CHAPTER XIX.
The Indians Again.
The next morning the boys were up before the sun, and after a heartybreakfast, set out to spend the day in the woods; Frank and Harry,bending their steps toward the creek that ran through the woods, abouta mile from the cabin, to set their traps for minks, while Archie andGeorge started toward a ridge--the well-known "fox run-way" as it wascalled--to engage in their favorite sport. The trapper and Uncle Joeset off in an opposite direction, to cut down a bee-tree, which thelatter had discovered a few days before.
When Frank and Harry arrived at the creek, the latter said:
"Now I want to understand something about this business, before wecommence operations We're after minks, and nothing else; and I don'twant you to endanger a fellow's life by getting him into any more wolfscrapes, or any thing of that kind."
"All right," answered Frank, with a laugh. "I'll not get you into anyscrape to-day."
This satisfied Harry, and he was ready to begin the hunt. They foundplenty of mink tracks on the bank of the creek. After eating theirdinner, they commenced following up some of them, and, before night,succeeded, with Brave's assistance, in capturing two large minks,after which they returned to the cabin, well satisfied with theirday's work.
They found Uncle Joe and his brother seated at the supper-table, and alarge plate full of honey, which was rapidly disappearing before theirattacks, proved that they also had been successful. Archie and Georgecame in shortly after dark, tired and hungry. A fox-skin, which theformer threw down in the corner, bore testimony to the fact that Sportwas losing none of those hunting qualities of which his young masterso often boasted. The day's hunt had been successful on all hands; andthe boys being pretty well tired out, the trapper's stories wereomitted, and all the inmates of the cabin sought their couches at anearly hour.
The next morning the boys were "fresh and fierce" for the woods again,and once more started out in their respective directions, leavingUncle Joe and the trapper seated before the fire, solacing themselveswith their pipes. Frank and Harry, as usual, went together; thelatter, as on the previous morning, exacting a promise that Frankwould not get him into any "scrapes," to which the latter, as before,readily agreed, little dreaming what was to happen before night.
A few moments' walk brought them to the place at which they had settheir first trap, in a hollow stump, where they had noticed amultitude of "mink signs," as the trapper would have called them, andas Harry bent down and looked into the stump, Frank exclaimed:
"Look at these tracks; somebody besides ourselves has been here."
"Yes, some other hunters, I suppose," answered Harry, peering into thestump. "I hope they were gentlemen enough not to interfere with ourarrangements here. But where's that trap gone to?"
"These tracks were not made by white persons," said Frank, bendingover and examining them, "for the hunters in this part of the countryall wear boots. These fellows wore moccasins, and the tracks all toein."
"Indians, as sure as I'm alive!" ejaculated Harry; "and, shoot me, ifour trap isn't gone." And thrusting his arm into the stump, hecommenced feeling around for the article in question, but it could notbe found.
"Yes, sir," he continued, rising to his feet, "it is gone, and nomistake. Feel in there."
Frank accordingly got down on his knees and made an examination of thestump; but the trap, beyond a doubt, had been carried off.
"Now, that is provoking!" he exclaimed.
"There was a mink in the trap, too," continued Harry, pointing to somebits of fur that lay scattered about over the snow. "I wish therascals that took it had it crammed down their throats."
"It does no good to scold, Harry," said Frank, "for that won't mendthe matter. But let us go around and visit the other traps; perhapsthey have carried off all of them."
The boys accordingly went around to every place where they had lefttheir traps, but not one of them could be found.
"Now, there's thirteen dollars gone to the dogs," said Harry, angrily;"for every one of those traps was worth a dollar, at least. I wishDick was here. We would follow up the scoundrels and recover ourproperty. What shall we do?"
"Let's follow them up, any how," replied Frank. "Perhaps we can catchthem--the trail seems plain enough. How many of them do you supposethere were?"
"There were two Indians and as many dogs," answered Harry. "Here's atrack made by a fellow that must have had a foot as big as allout-doors; and here's another, of very respectable size."
The boys commenced measuring the tracks, and found, as Harry had said,that there were but two different sizes. As soon as this had beendetermined, Frank exclaimed:
"Well, we mustn't waste any more time. Let's start after the rascals;and if we catch them, we'll make them give up those traps or fight."
Harry shrugged his shoulders, and answered:
"If you are going in for a fight, just count me out, will you? One ofthose Indians must be a strapping big fellow, judging by the size ofhis feet; and the other, although he may be a smaller man, wouldprobably prove a tough customer. If Dick was here, I wouldn't mind it.Let us go after him."
"O no," answered the reckless Frank. "I guess we and our double-barrelshot-guns, with Brave's assistance, can recover those traps. If wecan't catch the thieves, we'll make the trail, at any rate."
Harry made no reply, but ran along after Frank, who commencedfollowing up the trail of the Indians, which, as no care had beentaken to conceal it, was very plain. As on the former occasion, itappeared as if the tracks had been made by one person; but, on closerexamination, Frank discovered that the larger savage had taken thelead, and that his companion had stepped exactly in his tracks. Thetrail ran directly away from Uncle Joe's cabin, and then turnedabruptly and ran parallel with a ridge for the same distance; and herethe boys came to a place where there was a confused mingling oftracks, conspicuous among which were some made by boots. There werealso the tracks of two more dogs, and several drops of blood on thesnow.
"The thieves have received reinforcements here," said Harry. "A coupleof white hunters, or else two more Indians, with boots on."
"Yes, it looks like it," answered Frank. "And they must have killedsome game, for here's blood on the snow."
"I guess we've gone about far enough," said Harry. "Four men and fourdogs are more than a match for us."
"No matter; I'm going to see the end of it now. You won't leave me togo on alone!"
"O no. If you are bound to go on, I shall stick to you."
Frank immediately set off on the trail, which turned suddenly to theleft, and led toward a ravine. After running a short distance, hesaid:
"These last fellows that joined them are not Indians, Harry, becausethey didn't step in each other's tracks."
The trail led directly through the gully, and up the other side; andwhile the boys were climbing up the bank, they heard the angry barkingof dogs, followed by the report of a gun, and a yell that made theirblood run cold. Harry immediately drew back, but Frank kept on; andwhen he reached the top of the bank, he saw a sight that filled himwith horror, and which disturbed his sleep for many a night afterward.
But let us now return to Archie and George, whom we left starting outwith their hounds.
When they reached the bottom, through which the creek ran, they foundSport standing over a fox-trail; and, at his master's command, he atonce set off upon it, followed by Lightfoot, while the boys struck offthrough the woods toward a ridge which they knew the fox would becertain to follow. They reached it just as the hounds passed; and wereabout to start off again, when they were startled by the crack of tworifles in rapid succession, accompanied by a howl of anguish. Thebaying of the hound ceased, and, the next moment, Lightfoot camerunning back, and took refuge behind his master.
"What's the matter, I wonder?" inquired Archie, in alarm.
"Somebody has shot Sport," answered George, as the howls of paincontinued to come from the part of the woods where the shots had beenheard.
"Sport s
hot!" repeated Archie, indignantly. "I won't stand that, youknow. Come on; let's see who it was."
As the boys commenced running up the ridge, the howls ceased, andArchie began to be afraid that his hound had been killed; but, in afew moments, he saw Sport coming toward him. He bore an ugly-lookingwound on his back, which had been made by a bullet; and although ithad at first disabled him, he was fast recovering his strength andferocity, and answered his master's caresses by showing his teeth, andgiving vent to angry growls.
"I'm going to find out who that was," said Archie. "Hunt 'em up,Sport! hunt 'em up, sir!"
The hound was off on the instant, and led the way to the place wherehe had been shot, which was marked by a little pool of blood on thesnow, and here he turned off to the left of the ridge and ran downinto a gully. Instead of baying as when on the trail of a fox, he ranin silence, and the boys soon lost sight of him; but just as theyreached the bottom of the gully, they heard his bark, followed by ayell, and a crashing in the bushes, as if a severe struggle was goingon; and when they gained the top of the bank, they found Sportresolutely defending himself against two Indians and their dogs. Thelatter--large, shaggy animals, of the wolf species--had closed withthe hound, which would undoubtedly have proved more than a match forboth of them, had not the Indians (who could not use their rifles forfear of wounding their own dogs) attacked him with clubs. But Sportwas valiantly holding his own against their combined assaults, now andthen seizing one of the dogs in his powerful jaws, and giving him atremendous shaking, and then turning fiercely upon one of the Indians,who found it necessary to retreat, in order to save himself.
The boys comprehended the state of affairs at a glance. Runningfearlessly up to the place where the fight was going on, Archie placedthe muzzle of his gun against the head of one of the dogs, and killedhim on the spot, exclaiming:
"Turn about is fair play, you know. I'll teach you to shoot my houndwhen he isn't bothering you."
The large Indian immediately ceased his attacks upon Sport, and,turning upon Archie with a yell, threw his brawny arms about him, andhurled him to the ground. But Archie still retained his presence ofmind, and, while struggling with his assailant, shouted to hiscompanion:
"Shoot the other dog! shoot the other dog!"
George had just time to act upon this suggestion, when the smallersavage closed with him. Of course the boys, although they foughtdesperately, were speedily overpowered by the athletic Indians, who atonce commenced beating them most unmercifully with their clubs.Archie, especially, was being punished most severely, when the hound,finding himself at liberty, sprang upon the Indian, and pulled him tothe ground. Archie was on his feet in an instant; and, cheering on thedog, was about to spring to George's assistance, when he noticed thathis late assailant was in a most dangerous situation, the long teethof the hound being fastened in his throat; and although he struggleddesperately, he could not release himself. Archie at once hurried tohis relief, and endeavored to choke off the hound, while the smallerIndian continued to shower his blows upon George, who received themwithout giving vent to a single cry of pain.
Such was the scene presented to Frank's gaze as he came up out of thegully. Of course he was entirely ignorant of the cause of the trouble,but, seeing George's situation, he at once ran to his assistance. TheIndian, seeing him approach, uttered a yell, and, springing to hisfeet, was about to "make himself scarce," when the sight of Frank'sdouble-barrel, which the latter aimed straight at his head, broughthim to a stand-still. By this time, Archie, with Harry's aid, hadsucceeded in releasing the Indian, but it required their utmoststrength to prevent the hound from renewing his attacks.
The savage, however, had not fared so badly as they had at firstsupposed; for, although during the last few moments of the struggle hehad lain so still that Archie began to fear that he was dead, themoment he was released he sprang to his feet, and, uttering the usual"ugh," was about to retreat, when he also was brought to a halt byFrank's double-barrel.
The circumstances which had brought the boys together in so singular amanner were speedily explained, after which Frank commenced anexamination of the "possible-sacks" that the Indians carried slungover their shoulders, which resulted in the recovery of the missingtraps.
"Now, what shall we do with these rascals?" he inquired.
"They're the same ones that camped in the cabin that night," answeredArchie; "and this is the second time they have been guilty of stealingtraps, and I say let's take 'em prisoners, and let Dick pass judgmentupon them."
This plan was hailed with delight by the others; and the savages, who,during the conversation, had stood with their arms folded, as if theywere in no wise concerned in what was going on, were at once relievedof their knives and hatchets, and, in obedience to Archie's order,fell in behind Frank, who led the way toward the cabin. George andHarry followed close after them, carrying the weapons that had beentaken from the prisoners, and ready to resist the first attempt thatshould be made at escape, while Archie brought up the rear, strugglinghard to restrain the hound, which, every moment, renewed hisendeavors to reach the Indians. In this order they marched through thewoods, and, just before dark, reached the cabin. Frank entered first,standing with his gun at a shoulder-arms until the prisoners hadpassed him and the rest of the boys had entered and closed the door.
"Eh! what?" ejaculated the trapper, who had watched these movements insurprise. "What did you youngsters fetch them ar tarnal varlets backhere for?"
The affair was soon explained, and Uncle Joe and the trapper rolled uptheir eyes in astonishment. At length the latter said:
"They stole your traps, did they, an' shot the hound, an' you follered'em up an' ketched 'em, did you?"
"Yes," answered Archie, "and they mauled George and me with clubs; andwe have brought them here to know what to do with them."
"Wal, I never _did_ see sich keerless fellers as you youngsters be,"said Dick. "You get wusser every day. Why didn't you come arter me?"
"We should have lost too much time. Besides, we wanted to catch themourselves."
"Wal, 'cordin' to prairy law," continued the trapper, "there oughterbe short work made of 'em; but what's law on the prairy won't do inthe settlements. Pitch 'em out-doors, and don't never bring no moreInjuns here."
"Shall we give them their guns?" asked Frank.
"No; don't give 'em nothin'. Open that door."
Frank did as the trapper ordered, and the latter walked up to thelarge Indian, and, seizing him around the body, lifted him from hisfeet, and threw him headlong into a deep snow-drift outside of thecabin. A smothered "ugh" broke from his lips as he sank out of sight.After considerable struggling, he reappeared, completely covered withsnow, looking very unlike the sedate Indian that had stood in thecabin but a moment before, and started, at the top of his speed, forthe woods. As soon as he had disappeared in the darkness, the trapperseized the smaller Indian, and served him in the same manner; then,without waiting to see what became of him, closed the door, andreturned to his seat in front of the fire.
CHAPTER XX.
The Journey Homeward.
Next morning, as soon as they had finished their breakfast, inaccordance with the promise they had made their parents beforestarting, that they would be at home before the holidays, the boysbegan to make preparations to leave the woods. The sled was broughtaround to the door, and, while George and Harry were engaged inloading it, Frank and his cousin went to the barn to harness the youngmoose, which had become very tractable, and would trot off with a loadas well as a horse. Their traps and guns, together with the furs theyhad taken, were stowed carefully away in the bottom of the sled; thencame the cubs, and the skins of the moose, bear, white buck, andpanther, and the whole was crowned by the huge antlers of the moose,to give it, as Harry said, "an imposing appearance."
After the moose had been hitched to the sled, and all was ready forthe start, the boys turned to shake hands with Uncle Joe and thetrapper. Dick seemed to regret their parting very much. After drawinghis
coat-sleeve across his eyes, he seized Frank's hand, and said:
"Good-by, youngster! We have had some good times in these yere woodsthis winter. I'm sorry that the partin' time has come, for I hate tohave you leave us. You are a gritty feller--jest sich a one as I liketo see; an' I have tuk to you jest the same as poor ole Bill Lawsononct tuk to me. As soon as spring opens I shall start agin for theprairy. The woods here are too small for me. We prob'bly shall nevermeet agin, but I hope you won't forget your ole friend, Dick Lewis.Good-by! an' may your trail never be as rugged an' rough as mine hasbeen."
"I shall never forget you, Dick," replied Frank, as he returned thetrapper's hearty grasp. "You saved my life."
At length the farewells had all been said, and the boys got into thesled. Frank took up the reins, and the moose broke into a rapid trot,that soon carried them out of sight of the cabin.
There was no danger that the boys would soon forget the wild scenesthrough which they had passed during their short sojourn in the woods.Each had something to remind him of some exciting hunt which he hadgone through. Frank thought of his desperate struggle with the buck,during which he had received scars that would go with him throughlife. Harry remembered his adventure with the wolves. George shiveredas he thought of his cold bath in the pond. And Archie, inimagination, was again in pursuit of the black fox.
"Well," said the latter, at length, "we've had some fine times sincewe traveled over this road."
"Yes," said George, "and I should like to go through themagain--ducking and all."
"I had rather be excused," said Frank.
"So had I," chimed in Harry.
"I shouldn't like the idea of going through the fight with that mooseagain," continued Frank.
"Nor I shouldn't like to meet those wolves again, and have them pulloff my boots as I was climbing up a tree," said Harry.
"I wonder what the folks will think, when they see us coming home inthis rig?" said Archie.
That question was answered when, about an hour before dark, theyturned up off the creek into the road, in full view of the cottage.
They were first discovered by Aunt Hannah, who, after shading her eyeswith her hand, and gazing at them a few moments, ran into the house. Amoment afterward the whole family appeared at the door.
"There's my folks!" exclaimed Archie. "I thought they would be here tospend the holidays. Show them what we can do, Frank."
His cousin accordingly put the moose through his best paces, and in afew moments they whirled through the gate, and drew up before thedoor.
"Well, boys, I'm glad to see you all back safe," said Mr. Winters, assoon as the greeting was over. "It's a wonder that Archie didn't shootsome of you--he's so careless with his gun."
"O no, father," replied the boy, "I've got over that. I always hold mygun muzzle down, as you told me."
The boys began to unload the sled, and one after another of thearticles were taken out and laid on the portico. Finally, Harry drewout the panther's skin.
"A panther!" exclaimed Mr. Winters. "Where did you buy that skin?"
"Buy it!" repeated Archie. "We didn't buy it. Frank killed the pantherthat once wore this skin; with a shot-gun, too; and that isn't all hekilled, either. Look here!" and he threw out the bear and moose-skins,and finally the cubs. "He had a nice time killing that moose," Archiewent on to say, "and he came near being"----
Here he was interrupted by a look from his cousin. He was about tosay, "and came near being killed himself;" but finished his sentenceby saying, "He came near killing the moose at the first shot, butdidn't quite."
Mr. Winters had seen the glances that the boys exchanged, and knewthat it meant something more than they were willing to reveal; but hemade no remark. After the things had all been taken out, with theexception of those that belonged to George and Harry, and the cubs hadbeen taken into the kitchen and delivered into Aunt Hannah's especialcharge, the boys got into the sled again and started for Mr. Butler's.
Their appearance in the village created a great commotion. Afterdriving around to the post-office for the mail, as well as to show offthe qualities of their horned horse, they started home again.
That evening was passed in a pleasant manner, in the recital of theboys' adventures in the woods, which also formed the topic ofconversation for many days. In spite of the emphatic instructionsFrank had given his companions "not to say a word about his fight withthe moose," it gradually "leaked out somewhere," as Archie expressedit, and Frank became a hero in his own family, and in the village.
* * * * *
Here we will leave them, only to introduce them again in other andmore stirring scenes on the Western Prairies.
THE END.
FAMOUS CASTLEMON BOOKS.
GUNBOAT SERIES. By HARRY CASTLEMON. Illustrated. 6 vols. 16mo. Cloth, extra, black and gold. FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST. FRANK ON A GUNBOAT. FRANK IN THE WOODS. FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG. FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE.
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