Part 36 (1/2)
”Surely _you_ do not intend to accompany us?”
”The women follow at a distance, to take care of the wounded. I go with them.”
The voice of Wa-ka-ra, calling to me to join him and his warriors, put an end to a dialogue, that had done but little to ill.u.s.trate the story of the strange personage by my side. If possible, I was more mystified than ever. But it was not a time to be tempted by the lure of an idle curiosity, however interesting the theme. The perilous situation of my old comrades came once more vividly before my mind. The thought recalled me to my duty; and, hurrying from the presence of that beautiful being--whom I hoped soon to behold again--I leaped upon the back of my horse; and joined the Utah warriors, as they swept in full gallop from out the lines of their encampment.
CHAPTER SEVENTY FIVE.
EFFECTING THE SURROUND.
The ride was rough and rapid. Notwithstanding the superiority of my steed, it was as much as I could do to keep pace with my new allies-- whose horses, used to all sorts of ground, went gliding along the uneven paths, as if they had been graded roads. Through tangled bushes they scrambled without stay, over sharp and slippery rocks--their unshod hoofs rendering them sure-footed as mountain sheep. Down the gorge lay our route; and paths, over which I had almost feared to walk my horse, were now pa.s.sed in a quick continuous gallop. We soon reached the scene of my encounter with the huntress. The dog still kept sentry over the game. Couchant by the body of the bighorn, he only growled as the cavalcade swept past. No one stopped to relieve him, of his charge. On a war expedition the chase is universally neglected. Even its spoils are spurned. Hunger is supposed to beget prowess, as it sharpens the wits; and the savage fights best upon an empty stomach.
The hurried movements of the Indians--the eagerness each one exhibited to press forward--proved how earnest they were on this expedition. It was not my affair that was stimulating them to such speed. A tribal hostility of long standing--older than the warriors themselves--existed between Utah and Arapaho. Between the bands of Wa-ka-ra and Red-Hand the hostile inheritance had increased until it had reached the maximum of the most deadly _vendetta_. This will account for the hot haste with which we hurried on--for the universal excitement that prevailed in the ranks of my Utah allies. They knew that they outnumbered their enemies.
They already exulted in the antic.i.p.ation of a grand _coup_.
For all that, they were not rus.h.i.+ng recklessly into battle. The Utah chieftain was too skilled a soldier. I perceived that he was acting upon a preconceived plan; and his strategy was soon made known to me.
It was that of the ”surround.” The band was to break up into four divisions of nearly equal numerical strength. The first, under Wa-ka-ra himself, was to go round by the bluffs; and, having worked its way into the lower canon, would enter the plain from that direction. Should the Arapahoes attempt to retreat towards the Arkansas, this party could intercept them. A second division--also keeping above the bluffs--was to make to a point nearly opposite the b.u.t.te; where, by a ravine known to the Indians, a descent could be made into the valley of the Huerfano.
A third was to seek its station upon the opposite side--where a similar defile led down to the plain; while the remaining warriors were to move forward by the upper canon, and halt at its mouth--until the other three parties were known to have reached their respective places.
At a signal agreed upon, all four divisions were to move forward at a rapid gallop, and close in upon the enemy. The first party was to give the cue: as it had furthest to go; and, by the time it could reach its destination, the others would be ready. A smoke was to be the signal for charging forward. The plan was well conceived; and if it should prove that the Arapahoes were still by the b.u.t.te, a fight _a l'outrance_ might be looked for as the certain result. They would have no alternative but fight.
The execution of the movement was soon entered upon. Near the place where I had pa.s.sed the last hours of the night, a side ravine--which, in the darkness I had not observed--sloped up out of the gorge. By canons and deep defiles the whole face of the country was cut up in this _bi-pinnate_ fas.h.i.+on--every pa.s.s of it being well-known to the Utahs.
Hence their confidence in being able to effect the surround of their enemies, who were less familiar with this region; and who must have been tempted thither by the pa.s.sage of the train.
Up the lateral ravine rode Wa-ka-ra with his dusky warriors; while the second division, intended to take station on the bluff, defiled by the same track, but more slowly. The rest of us kept on down the gorge.
On reaching the main canon, the party destined for the opposite bluff separated from the other; and proceeded circuitously by a branch ravine that opened to the upper plain.
The fourth and last division rode direct down the bank of the river-- upon the path by which I had been pursued. This division was in charge of the second chief; and to it was I myself a.s.signed--with Peg-leg, also a volunteer, as my immediate companion. The trapper had himself some old scores to settle with the Arapahoes; and appeared as eager for the fight as any Utah in the tribe.
Apprehensive of falling in with some straggling pursuers of the preceding night, we moved forward with caution. The sub-chief was an old warrior, whose scars and grizzled hair betokened experience of many a hostile encounter, and no doubt many a cunning stratagem. Scouts were sent in advance; and these, returning from time to time, signalled that the path was clear. Advancing in this fas.h.i.+on, we at length reached the embouchure of the canon, and halted within its gloomy shadow.
As yet not an Arapaho had been seen: but, on climbing to a ledge of rocks, I had the satisfaction to perceive that these brigands were still by the b.u.t.te. I saw not them, but their horses--the _cavallada_ being almost in the position in which I had left it! From this it was evident, that they had returned from the pursuit: had abandoned it altogether, and given their steeds to the gra.s.s. Only a few of the men were in sight--moving about among the fires, that still burned upon the plain; but the strength of the _cavallada_ told that the others were there--no doubt, concealed from our view by the interposed ma.s.s of the mound. I saw the waggon at its base--the white tilt conspicuous against the dark-green foliage of the cedars. But my eyes dwelt not upon this.
In rapid glance, they were carried to the summit.
The crucifix was still there. I could trace its timbers--its upright and horizontal beams--though not distinctly. I knew what was rendering their outlines indistinct. There was a body upon the cross--the body of a man. It was that which interrupted the regularity of the lines. The timbers were between me and the body--for I viewed it from behind--and at such a distance, I could not have told who was the crucified man, even had he been facing me. Wingrove or Sure-shot--one or the other.
Of that much I was certain. I could make out that the man was naked-- just as I had been myself: I saw his white skin glistening along each side of the upright post.
While gazing upon it, I heard the report of a musket. Nearly at the same instant, a little blue-coloured cloud was ascending into the air.
It rose from behind the b.u.t.te; and was easily recognisable as smoke produced by the discharge of a gun. The savages had returned to their cruel sport. Too clearly did I comprehend the signs of that fiendish exhibition. After regarding the crucifix for awhile, I noted a circ.u.mstance that enabled me to decide which of my comrades was undergoing the terrible ordeal. To a certainty, Sure-shot was the sufferer. The Red-Hand had fulfilled his threat; and my brave preserver was now promoted to my place. The circ.u.mstance that guided me to this knowledge was sufficiently definite. I could tell it was Sure-shot by his height. I remembered that my own crown scarcely reached the top of the upright post. That of him now enduring the torture rose above it-- by the head. Under the bright sunbeam, there was a sheen of yellow hair. That of Wingrove would have appeared dark. Beyond doubt, Sure-shot was the martyr now mounted upon that dread cross!
I viewed the spectacle with feelings not to be envied. My soul chafed at the restraint, as it burned with bitter indignation against these demons in human form. I should have rushed forward to stay the sacrifice, or, if too late, to satisfy the vengeance it called forth; but I was restrained by reflecting on the impotency of the act. The prudent chief who commanded the Indians would not move, till the smoke-signal should be given; and videttes had climbed far up on the cliff, to watch for and announce it. It was not antic.i.p.ated that we should have long to wait. Our party had moved slowly down the defile; and the time consumed in our advance was considerable--almost enough to have enabled the others to get to their respective stations. This thought--along with my experience of the ball-practice of the Arapahoes--in some measure reconciled me to the delay. If he upon the cross was still living, his chances of escape were scarcely problematical. Another shot or two from such marksmen would be neither here nor there. If the unfortunate man were already dead, then was the delay of _less_ consequence: we should still be in time to avenge him.
But he was _not_ dead. The evidence that he was living was before my eyes; though, in the confusion of the moment, I had no sooner perceived it. Above the top of the post appeared the head held stiffly upright.
This proved that the body still lived. Had it been otherwise, the head would have been drooping?