Frank in the Woods Part 2

"How are you, youngsters? I say," he exclaimed, continuing his greeting, which we have so unceremoniously interrupted; and he seized Frank's hand, and gave it a gripe and a shake, which he felt for a quarter of an hour afterward.

"Draw a cheer up to the fire, young'uns," said Uncle Joe, "an' set down."

The boys were well acquainted with the trappers, and always made themselves quite at home with them; so, after brus.h.i.+ng the snow from their feet, they pulled off their overcoats and seated themselves before the huge fireplace. The cabin--or, as Uncle Joe called it, "shantee"--was built in the most primitive style, having but one room and a "loft," to which access was obtained by a ladder. There were four beds in the room--rude-looking, indeed, but very clean, and abundantly supplied with quilts and blankets; while around on the walls hung the trappers' rifles, hunting-knives, and powder-horns.

Three large dogs lay stretched out before the fireplace, and one of them, a huge, powerful animal, was the only companion d.i.c.k had had for three years. He was an ungainly looking animal, but his strength and courage had been severely tested in many a desperate encounter, and twice he had saved his master's life. No wonder, then, that he held a prominent place in the trapper's affections. The only other inmates of the cabin were the four hired men--tall, brawny fellows, who despised the city, with its "eternal jostlings and monotonous noises," but delighted in the freedom and solitude of the forest.

"Had any supper, youngsters?" inquired Uncle Joe, as the boys drew their chairs up to the fire. "No, I reckon not," he continued, without giving them time to reply. "Bob, just fetch out some grub. I'll bet the boys are as hungry as wolves, after their long tramp."

The boys did not raise any objections, for they _were_ hungry, and they knew that the supper they would get would be worth having.

Bob, who was one of the hired men, began to bustle about, and, after hanging the tea-kettle over the fire, he drew out a pine table, and covered it with a snow-white cloth, and dishes which shone in the fire-light in a manner that would have delighted a New England housewife. Then came ham and eggs, which, with the coffee, were cooked in the fireplace, wheat-bread, honey, and fresh b.u.t.ter and milk.

Although they were forty miles from any settlement or neighbor, in the midst of an almost unbroken forest, there was no danger but what they would fare well, for Uncle Joe was famous for good living.

The boys ate very heartily, and Uncle Joe sat by, smoking his pipe, and watching them with evident satisfaction. After supper, while they were engaged in unpacking their sleds, d.i.c.k's dog, which answered to the name of Useless, arose suddenly to his feet, looked toward the door for a moment, and uttered a dismal howl.

"Injuns ag'in, by all that's miserable," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed d.i.c.k, removing his pipe from his mouth, and instinctively reaching toward his rifle, which hung on the wall above his head; but instantly recollecting himself, he resumed his former position, while a dark scowl settled on his face. In a few moments, light steps sounded in the snow outside the cabin, and Useless bounded toward the door barking, and showing his teeth, with every demonstration of rage.

"Come back here, dog," said d.i.c.k; "I don't blame you, 'cause they are a mean, thievin' race. The animal understands their natur' as well as I do," he continued, as the dog reluctantly returned to his place. "Me an' him war brought up to hate Injuns, an' we believe in makin' war on 'em wherever we find 'em. It's a mighty wonder that they don't steal Joe out o' house an' home."

The country around Moosehead Lake was inhabited by the remnant of a once-powerful tribe, and the Indians, in going to and from the settlements to dispose of their furs, frequently made Uncle Joe's cabin a stopping-place. d.i.c.k was not at all pleased with this state of affairs; but, as he often remarked, he was not "boss of the shantee, and couldn't help himself."

The footsteps drew nearer, and finally the door opened softly, and two Indians entered.

"How are you, Jim," exclaimed Uncle Joe, shaking the outstretched hand of the foremost.

"How de do, brother," replied the Indian, in imperfect English; and this was all the greeting that pa.s.sed between them. They deposited their rifles and packs carefully in one corner of the cabin, and then advanced to the fire, and seated themselves on the floor without saying a word. They were dressed in the regular Indian costume, with leggins, moccasins, and hunting-s.h.i.+rts of the finest deer-skin, gaudily ornamented, and wore knives in their belts. Such sights were not new to the boys, for Lawrence was a regular Indian trading-post.

Frank thought that he had never seen such fine specimens of savages before. But different thoughts seemed to be pa.s.sing through d.i.c.k's mind, for he twisted uneasily in his chair, and smoked and scowled more vigorously than ever. Useless seated himself by his master's side, and watched them as closely as a cat ever watched a mouse, now and then uttering a low, angry growl. Neither of the Indians took part in the conversation that followed, but, after emptying their pipes, they spread their blankets out on the floor, and were fast asleep in a few moments.

"I don't see what in tarnation you let them ar painted heathen camp in your shantee in this way for," said d.i.c.k, at length, addressing himself to his brother. "The woods are open, an' they won't ketch cold by sleepin' out-doors."

"O, I don't mind it," answered Uncle Joe. "Me an' the Injuns allers have been on good terms together."

"Wal, you'll wake up some mornin' an' find your shantee gone," said d.i.c.k, "unless it is fastened down tarnation tight. I hate the rascals wusser nor pisen, an' I allers ache to begin a knock-down-an'-drag-out fight with 'em whenever I see 'em. Now, Useless," he continued, turning to his dog, and speaking as though the animal could understand every word he said, "I'm goin' to bed, an' I want you to keep an eye on them fellers;" and d.i.c.k stretched his heavy frame out on one of the beds, while Useless crawled under the blankets, and lay down beside him. The others soon followed his example, and, in a few moments, nothing was heard in the cabin but the regular breathing of the sleepers.

The next morning the boys slept later than usual. When they awoke, they found Bob engaged in getting breakfast. The Indians had gone.

According to their usual custom, they had resumed their journey at the first peep of day. d.i.c.k sat by the fire, engaged in looking over his "plunder," as he called it, to see if any thing had been stolen.

"Wal," said Uncle Joe, as they arose from the breakfast-table, "what do you youngsters kalkerlate to do first?"

"Let's go and set our traps for foxes," said Archie, who was particularly fond of hunting that kind of game, and had become quite proficient in the art.

"Wal," said d.i.c.k, "I'll go with you. I have some traps that need 'tendin' to;" and the trapper took down his long rifle and thrust his never-failing pipe into his pocket, and was ready for the start.

Archie began to overhaul his traps, which had been piled in one corner of the cabin. He looked them over and over several times, and finally inquired:

"Frank, do you know what has become of all my fox traps? Three of them are missing."

"They ought to be in that pile with the others," answered Frank.

"There are only two of them here," said Archie. "My best ones are gone; I'm afraid we have lost them. They must have got loose, and tumbled off the sled."

"No, I guess not," said his cousin; "they were all there last night, for I counted them."

"That ar is what comes of allowin' them Injuns to camp here," said d.i.c.k.

"Jeroomagoot!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Uncle Joe. "You don't s'pose them Injuns stole the traps, do you?"

"Sartin, I do," answered d.i.c.k, dropping the b.u.t.t of his rifle heavily to the floor. "I don't s'pose nothin' else."

"Wal, it's the first thing I ever had stole," said Uncle Joe.

"Thar's whar the traps have gone to, any how," said d.i.c.k. "Useless,"

he continued, turning to his dog, "you aint worth a pinch o'

gunpowder. I told you to watch them fellers. I don't see how the rascals could do it, for if Useless had seed one of 'em prowlin'

around, he would have muzzled him quicker nor lightnin'. If you want your traps, youngsters, you'll have to foller them Injuns. I'll go with you."

"Will you," exclaimed Archie. "Then, let's start right off."

"Wal, then," said the trapper, "pull off them overcoats, 'cause it 'ill be the hardest job you ever done to ketch them Injuns."

There was something novel and exciting in the idea of a chase after Indians. The boys had often read of such things, and now there was an opportunity for them to take part in one. They were soon ready for the chase. Shouldering their guns, they followed d.i.c.k from the cabin, and immediately set out on the trail of the Indians, which could be easily followed by the prints of their moccasins in the snow. All the dogs were left at home, except Useless; for he was the only one that understood "Injun hunting," and the others would only be in the way.

The trail ran directly down to the creek, and as soon as they were fairly on the ice, the trapper broke into a "dog trot," and the boys followed close behind him, in Indian file. After going a little way, Frank said:

"d.i.c.k, I don't believe that both of those Indians went this way."

"Why not?" inquired the trapper.

"Because there is only a single track, such as one person would make."

"I guess you haven't hunted Injuns much," said d.i.c.k, with a laugh.

"Don't you know that when they are travelin', the hindermost ones step exactly in the leader's tracks? If fifty Injuns had been along here, they would not have left a bigger trail nor those two have. But arter you have hunted and fit 'em as much as I have, you could tell by lookin' at a trail how many there was in the party. I hope you youngsters are good at runnin'."

"We should not care about running a race with you," answered George; "but if you will hold this gait, we will agree to keep up with you."

"O, you'll have to go faster nor this, if you want to ketch them Injuns," said d.i.c.k. "See here--here's where the rascals began to run."

"How can you tell?" inquired Archie.

"Why, easy enough. You see the tracks are further apart nor they wur a little piece back. Come, youngsters! let out a little."

The boys thought that d.i.c.k "let out" a good deal, for he almost redoubled his pace, and they concluded it was best to discontinue their talking; for they soon found that they had no breath to waste.

After they had gone about two miles, the trail led them from the creek off into the woods; and, in a few moments, the trapper came to a stand-still on the bank of a small stream, where the trail abruptly ended.

"Where did they go to?" inquired Frank, after he had looked in vain for the trail. "They couldn't have jumped across the creek."

"No;" answered the trapper, "that would be a better jump nor I ever saw made. We must go back."

"What for?" asked George.