 Chapter 7 of The Dog Crusoe and His Master This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This reading by Allison Hester of Athens, Georgia. The Dog Crusoe and His Master by R. M. Ballantine. Chapter 7. The wallowing peculiarities of buffalo bulls, the first buffalo hunt and its consequences. Crusoe comes to the rescue. Pawne's discovered. A monster buffalo hunt. Joe acts the part of an ambassador. Fortunately the day that succeeded the dreary night described in the last chapter was warm and magnificent. The sun rose in a blaze of splendor and filled the atmosphere with steam from the moist earth. The unfortunate and the wet camp were not slow to avail themselves of his cheering rays. They hung up everything on the bushes to dry and by dint of extreme patience and cutting out the comparatively dry hearts of several pieces of wood, they lighted a fire and boiled some rainwater which was soon converted into soup. This and the exercise necessary for the performance of these several duties warmed and partially dried them so that when they once more were mounted their steeds and rode away they were in a state of comparative comfort and in excellent spirits. The only annoyance was the clouds of mosquitoes and large flies that assailed the men and horses whenever they checked their speed. I tell you what it is, said Joe Blunt, one fine morning about a week after they had begun to cross the prairie. It's my opinion that will come on buffalo soon. Them tracks are fresh and Yanda's one of their wallows that's been used not long ago. I'll go have a look at it, cried Dick trotting away as he spoke. Everything in these vast prairies was new to Dick Varley and he was kept in a constant state of excitement during the first week or two of his journey. It is true he was quite familiar with the names and habits of all the animals that dwelt there. For many a time and oft he had listened to the yarns of the hunters and trappers of the Mustang Valley when they returned laden with rich furs from their periodical hunting expeditions. But this knowledge of his only served to wet his curiosity and his desire to see the denizens of the prairies with his own eyes. And now that wish was accomplished it greatly increased the pleasures of his journey. Dick had just reached the wallow referred to by Joe Blunt and had rained up his steed to observe it leisurely when a faint hissing sound reached his ear. Looking quickly back he observed his two companions crouching on the necks of their horses and slowly descending into a hollow of the prairie in front of them as if they wished to bring the rising ground between them and some object in advance. Dick instantly followed their example and was soon at their heels. In eating look at the waller whispered Joe for at the other side of the ridge there's a bull wallering. You don't mean it exclaimed Dick as they all dismounted and picketed their horses to the plane. Whee said Henry tumbling off his horse while a broad grin overspread his good-natured countenance. It is one fact one buffalo bull be wallering like an enormous hog also dead be thousands of buffaloes fighter on. Can you trust your dog keeping back? inquired Joe with a dubious glance at Crusoe. Trust him. I wish I was as sure myself. Look at your prim and then and we'll have tongues and marrow bones for supper tonight as one hissed down on your knees and go softly. We might have run them down on horseback but it's bad to wind your beasts on a trip like this if you can help it and it's about as easy to stalk them. Least ways we'll try lift your hands slowly Dick and don't show more nor the half ought above the ridge. Dick elevated his head as directed and the scene that met his view was indeed well calculated to send an electric shock to the heart of an ardent sportsman. The vast plain beyond was absolutely blackened with countless herds of buffaloes which were browsing on the rich grass. They were still so far distant that their bellowing and the trampling of their myriad hooves only reached the hunters like a faint murmur on the breeze. In the immediate foreground however there was a group of about half a dozen buffalo cows feeding quietly and in the midst of them an enormous old bull was enjoying himself in his wallow. The animals towards which our hunters now crept with murderous intent are that fiercest and most ponderous of the ruminating inhabitants of the western wilderness. The name of the buffalo however is not correct. The animal is the bison and bears no resemblance whatsoever to the buffalo proper but as the hunters of the far west and indeed travelers generally have adopted the misnomer we bow to the authority of custom and adopt it too. Buffaloes roam in countless thousands all over the northern american prairies from the Hudson's Bay Territories north of Canada to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The advance of white men to the west has driven them to the prairies between the Missouri and the Rocky Mountains and has somewhat diminished their numbers but even thus diminished they are still innumerable in the more distant plains. Their color is dark brown but it varies a good deal with the seasons. The hare or fur from its great length in winter and spring and exposure to the weather turns quite light but when the winter coat is shed off the new growth is a beautiful dark brown almost approaching to jet black. In form the buffalo somewhat resembles the ox but its head and shoulders are much larger and are covered with a perfusion of long shaggy hair which adds greatly to the fierce aspect of the animal. It has a large hump on the shoulder and its four quarters are much larger in proportion than the hind quarters. The horns are thick and short. The hooves are cloven and the tail is short with a tuft of hair at the extremity. It is scarcely possible to conceive a wilder or more ferocious and terrible monster than a buffalo bull. He often grows to the enormous weight of 2000 pounds. His lion-like mane falls in shaggy confusion quite over his head and shoulders down to the ground. When he is wounded he becomes imbued with the spirit of a tiger. He stamps, bellows, roars and foams forth his rage with glaring eyes and steaming nostrils and charges furiously at man and horse with utter recklessness. Fortunately however he is not naturally pugnacious and can be easily thrown into a sudden panic. Moreover the peculiar position of his eye renders this creature not so terrible as he would otherwise be to the hunter. Owing to the stiff structure of the neck and the sunken downward-looking eyeball the buffalo cannot, without an effort, see beyond the direct line of vision presented to the habitual carriage of his head. When therefore he is wounded and charges he does so in a straight line so that his pursuer can leap easily out of his way. The pace of the buffalo is clumsy and apparently slow yet when chased he dashes away over the plains in blind blundering terror at a rate that leaves all but good horses far behind. He cannot keep the pace up however and is usually soon overtaken. Were the buffalo capable of the same alert and agile motions of head and eye peculiar to the deer or wild horse in addition to his bovine range he would be the most formidable brute on earth. There is no object perhaps so terrible as the headlong advance of a herd of these animals went thoroughly aroused by terror. They care not for their necks all danger in front is forgotten or not seen in the terror of that from which they fly. No thundering cataract is more tremendously irresistible than the black bellowing torrent which sometimes pours through the narrow defiles of the rocky mountains or sweeps like a roaring flood over the trembling plains. The wallowing to which we have referred is a luxury usually indulged in during the hot months of summer when the buffaloes are tormented by flies and heat and drought. At this season they seek the low grounds and the prairies where there is a little stagnant water lying amongst the grass and the ground underneath being saturated is soft. The leader of the herd a shaggy old bull usually takes upon himself to prepare the wallow. It was a rugged monster of the largest size that did so on the present occasion to the intense delight of Dick Varley who bids Joe to lie still and watch the operation before trying to shoot one of the buffalo cows. Joe consented with a nod and the four spectators for Crusoe was as much taken up with the proceedings as any of them crouched into grass and looked on. Coming up to the swampy spot the old bull gave a grunt of satisfaction and, going down on one knee, plunged his short thick horns into the mud, tore it up and cast it aside. Having repeated this several times he plunged his head in and brought it forth saturated with dirty water and be dobbed with lumps of mud through which his fierce eye is gazed with a ludicrous expression of astonishment straight in the direction of the hunters as if he meant to say I've done it that time and no mistake. The other buffaloes seemed to think so too for they came up and looked on with an expression that seemed to say well done old fella try that again. The old fellow did try it again and again and again plunging and ramming and tearing up the earth until he formed an excavation large enough to contain his huge body. In this bath he laid himself comfortably down and began to roll and wallow about until he mixed up a trough full of thin soft mud which completely covered him. When he came out of the hole there was scarcely an atom if his former self visible. The coat of mud thus put on by bulls is usually permitted by them to dry and is not finally got rid of until long after when oft repeated rollings on the grass and washings by rain at length cleared away. When the old bull vacated this delectable bath another bull scarcely if at all less ferocious looking stepped forward to take his turn but he was interrupted by a volley from the hunters which scattered the animals right and left and sent the mighty herds in the distance flying over the prairie in wild terror. The very turmoil of their own mad flight added to their panic and the continuous thunder of their hooves was heard until the last of them disappeared on the horizon. The family party which had been fired at however did not escape so well. Joe's rifle wounded a fat young cow and Dick Varley brought it down. Henry had done his best but as the animals were too far distant for his limited vision he missed the cow he fired at and hit the young bull whose bath had been interrupted. The others scattered and fled. Well done dick! exclaimed Joe as they all ran up to the cow that had fallen. Your first shot at the buffalo was a good one. Come now and I'll show you how to cut it up and carry off the tidbits. Oh my dear bull! exclaimed Henry gazing after the animal which he had wounded and which was now limping slowly away. It was not worth going after. Very well I do. He'll be tough enough I warrant said Joe and we've more meat here nor we can lift. But wouldn't it be just as well to put the poor old brood out of pain? suggested Dick. Oh he'll die soon enough. replied Joe tucking up his sleeves and drawing his long hunting knife. Dick however was not satisfied with this way of looking at it saying that he would be back in just a few minutes he reloaded his rifle and calling Crusoe to his side walked quickly after the wounded bull which was now hit from view in a hollow of the plane. In a few minutes he came inside of it and ran forward with his rifle and readiness. Damn Crusoe! he whispered wait for me here. Crusoe crouched in the grass instantly and Dick advanced as he came on the bull observed him and turned around bellowing with rage and pain to receive him. The aspect of the brute on a near view was so terrible that Dick involuntarily stopped too and gazed with a mingled feeling of wonder and awe while it bristled with passion and blood streaked foam dropped from its open jaws and its eyes glared furiously. Seeing that Dick did not advance the bull charged him with a terrific roar but the youth had firm nerves and although the rush of such a savage creature at full speed was calculated to try the courage of any man especially one who had never seen a buffalo bull before Dick did not lose presence of mind. He remembered the many stories he had listened to of this very thing that was now happening so crushing down his excitement as well as he could he cocked his rifle and awaited the charge. He knew that it was of no use to fire at the head of the advancing foe as the thickness of the skull together with the matted hair on the forehead rendered it impervious to a bullet. When the bull was within a yard of him he leaped lightly to one side and it passed just as it did so. Dick aimed at his heart and fired but his knowledge of the creature's anatomy was not yet correct the ball entered the shoulder too high and the bull checking himself as well as he could in his headlong rush turned around and made at Dick again. The failure coupled with the excitement proved too much for Dick. He could not resist discharging his second barrel at the brute's head as it came on he might as well have fired at a brick wall it shook its shaggy front and with a hideous bellow thundered forward again Dick sprang to one side but in doing so a tuft of grass or a stone caught his foot and he fell heavily to the ground. Up to this point Crusoe's admirable training had nailed him to the spot where he had been left although the twitching of every fiber in his body and a low continuous whine showed how gladly he would have held permission to join in the combat but the instant he saw his master down and the buffalo turning to charge again he sprang forward with a roar that would have done credit to his bovine enemy and seized him by the nose so vigorous was the rush that he well nigh pulled the bull down on its side one toss of its head however sent Crusoe high in the air but it accomplished this feat at the expense of its nose which was torn and lacerated by the dog's teeth scarcely had Crusoe touched the ground when he did with a sounding thump then he sprang up and flew at his adversary again this time however he adopted the plan of barking furiously inviting by rapid yet terrible snaps as he found opportunity thus keeping the bull entirely engrossed and affording Dick an opportunity of reloading his rifle which he was not slow to do Dick then stepped close up and while the two combatants were roaring in each other's face he shot the buffalo through the heart it failed to the earth with a deep groan Crusoe's rage instantly vanished on holding this and he seemed to be filled with a tumultuous joy at his master's escape for he gambled around him and whined and fawned upon him in a manner that could not be misunderstood good dog thank you my pup said dick patting Crusoe's head as he stopped to brush the dust from his leggings i don't know what would have become of me but for your help Crusoe Crusoe turned his head a little to one side wagged his tail and looked at dick with an expression that said quite plainly i'd die for you i would not once or twice but ten times fifty times if need be and that not merely to save your life but even to please you there is no doubt whatever that Crusoe felt something of this sort the love of a newfoundland dog to its master is beyond calculation or expression he who once gained such love carries the dog's life in his hand but let him who reads note well and remember that there is only one coin that can purchase such love and that is kindness the coin too must be genuine kindness merely expressed will not do it must be felt hello boy you've been in the wars exclaimed joe raising himself from his task as dick and Crusoe returned you look more like it than i do retorted dick laughing this was true for cutting up a buffalo carcass with no other instrument than a large knife is no easy matter yet western hunters and indians can do it without cleaver or saw in a way that would surprise a civilized butcher not a little joe was covered with blood up to the elbows his hair happening to have a knack of getting into his eyes had been so often brushed off with bloody hands that his whole the size was speckled with gore and his dress was by no means immaculate while dick related his adventure or misadventure with the bull joe and Henry completed the cutting out of the most delicate portions of the buffalo namely the hump on its shoulder which is a choice piece much finer than the best beef and the tongue and a few other parts the tongues of buffaloes are superior to those of domestic cattle when all was ready the meat was slung across the back of the pack horse in the party remounting their horses continued their journey having first cleansed themselves as well as they could in the rather dirty waters of an old wallow see said Henry turning to dick and pointing to a circular spot of green as they rode along that is one old dry waller I remarked joe after the waller dries it becomes a ring a greener grass than the rest of the plane as you see tis said the first hunters used to wonder greatly at these mysterious circles and they invented all sorts of stories to account for them some said they was fairy rings but at last they comes to know they was nothing more nor less than places where buffaloes was used to waller in it's often seen to me that if we know the raisins of things we wouldn't be much so puzzled with them as we are the truth of this last remark was so self-evident and incontrovertible that it elicited no reply and the three friends rode on for a considerable time in silence it was now past noon and they were thinking of calling a halt for a short rest to the horses and a pipe to themselves when joe was heard to give vent to one of those peculiar hisses that always accompanied either a surprise or a caution in the present case it indicated both what now joe engines ejaculated joe eh fa tu you say wedday crucio at this moment uttered a low growl ever since the day he had been partially roasted he had maintained a rooted antipathy to red men joe immediately dismounted and placing his ear to the ground listened intently it is a curious fact that by placing the ear close to the ground sounds can be heard distinctly which could not be heard at all if the listener were to maintain any wrecked position they're out of the buffalo said joe rising and i think it's likely there have been a ponies listen and you'll hear their shouts quite plain dick and henry immediately lay down and placed their ears to the ground now me here nutting said henry jumping up but to me it is like me eyes very short sighted i do hear something said dick as he got up but the beating of my own heart makes it row enough to spoil my hearing joe blunt smiled ah lad you're young and your blood's too hot yet but i'll bite you a bit you'll cool down soon i was like you once now lads what do you think we should do you know best joe we no doubtedly and what i advise is that we gallop to the broken sand hillocks you see yonder get behind them and take a peep at the redskins if they are ponies we'll go up to them at once if not we'll hold a council of war on the spot having arranged this they mounted and hastened toward the hillocks in question which they reached after 10 minutes gallop at full stretch the sandy mounds afforded them concealment and enabled them to watch the proceedings of the savages in the plain below the scene was the most curious and exciting that can be conceived the center of the plain before them was crowded with hundreds of buffaloes which were dashing about in the most frantic state of alarm to whatever point they galloped they were met by yelling savages on horseback who could not have been fewer in numbers than a thousand all being armed with lance bow and quiver and mounted on active little horses the indians had completely surrounded the herd of buffaloes and were now advancing steadily towards them gradually narrowing the circle and whenever the terrified animals endeavored to break through the line they rushed that particular spot in the body and scared them back again into the center thus they advanced until they closed in on their prey and formed an unbroken circle around them whilst the poor brutes kept eddying and surging to and fro in a confused mass hooking and climbing upon each other and bellowing furiously suddenly the horsemen made a rush and the work of destruction began the tremendous turmoil raised a cloud of dust that obscured the field in some places and hid it from our hunter's view some of the indians galloped round and round the circle sending their arrows whizzing up to the feathers and the sides of the fattest cows others dashed fearlessly into the midst of the black heaving mass and with their long lances pierced dozens of them to the heart in many instances the buffaloes infuriated by the wounds turned fiercely on their assailants and gored the horses to death in which cases the men had to trust their nimble legs for safety sometimes a horse got jammed in the center of the swaying mass and could neither advance nor retreat then the savage rider leaped upon the buffalo's backs and springing from one to another like an acrobat gained the outer edge of the circle not failing however in his strange flight to pierce with his lance several of the fattest of his stepping stones as he sped along a few of the herds succeeded in escaping from the blood and dust of this desperate battle and made off over the plains but they were quickly overtaken and the lance or arrow that brought them down on the green turf many of the dismounted riders were chased by bulls but they stepped lightly to one side and as the animals passed drove their arrows deep into their sides thus the tumultuous war went on amid thundering tread and yell and bellow till the green plain was transformed into a sea of blood and mayor and every buffalo of the herd was laid low it is not to be supposed that such reckless warfare is invariably waged without damage to the savages many were the wounds and bruises received that day and not a few bones were broken but happily no lives were lost now lads now's our time a bold and fearless looks the best at all times don't look as if you doubted their friendship in mind whatever you do don't use your arms follow me saying this joe blunt leaped on his horse and bounding over the ridge at full speed galloped headlong across the plain the savages observed the strangers instantly and a loud yell announced the fact as they assembled from all parts of the field brandishing their bows and spears joe's quick eye soon distinguished their chief towards whom he galloped still at full speed till within a yard or two of his horse's head then he reigned up suddenly so rapidly did joe and his comrades approach and so instantaneously did they pull up that their steeds were thrown almost on their haunches the indian chief did not move a muscle he was a tall powerful savage almost naked and mounted on a cold black charger which he sat with the ease of a man accustomed to ride from infancy he was indeed a splendid looking savage but his face wore a dark frown for although he and his band had visited the settlements and trafficked with the fur traders on the missouri he did not love the pale faces whom he regarded as intruders on the hunting grounds of his fathers and the peace that existed between them at that time was of a very fragile character indeed it was deemed by the traitors impossible to travel through indian country at that period except in strong force and it was the very boldness of the present attempt that secured to our hunters anything like a civil reception joe who could speak the pony tongue fluently began by explaining the object of his visit and spoke of the presence which he had brought for the great chief but it was evident that his words made little impression as he discourse to them the savages crowded around the little party and began to handle and examine their dresses and weapons with a degree of rudeness that caused joe considerable anxiety matois believes the hot of the pale faces is true said the savage when joe paused but he does not choose to make peace the pale faces are grasping they never rest they turn their eyes to the great mountains and say there we will stop but even there they will not stop they are never satisfied matois knows them well this speech sank like a death knell on the hearts of the hunters for they knew that if the savages refused to make peace they would scout them all and appropriate their goods to make things worse a dark visaged indian suddenly caught hold of henry's rifle and ere he was aware plucked it from his hand the blood rushed to the gigantic hunter's forehead and he was on the point of springing at the man when joe said in a deep quiet voice be still henry you will but hasten death at this moment there was a movement on the outskirts of the circle of horsemen and another chief rode into the midst of them he was evidently higher in rank than matois for he spoke authoritatively to the crowd and stepped in before him the hunters drew little comfort from the appearance of his face however for it scowled upon them he was not so powerful a man as matois but he was more gracefully formed and had a more noble and commanding countenance have the pale faces no wigwams on the great river that they should come to spy out the lands of the pony he demanded we have not come to spy your country answer joe raising himself proudly as he spoke taking off his cap we have come with a message from the great chief of the pale faces who lives in the village far beyond the great river where the sun rises he says why should the pale face and the red man fight they're brothers the same attitude the indian name for god watches over both the pale faces have more beards and guns and blankets and knives and vermilion than they require they wish to give some of these things for the skins and furs which the red man does not know what to do with the great chief of the pale faces has sent me to say why should we fight let us smoke the pipe of peace at the mention of beads and blankets the face of the wily chief frightened for a moment then he said sternly the heart of the pale face is not true he has come here to trade for himself sonnet sarish has eyes that can see and they are not shut are not these your goods the chief pointed to the pack horse as he spoke trappers do not take their goods into the heart of an enemy's camp return joe sonnet sarish is wise and will understand this these are gifts to the chief of the ponies there are more awaiting him when the pipe of peace is smoked i have said what message shall we take back to the great chief of the pale faces sonnet sarish was evidently mollified the hunting field is not the council tent he said the pale faces will go with us to our village of course joe was only too glad to agree to this proposal but he now deemed it politic to display a little firmness we cannot go till our rifle is restored it will not do to go back until the great chief of the pale faces that the ponies are thieves the chief frowned angrily the ponies are true they are not thieves they chose to look at the rifle of the pale face it shall be returned the rifle was instantly restored and then our hunters rode off with the indians toward their camp on the way they met hundreds of women and children going to the scene of the great hunt for it was their special duty to cut up the meat and carry it into camp the men considering that they had done quite enough in killing it returned to smoke and eat away the fatigues of the chase as they rode along dick varly observed that some of the braves as indian warriors are styled we're eating pieces of the bloody livers of the buffalo in a raw state at which he expressed not a little disgust oh boy you're green yet remarked joe in an undertone may happy be thankful to do that someday yourself well i'll not refuse to try it when it's needful said dick with a laugh meanwhile i'm content to see the redskins do it joe blunt end of chapter seven chapter eight of the dog crucio and his master this is a libra vox recording all libra vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit libravox.org this reading by alice and hester of athens georgia the dog crucio and his master by r.m valentine chapter eight dick and his friends visit the indians and see many wonders crucio too experiences a few surprises and teaches indian dogs a lesson an indian dandy a foot race the pawny village at which they soon arrived was situated in the midst of a most interesting and picturesque scene it occupied an extensive plain which sloped gently down to a creek in america small rivers or riverlets are termed creeks whose winding course was marked by a broken line of wood here and there interspersed with a fine clump of trees between the trunks of which the blue waters of the lake sparkled in the distance hundreds of tents or lodges of buffalo skins covered the ground and thousands of indians men women and children moved about the busy scene some were sitting in their lodges lazily smoking their pipes but these were chiefly old and infirm veterans for all the young men had gone to the hunt which we have just described the women were stooping over their fires busily preparing maize and meat for their husbands and brothers while myriads of little brown and naked children romped about everywhere feeling the air with their yells and screams which were only equaled if not surpassed by the yelping dogs that seemed innumerable far as the eye could reach were seen scattered herds of horses these were tended by little boys who were totally destitute of clothing and who seemed to enjoy with infinite zest the pastime of shooting practice with little bows and arrows no wonder that these Indians become expert bowmen there were urchins there scarce two feet high with round bullets of bodies and short spindle shanks who could knock blackbirds off the trees at every shot and cut the heads off the taller flowers with perfect certainty there was much need too for the utmost proficiency they could attain for the very existence of the indian tribes of the prairies depends on their success in hunting the buffalo there are hundreds and thousands of new north american savages who would undoubtedly perish and their tribes become extinct if the buffaloes were to leave the prairies or die out yet although the animals are absolutely essential to their existence they pursue and slay them with improvident recklessness sometimes killing hundreds of them merely for the sake of the sport the tongues and the marrow bones in the bloody hunt described in the last chapter however the slaughter of so many was not wanting because the village that had to be supplied with food was large and just previous to the hunt they had been living on somewhat reduced allowance even the blackbirds shot by the brown bodied urchins before mentioned had been thankfully put into the pot thus precarious is the supply of food among the red men who on one day are starving and the next are reveling in super abundance but to return to our story at one end of this village the creek sprang over a ledge of rock in a low cascade and opened out into a beautiful lake the bosom of which was studded with small islands here were thousands of those smaller species of wild waterfowl which were either too brave or too foolish to be scared away by the noise of the camp and here too dozens of children were sporting on the beach or paddling about in their light bark canoes isn't it strange remarked dick to henry as they passed among the tents towards the center of the village isn't it strange that them engines should be so fond of fighting when they've got all they want a fine country lots of buffalo and as far as I can see happy homes we it is remarkable vitamins but they do more love what a piece they loves to be excited I suppose hmm one would think the hunt we said a little while ago would be excitement enough but I say that must be the chief's tent by the look at dick was right the horsemen pulled up and dismounted opposite the principal chief's tent which was a larger and more elegant structure than the others meanwhile an immense concourse of women children and dogs gathered around the strangers and while the latter yelped their dislike to white men the former chattered continuously as they discussed the appearance of the strangers and their errand which latter soon became known an end was put to this by san it's a rich desiring the hunters to enter the tent and spreading a buffalo robe for them to sit on two braves carried in their packs and then led away their horses all this time crew so had kept as close as possible to his master's side feeling extremely uncomfortable in the midst of such a strange crowd the more especially that the ill-looking indian curse gave him expressive looks of hatred and exhibited some desire to rush upon him in a body so that he had to keep a sharp look out all around him when therefore dick entered the tent crew so endeavored to do so along with him but he was met by a blow on the nose from an old squall who scolded him in a shrill voice and bade him be gone either our hero's knowledge of the indian language was insufficient to enable him to understand the order or he had resolved not to obey it for instead of retreating he grew a deep gurgling breath curled his nose and displayed a row of teeth that calls the old woman to draw back an alarm crew so's was a forgiving spirit the instant that opposition ceased he forgot the injury and was meekly advancing when dick held up his finger go outside pup and wait crew so's tail drooped with a deep sigh he turned and left the tent he took up a position near the entrance however and sat down resignedly so meek indeed did the poor dog look that six mangy-looking curse felt their dastardly hearts emboldened to make a rush at him with moistureish yells crew so did not rise he did not even condescend to turn his head toward them but he looked at them out of the corner of his dark eye wrinkled very slightly the skin of his nose exhibited two beautiful things and gave utterance to a soft remark that might be described as quiet deep toned gargling it wasn't much but it was more than enough for the valiant six who paused and snarled violently it was a peculiar trait of crew so's gentle nature that the moment any danger ceased he resumed his expression of nonchalant gravity the expression on this occasion was misunderstood however and as about two dozen additional yelping dogs had joined the ranks of the enemy they advanced in close order to the attack crew so still sat quiet and kept his head high but he looked at them again and exhibited four fangs for their inspection among the pack there was one indian dog of a large size almost as large as crew so himself which kept well in the rear and apparently urged the lesser dogs on the little dogs didn't object for little dogs are generally the most pugnacious at this big dog crew so directed a pointed glance but said nothing meanwhile a particularly small and vicious curve with a mere rag of a tail crept round by the back of the tent and coming upon crew so in the rear snapped at his tail sharply and then fled shrieking with terror and surprise no doubt at its own temerity crew so did not bark he seldom barked he usually either said nothing or gave utterance to a prolonged roar of indignation of the most terrible character with barks as it were mingled through it it somewhat resembled that peculiar and well-known species of thunder the prolonged roll of which is marked at short intervals in its course by cannon-like cracks it was a continuous but so to speak knotted roar on receiving the snap crew so gave forth the roar with majesty and a power that scattered the pugnacious front rank of the enemy to the winds those that still remained half stupefied he leaped over with a huge bound and alighted fangs first on the back of the big dog there was one hideous yell a muffled scramble of an instant's duration and the big dog lay dead upon the plane it was an awful thing to do but crew so evidently felt that the peculiar circumstances of the case required an example should be made and to say truth all things considered we cannot blame him the news must have been carried at once through the canine portion of the camp for crew so was never interfered with again after that dick witnessed this little incident but he observed that the indian chief cared not a straw about it and as his dog returned quietly and sat down in its old place he took no notice of it either but continued to listen to the explanations which joe gave to the chief of the desire of the palefaces to be friends with the red men joe's eloquence would have done little for him on this occasion had his hands been empty but he followed it up by opening one of his packs and displaying the glittering contents before the equally glittering eyes of the chief and his squalls these said joe are the gifts that a great chief of the palefaces sends to the great chief of the ponies and he bids me to say that there are many more things in his stores which will be traded for skins with the red men when they visit him and he also says that if the ponies will not steal horses anymore from the palefaces they shall receive gifts of knives and guns and powder and blankets every year wha grunted the chief it is good the great chief is wise we will smoke the pipe of peace the things that afforded so much satisfaction to senate shirish were the various trifles penny-looking glasses and yellow gilt tin frames beads of various colors needles cheap scissors and knives vermilion paint and coarse scarlet cloth etc they were of priceless value however and the estimation of the savages who've delighted to adorn themselves with leggings made from cloth beautifully worked with beads by their own ingenious women they were thankful too for knives even of the commonest description having none but bone ones of their own and they gloried in dobbing their faces with intermingled streaks of charcoal and vermilion to gaze at their visages when thus treated in the penny-looking glasses is their summit of delight joe presented the chief with a portion of these coveted goods and tied up the remainder we may remark here that the only thing which prevented the savages from taking possession of the whole at once without asking permission was the promise of the annual gifts which they knew would not be forthcoming were any evil to befall the deputies of the palefaces nevertheless it cost them a severe struggle to restrain their hands on this occasion and joe and his companions felt that they would have to play their part well in order to fulfill their mission with safety and credit the palefaces may go now and talk with the braves said senet sarish after carefully examining everything that was given to him a council will be called soon and we will smoke the pipe of peace accepting this permission to retire the hunters immediately left the tent and being now at liberty to do what they pleased they amused themselves by wandering about the village he's a cute chap that remarked joe with a sarcastic smile i don't feel quite easy about getting away he'll bother the life out of us to get all the goods we've got and you see as we've other tribes to visit we must give away as little as we can hear huh you was right said Henry dots fellows eyes twinkle at the knives and things like two stars fireflies you should say stars are too soft and beautiful to compare to the eyes the yon savage said dick laughing i wish we were all away from them that rascal motto is an ugly customer true lad return joe had he been the great chief our scalves have been drying in to smoke up hawny wigwam before now what now lad joe's question was put in consequence of a gleeful smile that overspread the countenance of dick barley who replied by pointing to a wigwam towards which they were approaching oh that's only a dandy exclaimed joe there's lots of them in every engine camp they're fit for nothing but dress poor contemptible credits joe accompanied his remark with a sneer for all pitiable objects he regarded an unmanly man as the most despicable he consented however to sit down on a grassy bank and watch the proceedings of this indian dandy who had just seated himself in front of his wigwam for the purpose of making his toilet he began it by greasing his whole person carefully and smoothly over with buffalo fat until he shown like a patent leather boot then he rubbed himself almost dry leaving the skin sleek and glossy having proceeded thus far he took up a small mirror a few inches in diameter which he or some other member of the tribe must have procured during one of their few excursions to the trading forts of the palefaces and examine himself as well as he could in so limited a space next he took a little vermilion from a small parcel and rubbed it over his face until it presented the somewhat demonic appearance of a fiery red he also drew a broad red score along the crown of his head which was closely shaved with the exception of the usual tuft or scalp lock on the top this scalp lock stood bristling straight up a few inches and then it curved over and hung down his back about two feet immense care and attention was bestowed on this lock he smoothed it greased it and plated it into the form of a pigtail another application was here made to the glass and the result was evidently satisfactory to judge from the beaming smile that played on his features but not content with the general effect he tried the effect of expression frowned pretentiously scowled savagely gaped hideously and grinned horribly a ghastly smile then our dandy fitted into his ears which were bored in several places sun-dry ornament such as rings wampum etc and hung several strings of beads around his neck besides these he affixed one or two ornaments to his arms wrists and ankles and touched in a few effects with vermilion on the shoulders and breast after this and a few more glances at the glass he put on a pair of beautiful moccasins which besides being richly wrought with beads were soft as chamois leather and fitted his feet like gloves a pair of leggings of scarlet cloth were drawn on attached to a waist belt and bound below the knee with a with broad garters of variegated beadwork it was some time before this adonis was quite satisfied with himself he retouched the paint on his shoulders several times and modified the glare of that on his wide-mouth high cheekbone visage before he could tear himself away but at last he did so and throwing a large piece of scarlet cloth over his shoulders he thrust his looking glass under his belt and proceeded to mount his palfry which was held in readiness near to the tent door by one of his wives the horse was a really fine animal and seemed worthy of a more war-like master his shoulders too were striped with red paint and feathers were intertwined with his mane and tail while the bridle was decorated with various jingling ornaments vaulting upon his steed with a large fan of wild goose and turkey feathers in one hand and a whip dangling at the wrist of the other this incomparable dandy sallied forth for a promenade that being his cheap delight when there was no buffalo hunting to be done other men who were not dandies sharpened their knives smoked feasted and mended their spears and arrows at such seasons of leisure or played at athletic games let's follow my buck said joe blunt we come along replied henry striding after the rider at a pace that almost compelled his comrades to run hold on cried dick laughing we don't want to keep him company a distant view is quite enough a sick a chap as that mice you forget i cannot see far so much the better remark joe it's my opinion we've seen enough of him ah he's going on to look at the games them's worth looking at the games to which joe referred were taking place on a green level plane close to the creek and a little above the waterfall before referred to some of the indians were horse racing some jumping others wrestling but the game which proved most attractive was throwing the javelin in which several of the young braves were engaged this game is played by two competitors each armed with a dart in an arena about 50 yards long one of the players has a hoop of six inches in diameter at a signal they start off on foot at full speed and on reaching the middle of the arena the indian with the hoop rolls it along before then and each does his best to send a javelin through the hoop before the other he who succeeds counts so many points if both missed the nearest to the hoop is allowed to count but not so much as if he had ringed it the indians are very fond of this game and will play at it under a broiling sun for hours together but a good deal of the interest attaching to it is owing to the fact that they make it a means of gambling indians are inveterate gamblers and will sometimes go on until they lose horses bows blankets robes and in short their whole personal property the consequences are as might be expected that fierce and bloody quarrel sometimes arise in which life is often lost try your hand at that said henry to dick by all means cried dick handing his rifle to his friend and springing into the ring enthusiastically a general shout of applause greeted the pale face who threw off his coat and tightened his belt while a young indian presented him with a dart now see the ed was credit lad said joe i'll try answer dick in a moment they were off the young indian rolled away the hoop and dick threw his dart with such vigor that it went deep into the ground but missed the hoop by at least a foot the young indians first dart went through the center ha exclaimed joe blunt to the indians near him the lads not used to that game try him at a race bring out your best brave he whose bounds is like the hunted deer we need scarcely remind the reader that joe spoke in the indian language and that the above is a correct rendering of the sense of what he said the name of tarikadia or the little chief immediately passed from lip to lip and in a few minutes an indian a little below the medium size bounded into an arena within india rubber like elasticity that caused the shade of anxiety to pass over joe's face oh boy he whispered i'm a feared you'll find him's a tough customer that's just what i won't reply dick he's supple enough but he won't muscle in the thigh we'll make it a long heat right lad you're right joe now proceeded to arrange the conditions of the race with the chiefs around him it was fixed that the distance to be run should be a mile so that the race would be one of two miles out and back moreover the competitors were to run without any clothes except a belt and a small piece of cloth around the loins this to the indians was nothing for they seldom wore more in warm weather but dick would have preferred to keep on part of his dress the laws of the course however would not permit of this so he stripped and stood forth the beau ideal of a well-formed agile man he was greatly superior in size to his antagonists and more muscular the savage being slender and extremely light and springy ha i will run too shouted henry bouncing forward with clumsy energy and throwing off his coat just as they were going to start the savages smiled at this unexpected burst and made no objection considering the thing in the light of a joke the signal was given in a way they went oh it would have done you good to have seen the way in which henry maneuvered his limbs on this celebrated occasion he went all over the ground with his huge elephantine bounds runs and jumps he could not have been said to have one style of running he had a dozen styles all of which came into play in the course of half as many minutes the other two ran like the wind yet although henry appeared to be going heavily over the ground he kept up with them to the turning point as for dick it became evident in the first few minutes that he could outstrip his antagonists with ease and was hanging back a little all the time he shot ahead like an arrow when they came about halfway back and it was clear that the real interest of the race was to lie in the competition between henry and taracadia before they were two-thirds of the way back dick walked into the winning point in turn to watch the others henry's wind was about gone for he exerted himself with such violence that he wasted half his strength the indian on the contrary was comparatively fresh but he was not so fleet as his antagonists whose tremendous strides carried him over the ground at an incredible pace on they came neck and neck to close on the score that marked the winning point here the value of enthusiasm came out strongly in the case of henry he felt that he could not gain an inch on taracadia to save his life but just as he came up he observed the anxious faces of his comrades and the half smearing countenances of the savages his heart bumped against his ribs every muscle thrilled with a gush of conflicting feelings and he hurled himself over the score like a cannon shot full six inches ahead of the little chief but the thing did not by any means end here taracadia pulled up the instant he had passed not so our canadian such a clumsy and colossal frame was not to be checked in a moment the crowd of indians opened up to let him pass but unfortunately a small tent that stood in the way was not so obliging into it he went head foremost like a shell carried away the corner post with his shoulder and brought the whole affair down about his own ears and those of its inmates among whom were several children and two or three dogs it required some time to extricate them from the ruins but when this was affected it was found that no serious damage had been done to life or limb end of chapter eight chapter nine of The Dog Crusoe and His Master this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Allison Hester of Athens Georgia The Dog Crusoe and His Master by R. M. Ballantine chapter nine Crusoe acts a conspicuous inhumane part a friend gained a great feast when the foot race was concluded the three hunters hung about looking on at the various games for some time and then strolled towards the lake you may be thankful your next hole said Joe grinning as Henry rubbed his shoulder with a roofful look and we'll have to send that engine and his family a knife and some beads to make up for the frat they got huh and fat is to be give me for my broke shoulder credit man credit said Dick Varley laughing credit fat is that honor and glory lad and the praises of them savages huh the praise more probable they ill of the rascal i see them scowl at me not very pretty that's true Henry but sitch as it is it's all you get hi vish remarks Henry after a pause hi vish i could get some pompom belts day little chief had on it was the pub fat place do vampoms come from their shells we interrupted Henry i know vat day is day is shells and day engines tink them good money mice i asked you fat place they come from they are thought to be gathered on the shores of the pacific said Joe the engines on the west of the rake mountains picks them up and exchanges them with the fellas here away for horses and skins some told at this moment there was a wild cry of terror heard a short distance ahead of them rushing forward they observed an Indian woman flying frantically down the river's bank towards the waterfall a hundred yards above which an object was seen struggling in the water tis her child cried Joe as the mother's frantic cry reached his ears it'll be over the fall in a minute run dick you're quickest they had all started forward at speed but dick and cruzo were far ahead and abreast of the spot in a few seconds save it pup cried dick pointing to the child which had been caught in an eddy and was for a few moments hovering on the edge of the stream that rushed impetuously towards the fall the noble newfoundland did not require to be told what to do it seems a natural instinct in this sagacious species of dog to save man or beast that chances to be struggling in the water and many are the authentic stories related of newfoundland dogs saving life in cases of shipwreck indeed they are regularly trained to do the work in some countries and nobly fearlessly disinterestedly do they discharge their trust often in the midst of appalling dangers cruzo spring from the bank with such impetus that his broad chest plowed up the water like the bow of a boat and the energetic workings of his muscles were indicated by the force of each successive propulsion as he shot ahead in a few seconds he reached the child and called it by the hair then he turned to swim back but the stream had got hold of him bravely he struggled and lifted the child breast high out of the water in his powerful efforts to stem the current in vain each moment he was carried inch by inch down until he was on the brink of the fall which though not high was a large body of water and fail with a heavy roar he raised himself high out of the stream with the vigor of his last struggle and then fell back into the abyss by this time the poor mother was in a canoe as close to the fall as she could safely stay and the little bark danced like a cockle shell on the turmoil of waters as she stood with uplifted paddle and steering eyeballs awaiting the rising of the child cruzo came up almost instantly but alone for the dash over the fall had wrenched the child from his teeth he raised himself high up and looked anxiously round for a moment then he caught sight of a little hand raised above the boiling flood in one moment he had the child again by the hair and just as the prowl of the indian woman's canoe touched the shore he brought the child to land springing towards him the mother snatched her child from the flood engaged at its deathlike face with eyeballs staring from their sockets then she laid her cheek on its cold breast and stood like a statue of despair there was one slight pulsation of the heart and a gentle motion of the hand the child still lived opening up her blanket she laid her little one against her naked warm bosom drew the covering close around it and sitting down on the bank wept aloud for joy come come way quick cried henry hurrying off to hide the emotion which he could not crush down hi she don't need our help now said joe following his comrade as for cruzo he walked along by his master's side with his usual quiet serene look of goodwill towards all mankind doubtless a feeling of gladness at having saved a human life filled his shaggy breast for he wagged his tail gently after each shake of his dripping sides but his meek eyes were downcast save when he raised to receive the welcome an unusually fervent caress cruzo did not know that those three men loved him as though he had been a brother on their way back to the village the hunters were met by a little boy who said that a council was to be held immediately and their presence was requested the council was held in the tent of the principal chief towards which all the other chiefs and many of the noted braves hurried like all indian councils it was preceded by the smoking of the medicine pipe and was followed by speeches from several of the best orators the substance of the discourse differed little from what has already been related in reference to the treaty between the pale faces and upon the whole it was satisfactory but joe blunt could not fail to notice that matois maintained sullen silence during the whole course of the meeting he observed also that there was a considerable change in the tone of the meeting when he informed them that he was bound on a similar errand of peace to several of the other tribes especially to one or two tribes which for the ponies bitter enemies at that time these grasping savages having quite made up their minds that they were to obtain the entire contents of the two bails of goods were much mortified on hearing that part was to go to other indian tribes some of them even hinted that this would not be allowed and joe feared at one time that things were going to take an unfavorable turn the hair of his scalp as he afterwards said began to lift a little and feel uneasy but senet sarish stood honestly to his word said that it would be well that the pale faces and the ponies should be brothers and hope that they would not forget the promise of annual presence from the hand of the great chief who lived in the big village near the rising sun having settled this matter amicably joe distributed among the indians the proportion of his goods designed for them and then they all adjourn to another tent where a great feast was prepared for them are you hungry inquired joe of dick as they walked along i that am i i feel as if i could eat a buffalo alive why it's my opinion we've tasted nothing since they break this morning well i've often told you that them redskins thinking of disgrace to give in eating till all that's set before them at a feast is bolted we'll have to stretch ourselves we will i's got a plenty room remarked henry yeah but you'll wish you had more in a little bien i not care in a quarter of an hour all the guests invited to this great medicine feast were assembled no women were admitted they never are at indian feasts we may remark in passing that the word medicine as used among the north american indians has a very much wider signification than it has with us it is an almost inexplicable word when asked they cannot give a full or satisfactory explanation of it themselves in the general we may say that whatever is mysterious is medicine jugglery and conjuring of a noisy mysterious and we must add rather silly nature is medicine and the juggler is a medicine man these medicine men undertake cures but they are not regular charlatans and know nothing whatever of the diseases they pretend to cure or their remedies they carry bags containing sundry relics these are medicine bags every brave has its own private medicine bag everything that is incomprehensible or supposed to be supernatural religious or medical is medicine this feast being an unusual one in honor of strangers and in connection with a peculiar and unexpected event was medicine even crucio since his gallant conduct and saving the indian child was medicine and dick barley's double-barreled rifle which had been an object of wonder ever since his arrival at the village was tremendous medicine of course the indians were arrayed in their best several war necklaces of the claws of the grizzly bear of which they are extremely proud and a godly picturesque group they were the chief however had undergone a transformation that well nigh upset the gravity of our hunters and rendered dicks efforts to look solemn quite abortive sanitsa rish had once been to the trading forts of the pale faces and while there had received the customary gift of a blue shirt out with brass buttons and an ordinary hat such as gentlemen wear at home as the coat was a good deal too small for him a terrible link of dark bony wrist appeared below the cuffs the waist was too high and it was with great difficulty that he managed to button the garment across his broad chest being ignorant of the nature of a hat the worthy savage had allowed the paper and string with which it had been originally covered to remain on supposing them to be part and parcel of the hat and this together with the high collar of the coat which gave him a crushed up appearance the long black naked legs and the painted visage gave to him a taut ensemble which we can compare to nothing as there was nothing in nature comparable to it those guests who assembled first passed their time in smoking the medicine pipe until the others should arrive for so long as a single invited guest is absent the feast cannot begin dignified silence was maintained while the pipe thus circulated from hand to hand when the last guest arrived they began the men were seated in two rows face to face feasts of this kind usually consist of but one species of food and on the present occasion it was an enormous cauldron full of maize which had to be devoured about 50 sat down to eat a quantity of what may be termed thick porridge that would have been ample allowance for a hundred ordinary men before commencing sanitsa rish desired an aged medicine man to make an oration which he did fluently and poetically its subject was the praise of the giver of the feast at the end of each period there was a general howl howl of a scent equivalent to the hear hear of civilized men other orators then followed all of whom spoke with great ease and fluency and some in the most impassioned strains working themselves and their audience up to the highest pitch of excitement now shouting with frenzied violence till their eyes glared from their sockets and the veins of their forehead swelled almost to bursting as they spoke of war and chase a non breaking into soft modulated and pleasing tones while they dilated upon the pleasures and peace of hospitality after these had finished a number of wooden bowls of maize porridge were put down between the guests one bowl to each couple facing each other but before commencing a portion was laid aside and dedicated to their gods with various mysterious ceremonies for here as in other places where the gospel is not known the poor savages fancy that they could propitiate god with sacrifices they had never heard of the sacrifice of a broken spirit and a contrite heart this offering being made the feast began in earnest not only was it a rule in this feast that every mouthful should be swallowed by each guest however unwilling and unable he should be to do so but he who could dispose of it with the greatest speed was deemed the greatest man at least on that occasion while the last to conclude a supper was looked upon with some degree of contempt it seems strange that such a custom should ever have arisen and one is not a little puzzled in endeavoring to guess at the origin of it there is one fact that occurs to us as the probable cause the indian is as we have before hinted frequently reduced to a state bordering on starvation and in a day after may be burdened with superabundance of food he oftentimes therefore eats as much as he can stuff into his body when he is blessed with plenty so as to be the better able to withstand the attacks of hunger that may possibly be in store for him the amount that an indian will thus eat at a single meal is incredible he seems to have the power of distending himself for the reception of a quantity that would kill a civilized man children in particular become like tightly inflated little balloons after a feast and as they wear no clothing the extraordinary rotundity is very obvious not to say ridiculous we conclude therefore that unusual powers of garment dazing being useful come at last to be cultivated as praiseworthy by good fortune dick and joe blunt happen to have such enormous glutton as vis-a-vis that the portions of the respective bowls which they could not devour were gobbled up for them by good capacity and digestion with no small amount of effort henry managed to dispose of his own share but he was last of being done and fell into savages esteem greatly the way in which that sticky compost of boiled maize went down was absolutely amazing the man opposite dick in particular was a human boa constrictor he well nice suffocated dick with suppressed laughter he was a great raw bone savage with a throat of india rubber and went quickly and quietly on swallowing mass after mass with the solemn gravity of an owl it mattered not a straw to him that dick took comparatively small mouthfuls and nearly choked on them too for one of liquid to wash them down had dick eaten none at all he would have uncomplainingly disposed of the hole jack the giant killer's feats were nothing to his and when at last the bowl was empty he stopped short like a machine from which the steam had suddenly been cut off and laid down his buffalo horn spoon without a sigh dick sighed though with relief and gratitude when his bowl was empty i hope i may never have to do that again said joe that night as they winded their way back to the chief's tent after supper i wouldn't be fit for anything for a week at our aid it dick could only laugh for any illusion to the feast instantly brought back that owl-like gormand to whom he was so deeply indebted henry groaned oh mess boy i am speechless i am ready for the bust we are i wish it was tomorrow many a time that night did henry we should was tomorrow as he lay helpless on his back looking up through the roof of the chief's tent at the stars and listening ambiously to the plethoric snoring of joe blunt he was entertained however during those waking hours with a serenade such as fused civilized ears ever listened to this was nothing else than a vocal concert performed by all the dogs of the village and as they amounted to nearly 2000 the orchestra was a pretty full one these wretches howled as if they had all gone mad yet there was method in their madness for they congregated in a crowd before beginning and sat down on their haunches then one which seemed to be the conductor raised his snout to the sky and uttered a long low melancholy wail the others took it up by twos and threes until the whole pack had their noses pointing to the stars and their throats distended to the utter most while a prolonged yell filled the air then it sank gradually one or two bad performers probably making a yelping attempt to get it up again at the wrong time again the conductor raised his nose and out it came full swing there was no vociferous barking it was simple wolfish howling increased in fervor to an electric yell with slight barks running continuously through it like an obligato accompaniment when crucio first heard the unwanted sound he sprang to his feet bristled up like a hyena showed all his teeth and bounded out of the tent blazing with indignation and astonishment when he found out what it was he returned quite sleek in with a look of profound contempt on his countenance as he resumed his place by his master's side and went to sleep end of chapter nine chapter 10 of the dog crucio and his master this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org this reading by Alice and Hester of Acton's Georgia the dog crucio and his master by r.m. Valentine chapter 10 perplexities our hunters planned their escape unexpected interruption the tables turned crucio mounts guard the escape dick varly sat before the fire ruminating we do not mean to assert that dick had been previously eating grass by no means for several days past he had been mentally subsisting on the remarkable things that he heard and saw in the Pawnee village and wondering how he was to get away without being scalped he was now chewing the cud of this intellectual fare we therefore repeat emphatically in case any readers should have presumed to contradict us that dick varly sat before the fire ruminating Joe Blunt likewise sat by the fire along with him ruminating to and smoking the sides Henry also sat there smoking and looking a little the worse of his late supper I don't like the look of things said Joe blowing a whiff of smoke slowly from his lips and watching it as it ascended into the still air that blackguard motto wise determined not to let us off till he gets all our goods and if he gets them he may as well take our scalps too for we would come poor speed in the prairies without guns horses or goods dick looked at his friend with an expression of concern what's to be done said he you must escape answered Henry but his tone was not a hopeful one for he knew the danger of their position better than dick I we must escape at least we must try said Joe but I'll make one more effort to smooth over a senate sarish and get him to snub that villain motto ah just as he spoke the villain in question entered the tent with a bold haughty air and sat down before the fire in sullen silence for some minutes no one spoke and Henry who happened at the time to be examining the locks of dick's rifle continued to inspect them with an appearance of careless indifference that he was far from feeling now this rifle of dicks had become a source of unceasing wonder to the Indians wonder which was greatly increased by the fact that no one could discharge it but himself dick had during his short stay at the Pawnee village amused himself in the savages by exhibiting his marvelous powers with the silver rifle since it had been won by him at the memorable match in the Mustang Valley it had scarce ever been out of his hand so that he had become decidedly the best shot in the settlement and could bark the squirrels that is hit the bark of the branch on which a squirrel happened to be standing and so kill it by the concussion alone and could drive the nail every shot the silver rifle as we have said became great medicine to the red men when they saw it kill at a distance which the few wretched guns they had obtained from the fur traders could not even send a spent ball to the double shot to field them with wonder and admiration but that which they regarded with on almost supernatural feeling of curiosity was the percussion cap which in dick's hands always exploded but in theirs was utterly useless this result was simply owing to the fact that dick after firing handed the rifle to the Indians without renewing the cap so that when they loaded and attempted to fire of course it merely snapped when he wished again to fire he adroitly exchanged the old cap for a new one he was immensely tickled by the solemn looks of the Indians at this most incomprehensible of all medicines and kept them for some days in ignorance of the true case intending to reveal it before he left but circumstances now arose which banished all trifling thoughts from his mind Madawa raised his head suddenly and said pointing to the silver rifle Madawa wishes to have the two-shotted medicine gun he will give his best horse in exchange Madawa is liberal answer Joe but the pale faced youth cannot part with it he has far to travel and he must shoot buffaloes by the way the pale faced youth shall have a bow and arrows to shoot the buffalo rejoin the Indian he cannot use the bow and arrow exclaimed Joe he has not been trained like the red man Madawa was silent for a few seconds and his dark brows frowned more heavily than ever over his eyes the pale faces are too bold he exclaimed working himself into a passion they are in the power of Madawa if they will not give him the gun he will take it he sprang suddenly to his feet as he spoke and snatched the rifle from Henry's hand Henry being ignorant of the language had not been able to understand the foregoing conversation although he saw well enough that it was not an agreeable one but no sooner did he find himself thus rudely and unexpectedly deprived of the rifle then he jumped up, wrenched it and a twinkling from the Indians grasp and hurled him violently out of the tent in a moment Madawa drew his knife uttered a savage yell and sprang on the reckless hunter who however caught his wrist and held it as if in a vice the yell brought a dozen warriors instantly to the spot and before Dick had time to recover from his astonishment Henry was surrounded and pinioned despite his herculean struggles before Dick could move Joe Blunt grasped his arm and whispered quickly don't rise you can't help them they dare and kill him till Senate Ceres agrees though much surprised Dick obeyed but it required all of his efforts both the voice and hand to control Crusoe whose mind was much too honest and straightforward to understand such subtle pieces of diplomacy and who strove to rush to the rescue of his ill-used friend when the tumult had partially subsided Joe Blunt rose and said have the pony braves turn traitors that they draw the knife against those who have smoked with them the pipe of peace and eaten the maze the pale faces are three the ponies are thousands if evil has been done let it let be laid before the chief might a while wishes to have the medicine gun although we said no we could not part with it he tried to take it by force are we to go back to the great chief of the pale faces and say that the ponies are thieves are the pale faces henceforth to tell their children when they steal that it is bad that it is like the pony no this must not be the rifle shall be restored and we will forget this disagreement is it not so there was an evident disposition on the part of many of the Indians with whom Ottawa was no favorite to applaud this speech but the wily chief sprang forward and with flashing eye sought to turn the tables the pale face speaks with soft words but as hot as faults is he not going to make peace with the enemies of the pony is he not going to take goods to them and make them gifts and promises the pale faces are spies yet they come to see the weakness of the pony camp but they have found out that it is strong shall we suffer the false hearts to escape shall they live no we will hang their scalps in our wigwams for they have struck a chief and we will keep all their goods for our squalls wah this allusion to keeping all the goods had more effect on the minds of the vacillating savages than the chief's eloquence but a new turn was given to their thoughts by joe blunt remarking in a quiet almost contemptuous tone. Ottawa is not the great chief true true they cried and immediately hurried to the tent of sanat sirish once again this chief stood between the hunters and the savages who wanted but a signal to fall on them there was a long flavor which ended in henry being set at liberty and the rifle being restored that evening as the three friends sat beside the fire eating a supper of boiled maize and buffalo meat they laughed as they talked as carelessly as ever but the gaiety was assumed for they were at the time planning their escape from a tribe which they foresaw would not long refrain from carrying out their wishes and robbing perhaps murdering them you see said joe with a perplexed air while he drew in a piece of live charcoal from the fire with his fingers and lighted his pipe you see there's more difficulties in the way of getting off than you think oh give a mindy difficulties interrupted henry whose wrath at the treatment he had received had not yet cooled down we must jump on the best horses we can get hold shake our fists at the red reptiles and go away as fast as we can the best horse must win the race joe shook his head a hundred arrows would be in our backs before we got 20 yards from the camp besides we can't tell which are the best horses our own are the best in my opinion but how are we to get them i know who has charge of them said dick i saw him grazing near the tent of that poor squall whose baby was saved by crucian either her husband looks after him or some neighbors that's well said joe that's one of my difficulties gone what are the others well you see they're troublesome we can't get the horses out of the camp without being seen for the red rascals would see what we were at in a jiffy then if we do get them out we can't go off without our bales and we needn't think to take them from under the nose of the chief in his squalls without being asked questions to go off without them would never do it all joe said dick earnestly i've hit on a plan have you did what is it come and i'll let you see answer dick rising hastily and quitting the tent followed by his comrades and his fateful dog it may be as well to remark here that no restraint whatever had yet been put on the movements of our hunters as long as they kept to their legs for it was well known that any attempt by men on foot to escape from mounted indians on the plains would be hopeless moreover the savages thought that as long as there was a prospect of there being allowed to depart peaceably with their goods they would not be so mad as to fly from the camp and by so doing risked their lives and declare war with their entertainers they had therefore been permitted to wander unchecked as yet far beyond the outskirts of the camp and amuse themselves and paddling about the lake in the small indian canoes and shooting wildfowl dick now led the way through the labyrinth subtents in the direction of the lake and they talked and laughed loudly and whistled to crusoe as they went in order to prevent their purpose being suspected for the purpose of further disarming suspicion they went without their rifles dick explained his plan by the way and it was at once warmly approved by his comrades on reaching the lake they launched a small canoe into which crusoe was ordered to jump then embarking they paddled swiftly to the opposite shore singing canoe song as they dipped their paddles in the moonlit waters of the lake arrived at the other side they hauled the canoe up and hurried through the thin belt of wood and willows that intervened between the lake and the prairie here they paused is that the bluff joe no dick that's too near to the other one will be the best far way to the right it's a little one and as others knit the sharp eyes of the redskins won't be so likely to be prowling there come on then but we'll have to take down by the lake first in a few minutes the hunters were threading their way through the outskirts of the woods at a rapid trot in the opposite direction from the bluff or wooded knoll which they had wished to reach this they did lest prying eye should have followed them in a quarter of an hour they turned at right angles to their track and struck straight out into the prairie and after a long run they edged round and came in upon the bluff from behind it was merely a collection of stunted but thick growing willows forcing their way into the center of this they began to examine it it'll do remark joe the very thing remarked henry come here crusoe crusoe bounded to his master's side and looked up in his face look at this place pup smell it wail crusoe instantly set off all around among the willows in and out snuffing everywhere and whining with excitement come here good pup that'll do now lads will go back so saying dick and his friends left the bluff and retrace their steps to the camp before they were gone however joe halted and said you know dick i doubt if the pups so clever as you think what if he don't quite understand you dick replied by taking off his cap and throwing it down at the same time exclaiming take it yonder pup and pointing with his hand towards the bluff the dog seized the cap and went off with it at full speed towards the willows where it left it and came galloping back for the expected reward not now as in days of old a bit of meat but a gentle stroke of its head and a hearty clap on its shaggy side good pup go now and fetch it the way he went with a bound and in a few seconds came back and deposited the cap at his master's feet will that do asked dick triumphantly i lad will the pups worth his weight in gold we i have said and i say it again the dog is human so him is if not fight him without pausing to reply to this perplexing question dick stepped forward again and in half an hour or so they were back in the camp now for you were part of the work joe yonder's the squall that owns the half-drowned baby everything depends on her dick pointed to the indian woman as he spoke she was sitting beside her tent and playing at her knee was the identical youngster that had been saved by crusoe i'll manage it said joe and walked towards her while dick and henry returned to the chief's tent does the pony woman thank the great spirit that her child is saved began joe as he came up she does answered the woman looking up at the hunter and her heart is warm to the pale faces after a short silence joe continued the pony chiefs do not love the pale faces some of them hate him the dark flower knows it answered the woman she is sorry she would help the pale faces if she could this was uttered in a low tone with a meaning glance of the eye joe hesitated again could he trust her yes the feelings that filled her breast and prompted her words were not those of the indian just now they were those of a mother whose gratitude was too full for utterance will the dark flower said joe catching the name she'd given herself help the pale faces if he opens his heart to her will she risk the anger of her nation she will replied the woman she will do what she can joe and his dark friend now dropped their high sounding style of speech and spoke for some minutes rapidly in an undertone it was finally arranged that on a given day at a certain hour the woman should take the four horses down the shores of the lake to its lower end as if she were going for firewood there crossed the creek at the ford and drive them to the willow bluff and guard them till the hunters should arrive having settled this joe returned to the tent and informed his comrades of his success during the next three days joe kept the indians in good humor by giving them one or two trinkets and speaking in glowing terms of the riches of the white men and the readiness with which they would part that with them to the savages if they would only make peace meanwhile during the dark hours of each night dick managed to abstract small quantities of goods from their pack in room of which he stuffed in pieces of leather to keep up the size and appearance the goods thus taken out he concealed about his person and went off with a careless swagger to the outskirts of the village with crusoe at his heels arrived there he tied the goods in a small piece of deer skin and gave the bundle to his dog with the injunction take it yonder pup crusoe took it up at once darted off at full speed with the bundle in his mouth down the shore of the lake towards the ford of the river and was soon lost to view in this way little by little the goods were conveyed by the fateful dog to the willow bluff and left there while the stuffed pack still remained in safekeeping in the chief's tent joe did not at first like the idea of thus sneaking off from the camp and more than once made strong efforts to induce sanitsa rish to let him go but even that chief's countenance was not so favorable as it had been it was clear that he could not make up his mind to let slip so good a chance of obtaining guns powder and shot horses and goods without any trouble so joe made up his mind to give them the slip at once a dark night was chosen for the attempt and the indian woman went off with the horses to the place where firewood for the camp was usually cut unfortunately the suspicion of that wily savage madawa had been awakened and he stuck close to the hunters all day not knowing what was going on but feeling convinced that something was brewing which he resolved to watch without mentioning his suspicions to anyone i think the villain's away at last whisper joe to his comrades it's time to go now lads the moon won't be up for an hour come along have you got the big powder horn joe aye aye all right stop stop my knife my katoo ah here it is the three set off as usual strolling carelessly to the outskirts of the camp then they quickened their pace and gaining the lake pushed off in a small canoe at the same time madawa stepped from the bushes leaped into another canoe and followed them ha he must die muttered henry not at all said joe we'll manage him without that the chief landed and strode boldly up to them for he knew well that whatever their purpose might be they would not venture to use their rifles within the sound of the camp at the hour of the night as for their knives he could trust his own act of limbs and the woods to escape and give the alarm if need be the pale faces hunt very late he said with a malicious grin do they love the dark better than the sunshine not so replied joe cooly but we love to walk by the light of the moon it'll be up in less than an hour and we mean to take a long ramble tonight the party chief loves to walk by the moon too he will go with the pale faces good ejaculated joe come along then the party immediately set forward although the savage was a little taken by surprise at the indifferent way in which joe received his proposal to accompany them he walked on to the edge of the prairie however and then stopped the pale faces must go along he said model while we'll return to his tent joe replied to this intimation by seizing him suddenly by the throat and choking back the yell that would have otherwise brought the pony warriors rushing to the scene of action in hundreds model wise hand was on the handle of a scalping knife in a moment but before he could draw it his arms were glued to his sides by the bare like embrace of Henry while dick tied a handkerchief quickly yet firmly round his mouth the whole thing was accomplished in two minutes after taking his knife and tomahawk away they loosened their grip and escorted him swiftly over the prairie model while was perfectly submissive after the first convulsive struggle was over he knew that the men who walked on each side of him grasping his arms were more than his match singly so he wisely made no resistance hurrying him to a clump of small trees on the plane which was so far distant from the village that a yell could not be heard they removed the bandage from model wise mouth must he be killed inquired Henry in a tone of commissuration not at all answered joe well time to a tree and leave him there then he will be starved to death oh that is more horrible he must take his chance at that i have no doubt his friends will find him in a day or two and he's game to last for a week or more but you'll have to run to the willow bluff dick and bring a bit of line to time with we can't spare it well but there's no help but there is help retorted dick just order the villain to climb into that tree why so lad don't ask questions but do what i bid you the hunter smiled for a moment as he turned to the indian and ordered him to climb up a small tree near to which he stood model i looked surprised but there was no alternative joe's authoritative tone worked no delay so he sprang into the tree like a monkey crucian said dick watch him the dog sat down quietly at the foot of the tree and fixed his eyes on the savage with a glare that spoke unutterable things at the same time he displayed his full compliment of teeth and uttered a sound like distant thunder joe almost laughed and henry did laugh outright come along he's safe now cried dick hurrying away in the direction of the willow bluff which they soon reached and found that the faithful squall had tied their steeds to the bushes and moreover had bundled up their goods into a pack and strapped it on the back of the pack horse but she had not remained with them bless you dog face ejaculated joe as he sprang into the saddle and rode out the clump of bushes he was followed immediately by the others and in three minutes they were flying over the plane at full speed on gaining the last far-off ridge that afforded a distant view of the woods skirting the pony camp they drew up and dick putting his fingers to his mouth drew a long shrill whistle it reached the willow bluff like a faint echo at the same time the moon arose and more clearly revealed crucian's catalytic glare at the indian chief who being utterly unarmed was at the dog's mercy the instant the whistle fell on his ear however he dropped his eyes covered his teeth and leaping through the bushes flew over the planes like an arrow at the same instant motto i descending from his tree ran as fast as he could towards the village uttering the terrible war whoop when near enough to be heard no sounds since such a thrill through an indian camp every warrior flew to arms in vaulted on his feet so quickly was the alarm given that in less than 10 minutes a thousand hooves were thundering on the plane and faintly reached the ears of the fugitives joe smiled it'll puzzle them to come up with nags like ours then prime condition too lots of wind in them if we only keep out a badge of holes we may laugh at the red vollements joe's opinion of indian horses was correct in a very few minutes the sound of hooves died away but the fugitives did not draw bridle during the remainder of that night for they knew not how long the pursuit might be continued by pond and brook and bluff they passed down in the grassy bottoms and over the prairie waves nor checked their headlong course till the sun blazed over the level sweep of the eastern plane as if it arose out of the mighty ocean then a spring from the saddle and hastily set about the preparation of their morning meal end of chapter ten