Part 28 (1/2)
CHAPTER TWENTY.
I COME OUT IN A NEW LIGHT, AND HAVE A VERY NARROW ESCAPE.
During the absence of my friend everything went on at the fort in the usual quiet way, with this difference, that part of our educational course had to be given up, and I had to read the Pilgrim's Progress instead of my friend, for the men had become so deeply interested in the adventures of Christian that they begged of me to continue the readings.
This I agreed to do, but confined myself simply to reading. I observed, however, that my audience did not seem to appreciate the story as much as before, and was getting somewhat disheartened about it, when one evening, as I was about to begin, Donald Bane said to me--
”If ye please, sur, the other laads an' me's been talking over this matter, an' they want me to say that they would pe fery much obleeged if ye would expound the story as you go along, the same as Muster Lumley did.”
This speech both surprised and embarra.s.sed me, for I had never before attempted anything in the way of exposition. I felt, however, that it would never do for a man in charge of an outpost in the Great Nor'-West to exhibit weakness on any point, whatever he might feel; I therefore resolved to comply.
”Well, Donald Bane,” I said, ”it had been my intention to leave the exposition of the allegory to Mr Lumley, but as you all wish me to carry on that part of the reading I will do my best.”
So saying, I plunged at once into the story, and got on much more easily than I had expected; ideas and words flowing into my mind copiously, insomuch that I found it difficult to stop, and on more than one occasion was awakened by a snore from one of the audience, to the fact that I had sent some of them to sleep.
In the midst of this pleasant, and I hope not unprofitable, work, an event occurred which had well-nigh stopped my commentaries on the Pilgrim's Progress, and put an end to my career altogether.
I had gone out one morning with my gun to procure a few fresh ptarmigan, accompanied by Big Otter. Our trusty Indian was beginning by that time to understand the English language, but he would not condescend to speak it. This, however, was of slight importance, as I had learned to jabber fluently in the native tongue.
We speedily half-filled the large game-bag which the Indian carried.
”I think we'll go into the thicker woods now,” said I, ”and try for some tree grouse by way of variety.”
Big Otter gave a mild grunt of a.s.sent. He was not naturally given to much talking, and, being amiable, was always ready to conform to any plan without discussion, unless expressly asked. Indeed, even when expressly asked, it was not always possible to get a satisfactory answer out of him.
”Do you think we should go up the Dark Valley, or over the Rocky Knoll,”
said I, referring to two well-known spots a considerable distance from the fort.
”The pale-face chief knows best.”
”Yes, but the pale-face asks what the red-face thinks,” said I, somewhat amused by the answer.
”He thinks that there are grouse in the Dark Valley, and also in the lands towards the setting sun over the Rocky Knoll.”
”If I were to ask you, Big Otter, which of the two directions you would like to take, what would you reply?”
”I would reply, `The direction that best pleases the pale-face chief.'”
”Now, Big Otter,” said I, firmly, for I was determined to get an answer out of him, ”in which of the two paths are we most likely to find the greatest number of birds?”
”a.s.suredly in the path which shall be chosen by the pale-face. Is he not a great hunter? Does he not know the land?”
I gave in with a short laugh, and, turning, led the way over the Rocky Knoll into the dense forest at the back of the fort. Pa.s.sing through a belt of this, we came upon more open ground, where the trees grew in clumps, with willow-covered s.p.a.ces between. Beyond that we re-entered the thick woods, and at once set up a covey of the birds we were in search of. There were six of them, and they all perched on a neighbouring tree.
Now it is sometimes the case that the birds of which I write are so tame that they will sit still on a tree till they are all shot, one by one, if only the hunter is careful to fire at the lowest bird first, and so proceed upwards. If he should kill the top bird first, its fluttering fall disturbs the rest, causing them to take wing. Fully aware of this fact, Big Otter and I fired alternate shots, and in a few seconds brought down the whole covey. This quite filled one of our bags.
”You may take it home, Big Otter,” said I, ”and tell them not to be alarmed if I don't return till to-morrow. Perhaps I shall camp out.”
With his usual quiet grunt of acquiescence my red-skinned companion shouldered the full bag, and left me. I then struck into the thick woods, with the general bearings of which I was well acquainted, and soon after came across the fresh tracks of a deer, which I followed up hotly.