betty zane-第26章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



〃Yes；　he　is　gone；　Betty；　but　you　must　not　be　sad　while　you　are　so　young。　Wait　until　you　are　old　like　I　am。　How　long　have　you　known　Lew　Wetzel？〃

〃All　my　life。　He　used　to　carry　me　in　his　arm；　when　I　was　a　baby。　Of　course　I　do　not　remember　that；　but　as　far　back　as　I　can　go　in　memory　I　can　see　Lew。　Oh；　the　many　times　he　has　saved　me　from　disaster！　But　why　do　you　ask？〃

〃I　think　Lew　Wetzel　cares　more　for　you　than　for　all　the　world。　He　is　as　silent　as　an　Indian；　but　I　am　an　old　woman　and　I　can　read　men's　hearts。　If　he　could　be　made　to　give　up　his　wandering　life　he　would　be　the　best　man　on　the　border。〃

〃Oh；　indeed　I　think　you　are　wrong。　Lew　does　not　care　for　me　in　that　way；〃　said　Betty；　surprised　and　troubled　by　the　old　lady's　vehemence。

A　loud　blast　from　a　hunting…horn　directed　the　attention　of　all　to　the　platform　at　the　upper　end　of　the　hall；　where　Dan　Watkins　stood。　The　fiddlers　ceased　playing；　the　dancers　stopped；　and　all　looked　expectantly。　The　scene　was　simple　strong；　and　earnest。　The　light　in　the　eyes　of　these　maidens　shone　like　the　light　from　the　pine　cones　on　the　walls。　It　beamed　soft　and　warm。　These　fearless　sons　of　the　wilderness；　these　sturdy　sons　of　progress；　standing　there　clasping　the　hands　of　their　partners　and　with　faces　glowing　with　happiness；　forgetful　of　all　save　the　enjoyment　of　the　moment；　were　ready　to　go　out　on　the　morrow　and　battle　unto　the　death　for　the　homes　and　the　lives　of　their　loved　ones。

〃Friends；〃　said　Dan　when　the　hum　of　voices　had　ceased　〃I　never　thought　as　how　I'd　have　to　get　up　here　and　make　a　speech　to…night　or　I　might　have　taken　to　the　woods。　Howsomever；　mother　and　Susan　says　as　it's　gettin'　late　it's　about　time　we　had　some　supper。　Somewhere　in　the　big　cake　is　hid　a　gold　ring。　If　one　of　the　girls　gets　it　she　can　keep　it　as　a　gift　from　Susan；　and　should　one　of　the　boys　find　it　he　may　make　a　present　to　his　best　girl。　And　in　the　bargain　he　gets　to　kiss　Susan。　She　made　some　objection　about　this　and　said　that　part　of　the　game　didn't　go；　but　I　reckon　the　lucky　young　man　will　decide　that　for　hisself。　And　now　to　the　festal　board。〃

Ample　justice　was　done　to　the　turkey；　the　venison；　and　the　bear　meat。　Grandmother　Watkins'　delicious　apple　and　pumpkin　pies　for　which　she　was　renowned；　disappeared　as　by　magic。　Likewise　the　cakes　and　the　sweet　cider　and　the　apple　butter　vanished。

When　the　big　cake　had　been　cut　and　divided　among　the　guests；　Wetzel　discovered　the　gold　ring　within　his　share。　He　presented　the　ring　to　Betty；　and　gave　his　privilege　of　kissing　Susan　to　George　Reynolds；　with　the　remark：　〃George；　I　calkilate　Susan　would　like　it　better　if　you　do　the　kissin'　part。〃　Now　it　was　known　to　all　that　George　had　long　been　an　ardent　admirer　of　Susan's；　and　it　was　suspected　that　she　was　not　indifferent　to　him。　Nevertheless；　she　protested　that　it　was　not　fair。　George　acted　like　a　man　who　had　the　opportunity　of　his　life。　Amid　uproarious　laughter　he　ran　Susan　all　over　the　room；　and　when　he　caught　her　he　pulled　her　hands　away　from　her　blushing　face　and　bestowed　a　right　hearty　kiss　on　her　cheek。　To　everyone's　surprise　and　to　Wetzel's　discomfiture；　Susan　walked　up　to　him　and　saying　that　as　he　had　taken　such　an　easy　way　out　of　it　she　intended　to　punish　him　by　kissing　him。　And　so　she　did。　Poor　Lewis'　face　looked　the　picture　of　dismay。　Probably　he　had　never　been　kissed　before　in　his　life。

Happy　hours　speed　away　on　the　wings　of　the　wind。　The　feasting　over；　the　good…byes　were　spoken；　the　girls　were　wrapped　in　the　warm　robes；　for　it　was　now　intensely　cold；　and　soon　the　horses；　eager　to　start　on　the　long　homeward　journey；　were　pulling　hard　on　their　bits。　On　the　party's　return　trip　there　was　an　absence　of　the　hilarity　which　had　prevailed　on　their　coming。　The　bells　were　taken　off　before　the　sleds　left　the　blockhouse；　and　the　traces　and　the　harness　examined　and　tightened　with　the　caution　of　men　who　were　apprehensive　of　danger　and　who　would　take　no　chances。

In　winter　time　the　foes　most　feared　by　the　settlers　were　the　timber　wolves。　Thousands　of　these　savage　beasts　infested　the　wild　forest　regions　which　bounded　the　lonely　roads；　and　their　wonderful　power　of　scent　and　swift　and　tireless　pursuit　made　a　long　night　ride　a　thing　to　be　dreaded。　While　the　horses　moved　swiftly　danger　from　wolves　was　not　imminent；　but　carelessness　or　some　mishap　to　a　trace　or　a　wheel　had　been　the　cause　of　more　than　one　tragedy。

Therefore　it　was　not　remarkable　that　the　drivers　of　our　party　breathed　a　sigh　of　relief　when　the　top　of　the　last　steep　hill　had　been　reached。　The　girls　were　quiet；　and　tired　out　and　cold　they　pressed　close　to　one　another；　the　men　were　silent　and　watchful。

When　they　were　half　way　home　and　had　just　reached　the　outskirts　of　the　Black　Forest　the　keen　ear　of　Wetzel　caught　the　cry　of　a　wolf。　It　came　from　the　south　and　sounded　so　faint　that　Wetzel　believed　at　first　that　he　had　been　mistaken。　A　few　moments　passed　in　which　the　hunter　turned　his　ear　to　the　south。　He　had　about　made　up　his　mind　that　he　had　only　imagined　he　had　heard　something　when　the　unmistakable　yelp　of　a　wolf　came　down　on　the　wind。　Then　another；　this　time　clear　and　distinct；　caused　the　driver　to　turn　and　whisper　to　Wetzel。　The　hunter　spoke　in　a　low　tone　and　the　driver　whipped　up　his　horses。　From　out　the　depths　of　the　dark　woods　along　which　they　were　riding　came　a　long　and　mournful　howl。　It　was　a　wolf　answering　the　call　of　his　mate。　This　time　the　horses　heard　it；　for　they　threw　back　their　ears　and　increased　their　speed。　The　girls　heard　it；　for　they　shrank　closer　to　the　men。


There　is　that　which　is　frightful　in　the　cry　of　a　wolf。　When　one　is　safe　in　camp　before　a　roaring　fire　the　short；　sharp　bark　of　a　wolf　is　startling；　and　the　long　howl　will　make　one　shudder。　It　is　so　lonely　and　dismal。　It　makes　no　difference　whether　it　be　given　while　the　wolf　is　sitting　on　his　haunches　near　some　cabin　waiting　for　the　remains　of　the　settler's　dinner；　or　while　he　is　in　full　chase　after　his　preythe　cry　is　equally　wild；　savage　and　bloodcurdling。

Betty　had　never　heard　it　and　though　she　was　brave；　when　the　howl　from　the　forest　had　its　answer　in　another　howl　from　the　creek　thicket；　she　slipped　her　little　mittened　hand　under　Wetzel's　arm　and　looked　up　at　him　with　frightened　eyes。

In　half　an　hour　the　full　chorus　of　yelps；　barks　and　howls　swelled　hideously　on　the　air；　and　the　ever　increasing　pack　of　wolves　could　be　seen　scarcely　a　hundred　yards　behind　the　sleds。　The　patter　of　their　swiftly　flying　feet　on　the　snow　could　be　distinctly　heard。　The　slender；　dark　forms　came　nearer　and　nearer　every　moment。　Presently　the　wolves　had　approached　close　enough　for　the　occupants　of　the　sleds　to　see　their　shining　eyes　looking　like　little　balls　of　green　fire。　A　gaunt　beast　bolder　than　the　others；　and　evidently　the　leader　of　the　pack；　bounded　forward　until　he　was　only　a　few　yards　from　the　last　sled。　At　every　jump　he　opened　his　great　jaws　and　uttered　a　quick　bark　as　if　to　embolden　his　followers。

Almost　simultaneously　with　the　red　flame　that　burst　from　Wetzel's　rifle　came　a　sharp　yelp　of　agony　from　the　leader。　He　rolled　over　and　over。　Instantly　followed　a　horrible　mingling　of　snarls　and　barks；　and　snapping　of　jaws　as　the　band　fought　over　the　body　of　their　luckless　comrade。

This　short　delay　gave　the　advantage　to　the　horses。　When　the　wolves　again　appeared　they　were　a　long　way　behind。　The　distance　to　the　fort　was　now　short　and　the　horses　were　urged　to　their　utmost。　The　wolves　kept　up　the　chase　until　they　reached　the　creek　bridge　and　the　mill。　Then　they　slowed　up：　the　howling　became　desultory；　and　finally　the　dark　forms　disappeared　in　the　thickets。



CHAPTER　VIII。

Winter　dragged　by　uneventfully　for　Betty。　Unlike　the　other　pioneer　girls；　who　were　kept　busy　all　the　time　with　their　mending；　and　linsey　weaving；　and　household　duties；　Betty　had　nothing　to　divert　her　but　her　embroidery　and　her　reading。　These　she　found　very　tiresome。　Her　maid　was　devoted　to　her　and　never　left　a　thing　undone。　Annie　was　old　Sam's　daughter；　and　she　had　waited　on　Betty　since　she　had　been　a　baby。　The　cleaning　or　mending　or　darninganything　in　the　shape　of　work　that　would　have　helped　pass　away　the　monotonous　hours　for　Betty；　was　always　done　before　she　could　lift　her　hand。

During　the　day　she　passed　hours　in　her　little　room；　and　most　of　them　were　dreamed　away　by　her　window。　Lydia　and　Alice　came　over　sometimes　and　whiled　away　the　tedious　moments　with　their　bright　chatter　and　merry　laughter；　their　castle…building；　and　their　romancing　on　heroes　and　love　and　marriage　as　girls　always　will　until　the　end　of　time。　They　had　not　forgotten　Mr。　Clarke；　but　as　Betty　had　rebuked　them　with　a　dignity　which　forbade　any　further　teasing　on　that　score；　they　had　transferred　their　fun…making　to　the　use　of　Mr。　Miller's　name。

Fearing　her　brothers'　wrath　Betty　had　not　told　them　of　the　scene　with　Miller　at　the　dance。　She　had　learned　enough　of　rough　border　justice　to　dread　the　consequence　of　such　a　disclosure。　She　permitted　Miller　to　come　to　the　house；　although　she　never　saw　him　alone。　Miller　had　accepted　this　favor　gratefully。　He　said　that　on　the　night　of　the　dance　he　had　been　a　little　the　worse　for　Dan　Watkins'　strong　liquor；　and　that；　together　with　his　bitter　disappointment；　made　him　act　in　the　mad　way　which　had　so　grievously　offended　her。　He　exerted　himself　to　win　her　forgiveness。　Betty　was　always　tender…hearted；　and　though　she　did　not　trust　him；　she　said　they　might　still　be　friends；　but　that　that　depended　on　his　respect　for　her　forbearance。　Miller　had　promised　he　would　never　refer　to　the　old　subject　and　he　had　kept　his　word。

Indeed　Betty　welcomed　any　diversion　for　the　long　winter　evenings。　Occasionally　some　of　the　young　people　visited　her；　and　they　sang　and　danced；　roasted　apples；　popped　chestnuts；　and　played　games。　Often　Wetzel　and　Major　McColloch　came　in　after　supper。　Betty　would　come　down　and　sing　for　them；　and　afterward　would　coax　Indian　lore　and　woodcraft　from　Wetzel；　or　she　would　play　checkers　with　the　Major。　If　she　succeeded　in　winning　from　him；　which　in　truth　was　not　often；　she　teased　him　unmercifully。　When　Col。　Zane　and　the　Major　had　settled　down　to　their　series　of　games；　from　which　nothing　short　of　Indians　could　have　diverted　them；　Betty　sat　by　Wetzel。　The　silent　man　of　the　woods；　an　appellation　the　hunter　had　earned　by　his　reticence；　talked　for　Betty　as　he　would　for　no　one　else。

One　night　while　Col。　Zane；　his　wife　and　Betty　were　entertaining　Capt。　Boggs　and　Major　McColloch　and　several　of　Betty's　girls　friends；　after　the　usual　music　and　singing；　storytelling　became　the　order　of　the　evening。　Little　Noah　told　of　the　time　he　had　climbed　the　apple…tree　in　the　yard　after　a　raccoon　and　got　severely　bitten。

〃One　day；〃　said　Noah；　〃I　heard　Tige　barking　out　in　the　orchard　and　I　ran　out　there　and　saw　a　funny　little　fur　ball　up　in　the　tree　with　a　black　tail　and　white　rings　around　it。　It　looked　like　a　pretty　cat　with　a　sharp　nose。　Every　time　Tige　barked　the　little　animal　showed　his　teeth　and　swelled　up　his　back。　I　wanted　him　for　a　pet。　I　got　Sam　to　give　me　a　sack　and　I　climbed　the　tree　and　the　nearer　I　got　to　him　the　farther　he　backed　down　the　limb。　I　followed　him　and　put　out　the　sack　to　put　it　over　his　head　and　he　bit　me。　I　fell　from　the　limb；　but　he　fell　too　and　Tige　killed　him　and　Sam　stuffed　him　for　me。〃

〃Noah；　you　are　qui