THE NOVELIST. THE Maitlands of hickorg hall.

Saturday Advertiser, Issue 51, 1 July 1876, Page 3

THE NOVELIST. THE Maitlands of hickorg hall.

By W. F. KINNEAR. Chapter X. THE HUNTER’S CHEER. The day dawned bright and beautiful, to find our hunters already on the march through the dense primeval forest which extended for thousands of acres to the westward. The birds sang their early matins, or twittered as they flew from tree to tree. Squirrels gazed with astonishment from their lodge doors ; and from time to time, Strong, the blood hound, treed a coon. But our friends looked for nobler game, and so these meaner ones got off scot free. Young Beaver stopped suddenly. “ Hist! Deer down there ! Wait bit,” said he, moving forward. A few minutes of expectation, and the Beaver returned, and, holding up his hand, said :

“ One, two, three, four, five ! Caraboo, make surround, then shoot.”

The young men silently separated, making a rapid detour of the glade in which the deer were browsing. The signal for the successful surround was the drumming of the cock partridge ; while at the whistle of the “ Chick-a-de-de,” the ambushed party were to fire. Presently the first signal came ; a moment’s pause and the second, followed by the rapid reports of four rifles. Three of the beautiful creatures bit the dust; while the remaining two, one of whom was badly wounded, made for the forest, passing the Beaver’s station. Another shot from the Indian’s rifle brought down the unwounded deer, while Strong dashed at the wounded one, and, fastening his teeth in his throat, soon pulled him down. Then came the skinning and cutting up, when the meat and skins were hung to the branches of trees, to he carried to camp on their return. “ There will be wolves and wild cats on this ground, glade to-night; eh, Beaver p” “ Sartan ! My young brother speaks truly.” “ They are splendid skins,” said Randolph. “ Beautifully marked, are they not, Maitland ?”

“ What graceful creatures they were 1 I felt sorry to fire at them, as they daintily cropped the silken herbage ; but hunting is hunting,” said Maitland.” “ What is Strong about ? There’s something in that old tree ; look at him. Let’s go and see, Maitland.” *■ I believe there is, Oliver. Well, Beaver, what is inside ?”

The Indian carefully examined the bare stump of the tree, and pointing out claw marks here and there, said quietly, “ Old bear. Chop tree down, and get him.” The party took turn about with the axe, and soon made a large opening in the butt of the tree, into which the Beaver looked, when, withdrawing his head, he exclaimed : “ Old fellow there !”

Then, cutting down a yellow birch sappling, he carefully pointed it, forming a long sharp spear. With this weapon he again advanced to the hole, and inserting it, he drove it into the hollow butt. A spontaneous growl issued from the tree, and the spear was grasped by tooth and claw, and quickly destroyed by the bear. “ Try him another way,” said the Beaver, gathering a handful of silver birch bark, which bung in thin wavy strips from the trunk and .branches of that genus of wood. To this he added a piece of punk, and taking out the flint and steel, struck a shower of sparks into it. Ignition took place at once, and the Beaver, whirling it rapidly round his head, the spark burst into a flame. With this assistance a fire was kindled, and some pine knots having been obtained, they were

lighted and thrown into the hollow stump. The Beaver, who was listening intently, said “He is coming up ! another knot ! quick !” 'The resinous wood burned with a strong smoke, and was flung iu, and it became evident, by the smoke curling from the top, that the tree was on fire. Presently a black singed head appeared from the hollow top of the tree, and after it the body. “No shoot just now ; wait bit, me show how to kill ’ini,” said the Chief. The bear commenced his descent, coming down backwards. WRen within five feet from the ground the Beaver raised his rifle, and, firing, shot him dead, the ball entering behind the ear, passing through his head. That’s the way Ingun shoot him.” “ You’ve spoiled his skin, Beaver,” said Randolph. Pretty well singed is he not.” “ But, I say, we had better got him out of this; it’s getting rather hot,” answered Oliver. -

Dragging the bear to a respectable distance, the Beaver soon had his skin off, nose and all, while the carcase was abandoned to the beasts of the forest. Mean time the burning stump had scattered brands of fire among the dry branches and leaves at its base, and spreading out, had seized on and sprung up a lofty pine. Then, from tree to tree sprang the fire king. “ Away. away, my brothers ! the fire will be on us if we wait longer here.” Burnt leaves and sparks falling around them left no doubt of this, and the party hurriedly took up the back trail, led by the Chief. The glen where the venison was left was reached, the meat and skins packed on the sturdy shoulders of the hunters, and the back trail resumed at a quick step. “ The heavens are filled with smoke, and the sun is no more seen. My brothers must go faster,” said young Beaver, breaking into a long, springing stride, or half run. Onward, in Indian file, the party went, impelled by the roar of burning forest behind them. Birds, bears, deer, foxes, and other wild animals, dashed wildly past them to escape the fiery furnace, which was coming up at a terrible rate behind them. “My brothers must throw down the meat,” said the Chief, setting the example by casting off his load. “ Now let my brothers tighten their belts; must run for life.”

The thickening smoke came pouring down on them, and the roaring of the firey element was plainly heard. “How far is it to the camp, Beaver?’’ asked Maitland.

“ May be five mile; straight run ; fire come very fast; must go,” said the Indian, taking the lead. Then camo|a headlong race for life. Over windfalls, bounding like a panther, with wonderful sagacity tracing an almost direct course, the Indian Chief led the young men, never faltering in his headlong course, followed by bis athletic companions, “ Strong,” the bloodhound, bounding by the side of his master. After a burst of four miles, the Chief slackened his pace to a sharp walk, observing that they were free from immediate danger, and not far from camp. “ Swamp here —-fire not run fast ; must look out for bears, deer, all sorts, at river.” A few minutes brought them to the camp, where they found that Waska had thoughtfully broken up the camp, and, with Toney’s assistance, had loaded the canoes ready for embarkation. This was done at once, and pushing off, the party paddled swiftly down stream, endeavouring to gain the main branch before the fire should reach the bank of the little river they were now on. “ The fire has headed us off, Beaver; look, it’s over the ‘branch,’ we must run the gauntlet of fire. You must take Oliver in my place. Chief, and "WAska, and Toney must use the spare paddles, for we will have a fearful passage of it.” “Good! my brother is right,” said the Bearer. “ Look !” said he, pointing behind them, “ fire all around. If it should prove too hot, we can take to the water, Chief. “ Iv’e done that before, Maitland,” said Randolph. “Now, lads, save your strength for the death passage. There is a small piece of rapid water about a mile from here, and the banks are high; if we should get separated we can meet there.” A few minutes later the canoes entered the valley of smoke and flame. With desperate strength the party urged their light crafts forward, while embers and sparks fell in showers about them.

“ The worst is to come, Randolph j” look at that sheet of flame ahead !”

“Well, Maitland, we must take to the water alongside the canoe. Cover the rifles and ammunition with the robes, Toney,” and Reginald, after seeing this satisfactorily performed, divesting himself of his upper garments, slipped quietly into the stream, followed by Randolph and Toney. Swimming silently alongside the canoe, our party managed to get enough of fresh air to enable them to sustain life, while they easily guided the canoe. More than once they found themselves in company with the timid deer, now so subdued by fear as to become quite tame. Little or no conversation passed between them as they swam on, until at length Reginald, turning to Randolph, said—“We are coming to the rapids. I-can feel the force of the current; we must emr deavour to keep under the right bank, where the water is deep and there are no rocks.

The draw of the stream'is off us. 1 Keep her away, Randolph—that’s it; we’re in the head of them.'’ Now, be cool and steady, it will be over in a minute.” Borne swiftly onward, the adventurers glided down the rapids, and,('emerging ;at their foot, they continued their onward journey. ; “ The smoke is not so dense here, Maitland ; I think we might venture to get into the canoe.” “ I agree with you, Randolph, I will go first.” The party were soon in the canoe again. The rendevous was soon gained, where they had the satisfaction of finding the rest of the party in safety. After a hearty meal the hunters resumed their journey, and in a few hours passed into the main river beyond the belt of fire, and pressing onwards reached the upper camp, where they had stayed two nights before. Here the camp was again formed, and the party gladly rested, thoroughly fatigued by the toils and dangers of the day.

(To be continued.)