CHAPTER VIII.

AN APACHE COURTSHIP.

The trapper pointed toward a pile of wooded hills, in which direction every eye was immediately drawn, without discovering, however, the “signs” to which he alluded.

“They’re there,” he added, “and I’ve had a half a dozen glimpses of ’em since we started. It won’t be long before you all see ’em.”

In confirmation of the hunter’s words, at this moment a couple of mounted Indians were seen to come forth from the wood and undergrowth, ride to the bottom of the hill, where they halted as if waiting for something. The next moment a half a dozen followed them until ten were gathered together upon their gaudily-caparisoned mustangs.

The next moment, they commenced riding at an easy gallop toward the expectant train.

“By jingo! they’re going to tackle us!” exclaimed Leonidas Swipes in considerable excitement, and with the hope of alarming those around him.

“Hardly,” replied Fred, “Apaches don’t do things in that style; they generally take the night time and steal upon their enemies unawares.”

“But what does it all mean?”

“Such an approach in broad day generally means peace.”

“But—but—” persisted Swipes, as if unable to comprehend what it all meant; “the Apaches are not on friendly terms with us.”

“When it suits their purpose it may be so.”

The emigrants understood, as a matter of course, that the approach of the redskins meant nothing hostile, although more than one of them quietly examined his rifle to make sure it was loaded and ready for instant use.

A few moments later, the war party came to a dead halt about a hundred yards distant, and the leader or chief made a gesture of friendship, which was answered in pantomimes by Lancaster, who muttered at the same time to those near him.

“Two of them dogs is Comanches.”

“Wonder if they aint the ones that stole my sheep!” exclaimed Leonidas, sagely.

The preliminaries being arranged the chief now rode forward, his warriors following at a distance of a dozen yards or so. The emigrants reassured them by signs that they were welcome, whereupon the whole ten slid lightly from their horses, and, leaving them stand without any fastening or guardianship, came forward, until it may be said, they mingled in with the whites, at which point they laid their arms upon the ground, and waited for their white friends to do the same.

“Put down your guns,” said the trapper, “that’s what they’re waiting for, but if you can hang on to your pistols at the same time without their noticing you, why I haint any ’bjection.”

“I swan, if I let go of my revolver,” muttered Swipes, as he shoved the weapon as far as possible down his pantaloons pocket.

The Apaches now came forward, and seated themselves upon the ground, placing themselves in a semi-circle, while the circle was completed by a dozen of the emigrants, including the hunters, Swipes taking good care to occupy the centre of the Caucasian line, so as to be as far away as possible from the American.

At this juncture, Mr. Bonfield whispered to Lancaster, who was sitting next to him, that the chief or leader was the same fellow who had visited their camp alone, about a week before. He was now painted and bedaubed, with the evident intention of concealing his identity, but Mr. Bonfield was sure he recognized him. When finally he opened his mouth, and spoke, the last atom of doubt was removed.

Lancaster nodded his head to signify that he understood what it all meant.

At this point, the chief uttered an exclamation, spoke several words, and lit a large ornamented pipe. The trapper immediately replied.

“Can you understand him?” inquired Mr. Bonfield.

“Yes; he speaks the Apache tongue.”

“What did he say?”

“He announced himself as Cherouka, mighty chief of the Apaches, and that he was our friend, which you know is the thunderingest lie ever told.”

Cherouka took a few whiffs at the pipe, passed it to his neighbor, who imitated him, and in this manner it passed the entire circuit, including the white men. This was an official declaration of friendship, but it deceived no one.

The way being now opened, Cherouka recognizing Lancaster, as his “man,” addressed his words to him, while the trapper responded promptly and unmistakably. The language, as a matter of course was all “Greek” to the emigrants, who could only gain a knowledge of its meaning, when their guide chose to enlighten them.

The first remark of the Apache was a repetition of his friendship, and his best wishes for the safe advance of the party “toward the setting sun.” This was “chaff” and was so understood by him who comprehended the words, who replied in the usual diplomatic manner, returning the hypocritical professions, and seeking to draw the real meaning from the crafty Apache.

But it seemed impossible to get any word from Cherouka, explanatory of his true object in thus visiting a camp of people, between whom and his own kindred it was generally understood, the most implacable enmity existed. This fact convinced the shrewd guide, that the whole thing was a ruse to cover some hidden design.

As Lancaster looked the painted redskin in the face his own wits were busy, and his keen eyes constantly wandered hither, and to make sure that he should not be surprised by any sudden _coup-d’etat_ of the enemy. Finally the presence of the two Comanches in the party, gave him as he believed the correct clew.

Undoubtedly these two gentlemen were concerned in the theft of Leonidas Swipe’s sheep; and, fully impressed with the value of their prize, they were resorting to every means to delay pursuit. They had known or suspected of the union of the unfortunate sheep dealers, with emigrants, and fearful that they might thus organize a vigorous and dangerous campaign against them, they had adopted this artifice of keeping them and their friends off the scent, until the plunder was beyond their reach.

Five thousand and odd sheep are not a very mobile organization in a precipitous country; and if any one thinks they are, we advise him to try the experiment and undeceive himself.

Consequently the Comanches only displayed ordinary sagacity in attempting the stratagem to which we have referred.

“All well, if it’s no more,” was the reflection of the trapper, as these thoughts passed through his mind, “but these dusky scamps may have something behind all this.”

As the interview progressed, the emigrants gradually gathered around the parties. The curiosity, naturally enough affected the women; and, when they saw the Indians, in their war-paint and war-dress seated upon the ground, gravely chaffering with the whites, they too approached until they were within a few feet of the parties.

As Fred Wainwright sat looking upon the face of the Apache chief, during the interview, he noticed that he kept gazing to his left as though something in that direction attracted his attention. His looks became so fixed at last, that he turned his head, and then discovered that the all absorbing object which had caught the dusky scamp’s eye was no less a personage than Miss Florence Brandon, who, occupied in the scene itself was unconscious of the attention which she had attracted.

“By jingo! he’s smitten!” whispered Swipes to the young hunter.

“The old dog is struck with her,” was the reply, “and if we aint careful, there’ll trouble come from this. Just watch him!”

“I never shall give my consent to his taking Miss Brandon away; you see it would be a severe loss for the Fort Mifflin Institute.”

“Keep your mouth shut and your eyes open,” was the somewhat strong hint that Mr. Swipes received to remain quiet during the progress of the interview. He looked at the young hunter a moment as if he were about to resent this insult to his dignity; but he finally concluded to remain silent and look on.

Cherouka hadn’t sense enough to conceal his admiration of Miss Brandon or he didn’t care if it was observed. Fixing his sharp black eye upon the girl, he suddenly arose to his feet and walked toward her. Alarmed at the movement, she started back with a slight exclamation, and the Apache chief found his progress suddenly checked by Fred Wainwright the young hunter, who strode across his path and waved him back.

This occurrence created some little excitement, and for a moment threatened serious consequences. The brow of the chief darkened and he placed his hand upon his knife handle; but, his second thought evidently prevailed, and he sank back again, addressing Lancaster the interpreter. The latter laughed,

“What do you s’pose he says?” he asked turning to his friends.

No one could possibly imagine.

“He says he loves that gal, begging her pardon, that lady, and he wants her to go to his wigwam with him.”

This caused a smile, but, as it was plain that the chief was in earnest, all felt the propriety of hearing his ridiculous passion, as if it were entitled to serious consideration. Lancaster was therefore directed to inform the dusky dog that his compliment was duly appreciated, but that the “White Plume” could not accept his offer.

This being duly communicated to Cherouka served only to make him eager to secure the coy prize. He instantly offered a large belt of wampum and two horses for her. This was courteously but firmly refused as before, whereupon he made still more extravagant offers.

These meeting with the same fate as the others, he demanded the reasons why his offers were refused.

“What shall I tell him?” asked Lancaster, looking at the blushing girl. “Hanged if I know what excuse to give him.”

“Tell him she’s engaged!” called out Swipes in a husky whisper.

“Shall I tell him you’ve got another feller?” asked the trapper, with all the simplicity imaginable.

“_No; tell him no such thing for I have not!_”

Little did Florence Brandon dream of the vast happiness produced by that declaration in the breast of a certain young hunter standing near her, with his eyes fixed upon her face with almost the keen eagerness of the Apache lover himself.

The latter was made to believe, at length there was no hope for his suit; and mounting his horse, he and his followers rode away sullen, lowering and vengeful, while the whites breathed freer, when the troublesome visitors were fairly out of the range of the camp.