betty zane-第7章

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he　braves；　even　Arrowswift；　the　Wyandot　runner；　who　shot　me　through　the　arm。　I　have　had　a　hard　time　of　it　these　last　three　or　four　days；　living　on　herbs　and　roots；　and　when　I　reached　the　river　I　was　ready　to　drop。　I　pushed　a　log　into　the　water　and　started　to　drift　over。　When　the　old　dog　saw　me　I　knew　I　was　safe　if　I　could　hold　on。　Once；　when　the　young　man　pointed　his　gun　at　me；　I　thought　it　was　all　over。　I　could　not　shout　very　loud。〃

〃Were　you　going　to　shoot？〃　asked　Colonel　Zane　of　Clarke。

〃I　took　him　for　an　Indian；　but　fortunately　I　discovered　my　mistake　in　time；〃　answered　Alfred。

〃Are　the　Indians　on　the　way　here？〃　asked　Jonathan。

〃That　I　cannot　say。　At　present　the　Wyandots　are　at　home。　But　I　know　that　the　British　and　the　Indians　will　make　a　combined　attack　on　the　settlements。　It　may　be　a　month；　or　a　year；　but　it　is　coming。〃

〃And　Hamilton；　the　hair　buyer；　the　scalp　buyer；　is　behind　the　plan；〃　said　Colonel　Zane；　in　disgust。

〃The　Indians　have　their　wrongs。　I　sympathize　with　them　in　many　ways。　We　have　robbed　them；　broken　faith　with　them；　and　have　not　lived　up　to　the　treaties。　Pipe　and　Wingenund　are　particularly　bitter　toward　the　whites。　I　understand　Cornplanter　is　also。　He　would　give　anything　for　Jonathan's　scalp；　and　I　believe　any　of　the　tribes　would　give　a　hundred　of　their　best　warriors　for　'Black　Wind；'　as　they　call　Lew　Wetzel。〃

〃Have　you　ever　seen　Red　Fox？〃　asked　Jonathan；　who　was　sitting　near　the　fire　and　as　usual　saying　but　little。　He　was　the　wildest　and　most　untamable　of　all　the　Zanes。　Most　of　the　time　he　spent　in　the　woods；　not　so　much　to　fight　Indians；　as　Wetzel　did；　but　for　pure　love　of　outdoor　life。　At　home　he　was　thoughtful　and　silent。

〃Yes；　I　have　seen　him；〃　answered　Isaac。　〃He　is　a　Shawnee　chief　and　one　of　the　fiercest　warriors　in　that　tribe　of　fighters。　He　was　at　Indian…head；　which　is　the　name　of　one　of　the　Wyandot　villages；　when　I　visited　there　last；　and　he　had　two　hundred　of　his　best　braves　with　him。〃

〃He　is　a　bad　Indian。　Wetzel　and　I　know　him。　He　swore　he　would　hang　our　scalps　up　in　his　wigwam；〃　said　Jonathan。

〃What　has　he　in　particular　against　you？〃　asked　Colonel　Zane。　〃Of　course；　Wetzel　is　the　enemy　of　all　Indians。〃

〃Several　years　ago　Wetzel　and　I　were　on　a　hunt　down　the　river　at　the　place　called　Girty's　Point；　where　we　fell　in　with　the　tracks　of　five　Shawnees。　I　was　for　coming　home；　but　Wetzel　would　not　hear　of　it。　We　trailed　the　Indians　and；　coming　up　on　them　after　dark；　we　tomahawked　them。　One　of　them　got　away　crippled；　but　we　could　not　follow　him　because　we　discovered　that　they　had　a　white　girl　as　captive；　and　one　of　the　red　devils；　thinking　we　were　a　rescuing　party；　had　tomahawked　her。　She　was　not　quite　dead。　We　did　all　we　could　to　save　her　life。　She　died　and　we　buried　her　on　the　spot。　They　were　Red　Fox's　braves　and　were　on　their　way　to　his　camp　with　the　prisoner。　A　year　or　so　afterwards　I　learned　from　a　friendly　Indian　that　the　Shawnee　chief　had　sworn　to　kill　us。　No　doubt　he　will　be　a　leader　in　the　coming　attack。〃

〃We　are　living　in　the　midst　of　terrible　times；〃　remarked　Colonel　Zane。　〃Indeed；　these　are　the　times　that　try　men's　souls；　but　I　firmly　believe　the　day　is　not　far　distant　when　the　redmen　will　be　driven　far　over　the　border。〃

〃Is　the　Indian　Princess　pretty？〃　asked　Betty　of　Isaac。

〃Indeed　she　is；　Betty；　almost　as　beautiful　as　you　are；〃　said　Isaac。　〃She　is　tall　and　very　fair　for　an　Indian。　But　I　have　something　to　tell　about　her　more　interesting　than　that。　Since　I　have　been　with　the　Wyandots　this　last　time　I　have　discovered　a　little　of　the　jealously　guarded　secret　of　Myeerah's　mother。　When　Tarhe　and　his　band　of　Hurons　lived　in　Canada　their　home　was　in　the　Muskoka　Lakes　region　on　the　Moon　river。　The　old　warriors　tell　wonderful　stories　of　the　beauty　of　that　country。　Tarhe　took　captive　some　French　travellers；　among　them　a　woman　named　La　Durante。　She　had　a　beautiful　little　girl。　The　prisoners；　except　this　little　girl；　were　released。　When　she　grew　up　Tarhe　married　her。　Myeerah　is　her　child。　Once　Tarhe　took　his　wife　to　Detroit　and　she　was　seen　there　by　an　old　Frenchman　who　went　crazy　over　her　and　said　she　was　his　child。　Tarhe　never　went　to　the　white　settlements　again。　So　you　see；　Myeerah　is　from　a　great　French　family　on　her　mother's　side；　as　this　is　old　Frenchman　was　probably　Chevalier　La　Durante；　and　Myeerah's　grandfather。〃

〃I　would　love　to　see　her；　and　yet　I　hate　her。　What　an　odd　name　she　has；〃　said　Betty。

〃It　is　the　Indian　name　for　the　white　crane；　a　rare　and　beautiful　bird。　I　never　saw　one。　The　name　has　been　celebrated　among　the　Hurons　as　long　as　any　one　of　them　can　remember。　The　Indians　call　her　the　White　Crane；　or　Walk…in…the…Water；

because　of　her　love　for　wading　in　the　stream。〃

〃I　think　we　have　made　Isaac　talk　enough　for　one　night；〃　said　Colonel　Zane。　〃He　is　tired　out。　Major；　tell　Isaac　and　Betty；　and　Mr。　Clarke；　too；　of　your　jump　over　the　cliff。〃

〃I　have　heard　of　that　leap　from　the　Indians；〃　said　Isaac。

〃Major；　from　what　hill　did　you　jump　your　horse？〃　asked　Alfred。

〃You　know　the　bare　rocky　bluff　that　stands　out　prominently　on　the　hill　across　the　creek。　From　that　spot　Colonel　Zane　first　saw　the　valley；　and　from　there　I　leaped　my　horse。　I　can　never　convince　myself　that　it　really　happened。　Often　I　look　up　at　that　cliff　in　doubt。　But　the　Indians　and　Colonel　Zane；　Jonathan；　Wetzel　and　others　say　they　actually　saw　the　deed　done；　so　I　must　accept　it；〃　said　Major　McColloch。

〃It　seems　incredible！〃　said　Alfred。　〃I　cannot　understand　how　a　man　or　horse　could　go　over　that　precipice　and　live。〃

〃That　is　what　we　all　say；〃　responded　the　Colonel。　〃I　suppose　I　shall　have　to　tell　the　story。　We　have　fighters　and　makers　of　history　here；　but　few　talkers。〃

〃I　am　anxious　to　hear　it；〃　answered　Clarke；　〃and　I　am　curious　to　see　this　man　Wetzel；　whose　fame　has　reached　as　far　as　my　home；　way　down　in　Virginia。〃

〃You　will　have　your　wish　gratified　soon；　I　have　no　doubt；〃　resumed　the　Colonel。　〃Well；　now　for　the　story　of　McColloch's　mad　ride　for　life　and　his　wonderful　leap　down　Wheeling　hill。　A　year　ago；　when　the　fort　was　besieged　by　the　Indians；　the　Major　got　through　the　lines　and　made　off　for　Short　Creek。　He　returned　next　morning　with　forty　mounted　men。　They　marched　boldly　up　to　the　gate；　and　all　succeeded　in　getting　inside　save　the　gallant　Major；　who　had　waited　to　be　the　last　man　to　go　in。　Finding　it　impossible　to　make　the　short　distance　without　going　under　the　fire　of　the　Indians；　who　had　rushed　up　to　prevent　the　relief　party　from　entering　the　fort；　he　wheeled　his　big　stallion；　and；　followed　by　the　yelling　band　of　savages；　he　took　the　road　leading　around　back　of　the　fort　to　the　top　of　the　bluff。　The　road　lay　along　the　edge　of　the　cliff　and　I　saw　the　Major　turn　and　wave　his　rifle　at　us；　evidently　with　the　desire　of　assuring　us　that　he　was　safe。　Suddenly；　on　the　very　summit　of　the　hill；　he　reined　in　his　horse　as　if　undecided。　I　knew　in　an　instant　what　had　happened。　The　Major　had　run　right　into　the　returning　party　of　Indians；　which　had　been　sent　out　to　intercept　our　reinforcements。　In　a　moment　more　we　heard　the　exultant　yells　of　the　savages；　and　saw　them　gliding　from　tree　to　tree；　slowly　lengthening　out　their　line　and　surrounding　the　unfortunate　Major。　They　did　not　fire　a　shot。　We　in　the　fort　were　stupefied　with　horror；　and　stood　helplessly　with　our　useless　guns；　watching　and　waiting　for　the　seemingly　inevitable　doom　of　our　comrade。　Not　so　with　the　Major！　Knowing　that　he　was　a　marked　man　by　the　Indians　and　feeling　that　any　death　was　preferable　to　the　gauntlet；　the　knife；　the　stake　and　torch　of　the　merciless　savage；　he　had　grasped　at　a　desperate　chance。　He　saw　his　enemies　stealthily　darting　from　rock　to　tree；　and　tree　to　bush；　creeping　through　the　brush；　and　slipping　closer　and　closer　every　moment。　On　three　sides　were　his　hated　foes　and　on　the　remaining　sidethe　abyss。　Without　a　moment's　hesitation　the　intrepid　Major　spurred　his　horse　at　the　precipice。　Never　shall　I　forget　that　thrilling　moment。　The　three　hundred　savages　were　silent　as　they　realized　the　Major's　intention。　Those　in　the　fort　watched　with　staring　eyes。　A　few　bounds　and　the　noble　steed　reared　high　on　his　hind　legs。　Outlined　by　the　clear　blue　sky　the　magnificent　animal　stood　for　one　brief　instant；　his　black　mane　flying　in　the　wind；　his　head　thrown　up　and　his　front　hoofs　pawing　the　air　like　Marcus　Curtius'　mailed　steed　of　old；　and　then　down　with　a　crash；　a　cloud　of　dust；　and　the　crackling　of　pine　limbs。　A　long　yell　went　up　from　the　Indians　below；　while　those　above　ran　to　the　edge　of　the　cliff。　With　cries　of　wonder　and　baffled　vengeance　they　gesticulated　toward　the　dark　ravine　into　which　horse　and　rider　had　plunged　rather　than　wait　to　meet　a　more　cruel　death。　The　precipice　at　this　point　is　over　three　hundred　feet　in　height；　and　in　places　is　almost　perpendicular。　We　believed　the　Major　to　be　lying　crushed　and　mangled　on　the　rocks。　Imagine　our　frenzy　of　Joy　when　we　saw　the　daring　soldier　and　his　horse　dash　out　of　the　bushes　that　skirt　the　base　of　the　cliff；　cross　the　creek；　and　come　galloping　to　the　fort　in　safety。〃

〃It　was　wonderful！　Wonderful！〃　exclaimed　Isaac；　his　eyes　glistening。　〃No　wonder　the　Indians　call　you　the　'Flying　Chief。'〃

〃Had　the　Major　not　jumped　into　the　clump　of　pine　trees　which　grow　thickly　some　thirty　feet　below　the　summit　he　would　not　now　be　alive；〃　said　Colonel　Zane。　〃I　am　certain　of　that。　Nevertheless　that　does　not　detract　from　the　courage　of　his　deed。　He　had　no　time　to　pick　out　the　best　place　to　jump。　He　simply　took　his　one　chance；　and　came　out　all　right。　That　leap　will　live　in　the　minds　of　men　as　long　as　yonder　bluff　stands　a　monument　to　McColloch's　ride　for　life。〃

Alfred　had　listened　with　intense　interest　to　the　Colonel's　recital。　When　it　ended；　although　his　pulses　quickened　and　his　soul　expanded　with　awe　and　reverence　for　the　hero　of　that　ride；　he　sat　silent。　Alfred　honored　courage　in　a　man　more　than　any　other　quality。　He　marvelled　at　the　simplicity　of　these　bordermen　who；　he　thought；　took　the　most　wonderful　adventures　and　daring　escapes　as　a　matter　of　course；　a　compulsory　part　of　their　daily　lives。　He　had　already；　in　one　day；　had　more　excitement　than　had　ever　befallen　him；　an。　was　beginning　to　believe　his　thirst　for　a　free　life　of　stirring　action　would　be　quenched　long　before　he　had　learned　to　become　useful　in　his　new　sphere。　During　the　remaining　half　hour　of　his　call　on　his　lately　acquired　friends；　he　took　little　part　in　the　conversation；　but　sat　quietly　watching　the　changeful　expressions　on　Betty's　face；　and　listening　to　Colonel　Zane's　jokes。　When　he　rose　to　go　he　bade　his　host　good…night；　and　expressed　a　wish　that　Isaac；　who　had　fallen　asleep；　might　have　a　speedy　recovery。　He　turned　toward　the　door　to　find　that　Betty　had　intercepted　him。

〃Mr。　Clarke；〃　she　said；　extending　a　little　hand　that　trembled　slightly。　〃I　wish　to　saythatI　want　to　say　that　my　feelings　have　changed。　I　am　sorry　for　what　I　said　over　at　Lydia's。　I　spoke　hastily　and　rudely。　You　have　saved　my　brother's　life。　I　will　be　forever　grateful　to　you。　It　is　useless　to　try　to　thank　you。　II　hope　we　may　be　friends。〃

Alfred　found　it　desperately　hard　to　resist　that　low　voice；　and　those　dark　eyes　which　were　raised　shyly；　yet　bravely；　to　his。　But　he　had　been　deeply　hurt。　He　pretended　not　to　see　the　friendly　hand　held　out　to　him