The Spirit of the Border: A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio Valley

iors closed in around the brothers; two grasping each by the arms, and the remaining India

of the Indians, the chief seized the grapevine, that was now plainly in sight, and severed

last had been tied the grapevine. When the drifting raft reached the sapling, the Indians concealed in the willows pulled hard on the improvised rope; the end of the sapling stuck up like a hook, and the aft was caught and held. The killing of the helmsman showed the Indians' foresight; even had

unate raftsman's body had appeared. It was not to be seen. The river ran swiftly and hid all evidence of the tragedy under its smooth su

ed against a tree and took no notice of the brothers. When they were thus securely tied one of their captors addressed the chief, who at once led the way westward through the forest. The savages followed in single file, with Joe

whenever Joe turned, the brawny redskin grinned as he grunted, "Ugh!" Joe observed that this huge savage had a broad face of rather a lighter shade of red than his companions. Perhaps he intended those rifle-prods in friendliness, for although they certainly amused him, he would allow

l brute," remar

g Indian, jamming Joe

surely conducting him to one of the Indian towns. He watched the supple figure before him, wondering at the quick step, light as the fall of a leaf, and tried to walk as softly. He found, however, that where the Indian readily avoided the sticks and brush, he was unable to move without snapping twigs. Now and then he would look up and study the lay of the l

ld understand what caused the melancholy quiet which hung over the glades and hollows. He had pictured a real forest so differently from this. Here was a long lane paved with springy moss and fenced by bright-green sassafras; there a secluded dale, dotted with pale-blue blossoms, over which the giant cottonwoods leaned

d, matted thickets and tangled windfalls. Joe got a glimpse of dark ravines and heard the music of tumbling waters; he saw gray cliffs grown over with vines

ow in the glens; then the trees faded into an indistinct mass; a purple

-fire. Evidently the Indians had halted there that same day, for the logs still smouldered. While one brave fanned the embers, another took from a neighboring

ty he had incurred. Almost, it seemed, he was glad of this chance to watch the Indians and listen to them. He had been kept apart from Jim, and it appeared to Joe that their capto

k the most disheartening view of his capture. When he had eaten th

ree as an eagle. His dignity as a chief kept him aloof from his braves. He had taken no notice of the prisoners since the capture. He remained silent, steadily rega

ical laughter, or sat gazing stolidly into the fire, their faces seemed always the same, inscrutable, like the depths of the forest now hidden in night. One thing Joe felt rather than saw-these savages we

out of the pack, which the Indian now opened. Time and again the big brave pla

ting with satisfaction, and threw the boots and clothes to the others. Immediately there was a scramble. One brave, after a struggle with another, got possession of both bo

t of his comrades, and then held up his foot to the nearest one. This chanced to be the big Indian, who evidently had a keen sense of humor. Taking hold of the boot with both hands, he dragged the luckless brave entirely around the camp-fire. The fun, however, was

f had addressed his brief command, acting, as guard. Observing Joe watching him as he puffed on his new pi

-tobac'-h

brother's initiative, for Jim was fast asleep, he

eep-Injun wigwams

is legs, which had been bound all night. He was glad when

ed the most open paths through the forest. They even halted while one of their number crept up on a herd of browsing deer. About

xclamations came from the braves as they bent to catch the lightest sound. Presently, above the murmur of the gentle fall of water over the stones, rose that musical note once more. It was made by a bird, Joe thought, and yet, judged by the actions of the Indians, how potent with meaning beyond that of the simple melody

and were thus communicating with them. Soon dark figures could be discerned against the patches of green th

see that this difference consisted in the head-dress, and in the color and quantity of

bronze face, stern and powerful, there were readable the characteristics of a king. In his deep-set eyes, gleaming from under a ponderous brow; in his mastiff-like jaw;

te man. His skin was burned to a dark bronze, but it had not the red tinge which characterizes the Indian. This white man had, indeed, a strange physiognomy. The forehead was narrow and sloped backward from the brow, denoting animal instincts. The eyes were close together, yellowish-br

consultation, this savage-appearin

e you goin'?" he aske

i

my way to the Moravian Mission to preach to the

ation would please his int

hunt. I'll cut your heart out, chop it up, an' feed it to the buzzards," he

ruffian, contracted with their characteristic steely glow, as if some powerful force with

?" questioned the man

at had been abs

r, and regarded q

ver hear of Jim Girty

new you were Girty,"

now? Ain't y

wh

e-

in the ren

irty. "I'll see thet you hev c

hite man in these woods who is coward eno

with your tongue. I'l

ised, but it never

the thong which was left attached to Joe's left wrist. This allowed the young man f

rightful curse; he writhed with pain, but could not free himself from the vise-like clutch. He drew his tomahawk and with a scream aimed a vicious blow at Joe. He missed his a

nd tried to get at Joe; but Silvertip remained in front of his captive until some o

e pleased with Girty's discomfiture. They jabbered among themselves and nodded a

a savage speak a foreign language. At any rate, whatever had been said was trenchant with meaning. The Indians changed from gay to grave

id you notice the effect it had?" whispe

ch, but of course it

ch. 'Le Vent

t does it mean?" asked J

ind of

but I can't apply

t is some I

ong time he traveled in the bed of the brook, wading when the water was shallow, and always stepping where there was the least possibility of leaving a footprint. Not a word w

where they were to step. They were hiding the trail. Silvertip hurried them over the stony places; went more slowly through the water,

gray mantle, and soon black night enveloped the forest. The Indians halted, bu

told Silvertip? To Joe it seemed that they acted as if believing foes were on all sides. Though

aside of branches, the roving eyes, suspicious and gloomy, the eager watchfulness of the advance as well as to th

, free in the heart of their own wilderness yet menaced by a foe, and that strange French phrase which kept recurring in his mind-all had the effect of conjuring up giant shadows in Joe's fanciful mind. During all his life, until this

ans once more took up the line of march toward the west. They marched all that d

when he had fallen asleep. A pale, crescent moon shown dimly through the murky clouds. Th

one. The captive raised his head and looked around for the chief. There

p had worn, in his head-dress. It lay on the ground near the tree. Joe made some slight noise which awakened the

swelling sigh, like the moan of the night wind. It rose an

s started and glared wildly; he rose very slowly to his full height and stood waiting, listening. The da

forest-deeps came t

mm-woo

to a deep moan, soft but clear, and en

oozed from his skin, and it was as if a clammy hand clutched at his heart. He tried to persuade himself that

rd cry, and then, swift as a flash, and as noiseless, he was gone i

nd swelled mournfully on the stil

f Death," w

past two days, and dazed from his wound. His s