Part 27 (1/2)
”We cannot remain here a great while.”
”Why not?”
”Our provisions will not last many days.”
”We kin git more.”
”I don't think it is safe for us to go over to the settlement again.”
”We've got plenty o' powder'n shot, and thyers ducks and birds enough.
And this lake's full of fish.”
”But we must leave some time. We could not stay here through the winter.”
”We kin git off somewhar bime-by. I dunno what all this business means--whether the Injins is killin' off everybody or not. Sunthin' 'll happen one o' these days.”
It was impossible to plan for the future, for no one could tell what a day might bring forth. It was evident to the young exiles that the lake settlement had been destroyed, and the greater portion of the people killed, though they had no positive knowledge of the extent of the horrible ma.s.sacre. They did not know, what was really true, that the onslaught of the savages extended over hundreds of miles of territory, and that its victims were numbered by hundreds.
When Ethan and f.a.n.n.y had finished their breakfast, Wahena was unbound and permitted to eat all he wanted. His appet.i.te did not seem to be at all impaired by his imprisonment, for he ate with a greediness which threatened to make serious inroads upon the scanty stock of provisions.
While he was thus occupied, f.a.n.n.y sang one of her Sunday school hymns, a sad and plaintive air, which not only moved Ethan to the depths of his heart, but visibly affected the little savage. Noticing the effect, she followed up the impression until she was surprised to see Wahena offer her his hand.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE NIGHT ATTACK.
f.a.n.n.y sang ”Sweet Home” to the young Indian, with the feeling that there was no longer a spot on earth which she could call by that endearing name. By this time, Mr. Grant, with Bertha and f.a.n.n.y, were in Europe, and it would be months before she could see them again. Her uncle had probably been killed by the war party of Lean Bear, while returning to his home, as the possession of his horses by the Indians indicated. Her aunt lay mangled and unburied near the house which had been her happy home. The settlement was doubtless broken up and deserted; for all who had not been killed or captured by the Indians must have fled to the woods and the prairies for safety.
The feeling of loneliness in f.a.n.n.y gave to her song a touching pathos, which, with the sad sweetness of the melody itself, made the great tears roll down the bronzed checks of Ethan, and touched the heart of even the young savage. Wahena looked long and earnestly at f.a.n.n.y, when he had finished his breakfast. The music pleased him, and its charms literally soothed his savage breast. She sang other songs, and he began to make friendly demonstrations towards her, which ended in the offer of his hand. She accepted the proffered token of friends.h.i.+p.
Wahena spoke to her, but of course she could not understand a word of his language. He made signs, using the earnest gestures peculiar to the Indians. He shook his head, pointed to her, and then to the sh.o.r.e of the lake in the direction of the settlement. She thought he meant to say that he would not permit his father to injure her; but she was not very sure. The young savage was certainly disposed to be her friend, and manifested his interest in her by all the means within his power.
”Well, f.a.n.n.y, it's about time for me to go to work,” said Ethan, after he had observed the demonstrations between her and Wahena for a time.
”What are you going to do, Ethan? I thought you had no work.”
”Plenty of it, I reckon. 'Tain't no use to groan over what can't be helped. We may as well make the best on't.”
”Of course we will not complain of what we cannot help. Ethan, do you know what my motto is?”
”Your what?” asked Ethan, with a vacant stare.
”My motto.”
”That's sunthin' in Latin, or some outlandish lingo--ain't it?”
”Mine is in plain English.”
”I've hearn tell of some Latin stuff they called a motto out in Illinois; I forgit what it was now.”