Trail and Trading Post; or, The Young Hunters of the OhioStratemeyer, Edward
General
Trail and Trading Post; or, The Young Hunters of the Ohio
Stratemeyer, Edward
Frontier and pioneer life -- Juvenile fiction
“Keep your eyes open, is what I say,” answered Lawson, who was striding
along in advance. “An Injun ain’t going to announce his coming with
bells and a horn.”
For the first few miles of the journey but little was spoken, the
frontiersmen being of a silent turn of mind and Dave and Henry being
busy with their thoughts. They were following the old Braddock road,
thinking they might make better progress on this through the heavy snows
than on the General Forbes route.
“I am afraid, if we push ourselves too much the first day, we’ll be
rather stiff the second,” remarked Henry, as they stopped for a minute
on a rise of ground to get their breath.
“Oh, I want to make as many miles as I possibly can,” answered Dave
impatiently.
“I agree with Henry,” said Devine. “We’ll have to take it a bit easier.
We’ll gain by it in the end, mark my words.”
That night they encamped in a snug spot among the rocks. Plenty of
firewood was handy, and they built up a roaring blaze. On the way Henry
had seen a bunch of rabbits and had not resisted the temptation to take
a shot. He had secured three, and these were cooked to a turn and eaten,
after which they turned in without delay, each taking his turn at
standing guard and keeping up the fire.
The next day was largely a repetition of the first, and the third day
was on the same order, although Lawson saw a deer and shot at it,
breaking its leg. Dave gave the game a finishing bullet, and they took
the meat to their next camping spot. There the deer was cut up, and each
was given a good-sized piece to carry along.
“That ought to last us several days,” said Lawson. “So we won’t have to
waste time or powder on more stuff for the larder.”
The next day, about noon, came an alarm. Turning a bend of the trail
they came in sight of fully a score of Indians, all on snowshoes and
journeying in the direction of Fort Pitt.
“Out of sight!” warned Lawson, and leaped behind some bushes, followed
by his companions.
“I think they saw us first,” said Henry. “And if so, it will do us small
good to hide.”
He had hardly spoken when a shrill whistle filled the air, followed by a
cry that was well known to Dave and Henry. At once both boys ran out
into the road.
“White Buffalo!” cried Dave, and moved onward to greet the aged chief.
“Where goes my young friend?” questioned White Buffalo.
“I am going home,” answered Dave, and then told of what had happened at
the trading post. White Buffalo was much concerned.
“’Tis sad news indeed,” said he. “And comes at a time when White
Buffalo’s heart was filled with gladness.”
“What has happened to make you glad?” asked Henry.
“My tribe is at peace once more. Henceforth all of our warriors will be
friendly to the English. And they have made me the chief of all my
people.”
“I am glad of that, for your sake!” cried Dave. “And you deserve this,
White Buffalo, for you are the very best Indian I know.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account