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[Footnote 623: Sic (raihh), a common vulgarism in this text.] [Footnote 624: Night DLXXXVI.] [Footnote 625: Lit. "also" (eidsan).] [Footnote 626: i.e. the two were as like as two halves of a bean.]
[Footnote 627: i.e. the world.] [Footnote 628: Or death (Saturn), the eighth division of the common astrological figure.] [Footnote 629: Menkeleh. See my Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Vol. I. p. 129, note 1. {see Vol. 1 of Payne's Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, FN#41}] [Footnote 630: Dsameh.]
[Footnote 631: Liha keramat kethireh. Kerameh (sing. of keramat), properly a favour or mark of grace, a supernatural gift bestowed by God upon His pious servants, by virtue whereof they perform miracles, which latter are also by derivation called keramat. Cf. Acts viii. 28: "Thou hast thought that the gift of God," i.e...
[Footnote 635: Sitti, fem. of Sidi, "my lord," the common title of a saint among modern Arabic-speaking peoples.] [Footnote 635: Meskin, lit. "poor wretch," but used as our "good man" and the French "bonhomme," in a sense of somewhat contemptuous familiarity.] [Footnote 636: Lit. "wished the man increase of his good (i...
[Footnote 638: Keniz, a word which I cannot find in any dictionary, but which appears to be the past participle (in the secondary form for mecnouz, as ketil, slain, for mertoul,) of keneza, a lost verb of which only the fourth form acneza, he drank from a cup (kinz), survives, and to mean "something drunk from a cup." ...
[Footnote 642: The text adds here, "she went not and came not" (la rahet wa la jaet). Burton translates, "as though she had never gone or come" and adds, in a note, by way of gloss, "i.e. as she was in her own home;" but I confess that his explanation seems to me as obscure as the text.] [Footnote 643: Night DLXXXVIll....
[Footnote 646: En nas bi 'l ghewali kethir an, lit. "The folk in (things) precious (or dear or high-priced, ghewali, pl. of ghalin, also of ghaliyeh, a kind of perfume) are abundant anent." This is a hopelessly obscure passage, and I can only guess at its meaning. Bi 'l ghewali may be a clerical error for bi 'l ghalibi...
[Footnote 650: Teyyareh.] [Footnote 651: Lit. "openings for passage" (mejous). See ante, p. 176, note. {see FN#480}] [Footnote 652: Keszr.] [Footnote 653: Lit. "an extreme" (ghayeh).]
[Footnote 654: Szeraya.] [Footnote 655: Szeraya.] [Footnote 656: i.e. "O thou that art dear to me as mine eyes."] [Footnote 657: Keszr.]
[Footnote 658: Night DLXC.] [Footnote 659: Keszr.] [Footnote 660: i.e. its apparent from its real import.] [Footnote 661: Mustekim.]
[Footnote 662: Minka. Burton, "of me."] [Footnote 663: Lit. "for that secret that she healed." Burton, "for the art and mystery of healing."] [Footnote 664: Min wejaihi.] [Footnote 665: Szeraya.]
[Footnote 666: Terehhhheba bihi.] [Footnote 667: Lit. "believed not in."] [Footnote 668: Night DLXCI.] [Footnote 669: Ghereza (i.q.. gheresa).]
[Footnote 670: Lit. "Out of regard to or respect for thine eyes." (Keramet[an] li-uyouniki), i.e. "Thanks to the favourable influence of thine eyes." When "the eye" is spoken of without qualification, the "evil eye" is commonly meant; here, however, it is evident that the reverse is intended.] [Footnote 671: Lit. "I ha...
= = = PG72501 = = = ALDEN THE PONY EXPRESS RIDER THE OVERLAND SERIES
ALDEN THE PONY EXPRESS RIDER [Illustration: THE SHARP CRACK OF WEAPONS RANG OUT IN THE STILLNESS] THE OVERLAND SERIES ALDEN ――――THE―――― Pony Express Rider ――――OR―――― Racing for Life
――――BY―――― EDWARD S. ELLIS Author of the Deerfoot Books, The Arizona Series, etc. ILLUSTRATED BY EDWIN J. PRITTIE THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY PHILADELPHIA
COPYRIGHT 1909, BY THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO. PRINTED IN U. S. A. CONTENTS RACING FOR LIFE
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY Never did the town of St. Joseph, in the State of Missouri, pass through more stirring excitement than on the afternoon of April 16, 1860. Every man, woman and child seemed to feel the pulsing in the air. Most of the people were on the street, though hundreds of mothers and daughters were at the ...
“It’s pretty near time! I hope he won’t be late.” “No fear for Alec; he’s _always_ on time.” “Poor fellow! he doesn’t look strong,” remarked a sympathizer. “Alec Carlyle is one of those chaps that you can’t judge by looks; there isn’t a better horseman west of the Alleghanies.”
St. Joseph in those days was not a large town. There was room to hold in comfort most of the population on Third Street, and it was there that nearly all of them had gathered on this soft spring afternoon. Had you been a member of the crowd you would have noticed that the eyes of nearly every one were turned expectantl...
As the pony shot like a cannon ball out of the doors of the stable and sped with arrowy swiftness down the street, the two men with whom he had been in consultation within the structure stepped forward and watched him. They smiled, though there was a serious expression on each face, for both felt they were looking upon...
About the same time, Harry Roff, mounted on a mettled half-breed broncho, galloped eastward from Sacramento. He, too, did his part in opening one of the most romantic episodes in the history of our country. Two sets of mail bags were approaching each other from points two thousand miles apart, and there were times when...
When the Pony Express began operations, the messengers from St. Joe rode to the station of Guittard, 125 miles away. This was done every week, until two months later the service was made semi-weekly, when the first rider finished his run at Seneca, 80 miles out. Fort Kearny was an old post in Nebraska. It is now a thri...
There were stretches of plain where the panting pony and his master could not get a drop of water for hours. When they plunged into the mountains in the depth of winter, the temperature was often far below zero, but the undaunted rider kicked away the snow on the lee side of some boulder, kindled a fire of dead limbs, ...
“I’m serving the United States and not _you_,” replied the Major, laying his hand on his revolver; “I don’t think it will be healthy for either you or any one else to try to stop me.” So it was the daring Major rode out of Salt Lake City alone. Being perfectly familiar with the route, he made good progress. He had deci...
“Having found secure shelter, I waited till night before moving on again. For the following three days and nights I did not do a mile of traveling when the sun was shining. As it was, I pushed so hard that, being lucky in catching the boat at Sacramento, I reached San Francisco several hours ahead of schedule time. The...
CHAPTER II A QUARREL I have tried to give you an idea of the scene in the town of St. Joseph, Missouri, on that afternoon in April, 1860, when Alexander Carlyle, the first Pony Express rider, dashed out of the stables and galloped full speed down the street to the ferry, amid the huzzahs of the excited multitudes. You ...
Among the crowds swarming in St. Joe were three persons of whom I shall have considerable to tell you. Alden Payne was a lusty, bright-witted youth, seventeen years old, whose home was on a small farm, two or three miles from the town. His father owned the place, and he and his wife were industrious and thrifty. The co...
It should be added regarding Alden and Jethro that, having spent their lives on what might be called the frontier, they had used every privilege which came within their reach. Both were fine horsemen, and Alden had no superior among the young men in the neighborhood as a hunter and marksman. The two spent every hour th...
“Why, dat Alec Carlyle am gwine ober de same road dat we’re gwine to go ober in a day or two.” “There’s nothing strange in that.” “Why couldn’t we fetched down our war steeds and gone wid him?” “He wouldn’t allow it; we should be too much in his way, and we couldn’t keep up with him for more than a few miles.”
“Dunno ’bout dat; Jilk and Firebug don’t take de dust ob any other animiles.” Jethro thus alluded to the horse owned by himself and the mare which was the favorite of his master. “That may be so, Jeth, but we expect to ride our horses all the way to California, while Alec will change his every ten or twelve miles.” “Ca...
“How?” “Why, ebery ten miles I’ll get into de saddle ob Firebug, and you kin get into de saddle ob Jilk: _dat_ will be changing hosses.” Alden looked at Jethro. The colored lad tried to keep a sober face, but had to duck his head and chuckle. He might be slow-witted, but he was not in earnest in making his proposition....
The blow knocked Alden toward the middle of the street, his hat falling, as he strove desperately to keep his feet and barely succeeded. The next instant, as he replaced his hat, he turned hurriedly around to learn the cause of the shock. A youth about his own age and size had violently bumped him. Alden was quick temp...
“I’ll mighty soon show you,” replied Alden, who, without an instant’s hesitation, launched his right fist at the face of the other; but he neatly dodged the blow and delivered so stinging a one on the cheek of Alden that he reeled for several paces. The single repulse did not scare the assailant, however, but made him ...
“Give it to him, Payne! Knock him out!” “Look out for yourself!” called a tall man to the unknown; “Alden is a fighter from Fight Town, at the head of Fight River; keep your eye peeled!” “I’ll help you soak him!” added Jethro, bounding to the side of his master, putting up his big hands, see-sawing with them, ducking h...
“Can’t get along widout me; you knock him ober and I’ll stomp on him and smash――” His impatient master made a vigorous sweep with his hand which tumbled Jethro on his back, with his shoes kicking toward the sky. “All right!” exclaimed the African, clambering to his feet; “den I’ll help de oder feller.” And he ran acros...
“It’s time to teach Al some sense――” But the stranger was equally impatient, and made a similar back-handed stroke which sent the colored lad down again. “Keep away or you’ll get hurt,” he warned. “Gorrynation! if dat’s de way I’m treated I’ll lick _bofe_ of you!”
And in order the better to carry out his threat, he began fiercely doffing his coat. He made a great pretense of hurrying, but, before he could shed the garment, a man standing near seized him by the arm and yanked him back with a force that came near throwing him to the ground again. “What’s the matter with you, Mix? ...
The briers being cleared from the path, the two combatants now came together. The stranger did not retreat, when Alden quickly but guardedly approached, and after a couple of feints landed a blow fair and square on his cheek that staggered him. He held his feet, however, and advanced again. The two would have closed th...
If the youth called “Ross” felt no fear of Alden Payne, he held the man in awe. He dropped his hands, though they remained clenched, and tried to make excuse. “He attacked me, uncle; haven’t I a right to defend myself?” “How is that?” sternly asked the man, turning upon Alden. “He pushed me almost off my feet, and inst...
“He is speaking false,” said the nephew. “Probably you are right,” commented the man, who evidently had faith in the veracity of his nephew, “but there has been enough of this; come with me.” “I hope you will let us fight it out,” said Alden, keenly regretting the interference; “I should like to give him a lesson in sp...
“Yes; let ’em settle it,” added one of the bystanders, uttering the sentiments of the spectators; “the fight will be a thing of beauty.” Others joined in the request, but the man paid no heed. He did not lay his hand on his nephew, but merely said, “Come,” and strode off in the direction of the river. The youth walked ...
“Gorrynation!” said Jethro, after the stranger was at a distance, “but it was lucky for bofe of you dat dese four men held me back. When I git mad, I’m orful, and if I’d got at you, dere wouldn’t anyting been left ’cept a couple of grease spots.” This boast caused uproarious laughter. Jethro looked around in the faces ...
“Are you talking to _me_?” he demanded, and an instant hush fell on the bystanders. “Yas, I is; doan’ you hyar me? Is you deef? You’s getting too sassy, Tone Burke; you need taking down a peg or two, and _I’m_ de gemman dat am gwine to doot.” “I’m your apple tart; put up your fists.” “Who said anyting ’bout fists? I wa...
“Very well; I prefer fists, but I’ll wrestle.” “_Fus’ holt!_” shouted Jethro, his face lighting up with a grin at the advantage thus gained by his promptness. “Suit yourself,” calmly replied the other. Both were right-handed. Jethro because of his call secured the choice as to which side he should take, when they made ...
Thus the right hand of the white youth and the left hand of the African were free. The two loosely gripped hands in front, for be it remembered the method described was the old fashioned way of wrestling, and is still popular in many parts of the country. Alden Payne’s anger was wafted aside by the new turn of matters,...
“Ready, Jeth?” “Ise allers ready; you oughter know dat, Al――” Before he could end his sentence, his big feet shot upward as high as his head had been a moment before. The white youth with fine dexterity flung off the grasp of Jethro in the same instant, and he went down on his back with an impact that seemed to shake t...
“Dat warn’t fair,” protested Jethro, as he clambered to his feet. “Why wasn’t it fair?” asked the umpire. “I warn’t ready.” “You said you were; change holds.”
“I won’t wrestle if I’ve got to use my left arm.” “That’s the rule of the game; you must do it.” “I’m satisfied,” said the grinning Tony, who, before Jethro could back out, slid his left arm behind the burly neck of the African. In the same instant, the struggle was renewed with all the cunning, power and skill of whic...
“Dat’s de way I allers fetches ’em; I frows myself on my back and _dey’re gone_!” CHAPTER III WESTWARD BOUND The “Southern Overland Mail” was the first transcontinental stage line in this country, and probably the longest continuous run ever operated in the world. It lacked 241 miles of an even three thousand. The term...
This enterprise required more than a hundred Concord coaches, 1,000 horses, 500 mules, 150 drivers and 600 other employes. It led through flaming deserts for nearly half the way, where the deadly sandstorm, the torturing thirst and the sleepless enmity of Indians were a constant menace to the traveler. The vast scheme ...
[A] In 1859, Ben Holladay had sixteen large steamers running between San Francisco and Panama, Oregon, China and Japan, operated 5,000 miles of daily stage coaches, with 500 coaches and express wagons, 500 freight wagons, 5,000 horses and mules with oxen beyond counting. His harness alone cost $55,000 and his feed bill...
The head of the party, which was bound to California, was Abner Fleming――a middle-aged man, with a wife, but no children. He was an old acquaintance of Hugh Payne, the father of Alden, and willingly took the two youths under his charge while making the long journey. They were strong, willing to work, of cheerful minds,...
None of the acquaintances of this singular person had ever heard him called by any other name than “Shagbark.” It was known that he was a native of the Ozark region, and had spent years with the American Fur Company, as trapper and hunter. From some cause he quarreled with those above him, and left their employ three o...
“Very well; I am willing to pay you each month in advance.” “I want it when it’s airned; ye’d be a fool to pay it afore.” Nothing more was said on the subject. Shagbark crumpled up some dry fragments from a plug of tobacco, in the palm of his hand, punched them into the bowl of his pipe, switched a match along the side...
Shagbark was a man of moods. The second night after crossing the Missouri, when the wagons had been placed in a circle, the animals allowed to browse on the luxuriant grass, so well guarded that they could not wander afield, he came back and sat down among the group that were eating from the food spread on a blanket. H...
Having had so pleasant a chat with Shagbark, Alden naturally expected pleasant attention from him. He waited till the man had lighted his pipe and ridden a hundred yards ahead, when the youth twitched the rein of Firebug and galloped up beside him. “Good morning, Shagbark; it looks as if we shall have another fine day....
“Ob course not; I found dat out de fust day, when I axed him how old he was, what war de name ob his fader and mother, wheder he was married or engaged and who he war gwine to wote fur as President, and some more sich trifles.” “I don’t wonder that he paid no attention to you. I shall let him alone after this.” Three n...
Few of the men kept their saddles throughout the day. It was too tiresome for horses and riders. The latter sometimes walked for hours, or climbed into the lumbering wagons and rode behind the oxen. The children, of whom there were more than a score of different ages, delighted to play hide and seek, chasing one anothe...
“What’s to hinder you?” said the other, not a little amused. “I’m carryin’ an orful secret.” “Seems to weigh you down a good deal; do you wish to tell me?” “Dat’s what I oughter do, but I hain’t got de courage, Al; it’s been on my mind two, free times, and I started in to let you know, but I’se afeard.”
“Afraid of what?” “Ob _you_.” It was hard for Alden to restrain his laughter. He had not the remotest idea of what was in the mind of Jethro, and it must be confessed felt little curiosity to know. Understanding the fellow as he did, he could not believe that the “secret” which was bearing so heavily upon him, was of a...
“But you doan’ know what it am.” “Of course; that’s why I’m inviting you to tell me.” “But when I do tell, den what?” “Haven’t I promised that no matter what it is, I shan’t punish you, provided you make a clean breast of it.”
“You wouldn’t say dat if you knowed.” “Have you killed anybody, Jethro?” asked Alden in the most solemn voice he could assume. “Bress your heart, no! what put dat sarcumflexous idee in your head?” “Have you been stealing anything?”
“Neber stole even a watermillion in all my life.” “Because, when you were round, the owners watched their property too closely to give you a chance.” Jethro’s eyes seemed to bulge more than ever. He said in a husky undertone: “Al, it am wuss dan dem two tings togeder.”
“Ah, I know, then, what it is.” “WHAT?” “You have been smoking cigarettes; you look pale round the gills.” “Pshaw! what’s de matter wid you?” muttered Jethro disgustedly; “you talk as if you didn’t hab no sense.”
“I am trying to suit my words to you. See here, Jeth, I am tired of all this; if you wish to tell me anything, I have assured you there is nothing to fear in the way of consequences from me. If that doesn’t satisfy you, keep the matter to yourself.” “If dat’s de way you talks, I’ll hab to wait a while; daresn’t unburde...
CHAPTER IV THE DANGER CLOUD The emigrant train to which our young friends belonged ran into bad weather, while crossing northeastern Kansas, and again before reaching Fort Kearny, in Nebraska. A cold, drizzling rain set in which made people and animals so uncomfortable that a halt of nearly two days was made. The oxen ...
Then for days the weather was perfect. The sun shone from the clear blue heavens, unflecked except here and there by a rift of snowy cloud. The air was bright and clear, with just enough crispness to make walking or riding pleasant. The country was level or rolling. The eye, wandering over every point of the compass, c...
In answer to his inquiring look, Alden, who had turned part way round in his saddle, pointed to the rear. Far in the distance, a dark object was seen, which was quickly recognized as a horseman coming with his animal on a dead run. He was not in a direct line behind the train, but a little to the south. If he kept to h...
“A Pony Express Rider!” said Alden; “how he goes!” “How long hab he been doing it?” asked Jethro. “From the station five miles back, and he’ll keep it up till he reaches the next station farther on.” “What den?”
“He’ll shift his saddle and mail bags to a pony that is waiting, and then gallop at the same headlong speed for ten or twelve miles more, and change again unless that is the end of his run. This isn’t the first time, Jeth, we have seen those men riding like mad, and we are likely to see many more before we get sight of...
“If we could change horses every ten or twelve miles, we might keep it up for a day at a time, but we should have to have two or three hundred horses waiting for us at the different stations,” observed Alden, thinking to close the argument. “How would it do fur us to ride ahead and fix it dat way? Den we could come bac...
“Dat’s so; I didn’t tink ob dat; blamed queer how it slipped my mind――what’s de matter wid Shagbark?” Before the flying horseman vanished in the distance, the emigrant train resumed its slow progress. The massive guide, on the back of his gaunt steed, kept his place well in advance. Often he went for hours without look...
“He’s looking at me,” added Jethro; “he feels bad at de way he snubbed me jest arter we started, and means to apolergize; he don’t want you; notice now. Gee up, Jilk!” The negro twitched the rein, and his pony struck a moderate trot. He had not crossed a fourth of the intervening distance, when the guide thundered: “NO...
“Wal, if he ain’t the mos’ umbrageous rapscallion dat eber trod on two legs,” growled Jethro as his friend passed him, hurrying to answer Shagbark’s call. Acquainted by this time with the moods of the old trapper, Alden did not speak as he drew up beside him, but waited to learn what he had in mind. “I want ye to keep ...
“Have ye obsarved anything ’tickler?” Uncertain what was meant, the youth replied: “I can’t say that I have: what do you mean?” “Ye carry a telescope by a cord round your neck; ’spose ye use it.”
Still in doubt, Alden brought the binocular round in front, and held it suspended with one hand. “In what direction shall I look?” “Anywhar ye choose, but thar’s no need of wastin’ time; p’int it ahead and a little to the left away from the river.” The lad raised the instrument and scanned a fourth of the horizon to th...
Shagbark kept his keen eyes on the youth. He knew from the expression on Alden’s face that he had discovered that which the other meant him to see. “Wal, what is it?” asked the guide. “I am not sure, but I think a party of horsemen are hovering along the bank of the river, a little way out on the prairie.” “Zactly; are...
“It is impossible to tell at so great a distance.” “Onpossible fur _ye_; what good is that gimcrack of yers, anyway?” “It shows me what I could not otherwise see.” “I never use them things, but my eyes tell me a blamed sight more than that can tell ye; them horsemen ye obsarved are Injins.”
“You have wonderful eyesight, Shagbark,” remarked Alden admiringly, again lifting the glass to his eyes and peering through them. “I can make out the horsemen quite plainly, but that is all.” “I seed ’em two hours ago and have been watching ’em ever since.” “That Express Rider that went by will run into them.”
“No, he won’t; he ain’t such a fool; he’ll make a big sneak to the left and get past ’em; if it was among the mountains, he wouldn’t have half the chance, but he knows what to do and he’ll do it, as sure as ye are knee high to a grasshopper.” “Why do they keep so far from us?” asked Alden. “They don’t want us to see ’e...
“Do you think they intend to bother us?” asked Alden. “No; I don’t think; I _know_ it; we ain’t through with ’em; if they don’t pay us a visit to-night, we shall hear of ’em to-morrer night as sure as a gun.” “Why don’t they make an open attack, as I have been told the Indians often do?” “A red varmint never takes chan...
There was no questioning the truth of this theory. Alden slipped the cord which held the glasses over his head and handed them to the guide. “Try them; good as are your eyes, these will help you.” But the old fellow shook his head. “I don’t need any of your new-fangled notions; when my eyes go back on me, I’ll resign a...
“Ye see now the sense of my making some of the men stand guard every time we went into camp; they’ve been trained so they know how to do it; ye’ve had to take yer turn with the rest of ’em.” “And glad was I to do so; I hope you will use me to-night.” “Which is ’zactly what I’m going to do; that’s all I’ve got to say no...
“I hain’t any ’bjections; it’ll probably scare him half white, but ye needn’t say anything to anybody else, ’cepting Fleming; tell him to come up hyar for a little talk on bus’ness with me.” Alden turned his mare about and galloped to where the leader of the company was riding beside another man, and told him Shagbark ...
“Yas; I had my eye on you.” “Well, some miles off is a large party of Indians on horseback; they are keeping us in sight, but don’t think we know anything of them.” “Gorrynation!” gasped Jethro; “you don’t say so; what am dey gwine to do?” “Quite likely they will attack our camp to-night.”
Jethro gasped again and nearly fell out of the saddle. “W-w-what we gwine to do?” he stammered. “Make the best fight we can; you can shoot pretty well, Jeth, and you may have a chance to prove your marksmanship. Bear in mind, however, that when a painted warrior raises his gun to shoot you, you must fire before he does...
“You’s joking, Al; you don’t mean it suah.” “Very well, if you prefer to look upon it as a joke, do so, but it is likely to prove a serious one to you and all of us.” “Why don’t Shagbark turn de teams round and hurry back to St. Joe as fast as he kin, or to Fort Kearny or some place whar we has friends dat will took ca...
“Let de oxen and wagons stay where dey am.” “We haven’t enough horses to carry half the women and children.” “Can’t dey run?” Alden was silent a moment as if considering the suggestion of the sable youth. Finally he shook his head.
“It won’t do, Jeth; they wouldn’t have half a show; the Indians would overtake the women and little ones before they could go more than a few hundred yards. No; we must stand our ground like men, keep cool and put up the best fight we can.” “’Spose de Injins lick us?” asked Jethro in a trembling voice. Alden shrugged h...
“Am you suah ob dat?” “I have been told so by those who know.” “Why do dey feel dat way?” asked the scared youth. “I can’t explain it; they seem to have a deep prejudice against all American citizens of African descent. I have met some white men who feel the same way.”
“Can’t you manage to explanify to de red gemman dat dar ain’t no reason for dar dislike ob us colored folks?” “I am afraid that no explanation will help, Jeth; make up your mind, as I said, to put up the best fight you can and if you have to go down, do so with colors flying.” CHAPTER V ON GUARD
Shagbark kept continually scanning the horizon in all directions. It lacked an hour of sunset when the flickering forms to the northwest passed over the rim of vision. But the guide was not misled by the fact. He thought it likely that some of the red men, whose tribe he did not know, had galloped farther away, fearing...
“Hooh! ye needn’t tell me that; if the varmints was to be seed I’d seed ’em.” The six lumbering wagons were drawn up in a circle, the space inside being about a hundred feet across. In the center of this a fire was kindled from the driftwood brought from the bank of the Platte, where all the animals were allowed to dri...
It was comparatively early in the evening when Shagbark placed the guards. His plan was that six should act as sentinels until midnight, when, if nothing occurred, they would give place to the same number, and retire to their quarters for the remainder of the night. As for Shagbark, he said he would be on duty until da...
“Ye ain’t likely to begin snoring so long as ye keep on your feet. No matter how much ye may feel like setting down or leaning up agin a wheel or side of a wagon, _don’t do it_ for so much as a minute. Ye can steal back and forth on the inside of the circle of wagons, fur that will help keep yer peepers peeled, but ba’...
“I shall do my duty,” quietly replied Alden. “You needn’t tell me that; a feller’s got only to look at ye to see the sort of stuff ye’re made of; I like ye, younker.” Never had Shagbark uttered so pointed praise, and it sent a grateful thrill through the youth, who could not doubt the sincerity of the words. “Now ’bout...
“He means well, but I shouldn’t advise you to trust him too far.” “No fear of that, but he such a big, hulking chap and eats so much that he oughter be made to do _something_; I’m going to put him on tother side of this wagon and make him b’leve it’s the most important post of all, and that if he drops asleep, the whol...
“Wal, younker, be ye ready?” “Ise allers readdy to do my dooty; what is it you want, Mr. Shagbark?” “Ye know how ticklish things is to-night; we must all take turns in watching fur the redskins that will be sure to try to steal in among the wagons and skulp us all; ye are to stand guard till the middle of night, when s...
“Do you think, Mr. Shagbark, dey’s gwine to pitch into us?” “That’s what Injins seem built for; ye can feel powerful sartin that if we give ’em the chance they’ll grab it.” “Yas, sir,” replied the youth, as he gingerly followed the guide to the wagon where he had placed Alden Payne a short time before; “I wish I felt b...

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