CHAPTER X.
AN AWFUL AWAKENING.
I have now reached a point in my life over which I would fain pass insilence. It is an experience so strange, so like some horrid vision ofsleep, so different from what usually falls to the lot of man, that,at this remote day, I cannot look upon it without a recoiling shudderof horror. I have sometimes persuaded myself that it was unreal; butno, it is true, and time can never clothe the memory of it in adifferent dress than that of unearthly terror. Bleak and bare itstands alone, in my checkered lot, and the silver that now glistensprematurely in my hair, came upon that night.
I remember falling into a deep sleep, in which the last form thatpassed before my eyes was that of the dark Medicine Man; there was aconfused murmur of voices, and then all became blank and dark.Gradually the darkness was swept by the glittering folds of a dream--adream which had little form or theme, but the minutest particulars ofwhich I remember to this day. There were airy, waving figures glidingsilently about me without voice, but with every variety of motion.They passed and repassed before my face, frequently pausing andextending their arms over my body, and sometimes standing and intentlyscanning my countenance. This continued a long time, not a word spokeneither by myself or the forms, when suddenly the whole changed. Thewaving figures darted with the rapidity of lightning among each other,and the quiet radiance became instantly as black as night. In this, Icould distinguish the rushing forms growing fainter and fainter,until, at last, all was blackness again.
Then came a feeling as though the thick darkness in one volume weregradually crushing me beneath it, and then a strange feeling of beingcramped and held forcibly still. Then came a long, deep, indrawnbreath, and I awoke.
All was confused and inexplicable. Open my eyes as wide as I might, Icould not pierce the Stygian gloom. I tried to move, but couldnot--could not stir a limb, and only the fingers of my hand. The airwas steamy and hot, and I was surrounded by something which chainedevery part. I strove to collect my thoughts. I remembered theconsultation in the hut, the coming unconsciousness, and--my presentawakening. My first impression, after this, was that the house hadfallen over me. I clenched my hands--_they closed upon earth_! Ireached forward and licked the darkness. _I tasted earth!_--and thencame the sudden, overwhelming knowledge--
I WAS BURIED ALIVE!!
No pen can draw the faintest picture, no soul conceive the unutterablehorror, unless that soul has gone through the same awful experiencethat filled my soul at that discovery. Such a whirlwind of fire asseethed through my bursting brain, such a perfect blaze of all thepassions that can rack the human mind, I cannot portray with thisfeeble pen. For a moment I was frantic, and then suddenly a dreadfuland frightful calmness soothed my frame.
Ay, I was buried alive! The savages had mistaken my trance-like stuporfor death itself, and I had been hurried prematurely into the grave.
Oh, the appalling discovery! To die while in the grave! The thoughtwas too horrible! I was not yet ready to give way to utter despair. Idurst not pause a second for thought, for I knew it would surely come.I twisted and struggled with the strength of fury. I could turn mybody around, and use my arms. There was an open space before my face,as I had been buried in the sitting position. Had I lain back I couldnot have survived five minutes; as it was, my limbs were immovablysecured, and it _was absolutely impossible for me to free myself_.
It was a long time, for such an experience, before I admitted this,but I was compelled to at last. Death by suffocation was rapidlyapproaching, and all that was left for me was to prepare for it. Thesmall breath of air around me had already been breathed over and overagain, and was become hot, steamy, and sickening. I was gasping andpanting, but strove to collect my thoughts and keep them fromwandering. I commenced praying.
Suddenly a muffled sound reached my ear, as though something hadfallen to the earth above. I listened--it was repeated directly overme, now rapidly and regularly. What could it mean? Was it the sign ofdissolution, or was it real? I listened, and heard it plainer andplainer above the mild throbs of my heart. _It was real!_ Something orsomebody was digging at the grave above!
Could I now hold out till I was reached? The air had already become_thick and palpable_, and strange fires were flitting before my eyes.I held my breath till the distended blood-vessels seemed bursting, andthen as I respired, the earth turned to soft _mud_ around me; andthen the long-labored inspiration was like drawing in some loathsomereptile.
But _what_ was above? It could not be a person, as I had been buriedby them. It must be some famished animal hastening to devour me. Yetthis would be a relief, to gain one more draught of the sweet, coolair of heaven before death.
Now I heard the murmur of _voices_! I shouted--there was a pause andstillness; then the efforts were renewed with greater vigor. I shoutedagain. I could feel the jarring tremble of the loose earth above. Someone was endeavoring to rescue me from my awful fate, thank God!
A moment after, and the cool air brushed my face; a strong hand seizedmy arm, and--Oh, joy inexpressible! I was on the earth again.
For a moment I was bewildered and dizzy, and my pulse flutteredwildly, for I had been very, very nigh death. I was recalled to fullconsciousness by the familiar voice of Jim.
"Got in a tight fix, Bill. Ole Jim jus' in time."
I took the savage's hand without a word, and, sinking upon my knees,sent up a deep, heartfelt prayer to the Merciful Being who had thussnatched me from the most appalling death. There was a bright moonshining, and, as I turned, I saw the dark Indian's eyes fixedwonderingly upon me.
"Jim," said I, solemnly, "may the God who has put it into your heart,reward you for this act. I _never, never_ can."
"Jim didn't do it," he quickly interrupted. "_She_ did!" and,disengaging his grasp, he darted out of sight I turned and lookedbehind me. There, standing motionless as a statue, her slight formwrapped in a thick mantle, her sweet, white face appearing like aspirit's, stood the fair, mysterious captive.[3]
[3] In the northwestern part of Oregon is a tribe of Indians called Chenooks, who bury their sick, as soon as the Medicine Man pronounces them beyond recovery. This horrid practice is not confined to them alone, for other tribes in the northwest have been known to inflict it upon their captives.
For a moment, I was disposed to believe it was a spirit before me, sostill and motionless she remained. Suddenly she turned to depart.
"Hold!" exclaimed I, springing forward and seizing her arm; "hold onemoment, till I thank thee."
"Thank the Great One above," she replied, in a low, sweet voice. "Heit is who has preserved your life."
As she uttered these words, she turned her dark eyes upward, and themoonlight streaming down upon her face, threw a vail like the halo ofglory around it. Then looking me calmly in the face, she added:
"You have escaped an awful death, it is true; and you are not the onlyone who has thus risen from the grave. When delirious, you spoke ofhome and of friends there, and I know your presence is prayed for. Thechance of reaching them is now placed within your reach. A horse issaddled and bridled, and awaiting you, but a short distance away. Jimwill furnish you with a rifle. You know the direction to take, and letme urge you to flee."
Again she turned to go, but I restrained her.
"You are a white person, and do you wish to live and die with thesesavages?"
The tears glistened on her face as she replied, "I have not a friendin the civilized world. My parents were murdered by the Indians, andmyself and sister carried away in captivity. We were separated; I wastaken eastward, and she westward beyond the Rocky Mountains. Shecannot be living, for she was a delicate child, younger than me, andincapable of bearing one-half the suffering that must have beenimposed upon her. Should I ever see the land I left when a child, Ishould be a stranger among strangers. There are those here who loveme, and I will remain behind and die among them."
"Flee with me," I impetuously urged. "You will not be a stranger.Hundreds will love you, and you ca
n die with your own kindred. Jim,who is faithful to you, will furnish us both with a fleet horse, andwe can elude all pursuit. I--"
I paused, for her agitation had become painful. She was sinking to theearth, when I caught her, and, leading her a short distance, seatedmyself beside her upon a fallen tree. Then I gently pulled her headover on my bosom, and looked down upon her features. Her gaudyhead-dress was removed, and her white face lay among the mass of jettyhair like a jewel set in darkness. The dark, sweeping lashes, thefaint roseate glow of each cheek, the delicate nose and lips, as themoonlight rested on them, were indescribably beautiful. There was,too, an utter abandonment about her,--a tumultuous throbbing, thatshowed what a powerful emotion was agitating her.
What was that emotion? Was it a response to my own great passion? Whatelse could it be? Encouraged by the certainty that the latter was thecase, I urged my suit with redoubled ardor. I pictured the happinessthat would be hers in a civilized country, and the utter misery thatmust follow her life among the savages. She informed me that she was acaptive, not of the tribe near at hand, but of one further north,which had held her ever since the massacre of her parents; and thatshe had been told, in case she attempted to leave them, instant deathwould be the result. I saw she wished--she _longed_ to flee, and theobjections she offered were only suggested by her fears.
"Hist!" she whispered, "there is some one."
I turned on the defensive. In an instant Jim stood beside me.
"How soon goin'?" he asked, anxiously, turning toward me.
"Shortly; why do you ask?"
"Day clus comin', and if you cotched, no use!" he replied, meaningly.
"I was not aware, Jim, that I had enemies among you."
"You hain't; but--"
The rest of the sentence was gesticulated, first pointing to me andthe fair one beside me.
"Do you not understand?" asked the latter. "There are several in thetribe who look upon me with envious eyes, and were they conscious thatyou knew of my existence, you would not be spared a moment. This iswhat Jim means, and his words must be heeded."
"Must I travel afoot and alone?" I asked of the Indian.
"There's the hoss what tossed you over the buffler there," heanswered, pointing to a clump of trees, "and I've brought you themother things," he added, handing me my knife, powder-horn, and rifle,"and I'll show you through the woods to the peararie."
"Thank you; but I shall not need you, as I know the way well enough."
"How soon you goin' to start?" he asked, turning to depart.
"In less than an hour I shall bid you farewell."
"Jim," interposed the fair captive, "bring my horse to the same spot.I think I shall also leave for home to-night. If inquiry is made, youcan tell them this, and add that I shall probably be with them in afew days again. As I know the wilderness well, I will guide our friendhere through it."
The savage looked cautiously at us both. If he was shrewd enough tosuspect the truth, he was polite enough not to show it. He repliedthat her wish should be gratified, and he disappeared as noiselesslyas he came. It was now getting far in the night. The moon rode high inthe heavens, and shed a full, perfect light down upon us.
"So you are going," said I, looking at her.
"I am going to attempt it," she answered, firmly.
"And through no action of mine shall you ever regret this step," Iadded, warmly.
"Oh! I hope he will soon return, for I _wish_ to go," she said, aswith a shiver of apprehension she looked hurriedly about in the darkshadows of the forest.
"As yet, we know not each other's names," said I, pleasantly.
"True," she answered, with a faint smile. "Mine is Imogene Merment."
"And mine is William Relmond; but where can Jim be?"
"Ah! there he is now," she answered, with a deep flush; and the nextminute the savage stood beside us.
"The animals are there; and I'm thinking you'd better be off. Soon asyou git away, I'll cover up the hole, so thee won't think him hascrawled out; but I'm much afeared there am some peeking about here."
"We will go at once," said Imogene, gathering up her dress.
I turned to give a last word to Jim, but he had vanished.
"Let us hurry," said she, "for I have a dread that we are watched, andwill not get away after all. I pray God that nothing may prevent us,now that we are started."
She almost ran, and in a minute we reached the grove referred to. Herewe found two horses saddled and bridled, and ready for a journey.Without losing a moment, we mounted and struck to the northward.
"Why this direction, Imogene?" I asked.
"To avoid pursuit," she answered. "At daylight we will change it, andproceed to the south-east."
The open prairie was some miles distant, and as long as we were in thedeep shadows of the wood, the greatest danger was to be apprehended.It was more than probable that the extended absence of Jim andImogene, at the same time, had aroused the suspicions of more thanone savage. As all must have known that I was buried while stillliving, and that she had battled their determination as long as therewas hope, when the morning came and showed her abrupt departure, theycould not help suspecting the true cause.
"Without losing a moment, we mounted and struck to thenorthward."]
The air was cool and exhilarating, and, as my fiery animal prancedbeside that of Imogene, I could not restrain the wild, ardent hopesthat thrilled my being. I was homeward bound with the fairest prize ofthe universe to me. What else could be needed? Ah! there was the fateof Nat, my companion, still shrouded in obscurity. I determined toquestion her at once in regard to him.
"Imogene, although this is hardly the proper moment, I cannot helpquestioning you about the fate of a friend of mine."
"I know to whom you refer," she answered, quickly. "I have heard himspeak of you, but he does not know of your existence. He is a captivelike yourself, save that he seems perfectly contented with his fate."
"Thank heaven! it seems indeed that a wonderful Providence is watchingover all of us."
"I believe he can effect his escape, but it must be through yourinstrumentality, for I will not dare to show myself under thecircumstances."
"Good, clever Nat, I will do anything for him," I exclaimed, warmly."He is a whole-souled fellow, for all he is so odd. Only to think, hehas been so nigh me all this time! Of course, it is my place to assisthim, as far as lies in my power."
"I have had several conversations with him, in all of which he spokeof you. He appeared to love you, and regretted greatly that you wereso reckless. He said he had long striven to teach you how to hunt withcaution, but never succeeded. He also referred to a trapper named BillBiddon, the one who did his best to save our family when they fellvictims to the savages, and who I would give all the world to see. Hesaid he succeeded, after several years, in making quite a hunter ofhim."
"Oh! the rascal," I laughed, "just like him."
When day dawned we continued our journey for several hours. I learnedin the course of our conversation that Imogene Merment wanderedcontinually among the tribes for many miles around, and, as I learnedin after years, her existence was known to points as far opposite asFort Churchill and Fort Hall.[4]
[4] The Crow Indians are a numerous tribe, subdivided into the Blackfeet-Sioux, Dacotah, Ouk-pa-pas, Two Kettle, and Minnie, besides several others. Each has its separate village and chief, but all are on friendly relations with each other.
At noon I shot a ptarmigan, which was cooked and upon which we made ahearty dinner. Imogene ascended a small eminence to ascertain whetherany signs of pursuit were visible. None were discovered, but wehurried forward until nightfall, when we drew up for the night. Westarted a fire, and at my urgent request, Imogene lay down beside it,while I kept watch. Our horses were picketed at scarcely a roddistant, and yet in the night they became so terrified at the approachof some animal, that they broke loose and fled, and we never saw themagain.
This was a great loss to us, but in the mornin
g we continued ourjourney on foot, and at noon ascended a high mountain, which was aspur of the Black Hills, lying between the Yellowstone and Missouri.The day was a clear, beautiful one, and the fairest peaks of themountains, looming up against the blue, far-off horizon, formed a finebackground to the glorious landscape spread out before us. Never shallI forget the magnificent scene which was opened to our vision. To thenorth, the mighty wilderness stretched in one unbroken tract as far asthe eye could reach, while to the southward the glistening waters ofthe vast rivers could be seen, winding and losing their tortuouschannels in the forest again. Numerous patches of prairie werevisible to the west, and small, dark specks moving over their face,showed us that animal life was not wanting in this favored country.South of us, nestling in a deep valley, could be seen the tinybeehive-like lodges of the tribe we had left, seemingly coveringscarcely a square rod of ground.
"Yonder," said Imogene, pointing to the northward, "is the tribe whichholds your friend. The village is two days' journey, but the course isdirect, and you cannot fail to find it. If you wish to search for him,I will remain here until you return. I should wish to approach nonearer, as it would increase the danger to both of us. Your friend hashunted with the tribe in this mountain, and should you be at a loss tofind me again, ask him to guide you to the 'Death Rock,' and you willreach me by the most direct course."
I hesitated long before leaving Imogene, but my duty to Nat, and thehopeful view she took of it, finally decided me. She was confident Ishould find him and be back in a few days, and urged me to delay nolonger. We repaired to the "Death Rock," where we separated. Imogenewas familiar with its peculiarities, and assured me that in itsrecesses she could find security from any animal foe.[5] Beforeleaving her, I saw that she was provided with food sufficient to lasta week at least, and as she was furnished with a rifle and ammunition,her situation was certainly as good as my own.
[5] Death Rock is composed principally of a vast cave, in which it is said a whole tribe of Indians once perished; choosing death by starvation rather than to fall into the hands of their enemies.
Bill Biddon, Trapper; or, Life in the Northwest Page 10