Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-05-15
THE TRAP RS CABIN.
A LEGEND OF THE PRAIRIE.

4
LEGEND OF THE PRAIRIE.
al wonder not,'' said she, in reply, s that it
seems strange to you. 1t will seem stranger
ready four long years, and in all that time seen
none but Indian females, and besides yourself
but two white men, and she heaved deep,
long sigh.
"Pardon me-" said Hugh, ssfor asking why
you thus seclude yourself, SO far from civli-
zation and society 20
She hestated a moment, then answered in
low, sad tone ssThe love cherish for an un-
fortunate father" and there was an instructive
shrinking that made Hugh feel, palmer than
words would have done, that the subject was
painful one.
Hugh adroitly changed the conversation,
but listened eagerly while she told him of the
wild adventures that had characterized their
life, and many strange and beautiful things
that had bordered their pathway. She pictur-
ed to him the vast stretch of prairie that sur
rounded them, and discoursed most eloquent
ly of its green and flowery charms through the
spring and summer, of its golden hues in
tumn when the first light frost had crisped its
wavering grass, of its fearful magnicence
when the crimson pillows of flame surged over
it, and of its sullen, sea-lke grandeur when
the snow was hcaped in its hollows and cres-
ted IN its ridges. Then she told him of the
glory OF the woodland which lay only little
way 10 the west of their cabin. and the beauty
of the softly flowing Des Moines, whose waters
were of crystal clearness, and whose banks
rich in agate and pearl-lIke shell.
Then she sketched the Indian warrior whose
hunting grounds were yet all around them,
and whose dusky bride had often tarried be-
side their hearth, teaching her wild wood arts,
and weaving sometimes for her hair graceful
wreath from the silver plumes of the rainbow
colored birds that were futtering in the old
,rce-tops.
land do you fancy such companionship
Have you no fear of Indian stratagems and
Indian crueltics ?'' asked Hugh.
shudder ran over the young girl, and her
face grew suddenly very pale, and she looked
timidly around her ere she replied
"Until a month ago had never known
fear" said she, ''for the Indian, if met with
Kindness, is as much, nay, more to be depen-
ded on than are our brothers. But now, live
in constant terror. by father has offended
one of the young chiefs, and the consequence
feel will be fatal to him or me, and perhaps
both. My father has realized it too, and since
then, until to-day, has not ventured out of
sight of home. Bnt though he has carefully
sought traces of Indian steps, he has in all
that time seen none, and SO this morning, no.
ting by his keen eye the approach OF fearful
storm, he went to his old hunting hut in the
timber. The deer, you know, always rush to
the woodland for shelter, and he expected to
Eli enough to-day to last us through the sea- |
son. But feel that he has fearful risks
"And you feared, knowing your red friends
were incensed against you, to stay here all "a
lone," exclaimed her listener.
81 wonder that you consented to let me in |
Did you not fear it might be some Indian in |
disguise 90
can Indian could not speak as you did, sir,''
she replied, ssand if my own senses had mised |
me, these trusty friends would have proved |
true :" and she pointed to the dogs. ssThey
can scent an Indian as far as he can one of |
the pale faces. They are well trained, too.
Ny father received them as dying gift from
the old trapper who lived in the cabin when he |
came; and he had trained them well, for the
country was much wilder then than now
Would you believe it though, they will bark
IN their very loudest tones when a white man
comes near, but they will not breathe sound |
II 1t be an Indian but if you are awake they
will come and stand before you and look at
you with glance, which, if once seen, can
never be forgotten while if asleep, they will
awaken you in the most cautious way, warn
you of the danger with much eloquence. Oh,
they are two noble, precious friends 20 she
said, patting them fondly. They crouched by
her feet afterwards, and burying her little
moccasins in their shaggy sides, she bowed
Der bead on her hand, and seemed to dream.
Hugh mused for a long time on his strange
adventure, and then feeling very weak again,
ae nolselessy heaped fresh fuel on the fire and
S'oe OF to his couch of buffalo robes. His
dreams were at first wild and fearful and then
strangely fantastic, and then sadly beautiful;
.of' Ia every variation of the shifting scenes
Tue lace of Eleanor, pale, yet lovely and loving,
~, aUoRed up to him with an entreating fondness.
=. tneh dense black cloud covered her knee
mug form, and as it parted he seemed to be ly-
jug on bed Of roses with the cheek of the
.na'den pressed close to his lips. AS he reach
81 out his arms to enshrine her in fond en-
" .'ace he awoke and 10, with her face close
~ ~ MS own was she of whom he had dreamed.
,re ,,e uttered a cry half Of Joy. In an instant
Earning finger was pressed to his lips, and in
'iiost inaudible tones she mnrmured:
TT or your life breathe not loud word
listen lister, There are Indians about. They sur
,o ,ound us, but cannot guess their mode of at
;n, ;r,S. Rise and arm yourself, and then creep
Wy. NV tne darkest corner. Be careful and make
~. ~. 'ne least noise for they are wary foe.
..S think me alone. Ohi'' she exclaimed,
ba.ae a sae pressed her heart convulsively, ssthey
aoubtless slain my kind father, and would