登陆注册
5142800000081

第81章

"That's our Braxton," said Henry."He is rising to his opportunities.He is likely to become fully the equal of Walter Butler."But they could do nothing at present to find Wyatt, and they went somewhat sadly back to "The Alcove." They had learned also from the runner that Wyatt had a lieutenant, a Tory named Coleman, and this fact increased their belief that Wyatt was undertaking to operate on a large scale.

"We may get a chance at him anyhow," said Henry."He and his band may go too far away from the main body of the Indians and Tories, and in that case we can strike a blow if we are watchful."Every one of the five, although none of them knew it, received an additional impulse from this news about Braxton Wyatt.He had grown up with them.Loyalty to the king had nothing to do with his becoming a renegade or a Tory; he could not plead lost lands or exile for taking part in such massacres as Wyoming or Cherry Valley, but, long since an ally of the Indians, he was now at the head of a Tory band that murdered and burned from sheer pleasure.

"Some day we'll get him, as shore as the sun rises an' sets,"said Shif'less Sol, repeating Henry's prediction.

But for the present they "holed up," and now their foresight was justified.To such as they, used to the hardships of forest life, "The Alcove" was a cheery nest.From its door they watched the wild fowl streaming south, pigeons, ducks, and others outlined against the dark, wintry skies.So numerous were these flocks that there was scarcely a time when they did not see one passing toward the warm South.

Shif'less Sol and Paul sat together watching a great flock of wild geese, arrow shaped, and flying at almost incredible speed.

A few faint honks came to them, and then the geese grew misty on the horizon.Shif'less Sol followed them with serious eyes.

"Do you ever think, Paul," he said, "that we human bein's ain't so mighty pow'ful ez we think we are.We kin walk on the groun', an' by hard learnin' an' hard work we kin paddle through the water a little.But jest look at them geese flyin' a mile high, right over everything, rivers, forests any mountains, makin' a hundred miles an hour, almost without flappin' a wing.Then they kin come down on the water an' float fur hours without bein'

tired, an' they kin waddle along on the groun', too.Did you ever hear of any men who had so many 'complishments? Why, Paul, s'pose you an' me could grow wings all at once, an' go through the air a mile a minute fur a month an' never git tired.""We'd certainly see some great sights," said Paul, "but do you know, Sol, what would be the first thing I'd do if I had the gift of tireless wings?""Fly off to them other continents I've heard you tell about.""No, I'd swoop along over the forests up here until I picked out all the camps of the Indians and Tories.I'd pick out the Butlers and Braxton Wyatt and Coleman, and see what mischief they were planning.Then I'd fly away to the East and look down at all the armies, ours in buff and blue, and the British redcoats.

I'd look into the face of our great commander-in-chief.Then I'd fly away back into the West and South, and I'd hover over Wareville.I'd see our own people, every last little one of them.They might take a shot at me, not knowing who I was, but I'd be so high up in the air no bullet could reach me.Then I'd come soaring back here to you fellows.""That would shorely be a grand trip, Paul," said Shif'less Sol, "an' I wouldn't mind takin' it in myself.But fur the present we'd better busy our minds with the warnin's the wild fowl are givin' us, though we're well fixed fur a house already.It's cu'rus what good homes a handy man kin find in the wilderness."The predictions of the wild fowl were true.A few days later heavy clouds rolled up in the southwest, and the five watched them, knowing what they would bring them.They spread to the zenith and then to the other horizon, clothing the whole circle of the earth.The great flakes began to drop down, slowly at first, then faster.Soon all the trees were covered with white, and everything else, too, except the dark surface of the lake, which received the flakes into its bosom as they fell.

It snowed all that day and most of the next, until it lay about two feet on the ground.After that it turned intensely cold, the surface of the snow froze, and ice, nearly a foot thick, covered the lake.It was not possible to travel under such circumstances without artificial help, and now Tom Ross, who had once hunted in the far North, came to their help.He showed them how to make snowshoes, and, although all learned to use them, Henry, with his great strength and peculiar skill, became by far the most expert.

As the snow with its frozen surface lay on the ground for weeks, Henry took many long journeys on the snowshoes.Sometimes be hunted, but oftener his role was that of scout.He cautioned his friends that he might be out-three or four days at a time, and that they need take no alarm about him unless his absence became extremely long.The winter deepened, the snow melted, and another and greater storm came, freezing the surface, again making the snowshoes necessary.Henry decided now to take a scout alone to the northward, and, as the others bad long since grown into the habit of accepting his decisions almost without question, be started at once.He was well equipped with his rifle, double barreled pistol, hatchet, and knife, and he carried in addition a heavy blanket and some jerked venison.He put on his snowshoes at the foot of the cliff, waved a farewell to the four heads thrust from "The Alcove" above, and struck out on the smooth, icy surface of the creek.From this he presently passed into the woods, and for a long time pursued a course almost due north.

It was no vague theory that had drawn Henry forth.In one of his journeyings be had met a hunter who told him of a band of Tories and Indians encamped toward the north, and he had an idea that it was the party led by Braxton Wyatt.Now he meant to see.

同类推荐
  • 太上洞渊北帝天蓬护命消灾神咒妙经

    太上洞渊北帝天蓬护命消灾神咒妙经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 中观论疏

    中观论疏

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 本事方续集

    本事方续集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 祭汾阴乐章

    祭汾阴乐章

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 太平经合校

    太平经合校

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 奥秘世界

    奥秘世界

    本书是光明日报出版社重点图书工程——光明彩图书系发现系列中的一种。编者力图以科学的视角、严谨的考证和生动的语言,将自然、宇宙、地球、海洋、生命、动物、科学、历史、艺术、文化、军事、建筑中蕴含的种种玄妙莫测的现象、事件全方位、方体地展现于读者面前。新颖别致的版式,与内容相契合的全真图片,将读者带入一个神奇的“奥秘世界”。为读者在轻松获取知识的同时,提供更广泛的文化视野、审美感受、想象空间和愉快体验。
  • 我的雪山圣杯(下)

    我的雪山圣杯(下)

    走在一条路上,在一条路上为另一条路见证“远方”和“梦想”;走在一条路上,在一条路上为另一条路,放飞“可能”与“希望”;走在一条路上,走在圣人走过的路上,走在凡夫走过的路上,走在山茶花盛开的路上,走在梅里一样让你屏息让你仰望让你跪祷让你热泪,让你心里每一块“宁静”与“平安”、都闪闪发亮金碧辉煌的雪山的路上……
  • 清菀传

    清菀传

    十七岁入王府她是他的侧福晋,他赞她率性可爱,她赞他温柔多情.十八岁入宫她是他最钟爱的贵妃,他赞她明艳温婉,她赞他帝王多情.二十八岁她是他厌弃的废后,独居深宫,垂泪坤宁.
  • 亿万婚约:倾情独宠甜丫头

    亿万婚约:倾情独宠甜丫头

    最后那一刻,生与死之间,她把活着的机会选给了他,他没得选!一枪穿心,一切结束,她悲伤的躺在他的怀里,最后的话:“放了我吧,从一开始,我就不是你想要的女人。是什么时候的事呢?我也觉得有一点温暖,即使你没有爱过我。一直想要对你说的话,换一个情人吧,能让你开心的女人更好。”嚎啕换不回她的生命,他终于明白,他从来没有选错这个女人。
  • 巫师不朽

    巫师不朽

    这是一个二次穿越的穿越者,在巫师世界踏上巫师之路的故事。在末日世界猎取晶核,在始祖世界提取血脉,在诸神世界猎杀诸神...身带穿越异能,穿梭无尽世界,掠夺无尽世界的知识与资源,成就自身巫师之道...欢迎诸位大大加入书友群:243373977(普通群)652557418(VIP群,需一千粉丝值)
  • 重生豪门贵女

    重生豪门贵女

    她们是双生子,却一个在天一个在地妹妹因为从小体弱,得到了所有宠爱和目光,而她却只能生活在那光环的阴影之下妹妹,漂亮高贵如同最纯洁的百合,她,平凡自卑譬如野草豪门之下,她永远是被放弃的那一个…【小片段】“爸,妈,求求你们,不要赶我走,我是你们的女儿。”“哼,你不是我们的女儿,从今以后你再不是我们安家的人,就算死了也和我们安家再无任何关系。”安爸坐在沙发上冷冷说着,仿佛那个跪在地上求他的人只是一个和自己毫不相关的人。“妹妹,求你跟爸妈说不要赶我走…”安然向自己的妹妹求着,爸妈最听妹妹的话,只要妹妹开口,一定会同意的。从来都是一副柔弱静美的妹妹,却凑着她耳朵,说出来的话比父亲的更冷,“安然,你怎么不去死!”★★★再次睁眼醒来,人生竟然重来一次,这次,她要掌握自己的命运,绝不再任人践踏!!!★纯属虚构、禁止模仿
  • 穿越者的求救信

    穿越者的求救信

    这是一封穿越者的求救信。首先声明,我是本书主角,同时也是作者,我真的穿越了!我被一个自称“昊”的家伙丢到无限流世界里。并且给了我一个新手任务:让我杀一个人。除此之外,我什么都不知道,连目标是谁都暂时不清楚。但我可以写下这本小说,发到地球“起点中文网”与你们交流。简而言之,你们能帮我完成任务,并且存活下来。我需要你们的帮助。请注意:这是一个真实的故事!
  • 反穿男主有点甜

    反穿男主有点甜

    她——孤儿院里走出来的小透明,无权无势,连同门师姐都想踩上一脚,然而小透明的演艺事业却意外开挂。角色被抢?没关系,最佳新人还是我!片场被欺压?不好意思,导演又给我加戏了!谁能料到,温柔无害的小透明还有另外一副面孔?他——战功赫赫的梁国大将军,一场叛变,他由古穿今,一穷二白的“黑户”跺一跺脚,成了江城名声赫赫的骁爷。据说,荣丰的林骁,俊美而腹黑,矜贵而残忍。一个让女人前仆后继,男人退避三舍的危险人物。她和他——秦禾救了林骁一次,又一次,搞的她以为自己是英雄救美里的那个“英雄”。后来她才知道,原来自己还是里面那个“美”。秦禾跟林骁好的时候,有人劝她:“林骁这个人沾着毒,碰上了非死即伤!”骁爷勾唇邪魅一笑:“沾都沾上了,还想逃?你生是我的人,死是我的鬼,就算哪天我死了,你也别想改嫁,否则我爬也会从地狱里爬出来!”*有人说,骁爷太不解风情,要不是那一张风华绝代的脸,跟榆木疙瘩也没什么区别了!秦禾说,来,骁爷的土味情话了解一下?
  • 权谋天下:国师大人别太冷

    权谋天下:国师大人别太冷

    重生归来,脱去罗裙,洗去脂粉,一身男装,一张面具,从此天下只有公子银面韶千,再无太女帝凰羽。她为仇而活,决心无情无义,可儿时的一场相遇暗中给她牵了一条红线。霸道王爷凤惊澜,人如朝阳,熠熠发光。“遇见你之前我只想要整个世界,遇到你之后你就是我的世界。”看霸道粘人王爷如何摆平冰霜国师,在这乱世携手天下。
  • 我是睡阴师

    我是睡阴师

    那一晚,爷爷让我睡在一个棺材里,后来棺材里出现个大姐姐,她很好看……