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1、【英文读物】The Story of Red FeatherCHAPTER ONE BROTHER AND SISTERTHE SIGNALIT is within my memory that Melville Clarendon, a lad of sixteen years, was riding through Southern Minnesota, in company with his sister Dorothy, a sweet little miss not quite half his own age.They were mounted on Saladin, a high
2、-spirited, fleet, and good-tempered pony of coal-black color. Melville, who claimed the steed as his own special property, had given him his Arabian name because he fancied there were many points of resemblance between him and the winged coursers of the East, made famous as long ago as the time of t
3、he Crusades.The lad sat his horse like a skilled equestrian, and indeed it would be hard to find his superior in that respect throughout that broad stretch of sparsely settled country. Those who live on the American frontier are trained from their earliest youth in the management of quadrupeds, and
4、often display a proficiency that cannot fail to excite admiration.Melvilles fine breech-loading rifle was slung over his shoulder, and held in place by a strap that passed in front. It could be quickly drawn from its position whenever needed. It was not of the repeating pattern, but the youth was so
5、 handy with the weapon that he could 4put the cartridges in place, aim, and fire not only with great accuracy, but with marked rapidity.In addition, he carried a good revolver, though he did not expect to use either weapon on the short journey he was making. He followed, however, the law of the bord
6、er, which teaches the pioneer never to venture beyond sight of his home unprepared for every emergency that is likely to arise.It was quite early in the forenoon, Melville having made an early start from the border-town of Barwell, and he was well on his way to his home, which lay ten miles to the s
7、outh. Dot, as his little sister was called by her friends, had been on a weeks visit to her uncles at the settlement, the agreement all round being that she should stay there for a fortnight at least; but her parents and her big brother rebelled at the end of the week. They missed the prattle and su
8、nshine which only Dot could bring into their home, and Melvilles heart was delighted when his father told him to mount Saladin and bring her home.And when, on the seventh day of her visit, Dot found her handsome brother had come after her, and was to take her home the following morning, she leaped i
9、nto his arms with a cry of happiness; for though her relatives had never suspected it, she was dreadfully home-sick and anxious to get back to her own people.In riding northward to the settlement, young Clarendon followed the regular trail, over which he had passed scores of times. Not far from the
10、house he crossed a broad stream at a point where the current (except when there was rain) was less than two feet deep. Its shallowness led to its use by all the settlers within a large radius to the southward, so that the faintly marked trails converged at this point some5thing like the spokes of a
11、large wheel, and became one from that point northward to the settlement.A mile to the east was another crossing which was formerly used. It was not only broader, but there were one or two deep holes into which a horse was likely to plunge unless much care was used. Several unpleasant accidents of th
12、is nature led to its practical abandonment.The ten miles between the home of the Clarendons and the little town of Barwell consisted of prairie, stream, and woodland. A ride over the trail, therefore, during pleasant weather afforded a most pleasing variety of scenery, this being especially the case
13、 in spring and summer. The eastern trail was more marked in this respect and it did not unite with the other until within about two miles of the settlement. Southward from the point of union the divergence was such that parties separating were quickly lost to view of each other, remaining thus until
14、 the stream of which I have spoken was crossed. There the country became so open that on a clear day the vision covered all the space between.I have been thus particular in explaining the lay of the land, as it is called, because it is necessary in order to understand the incidents that follow.Melvi
15、lle laughed at the prattle of Dot, who sat in front of him, one of his arms encircling her chubby form, while Saladin was allowed to walk and occasionally gallop, as the mood prompted him.There was no end of her chatter; and he asked her questions about her weeks experience at Uncle Jacks, and told
16、her in turn how much he and her father and mother had missed her, and what jolly times they would have when she got back.Melville hesitated for a minute on reaching the diverging point 6of the paths. He was anxious to get home; but his wish to give his loved sister all the enjoyment possible in the
17、ride led him to take the abandoned trail, and it proved a most unfortunate thing that he did so.Just here I must tell you that Melville and Dot Clarendon were dressed very much as boys and girls of their age are dressed to-day in the more settled parts of my native country. Remember that the inciden
18、ts I have set out to tell you took place only a very few years ago.Instead of the coon-skin cap, buckskin suit, leggings and moccasins, of the early frontier, Melville wore a straw hat, a thick flannel shirt, and, since the weather was quite warm, he was without coat or vest. His trousers, of the or
19、dinary pattern, were clasped at the waist by his cartridge belt, and his shapely feet were encased in strong well-made shoes. His revolver was thrust in his hip-pocket, and the broad collar of his shirt was clasped at the neck by a twisted silk handkerchief.As for Dot, her clustering curls rippled f
20、rom under a jaunty straw hat, and fluttered about her pretty shoulders, while the rest of her visible attire consisted of a simple dress, shoes, and stockings. The extra clothing taken with her on her visit was tied in a neat small bundle, fastened to the saddle behind Melville. Should they encounte
21、r any sudden change in the weather, they were within easy reach, while the lad looked upon himself as strong enough to make useless any such care for him.Once or twice Melville stopped Saladin and let Dot down to the ground, that she might gather some of the bright flowers growing by the wayside; an
22、d at a spring of bubbling icy-cold water both halted and quaffed their fill, after which Saladin was allowed to push his nose into the clear fluid and do the same.7Once more they mounted, and without any occurrence worth the telling, reached the bank of the stream at the Upper Crossing. He halted a
23、minute or two to look around before entering the water, for, as you will bear in mind, he had now reached a spot which gave him a more extended view than any yet passed.Their own home was in plain sight, and naturally the eyes of the brother and sister were first turned in that direction. It appeare
24、d just as they expected. Moderate in size, built of logs somewhat after the fashion on the frontier at an earlier date, with outbuildings and abundant signs of thrift, it was an excellent type of the home of the sturdy American settler of the present.Oh, Mel! suddenly exclaimed Dot, calling her brot
25、her by the name she always used, who is that on horseback?Dot pointed to a slight eminence between their house and the stream; and, shifting his glance, Melville saw an Indian horseman standing as motionless as if he and his animal were carved in stone. He seemed to have reined up on the crest of th
26、e elevation, and, coming to a halt, was doing the same as the brother and sistersurveying his surroundings.His position was midway between Melville and his house, and his horse faced the brother and sister. The distance was too great to distinguish the features of the red man clearly, but the two be
27、lieved he was looking at them.Now, there was nothing to cause special alarm in this sight, for it was a common thing to meet Indians in that part of the country, where indeed many of them may be seen to-day; but the lad suddenly remembered that when looking in the direction of his home he had failed
28、 to see any signs of life, and he was at once filled with a mis8giving which caused him to swallow a lump in his throat before answering the questionWho is it, Mel?Some Indian; he is too far off for me to tell who he is, and likely enough we have never seen him before.Whats he looking at us so sharp
29、ly for?Im not sure that he is looking at us; his face seems to be turned this way, but he may have his eyes on something else.Watch him! See what he is doing!No need to tell the lad to watch, for his attention was fixed upon the warrior. Just as Dot spoke he made a signal which the intelligent youth
30、 could not comprehend. He flung one end of a blanket in the air slightly above and in front of him, and, holding the other part in his hand, waved it vigorously several times.That it was intended for the eyes of the brother and sister seemed beyond all question; but, as I have said, they did not kno
31、w what it meant, for it might have signified a number of things. It is a practice with many Indians to use such means as a taunt to their enemies, but they generally utter shouts and defiant cries, and nothing of the kind was now heard.Besides this, it was not to be supposed that a Sioux warrior (th
32、at, no doubt, being the tribe of the red man before them) would indulge in any such action in the presence of a single white youth and small girl.I dont understand it, said Melville, but Ill be as polite as he.With which, he took off his hat and swung it above his head. Then, seeing that the Indian
33、had ceased waving his blanket, he replaced his hat, still watching his movements.9 The distance was too great to distinguish the features of the red man.Page 71011The next moment the Sioux wheeled his horse, and heading westward, galloped off with such speed that he almost instantly vanished.The Ind
34、ian had been gone less than a minute when Melville spoke to Saladin, and he stepped into the water.The instant his hoof rested on dry land the youth struck him into a swift canter, which was not checked until he arrived at the house. While yet some distance, the lads fears were deepened by what he s
35、aw, or rather by what he failed to see. Not a horse or cow was in sight; only the ducks and chickens were there, the former waddling to the water.When Archie Clarendon made his home on that spot, a few years before, one of the questions he had to meet was as to the best way of guarding against attac
36、ks from Indians, for there were plenty of them in that part of the country. There are very few red men who will not steal; and they are so fond of firewater, or intoxicating drink, that they are likely to commit worse crimes.The pioneer, therefore, built his house much stronger than he would have do
37、ne had he waited several years before putting it up.It was made of logs, strongly put together, and the windows were so narrow that no person, unless very slim, could push his way through them. Of course the door was heavy, and it could be fastened in its place so firmly that it would have resisted
38、the assault of a strong body of men.By this time Melville, who had galloped up to the front and brought his horse to a halt, was almost sure that something dreadful had happened, and he hesitated a moment before dismounting or lowering Dot to the ground. She began twisting about in his grasp, saying
39、 plaintively12Let me down, Mel; I want to see papa and mamma.I dont think they are there, he said, again swallowing a lump in his throat.She turned her head around and looked wonderingly up in his face, not knowing what he meant. He could not explain, and he allowed her to drop lightly on her feet.W
40、ait a minute, he called, till I take a look inside.In imagination he saw an awful sight. It was that of his beloved parents slain by the cruel red menone of whom had waved his blanket tauntingly at him only a few minutes before.He could not bear that Dot should look upon the scene that would haunt h
41、er, as it would haunt him, to her dying day. He meant to hold her back until he could take a look inside; but her nimble feet carried her ahead, and she was on the porch before he could check her.Saladin was a horse that would stand without tying; and, paying no heed to him, the youth hurried after
42、his sister, seizing her hand as it was raised to draw the string hanging outside the door.Dot, he said, why do you not obey me? You must wait till I first go in.It was not often her big brother spoke so sternly, and there came a tear into each of the bright eyes, as she stepped back and poutingly wa
43、ited for him to do as he thought best.Melville raised his hand to draw the latch, but his heart failed. Stepping to one side, he peered through the narrow window that helped to light up the lower floor.The muslin curtain was partly drawn, but he was able to see most of the interior. Table, chairs, a
44、nd furniture were all in place, but not a glimpse of a living person was visible.13 He peered through the narrow window.The emotions of childhood are as changeable as the shadows of the flitting clouds.Dot was pouting while Mel stood irresolute on the small porch, and was sure she would never, never
45、 speak to the mean fellow again; but the instant he peeped through the narrow window she forgot everything else, and darted forward to take her place at his side, and find out what it was that made him act so queerly.Before she reached him she stopped short with the exclamationOh, Mel! heres a lette
46、r for you!CHAPTER TWO AN IMPORTANT LETTERSHUT INASTONISHED by the cry, young Clarendon turned his head and looked at his sister, who landed at his side that moment like a fairy. She was holding a sheet of paper in her hand. It was folded in the form of an envelope, and pencilled on the outside in bo
47、ld letters were the wordsMelville Clarendon.In haste; read instantly.He took the letter from his sister and trembled, as if from a chill, as he hurriedly unfolded the paper and readMy Dear Mel,Leave at once! The Sioux have taken the war-path, and a party of their worst warriors from the Muddy Creek
48、country have started out on a raid. They are sure to come this way, and I suppose the house will be burned, and everything on which they can lay hands destroyed. They are under the lead of the desperate Red Feather, and will spare nothing. A friendly Sioux stopped this morning before daylight and warned me. I gathered the animals together, and your mother and I set out for Barwell in all haste, driving the beasts before us.I feel certain of either finding you and Dot at my brothers in the settlement or of meeting you on the way, for I suppose