Wrecked but not Ruined Part 10

"But why should I not go rather to the Cliff Fort?" asked Kenneth. "The store there is a public one, and our buying food from the fur-traders will lay us under no obligation to Mr Redding, whom, excuse me, I think you have judged too hastily."

"It matters not how I have judged him," retorted McLeod sternly. "There is no occasion to go near him at all. As I have said--"

He stopped abruptly, for at that moment an Indian was seen approaching.

He was a powerfully-built fellow, with a handsome figure and face, though the latter was very dark, and he walked with a stoop and an awkward slouching gait. He wore his long black hair in straight elfin locks; those in front having been cut across the forehead just above the eyebrows, as being the simplest method of clearing the way for vision.

He was clad in a very dirty soiled hunting-s.h.i.+rt and leggings of leather, with moccasins of the same, and carried a long gun on his shoulder. McLeod also observed, with much satisfaction, that several partridges hung by their necks from the belt which encircled his waist.

Of course the meeting that ensued was conducted in pantomime, with a few useless remarks in English from Kenneth, who appeared to entertain an idea which is not uncommon among sailors, namely, that a man who knows nothing whatever of the language is more likely to understand bad than good Englis.h.!.+ "Where you come from?" he asked, after shaking hands with the Indian and giving him the salutation, "watchee?" (what cheer), which he understood, and returned.

A shake of the head was the reply.

"Where you go--_go_?" said Kenneth, in the hope apparently that emphasis might awaken intelligence.

Again the Indian shook his head.

"What's the use of asking him?" said McLeod senior. "See, here is a language that is understood by all men."

He pulled a powder flask from his pocket, and, shaking it at the ear of the savage, offered it to him, at the same time pointing to the partridges and to his own open mouth.

This pantomime was evidently comprehensible, for the man at once threw the birds at McLeod's feet, and, taking the flask, emptied its contents into his own powder-horn.

"Good," said McLeod, picking up the birds. "Now, Kenneth, if we can prevail on this redskin to remain by us it won't be necessary to send you to Jenkins Creek."

As he spoke, Flora issued from the opening of the tarpaulin tent, exclaiming--"Father, I've just--"

On seeing the red man she stopped and gazed at him with much interest.

The native returned the gaze, and for one moment a gleam of admiration lighted up his swarthy countenance, but it pa.s.sed like a flash of light and left that stoical look of impa.s.sibility so common to the men of the American wilderness.

"What were you about to say, Flo?" asked her father.

"That I've just learned a piece of good news from Roderick. He seemed inclined to talk about the wreck this morning. Seeing him so much better, I gave him encouragement, and he has just told me that before leaving England he had taken the advice of a friend and insured the whole of our goods that were s.h.i.+pped in the _Betsy_."

"That's good news indeed, Flo; better than I deserve after my unbelieving remarks about the efficacy of prayer. And here is good news for you of another kind," he added, holding up one of the partridges, "fresh meat for Roderick, and a hunter who looks as if he could keep us well supplied if we can only prevail on him to stay with us. Try what you can do, Flo; if he has a spark of gallantry in him he will be sure to understand what you say to him; but it must be in the language of signs, Flo, for he evidently understands no English."

Thus appealed to, Flora advanced to the Indian, and, taking him somewhat timidly by the sleeve, led him to the opening of the tent and pointed to the sick man; then to the clean-sc.r.a.ped bones of the last rabbit he had eaten, after which she pointed to the game just purchased, touched the Indian's gun, and, making a sweep with her hand towards the forest looked him full in the face.

The Indian allowed the faintest possible smile to curl his lips for a moment and then with a slight inclination of his head, but without uttering a word, turned abruptly and went off at a long swinging pace into the woods.

"'Pon my word, Flo," said McLeod, "your pantomime has been most effective, but I have doubts as to whether he understands you to have invited him to be our hunter, or commanded him to go about his business."

"I think we've seen the last of him," said Kenneth, somewhat gloomily.

"He will return," said Flora, with decision.

"Well, time will show," rejoined McLeod, "meanwhile we will delay the trip to Jenkins Creek for a day, and I'll go have a talk with Roderick about that lucky insurance business."

Time did settle the matter of the Indian's intentions almost sooner than had been expected, for that same evening he returned with a further supply of fresh meat and laid it down at Flora's feet. Nothing, however, would prevail on him to remain and sup with the party. Having received a small supply of powder and shot in payment, he at once turned away and re-entered his native wilderness.

Thus day by day for about a week the silent man made his appearance every evening with fresh supplies, and, we might almost say, disappeared after delivering them. One day Kenneth determined to offer to accompany him on his next appearance. Accordingly he prepared his gun, rolled up his blanket and strapped it on his shoulders, and when the Indian arrived in the evening as usual, he presented himself equipped for the chase.

The Indian expressed some surprise in his looks, and at first seemed to object to Kenneth's companions.h.i.+p, but at length gave in and they entered the forest together.

It seemed at first as if the red man wished to test the physical powers of his white brother, for he led him over hill and dale, through swamp and brake, during the greater part of that night. Fortunately there was bright moonlight. But Kenneth was stout of frame and enduring in spirit; he proved to be quite a match for the redskin.

At last they encamped under a tall pine, and, after a hearty supper, sat staring at each other and smoking in silence until sleep induced them to lie down. Next morning by daybreak Kenneth was roused by his companion, who, after a hasty meal, led him another long march through a wild but beautiful country, where several partridges and rabbits were shot by the Indian, and a great many more were missed by Kenneth, much to the amus.e.m.e.nt of his companion.

Towards evening the red man turned his steps in the direction of the tarpaulin tent.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

AN ADVENTURE AND A SURPRISE.

That evening the elder McLeod and Flora had adventure which nearly cost them their lives.

As the sun began to descend, Roderick, who was recovering fast under the influence of good-cheer and good nursing, begged Flora to go out and walk with her father, as she had not left his side all day.

She consented, and sauntered with her father in the direction of the seash.o.r.e.

Now it so happened that a brown bear, of a species which is still to be found on the uninhabited parts of the Labrador coast, had selected that hour and that locality for his own evening promenade! At a certain part of the slight track which had been formed by the McLeods in their visits to the sh.o.r.e, the bushes were very thick, and here, on rounding a bend in the track, they met the bear face to face. Had there been some little s.p.a.ce between them, the animal would probably have turned and fled; but, being taken by surprise, he stood fast.

McLeod and his daughter stood aghast on seeing the monster. The former was unarmed, with the exception of a small hunting-knife and a stout walking-stick. In the first rush of his feelings he suddenly flung his stick at the bear, and with so true an aim, that the heavy head struck it exactly on the point of its nose. Nothing could have been more unfortunate, for the creature's rage was at once excited. With a savage growl he rose on his hind legs in the att.i.tude of attack.

"Quick! run back, Flo, I'll check him here," cried McLeod, drawing the little hunting-knife.

But poor Flora was incapable of running. White with terror she stood gazing at the bear as if fascinated. Her father, seeing this, stepped in front of her with that overwhelming rush of determination which is sometimes felt by courageous men when under the influence of despair, for he felt that with such a weapon he might as well have a.s.sailed an elephant.

At that moment the well-known voice of Kenneth was heard to utter a tremendous shout close at hand. Almost at the same instant a sharp crack was heard, and the bear fell at McLeod's feet, shot through the heart.

We need scarcely say that it was a ball from the gun of the Indian which had thus opportunely put an end to the bear's career, and still less need we remark that profuse and earnest were the thanks bestowed on him by the whole party.

"We must christen you Sharpeye after this lucky shot," said Kenneth, when the excitement had subsided. "Now, Sharpeye," he added, taking his red friend by the arm, "you _must_ stay and sup with us to-night. Come along, whether you understand me or not, I'll take no denial."

If the Indian did not understand the language of his friends he evidently understood their pantomime, for he made no further objection to remain, but accompanied them to the camp, and sat silently smoking at their fire, which was kindled in front of the tent door, so that the sick man might enjoy the blaze as well as the companions.h.i.+p.

While thus engaged they were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of another Indian, who advanced quietly into the circle of light, and sat down.

"A messenger, no doubt," said McLeod, after the first salutation.

A messenger he indeed proved to be, for after casting a furtive look, not unmingled with surprise and suspicion, at his brother redskin, he opened a small bag which hung at his girdle, and delivered to McLeod senior a very dirty-looking letter.

"Ha! from Gambart," he exclaimed, reading the inscription. "Let us see what--Hallo! Sharpeye, where are you off to?"

This question was called forth in consequence of the red man rising quietly and throwing his gun on his shoulder. Instead of replying, however, he turned abruptly and walked off into the woods.

"The most unaccountable man I ever knew," exclaimed Kenneth. "I shouldn't wonder if this messenger and he are implacable foes, and can't bear to sit at the same fire together."