Scouting Dave

“Down all of ye!” he raised his rifle and fired.

Following the report of David’s rifle, a wild yell of rage broke from the forest, and half-a-dozen musket-shots followed. No one was injured, as the savages had fired wildly. With a second yell they dashed for the vehicle. As it required the entire skill of Alfred to manage the plunging steeds, he was almost entirely unaware of the state of things behind him.

The scout sprung up as the scattering shots ceased, but he had no time to reload his rifle. Casting it in the bottom of the wagon, he drew a pistol in each hand, and, with a word to the others, turned to meet the foe. Three Indians sprung toward the vehicle upon one side, two of whom succeeded in grasping the sides, while the third, falling beneath the heavy wheels, never knew the result of the conflict. The foremost of the twain received the contents of a pistol full in his face, and fell back, but the second weapon missed fire, and the yelling Indian sprung into the midst of the little party, whirling his hatchet aloft.

Another moment would have seen the last of David, but for his ready tact and skill. Dropping quickly, and springing to one side, he confused the savage, who, with suspended tomahawk, awaited the moment when he might deliver his blow with a sure aim. Without pausing to gratify his foe, the scout gave him a fearful kick, full in the provision basket, which sent him floundering and howling out of the box. As his own coast was now clear, David turned to assist his friends.

They had been equally fortunate.

“Rather a bold undertakin’,” he exclaimed. “I wonder they tried to board a craft under full sail; they must have know’d they’d fall; though they did show good grit.”

“But why,” queried Mr. Markley, “did they not commence their attack upon the horses. Had they but killed them, we should have been at their mercy.”

“All policy, sir, as the lawyers say. Ye see they wanted hosses worse nor skalps, and so we saved our hair.”

“I have no doubt,” returned the elder Markley. “But I tell you, David, it seems hard for me to shoot a human being, even in self-defense. To think that I have lived for fifty years, and to-night, for the first time, have been necessitated to take human life.”

“Jest so,” returned David. “But you mustn’t git squeamish over it. I well remember the first time I had to kill a human, an’ how I felt, but that’s no use. When it’s got to be done, why let fly, that’s all!”

At length they reached a more open portion of the wood, and here David proposed to part company. The wagon was stopped, hasty but affectionate farewells spoken, strong hands pressed in a last fond grasp. Then the young men leaped from the vehicle and quickly left the road, while the father took the reins, and the wagon then rattled swiftly on its way to security. Davy stood watching it until lost to view.

“Now, boys,” he said, in a cautious voice, “we’re in for it in earnest. There’s no back down now. The first thing we’ve got to do is to git behind the Injins. Then there’ll be but little danger, unless we have to go clear back to Wild Bill’s settlement. Now, before we start, there’s one or two things ye want to always observe. Never fire a gun when ye can help it, unless yer in a safe place or in a mighty tight one. Then be careful of the trail. Make as little as possible, and walk in Injin file when ye can. The first thing we’ve got to do, is to git back, as I said, and the red-skins are so sharp on trail we must throw ’em off a little. Of course they think we all went off in that wagon, but they’ll find their mistake. So long as our tracks points toward the risin’ sun, they’ll not mind ’em much. By goin’ right ahead a quarter of a mile, we’ll strike the creek. There we’ll take to the water and come back till we see fit to leave it.”

The scout shouldered his rifle and pushed forward, his companions following his example. The way was clear, and they were aware if anything was accomplished under cover of the night, it must be speedily done. The stream was quite shallow, and assuring themselves that the foe was not upon them, the party stepped quickly in. Some time passed in complete silence; the only sound to be heard was the light ripple of the waters, as the men pressed cautiously forward. Finally the scout paused, and bent his head in a listening attitude.

“It’s as I thought, boys,” he said. “We are gettin’ too near the mahogany villains.”

The young men listened. They could hear the distinct tumult of warriors, and it was evident the stream would take them too near the sanguinary foe. The scout listened again.

“You had better stay here,” he said, “until I go ahead and investigate a bit.”

So saying, he disappeared in the bushes.

A long time it seemed to them Dave was absent, and many fears of disaster began to beset them. What if he had fallen into the hands of savages? Without his directing mind they were no better than a ship without a rudder, in the midst of breakers. To be sure, they were expert woodsmen, unerring shots, healthy and vigorous. Yet, never before this night had they seen an Indian upon the war-path, or listened to their blood-curdling whoops. Nearly an hour had passed, and the anxiety of Alfred had reached a decisive pitch.

“I tell you, Charley,” he said, energetically, “I’m going to see if I can find Dave. Maybe he’s in hot-water, and I can help him. You had better remain here.”

But Charles would not remain and let his brother go alone; so, together they set forth upon their doubtful mission. They had proceeded some fifty yards when a slight rustling ahead startled them. Both prepared for the worst, but suspense changed to joy when a tall figure, which could not be mistaken, stepped into view. In a moment the scout was with them. A satisfied expression lighted up his features, as he said:

“It’s what I suspected, boys; the reds are tired out, and buildin’ fires all ’round. Most likely they’ll not move again till mornin’, and afore that time we’ll have ’em outwitted as easy as robbin’ a roost. We’ll jest pass around toward the south, and git beyond ’em; then, if we can strike the trail of them chaps what carried Miss Emily off, like enough we’ll overhal ’em afore daylight.”

Suddenly the leader stopped, and bent his ear to listen.

“To cover, boys, quick!” he whispered, “they’re comin’ this way.”

Without waiting a moment, he darted from view, and crept noiselessly away. The brothers followed his example, and the Indians, who a moment later had passed over the ground, had no suspicion that a white man was within miles of them. From their coverts the borderers counted sixteen, who passed in their usual file, each treading in the footsteps of his leader.

In a minute they had passed, and our party of adventurers again stood together. There were no sounds to indicate the presence of other foes, so they again set forward.

Before the trail-hunters suspected it, they saw, upon glancing toward the eastern horizon, that the stars were paling, and the light-blue tinge, which foreshadows the dawn, already pervaded the sky. As they were now comparatively safe, the three pushed forward with all speed. In half-an-hour the early light of dawn was upon them, and the scout commenced looking about for the trail of the party they sought. To render the search more effectual the friends separated, pushing forward within signaling distance of each other.

The dawn was becoming every moment more full, when the brothers heard the signal from Davy. Not doubting that he had discovered the foe, they nerved themselves for conflict. They were surprised to find the scout standing erect, his eyes fixed upon the ground before him. Coming nearer they saw the smouldering remains of a fire, from which small jets of smoke still ascended. It had been a large fire, as much of the wood, partially burned, still remained.

“Well, boys, our game’s gone!” the scout remarked, as the others came up. “Here’s where the rascals stopped and took lunch, but forgot the sleepin’ part of it. Bloody murder! why couldn’t we have cum up while they war’ eatin’? Maybe we wouldn’t have gi’n ’em a warm dish.”

“Are you sure this is the work of the party we seek?” asked Charles, willing to grasp any hope.

“Of course I’m sure,” he returned, half displeased at the question. “An’ if ye were more skilled in yer business ye’d know it without askin’ questions.”

“One thing ye must l’arn, boys,” the scout remarked, as he quietly rose to his feet. “That is, allus tew be cool. Take things as they come, and when ye hev a chance tew eat, do it, by all means. I l’arnt that long ago, and ye’ll soon find it the best way. You wouldn’t mind goin’ without anythin’ to eat for a day or two, now, but mind you, ye’d feel it afore this tramp is over with.”

Then strapping on his wallet, and looking at the priming of his rifle, Davy once more led the way forward.

The trail was broad, for no care had been taken to conceal it – the party having the prisoner in charge feeling no apprehension that any pursuit would take place. They were now obliged to proceed with the utmost caution, as their position was very unfavourable. A secure place having been selected as a rendezvous, Davy departed to reconnoiter the river. The hours dragged wearily away, but it was not till late in the afternoon that he returned. His easy and unconcerned manner at once quieted their anxious fears, while they gathered around, and impatiently inquired the cause of his delay.

“Wait till supper’s over, boys, and I hev time tew think. I’m jist a bit puzzled myself, this time.”

The pipes were at length exhausted, and after a long silence, the leader raised his eyes toward the sinking sun. Carelessly he remarked:

“Well, boys, there’s three or four hours afore ye can move, so the best use to make on’t is to lie down an’ sleep. Maybe a long while afore ye’ll find another sich place. I’ll keep watch, an’ see ’at no red-skins disturb ye.”

Thus admonished the young men threw themselves upon the ground. Although nothing was further from their thoughts than sleep, but a few minutes passed before both were buried in a refreshing slumber.

Davy regarded the sleepers attentively for a few moments, then turning away, he muttered:

“The boys are hevin’ a comfortable doze, so I’ll jist take a turn around, an’ see if all promises favourably. Blame me, though, if they don’t promise well for greenhorns. If they stick to this bisness they’ll make the toughest kind o’ scouts; maybe they’ll think sometime how they took their first lesson in Injin-craft of Davy Barring; maybe they will. I wonder how the red-skins would like the idee of leavin’ Davy behind ’em. Blame me, if I don’t think I kin work ’em some mischief, and these two boys with me. They’ll burn and murder to their hearts’ content, but can’t have it all their own way, jist yit.”

The worthy scout moved about in the direction of the party upon the river’s bank, till satisfied there was no danger to his confederates in that quarter; then he struck into the forest beyond. In an hour he returned. His companions were still sleeping soundly. With a quiet glance about him the hardy fellow sunk upon the ground, and lay for some time. A slight rustling at length aroused him, and looking around he saw that Charles had risen to his feet. Perceiving that David was awake, the young man approached, and inquired:

“How long before we set out?”

“The sooner the better; it is sufficiently dark.”

A beaming light broke over the face of the youth, for he was all impatience to be away.

“I am anxious to be off, that this fearful suspense may be at an end. It is dreadful to think of the position of that dear girl, thus dragged away – her father and brother inhumanly butchered, and all the suspense which must be hers!”

“Partly right and partly wrong! You must remember that now yer comparatively safe. We’re between tew bodies o’ the inemy, an’ when we move either way we go into danger. But rouse Alf, and we’ll off.”

The sleeper was awakened, rifles and pistols made ready for instant use, and soon the adventurers were quietly stealing through the forest. The direction they took was south-westerly, diverging from the course hitherto kept. The way was clear, and, by the dusky light, they could barely discern the form of the leader as he stole silently along in advance.

At length the scout seemed to proceed with more caution as the forest grew less dense. A few rods more, and like so many shadows they stood upon the banks of the Mississippi. For the first time the brothers felt how lonely was their position. Before them rolled the broad, silent waters, around them spread the wide, dark forest. Foes were upon every hand – savage, blood-thirsty, triumphant! Their friends – those who still lived – were flying from the rabble.

For a moment they stood thus, realizing the utter loneliness of their situation; then the scout whispered:

“You will keep shady here till I come down to you in a dug-out. If anything makes its appearance, keep the shadier. If ye hev tew fite, yew know how. These I’ll leave here” – depositing rifle, pistols, and powder-horn – “’cause I can’t use ’em. Now, be cautious as foxes and wise as weasels.”

With these words he left them – left them alone in the darkness.