Part 23 (2/2)

Taking her handkerchief, she tied his arms behind him, so that he was powerless to do her any mischief. She then cut off a portion of the clothes line, which hung up in the kitchen, and tied his feet together.

In this condition, he was secured to a door. The boy looked cool and savage; he did not cry, and ceased to struggle only when the bonds prevented him from doing so.

”Now we are ready for sunthin',” said Ethan, as he appeared with two guns and a revolver, which he had taken from their place of concealment behind the oven.

CHAPTER XV.

THE CONFERENCE.

Mr. Grant, like all settlers and backwoodsmen, had a profound respect and veneration for his weapons. They were absolutely necessary for purposes of defence in a new country, and upon their skilful use often depended the supplies in the family larder. More coveted than any other property by the Indians, trappers and strollers of the prairies, he was obliged to secure them carefully, so that they should not be stolen; and Mr. Grant, in building his house, had provided the place behind the oven for their reception.

One of the guns was a fowling-piece, and the other a rifle. The appropriate ammunition for each was kept in the secret closet with the weapon. For the revolver there was a plentiful supply of patent cartridges. Mr. Grant owned two of these arms, but the other he had taken with him.

Like all western boys, Ethan French was accustomed to the use of the rifle and the fowling-piece, though he had never particularly distinguished himself as a marksman. It was a bold idea on his part to think of defending f.a.n.n.y and himself from the attacks of the savages; but, desperate as was the thought, it was his only hope, for the Indians were murdering all who fell into their hands. There was a slight chance for him, which he was disposed to improve.

Ethan evidently had some other purpose in view than that of merely defending himself and his companion from the savages--a purpose indicated by his capture of the Indian boy, though he had not had time to explain it to f.a.n.n.y. He was firm and resolute, exhibiting a courage which no one would have supposed he possessed; indeed, we can hardly know what is in any person until he is tried in the fiery furnace.

f.a.n.n.y, too, had ceased to tremble. The firmness and determination of Ethan had inspired her with courage, and without stopping to consider the odds against him, she ventured to hope that his efforts would be crowned with some measure of success. The occupation of the last few moments was calculated to increase her courage, for ”something to do”

is always the best antidote for fear. She had bound the young savage, and secured him to the door, when Ethan appeared with the weapons; and now she anxiously waited the development of his next movement.

”What are you going to do, Ethan?” she asked, as her companion walked to the door.

”I don't know jest exactly what I'm go'n to do; but I'm go'n to do sunthin', as sure as you're alive. I reckon I've done sunthin' already, for them Injins hes come to a dead halt.”

”Can you see them?”

”Yes, I kin. They look kinder anxious.”

The group of savages had gathered around the prostrate form of the squaw. She could not have been killed, or even very badly injured, by the blow she had received. Two of the party appeared to be at work over her, while the others, among whom Lean Bear was prominent, were holding a consultation near the spot.

”I reckon I got 'em whar the har 's short,” added Ethan, with something like a chuckle at his own cleverness.

”What do you mean, Ethan?” asked f.a.n.n.y, not yet able to comprehend the situation.

”D'ye see that little Injin?” replied he, pointing at the prisoner.

”Yes; and I wondered what you dragged him into the house for.”

”Don't you see his fine fixin's--his necklaces and his moccasons? I reckon that boy belongs to the big Injin.”

”You mean Lean Bear.”

”Yes, if that's his name. He looks enough like him to be his son.

Gittin' him 's what made 'em stop short jist whar they was. I tell you we've got 'em whar the har 's short.”

”What are you going to do with him?”

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