Wild Western Scenes Part 16

"Say no more about it," said Glenn; "but as you are so anxious to be well provided with comforts, if we are besieged, there is one thing I had forgotten, that is absolutely necessary for our existence, which you can procure."

"What is it? Be quick, for we havn't a moment to lose," said Joe.

"Water," replied Glenn.

"That's a fact--but--its way off at the spring, by the ferry," said Joe, disliking the idea of exposing himself without the inclosure.

"True, yet it must be had. If you can get it nearer to us, you are at liberty to do so," said Glenn.

"Here comes Sneak," said Mary; "he will a.s.sist you."

Sneak readily agreed to the proposition, and he and Joe set out, each with a large bucket, while the rest of the party, with the exception of Boone (who desired to be left alone,) retired within the house.

When Sneak and Joe were filling their buckets at the spring the second time, the hounds (which attended them at Joe's special request) commenced barking.

"What's that?" cried Joe, das.h.i.+ng his bucket, water and all, in Sneak's lap, and running ten or fifteen feet up the hill.

"Dod rot your cowardly heart!" exclaimed Sneak, rising up and shaking the cold water from his clothes; "if I don't pay you for this, I wish I may be shot!"

"I thought it was the Indians," said Joe, still staring at the small thicket of briers, where the hounds were yet growling and bounding about in a singular manner.

"I'll see what it is and then pay you for this ducking," said Sneak, walking briskly to the edge of the thicket, while the water trickled down over his moccasins.

"What is it?" cried Joe, leaping farther up the ascent with great trepidation, as he saw the hounds run out of the bushes as if pursued, and even Sneak retreating a few paces. But what seemed very unaccountable was a _smile_ on Sneak's elongated features.

"What in the world can it be?" repeated Joe.

"Ha! ha! ha! if that ain't a purty thing to skeer a full-grown man into fits!" said Sneak, retreating yet farther from the thicket.

"What makes _you_ back out, then?" inquired Joe. The hounds now ran to the men, and the next moment a small animal, not larger than a rabbit, of a dark colour, with long white stripes from the nose to the tail, made its appearance, and moved slowly toward the spring. Sneak ran up the hill beyond the position occupied by Joe, maintaining all the time a most provoking smile.

"Who's scared into fits now, I should like to know?" retorted Joe.

"I wish I had my gun," said Sneak.

"Hang me, if I'm afraid of that little thing," said Joe. Still the hounds ran round, yelping, but never venturing within thirty feet of the animal.

"I'll be whipped if I understand all this!" said Joe, in utter astonishment, looking at Sneak, and then at the hounds.

"Why don't you _run_?" cried Sneak, as the animal continued to advance.

"I believe you're making fun of me," said Joe; "that little thing can't hurt anybody. Its a pretty little pet, and I've a notion to catch it."

"What are you talking about? You know you're afraid of it," said Sneak, tauntingly.

"I'll show you," said Joe, springing upon the animal. The polecat (for such it was) gave its a.s.sailant a taste of its quality in a twinkling.

Joe grasped his nose with both hands and wheeled away with all possible expedition, while the animal pursued its course towards the river.

"My goodness, I've got it all over my coat!" exclaimed Joe, rolling on the snow in agony.

"Didn't I say I'd pay you for spilling the cold water on me?" cried Sneak, in a convulsion of laughter.

"Why didn't you tell me, _you rascal_?" cried Joe, flushed in the face, and forgetting the Indians in his increasing anger.

"Oh, I'll laugh myself sore--ha! ha! ha!" continued Sneak, sitting down on the snow, and laughing obstreperously.

"You long, lopsided scoundrel, you. My Irish blood is up now," said Joe, rus.h.i.+ng towards Sneak with a resolution to fight.

"I'll be whipt if you tech me with them hands," said Sneak, running away.

"Oh, what shall I do?" cried Joe, sinking down, his rage suddenly subdued by his sickening condition.

"If you'll say all's square betwixt us, I'll tell you what to do. If you don't do something right quick, they won't let you sleep in the house for a month."

"Well. Now tell me quick!"

"Pull off your coat before it soaks through."

"I didn't think of that," said Joe, obeying with alacrity, and s.h.i.+vering in the cold air.

"Now twist a stick into it, so you can carry it up to the house, without touching it with your hands, that is, if none of it got on 'em," continued Sneak.

"There ain't a bit anywhere else but on the shoulder of my coat," said Joe, acting according to Sneak's instructions. Filling their buckets, they at length started towards the house, Joe holding a bucket in one hand, and a long pole, on which dangled his coat, in the other. When they entered, the company involuntarily started; and Glenn, losing all control over his temper, hurled a book at his man's head, and commanded him not to venture in his presence again until he could by some means dispense with his horrid odor.

"Foller me," said Sneak, leading the way to the stable, and taking with him one of the spades he had brought in from the burial; "now,"

he continued, when they were with the horses, "dig a hole at this end of the stall, and bury your coat. If you hadn't took it in the house, like a dunce, they'd never 'ave known any thing about it."

"Oh, my goodness! I'm sick!" said Joe, urging the spade in the earth with his foot, and betraying unequivocal signs of indisposition.

However, the garment was soon covered up, and the annoyance abated.

But no sooner was Joe well out of this difficulty, than the dread of the tomahawk and scalping knife returned in greater force than ever.

Boone remained taciturn, his clear, eagle-eye scanning the palisade, and the direction from which the savages would be most likely to come.

Joe approached the renowned pioneer for the purpose of asking his opinion respecting the chances of escaping with life from the expected struggle, but was deterred by his serious and commanding glance. But soon a singular change came over his stern features, and as sudden as strange. His countenance a.s.sumed an air of triumph, and a half-formed smile played upon his lip. His meditations had doubtless resulted in the resolution to adopt some decisive course, which, in his opinion, would insure the safety of the little garrison. His brow had been watched by the inmates of the house, and, hailing the change with joy, they came forth to ascertain more certainly their fate.

"How much powder have you, my young friend?" asked Boone.

"Five kegs," answered Glenn, promptly.

"Then we are safe!" said Boone, in a pleasant and affable manner, which imparted confidence to the whole party.

"I thought--I almost _knew_ that we were safe, with _you_ among us,"

said Mary, playing with Boone's hand.

"But you must not venture out of the house as much as you did before, my la.s.s, when arrows begin to fly," replied Boone, kissing the maiden's forehead.

"But I'll mould your bullets, and get supper for you," said Mary.