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Tanzimat Servet I Fünun Ve Fecr I Ati Dönemlerinden Özgün Psikoportreler 1st Edition Erdal Altun Full Chapter Download PDF
Tanzimat Servet I Fünun Ve Fecr I Ati Dönemlerinden Özgün Psikoportreler 1st Edition Erdal Altun Full Chapter Download PDF
Tanzimat Servet I Fünun Ve Fecr I Ati Dönemlerinden Özgün Psikoportreler 1st Edition Erdal Altun Full Chapter Download PDF
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Tanzimat, Servet-i Fünun,
Fecr-i Ati Dõnemlerinden
••
Ozgün
Psikoportreler
Erdal Altun
©copyright
Bu kitabm yaym hakk1 yaymevimize aittir. Kaynak gosterilmeden almt1
yapilamaz, izin almmadan hiçbir �ekilde çogaltzlamaz.
Tanzimat, Servet-i Fünun,
Fecr-i Ati Dõnemlerinden
Õzgün
Psikoportreler
Erdal Altun
. '
Fik1r • Sa .. at
Erdal Altun
6
yakm gõrdügü, ilginç buldugu, tammak istedigi �air ve ya
zarlann eserlerini okuduklanm gõrdüm.
7
ve yazarlann psikoloj ilerini okuyanlar, onlann eserlerini
anlamakta ve yorumlamakta daha ba�anh olacakttr. Zira
eserler, sanatçtlann hayatlanmn bir ürünüdür.
8
en dogru olan, sanatçtlann da bir insan oldugunu gõz õnünde
bulundurarak onlan günah1yla sevab1yla anlatabilmektir.
�air ve yazarlann çogu, sevenleri veya sevmeyenleri gibi
davranmam1�, kendilerini, ya�ad1klanm �a�1rt1c1 bir cesaret
ve aç1khkla anlatm1�ttr
9
lerine yans1mas1, eserlerinin yazilma süreçleri ve sebepleri
çok daha iyi anla�ilacaktir. Psikoportreler bunlann yamnda
onlarm ya�ad1klan sosyal, siyasal, kültürel çevrelere; sosyo
loj ik ve tarihsel olaylara da i�1k tutacaktir. Psikoportreler bu
sõylediklerim dikkate almarak okunursa okura hakiki an
lamda bir katk1 sunacaktir.
*Bu eser, M illi E debiyat Dõne mi' nden Elit Psikoportreler adh
kitabm devam1 oldugu için buradaki õz sõz, birkaç degi�iklik yap1-
larak almm1�tlr.
Erdal Altun
15.10.2019
Tuzla /i stanbul
10
Sair ve Yazar Psikolojisine Psikanalitik Yakla�1m*
12
sonra psikoloj isinde ciddi dalgalanrnalar olursa sanatç1da da
eser yazmadan õnce ve yazd1ktan sonra bunlara benzer degi
�imler gõrülür. Bazen bu ruhsal dalgalanmalar uzun süreli ya
da kahc1 olabilmektedir. Bunlan sõylerken �unu da hemen
belirtelim ki s anatçilann tamarmm psikoloj ik sorunlu birey
ler olarak gõnnek dogru degildir. Bazilan psikoloj ik rahat
s1zhklann belirtilerini geçici olarak ta�1maktad rrlar. Bazila
nnm ise gerçekten de psikolojik sorunlan bulunrnaktadrr.
Freud, bütün bunlarm yanmda yazar ve �airleri gõkyüzü ile
yeryüzü arasmda diger s1radan insanlann bilmedigi pek çok
�eyi bilebildiklerini, gõrebildiklerini ve yazabildiklerin i sõy
lemi�tir. Alfred Adler de aym kanaati ta�1maktadrr. Ünlü
Alrnan �air Goethe ise �airlerin, esinlenrne gücüne sahip
oldugu için ba�kalanmn duyup da aç1klayamad1g1, büyük ac 1
ve sevinçleri dile getirdigine inanmaktadir.
13
Portre Y azdarma Dair*
14
oldugu gibi yazabilme iradesini gõstermek laz1m. Aynca
portresi yazilacak ki�iyi atleta iliklerine kadar tammak, bir
nevi onun karakterinin fotografm1 çekmek gerekir. Yazar,
portreyi meydana getirebilmek için kendi dü�üncelerini de
katabilir. Bu kriterler dü�ünüldügünde portre yaz1lanmn
obj ektif olmas1m beklemek dogru olmaz. Türk edebiyatmda
portre yaztlanyla tanman birçok �air yazar bulunuyor. Yahya
Kemal, Yakup Kadri, Yusuf Ziya Ortaç, Hakk1 Süha Gezgin,
Haldun Taner, Cemal Süreya, Orhan Okay ve Be�ir Ayva
zoglu bunlardan bazilandIT.
15
Her Devrin Hedonist �airi: Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan
16
bu gõrü�ü dogrularcasma konu�uyordu: "Bense tarih yaz1yo
rum fakat uyup ve zünubumla tarihe geçmek istiyorum.
Bundan ba�ka o hatirat içinde en çok kendimi gõrmek iste
digimi de bilmelidirler. Yaztlanm bana benden yadigârdtr."2
17
hayatm1, "Hamit Bey, hayatta çok �ey degil, üç �ey çekti:
Buldukça ak�amlan mey, sineye dilber, hazineden para."4
diyerek õzetliyordu. Hamit küçükken zalim yaramazhklar
yaparak etrafmdakilere eziyet ederdi. Kaprisli ve mükemme
liyetçi bir ki�iydi . Bebek'teki evlerinde sabahlara kadar dost
lanyla satranç oynard1. Hamit' in askerlige dü�künlügü vard1
yalmz bu sadece askerlige ait oyuncaklan toplamaktan ibare
ti .
18
yaptlg1 ni�am att1. Ardmdan henüz on üç ya�mdaki Fatma
Hamm' la 1 874'te evlendi. Hamit, Fatma Hamm' a tutkulu bir
a�kla bagland1: "Beraber gezerken dü�ecek diye tutacak
oluyordum. Uyurken bir ak�am uyanmayacak, õlecek gibi
duruyordu. Güldügü zaman güzelligi uçacak samyordum. "5
19
O da "Dünyaya kaztk m1 çakacakttm." diyerek pek ald1rma
d1gm1 gõsteren bir cevap verdi. Lüsyen Hamm, biraz daha
üsteleyince Hamit, alayh bir dille " Lüzümundan fazla zen
dostmu�um." demek zorunda kald1.
hak Molla, evliliklerini bir iki saat veya bir iki gün sürdüre
bildi. Bu evliliklerin bu kadar k1sa süreli olmasmda Abdül
hak Molla'nm inatç1, huçm ve geçimsiz biri olmas1 çok etki
liydi. Abdülhak Hamit, "Bende etmi� onun hayatt de
vam/Ona yahut ben olmu�um mülhak." diyerek kendisinin,
dedesine benzedigini sõyledi. 9 "Dedemiz Abdülhak Molla da
benim gibi huçm ve geçimsiz bir ihtiyarm1�. Ben dokuzuncu
neneden olmay1m. i �ledigim günahlar hep kadmlar âlemle
rinde i�lenmi�tir. Bizde ' Â �1k1 olmayan dilber, hastas1 olma
yan doktor gibidir. "' 1 0 Çapkmhk da �airlik ve bol luk içinde
ya�ama arzusu gibi atalarmdan ona geçmi�ti. 1 1 Abdülhak
Molla dokuzuncu evliligini Hasenetullah Hamm ' la yapm1�tl.
Bu hamm, Ahmet Vefik Pa�a' nm halas1yd1. Kendisinin Rum
kõkenli oldugu sõylendi. Abdülhak Hamit de bu Rumlugu
inkâr etmedi. Fakat Hasenetullah Hamm' m sadece annesinin
Rumca bildiginden hareketle onlann Adalar'dan gelmi� ola
bileceklerini, dü�ündü. Bunlann yamn da Hasenetullah Ha
mm' m, soyunun eski Türk tarhanlan nesline dayand1gm1
sõyleyenler de vardu. 1 2
9 ihsan Safi, Altm Suyuna Batmlm1� Bir Hayat Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan, s. 32.
10 Lüsyen, s. 21.
1 1 inci Enginün, Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan, s. 9.
1 2 ihsan Safi, Altm Suyu na Batmlm1� Bir H ayat Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan, s. 36.
20
Fatma Hamm Veremden Õldü
Abdülhak Hamit, Berlin'e gitmeyince llk õnce Rusya Po
ti, ardmdan da Yunanistan Golos Ba��ehbendirligine gõnde
rildi . 1 883 yazmda Golos'tan aynhrken e�i Fatma Hamm
vereme yakaland1. Annesini ve babas1m, daha dünyaya gel
meden kaybeden Fatma Hamm' 1 hayatm talihsizlikleri bir
türlü pe�ini blfakmad1. i stanbul ' da kõ�kte oturduklan slfa
larda saranp solmaya ba�lad1 . Hasta olmasma ragmen Ha
mit' in tayini nedeniyle Hindistan'm Bombay �ehrine gitti .
Hastahk burada daha fazia kendini hissettirdi : " 1 885 senesi
�ubatmda bir pazar günü ak�amüstü zevc ve zevce bermutat
arabayla gezmeye gitmi"'tik. Eve avdetimizde yemek haz1r
oldugundan sofraya oturur oturmaz daha bir lokma yemeden
refikam bay1ld1. Hemen yataga gõtürdük. Kim bilir ne ol
mu"'tu. Ertesi gün hekimlerden haber ald1k. Verem üçüncü
dereceye girmi"'ti." 1 3 Durumun aciliyeti Nezarete bildirildik
ten sonra Beyrut 'ta dogru yola ç1ktilar. Vapurdayken Fatma
Hamm ' da iyile"'me emareleri gõrüldü. Fakat bu geçici bir
�ydi. Vapur Beyrut'a vard1gmda onlan Hamit'in karde"'i
Beyrut Mutasamft Nasuhi Bey ' in e"'i Feride Hamm kar"'da
d1. Burada Fatma Hamm'm nefes darhklan artm1�tt. "Eger
bu hâl geçmezse ben yirmi dõrt saatten fazia ya"'ayamam.
Yann siz de kurtulur ve art1k bahtiyar olursunuz." 1 4 demi"'ti .
Hamit, bu sõzün akhndan hiç ç1kmad1gm1 sõylüyordu. Fat
ma Hamm'm durumundan Beyrut'taki doktorlar da ümidi
kesmi �ti ler. Fatma Hamm'a son anlannda her nedense �am
panya ve konyak verdiler. Fatma Hamm da çok �a"'1rm1�
olacak ki "Huzur-1 ilahiye sarho� olarak m1 gidilecek." 1 5
21
diye sõylendi. Hamit õmrünün en siyah gecesini ya�1yordu.
Fatma Hamm çektigi acilanndan kurtularak ertesi gün 2 1
Nisan 1 88 5 ' te toprakla bulu�tu. Manen intihar ettigini sõyle
yen Hamit, e�inin kabrinden ald1g1 toprag1 y1llarca saklaya
cakt1. Õ lümünden kITk gün sonra me�hur �iiri Makber' i ya
zarak duydugu elemi yaz1ya dõktü. Hamit' in Fatma Ha
mm'dan Abdülhak Hüseyin ve Hamide admda iki çocugu
oldu.
16
Lüsyen, s. 50.
1 7 Ergun Gõze, Gõzü mle ve Gõnlümle Tamd1klanm, s. 168.
22
Nelly Cleaver'i Hasta Yatagmdayken AldattI
Hamit 1 886 'da Londra Elçiligi Ba�kâtipligine atandi.
Ancak 1 888 Zeynep adh eseri sakmcah bulundugu için gõ
revinden aynldi. Dostlarmm araya girmesiyle tekrar elçilik
gõrevine dõndü. Ya�am1 kadmlar etrafmda �ekillenen Hamit,
1 890 'da atand1gmda kadm aray1�ma girdi. Çok zaman geç
meden de kadmt buldu. Bir otelin yemek salonunda tam�tt
onunla. Adt Nelly Cleaver idi. Fatma Hamm' a çok benzi
yordu. Bu nedenle olsa gerek ona olan ilgisi çok fazlaydt.
Nelly yirmi, kendisi otuz sekiz ya�mdaydi. 1 890' da yapttkla
n evlilik yirmi y1l sürdü. Nelly de Fatma Hamm gibi bir
18
inci Enginün, Abdülhak Hamit Tarhan, s. 38
23
sanki taliim bir kara kedi oluyor fakat geçmiyor. istiyor ki
ben geçeyim."19 Hamit bu duygular içerisinde ya�arken e�i
Nelly, hastanede akciger veremiyle pençele�iyordu. Hamit
1911 Subatmda e�ini hastanede ziyarete gitti. Bu son ziyareti
oldu. Nelly, Hamit'in kollannda bu dünya yolculuguna son
verdi. Nelly, Hamit'in, kendisini hasta yatagmdayken aldat
masma çok üzülmü�tü. Bu üzüntü hastahgmm ilerlemesine
sebep olmu�tu. Hamit, e�inin son anlarmda kendisini affet
tirmek için çok çabalad1, zor bela da olsa kendisini affettir
meyi ba�ardi.
24
yen; ingilizce, Almanca, italyanca'y1 bilmesi ve zekâs1yla
da Hamit'in takdirini kazanm1�tt. Becerikliydi. Tarihe, mito
lojiye ve dinler tarihine merakhyd1. Lüsyen'in bu ihtiyar
delikanh ile yakmla�masm1 duyan ailesi, huna �iddetle kar�1
ç1kt1. Çünkü kendileri koyu bir Katolik, Hamit ise bir Müs
lüman'd1. Ancak Lüsyen, Hamit'ten gelen teklifi kabul ede
rek onunla 6 May1s 1912'de Londra'da evlendi. Hamit, daha
õnceki e�inin kendisine sad1k olmasmdan ne ilginçtir ki
�ikâyet ediyordu. Lüsyen ise bütün dikkatleri üzerine çekebi
liyordu. Hamit bundan son derece bahtiyard1. " istiyordum
ki kocasm1 seven bu kadm bir ba�kasm1 da sevmeyi becere
bilsin. "21 Hamit, Lüsyen'e, evlenmeden õnce eger kendisin
den daha uygun biri ç1karsa onunla evlenmesine müsaade
edecegini sõylemi�ti.
Hamit Alkolikti
Abdülhak Hamit gün boyunca çah�ttktan sonra geceleri
d1�an ç1k1p sabaha ka�1 eve geliyordu. Bu hâl Lüsyen'i bir
hayli endi�elendiriyordu. Hamit ondan bir �eyler sakhyordu.
Fakat Lüsyen bu evden kaç1�lann sebebini õgrenmekte ge
cikmedi. Hamit için hayatta iki dost vard1. Bunlar içki ve
kadmd1. Hamit �imdi bir dostuyla yani içkiyle beraberdi,
sabahlara kadar içiyordu: " O cephesini ihtimamla saklamak,
titizlikle gizlenmek, kaybolmak. Bir zaman bunda muvaffak
oldu fakat heyhat bir �am felaket, �im�ek gibi gõzlerimin
õnünde aydmland1. Bir darbede korkunç hakikat kendini
gõsterdi. Korktuklanm içinde bundan beter olamaz sand1m.
Vurulmu�a dõndüm. Ya Rabb'i elimi ayag1m1 baglay1p beni
kime teslim etmi�sin? Astl Abdühak Hamit hangisi? Güzel
21
Lüsyen, s. 26.
25
gündüz saatlerinin ideal arkada�1 m1 yoksa her gece uyanan
bu zincirinden bo�anm1� canavar m1?" 22
22
i hsan Safi, Lüsyen Tarhan'm Hatirala ri, s. 41.
23 Lüsyen, s . 38.
24
Lüsyen, s. 38, 39.
26
kavrad1 ve bana dõnerek h1�1mla sordu: ' Bu baston kimin?
Sõyle, bu baston kimin? ' 'Ne bileyim? Sizi ziyarete gelen
lerden birinin unutup gittigi bir baston olacak. ' demek iste
dim fakat Beyefendi sõz dinleyecek hâlde degildi. "25
27
kostümümle bir fotografçmm ônünde Sairi Azam pozunu
almak hevesini verecekti. O tarihte on alt1 ya�1mda ya var ya
yoktum ve modelim olan ha�metli ihtiyarla ancak sekiz y1l
sonra kar�I kar�1ya gelecektim. Yalmz kar�1 kar�1ya gelmek
mi? Hatta bir grup hayranlan arasmda onunla birlikte resim
çektirmek �erefine erecektim."27 Fakat Yakup Kadri onunla
tam�hktan sonra sekiz y1l ônce fotografta gôrdügü adamdan
eser kalmad1gm1 gôrünce hayal kmkhgma ugrad1gm1 sôyle
yecekti. Kimilerine gôre Hamit'in ulu ve etkileyici bir sesi
vard1. Hâlbuki Hamit iyi bir hatip olmad1g1 gibi bir parça
kekeleyerek ve bir ôgrenci s1k1lganhg1yla konu�urdu. Bazen
kendisine konu�ma suas1 gelince õnceden haz1rlanm1� bir
metni yanmdaki birine okuttururdu.
28
türlü eglence ve gezip tozma zevkinden mahrum kalm1�tl.
Beyoglu' na ah�veri�e ç1kmak istedigi zaman yanma iki çar
�afh kadm veriliyordu. Bu adet ona garip geliyordu. Ôrtün
meyi de zaten reddetmi�ti. Hamit de bu davram�m1 makul
gõrmü�tü. Ancak gayrimüslim esnafm bile çar�afh kadmlara
hürmet etmesi, Lüsyen' i bu õrtünmeme fikrini degi�tirdi.
Lüsyen de sayg1 gõrmek için çar�1ya ç1karken bir müddet de
olsa çar�af giymeye ba�lam1�tl.
29
geliyor."29 Abdülhak Hamit' in Beyoglu gibi hareketli bir
yerde oturmak istemesindeki maksatlanndan biri gece haya
tma olan dü�künlügü idi. Yakup Kadri s1k s1k gittigi Tepeba
�1 'ndaki Garden Barda Hamit'i âlem yaparken gõrüyodu:
" Ô nce yanma yakla�maya cesaret edemeyerek uzaktan sey
rine dalard1k: Sairiazam . . . bak1�lanm durmadan bar k1zlan
nm üzerinde dola�ttrmaktadir. Hemen hepsi Fransa' dan geti
rilmi� o k1zlar birbirinden güzel gõrünürdü bize. Ama bunlar
arasmda Mariette admda bir dansõz vard1 ki gerek sahnede
oynarken gerek ortada dola�irken yüregimiz agz1m1za gelir
gibi olurdu ve uzaktan bakttg1m1z zaman Hamit'in en ziyade
onunla ilgilendigini sezerdik. Bu yüzden Mariette ' in degeri
gõzümüzde bir kat artardt . Bir gece ne yap1p edip ve hepimi
zin cebinde ne varsa bir araya getirip onu masam1za çagir
mak cüretinde bulunduktu. Fakat k1zcag1z bizim yamm1za
gelmek üzere kmta kmta yürürken bir de ne gõrdüktü ! Ha
mit Bey'in masas1 õnünde duraklaytp kalmasm m1? Hamit
Bey oturdugu yerden ona bir �eyler sõylüyor, o da ' Ben �u
masaya angaj eyim. ' demek ister gibi eliyle bizim taraft gõs
teriyordu. Sairiazam monoklunu taktt, Mariette' i bileginden
tutmu� olarak uzun uzad1ya bulundugumuz noktaya bakt1 .
Bizi gõrdü mü gõrmedi mi? Gõrdü ise tamdt m1 tammad1
m1? Bilmiyorum. Tammam1� olacak ki bizi hiçe sayarak
bileginden tuttugu ktzt çekip yamna oturtmu� ya da tammt�
olacak ki biraz sonra Garden Bar'm ba�garsonunu gõnderip
bizi masasma davet etmi�ti. Herhalde bu hadise õyle kan�tk
bir durum yaratm1�tt ki hepimiz �a�1rm1� ve birer som
nambül �uursuzlugu içinde üstadm masasma gitmi�tik. Ü ç
ki�iydik ve Mariette' le birlikte o saçh sakalh muhte�em ihti
yann çevresinde herkesin dikkatini çeken acayip bir daire
30
te�kil etmi�tik. Ona k1zm1, ogul ve torunlanm etrafmda top
lam1� bir baba, bir büyükbaba, bize de aile reisinin sofrasm
da oturan çocuklar denilemezdi. Kald1 ki o anda Hamit Be
yefendi tam manas1yla sarho�tu ve bizimle mükalemesi ilk
andan itibaren o kadar yarence, Mariette' e kar�1 davram�lan
o kadar laubali bir �ekil alm1�tl ki gõrünü�ümüze türlü türlü
�üphe uyandmc1 manalar verilebilirdi. Sairiazam iki de bir
kadehini kaldmp bizimle toka ediyor ve her yudum içkiden
sonra Mariette'in �urasma burasma õpücükler konduruyor
du. Sonra bize dõnüp ' Bu, mezelerin en tathsl. Flfsat1 ka
ç1rmaym, siz de õpün bu nadide mahluku. ' diyordu. Ônceleri
utanc1m1zdan yerin dibine geçeyazd1k. Fakat yava� yava� biz
de aç1lmaya ba�lad1k. Kâh Sairiazam' la �akala�1yor kâh
onun tavsiyesini yerine getirmek te�ebbüslerinde bulunuyor
duk. Ama dogrusunu sõylemek laz1m gelirse bu te�ebbüsle
rimiz daima yanda kahyordu. Zira Mariette hep onun kollan
arasmda idi ve ensesinde, gerdanmda, kulaklannm ardmda,
hatta dudaklannda bo� blfaktlg1 nokta kalm1yordu . . .
31
m1� be�lik bir adamdan kaplan diye bahsedi�inin . . . delikan
hhk gururumuza ne kadar dokunmu� oldugunu burada aç1k
lamaya hacet yoktur samnm. " 3º
32
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CHAPTER V.
THE GORGE DECOY.
The Indian village was about six miles distant, and stood on a high
bluff overlooking the Detroit river. A jut from the rocky bluff extended
some fifty feet into the stream at this point. At the angle thus formed
was a gloomy subterranean passage, through which the water
flowed with a sullen roar. Far within, the channel made an abrupt
turn, gliding past a recess in the rocks large enough to contain a
dozen men. Thence was a devious, rough passage communicating
with the shore.
This was Goodbrand’s destination with the canoe and men. Once
within, they could watch the village, and be able to penetrate to its
very center at short notice.
The Indians did not know of this subterranean chamber, and of the
subterranean passage they held a tradition that it was the abode of
an evil spirit, and never entered it. This fact was well known to
several rangers who had explored the passage, and now its
existence seemed most favorable to their undertaking.
Scarred Eagle and Mace pressed forward as fast as possible. They
hoped to reach the village and by some stratagem release Brom Vail
before daylight. The chance seemed favorable. Many of the warriors
were absent at the siege of the fort, and of those not so employed,
they had reason to believe a good portion were at that moment
hovering about the gorge.
The two men were more than two-thirds of the distance to the Indian
village, when suddenly Scarred Eagle, who was in advance, put
back his hand and came to a dead halt.
“What is it?” whispered Ben Mace.
The other did not answer at once. With his body bent forward he was
listening intently; and now, through the gloomy, solemn aisles, Mace
detects sounds telling that lurkers are ahead.
“Kin it be thet some o’ the reds have come in another direction from
the gorge? If so—”
“No, Mace, ’tain’t it. I don’t b’lieve I’m deceived in thinkin’ these
ahead is them that ar’ takin’ the dead an’ wounded to the village.
They hev ter move slow, an’ that’s why we’ve overtook ’em.”
“What’s ter be done? Ef we wait ter foller ’em—”
He was interrupted by Rhodan’s grasping his arm, and for a moment
or two they almost held their breaths. Both entertained the same
suspicions now, and were waiting to see if these would be verified.
They did not remain long in doubt. The fact that the party ahead had
begun to move on again, making considerable noise, did not deceive
the scouts. They were almost sure some of the party had turned
back, evidently suspicious of being followed.
It was easy for the rangers to evade these. But they wished to do
more. The evident suspicion in the mind of the Indians, that a white
foe had been secretly dogging their steps, must be dispelled;
otherwise an attempt to enter the village unperceived, would be
worse than useless.
“They’ve heerd sunthin’ thet makes ’em suspicious,” said Scarred
Eagle. “They must go on, satisfied ’twas a panther on thar tracks
scentin’ the blood of the wounded warriors. Come in here, where the
darkness is thicker.”
They moved to the left, keeping a yard or two apart, and taking steps
which might indeed be mistaken for those of the animal named.
Under a dense foliage they halted, and then a purring sound broke
out through the stillness. As the slight echoes ceased, an almost
imperceptible stir was heard not far ahead; but this as suddenly
ceased, and all became silent again. It was evident the fellow had
not entirely taken the bait.
Scarred Eagle and Mace now dropped upon all-fours and stole
forward, imitating the stealthy advance of a panther.
Suddenly the silence was again broken by a cry that caused startling
echoes around. These had scarcely died away when the sound of
feet was heard retreating rapidly toward the Indian camp. The ruse
had succeeded.
“What now, Rhodan?” said Mace, as they rose.
“Foller ’em up,” was the brief reply.
“We mout flank past ’em.”
“’Twould be no use. We’d lose as much as we’d gain.”
“’Tain’t an hour to daylight now.”
“I know; but ’twon’t do to resk diskivery yit!” said Scarred Eagle, with
a tremor in his voice. “We must fust git into camp, an’ try to find
where Brom, ef he’s alive, is confined. Then—’ll come the resk.”
“Goodbrand an’ the rest must be at the jut afore this.”
“They won’t move ’ithout a good reason till they hear something of
us. Not till the last minnit must we signal an attack—not till t’other
plan fails.”
The two were stealing forward again, keeping as near to the
retreating Indians as possible without danger of discovery.
“Thar’ll be a powwow when these ’uns git in with thar burdens,” said
Mace. “It’ll rouse the hull nest.”
“It’ll be the more in our favor,” said the other. “We must keep a sharp
watch for the Indian girl.”
In a few minutes they noticed that it began to be lighter ahead, and
they were very near the open bluff on which stood the village.
Pushing forward, they soon saw the Indians before them, as the
latter emerged upon the bluff. As these disappeared, the trailers
pressed on; the more hastily, as a sound began to break on their
ears, denoting some unusual commotion in the village.
A moment or two later, and they were peering into the camp. The
inmates were not only astir, but seemed greatly excited. It was not all
caused by the approach of those bearing the dead and wounded, for
even as the scouts looked, these last were discovered and greeted
with howls of sorrow.
“What kin it mean, Scarred Eagle?”
“Let’s git nearer and see. Thar’s a good chance now.”
They began to glide forward, on hand and knee, directing their
course so as to gain the rear of a row of rude huts. Meantime, the
excitement among the warriors seemed to increase, and yells, fierce
and angry, were mingled with the cries of grief. The two men were
about twenty yards from the edge of the woods, when they raised
partly up beside a stump, and obtained a better view of the excited
throng. To their surprise, they saw that not less than fifty warriors
were present, nearly a score of whom were clustered upon the bank
of the river, just above the angle formed by the jut.
“Thar!” exclaimed Mace. “The story’s told. Thar’s more o’ the hellions
here than we thought, an’ the wust on’t is they’ve suspicted
Goodbrand’s party, an’ ar’ watchin’ the rocks!”
“I see!” said Scarred Eagle, uneasily. “It’s an unfortunit thing for all.
But, I’ll try ter find the boy if my life pays for the attempt. Seems ter
me the Injun gal—ha, look there! It’s her, as I live!”
A number of the Indians were hurrying a captive, who had been in
their midst, toward one of the huts. The glow of starlight over the
open bluff enabled the lurking men to identify the captive as
Moorooine. They knew her by occasionally hearing her name
pronounced, coupled with angry maledictions. She was bound hand
and foot, and thrust into one of the huts, as though she had been a
brute.
“The brave gal’s been catched in tryin’ to do sunthin’ for Brom,” said
Rhodan. “He’s in one o’ the huts above, where they’ve put her in,
likely. I judge so, ’cos two o’ the imps seem ter be watchin’ it close.
No doubt the boy’s well tied; but since his release hez been
ondertook, they mean ter make sure on ’im. Thar’s one apiece for us
to work for, now, Ben Mace, an’ no hope thet any o’ the rest ’ll git a
chance ter help us. Be ye ready?”
“Lead on!”
They again crept forward, and soon found themselves in the rear of
the line of huts. They could hear the tread of feet, and the jabber of
excited voices, all making a confusion most favorable to their
purpose. Not ten feet lay between them and the hut into which had
been thrust the Indian girl, when an Indian was dimly seen, coming
from the opposite space toward them.
They lay as close to the ground as possible. The savage came on,
and the concealed men saw that another followed. Both halted so
near, that they might not only have touched the lurking whites, but
have seen them by a chance look-down. One lightning glance on the
part of the scouts, revealed the odious face of the wretch, Hulet!
“Now, speak,” said the Indian to the renegade. “What has Sly Hate to
say that he has not said?”
“This, Heavy Sleep,” replied the other, speaking so as to be heard
above the confusion around. “The waters are deep where they pass
under the rocks. The roar makes your people afraid.”
“Ugh!” muttered Heavy Sleep, shaking his head. “A bad Manitou
keeps council there. What mean?”
“I know a secret about the place, which I learnt from our white
enemies by stealth. I will tell you what it is, and then—ha, what, ho!”
By accident the wretch cast his eye down, and noted a dark
crouching figure. The next moment it sprung up like lightning, and a
knife was buried to the hilt in Hulet’s breast! Heavy Sleep, with a
ringing yell, sprung upon Mace, who met him with the same bloody
weapon which had sent the renegade to death. The Indian avoided
the thrust, however; but before he could seize his adversary, the
hatchet of Scarred Eagle crashed through his brain!
“Come!” cried Mace, hoarsely, and he had just turned to flee, as a
bevy of Indians burst through between the huts, who, uttering their
alarm-cries, sprung after him. In an instant pursued and pursuers
were off like the wind.
Scarred Eagle had hesitated a moment too long. Notwithstanding the
danger, he could not bring himself to flee. A sudden wild hope, that
the confusion might enable him to yet rescue his boy, determined
him. And just before the aroused warriors darted from the front in
pursuit of Mace, he threw himself flat to the ground close beside the
hut.
The excitement and alarm that now prevailed may be imagined. Half
a dozen times, in as many seconds, Scarred Eagle was upon the
point of springing up, as he imagined he was discovered. Some of
the reds, not in pursuit of Mace, almost trod upon him, as they
huddled around the bodies of Heavy Sleep and Hulet. In a few
moments the victims were carried around to the front, and, watching
his opportunity Scarred Eagle nestled more closely to the rear side
of the hut. Then, hastily making an aperture, he peered in, and saw
the captive Indian girl tightly bound and alone. Something more than
a desire to communicate with her caused him to squeeze under the
rude tent-cloth and enter. There was a pile of skins in the nearest
corner, under which he might secrete himself, and he lost no time in
doing so.
The rush of feet from the river convinced him how narrow had been
his escape thus far. The spot where the victims had fallen was again
crowded, amid a perfect tornado of howls and imprecations. Seeing
there were no warriors about the door, he spoke to the Indian girl,
who seemed unaware of his presence. His voice reached her, and
with a painful effort she raised her head and recognized him.
“White Fox got away, but drown in river,” she said, faintly. “Me no
care for to live now! Hide down quick—some comin’.”
Scarred Eagle crouched under the skins, keeping his weapons
ready. His quick mind had its own theory in regard to Brom’s death.
Some of the terribly-enraged warriors, evidently well aware of some
part taken by the girl in regard to Brom, came forward, their eyes
glaring like a hyena’s. But at this moment three ringing rifle-reports
came from the forest causing them to rush out tumultuously.
CHAPTER VII.
THE HEART OF LOVE.
Scarred Eagle well knew whence the shots came. The moment
the Indians rushed from the lodge he glided from beneath the pile of
skins, and quickly freed the limbs of Moorooine.
“Courage, girl,” he whispered. “I b’l’eve Brom’s saved. We must git
out o’ this afore they come back!”
As he spoke he sprung from her side, and peering out saw the
Indians yet rushing pell-mell toward the high bank of the river.
“Now’s our time—come!” he added, turning to the Indian girl.
She had started to her feet, filled with a new strength at the thought
that Brom was saved and her own escape probable. But as Rhodan
was about to glide out he caught a glimpse of a figure moving up
from the left of the entrance. There was no time to ensconce himself
under the pile of skins. Instead, he crouched close to the side of the
lodge, and Moorooine sunk back to her former attitude.
They had barely time to do this when a savage entered hastily and
stood beside the girl.
“Sporting Fawn too young to die,” he said. “If come to my lodge an’
be my squaw, take ’er dar now in canoe. Mus’ come quick!”
As he spoke he drew his knife, and bent low to cut her bonds. The
sudden discovery that these were no longer upon her caused the
fellow to straighten up in astonishment. He had no time to question
her or even to glance around. A quick, powerful blow from behind
laid him senseless. Moorooine again sprung to her feet, and the next
moment was gliding across to the opposite row of huts after Scarred
Eagle. The moment they were behind these they turned toward the
north. But they had not gone more than twenty yards when, amid the
general noise of alarm, they heard the ringing cry of the warrior
whom they had just evaded.
It was lucky for them the fellow raised the cry, for it was answered by
others whom in a moment more the fugitives would have met.
At the moment they were near a large square hut, and having no
time to do better, crouched close beside it.
The Indians rushed past them, and were for a moment hid from view
by an intervening lodge. The cry had recalled others from the vicinity
of the subterranean passage, and these were heard rushing up.
“Must git in here if can—quick!” whispered the girl.
It was a desperate attempt; but more dangerous to remain still or
attempt to run further. They crept rapidly forward, and at a moment
when the backs of the startled Indians were toward them, darted
inside.
“This council-house,” said the girl. “Mebbe not look here soon. Best
hide up there!”
She hurriedly pointed overhead to rude beams laid across from side
to side. Half the space was floored with small rough logs. The cabin
had evidently been reared by some French trapper. With a lightning
movement Scarred Eagle lifted her up, almost as soon as the
suggestion was made, and as she obtained a footing he sprung up
after her.
For the time they were safe. Words can give no idea of the
excitement and confusion that now prevailed. It was frenzied. The
last fifteen minutes had marked the death of Heavy Sleep and the
renegade, the escape of Mace, the occurrence of the shots; and as a
climax, some other deadly, unseen foe had snatched one from
captivity on whom the savages had calculated to execute a terrible
vengeance! No wonder these events, so rapidly succeeding each
other, made them crazy with alarm and confusion.
Scarred Eagle and Moorooine lost not a second in moving close to
the eaves of the roof and stretching themselves at length.