 17. Dicks first fight with a grizzly, adventure with a deer, a surprise. There is no animal in all the land so terrible and dangerous as the grizzly bear. Not only is he the largest of the species in America, but he is the fiercest, the strongest, and the most tenacious of life. Facts which are so well understood that few of the western hunters like to meet him single-handed, unless they happen to be first rate shots. And the Indians deemed the encounter so dangerous that to wear a collar composed of the claws of a grizzly bear of his own killing is counted one of the highest honors to which a young warrior can attain. The grizzly bear resembles the brown bear of Europe, but is larger, and the hair is long, the points being of a paler shade. About the head there is a considerable mixture of gray hair, giving it the grizzly appearance from which it derives its name. The claws are dirty white, arched, and very long, and so strong that when the animal strikes with its paw they cut like a chisel. These claws are not embedded in the paw, as is the case with the cat, but always project far beyond the hair, thus giving to the foot a very ungainly appearance. They are not sufficiently curved to enable the grizzly bear to climb trees like the black and brown bears, and this inability on their part is often the only hope of the pursued hunter, who, if he succeeds in ascending a tree, is safe, for the time at least, from the bear's assaults. But Caleb is a patient creature and will often wait at the foot of a tree for many hours for his victim. The average length of his body is about nine feet, but he sometimes attains to a still larger growth. Caleb is more carnivorous in his habits than other bears, but like them he does not object to indulge occasionally in the vegetable diet, being partial to the bird cherry, the choked berry, and various shrubs. He has a sweet tooth too, and revels in honey when he can get it. The instant the grizzly bear beheld Dick Varley standing in his path, he rose on his hind legs and made a loud hissing noise, like a man breathing quick, but much harsher. To this Crusoe replied by a deep growl, and showing the utmost extent of his teeth, gums and all, and Dick cocked both barrels of his rifle. To say that Dick Varley felt no fear would be simply to make him out that sort of hero which does not exist in nature, namely a perfect hero. He did feel a sensation, as if his bowels had suddenly melted into water. Let not our reader think the worst of Dick for this. There is not a man living who, having met with a huge grizzly bear for the first time in his life, in a wild, solitary place all alone, has not experienced some such sensation. There is no cowardice in this feeling. Fear is not cowardice. Acting in a wrong and contemptible manner because of our fear is cowardice. It is said that Wellington or Napoleon, we forget which, once stood watching the muster of the men who were to form the forlorn hope in storming a citadel. There were many brave, strong, stalwart men there in the prime of life, and flushed with the blood of high health and courage. There were also there a few stern-browed men of riper years who stood perfectly silent with lips compressed and as pale as death. Yonder veterans, said the general pointing to these soldiers, a man whose courage I can depend on. They know what they are going to do. The others don't. Yes, these young soldiers very probably were brave. The others certainly were. Dick Varley stood for a few seconds as if thunder struck while the bear stood hissing at him. Then the liquefaction of his interior ceased, and he felt a glow of fire gush through his veins. Now, Dick knew well enough that to fly from a grizzly bear was the sure and certain way of being torn to pieces, as, when taken thus by surprise, they almost invariably follow a retreating enemy. He also knew that if he stood where he was perfectly still, the bear would get uncomfortable under his stare and would retreat from him. But he neither intended to run away himself nor to allow the bear to do so. He intended to kill it, so he raised his rifle quickly, drew a bead, as the hunters expressed it on the bear's heart and fired. It immediately dropped on its four legs and rushed at him. Back, Crusoe! Out of the way, pup! shouted Dick as his favorite was about to spring forward. The dog retired, and Dick leaped behind a tree. As the bear passed, he gave it the contents of the second barrel behind the shoulder, which brought it down. But in another moment, it rose and again rushed at him. Dick had no time to load. Neither had he time to spring up the thick tree beside which he stood, and the rocky nature of the ground out of which it grew rendered it impossible to dodge around it. His only resource was flight. But where was he to fly to? If he ran along the open track, the bear would overtake him in a few seconds. On the right was a sheer precipice, 100 feet high. On the left was an impenetrable thicket. In despair, he thought for an instant of clubbing his rifle and meeting the monster in close conflict. But the utter hopelessness of such an effort was too apparent to be entertained for a moment. He glanced up at the overhanging cliffs. There were one or two rents and projections close above him. In the twinkling of an eye, he sprang up and grasped a ledge of about an inch broad, 10 or 12 feet up, to which he clawed while he glanced upward. Another projection was within reach. He gained it, and in a few seconds, he stood upon a ledge about 20 feet up the cliff, where he had just room to plant his feet firmly. Without waiting to look behind, he seized his powder horn and loaded one barrel of his rifle. And well was it for him that his early training had fitted him to do this with rapidity, for the bear dashed up the precipice after him at once. The first time, it missed its hold and fell back with a savage growl. But on the second attempt, it sunk its long claws into the fissures between the rocks and ascended steadily till within a foot of the place where Dick stood. At this moment, Crusoe's obedience gave way before a sense of Dick's danger. Uttering one of his lion-like roars, he rushed up the precipice with such violence that, although naturally unable to climb, he reached and seized the bear's flank despite his master's stern order to keep back. And in a moment, the two rolled down the face of the rock together, just as Dick completed loading. Knowing that one stroke of the bear's paw would be certain death to his poor dog, Dick leaped from his perch and, with one bound, reached the ground at the same moment with the struggling animals. And close beside them, and before they had ceased rolling, he placed the muzzle of his rifle into the bear's ear and blew out its brains. Crusoe, strange to say, escaped with only one scratch on the side. It was a deep one, but not dangerous, and gave him but little pain at the time, although it caused him many a smart for some weeks after. Thus happily ended Dick's first encounter with a grizzly bear. And although in the course of this wildlife, he shot many specimens of Caleb, he used to say that, he and pup were never so near going under as on the day he dropped dot bar. Having refreshed himself with a long draft from a neighboring rivulet, he washed Crusoe's wound and Dick skinned the bear on the spot. We chowed him up that time, didn't we pup? Said Dick with a smile of satisfaction as he surveyed his prize. Crusoe looked up and ascended to this. Gave us a hard tussle though, very nice in us both under, didn't he pup? Crusoe agreed entirely, and as if the remark reminded him of honorable scars, he licked his wound. Oh pup, cried Dick sympathetically, does it hurt you poor dog? Hurt him? Such a question. No, he should think not. Better ask if that leap from the precipice hurt yourself. So Crusoe might have said, but he didn't. He took no notice of the remark whatever. We'll cut him up now pup, continued Dick. The skin'll make a splendid bed for you and me on nights and a saddle for Charlie. Dick cut out all the claws of the bear by the roots and spent the remainder of that night in cleaning them and stringing them on a strip of leather to form a necklace. Independently of the value of these enormous claws, the largest as long as a man's middle finger, as an evidence of prowess, they formed a remarkably graceful collar which Dick wore around his neck ever after with as much pride as if he had been a pony warrior. When it was finished, he held it out at arm's length and said, Crusoe my pup, ain't you proud of it? I tell you what it is pup, the next time you and I floor Caleb, I'll put the claws around your neck and make you wear them ever at her, I will. The dog did not seem quite to appreciate this piece of prospective good fortune. Vanity had no place in his honest breed and soothed to say it had not a large place in that of his masters either. As we may well grant when we consider that this first display of it was on the occasion of his hunter's soul having at last realized its brightest daydream. Dick's dangers and triumphs seemed to accumulate on him rather thickly at this place for on the very next day he had a narrow escape of being killed by a deer the way of it was this. Having run short of meat and not being particularly fond of grizzly bear steak, he shouldered his rifle and sallied forth in the quest of game accompanied by Crusoe whose frequent glances towards his wounded side showed that whatever may have been the case the day before, it hurt him now. They had not gone far when they came on the track of a deer in the snow and followed it up till they spied a magnificent buck about 300 yards off standing in a level patch of ground which was everywhere surrounded either by rocks or thickets. It was a long shot but as the nature of the ground rendered it impossible for Dick to get nearer without being seen, he fired and wounded the buck so badly that he came up with it in a few minutes. The snow had drifted into place where it stood bolt upright ready for a spring so Dick went round a little way, Crusoe following till he was in the proper position to fire again. Just as he pulled the trigger Crusoe gave a howl behind him and disturbed his aim so that he feared he had missed but the deer fell and he hurried towards it. On coming up however the buck sprang to his legs and rushed at him with his hair bristling, knocked him down in the snow and deliberately commenced stamping him to death. Dick was stunned for a moment and lay quite steel so the deer left off pommeling him and stood looking at him but the instant he moved it plunged him again and gave him another pouncing until he was content to lie still. This was done several times and Dick felt his strength going fast. He was surprised that Crusoe did not come to his rescue and once he cleared his mouth and whistled to him but as the deer gave another pounding for this he didn't attempt it again. He now for the first time bethought him of his knife and quietly drew it from his belt but the deer observed the motion and was on him again in a moment. Dick however sprang up on his left elbow and making several desperate thrusts upward succeeded in stabbing the animal to the heart. Rising and shaking the snow from his garments he whistled loudly the Crusoe and on listening heard him whining piteously. He hurried to the place whence the sound came and found that the poor dog had fallen into a deep pit or crevice in the rocks which had been concealed from view by a crust of snow and he was now making frantic but unavailing efforts to leap out. Dick soon freed him from his prison by means of his belt which he let down for the dog to grasp and then returned to camp with as much deer meat as he could carry. Deer meat it certainly was to him for it had nearly cost him his life and left him all black and blue for weeks after. Happily no bones were broken so the incident only confined him a day to his encampment. Soon after this the snow fell thicker than ever and it became evident that an unusually early winter was about to set in among the mountains. This was a terrible calamity for if the regular snow of winter set in it would be impossible for him either to advance or retreat. While he was sitting on his bare skin by the campfire one day thinking anxiously what he should do and feeling that he must either make the attempt to escape or perish miserably in that secluded spot a strange unwanted sound struck upon his ear and caused both him and Crusoe to spring violently to their feet and listen. Could he be dreaming? It seemed like the sound of human voices. For a moment he stood with his eyes riveted on the ground his lips apart and his nostrils distended as he listened with the utmost intensity. Then he darted out and bounded around the edge of a rock which concealed an extensive but narrow valley from his view and there to his amazement he beheld a band of about a hundred human beings advancing on horseback slowly through the snow. End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of A 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 18 A Surprise and a Piece of Good News The Fur Traders Crusoe Proved and the Pagans Pursued Dick's first and most natural impulse on beholding this band was to mount his horse and fly. For his mind naturally enough recurred to the former rough treatment he had experienced at the hands of Indians. On second thoughts, however, he considered it wiser to throw himself upon the hospitality of the strangers. For, thought he, they can but kill me and if I remain here I am likely to die at any rate. So Dick mounted his wild horse, grasped his rifle in his right hand and, followed by Crusoe, galloped full tilt down the valley to meet them. He had heard enough of the customs of savage tribes and had also of late experienced enough to convince him that when a man found himself in the midst of an overwhelming force his best policy was to assume an air of confident courage. He therefore approached them at his utmost speed. The effect upon the advancing band was electrical and little wonder for the young hunter's appearance was very striking. His horse, from having rested a good deal of late, was full of spirit. Its neck was arched, its nostrils expanded, and its mane and tail, never having been checked in their growth, flew wildly around him in voluminous curls. Dick's own hair, not having been clipped for many months, appeared scarcely less wild as they thundered down the rocky paths at what appeared to be a bright net gallop. Add to this the grandeur of the scene out of which they sprang and the gigantic dog that bounded by his side and you will not be surprised to hear that the Indian warriors clustered together and prepared to receive this bold horseman as if he, in his own proper person, were a complete squadron of calvary. It is probable also that they fully expected the tribe of which Dick was the chief to be at his heels. As he drew near the excitement among the strangers seemed very great and from the peculiarity of the various cries that reached him he knew there were women and children in the band. A fact which in such a place and at such a season was so unnatural that it surprised him very much. He noted also that though the men in front were Indians their dresses were those of trappers and hunters and he almost leaped out of his saddle when he observed that pale faces were among them. But he had barely time to note these facts when he was up with the band. According to Indian custom he did not check his speed till he was within four or five yards of the advance guard who stood in a line before him quite still and with their rifles lying loosely in their left palms then he reigned his steed almost on its haunches. One of the Indians advanced and spoke a few words in a language which was quite unintelligible to Dick who replied in the little pony he could muster that he didn't understand him. Why you must be a trapper exclaimed a thick set middle aged man writing out from the group. Can you speak English? I that can I cried Dick joyfully writing up and shaking the stranger heartily by the hand and right glad am I to fall in with a white skin and a civil tongue on his head good sooth sir replied the stranger with a quiet smile on his kind weather beaten face I can return you the compliment for when I saw you come thundering down the quarry with that wonderful horse and no less a wonderful dog of yours I thought you were the wild man of the mountain himself and had an ambush ready to back you but young man do you mean to say that you live here in the mountain alone after this fashion no that I don't I've come here in my travels but truly this being my home but sir now comes it that such a band as this rides in the mountains do you mean that they live here dick looked around in surprise as he spoke upon the crowd of mounted men and women with children and pack horses that now surrounded him does a fair question lad I am a principal among the fur traders whose chief trading post slides near the pacific ocean on the west side of these mountains and I have come with these trappers and their families as you see to hunt the beaver and the other animals for a season in the mountains we've never been here before but it's a matter of little moment for it's not the first time I've been on what may be called a discovery trading expedition we are somewhat entangled however just now among these wild passes and if you can guide us out of our difficulties to the east side of the mountains I'll thank you heartily and pay you well but first tell me who and what you are if that's a fair question my name is dick Varley and my home's in the Mustang Valley near the Missouri River as to what I am I'm nothing yet but I hope to desire of the name a hunter someday I can guide you to the east side of the mountains for I'd come from there but more than that I can't do for I'm a stranger to the country here like yourself but you're on the east side of the mountains already if I mistake not only these mountains are so rugged and jumbled up that it's not easy telling where you are and would continue dick may be the name of the bourgeois who speaks to me my name is Cameron Walter Cameron a well-known name among the Scottish hills although it sounds a little strange here and now young man will you join my party as a guide and afterwards remain as a trapper it will pay you better I think than roving about alone dick shook his head and looked grave I'll guide you said he as far as my knowledge will help me but after that I must return to look for two comrades whom I've lost they've been driven into the mountains by a band of engines god grant they might not have been scaled the trader's face looked troubled and he spoke with one of his Indians for a few minutes in earnest hurry tones what were they like young man dick described them the same continued the trader they've been seen lad not more than two days ago by this Indian here and when he was out hunting alone some miles away from our camp he came suddenly on a band of Indians who had two prisoners with them such as you describe they were stout said you yes both of them cried dick listening with intense eagerness I they were tied to their horses and from what I know of these fellas I'm sure they're doomed but I'll help you my friend as well as I can they can't be far from this I treated my Indian story about them as a mere fabrication for he's the most notorious liar in my company but he seems to have spoken the truth for once thanks thanks good sir cried dick had we not best turned back and followed them at once may friend not quite so fast replied Cameron pointing to his people these must be provided for first but I shall be ready before the sun goes down and now as I presume you don't boo boo act in the snow will you kindly conduct us to your encampment if it be not far hence although burning with impatience to fly to the rescue of his friends dick felt constrained to comply with so reasonable a request so he led the way to his camping place where the band of fur traders immediately began to pinch their tents cut down the wood kindle fires fill their kettles with water cook their food and in fact make themselves comfortable the wild spot which an hour before had been so still and grand and gloomy was now as if by magic transformed into a bustling village with bright fires blazing among the rocks and bushes and merry voices of men women and children ringing in the air it seemed almost incredible and no wonder dick and his bewilderment had difficulty in believing it was not all a dream in days long gone by the fur trade in that country was carried on in a very different way from the manner in which it is now conducted these wild regions indeed are still as lonesome and untenanted saved by the wild beasts and wandering tribes of Indians as they were then but the Indians of the present day have become accustomed to the pale face trader whose little wooden forts or trading posts are dotted here and there at wide intervals all over the land but in the days of which we write it was not so the fur traders at that time went forth and armed bands into the heart of the Indians country and he who went forth did so with his life in his hand as in the case of the soldier who went out to battle there was great probability that he might never return the band of which Walter Cameron was the chief had many months before started from one of the distant posts of Oregon on a hunting expedition into the then totally unknown lands of the snake Indians it consisted of about 60 men 30 women and as many children of various ages about 120 souls and all many of the boys were capable of using the gun and setting a beaver trap the men were a most motley set there were canadiens half-breeds uroquois and scotch men most of the women had Indian blood in their veins and a few were pure Indians the equipment of the strange band consisted of upwards of 200 beaver traps which are similar to our rat traps with this difference that they have two springs and no teeth 70 guns a few articles for trade with the Indians and a large supply of powder and ball the whole men women children goods and chattels being carried on the backs of nearly 400 horses many of these horses at starting were not laden being designed for the transport of furs that were to be taken in the course of the season for food this adventurous party depended entirely on their guns and during the march hunters were kept constantly out ahead as a matter of course their living was precarious sometimes their kettles were overflowing at others they scarce refrain from eating their horses but during the months they had already spent in the wilderness good living had been the rule starvation the exception they had already collected a large quantity of beaver skins which at the time were among the most valuable in the market although they are now scarcely saleable having shot two wild horses seven elks six small deer and four big horn sheep the day before they met dick varley the camp kettles were full and the people consequently happy now master dick varley said Cameron touching the young hunter on the shoulder as he stood ready equipped by one of the campfires i'm at your service the people won't need any more looking after tonight i'll divide my men 30 shall go after this rascally band of pagans for such i believe they are and 30 shall remain to guard the camp are you ready ready i this i were passed mount been lad the men have already been told often are mustering down yonder where the deer gave you such a licking dick needed no second bidding he vaulted on charlie's back and along with their commander joined the men who were 30 is fine hardy reckless looking fellows as one could desire for a forlorn hope they were chatting and laughing while they examined their guns and saddle girth their horses were sorry looking animals compared with the magnificent creature that dick bestowed but they were hardy nevertheless and well-fitted for their peculiar work my what a blazer exclaimed a trapper as dick rode up where'd you get him inquired a half breed i called him answered dick brah cried the first speaker dick took no notice of this last remark no did you though he asked again i did answer dick quietly i creased him in the prairie you can see the mark on his neck if you look the men began to feel that the young hunter was perhaps a little beyond them at their own trade and regarded him with increased respect look sharp now lads said Cameron impatiently to several members of the band night will be on us here long who sold you the bear claw collar inquired another man of dick i didn't buy it i killed the bear and made it did you know all by your loan i that wasn't much was it you've begun well yonka said a tall middle-aged hunter whose general appearance was not unlike that of joe blunt just keep clear the engines and the grog battle and you have a glorious life before you at this point the conversation was interrupted by the order being given to move on which was obeyed in silence and the calvacade descending the valley entered one of the gorges in the mountain for the first half mile Cameron rode a little ahead of his men then turned to speak to one of them and for the first time observed crusoe triding close beside his master's horse uh master dick he exclaimed with a troubled expression that won't do it would never do to take a dog on an expedition like this why not ask dick the pups quiet and peaceful i doubt it not but he will betray our presence to the indians which might be inconvenient i've traveled more than a thousand miles through prairie and forest among game and among engines and the pup never betrayed me yet said dick with suppressed remnants he has saved my life more than once though you seem to have perfect confidence in your dog but as this is a serious matter you must not expect me to share in it without proof of his trustworthiness the pup may be useful to us how would you like to have it proved inquired dick any way you like you forgot your belt at starting i think i hear you say yes i did replied the trader smiling dick immediately took hold of cameron's coat and bade crusoe to smell it which the dog did very carefully then he showed him his own belt and said go back to the camp and fetch it put crusoe was off in a minute and in less than 20 minutes returned with cameron's belt in his mouth well i'll trust him said cameron patting crusoe's head forward lads and away they went at a brisk trot along the bottom of a beautiful valley on each side of which the mountains towered in dark masses soon the moon rose in afforded light sufficient to enable them to travel all night in the track of the indian hunter who said he had seen the pagans and who was constituted guide to the party hour after hour the horseman pressed on without check now galloping over a level plain now bounding by the rocks of a rivulet or bending their heads to escape the bowels of overhanging trees and a non-toiling slowly up among the rocks of some narrow defile at last the moon set and the order was given to halt in a little plain where there was wood and water the horses were picketed a fire kindled a mouthful of dried meat hastily eaten the watch was set and then each man scraped away the snow spread some branches on the ground and wrapping himself in his blanket went to sleep with his feet presented towards the fire two hours were allowed for rest then they were awakened and in a few minutes were off again by the gray light of dawn in this way they traveled two nights and a day at the end of that time they came suddenly on a small party of nine indians who receded on the ground with their snowshoes and blankets by their side they had evidently been taken by surprise but they made no attempt to escape knowing that it was useless each sat still with his bow and arrows between his leg on the ground ready for instant use as soon as Cameron spoke however in their own language they felt relieved and began to talk where do you come from and what are you doing here asked the trader we have come to hunt with the white man one of them replied and to hunt we have come to trade with the white men one of them replied and to hunt we have come from the Missouri our country is far away do pagans hunt with war arrows asked Cameron pointing to their weapons this question seemed to perplex them for they saw that their interrogator knew the difference between a war and a hunting arrow the former being barbed in order to render its extraction from the wound difficult while the head of the ladder is round and can be drawn out of game that has been killed and used again and do pagans continued Cameron come from a country to trade with the white men with nothing again the Indians were silent for they had not an article of trade about them Cameron now felt convinced that this party of pagans into whose hands Joe Blunt and Henry had fallen were nothing else than a war party and that the men now before him were a scouting party sent out from them probably to spy out his own camp on the trail of which they had fallen so he said to them the pagans are not wise men they tell lies to the traders i will tell you that you are a war party and that you are only a few warriors sent out to spy the traders camp you have also two pale face prisoners in your camp you cannot deceive me it is useless to try now conduct me to your camp my object is not war it is peace i will speak with your chiefs about trading with the white men and we will smoke the pipe of peace are my words good despite their proverbial control of muscle these Indians could not conceal their astonishment at hearing so much of their affairs thus lay bare so they said that the pale face chief was wise that he must be a great medicine man and that what he said was all true except about the white men they had never seen any pale faces and knew nothing whatever about those he spoke of this was a terrible piece of news to poor dick and at first his heart fairly sank within him but by degrees he came to be more hopeful he concluded that if these men told lies in regard to one thing they would do it in regard to another and perhaps they might have some strong reason for denying any knowledge of Joe and Henry the Indians now packed up the buffalo robes on which they had slept and the mouthful of provisions they had taken with them i don't believe a word of what they say about your friends said Cameron to dick in a low tone while the Indians were thus engaged depend upon it they hope to hide them till they can send to the settlements and get a ransom or till they get an opportunity of torturing them to death before their women and children when they get back to their own village but we'll balk them my friend do not fear the Indians were soon ready to start for they were lumbered with marvelously little camp equipage in less than half an hour after their discovery they were running like deer ahead of the calvacade in the direction of the pagan camp end of chapter 18 chapter 19 of the dog crew so 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 crew so and his master by r.m valentine chapter 19 adventures with the pagans Crusoe does good service as a discoverer the savage is outwitted the rescue a run of 20 miles brought the travelers to a rugged defile in the mountains from which they had a view of a beautiful valley of considerable extent during the last two days a steady thaw had been rapidly melting away the snow so that it appeared only here and there in the landscape and dazzling patches at the distance of about half a mile from where they halted to breed the horses before commencing the descent into this veil several thin reeds of smoke were seen rising above the trees is that your camp inquired Cameron riding up to the Indian runners who stood in a group in front looking as fresh after their 20 miles run as though they had only had a short walk to this they answered in the affirmative adding that there were about 200 pagans there it might have been thought that 30 men would have hesitated to venture to attack so large a number as 200 but it had always been found in the experience of Indian life that a few resolute white men well armed were more than a match for 10 times their number of Indians and this arose not so much from the superior strength or agility of the whites over their red foes as from that bulldog courage and utter recklessness of their lives and combat qualities which the crafty savage can either imitate or understand the information was received with perfect indifference by most of the trappers with contemptuous laughter by some for a large number of Cameron's men were wild evil disposed fellows who would have as gladly taken the life of an Indian as a buffalo just as the word was given to resume the march Dick Varley rode up to Cameron and said in a somewhat anxious tone do you observe sir that one of the red skins has gone off ahead of his comrades I see that master dick and it was a mistake of mine not to have stopped him but he was gone too far before I observed it and I thought it better to appear unconcerned we must push on though and give him a short time as possible to talk with his comrades in the camp the trappers pressed forward accordingly at a gallop and were soon in front of the clump of trees amongst which the pagans were encamped their approach had evidently spread great alarm among them for there was a good deal of bustle and running to and fro but by the time the trappers had dismounted and advanced in a body on foot the savages had resumed their usual quiet dignity of appearance and receded calmly round their fires with their bows and arrows beside them there were no tents no women or children and the general aspect of the men showed Cameron conclusively that his surmise about there being a war party was correct a council was immediately called the trappers ranged themselves on one side of the council fire and the Indians on the other meanwhile our friend Crusoe had been displaying considerable irritability against the Indians and he would certainly have attacked the whole 200 single-handed if he had not been ordered by his master to lie still but never in his life before had Crusoe obeyed with such a bad grace he bristled and whined in a low tremulous voice and looked imploringly at Dick as if for permission to fly at them the pale face traders are glad to meet with the pagans began Cameron who determined to make no illusion to his knowledge that they were a war party for they wish to be friends with all the children of the woods and prairies they wish to trade with them to exchange blankets and guns and beads and other goods which the pagans require for furs and animals which the pale faces require ho ho exclaim the Indians which expression might be translated as here here but continued Cameron we wish to have no war we wish to see the hatchet buried and to see all the red men and the white men smoking the pipe of peace and hunting like brothers the ho ho wing at this was very emphatic now resume the trader the pagans have got two prisoners two pale faces in their camp and as we cannot be on good terms while our brothers are detained we have come to ask for them and to present some gifts to the pagans to this there was no ho at all but a prolonged silence which was at length interrupted by a tall chief stepping forward to address the trappers what the pale face chief has said is good began the indian his words are wise and his heart is not double the red men are willing to smoke the pipe of peace and to hunt with the men as brothers but they cannot do it while many of their scalps are hanging in the lodges of their enemies infringing the robes of the warriors the pagans must have vengeance and then they will make peace after a short pause he continued the chief is wrong when he says there are pale faces in the pagan camp the pagans are not at war with the pale faces neither have they seen any on their march the camp is open let the pale faces look around and see that what we say is true the chief waved his hand towards his warriors as he concluded as if to say search amongst them there are no pale faces there camera now spoke to dick in a low tone they speak confidently he said and i fear greatly that your poor comrades have either been killed or conveyed away from the camp and hidden among the mountains in which case even though they should not be far off it would be next to impossible to find them especially when such a band of rascals is near compelling us to keep together but i'll try what a little tempting them with goods will do at any rate we shan't give in without a scuffle it now for the first time flashed across dick varley that there was something more than he imagined in cruzo's restless anxiety which had not in the least abated and the idea of making use of him now occurred in his mind i have a notion that i'll settle this matter in a shorter time than you think he said hurriedly if you'll agree to try what threatening will do the trader looked grave and undecided i never resort to that except as a last hope he answered but i have a good deal of confidence in your prudence what would you advise dick and the trader whispered for a few moments together while some of the men in order to show the indians how perfectly unconcerned they were and how ready for anything took out their pipes and began to smoke both parties receded on the ground and during this interval the indians also held eager discussion at length cameron stood up and said to his men in a quiet voice be ready lads for instant action when i give the word up spring to your feet and cock your guns but don't fire a shot till you get the word he then stepped forward and said the pagan warriors are double tongued they know they have hid the paleface prisoners we do not wish to quarrel but if they are not delivered up at once the palefaces and the pagans will not be friends upon this the indian chief again stood forward and said the pagans are not double tongued they have not seen the palefaces till today they can say no more without moving hand or foot cameron said in a firm tone the first pagan that moves shall die up lads and ready in the twinkling of an eye the trappers sprang to their feet and cocking their rifles stood perfectly motionless gowling at the savages who were completely taken by surprise at the unusual suddenness and informality of such a declaration of war not a man moved for unlike white men they seldom risked their lives in open fight and as they looked at the formidable row of muzzles that waited but a word to send instant death into their midst they felt that discretion was at that time the better part of allure now said cameron while dick varley and crusoe stepped up beside him my young warrior will search for the paleface prisoners if they are found we will take them and go away if they are not found we will ask the pagans to forgive us and we will give them gifts but in the meantime if a pagan moves from the spot where he sits or lifts a bow my young men shall fire and the pagans shall know that the rifle of the paleface always kills without waiting for an answer dick immediately said seek them out pup and crusoe bound it away for a few minutes he sprang hither and thither through the camp quite regardless of the indians and snuffed the air several times whining in an excited tone as if to relieve his feelings then he put his nose to the ground and ran straightforward into the woods dick immediately bounded after him like a deer while the trappers kept silent guard over the savages for some time crusoe ran straightforward then he came to a spot where there was a good deal of drifted snow on the ground here he seemed to lose the trail for a little and ran about in all directions whining in a most piteous tone seek him out pup repeated dick encouragingly while his own breast heaved with excitement and expectation in a few seconds the dog resumed his onward course and led the way into a wild dark spot which was so overshadowed by trees and precipitous cliffs that the light of the sun scarce found entrance there were many huge masses of rocks scattered over the ground which had fallen from the cliffs behind one of these lay a mound of dried leaves toward which crusoe darted and commenced scraping violently trembling with dread that he should find this to be the grave of his murdered companions dick rushed forward and hastily cleared away the leaves the first handful thrown off revealed part of the figure of a man dick's heart beat audibly as he cleared the leaves from the face and he uttered a suppressed cry on beholding the well-known features of joe blunt but they were not those of a dead man joe's eyes met his with a scowl of anger which instantly gave place to one of intense surprise joe blunt exclaimed dick in a voice of intense amazement while crusoe sniffed round the heap of leaves and whined with excitement but joe did not move neither did he speak a word in reply for the very good reasons that his mouth was tightly bound with a band of leather his hands and feet were tied and his whole body was secured in a rigid immovable position by being bound to a pole of about his own length in a moment dick's knife was out bands and cords were severed and joe blunt was free thank god exclaimed joe with a deep urna sigh the instant his lips were loosened and thanks to you lad he added endeavoring to rise but his limbs had become so benumbed in the consequence of the cores by which they had been compressed that for some time he could not move I'll rub you joe I'll soon rub you into a right state said dick going down on his knees no no lad look sharp and dig up Henry he's just beside me here dick immediately rose and pushing aside the heap of leaves found Henry securely bound in the same fashion but he could scarce refrain from laughing at the expression of that worthy space hearing the voices of joe and dick varley in conversation though unable to see their persons he was filled with such unbounded amazement that his eyes when uncovered were found to be at their largest possible stretch and as for the eyebrows they were gone utterly lost among the roots of his voluminous hair Henry friend I knew I should find ye said dick cutting the thongs that bound him get up if you can we haven't much time to lose and may have we'll have to fight before we're done with the redskins can you rise Henry could do nothing but lie on his back and gasp eh possible mon frère oh non non non possible whoey my brother dick here he attempted to rise but being unable fell back again and the whole thing came so suddenly and made so deep an impression on his impulsive mind that he incontinentally burst into tears then he burst into a long laugh suddenly he paused and scrambling up to a sitting posture looked earnestly into dick's face through his tearful eyes oh non non he exclaimed stretching himself out at full length again and closing his eyes it are too good to be true I am dream I've evade til I'm awake dick roused him out of this resolute sleep however somewhat roughly meanwhile joe had rubbed and kicked himself into a state of animation exclaiming that he felt as if he was walking on a thousand needles and pens and in a few minutes they were ready to accompany their overjoyed deliverer back to the pagan camp Crusoe testified his delight in various elephantine gambles around the persons of his old friends who were not slow to acknowledge his services they haven't treated us overly well remarked joe blunt as they strode through the underwood non did rascal vehement damn villains who we how do you have talk too about roasting us live and putting our scalp in the big bomb for the purpose to play with well never mind Henry we'll be quits with him now said joe as they came in sight of the two bands who remained in precisely the same position in which they had been left except that one or two of the more reckless of the trappers had lit their pipes and taken to smoking without however laying down their rifles or taking their eyes off the savages a loud cheer greeted the arrival of the prisoners and looks of considerable discomfort began to be advanced by the Indians glad to see you friends said Cameron as they came up V is happy of the same replied Henry swaggering up in the joe reality of his heart and seizing the trader's hand in his own enormous fist shall we go to york and slay them all at once or one at a time we'll consider that afterwards lad meantime go you to the rear and get a weapon of some sort who he he cried going with an immense flounder into the midst of the amused trappers and slapping those next to him on the back give me weapon do mes amis gun pistol anything connan if you have one meanwhile Cameron and joe spoke together for a few moments you had goods with you in horses i believe when you were captured said the former i that we had yonder stand the horses under the pine tree along with the rest of the red skin troop in a hard time they've had art as their bones may tell without speaking as for the goods he continued glancing around the camp i don't know where oh yes did they be in the old pack i see y'all safe Cameron now addressed the Indians the pagans he said have not done well their hearts have not been true to the pale faces even now i could take your scalps where you sit but white men do not like war they do not like revenge the pagans may go free considering the funus of their numbers this was bold language to use toward the Indians but the boldest is generally the best policy on such occasions moreover Cameron felt that being armed with rifles while the Indians had only bow and arrows the trappers had a great advantage over them the indian who had spoken before now rose and said he was sorry there should be any cause of difference between them and added he was sorry for a great many more things besides but he did not say he was sorry for having told a lie but before you go you must deliver up the horses and goods belonging to these men said Cameron pointing to Joe and Henry this was agreed to the horses were let out the two little packs containing Joe's goods were strapped upon them and then the trappers turned to depart the Indians did not move until they had mounted then they rose and advanced in a body to the edge of the wood to see the pale faces go away meanwhile Joe spoke a few words to Cameron and the men were ordered to halt while the former dismounted and led his horse towards the band of savages pagans he said you know the object for which i came into this country was to make peace between you and the pale faces i have often told you so when you would not listen and when you told me that i had a double hot and told lies you were wrong when you said this but i do not wonder for you live among nations who do not be a god and who think it right to lie i now repeat to you what i said before it would be good for the red men if they would make peace with the pale faces and if they would make peace with each other i will now convince you that i am an honest and have all along been speaking the truth here upon Joe Blunt opened his bundle of goods and presented fully one half of the gaudy and brilliant contents to the astonished Indians who seem quite taken aback with such generous treatment the result of this was that the two parties separated with mutual expressions of esteem and goodwill the Indians then returned to the forest and the white men galloped back to their camp among the hills end of chapter 19 chapter 20 of a 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 Alice and Hester of Athens Georgia the dog crusoe and his master by r.m valentine chapter 20 new plans our travelers join the fur traders and see many strange things a curious fight a narrow escape and a prisoner taken not long after the events related in the last chapter our four friends Dick and Joe and Henry and Crusoe agreed to become for a time members of Walter Cameron's band of trappers Joe joined because one of the objects which the traders had in view was similar to his own mission namely the promoting of peace among the various Indian tribes of the mountains and plains to the west Joe therefore thought it a good opportunity of traveling with a band of men who could secure him a favorable hearing from the Indian tribes they might chance to meet within the course of their wanderings besides as the traders carried about a large supply of goods with them he could easily replenish his own nearly exhausted pack by hunting wild animals and exchanging their skins for such articles as he might require dick joined because it afforded him an opportunity of seeing the wild majestic scenery of the Rocky Mountains and shooting the big horn sheep which abounded there and the grizzly bars as Joe named them or Caleb as they were more frequently styled by Henry and the other men Henry joined because it was agreeable to the inclination of his own rollicking blundering floundering crashing disposition and because he would have joined anything that had been joined by the other two crusoe's reason for joining was single simple easy to be expressed easy to be understood and commendable he joined because dick did the very day after the party left the encampment where dick could shop the grizzly bear and the deer he had the satisfaction of bringing down a splendid specimen of the big horn sheep it came suddenly out from a gorge of the mountain and stood upon the giddy edge of a tremendous precipice at a distance of about 250 yards you could not hit that said a trapper to Henry who was rather fond of jeering him about his short-sightedness none cried Henry who didn't see the animal in the least say you that we shall see and he let fly with a promptitude that amazed his comrades and with a result that drew from them peels of laughter why you have missed the mountain oh none that an impossible it was true nevertheless for his ball had been arrested in its flight by the stem of a tree not 20 yards before him while the shot was yet ringing and before the laugh above referred to had peeled forth dick varly fired in the animal springing wildly into the air fell down the precipice and was almost dashed to pieces at their feet this rocky mountain or big horn sheep was a particularly large and fine one but being a patriarch of the flock was not well suited for food it was considerably larger in size than the domestic sheep and might be described as somewhat resembling a deer and the body and a ram in the head its horns were the chief point of interest to dick and truly they were astounding their enormous size was cut out of all proportion to the animal's body and they curved backwards and downwards and then curled up again in a sharp point these creatures frequent the inaccessible heights of the rocky mountain and are difficult to approach they have a great fondness for salt and pay regular visits to the numerous caverns of these mountains which are encrusted with a saline substance water Cameron now changed his intention of proceeding to the eastward as he found the country not so full of beaver at that particular spot as he anticipated he therefore turned towards the west penetrated into the interior of the mountains and took a considerable sweep through the lovely valleys on their western slopes the expedition which this enterprising fur trader was conducting was one of the first that ever penetrated these wild regions in search of furs the ground over which they traveled was quite new to them and having no guide they just moved about as half hazard and camping on the margin of every stream or river on which signs of the presence of beaver were discovered and setting their traps beaver skins at this time were worth 25 shillings apiece in the markets of civilized lands and in the snake country through which our friends were traveling thousands of them were to be had from the Indians for trinkets and baubles that were scarce worth of parting a beaver skin could be procured from the Indians for a brass finger ring or a penny looking glass horses were also so numerous that one could be procured for an axe or a knife let not the reader however hastily conclude that the traders cheated the Indians in this traffic though the profits were so enormous the ring or the axe was indeed a trifle to the trader but the beaver skin and the horse were equally trifles to the savage who could procure as many of them as he chose with very little trouble while the ring and the axe were in his estimation of priceless value besides be it remembered to carry that ring and that axe to the far distant haunts of the red men cost the trader weeks and months of constant toil trouble anxiety and alas too frequently cost him his life the state of trade is considerably modified in these regions at the present day it is not more justly conducted for in respect of the value of goods given for first it was justly conducted there but time and circumstances have tended more to equalize the relative values of articles of trade the snow which had prematurely fallen had passed away and the trappers now found themselves wandering about in a country so beautiful and a season so delightful that it would have seemed to them a perfect paradise but for the savage tribes who hovered about them they soon passed from the immediate embrace of stupendous heights and dark gorges to a land of sloping ridges which divided the country into a hundred luxuriant veils composed part of woodland and part of prairie through these numerous rivers and streams flow deviously beautifying the landscape and enriching the land there were also many lakes of all sizes and these swarmed with fish while and some of them were found the much sought after and highly esteemed beaver salt springs and hot springs of various temperatures abounded here and many of the latter were so hot that meat could be boiled in them salt existed in all directions in abundance and of good quality a sulfurous spring was also discovered bubbling out from the base of a perpendicular rock 300 feet high the waters of which were dark blue and tasted like gunpowder in short the land presented every variety of feature calculated to charm the imagination and delight the eye it was a mysterious land too for broad rivers burst in many places from the earth flowed on a short space and then disappeared as if by magic into the earth from which they rose natural bridges spanned the torrents in many places and some of these were so correctly formed that it was difficult to believe they had not been built by the hand of man they often appeared opportunally to our trappers and saved them the trouble and danger of fording rivers frequently the whole band would stop in silent wonder in all as they listened to the rushing of waters under their feet as if another world of streams and rapids and cataracts were flowing below the crust of the earth on which they stood some considerable streams were likewise observed to gush from the faces of the precipices some 20 or 30 feet from their summits while on the top no water was to be seen wild berries of every kind were found in abundance and wild vegetables besides many nutritious roots among other fish splendid salmon were found in the lakes and rivers and animal life swarmed on hill and dale woods and valleys plains and ravines teamed with it on every plane the red deer grazed and heard by the banks of lake and stream wherever there were clusters of poplar and elder trees and saplings the beaver was seen nibbling industriously with his sharp teeth and committing as much havoc in the forests as if they had been armed with the woodman's axe otters sported in the eddies raccoons sat in the treetops the martin the black fox and the wolf prowled in the woods in quest of prey mountain sheep and goats browsed on the rocky ridges and badgers peeped from their holes here too the wild horse sprang snorting and disheveled from his mountain retreats with flourishing mane and tail spanking step and questioning gaze and thundered away over the plains and valleys while the rocks echoed back his shrill nay the huge heavy ungainly elk or moose deer trotted away from the travelers with speed equal to that of a Mustang elk seldom gallop their best speed is attained at the trot bears too black and brown and grizzly roamed about everywhere so numerous were all these creatures that on one occasion the hunters of the party brought in six wild horses three bears four elks and 30 red deer having shot them all at a short distance ahead of the main body and almost without diverging from the line of march and this was a matter of everyday occurrence as it had need to be considering the number of mouth that had to be filled the feathered tribes were not less numerous chief among these were eagles and vultures of uncommon size and wild goose wild duck and the majestic swan in the midst of such perfusion the trappers spent a happy time of it when not molested by the savages but they frequently lost a horse or two in consequence of the expertness of these thievish fellas they often wandered however for days at a time without seeing an indian and at such times they enjoyed to the full the luxuries with which a bountiful god had blessed these romantic regions dick varly was almost wild with delight it was his first excursion into the remote wilderness he was young healthy strong and romantic and it is a question whether his or his dog's heart or that of the noble wild horse he bestowed bounded most with joy at the glorious sights and sounds and influences by which they were surrounded it would have been perfection had it not been for the frequent annoyance and alarms caused by the indians alas alas that we who write and read about these wondrous scenes should have to condemn our own species as the most degraded of all the works of the creator there yet so it is man exercising his reason and conscience in the path of love and duty which his creator points out is god's noblest work but man left to the freedom of his own fallen will sinks morally lower than the beast that perish well may every christian wish and pray that the name in the gospel of the blessed jesus may be sent speedily to the dark places of the earth for you may read of and talk about but you cannot conceive the fiendish wickedness and cruelty which causes tearless eyes to glare and maddened hearts to burst in the lands of the heathen while we are on this subject let us add and our young readers will come to know it if they are spared to see many years that civilization alone will never improve the heart let history speak and it will tell you that deeds of darkest hue have been perpetuated in so-called civilized though pagan lands civilization is like the polish that beautifies interior furniture which water will wash off it be but hot enough christianity resembles dye which permeates every fiber of the fabric in which nothing can eradicate the success of the trappers in procuring beaver here was great in all sorts of creeks and rivers they were found one day they came to one of the curious rivers before mentioned which burst suddenly out of a plane flowed on for several miles and then disappeared into the earth as suddenly as it had risen even in this strange place beaver were seen so the traps were set and a hundred and fifty were caught at the first lift the manner in which the party proceeded was as follows they marched in a mass and groups or in a long line according to the nature of the ground over which they traveled the hunters of the party went forward a mile or two in advance and scattered through the woods after them came the advance guard being the bravest and most stalwart of the men mounted on their best steeds and with rifle in hand immediately behind followed the women and children also mounted and the pack horses with the goods and camp equipage another band of trappers formed the rear guard to this imposing calvacade there was no strict regimental order kept but the people soon came to adopt the arrangements that were the most convenient for all parties and at length fell naturally into their places in the line of march joe blunt usually was the foremost and always the most successful of the hunters he was therefore seldom seen on the march except at the hour of starting and at night when he came back leading his horse which always groaned under its heavy load of meat henry being a hearty jovial soul and fond of society usually kept with the main body as predict he was everywhere at once at least as much so as it was possible for human nature to be his horse never wearied it seemed to delight in going at full speed no other horse in the troop could come near charlie and dick indulged him by appearing now at the front now at the rear anon in the center and frequently nowhere having gone off with crusoe like a flash of lightning after a buffalo or deer dick soon proved himself to be the best hunter of the party and it was not long before he fulfilled his promise to crusoe and decorated his neck with a collar of grizzly bear claws well when the trappers came to a river where there were signs of a beaver they called a halt and proceeded to select a safe and convenient spot near wood and water for the camp here the property of the band was securely piled in such a manner as to form a breastwork or slight fortification and here walter cameron established headquarters this was always the post of danger being exposed to sudden attack by prowling savages who often dogged the footsteps of the party in their journeyings to see what they could steal the cameron was an old hand and they found it difficult to escape his vigilant eye from this point all the trappers were sent forth in small parties every morning in various directions some on foot and some on horseback according to the distances they had to go but they never went any further than 20 miles as they had to return to camp every evening each trapper had 10 still traps allowed him these he set every night and visited every morning sometimes oftener when practicable selecting a spot in the stream where many trees had been cut down by beavers for the purpose of damming up the water in some places as many as 50 tree stumps were seen in one spot within the compass of half an acre all cut through at about 18 inches from the root we may remark and passing that the beaver is very much like a gigantic water rat with this marked difference that its tail is very broad and flat like a paddle the said tail is a greatly esteemed article of food as indeed is the whole body at certain seasons of the year the beaver's four legs are very small and short and it uses its paws as hands to convey food to its mouth sitting the while in an erect position on its hind legs and tail its fur is a dense coat of grayish colored down concealed by long coarse hair which lies smooth and is of a bright chestnut color its teeth and jaws are of enormous power with them it can cut through the branch of a tree as thick as a walking stick at one snap and as we have said it knows through thick trees themselves as soon as a tree falls the beaver is set to work industriously to lop off the branches which as well as the smaller trunks they cut into length according to their weight and thickness these are then dragged by the main force to the water side launched and floated to their destination beavers build their houses or lodges under the banks of rivers and lakes and always select those of such depth of water that there is no danger of there being frozen to the bottom when such cannot be found and they are compelled to build in small rivulets of insufficient depth these clever little creatures dam up the waters until they are deep enough the banks thrown up by them across rivulets for this purpose are of great strength and would do credit to human engineers their lodges are built of sticks muds and stones which form a compact mass this freezes solid in the winter and defies the assaults of that housebreaker the wolverine an animal which is the beaver's implacable foe from this lodge which is capable of holding four old and six or eight young ones a communication is maintained with the water below the ice so that should the wolverine succeed in breaking up the lodge he finds the family not at home they having made good their retreat by the back door when man acts the part of the housebreaker however he cunningly shuts the back door first by driving stakes through the ice and thus stopping the passage then he enters and we almost regret to say finds the family at home we regret it because the beaver is a gentle peaceable affectionate hairy little creature towards which one feels an irresistible tenderness but to return from this long digression our trappers having selected their several localities set their traps in the water so that when the beavers roamed about at night they put their feet into them and were caught and drowned for although they can swim and dive admirably they cannot live all together underwater thus the different parties proceeded and in the mornings the camp was a busy scene indeed for then the whole were engaged in skinning the animals the beavers thus taken were always skinned stretched dried folded up with the hair in the inside laid by and the flesh used for food but oftentimes the trappers had to go forth with the gun in one hand and their traps in the other while they kept a sharp lookout on the bushes to guard against surprise despite their utmost efforts a horse was occasionally stolen before their very eyes and sometimes even an unfortunate trapper was murdered and all his traps carried off an event of this kind occurred soon after the party had gained the western slopes of the mountains three Iroquois Indians who belonged to the band of trappers were sent to a stream about 10 miles off having reached their destination they all entered the water to set their traps bullishly neglecting the usual precaution of one remaining on the bank to protect the others they had scarcely commenced operations when three arrows were discharged into their backs and a party of snake Indians rushed upon and slew them carrying away their traps and horses and scalps this was not known for several days when becoming anxious about their prolonged absence Cameron sent out a party which found their mangled bodies affording a loathsome banquet to the wolves and vultures after this sad event the trappers were more careful to go and larger parties and keep watch as long as the beaver were taken in abundance the camp remained stationary but whenever the beaver began to grow scarce the camp was raised and the party moved on to another valley one day dick verly came galloping into the camp with the news that there were several bears in a valley not far distant which he was anxious not to disturb until a number of the trappers were collected together to go out and surround them on receiving the information Walter Cameron shook his head we have other things to do young man said he then go a hunting after bears I'm just about making up my mind to send off a party to search out the valley on the other side of the blue mountain jonda and bring back word if there are beaver there for if not I mean to strike away direct south now if you've a mind to go with them you're welcome I'll warrant you'll find enough in the way of bear hunting to satisfy you perhaps a little Indian hunting to boot for if the bannities get ahold of your horses you'll have a long hunt before you find them again will you go I write gladly replied dick when do we start this afternoon dick went off at once to his own part of the camp to replenish his powder horn and bullet pouch and wipe out his rifle that evening the party under command of a Canadian named Pierre set out for the blue hills they numbered 21 men and expected to be absent for three days for they merely went to reconnoiter not to trap neither Joe nor Henry were of this party both having been out hunting when it was organized but Crusoe and Charlie were of course Pierre although a brave and trusty man was of a sour angry disposition and not a favorite with dick but the latter resolved to enjoy himself and disregard his sulky comrade being so well mounted he not infrequently shot far ahead of his companions despite their warnings that he ran great risk by doing so on one of these occasions he and Crusoe witnessed a very singular fight which is worthy of record dick had felt a little wilder in spirit that morning than usual and on coming to a pretty open plane he gave the rain to Charlie with an I do maze comrades he was out of sight in a few minutes he rode on several miles in advance without checking speed and then came to a wood where rapid motion was inconvenient so he pulled up and dismounting tied Charlie to a tree while he sauntered on a short way on foot on coming to the edge of a small plane he observed two large birds engaged in mortal conflict Crusoe observed them too and would soon have put an end to the fight had dick not checked him creeping as close to the belligerents as possible he found that one was a wild turkey cock the other a white-headed eagle these two stood with their heads down and all their feathers bristling for a moment then they dashed at each other and struck fiercely with their spurs as our domestic cocks do but neither fell and the fight was continued for about five minutes without apparent advantage on either side dick now observed that from the uncertainty of its motions the turkey cock was blind a discovery which caused a throb of compunction to enter his breast for standing and looking on so he ran forward the eagle saw him instantly and tried to fly away but was unable from exhaustion Adam Crusoe cried dick whose sympathies all lay with the other bird Crusoe went forward at a bound and was met by a pet between the eyes that would have turned most dogs but Crusoe only winked and the next moment the eagle's career was ended dick found that the turkey cock was quite blind the eagle having thrust out both its eyes so in mercy he put an end to its sufferings the fight had evidently been a long and severe one for the grass all around the spot for about 20 yards was beaten to the ground and covered with the blood and feathers of the fierce combatants meditating on the fight which he had just witnessed dick returned towards the spot where he had left charlie when he suddenly missed crusoe from his side hello crusoe here pup where are you he cried the only answer to this was a sharp whizzing sound in an arrow passing close to his ear quivered in a tree beyond almost at the same moment crusoe's angry roar was followed by a shriek from someone in fear or agony cocking his rifle the young hunters sprang through the bushes towards his horse and was just in time to save a vanity indian from being strangled by the dog it had evidently sent it out this fellow pinned him just as he was in the act of spring on the back of charlie for the halter was cut and the savage lay on the ground close beside him dick called off the dog in motion to the indian to rise which he did so nimbly that it was quite evident he had sustained no injury beyond the laceration of his neck by crusoe's teeth and the surprise he was a tall strong indian for the tribe to which he belonged so dick proceeded to secure him at once pointing to his rifle and to the indians breast to show what he might expect if he attempted to escape dick ordered crusoe to keep him steady in that position the dog planted himself in front of the savage who began to tremble for his scalp and gazed up in his face with a look which to say the least of it was the reverse of amiable while dick went towards his horse for the purpose of procuring a piece of cord to tie him with then indian naturally turned his head to see what was going to be done but a peculiar gurgle and crusoe's throat made him turn it round again very smartly and he did not venture thereafter to move a muscle in a few seconds dick returned with a piece of leather and tied his hands behind his back while this was being done the indian glanced several times at his bow which lay a few feet away where it had fallen when the dog had caught him but crusoe seemed to understand him for he favored him with such an additional display of teeth and such a low apparently distant almost we might say subterranean rumble that he resigned himself to his fate his hand secured a long line was attached to his neck with a running noose so that if he ventured to run away the attempt would affect its own cure by producing strangulation the other end of this line was given to crusoe who at the word of command marched him off while dick mounted charlie and brought up the rear great was the laughter and merriment when this apparition met the eyes of the trappers but when they heard that he had attempted to shoot dick their air was raised and a court martial was held on the spot hang the reptile cried one burn him shouted another no no said a third don't imitate them villains don't be cruel let's shoot them shoot them cried pierre we that is the thing it's too good for louis mice it shall be dude don't you thank lads it would be better to let the poor wretch off said dick varly hate perhaps give a good account of us to his people there was a universal shout of contempt at this mild proposal unfortunately few of the men sent on this exploring expedition were imbued with the peacemaking spirit of their chief and most of them seemed glad to have a chance of venting their hatred of the poor indians on this unhappy wretch who although calm looked sharply from one speaker to another to gather hope if possible from the tones of their voices dick was resolved that the risk of a quarrel with pierre to save the poor man's life and had made up his mind to insist on having him conducted to the camp to be tried by cameron when one of the men suggested that they should take the savage to the top of a hill about three miles further on and hang him up on a tree as a warning to all his tribe agreed agreed cried the men come on dick too seemed to agree to this proposal and hastily ordered cruzo to run on ahead with the savage in order which the dog obeyed so vigorously that before the men had done laughing at him he was a couple of hundred yards ahead of them take care that he don't get off cried dicks bringing on charlie and stretching out at a gallop in a moment he was beside the indians scraping together the little of the indian language he knew he stooped down and cutting the thongs that bound him said go white men love the indians the man cast on his deliverer one glance of surprise and the next moment bounded aside into the bushes and was gone a loud shout from the party behind showed that this act had been observed and cruzo stood with the end of the line in his mouth and an expression on his face that said you're absolutely incomprehensible dick it's all right i know but to my feeble capacity it seems wrong but for you do dot shouted pierre in a rage as he came up with a menacing look dick confronted him the prisoner was mine i had a right to do with him as it liked me true true cried several of the men who had begun to repent of their resolution and were glad the savage was off the lads right get along pierre you had no right you was wrong we ate i have good villa to give you one knock on the nose dick looked pierre in the face as he said this in a manner that cowed him it is time he said quietly pointing to the sun to go on your why expects that time won't be wasted pierre muttered something in an angry tone and wheeling around his horse dashed forward at full gallop followed by the rest of the men the trappers in camp that night on the edge of a wide grassy plane which offered such tempting food for the horses that pierre resolved to forego his usual cautious plan of picketing them close to the camp and set them loose on the plane merely hobbling them to prevent their strain far dick remonstrated but in vain an insolent answer was all he got for his pains he determined however to keep charlie close beside him all night so he made up his mind to keep a sharp look out on the other horses at supper he again remonstrated no frayed said pierre whose pipe was beginning to improve his temper the red reptiles no doubt to come and open plane when the moon so clear don't know that said a taciturn trapper who seldom ventured a remark of any time the environment should steal the two eyes out of you head when they sit the hot zone it that are impossible for they have no hearts said a half breed they have bone whole vanilla hot was be this was received with a shout of laughter in the midst of which an appalling gale was heard and as if by magic four indians were seen on the backs of four of the best horses yelling like fiends and driving all the other horses furiously before them over the plane how they got there was a complete mystery but the man did not wait to consider that point catching up their guns they sprang after them with the fury of madmen and were quickly scattered far and wide dick ordered cruzo to follow and help them in and turned to spring on the back of charlie but at that moment he observed an indian's head and shoulders rise above the grass not 50 yards in advance from him so without hesitation he darted forward intending to pounce on him well would it have been for dick varley had he at that time possessed a little more experience of the wiles and stratigems of the bannities the snake nation is subdivided into several tribes of which those inhabiting the rocky mountains called the bannities are the most perfidious indeed they are confessedly the banditie of the hills and respect neither friend nor foe but rob all who come in their way dick reached the spot where the indian had disappeared in less than a minute but no savage was to be seen thinking he had crept ahead he ran on a few yards further and darted about hither and thither while his eye glanced from side to side suddenly a shout in the camp attracted his attention and looking back he beheld the savage on charlie's back turning to fly next moment he was off in a way far beyond the hope of recovery dick had left his rifle in the camp otherwise the savage would have gone but a short way as it was dick returned and sitting down on a mound of grass steered straight before him with a feeling akin to despair even crucian could not have helped him had he been there for nothing on four legs or on two could keep pace with charlie the bannity achieved this feat by adopting a stratagem which invariably deceives those who are ignorant of their habits and tactics when suddenly pursued the bannity sinks into the grass and serpent like creeps along with wonderful rapidity not from but towards his enemy taking care however to avoid him so that when the pursuer reaches the spot where the pursuit is supposed to be hiding he hears him shout a yell of defiance far away in the rear it was thus that the bannity alluded dick and gained the camp almost as soon as the other reached the spot where he had disappeared one by one the trappers came back weary raging and despairing in a short time they all assembled and soon began to reproach each other ere long one or two had a fight which resulted in several bloody noses and black eyes thus adding to the misery which one would think had been bad enough without such additions at last they finished their suppers and their pipes and then lay down to sleep under the trees till morning when they arose in a particularly silent and sulky mood rolled up their blankets strapped their things on their shoulders and began to trudge slowly back to the camp on foot and of chapter 20 chapter 21 of the dog crucio and his master this is a leber vox recording all leber vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit leber vox.org today's reading by alice and hester of athens georgia the dog crucio and his master by r.m valentine chapter 21 wolves attack the horses and cameron circumvents the wolves a bear hut in which henry shines conspicuous joe in the natter list an alarm a surprise and a capture we must now return to the camp where walter cameron still guarded the goods and the men pursued their trapping avocations here seven of the horses had been killed in one night by wolves while grazing in a plane close to the camp and on the night following a horse that had strayed was also torn to pieces and devoured the prompt endearing manner in which this had been done convinced the trader that the white wolves had unfortunately scented them out and he set several traps in hope of capturing them white wolves are quite distinct from the ordinary wolves that prowl through the woods and planes in large packs they are much larger weighing sometimes as much as a hundred and thirty pounds but they are comparatively scarce and move about alone or in small bands of three or four their strength is enormous and they are so fierce that they do not hesitate upon occasions to attack man himself their method of killing horses is very deliberate two wolves generally undertake the cold blooded murder they approach their victim with the most innocent looking and frolic some gambles lying down and rolling about and frisking pleasantly until the horse becomes a little accustomed to them then one approaches right in front the other in the rear still frisking playfully until they think themselves near enough when they make a simultaneous rush the wolf which approaches in rear is the true assailant the rush of the other is a mere faint then both fasten on the poor horses haunches and never let go till the sign use or cut and he is rolling on his side the horse makes comparatively little struggle in this deadly assault he seems paralyzed and soon falls to rise no more Cameron set his traps towards evening in a circle with a bait in the center and then retired to rest next morning he called Joe Blunt and the two went off together it is strange that these rascally white wolves should be so bold when the smaller kinds are so cowardly remark Cameron as they walked along so it is replied Joe but I've seen them other chaps bold enough to in a prairie when they were in the large packs and starving I believe the small wolves follow the big fellows and help them eat what they kill though generally they sit round and look on at the killing hest exclaimed Joe cocking his gun there he is and no mistake there he was undoubtedly a wolf of the largest size with one of his feet in the trap he was a terrible looking object for besides his immense size and naturally ferocious aspect his white hair bristled on end and was all covered with streets and spots of blood from his bloody jaws in his efforts to escape he had bitten the trap until he had broken his teeth and lacerated his gums so that his appearance was hideous in the extreme and when the two men came up he struggled with all his might to fly at them Cameron and Joe stood looking at him and a sort of wondering admiration we'd better put a ball in him suggested Joe after a time may have the chain won't stand such tugs long true Joe if it breaks we might get an ugly nip before we killed him so saying Cameron fired into the wolf's head and killed it it was found on examination that four wolves had been in the traps but the rest had escaped two of them however had gnawed off their paws and left them lying in the traps after this the big wolves did not trouble them again the same afternoon a bear hunt was undertaken which well nye caused one of the Iroquois his life it happened thus while Cameron and Joe were away after the white wolves Henry came floundering into camp tossing his arms like a maniac and shouting that seven bars was down in the bush close by it chanced that this was an idle day with most of the men so they all leaped on their horses and taking guns and knives sallied forth to give battle to the bears arrived at the scene of action they found the seven bears busily engaged in digging up roots so the men separated in order to surround them and then closed in the place was partly open and partly covered with thick bushes into which a horseman could not penetrate the moment the bears got wind of what was going forward they made off as fast as possible and then commenced a scene of firing galloping and yelling that defies description four out of the seven were shot before they gained the bushes the other three were wounded but made good their retreat as their places of shelter however were like islands in the plane they had no chance of escaping the horsemen now dismounted and dashed recklessly into the bushes where they soon discovered and killed two of the bears the third was not found for some time at last an Iroquois came upon it so suddenly that he had not time to point his gun before the bears sprang upon him and struck him to the earth where it held him down instantly the place was surrounded by eager men but the bushes were so thick and the fallen trees among which the bears stood were so numerous that they could not use their guns without running the risk of shooting their companion most of them drew their knives and seemed about to rush on the bear with these but the monsters aspect as it glared round was so terrible that they held back for a moment in hesitation at this particular moment Henry who had been at some distance engaged in the killing of one of the other bears came rushing forward after his own peculiar manner I that is eat hi to buy no go under yet just then his eye fell on the wounded Iroquois with the bear above him and he uttered a yell so intense in tone that the bear himself seemed to feel that something decisive was about to be done at last Henry did not pause but with a flying dash he sprang like a spread eagle arms and legs extended right into the bears bosom at the same time he sent his long hunting knife down into its heart but ruin is proverbially hard to kill and although mortally wounded he had strength enough to open his jaws and close them on Henry's neck there was a cry of horror and at the same moment a volley was fired into the bear's head for the trappers felt that it was better to risk shooting their comrades than to see them killed before their eyes fortunately the bullets took effect and tumbled him over at once without doing damage to either of the men although several of the balls just grazed Henry's temple and carried off his cap although uninjured by the shot the poor Iroquois had not escaped skateless from the paw of the bear his scalp was torn almost off and hung down over his eyes while blood streamed down his face he was conveyed by his comrades to the camp where he lay two days in a state of insensibility at the end of which time he revived and recovered daily afterwards when the camp moved he had to be carried but in the course of two months he was as well as ever in quite fond of bear hunting among other trophies of this hunt were two deer and a buffalo which last had probably strayed from the herd four or five Iroquois were around this animal wetting their knives for the purpose of cutting it up when Henry passed so he turned aside to watch them perform the operation quite regardless of the fact that his neck and face were covered with blood which flowed from one or two small punctures made by the bear the Indians began by taking off the skin which certainly did not occupy them more than five minutes then they cut up the meat and made a pack of it and cut out the tongue which is somewhat troublesome as that member requires to be cut from under the jaw of the animal and not through the natural opening of the mouth one of the four legs was cut off at the knee joint and this was used as a hammer with which to break the skull for the purpose of taking out the brains these being used in the process of dressing and softening the animal skin an axe would have been of advantage to break the skull but in the hurry of rushing to the attack the Indians had forgotten their axes so they adopted the common fashion of using the buffalo's hoof as a hammer and the shank being the handle the whole operation of flaying cutting up and packing the meat did not occupy more than 20 minutes before leaving the ground these expert butchers treated themselves to a little of the marrow and warm liver in a raw state Cameron and Joe walked up to the group while they were indulging in this little feast well I've often seen that eaten but could never do it myself remarked the former no cried Joe in surprise now that's uncommon curse I've lived on raw living marrow bones for two or three days at a time when we was chased by the Comanche engines and didn't dare to make a fire and it's real good it is won't you try it now Cameron shook his head no thanky I'll not refuse when I can't help it but until then I'll remain in happy ignorance of how good it is well it is strange how some folk can't buy anything in the meat way they haven't been used to you know I've actually known men from the cities who wouldn't eat a bit of horse flesh for love and money would you believe it I can well believe that Joe for I have met with such persons myself in fact they are rather numerous what are you chuckling at Joe chuckling if you mean be that larvin to myself is cuz I'm thinking of a chat as once come down to the prairies let us walk back to the camp Joe and you can tell me about him as we go along I think continue Joe he come from Washington but I never could make out right whether he was a government man or not anyhow he was a philosopher a natalist I think he called himself a naturalist suggested Cameron I that was more like it well he was about six feet two in his moxons and as thin as a ramrod and as blind as about least ways he had weak eyes and wore green spectacles he had on a gray shooting coat and trousers and vest and cap with red whiskers and a long nose as red as the point as his whiskers was well this gentleman engaged me in another hunt hunter to go on a trip with him to the prairies so off we saw one fine day on three horses with our blankets at our backs we was to depend on the rifle for victuals at first I thought the natalist wanted the cruelest beggars I ever went on too long legs for he used to go about everywhere poking pins through all the beetles and flies and creeping things he could saw eyes on and stuck them in a box but he told me he come here I purpose to get as many of magic could so says I if that's it I'll fill your box in no time will you says he quiet please like I will says I and galloped off to a place where he was filled with all sorts of crawling things so I sets to walk and whenever I see the thing crawling I saw my foot on it and crushed it and soon filled my breath pocket I coached a lot of butterflies too and stuffed them in my shot pouch and went back an hour or two and showed them the lot he put on his greens spectacles and looked at him as if he'd seen a rattlesnake my good man says he you crushed him all the pieces well taste is good for all that says I for somehow I'd taken it in my head that he'd heard of the way the engines make soup of the grasshoppers and was wanting to try his hand at this new dish he laughed when I said this and told me he was collecting them to take home to be looked at but that's not what I was gonna tell you about him continue Joe I was gonna tell you how we made him eat a horse flesh he carried a revolver too this night a list did to load with shot as small as dust the most and shoot the little buds with I see him miss buds only three feet away with it and one day he drew it all of a sudden and let it fly a big bumbee that was passing yelling out that it was the finest what he'd ever seen he missed the bee of course because it was a flying shot he said but he sent the whole charge right into Martin's back Martin was my comrades name by good luck Martin had on a thick leather coat so the shot never got the length of his skin one day I noticed that the matter list had stuffed some small cooks into the muzzles of all six barrels of his revolver I wondered what they was full but he was always doing such queer things that I soon forgot it maybe I thought just before it went out of my mind maybe he thinks I'll stop the pistol from going off by accident for you must know he'd let it off three times the first day by accident and well nine blowed off his leg the last time only the shot lodged in the back of a big toad he just stuffed in his breeches pocket well soon out of we shot a buffalo bull so when it failed off he jumps from his hose and runs up to it so that I for I wasn't sure the beast was dead and I had just got up when it rose and rushed at the night of list out of the way I yelled for my rifle was empty but he didn't move so I rushed forward and drew the pistol out of his belt and let fly in the bulls ribs just as it ran to pull me and down Martin came up that moment and put a ball through his heart and then we went to pick up the night of list he came to it a little and the first thing he said was where's my revolver when I gave it to him he looked at it and said with a shake of the head there's a whole barrel full lost I turned out he had taken to using the barrels for bottles to hold things in but he forgot to draw the charges so sure enough I had fired a charge of bumbees and beetles in small shot into the buffalo but that's not what I was gonna tell you yet we come to a part of the planes where we was well nice start for won a game and the night of list got so thin that you could almost see through him so I offered to kill my horse and cut it up for me but you never saw see your face he made I'd rather die first said he didn't eat it so we didn't kill it but out of every day Martin got a shot at a wild horse and killed it then that list was down in the bed at a creek at the time groping for creepers and he didn't see it he'll never eat it says Martin that's true says I let's tell him his buffalo says he I'd be telling a lie says I so we stood looking at each other not knowing what to do I tell you what cries Martin we'll cut it up and take the meat in the camp and cook it without saying a word done says I that's it for you must know the pole creature was no judge of me he couldn't tell one kind from another and he never asked questions in fact he never almost spoke to us all the trip well we cut up the horse and carried the flesh and marrow bones into camp taking care to leave the hooves and skins behind and sought to walk and roasted steaks and matter bones when the natalist came back he should have seen the joyful face he put on when he smelt the grub full he was all but starved out pole critter what have we got here cried he rubbing his hands and sitting down steaks and metal bones says Martin capital says he I'm so hungry so he felt a warp like a wolf I never see the man pitch into anything like if that natalist did into that host flesh there's our first rate marrow bones says he squinting with one eye down the shin bone or the hind leg to see if it was quite empty yes sir they is into Martin as grave as a judge take another sir says I no thank you says he with a sigh for he didn't like to leave off well we live for a week on horse flesh and first rate living it was then we fell in with buffalo and never been short again till we got to the settlements when he paid us our money and shook hands saying we had a nice trip and he wished as well just as we was potting I says do you know what it was we lived on for a week out or we was well nice starved in the prairies what says he when you got your own capital marrow bones the same says I your hunt was horse flesh says I and I think you'll surely never say again that it wasn't first rate living you're joking says he turn the pale it's true sir as true as you're standing there well would you believe it he turned that natalist did as sick as a dog on the spot what he was standing on and didn't taste meat again for three days shortly after the conclusion of joe's story they reached the camp and here they found the women and children flying about in a state of terror and the few men who had been left in charge arming themselves in the greatest haste hello something wrong here cried Cameron hastening forward followed by joe what has happened a engines come and moans your look there answered a trapper pointing down the valley arm and mounted once and come to the front of the camp cried Cameron and a tone of voice that silenced every other and turned confusion into order the calls of all this outcry was a cloud of dust seen far down the valley which was raised by a band of mounted Indians who approached the camp at full speed their numbers could not be made out but they were a sufficiently formidable band to cause much anxiety to Cameron whose men at the time were scattered to the various trapping grounds and only 10 chance to be within a call of the camp however with these 10 he determined to show a bold front to the savages whether they came as friends or foes he therefore ordered the women and children within the citadel formed of the goods and packed of furs piled upon each other which point of retreat was to be defended to the last extremity then galloping to the front he collected his men and swept down the valley at full speed in a few minutes they were near enough to observe the enemy and that it only numbered four Indians who were driving a band of about 100 horses before them and so busy were they in keeping the troop together they came in and his men were close upon them before they were observed it was too late to escape Joe Blunt and Henry had already swept round and cut off their retreat in this extremity the Indians slipped from the backs of their steeds and darted into the bushes where they were safe from pursuit at least on horseback while the trappers got behind the horses and drove them towards the camp at this moment one of the horses sprang ahead of the others and made for the mountain with its mane and tail flying wildly in the breeze marrow bones and buttons shouted one of the men there goes dick Barley's horse so it um cried Henry and dashed off in pursuit followed by Joe and two others why these are our own horses said Cameron in surprise as they drove them into a corner of the hills from which they could not escape this was true but it was only half the truth for besides their own horses they had secured upwards of 70 Indian steeds a most acceptable addition to their stud which owing to casualties and wolves had been diminishing too much of late the fact was that the Indians who had captured the horses belonging to Pied and his party were a small band of robbers who had traveled as was afterwards learned a considerable distance from the south stealing horses from various tribes as they went along as we have seen in an evil hour they fell in love with Pied's party and carried off their steeds which they drove to a pass leading from one valley to the other here they united them with the main band of their ill-gotten gains and while the greater number of the robbers descended further into the plains in search of more booty four of them were sent into the mountains with the horses already procured these four utterly ignorant of the presence of white men in the valley drove their charge as we have seen almost into the camp Cameron immediately organized a party to go out in search of Pierre and his companions about whose fate he became intensely anxious and in the course of half an hour as many men as he could spare with safety were dispatched in the direction of the blue mountains and of chapter 21