The Kentucky Trace by Harriette Simpson Arnow

Author:Harriette Simpson Arnow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Michigan State University Press

12

LITTLE BROTHER RODE CLEO AS IF THEY'D BEEN RAISED TOGETHER. Scorning Leslie's offer of bridle and saddle, he rode bareback with a braided thong to serve as bridle. Daniel gave many Gha's of wonder as he rode up to the saltpeter works and dismounted.

They took only time enough over dinner for Daniel to discuss his plan with Leslie. First, he was taking along plenty of food for supper, and breakfast too, if need be. Buffalo in these parts had been hunted so hard they'd run from the smell of smoke; they knew it meant men or the woods on fire.

He thought he knew the place; up the big creek and over into the next valley four or five miles was one of the finest canebrakes in the country. Used to be buffalo had always fed there, not just for the fine cane, but because there was a salt lick down near the creek about a mile or so from the canebrake. He thought the best thing to do was camp for the night fairly close to the salt lick, but not too close; otherwise the buffalo might take notice. In any case they ought to be on the hunt by first light. If the buffalo didn't come to the lick, they'd have to sneak up to the canebrake and wait above it. A man ought never to go into high cane after buffalo.

The way up the big creek was easy, the rested horses going at a good clip. Daniel might take command of the hunt, but Little Brother led the way on Cleo. Jealous-hearted Kate vented her anger at being forced to follow with all the mean tricks she knew.

Leslie was chary of soothing words. He liked the trip no more than Kate. He thought of a canebrake down the Cumberland near French Lick when he'd been there a few years back; a man could walk through that big canebrake and never touch foot to the ground; he walked on buffalo skulls and bones left by French hunters who'd killed thousands for their tongues and tallow to ship to New Orleans. Now there were no buffalo left for the hungry settlers.

Kate quieted when Little Brother turned from the big creek into a small rocky-bottomed branch bordered by steep tree-covered hillsides below rock walls. There was no place for a horse to walk except in the water over slick rocks that now and then broke off to start higher, like stair steps. Leslie reckoned the sun never shone into his gulch; not much past noon on a sunny day, but still so dark the horses couldn't see where to put their feet under the clear water, and were cautious at being guided. Kate walked as close to Cleo as possible, not with the hope of getting ahead, but for comfort. She was afraid, poor girl.

It seemed they had climbed a long way when up ahead he saw the sky instead of rock walls above the trees. Daniel spoke behind him: “Soon as we come to that water gap up ahead, halt the brave.

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