and eager to enter upon the chase,
manifesting their eagerness for it by
pawing the ground fiercely with their
feet, throwing up their heads, and expanding
their nostrils as they snuffed
the air, were in full run for the hunted
bison. As they approached him, Le
Beaux, who had the lead, suddenly
wheeling on one side, darted across his
track, and passing in front of him, a few
yards distant, sent a ball from his rifle,
which, striking him on the shoulder,
brought him down upon his knees.
The enraged animal uttered a loud, angry
roar, and lashing himself with his
tail, sprung up quickly, and darted after
his enemy; but it was an unequal trial:
the noble charger of the guide flew over
the plain like the wind, leaving his furious
and wounded foe far behind him.
Charles and Jonathan, both hot for the
chase, followed hard after him, and riding
up abreast of the tired animal, from
whom the blood was fast flowing through
several open wounds, at the same instant
leveled their rifles at him, and so true
and fatal was their aim, that the balls
entered his vitals. This was too much
for the brave animal: he made a stout
fight for his life, and had already led his
foes a long flight; and though bullet
after bullet, shot from the cruel rifle, had
entered his body, he had not fallen or
yielded, but bravely held on his flight;
but these last, unexpected shots, from a
new and fresh enemy, had given him a
death-wound. They had struck within
an inch of each other, passing, as I have
already said, through his vitals. Springing,
with a last mighty struggle, into the
air, he fell headlong to the ground, the
blood spouting in streams from his mouth
and nose. Quick the hounds came up,
and springing upon him, fixed their sharp
teeth into his strong sides. He gave instinctively
a few feeble, faint struggles,
and then lay stretched out dead before
them.
| CHAPTER IX. The trapper's bride, or, Spirit of adventure | |