Part 9 (1/2)
”Mr. Kenton seems to have taken wise steps, as he always does under such circ.u.mstances, for the safety of our families. He counts upon securing that canoe which was left with the flatboat, and has hope of finding another near the gulch. Suppose he fails in both instances--what then?”
”Only Kenton himself can answer that question; I believe he's as likely to fail as to win, but he'll soon be on hand; he won't keep us waiting long. Boone will be purty sure to jine us, and atween' em they'll do the right thing.”
”There can be no doubt of that, but, if you will pardon me, Mr.
Hastings, it seems to me that there is something for us to do. My solicitude for the dear ones around us, who cannot help themselves, must excuse my presumption.”
”It's no presumption, sir; we are all glad to hear what you have to say.”
”Accidents are liable to occur at any time, even though some of them are bogus,” qualified Ashbridge, with a glance at the unconscious figure of Jim Deane a few rods away. ”Boone and Kenton have placed themselves in great peril. One of them may be killed; it is impossible that both will fall. We are fortunate in having such good friends as you to stand by us, but the wisest man is he who provides, as far as he can, for every contingency. Suppose we see nothing of Boone or Kenton again?”
”I can't think such a thing as both of 'em going under at the same time can happen. One of 'em is sartin to turn up purty soon.”
”But Kenton may fail to bring the canoe, upon which so much depends.
Now, to come down to the point, when we halt near the gulch will our position be such that we can make a good defence against an attack?”
”I don't know,” was the frank reply of the ranger; ”we've only one man with us who knows all about Rattlesnake Gulch, and the ins and outs of the place.”
”Who is that man?”
For reply, Hastings pointed to Jim Deane, sunk in a helpless stupor.
”Humph!” remarked the pioneer, ”he is of no more account than a dead man, and won't be for some hours to come.”
CHAPTER X.
AT RATTLESNAKE GULCH.
By this time night was closing over forest and river. The sun had set, and a strong west wind blew steadily up stream. Ma.s.ses of clouds were drifting across the sky, and when the moon should appear its light would be treacherous and uncertain.
”We must wait no longer,” said Hastings, ”for we shall run the risk of an attack where we are, and that would be almost as bad as an ambush.”
”True,” remarked Altman, with a shudder, as he glanced around them, ”we are without any protection at all in this open ground. We must hit upon a better place than this in which to make our halt.”
The leader nodded toward two of his men, who advanced to where the sleeping Jim lay on the ground, as helpless and inanimate as a log. Each taking him by a shoulder lifted him to his feet. Then they let go, and he dropped like a bundle of rags.
He was yanked up again, shaken, slapped, and vigorously told to stand up.
”I'm all right,” mumbled Jim, ”fetch on (hic) your rattler; let 'em bite--who cares? Whiskey'll cure him--fetch on your whiskey.”
After some more heroic treatment, the man was finally roused to that degree that he was able to wobble forward, partly supported by his two friends, one of whom took charge of his gun.
”If I had known nothing was the matter with him,” said the disgusted Mr.
Altman, ”he wouldn't have gotten a drop from me. The only man who can give us the information we need might just as well be dead.”
The company advanced much in the same fas.h.i.+on as earlier in the day, except that still greater precaution was observed. The females were kept near the centre and the husbands close to them, so that there was a rude resemblance to a hollow square.