Part 29 (2/2)

”Creation hokee!” exclaimed Ethan, when he was fully conscious that he had won the victory. ”I've done 'em, f.a.n.n.y!”

”Have they gone?” she asked, when she had joined him.

”They are go'n as fast as they kin; but I reckon they won't git back to the settlement till some time into mornin'. We're all right now, f.a.n.n.y, and you kin go to sleep as soon as you've a mind to.”

She was too excited to think of sleeping, and she sat with Ethan on the sh.o.r.e for an hour, talking about their deliverance from the peril that had menaced them. f.a.n.n.y was devoutly grateful to G.o.d, who had again preserved them; and when she had uttered the prayer her heart would not permit her to keep back, she felt more composed, and retired to the cabin, where she soon dropped asleep from sheer exhaustion.

This was the only attempt made by the savages to capture the exiles on the island. The next day, they continued to work upon the house, interrupted only by a heavy shower in the forenoon; but the boat roof afforded them a perfect shelter from the pouring rain. It was three days before the house was finished; but when it was completed, the wanderers were as proud of it as though it had been a Fifth Avenue mansion. At night they took turns in keeping the watch; and when the house was done, both of the exiles were nearly worn out by the hard work they had done, and the loss of sleep to which they had been subjected. They decided that it would be best to rest a few days before they commenced upon certain additions which they contemplated.

The stock of provisions was already much reduced, and the question of supplies for the future demanded attention. There were plenty of fish in the lake, but none could be caught in the shallow water which bordered the island. It was necessary to go out a short distance, and Ethan found a couple of logs among some drift wood, gathered on the beach, with which he constructed a raft, just large enough to accommodate himself.

To prevent accidents, he tied together all the lines which had been used about the sail, and pushed off the length of his rope. There were fish-lines in the boat, and bait was obtained on the island. In an hour Ethan returned to the sh.o.r.e with a large muskellunge and half a dozen large lake trout. The problem of supplies, therefore, seemed to be solved, especially as there were abundant opportunities to shoot the wild duck, plover, and grouse, that visited the little domain of the exiles.

However pleasant it would be to follow out in detail the daily life of the residents of the isle, our s.p.a.ce prevents us from doing so. A fortnight of severe labor and constant watchfulness was pa.s.sed by the exiles, when a great event occurred to them. Ethan had one day moored out his raft the length of the line from the sh.o.r.e, on the side of the island where they had first disembarked, when his attention was attracted by an object on the water, in the direction of the settlement. He watched it with interest and anxiety, and soon ascertained that it was a raft, on which stood a single person, who was paddling towards the island.

Ethan immediately pulled in his raft, and went for his fire-arms, which he carefully loaded, in readiness for a hostile visit from a foe. The stranger approached very slowly, and the exiles were at last satisfied that he was not an Indian. As he drew nearer to the island, he waved a white rag, which was intended and understood as a sign of peace.

”Who can it be?” asked f.a.n.n.y, greatly excited by the incident.

”I dunno; can't tell yet,” replied Ethan.

”Do you think it is an enemy?”

”I don't reckon it is.”

Both of them continued to watch the approaching visitor, until he had come within twenty rods of the sh.o.r.e. He did not look like any human being that f.a.n.n.y had ever seen before. His clothes were tattered, and of all colors. Great patches of tent canvas were sewed over a tunic made of red and yellow blankets. He wore Indian leggins, and his head was covered with a c.o.o.n-skin cap. His hair and beard, of grizzly gray, were tangled and matted in knots and snarls. Crossed on his breast were the straps by which were supported his powder-horn and shot-flask.

”What a strange-looking man!” exclaimed f.a.n.n.y, when the raft had come near enough to enable her to make out the uncouth object upon it.

”I know him now,” replied Ethan, ”though I hevn't seen him afore for more 'n a year.”

”Who is he?”

”Thet's Rattles.h.a.g.”

”Who?”

”Rattles.h.a.g--leastwise that's the only name anybody knows him by. He's a hunter 'n trapper that goes roamin' round over the peraries.”

”Where does he live?”

”He don't live nowhar; he goes travellin' round, livin' on the white folks and Injins. They say he is the best shot west of the Miss'sip.”

”He won't shoot us--will he?”

”No; he won't hurt nothin'.”

The raft came up to the sh.o.r.e, and the trapper landed.

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