Frontier Sketches (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...a sudden the "broot baste" set up a series of its wild, mournful cries, in the same place on the bluff above the stable. They had not heard it there for several nights; and Robert had not yet mentioned the creature's doings to Young John. On hearing the sounds, the Indian started and listened for a moment most intently, while Robert and Jennie exchanged meaning glances. But Young John's next move surprised them; for after listening for a moment or two, the Indian gave a most expressive guttural grant of mixed astonishment and satisfaction, then abruptly strode to the door, threw it open, and placing two fingers between his lips, blew a shrill, earpiercing whistle. The howlings stopped. He repeated the whistle, then stalked out into the darkness. Robert and Jennie followed him to the door, and peered out curiously. It was light enough for them to see the Indian, as he stopped near the corner of the stable; and then they saw a strange, shadowy creature come bounding down the hill and throw itself on the ground, with pitiful whines, at Young John's feet. He stooped over and seemed to be petting it, and talking to it in the Winnebago tongue, for a few seconds. Then he came back to the house; and the creature followed whining and leaping at his heels, until he had nearly reached the door, when it slunk quickly away out of sight again. Robert and his wife were quite prepared for Young John's announcement, as he came up to the door. "Me dog," he said. "Me lose um las' spling clossin' liver. Him heap 'fraid white man's." He made no further comment, and his hearers said nothing. They remembered perfectly well the shy, large, gaunt, grizzled wolf-dog which had always been with him, and had always refused to come near the...