The Pioneer Boys of the Ohio; or, Clearing the WildernessRathborne, St. George
General
The Pioneer Boys of the Ohio; or, Clearing the Wilderness
Rathborne, St. George
Frontier and pioneer life -- Juvenile fiction; Ohio River -- Juvenile fiction
"Bob no Sandy!" was his only comment; and it struck home, too, for the
one who heard gave a little chuckle, as he hastened to reply:
"You are right about that, Blue Jacket; and perhaps it's just as well
that he is not. One hothead in the family is quite enough. But you
think, then, Bob will bide his time patiently, and wait to hear from
you?"
"Him say," answered the other, calmly.
"Oh!" observed Sandy; but he saw a great light.
It told him what a distinct impression that sober brother of his must
have made on the observing young Indian during the week of their
intercourse. Accustomed to reading people just as Sandy might the pages
of a printed book, Blue Jacket knew that, when Bob Armstrong said a
thing, that was just what he meant. His simple word was, in the eye of
this native of the woods, as good as another's bond.
Presently Sandy spoke again, for he could not keep his mind long off
that fascinating subject.
"Is he near the border of the village, Blue Jacket?" he asked.
"Much close. Blue Jacket him hide Bob. No can find. P'raps dog smell
him. Not much danger that. You wait. Sleep. Time come bimeby. Blue
Jacket crawl in lodge, wake. Make not noise, but move like snake. Ugh!"
With that the young Indian abruptly left him.
Sandy threw himself down on the blanket and bearskin which he found in
his prison. Perhaps what the Indian suggested would be a wise thing for
him to do. He was very tired, and trembling with excitement. Of course,
he hardly hoped to sleep any; but even lying there would rest him more
or less.
But, despite his fears, he must have passed away into dreamland very
shortly after dropping on the soft robes, for he could not remember
doing any great amount of thinking over his past troubles and the
uncertain future.
A cold hand touching his face awakened him.
Before he could utter a sound he heard a low hiss that warned him
against making a single exclamation. It was well Blue Jacket adopted
this course, because naturally Sandy supposed himself safe at home, in
his own newly-fashioned bed, and that it was Bob who had disturbed his
dreams.
Instantly he understood. The skin lodge was almost in darkness. Still,
something of a flickering light seeped in through little openings at
the entrance; and he could just manage to make out a bending figure
that crouched beside him.
"Is it you, Blue Jacket?" he whispered softly, as his hand went out to
feel of this figure.
Again that warning hiss greeted him. Then there was a gentle pull at
his buckskin tunic, which Sandy could not mistake. His ghostly visitor
wanted him to follow his lead.
Expecting some such summons, Sandy had made all preparations for a
quick departure. His precious gun was lying close beside him; moreover,
he had secured powder-horn, bullet pouch, and all other belongings, so
that nothing would be left behind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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