Part 31 (1/2)

”Thet's my notion; and we won't think what we're go'n to do till we get to Mankato.”

This was a wise resolve, though it would be rather difficult to carry it out. In a short time the bateau arrived at the outlet of the lake, and on the bank of the river the exiles discovered their Indian escort, which had been waiting since the middle of the forenoon for them. At this point the serenity of the voyage was interrupted, for the river was crooked, and the navigation often very difficult. The boat did not draw more than a foot of water, but in some places it was not easy to find even this depth.

f.a.n.n.y found that all her slender knowledge of boating was called into use, for the bends in the river were so frequent that the boat was headed towards nearly every point of the compa.s.s within a single hour.

Her progress was necessarily very slow, and the Indians on the sh.o.r.e soon began to manifest their impatience by grunting and growling. As the bateau proceeded, f.a.n.n.y became more skilful in its management. She soon learned where the deepest water might be found, and instead of attempting to cut across the bends, she followed the current round the broadest sweep; but, with the best she could do, it was occasionally necessary for Ethan and Rattles.h.a.g to resort to the poles to push her over the shoal places.

At dark the question came up whether the party should continue the voyage during the night, or moor the boat, and sail only by daylight.

Of course the Indians on the sh.o.r.e could not continue the journey without stopping to rest and feed their horses; but a consultation was had with them, and it was decided that the escort should divide into two parties, one on each side of the river, and ride forward ten or fifteen miles, then halt and await the coming of the boat. The river had received two or three large tributaries above the point they had reached, and the navigation was less difficult as the stream became broader and deeper.

”Now, f.a.n.n.y, I reckon I kin steer this boat,” said Ethan, after the arrangements had been made, and the escort had gone forward. ”I will make up a bed for you for'ad, and you shall go to sleep. One on us kin sleep jest as well as not, all the time.”

”I was thinking of that myself,” replied f.a.n.n.y. ”We shall save a great deal of time if we can go by night as well as day.”

”I reckon we shall; and the sooner we git to Mankato, the better we shall like it. The little Injin's gone to sleep now.”

”Do you think you can steer the boat, Ethan?”

”I know I kin. I've been kinder watchin' the thing ever sence we started, and I reckon I know sunthin' about it,” replied Ethan, as he went forward to prepare a bed for f.a.n.n.y.

”Are you not tired, Rattles.h.a.g?” asked f.a.n.n.y of the trapper, who sat forward of her, gazing intently down the river, and seldom speaking a word.

”No, miss, I'm never tired,” he replied.

”Where do you sleep when you are travelling over the broad prairies?”

”Sometimes in an Indian tepee, but generally allers on the ground.”

”While the boat goes along so well, two of us might sleep, for it is only necessary to have one at the helm.”

”I kin stand it without much sleep, miss. I kin ketch a nap while I set here. I've often slep standin' up agin a tree when the wolves was thick about me. Old Rattles.h.a.g is tough and hard.”

”Now your bed is ready, f.a.n.n.y,” said Ethan, coming aft.

”Thank you, Ethan; you are very kind, and I am tired enough to sleep like a log. Now, if you will take the tiller, I will see what kind of work you make of it.”

Ethan took the helm, and at first made the usual miscalculations of an unexperienced steersman; but f.a.n.n.y soon instructed him so that he steered very well, and she went forward to her couch. In a whisper she said the prayer which she never omitted, and covering herself with blankets, was soon fast asleep.

After dark, the wind was very light and baffling, but the river was not so tortuous in its course, and the progress of the boat was rather more satisfactory than it had been during the afternoon. Ethan was very considerate of his fair companion, and neglected her injunction to call her in a few hours. He had given the helm to Rattles.h.a.g in the middle of the night, and gone to sleep himself. At daylight the trapper was at his post, and both the young exiles were still sleeping away the fatigues of the preceding day. The boat had not yet come up with the escort, who had probably gone more than the fifteen miles agreed upon.

Rattles.h.a.g sat at the helm, gazing fixedly down the river. He looked like a statue, and he sat so still that it was hard to believe he ever had moved, or ever would do so. His long rifle lay at his side, at rest like himself.

The bateau was approaching a clump of trees which grew on the bank of the river, when the crack of a rifle was heard, and a bullet whizzed over the water. Rattles.h.a.g started, sprang to his feet, and grasped the tiller with his left hand, while the blood trinkled down the ends of his fingers from a wound in his right arm. He glanced hastily around him, and then, putting the helm up, ran the boat alongside the sh.o.r.e opposite that from which the shot had come. The bateau grounded in the shallow water, and her grating upon the gravel roused Ethan from his slumber.

”The Injins is firin' on us,” said Rattles.h.a.g, coolly, as he took up his long rifle.

”Whar be they?” demanded Ethan, seizing his weapons.

”Over thar,” replied the trapper, pointing to the clump of trees.