Chapter VI: In Peril

It was a terrible temptation to the scout when he crawled forth from the wigwam, to endeavor to find some weapon and at once attempt to inflict condign punishment upon the Indians, for the unprovoked murders they had been engaged in. But the folly of the proceeding when their numbers was taken into account, as well as the fact that the doctor and the beautiful girl were at their mercy, restrained him.

And what next was to be done was very difficult to determine. But the physician having thrown out a hint during their whispered conversation, that, if he could secure his medicine-chest, he might be able to work upon the superstition of the Indians, so as to make them afraid of him, he at once took the back-track to make an investigation concerning it.

But, the journey resulted in nothing, save that he gathered the mangled bodies that had been left to the mercy of the wolves, scooped out a rude grave, placed them within, covered it with earth and sod, leveled and stamped it down, and dragging the remnants of the wagons together, kindled a fire, that would keep away the animals and obliterate the marks of what he had done.

Then he returned toward the encampment, and began spying around for something that would be of advantage, and to learn where the girl was concealed, and to take measures to steal her away, if such a thing should prove to be possible.

Chance brought him to the vicinity of the cave of the Medicine, at the very moment when he was releasing the traitor Parsons, and when the twain had departed, he could not resist the temptation to explore the bowels of the earth, and learn what it contained. But he very soon paid the penalty of his folly, and death had laid his iron hand upon him.

Not being familiar with the locality, and the mysteries contained within, he stumbled along in the darkness, came suddenly upon the hissing, snarling wildcat, and as it sprung fiercely toward him, he leaped to avoid it, and fell directly into the clutches of the huge bear that had been watching him with open jaws and snapping eyes, and was instantly imprisoned by its mighty arms!

Had he been possessed of any weapon, even a knife--the battle would have been short and decisive. But he had nothing save his naked hands to fight with, and it would have been madness to attempt such a thing, for the brute was of monstrous size.

"Ef I don't play 'possum I'm a gone sucker," muttered the scout as he relaxed his muscles, fell to the rocky floor, held his breath, and remained motionless.

It was a difficult task, however, to remain so, for the bear was moving him around, and its long sharp claws scratching his flesh, and any instant his heart might be torn out. A very difficult task indeed, and nothing but the frontier training and strong self-command of the scout enabled him to counterfeit death. Yet he did so, until almost exhausted, and then as a favorable opportunity presented itself, he rolled swiftly away, and as soon as out of reach, grunted forth, as if in answer to the astonished and angry brute:

"You hug most mighty clus, that am er fact. Er leetle too much so fer friendship, and I rayther reckon once will do me fer er lifetime. No, I shan't fergit yer--shall remember yer at least ontil I git short of meat and want er roast or er steak."

A few moments given to rest, and he dodged between the watching animals, and was about to pass out when the hissing of the snakes (that had been aroused by the noise) caught his ear, and he stopped, listened and gave vent to his surmises:

"Here's more deviltry. But the old humbug knows what he am erbout, and keeps a supply of ash leaves on hand. Perhaps I'll come and see ye ag'in, ladies and gentlemen," making a bow in the direction of the den, "but I hain't got time now--have rayther pressin' business on hand." And he went out and carefully closed the opening to the cave in the same manner as he had found it.

And as he dared not venture near the wigwams until night came, he crawled into a neighboring thicket through which the trail to a spring passed, and covering himself with brush and leaves, waited very anxiously for the darkness.

Very frequently the sound of voices reached his ears, and he learned enough to satisfy him of the treachery of Parsons, and swore a deep oath that the scoundrel should suffer for his villainy.

Satisfied that no actual harm had come to either of the prisoners, this greatly relieved his mind, and gave him patience to wait until the hour came when he could continue his scout.

It came at last, and fortunately the night was dark and stormy. Almost with the going down of the sun the clouds had begun to gather, the wind to blow and the rain to fall, and, knowing that the Indians would not long remain from under shelter, he watched yet a little and then drew more near.

An hour passed. Then some brute of an Indian, who had managed to conceal a portion of the fire-water that had been taken from the wagons of the emigrants, came staggering along and fell over him--saw him, and drawing his knife attacked and at the same time endeavored to give the alarm.

The situation of the scout became desperate. If the noise reached the wigwams--if the warriors learned that a white man was skulking so near, there would be no possibility of escape, and if he attempted to strangle the Indian his knife would not be idle. Indeed, he had already been slightly wounded.

But there was no time for thought. With a mighty blow he felled his assailant to the earth, and before he could recover sprung upon him, falling so that his knees struck full upon his breast and completely taking away his breath. That accomplished, the rest was easy. He immediately obtained possession of the knife that had been aimed against his own life, buried it in the heart of the Indian, left it sticking there, and, finding that he was quivering in death, coolly turned him upon his face, arranged him so that it would appear as if his life had been accidentally taken, and retreated to the opposite side of the village.

The temptation was very strong to supply himself with weapons, but he could only gratify it at the expense of the danger of detection, and was forced to wait a better opportunity.

Driven by the storm, the Indians left the camp-fires early, save the few who were detailed to watch the male prisoner--the female one being secured by the attendance of squaws--so that, with the exception of numerous dogs, the coast was clear, and the scout no longer hesitated to enter the village, though his movements were of the most crafty kind.

Fortune was in his favor, for, even as he came near where the physician was confined, the discovery of the dead Indian was made, and the guards rushed thither--at least he fancied so--and was about to enter the wigwam, when two of them, who had been concealed, sprung upon him, and a desperate struggle ensued. And very hard would it have been for him had he not been fertile in expedients. Shaking loose, he dodged between the legs of the foremost and threw him like a bombshell into the face of the other, darted to the nearest fire, caught a handful of blazing brands, and whirled them, as he ran, into the wigwams, causing screams and dismay, and forcing the majority to stop and put out the flames.

Still a few swift-footed ones followed; the race was rapid, and, to the scout at least, over unknown ground. But on he dashed until his progress was suddenly stopped. A wall of rock rose in his path--the fierce cries of the savages were ringing in his ears like a death-knell--there was not a single instant for delay. He gave one swift glance and boldly leaped. At some distance below he had seen a tree, and calculated to alight in its branches, trusting to luck for what should follow. He did so, but luck was against him. The impetus was too great--he whirled entirely over--caught his foot in the forks and hung suspended between heaven and earth, without the possibility of release.

The Indians flung over torches and saw his desperate situation--some watched till the light, saw him still hanging there, and foul birds fluttering around and picking at him--knew he was dead and carried the good news to the village.