feet and, seizing our guns, stood ready to fire at
a moment’s warning. “Halloo!”
cried a deep voice, just outside our camp, but instead
of answering it we nerved ourselves for a desperate
encounter, feeling assured that several Indians were
lurking outside our tent. “Halloo, white
brudder, come out,” cried the same voice in broken
English. We consulted for a moment and finally
decided to trust, for once, to Indian faith.
Ralph first stepped forth and demanded in no very amiable
voice, what was wanting. “Come out white
brudder,” was the answer. After assuring
ourselves that there was but one person near we walked
forward and found a large Indian sitting by the fire,
both hands spread before the flame to protect his
eyes from the light, that his keen gaze might rest
unmolested upon us. As soon as he saw us a writhing
grin spread over his painted features, and rising
he offered us each his hand in a very friendly manner.
The Indian drew from his belt a large pipe, gaudily
painted, and from which depended a profusion of wampum,
beads, and eagles’ feathers. He lighted
the pipe, and after taking a whiff, passed it to Ralph,
who, following his example, passed it to me. After
taking a puff I handed it to the Indian, who replaced
it in his belt. This very important ceremony
being finished, the Indian made known his business.
After bestowing a thousand anathemas upon his red brethren,
he informed us that he had left the red man forever,
and was willing to join his white brothers, and to
wage an exterminating warfare against his own kindred.
We strove to extort from him the cause of this ebullition
of passion, but he only shook his head in reply to
our questions, and uttered a guttural “ough.”
We at first suspected him of some treacherous plot;
but there was such an air of candor and earnestness
in the communication he now made, that we threw aside
all suspicion and confided in him. He stated
that there was a large party of Indians in our rear,
who had been tracking us for several hours; and that
it was their intention early in the morning to surround
us, and take us prisoners for victims at the stake;
“but,” said he, “if my white brudder
will follow his red brudder he will lead him safe.”
We instantly signified our willingness to trust ourselves
to his guidance, and, shouldering our blankets and
guns, we left our camp, and followed our guide due
north at a rapid gait. For several miles we strode
through the thick woods, every moment scratching our
faces and tearing our clothing, with the thick tangled
brush through which we had to pass, but considering
this of minor importance we hurried on in silence,
save when we intruded too near the nest of the nocturnal
king of the forest, when a wild hoot made us start
and involuntarily grasp our rifles. “Sit
on this log and eat,” said our red guide.
Finding our appetites sharpened by vigorous exercise,
we sat on the log and commenced our repast, when our
guide suddenly sprang from his seat, and with a hideous