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Updated: May 9, 2025
There were a number of sticks collected for fire-wood piled up close to him, so putting the match to some dry leaves which we swept up together, we quickly had a blaze. "What has happened, Dio?" I asked, kneeling down by his side. "No matches, massa," answered Dio; "and him eat up all de food Massa Tidey left. For two days him had noting to put in him mouth."
The man protested that he could not tell, but concluded that it would not long be deferred, probably not more than a week or two, before the train could have got to any great distance, indeed he had an idea that some of their people were to be employed in assisting the Indians. Mr Tidey, though he cross-questioned the man, could elicit no further information of importance.
We now advanced in somewhat better spirits than before. The condition of my horse, however, delayed me; but, in the hopes of obtaining some remedies to save its life, I still led it on. We had not got far when Mr Tidey, who, as usual, was looking about in every direction, exclaimed "I see a party of horsemen in the distance. If they are Indians and come near us, we must stop and drive them off.
We had killed a deer, and had loaded ourselves with as much venison as we could carry, intending to return for the remainder, when Mr Tidey fired at a turkey, for the sake of having a variety for our dinner. At that instant a huge grizzly she-bear rose up from behind a thicket, and before he could reload, charged right at him. I was too far off to fire with any certainty of hitting the animal.
We had our knapsacks on our backs with our usual camp traps, besides a good supply of provisions, as we must remain out one night, and should probably have to stay with Dio until Mr Tidey could return to escort him on his journey. We had not proceeded more than two or three hundred yards when Boxer gave a low growl, and then breaking into a fierce bark, dashed forward.
"A canter, or an easy gallop would suit you best," answered my father; "try him with a touch of your whip behind, and give a gentle jerk with your left rein. Now, away we go!" and both steeds broke into a canter, exchanging it in a short time for a gallop. "Very pleasant, very pleasant; I only hope that my nag won't run away altogether," said Mr Tidey.
I'll try again," cried Mr Tidey; "but I should be obliged to the animal not to play me such another trick." "You must be prepared for such tricks," answered my father, calling Peter to hold the horse.
I made a sign, which I think she understood, to show her that something very dreadful had occurred. Without stopping further, I returned to my father, to whom I gave my uncle's message, and as we rode along I told him what had happened. We had not got far when Mr Tidey and Uncle Denis arrived. I saw that both my uncle and the Dominie looked unusually anxious.
If we spoke, it was in low whispers, when we were close together. "I am pretty well satisfied that no Indians are here," observed Mr Tidey, "still we must be prudent, and run no unnecessary risk." Again we advanced, when suddenly he made a sign for me to stop. A rustling in the brushwood had reached his ear. I heard it also; it came from a spot some way ahead.
We listened attentively. The sound of the cattle cropping the grass, or the cry of some night-bird, and now and then the snore of a sleeper, alone broke the silence of night. "I can hear no sounds, Dio," I whispered. "Dat show me dat he no bear, painter, or wolf, for dey rush about de brushwood. Red-skin too clever for dat." "Keep watch then, Dio," I said, "while I call Mr Tidey.
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