Altsheler, Joseph - [Great West 01] Read online

  "They're Sioux, too," said Boyd. "Now, steady, Will. It's a new and pressing danger, of course, but it may help us, too."

  "How so?"

  "I think I can give 'em a healthy lesson. We all learn by experience, and they'll take notice, if I make a good example. They're bearing down on our flank. You lead, Will, and keep straight for our rock. The four will soon be within range, as this repeating rifle of mine is a beauty, and it carries mighty far. The old muzzle loader is just a pistol by the side of it. Come on, my fine fellows! The nearer you are the better! I learned long ago to shoot from a running horse, and that's more than many Sioux can do."

  The four Sioux on the right, bent low, were urging their ponies forward at their utmost speed. From the band behind came a tremendous yell, which, despite the distance, reached Boyd and young Clarke, and, apparently, they had full warrant in thus giving utter- ance to their feeling of triumph. The sudden ap- pearance of the warriors coming down the dip was like the closing of a trap and it seemed that all chance of escape was cut off from the two who rode so des- perately for the mountains.

  The hunter shut his teeth tightly and smiled in ironic fashion. Whenever he was highly pleased he grew rather talkative, and now he had much to say for a man whose life was about to turn on a hair.

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  THE GREAT SIOUX TRAIL

  "If the four on the ponies off there knew the peril into which they were riding they wouldn't ride so hard/' he said. "But the Sioux are not yet acquainted with the full merits of a long range repeating rifle, nor do they understand how well I can shoot. I'm as good a marksman as there is in the West, if I do say it myself, and lest you may think me a boaster, Will, I'll soon prove it."

  He dropped the reins on the neck of Selim, who, though unguided, ran on straight and true, and grasped the splendid rifle with both hands. Will ceased to think of the band behind them and began to watch the hunter, who, though still smiling, had become one of the most dangerous of human beings.

  "Yes, my four friends, you're overhauling us fast/' murmured the hunter, "and I'm glad of it, because then I don't have to do so much waiting, and, when there's ugly work at hand, one likes to get it over. Ah, I think they're near enough now!"

  The rifle sprang to his shoulder, a jet of flame leaped 'from the muzzle, and, with the sharp crack, the fore- most Sioux rolled to the ground and lay still, his fright- ened pony galloping off at an angle. The hunter quickly pulled the trigger again and the second Sioux also was smitten by sudden death. The other two turned, but one of them was wounded by the terrible marksman, and the pony of the fourth was slain, his rider hiding behind the body. A dismal wail came from the Sioux far back. The hunter lowered his great weapon, and one hand resumed the bridle rein.

  "A rifle like mine is worth more than its weight in

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  The rifle sprang to his shoulder, a jet of flame leaped from the muzzle.

  THE NARROW ESCAPE

  gold," he said. "It's worth its weight in diamonds, rubies, emeralds and all the other precious jewels at a time like this. I can say, too, that's about the best shooting I ever did, and I think it'll save us. Even the band behind, thirty or so in number, won't want to ride full tilt into rifles like ours."

  "The first slopes are not more than three or four miles away now," said young Clarke, "and no matter how hard they push they can't overtake us before we reach the trees. But Jim, how are we to ride through those high mountains, and, if we abandon the horses, we might as well give up our quest."

  "I chose these horses myself, Will," said Boyd, "and I knew what I was about. I trained Selim, and, of course, he's the best, but the others are real prize packages, too. Why, they can walk up the side of a cliff. They can climb trees, and they can jump chasms fifty feet wide."

  "Come down to earth, Jim. Stay somewhere in the neighborhood of truth."

  "Well, maybe I do draw a rather long bow, but horses learn to be mountain climbers, and ours are the very best of that kind. They'll take us up through the ridges, never fear. The Sioux will follow, for a while, at least, but in the deep forest you see up there we'll shake 'em off."

  "Hear 'em shouting now! What are they up to?"

  "Making a last rush to overtake us, while we're yet in the plain. But it is too late, my gay scalp hunt- ers!"

  Jhe mountains were now drawing near very fast,

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  and with the heavy forest along their slopes they seemed to Will to eome forward of themselves to welcome them. He became suddenly aware that his body ached from the long gallop, and that the dust raised by the beating hoofs was caked thickly on his face. His lips were dry and burning, and he longed for water.

  "In five more minutes we'll be on the first slope," said Boyd, "and as we'll soon be hidden in the forest I think I'll say farewell to our pursuers."

  "I don't understand you, Jim."

  "I'm going to say only one word, and it'll be short and sharp."

  He turned suddenly in his saddle, raised the repeat- ing rifle and fired once at the band.

  He had elevated the sight for a very long shot, re- garding it as a mere chance, but the bullet struck a pony and a few moments of confusion in the band followed. Now Boyd and young Clarke made their horses use the reserves of strength they had saved so prudently, and with a fine spurt soon gained the shel- ter of the woods, in which they disappeared from the sight of the pursuing horde.

  They found themselves among oaks, aspens, pines, cedars, and birch, and they rode on a turf that was thick, soft and springy. But Selim neighed his ap- proval and Boyd pulled down to a walk. A little farther on both dismounted at his suggestion.

  "It'll limber us up and at the same time help the horses," he said. "Knowing what kind of rifles we carry and how we can shoot, the Sioux won't be in

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  any hurry to ride into the forest directly after us. .We've a big advantage now in being able to see with- out being seen. As we needn't hurry, suppose we stop and take another look with those glasses of yours, [Will. I never thought they'd prove so useful, when you insisted on bringing 'em."

  Will obeyed at once.

  "They're a mile or so away," he said, " and they've stopped. They're gathered in a semi-circle about one man who seems to be a chief, and I suppose he's talk- ing to 'em."

  "Likely! Most likely. I can read their minds. They're a little bit bashful about riding on our trail, when we have the cover of the forest. Repeating rifles don't encourage you to get acquainted with those who don't want to know you. I can tell you what they'll do."

  "What, Jim?"

  "The band will split into about two equal parts. One will ride to the right and the other to the left. Then, knowing that we can't meet both with the rifles, they'll cautiously enter the mountains and try to pick up our trail. Am I right or am I wrong?"

  "Right, O, true prophet! They've divided and al- ready they're riding off in opposite directions. And what's the best thing for us to do?"

  "We'll lead the horses up this valley. I see through leaves a little mountain stream, and we'll drink there all the water we want. Then we'll push on deeper and deeper into the mountains, and when we think we're clear out of their reach we'll push on."

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  They drank plentifully at the brook, and even took the time to bathe their hands and faces. Then they mounted and rode up the slopes, the pack horses fol- lowing.

  "Didn't I tell you they were first class mountain climbers ?" said Boyd with pride. "Why, mules them- selves couldn't beat 'em at it."

  When twilight came they were high on the slopes under the cover of the forest, pushing forward with unabated zeal.

  CHAPTER III

  THE LITTLE GIANT

  BOYD rode in front, Will was just behind, and then came the two heavily laden pack horses, following their masters with a faith that noth- ing could shake. The hunter seemed to have an in- stinct for choosin
g the right way, or else his eyes, like those of an owl, were able to pierce the dark. He avoided chasms and cliffs, chose the best places on the slopes, and wherever he wound he always led deeper and deeper into the vast maze of high mountains.

  Will looked back toward the plains, but he could see no trace of them now, and he did not believe that the Sioux, however skilled they might be, could fol- low their trail up the ridges in the dark. Meanwhile the stars came out, and a half moon rode in a medium sky. The boy's eyes, grown used to the night, were now able to see quite clearly, and he noticed that the region into which they were riding was steadily grow- ing wilder. Now and then they passed so close to the edge of chasms that he shivered a little, as he looked down into the dark wells. Then they passed up ravines where the lofty cliffs, clothed in stunted pine and cedar, rose high above them, and far in the north

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  he caught the occasional glimpses of white crests on which the snow lay deep.

  Boyd became quite cheerful, and, for a while, hum- med a little air under his breath. When he ceased singing he said:

  "I don't know where we're going, Will, but I do know that we're going away from the Sioux. They'll try to trail us tomorrow when the light comes, and they may be able to do it, but we'll be moving on again, and, however patient trailers may be, a trail that lengthens forever will wear out the most patient trailer of them all."

  "Isn't that a creek down there?" asked Will, point- ing to a silver flash in the dusk.

  "So it is, and while these mountain streams usually have rough beds, scattered with boulders, we'll ride up it as far as we can. It may be a great help in hiding our trail."

  They rode down the slope and urged the horses into the water, although the good beasts showed reluc- tance, fearful of the bowlders and the rough footing, but, when they were in, the two riders allowed them to pick the way, and thus they advanced slowly and with extreme caution a distance of five full miles. They heard a roaring and approached a fine fall of about thirty feet, over which the creek tumbled, send- ing up much white foam.

  "This watery road is now blocked, that's quite sure," said Boyd. "But we've been able to use it a much greater distance than I thought, and it may throw off the Sioux entirely."

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  THE LITTLE GIANT

  They emerged from the water and the horses climbed a steep slope to the crest of a ridge, where they stood panting. Boyd and young Clarke slipped from the saddles and stood by. The half moon and clusters of stars still made in the sky a partial light, enabling them to see that they stood upon a sort of broad shelf, sprinkled with large trees without under- growth, but well covered with long grass. The only way of approach from the south was the rocky brook, along the bed of which they had come. What lay to the north they did not know, but the shelf seemed to narrow there.

  "A large part of the night is spent," said Boyd, "and as it's not possible for the Sioux to overtake us before dawn I vote we camp here, because we're pretty well worn out, and the horses are dead tired. What does the other half of the army say?"

  "It says this place was just made for us," replied Will, "and we shouldn't go forward another inch to- night."

  "Then we'll unsaddle, tether the horses and take to our blankets, though, if you say so, we will first draw a little on the commisariat."

  "No. I'm too tired to eat. I'd rather go to sleep."

  "The two halves of the army are in agreement. So will I."

  The horses fell to cropping the rich grass, but their riders, seeking the softest place they could find, folded themselves in their blankets and soon slumbered as soundly as if they were in the softest beds civilization could furnish.

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  awoke before dawn, and instantly remembered where he was. But while all had been strife and strain and anxiety before he slept, he felt now an immense peace, the great peace of the mountains. The horses having eaten their fill were lying down. The murmurs of the swift brook below came up to his ears, and with it the sound of a faint breeze playing in just a whisper among the leaves. Far above him soared peaks and ridges, so many and high that they seemed to prop up the eternal blue.

  Will realized that he loved the mountains. Why shouldn't he? They had given him refuge when he needed it most, saving him and Boyd from dreadful torture and certain death. Somewhere in the heart of them lay the great treasure that he meant to find, and they possessed a majesty that appealed not merely to his sense of beauty, but to a spiritual feeling that was in truth an uplift to the soul.

  He was awake scarcely a minute, but all the events of the last few days passed in a swift panorama before his mind the warning of Red Cloud, the silent depart- ure by night from the camp of the troops, the pur- suit by the Sioux, and the escape into the high ranges. Rapidly as it passed it was almost as vivid as if it were happening again, and then he was asleep once more.

  When he awoke the dawn was an hour old, and Boyd was kindling a low fire down by the edge of the stream.

  "We'll draw on the coffee once more this morn- ing," he said. "After all that we've passed through

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  we're entitled to two cups of it apiece. I'll make bread and warm some of the dried beef, too. Sup- pose, while I'm doing it you climb to the crest over there, and use those glasses of yours for all they're worth."

  It was a stiff climb to the summit, but once there Will had a tremendous view in all directions. Far to the south he was able to catch through the powerful lenses the dim line of the plains, but on all other sides were mountains, and yet more mountains. In the north they seemed very high, but far to the west was a mighty rounded peak, robed at the top in white, tow- ering over every other. The narrow valley and the ridges were heavy with forest, but the glasses could find no sign of human life.

  He descended with his report, and found the coffee, the bread and the meat ready, and while he had been too tired to eat the night before he had a tremendous appetite now. When breakfast was over they sat by the stream and considered the future. Boyd was quite sure the Sioux were still following, and that they would eventually strike the trail, though they might be two or three days in doing so. He was of the opinion that they should go farther into the high ranges.

  "And what becomes of our quest?" asked Will.

  "You know, lad," responded the hunter, whimsically, "that the longest way round is sometimes the shortest way through, and those that are in too great a hurry often fall over their own feet. If you are careful about your health and don't get shot you ought to live sixty or seventy years yet, because you are surely a

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  robust youngster, and so you're richer in time than in anything else. I am, too, and for these reasons we can afford to go into the very heart of the high moun- tains, where we'll be well hidden, and bide until the danger of the Sioux pursuit has passed."

  "A long speech, Jim, but probably a true one. Do we start right away?"

  "Aye, lad, the sooner the better. Both the horses and ourselves are fed and refreshed. We don't know what this shelf leads to, but we can soon find out."

  They resaddled, but did not mount, letting the well- trained horses follow, and proceeded along the shelf, until they entered a narrow pass, where they were compelled to go in single file, the hunter leading the way. Far below him Will heard the creek roaring as it foamed forward in rapids, and he was glad that the horses were, what Boyd had declared them to be, trained mountain climbers, walking on with even step, although he felt an instinctive desire to keep as far as he could from the cliff's edge, and lean against the slope on the other side. But Boyd, made familiar with such trails by his years of experience in the mountains, whistled gaily.

  "Everything comes our way," he said. "If we were at the head of a trail like this we could hold it against the entire Sioux nation, if we had cartridges enough."

  "I hope it won't go on forever," said W
ill. "It makes me feel a little dizzy."

  "It won't. It's opening out now. The level land is widening on either side of the creek and that means another valley not much farther on."

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  But it was a good four miles before they emerged into a dip, covering perhaps two square miles, covered heavily with forest and with a beautiful little blue lake at the corner. Will uttered a cry of pleasure at the sight of the level land, the great trees green with foliage, and the gem of a lake.

  "We couldn't have found a finer place for a camp/' he said. "We're the children of luck."

  But the wise hunter shook his head.

  "When the morning's cold we hate to pull ourselves out of comfortable beds," he said, "and for mountain- eers such as we've become I'll admit that this valley looks like the Garden of Eden, but here we do not bide."

  "Why not?"

  "Because it's too good for us to live in. The Sioux, of course, know of it, and what draws us draws them, too. For a long time the finer a spot becomes the more dangerous it is for us. No, we'll ride on past this happy valley straight into the mountains."

  "But at least let me take a little swim in that blue lake."

  "Well, there's no harm in that, provided you're quick about it. When you come out I'll take one myself." Will undressed in a couple of minutes and sprang into the water, which he found extremely cold, but he swam joyously for five minutes or so, when he emerged and was followed by Boyd. When they were in the saddle again both felt that their strength had been renewed and Will waved one hand in farewell to the little blue lake.

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  THE GREAT SIOUX TRAIL