CHAPTER NINE.
OBED'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED--JOURNEY WITH THE DELAWARE--THE PRAIRIE ONFIRE--THEY FLY FOR THEIR LIVES--A STAMPEDO--A NARROW ESCAPE ON THEROCK--LONG JOURNEY--APPROACH OF WINTER--THEIR LIFE IN A CAVE--EXPECTEDVISIT FROM BEARS--JOURNEY CONTINUED--ARRIVAL AT THE FORT--FURTHERADVENTURES WITH BEARS AND WOLVES--SAVE THE LIFE OF A YOUNG CHIEF--CARRYHIM ONWARD TILL THEY REACH THEIR CAMP--THE YOUNG RED-SKIN'S GRATITUDE--END OF OBED'S NARRATIVE--FRESH ALARMS--AGAIN THE ENEMY APPROACH.
"The Delaware and I ran on at full speed through the high grass,"continued Obed.
"Every instant I expected to be tripped up by its tough roots whichtrailed along the earth, but my companion, who was well accustomed tothe sort of ground, kept me from falling. I asked him, as we ran, whyhe did not stop, and, as I knew to be the custom, cut down and burn aclear space round us, so as to let the conflagration pass by on eitherside.
"`The deer and buffaloes, and other wild animals, would rush through thespace and trample us to death,' he answered. `Even now I hear the soundof their hoofs in the distance--haste! haste!'
"I tried to listen as I ran, and I fancied that I did hear a low,murmuring, hollow sound, which had a peculiarly terror-inspiring effect.The wind blew stronger, the air became denser and more oppressive, andthe ashes fell thicker around us. We distinctly heard the noise of therushing flames. The rock towards which we were running rose before us,but, yet near as it was, the fire came roaring on so rapidly that Ifully expected it to overtake us. On it came, hissing and crackling.The air grew hotter and hotter, and more and more oppressive. As Istruggled on I felt as if I could scarcely move my limbs. It was like adreadful dream, when a person fancies that danger is near, and that hecannot fly from it. I gasped for breath. The Indian also was muchdistressed. Some things men can get accustomed to, but to have to runfor one's life, with a prairie-fire roaring at one's side, one does notlike a bit more the tenth time it is encountered than the first. `On!on!' cried out the faithful Delaware. He could run faster than I could,but still he delayed for me. Besides the crackling and hissing of thefire, there was a loud, roaring, trampling, crushing, thundering sound,or mixture of sounds, utterly indescribable. The rock was reached--weclambered up it. We gained the summit. It was a wide, open space,entirely free of grass.
"Almost fainting, I was sinking to the ground, when I saw the Delawarepointing to the plain below us. There, across the ground we had justleft, came tearing along, in strange confusion, herds of buffaloes,deer, wolves, foxes, prairie-hares, several bears, and even birds,turkeys, prairie-hens, and other wild fowl, all uttering their peculiarcries of terror, and utterly disregarding each other. Not one stoppedto prey on another.
"One feeling of intense terror inspired the whole mass. On they flew,fleet as the wind; all they seemed to think of was that the fire wasbehind them, and that, unless they would be destroyed, they must fly.Some were left dead or wounded; the weak trampled on by the stronger;but still on scampered the mass, with the fire raging at their heels. Isaw what would have been our fate, had we not reached the rock beforethe herd passed by, and I thanked Heaven that we had been preserved. Weremained on the rock for some hours, till the ground below was coolenough to enable us to proceed; but, after the heat of the fire, the airfelt bitterly cold, and we had no shelter from it. I do not think wecould have endured it during the night. We descended, and began tocross the remainder of the plain, but even then our feet struck upsparks from the yet smouldering ashes, and light clouds of smoke rose upcontinually, circling round our heads till they were dispersed in theclear atmosphere.
"Desolate, dismal, and barren looked the country through which wejourneyed on the following day. Not a vestige remained of animal life,but here and there appeared the skinless skulls and bones of some hugebuffalo or stately stag, which had long lain there blanching in the sun.The sky had for some time been overcast. The Delaware pointed towardsit. `The winter is coming,' he observed; `this is not the place to beovertaken in a snow-storm.' I agreed with him; so, in spite of thefatigue which, after my wounds and loss of blood, I felt in a way I hadnever before done, I dragged my heavy legs after him. We reached aboutnightfall a clump of trees. Under their shelter we lighted our fire,cooked our provisions, and lay down to rest. Nature required rest.Often have I thought of those words: `The Sabbath was made for man, andnot man for the Sabbath.' Constituted as man is, what a blessing trulyis the Sabbath! how sweet, how necessary is rest!
"We rose before daybreak, stirred up our fire, cooked and ate ourbreakfast, and, as the light of dawn found its way through the treeswhich surrounded us, we started on our way. The sky was ominously dark,but the snow had not yet begun to fall, yet the piercing air told usthat it would not long be delayed. The Delaware spoke but little. Heevidently did not like the state of things. I had made up my mind fromthe first to be guided by his judgment. One thing was very certain,that we could not stop where we were. Our only chance of safetydepended on our pushing on. `Where to?' I thought. I saw nothing butthe wide-rolling, blackened prairie before me. The sight alone wasdepressing, independent of the anticipation of coming evil. Hour afterhour passed. Not a break appeared in the clouds, not a gleam ofsunshine burst forth to cheer us. Still the snow did not fall, andthere was nothing to impede our progress. We stopped at noon to dine.A few minutes sufficed us for our frugal meal. The bitter cold did nottempt us to rest longer than was necessary.
"On again we went. `Where is the wood in which we are to pass thenight?' I asked of the Delaware. `It is yet far-off,' was hisunsatisfactory answer. Evening was drawing on. I saw a bleak hill, butno wood capable of affording us shelter. Just then a snowflake settledon my face. It was a slight thing. How indifferent should I have beento it at other times! Now it made my heart sink lower than it had everdone before. Another and another fell; then down the snowflakes camerapidly, thickly sprinkling the ground and our garments. The wind sentthem driving against us over the prairie. The Delaware pointed to thehill. On towards it we pushed. The snow in a few minutes completelycovered the ground, a sheet of white was spread out where lately all hadbeen black, here and there only the taller tufts of grass appearingabove it. There was no prospect of the snow ceasing to fall. Soon itcovered our moccasins and reached to our ankles. Walking became moreand more difficult. It was half-way up to our knees, still we pushedon. My companion remained silent. I did not trouble him by askingquestions. He had hopes of escaping, or he would, I thought, verylikely have sat down where he was and quietly awaited his fate. Had hedone so, it would have been my business to rouse him to exertion. Thesnow fell thicker and thicker. Daylight was rapidly decreasing. Itgrew less and less. All we could see was the sheet of snow immediatelysurrounding us. Still my companion went steadily on.
"Backwoodsman as I am, and am proud to be, I should have been completelyat a loss in what direction to go had I been left by myself, except Ihad trusted to the wind. As long as that blew it would have served as aguide, though a somewhat uncertain one. Even that guide proved fickle.The wind fell and the snow came down perpendicularly, or rather on allsides, floating here and there, and completely surrounding us. Still mycompanion went on without hesitation. At first I had walked by hisside, now I dropped behind him and trod in his footsteps. This enabledme to keep up with him better. As far as I could judge, I believe hiscourse was straight as an arrow for the point at which he was aiming.The cold was less intense than it had been before the snow began tofall, still I felt that if we were to stop we should very likely befrozen to death. Though I kept as close as I could to my companion,almost touching him indeed, so thickly did the snow come down that oftenI could barely distinguish his misty form before me.
"I never felt so helpless; my manhood seemed to have deserted me. Ithought if I should stumble and fall, before I could cry out he might beout of sight and be unable to find me. I confess that all sorts ofdreadful fancies came into my head. At last I got ashamed of them, andtried to get a better heart
in my body. I began to whistle, but thatwould not do, then I tried to sing; I got on badly enough in that wayalso. I don't think the Delaware quite approved of the attempt. Hegrunted out something once or twice. Perhaps he was trying to join inthe chorus. My voice, indeed, grew fainter and fainter, and at last Iwas obliged to give up the attempt. My knees, too, were less and lessable to support me; I felt them trembling under my weight. Still Itoiled on. I would not complain, that would have lowered me in theestimation of my guide, and I would not ask questions, so I remainedignorant as to what prospect there was of our reaching shelter from thestorm.
"At last I found that we were going up hill over rugged ground, and Iconcluded that we had reached the hill I had seen before it grew dark.We went on for some way up and then down, and then along a level place,and then up again, and I saw a dark object rising on my right side, highabove our heads it seemed. It looked to me like a precipice. Presentlymy guide stopped, so suddenly that I ran against him. Then he turned tothe right without speaking, and I followed him. We went on a few paces,and I found that we were in total darkness. No snow fell on me, the airfelt comparatively warm, and I was conscious that there was somethingabove my head.
"`Stay,' said the Delaware, and I heard the click of his flint andsteel. The bright sparks came forth and he applied them to his tinder,and I saw the glowing mass lowered to the ground; and the countenance ofthe Indian lighted up as he blew against it till it grew larger andlarger, and a bright flame burst forth, and I found that we were in ahigh arched cavern. How cheerful the fire looked as it burned up, andsitting round it we warmed our numbed limbs, and felt that we had founda shelter from the storm. The place had evidently constantly been usedfor the same purpose. There was a good supply of wood on one side,sufficient to light many a fire for some time to come. Farther up, thefloor of the cavern was strewed with the bones of animals, many of whichmust have been of vast size, and have lived in bygone ages. We hadkilled a deer not long before, so having warmed our hands we set to workto toast some of the meat at the end of our ramrods. The food andwarmth once more wakened the Delaware's tongue, and he told me that infive days, after leaving our present position, we should be able toreach Fort Laramie.
"`When shall we be able to leave it?' I asked. `Is there not someprobability of our being snowed up?'
"`I cannot answer two questions in one breath,' answered the Delaware.`As to when we can leave the cavern, depends on when the snow ceasesfalling. It may be in three days, or it may fall for a week or more.As to being snowed up, there is not much probability of that. Should itby any chance drift against the mouth of the cavern, we must cut ourout. But do not fear. We are warm here, we have fire and food. Let usbe thankful for the blessings we enjoy.'
"I felt the truth and wisdom of his observations, and having piled upmore wood on the fire, we wrapped ourselves up in our buffalo robes, andlay down with our feet towards it. The Indian was asleep in an instant.Though I thought for a minute or so, I very quickly followed hisexample. We both of us awoke at intervals and made up our fire, butwere instantly again asleep, and I do not think I ever enjoyed morerefreshing slumber. It was broad daylight when I awoke. I got up andwent to the mouth of the cavern; the snow fell as thickly and fast asever, but as it did not appear to be blocking up our cavern, that didnot concern me.
"After some time the Delaware awoke, and then we toasted some morevenison. After he had eaten it, he lay down and went fast asleep again.I slept a good deal, but I could not manage as much as he did. I askedhim how he contrived to sleep so much. He laughed calmly.
"`When I have thought of what is to be done, why should I think ofanything more? Then I sleep to be ready for the work to be done.'
"Day after day passed by; I began to grow very weary of being shut up inthe cavern, though I exercised my limbs by walking up and down itcontinually, and amused myself by examining the bones of the animals inthe interior. Many of them were, I doubted not, of elephants, andlions, and tigers, strange animals which I had read about, while withthe others I was familiar enough--buffaloes, bears, wolves, stags, andothers. I must own that I was not always quite comfortable when I laydown to sleep, expecting that perhaps we might be visited by a rovingbear, or a hungry wolf; and more than once, when I opened my eyes, Ifully expected to see one poking his head in at the entrance, orstanding by ready to fly at one of us the instant we made any movement.The Delaware did not appear to be troubled about the matter, and certainit is that none came near us all the time we were in the cave. The onlyreason the Indian could give for our not being attacked, was that theanimals were afraid of the spirits of their long-dead fellows, whosebones were found there. I suspect that the bears did not come becausethe cave was so frequently visited, while the wolves kept to their lowergrounds, where they were more likely to find animals to prey on.
"The snow ceased at last; but it was not till the tenth day that theDelaware said that it would be hard enough for us to travel on withoutsnow-shoes. We had to ascend the mountain some way, and then todescend. The western side was thickly covered with trees; indeed, thecountry through which we passed was very rich, and only wanted the handof an industrious people to make it fertile. We each night reached agood camping place, and as we were fortunate in killing two hen turkeys,the Delaware said we should not be pressed for want of food, and weaccordingly travelled on at an easy pace. One forenoon, as we werepassing over a height, I knew from the way the trees grew that there wasa river below us, though now it was covered with nature's uniform ofwhite. Carrying my eye along it in the far distance, I saw a wreath ofwhite smoke ascending into the clear, bright blue sky. There wassomething inexpressibly cheering in the sight, after going so longwithout seeing the slightest sign of human beings. However, the smokemight be produced by Indians, and perhaps enemies, whom we must ofnecessity avoid. I asked the Delaware if he would tell what he knewabout the matter.
"`That is the fort,' he answered; `you will there very likely gaintidings of your friends.'
"My heart bounded within me at the thought of being once more united tomy family.
"`The sun will sink thus far down before we can reach the place,' saidthe Indian, pointing to the sky with his hand.
"This good news added fresh vigour to my muscles, and I found myself notonly keeping up with the Indian, but actually hurrying his steps. Afterwalking for nearly two hours over very rugged ground, up and down steepand wild hills, we saw before us, on an elevated mound overlooking theriver, a strong stockade, over which peeped the roofs of severalcottages, while a deep trench cut round the hill added yet more to thestrength of the place. As the Delaware and I drew near, we saw that wewere closely watched through a spy-glass. We waved our hands to showthat we came as friends, and as we began to climb the steep heighttowards the fort, several people came out by the door of the fort tomeet us. How pleasant it was to be welcomed as a white man by whitemen, to hear them talk and to be treated as a brother! The honestDelaware, too, was welcomed, for he had brought letters for many in thefort, and undertook to deliver any others in return, with which he mightbe intrusted. How pleasant was a cup of hot tea, and some soft bread,and the vegetables for dinner, and then to find myself turning into areal bed, with sheets and blankets! The truth is, however, that aftersleeping so long in the open air, I found that of a small room sooppressive that I could not breathe, and had to get up and open thewindow, and let the cold in. But I am going ahead too fast.
"Having satisfied the governor of the fort all about myself, I inquiredif they could give me tidings of my family. What was my satisfaction tofind that a party answering their description were encamped in winterquarters not more than a week's journey to the north-west. My friendthe Delaware knew the spot, and undertook to guide me there. We spenttwo days longer in the fort to refresh ourselves, and both of us trulyneeded rest, and then we set out. He had guided me so far in safety,that I felt the most perfect confidence in his courage, judgment, andhonesty. We got new moccasins at t
he fort, and our clothes mended, andour friends furnished us with an ample supply of provisions. Though Ihad been very happy in the fort, and very kindly treated, I felt as Icould fancy a man would, just let out of prison, when I found myselfonce more walking along with my faithful companion over the snow. Theweather was very fine, there was no wind, and at times in the day wefound it much too hot to wear our buffalo-skin coats.
"One day with us was much like another, though, by the bye, we did meetwith some few adventures. We fell in with a fine old grizzly bear, whomwe turned out of his cave; but the Delaware shot him through the head,and we afterwards had some capital steaks out of him. Then we werepursued by a pack of wolves, but we climbed a tree and let them pass byus. We were, the Delaware computed, about half a day's journey from thespot at which we were aiming, when we entered a valley, with a high hillon one side of it, broken into rugged precipices. We had advanced someway along the valley, when, as we happened to look up at the heightsabove us, we saw a figure rapidly coming down towards it. He washunting some animal, we thought. He did not see his danger. We shoutedto him, but it was too late; he did not hear us, and over he went down afrightful precipice. We ran forward, and thinking he must be killed,expected to see his mangled body hanging to some rugged projection inthe rock; but the very precipitous character of the cliff had been themeans of his preservation. He had fallen directly into a snow-drift,and though a limb apparently was broken, and he was much hurt, hespeedily came to himself. To leave him where he was would have beensheer barbarity; so we told him that we would carry him to my father'scamp, where he would be quickly cured. He thanked us much, andconsented willingly to do as we advised. Cutting some boughs from thetrees which grew around, we speedily formed a litter, on which we placedhim.
"Carrying him between us, we approached the spot where my family weresupposed to be encamped. From a hill at a little distance I got a viewof it. My heart beat quick at the thought of seeing them all again.They had selected a rocky mound for the site of their encampment, andhad surrounded it with a stockade and ditch, so that it was capable ofresisting any attack the Indians were likely to make on it. There wasroom inside, I calculated, not only for their own huts, but for theircattle and wagons, and a supply of fodder and wood. They had spared nopains, I guessed, to make themselves secure and comfortable. The verylook of the place convinced me that my family were there. As we drewnear, a gate opened, and several people came out. There were, I saw,father and mother, and sisters, and all my brothers but Joab. Then Ifeared, as I found, that brother Joab had been killed. I said nothing,for I was afraid to ask about him. They all welcomed me as one from thedead, for they thought that I had been killed, and never expected tohear anything of me again, for they had seen me fall, as they had Joab,and he, poor fellow, had been scalped before their eyes, so they had nohopes for him. After they all had done talking to me, I told them aboutthe young red-skin, whom the Delaware and I had brought. The women atonce took charge of him, and doctored him in their own kind way.
"In the meantime the Delaware was not forgotten, and everybody tried toshow their gratitude to him for the service he had been to me. It wasseveral days before the young Indian began to recover; indeed I believeany one but a red-skin would have been killed with such a fall as hehad. When he got better he began to talk to us, but we could make outbut little of what he said. At last I begged the Delaware to come tohim, as he understood his language. After some hesitation, and a longtalk with the Delaware, he told us that he was the eldest son of thechief of the Kioway tribe; that he and his people had planned an attackon our fort, and that it was to take place in three days by that time.He said that his people did not know what had become of him, but thatthey would not abandon their plans on account of his loss.
"`Now,' he added, `I will go to them, and tell them all you have donefor me, and instead of enemies, they will become your friends.'
"In two days more he was strong enough to move, and he insisted onsetting out, saying that he should soon fall in with his people. Off hewent, and we waited anxiously his return; but in case of treachery weput everything to rights in the fort to resist an attack. In a fewhours the young chief came back with some twenty or more paintedwarriors in his train--very formidable customers they would have provedif they had come as enemies. Well, to make a long story short, when heheard that I was going to set out with my brothers to bring youassistance, he undertook to send twenty of his people with us, while heand the remainder stopped in the neighbourhood to guard our camp. Welost no time in getting ready; I was as fresh as a lark; we travelledfast, and came in time `to do the happy deed which gilds my humblename,' quoth Dick.
"`No, no,' exclaimed several of the party simultaneously, `honest ObedRagget never finished a sentence with a quotation from a play, though itwas writ by a minister.'
"`To confess the truth, no,' said Dick; `indeed honest Obed'sexpressions were not always, though highly graphic, grammaticallycorrect, so I have given his narrative in what is generally consideredthe more orthodox vernacular; yet you have, I own, thereby lost much ofthe force of his descriptions and no little amusement.'
"Obed had scarcely finished his account, when from every part of thewhole surrounding wood resounded the most terrific war-whoops andunearthly shrieks and cries. Seizing our weapons, we sprang from ourseats, and rushed to repel the expected assault."
Dick Onslow Among the Redskins Page 9