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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/33890-8.txt b/33890-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3424b81 --- /dev/null +++ b/33890-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5648 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Kentucky Frontier, by James Otis + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: On the Kentucky Frontier + A Story of the Fighting Pioneers of the West + +Author: James Otis + +Illustrator: J. Watson Davis + +Release Date: October 29, 2010 [EBook #33890] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Barbara Kosker and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + + + + + [Illustration: In a twinkling I was by his side, and there saw + that which caused the cold chill of fear to run down my + back.--Page 40. _Frontis. On the Kentucky Frontier._] + + + + + ON THE + + KENTUCKY FRONTIER. + + A STORY OF THE FIGHTING PIONEERS + OF THE WEST. + + + + + By JAMES OTIS + + + + + [Illustration] + + With Six Page Illustrations by J. Watson Davis + + + + + NEW YORK: + A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. + + + + +Copyright, 1900, by A. L. BURT. + +ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. + +BY JAMES OTIS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +"Poor Simon Kenton experienced the bitter effects of wrong, ingratitude, +and neglect. On account of some legal matters concerning his lands in +Kentucky, he was imprisoned for twelve months upon the very spot where +he built his cabin in 1775. In 1802, beggared by lawsuits and losses, he +became landless. Yet he never murmured at the ingratitude which pressed +him down, and in 1813 the veteran joined the Kentucky troops under +Shelby, and was in the battle of the Thames. In 1824, then seventy years +old, he journeyed to Frankfort, in tattered garments and upon a +miserable horse, to ask the legislature of Kentucky to release the +claims of the State upon some of his mountain lands. He was stared at by +the boys, and shunned by the citizens, for none knew him. At length +General Thomas Fletcher recognized him, gave him a new suit of clothes, +and entertained him kindly. When it was known that Simon Kenton was in +town, scores flocked to see the old hero. He was taken to the Capitol +and seated in the Speaker's chair. His lands were released, and +afterward Congress gave him a pension of two hundred and forty dollars a +year. He died, at the age of eighty-one years, in 1836, at his residence +at the head of Mad River, Logan County, Ohio, in sight of the place +where, fifty-eight years before, the Indians were about to put him to +death." + +(Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution.") + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. SIMON KENTON 1 + + II. BESIEGED 24 + + III. THE VENTURE 45 + + IV. PAUL SAMPSON 68 + + V. DOWN THE OHIO 91 + + VI. ASTRAY 114 + + VII. THE CAPTIVE SCOUT 131 + + VIII. AT THE RENDEZVOUS 161 + + IX. KASKASKIA 184 + + X. CAHOKIA 208 + + XI. HOMEWARD BOUND 229 + + XII. A NOVEL BATTLE 251 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + PAGE + IN A TWINKLING I WAS BY HIS SIDE AND THERE SAW THAT + WHICH CAUSED THE COLD CHILL OF FEAR TO RUN + DOWN MY BACK FRONTISPIECE. + + THE BRUTE FELL, AS THOUGH STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND + A CRY OF TRIUMPH RANG FROM MY LIPS 62 + + WITHIN FIVE SECONDS I HAD FIRED, USING THE CURL OF + VAPOR FOR A TARGET 103 + + WE ADVANCED FROM ONE PLACE OF SHELTER TO ANOTHER, + FIRING RAPIDLY 142 + + STRAIGHT UP TO THE BIG GATE WE ADVANCED BELIEVING + THAT IN THE NEXT SECOND WE SHOULD HEAR THE + ALARM GUN 204 + + FROM OUT OF OUR BARRICADE WHISTLED THREE BULLETS + AND EVERY ONE FOUND ITS MARK 258 + + + + +ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +SIMON KENTON. + + +It is my purpose to set down what I saw during such time as Simon Kenton +gave me my first lessons in woodcraft and it is well to make the +statement in advance in order that others may be deprived of the +opportunity of saying what would sound disagreeable:--that the pupil was +for a time so dull that one less patient and painstaking than Kenton +would have brought the lessons to a speedy close. + +That which now seems the most difficult is to decide how I shall begin +this story of the little which I did on the Kentucky frontier during the +year of grace 1778, and I can hit upon no plan which promises better +success than that of copying here what I read in a printed book long +years after I, a green lad, set out to do my little share toward +bringing peace and a sense of security to the settlers who were striving +to make homes for themselves and their families in what was then known +as the colony of Virginia. + +I make use of such a beginning because it appears to me as if the wise +man who thus explains the condition of affairs among us at that time, +tells in a few lines what I might struggle vainly over many pages of +paper to put into form one-half so concise and satisfactory: + +"With the single exception of Dunmore's expedition in 1774, hostilities +west of the Alleghanies were nothing but a series of border conflicts, +each little party acting upon its own responsibility, until 1778, when +Major George Rogers Clarke led a regular expedition against the frontier +posts of the enemy in the wilderness. Clarke first went toward Kentucky +in 1772, when he paddled down the Ohio with the Reverend David Jones, +then on his way to preach the Gospel to the Western Indians. + +"He was at once impressed with the importance of that fertile region, +and the necessity of making it a secure place for settlements. His mind +was clear and comprehensive; his personal courage of the truest stamp; +his energies, physical and mental, always vigorous, and he soon became +an oracle among the backwoods-men. During the years 1775 and 1776, he +traversed vast regions of the wilderness south of the Ohio, studied the +character of the Indians chiefly from the observations of others, and +sought to discover a plan by which a tide of emigration might flow +unchecked and secure into that paradise of the continent. + +"He soon became convinced that the British garrisons at Detroit, +Kaskaskia, and Vincennes, were the nests of those vultures who preyed +upon the feeble settlements of the west, and deluged the virgin soil +with the blood of the pioneers. Virginia, to which province this rich +wilderness belonged, was at that time bending all her energies in +advancing the cause of independence within her borders east of the +Alleghanies, and the settlers west of the mountains were left to their +own defense. + +"Major Clarke, convinced of the necessity of reducing the hostile forts +in the Ohio country, submitted a plan for the purpose to the Virginia +Legislature, in December, 1777. His scheme was highly approved, and +Governor Henry and his council were so warmly interested that Major +Clarke received two sets of instructions, one public, ordering him to +'proceed to the defense of Kentucky,' the other private, directing an +attack upon the British fort at Kaskaskia. Twelve hundred pounds were +appropriated to defray the expenses of the expedition; and the +commandant of Fort Pitt was ordered to furnish Clarke with ammunition, +boats, and other necessary equipments. + +"His force consisted of only four companies, and they were all prime +men. Early in the spring they rendezvoused upon Corn Island, at the +falls of the Ohio, six hundred and seven miles by water, below Fort +Pitt. Here Clarke was joined by Simon Kenton, one of the boldest +pioneers of the west, then a young man of twenty-two years. He had been +acting as a spy for two years previously; henceforth he was engaged in a +more honorable, but not more useful, service." + +Now that this much has been explained by another, I am still at a loss +to know how this poor story should be begun, and after much cudgeling of +my weak brain have decided to jump into the matter after the same +fashion that the events come into my memory after these many years of +peace and idleness. + +On a certain morning in February, in the year 1778, I went out to look +after my traps, and had thrown myself down on the bank of the Ohio River +to decide a question which had been vexing me many days. + +Never for a moment did I lose sight of the fact that it was necessary I +have my wits about me in case I counted on keeping my hair, for many a +scalp had been taken in that vicinity within the six months just passed, +and I believed that nothing larger than a squirrel could come within +striking distance, save by my own knowledge and consent. + +Therefore it was I sprang up very suddenly in the greatest alarm when a +white man stood before me, having approached so silently that it was +almost as if he had come up through the very earth. + +It is not to be supposed that Indians were the only beings in form of +men we settlers on the Ohio had reason to fear in those days; there were +many white men whose hearts were as black as those of the savages, and +who would draw bead on one of their kind from sheer love of spilling +blood, if no other reason presented itself. + +As I have set down here, I sprang to my feet, rifle in hand, ready for +the first threatening movement on the part of the stranger; but he gave +little token of being an enemy. + +His weapon was thrown across the hollow of his arm as he stood looking +at me in a friendly manner, and I might easily have shot him down, +unless he was quicker with a rifle than any other I had ever met. + +A young fellow was this newcomer, hardly more than one and twenty, as it +then seemed to me, and there was that in his face which gave token that +he might be a close friend or a dangerous enemy, whichsoever way he was +approached. + +"Out for fur?" he said rather than asked, glancing down at the traps +which lay near at hand. + +I nodded; but remained on my guard, determined not to be taken at a +disadvantage by soft words. + +"It is better to keep movin', than lay 'round where a sneakin' Injun +might creep up a bit too near," he said with a smile, as he seated +himself near the decaying tree-trunk on which I had left the traps. + +"I would have sworn neither white nor red could have come upon me in the +fashion you did," I said hotly, and thoroughly ashamed of myself for +having been so careless. + +"I reckon it might have puzzled an Injun to do the trick. If I couldn't +beat them at movin' 'round, my head would have been bare these five +years." + +It sounded much like boasting, his claiming to be able to beat an Indian +at woodcraft, for at that time I believed the savages could outwit any +settler who ever lived; but before many weeks had passed I came to +understand that I had been sadly mistaken. + +"Is that your cabin yonder under the big knoll?" he asked, more as if by +way of beginning a conversation than from curiosity. + +"Yes; have you been there?" + +"I looked it over; but didn't try to scrape acquaintance. Does your +mother live there?" + +"Yes; she and I alone." + +"What sent her down into this wilderness with no one but a lad like +yourself?" he asked, speaking as if he was twice my age, when, unless +all signs failed, he was no more than five years my elder. + +"Father was with us when we came, last year. He was killed by the +murdering savage sneaks nearly two months ago." + +"Why did you hold on here?" the stranger asked, eying me curiously. +"Surely the clearin' isn't so far along that it pays to risk your life +for it." + +"Mother would have packed off; but I couldn't leave." + +"Why?" + +"It's a poor kind of a son who won't at least try to wipe off such a +score, and I'll hold on here till those who killed the poor old man have +found out who I am!" + +Tears of mingled rage, grief, and helplessness came into my eyes as I +spoke thus hotly, and I wheeled around quickly lest this stranger, +seeing them, should set me down for a younger lad than I really was. + +"It's quite a job you've shouldered," he said after a pause. "The Injuns +nearabout here ain't to be caught nappin' every hour in the day, and the +chances are your mother may find herself alone on the clearin' before +you have made any great headway in settlin' the score." + +"Because you crept up on me, there is no reason why the red snakes can +do the same thing!" I cried angrily, whereupon he nodded gravely as if +agreeing with me, after which he asked: + +"How old are you?" + +"Must a fellow have seen so many years more or less before he can do the +work of a man?" I demanded, giving proof by my petulance that I was yet +little more than a child. + +"It was not with anything of the kind in my mind that I asked the +question. Perhaps I wondered if you'd had the experience that'll be +needed before your work is done." + +"I'm just turned sixteen," I replied, thoroughly ashamed of having +displayed an ill-temper. + +"Where did you come from?" + +"Pennsylvania." + +"Was your father a Tory?" he asked. + +"Indeed he wasn't!" and now I grew hot again. "He believed we might +better our condition by pushing into the wilderness, for when a man's +land is overrun by two armies, as ours had been, farming is a poor +trade." + +Then he questioned me yet more closely until I had come to an end of my +short story, which began with the day we set out from the colony founded +by William Penn, and ended with that hour when I came across my poor +father's mangled body scarce half a mile from our clearing, where the +beasts in human form had tortured him. + +All this I told the stranger as if he had been, an old friend, for there +was something, in his voice and manner which won my heart at once, and +when the sad tale was ended I came to understand he had not questioned +me idly. + +"My name is Simon Kenton," he said, after a time of silence, as if he +was turning over in mind what I had told him. "The day I was sixteen I +took to the wilderness because of--there is no reason why that part of +it need be told. It was six years ago, an' in those years I've seen a +good bit of life on the frontier, though perhaps it would have been +better had I gone east an' taken a hand with those who are fightin' +against the king. But a soldier's life would raffle my grain, I reckon, +so I've held on out here, nearabout Fort Pitt, where there's been plenty +to do." + +"Fort Pitt!" I exclaimed. "Why, that's a long distance up the river!" + +"Six hundred miles or so." + +"Are you down here trapping?" I asked, now questioning him as he had me. + +"I'm headin' for Corn Island?" + +"Then you haven't much further to go. Its no more than a dozen miles +down the river." + +"So I guessed. I left my canoe over yonder, an' took to the shore partly +to find somethin' in the way of meat, and partly to have a look around." + +Then it was, and before I could question him further, he told me why he +had come, the substance of which I have already set down in the language +of another. At that time he did not give me the story complete as it was +written by him whose words I quoted at the beginning of this tale; but I +understood the settlers were making a move against the British and +Indians, and it seemed to me a most noble undertaking, for, had not the +king's officers incited the savages to bloody deeds, the frontier might +have been a land of peace. + +When he was come to an end of the story, and Simon Kenton was not one to +use more words than were necessary, I proposed that he go with me to my +home, for by this time it was near to noon, and I had suddenly lost all +desire to continue the work of setting traps. + +He agreed right willingly, as if it favored his plans to do so, and we +two went back to the clearing, he moving through the thicket more like a +shadow than a stoutly built man whose weight seemed against such +stealthy traveling. Never had I seen such noiseless progress; a squirrel +would have given more token of his presence, and I wondered not that he +had been welcomed at Fort Pitt as a scout, spy, or whatever one may +please to call his occupation. + +My mother made the young man welcome, as she would have done any I might +have brought in with me to our home in Pennsylvania, and out here in the +wilderness, where we had not seen a strange, yet friendly, face since my +poor father was murdered, she was rejoiced to meet one who might give us +news of the outside world. + +Simon Kenton was not a polished man such as would be met within the +eastern colonies; but he gave every token of honest purpose, and it was +impossible to remain long in his company without believing him to be one +who would be a firm friend at all times. + +We enjoyed his visit more than can be told, and then without warning he +broached that subject which had a great bearing upon all my life from +that moment. + +"Why do you try to hold your mother here in the wilderness, Louis +Nelson?" he asked suddenly. "Surely a lad like yourself cannot hope to +make a clearing unaided, and it is but keeping her in great danger of a +cruel death." + +"What other can I do?" I asked in surprise, having no inkling as to his +true meaning. + +"Take her where she will at least be able to lie down at night without +fear of being aroused by the gleam of the scalping knife, or the flames +of her own dwelling," he replied decidedly. + +"All we have in the world is here," my mother said half to herself. + +"Then it will not be hard to leave it, for a boy of Louis' age should +be able to provide you with as good almost anywhere else." + +I looked at him in open-mouthed astonishment, whereupon he said in such +a tone as forced one to believe he spoke only the truth: + +"We have every reason to believe there will be bloody scenes hereabout +before Major Clarke has finished his work. You cannot hope to hold out +against the painted scoundrels who will roam up and down the river in +search of white blood that can be spilled. Send your mother back to Fort +Pitt by the boats that will soon be returnin', an' join me in this +expedition. You can go to her in the fall with money enough to provide +another home as good, or better, than this, an' what is of more account, +you'll have the satisfaction of knowin' that ate is in safety." + +There is no good reason why I should set down here all the arguments +Simon Kenton used to persuade me to break up the home my father had +established, although in poor shape, at the cost of his life, nor yet +speak of his efforts to make my mother believe I would be in less danger +with Major Clarke's force than if I remained there struggling to make +headway against the encroachments of the wilderness, at the same time +that I would be forced to remain on the alert lest a pitiless, savage +foe take my life. + +It is enough if I say that before the shadows of night began to lengthen +both my mother and myself were convinced he had given good advice, and +were ready to follow it as soon as a new day had dawned. + +We decided to leave our poor belongings where they were, and set out +with Kenton next morning. Mother should go to Fort Pitt where she would +be protected, and I, with the consent of Major Clarke, was to enlist in +the troop which it was believed would drive out of the country those +unscrupulous British officers who were constantly striving to stir up +the savages against such of the settlers as believed the colonists had +good cause to rebel against the king. + +Until a late hour did Simon Kenton sit with us two, telling of the many +adventures he had met with since the day he left his home in Fauquier +County, Virginia, six years before, and although the stories related to +deeds of daring and hairbreadth escapes, there was in his speech nothing +of boasting. It was as if he spoke of what some other person had done, +and without due cause for praise. + +Never once did he speak of his reason for leaving home, and there was a +certain something in his manner which prevented me from asking any +questions. He told so much of his life story as seemed to him proper, +and we were content, believing him to be a young man of proven courage +and honest purposes. + +Kenton and I slept on the skins in front of the fireplace, where I had +ever made my bed, and so little fear had we the enemy might be near, +that I never so much as looked out of doors after mother went up the +ladder which led to the rough attic she called her chamber. + +It was the first time since my father's cruel death that I had not +circled around the cabin once or more to make certain everything was +quiet; the coming of this young man had driven from my mind all thought +of possible danger. + +Those who live on the frontier sleep lightly, it is true; but they do +not waste much time in tossing about on the bed before closing their +eyes in slumber--and I was in dreamland within a very few moments after +stretching out at full length. + +It seemed as if I had but just lost consciousness when I awakened to +find a heavy hand covering my mouth, and to hear Simon Kenton whisper: + +"There is need for us to turn out. The sneakin' redskins have surrounded +the cabin. Are you awake?" + +I nodded, for it would have been impossible to speak while his hand was +like to shut off my breath, and he rose softly to his feet. + +It is not necessary for me to say that we on the Ohio in 1778 thought +first in the morning of our rifles, and never lay down at night without +having the trusty weapons where we could grasp them readily. Thus it was +that, when I followed Kenton's example, I rose up ready for a struggle. + +Not a sound could I hear, save the soughing of the wind among the trees; +but I knew my companion had good cause for giving an alarm, and had +probably been on the alert while I was composing myself to sleep. + +"Get word to your mother; but do not let her come down here," he +whispered when I joined him at the shuttered window, where he stood with +his ear to the crevice. "Make no noise, an' it may be we can take the +painted snakes by surprise, which will be a fine turnin' of the +tables." + +I did as he directed, and heard my mother say in a low voice as I turned +to descend the ladder: + +"Be careful, Louis, and do not expose yourself recklessly in order to +give our visitor the idea that you can equal him in deeds of daring." + +Under almost any other circumstances I could have laughed at the idea +that I might even hope to equal such as Simon Kenton in bravery; but +with death lurking close at hand one does not give way to mirth, and I +hastened to the young man's side as a prayer of thankfulness went up +from my heart because it had so chanced he was with us when an +experienced head and arm were needed. + +It is not my purpose to belittle myself. While looking up to our visitor +as an elder and one well versed in such warfare as was before us, I knew +full well I should not have acted a stupid part had I been alone. I +might fail to hold my own against the savages; but death would not have +been invited by my own folly. + +The door, as well as the window shutters, was loopholed, and here Kenton +took his stand, stationing me at that side of the house nearest the +knoll, from where we might naturally expect the enemy would come. + +My mother appeared before we had made all the arrangements for a fight, +and at once set about supplying us with ammunition and food in order +that we might not be forced to move from our posts in quest of either. + +Then she took up my father's rifle, which was leaning against the side +of the hut nearest me, as if to show that it was her purpose to do +whatsoever lay in her power toward the defense, whereupon Kenton shook +his head disapprovingly, and might have made objection to being aided by +a woman; but before he could open his lips to speak the painted fiends +were upon us. + +With whoops and yells they rose up close under the walls of the cabin, +where we might not be able to draw bead upon them, and at the same +instant a volley of rifle shots rang out as three bullets came inside +between the crevices of the logs. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +BESIEGED. + + +This kind of warfare was new to me. Although living on the frontier so +far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked +by savages. + +My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the +signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed +certain that no more than three Indians had captured him. + +Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for +mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man +seized upon it. If they had been on the warpath, then beyond a +peradventure our cabin would have been attacked. + +To Simon Kenton, however, this sort of work was by no means new. He had +been besieged many times, as we knew from the stories the young man told +us a short time previous; but I ventured to say that never before had he +been pitted against the painted foes with so small a force, and in a +place where it was not probable any help could come. + +Our cabin was situated so far back from the river that those passing up +or down the stream would not suspect a habitation was near at hand, and, +unless well acquainted with the clearing, an hundred men might go back +and forth, never thinking that a settler had ventured in this vicinity. + +Therefore it was that I, and most likely Simon Kenton also, realized how +entirely alone we were. Unless we could beat off this foe which had so +suddenly assailed us, within a comparatively short time, the end was +near at hand for all, because no preparations had been made for a siege, +and our store of provisions and water, even with careful husbanding, +must be exhausted within a few days. + +As all this came into my mind, and I learned that it was possible for +the Indians to send their bullets inside, through the chinks between the +logs, provided they were sufficiently good marksmen, my heart sank +within me. I said to myself that Kenton had come too late to be of +service to us, and too soon for his own safety. + +As I have said, the savages had crept up under the cover of darkness +close beneath the walls of the cabin, and were able to shoot at us with +but little danger to themselves. Our only hope lay in dislodging them +from their place of vantage, and this much I realized fully even though +unexperienced in warfare. + +On reading what is here set down one may say that a boy of sixteen, +situated as was I at that moment, would not thus calmly weigh the +chances for and against a successful defense. In reply to such +criticism, I would say that in my opinion any lad of ordinary +intelligence must perforce have had much the same thoughts, because of +the ample time for reflection. + +After the first volley, and until perhaps ten minutes had elapsed, the +Indians gave no sign of life. All was still as if we three were alone in +the wilderness--as if it had been some hideous nightmare which awakened +us. During such time, Simon Kenton stood like a statue; but in such +attitude as gave me to understand that all his senses were alert. He was +an experienced Indian fighter, listening for some token which should +give him a clue as to how he might best protect his own life. + +My mother remained near one of the loopholes at the rear of the house, +also on the alert, and I had not moved from the position taken up when +we made our first poor preparations for the defense. + +Suddenly, and when I had come to believe that our chances for a +successful defense were slight indeed, Simon Kenton moved swiftly, yet +noiselessly, to that side of the room opposite where I was standing, +thrust the muzzle of his rifle between the logs near to the ground and +fired. + +A cry of pain followed the report of the weapon, and it was as if the +noise had but just died away, when the young man had his rifle charged +once more, so rapid were his movements. + +One, two, three minutes, perhaps, passed in silence, and again, but in +another quarter, did Kenton repeat his maneuver, although during this +time I had heard nothing whatsoever save my own labored breathing. + +A second cry from without told that two of the painted snakes had +received a more or less serious dose of lead without having inflicted +injury upon us. + +I knew that Kenton's acts had been the result of his keen sense of +hearing, and said to myself that the man must have been fitted by nature +for work like this, since it would be impossible for any person to train +his ears to such perfection. + +This thought was in my mind when I heard a rustling of the foliage on +the outside near where I stood, and that instant I made as if to copy +the example of my companion. + +"It is too late now," he said in a low tone. "The snakes are creepin' +off satisfied that they are like to get the worst of such a game. They +will hatch up some other plan before troublin' us again." + +"But surely we haven't bested them so soon as this," I replied like a +stupid, and he laughed as if there was somewhat of humor in my remark. + +"They have come here to plunder this cabin, and are not like to draw off +so soon. We will have enough of their company within the next four and +twenty hours; but for a time I reckon we have got a breathin' spell. +This is the way the British king wages war; provokin' the savages +against peaceful settlers; but once Major Clarke has broken up the +English nests, I'll venture to say the scurvy redcoats will turn their +attention to other matters than playin' the part of butchers." + +"If we had only started to meet Major Clarke's force when you first +arrived," I said despondently, whereat Simon Kenton clapped me on the +shoulder in a friendly fashion, as he cried: + +"This is no time to be thinking of what might have happened, Louis +Nelson. Men on the frontier must ever look forward, else by gazing +backward their hearts may grow timorous. Until we have driven off these +savages it should be to us as if Major Clarke's force had never set +out." + +Mother had made no attempt to join in the conversation. Her pale face +and quivering lips told that she was thinking of that time, only such a +short distance in the past, when father had been in the clutches of +those who at that moment thirsted for our blood, and grief overshadowed +all the fears which the future could present. + +Observing her, and knowing full well what terrible memories had come +trooping into her mind, I fell silent, striving as best I could to keep +back the timorousness which threatened to overcome me as I thus realized +what the wretches on the outside would do once our feeble defense was +overcome. + +Simon Kenton moved here and there noiselessly as a cat, intent only upon +learning so much of what might be going on outside as his ears could +tell him. + +While I remained motionless and silent at the post assigned me, he never +ceased for an instant his stealthy movements, and the knowledge that he +was so keenly on the alert did much toward strengthening my weak heart. + +When perhaps an hour had passed thus in silence, a great hope came to +me, and foolishly I gave it words. + +"The savages, finding that we were prepared for them, have drawn off," I +said, whereat Kenton smiled pityingly as one might at the foolish remark +of a child. + +"We are not rid of them so easily, else are they different from any of +the scoundrels I have chanced to come across. Once having made an +attack, and blood has been drawn, I warrant you, we must beat them off +by sheer force before we can count on their leaving this clearin'." + +When perhaps another hour had passed, and yet the enemy made no sign, I +was grown more courageous, and ate of the corn cake and dried venison +which had been set out for our refreshment; but mother remained wrapped +in gloomy thought, and Simon Kenton did not even for the slightest space +of time relax his vigilance. + +It must have been well on toward morning before we heard aught more of +those whose great desire was to shed our blood. + +Then the first intimation I had of any movement was the report of +Kenton's rifle. + +"Did you see anything?" I asked in a tremor. + +"No; but they are comin' this way with brushwood, havin' an idea to set +fire to the cabin." + +Even though the danger which beset us was great, I could not repress my +curiosity. It seemed almost as if he had made me a foolish answer, for +how might a man know, when it was so dark that one could not see three +paces from the cabin in either direction, that the savages were making +ready for any such attempt, and I asked how he was so positive as to +their movements. + +"I have heard them rippin' off the dry branches with their knives, and, +just before I fired, knew from the noise in the thicket that they were +draggin' the brushwood this way." + +I was almost bewildered by this man's knowledge of woodcraft; but +refrained from commenting, contenting myself by saying in a tone of +satisfaction: + +"They will not make much headway at setting these green logs on fire. It +is but two days since the rain came down in such torrents that the +outside of the cabin must be sodden with water." + +"They may succeed in fillin' the room with smoke; but that counts for +little. The flames will give us an opportunity which must not be +neglected." + +It is possible that the savages came to understand all this before +carrying out the plan which Kenton believed had been formed, for after +he discharged his rifle we heard no more of them, and, finally, when it +seemed as if at least eight and forty hours were passed, the gray light +came stealing through the thicket, slowly dispelling the darkness, until +we had clear range of vision from the loopholes on either hand. + +Twenty paces from the front of the house lay a pile of dry brush, +telling that Simon Kenton's ears had not deceived him. + +There were no signs of our foe. So far as one's eyes might give him +information, we were alone in the thicket with none to molest or make +afraid. + +Kenton set about making a blaze in the fireplace, and such act aroused +my mother from her sorrowful memories to a realization of the present. + +All her housewifely instincts took possession of her once more, and she +set about preparing breakfast--perhaps the last meal we might ever eat. + +"Think you the savages count on starving us out?" I asked, rather for +the purpose of starting a conversation than to gain information. + +"It may be that all the party are not yet arrived, and those who made +the first attack are waitin' for more to come up. If the entire force is +here, then certain it is they count on starvin' us, although so far as +the villains know, that may prove a long task. Were you and I alone, I +should favor tryin' to give 'em the slip after midnight; but it would be +folly to attempt anything of the kind while your mother is to be +protected." + +"You will not find her a coward," I said proudly, whereat he replied +with a laugh: + +"Of that we have already had good proof; but there would be too much +danger in attemptin' to fight our way out while she was with us. After a +time----" + +He was interrupted by rifle shots in the distance. First one, then a +couple, and, after an interval of four or five seconds, what sounded +like a regular volley. + +Then came scattering shots, by which I understood that whoever was +engaged in deadly combat had succeeded in gaining a shelter, and was +firing only when the possibility of hitting a target presented itself. + +"Can it be that some of Major Clarke's force have come our way?" I asked +as a great hope came into my heart; but Simon Kenton speedily dashed it. + +"The major's men are to sail down the river, and would not stop this +side of Corn Island, save through dire necessity." + +"Then who can the savages have been firing at?" + +"Some white man must have ventured this way, as did I, and walked into +the very thick of them." + +"But all the while we have lived here you are the first who has come to +this clearing by accident," I replied, still bent on believing that some +of the major's forces must have gone out of their road, and were thus +near enough to lend aid in our time of trouble. + +"It is a trapper or, a settler," Kenton said decisively, with the air of +one who will not admit himself at fault. "The question in my mind is +whether I'm not bound to lend a hand." + +"Surely you would never think of leaving the cabin in daylight, when you +know beyond a peradventure that the savages are watching it?" my mother +said in alarm, and Kenton turned away as if realizing the truth of her +words. + +It is not possible for me to set down on paper such as will enable +another to understand our feelings during this time when we knew white +men were struggling for life, and needing the aid which we were +powerless to give. + +It seemed little short of the veriest cowardice to remain within shelter +at such a time, and yet all of us knew full well that speedy death would +come to him who should venture out. + +Five minutes after the first report was heard all was silent again, for +mayhap half an hour, during which time each of us, even Kenton, had come +to hope the Indians were baffled in their effort to murder, and with +that hope came into my mind a most intense regret that we had not been +able to give warning of our sore need. + +I persisted in believing that some of Major Clarke's men had been near +at hand, and said to myself we might have escaped all our perils could +it have been possible to give an alarm. + +When half an hour had passed the firing broke out again, not in volleys, +but with a shot at intervals of ten or fifteen seconds, and then we all +fancied screams of pain and exultation could be heard. + +"The savages have succeeded!" Kenton said curtly. "Whoever blundered +this way has already paid for the mistake, or will before the sun rises +again." + +Mother, her mind once more in the past, turned pale as death and I +trembled like one with an ague, for it seemed at the moment as if this +was a token of what our fate would be. + +The breakfast which mother had been preparing was neglected until some +time later, when Simon Kenton said with an evident effort at +cheerfulness: + +"We're playin' the fool to stand here as if waitin' for the painted +scoundrels to do their will. We have no reason to despair because they +have captured some unfortunate; but should be all the more determined to +worst them." + +Then he deftly finished the work mother had begun, and insisted upon our +sharing in the meal, for, according to his belief, there was no reason +why we need stand close guard now that the sun had risen. + +Under such circumstances it was difficult to eat, at least I found it +so; food well-nigh choked me, but I forced it down because of his stern +command, and we made at least the semblance of eating breakfast, with as +much zest as you can fancy people display under the shadow of the +gallows. + +When the pretense of a meal had come to an end, Kenton got up from the +table and stood at the loophole in the door an instant, giving vent to a +low exclamation of surprise or dismay as he peered forth. + +In a twinkling I was by his side, and there saw that which caused the +cold chill of fear to run down my back. + +Directly in front of the cabin, toward the river, beyond range of our +rifles, stood a man and a boy, each bound hand and foot to a tree trunk. + +It was the report of their guns that we heard, and fortune had been +unkind to them, else death would have come during the fight. It had +been delayed that it might be accompanied by the keenest torture. + +"Are they neighbors of yours?" Kenton asked. + +"So far as I know, there are no settlers nearabout." + +"Then this man and boy have come lookin' for a place to make a clearin', +or are workin' their way eastward from some point below on the river." + +This did not seem a reasonable explanation, to my mind, for if the +prisoners had been coming up the river they would not have ventured so +far away as must have been the case when the Indians discovered them; +but my heart was too heavy to admit of making any argument against his +assertion, which, as a matter of fact, was of but little consequence now +that they were doomed to a cruel death. + +And that they were doomed we knew full well. The savages were counting +on torturing them where we might have a full view of the horrible +spectacle, and we could not hope anything would happen to prevent it. + +On the evening previous Simon Kenton had told us the story of a settler +who was beset even as we were then, and whose nearest neighbor was +tortured at the stake within his range of vision that the helpless man +might see what was in store for him when he could no longer make any +defense. + +While hearing the story it was impossible for me to realize how +agonizing must have been the position of the besieged man. Now I +understood it keenly, and resolved not to look out from that side of the +house again, lest the painted fiends should begin their horrible work +before night came. + +Mother knew from our conversation what it was we gazed at, and remained +nearabout the fireplace striving to choke back the sobs of grief and +sympathy which shook her frame. + +After gazing upon the helpless captives five minutes or more, as if to +picture indelibly upon his mind all the surroundings, Simon Kenton +began moving to and fro across the end of the room, not on the alert +against the enemy, but apparently plunged in deep thought. + +After a time he said curtly to me: + +"Keep a lookout on either side, lad, for some of the snakes may grow +careless, an' you will get a shot." + +Then he fell to pacing to and fro again, and after what seemed a very +long time of most painful silence, said to me as if announcing the most +commonplace fact: + +"I count on lendin' a hand to those poor fellows yonder." + +"Lending a hand!" I repeated in amazement. "Haven't you declared it was +impossible to leave this house without being shot down?" + +"Yes, an' I reckon that comes pretty near being the truth." + +"Then how may you give them any assistance?" + +"I am not countin' on tryin' to do anything just now. There's like to +be plenty of time, for unless something happens to interrupt the curs, +they will not torture the prisoners until evening. When the sun goes +down I shall creep out." + +"And then is the time when the Indians will keep a closer watch," I +ventured to say. + +"Ay, lad, you are right, and yet we must contrive to outwit them. +Instead of openin' the door, I'll make my way through the small window +at the rear, which can be the better guarded by you and your mother +while the shutter is unfastened." + +"I shall go with you," I said, speaking on impulse, and hardly realizing +the meaning of the words. + +"You'll do nothing of the kind. Your duty is here, and mine there." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE VENTURE. + + +I could not believe Simon Kenton would dare to make the venture of which +he had spoken, for of a verity it seemed no less than the killing of +one's self. + +We knew beyond a peradventure that the Indians secreted in the thicket +round about us were keeping sharp watch over the cabin, on the alert for +a movement of such a kind, and there was not a single chance in a +hundred that one of us could even show his head out of either window or +door without being shot down. + +That being the case, and there seemed no doubt about it, how might one +venture forth so far as where the poor captives were lashed to the trees +looking forward with almost certainty to all the terrible tortures +which these brutes could devise? + +Thinking over the matter after Simon Kenton had declared his purpose, I +said to myself that he had spoken out of the fulness of his heart, and +not with a belief that he might carry his proposition into execution. I +argued, mentally, that his desire to aid the unfortunate creatures had +caused him to believe the impossible might be accomplished; but after he +should have time to consider the matter thoroughly, he would realize +that he could effect nothing more than his own death. + +After having said what he would do, Kenton paced to and fro, keeping +sharp watch upon the thicket, and saying nothing. + +Once I would have spoken concerning the time when Major Clarke's party +might be expected at Corn Island; but he motioned me away as if he had +no inclination for conversation. + +I had promised myself not to look out in the direction where the unhappy +captives were to be seen; but it was as if their helplessness +fascinated me to such a degree that I could not keep my eyes from them. + +I gazed at short intervals, but for no more than a few seconds at a +time, and saw no change, save once when it appeared to me as if the man +was speaking earnestly to the boy. + +I could readily fancy that the elder was trying to encourage the lad for +that terrible time of trial, and the tears overflowed my eyes as I grew +faint with horror while thinking of what the evening would bring forth. + +There is no good reason why I should try to give the details of our +movements or conversation during this wofully long day. We spoke +together but little, first because Simon Kenton was buried in his own +thoughts or plans, and secondly because my mother's grief had been +aroused by sight of the captives to such an extent that her sobs put an +end to speech. + +Twice did Kenton get a glimpse of a tuft of feathers in the underbrush, +and both times he discharged his rifle; once bringing forth a shrill +cry of pain, and again evidently missing his aim, which was by no means +surprising under the circumstances. + +Late in the afternoon mother cooked another meal, and we went through +the form of eating as if from a sense of duty. It was but justice to our +bodies for us to do so, since no one could say when we might have +another opportunity. + +Then the shadows of evening began to lengthen, and I glanced at Simon +Kenton from time to time in order to learn how he might draw back after +having announced so positively that he should make an effort at aiding +the captives. + +But he had no idea of drawing back, as I should have known had I been +acquainted with him longer. + +During the latter part of the afternoon he surveyed the thicket in the +rear of the house at frequent intervals; partially opened the shutter +two or three times to make certain it could be swung outward +noiselessly, and, finally, threw off his hunting shirt lest the garment +should hamper his movements. + +"Are you indeed counting on the attempt?" I asked when he had thus put +himself in trim for wriggling through the thicket. + +"I have already said so," he replied calmly. + +"There is too much danger! You must not risk your life when the chances +are all against you!" I cried vehemently. + +"It will be easier to go than stay here and listen to that fiendish orgy +which will begin before many hours have passed!" + +"You can hope to do no more than share the poor fellow's fate!" I +exclaimed impatiently. + +"There is a chance I shall pull through, and the game is well worth the +candle. I may not tell the story to you; but there are good reasons why +I, above all others, should risk my life in an effort to save others; +or, to put it in other words, why I ought to die trying to help those +poor fellows, rather than remain idle." + +He spoke in such a solemn tone that I could not have argued further +against his going, however much it pained me, and I gazed at him in +silence, wondering what might be the meaning of those strange words. + +Now that it appeared positive he would set forth, and equally certain he +would be killed, I began to realize what might be our condition after he +had left my mother and myself alone to defend the cabin against the +painted crew who thirsted for our blood. + +It was not probable the poor woman and I could hold out many hours after +the brave fellow departed, however good our courage or strong our +endurance. The Indians would speedily overpower us, and I knew full well +what the end must be unless I was so fortunate as to die fighting. + +Therefore it was as if I was assisting in an attempt to take my own +life, when I did as Simon Kenton bid. + +"You are to stand by the window as I leap out," he said when the +evening was nearly come, "and on the first flash of a redskin's rifle +shoot at random if you see no target. The smoke will serve to partially +hide my movements. Your mother is to take up her station at the front +door until she hears you fire, and then she'll shoot over my head as +soon as possible. I'm countin' that you can keep the savages back till +I've gained a shelter in the thicket. After that the shutter is to be +barred quickly, and you will both stand on guard at the front door, +unless some danger threatens from the rear. If you hear the cry of an +owl repeated three times from any quarter, you can be certain I have +succeeded, an' there's no need of sayin' that you're to be on the alert +for my coming. It's possible I shall be able to get in here again. If I +fail in that, and yet remain free, you may be positive help will soon +arrive to raise the siege." + +He had crossed the room while speaking, and was now standing by the side +of the window through which he proposed to pass. + +I stepped forward to press his hand, for I knew full well he would not +linger once everything was ready for the perilous venture. + +It was as if he did not see me--perhaps it did not suit his mood to say +good-by. At all events he kept his face from me even after the shutter +was unbarred, and then, without turning his head, he whispered: + +"Stand ready! Remember what I have said!" + +Then, with a quick movement, he flung open the shutter and had leaped +through almost before I realized his purpose. His swift bound served to +bewilder me, and I stood gazing out, with my rifle raised, not realizing +the necessity of closing the opening. + +It was mother who flung the shutter into place softly and replaced the +bars, and I stood there like a stupid until the house was barricaded +once more, when I said stupidly: + +"The savages didn't see him!" + +"It is God's mercy, Louis," my mother replied devoutly. "Possibly he may +be permitted to rescue those poor creatures who must have suffered an +hundred deaths already!" + +"It can't be that he will succeed while so many keen eyes are close at +hand. It is only reasonable to suppose all the crew are near about the +captives, therefore how may one man prevail against them?" + +"If it be the Lord's will, there need be no counting the odds," and +having said this, mother knelt by the side of the table, while I, +somewhat recovered from my fear and bewilderment, went to the loophole +in the door that I might keep the captives in view so far as the +darkness permitted. + +It was not yet night, although the gloom of the forest was so dense that +one could not distinguish objects very far away. + +Simon Kenton had ventured out at that time when the gray of twilight +distorts everything, causing even the most familiar features of the +landscape to appear weird, and in so doing he had shown much wisdom. + +An hour later the Indians would have drawn closer to the cabin, +suspecting we might make an attempt to escape under cover of darkness, +and an hour earlier the light of day cut off any hope of getting out +unseen. + +Calculating the time to a nicety, moving swiftly as but few could move, +he had left the cabin without alarming the wary foe, and thus far his +success was so great as to astonish me. + +I could yet barely distinguish the forms of the unhappy prisoners, and, +moving to and fro near them like evil things, were shadow-like figures +which I knew to be Indians. + +As a matter of course it was impossible for me to see the faces of these +two over whom hovered a most cruel death; but I could well imagine the +expression of despair on their faces. + +They could not fail to understand that it was worse than vain to hope +aid would come in the hour of their extremity, and yet I doubt not they +tried to encourage themselves by saying it was possible a party of white +men might pass that way before the horrible orgy should be begun. + +While gazing through the loophole, my mother remaining on her knees +praying fervently, I said again and again to myself that Simon Kenton +could do nothing single-handed against that mob of murdering brutes. In +fact, now he was outside the house all the chances were against my ever +seeing him again. It was hardly within the range of probability he could +save his own life if he made even the slightest effort to rescue the +prisoners. + +The shadows of night gathered rapidly, and yet it seemed as if each +second was a full minute in length. I was in that agonizing frame of +mind where one is raised by hope and buried under despair at the same +instant. + +Although my ears were strained to catch the lightest sound, I heard +nothing save the rustling of the foliage as it was stirred by the +gentle night wind. If Simon Kenton was attempting to approach the +prisoners, he must have made a detour through the thicket to avoid the +savages who undoubtedly kept close watch over the cabin lest we +unfortunate ones should give them the slip. + +After a time, and it was impossible for me to decide whether I had +remained on watch one hour or two, a tiny gleam of light could be seen +in the direction where I knew the prisoners were stationed, and as it +increased in size I understood that the brutes were making ready for +their horrible sport. + +The flame grew brighter and brighter until I could distinguish the forms +of the helpless ones, with dark figures flitting between my line of +vision and the fire, and I mentally joined my mother in her prayer for +the relief of those whom I believed were beyond all earthly aid. + +As I knew the savages had done many times before, so they were about to +do now--torture us at the same time they inflicted death on their +prisoners. + +We were to be shown what would speedily be our own fate. + +While I stood there helplessly watching the horrible preparations, a +certain frenzy of rage took possession of me, and I no longer gave heed +to anything save a desire to bring death upon some of that fiendish crew +before they began the work of torture. + +"I cannot stay here longer, mother!" I exclaimed suddenly. "If Simon +Kenton risks his life to aid those who are strangers to him, why should +I not be as brave? Alone he cannot hope to effect a rescue, and will +surely perish. With one other to help him, that which now seems +impossible may be compassed." + +As I think of the scene now, the wonder is that my dear mother did not +remind me of what would be her fate if both Kenton and I were captured; +but the brave woman gave no heed to herself, nor to her love for me. + +Looking up while still remaining on her knees, she said softly: + +"If you believe it your duty, my son, go, and may the good God grant +that you come back to me alive!" + +These were not exactly the kind of words best calculated to give a lad +courage, and I realized that by listening to her many seconds I should +become cowardly. Even as I stood by her side my determination grew +fainter; in five minutes more timorousness might overcome me. + +"I will leave the cabin as he did, mother, and you shall stand at the +door ready to give us entrance, if it so be we come back." + +Mother rose quickly to her feet; kissed me fervently, and then, without +delay, as if understanding that it was not well to prolong the parting, +began to unbar the shutter. + +In a twinkling I had put on powder horn and pouch; looked well to my +rifle, and was ready to follow Simon Kenton in his desperate venture. + +The shutter was open. Not daring to look back, I sprang out, believing +as I did so that the report of a rifle would be my death knell; but no +sound came. + +The savages, thinking we were securely caged, had gathered around the +prisoners in readiness to begin the terrible work, and I was free to +rush on to my own doom. + +While believing there was little chance I should succeed in saving my +own life, I was not careless. + +Moving onward stealthily; stopping at each yard of distance to learn if +one of the foe might be near at hand, I pressed forward in a circle, +counting on coming within view of the prisoners at a point midway +between the cabin and that fork in the path which led to the riverside. + +Each instant I expected to come upon Simon Kenton, and as the moments +went by I began to understand that if he heard me approaching from the +rear he might leap upon me, believing one of the savages was creeping +upon him, and such realization caused me to hope it would be possible to +avoid him. + +It was a strange situation, this being equally afraid of friend and foe, +and could have been in a certain degree avoided if I had but accompanied +the young scout. + +Nothing interfered with my progress, however, until I was arrived at the +point for which I had been aiming, and saw full before me the +preparations for the torture. + +Two fires had been built ten or twelve yards distant from the prisoners, +evidently for purposes of illumination, and at the feet of the +unfortunate ones was heaped a quantity of dry wood, which would be +kindled into a flame when the first portion of the terrible work had +been concluded. + +Now the savages were making ready for the dance around their victims, +and I saw fourteen of the painted brutes, hideous in feathers, beads and +gaudy coloring. + +To describe that which followed immediately after I had a view of the +scene, would be impossible. The fiends were alternately advancing toward +the prisoners, and retreating, moving with a certain measured step, and +brandishing weapons in the faces of the two who were helpless. + +The lad seemed literally frozen with terror; but the man faced his cruel +enemies as if defying them to wring a cry of pain from his compressed +lips. + +Perhaps five minutes passed while I thus remained motionless in the +thicket within half a rifle-shot distance, and then one of the murderous +brutes approached the boy knife in hand. + +I knew the poor lad was to be maimed in some manner. The same blinding +rush of rage which had come upon me while I was in the cabin, +overpowered all sense of danger. + +Giving no heed to my own peril; thinking only to save the frightened lad +from immediate pain, I fired point blank at the brute who would have +drawn the first blood, and when he fell, as though struck by lightning, +a cry of triumph rang from my lips. + +What followed I am unable to set down of my own knowledge, for I was +become like one in a fever of rage and desperation. + +I set about re-charging my rifle without giving heed to the rush which +should have followed the shot, and dimly, as if it was something in +which I had no concern, I heard the report of another rifle; another cry +which seemed but the echo of my own. + +Before my feverish brain had taken in all this as a fact, I was ready to +shoot again, and never had I aimed with more deliberation. I felt +certain this second bullet of mine would find its target, and when it +sped on its way I needed not to gaze at the be-feathered brute within +range to know that he was dead or disabled. + + [Illustration: The brute fell as though struck by lightning, and a + cry of triumph rang from my lips.--Page 62. _On the Kentucky + Frontier._] + +Again came what was like the echo of my own gun, and I saw four of +the villains on the ground, while the others had made for the nearest +shelter, each seeking some tree trunk that would shelter his worthless +body. + +Now I realized that I had come up nearly opposite where Simon Kenton was +stationed, and he it was who had fired immediately after my rifle spoke. + +Thus attacked on either hand, the savages must have believed they were +beset by a large force, and their only desire was to shelter themselves +from the deadly fire. + +While loading my rifle I looked for an instant at the boy. His eyes were +opened wide; his lips parted as if to cry out, and on his face was an +expression of mingled hope and doubt painful in its intensity. + +Again I saw a target. Twenty paces away was one of the brutes leaping +from tree to tree as if striving to gain the river, and him I stopped on +the instant. + +Ten seconds later came the report of a rifle from the opposite side of +the path, and I knew Simon Kenton had not wasted a bullet. + +No less than six of the feathered brutes were out of the fight, and it +was only with difficulty that I repressed a cry of triumph, for I knew +full well the villains would not linger long against an unseen foe whose +aim was so deadly. + +Twice more did I fire, and once Kenton's rifle rang out. Then I believed +the brutes had taken refuge in flight, for two passed within my line of +vision while I was reloading my weapon. + +"Kenton!" I shouted, holding the rifle at my shoulder meanwhile, lest by +raising my voice I might have brought the foe upon me, and before one +could have counted twenty the young scout was by my side. + +"Is it indeed you, lad?" he asked as if overcome with astonishment. + +"And why not? I have been able to take some part in the rescue?" + +"_Some part_, lad? You have made it possible when I believed nothing +might be done. But for your attack, yonder poor fellows would even now +be in agony, because I could not have fired without bringing the whole +gang upon me. A shot from both sides was what caused them to believe we +had a large force." + +"Let us cut those prisoners loose," I cried, waiting to hear no more, +and eager to relieve them, from their misery. + +"Wait," he whispered, clutching me by the arm. "The snakes may take it +into their heads to turn back, and it will be well if I quicken their +pace a bit. Stand here, and do not come out from cover till I get back." + +He was off like a flash, and with no more noise, while I remained on the +alert for an attack; but burning to set free the poor lad, who was +seeking here and there with his eyes to learn if those who had saved him +from pain were yet near at hand. + +Then the man spoke words of hope to the boy, as I could understand, by +the expression on both their faces, and I waited with finger on the +trigger of the rifle lest the savages should make one desperate effort +to accomplish their cruel work. + +Surely if any of the Indians were near at hand now, some attempt would +be made to kill the prisoners, and after waiting perhaps five minutes, I +stepped boldly out within the rays of light. + +Near at hand were four rifles, where they had been left against a +sapling while their owners took part in the dance of death, and I knew +we might add the prisoners, well armed, to our force. + +The lad gave vent to a low cry of most intense joy as he saw me; but the +man said quietly, as if it was quite natural I should be there: + +"You came in good time. How many are with you?" + +"Only one other, sir, and he is in pursuit of the savages," I replied, +wielding my hunting knife to sever the bonds which held both prisoners +helpless. + +I had no more than given the poor fellows freedom, and while they stood +chafing their wrists to restore the circulation of blood, Simon Kenton +came up swiftly. + +"It is well we get back to the cabin; the snakes have halted just under +the river bank, and it may be they will turn back to find out how many +we can muster. Come on!" + +Stopping only sufficiently long to secure the rifles which were near at +hand, we four ran to the cabin, the door of which my mother held open; +and once we were inside, the dear soul clasped me to her bosom as if I +had come back from the dead, as indeed was very nearly the case. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +PAUL SAMPSON. + + +When we were inside the cabin once more, with the door and windows +barred and the man and lad whom we had rescued eating ravenously from +the store of food my mother set before them, there was in my mind the +thought that I had good reason to be proud of the part I had so lately +played. + +Simon Kenton and I had killed, or driven off, a band of fourteen +savages, and surely my portion of the work had not been slight. It +seemed to me then, as now, that I did my full share in the business. It +is true, except for the fact of our having taken the brutes by surprise, +and come upon them in such fashion they had no means of knowing but that +we outnumbered them three or four to one, the matter might have come to +a different ending; but it was much to our credit that we had been able +to surprise those wretches who seldom made an attack unless it can be +begun in like manner. + +I repeat I was feeling proud of our work, more particularly when I +looked at our guests, realizing that but for Simon Kenton and myself +they would at that very moment be suffering all the tortures the painted +wolves could inflict, and I glanced at the young scout, thinking to read +in his face thoughts akin to mine. + +In this I was mistaken. Despite what was very nearly a fact--that the +Indians had been put to flight--he was standing by the loophole of the +door keeping careful watch, and, so far as could be told by the +expression on his face, it might have been us white men who were worsted +in the encounter. + +I failed to see in his bearing anything to betoken that he had but +lately faced death in its most horrible form in order to make an effort +at saving the lives of strangers, and from that moment I looked up to +the young man much as if he had been of a superior race from any I had +previously seen. + +It is not to be supposed that I stood idly by dwelling upon such +thoughts as are here set down in words, while, for aught we knew, the +brutes might be gathering in greater force than before. + +I was not so wholly given over to vanity as all that would indicate; but +moved here or there looking after our defense in such manner as seemed +to me proper, my mind busy all the while, and the vainglorious thoughts +dying away as I observed Kenton. + +Then, when the young scout had advised that I remain at the further end +of the cabin, keeping watch from the loophole in the shutter, I turned +my attention to those whom we had saved from the stake. + +They were father and son, as I learned from the conversation the elder +was holding with my mother, who ministered to their wants at the table. +Horace Sampson was the man's name, and he called the lad Paul. + +The two had come from Maryland to locate a homestead, and the only +wonder in my mind was that the savages had not taken them captives +before they got so far into the wilderness; for neither of them knew as +much regarding woodcraft as had I on my tenth birthday. + +They had believed it would be possible for them to frighten the Indians +by a mere show of weapons, and could not be persuaded by those who had +been on the frontier, that it was but little less than suicide to +venture in this section of the country alone. + +For three weeks they had traveled here and there searching for a +likely-looking location, and not until the day previous had the savages +shown themselves. + +Then that which might have been expected happened in a twinkling, and +before either the father or the son had an idea any danger threatened, +they were disarmed, and bound within view of our cabin, as I have +related. + +Even after having been so near a terrible death, Mr. Sampson believed it +might be possible to retrace his steps in safety; but my mother cried +out so loudly against any such foolhardy venture, and painted the +dangers of the frontier in such vivid colors, that the ignorant man +finally came to believe it was hardly safe to trust himself alone amidst +foes whose methods of warfare were so entirely a secret to him. + +Simon Kenton must have been listening to the conversation even as I had +been doing, for he said when mother had ceased her warning: + +"The only safe path for you is that which leads to Corn Island. There +you will find a goodly company, and I doubt not that before many days +have passed you will meet with some who propose to journey on your +road." + +"But how may we provide for ourselves on this island of which you +speak?" the man asked helplessly, and the question in itself was +sufficient to prove his ignorance. + +"There will be no lack of helping hands," Simon Kenton replied with a +smile. "On the frontier men do not count the value of food and a +shelter, as do those who live in town." + +Then, as if to show he was pig-headed as well as ignorant, Mr. Sampson +argued that he was not willing to accept charity from strangers; that it +would be demeaning himself to receive anything for which he was unable +to pay. + +"You must do that, or take the chances of providin' sport for the +painted snakes, as you were like to do a short time ago," Kenton replied +curtly, and I understood by the tone that he was losing patience because +of the man's stubbornness. + +Having thus spoken the young scout turned once more to stand guard at +the loophole, and Paul, the lad, his meal ended, came timidly toward +where I was stationed. + +He appeared to be a boy after my own heart, entirely different in +manners and speech from his father, and I decided at once that we should +be firm friends so long as he might remain on the frontier. + +I could well understand that he was burning with a desire to ask +questions, and did not hesitate to give him encouragement to begin. + +He was eager to know how long I had lived in the wilderness; how often I +had fought against the savages, and such like simple questions, all of +which I answered until he was come to an end. + +Then I asked about his home in Maryland; of his journey to the Ohio +River, and, finally, how he felt while bound to the stake. + +"The fear in my heart was so great that I did not fully have my senses," +he replied with a shudder. "Not until the fires were kindled and the +dancing had begun did I dream that those beasts would put us to death. I +was like one in a dream until the first shot was fired, and a savage +dropped dead almost at my feet." + +"We didn't open fire any too soon," I said with perhaps a tinge of pride +in my tone because I had played my part well, as it seemed to me. + +"In another instant the Indian's knife would have been in my body!" he +cried. "I could tell by the fierce gleam in his eyes that he counted on +taking my life." + +"The murdering brutes do not kill their prisoners so quickly or easily. +He would have prolonged your life to its utmost limit, in order that you +might suffer the more." + +Then I told him of my father's cruel death; of what we had found to tell +the horrible story, and before I had finished the tears were running +down his cheeks. + +Simon Kenton must have been listening to our conversation, for he called +sharply, when Paul was almost overcome with grief: + +"You lads had best get what sleep you can before daylight, for as soon +as the sun rises, if it so be the red wolves have drawn off, we must set +out for Corn Island." + +I understood that he was not well pleased because I had frightened the +lad who was so lately come from the bustling world, and it shamed me +because of giving him, who was so brave, an opportunity for reproof. + +My mother spread out the skins near the fireplace, where I had been in +the custom of sleeping, and Paul dutifully laid himself down, while his +father remained at the table evidently in a brown study. + +It was not in my mind to allow Simon Kenton to perform all the labor, +and I said stoutly, yet at the same time feeling that my eyes were +growing heavy: + +"I count on doing my share of the watching this night. It is not right +that I should sleep while you remain awake." + +"I should not trust you to stand guard alone, and there is no good +reason why both of us remain on duty. Take your sleep now, that you may +be the better fitted for a long day's tramp." + +He spoke in such a commanding tone that I could do no less than obey, +and when my mother clambered up the ladder to her bed in the loft I lay +down by Paul's side, closing my eyes in slumber almost as soon as my +body was stretched out at full length. + +The day had dawned when a cry from Simon Kenton brought me to my feet in +alarm, believing the savages were upon us; but he quieted my fears as he +said with a laugh: + +"I had a notion of findin' out how long you need to get your eyes open +wide. If we two are to join Major Clarke, we should be well acquainted." + +"I am not such an idiot as to sleep after being summoned," I replied +just a trifle testily, for it seemed much as if he was making sport of +me. "I may not be as well up in woodcraft as are you; but I'm no +idler." + +"Now you are takin' me too seriously," he replied with another laugh +which disarmed me of anger. "It was high time you made ready for the +tramp, an' I'm pleased to see you so quick at a call. He who finds it +hard to shake the sleep from his eyes should remain in towns where he +need not hold a rifle ever at hand in order to save his life. Look at +yonder would-be settler," he added in a whisper, and I glanced in the +direction of his outstretched finger, where was Mr. Sampson, yawning and +stretching as if struggling to gather his senses. "Is it strange the +painted brutes captured such as he with but little difficulty?" + +Paul was no such sluggard. He had risen at the same time I did, and now +stood near the door on the alert for whatever might come his way. + +I could hear my mother moving about in the loft, and knew she would soon +be down to cook breakfast, after which, as I understood the plan, we +were to begin the journey. + +"Have the savages left us?" I asked of the young scout. + +"Ay, so it seems, though I'm not overly eager to believe it without +better proof than that we've heard nothin' from 'em since you went to +sleep. Stand you here ready for anything that may turn up, an' I'll have +a look round." + +He unbarred the door as he spoke, and when he had stolen softly out I +stood guard in his place, with Paul close by my side. + +Not until the morning meal had been cooked and was spread on the table +did Simon Kenton return, and the news which he brought gave me a sense +of deepest relief. + +"The dose we gave 'em last night was enough," he said, leaning his rifle +against the side of the hut as he took a seat at the table without +waiting for an invitation. "Now is the time for us to start, for there's +no knowin' how soon the brutes may take it into their ugly heads to come +back." + +"Are we to leave all our belongings here?" I asked, looking around at +the scanty store of furniture, the greater portion of which my father +had made. + +"Better them than your hair," Simon Kenton replied. "If the snakes come +this way again they'll make short work of the cabin an' all that's in +it, whether you be here to make a show of defendin' it or not. In case +they stay away, the stuff will be safe where it is, if we take care to +keep out the wild beasts." + +There was a look of pain on my mother's face which I knew had been +caused by the thought of leaving behind her scanty goods; but she gave +no words to her sorrow, joining with the young scout in the conversation +concerning the day's tramp. + +When the meal had been eaten, and mother tidied up the cabin a bit, we +went out into the sunlight, closing door and window shutter behind us, +as if counting on returning before nightfall. + +Simon Kenton took the lead, and then was begun the long march which did +not end until late in the night. + +We made few halts, and then only for a few moments at a time. We ate as +we walked, forcing our way through the dense underbrush, and ever on the +alert against danger. + +Mr. Sampson more than once insisted that the pace was killing him; he +declared, when the day was half spent, that it would be impossible for +him to walk half a mile farther; but when Kenton quietly suggested that +he might halt wheresoever he chose, and follow our trail the next +morning, he came to the conclusion that perhaps he might keep his feet a +short time longer. + +Paul was as cheery a companion as one could desire. Although he was +foot-sore and weary, as I knew full well, not a word of complaint came +from his lips, and before the day was ended I knew Simon Kenton had +begun to love the lad even as I already did, for he whispered once when +we were well in advance of the others: + +"That boy is worth a dozen such men as his father. He has got true +pluck, an' I'll warrant you wouldn't hear him whine even when he'd +fallen in his tracks worn out." + +There is no reason why I need say how my mother bore her share of the +fatigue. She was a brave, true woman, and when any task, however great, +was to be done, went at it with a will and in silence, or with cheery +words. + +When, at a late hour in the evening, we were come opposite Corn Island, +and had found one of Major Clarke's force who was willing to ferry us +across the river, I was more astounded than words can express, for it +was as if I had suddenly emerged from the wilderness to find myself in a +populous town. + +No less than twenty families had come down with the volunteers, and were +encamped together, nearby where the men had their quarters. Counting +men, women and children, there could not have been less than four +hundred and fifty people, three times as many as I had ever before seen +in one place. + +The greater portion of this gathering was asleep; but I could well fancy +what bustle and confusion there must be when all were moving about, and +the mere idea bewildered me. + +Simon Kenton led us directly to the hut set apart for the use of Major +Clarke, and there introduced us to the commander of the expedition, who +bid us welcome in such a hearty fashion that even Mr. Sampson must have +forgotten what he had said about "accepting charity." + +Mother was taken in charge by some of the women, and we four, meaning +Simon Kenton, the Sampsons, father and son, and myself, were given the +use of a lean-to made of brush--not a substantial shelter; but to me, +who had well-nigh come to an end of my endurance, it was most inviting. + +Even Kenton himself felt the effects of the long tramp; and we indulged +in no conversation that night, each member of the party falling asleep +as soon as he was on the ground. + +Paul and I were early abroad next morning. To him there was no novelty +in such a throng, for he told me solemnly that he had seen in Maryland +many more people bent on merrymaking than could be found on Corn Island, +and I was forced to believe the lad, although it hardly seemed possible. + +As I have said, there were no less than twenty families who had come +down with the major's force to find homes in the wilderness, and, +learning in some way, I know not how, that I was the son of a settler, +many of them gathered around to learn how we had fared on our clearing. + +There was more than one pale face among the women and younger children +when I told of my father's death, and I dare say but few would have +remained to build homes nearabout the Ohio River if it had been possible +for them to get back to the settlement they had just left. + +Mr. Sampson appeared like a different man now that he was with a throng +of people. He no longer seemed to think it necessary he should return +to Maryland, where a wife and two children awaited his coming; but +declared that he would join his fortunes with those who counted on +building up a village on the frontier. + +Paul kept close by my side as I talked with the men concerning the +expedition on which Major Clarke was to lead them, and when, late on +that first day in camp, I told him of my intention to join the force as +a volunteer, he declared that nothing would please him better than to be +my comrade. + +"If my father is willing, I shall go," he said quietly; but in a tone +which told me that he was one with a will of his own, and not likely to +be led by the nose against his own desire or inclination. + +At the first opportunity I sought out Simon Kenton to tell him of Paul's +plans, and the young scout said heartily: + +"I like the lad, and will be glad to have him with us, although for a +time he may cost us some trouble." + +"He is quick to learn, I fancy, and by observing those around him, will +soon be able to get about in a proper fashion," I replied confidently, +whereupon the scout surprised me by saying: + +"There will be none save you an' me for him to see." + +"What then will have become of all this gathering?" I asked in +astonishment. + +"They will be far behind us, lad. Was it in your mind that I would march +in line like a soldier?" + +"What else can you do?" + +"Remain in advance to make certain no danger threatens. You and I will +act as scouts; I reckon there may be others, but I have been hired to +conduct all this party, first to the British outpost at Kaskaskia, and +then to Cahokia." + +"You alone?" I cried, overwhelmed to learn that this young fellow was of +so much importance in the eyes of a soldier like Major Clarke. + +"Not alone, for I count on takin' one Louis Nelson with me, an' he has +it in mind that Paul Sampson will make the third." + +"But I am far too ignorant to share such an important duty!" + +"The lad who is willin' to face a gang of painted wolves such as +besieged your cabin, and to do so almost single-handed, gives promise of +bein' a comrade to my likin'. We'll lead the men, Louis, an' I dare +venture to say there'll be no ambush we shan't scent out before the +murderin' redskins succeed in doing any mischief." + +"And are you willing to take Paul Sampson?" I asked, still in a maze of +bewilderment. + +"Aye, that I am, an' venture to say he'll turn out to be your equal +after a little experience." + +I could hardly contain myself for joy at the thought that mine was to be +a man's work; but ran off at full speed to make my mother acquainted +with what I believed was rare good fortune. + +She, kind soul, was saddened because such an opportunity had presented +itself to me, and although she spoke not a word against the enterprise, +I understood what was in her heart, and said quickly, even though it +cost me a pang to utter the words: + +"You are not pleased, mother, and I had thought it would make you glad +because Simon Kenton had so much of faith in me. I will tell him I +cannot go, and you may forget I have spoken of it." + +The tears were very near her eyelids as she drew me closer and said +softly, hardly daring to trust her voice: + +"I would not keep you, my son, even though the parting give me great +pain. On the frontier boys must speedily learn to be men, and it may be +best for you to go. Perhaps we will join these settlers who intend to +build up a town nearby, when you come back covered with glory." + +"Now you are making sport of me, mother," I replied reproachfully. +"There is no glory to be gained in fighting savages." + +"To my mind you gained very much, Louis, when you ventured your life to +save Mr. Sampson and Paul." + +I was at a loss to understand exactly what she meant, nor did I try very +hard, for the look of pain was gone from her face, and I wanted to +repeat the good news to Paul. + +I found him on the shore of the island, gazing across the water as if he +saw in the muddy stream some wonderful vision, and instead of being +surprised or elated when I told what proud position we were to occupy in +the expedition, he said with a sigh: + +"It is enough if I am to be with you, Louis." + +"And your father? Will he give his consent?" + +"He is laying plans for the new settlement which is to be made, and when +I told him it would give me pleasure to go with you and Simon Kenton, +he said he had other things of which to think." + +"Does that mean you are free to go?" + +"Now that he has companions there will be no thought of me. We will go, +Louis; but do you think we will come back?" + +The question almost frightened me. I had thought only of being a scout +for such a brave party as was here encamped, and had given no heed to +the possible danger which awaited us, until reminded of it by Paul's +words. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +DOWN THE OHIO. + + +Paul's question as to whether we would ever come back caused me to be +attacked by timorousness, the first sensation of the kind I had +experienced since the venture was proposed. + +Now the matter had been brought home to me in such an innocent way, I +began to realize all that this journey might mean. I had not spent my +life on the frontier without having heard of Major Clarke, and knew full +well he would not turn his back because of danger; in fact, should he +chance to lead his men into a place where their lives were imperiled, +the major's first thought would be as to how he might get the best of +the foe--not as to how he and his following could escape. + +In addition to this, only a single glance was needed to show that the +work would be hot, once the force had come within striking distance of +the enemy. Major Clarke had enlisted none save old frontiersmen, each +one of whom had battled for his life against the painted wolves a dozen +times over, and I question if there was a man in the forest who had not +some private wrongs to avenge upon both savages and Britishers. + +Knowing all this, one need be a simple who did not understand how sharp +would be the efforts to strike a telling blow once the company was in +the vicinity of the enemy, whether that enemy was a red-coated soldier, +or a half-naked, feather-bedecked brute such as had lived a life of +murdering and plundering since the first day the white men came into +that section of the country. + +And Paul and I were to act, as best we might, the part of scouts in +advance of such a force as was this which followed Major Clarke! We +who, because of our ignorance, should have remained in the rear, would +lead the way, taking perforce the hottest of the fights because of being +the first to encounter the foe. + +It is little wonder that I was overwhelmed with timorousness on +realizing for the first time what I had taken upon myself; but Paul, who +never dreamed of all we might seek out, remained calm and placid as if +ours was to be the most innocent of pleasure excursions. + +The lad was surprised at finding me silent when he had done no more than +repeat what I had said to him a dozen times over, and asked solicitously +if I was ill. + +It would have been little more than the truth had I told him I was sick +with fear; but such words would have shamed me, and I held my peace, +allowing him to believe that I who had never known a day's sickness, had +suddenly been overcome in some womanish fashion. + +It was Simon Kenton who broke in upon our not overly pleasant +conversation, by saying gleefully, as one might who had just come into +some good fortune. + +"If you lads have settled all your business, we'll be off 'twixt now an' +sunset, for I'm countin' on gettin' a good view of the river before we +make a halt." + +"Are the men ready to move?" I asked in surprise. + +"They will follow twenty-four hours later, provided we learn of nothin' +to prevent the movement. It's our task to spy out the land, an' we're +bound to keep well in advance." + +I glanced quickly at Paul in order to see how the news affected him; but +not so much as a tremor of the eyelids followed this information. +Perhaps if he had known all the danger as well as did I, he might have +presented a different appearance. + +It would have been shameful had I shown fear when this lad who knew +nothing of life on the frontier remained unmoved, and I stiffened my +lip as best I might, resolved that neither he nor Simon Kenton should +guess of that which was in my heart. + +Not only did the scout intend to set forth on this day; but I understood +from his movements that he was eager to begin the work as soon as +possible, despite the fact of his having spoken as if an hour earlier or +later could make no difference to him, and I said with so much of +calmness as might be forced into my voice: + +"If it so be you are minded to go at once, I can make ready within five +minutes." + +"It would please me to be rid of this place. A crowd of people is not to +my likin' an' by settin' out now there will be no call for any great +haste, whereas the same cannot be said in case we are but a few hours +ahead of the volunteers." + +"I wish only to have a word with my mother, and then we cannot leave the +island too soon to please me," I replied, and added on observing in +Paul's face what I fancied was a wistful look, as if he was saying to +himself that it would be a consolation to have some one bid him God +speed, "will you come with me, lad? I dare venture to say she will treat +us both alike." + +He sprang forward eagerly, with the moisture of a coming tear in his +eyes, and we went toward that portion of the encampment where were the +women, all of whom found ample occupation in cooking for the volunteers. + +Perhaps it is as well if I set down nothing regarding the parting with +my mother; it was painful to me, and cannot deeply interest any who +reads these lines, if peradventure they really have a reader. + +It is enough if I say that both us lads, for she gave Paul the same show +of affection as was bestowed upon me, promised to be as careful of our +lives as one could who had set about such work as ours might prove, and +in less than half an hour from the moment Simon Kenton announced his +intention of leaving the island, we were standing by the water's edge +awaiting his commands. + +The young scout did not delay once we were ready. A canoe such as is +known by the name of "dugout," was moored to a tree, and in her had been +loaded our scanty outfit. + +A supply of ammunition, pepper, salt, a few potatoes and three loaves of +corn bread made up the list of our belongings such as we could not carry +in the pockets of our hunting shirts. As a matter of course each had a +knife and a rifle, which last would serve to provide us with more food, +and we really needed nothing else. + +Paul had made an attempt to speak with his father before leaving; but +Mr. Sampson was so deeply engaged in laying plans for the future village +which was to spring up on the banks of the Ohio, that he had no time to +spend on his son. + +Major Clarke was the only member of all that company who knew we were to +set out at this time, and he remained in close conversation with Simon +Kenton a good half hour after Paul and I had taken our places in the +dugout. Then, seeing that the scout was eager to be off, he stepped +back, saying to us lads: + +"See to it that you follow closely the instructions given by Kenton; +your lives may depend upon obedience, for the work you have undertaken +is in the highest degree dangerous." + +He might have spared himself that much breath, so far as I was +concerned, for there was in my mind a very good idea of the perils we +would be called upon to face, and I had little relish for such a +reminder, because my courage at this moment was none of the best. + +"So long as we remain in advance you may count on it that there is +nothin' to fear," Kenton said as he unmoored the boat and sent her +moving out into the current with a single stroke of the paddle. "We +shall give you fair warnin' if we come across anything worth knowin', +unless----" + +He did not finish the sentence; but I knew full well how to conclude it. +"Unless we are taken by surprise and all killed," is what he would have +said but for the fear of alarming Paul and me. + +Before we were half a mile from the island I came to realize that I was +playing the part of a fool by allowing my mind to dwell upon the +possibilities of the future, and, forcing thought into a different +channel, I began to speak of the village which it was proposed to build +on the bank of the river, little dreaming that it would one day be a +great city known as Louisville, as if named for me. + +During ten minutes or more, not a word was spoken, and then as if +talking to himself, Kenton said: + +"The volunteers will set out sometime to-morrow, an' should move along +as fast as we can." + +"Are all the men coming down the river?" Paul said: + +"Some will be left behind to look after the women and children; but the +remainder are to set off in the flat boats that were moored at the other +side of the island." + +"If they are to come in boats, I do not understand why we push on +ahead," I said stupidly, whereupon Kenton replied: + +"It's our business to know if the painted snakes are nearabout the river +in any great force." + +"And how may we learn that, unless we tramp along the shore?" + +"The chances are that the snakes would fire at us, not countin' on the +main force bein' so near." + +"In which case we should gain the information by being shot--perhaps +killed." + +"I reckon one of us would come out alive, an' he could get back to give +the news," Kenton said quietly, as if the possibility of our losing our +lives was as nothing so long as the volunteers were warned. "But there's +a good chance we'd all slip through without a scratch, even though the +reptiles had gathered in full force, for they're not the best marksmen +to be found hereabout, an' by keepin' well in the middle of the stream +it should be safe sailin'. Now I'm thinkin' we'd better keep our tongues +quiet, and set our eyes at work, else there's a show of slippin' by what +we've been sent to find. If you see the least auspicious looking thing, +sing out, and we'll know what it means before goin' any further." + +Paul listened to these words as if they had no especial concern for him, +and I was near to being vexed with the lad because of his seeming +indifference when life was in danger; but checked myself with the +thought that he would put on a different look if he fully understood the +situation. + +By this time Simon Kenton was keeping his eyes at work as he labored at +the paddle, refusing my proffer of assistance, and I question if a +single bent twig or broken bough escaped his notice. It was as if he +saw both sides of the river at the same instant, listening as eagerly as +he gazed, and it can be fancied that I did not dare attempt anything in +the way of conversation. + +It is needless for me to explain at length in what fashion we rounded +this point, or skirted that cove half hidden by the overhanging foliage, +for all know full well how voyagers on the Ohio in the days of the +revolution guarded against ambush or sudden attack. + +To my mind we might as well have remained with the volunteers during +this portion of the journey, for in case we came upon any considerable +body of savages there was little chance either of us would succeed in +carrying back the news to those who virtually placed their lives in our +keeping. + + [Illustration: Within five seconds I had fired, using the curl of + vapor for a target.--Page 108. _On The Kentucky Frontier._] + +We had been sailing three hours or more; the sun was low in the heavens, +and the shadows were already so dense on the western bank that a hundred +painted brutes might have been concealed beneath the low hanging +branches without our being any the wiser. + +To me it seemed foolish to continue on any further, if our only purpose +was to scan both sides of the river carefully, and I was on the point of +saying as much to Kenton when a tiny puff of smoke darted out from amid +the foliage to the right of us, hardly more than fifty yards away; a +sharp report like unto the crack of a whip could be heard, while the +splinters flew from the paddle in the scout's hand. + +It goes without saying that I was startled; but not to such an extent as +to deprive me of my wits. + +I knew full well none but a savage would have fired at us, and the +knowledge that the villainous enemy was so near served to make me forget +the fear which had beset me a short time previous. + +Within five seconds from the instant the tiny puff of smoke darted out +like the tongue of a snake, I had fired, using the curl of vapor for a +target, and Simon Kenton said approvingly, but with no trace of +excitement in his tone: + +"That was well done! A lad who is so quick with a shot should not be +taken at a disadvantage, whatever turns up." + +He had forced the bow of the dugout from the shore even before I fired, +and, bending low, was paddling with all his strength as if the one idea +of escape was all that occupied his mind. + +Paul had neither spoken nor moved; at the moment his back was toward me, +a fact which I regretted because I could not see his face to learn if he +changed color. + +We were no more than in mid-stream before a second shot was heard, this +time coming from a point lower down the river; but the bullet flew +harmlessly over our heads. + +I made no effort to return the shot, for the very good reason that there +was no chance I could do any execution at such a distance, even though +he who had fired remained motionless, which was hardly to be expected. + +Kenton pulled around the next bend, hugging the eastern shore closely, +and when we were come to a small creek he forced the canoe up the tiny +water course until it was completely hidden by the foliage. + +"We might have gone on without fear," I said in a whisper, surprised by +this manoeuver, "We were traveling faster than the savages could walk, +and might easily have outstripped them." + +"Which is exactly what we don't count on doin'," he said quietly, +speaking in an ordinary tone, and thus showing he had no thought of +danger while we remained on this side the river. + +"Why not?" Paul asked mildly. + +"Because it's our business to know how many of the reptiles are on +yonder bank." + +"But how will you find out?" + +"Go back there, an' have a look at 'em. In less than an hour we can do +the trick in fine style." + +Paul and I looked at each other in mingled fear and amazement while one +might have counted ten, and then I turned my eyes away, understanding by +this time that to gather such information was the only reason why we had +come down the river ahead of the volunteers. + +Kenton sat like a statue in the center of the canoe, we lads being at +either end, and it seemed to me as if a full hour passed before a word +was spoken. + +Then the night was so near upon us that, save directly in the middle of +the river, it was impossible to distinguish objects twenty paces +distant. + +"I reckon we may as well get to work," and Kenton cautiously forced the +canoe out from amid the tangle of foliage until the current carried her +down stream. + +He did not use the paddle save to keep her from running afoul of dry +brush or logs on the bank, and we had drifted two miles, perhaps, when +he suddenly bent to his work, sending the light craft across the river +at a speed I had never before seen equaled, even by my father. + +I fully expected to hear the report of a rifle, or feel the sting of a +bullet when we were in the middle of the stream where a sharp-eyed +savage might see us; but nothing occurred to check our progress, and in +a marvelously short space of time we were once more screened from view; +but now on the same side of the river where we knew the painted snakes +lurked. + +"You are to stay in the dugout," Simon Kenton whispered to me as he +raised his rifle. "If it so chances that I'm not back here by sunrise, +you must work your way up stream to warn Major Clarke." + +Had he given me the opportunity I should have urged that he take us with +him, or wait till near morning before undertaking so dangerous a +venture; but the words had no more than been spoken when he was gone. + +At one instant he was speaking with me, and at the next he had vanished +as completely and silently as if the waters had covered him. No Indian +who ever lived could have equaled him in swiftness and noiselessness. + +Paul was mystified when he turned and failed to see Kenton, and I felt +forced to explain in whispers what had happened, else I believe of a +verity the lad would have cried out in his bewilderment. + +It is not possible for those who have always lived in large settlements +or towns to realize the desolateness of such a position as was ours +while we waited for the return of the scout. + +He had ventured into the forest where we knew to a certainty were +bloodthirsty enemies, and that he realized all the possibilities had +been shown by the order for us to work our way up-stream to warn the +on-coming boats, in case he failed to return by sunrise. + +My heart was almost in my mouth as I sat there holding Paul's hand, +starting at the lightest sound, and hearing even in the rippling of the +water some token of the savages. My tongue was parched; I could not +have uttered a single word had it been necessary to speak, and only with +the greatest difficulty did I prevent my hand from trembling, thus +exposing to my companion that I was wofully afraid. + +When perhaps an hour had passed it seemed to me as if we had been there +a full night, and then came that sound which I had at the same time been +expecting and fearing to hear. + +From the distance, half a mile away, I guessed, came the crack of a +rifle; then another and another, and after that the same deathly silence +as before. + +"Think you any harm has come to him?" Paul whispered tremulously, and I +replied as I believed truly: + +"Not unless he met with an accident before that first shot was fired. If +there had been a large number of savages nearabout, he would have used +every effort to return without loss of time, that we might go to warn +the volunteers. There may have been only a few, with, perhaps, a +captive, and he has attempted a rescue." + +I was heartened by my own words, which sounded plausible, and remained +on the alert ten minutes or more, expecting each instant to see Kenton +appear as silently as he had vanished. + +When that length of time had elapsed, however, and he yet remained +absent, fear crept over me, and I imagined the worst. + +After half an hour went by, and I kept note of time by counting, there +was no longer any hope in my heart. + +After firing a shot Kenton would, had he been able, come back to us at +once; for even though he had not learned all which seemed necessary, he +must have understood that he would no longer be able to spy upon the +foe. + +I tried to decide what should be done; but my brain was in a whirl. I +could hardly have defended myself if one of the painted brutes had shown +himself close at hand. + +It was Paul who aroused me from what was little less than the +stupefaction of despair, by whispering in my ear: + +"He did not say that we should go up the river until sunrise. Why may it +not be possible for us to help him?" + +I shook my head, believing it was too late for us to effect anything in +his behalf; but the suggestion, coming from a lad who was ignorant of +all this wretched business, awakened me to a realization of my own +folly. + +"I am the one to go," I said decidedly "You shall stay here, in case he +comes back." + +"By so doing I could be of no assistance. We will go together." + +Even now I fail to understand why my wits had so completely deserted me. +I had no thought of what might be the result if we two made off into the +forest in the darkness; but before we met Simon Kenton again I realized +my folly most keenly. + +Without trying to persuade him to remain, as I should have done even in +my foolishness, I whispered: + +"You must move softly and keep close behind me, lest we be separated in +the thicket where it might mean death to cry out. Follow my every +motion, for I shall take the lead." + +He grasped his rifle in a manner which told he at least was no coward, +and clutched my hunting shirt to make certain of obeying the command I +had given. + +I stepped over the side of the canoe into the water; but not as silently +as Simon Kenton had done, and we two waded ashore with no heed as to +where this rash move was likely to lead us. + +Ashamed though I am to confess it, I took no heed as to the location of +the boat we were leaving--made no attempt to seek out what would serve +as a guide when we returned, if in deed we ever did; but had only in +mind the idea of proceeding up-stream toward where the reports of the +weapons had come from. + +And into the blackness of the forest we plunged, +I claiming to be better versed, in woodcraft than my companion, yet +doing that which the most ignorant townsman would never have dreamed of +attempting. + +It was the act of a fool, and I was to receive the punishment due my +folly. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ASTRAY. + + +It seemed to me that the noise of the firearms had come from a point +about half a mile from the shore, and less than a third of this distance +up-stream, therefore I bent my way in that direction, heeding nothing +save the terrible fear that Simon Kenton had been taken prisoner, or +killed outright. + +Could I have learned that he was dead my heart might have been somewhat +lighter, for I knew full well how terrible would be the torture +inflicted upon him once the savages understood who he was. + +In such case, Paul and I were bound to carry the sad news back to the +volunteers without delay; but while there was a chance of our being able +to give him succor, I held that it was our duty to make every effort in +such direction. + +When I was older grown, and had seen more of warfare, I came to +understand that the life of one man counts for but little when compared +with the general good, and had such fact been impressed upon my mind at +this time, I would never have set out on the foolhardy errand which bid +fair to lead Paul Sampson and me to our death. + +The lad whom Simon Kenton and I had saved from the stake was an apt +pupil, as he showed on this night when he followed close in my +footsteps, betraying no signs of fear when he might well have been +excused for betraying timorousness, and moving with the utmost caution. + +It is not for me to say that we advanced as silently as the young scout +could have done; but I was satisfied that we were not moving in a clumsy +fashion, and began to feel a certain pride in thus showing Paul how we +of the frontier followed on the trail of our enemies. + +During perhaps half an hour we two went steadily but cautiously forward, +and then it seemed to me as if we should have arrived at the spot from +which the shots had come. + +I halted and listened intently. Not a sound could be heard save the +soughing of the wind among the foliage, or the countless faint noises of +the night which tell of life when the world is supposed to be sleeping. + +For the first time a sense of distrust in my own ability found lodgment +in my mind. It seemed positive we had either traveled in the wrong +direction, or the savages had left the vicinity where the encounter had +taken place. Surely we ought to have come across Kenton, unless he made +a wider detour than at first seemed probable, or, as I feared, had been +taken prisoners. + +A certain numbness as of despair took possession of me; I pressed +forward with less heed than before to the direction I was taking, and +again stood still to listen. + +When we made this second halt I believed we were no less than two miles +from where the canoe lay, and it was positive the enemy had not been so +far away when the weapons were discharged. + +Paul pressed my arm in token that he wanted to say something; but I +clapped my hand over his mouth. The fact that I had made a most grievous +mistake was beginning to find lodgment in my dull brain, and a nervous +fear was creeping over me. + +The thought that he, a lad from the east who knew nothing of woodcraft, +had good reason to distrust my ability, angered me, and like a fool I +advanced once more, this time at right angles with the course we had +been pursuing, even though I should have known that such traveling at +random was not calculated to produce the desired results. + +When we had forced our way through the underbrush for a distance of +perhaps another mile, we were halted by a swamp. + +It was not possible that either the Indians or Simon Kenton had +attempted to cross such a place where one must flounder around with +noise enough to proclaim his every movement, and I leaned against the +trunk of a tree fully realizing all the mischief I had wrought. + +Again Paul gave token of wishing to speak, and I no longer attempted to +check him. + +"If we are to hunt for Kenton, or count on learning what has become of +him, would it not be better that we went back to the canoe, and waited +for the coming of day?" + +"Then it is our duty to push up stream to warn the volunteers," I +replied moodily. + +"We cannot hope to find him while it is dark, and it may be that we +shall lose our way," he suggested mildly, whereupon, and without reason, +I turned upon him angrily. + +"We have lost it already!" + +"Can you not retrace your steps to the river?" he asked mildly, and +without show of fear. + +"We should be able to strike the stream; but, having done so, I could +not say whether we were above or below the canoe, and we might travel +for hours in the wrong direction." + +"We would be able to learn our course by the current, and if it be not +possible to find the boat, then must we go up the river to warn the +volunteers." + +"And leave Simon Kenton in the hands of the savage brutes?" I asked +angrily, grown unreasoning in my nervous fears and the knowledge that I +had made a fool of myself. + +"We are not leaving Kenton, because we have never found him, and since, +as seems true, we only wander about aimlessly, would it not be wisest to +think of the others, who rely upon us to point out the danger which may +await them?" + +Paul Sampson was speaking like a sensible lad, and I realized it fully. +He, the boy ignorant of woodcraft, should have been the leader, and I +wished most devoutly I had consulted with him before setting out on +this wild-goose chase. + +While one might have counted twenty I stood unwilling to acknowledge my +helplessness, and then something like a gleam of common sense came into +my mind. I stood ready to confess that I had acted like a simple, and he +must have understood something of the truth, when I said: + +"It shall be as you propose, Paul, and we'll make for the river; but +this time I am not counting on taking the lead, having already shown +that I have no right to direct our movements." + +"If you despair like this, then are we lost indeed," he said mildly. +"Remember that I know nothing whatever of such work. Go on as before, +using your best efforts to lead us to the river. Then we should aim to +meet the volunteers, so it seems to me, forgetting poor Kenton because +of the many others who need to know exactly what has happened here." + +Without attempting an argument, even had I been able to find one which +would warrant our traveling to and fro as we had done, I acted upon his +suggestion. + +Either we had traveled in a southerly direction to where the river took +a sharp bend, or were much deeper in the forest than had at first seemed +possible to me, for a full hour was spent making our way through the +tangled underbrush, now slowly because of the necessity for silence, and +again pressing forward as rapidly as we deemed safe, and not until such +a length of time had elapsed did we come to the bank of the stream. + +That I had allowed myself to be completely turned around was proven by +the current of the river, for without such evidence I would have gone +toward the south, believing I was making my way northward. + +"The canoe must be above us," Paul said as we halted, "and by following +the shore it should be possible to come upon it." + +This seemed no more than reasonable, and hope once more filled my heart +as I led the way along the bank, now moving with greater caution because +it was more probable we might come upon the enemy. + +One place looked much like another in the darkness, and yet before +midnight we arrived at a spot where I firmly believed the dugout had +been left. + +Paul was of the same opinion, even going so far as to declare that he +had noted on coming ashore the gum tree which we were standing near +while holding the consultation. + +I was disposed to believe as he did, but yet the fact that the canoe +could not be found caused me to think both of us were mistaken. + +"Surely this can't be the place," I argued, "for none save Simon Kenton +could have come upon the canoe in the darkness, and, on failing to find +us, he would wait a certain time for our return." + +"You can't say that positively," Paul replied, "for the scout realizes +that the safety of the volunteers depends upon him in a measure, and +would count our lives as of but little value compared with so many as +are coming down the river." + +"Then you think he has been here and gone away in the boat?" I asked. + +"That I do, for the gum tree is as familiar to my eyes as anything can +be on so dark a night as this." + +I was overcome by the possibility. If what Paul declared with such +assurance was true, then were we two lads left alone upon the banks of +the river amid a savage foe, to make our way back to Corn Island, or, +what would be a far more difficult and dangerous task, to continue on to +the mouth of the Tennessee River. + +By going back we should proclaim the fact of my folly, and prove me to +be a lad whose ignorance was near to crime; while to advance seemed +little less than the sacrifice of our own lives. + +Somewhat of this I said to Paul, and he replied like the true-hearted, +brave lad he was: + +"It is better to acknowledge one's ignorance than try to purchase +secrecy at the expense of life. If we have made a mistake, why not admit +it?" + +I, who had plumed myself upon the fact that Simon Kenton was willing to +take me with him as a scout, felt that almost anything was better than +returning, and yet I knew it was my duty to push on up the stream to +warn those who were descending, because we were not yet positive that +the scout had taken away the boat. + +Kenton might be a prisoner in the hands of the savages, and in such case +it was of the utmost importance Major Clarke and his volunteers should +know the facts. + +Not without a severe mental struggle did I decide to smother my pride +and follow Paul's advice; but once having settled upon a course of +action, I was eager to pursue it. + +Prudence dictated that we should wait until daybreak; but I believe of +a verity it would have made me wild to remain in that spot inactive, +thinking only of my folly, and now, as when we left the canoe, I pressed +on with but one idea in mind; but, fortunately, yet retaining so much of +common sense as to understand that we must be on the alert to gain such +information as was possible during the journey. + +The further we continued on up the river, the more firmly did I become +convinced that our last halting place was at the spot where the canoe +had been left, for we saw no other such familiar indentation on the +shore, and now the important question in my mind was as to whether Simon +Kenton had embarked in the dugout, or if the Indians had carried her +away. This last proposition appeared to me so improbable that I hardly +gave it a place in my thoughts. + +On, on, we went, traveling at the rate of no more than two miles an +hour, because of being forced to move silently and at the same time +carrying out the plan of learning if there might be enemies in the +vicinity, and it was nearabout daybreak when, as I believed, we had been +advancing for no less than three hours, our progress was checked as we +came suddenly upon a party of savages, the greater number of whom were +asleep. + +It was accident, rather than wisdom, which prevented our tumbling +directly in upon them, and thereby insuring our own captivity or death. + +I was in the lead, as Paul had insisted should be the case, and my +thoughts were occupied with speculations concerning Simon Kenton rather +than the work which lay before me, when a noise as of some one snoring +arrested my footsteps. + +I had come to a halt within a dozen paces of the savages, and could see, +where the underbrush was thinnest, the form of a feather-bedecked brute +leaning against a tree evidently on guard. + +A dozen steps more and we had been directly upon them. + +Turning quickly, I clasped my hand over Paul's mouth, lest he should +speak, although the lad had shown himself to be a better frontiersman +than I, and this movement of mine told him of the danger so near at +hand. + +During twenty seconds, perhaps, we two stood peering into the gloom, +able only to learn that there could not be less than twenty Indians here +encamped, and then silently as shadows, for our lives depended upon the +movement, we turned about, retracing our steps until thirty yards or +more lay between us and the sleeping murderers. + +Then I whispered in my comrade's ear: + +"We must make a detour here lest those brutes come to know of our +whereabouts, so keep well in mind the direction of the river." + +"Do you count on going forward without learning if Simon Kenton may be +among the savages?" he asked, and a flood of shame came over me as I +thus realized that my own danger had caused me to forget the scout at a +time when his possible fate should have been uppermost in mind. + +Of a verity Paul Sampson ought to have been the leader, and I his humble +follower. + +So abased was I by his thoughtfulness and my own stupidity, that I would +have suggested he reconnoiter the camp, but an instant later, realizing +that such dangerous work should be performed by me if for no other +reason than that I might atone for my past folly, I whispered: + +"Stay here, while I go forward." + +"Why should I not follow? If it so be Kenton is not there, we may +continue on, and thus save the time you would spend in returning to find +me." + +Again he was right, and again was I stupid. + +Well, we did as he suggested, and no lad on the frontier could have done +better work than this same Paul, who was so lately come from the east. + +Skirting around the sleeping scoundrels so silently that the quick-eared +watchers failed to take alarm, we got such view of the brutes as could +be had in the darkness, and when half an hour or more was spent in the +work, I could say of a truth that Simon Kenton had not been made +prisoner by this band. + +It was a great relief of mind, and yet only served to increase my shame, +for now did I begin to believe that the scout had taken away the canoe, +going up the river, or down, as might seem to him best, regardless of us +two who had committed such a fault as was ours. + +The gray light was filtering through the foliage when we were clear of +the foe and could with some degree of safety continue the journey. + +I pushed on at a swift pace that we might put the greatest possible +distance between them and us before the day should have fully come; and +the sun was rising when we halted for a breathing spell. + +Now I found that Paul had much the same idea as I regarding Kenton's +whereabouts, save that he contended the scout had continued on down the +river, believing a band of twenty would hardly attempt to lay an ambush +for three or four boats heavily laden with armed men. + +"A party like that might do great mischief firing upon the boats from +the thicket," I said, "and if Simon Kenton saw them, I make certain he +has gone back. If not, we may gain some little credit, although hardly +enough to counterbalance the shame, by returning." + +We knew the volunteers would begin the journey as soon as day broke, +therefore within an hour, if we traveled at our best pace, it should be +possible to hail the foremost craft. + +The Indians might also move in the same direction, therefore it stood us +in hand to advance as rapidly as possible, and I led the way once more +at my best pace. + +Lest it may seem that I set down too much concerning what we did, and +too little regarding the brave men who were about to risk their lives in +order that the settlers on the frontier might be more safe, this +account shall be cut short with no further mention of ourselves until we +saw, far in the distance, the first of the flat-boats. + +Making our way with all speed to the outermost portion of the point on +which we were standing at the moment, we waved our arms vigorously, not +daring to shout, and the craft was yet a quarter of a mile away when we +saw by the commotion aboard that our signals had been seen and +understood. + +Then two men set out in a canoe, paddling in advance of the unwieldy +flat-boat in order that there might be no necessity of her rounding-to, +and within a comparatively short time we were ferried out to the larger +craft, on which was Major Clarke, eager to learn why we were returning. + +I had no desire to shield myself, although knowing full well that in the +minds of such men as listened to the story I had committed almost a +crime in deserting the canoe while Simon Kenton was ashore. The entire +tale was told without reserve, and then was I gladdened by the major's +words: + +"It may be fortunate that you acted the part of a foolish lad, for +certain it is that Simon Kenton would not have disregarded such a +company as you saw on shore. It must be that he either failed to find +them, or came across another band. It stands us in hand to look after +the party of reptiles lest they be on their way to Corn Island, there to +fall upon the women and children." + +Having said this he gave certain orders to the men, and without delay +the long sweeps were worked until the heavy craft was forced close into +the western bank, where she was made fast. + +Then thirty or more were ordered ashore, the major going with them after +he had given us lads permission to follow. + +"That we will do, sir," I said, "if we are needed to lead the way." + +"We would be poor frontiersmen if we failed to follow your trail, lads," +Major Clarke said with a smile. "You shall do as you please." + +Now it would have suited me better to remain in safety aboard the +flat-boat, yet there was a chance that now I might show my desire to +repair the wrong committed, and I replied as if my heart was full of +courage: + +"We may not be of much assistance, sir; but I should like it better if +we had a hand in the work." + +Whereupon Paul stepped closely to my side as if to say I had but spoken +the thoughts which were in his mind. + +Thus it was that we two followed the volunteers, knowing full well we +might fall into an ambush, and certain we would soon be battling with +our enemies. + +Among these men led by Major Clarke, there was not one ignorant of how +the work before him should be accomplished. No orders, were necessary. + +The volunteers moved ten or twelve paces apart, stretching far up from +the river until they were what would be called by military men a +"skirmish line," and then began the advance, while the flat-boat +remained moored to the bank and two settlers were paddling at full speed +up-stream to warn the other craft. + +Save for the bungling movements of Paul and myself, not a sound could be +heard as we pressed forward, keenly on the alert for the enemy, and +ready for an immediate attack. + +It was as if a company of shadows flitted here and there amid the +underbrush, so far as might be told from sound, and although the advance +was noiseless, it was made swiftly. + +Paul and I were left somewhat in the rear because of not being able to +keep the pace silently, and during more than half of the hour which +passed, I failed to see a single man ahead of us. + +Then suddenly, although we knew full well it must soon come, the report +of a rifle rang out on the still air; after this another and another, +until there could be no question but that the foremost of the party had +come upon those of whom we gave warning. + +My timorousness was forgotten on the instant--cast out of mind by the +knowledge that our lives must be defended, and Paul, whom I believe of a +verity had never been timid, pressed forward so rapidly to take part in +the struggle that I laid hold of him lest he should unnecessarily run +into danger. + +We advanced three hundred paces or more before coming to where our men +were sheltered behind trees, trying to pick off the foe who were in +similar positions, and I heard Major Clarke say in a sharp, low tone: + +"Get to cover, lads! The reptiles are close upon us, and you are giving +them fair targets." + +I leaped behind a gum tree, giving no heed to Paul's movements, and had +but just gained this shelter when a bullet cut the bark within an inch +of my face. + +The Indians were ready for battle, although I had often heard it said +they would never stand up in a fair fight, and there came into my mind +the fear that Paul and I might have seen only a portion of their +force--that possibly we were confronting a large body led by British +officers. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. + + +To you who have read of, and perhaps taken part in, battles between two +armies, this encounter on the banks of the Ohio may seem trifling, and +devoid of interest, because there is no thrilling account of this +gallant charge, or that stubborn holding of a position. + +Since the day when thirty men under command of Major Clarke confronted +an unknown number of Indians on the banks of the Ohio, driving them back +in such fashion that there was no longer spirit enough left in them to +carry out the murderous plan which they had formed for attacking the +defenseless ones on Corn Island--since that day, I say, this country +has seen much of warfare, and what was to Paul Sampson and myself like +a veritable battle has, even while I write, passed into history as +something too insignificant to be worthy of any extended mention. + +To us lads, however, who stood there in the long, scattered line, +knowing that our lives depended upon our own exertions; knowing that the +least incautious movement--a single instant wasted when the trigger of a +rifle should have been pressed, might mean death, it was an engagement +as heavy and important as any that has been waged since the world began, +and with good reason, because our own safety hung in the balance. + +In this world one is prone to give importance to, or detract from, an +event in such measure as it concerns himself alone, and, therefore, Paul +and I may well be excused for holding high in our memory this conflict +which meant everything to those people who on Corn Island awaited our +movements before they should begin to build that settlement which has +since become known as Louisville. + +Of it I can tell no more than that which I saw, and I dare venture to +say that my experience was the same as that of every other in the line, +for no man could give attention save to what lay directly before him. + +It was in fact nothing more, this battle, than standing behind gum or +pine tree, as the case might be, peering intently ahead and on either +side for a distance of twenty or thirty paces, hoping to catch a glimpse +of a tuft of feathers which would tell where a bullet might be sent with +deadly effect, or cowering back whenever a movement of the foliage told +that a rifle barrel was being thrust out so that the holder might take +deadly aim. + +Commonplace enough it sounds when set down in words; but if he who +chances to read can imagine himself in such a position, his only effort +being to save his own life or take that of another, some little idea may +be had of the thrilling excitement which overcame me like unto a fever. + +Now and then from different points could be heard voices shouting words +of encouragement to those in that line of brave men who might perchance +be for the moment faint-hearted. Again, and all too often, came the cry +of pain or an exclamation of anger when the bullet of a savage had +bitten the flesh, and meanwhile Major Clarke was calling out to this man +or to that as he leaped from one point of vantage to the other, +animating every one by his words as well as his example. + +In such a situation the combatants do not give heed to the passage of +time. There are intervals when each second is as a dozen minutes, and +then again, when the minutes flit by apparently more quickly than one +could count. + +Once, when having turned my back to the tree, knowing that my body was +fully sheltered while I reloaded my rifle, I observed Paul, calm and +collected as the mightiest hunter among us. If perchance his aim was +less true than some of the others, it was not because of nervousness or +anxiety concerning himself. He stood his ground like a man--a man who +fights to protect others, rather than for his own honor or to preserve +his own life. + +On that morning Paul Sampson gave good proof that he was worthy to be +numbered among the defenders of the frontier, and showed that in him +could be found none of his father's fickle-mindedness. + +The report of his rifle rang out as often as did that of the most eager +or most experienced in the line, and how much execution he might have +done I know not; but this is certain, that I saw no less than two tufts +of feathers rise convulsively and then sink suddenly out of sight when +his weapon had been discharged at them. + +I say it is impossible to tell at such a time how long one faces his +foe; but it was afterwards told that the Indians stood up to the battle +for near an hour, and then came the word from Major Clarke that they +were falling back. + +This information was in the nature of a command for us to advance, and +advance we did, leaping from one place of shelter to another, while +hastening the faint-hearted foe by bullets sent whithersoever the +swaying of the foliage told us one of the brutes was making his way +onward. + +When we had advanced in such halting fashion for the distance of forty +or fifty paces, I was come to where the painted crew had made their +stand, and there saw good evidence of what we had accomplished. + +No less than four bodies were stretched on the ground lifeless, and my +timorousness returned in a measure as I realized that near at hand, +perhaps making ready to take aim at me, might be some savage, so badly +wounded that he could not join his fellows in what had become little +less than a flight. + + [Illustration: We advanced from one place of shelter to another, + firing rapidly,--Page 142. _On the Kentucky Frontier._] + +At that moment we were in more danger of such of the savages than +from those who were yet sound in body; but as the time passed and I felt +neither the sting of a bullet nor the burning cut of a knife, my courage +came back again before those around me noted the fact of my having been +near to cowardice. + +We advanced, leaping from one sheltered spot to another, until the word +was passed along the line that the remnant of the foe had taken to +flight, no longer trying to shelter themselves, and the battle was over, +save for those eager white men who pursued in the hope of shedding yet +more Indian blood. + +Major Clarke gave the word for his force to fall back to the boat. He +told off four men to search the thicket for bodies of the savages in +order that we might know how many had fallen, and the remainder of the +party, save two or three who were so far in advance as not to have heard +the command, returned to where the flat-boat was moored. + +It was in my mind to congratulate Paul upon his having been in action +and come out unscathed, believing a lad like him, who had stood up +against the enemy for the first time in his life, would be ready to hear +words of praise, or, at least, discuss the exciting events. + +But the boy whom I had looked upon as ignorant because of never having +lived on the frontier, was now shaming me by his actions. + +Instead of spending his time in useless words, Paul began cleaning his +heated rifle, and otherwise putting himself into condition to do a like +service if the occasion should suddenly require it. + +Abashed by his calm and manly behavior, I held my peace, following his +example, and when the last of the pursuers had returned to the flat-boat +we two lads were ready to take part in another encounter. + +Those who had been detailed to learn how much injury we inflicted upon +the foe, reported that fourteen killed or grievously wounded lay in the +thicket, and once more Major Clarke questioned us as to the probable +number we had seen in the encampment. + +I was positive, as also was Paul, that there could not have been upward +of thirty, while it was more reasonable to believe the band numbered +less than twenty, and the major claimed that we might rest assured there +was no longer any danger to be feared from this particular band of +brutes. + +While we were fighting in the thicket the other flat-boats had come down +the stream, rounded-to, and made fast alongside the first craft; but not +a man had gone on shore to take part in the battle because of the orders +left by our leader. + +Now we were ready to continue the journey, and the major said to Paul +and me when we were on board once more, drifting with the current: + +"I allow that it was a fortunate mishap for you lads to have lost sight +of Simon Kenton, otherwise we should have been called upon to bury a +certain number of dead from among the force, instead of having to count +only four slightly wounded. Had that party of reptiles fired on us from +the thicket as we drifted by, much loss of life must have followed. +Therefore I hold to it that you have done us, at the very beginning of +the journey, good service." + +"But where can Simon Kenton be?" I asked. + +"Pushing on down the river most like, believing you were captured while +he was spying upon the other members of that gang. We shall come across +him before many days have passed, unless it so be that he finds it +necessary to come back for the purpose of warning us." + +If the major had intimated that Simon Kenton might at that moment be a +prisoner among the savages, I should have felt the keenest anxiety for +his safety; but here was a man who had had more experience on the +frontier than the eldest among us, speaking of the scout as if it was +not possible any danger could have come to him, and whatever fears +might have been in my mind prior to this time were speedily allayed. + +Now I began to enjoy the journey down the river. We had nothing to do +save sit at our ease while the swift, strong current bore us onward +toward our destination, and such traveling was exceedingly pleasant, +more particularly since I no longer thought it necessary to blame myself +for having left the canoe when I should have remained by her. + +Simon Kenton himself would censure me for having done as I did; but +after knowing how much good had resulted from it, his words of blame +could not be severe. + +It was with such thoughts I comforted myself, and finally gave no heed +to anything save that which was pleasurable. + +When noon came Paul and I shared the provisions of our companions, and, +after the meal was come to an end, lay stretched at full length in the +after part of the boat watching the panorama spread out before us. + +It must not be supposed that while the boats drifted on in this lazy +fashion the men neglected to give due heed to possible danger. + +Strict watch was kept on either bank, and when it became necessary to +round a point or pass some tiny cove fringed with trees wherein the +enemy might lurk to send a shower of bullets among us, the heavy craft +were forced to the greatest possible distance from the place of danger, +while every man stood, rifle in hand, ready to check an attack or return +a volley. + +It was not permitted that we should hold converse in voices louder than +a whisper, and those who worked the heavy sweeps were careful to do so +in the most noiseless fashion, for we knew full well that the enemy +lurked on either shore, and every care was taken to avoid giving notice +of our approach. + +When the day was near to an end the boats were allowed to come closer +together, and finally, when night was so near at hand that the shadows +on the shore grew dense, Major Clarke gave a signal, by gestures, that +we were to haul up till morning. + +"Are we to lay by the bank over night?" Paul asked, and I, unable to +reply, appealed for information to the man nearest, who said much as if +believing the question a foolish one: + +"I reckon there won't be any boatin' done after sunset, unless there's +some great need. Those who drift down this river just now had best do so +when it is possible to have a good view of either bank, and Major Clarke +is not the man to take needless chances." + +"The savages can do no more mischief in the dark than when the sun +shines," Paul said quietly. + +"That is where I'm not agreein' with you, my lad. In the light we can +give as good as they send; but after dark, when there's no chance of +seein' the reptiles, they have the upper hands. Howsomever, our opinion +on the matter won't have any very great weight with the major, and +you'll find that along about this time each day we'll be looking for a +place to halt." + +The boat in which we sailed was the foremost of the fleet, and while the +man was yet speaking the crew worked the sweeps until she rounded to +under the bank, followed by the others, and in less than half an hour we +were moored for the night. + +This done, the first duty was to learn whether there might be any of the +enemy in the vicinity, and scouts were sent out at once, while the +remainder of the company set about getting supper, or, perhaps I should +say, eating it, for such food as we carried at that time was already +cooked. + +There was no thought of immediate danger in my mind; as a matter of +course I realized that we were surrounded by enemies, but after the +battle of the morning I was confident the enemy had been driven to a +respectful distance. + +I had ceased to think of Simon Kenton, save as pushing on down the river +at his best pace, scolding because we were not with him to share in the +labor, and I counted on spending the night in rest. + +It so chanced that Major Clarke was seated very near Paul and I when the +first of the scouts returned, and the information he brought was +sufficient to drive from the minds of every man on board all thought of +idling. + +It appeared from the story we heard, that this scout, seeing a faint +glow as of a light on the opposite side of the river, a mile below where +we were lying, had taken a canoe from the nearest flat-boat and paddled +across. + +There, after having landed, he crept noiselessly through the foliage an +hundred yards or more from the bank until he saw that which explained to +me, at least, why Paul and I failed to find the dugout when we returned +after our foolish tramp. + +A party of fifty Indians, most likely a portion of the same band we +whipped that morning, had halted for the purpose of torturing a +prisoner to death, and that prisoner, so the man declared, was none +other than Simon Kenton. + +He also had been rash and foolish when going ashore in search of +information, and at about the time we heard the reports of the firearms +he must have been made a prisoner. + +Even as I shuddered at the possibility that those who would go to the +rescue might arrive too late, I thought with a certain sense of relief +that now he could not find fault with us for having abandoned our post. + +Had we remained in the canoe, as we should have done, then beyond a +peradventure we had been captives with him, and the flat-boats, not +having been delayed by the battle, might at this time be too far down +stream for their occupants to render any aid. + +It goes without saying that instantly this news was told preparations +were made for the rescue, and while the men were being told off, for +Major Clarke did not intend to take with him more than half a company, +Paul said to me quietly, as if there was nothing to excite or alarm: + +"Of course it is our right to aid in the rescue of the scout." + +"There are many others here who could do better service than we," I +replied, not relishing a second encounter. + +If Paul and I had been alone in the thicket, and were the only ones who +could give assistance to Simon Kenton, then never for an instant would I +have dreamed of holding back; but here were near to four hundred men, +all of them with more experience in such bloody business than either he +or I, and it was only a question of desire that would carry us into the +conflict. + +"We set out from Corn Island with him, and should be the first to go to +his relief," Paul said, as if the matter was already settled in his +mind, and I understood on the instant that he would apply to Major +Clarke for permission to join the force, whether I was disposed to +accompany him or not. + +It would have shamed me wofully had Simon Kenton been alive when the +party reached him, and failed to see me with my comrade, therefore I +leaped up at once as if eager for another battle, and together we +approached the commander. + +"It is our desire, sir, to take part in the rescue," Paul said modestly, +"We were his comrades, and should be the first to go to his relief." + +Then it was Major Clarke made much the same answer as had I, replying +that it would be better the older men take the brunt of the affair; but +Paul held grimly to his purpose, by repeating: + +"It is our duty, sir, and I believe it to be our right." + +I was not disposed that he should be the only one to display courage and +a desire to aid Simon Kenton, therefore I said, throwing such of desire +into my tones as was possible: + +"I pray you, sir, that we be allowed to join the party, if for no other +reason than because the scout was our comrade." + +"It shall be as you say, lads," Major Clarke replied; "but I warn you +against being too eager for such frays. An attack in the night, while it +may sometimes be less dangerous than in the daytime, is likely to prove +far more hazardous." + +The major might have convinced me that it was my duty to remain aboard +the flat-boat; but Paul Sampson was as headstrong once he had resolved, +as he was quiet in manner, and I understood, without the necessity for +words, that he would not be turned from his purpose. + +It can well be supposed that after this word was brought in every man +gave due heed to silence, for should the savages who were making ready +to torture the prisoner, discover that we were near at hand, Simon +Kenton's death would speedily follow. + +To make any attempt to gain the opposite shore with one of the large +flat-boats would be folly, therefore all the dugouts which we towed, or +carried aboard, were brought into line, and those men selected for the +enterprise clambered into them, Paul and I among the others. + +Now to my surprise, instead of putting directly across the river, the +boats were allowed to drift down on the same side where the heavy craft +were moored, keeping well within the shadow of the trees, and not until +we were a mile or more below where it was said the Indians had halted, +was any effort made to cross. + +By the time the opposite side was gained we were fully two miles down +stream, and even a greater distance from the place it would be necessary +to gain in order to rescue Kenton. + +Here we landed, Major Clarke and one of the older men taking the lead, +while the remainder followed in single file. + +Paul and I were midway of the line, and because strict orders had been +given that no word should be spoken, he pressed my arm from time to +time as if to convey by such means the thoughts that came into his mind. + +I could not divine of what he might be thinking; but I knew it was a +very disagreeable fact that at any moment we might fall into an ambush, +for no man could say with certainty that the Indians had failed to note +our coming. + +I suffered more during that tramp of two miles in the utter darkness, +than on the previous night when it had seemed as if Paul's fate and mine +was sealed. + +When we were come so near to the place of torture that the light of the +fires kindled around the tree to which the captive was bound could be +plainly seen, but were screened from view of the river by the foliage, +my heart beat and thumped until it seemed, so nervous had I become, as +if the noise must give warning to the painted crew who were dancing +around their intended victim. + +In whispers Major Clarke gave orders that the men should separate and +creep forward, each at a distance of six paces from the other, until we +had half encircled the murderous band, and then each was to be on the +alert, ready to fire when the first report of the commander's rifle was +heard. + +By such means was it believed that a full half of the savages would be +slain at the first fire, and, thus taken by surprise, the remainder +would seek safety in flight. + +When Paul and I, keeping nearer together than the orders permitted, had +come as close to the savages as might be done with safety, we had a full +view of the unfortunate Kenton. + +I had no doubt but that the Indians recognized him as one who had worked +them no little harm in the past, for they were preparing to prolong his +tortures to the utmost. Sharp splinters of wood were being made ready +for use after the fashion of spears, lest knives should produce death +too quickly, and the painted crew were already circling close around +him, when, as I knew from what had been told me by the others, before +the fires were lighted which should burn his flesh, he would be cut and +mangled with a thousand superficial wounds. + +A brave man was Simon Kenton, and so he showed himself at this moment +when there could have been no hope in his mind that help was near. + +Stripped nearly naked in order that the murderous wolves might see where +to strike without inflicting too serious an injury, he faced them with +what was very like a smile on his face, while the blood was already +flowing down his body from tiny gashes, and I understood that however +much of anguish might come to him, never a cry of pain could be rung +from his lips. + +Paul crept nearer to grasp my arm with a convulsive clutch, and I knew +the lad was feeling most keenly for the prisoner, being able to +understand full well what must have been the captive's thoughts, for had +he not occupied the same position? + +I had leveled my rifle, aiming at the Indian who stood nearest Simon +Kenton, determined that the ball should find its billet, when the sharp +crack of Major Clarke's weapon rang out, and a dancing savage fell to +the ground with a shriek of pain and defiance. + +Instantly half an hundred rifles were discharged, and it seemed to me as +if every feathered head went down, after which the scene was obscured +from view by clouds of sulphurous smoke. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +AT THE RENDEZVOUS. + + +Even before the smoke had cleared away sufficiently for me to see the +captives, our people rushed forward, all reloading as they ran, and +during two or three minutes the confusion was so great that I could not +make out what might be going on. + +Paul and I had dashed forward with the rest, and, instinctively, so far +as I was concerned, we directed our steps toward the prisoner, who was +bound hand and foot in such a manner that I question if he could have +moved either of his limbs by so much as a hair's breadth. + +The effect of the fire was not so deadly as I had at first supposed. +More than one of the savages must have dropped to the ground to +disconcert our aim, as I now understood on seeing that no more than +five lay stretched out on the ground near the captive. + +The remainder had taken to cover a short distance away, and two of our +men dropped as they ran forward, while I saw bloodstains on the shirts +of two others. + +"We must get to shelter!" I shouted to Paul, swerving aside from the +course we had been pursuing as I spoke, and clutching his arm in order +that he should be forced to do the same. + +The brave little lad had no idea of leaving Simon Kenton at the mercy of +the painted brutes, however. It was reasonable to suppose they would +shoot him rather than allow a rescue, and Paul was bent on saving him at +the hazard of his own life. + +Wrenching his arm from my grasp, and almost at the same instant drawing +his hunting knife, he dashed on toward the tree to which the scout was +bound, and involuntarily I followed; but no credit should be given me +for the act, because I was hardly conscious of my own movements. + +Here, there and everywhere around us, as it seemed to me, rang out the +reports of rifles, and every weapon was held with deadly aim. + +It was as if the air was full of death-dealing missiles, and yet no one +of them touched us as we sped across what was now an open space, both +white men and savages having retreated to the nearest shelter. + +Paul was the first to reach the captive, and with an exultant shout he +began hacking at the deer-hide thongs with which the poor fellow was +bound. + +"You're lads after my own heart!" Simon Kenton cried, his voice ringing +out clear and distinct even above the yells of the combatants and the +rattle of the rifles. "If I live it may be possible to pay you two for +this night's work!" + +His words drove the timorousness from my heart, and before he ceased +speaking I was aiding Paul in severing the thongs with as much eagerness +as if it had been my idea rather than his to perform such perilous work. + +The savages began to shoot at us in the hope of preventing our purpose, +and, perhaps, to kill the prisoner at the same time, whereupon our +people opened such rapid and murderous fire that not a be-feathered head +dared to show itself, and in a comparatively short space of time Simon +Kenton was running stiffly toward the nearest shelter. + +He had been bound in one position so long that his limbs were nearly +helpless; but he managed to get over the ground nearly as fast as could +we two lads, and picked up a rifle that had fallen from a dead Indian's +hand even as he ran. + +It was to me as if the fight had hardly more than begun when we three +were in a place of comparative safety once more, and on the alert to +pick off a foe. + +Paul and I had a sufficient amount of ammunition to provide the scout +with what he needed in order to continue his portion of the fight, and +as he stood behind a big gum tree watching keenly for an opportunity to +avenge the insults he had endured, we carried on quite a friendly +conversation. + +"What did you do when mornin' came an' I failed to show up?" Kenton +asked, whereupon I replied quickly, thinking that the present was by far +the best time I would ever have in which to acknowledge my fault. + +"We went in search of you after an hour had passed, and failed to find +the canoe on our return." + +Then Paul, most like, understanding that I would have the story told in +a manner favorable to myself, gave a hurried account of our adventures +from that time until we learned of the scout's trouble. + +"I ran straight into the arms of four snakes who had heard me coming, +and showed myself to be the biggest idiot that ever made a try of goin' +down the Ohio River," Kenton said bitterly, and I rejoiced at the tone, +for it told that he would not be likely to inquire very closely into my +folly. + +He had been bound to the tree where we found him, since early morning, +and during such time the savages had given him a slight foretaste of +what was to come, by cutting his body here and there until the blood +flowed in tiny streams. + +At the moment it struck me as strange that we three should be talking of +the past in this leisurely fashion, interrupting ourselves now and then +to discharge our rifles when a tuft of feathers could be seen; but I +afterward came to know that in times of greatest danger Simon Kenton +appeared to be occupied with the most trifling affairs. + +I asked him once, when the conversation lagged, if he had thought Major +Clarke's force might come to his relief, and he replied emphatically: + +"I had no idea, lad, but that they were many miles below here. You can +be certain that I turned the matter over and over again in my mind. +There was ample time for reflection, and I could see no way but for me +to go into the other world as cheerfully as possible. I was determined +those sneaks shouldn't bring a cry of pain to my lips. But for you two, +for I'm countin' that some of the reptiles would have shot me before +this if you hadn't come up like little men, riskin' the bullets, to set +me free, I'd taken no more part in this 'ere trip of Major Clarke's. If +either of you ever get into a tight place, you can count on my standin' +close alongside while the breath stays in my body." + +This was the moment when I should have confessed that but for Paul, he, +Simon Kenton, would yet be bound to the tree; but the words were not +spoken, and I have never ceased to regret that I did not make the +explanation due my comrade. + +As I read over what is here set down it seems much as if I had made it +appear that we were giving little heed to whatever might be passing +around us, when, as a matter of fact, we were keenly alive to all that +went on, and lost no opportunity of dealing the painted fiends a deadly +blow. + +Nor were the other members of our party at all backward in doing their +duty. As when we faced the savages further up the river, every man did +his best, and this display of courage was not to the liking of such +sneaks as had counted on shedding Simon Kenton's blood. + +Within half an hour from the time the scout was set free, they began to +draw back, and we pressed our advantage until such a blow had been dealt +as must have taught them a lesson. + +Then was heard Major Clarke's voice ordering the men back to the canoes, +and within a few moments we were being ferried across to the flat-boat, +where the other members of the expedition were waiting anxiously to +learn the result of the venture. + +There was no longer any urgent reason why we should remain silent, for +the noise of the conflict had alarmed every painted snake within sound +of the rifles, and our men discussed the situation without taking the +precaution to speak in whispers. + +The general belief appeared to be that these two parties whom we had +fought since daybreak, were one and the same. Our first meeting was with +those who were pushing on up the river in advance to spy out the land, +and it was the main body that had made of Kenton a prisoner. + +All that had happened was for the best. But for my folly many men might +have been slain, and that folly would not have been committed but for +the fact of the scout's having been taking prisoner. + +Clearly the good God had interposed in our favor, and we were come out +of the fights with nothing more serious than wounds which, if properly +cared for, would soon heal. + +Within half an hour from the time we stepped on board the flat-boat +after having released Kenton, he insisted that Paul and I should lay +down to sleep, and at the moment I believed this display of care for us +arose from our efforts to release him at a time when death was looking +into his face. + +Having had no sleep the night before, we were only too glad to act upon +his suggestion, and in a short time both of us lads were sleeping +soundly as only tired boys can. + +At midnight we came to understand why Kenton had been so solicitous for +our welfare. + +Then he aroused us, saying as we opened our eyes: + +"I reckon you lads don't want to stay here any longer, an' it's time we +were movin'?" + +"Where are you going?" I asked sleepily. + +"Ahead of the flat-boats. Unless we start now there's little chance we +can do the party much good, an' I'm countin' on makin' a better job than +was the first one." + +It was not to my liking, this setting out in the middle of the night to +drift through a country infested, as we had by this time every reason to +believe, with savage enemies, and I failed to understand how we could be +of benefit to the volunteers by sailing down the river in the darkness +when we might pass an hundred bands of reptiles without having any +suspicion they were near. + +This much I said to Kenton, and he replied with a laugh: + +"I reckon we can count on the river's bein' clear for the next thirty +miles, an' after we've gone that far it'll be a case of layin' alongside +the bank to wait for daylight, or takin' a quiet little scout ashore." + +"As you did last night," I said quietly, giving but little heed to the +words, and a second later I could have bitten my tongue for having made +such a slip, for the scout said grimly: + +"Perhaps it'll be as well if we don't talk much about last night. The +lad who leaves a canoe to search for a comrade who's out scoutin', not +havin' left any word as to where he might be goin', ain't in good trim +to cast up old scores at others." + +Now it was I understood why Simon Kenton had refrained from making any +disagreeable remark when Paul told of our movements. He realized that we +had done a reckless thing, but was not minded to say what might have +hurt our feelings at a time when we had just aided in saving his life. + +But for my quick tongue I should never have known that he realized fully +all my folly. + +It can well be fancied that, after this reminder that I was not to be +trusted in time of danger, my lips remained closed, and in silence I set +about making ready for the journey. + +The dugout which Kenton had decided to take was lying alongside, and in +her had already been placed such a supply of provisions as we might +need. + +There was little for Paul and I to do save get our sleepy eyes wide +open, and clamber over the side of the flat-boat, a task which we +performed in silence. + +Major Clarke was awake to give us his final instructions, and after he +had held a private conversation with Kenton, the latter came into the +canoe, casting off the hawser as he said in answer to a whispered remark +of the commander's: + +"Never fear but that I know full well what may happen, an' you can count +on my bein' more careful than before." + +I had an idea that these words might have reference to my foolishness of +the night previous, and did not seek to learn what Major Clarke had been +warning him against. + +We pushed off into the darkness, our light craft moved quickly away by +the rapid current, and almost immediately it seemed as if we were wholly +alone in the wilderness once more. + +Save to keep the canoe in mid-stream, Kenton made no effort to direct +her movements, and we floated down the river in silence, keeping sharp +watch on either bank while I promised myself never again to be guilty of +giving way to fear. + +Paul, brave lad that he was, held his peace. Thus far he had covered +himself with the glory which can be gained when one is pitted against +such enemies as were ours, and the fact that I had not given him full +credit when there was an opportunity for so doing, only caused me to +feel the more keenly that he was my superior even though having had no +previous experience. + +I guessed that the current carried us a good five miles an hour. The +distance from Corn Island to the rendezvous at the mouth of the +Tennessee River was said to be considerably more than three hundred +miles, and at the rate of progress made by the heavy boats, lying by +during the night as they did, it would require full six days in which to +make the journey. + +We in the canoe could not look forward to less than five days of this +drifting on the river, in case we met with no delay, and while I +thought of my mother it seemed as if we were going to the other side of +the world. I wondered whether I might ever see her again, and it +appeared much as if the chances were against our meeting, judging from +the dangers into which we had already run when the voyage was hardly +more than well begun. + +By this dwelling upon the possibilities I soon worked myself into a most +cowardly frame of mind, from which I did not awaken until we were come +to a long stretch of sandy land either side of the river, where there +was no fear our enemies could find a hiding-place. + +Then it was that Simon Kenton started a conversation, as if knowing I +needed cheering, and he did not bring it to a close until we were near +the wooded portion of the shores again. + +When daylight came we had seen nothing to cause alarm, although all knew +full well that we might have passed scores of savages without being +aware of the fact, and the scout paddled the boat toward the western +shore, as he said in a low tone: + +"I'm countin' on havin' a look around, lads, an' this time you'll stay +quietly aboard till I come back, or the flat-boats heave in sight." + +Paul, understanding that these words were somewhat in the nature of a +reproof to me, said boldly: + +"It was well for you, Simon Kenton, that Louis insisted on going ashore, +else the sun had never risen again for your eyes." + +"All that I know right well, lad, an' I'd be a brute if I didn't give +the fact due weight; but I'm not willin' you should put your own lives +in peril for me. You've got people who love you, while I----" + +He ceased speaking suddenly as if having said more than he intended, and +again my tongue was an unruly member. + +"Haven't you any kin who would mourn because of your absence?" I asked, +and Simon Kenton's face grew pale, bronzed though it was by the +weather. + +"The less that's said about me the better," he replied curtly, and then, +the canoe being alongside the bank, he sprang out to make her fast, thus +putting an end to further words. + +He was absent no more than half an hour, during which time Paul and I +sat motionless and silent, hidden by the foliage, from the view of any +who might pass either by land or water. + +When he returned we knew he had seen no signs of danger, although not a +word was spoken until we were a mile or more from the halting place. +Then he said quietly: + +"I reckon we've already met all the reptiles who are roamin' hereabout, +an' that we shan't run our noses into any more fights this side of the +Tennessee River. We'll keep a sharp lookout just the same, though, an' +pull up to-night so's not to get too far ahead of the volunteers." + +As he said so we did. During the day we drifted with the current seeing +naught of danger, and at nightfall pulled the canoe up under the +overhanging foliage to enjoy a good night's rest. + +The story of this day's journey was that of the days which followed +until we were come to the rendezvous, arriving, as we believed, not more +than four and twenty hours in advance of Major Clarke's force. + +Since the day when Simon Kenton was made prisoner we had seen no signs +of the foe, and it seemed certain that then we had come upon the only +warlike band outside the British outposts. + +When we stepped from the canoe at the mouth of the Tennessee River I +drew in a long breath of relief, for at that moment I was nearer +exhaustion than I ever believed would be possible when one has done +nothing more than remain inactive. + +To sit in a narrow boat like our dugout day after day, not daring to +move lest she should be overset, is real labor. I had never had much +experience in such traveling, and felt that I really needed no more. + +We made camp by building a lean-to of light stuff, and while Simon +Kenton went back into the thicket to search for game of some kind, Paul +Sampson and I lounged lazily about, enjoying to the utmost the +possibility of stretching our limbs at full length. + +The scout was yet absent when we saw emerge cautiously from the foliage +four white men, and but for the fact that they carried a goodly supply +of meat, thus showing they had been out hunting, I might have suspected +them to be British spies. + +As it was, I did not feel at liberty to give any especial information +concerning ourselves, and warned Paul to be on his guard against +speaking of the flat-boats; but rather to let them believe we were +simply journeying down the river in search of a homestead location. + +As a matter of course the sharp-eyed hunters saw our lean-to +immediately they emerged, from amid the underbrush, and came directly +toward us. + +In the wilderness men are either enemies or friends; there is no +half-way ground as amid townspeople, and I at once decided in my mind +that these newcomers might be depended upon, although I wished most +heartily for Simon Kenton, who could, take the responsibility of +receiving them. + +Their first question was as to whether we were alone, and on being told +who was our companion and leader, one of the party expressed the +greatest pleasure at meeting him once more. + +"I've scouted an' trapped with young Kenton," the hunter said warmly, +"an' a better friend I never hope to have. Where are you headin', lads?" + +I stammered, not willing to give much information until we knew more +regarding the strangers, and yet hesitating to refuse an answer to a +simple question, when Paul said quickly, relieving me of my +embarrassment: + +"If you know Simon Kenton, sir, you can well understand that it does not +become us boys to speak of his purpose. He has gone in search of meat, +and will soon return to answer for himself." + +"Well, said, lad. You have a cautious tongue, an' it's needed +hereabouts, because some of us have white enemies as well as red. We can +wait for Kenton, an' meanwhile there'll be no great harm done if we set +to work cookin' a bit of this 'ere game." + +Then the men took possession of our poor camp, and the odor of meat +cooking was soon rising on the evening air, sharpening our appetites +until, but for the shame of it, I would have begged some of the food +before it had more than been browned by the flames. + +The meal was not yet prepared when Simon Kenton appeared, and I was +rejoiced to see him greet the hunters as if they had been old friends, +for it told that during this night at least we had nothing to fear. + +Without hesitation he explained the purpose of our coming, and told of +the flat-boats with their loads of volunteers which might be expected on +the morrow, whereupon the strangers seemed highly gratified. + +It appeared, as I soon learned by the conversation, that these men had +come from Kaskaskia; but were by no means on friendly terms with the +commander of the British post there. + +They were in sympathy with the efforts of the colonists to shake off the +yoke which the king had put upon them, and declared their purpose to +join Major Clarke's force, if that officer should be willing to receive +them. + +"I'll answer for it that the major gives you a hearty welcome," Kenton +said in a tone of satisfaction, "an' by your aid we shall be able to +surprise the outpost." + +Then the conversation ceased in order that all hands might partake of +the meal, which by this time was prepared, and we two lads felt that +the most dangerous portion of the enterprise was over, although at least +two British garrisons were yet to be captured. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +KASKASKIA. + + +During this evening and the following day we gained all the information +concerning Kaskaskia which it was necessary Major Clarke should know. + +These men who had come upon us so opportunely, were, as I have said, +trappers from that outpost, and eager to do whatsoever they might toward +overthrowing the rule of the Britishers on our frontier. + +Such desire was only natural, as may be believed when I say that the +king's officers pursued the policy of stimulating the Indians against +the settlers, in order that such as were not willing to own allegiance +to the king should be killed or driven from the country. + +Monsieur Rocheblave, a Frenchman, had command of the British forces +roundabout Kaskaskia, and the hunters reported him to be an exceedingly +vigilant officer, who kept a large number of spies continually on the +alert to guard against the approach of people from Kentucky who were +known to have taken sides with the eastern colonists in the struggle for +liberty. + +There were eighty British soldiers in the garrison, and all the redskins +nearabout were in the pay of the commandant, therefore it might be said +that the force at this point was exceeding strong; but Simon Kenton's +friends believed it might be taken by surprise, providing we could +capture the spies sent out by Rocheblave. + +Once our people appeared before the garrison, when the Indians were not +there to lend their aid, the post must of a necessity surrender, and +thus the work set for us to do might be accomplished without bloodshed. + +That this renegade Frenchman was exerting himself to stir up the +Indiana against the settlers there could be no question; in fact one of +these hunters had good proof that such was the case, he having been +present when the king's officer offered a certain reward in the shape of +ammunition and blankets if the savages would surprise and massacre a +number of families who had made a clearing on the banks of the +Mississippi River. + +Kaskaskia was founded, as I have read, after the visit of La Salle to +the Mississippi in 1683, by Father Gravier, Catholic missionary among +the Illinois Indians, and was the capital and chief town of the Illinois +country so far as the French continued in possession of it. In 1763, it +was ceded by the French to Great Britain, and such of the French +officers as held possession were continued in the pay of the English +king. + +With the exception of fifteen or twenty, such as the hunters whom we +met, all the settlers in that vicinity were of French descent. + +The day following our arrival at the mouth of the Tennessee River was +spent in idleness. We had a plentiful supply of meat, and the hunters +were unwilling to talk or think of anything save the possible capture of +the outpost from whence had been sent so many murdering bands of savages +to shed blood simply that the king's hold upon this fair country might +be the stronger. + +Therefore it was we remained idle, wasting our time, as I thought, until +an hour past noon, when Paul and I had wandered a short distance up the +river in company with Simon Kenton and the hunter whom he had greeted as +a friend, and then were spoken those words which lifted from Simon +Kenton's heart the greatest burden man can bear. + +Several times since he so suddenly appeared to me on the bank of the +Ohio River, having come at a time when he could render my mother and +myself the greatest possible service, had he commenced a sentence +regarding himself, and suddenly stopped, as if fearing to betray +somewhat of his own life which others should not know. + +Such behavior, together with the fact that he refused to say anything +concerning his early life, or why he was serving as a scout when it +would seem as if nature had fitted him for some noble purpose, convinced +me, boy though I was, that there was a painful secret which had sent him +out from among those whom he loved. + +On this day of which I speak, while we were strolling aimlessly up the +river, the hunter said carelessly, giving no particular weight to his +words: + +"I met Donnelly at Cahokia a short time ago, and we spoke of you, +Simon." + +Kenton stopped suddenly as does a man when a bullet reaches a vital spot +in his body. His face turned pale as I had seen it once before, and he +trembled as if in an ague fit, striving to speak, but in vain, and the +hunter, alarmed by this show of weakness, would have sprung forward to +prevent the scout from falling, but the latter waved him aside as he +asked in a tremulous whisper: + +"Which Donnelly did you meet?" + +"He whom you have reason to know; perhaps it would have been better if I +said that Donnelly who has good cause to remember you." + +"Do you mean Martin?" Simon Kenton asked with an effort, and showing yet +greater evidence of being disturbed in mind. + +"Ay, lad, Martin Donnelly, and why should you, above all others, show +fear at his name?" + +"Tell me!" and Kenton leaned forward eagerly, as if his very life +depended upon the answer. "Do you mean to say you spoke with that Martin +Donnelly who lived some time ago in Fauquier County, in the colony of +Virginia?" + +"Ay, Simon, the same. He whom you flogged until the breath had-well nigh +left his body." + +"And he lives?" Kenton asked with a long indrawing of the breath, +straightening himself up as does one who has been suddenly relieved of a +heavy burden. + +"He was alive when I met him in Cahokia, and counted on settling down in +the Illinois country, if it so chanced everything was favorable. He left +his family in Virginia so I understood; but reckoned on going after them +some time this fall." + +Kenton leaned against a tree, his face hidden in his arm, and we three +stood gazing at him in silence and astonishment until perhaps ten +minutes had passed, when he turned to face us with an expression such as +I shall never forget. + +"If you have made no mistake, John Lucas," he said, speaking slowly, and +with a ring of joy in his tone, "if you have spoken truly, there is +taken from me that which I believed I must carry to my grave, and from +there to the presence of my God. If Martin Donnelly be alive, I am a +free man once more----" + +"I tell you, Simon, I saw and talked with Martin Donnelly," Lucas +exclaimed impatiently. "What is the meaning of your words? Why have you +not always been a free man, save perchance when the savages had you in +their clutches, as these lads here have told?" + +"Here is the story of a man who came on the frontier believing himself a +murderer, and doing whatsoever he might to atone for a supposed crime +committed at a moment when anger held possession of him. As you know, I +was born in Fauquier County in 1755, where my father, an Irishman, had +won for himself by hard labor such a home and such a plantation as a +poor man could survey with pride. Up to the time I was sixteen years old +there came no thought into my mind save to be a planter, and continue +the work my father had begun. Then I loved a girl, the daughter of our +nearest neighbor, and counted, with the consent of her parents as well +as mine, on marrying her in due course of time. Martin Donnelly came +into the district, and by unfair means, as I did and still claim, won +her from me. I met him the day after he was married. He taunted me with +what he had done; claimed that an Irish planter in Virginia was of so +little consequence that the first newcomer could take from him +whatsoever he had that was to be won by fair words, and continued in +such strain until rage overpowered me. I leaped upon him like a panther, +using no weapons; and with my bare hands pommeled him until he lay like +one dead. Fear took the place of anger; I tried to rouse him; but he lay +as does a corpse, and I, believing myself a murderer, fled, pursued only +by my own conscience, across the Alleghanies, where I joined those who +were pushing forward on the extreme frontier. Since that day have I +shunned the abode of all men save those who live remote from any +settlement. How often I have yearned to see my father and mother, there +is no need for me to say. I dared not go back, believing I would be +seized and executed as a murderer; but now I am free to do whatsoever I +will, and save for the fact that my word binds me to remain as scout +with Major Clarke until the expedition comes to an end with the capture +of Vincennes, I would set off this hour for the home I have dreamed of, +but never expected again to see." + +Having thus spoken Simon Kenton walked rapidly away up stream, and we +three, awed by his story, and knowing that at such a time it would be +best to leave him alone, returned to the camp, I for one feeling that +however great a failure might be Major Clarke's expedition so far as +concerned the British outposts, it was wondrously successful, inasmuch +as through it there had been lifted from one man the shadow of a great +crime. + +Not until nearly nightfall did the scout rejoin us, and then all traces +of his emotion had vanished. He was much the same person as before, and +yet entirely different, if I may use so contradictory an expression. I +mean that there was no change in his manner so far as could be seen +when we spoke of the purpose of our journey, or of that which was to be +done in the future; but when talking with Paul and me there was a +gladsome ring in his voice--a certain freedom of manner which struck me +forcibly, and yet might not have been evident to one who was +unacquainted with all the facts. + +More than once during the evening he referred to the day when he was to +go back to Virginia, and during the remainder of the journey it was as +if all his future actions were marked out with especial reference to +that visit, only lately become possible. + +Not until noon of the following day did the first of the flat-boats come +in sight, and it was the advice of these hunters from Kaskaskia that we +set out on the march up the Mississippi without delay, lest Monsieur +Rocheblave's spies should give that officer timely warning of our +coming. + +Immediately Major Clarke came on shore Simon Kenton informed him of what +we had learned, and the four hunters announced their desire to +accompany the expedition from this point as guides. + +Nothing could have been more favorable to the enterprise, and, as may be +readily supposed, the major did not hesitate to accept their services. + +The volunteers, all good men and tried, were speedily acquainted with +the facts of the case, for in such an enterprise as this the commander +made no effort to conceal his intentions from those who accompanied him, +and it was believed by every one that no time should be wasted at this +point on the river. + +When the last boat had rounded-to and made fast in front of our camp, we +were as well prepared for the march, in fact, better, than we should be +twenty-four hours later, and the halt was prolonged only until it could +be decided by all the members of the party how we might best set out. + +After a consultation it was decided that the boats should be dropped +about six miles further down the river to such point as would afford +concealment for them, after which our party would begin the march across +the wilderness, and the last craft had not been made fast half an hour +before we were under way again, Simon Kenton, Paul and I paddling ahead +to select a spot where we might leave the unwieldy boats with some +degree of assurance that they would remain undiscovered. + +In order that I should be able to tell the story of all we two lads did +while we were with Simon Kenton, it is necessary that much of the detail +be omitted, else would this poor story run to such length that he who +attempted to read might grow weary in the task. + +Therefore it is that nothing shall be set down regarding the march +across the wilderness, during which we met with no other adventure than +the capture of one of Rocheblave's spies, whom we met the second day +after leaving the river. + +It chanced to be the good fortune of us three--meaning Simon Kenton, +Paul and myself--to come across the fellow while he was cooking a fat +turkey, and although it was by no means to his liking, we forced him to +go back with us to Major Clarke. He claimed to be an honest settler of +Kaskaskia, whose sympathies were with the struggling colonists; but John +Lucas had told us that there were few in the settlement thus disposed, +and Simon Kenton believed it safer to hold him for a certain time, than +run the chances of letting him go whithersoever he would. + +The hunters from the outposts soon settled his fate, for they recognized +in him one who had been most active in inciting the Indians against the +settlers of Kentucky, and but for Major Clarke's bold stand he would +have been put out of the world in the quickest possible manner, as +indeed he should have been, for I counted him a more deliberate murderer +even than the savages, and equally culpable. + +However, we held him close prisoner by tying him between two of the +strongest men, and I venture to say that during the remainder of our +tramp through the wilderness he got a reasonably good idea of how +innocent women and children fare when they are forced to accompany +savage captors. + +Our progress was reasonably rapid, and yet no precautions were spared to +prevent surprise. + +Twenty of the party, among whom were Simon Kenton, Paul and myself, +remained two miles or more in advance of the main body, spreading out in +what nowadays would be called a skirmish line, and taking exceeding good +care that nothing escaped our attention. + +It was on the afternoon of the fourth day of July when we arrived within +a mile of the outpost, having every reason to believe that thus far +Monsieur Rocheblave was ignorant that we proposed to deprive him of his +command. + +Had it not been for the opportune meeting with the four hunters, I +question if we should have been able to advance secretly thus near; but +they, acquainted with all the approaches to the settlement, and knowing +where we would be less likely to attract attention, led us safely on +until we were in a good position to begin the work on hand. + +Although there were more than four hundred in the party, we remained +five hours hidden almost beside the garrison, and yet no suspicion of +our presence was aroused. + +None other, save men familiar with frontier life, could have +accomplished what at this time seems to me almost impossible, even +though I know full well it was done. + +We remained hidden in the thicket, from which point we could see the +people of the settlement as they moved to and fro intent on their daily +tasks, and yet one might have passed within an hundred yards of us +without being suspicious that so many armed men were in the vicinity. + +It was believed, at least by Paul and me, that a battle must be fought +before we could gain possession of the outpost, and perhaps there is no +need why I should set down here the fact that once more was my heart +filled with timorousness, for by this time it should well be understood +that whenever danger threatened I grew cowardly. + +It was one thing to fight against the Indians in the forest where we +could find as good shelter as they, and quite another to advance in the +open against a garrison of men equally skilful with ourselves in +handling a rifle, and protected by a stockade. + +I believed, and with good cause, that many of as would be sent into +another world before the sun rose again, and, unless I was willing to +show my companions how much of a coward I had become, I must take my +chances of death with the others. + +It was by no means cheerful, lying there in the thicket, not daring to +speak or move lest an alarm should be given, and looking forward to that +struggle which must speedily ensue. + +Had it been possible to hold converse with Paul, then might some subject +have been brought up which would have changed the current of my +thoughts; but I was forbidden even to whisper, and it seemed to me then +as if between us and that stockade so short a distance away, death +stalked to and fro, awaiting our approach. + +It is the coward, and only the coward, who reaches out into the future +in search of danger. The sensible man waits until confronted by the +peril before giving way to fear, and this was proven to me before many +hours had passed. I suffered ten times more than if we had advanced and +been severely beaten, and yet, as we speedily understood, I had no +reason whatsoever to thus torture myself. + +When the night came it seemed to me as if Major Clarke had forgotten for +what purpose we were there. + +Peering out from amid the thicket we could see that the inhabitants of +the settlement had gone to their rest. Two hours after the sunset, the +garrison was quiet, and yet our commander gave no signal. + +Looking forward to wounds, and perhaps death, as I did, the moments went +by exceedingly slow, and I came to believe that almost any danger would +be preferable to this stealthy waiting for the signal which should +precipitate the action. + +Paul, who lay close by my side, seemingly gave no heed to the passage of +time. Like the brave lad I had come to understand him to be, he remained +apparently indifferent to what the future might hold in store for us, +gaining the repose which would serve him in good stead when violent +action was required. + +It seemed to me as if the night was more than half spent when I observed +Major Clarke rising to his feet, and, as I afterwards learned, it was no +more than nine o'clock. + +The decisive moment had come. If now we failed to capture Kaskaskia, +then was the expedition a dire failure, and those who did not fall +beneath the bullets might expect to find themselves prisoners in the +hands of captors who would show but little less mercy than the savages. + +Before we had arrived at this hiding-place it was decided that the party +should be divided into five sections, each of which would make the +attack from a different point, and now that the signal had been given +the men formed themselves into detachments, moving silently away in the +darkness as had been previously agreed upon. + +Simon Kenton, Paul and myself, were among those who were to march +straight toward the stockade from where we lay, and therefore we made no +movement until those who were to approach from the opposite side had +been given time to get into position. Major Clarke himself was to lead +our division, and although he counted on taking the garrison by +surprise, I believe it was in his mind that if a victory was to be +secured, we would pay dearly for it in blood. + +Well, I am giving over many words to what was in itself but a most +trifling affair. It only required that we should march up and take the +garrison, as if all the king's soldiers there were waiting with open +arms to receive us in friendly fashion. + +When the word to advance was given, our portion of the company could see +in the gloom far away on either hand the different detachments closing +in upon the stockade, and yet not a sound came from those valiant +soldiers of the king, who instead of guarding the outpost were spending +their time in slumber. + +Nearer and nearer we advanced, believing all the while that in the next +second would be heard the report of an alarm gun; but the minutes went +by, and the silence within the stockade was as profound as if none save +the dead held possession. + + [Illustration: Straight up to the big gate we advanced, believing + that in the next second we should hear the alarm gun.--Page 204. + _On the Kentucky Frontier._] + +Straight up to the big gate we advanced, and so secure did the +garrison feel in the friendship of the savages, who thirsted for the +blood of such white people as were not in the king's favor, that the +barrier was not so much as closed. + +We entered and had surrounded the commandant's quarters before any one +of the enemy was aware of our presence, and then came the alarm. + +A gun was fired at the instant Major Clarke stood before the door of +Monsieur Rocheblave's house, and the echo of the report had hardly died +away before he, followed by a score of men, entered the building. + +Standing close by Paul's side, directly behind Simon Kenton, I awaited +the beginning of that battle which seemed imminent; yet grown somewhat +bolder because of the fact that we were within the stockade. + +While I remained on the alert, my rifle half upraised, there came the +word, I know not from where, that the commandant had surrendered, and, +turning toward us, Simon Kenton said much as if he was dissatisfied with +this peaceful ending of what had promised to be a most difficult +undertaking. + +"Well, lads, the first of the outposts we counted on capturing is ours, +and we have not been put to the expense of a single charge of +ammunition." + +"Do you mean to say that there will be no fighting?" I asked in +surprise. + +"How can there be since Monsieur Rocheblave has surrendered?" + +"But we were told there were eighty men here to hold the garrison in the +king's name?" + +"Ay, lad; but the commander having decided that we shall enter into +peaceful possession, deprives them of a right to make objections. +Kaskaskia is ours, and it will be a long day before the king's flag be +hoisted again. But how is this? One would say you were disappointed." + +"I hardly know whether to laugh or cry." + +"Why should you cry, lad?" + +"Because during this five hours past have I lain in the thicket +trembling lest death would be my share in this engagement, and he who +makes of himself such a simple should weep because he is so +feeble-minded." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +CAHOKIA. + + +While we could not rightfully take much praise to ourselves for having +captured a post where no resistance was made, the members of Major +Clarke's force, including even Paul and myself, looked with triumph upon +the exploit, bloodless though it had proven to be. + +Surely the king would not have thus lost possession of his outpost had +we, meaning the entire company, remained at home, and, therefore, might +we claim that the garrison was now held in the name of the province of +Virginia solely through our efforts. + +As we learned next day from those to whom Major Clarke had confided the +facts, many of Monsieur Rocheblave's papers had been destroyed by his +wife after he was made prisoner, for our people did not consider it +necessary to make a woman captive. She was allowed to retain possession +of the house until morning, and during that time burned many papers +which should have come into our keeping. + +There was not time, however, for her to destroy all Monsieur's +correspondence, and enough was found to prove beyond a doubt that he, +acting under instructions from England, had been inciting the Indians to +hostilities against such of the settlers as dared believe the rebellious +colonists were in the right. + +I believe of a verity our men would have wreaked speedy vengeance upon +this Frenchman who had caused the death and torture of so many of our +countrymen, but for Major Clarke's presence of mind. + +Immediately after learning that the members of the force were aware of +the Frenchman's guilt, he detailed twenty of the most reliable +men--those whom he could trust to carry out his orders to the letter, +and sent them in charge of Monsieur Rocheblave and his wife to +Williamsburg in Virginia, that the wicked man might be tried for the +crimes he had committed against defenseless women and children. + +The party set off before noon of the day following our capture of the +garrison, at a time when our people were occupied in other directions, +and thus no act was committed which might have brought shame upon us, +although I hold even now that it would not have been wrong had we wiped +out Monsieur Rocheblave's crime with his own life, regardless of the +fact that he, being a prisoner, was entitled to our protection. + +He had entertained no such notions of honor when he set the savages upon +the defenseless settlers, knowing full well how much of horrible +suffering would be caused. + +He left with a whole skin, however, as I know full well, since Paul and +I aided in making ready the boat which was to carry the party to the +mouth of the Ohio River, from which point they would strike across the +country to Williamsburg. + +The Frenchman's wife went with him, as a matter of course, and I have +since tried to learn what became of the scoundrel, but without success. +He deserved hanging, if ever any man did, although many people claimed +that he was not really guilty, since he had but carried out the orders +given by his superiors. + +Had any of those who pleaded so eloquently for his release known what it +was to have a father tortured to death, as I knew, there would have been +leas said in favor of such a wretch. + +However, that has nothing to do with the story of what Paul Sampson and +I did and saw while we scouted in company with Simon Kenton. + +When our people learned that Monsieur Rocheblave had been sent away with +a whole skin, for, as I have said, all the preparations for his +departure were made with the utmost secrecy and he and his wife +smuggled on board the boat, there was something very like mutiny in the +camp, and Major Clarke had quite as big a job to quiet the men as he +could well handle; but the volunteers soon settled down quietly, +promising themselves that the time would come when they might have more +voice in deciding the fate of the Frenchman. + +Having seized the outpost, it was as if Major Clarke counted on +loitering in Kaskaskia without making any further effort toward +capturing the other possessions of the king's on the Mississippi River. + +During three days we remained quietly in the settlement, amusing +ourselves as best we might, and many of the company indulged in much +grumbling because of the inactivity. + +We had come to open the river for our own people, they said, and it was +little short of a crime to loiter when there were so many garrisons near +at hand which should come into our possession. + +Before the three days were passed, however, we came to understand our +commander's purpose. He had not disturbed the French settlers whom we +found in Kaskaskia; but, on the contrary, showed his intention of +protecting them as he would those who were bound to us by ties of blood, +and the result was that the people began to realize how much had been +gained by this change of governors. + +The savages were no longer welcome to hold their hideous pow-wows there, +and the soldiers could not rob the settlers as had been done when +Monsieur Rocheblave was in command. In every respect the people were the +gainers by our coming, and fully appreciated the fact. + +The next British outpost up the river above Kaskaskia, was Cahokia, a +settlement where considerable trade was carried on, and a depository of +British arms for distribution among the savages. + +It had been occupied by the Caoquias, a tribe of Illinois Indians, long +before the discovery of the Mississippi. The French settled there +shortly after La Salle descended the river, and it was said to contain +not less than forty families in addition to the garrison of about sixty +soldiers. + +This was the post Major Clarke had counted on capturing when he left +Corn Island, and we soon came to know that he had not changed his +intentions, but was busily engaged perfecting his plans at the very time +when some of us accused him of spending the days in idleness. + +Between these two outposts were three small villages which the king +claimed as his own, and these it would be necessary to capture before +arriving at the larger settlements. + +When all his arrangements were completed, Major Clarke announced that +Captain Joseph Bowman, the commander of one of the companies, was to +lead the expedition to Cahokia, which would consist of about two hundred +men, while he, Major Clarke, with the remainder of the force, was to +remain at Kaskaskia, and at the same time be prepared to keep in check +such of the Indians nearabout as might take into their ugly heads to +make trouble for us. + +Now was seen the wisdom of the major's proceedings during such time as +we had remained in the captured garrison. + +The inhabitants of Kaskaskia had had time to realize that they were much +better off under the rule of the colonists than that of the king, and +once this was brought fully home to them, they became eager that the +other outposts on the river should experience the same change of +government. + +Therefore, instead of secretly sending scouts ahead to warn these +villages through which we must pass, the people of the post begged +permission to accompany the volunteers, claiming that by relating what +had occurred in their own settlement they could quickly bring the others +to terms, thereby preventing bloodshed, and doing a favor to their +neighbors at the same time they benefited themselves. + +As Simon Kenton put it: "Once they knew that the Americans were prepared +to take possession of America--or such portion of it as came in their +way--the one desire was that the rule of the king might be wiped out +speedily, which was good sense, inasmuch as both parties could not hold +portions of the river without coming to blows." + +If these people whose settlements we had taken without striking a blow +could have had their way, every outpost now garrisoned by men who gave +allegiance to the king would be speedily in our possession, and while +the temper of the people was at this point, the proper time had come to +push the advantage. + +When it was announced that among those who would set out under command +of Captain Bowman would be the scout Kenton and his two companions, I +had no misgivings. + +The anguish of mind that had been mine with so little cause just before +we surprised the Kaskaskia garrison had taught me a lesson, and, in +addition, I believed that we would continue our march in the same +bloodless, triumphant fashion as it had been begun. + +And in this I was not mistaken. + +Lest I draw out this story to too great length, setting down facts which +strangers may think are of no importance in the history of our taking +possession of the Mississippi River, I shall go straight ahead toward +the end without stopping here to relate what at the time seemed to us of +considerable importance, or to explain how Paul and I acted or felt +under certain trying and disagreeable circumstances. + +Simon Kenton was to have charge of the advance portion of the force +which Captain Bowman led. That is to say, if we were speaking of such +maneuvers at this day, we should say that Simon Kenton was in command of +the skirmishers, and, as a matter of course, Paul Sampson and I played +the part, however poorly, of his assistants. + +We, and I am now speaking not only of us three who called ourselves +scouts, but twelve or fifteen more who were ordered to join us, set out +from Kaskaskia on the morning of the 8th of July, about two hours in +advance of the main force, with the understanding that it was our duty +to capture such spies as might be met, or to fall back in case we were +confronted by any considerable number of savages. + +Well, we began the sixty-mile tramp in good spirits, and when, late on +that same day we were come within hailing distance of the first small +settlement that lay on the road, our march had been no more than a +pleasure excursion. + +Neither spy nor Indian had we seen, and I believe that eighteen or +twenty men could have taken possession of this village belonging to the +king, by force of arms, had it been necessary, without any very serious +trouble. + +But the orders were for us to halt until the main body should come up, +and this we did, whereupon those settlers from the captured post +advanced to hold a parley with the occupants of this clearing. + +It was not a lengthy conference. After those who had so lately +recognized Monsieur Rocheblave as their governor, explained to these +other settlers the advantages to be gained, the village was ours. + +We had simply to walk in as honored guests, and the American flag was +hoisted in token that they no longer held themselves as subjects of the +king. + +And the story of our successful advance thus far was the same as must be +told from this point. + +We marched into two other villages, our allies from Kaskaskia going +ahead to pave the way, and left the settlers, while we continued on up +the river, as brothers rather than enemies. + +Three villages hoisted our flag in token of their sympathy with and +desire to aid the colonists, and then we were come, at the close of the +third day, near to Cahokia, the post, as I have said, of no mean +importance, and garrisoned by sixty soldiers. + +Here at least did Paul Sampson and I believe our entrance would be +opposed; but as before, Captain Bowman sent our allies ahead, and we +came into the trading village where the king had deposited large +quantities of arms for barter with the Indians, having met with no +opposition, and being received right generously. + +The people greeted us with huzzas when we marched into the stockade, +behind our allies, and were equally as enthusiastic on being told by +Captain Bowman that they must take the oath of allegiance to the colony +of Virginia. + +The purpose for which our force had left Corn Island was accomplished in +the capture of Cahokia, for this post was really the last which Major +Clarke had claimed it might be possible to reduce. + +It is true he had mentioned Vincennes in his plans to the authorities of +Virginia; but, as we understood from Simon Kenton while we laid here at +Cahokia, the garrison on the Wabash River was not to be attacked unless +it might be done with reasonable assurance of success. + +Now this outpost of Vincennes was one of the first settlements formed in +the valley of the Mississippi. It was occupied by the French emigrants +as early as 1735, and called post St. Vincent. In 1745, the name of +Vincennes was given to it in honor of F. M. de Vincennes, a gallant and +much respected French officer who was killed in the battle with the +Chickasaws in 1736. + +It was the most important post in the valley, but whether it was to be +attacked, we who were at Cahokia could not even so much as guess. + +Simon Kenton believed our portion of the work would end here, arguing +that Major Clarke must leave a garrison both at Kaskaskia and Cahokia in +order to hold the stockades, and by so doing his little army would be +greatly weakened; so that he could hardly hope for a victory if it +chanced that we were obliged to resort to force in order to gain +possession. + +"Accordin' to my way of thinkin', lads, our work is done," the scout +said, late on that night after we took possession of Cahokia. "There's +naught left us to do save retrace our steps, for I should guess that you +were not minded to remain in either of these settlements as members of +the garrison." + +"Indeed we are not," I replied promptly. "My mother awaits me at Corn +Island, and unless she decides to go back to the land which my father +cleared, I must set about making a home for her." + +"I have no wish to remain," Paul added. "It may not be that my father +needs me; but I have a mother in Maryland, and service in a garrison is +not pleasing. If, as you believe, the work laid out for Major Clarke has +been accomplished, Louis Nelson and I will return with you, if it so be +you are going back." + +"Indeed I am, my boy," Simon Kenton replied with the air of one who +anticipates much pleasure in the future. "Now that there is no longer a +shadow over me, I am as eager to find my father and my mother as are you +lads to meet yours." + +"When shall we return?" I asked, for now that the homeward journey was +being considered, I, who really had no home, was eager to begin it. + +"It was understood between Major Clarke and myself that I might be at +liberty to turn back whenever Captain Bowman should state he no longer +required my services, and I reckon, lads, that the time has come. Wait +you here until I learn what he has to say regardin' the matter." + +Within an hour it was decided that we three were to carry Captain +Bowman's report to Major Clarke, and when I lay down to sleep that night +it was with the knowledge that at the first light of dawn we would begin +the sixty-mile journey, counting on making it within four-and-twenty +hours with but little labor, since from this point we could proceed in +a canoe, aided by the swiftly running current. + +We set out as had been decided upon, one of the settlers in Cahokia +willingly lending us a dugout, with the understanding that we should +leave it at Kaskaskia to be returned whenever opportunity offered, and +before midnight Simon Kenton was giving to Major Clarke the account of +our successes. + +We remained three days longer at this post; but all that happened which +concerned us three may be told in few words. + +It was decided that all save those who chose to remain to man the +garrisons might return whenever it pleased them, and, knowing that fifty +or more who had left relatives on Corn Island were counting on going +back soon, we three waited for them in order that our force might be so +large as to deter the savages who were possibly lurking about the banks +of the Ohio River, from making an attack. + +When three days had passed, however, we found that none of the men were +disposed to begin quite so soon what would doubtless prove an arduous +undertaking, and Simon Kenton laid the matter before us by saying: + +"Lads, I am eager to get back into Fauquier County. If it so be you have +no stomach for layin' around here eatin' the bread of idleness suppose +we start to-morrow mornin'? There is nothin' to keep us, and much to +incline our hearts toward the journey." + +Unless I have utterly failed in making it appear here that I had a great +affection for my mother, it can readily be understood how we answered +the scout, and without delay we set about the few necessary preparations +for the voyage, determined to leave Kaskaskia before daylight next +morning. + +And now at this point let me copy what I read many years later regarding +Vincennes: + +"The stronger and more important post of Vincennes, situate on the east +bank of the Wabash River, one hundred miles above its entrance into the +Ohio, was yet unsubdued, and Major Clarke felt that the object of his +mission would be but half accomplished if he did not gain possession of +that place. It was necessary to garrison Kaskaskia and Cahokia in order +to retain them, and to do this would so weaken his little army that he +could, scarcely hope for victory in an attack upon Vincennes, unless he +should be as successful in effecting a surprise as he had in capturing +the posts already in his possession. While thus perplexed and doubting +which course to pursue, he communicated his desires to Father Gabault, a +French priest, who agreed to bring those inhabitants of Vincennes over +whom he had pastoral charge, to the support of the American cause. The +influence of the priest was successful; the inhabitants arose in the +night and cast off their allegiance to the British, expelled the +garrison from the fort, and pulled down the English standard. The +American flag floated in triumph over the ramparts in the morning." + +All this was done before we three were come again to Corn Island, and I +question if the British king ever lost more territory at a less cost in +blood, either on the part of those who made the capture or the hirelings +who should have held the garrisons, than in this expedition of Major +Clarke's into the valley of Mississippi. + +I am now come to be an old man, and yet since that time have heard but +little spoken concerning the achievements of Major Clarke and his force +of four hundred, when the most fertile portion of the Mississippi River +was taken from the Britishers and made a portion of the American +colonies. + +We had done our work well, as it seemed to me then and does now, +although in the telling of it there is none of that clash of arms and +cheers of triumph which have accompanied far smaller achievements. + +And here would my story properly end but for the fact that we three must +make the journey down the Mississippi to the Ohio, following the course +of this last noble river on foot, because we could not well stem the +current in a canoe, through a country infested by savage enemies, who +would use every effort to take our lives. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +HOMEWARD BOUND. + + +We spent no time in leave-taking after once having made ready for the +journey. It was as if we three formed a separate command, and had no +comrades among the main body of the volunteers, therefore it was not +necessary we should say good-by. + +Simon Kenton was to carry up the Ohio certain papers with which Major +Clarke had entrusted him, and once these were in his possession there +was nothing to detain us at Kaskaskia. + +We took our departure from the post a full half hour before daybreak, +when none save the sentinels were there to see us push off from the +shore, and allowed the canoe to drift down the river until we were come +to the Ohio. + +It would be more laborious to paddle the dugout against the swift +current than to walk, and we had already decided to make our way through +the wilderness on foot, ever keeping within a short distance of the +river, where we might expect to get the earliest information if the +savages were moving about bent on mischief. + +We came to a halt at a point where we waited for the flat-boats on the +journey down, and here a day was spent in procuring and cooking meat, +for Simon Kenton had decided that once the long tramp was really begun +we would push forward at the best possible pace. It was reasonable to +believe that in a short time we would have arrived at that portion of +the country where it might not be well to discharge a rifle simply for +the purpose of killing game. + +We did not expect to make the journey without some danger of coming +across small parties of the painted brutes who thirsted for the blood of +white people; but it was not in our thoughts that we should encounter +any serious dangers. The worst of the tramp, so we believed, might be +the labor of pushing on through the underbrush until the many miles +which lay between us and Corn Island had been traversed. + +Simon Kenton was in particularly good humor on that morning when, all +our preparations completed, we left the camping place with our faces +turned toward the north, and I was exceedingly happy, for at the end of +the journey my mother was waiting to greet me. + +During two full days we pressed steadily onward, seeing nothing to cause +alarm, and making reasonably good progress, and then came that which +threatened a fatal ending to what had been a most successful journey. + +We encamped on the second night in a small thicket of scrub where the +foliage was so dense that the chill night wind was shut out as +completely as if we had been within four walls of stout logs, and felt +so secure that Simon Kenton himself had proposed we build a light blaze +to cook a turkey we had just killed. + +The meat was roasted, and we ate such a supper as can be enjoyed only by +those who have performed a full day's labor, and after the meal was come +to an end Paul and I fell asleep even as we sat before the fire. + +How long we were thus unconscious I am unable to say; but it seemed to +me as if I had no more than crossed the borders of dreamland before I +was awakened by the pressure of a heavy hand over my mouth. + +In the forest one becomes accustomed to awakening quickly, and without +starting up. + +When the eyes are open the first thought is as to the reason for thus +being aroused, and due heed is given to all the surroundings before any +movement is made. + +Therefore it was I understood at once that Simon Kenton's hand was +covering my mouth, and that he was hurriedly burying the light embers +with ashes. + +Pressing his arm to let him know I was thoroughly aroused, I rose to a +sitting posture. + +No sound brake the stillness of the night, for, sheltered as we were by +the scrub, even the moaning of the wind failed to reach our ears. + +Kenton was awakening Paul, and he, brave lad, made as little disturbance +on thus being aroused as if all his life had been spent on the frontier. + +It was to my mind a certainty that the scout had heard or seen savages, +and I drew up my rifle to assure myself it was in proper working order. + +It is by no means soothing to the nerves to be thus aroused and forced +to remain on the alert in ignorance of what threatens. I know of no +situation more trying, and while I inwardly trembled with apprehension, +my eyes sought out Paul in the gloom to learn how he was bearing up +under what many old, experienced hunters have told me was, in their +opinion, the most trying of all border warfare. + +The lad sat silent and motionless, his rifle in hand, and though it was +impossible to distinguish his features, I knew full well he was as calm +and placid as when we remained concealed in the thicket just beyond the +stockade at Kaskaskia, when I believed a desperate battle was before us. + +During perhaps half an hour we three remained in the same position as +when first having been awakened, and then Simon Kenton began to creep +cautiously out through the underbrush, having first motioned for us to +remain quiet. + +He was bent on learning what had alarmed him, and but for advertising +myself as a coward, I would have insisted, as well as I might by +gestures, upon his remaining with us, for to me, almost anything was +preferable to separation. + +I checked the impulse, however, but moved closer to Paul, and he, dear +lad, pressed my hand as if to give me courage. + +That he, whom I had at the outset considered the weakest of the party, +should be the one to encourage, shamed me, and I threw off his hand as +if in anger, when in reality it was nothing save nervous fear which +prompted the movement. + +As nearly as I could judge, Simon Kenton had been absent ten minutes +before we heard anything whatsoever, and then the report of a musket, +followed by a scream of pain, caused the blood to bound in my veins. + +Instinctively I leaped to my feet when I should have remained +motionless, and Paul laid hold of the skirt of my hunting-shirt as if +fearing I might be counting on rushing out. + +One, two, three minutes passed, during which time the most absolute +silence reigned, and then a slight rustling of the branches told that +the scout was returning. + +I breathed more freely, knowing he was not the one who had given vent to +that cry of pain, and stepped forward to learn how serious was the +danger which threatened. + +"We have run across thirty or more reptiles--most likely the same that +were met while coming down the river," he whispered in my ear as I bent +forward eager for information. + +"Why did you fire?" I asked, believing for the moment that by such act +he had told them where we lay concealed. + +"They had learned where we were, and now completely surround us. It's a +case of fightin' our way out, lad, if we count on gainin' Corn Island. +It is better to make a move at once, than wait till they are ready to +close in on us." + +I understood by these words that Kenton believed the situation to be +most dangerous, otherwise he would not have suggested we make a move in +the night when the savages would have a great advantage over us, and, as +usual in such cases, my heart grew cowardly once more. + +While I stood there undecided the scout hurriedly repeated to Paul that +which he had told me, and I saw the lad rise to his feet without +hesitation. He was even then, as he has since many times proven himself, +my superior in all that goes to make up a frontiersman. + +"Follow me," Kenton whispered, "and when you are forced to fire, see to +it there be no delay in re-loadin' your rifle. Accordin' to my way of +thinkin' we'll have to fight ourselves through this gang, an' the more +we disable 'twixt now an' night the easier will be our work to-morrow." + +There was in my mind the thought that we were now where we must keep up +a running fight until one party or the other was shot down, and, +considering the fact that they outnumbered us at least ten to one, it +seemed most likely ours would be the side that went under. + +When danger comes close upon me I forget my cowardice, as a rule, and so +it was now. There seemed little chance we could fight our way through +where were so many to oppose us, and the odds were all in favor of the +savages. + +Realizing this fully, as I believe Simon Kenton did also, I ceased to +think of the cause I had for fear, but set my teeth hard, resolving to +give the painted wolves good reason to remember me after they had shot +us down. + +Simon Kenton was not disposed to linger; he understood of what advantage +in a fight is the first blow, and was eager to deal it. + +He waited only long enough to assure himself we two lads were ready for +the hot work before us, and then turned to leave the hiding-place which, +as he had said, was already surrounded. + +Paul would have brought up the rear, but that I held the position as +belonging to me. Surely a lad who had always lived in towns could not +reasonably expect to be allowed such a post of danger when there were +others with a right to claim it. + +That the savages were keeping a keen watch we knew instantly Simon +Kenton stepped outside the dense thicket, for then came the report of a +rifle, and a bullet whistled past my head so near that I could feel the +"wind" of its flight. + +It was a queer act, when the darkness was so intense that one could not +distinguish an object twenty paces away, yet instinctively we three +darted behind the nearest trees for shelter, and there stood straining +our eyes in the hope of being able to discover a living target. + +It was like looking into a deep well, to peer ahead, and all three of us +must have understood at the same instant that it was little less than +folly to remain there with any hope of sending a bullet home, for Paul +had just turned to continue the flight when Simon Kenton whispered to +me: + +"We cannot benefit ourselves by remainin' here. The best plan is to +continue on up river, makin' as many miles as possible before daylight." + +Having said this he darted forward, forcing Paul to fall into line +behind him, and I came close at the latter's heels. + +Now was begun the oddest fight ever seen on the Ohio River. + +We three were pressing forward as if it would advantage us much to gain +a few extra miles before morning, and the savages followed cautiously, +firing at random now and then, although they could not hope a single +bullet would take effect. + +Several times we halted in the hope that the reptiles, thinking only of +overtaking us, might come up within shooting distance; but they were too +wary to be caught by any trick of that kind. + +Whenever we came to a full stop it was as if all nature ceased +breathing, for we could not hear the lightest whisper amid the foliage, +and when the flight had continued in such fashion for an hour or more, +Simon Kenton said as we stood side by side listening intently for some +token of the villains: + +"We won't get a fair shot at them until daylight, an' then they'll have +the same chance at us. I reckon we'd better make all the distance we can +while it is dark, an' then lay by when the sun rises." + +To my mind it could benefit us but little if we approached a few miles +nearer our destination, for unless these wretches could be beaten back +within a reasonably short time, they would succeed in killing us before +we could come within fifty miles of the point we most desired to gain. + +However, while holding death at bay for a few hours more or less we +might as well have our faces turned in the right direction, and I was +ready to do whatsoever the scout suggested, for, as I have said, fear +had fled from me now that our position was so desperate. + +We alternately drove ahead at full speed, and stopped to take breath. +The Indians fired at random now and then, hoping that the sound of our +footsteps might serve as guide; but they inflicted no more injury on us +by shooting, than we did on them while we refrained from discharging our +weapons. + +In such manner was the night passed. We had not fired a shot, while the +painted crew in pursuit had wasted twenty bullets or more. + +Having walked all day, this severe exertion throughout the night +wearied me excessively, and when the first gray light of coming dawn +filtered through the foliage, it seemed to me as if I was on the verge +of exhaustion. + +The labor had told even on Simon Kenton, and Paul was keeping the pace +only through sheer force of will-power. + +It was a wondrous relief to me when the scout pointed ahead to what +appeared to be a dense growth of bushes, through which ran a tiny +stream, as he said: + +"I reckon we'll find no better place in which to make a stand, than +there." + +"Almost anything will please me so that we come to a halt speedily, for +I'm well-nigh winded," I replied, speaking with difficulty because of my +heavy breathing, and in another instant we three stood facing each other +in the thicket, where as yet the light of a new day had not penetrated. + +The savages might not approach very near during the darkness without +taking more risks than such reptiles fancied, and during a certain time +we need not fear molestation. + +Paul and I flung ourselves at full length on the ground, for in no other +position did it seem possible to recover from the exhaustion which beset +us; but Simon Kenton remained standing at a spot from where he could +have a view of some portion of our surroundings when the sun had +dispelled the gloom. + +"I suppose there is good reason to believe the Indians will kill us +before we can arrive at Corn Island?" Paul said in a tone of one asking +a question, after he had recovered his breath sufficiently to speak, and +Simon Kenton replied quietly. + +"Two or three such races as we have had this night should give them good +cause for discouragement." + +"It is a question whether they or we are getting the worst of this +business," I added, trying to speak calmly, as had my comrades; but +making a bad job of it. + +"Twenty-four hours is a long stretch," Paul said thoughtfully, "and it's +all I can do to keep my eyes open." + +"Go to sleep, lad," Kenton cried. "We must contrive to get some rest +'twixt now an' night, an' if you two take a nap at once I'll have a +chance later." + +It may seem strange that boys should be able to sleep under such +circumstances as these, and yet the permission had no sooner been given +by the scout than I was stretched out at full length, my eyes closing +despite all efforts to keep them open. + +The report of a rifle, discharged near at hand, awakened me, and I +looked around to see the scout reloading his rifle. + +"Did you wing your bird?" I asked sleepily. + +"I hope never to use this 'ere piece again if I didn't. The sneak has +been wrigglin' his way toward us for the last ten minutes, an' I only +waited to let him believe he was keepin' his red carcass out of sight, +although I marked it plainly from the instant he started." + +"Have you seen the others?" + +"Yes, now an' then through the bushes; but not in such a fashion as I +wanted in order to get a good aim. They've camped down somewhere near +that big gum tree yonder, needin' rest as much as we did, I reckon." + +"How long have I been asleep?" + +"Three hours or more." + +"Then it's time you took a turn at it," and I rose to my feet, Paul +rising up at the same time. + +Simon Kenton insisted that we lie down again; but it was to me as if the +repose had been sufficiently long, so thoroughly was I awakened, and +after a short discussion he did as I suggested. + +It is needless for me to set down all that was done or said during the +remainder of this long day. + +Kenton slept a full four hours, and during that time we had fired twice +at the skulking reptiles as they flitted from one tree to another, +feeling certain that some of the bullets had taken effect. + +Then the scout ordered us to get more sleep, nor would he listen to my +assertions that I was fully recovered from the fatigue which had beset +me so sorely. + +"You have another long race before you, an' stand in need of more sleep +if you count on holdin' such a pace as I shall set from the goin' down +of the sun till it rises again." + +"How long do you expect bein' able to keep up such a flight?" Paul asked +quietly, as if it was a matter in which he had no great interest. + +"So far we seem to be doin' rather better than holdin' our own, an' I +reckon we'd best keep up the game. At least three of the painted snakes +are feelin' the worse for havin' begun this little chase, an' we're as +sound as ever." + +It was on my tongue's end to say that we could not hope for the same +good fortune during another night of racing through the forest when it +was too dark to distinguish anything not directly in our path; but I +checked myself in time, for no good could come of speaking dispiriting +words while we were in such a desperate situation. + +We two lads lay down again to sleep, in accordance with Kenton's +command; but were aroused for a few moments when the scout discharged +his rifle, and I heard him mutter to himself: + +"That makes the fourth to-day, an' if we can keep up this play two +nights more, they may come to believe that the game is not worth the +candle." + +Sleepily I thought we might find before many hours had passed that all +the shooting was not to be done by us; but the idea was no more than in +mind when my eyes closed again, and I was not conscious of the +surroundings until Kenton shook me roughly. + +"It's time we pushed ahead once more," he said in a whisper as I seized +my rifle, believing the savages were about to make a determined attack, +and he added with a low laugh, "There's no more danger threatenin' than +when you was last awake, lad; but the night is well on us, an' we should +be movin'." + +He awakened Paul, and the little lad rose to his feet ready for any +emergency; but speaking not a word. + +We had yet some portion of our meat, and from this a hurried meal was +made, after which Simon Kenton showed himself ready to set out once more +on what I believed was a fruitless journey, for it did not seem possible +we would live to finish it. + +It was like a nightmare, that race through the thicket with the +murderous fiends close on our trail, shooting now and then when in the +gloom the waving branches told of our course. + +Kenton kept his word, so far as setting a rapid pace was concerned. +Never before nor since have I strained every muscle and nerve for so +many hours on a stretch. + +There were times when we pressed on as if running a foot-race, and more +than once did one or the other of us come full against a tree with such +force that we were hurled backward at full length on the ground. + +There was no time to attend to bruises, however severe, for close in our +rear came the relentless brutes, hoping, most likely, for just such a +mishap when they could lessen our number by one. + +I believe they fired at us fifty times before we halted for a day's rest +which must be spent in defending ourselves, and by the mercy of God no +bullet came nigh us. + +I watched eagerly for the first signs of dawn; my breath was coming +thick and fast, and I feared lest I might fall and not find myself able +to rise again. + +Paul had kept close at Kenton's heels without betraying fatigue or +distress; but just at the moment when it seemed as if I must halt, +whatever might be the consequences, he cried sharply: + +"I can go no further. You two must keep on without me! It is better that +I be left behind than for all to perish!" + +"We'll all come out of it with whole skins, or fall together," Simon +Kenton said sharply. "Try to hold the pace, lad, till we find a place in +which we can defend ourselves." + +Even as he spoke we had arrived at a spot where half a dozen large trees +had been overthrown by the wind, forming exactly the kind of a +fortification needed by those sorely beset as were we. + +Kenton helped Paul over the logs into the very center, and I followed +with many a stumble, falling on my face, utterly blown, when we were in +the middle of the timber network. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +A NOVEL BATTLE. + + +It was yet so dark in the forest that one must needs strain his eyes to +distinguish objects ten paces in advance, therefore it can be readily +understood how near to us were the howling wolves, when I say that they +set up a shout of mingled triumph and menace as we thus brought the race +to a close. + +It was evident they believed we were now in their power, and indeed +there was much the same thought in my mind when I had aroused from the +stupor of exhaustion sufficiently to take note of our surroundings. + +Simon Kenton had led us into the midst of a pile of fallen timber +overgrown with vines and young bushes, which covered a space of perhaps +an hundred square feet. It was a place of refuge which stood in a +partially cleared spot, and might readily be surrounded, while, to make +our way out, it would be necessary to offer one's body as a target to +whomsoever might be on watch. + +In the gloom of the morning it had appeared to be a better place for +defense than really was the case, and I question if the scout would have +halted here had he understood what it really was. + +While we remained in the very center of the mass we were screened from +view, and could see a goodly portion of all that might be going on +around us; but when that has been said all the advantages of the place +have been described. + +In order to get out of it, once we were inside, it would be necessary, +as I have already said, to expose ourselves to the fire of the enemy, +and before many hours should elapse we would be forced to take to our +heels unless we were minded to die of hunger or thirst. + +We no longer had any food with us, and there was not a drop of water +nearer than the river. Already it seemed as if my mouth was parched to +the point of swelling, and because it was beyond my reach, I longed most +intensely for something to quench thirst. + +The knowledge of our situation, as I have set it down here, came upon me +immediately after I recovered slightly from the effects of the fatigue +caused by the swift race, and, looking into Simon Kenton's face, I knew +full well he had become aware of our disagreeable situation. + +Little Paul Sampson, plucky lad that he had proven himself to be, was +the only one who appeared indifferent to the danger. + +When it was possible for him to sit upright, for he had been more nearly +exhausted than I was, instead of trying to discover all the +disadvantages of the place, he began to do his share toward the defense +by crawling beneath the fallen timber until he could command a good view +of that portion of the forest from which we had come, and at the same +time screen his own body from those who were most likely searching with +their keen eyes for a living target. + +I believe Simon Kenton read from my face the thoughts which were in my +mind, for he said slowly, as if weighing well each word: + +"It must be a battle rather than simply a time of defense. We can hold +our position without any great sufferin' for four-an'-twenty hours; but +at the end of that time there's bound to be a change if we count on +seein' Corn Island again." + +"How will you bring about a battle unless the savages are disposed to +give us the chance?" I asked petulantly. "They can remain under cover +any length of time, and yet keep us in view. It isn't a case of +starvation with them." + +"A man is never beaten until he loses hope," the scout replied cheerily, +and the words were no more than spoken before Paul's rifle rang out +sharply. + +"There's one the less!" the lad cried triumphantly. "They're creeping up +to get a shot at us, an' we've only to keep our eyes open in order to +lessen their number greatly 'twixt now and sunrise." + +These brave words brought me out of my fit of despondency in a +twinkling, and with a sense of shame that this lad from the east should +show himself more of a man than myself, I crept down to the edge of our +barricade. + +Now we three lay where could be had a view of all our surroundings, and +during the next hour, at the end of which time the sun was sending long +shafts of light through the openings in the forest, we succeeded in +sending five of the scoundrels to their happy hunting-grounds, or back +under cover disabled by serious wounds. + +Such a beginning gave me great courage, until I came to realize that it +was not probable the reptiles would expose themselves so readily after +having received such a sharp lesson. + +Simon Kenton had evidently made up his mind to some course of action +which promised success, for he said cheerily when it was certain the red +snakes had withdrawn to a safe distance: + +"You two lads are to bottle up some sleep now, for unless I'm mistaken +we shall make a change of quarters by sunset." + +"There's little hope they'll let us go out of here with our lives," I +replied despondently, and the scout added sharply: + +"Thus far we have no reason to complain, an' we won't prove ourselves +fools by lookin' into the future for trouble. Get to sleep, lads, for at +noon I shall claim the same privilege." + +Weary as we were, it was not a difficult task to close our eyes in +slumber, and within five minutes from the giving of the order we were +sleeping soundly, not to awaken until the sun was directly overhead, +when the scout shook us into wakefulness. + +"You've had a good six hours of rest, an' I'm countin' on scoopin' in +only three. Keep a sharp watch till the afternoon is half spent, an' +then rouse me." + +"Why should you not sleep as long as we have?" I asked as Paul crept +through the logs to where he could best have a view of our surroundings. + +"Because then will have come the time when we must make ready for such a +battle as will satisfy yonder brutes that it is not safe to run down +three white men with the idea of cornerin' them in a forest like this." + +Without explaining what he proposed to do, Simon Kenton betook himself +to his well-earned rest, and we lads stood guard to the best of our +ability. + +Three hours passed in silence, and during that time we had not seen even +a tuft of feathers to betoken the whereabouts of an enemy. + +By allowing my mind to dwell upon the disagreeable fact that we were +without food or water, I was suffering intensely from both hunger and +thirst, and because of thus yielding free rein to imagination, I was +dispirited and hopeless. + +Paul took it upon himself to arouse the scout, and once Kenton's eyes +were open he set about bringing on the battle of which he had spoken. + +A few moments' work with our knives sufficed to provide each of us with +a long pole, and then he explained his plan. + +According to his orders, we were to lie on the ground with our rifles +ready for use, and with the poles make such a rustling of the foliage as +would cause the enemy to believe we were creeping out. + +It would be but natural the savages should fire whenever they saw a +swaying of the bushes or branches; but, because of the length of the +poles, we would not be near enough to the point of disturbance to run +any great chance of being hit by the bullets. + + [Illustration: From out of our barricade whistled three bullets, + and every one found its mark. Page 259. _On the Kentucky + Frontier._] + +Kenton had given the name of "battle" to this maneuver of his; but it +was neither more nor less than a trick, and such an one as the +savages themselves most delighted in. + +They had no good cause to be joyous over this one, however, for it +worked as Kenton had counted on, and before the painted wolves +understood the game, they had received a lesson such as I warrant they +never forgot. + +When the three of us were in position Simon Kenton gave the signal, and +we prodded vigorously with the poles. + +In a twinkling half a dozen rifles were discharged from different points +amid the foliage, thus showing that the enemy was keeping sharp watch, +and we each had a target. + +From, out of our barricade whistled three bullets, and every one found +its mark! + +It was only with difficulty that I repressed a cry of triumph, for now I +began to understand that we might soon clear a way for ourselves, unless +this band of reptiles had more real courage than their race usually +displayed when pitted against white men. + +After an interval of five minutes or more we repeated the maneuver, +receiving a similar reply as before, and were able to deal death or +wounds to another trio. + +"Six wiped out or disabled in as many minutes!" Simon Kenton said in a +low tone of triumph. "What do you think now of my battle, lads?" + +"If they will fall into the trap twice more, we can count on having this +bank of the river to ourselves," I replied incautiously loud, and the +scout said warningly: + +"Have a care, Louis, have a care. If they suspect what kind of a game we +are playin' there'll be little chance of their doin' as we wish." + +Well, lest I draw this poor tale out to such length as to weary him who +may read, it is enough if I say that three times more did we succeed in +finding targets for our rifles by using the poles vigorously, and I was +certain that from the moment the scout was awakened until the savages +refused to come out at our bidding, we had sent bullets into no less +than thirteen of them. + +Considering the fact that their number could not have exceeded forty, +judging from what we had seen and heard, this work of ours was well +calculated to discourage them. + +They had poured into the pile of logs no less than an hundred bullets, +and yet we had not received a scratch! + +I almost forgot that I was hungry or thirsty, for the fever of killing +was upon me, and my one hope was that we might draw them two or three +times more in order to give the villainous brutes such a lesson in +blood-letting as they had never learned before. + +In this I was disappointed, however, for the snakes had either come to +understand our game, or were drawn off to nurse their wounds, and we saw +no more of them. + +At nightfall we stole cautiously out from among the fallen timber, and +not a shot was sent after us. + +A mile or more from the scene of our greatest triumph we made a halt +that we might quench our thirst from the river, and during the night our +march was less hurried than when we began the race. + +We stopped for breakfast next morning, after shooting a turkey, and by +this time it was certain that the painted reptiles who had relied on +spilling our blood, no longer retained such desire at the price we set +upon it. + +After this we pushed forward at a leisurely pace, and in comparative +security, until we arrived at Corn Island, where my mother greeted Paul +and me as if we were come from the dead. + +What we did there, or what further adventures befell Simon Kenton before +he was able to revisit his home in Virginia, is not for me to set down +here, since it forms a tale by itself. Neither can I relate how I made a +home for my mother in that new settlement which came to be known by the +name of Louisville; but it seems necessary I should copy from what +another has written, the story of how Major Clarke succeeded in +wresting the valley of the Mississippi from the clutches of the British, +and with such account I bring this writing to an end, hoping others may +find as much pleasure in the reading as I have in the writing of it. + + * * * * * + +"On the twenty-ninth of January, 1779, intelligence was received that +Governor Hamilton had marched an expedition against Vincennes, from +Detroit, nearly a month previously, and that the town was again in +possession of the enemy. It was also said that another and more +formidable expedition was to be sent out in the spring to recapture +Kaskaskia, and to assail the various posts on the Kentucky frontier. +With his usual promptness and energy Colonel Clarke (the Virginia +legislature had recently promoted him) prepared to anticipate the enemy, +and strike the first blow. + +"He planned an expedition against Vincennes, and on the seventh of +February commenced his march through the wilderness, with one hundred +and seventy-five men. He had previously despatched Captain Rogers and +forty men, two four-pounders, and a boat, with orders to force their way +up the Wabash to a point near the mouth of White River, and there wait +for further orders. + +"For a whole week Colonel Clarke's party traversed the drowned lands of +Illinois, suffering every privation from wet, cold and hunger. When they +arrived at the Little Wabash, at a point where the forks of the stream +are three miles apart, they found the intervening space covered with +water to a depth of three feet. The points of dry land were five miles +apart, and all that distance those hardy soldiers waded the cold +snow-flood, sometimes armpit deep. + +"On the evening of the eighteenth they halted a little distance from the +mouth of Embarrass Creek, and so near Vincennes that they could hear the +booming of the evening gun. Here they encamped for the night, and the +next morning at dawn, with their faces blackened with gunpowder to make +themselves appear hideous, they crossed the river in a boat they had +secured, and pushed on through the floods toward the town. + +"Just as they reached dry land, in sight of Vincennes, they captured a +resident, and sent him into the town with a letter demanding the +immediate surrender of the place and fort. The people, taken by +surprise, were greatly alarmed, and believed the expedition to be from +Kentucky, composed of the fierce and strong of that advancing +commonwealth. Had armed men dropped in their midst from the clouds, they +could not have been more astonished, for it seemed impossible for this +little band to have traversed the deluged country. The people were +disposed to comply with the demand, but Governor Hamilton, who commanded +in person, would not allow it. + +"A siege commenced, and for fourteen hours a furious conflict continued. +The next day the town and fort were surrendered, and the garrison were +made prisoners of war. The stars and stripes took the place of the red +cross of St. George; a round of thirteen guns proclaimed the victory, +and that night the exhausted troops of Colonel Clarke reposed in +comfort." + + +THE END + + + + + +A. L. BURT'S PUBLICATIONS + +For Young People + +BY POPULAR WRITERS. + +52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + +=Bonnie Prince Charlie=: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. + HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +The adventures of the son of a Scotch officer in French service. The +boy, brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is arrested for aiding a Jacobite +agent, escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches Paris, and +serves with the French army at Dettingen. He kills his father's foe in a +duel, and escaping to the coast, shares the adventures of Prince +Charlie, but finally settles happily in Scotland. + + "Ronald, the hero, is very much the hero of 'Quentin + Durward.' The lad's journey across France, and his + hairbreadth escapes, make up as good a narrative of the kind + as we have ever read. For freshness of treatment and variety + of incident, Mr. Henry has surpassed himself."--_Spectator._ + + +=With Clive in India=; or, the Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. + HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in India and +the close of his career was critical and eventful in the extreme. At its +commencement the English were traders existing on sufferance of the +native princes. At its close they were masters of Bengal and the greater +part of Southern India. The author has given a full and accurate account +of the events of that stirring time, and battles and sieges follow each +other in rapid succession, while he combines with his narrative a tale +of daring and adventure, which gives a lifelike interest to the volume. + + "He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital + importance, and he has embroidered on the historical facts a + story which of itself is deeply interesting. Young people + assuredly will be delighted with the volume."--_Scotsman._ + + +=The Lion of the North=: A Tale of GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS and the + Wars of Religion. By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations + by JOHN SCHÖNBERG. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +In this story Mr. Henry gives the history of the first part of the +Thirty Years' War. The issue had its importance, which has extended to +the present day as it established religious freedom in Germany. The army +of the chivalrous king of Sweden was largely composed of Scotchmen, and +among these was the hero of the story. + + "The tale is a clever and instructive piece of history, and + as boys may be trusted to read it conscientiously, they can + hardly fail to be profited."--TIMES. + + +=The Dragon and the Raven=; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. + HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R. I. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle between +Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid picture of +the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the ravages of +the sea-wolves. The hero, a young Saxon thane, taken part in all the +battles fought by King Alfred. He is driven from his home, takes to the +sea and resists the Danes on their own element, and being pursued by +them up the Seine, is present at the long and desperate siege of Paris. + + "Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish + reader."--_Athenæum._ + + + +=The Young Carthaginian=: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. + A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, + R. I. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +Boys reading the history of the Punic Wars have seldom a keen +appreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first a +struggle for empire, and afterward for existence on the part of +Carthage, that Hannibal was a great and skillful general, that he +defeated the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannæ, and all but +took Rome, represents pretty nearly the sum total of their knowledge. To +let them know more about this momentous struggle for the empire of the +world Mr. Henty has written this story, which not only gives in graphic +style a brilliant description of a most interesting period of history, +but is a tale of exciting adventure sure to secure the interest of the +reader. + + "Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last + nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us + along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but + never loses its force."--_Saturday Review._ + + +=In Freedom's Cause=: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. + HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish War +of Independence. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of Wallace +and Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeed +at one time Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. The +researches of modern historians have shown, however, that he was a +living, breathing man--and a valiant champion. The hero of the tale +fought under both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historical +accuracy has been maintained with respect to public events, the work is +full of "hairbreadth 'scapes" and wild adventure. + + "It is written in the author's best style. Full of the + wildest and most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of + great interest, which a boy, once he has begun it, will not + willingly put on one side."--_The Schoolmaster._ + + + + + +-----------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Typographical errors corrected in the text: | + | | + | Page 9 begining changed to beginning | + | Page 31 towards changed to toward | + | Page 50 trange changed to strange | + | Page 69 fight changed to flight | + | Page 118 It changed to If | + | Page 144 us changed to as | + | Page 215 heady changed to heads | + | Page 218 of changed to or | + +-----------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Kentucky Frontier, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER *** + +***** This file should be named 33890-8.txt or 33890-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/8/9/33890/ + +Produced by David Garcia, Barbara Kosker and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: On the Kentucky Frontier + A Story of the Fighting Pioneers of the West + +Author: James Otis + +Illustrator: J. Watson Davis + +Release Date: October 29, 2010 [EBook #33890] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Barbara Kosker and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"><a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a> +<a href="images/frontis.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/frontis.jpg" width="42%" alt="Frontis: In a twinkling I was by his side..." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">In a twinkling I was by his side, and there saw that +which caused the cold chill of fear to run down my back.—Page 40. +<i>Frontis. On the Kentucky Frontier.</i></p> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + +<h3> ON THE</h3> + +<h1> KENTUCKY FRONTIER.</h1> + +<h3>A STORY OF THE FIGHTING PIONEERS<br /> + OF THE WEST.</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h2> By JAMES OTIS</h2> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="img"> +<img border="0" src="images/title.jpg" width="15%" alt="soldier" /><br /> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4> With Six Page Illustrations by J. Watson Davis</h4> +<br /> + +<h4> NEW YORK:<br /> + A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER.</h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<h4>Copyright, 1900, by <span class="smcap">A. L. Burt</span>.</h4> + +<hr style="width: 5%;" /> + +<h4>ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER.<br /> +<span class="smcap">By James Otis.</span></h4> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>"Poor Simon Kenton experienced the bitter effects of wrong, ingratitude, +and neglect. On account of some legal matters concerning his lands in +Kentucky, he was imprisoned for twelve months upon the very spot where +he built his cabin in 1775. In 1802, beggared by lawsuits and losses, he +became landless. Yet he never murmured at the ingratitude which pressed +him down, and in 1813 the veteran joined the Kentucky troops under +Shelby, and was in the battle of the Thames. In 1824, then seventy years +old, he journeyed to Frankfort, in tattered garments and upon a +miserable horse, to ask the legislature of Kentucky to release the +claims of the State upon some of his mountain lands. He was stared at by +the boys, and shunned by the citizens, for none knew him. At length +General Thomas Fletcher recognized him, gave him a new suit of clothes, +and entertained him kindly. When it was known that Simon Kenton was in +town, scores flocked to see the old hero. He was taken to the Capitol +and seated in the Speaker's chair. His lands were released, and +afterward Congress gave him a pension of two hundred and forty dollars a +year. He died, at the age of eighty-one years, in 1836, at his residence +at the head of Mad River, Logan County, Ohio, in sight of the place +where, fifty-eight years before, the Indians were about to put him to +death."</p> + +<p>(Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution.")</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<hr /> +<br /> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" width="60%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="10%" style="font-size: 80%;">CHAPTER</td> + <td class="tdl" width="80%"> </td> + <td class="tdr" width="10%" style="font-size: 80%;">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">I.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Simon Kenton</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">II.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Besieged</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">III.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">The Venture</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">IV.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Paul Sampson</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">V.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Down the Ohio</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_91">91</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">VI.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Astray</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">VII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">The Captive Scout</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">VIII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">At the Rendezvous</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">IX.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Kaskaskia</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_184">184</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">X.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Cahokia</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">XI.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">Homeward Bound</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_229">229</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdrp">XII.</td> + <td class="tdl smcap">A Novel Battle</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_251">251</a></td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +<div class="centered"> +<table border="0" width="70%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations"> + <tr> + <td class="tdl" width="80%"> </td> + <td class="tdr" width="20%" style="font-size: 80%;">PAGE</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">In a Twinkling I was by his Side and there saw that which Caused the + Cold Chill of Fear to Run Down my Back</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#frontis">Frontispiece</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">The Brute Fell, as though Struck by Lightning and a Cry of Triumph Rang + from my Lips</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#imagep062">62</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">Within Five Seconds I had Fired, Using the Curl of Vapor for a Target</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#imagep103">103</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">We Advanced from one Place of Shelter to Another, Firing Rapidly</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#imagep142">142</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">Straight up to the Big Gate we Advanced believing that in the Next + Second we should Hear the Alarm Gun</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#imagep204">204</a></td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">From out of our Barricade Whistled three Bullets and every one Found + its Mark</td> + <td class="tdr"><a href="#imagep258">258</a></td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h1>ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER.</h1> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h2>SIMON KENTON.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>It is my purpose to set down what I saw during such time as Simon Kenton +gave me my first lessons in woodcraft and it is well to make the +statement in advance in order that others may be deprived of the +opportunity of saying what would sound disagreeable:—that the pupil was +for a time so dull that one less patient and painstaking than Kenton +would have brought the lessons to a speedy close.</p> + +<p>That which now seems the most difficult is to decide how I shall begin +this story of the little which I did on the Kentucky frontier during the +year of grace 1778, and I can hit upon no plan <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>which promises better +success than that of copying here what I read in a printed book long +years after I, a green lad, set out to do my little share toward +bringing peace and a sense of security to the settlers who were striving +to make homes for themselves and their families in what was then known +as the colony of Virginia.</p> + +<p>I make use of such a beginning because it appears to me as if the wise +man who thus explains the condition of affairs among us at that time, +tells in a few lines what I might struggle vainly over many pages of +paper to put into form one-half so concise and satisfactory:</p> + +<p>"With the single exception of Dunmore's expedition in 1774, hostilities +west of the Alleghanies were nothing but a series of border conflicts, +each little party acting upon its own responsibility, until 1778, when +Major George Rogers Clarke led a regular expedition against the frontier +posts of the enemy in the wilderness. Clarke first went toward Kentucky +in 1772, when he paddled down the Ohio with the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span>Reverend David Jones, +then on his way to preach the Gospel to the Western Indians.</p> + +<p>"He was at once impressed with the importance of that fertile region, +and the necessity of making it a secure place for settlements. His mind +was clear and comprehensive; his personal courage of the truest stamp; +his energies, physical and mental, always vigorous, and he soon became +an oracle among the backwoods-men. During the years 1775 and 1776, he +traversed vast regions of the wilderness south of the Ohio, studied the +character of the Indians chiefly from the observations of others, and +sought to discover a plan by which a tide of emigration might flow +unchecked and secure into that paradise of the continent.</p> + +<p>"He soon became convinced that the British garrisons at Detroit, +Kaskaskia, and Vincennes, were the nests of those vultures who preyed +upon the feeble settlements of the west, and deluged the virgin soil +with the blood of the pioneers. Virginia, to which province this rich +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>wilderness belonged, was at that time bending all her energies in +advancing the cause of independence within her borders east of the +Alleghanies, and the settlers west of the mountains were left to their +own defense.</p> + +<p>"Major Clarke, convinced of the necessity of reducing the hostile forts +in the Ohio country, submitted a plan for the purpose to the Virginia +Legislature, in December, 1777. His scheme was highly approved, and +Governor Henry and his council were so warmly interested that Major +Clarke received two sets of instructions, one public, ordering him to +'proceed to the defense of Kentucky,' the other private, directing an +attack upon the British fort at Kaskaskia. Twelve hundred pounds were +appropriated to defray the expenses of the expedition; and the +commandant of Fort Pitt was ordered to furnish Clarke with ammunition, +boats, and other necessary equipments.</p> + +<p>"His force consisted of only four companies, and they were all prime +men. Early in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>spring they rendezvoused upon Corn Island, at the +falls of the Ohio, six hundred and seven miles by water, below Fort +Pitt. Here Clarke was joined by Simon Kenton, one of the boldest +pioneers of the west, then a young man of twenty-two years. He had been +acting as a spy for two years previously; henceforth he was engaged in a +more honorable, but not more useful, service."</p> + +<p>Now that this much has been explained by another, I am still at a loss +to know how this poor story should be begun, and after much cudgeling of +my weak brain have decided to jump into the matter after the same +fashion that the events come into my memory after these many years of +peace and idleness.</p> + +<p>On a certain morning in February, in the year 1778, I went out to look +after my traps, and had thrown myself down on the bank of the Ohio River +to decide a question which had been vexing me many days.</p> + +<p>Never for a moment did I lose sight of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>fact that it was necessary I +have my wits about me in case I counted on keeping my hair, for many a +scalp had been taken in that vicinity within the six months just passed, +and I believed that nothing larger than a squirrel could come within +striking distance, save by my own knowledge and consent.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I sprang up very suddenly in the greatest alarm when a +white man stood before me, having approached so silently that it was +almost as if he had come up through the very earth.</p> + +<p>It is not to be supposed that Indians were the only beings in form of +men we settlers on the Ohio had reason to fear in those days; there were +many white men whose hearts were as black as those of the savages, and +who would draw bead on one of their kind from sheer love of spilling +blood, if no other reason presented itself.</p> + +<p>As I have set down here, I sprang to my feet, rifle in hand, ready for +the first threatening <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>movement on the part of the stranger; but he gave +little token of being an enemy.</p> + +<p>His weapon was thrown across the hollow of his arm as he stood looking +at me in a friendly manner, and I might easily have shot him down, +unless he was quicker with a rifle than any other I had ever met.</p> + +<p>A young fellow was this newcomer, hardly more than one and twenty, as it +then seemed to me, and there was that in his face which gave token that +he might be a close friend or a dangerous enemy, whichsoever way he was +approached.</p> + +<p>"Out for fur?" he said rather than asked, glancing down at the traps +which lay near at hand.</p> + +<p>I nodded; but remained on my guard, determined not to be taken at a +disadvantage by soft words.</p> + +<p>"It is better to keep movin', than lay 'round where a sneakin' Injun +might creep up a bit too near," he said with a smile, as he seated +himself <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>near the decaying tree-trunk on which I had left the traps.</p> + +<p>"I would have sworn neither white nor red could have come upon me in the +fashion you did," I said hotly, and thoroughly ashamed of myself for +having been so careless.</p> + +<p>"I reckon it might have puzzled an Injun to do the trick. If I couldn't +beat them at movin' 'round, my head would have been bare these five +years."</p> + +<p>It sounded much like boasting, his claiming to be able to beat an Indian +at woodcraft, for at that time I believed the savages could outwit any +settler who ever lived; but before many weeks had passed I came to +understand that I had been sadly mistaken.</p> + +<p>"Is that your cabin yonder under the big knoll?" he asked, more as if by +way of beginning a conversation than from curiosity.</p> + +<p>"Yes; have you been there?"</p> + +<p>"I looked it over; but didn't try to scrape acquaintance. Does your +mother live there?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>"Yes; she and I alone."</p> + +<p>"What sent her down into this wilderness with no one but a lad like +yourself?" he asked, speaking as if he was twice my age, when, unless +all signs failed, he was no more than five years my elder.</p> + +<p>"Father was with us when we came, last year. He was killed by the +murdering savage sneaks nearly two months ago."</p> + +<p>"Why did you hold on here?" the stranger asked, eying me curiously. +"Surely the clearin' isn't so far along that it pays to risk your life +for it."</p> + +<p>"Mother would have packed off; but I couldn't leave."</p> + +<p>"Why?"</p> + +<p>"It's a poor kind of a son who won't at least try to wipe off such a +score, and I'll hold on here till those who killed the poor old man have +found out who I am!"</p> + +<p>Tears of mingled rage, grief, and helplessness came into my eyes as I +spoke thus hotly, and I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>wheeled around quickly lest this stranger, +seeing them, should set me down for a younger lad than I really was.</p> + +<p>"It's quite a job you've shouldered," he said after a pause. "The Injuns +nearabout here ain't to be caught nappin' every hour in the day, and the +chances are your mother may find herself alone on the clearin' before +you have made any great headway in settlin' the score."</p> + +<p>"Because you crept up on me, there is no reason why the red snakes can +do the same thing!" I cried angrily, whereupon he nodded gravely as if +agreeing with me, after which he asked:</p> + +<p>"How old are you?"</p> + +<p>"Must a fellow have seen so many years more or less before he can do the +work of a man?" I demanded, giving proof by my petulance that I was yet +little more than a child.</p> + +<p>"It was not with anything of the kind in my mind that I asked the +question. Perhaps I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>wondered if you'd had the experience that'll be +needed before your work is done."</p> + +<p>"I'm just turned sixteen," I replied, thoroughly ashamed of having +displayed an ill-temper.</p> + +<p>"Where did you come from?"</p> + +<p>"Pennsylvania."</p> + +<p>"Was your father a Tory?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Indeed he wasn't!" and now I grew hot again. "He believed we might +better our condition by pushing into the wilderness, for when a man's +land is overrun by two armies, as ours had been, farming is a poor +trade."</p> + +<p>Then he questioned me yet more closely until I had come to an end of my +short story, which began with the day we set out from the colony founded +by William Penn, and ended with that hour when I came across my poor +father's mangled body scarce half a mile from our clearing, where the +beasts in human form had tortured him.</p> + +<p>All this I told the stranger as if he had been, an old friend, for there +was something, in his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>voice and manner which won my heart at once, and +when the sad tale was ended I came to understand he had not questioned +me idly.</p> + +<p>"My name is Simon Kenton," he said, after a time of silence, as if he +was turning over in mind what I had told him. "The day I was sixteen I +took to the wilderness because of—there is no reason why that part of +it need be told. It was six years ago, an' in those years I've seen a +good bit of life on the frontier, though perhaps it would have been +better had I gone east an' taken a hand with those who are fightin' +against the king. But a soldier's life would raffle my grain, I reckon, +so I've held on out here, nearabout Fort Pitt, where there's been plenty +to do."</p> + +<p>"Fort Pitt!" I exclaimed. "Why, that's a long distance up the river!"</p> + +<p>"Six hundred miles or so."</p> + +<p>"Are you down here trapping?" I asked, now questioning him as he had me.</p> + +<p>"I'm headin' for Corn Island?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>"Then you haven't much further to go. Its no more than a dozen miles +down the river."</p> + +<p>"So I guessed. I left my canoe over yonder, an' took to the shore partly +to find somethin' in the way of meat, and partly to have a look around."</p> + +<p>Then it was, and before I could question him further, he told me why he +had come, the substance of which I have already set down in the language +of another. At that time he did not give me the story complete as it was +written by him whose words I quoted at the beginning of this tale; but I +understood the settlers were making a move against the British and +Indians, and it seemed to me a most noble undertaking, for, had not the +king's officers incited the savages to bloody deeds, the frontier might +have been a land of peace.</p> + +<p>When he was come to an end of the story, and Simon Kenton was not one to +use more words than were necessary, I proposed that he go with me to my +home, for by this time it was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>near to noon, and I had suddenly lost all +desire to continue the work of setting traps.</p> + +<p>He agreed right willingly, as if it favored his plans to do so, and we +two went back to the clearing, he moving through the thicket more like a +shadow than a stoutly built man whose weight seemed against such +stealthy traveling. Never had I seen such noiseless progress; a squirrel +would have given more token of his presence, and I wondered not that he +had been welcomed at Fort Pitt as a scout, spy, or whatever one may +please to call his occupation.</p> + +<p>My mother made the young man welcome, as she would have done any I might +have brought in with me to our home in Pennsylvania, and out here in the +wilderness, where we had not seen a strange, yet friendly, face since my +poor father was murdered, she was rejoiced to meet one who might give us +news of the outside world.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton was not a polished man such as would be met within the +eastern colonies; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>but he gave every token of honest purpose, and it was +impossible to remain long in his company without believing him to be one +who would be a firm friend at all times.</p> + +<p>We enjoyed his visit more than can be told, and then without warning he +broached that subject which had a great bearing upon all my life from +that moment.</p> + +<p>"Why do you try to hold your mother here in the wilderness, Louis +Nelson?" he asked suddenly. "Surely a lad like yourself cannot hope to +make a clearing unaided, and it is but keeping her in great danger of a +cruel death."</p> + +<p>"What other can I do?" I asked in surprise, having no inkling as to his +true meaning.</p> + +<p>"Take her where she will at least be able to lie down at night without +fear of being aroused by the gleam of the scalping knife, or the flames +of her own dwelling," he replied decidedly.</p> + +<p>"All we have in the world is here," my mother said half to herself.</p> + +<p>"Then it will not be hard to leave it, for a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>boy of Louis' age should +be able to provide you with as good almost anywhere else."</p> + +<p>I looked at him in open-mouthed astonishment, whereupon he said in such +a tone as forced one to believe he spoke only the truth:</p> + +<p>"We have every reason to believe there will be bloody scenes hereabout +before Major Clarke has finished his work. You cannot hope to hold out +against the painted scoundrels who will roam up and down the river in +search of white blood that can be spilled. Send your mother back to Fort +Pitt by the boats that will soon be returnin', an' join me in this +expedition. You can go to her in the fall with money enough to provide +another home as good, or better, than this, an' what is of more account, +you'll have the satisfaction of knowin' that ate is in safety."</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should set down here all the arguments +Simon Kenton used to persuade me to break up the home my father had +established, although in poor shape, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>at the cost of his life, nor yet +speak of his efforts to make my mother believe I would be in less danger +with Major Clarke's force than if I remained there struggling to make +headway against the encroachments of the wilderness, at the same time +that I would be forced to remain on the alert lest a pitiless, savage +foe take my life.</p> + +<p>It is enough if I say that before the shadows of night began to lengthen +both my mother and myself were convinced he had given good advice, and +were ready to follow it as soon as a new day had dawned.</p> + +<p>We decided to leave our poor belongings where they were, and set out +with Kenton next morning. Mother should go to Fort Pitt where she would +be protected, and I, with the consent of Major Clarke, was to enlist in +the troop which it was believed would drive out of the country those +unscrupulous British officers who were constantly striving to stir up +the savages against such of the settlers as believed the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>colonists had +good cause to rebel against the king.</p> + +<p>Until a late hour did Simon Kenton sit with us two, telling of the many +adventures he had met with since the day he left his home in Fauquier +County, Virginia, six years before, and although the stories related to +deeds of daring and hairbreadth escapes, there was in his speech nothing +of boasting. It was as if he spoke of what some other person had done, +and without due cause for praise.</p> + +<p>Never once did he speak of his reason for leaving home, and there was a +certain something in his manner which prevented me from asking any +questions. He told so much of his life story as seemed to him proper, +and we were content, believing him to be a young man of proven courage +and honest purposes.</p> + +<p>Kenton and I slept on the skins in front of the fireplace, where I had +ever made my bed, and so little fear had we the enemy might be near, +that I never so much as looked out of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>doors after mother went up the +ladder which led to the rough attic she called her chamber.</p> + +<p>It was the first time since my father's cruel death that I had not +circled around the cabin once or more to make certain everything was +quiet; the coming of this young man had driven from my mind all thought +of possible danger.</p> + +<p>Those who live on the frontier sleep lightly, it is true; but they do +not waste much time in tossing about on the bed before closing their +eyes in slumber—and I was in dreamland within a very few moments after +stretching out at full length.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if I had but just lost consciousness when I awakened to +find a heavy hand covering my mouth, and to hear Simon Kenton whisper:</p> + +<p>"There is need for us to turn out. The sneakin' redskins have surrounded +the cabin. Are you awake?"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>I nodded, for it would have been impossible to speak while his hand was +like to shut off my breath, and he rose softly to his feet.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary for me to say that we on the Ohio in 1778 thought +first in the morning of our rifles, and never lay down at night without +having the trusty weapons where we could grasp them readily. Thus it was +that, when I followed Kenton's example, I rose up ready for a struggle.</p> + +<p>Not a sound could I hear, save the soughing of the wind among the trees; +but I knew my companion had good cause for giving an alarm, and had +probably been on the alert while I was composing myself to sleep.</p> + +<p>"Get word to your mother; but do not let her come down here," he +whispered when I joined him at the shuttered window, where he stood with +his ear to the crevice. "Make no noise, an' it may be we can take the +painted snakes by surprise, which will be a fine turnin' of the +tables."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>I did as he directed, and heard my mother say in a low voice as I turned +to descend the ladder:</p> + +<p>"Be careful, Louis, and do not expose yourself recklessly in order to +give our visitor the idea that you can equal him in deeds of daring."</p> + +<p>Under almost any other circumstances I could have laughed at the idea +that I might even hope to equal such as Simon Kenton in bravery; but +with death lurking close at hand one does not give way to mirth, and I +hastened to the young man's side as a prayer of thankfulness went up +from my heart because it had so chanced he was with us when an +experienced head and arm were needed.</p> + +<p>It is not my purpose to belittle myself. While looking up to our visitor +as an elder and one well versed in such warfare as was before us, I knew +full well I should not have acted a stupid part had I been alone. I +might fail to hold my own against the savages; but death <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>would not have +been invited by my own folly.</p> + +<p>The door, as well as the window shutters, was loopholed, and here Kenton +took his stand, stationing me at that side of the house nearest the +knoll, from where we might naturally expect the enemy would come.</p> + +<p>My mother appeared before we had made all the arrangements for a fight, +and at once set about supplying us with ammunition and food in order +that we might not be forced to move from our posts in quest of either.</p> + +<p>Then she took up my father's rifle, which was leaning against the side +of the hut nearest me, as if to show that it was her purpose to do +whatsoever lay in her power toward the defense, whereupon Kenton shook +his head disapprovingly, and might have made objection to being aided by +a woman; but before he could open his lips to speak the painted fiends +were upon us.</p> + +<p>With whoops and yells they rose up close <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>under the walls of the cabin, +where we might not be able to draw bead upon them, and at the same +instant a volley of rifle shots rang out as three bullets came inside +between the crevices of the logs.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h2>BESIEGED.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>This kind of warfare was new to me. Although living on the frontier so +far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked +by savages.</p> + +<p>My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the +signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed +certain that no more than three Indians had captured him.</p> + +<p>Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for +mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man +seized upon it. If they had been on the warpath, then beyond a +peradventure our cabin would have been attacked.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>To Simon Kenton, however, this sort of work was by no means new. He had +been besieged many times, as we knew from the stories the young man told +us a short time previous; but I ventured to say that never before had he +been pitted against the painted foes with so small a force, and in a +place where it was not probable any help could come.</p> + +<p>Our cabin was situated so far back from the river that those passing up +or down the stream would not suspect a habitation was near at hand, and, +unless well acquainted with the clearing, an hundred men might go back +and forth, never thinking that a settler had ventured in this vicinity.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that I, and most likely Simon Kenton also, realized how +entirely alone we were. Unless we could beat off this foe which had so +suddenly assailed us, within a comparatively short time, the end was +near at hand for all, because no preparations had been made for a siege, +and our store of provisions and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>water, even with careful husbanding, +must be exhausted within a few days.</p> + +<p>As all this came into my mind, and I learned that it was possible for +the Indians to send their bullets inside, through the chinks between the +logs, provided they were sufficiently good marksmen, my heart sank +within me. I said to myself that Kenton had come too late to be of +service to us, and too soon for his own safety.</p> + +<p>As I have said, the savages had crept up under the cover of darkness +close beneath the walls of the cabin, and were able to shoot at us with +but little danger to themselves. Our only hope lay in dislodging them +from their place of vantage, and this much I realized fully even though +unexperienced in warfare.</p> + +<p>On reading what is here set down one may say that a boy of sixteen, +situated as was I at that moment, would not thus calmly weigh the +chances for and against a successful defense. In reply to such +criticism, I would say that in my opinion any lad of ordinary +intelligence <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>must perforce have had much the same thoughts, because of +the ample time for reflection.</p> + +<p>After the first volley, and until perhaps ten minutes had elapsed, the +Indians gave no sign of life. All was still as if we three were alone in +the wilderness—as if it had been some hideous nightmare which awakened +us. During such time, Simon Kenton stood like a statue; but in such +attitude as gave me to understand that all his senses were alert. He was +an experienced Indian fighter, listening for some token which should +give him a clue as to how he might best protect his own life.</p> + +<p>My mother remained near one of the loopholes at the rear of the house, +also on the alert, and I had not moved from the position taken up when +we made our first poor preparations for the defense.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, and when I had come to believe that our chances for a +successful defense were slight indeed, Simon Kenton moved swiftly, yet +noiselessly, to that side of the room opposite <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>where I was standing, +thrust the muzzle of his rifle between the logs near to the ground and +fired.</p> + +<p>A cry of pain followed the report of the weapon, and it was as if the +noise had but just died away, when the young man had his rifle charged +once more, so rapid were his movements.</p> + +<p>One, two, three minutes, perhaps, passed in silence, and again, but in +another quarter, did Kenton repeat his maneuver, although during this +time I had heard nothing whatsoever save my own labored breathing.</p> + +<p>A second cry from without told that two of the painted snakes had +received a more or less serious dose of lead without having inflicted +injury upon us.</p> + +<p>I knew that Kenton's acts had been the result of his keen sense of +hearing, and said to myself that the man must have been fitted by nature +for work like this, since it would be impossible for any person to train +his ears to such perfection.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>This thought was in my mind when I heard a rustling of the foliage on +the outside near where I stood, and that instant I made as if to copy +the example of my companion.</p> + +<p>"It is too late now," he said in a low tone. "The snakes are creepin' +off satisfied that they are like to get the worst of such a game. They +will hatch up some other plan before troublin' us again."</p> + +<p>"But surely we haven't bested them so soon as this," I replied like a +stupid, and he laughed as if there was somewhat of humor in my remark.</p> + +<p>"They have come here to plunder this cabin, and are not like to draw off +so soon. We will have enough of their company within the next four and +twenty hours; but for a time I reckon we have got a breathin' spell. +This is the way the British king wages war; provokin' the savages +against peaceful settlers; but once Major Clarke has broken up the +English nests, I'll venture to say the scurvy redcoats will turn <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>their +attention to other matters than playin' the part of butchers."</p> + +<p>"If we had only started to meet Major Clarke's force when you first +arrived," I said despondently, whereat Simon Kenton clapped me on the +shoulder in a friendly fashion, as he cried:</p> + +<p>"This is no time to be thinking of what might have happened, Louis +Nelson. Men on the frontier must ever look forward, else by gazing +backward their hearts may grow timorous. Until we have driven off these +savages it should be to us as if Major Clarke's force had never set +out."</p> + +<p>Mother had made no attempt to join in the conversation. Her pale face +and quivering lips told that she was thinking of that time, only such a +short distance in the past, when father had been in the clutches of +those who at that moment thirsted for our blood, and grief overshadowed +all the fears which the future could present.</p> + +<p>Observing her, and knowing full well what <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>terrible memories had come +trooping into her mind, I fell silent, striving as best I could to keep +back the timorousness which threatened to overcome me as I thus realized +what the wretches on the outside would do once our feeble defense was +overcome.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton moved here and there noiselessly as a cat, intent only upon +learning so much of what might be going on outside as his ears could +tell him.</p> + +<p>While I remained motionless and silent at the post assigned me, he never +ceased for an instant his stealthy movements, and the knowledge that he +was so keenly on the alert did much toward strengthening my weak heart.</p> + +<p>When perhaps an hour had passed thus in silence, a great hope came to +me, and foolishly I gave it words.</p> + +<p>"The savages, finding that we were prepared for them, have drawn off," I +said, whereat Kenton smiled pityingly as one might at the foolish remark +of a child.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>"We are not rid of them so easily, else are they different from any of +the scoundrels I have chanced to come across. Once having made an +attack, and blood has been drawn, I warrant you, we must beat them off +by sheer force before we can count on their leaving this clearin'."</p> + +<p>When perhaps another hour had passed, and yet the enemy made no sign, I +was grown more courageous, and ate of the corn cake and dried venison +which had been set out for our refreshment; but mother remained wrapped +in gloomy thought, and Simon Kenton did not even for the slightest space +of time relax his vigilance.</p> + +<p>It must have been well on toward morning before we heard aught more of +those whose great desire was to shed our blood.</p> + +<p>Then the first intimation I had of any movement was the report of +Kenton's rifle.</p> + +<p>"Did you see anything?" I asked in a tremor.</p> + +<p>"No; but they are comin' this way with brushwood, havin' an idea to set +fire to the cabin."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>Even though the danger which beset us was great, I could not repress my +curiosity. It seemed almost as if he had made me a foolish answer, for +how might a man know, when it was so dark that one could not see three +paces from the cabin in either direction, that the savages were making +ready for any such attempt, and I asked how he was so positive as to +their movements.</p> + +<p>"I have heard them rippin' off the dry branches with their knives, and, +just before I fired, knew from the noise in the thicket that they were +draggin' the brushwood this way."</p> + +<p>I was almost bewildered by this man's knowledge of woodcraft; but +refrained from commenting, contenting myself by saying in a tone of +satisfaction:</p> + +<p>"They will not make much headway at setting these green logs on fire. It +is but two days since the rain came down in such torrents that the +outside of the cabin must be sodden with water."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>"They may succeed in fillin' the room with smoke; but that counts for +little. The flames will give us an opportunity which must not be +neglected."</p> + +<p>It is possible that the savages came to understand all this before +carrying out the plan which Kenton believed had been formed, for after +he discharged his rifle we heard no more of them, and, finally, when it +seemed as if at least eight and forty hours were passed, the gray light +came stealing through the thicket, slowly dispelling the darkness, until +we had clear range of vision from the loopholes on either hand.</p> + +<p>Twenty paces from the front of the house lay a pile of dry brush, +telling that Simon Kenton's ears had not deceived him.</p> + +<p>There were no signs of our foe. So far as one's eyes might give him +information, we were alone in the thicket with none to molest or make +afraid.</p> + +<p>Kenton set about making a blaze in the fireplace, and such act aroused +my mother from <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>her sorrowful memories to a realization of the present.</p> + +<p>All her housewifely instincts took possession of her once more, and she +set about preparing breakfast—perhaps the last meal we might ever eat.</p> + +<p>"Think you the savages count on starving us out?" I asked, rather for +the purpose of starting a conversation than to gain information.</p> + +<p>"It may be that all the party are not yet arrived, and those who made +the first attack are waitin' for more to come up. If the entire force is +here, then certain it is they count on starvin' us, although so far as +the villains know, that may prove a long task. Were you and I alone, I +should favor tryin' to give 'em the slip after midnight; but it would be +folly to attempt anything of the kind while your mother is to be +protected."</p> + +<p>"You will not find her a coward," I said proudly, whereat he replied +with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"Of that we have already had good proof; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>but there would be too much +danger in attemptin' to fight our way out while she was with us. After a +time——"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted by rifle shots in the distance. First one, then a +couple, and, after an interval of four or five seconds, what sounded +like a regular volley.</p> + +<p>Then came scattering shots, by which I understood that whoever was +engaged in deadly combat had succeeded in gaining a shelter, and was +firing only when the possibility of hitting a target presented itself.</p> + +<p>"Can it be that some of Major Clarke's force have come our way?" I asked +as a great hope came into my heart; but Simon Kenton speedily dashed it.</p> + +<p>"The major's men are to sail down the river, and would not stop this +side of Corn Island, save through dire necessity."</p> + +<p>"Then who can the savages have been firing at?"</p> + +<p>"Some white man must have ventured this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>way, as did I, and walked into +the very thick of them."</p> + +<p>"But all the while we have lived here you are the first who has come to +this clearing by accident," I replied, still bent on believing that some +of the major's forces must have gone out of their road, and were thus +near enough to lend aid in our time of trouble.</p> + +<p>"It is a trapper or, a settler," Kenton said decisively, with the air of +one who will not admit himself at fault. "The question in my mind is +whether I'm not bound to lend a hand."</p> + +<p>"Surely you would never think of leaving the cabin in daylight, when you +know beyond a peradventure that the savages are watching it?" my mother +said in alarm, and Kenton turned away as if realizing the truth of her +words.</p> + +<p>It is not possible for me to set down on paper such as will enable +another to understand our feelings during this time when we knew white +men were struggling for life, and needing the aid which we were +powerless to give.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>It seemed little short of the veriest cowardice to remain within shelter +at such a time, and yet all of us knew full well that speedy death would +come to him who should venture out.</p> + +<p>Five minutes after the first report was heard all was silent again, for +mayhap half an hour, during which time each of us, even Kenton, had come +to hope the Indians were baffled in their effort to murder, and with +that hope came into my mind a most intense regret that we had not been +able to give warning of our sore need.</p> + +<p>I persisted in believing that some of Major Clarke's men had been near +at hand, and said to myself we might have escaped all our perils could +it have been possible to give an alarm.</p> + +<p>When half an hour had passed the firing broke out again, not in volleys, +but with a shot at intervals of ten or fifteen seconds, and then we all +fancied screams of pain and exultation could be heard.</p> + +<p>"The savages have succeeded!" Kenton said <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>curtly. "Whoever blundered +this way has already paid for the mistake, or will before the sun rises +again."</p> + +<p>Mother, her mind once more in the past, turned pale as death and I +trembled like one with an ague, for it seemed at the moment as if this +was a token of what our fate would be.</p> + +<p>The breakfast which mother had been preparing was neglected until some +time later, when Simon Kenton said with an evident effort at +cheerfulness:</p> + +<p>"We're playin' the fool to stand here as if waitin' for the painted +scoundrels to do their will. We have no reason to despair because they +have captured some unfortunate; but should be all the more determined to +worst them."</p> + +<p>Then he deftly finished the work mother had begun, and insisted upon our +sharing in the meal, for, according to his belief, there was no reason +why we need stand close guard now that the sun had risen.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>Under such circumstances it was difficult to eat, at least I found it +so; food well-nigh choked me, but I forced it down because of his stern +command, and we made at least the semblance of eating breakfast, with as +much zest as you can fancy people display under the shadow of the +gallows.</p> + +<p>When the pretense of a meal had come to an end, Kenton got up from the +table and stood at the loophole in the door an instant, giving vent to a +low exclamation of surprise or dismay as he peered forth.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling I was by his side, and there saw that which caused the +cold chill of fear to run down my back.</p> + +<p>Directly in front of the cabin, toward the river, beyond range of our +rifles, stood a man and a boy, each bound hand and foot to a tree trunk.</p> + +<p>It was the report of their guns that we heard, and fortune had been +unkind to them, else death would have come during the fight. It <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>had +been delayed that it might be accompanied by the keenest torture.</p> + +<p>"Are they neighbors of yours?" Kenton asked.</p> + +<p>"So far as I know, there are no settlers nearabout."</p> + +<p>"Then this man and boy have come lookin' for a place to make a clearin', +or are workin' their way eastward from some point below on the river."</p> + +<p>This did not seem a reasonable explanation, to my mind, for if the +prisoners had been coming up the river they would not have ventured so +far away as must have been the case when the Indians discovered them; +but my heart was too heavy to admit of making any argument against his +assertion, which, as a matter of fact, was of but little consequence now +that they were doomed to a cruel death.</p> + +<p>And that they were doomed we knew full well. The savages were counting +on torturing them where we might have a full view of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>horrible +spectacle, and we could not hope anything would happen to prevent it.</p> + +<p>On the evening previous Simon Kenton had told us the story of a settler +who was beset even as we were then, and whose nearest neighbor was +tortured at the stake within his range of vision that the helpless man +might see what was in store for him when he could no longer make any +defense.</p> + +<p>While hearing the story it was impossible for me to realize how +agonizing must have been the position of the besieged man. Now I +understood it keenly, and resolved not to look out from that side of the +house again, lest the painted fiends should begin their horrible work +before night came.</p> + +<p>Mother knew from our conversation what it was we gazed at, and remained +nearabout the fireplace striving to choke back the sobs of grief and +sympathy which shook her frame.</p> + +<p>After gazing upon the helpless captives five minutes or more, as if to +picture indelibly upon <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>his mind all the surroundings, Simon Kenton +began moving to and fro across the end of the room, not on the alert +against the enemy, but apparently plunged in deep thought.</p> + +<p>After a time he said curtly to me:</p> + +<p>"Keep a lookout on either side, lad, for some of the snakes may grow +careless, an' you will get a shot."</p> + +<p>Then he fell to pacing to and fro again, and after what seemed a very +long time of most painful silence, said to me as if announcing the most +commonplace fact:</p> + +<p>"I count on lendin' a hand to those poor fellows yonder."</p> + +<p>"Lending a hand!" I repeated in amazement. "Haven't you declared it was +impossible to leave this house without being shot down?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, an' I reckon that comes pretty near being the truth."</p> + +<p>"Then how may you give them any assistance?"</p> + +<p>"I am not countin' on tryin' to do anything <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>just now. There's like to +be plenty of time, for unless something happens to interrupt the curs, +they will not torture the prisoners until evening. When the sun goes +down I shall creep out."</p> + +<p>"And then is the time when the Indians will keep a closer watch," I +ventured to say.</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, you are right, and yet we must contrive to outwit them. +Instead of openin' the door, I'll make my way through the small window +at the rear, which can be the better guarded by you and your mother +while the shutter is unfastened."</p> + +<p>"I shall go with you," I said, speaking on impulse, and hardly realizing +the meaning of the words.</p> + +<p>"You'll do nothing of the kind. Your duty is here, and mine there."</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h2>THE VENTURE.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>I could not believe Simon Kenton would dare to make the venture of which +he had spoken, for of a verity it seemed no less than the killing of +one's self.</p> + +<p>We knew beyond a peradventure that the Indians secreted in the thicket +round about us were keeping sharp watch over the cabin, on the alert for +a movement of such a kind, and there was not a single chance in a +hundred that one of us could even show his head out of either window or +door without being shot down.</p> + +<p>That being the case, and there seemed no doubt about it, how might one +venture forth so far as where the poor captives were lashed to the trees +looking forward with almost certainty <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>to all the terrible tortures +which these brutes could devise?</p> + +<p>Thinking over the matter after Simon Kenton had declared his purpose, I +said to myself that he had spoken out of the fulness of his heart, and +not with a belief that he might carry his proposition into execution. I +argued, mentally, that his desire to aid the unfortunate creatures had +caused him to believe the impossible might be accomplished; but after he +should have time to consider the matter thoroughly, he would realize +that he could effect nothing more than his own death.</p> + +<p>After having said what he would do, Kenton paced to and fro, keeping +sharp watch upon the thicket, and saying nothing.</p> + +<p>Once I would have spoken concerning the time when Major Clarke's party +might be expected at Corn Island; but he motioned me away as if he had +no inclination for conversation.</p> + +<p>I had promised myself not to look out in the direction where the unhappy +captives were to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>be seen; but it was as if their helplessness +fascinated me to such a degree that I could not keep my eyes from them.</p> + +<p>I gazed at short intervals, but for no more than a few seconds at a +time, and saw no change, save once when it appeared to me as if the man +was speaking earnestly to the boy.</p> + +<p>I could readily fancy that the elder was trying to encourage the lad for +that terrible time of trial, and the tears overflowed my eyes as I grew +faint with horror while thinking of what the evening would bring forth.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should try to give the details of our +movements or conversation during this wofully long day. We spoke +together but little, first because Simon Kenton was buried in his own +thoughts or plans, and secondly because my mother's grief had been +aroused by sight of the captives to such an extent that her sobs put an +end to speech.</p> + +<p>Twice did Kenton get a glimpse of a tuft of feathers in the underbrush, +and both times he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>discharged his rifle; once bringing forth a shrill +cry of pain, and again evidently missing his aim, which was by no means +surprising under the circumstances.</p> + +<p>Late in the afternoon mother cooked another meal, and we went through +the form of eating as if from a sense of duty. It was but justice to our +bodies for us to do so, since no one could say when we might have +another opportunity.</p> + +<p>Then the shadows of evening began to lengthen, and I glanced at Simon +Kenton from time to time in order to learn how he might draw back after +having announced so positively that he should make an effort at aiding +the captives.</p> + +<p>But he had no idea of drawing back, as I should have known had I been +acquainted with him longer.</p> + +<p>During the latter part of the afternoon he surveyed the thicket in the +rear of the house at frequent intervals; partially opened the shutter +two or three times to make certain it could be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>swung outward +noiselessly, and, finally, threw off his hunting shirt lest the garment +should hamper his movements.</p> + +<p>"Are you indeed counting on the attempt?" I asked when he had thus put +himself in trim for wriggling through the thicket.</p> + +<p>"I have already said so," he replied calmly.</p> + +<p>"There is too much danger! You must not risk your life when the chances +are all against you!" I cried vehemently.</p> + +<p>"It will be easier to go than stay here and listen to that fiendish orgy +which will begin before many hours have passed!"</p> + +<p>"You can hope to do no more than share the poor fellow's fate!" I +exclaimed impatiently.</p> + +<p>"There is a chance I shall pull through, and the game is well worth the +candle. I may not tell the story to you; but there are good reasons why +I, above all others, should risk my life in an effort to save others; +or, to put it in other words, why I ought to die trying to help those +poor fellows, rather than remain idle."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>He spoke in such a solemn tone that I could not have argued further +against his going, however much it pained me, and I gazed at him in +silence, wondering what might be the meaning of those strange words.</p> + +<p>Now that it appeared positive he would set forth, and equally certain he +would be killed, I began to realize what might be our condition after he +had left my mother and myself alone to defend the cabin against the +painted crew who thirsted for our blood.</p> + +<p>It was not probable the poor woman and I could hold out many hours after +the brave fellow departed, however good our courage or strong our +endurance. The Indians would speedily overpower us, and I knew full well +what the end must be unless I was so fortunate as to die fighting.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was as if I was assisting in an attempt to take my own +life, when I did as Simon Kenton bid.</p> + +<p>"You are to stand by the window as I leap <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>out," he said when the +evening was nearly come, "and on the first flash of a redskin's rifle +shoot at random if you see no target. The smoke will serve to partially +hide my movements. Your mother is to take up her station at the front +door until she hears you fire, and then she'll shoot over my head as +soon as possible. I'm countin' that you can keep the savages back till +I've gained a shelter in the thicket. After that the shutter is to be +barred quickly, and you will both stand on guard at the front door, +unless some danger threatens from the rear. If you hear the cry of an +owl repeated three times from any quarter, you can be certain I have +succeeded, an' there's no need of sayin' that you're to be on the alert +for my coming. It's possible I shall be able to get in here again. If I +fail in that, and yet remain free, you may be positive help will soon +arrive to raise the siege."</p> + +<p>He had crossed the room while speaking, and was now standing by the side +of the window through which he proposed to pass.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>I stepped forward to press his hand, for I knew full well he would not +linger once everything was ready for the perilous venture.</p> + +<p>It was as if he did not see me—perhaps it did not suit his mood to say +good-by. At all events he kept his face from me even after the shutter +was unbarred, and then, without turning his head, he whispered:</p> + +<p>"Stand ready! Remember what I have said!"</p> + +<p>Then, with a quick movement, he flung open the shutter and had leaped +through almost before I realized his purpose. His swift bound served to +bewilder me, and I stood gazing out, with my rifle raised, not realizing +the necessity of closing the opening.</p> + +<p>It was mother who flung the shutter into place softly and replaced the +bars, and I stood there like a stupid until the house was barricaded +once more, when I said stupidly:</p> + +<p>"The savages didn't see him!"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>"It is God's mercy, Louis," my mother replied devoutly. "Possibly he may +be permitted to rescue those poor creatures who must have suffered an +hundred deaths already!"</p> + +<p>"It can't be that he will succeed while so many keen eyes are close at +hand. It is only reasonable to suppose all the crew are near about the +captives, therefore how may one man prevail against them?"</p> + +<p>"If it be the Lord's will, there need be no counting the odds," and +having said this, mother knelt by the side of the table, while I, +somewhat recovered from my fear and bewilderment, went to the loophole +in the door that I might keep the captives in view so far as the +darkness permitted.</p> + +<p>It was not yet night, although the gloom of the forest was so dense that +one could not distinguish objects very far away.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton had ventured out at that time when the gray of twilight +distorts everything, causing even the most familiar features of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>landscape to appear weird, and in so doing he had shown much wisdom.</p> + +<p>An hour later the Indians would have drawn closer to the cabin, +suspecting we might make an attempt to escape under cover of darkness, +and an hour earlier the light of day cut off any hope of getting out +unseen.</p> + +<p>Calculating the time to a nicety, moving swiftly as but few could move, +he had left the cabin without alarming the wary foe, and thus far his +success was so great as to astonish me.</p> + +<p>I could yet barely distinguish the forms of the unhappy prisoners, and, +moving to and fro near them like evil things, were shadow-like figures +which I knew to be Indians.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course it was impossible for me to see the faces of these +two over whom hovered a most cruel death; but I could well imagine the +expression of despair on their faces.</p> + +<p>They could not fail to understand that it was worse than vain to hope +aid would come in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>hour of their extremity, and yet I doubt not they +tried to encourage themselves by saying it was possible a party of white +men might pass that way before the horrible orgy should be begun.</p> + +<p>While gazing through the loophole, my mother remaining on her knees +praying fervently, I said again and again to myself that Simon Kenton +could do nothing single-handed against that mob of murdering brutes. In +fact, now he was outside the house all the chances were against my ever +seeing him again. It was hardly within the range of probability he could +save his own life if he made even the slightest effort to rescue the +prisoners.</p> + +<p>The shadows of night gathered rapidly, and yet it seemed as if each +second was a full minute in length. I was in that agonizing frame of +mind where one is raised by hope and buried under despair at the same +instant.</p> + +<p>Although my ears were strained to catch the lightest sound, I heard +nothing save the rustling <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>of the foliage as it was stirred by the +gentle night wind. If Simon Kenton was attempting to approach the +prisoners, he must have made a detour through the thicket to avoid the +savages who undoubtedly kept close watch over the cabin lest we +unfortunate ones should give them the slip.</p> + +<p>After a time, and it was impossible for me to decide whether I had +remained on watch one hour or two, a tiny gleam of light could be seen +in the direction where I knew the prisoners were stationed, and as it +increased in size I understood that the brutes were making ready for +their horrible sport.</p> + +<p>The flame grew brighter and brighter until I could distinguish the forms +of the helpless ones, with dark figures flitting between my line of +vision and the fire, and I mentally joined my mother in her prayer for +the relief of those whom I believed were beyond all earthly aid.</p> + +<p>As I knew the savages had done many times before, so they were about to +do now—torture <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>us at the same time they inflicted death on their +prisoners.</p> + +<p>We were to be shown what would speedily be our own fate.</p> + +<p>While I stood there helplessly watching the horrible preparations, a +certain frenzy of rage took possession of me, and I no longer gave heed +to anything save a desire to bring death upon some of that fiendish crew +before they began the work of torture.</p> + +<p>"I cannot stay here longer, mother!" I exclaimed suddenly. "If Simon +Kenton risks his life to aid those who are strangers to him, why should +I not be as brave? Alone he cannot hope to effect a rescue, and will +surely perish. With one other to help him, that which now seems +impossible may be compassed."</p> + +<p>As I think of the scene now, the wonder is that my dear mother did not +remind me of what would be her fate if both Kenton and I were captured; +but the brave woman gave no heed to herself, nor to her love for me.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>Looking up while still remaining on her knees, she said softly:</p> + +<p>"If you believe it your duty, my son, go, and may the good God grant +that you come back to me alive!"</p> + +<p>These were not exactly the kind of words best calculated to give a lad +courage, and I realized that by listening to her many seconds I should +become cowardly. Even as I stood by her side my determination grew +fainter; in five minutes more timorousness might overcome me.</p> + +<p>"I will leave the cabin as he did, mother, and you shall stand at the +door ready to give us entrance, if it so be we come back."</p> + +<p>Mother rose quickly to her feet; kissed me fervently, and then, without +delay, as if understanding that it was not well to prolong the parting, +began to unbar the shutter.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling I had put on powder horn and pouch; looked well to my +rifle, and was ready to follow Simon Kenton in his desperate venture.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>The shutter was open. Not daring to look back, I sprang out, believing +as I did so that the report of a rifle would be my death knell; but no +sound came.</p> + +<p>The savages, thinking we were securely caged, had gathered around the +prisoners in readiness to begin the terrible work, and I was free to +rush on to my own doom.</p> + +<p>While believing there was little chance I should succeed in saving my +own life, I was not careless.</p> + +<p>Moving onward stealthily; stopping at each yard of distance to learn if +one of the foe might be near at hand, I pressed forward in a circle, +counting on coming within view of the prisoners at a point midway +between the cabin and that fork in the path which led to the riverside.</p> + +<p>Each instant I expected to come upon Simon Kenton, and as the moments +went by I began to understand that if he heard me approaching from the +rear he might leap upon me, believing <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>one of the savages was creeping +upon him, and such realization caused me to hope it would be possible to +avoid him.</p> + +<p>It was a strange situation, this being equally afraid of friend and foe, +and could have been in a certain degree avoided if I had but accompanied +the young scout.</p> + +<p>Nothing interfered with my progress, however, until I was arrived at the +point for which I had been aiming, and saw full before me the +preparations for the torture.</p> + +<p>Two fires had been built ten or twelve yards distant from the prisoners, +evidently for purposes of illumination, and at the feet of the +unfortunate ones was heaped a quantity of dry wood, which would be +kindled into a flame when the first portion of the terrible work had +been concluded.</p> + +<p>Now the savages were making ready for the dance around their victims, +and I saw fourteen of the painted brutes, hideous in feathers, beads and +gaudy coloring.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>To describe that which followed immediately after I had a view of the +scene, would be impossible. The fiends were alternately advancing toward +the prisoners, and retreating, moving with a certain measured step, and +brandishing weapons in the faces of the two who were helpless.</p> + +<p>The lad seemed literally frozen with terror; but the man faced his cruel +enemies as if defying them to wring a cry of pain from his compressed +lips.</p> + +<p>Perhaps five minutes passed while I thus remained motionless in the +thicket within half a rifle-shot distance, and then one of the murderous +brutes approached the boy knife in hand.</p> + +<p>I knew the poor lad was to be maimed in some manner. The same blinding +rush of rage which had come upon me while I was in the cabin, +overpowered all sense of danger.</p> + +<p>Giving no heed to my own peril; thinking only to save the frightened lad +from immediate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>pain, I fired point blank at the brute who would have +drawn the first blood, and when he fell, as though struck by lightning, +a cry of triumph rang from my lips.</p> + +<p>What followed I am unable to set down of my own knowledge, for I was +become like one in a fever of rage and desperation.</p> + +<p>I set about re-charging my rifle without giving heed to the rush which +should have followed the shot, and dimly, as if it was something in +which I had no concern, I heard the report of another rifle; another cry +which seemed but the echo of my own.</p> + +<p>Before my feverish brain had taken in all this as a fact, I was ready to +shoot again, and never had I aimed with more deliberation. I felt +certain this second bullet of mine would find its target, and when it +sped on its way I needed not to gaze at the be-feathered brute within +range to know that he was dead or disabled.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep062" id="imagep062"></a> +<a href="images/imagep062.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep062.jpg" width="42%" alt="The brute fell as though struck by lightning" /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">The brute fell as though struck by lightning, and a cry +of triumph rang from my lips.—Page 62. <i>On the Kentucky Frontier.</i></p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>Again came what was like the echo of my own gun, and I saw four of +the villains on the ground, while the others had made for the nearest +shelter, each seeking some tree trunk that would shelter his worthless +body.</p> + +<p>Now I realized that I had come up nearly opposite where Simon Kenton was +stationed, and he it was who had fired immediately after my rifle spoke.</p> + +<p>Thus attacked on either hand, the savages must have believed they were +beset by a large force, and their only desire was to shelter themselves +from the deadly fire.</p> + +<p>While loading my rifle I looked for an instant at the boy. His eyes were +opened wide; his lips parted as if to cry out, and on his face was an +expression of mingled hope and doubt painful in its intensity.</p> + +<p>Again I saw a target. Twenty paces away was one of the brutes leaping +from tree to tree as if striving to gain the river, and him I stopped on +the instant.</p> + +<p>Ten seconds later came the report of a rifle <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>from the opposite side of +the path, and I knew Simon Kenton had not wasted a bullet.</p> + +<p>No less than six of the feathered brutes were out of the fight, and it +was only with difficulty that I repressed a cry of triumph, for I knew +full well the villains would not linger long against an unseen foe whose +aim was so deadly.</p> + +<p>Twice more did I fire, and once Kenton's rifle rang out. Then I believed +the brutes had taken refuge in flight, for two passed within my line of +vision while I was reloading my weapon.</p> + +<p>"Kenton!" I shouted, holding the rifle at my shoulder meanwhile, lest by +raising my voice I might have brought the foe upon me, and before one +could have counted twenty the young scout was by my side.</p> + +<p>"Is it indeed you, lad?" he asked as if overcome with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"And why not? I have been able to take some part in the rescue?"</p> + +<p>"<i>Some part</i>, lad? You have made it possible <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>when I believed nothing +might be done. But for your attack, yonder poor fellows would even now +be in agony, because I could not have fired without bringing the whole +gang upon me. A shot from both sides was what caused them to believe we +had a large force."</p> + +<p>"Let us cut those prisoners loose," I cried, waiting to hear no more, +and eager to relieve them, from their misery.</p> + +<p>"Wait," he whispered, clutching me by the arm. "The snakes may take it +into their heads to turn back, and it will be well if I quicken their +pace a bit. Stand here, and do not come out from cover till I get back."</p> + +<p>He was off like a flash, and with no more noise, while I remained on the +alert for an attack; but burning to set free the poor lad, who was +seeking here and there with his eyes to learn if those who had saved him +from pain were yet near at hand.</p> + +<p>Then the man spoke words of hope to the boy, as I could understand, by +the expression on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>both their faces, and I waited with finger on the +trigger of the rifle lest the savages should make one desperate effort +to accomplish their cruel work.</p> + +<p>Surely if any of the Indians were near at hand now, some attempt would +be made to kill the prisoners, and after waiting perhaps five minutes, I +stepped boldly out within the rays of light.</p> + +<p>Near at hand were four rifles, where they had been left against a +sapling while their owners took part in the dance of death, and I knew +we might add the prisoners, well armed, to our force.</p> + +<p>The lad gave vent to a low cry of most intense joy as he saw me; but the +man said quietly, as if it was quite natural I should be there:</p> + +<p>"You came in good time. How many are with you?"</p> + +<p>"Only one other, sir, and he is in pursuit of the savages," I replied, +wielding my hunting <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>knife to sever the bonds which held both prisoners +helpless.</p> + +<p>I had no more than given the poor fellows freedom, and while they stood +chafing their wrists to restore the circulation of blood, Simon Kenton +came up swiftly.</p> + +<p>"It is well we get back to the cabin; the snakes have halted just under +the river bank, and it may be they will turn back to find out how many +we can muster. Come on!"</p> + +<p>Stopping only sufficiently long to secure the rifles which were near at +hand, we four ran to the cabin, the door of which my mother held open; +and once we were inside, the dear soul clasped me to her bosom as if I +had come back from the dead, as indeed was very nearly the case.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h2>PAUL SAMPSON.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>When we were inside the cabin once more, with the door and windows +barred and the man and lad whom we had rescued eating ravenously from +the store of food my mother set before them, there was in my mind the +thought that I had good reason to be proud of the part I had so lately +played.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton and I had killed, or driven off, a band of fourteen +savages, and surely my portion of the work had not been slight. It +seemed to me then, as now, that I did my full share in the business. It +is true, except for the fact of our having taken the brutes by surprise, +and come upon them in such fashion they had no means of knowing but that +we outnumbered <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>them three or four to one, the matter might have come to +a different ending; but it was much to our credit that we had been able +to surprise those wretches who seldom made an attack unless it can be +begun in like manner.</p> + +<p>I repeat I was feeling proud of our work, more particularly when I +looked at our guests, realizing that but for Simon Kenton and myself +they would at that very moment be suffering all the tortures the painted +wolves could inflict, and I glanced at the young scout, thinking to read +in his face thoughts akin to mine.</p> + +<p>In this I was mistaken. Despite what was very nearly a fact—that the +Indians had been put to flight—he was standing by the loophole of the +door keeping careful watch, and, so far as could be told by the +expression on his face, it might have been us white men who were worsted +in the encounter.</p> + +<p>I failed to see in his bearing anything to betoken that he had but +lately faced death in its most horrible form in order to make an effort +at <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>saving the lives of strangers, and from that moment I looked up to +the young man much as if he had been of a superior race from any I had +previously seen.</p> + +<p>It is not to be supposed that I stood idly by dwelling upon such +thoughts as are here set down in words, while, for aught we knew, the +brutes might be gathering in greater force than before.</p> + +<p>I was not so wholly given over to vanity as all that would indicate; but +moved here or there looking after our defense in such manner as seemed +to me proper, my mind busy all the while, and the vainglorious thoughts +dying away as I observed Kenton.</p> + +<p>Then, when the young scout had advised that I remain at the further end +of the cabin, keeping watch from the loophole in the shutter, I turned +my attention to those whom we had saved from the stake.</p> + +<p>They were father and son, as I learned from the conversation the elder +was holding with my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>mother, who ministered to their wants at the table. +Horace Sampson was the man's name, and he called the lad Paul.</p> + +<p>The two had come from Maryland to locate a homestead, and the only +wonder in my mind was that the savages had not taken them captives +before they got so far into the wilderness; for neither of them knew as +much regarding woodcraft as had I on my tenth birthday.</p> + +<p>They had believed it would be possible for them to frighten the Indians +by a mere show of weapons, and could not be persuaded by those who had +been on the frontier, that it was but little less than suicide to +venture in this section of the country alone.</p> + +<p>For three weeks they had traveled here and there searching for a +likely-looking location, and not until the day previous had the savages +shown themselves.</p> + +<p>Then that which might have been expected happened in a twinkling, and +before either the father or the son had an idea any danger threatened, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>they were disarmed, and bound within view of our cabin, as I have +related.</p> + +<p>Even after having been so near a terrible death, Mr. Sampson believed it +might be possible to retrace his steps in safety; but my mother cried +out so loudly against any such foolhardy venture, and painted the +dangers of the frontier in such vivid colors, that the ignorant man +finally came to believe it was hardly safe to trust himself alone amidst +foes whose methods of warfare were so entirely a secret to him.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton must have been listening to the conversation even as I had +been doing, for he said when mother had ceased her warning:</p> + +<p>"The only safe path for you is that which leads to Corn Island. There +you will find a goodly company, and I doubt not that before many days +have passed you will meet with some who propose to journey on your +road."</p> + +<p>"But how may we provide for ourselves on this island of which you +speak?" the man <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>asked helplessly, and the question in itself was +sufficient to prove his ignorance.</p> + +<p>"There will be no lack of helping hands," Simon Kenton replied with a +smile. "On the frontier men do not count the value of food and a +shelter, as do those who live in town."</p> + +<p>Then, as if to show he was pig-headed as well as ignorant, Mr. Sampson +argued that he was not willing to accept charity from strangers; that it +would be demeaning himself to receive anything for which he was unable +to pay.</p> + +<p>"You must do that, or take the chances of providin' sport for the +painted snakes, as you were like to do a short time ago," Kenton replied +curtly, and I understood by the tone that he was losing patience because +of the man's stubbornness.</p> + +<p>Having thus spoken the young scout turned once more to stand guard at +the loophole, and Paul, the lad, his meal ended, came timidly toward +where I was stationed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>He appeared to be a boy after my own heart, entirely different in +manners and speech from his father, and I decided at once that we should +be firm friends so long as he might remain on the frontier.</p> + +<p>I could well understand that he was burning with a desire to ask +questions, and did not hesitate to give him encouragement to begin.</p> + +<p>He was eager to know how long I had lived in the wilderness; how often I +had fought against the savages, and such like simple questions, all of +which I answered until he was come to an end.</p> + +<p>Then I asked about his home in Maryland; of his journey to the Ohio +River, and, finally, how he felt while bound to the stake.</p> + +<p>"The fear in my heart was so great that I did not fully have my senses," +he replied with a shudder. "Not until the fires were kindled and the +dancing had begun did I dream that those beasts would put us to death. I +was like one in a dream until the first shot was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>fired, and a savage +dropped dead almost at my feet."</p> + +<p>"We didn't open fire any too soon," I said with perhaps a tinge of pride +in my tone because I had played my part well, as it seemed to me.</p> + +<p>"In another instant the Indian's knife would have been in my body!" he +cried. "I could tell by the fierce gleam in his eyes that he counted on +taking my life."</p> + +<p>"The murdering brutes do not kill their prisoners so quickly or easily. +He would have prolonged your life to its utmost limit, in order that you +might suffer the more."</p> + +<p>Then I told him of my father's cruel death; of what we had found to tell +the horrible story, and before I had finished the tears were running +down his cheeks.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton must have been listening to our conversation, for he called +sharply, when Paul was almost overcome with grief:</p> + +<p>"You lads had best get what sleep you can <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>before daylight, for as soon +as the sun rises, if it so be the red wolves have drawn off, we must set +out for Corn Island."</p> + +<p>I understood that he was not well pleased because I had frightened the +lad who was so lately come from the bustling world, and it shamed me +because of giving him, who was so brave, an opportunity for reproof.</p> + +<p>My mother spread out the skins near the fireplace, where I had been in +the custom of sleeping, and Paul dutifully laid himself down, while his +father remained at the table evidently in a brown study.</p> + +<p>It was not in my mind to allow Simon Kenton to perform all the labor, +and I said stoutly, yet at the same time feeling that my eyes were +growing heavy:</p> + +<p>"I count on doing my share of the watching this night. It is not right +that I should sleep while you remain awake."</p> + +<p>"I should not trust you to stand guard alone, and there is no good +reason why both of us <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>remain on duty. Take your sleep now, that you may +be the better fitted for a long day's tramp."</p> + +<p>He spoke in such a commanding tone that I could do no less than obey, +and when my mother clambered up the ladder to her bed in the loft I lay +down by Paul's side, closing my eyes in slumber almost as soon as my +body was stretched out at full length.</p> + +<p>The day had dawned when a cry from Simon Kenton brought me to my feet in +alarm, believing the savages were upon us; but he quieted my fears as he +said with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"I had a notion of findin' out how long you need to get your eyes open +wide. If we two are to join Major Clarke, we should be well acquainted."</p> + +<p>"I am not such an idiot as to sleep after being summoned," I replied +just a trifle testily, for it seemed much as if he was making sport of +me. "I may not be as well up in woodcraft as are you; but I'm no +idler."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>"Now you are takin' me too seriously," he replied with another laugh +which disarmed me of anger. "It was high time you made ready for the +tramp, an' I'm pleased to see you so quick at a call. He who finds it +hard to shake the sleep from his eyes should remain in towns where he +need not hold a rifle ever at hand in order to save his life. Look at +yonder would-be settler," he added in a whisper, and I glanced in the +direction of his outstretched finger, where was Mr. Sampson, yawning and +stretching as if struggling to gather his senses. "Is it strange the +painted brutes captured such as he with but little difficulty?"</p> + +<p>Paul was no such sluggard. He had risen at the same time I did, and now +stood near the door on the alert for whatever might come his way.</p> + +<p>I could hear my mother moving about in the loft, and knew she would soon +be down to cook breakfast, after which, as I understood the plan, we +were to begin the journey.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>"Have the savages left us?" I asked of the young scout.</p> + +<p>"Ay, so it seems, though I'm not overly eager to believe it without +better proof than that we've heard nothin' from 'em since you went to +sleep. Stand you here ready for anything that may turn up, an' I'll have +a look round."</p> + +<p>He unbarred the door as he spoke, and when he had stolen softly out I +stood guard in his place, with Paul close by my side.</p> + +<p>Not until the morning meal had been cooked and was spread on the table +did Simon Kenton return, and the news which he brought gave me a sense +of deepest relief.</p> + +<p>"The dose we gave 'em last night was enough," he said, leaning his rifle +against the side of the hut as he took a seat at the table without +waiting for an invitation. "Now is the time for us to start, for there's +no knowin' how soon the brutes may take it into their ugly heads to come +back."</p> + +<p>"Are we to leave all our belongings here?" <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>I asked, looking around at +the scanty store of furniture, the greater portion of which my father +had made.</p> + +<p>"Better them than your hair," Simon Kenton replied. "If the snakes come +this way again they'll make short work of the cabin an' all that's in +it, whether you be here to make a show of defendin' it or not. In case +they stay away, the stuff will be safe where it is, if we take care to +keep out the wild beasts."</p> + +<p>There was a look of pain on my mother's face which I knew had been +caused by the thought of leaving behind her scanty goods; but she gave +no words to her sorrow, joining with the young scout in the conversation +concerning the day's tramp.</p> + +<p>When the meal had been eaten, and mother tidied up the cabin a bit, we +went out into the sunlight, closing door and window shutter behind us, +as if counting on returning before nightfall.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton took the lead, and then was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>begun the long march which did +not end until late in the night.</p> + +<p>We made few halts, and then only for a few moments at a time. We ate as +we walked, forcing our way through the dense underbrush, and ever on the +alert against danger.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sampson more than once insisted that the pace was killing him; he +declared, when the day was half spent, that it would be impossible for +him to walk half a mile farther; but when Kenton quietly suggested that +he might halt wheresoever he chose, and follow our trail the next +morning, he came to the conclusion that perhaps he might keep his feet a +short time longer.</p> + +<p>Paul was as cheery a companion as one could desire. Although he was +foot-sore and weary, as I knew full well, not a word of complaint came +from his lips, and before the day was ended I knew Simon Kenton had +begun to love the lad even as I already did, for he whispered once when +we were well in advance of the others:</p> + +<p>"That boy is worth a dozen such men as his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>father. He has got true +pluck, an' I'll warrant you wouldn't hear him whine even when he'd +fallen in his tracks worn out."</p> + +<p>There is no reason why I need say how my mother bore her share of the +fatigue. She was a brave, true woman, and when any task, however great, +was to be done, went at it with a will and in silence, or with cheery +words.</p> + +<p>When, at a late hour in the evening, we were come opposite Corn Island, +and had found one of Major Clarke's force who was willing to ferry us +across the river, I was more astounded than words can express, for it +was as if I had suddenly emerged from the wilderness to find myself in a +populous town.</p> + +<p>No less than twenty families had come down with the volunteers, and were +encamped together, nearby where the men had their quarters. Counting +men, women and children, there could not have been less than four +hundred and fifty people, three times as many as I had ever before seen +in one place.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>The greater portion of this gathering was asleep; but I could well fancy +what bustle and confusion there must be when all were moving about, and +the mere idea bewildered me.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton led us directly to the hut set apart for the use of Major +Clarke, and there introduced us to the commander of the expedition, who +bid us welcome in such a hearty fashion that even Mr. Sampson must have +forgotten what he had said about "accepting charity."</p> + +<p>Mother was taken in charge by some of the women, and we four, meaning +Simon Kenton, the Sampsons, father and son, and myself, were given the +use of a lean-to made of brush—not a substantial shelter; but to me, +who had well-nigh come to an end of my endurance, it was most inviting.</p> + +<p>Even Kenton himself felt the effects of the long tramp; and we indulged +in no conversation that night, each member of the party falling asleep +as soon as he was on the ground.</p> + +<p>Paul and I were early abroad next morning. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>To him there was no novelty +in such a throng, for he told me solemnly that he had seen in Maryland +many more people bent on merrymaking than could be found on Corn Island, +and I was forced to believe the lad, although it hardly seemed possible.</p> + +<p>As I have said, there were no less than twenty families who had come +down with the major's force to find homes in the wilderness, and, +learning in some way, I know not how, that I was the son of a settler, +many of them gathered around to learn how we had fared on our clearing.</p> + +<p>There was more than one pale face among the women and younger children +when I told of my father's death, and I dare say but few would have +remained to build homes nearabout the Ohio River if it had been possible +for them to get back to the settlement they had just left.</p> + +<p>Mr. Sampson appeared like a different man now that he was with a throng +of people. He no longer seemed to think it necessary he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>should return +to Maryland, where a wife and two children awaited his coming; but +declared that he would join his fortunes with those who counted on +building up a village on the frontier.</p> + +<p>Paul kept close by my side as I talked with the men concerning the +expedition on which Major Clarke was to lead them, and when, late on +that first day in camp, I told him of my intention to join the force as +a volunteer, he declared that nothing would please him better than to be +my comrade.</p> + +<p>"If my father is willing, I shall go," he said quietly; but in a tone +which told me that he was one with a will of his own, and not likely to +be led by the nose against his own desire or inclination.</p> + +<p>At the first opportunity I sought out Simon Kenton to tell him of Paul's +plans, and the young scout said heartily:</p> + +<p>"I like the lad, and will be glad to have him with us, although for a +time he may cost us some trouble."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>"He is quick to learn, I fancy, and by observing those around him, will +soon be able to get about in a proper fashion," I replied confidently, +whereupon the scout surprised me by saying:</p> + +<p>"There will be none save you an' me for him to see."</p> + +<p>"What then will have become of all this gathering?" I asked in +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"They will be far behind us, lad. Was it in your mind that I would march +in line like a soldier?"</p> + +<p>"What else can you do?"</p> + +<p>"Remain in advance to make certain no danger threatens. You and I will +act as scouts; I reckon there may be others, but I have been hired to +conduct all this party, first to the British outpost at Kaskaskia, and +then to Cahokia."</p> + +<p>"You alone?" I cried, overwhelmed to learn that this young fellow was of +so much importance in the eyes of a soldier like Major Clarke.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>"Not alone, for I count on takin' one Louis Nelson with me, an' he has +it in mind that Paul Sampson will make the third."</p> + +<p>"But I am far too ignorant to share such an important duty!"</p> + +<p>"The lad who is willin' to face a gang of painted wolves such as +besieged your cabin, and to do so almost single-handed, gives promise of +bein' a comrade to my likin'. We'll lead the men, Louis, an' I dare +venture to say there'll be no ambush we shan't scent out before the +murderin' redskins succeed in doing any mischief."</p> + +<p>"And are you willing to take Paul Sampson?" I asked, still in a maze of +bewilderment.</p> + +<p>"Aye, that I am, an' venture to say he'll turn out to be your equal +after a little experience."</p> + +<p>I could hardly contain myself for joy at the thought that mine was to be +a man's work; but ran off at full speed to make my mother acquainted +with what I believed was rare good fortune.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>She, kind soul, was saddened because such an opportunity had presented +itself to me, and although she spoke not a word against the enterprise, +I understood what was in her heart, and said quickly, even though it +cost me a pang to utter the words:</p> + +<p>"You are not pleased, mother, and I had thought it would make you glad +because Simon Kenton had so much of faith in me. I will tell him I +cannot go, and you may forget I have spoken of it."</p> + +<p>The tears were very near her eyelids as she drew me closer and said +softly, hardly daring to trust her voice:</p> + +<p>"I would not keep you, my son, even though the parting give me great +pain. On the frontier boys must speedily learn to be men, and it may be +best for you to go. Perhaps we will join these settlers who intend to +build up a town nearby, when you come back covered with glory."</p> + +<p>"Now you are making sport of me, mother," <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>I replied reproachfully. +"There is no glory to be gained in fighting savages."</p> + +<p>"To my mind you gained very much, Louis, when you ventured your life to +save Mr. Sampson and Paul."</p> + +<p>I was at a loss to understand exactly what she meant, nor did I try very +hard, for the look of pain was gone from her face, and I wanted to +repeat the good news to Paul.</p> + +<p>I found him on the shore of the island, gazing across the water as if he +saw in the muddy stream some wonderful vision, and instead of being +surprised or elated when I told what proud position we were to occupy in +the expedition, he said with a sigh:</p> + +<p>"It is enough if I am to be with you, Louis."</p> + +<p>"And your father? Will he give his consent?"</p> + +<p>"He is laying plans for the new settlement which is to be made, and when +I told him it would give me pleasure to go with you and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>Simon Kenton, +he said he had other things of which to think."</p> + +<p>"Does that mean you are free to go?"</p> + +<p>"Now that he has companions there will be no thought of me. We will go, +Louis; but do you think we will come back?"</p> + +<p>The question almost frightened me. I had thought only of being a scout +for such a brave party as was here encamped, and had given no heed to +the possible danger which awaited us, until reminded of it by Paul's +words.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h2>DOWN THE OHIO.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>Paul's question as to whether we would ever come back caused me to be +attacked by timorousness, the first sensation of the kind I had +experienced since the venture was proposed.</p> + +<p>Now the matter had been brought home to me in such an innocent way, I +began to realize all that this journey might mean. I had not spent my +life on the frontier without having heard of Major Clarke, and knew full +well he would not turn his back because of danger; in fact, should he +chance to lead his men into a place where their lives were imperiled, +the major's first thought would be as to how he might get the best of +the foe—not as to how he and his following could escape.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>In addition to this, only a single glance was needed to show that the +work would be hot, once the force had come within striking distance of +the enemy. Major Clarke had enlisted none save old frontiersmen, each +one of whom had battled for his life against the painted wolves a dozen +times over, and I question if there was a man in the forest who had not +some private wrongs to avenge upon both savages and Britishers.</p> + +<p>Knowing all this, one need be a simple who did not understand how sharp +would be the efforts to strike a telling blow once the company was in +the vicinity of the enemy, whether that enemy was a red-coated soldier, +or a half-naked, feather-bedecked brute such as had lived a life of +murdering and plundering since the first day the white men came into +that section of the country.</p> + +<p>And Paul and I were to act, as best we might, the part of scouts in +advance of such a force as was this which followed Major Clarke! We +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>who, because of our ignorance, should have remained in the rear, would +lead the way, taking perforce the hottest of the fights because of being +the first to encounter the foe.</p> + +<p>It is little wonder that I was overwhelmed with timorousness on +realizing for the first time what I had taken upon myself; but Paul, who +never dreamed of all we might seek out, remained calm and placid as if +ours was to be the most innocent of pleasure excursions.</p> + +<p>The lad was surprised at finding me silent when he had done no more than +repeat what I had said to him a dozen times over, and asked solicitously +if I was ill.</p> + +<p>It would have been little more than the truth had I told him I was sick +with fear; but such words would have shamed me, and I held my peace, +allowing him to believe that I who had never known a day's sickness, had +suddenly been overcome in some womanish fashion.</p> + +<p>It was Simon Kenton who broke in upon our not overly pleasant +conversation, by saying <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>gleefully, as one might who had just come into +some good fortune.</p> + +<p>"If you lads have settled all your business, we'll be off 'twixt now an' +sunset, for I'm countin' on gettin' a good view of the river before we +make a halt."</p> + +<p>"Are the men ready to move?" I asked in surprise.</p> + +<p>"They will follow twenty-four hours later, provided we learn of nothin' +to prevent the movement. It's our task to spy out the land, an' we're +bound to keep well in advance."</p> + +<p>I glanced quickly at Paul in order to see how the news affected him; but +not so much as a tremor of the eyelids followed this information. +Perhaps if he had known all the danger as well as did I, he might have +presented a different appearance.</p> + +<p>It would have been shameful had I shown fear when this lad who knew +nothing of life on the frontier remained unmoved, and I stiffened <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>my +lip as best I might, resolved that neither he nor Simon Kenton should +guess of that which was in my heart.</p> + +<p>Not only did the scout intend to set forth on this day; but I understood +from his movements that he was eager to begin the work as soon as +possible, despite the fact of his having spoken as if an hour earlier or +later could make no difference to him, and I said with so much of +calmness as might be forced into my voice:</p> + +<p>"If it so be you are minded to go at once, I can make ready within five +minutes."</p> + +<p>"It would please me to be rid of this place. A crowd of people is not to +my likin' an' by settin' out now there will be no call for any great +haste, whereas the same cannot be said in case we are but a few hours +ahead of the volunteers."</p> + +<p>"I wish only to have a word with my mother, and then we cannot leave the +island too soon to please me," I replied, and added on observing in +Paul's face what I fancied was a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>wistful look, as if he was saying to +himself that it would be a consolation to have some one bid him God +speed, "will you come with me, lad? I dare venture to say she will treat +us both alike."</p> + +<p>He sprang forward eagerly, with the moisture of a coming tear in his +eyes, and we went toward that portion of the encampment where were the +women, all of whom found ample occupation in cooking for the volunteers.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it is as well if I set down nothing regarding the parting with +my mother; it was painful to me, and cannot deeply interest any who +reads these lines, if peradventure they really have a reader.</p> + +<p>It is enough if I say that both us lads, for she gave Paul the same show +of affection as was bestowed upon me, promised to be as careful of our +lives as one could who had set about such work as ours might prove, and +in less than half an hour from the moment Simon Kenton announced his +intention of leaving the island, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>we were standing by the water's edge +awaiting his commands.</p> + +<p>The young scout did not delay once we were ready. A canoe such as is +known by the name of "dugout," was moored to a tree, and in her had been +loaded our scanty outfit.</p> + +<p>A supply of ammunition, pepper, salt, a few potatoes and three loaves of +corn bread made up the list of our belongings such as we could not carry +in the pockets of our hunting shirts. As a matter of course each had a +knife and a rifle, which last would serve to provide us with more food, +and we really needed nothing else.</p> + +<p>Paul had made an attempt to speak with his father before leaving; but +Mr. Sampson was so deeply engaged in laying plans for the future village +which was to spring up on the banks of the Ohio, that he had no time to +spend on his son.</p> + +<p>Major Clarke was the only member of all that company who knew we were to +set out at this time, and he remained in close conversation <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>with Simon +Kenton a good half hour after Paul and I had taken our places in the +dugout. Then, seeing that the scout was eager to be off, he stepped +back, saying to us lads:</p> + +<p>"See to it that you follow closely the instructions given by Kenton; +your lives may depend upon obedience, for the work you have undertaken +is in the highest degree dangerous."</p> + +<p>He might have spared himself that much breath, so far as I was +concerned, for there was in my mind a very good idea of the perils we +would be called upon to face, and I had little relish for such a +reminder, because my courage at this moment was none of the best.</p> + +<p>"So long as we remain in advance you may count on it that there is +nothin' to fear," Kenton said as he unmoored the boat and sent her +moving out into the current with a single stroke of the paddle. "We +shall give you fair warnin' if we come across anything worth knowin', +unless——"</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>He did not finish the sentence; but I knew full well how to conclude it. +"Unless we are taken by surprise and all killed," is what he would have +said but for the fear of alarming Paul and me.</p> + +<p>Before we were half a mile from the island I came to realize that I was +playing the part of a fool by allowing my mind to dwell upon the +possibilities of the future, and, forcing thought into a different +channel, I began to speak of the village which it was proposed to build +on the bank of the river, little dreaming that it would one day be a +great city known as Louisville, as if named for me.</p> + +<p>During ten minutes or more, not a word was spoken, and then as if +talking to himself, Kenton said:</p> + +<p>"The volunteers will set out sometime to-morrow, an' should move along +as fast as we can."</p> + +<p>"Are all the men coming down the river?" Paul said:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>"Some will be left behind to look after the women and children; but the +remainder are to set off in the flat boats that were moored at the other +side of the island."</p> + +<p>"If they are to come in boats, I do not understand why we push on +ahead," I said stupidly, whereupon Kenton replied:</p> + +<p>"It's our business to know if the painted snakes are nearabout the river +in any great force."</p> + +<p>"And how may we learn that, unless we tramp along the shore?"</p> + +<p>"The chances are that the snakes would fire at us, not countin' on the +main force bein' so near."</p> + +<p>"In which case we should gain the information by being shot—perhaps +killed."</p> + +<p>"I reckon one of us would come out alive, an' he could get back to give +the news," Kenton said quietly, as if the possibility of our losing our +lives was as nothing so long as the volunteers were warned. "But there's +a good chance <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>we'd all slip through without a scratch, even though the +reptiles had gathered in full force, for they're not the best marksmen +to be found hereabout, an' by keepin' well in the middle of the stream +it should be safe sailin'. Now I'm thinkin' we'd better keep our tongues +quiet, and set our eyes at work, else there's a show of slippin' by what +we've been sent to find. If you see the least auspicious looking thing, +sing out, and we'll know what it means before goin' any further."</p> + +<p>Paul listened to these words as if they had no especial concern for him, +and I was near to being vexed with the lad because of his seeming +indifference when life was in danger; but checked myself with the +thought that he would put on a different look if he fully understood the +situation.</p> + +<p>By this time Simon Kenton was keeping his eyes at work as he labored at +the paddle, refusing my proffer of assistance, and I question if a +single bent twig or broken bough escaped his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>notice. It was as if he +saw both sides of the river at the same instant, listening as eagerly as +he gazed, and it can be fancied that I did not dare attempt anything in +the way of conversation.</p> + +<p>It is needless for me to explain at length in what fashion we rounded +this point, or skirted that cove half hidden by the overhanging foliage, +for all know full well how voyagers on the Ohio in the days of the +revolution guarded against ambush or sudden attack.</p> + +<p>To my mind we might as well have remained with the volunteers during +this portion of the journey, for in case we came upon any considerable +body of savages there was little chance either of us would succeed in +carrying back the news to those who virtually placed their lives in our +keeping.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep103" id="imagep103"></a> +<a href="images/imagep103.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep103.jpg" width="42%" alt="Within five seconds I had fired..." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"> Within five seconds I had fired, using the curl of vapor +for a target.—Page 108. <i>On The Kentucky Frontier.</i></p> +</div> + +<p>We had been sailing three hours or more; the sun was low in the heavens, +and the shadows were already so dense on the western bank that a hundred +painted brutes might have been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>concealed beneath the low hanging +branches without our being any the wiser.</p> + +<p>To me it seemed foolish to continue on any further, if our only purpose +was to scan both sides of the river carefully, and I was on the point of +saying as much to Kenton when a tiny puff of smoke darted out from amid +the foliage to the right of us, hardly more than fifty yards away; a +sharp report like unto the crack of a whip could be heard, while the +splinters flew from the paddle in the scout's hand.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that I was startled; but not to such an extent as +to deprive me of my wits.</p> + +<p>I knew full well none but a savage would have fired at us, and the +knowledge that the villainous enemy was so near served to make me forget +the fear which had beset me a short time previous.</p> + +<p>Within five seconds from the instant the tiny puff of smoke darted out +like the tongue of a snake, I had fired, using the curl of vapor for a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>target, and Simon Kenton said approvingly, but with no trace of +excitement in his tone:</p> + +<p>"That was well done! A lad who is so quick with a shot should not be +taken at a disadvantage, whatever turns up."</p> + +<p>He had forced the bow of the dugout from the shore even before I fired, +and, bending low, was paddling with all his strength as if the one idea +of escape was all that occupied his mind.</p> + +<p>Paul had neither spoken nor moved; at the moment his back was toward me, +a fact which I regretted because I could not see his face to learn if he +changed color.</p> + +<p>We were no more than in mid-stream before a second shot was heard, this +time coming from a point lower down the river; but the bullet flew +harmlessly over our heads.</p> + +<p>I made no effort to return the shot, for the very good reason that there +was no chance I could do any execution at such a distance, even though +he who had fired remained motionless, which was hardly to be expected.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>Kenton pulled around the next bend, hugging the eastern shore closely, +and when we were come to a small creek he forced the canoe up the tiny +water course until it was completely hidden by the foliage.</p> + +<p>"We might have gone on without fear," I said in a whisper, surprised by +this manœuver, "We were traveling faster than the savages could walk, +and might easily have outstripped them."</p> + +<p>"Which is exactly what we don't count on doin'," he said quietly, +speaking in an ordinary tone, and thus showing he had no thought of +danger while we remained on this side the river.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" Paul asked mildly.</p> + +<p>"Because it's our business to know how many of the reptiles are on +yonder bank."</p> + +<p>"But how will you find out?"</p> + +<p>"Go back there, an' have a look at 'em. In less than an hour we can do +the trick in fine style."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>Paul and I looked at each other in mingled fear and amazement while one +might have counted ten, and then I turned my eyes away, understanding by +this time that to gather such information was the only reason why we had +come down the river ahead of the volunteers.</p> + +<p>Kenton sat like a statue in the center of the canoe, we lads being at +either end, and it seemed to me as if a full hour passed before a word +was spoken.</p> + +<p>Then the night was so near upon us that, save directly in the middle of +the river, it was impossible to distinguish objects twenty paces +distant.</p> + +<p>"I reckon we may as well get to work," and Kenton cautiously forced the +canoe out from amid the tangle of foliage until the current carried her +down stream.</p> + +<p>He did not use the paddle save to keep her from running afoul of dry +brush or logs on the bank, and we had drifted two miles, perhaps, when +he suddenly bent to his work, sending the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>light craft across the river +at a speed I had never before seen equaled, even by my father.</p> + +<p>I fully expected to hear the report of a rifle, or feel the sting of a +bullet when we were in the middle of the stream where a sharp-eyed +savage might see us; but nothing occurred to check our progress, and in +a marvelously short space of time we were once more screened from view; +but now on the same side of the river where we knew the painted snakes +lurked.</p> + +<p>"You are to stay in the dugout," Simon Kenton whispered to me as he +raised his rifle. "If it so chances that I'm not back here by sunrise, +you must work your way up stream to warn Major Clarke."</p> + +<p>Had he given me the opportunity I should have urged that he take us with +him, or wait till near morning before undertaking so dangerous a +venture; but the words had no more than been spoken when he was gone.</p> + +<p>At one instant he was speaking with me, and at the next he had vanished +as completely and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>silently as if the waters had covered him. No Indian +who ever lived could have equaled him in swiftness and noiselessness.</p> + +<p>Paul was mystified when he turned and failed to see Kenton, and I felt +forced to explain in whispers what had happened, else I believe of a +verity the lad would have cried out in his bewilderment.</p> + +<p>It is not possible for those who have always lived in large settlements +or towns to realize the desolateness of such a position as was ours +while we waited for the return of the scout.</p> + +<p>He had ventured into the forest where we knew to a certainty were +bloodthirsty enemies, and that he realized all the possibilities had +been shown by the order for us to work our way up-stream to warn the +on-coming boats, in case he failed to return by sunrise.</p> + +<p>My heart was almost in my mouth as I sat there holding Paul's hand, +starting at the lightest sound, and hearing even in the rippling of the +water some token of the savages. My <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>tongue was parched; I could not +have uttered a single word had it been necessary to speak, and only with +the greatest difficulty did I prevent my hand from trembling, thus +exposing to my companion that I was wofully afraid.</p> + +<p>When perhaps an hour had passed it seemed to me as if we had been there +a full night, and then came that sound which I had at the same time been +expecting and fearing to hear.</p> + +<p>From the distance, half a mile away, I guessed, came the crack of a +rifle; then another and another, and after that the same deathly silence +as before.</p> + +<p>"Think you any harm has come to him?" Paul whispered tremulously, and I +replied as I believed truly:</p> + +<p>"Not unless he met with an accident before that first shot was fired. If +there had been a large number of savages nearabout, he would have used +every effort to return without loss of time, that we might go to warn +the volunteers. There may have been only a few, with, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>perhaps, a +captive, and he has attempted a rescue."</p> + +<p>I was heartened by my own words, which sounded plausible, and remained +on the alert ten minutes or more, expecting each instant to see Kenton +appear as silently as he had vanished.</p> + +<p>When that length of time had elapsed, however, and he yet remained +absent, fear crept over me, and I imagined the worst.</p> + +<p>After half an hour went by, and I kept note of time by counting, there +was no longer any hope in my heart.</p> + +<p>After firing a shot Kenton would, had he been able, come back to us at +once; for even though he had not learned all which seemed necessary, he +must have understood that he would no longer be able to spy upon the +foe.</p> + +<p>I tried to decide what should be done; but my brain was in a whirl. I +could hardly have defended myself if one of the painted brutes had shown +himself close at hand.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>It was Paul who aroused me from what was little less than the +stupefaction of despair, by whispering in my ear:</p> + +<p>"He did not say that we should go up the river until sunrise. Why may it +not be possible for us to help him?"</p> + +<p>I shook my head, believing it was too late for us to effect anything in +his behalf; but the suggestion, coming from a lad who was ignorant of +all this wretched business, awakened me to a realization of my own +folly.</p> + +<p>"I am the one to go," I said decidedly "You shall stay here, in case he +comes back."</p> + +<p>"By so doing I could be of no assistance. We will go together."</p> + +<p>Even now I fail to understand why my wits had so completely deserted me. +I had no thought of what might be the result if we two made off into the +forest in the darkness; but before we met Simon Kenton again I realized +my folly most keenly.</p> + +<p>Without trying to persuade him to remain, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>as I should have done even in +my foolishness, I whispered:</p> + +<p>"You must move softly and keep close behind me, lest we be separated in +the thicket where it might mean death to cry out. Follow my every +motion, for I shall take the lead."</p> + +<p>He grasped his rifle in a manner which told he at least was no coward, +and clutched my hunting shirt to make certain of obeying the command I +had given.</p> + +<p>I stepped over the side of the canoe into the water; but not as silently +as Simon Kenton had done, and we two waded ashore with no heed as to +where this rash move was likely to lead us.</p> + +<p>Ashamed though I am to confess it, I took no heed as to the location of +the boat we were leaving—made no attempt to seek out what would serve +as a guide when we returned, if in deed we ever did; but had only in +mind the idea of proceeding up-stream toward where the reports of the +weapons had come from. </p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>And into the blackness of the forest we plunged, I claiming to be better +versed, in woodcraft than my companion, yet doing that which the most +ignorant townsman would never have dreamed of attempting.</p> + +<p>It was the act of a fool, and I was to receive the punishment due my +folly.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h2>ASTRAY.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>It seemed to me that the noise of the firearms had come from a point +about half a mile from the shore, and less than a third of this distance +up-stream, therefore I bent my way in that direction, heeding nothing +save the terrible fear that Simon Kenton had been taken prisoner, or +killed outright.</p> + +<p>Could I have learned that he was dead my heart might have been somewhat +lighter, for I knew full well how terrible would be the torture +inflicted upon him once the savages understood who he was.</p> + +<p>In such case, Paul and I were bound to carry the sad news back to the +volunteers without delay; but while there was a chance of our being able +to give him succor, I held that it was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>our duty to make every effort in +such direction.</p> + +<p>When I was older grown, and had seen more of warfare, I came to +understand that the life of one man counts for but little when compared +with the general good, and had such fact been impressed upon my mind at +this time, I would never have set out on the foolhardy errand which bid +fair to lead Paul Sampson and me to our death.</p> + +<p>The lad whom Simon Kenton and I had saved from the stake was an apt +pupil, as he showed on this night when he followed close in my +footsteps, betraying no signs of fear when he might well have been +excused for betraying timorousness, and moving with the utmost caution.</p> + +<p>It is not for me to say that we advanced as silently as the young scout +could have done; but I was satisfied that we were not moving in a clumsy +fashion, and began to feel a certain pride in thus showing Paul how we +of the frontier followed on the trail of our enemies.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>During perhaps half an hour we two went steadily but cautiously forward, +and then it seemed to me as if we should have arrived at the spot from +which the shots had come.</p> + +<p>I halted and listened intently. Not a sound could be heard save the +soughing of the wind among the foliage, or the countless faint noises of +the night which tell of life when the world is supposed to be sleeping.</p> + +<p>For the first time a sense of distrust in my own ability found lodgment +in my mind. It seemed positive we had either traveled in the wrong +direction, or the savages had left the vicinity where the encounter had +taken place. Surely we ought to have come across Kenton, unless he made +a wider detour than at first seemed probable, or, as I feared, had been +taken prisoners.</p> + +<p>A certain numbness as of despair took possession of me; I pressed +forward with less heed than before to the direction I was taking, and +again stood still to listen.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>When we made this second halt I believed we were no less than two miles +from where the canoe lay, and it was positive the enemy had not been so +far away when the weapons were discharged.</p> + +<p>Paul pressed my arm in token that he wanted to say something; but I +clapped my hand over his mouth. The fact that I had made a most grievous +mistake was beginning to find lodgment in my dull brain, and a nervous +fear was creeping over me.</p> + +<p>The thought that he, a lad from the east who knew nothing of woodcraft, +had good reason to distrust my ability, angered me, and like a fool I +advanced once more, this time at right angles with the course we had +been pursuing, even though I should have known that such traveling at +random was not calculated to produce the desired results.</p> + +<p>When we had forced our way through the underbrush for a distance of +perhaps another mile, we were halted by a swamp.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>It was not possible that either the Indians or Simon Kenton had +attempted to cross such a place where one must flounder around with +noise enough to proclaim his every movement, and I leaned against the +trunk of a tree fully realizing all the mischief I had wrought.</p> + +<p>Again Paul gave token of wishing to speak, and I no longer attempted to +check him.</p> + +<p>"If we are to hunt for Kenton, or count on learning what has become of +him, would it not be better that we went back to the canoe, and waited +for the coming of day?"</p> + +<p>"Then it is our duty to push up stream to warn the volunteers," I +replied moodily.</p> + +<p>"We cannot hope to find him while it is dark, and it may be that we +shall lose our way," he suggested mildly, whereupon, and without reason, +I turned upon him angrily.</p> + +<p>"We have lost it already!"</p> + +<p>"Can you not retrace your steps to the river?" he asked mildly, and +without show of fear.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>"We should be able to strike the stream; but, having done so, I could +not say whether we were above or below the canoe, and we might travel +for hours in the wrong direction."</p> + +<p>"We would be able to learn our course by the current, and if it be not +possible to find the boat, then must we go up the river to warn the +volunteers."</p> + +<p>"And leave Simon Kenton in the hands of the savage brutes?" I asked +angrily, grown unreasoning in my nervous fears and the knowledge that I +had made a fool of myself.</p> + +<p>"We are not leaving Kenton, because we have never found him, and since, +as seems true, we only wander about aimlessly, would it not be wisest to +think of the others, who rely upon us to point out the danger which may +await them?"</p> + +<p>Paul Sampson was speaking like a sensible lad, and I realized it fully. +He, the boy ignorant of woodcraft, should have been the leader, and I +wished most devoutly I had consulted <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>with him before setting out on +this wild-goose chase.</p> + +<p>While one might have counted twenty I stood unwilling to acknowledge my +helplessness, and then something like a gleam of common sense came into +my mind. I stood ready to confess that I had acted like a simple, and he +must have understood something of the truth, when I said:</p> + +<p>"It shall be as you propose, Paul, and we'll make for the river; but +this time I am not counting on taking the lead, having already shown +that I have no right to direct our movements."</p> + +<p>"If you despair like this, then are we lost indeed," he said mildly. +"Remember that I know nothing whatever of such work. Go on as before, +using your best efforts to lead us to the river. Then we should aim to +meet the volunteers, so it seems to me, forgetting poor Kenton because +of the many others who need to know exactly what has happened here."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>Without attempting an argument, even had I been able to find one which +would warrant our traveling to and fro as we had done, I acted upon his +suggestion.</p> + +<p>Either we had traveled in a southerly direction to where the river took +a sharp bend, or were much deeper in the forest than had at first seemed +possible to me, for a full hour was spent making our way through the +tangled underbrush, now slowly because of the necessity for silence, and +again pressing forward as rapidly as we deemed safe, and not until such +a length of time had elapsed did we come to the bank of the stream.</p> + +<p>That I had allowed myself to be completely turned around was proven by +the current of the river, for without such evidence I would have gone +toward the south, believing I was making my way northward.</p> + +<p>"The canoe must be above us," Paul said as we halted, "and by following +the shore it should be possible to come upon it."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>This seemed no more than reasonable, and hope once more filled my heart +as I led the way along the bank, now moving with greater caution because +it was more probable we might come upon the enemy.</p> + +<p>One place looked much like another in the darkness, and yet before +midnight we arrived at a spot where I firmly believed the dugout had +been left.</p> + +<p>Paul was of the same opinion, even going so far as to declare that he +had noted on coming ashore the gum tree which we were standing near +while holding the consultation.</p> + +<p>I was disposed to believe as he did, but yet the fact that the canoe +could not be found caused me to think both of us were mistaken.</p> + +<p>"Surely this can't be the place," I argued, "for none save Simon Kenton +could have come upon the canoe in the darkness, and, on failing to find +us, he would wait a certain time for our return."</p> + +<p>"You can't say that positively," Paul replied, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>"for the scout realizes +that the safety of the volunteers depends upon him in a measure, and +would count our lives as of but little value compared with so many as +are coming down the river."</p> + +<p>"Then you think he has been here and gone away in the boat?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"That I do, for the gum tree is as familiar to my eyes as anything can +be on so dark a night as this."</p> + +<p>I was overcome by the possibility. If what Paul declared with such +assurance was true, then were we two lads left alone upon the banks of +the river amid a savage foe, to make our way back to Corn Island, or, +what would be a far more difficult and dangerous task, to continue on to +the mouth of the Tennessee River.</p> + +<p>By going back we should proclaim the fact of my folly, and prove me to +be a lad whose ignorance was near to crime; while to advance seemed +little less than the sacrifice of our own lives.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>Somewhat of this I said to Paul, and he replied like the true-hearted, +brave lad he was:</p> + +<p>"It is better to acknowledge one's ignorance than try to purchase +secrecy at the expense of life. If we have made a mistake, why not admit +it?"</p> + +<p>I, who had plumed myself upon the fact that Simon Kenton was willing to +take me with him as a scout, felt that almost anything was better than +returning, and yet I knew it was my duty to push on up the stream to +warn those who were descending, because we were not yet positive that +the scout had taken away the boat.</p> + +<p>Kenton might be a prisoner in the hands of the savages, and in such case +it was of the utmost importance Major Clarke and his volunteers should +know the facts.</p> + +<p>Not without a severe mental struggle did I decide to smother my pride +and follow Paul's advice; but once having settled upon a course of +action, I was eager to pursue it.</p> + +<p>Prudence dictated that we should wait until <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>daybreak; but I believe of +a verity it would have made me wild to remain in that spot inactive, +thinking only of my folly, and now, as when we left the canoe, I pressed +on with but one idea in mind; but, fortunately, yet retaining so much of +common sense as to understand that we must be on the alert to gain such +information as was possible during the journey.</p> + +<p>The further we continued on up the river, the more firmly did I become +convinced that our last halting place was at the spot where the canoe +had been left, for we saw no other such familiar indentation on the +shore, and now the important question in my mind was as to whether Simon +Kenton had embarked in the dugout, or if the Indians had carried her +away. This last proposition appeared to me so improbable that I hardly +gave it a place in my thoughts.</p> + +<p>On, on, we went, traveling at the rate of no more than two miles an +hour, because of being forced to move silently and at the same time +carrying out the plan of learning if there might <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>be enemies in the +vicinity, and it was nearabout daybreak when, as I believed, we had been +advancing for no less than three hours, our progress was checked as we +came suddenly upon a party of savages, the greater number of whom were +asleep.</p> + +<p>It was accident, rather than wisdom, which prevented our tumbling +directly in upon them, and thereby insuring our own captivity or death.</p> + +<p>I was in the lead, as Paul had insisted should be the case, and my +thoughts were occupied with speculations concerning Simon Kenton rather +than the work which lay before me, when a noise as of some one snoring +arrested my footsteps.</p> + +<p>I had come to a halt within a dozen paces of the savages, and could see, +where the underbrush was thinnest, the form of a feather-bedecked brute +leaning against a tree evidently on guard.</p> + +<p>A dozen steps more and we had been directly upon them.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>Turning quickly, I clasped my hand over Paul's mouth, lest he should +speak, although the lad had shown himself to be a better frontiersman +than I, and this movement of mine told him of the danger so near at +hand.</p> + +<p>During twenty seconds, perhaps, we two stood peering into the gloom, +able only to learn that there could not be less than twenty Indians here +encamped, and then silently as shadows, for our lives depended upon the +movement, we turned about, retracing our steps until thirty yards or +more lay between us and the sleeping murderers.</p> + +<p>Then I whispered in my comrade's ear:</p> + +<p>"We must make a detour here lest those brutes come to know of our +whereabouts, so keep well in mind the direction of the river."</p> + +<p>"Do you count on going forward without learning if Simon Kenton may be +among the savages?" he asked, and a flood of shame came over me as I +thus realized that my own danger had caused me to forget the scout at a +time <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>when his possible fate should have been uppermost in mind.</p> + +<p>Of a verity Paul Sampson ought to have been the leader, and I his humble +follower.</p> + +<p>So abased was I by his thoughtfulness and my own stupidity, that I would +have suggested he reconnoiter the camp, but an instant later, realizing +that such dangerous work should be performed by me if for no other +reason than that I might atone for my past folly, I whispered:</p> + +<p>"Stay here, while I go forward."</p> + +<p>"Why should I not follow? If it so be Kenton is not there, we may +continue on, and thus save the time you would spend in returning to find +me."</p> + +<p>Again he was right, and again was I stupid.</p> + +<p>Well, we did as he suggested, and no lad on the frontier could have done +better work than this same Paul, who was so lately come from the east.</p> + +<p>Skirting around the sleeping scoundrels so silently that the quick-eared +watchers failed to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>take alarm, we got such view of the brutes as could +be had in the darkness, and when half an hour or more was spent in the +work, I could say of a truth that Simon Kenton had not been made +prisoner by this band.</p> + +<p>It was a great relief of mind, and yet only served to increase my shame, +for now did I begin to believe that the scout had taken away the canoe, +going up the river, or down, as might seem to him best, regardless of us +two who had committed such a fault as was ours.</p> + +<p>The gray light was filtering through the foliage when we were clear of +the foe and could with some degree of safety continue the journey.</p> + +<p>I pushed on at a swift pace that we might put the greatest possible +distance between them and us before the day should have fully come; and +the sun was rising when we halted for a breathing spell.</p> + +<p>Now I found that Paul had much the same idea as I regarding Kenton's +whereabouts, save that he contended the scout had continued on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>down the +river, believing a band of twenty would hardly attempt to lay an ambush +for three or four boats heavily laden with armed men.</p> + +<p>"A party like that might do great mischief firing upon the boats from +the thicket," I said, "and if Simon Kenton saw them, I make certain he +has gone back. If not, we may gain some little credit, although hardly +enough to counterbalance the shame, by returning."</p> + +<p>We knew the volunteers would begin the journey as soon as day broke, +therefore within an hour, if we traveled at our best pace, it should be +possible to hail the foremost craft.</p> + +<p>The Indians might also move in the same direction, therefore it stood us +in hand to advance as rapidly as possible, and I led the way once more +at my best pace.</p> + +<p>Lest it may seem that I set down too much concerning what we did, and +too little regarding the brave men who were about to risk their lives in +order that the settlers on the frontier <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>might be more safe, this +account shall be cut short with no further mention of ourselves until we +saw, far in the distance, the first of the flat-boats.</p> + +<p>Making our way with all speed to the outermost portion of the point on +which we were standing at the moment, we waved our arms vigorously, not +daring to shout, and the craft was yet a quarter of a mile away when we +saw by the commotion aboard that our signals had been seen and +understood.</p> + +<p>Then two men set out in a canoe, paddling in advance of the unwieldy +flat-boat in order that there might be no necessity of her rounding-to, +and within a comparatively short time we were ferried out to the larger +craft, on which was Major Clarke, eager to learn why we were returning.</p> + +<p>I had no desire to shield myself, although knowing full well that in the +minds of such men as listened to the story I had committed almost a +crime in deserting the canoe while Simon <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>Kenton was ashore. The entire +tale was told without reserve, and then was I gladdened by the major's +words:</p> + +<p>"It may be fortunate that you acted the part of a foolish lad, for +certain it is that Simon Kenton would not have disregarded such a +company as you saw on shore. It must be that he either failed to find +them, or came across another band. It stands us in hand to look after +the party of reptiles lest they be on their way to Corn Island, there to +fall upon the women and children."</p> + +<p>Having said this he gave certain orders to the men, and without delay +the long sweeps were worked until the heavy craft was forced close into +the western bank, where she was made fast.</p> + +<p>Then thirty or more were ordered ashore, the major going with them after +he had given us lads permission to follow.</p> + +<p>"That we will do, sir," I said, "if we are needed to lead the way."</p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> + +<p>"We would be poor frontiersmen if we failed to follow your trail, lads," +Major Clarke said with a smile. "You shall do as you please."</p> + +<p>Now it would have suited me better to remain in safety aboard the +flat-boat, yet there was a chance that now I might show my desire to +repair the wrong committed, and I replied as if my heart was full of +courage:</p> + +<p>"We may not be of much assistance, sir; but I should like it better if +we had a hand in the work."</p> + +<p>Whereupon Paul stepped closely to my side as if to say I had but spoken +the thoughts which were in his mind.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that we two followed the volunteers, knowing full well we +might fall into an ambush, and certain we would soon be battling with +our enemies.</p> + +<p>Among these men led by Major Clarke, there was not one ignorant of how +the work before him should be accomplished. No orders, were necessary.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>The volunteers moved ten or twelve paces apart, stretching far up from +the river until they were what would be called by military men a +"skirmish line," and then began the advance, while the flat-boat +remained moored to the bank and two settlers were paddling at full speed +up-stream to warn the other craft.</p> + +<p>Save for the bungling movements of Paul and myself, not a sound could be +heard as we pressed forward, keenly on the alert for the enemy, and +ready for an immediate attack.</p> + +<p>It was as if a company of shadows flitted here and there amid the +underbrush, so far as might be told from sound, and although the advance +was noiseless, it was made swiftly.</p> + +<p>Paul and I were left somewhat in the rear because of not being able to +keep the pace silently, and during more than half of the hour which +passed, I failed to see a single man ahead of us.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly, although we knew full well it must soon come, the report +of a rifle rang out <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>on the still air; after this another and another, +until there could be no question but that the foremost of the party had +come upon those of whom we gave warning.</p> + +<p>My timorousness was forgotten on the instant—cast out of mind by the +knowledge that our lives must be defended, and Paul, whom I believe of a +verity had never been timid, pressed forward so rapidly to take part in +the struggle that I laid hold of him lest he should unnecessarily run +into danger.</p> + +<p>We advanced three hundred paces or more before coming to where our men +were sheltered behind trees, trying to pick off the foe who were in +similar positions, and I heard Major Clarke say in a sharp, low tone:</p> + +<p>"Get to cover, lads! The reptiles are close upon us, and you are giving +them fair targets."</p> + +<p>I leaped behind a gum tree, giving no heed to Paul's movements, and had +but just gained this shelter when a bullet cut the bark within an inch +of my face.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>The Indians were ready for battle, although I had often heard it said +they would never stand up in a fair fight, and there came into my mind +the fear that Paul and I might have seen only a portion of their +force—that possibly we were confronting a large body led by British +officers.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h2>THE CAPTIVE SCOUT.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>To you who have read of, and perhaps taken part in, battles between two +armies, this encounter on the banks of the Ohio may seem trifling, and +devoid of interest, because there is no thrilling account of this +gallant charge, or that stubborn holding of a position.</p> + +<p>Since the day when thirty men under command of Major Clarke confronted +an unknown number of Indians on the banks of the Ohio, driving them back +in such fashion that there was no longer spirit enough left in them to +carry out the murderous plan which they had formed for attacking the +defenseless ones on Corn Island—since that day, I say, this country +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>has seen much of warfare, and what was to Paul Sampson and myself like +a veritable battle has, even while I write, passed into history as +something too insignificant to be worthy of any extended mention.</p> + +<p>To us lads, however, who stood there in the long, scattered line, +knowing that our lives depended upon our own exertions; knowing that the +least incautious movement—a single instant wasted when the trigger of a +rifle should have been pressed, might mean death, it was an engagement +as heavy and important as any that has been waged since the world began, +and with good reason, because our own safety hung in the balance.</p> + +<p>In this world one is prone to give importance to, or detract from, an +event in such measure as it concerns himself alone, and, therefore, Paul +and I may well be excused for holding high in our memory this conflict +which meant everything to those people who on Corn Island awaited our +movements before they should begin to build <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>that settlement which has +since become known as Louisville.</p> + +<p>Of it I can tell no more than that which I saw, and I dare venture to +say that my experience was the same as that of every other in the line, +for no man could give attention save to what lay directly before him.</p> + +<p>It was in fact nothing more, this battle, than standing behind gum or +pine tree, as the case might be, peering intently ahead and on either +side for a distance of twenty or thirty paces, hoping to catch a glimpse +of a tuft of feathers which would tell where a bullet might be sent with +deadly effect, or cowering back whenever a movement of the foliage told +that a rifle barrel was being thrust out so that the holder might take +deadly aim.</p> + +<p>Commonplace enough it sounds when set down in words; but if he who +chances to read can imagine himself in such a position, his only effort +being to save his own life or take that of another, some little idea may +be had of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>thrilling excitement which overcame me like unto a fever.</p> + +<p>Now and then from different points could be heard voices shouting words +of encouragement to those in that line of brave men who might perchance +be for the moment faint-hearted. Again, and all too often, came the cry +of pain or an exclamation of anger when the bullet of a savage had +bitten the flesh, and meanwhile Major Clarke was calling out to this man +or to that as he leaped from one point of vantage to the other, +animating every one by his words as well as his example.</p> + +<p>In such a situation the combatants do not give heed to the passage of +time. There are intervals when each second is as a dozen minutes, and +then again, when the minutes flit by apparently more quickly than one +could count.</p> + +<p>Once, when having turned my back to the tree, knowing that my body was +fully sheltered while I reloaded my rifle, I observed Paul, calm and +collected as the mightiest hunter among us. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>If perchance his aim was +less true than some of the others, it was not because of nervousness or +anxiety concerning himself. He stood his ground like a man—a man who +fights to protect others, rather than for his own honor or to preserve +his own life.</p> + +<p>On that morning Paul Sampson gave good proof that he was worthy to be +numbered among the defenders of the frontier, and showed that in him +could be found none of his father's fickle-mindedness.</p> + +<p>The report of his rifle rang out as often as did that of the most eager +or most experienced in the line, and how much execution he might have +done I know not; but this is certain, that I saw no less than two tufts +of feathers rise convulsively and then sink suddenly out of sight when +his weapon had been discharged at them.</p> + +<p>I say it is impossible to tell at such a time how long one faces his +foe; but it was afterwards told that the Indians stood up to the battle +for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>near an hour, and then came the word from Major Clarke that they +were falling back.</p> + +<p>This information was in the nature of a command for us to advance, and +advance we did, leaping from one place of shelter to another, while +hastening the faint-hearted foe by bullets sent whithersoever the +swaying of the foliage told us one of the brutes was making his way +onward.</p> + +<p>When we had advanced in such halting fashion for the distance of forty +or fifty paces, I was come to where the painted crew had made their +stand, and there saw good evidence of what we had accomplished.</p> + +<p>No less than four bodies were stretched on the ground lifeless, and my +timorousness returned in a measure as I realized that near at hand, +perhaps making ready to take aim at me, might be some savage, so badly +wounded that he could not join his fellows in what had become little +less than a flight.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep142" id="imagep142"></a> +<a href="images/imagep142.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep142.jpg" width="42%" alt=">We advanced from one place of shelter to another..." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">We advanced from one place of shelter to another, firing +rapidly,—Page 142. <i>On the Kentucky Frontier.</i></p> +</div> + +<p>At that moment we were in more danger of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>such of the savages than +from those who were yet sound in body; but as the time passed and I felt +neither the sting of a bullet nor the burning cut of a knife, my courage +came back again before those around me noted the fact of my having been +near to cowardice.</p> + +<p>We advanced, leaping from one sheltered spot to another, until the word +was passed along the line that the remnant of the foe had taken to +flight, no longer trying to shelter themselves, and the battle was over, +save for those eager white men who pursued in the hope of shedding yet +more Indian blood.</p> + +<p>Major Clarke gave the word for his force to fall back to the boat. He +told off four men to search the thicket for bodies of the savages in +order that we might know how many had fallen, and the remainder of the +party, save two or three who were so far in advance as not to have heard +the command, returned to where the flat-boat was moored.</p> + +<p>It was in my mind to congratulate Paul upon <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>his having been in action +and come out unscathed, believing a lad like him, who had stood up +against the enemy for the first time in his life, would be ready to hear +words of praise, or, at least, discuss the exciting events.</p> + +<p>But the boy whom I had looked upon as ignorant because of never having +lived on the frontier, was now shaming me by his actions.</p> + +<p>Instead of spending his time in useless words, Paul began cleaning his +heated rifle, and otherwise putting himself into condition to do a like +service if the occasion should suddenly require it.</p> + +<p>Abashed by his calm and manly behavior, I held my peace, following his +example, and when the last of the pursuers had returned to the flat-boat +we two lads were ready to take part in another encounter.</p> + +<p>Those who had been detailed to learn how much injury we inflicted upon +the foe, reported that fourteen killed or grievously wounded lay in the +thicket, and once more Major Clarke <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>questioned us as to the probable +number we had seen in the encampment.</p> + +<p>I was positive, as also was Paul, that there could not have been upward +of thirty, while it was more reasonable to believe the band numbered +less than twenty, and the major claimed that we might rest assured there +was no longer any danger to be feared from this particular band of +brutes.</p> + +<p>While we were fighting in the thicket the other flat-boats had come down +the stream, rounded-to, and made fast alongside the first craft; but not +a man had gone on shore to take part in the battle because of the orders +left by our leader.</p> + +<p>Now we were ready to continue the journey, and the major said to Paul +and me when we were on board once more, drifting with the current:</p> + +<p>"I allow that it was a fortunate mishap for you lads to have lost sight +of Simon Kenton, otherwise we should have been called upon to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>bury a +certain number of dead from among the force, instead of having to count +only four slightly wounded. Had that party of reptiles fired on us from +the thicket as we drifted by, much loss of life must have followed. +Therefore I hold to it that you have done us, at the very beginning of +the journey, good service."</p> + +<p>"But where can Simon Kenton be?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"Pushing on down the river most like, believing you were captured while +he was spying upon the other members of that gang. We shall come across +him before many days have passed, unless it so be that he finds it +necessary to come back for the purpose of warning us."</p> + +<p>If the major had intimated that Simon Kenton might at that moment be a +prisoner among the savages, I should have felt the keenest anxiety for +his safety; but here was a man who had had more experience on the +frontier than the eldest among us, speaking of the scout as if it was +not possible any danger could have come to him, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>and whatever fears +might have been in my mind prior to this time were speedily allayed.</p> + +<p>Now I began to enjoy the journey down the river. We had nothing to do +save sit at our ease while the swift, strong current bore us onward +toward our destination, and such traveling was exceedingly pleasant, +more particularly since I no longer thought it necessary to blame myself +for having left the canoe when I should have remained by her.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton himself would censure me for having done as I did; but +after knowing how much good had resulted from it, his words of blame +could not be severe.</p> + +<p>It was with such thoughts I comforted myself, and finally gave no heed +to anything save that which was pleasurable.</p> + +<p>When noon came Paul and I shared the provisions of our companions, and, +after the meal was come to an end, lay stretched at full length in the +after part of the boat watching the panorama spread out before us.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>It must not be supposed that while the boats drifted on in this lazy +fashion the men neglected to give due heed to possible danger.</p> + +<p>Strict watch was kept on either bank, and when it became necessary to +round a point or pass some tiny cove fringed with trees wherein the +enemy might lurk to send a shower of bullets among us, the heavy craft +were forced to the greatest possible distance from the place of danger, +while every man stood, rifle in hand, ready to check an attack or return +a volley.</p> + +<p>It was not permitted that we should hold converse in voices louder than +a whisper, and those who worked the heavy sweeps were careful to do so +in the most noiseless fashion, for we knew full well that the enemy +lurked on either shore, and every care was taken to avoid giving notice +of our approach.</p> + +<p>When the day was near to an end the boats were allowed to come closer +together, and finally, when night was so near at hand that the shadows +on the shore grew dense, Major Clarke gave a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>signal, by gestures, that +we were to haul up till morning.</p> + +<p>"Are we to lay by the bank over night?" Paul asked, and I, unable to +reply, appealed for information to the man nearest, who said much as if +believing the question a foolish one:</p> + +<p>"I reckon there won't be any boatin' done after sunset, unless there's +some great need. Those who drift down this river just now had best do so +when it is possible to have a good view of either bank, and Major Clarke +is not the man to take needless chances."</p> + +<p>"The savages can do no more mischief in the dark than when the sun +shines," Paul said quietly.</p> + +<p>"That is where I'm not agreein' with you, my lad. In the light we can +give as good as they send; but after dark, when there's no chance of +seein' the reptiles, they have the upper hands. Howsomever, our opinion +on the matter won't have any very great weight with the major, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>you'll find that along about this time each day we'll be looking for a +place to halt."</p> + +<p>The boat in which we sailed was the foremost of the fleet, and while the +man was yet speaking the crew worked the sweeps until she rounded to +under the bank, followed by the others, and in less than half an hour we +were moored for the night.</p> + +<p>This done, the first duty was to learn whether there might be any of the +enemy in the vicinity, and scouts were sent out at once, while the +remainder of the company set about getting supper, or, perhaps I should +say, eating it, for such food as we carried at that time was already +cooked.</p> + +<p>There was no thought of immediate danger in my mind; as a matter of +course I realized that we were surrounded by enemies, but after the +battle of the morning I was confident the enemy had been driven to a +respectful distance.</p> + +<p>I had ceased to think of Simon Kenton, save as pushing on down the river +at his best pace, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>scolding because we were not with him to share in the +labor, and I counted on spending the night in rest.</p> + +<p>It so chanced that Major Clarke was seated very near Paul and I when the +first of the scouts returned, and the information he brought was +sufficient to drive from the minds of every man on board all thought of +idling.</p> + +<p>It appeared from the story we heard, that this scout, seeing a faint +glow as of a light on the opposite side of the river, a mile below where +we were lying, had taken a canoe from the nearest flat-boat and paddled +across.</p> + +<p>There, after having landed, he crept noiselessly through the foliage an +hundred yards or more from the bank until he saw that which explained to +me, at least, why Paul and I failed to find the dugout when we returned +after our foolish tramp.</p> + +<p>A party of fifty Indians, most likely a portion of the same band we +whipped that morning, had halted for the purpose of torturing a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>prisoner to death, and that prisoner, so the man declared, was none +other than Simon Kenton.</p> + +<p>He also had been rash and foolish when going ashore in search of +information, and at about the time we heard the reports of the firearms +he must have been made a prisoner.</p> + +<p>Even as I shuddered at the possibility that those who would go to the +rescue might arrive too late, I thought with a certain sense of relief +that now he could not find fault with us for having abandoned our post.</p> + +<p>Had we remained in the canoe, as we should have done, then beyond a +peradventure we had been captives with him, and the flat-boats, not +having been delayed by the battle, might at this time be too far down +stream for their occupants to render any aid.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that instantly this news was told preparations +were made for the rescue, and while the men were being told off, for +Major Clarke did not intend to take with him more than half a company, +Paul said to me <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>quietly, as if there was nothing to excite or alarm:</p> + +<p>"Of course it is our right to aid in the rescue of the scout."</p> + +<p>"There are many others here who could do better service than we," I +replied, not relishing a second encounter.</p> + +<p>If Paul and I had been alone in the thicket, and were the only ones who +could give assistance to Simon Kenton, then never for an instant would I +have dreamed of holding back; but here were near to four hundred men, +all of them with more experience in such bloody business than either he +or I, and it was only a question of desire that would carry us into the +conflict.</p> + +<p>"We set out from Corn Island with him, and should be the first to go to +his relief," Paul said, as if the matter was already settled in his +mind, and I understood on the instant that he would apply to Major +Clarke for permission to join the force, whether I was disposed to +accompany him or not.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>It would have shamed me wofully had Simon Kenton been alive when the +party reached him, and failed to see me with my comrade, therefore I +leaped up at once as if eager for another battle, and together we +approached the commander.</p> + +<p>"It is our desire, sir, to take part in the rescue," Paul said modestly, +"We were his comrades, and should be the first to go to his relief."</p> + +<p>Then it was Major Clarke made much the same answer as had I, replying +that it would be better the older men take the brunt of the affair; but +Paul held grimly to his purpose, by repeating:</p> + +<p>"It is our duty, sir, and I believe it to be our right."</p> + +<p>I was not disposed that he should be the only one to display courage and +a desire to aid Simon Kenton, therefore I said, throwing such of desire +into my tones as was possible:</p> + +<p>"I pray you, sir, that we be allowed to join <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>the party, if for no other +reason than because the scout was our comrade."</p> + +<p>"It shall be as you say, lads," Major Clarke replied; "but I warn you +against being too eager for such frays. An attack in the night, while it +may sometimes be less dangerous than in the daytime, is likely to prove +far more hazardous."</p> + +<p>The major might have convinced me that it was my duty to remain aboard +the flat-boat; but Paul Sampson was as headstrong once he had resolved, +as he was quiet in manner, and I understood, without the necessity for +words, that he would not be turned from his purpose.</p> + +<p>It can well be supposed that after this word was brought in every man +gave due heed to silence, for should the savages who were making ready +to torture the prisoner, discover that we were near at hand, Simon +Kenton's death would speedily follow.</p> + +<p>To make any attempt to gain the opposite shore with one of the large +flat-boats would be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>folly, therefore all the dugouts which we towed, or +carried aboard, were brought into line, and those men selected for the +enterprise clambered into them, Paul and I among the others.</p> + +<p>Now to my surprise, instead of putting directly across the river, the +boats were allowed to drift down on the same side where the heavy craft +were moored, keeping well within the shadow of the trees, and not until +we were a mile or more below where it was said the Indians had halted, +was any effort made to cross.</p> + +<p>By the time the opposite side was gained we were fully two miles down +stream, and even a greater distance from the place it would be necessary +to gain in order to rescue Kenton.</p> + +<p>Here we landed, Major Clarke and one of the older men taking the lead, +while the remainder followed in single file.</p> + +<p>Paul and I were midway of the line, and because strict orders had been +given that no word should be spoken, he pressed my arm from time <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>to +time as if to convey by such means the thoughts that came into his mind.</p> + +<p>I could not divine of what he might be thinking; but I knew it was a +very disagreeable fact that at any moment we might fall into an ambush, +for no man could say with certainty that the Indians had failed to note +our coming.</p> + +<p>I suffered more during that tramp of two miles in the utter darkness, +than on the previous night when it had seemed as if Paul's fate and mine +was sealed.</p> + +<p>When we were come so near to the place of torture that the light of the +fires kindled around the tree to which the captive was bound could be +plainly seen, but were screened from view of the river by the foliage, +my heart beat and thumped until it seemed, so nervous had I become, as +if the noise must give warning to the painted crew who were dancing +around their intended victim.</p> + +<p>In whispers Major Clarke gave orders that the men should separate and +creep forward, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>each at a distance of six paces from the other, until we +had half encircled the murderous band, and then each was to be on the +alert, ready to fire when the first report of the commander's rifle was +heard.</p> + +<p>By such means was it believed that a full half of the savages would be +slain at the first fire, and, thus taken by surprise, the remainder +would seek safety in flight.</p> + +<p>When Paul and I, keeping nearer together than the orders permitted, had +come as close to the savages as might be done with safety, we had a full +view of the unfortunate Kenton.</p> + +<p>I had no doubt but that the Indians recognized him as one who had worked +them no little harm in the past, for they were preparing to prolong his +tortures to the utmost. Sharp splinters of wood were being made ready +for use after the fashion of spears, lest knives should produce death +too quickly, and the painted crew were already circling close around +him, when, as I knew from what had been told me <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>by the others, before +the fires were lighted which should burn his flesh, he would be cut and +mangled with a thousand superficial wounds.</p> + +<p>A brave man was Simon Kenton, and so he showed himself at this moment +when there could have been no hope in his mind that help was near.</p> + +<p>Stripped nearly naked in order that the murderous wolves might see where +to strike without inflicting too serious an injury, he faced them with +what was very like a smile on his face, while the blood was already +flowing down his body from tiny gashes, and I understood that however +much of anguish might come to him, never a cry of pain could be rung +from his lips.</p> + +<p>Paul crept nearer to grasp my arm with a convulsive clutch, and I knew +the lad was feeling most keenly for the prisoner, being able to +understand full well what must have been the captive's thoughts, for had +he not occupied the same position?</p> + +<p>I had leveled my rifle, aiming at the Indian <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>who stood nearest Simon +Kenton, determined that the ball should find its billet, when the sharp +crack of Major Clarke's weapon rang out, and a dancing savage fell to +the ground with a shriek of pain and defiance.</p> + +<p>Instantly half an hundred rifles were discharged, and it seemed to me as +if every feathered head went down, after which the scene was obscured +from view by clouds of sulphurous smoke.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h2>AT THE RENDEZVOUS.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>Even before the smoke had cleared away sufficiently for me to see the +captives, our people rushed forward, all reloading as they ran, and +during two or three minutes the confusion was so great that I could not +make out what might be going on.</p> + +<p>Paul and I had dashed forward with the rest, and, instinctively, so far +as I was concerned, we directed our steps toward the prisoner, who was +bound hand and foot in such a manner that I question if he could have +moved either of his limbs by so much as a hair's breadth.</p> + +<p>The effect of the fire was not so deadly as I had at first supposed. +More than one of the savages must have dropped to the ground to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>disconcert our aim, as I now understood on seeing that no more than +five lay stretched out on the ground near the captive.</p> + +<p>The remainder had taken to cover a short distance away, and two of our +men dropped as they ran forward, while I saw bloodstains on the shirts +of two others.</p> + +<p>"We must get to shelter!" I shouted to Paul, swerving aside from the +course we had been pursuing as I spoke, and clutching his arm in order +that he should be forced to do the same.</p> + +<p>The brave little lad had no idea of leaving Simon Kenton at the mercy of +the painted brutes, however. It was reasonable to suppose they would +shoot him rather than allow a rescue, and Paul was bent on saving him at +the hazard of his own life.</p> + +<p>Wrenching his arm from my grasp, and almost at the same instant drawing +his hunting knife, he dashed on toward the tree to which the scout was +bound, and involuntarily I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>followed; but no credit should be given me +for the act, because I was hardly conscious of my own movements.</p> + +<p>Here, there and everywhere around us, as it seemed to me, rang out the +reports of rifles, and every weapon was held with deadly aim.</p> + +<p>It was as if the air was full of death-dealing missiles, and yet no one +of them touched us as we sped across what was now an open space, both +white men and savages having retreated to the nearest shelter.</p> + +<p>Paul was the first to reach the captive, and with an exultant shout he +began hacking at the deer-hide thongs with which the poor fellow was +bound.</p> + +<p>"You're lads after my own heart!" Simon Kenton cried, his voice ringing +out clear and distinct even above the yells of the combatants and the +rattle of the rifles. "If I live it may be possible to pay you two for +this night's work!"</p> + +<p>His words drove the timorousness from my <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>heart, and before he ceased +speaking I was aiding Paul in severing the thongs with as much eagerness +as if it had been my idea rather than his to perform such perilous work.</p> + +<p>The savages began to shoot at us in the hope of preventing our purpose, +and, perhaps, to kill the prisoner at the same time, whereupon our +people opened such rapid and murderous fire that not a be-feathered head +dared to show itself, and in a comparatively short space of time Simon +Kenton was running stiffly toward the nearest shelter.</p> + +<p>He had been bound in one position so long that his limbs were nearly +helpless; but he managed to get over the ground nearly as fast as could +we two lads, and picked up a rifle that had fallen from a dead Indian's +hand even as he ran.</p> + +<p>It was to me as if the fight had hardly more than begun when we three +were in a place of comparative safety once more, and on the alert to +pick off a foe.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>Paul and I had a sufficient amount of ammunition to provide the scout +with what he needed in order to continue his portion of the fight, and +as he stood behind a big gum tree watching keenly for an opportunity to +avenge the insults he had endured, we carried on quite a friendly +conversation.</p> + +<p>"What did you do when mornin' came an' I failed to show up?" Kenton +asked, whereupon I replied quickly, thinking that the present was by far +the best time I would ever have in which to acknowledge my fault.</p> + +<p>"We went in search of you after an hour had passed, and failed to find +the canoe on our return."</p> + +<p>Then Paul, most like, understanding that I would have the story told in +a manner favorable to myself, gave a hurried account of our adventures +from that time until we learned of the scout's trouble.</p> + +<p>"I ran straight into the arms of four snakes who had heard me coming, +and showed myself <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>to be the biggest idiot that ever made a try of goin' +down the Ohio River," Kenton said bitterly, and I rejoiced at the tone, +for it told that he would not be likely to inquire very closely into my +folly.</p> + +<p>He had been bound to the tree where we found him, since early morning, +and during such time the savages had given him a slight foretaste of +what was to come, by cutting his body here and there until the blood +flowed in tiny streams.</p> + +<p>At the moment it struck me as strange that we three should be talking of +the past in this leisurely fashion, interrupting ourselves now and then +to discharge our rifles when a tuft of feathers could be seen; but I +afterward came to know that in times of greatest danger Simon Kenton +appeared to be occupied with the most trifling affairs.</p> + +<p>I asked him once, when the conversation lagged, if he had thought Major +Clarke's force might come to his relief, and he replied emphatically:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>"I had no idea, lad, but that they were many miles below here. You can +be certain that I turned the matter over and over again in my mind. +There was ample time for reflection, and I could see no way but for me +to go into the other world as cheerfully as possible. I was determined +those sneaks shouldn't bring a cry of pain to my lips. But for you two, +for I'm countin' that some of the reptiles would have shot me before +this if you hadn't come up like little men, riskin' the bullets, to set +me free, I'd taken no more part in this 'ere trip of Major Clarke's. If +either of you ever get into a tight place, you can count on my standin' +close alongside while the breath stays in my body."</p> + +<p>This was the moment when I should have confessed that but for Paul, he, +Simon Kenton, would yet be bound to the tree; but the words were not +spoken, and I have never ceased to regret that I did not make the +explanation due my comrade.</p> + +<p>As I read over what is here set down it seems <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>much as if I had made it +appear that we were giving little heed to whatever might be passing +around us, when, as a matter of fact, we were keenly alive to all that +went on, and lost no opportunity of dealing the painted fiends a deadly +blow.</p> + +<p>Nor were the other members of our party at all backward in doing their +duty. As when we faced the savages further up the river, every man did +his best, and this display of courage was not to the liking of such +sneaks as had counted on shedding Simon Kenton's blood.</p> + +<p>Within half an hour from the time the scout was set free, they began to +draw back, and we pressed our advantage until such a blow had been dealt +as must have taught them a lesson.</p> + +<p>Then was heard Major Clarke's voice ordering the men back to the canoes, +and within a few moments we were being ferried across to the flat-boat, +where the other members of the expedition were waiting anxiously to +learn the result of the venture.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>There was no longer any urgent reason why we should remain silent, for +the noise of the conflict had alarmed every painted snake within sound +of the rifles, and our men discussed the situation without taking the +precaution to speak in whispers.</p> + +<p>The general belief appeared to be that these two parties whom we had +fought since daybreak, were one and the same. Our first meeting was with +those who were pushing on up the river in advance to spy out the land, +and it was the main body that had made of Kenton a prisoner.</p> + +<p>All that had happened was for the best. But for my folly many men might +have been slain, and that folly would not have been committed but for +the fact of the scout's having been taking prisoner.</p> + +<p>Clearly the good God had interposed in our favor, and we were come out +of the fights with nothing more serious than wounds which, if properly +cared for, would soon heal.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>Within half an hour from the time we stepped on board the flat-boat +after having released Kenton, he insisted that Paul and I should lay +down to sleep, and at the moment I believed this display of care for us +arose from our efforts to release him at a time when death was looking +into his face.</p> + +<p>Having had no sleep the night before, we were only too glad to act upon +his suggestion, and in a short time both of us lads were sleeping +soundly as only tired boys can.</p> + +<p>At midnight we came to understand why Kenton had been so solicitous for +our welfare.</p> + +<p>Then he aroused us, saying as we opened our eyes:</p> + +<p>"I reckon you lads don't want to stay here any longer, an' it's time we +were movin'?"</p> + +<p>"Where are you going?" I asked sleepily.</p> + +<p>"Ahead of the flat-boats. Unless we start now there's little chance we +can do the party much good, an' I'm countin' on makin' a better job than +was the first one."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>It was not to my liking, this setting out in the middle of the night to +drift through a country infested, as we had by this time every reason to +believe, with savage enemies, and I failed to understand how we could be +of benefit to the volunteers by sailing down the river in the darkness +when we might pass an hundred bands of reptiles without having any +suspicion they were near.</p> + +<p>This much I said to Kenton, and he replied with a laugh:</p> + +<p>"I reckon we can count on the river's bein' clear for the next thirty +miles, an' after we've gone that far it'll be a case of layin' alongside +the bank to wait for daylight, or takin' a quiet little scout ashore."</p> + +<p>"As you did last night," I said quietly, giving but little heed to the +words, and a second later I could have bitten my tongue for having made +such a slip, for the scout said grimly:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it'll be as well if we don't talk much about last night. The +lad who leaves a canoe <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>to search for a comrade who's out scoutin', not +havin' left any word as to where he might be goin', ain't in good trim +to cast up old scores at others."</p> + +<p>Now it was I understood why Simon Kenton had refrained from making any +disagreeable remark when Paul told of our movements. He realized that we +had done a reckless thing, but was not minded to say what might have +hurt our feelings at a time when we had just aided in saving his life.</p> + +<p>But for my quick tongue I should never have known that he realized fully +all my folly.</p> + +<p>It can well be fancied that, after this reminder that I was not to be +trusted in time of danger, my lips remained closed, and in silence I set +about making ready for the journey.</p> + +<p>The dugout which Kenton had decided to take was lying alongside, and in +her had already been placed such a supply of provisions as we might +need.</p> + +<p>There was little for Paul and I to do save <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>get our sleepy eyes wide +open, and clamber over the side of the flat-boat, a task which we +performed in silence.</p> + +<p>Major Clarke was awake to give us his final instructions, and after he +had held a private conversation with Kenton, the latter came into the +canoe, casting off the hawser as he said in answer to a whispered remark +of the commander's:</p> + +<p>"Never fear but that I know full well what may happen, an' you can count +on my bein' more careful than before."</p> + +<p>I had an idea that these words might have reference to my foolishness of +the night previous, and did not seek to learn what Major Clarke had been +warning him against.</p> + +<p>We pushed off into the darkness, our light craft moved quickly away by +the rapid current, and almost immediately it seemed as if we were wholly +alone in the wilderness once more.</p> + +<p>Save to keep the canoe in mid-stream, Kenton made no effort to direct +her movements, and we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>floated down the river in silence, keeping sharp +watch on either bank while I promised myself never again to be guilty of +giving way to fear.</p> + +<p>Paul, brave lad that he was, held his peace. Thus far he had covered +himself with the glory which can be gained when one is pitted against +such enemies as were ours, and the fact that I had not given him full +credit when there was an opportunity for so doing, only caused me to +feel the more keenly that he was my superior even though having had no +previous experience.</p> + +<p>I guessed that the current carried us a good five miles an hour. The +distance from Corn Island to the rendezvous at the mouth of the +Tennessee River was said to be considerably more than three hundred +miles, and at the rate of progress made by the heavy boats, lying by +during the night as they did, it would require full six days in which to +make the journey.</p> + +<p>We in the canoe could not look forward to less than five days of this +drifting on the river, in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>case we met with no delay, and while I +thought of my mother it seemed as if we were going to the other side of +the world. I wondered whether I might ever see her again, and it +appeared much as if the chances were against our meeting, judging from +the dangers into which we had already run when the voyage was hardly +more than well begun.</p> + +<p>By this dwelling upon the possibilities I soon worked myself into a most +cowardly frame of mind, from which I did not awaken until we were come +to a long stretch of sandy land either side of the river, where there +was no fear our enemies could find a hiding-place.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Simon Kenton started a conversation, as if knowing I +needed cheering, and he did not bring it to a close until we were near +the wooded portion of the shores again.</p> + +<p>When daylight came we had seen nothing to cause alarm, although all knew +full well that we might have passed scores of savages without <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>being +aware of the fact, and the scout paddled the boat toward the western +shore, as he said in a low tone:</p> + +<p>"I'm countin' on havin' a look around, lads, an' this time you'll stay +quietly aboard till I come back, or the flat-boats heave in sight."</p> + +<p>Paul, understanding that these words were somewhat in the nature of a +reproof to me, said boldly:</p> + +<p>"It was well for you, Simon Kenton, that Louis insisted on going ashore, +else the sun had never risen again for your eyes."</p> + +<p>"All that I know right well, lad, an' I'd be a brute if I didn't give +the fact due weight; but I'm not willin' you should put your own lives +in peril for me. You've got people who love you, while I——"</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking suddenly as if having said more than he intended, and +again my tongue was an unruly member.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you any kin who would mourn because of your absence?" I asked, +and Simon <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>Kenton's face grew pale, bronzed though it was by the +weather.</p> + +<p>"The less that's said about me the better," he replied curtly, and then, +the canoe being alongside the bank, he sprang out to make her fast, thus +putting an end to further words.</p> + +<p>He was absent no more than half an hour, during which time Paul and I +sat motionless and silent, hidden by the foliage, from the view of any +who might pass either by land or water.</p> + +<p>When he returned we knew he had seen no signs of danger, although not a +word was spoken until we were a mile or more from the halting place. +Then he said quietly:</p> + +<p>"I reckon we've already met all the reptiles who are roamin' hereabout, +an' that we shan't run our noses into any more fights this side of the +Tennessee River. We'll keep a sharp lookout just the same, though, an' +pull up to-night so's not to get too far ahead of the volunteers."</p> + +<p>As he said so we did. During the day we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>drifted with the current seeing +naught of danger, and at nightfall pulled the canoe up under the +overhanging foliage to enjoy a good night's rest.</p> + +<p>The story of this day's journey was that of the days which followed +until we were come to the rendezvous, arriving, as we believed, not more +than four and twenty hours in advance of Major Clarke's force.</p> + +<p>Since the day when Simon Kenton was made prisoner we had seen no signs +of the foe, and it seemed certain that then we had come upon the only +warlike band outside the British outposts.</p> + +<p>When we stepped from the canoe at the mouth of the Tennessee River I +drew in a long breath of relief, for at that moment I was nearer +exhaustion than I ever believed would be possible when one has done +nothing more than remain inactive.</p> + +<p>To sit in a narrow boat like our dugout day after day, not daring to +move lest she should be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>overset, is real labor. I had never had much +experience in such traveling, and felt that I really needed no more.</p> + +<p>We made camp by building a lean-to of light stuff, and while Simon +Kenton went back into the thicket to search for game of some kind, Paul +Sampson and I lounged lazily about, enjoying to the utmost the +possibility of stretching our limbs at full length.</p> + +<p>The scout was yet absent when we saw emerge cautiously from the foliage +four white men, and but for the fact that they carried a goodly supply +of meat, thus showing they had been out hunting, I might have suspected +them to be British spies.</p> + +<p>As it was, I did not feel at liberty to give any especial information +concerning ourselves, and warned Paul to be on his guard against +speaking of the flat-boats; but rather to let them believe we were +simply journeying down the river in search of a homestead location.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course the sharp-eyed hunters <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>saw our lean-to +immediately they emerged, from amid the underbrush, and came directly +toward us.</p> + +<p>In the wilderness men are either enemies or friends; there is no +half-way ground as amid townspeople, and I at once decided in my mind +that these newcomers might be depended upon, although I wished most +heartily for Simon Kenton, who could, take the responsibility of +receiving them.</p> + +<p>Their first question was as to whether we were alone, and on being told +who was our companion and leader, one of the party expressed the +greatest pleasure at meeting him once more.</p> + +<p>"I've scouted an' trapped with young Kenton," the hunter said warmly, +"an' a better friend I never hope to have. Where are you headin', lads?"</p> + +<p>I stammered, not willing to give much information until we knew more +regarding the strangers, and yet hesitating to refuse an answer <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>to a +simple question, when Paul said quickly, relieving me of my +embarrassment:</p> + +<p>"If you know Simon Kenton, sir, you can well understand that it does not +become us boys to speak of his purpose. He has gone in search of meat, +and will soon return to answer for himself."</p> + +<p>"Well, said, lad. You have a cautious tongue, an' it's needed +hereabouts, because some of us have white enemies as well as red. We can +wait for Kenton, an' meanwhile there'll be no great harm done if we set +to work cookin' a bit of this 'ere game."</p> + +<p>Then the men took possession of our poor camp, and the odor of meat +cooking was soon rising on the evening air, sharpening our appetites +until, but for the shame of it, I would have begged some of the food +before it had more than been browned by the flames.</p> + +<p>The meal was not yet prepared when Simon Kenton appeared, and I was +rejoiced to see him greet the hunters as if they had been old <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>friends, +for it told that during this night at least we had nothing to fear.</p> + +<p>Without hesitation he explained the purpose of our coming, and told of +the flat-boats with their loads of volunteers which might be expected on +the morrow, whereupon the strangers seemed highly gratified.</p> + +<p>It appeared, as I soon learned by the conversation, that these men had +come from Kaskaskia; but were by no means on friendly terms with the +commander of the British post there.</p> + +<p>They were in sympathy with the efforts of the colonists to shake off the +yoke which the king had put upon them, and declared their purpose to +join Major Clarke's force, if that officer should be willing to receive +them.</p> + +<p>"I'll answer for it that the major gives you a hearty welcome," Kenton +said in a tone of satisfaction, "an' by your aid we shall be able to +surprise the outpost."</p> + +<p>Then the conversation ceased in order that all hands might partake of +the meal, which by <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>this time was prepared, and we two lads felt that +the most dangerous portion of the enterprise was over, although at least +two British garrisons were yet to be captured.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h2>KASKASKIA.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>During this evening and the following day we gained all the information +concerning Kaskaskia which it was necessary Major Clarke should know.</p> + +<p>These men who had come upon us so opportunely, were, as I have said, +trappers from that outpost, and eager to do whatsoever they might toward +overthrowing the rule of the Britishers on our frontier.</p> + +<p>Such desire was only natural, as may be believed when I say that the +king's officers pursued the policy of stimulating the Indians against +the settlers, in order that such as were not willing to own allegiance +to the king should be killed or driven from the country.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>Monsieur Rocheblave, a Frenchman, had command of the British forces +roundabout Kaskaskia, and the hunters reported him to be an exceedingly +vigilant officer, who kept a large number of spies continually on the +alert to guard against the approach of people from Kentucky who were +known to have taken sides with the eastern colonists in the struggle for +liberty.</p> + +<p>There were eighty British soldiers in the garrison, and all the redskins +nearabout were in the pay of the commandant, therefore it might be said +that the force at this point was exceeding strong; but Simon Kenton's +friends believed it might be taken by surprise, providing we could +capture the spies sent out by Rocheblave.</p> + +<p>Once our people appeared before the garrison, when the Indians were not +there to lend their aid, the post must of a necessity surrender, and +thus the work set for us to do might be accomplished without bloodshed.</p> + +<p>That this renegade Frenchman was exerting <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>himself to stir up the +Indiana against the settlers there could be no question; in fact one of +these hunters had good proof that such was the case, he having been +present when the king's officer offered a certain reward in the shape of +ammunition and blankets if the savages would surprise and massacre a +number of families who had made a clearing on the banks of the +Mississippi River.</p> + +<p>Kaskaskia was founded, as I have read, after the visit of La Salle to +the Mississippi in 1683, by Father Gravier, Catholic missionary among +the Illinois Indians, and was the capital and chief town of the Illinois +country so far as the French continued in possession of it. In 1763, it +was ceded by the French to Great Britain, and such of the French +officers as held possession were continued in the pay of the English +king.</p> + +<p>With the exception of fifteen or twenty, such as the hunters whom we +met, all the settlers in that vicinity were of French descent.</p> + +<p>The day following our arrival at the mouth <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>of the Tennessee River was +spent in idleness. We had a plentiful supply of meat, and the hunters +were unwilling to talk or think of anything save the possible capture of +the outpost from whence had been sent so many murdering bands of savages +to shed blood simply that the king's hold upon this fair country might +be the stronger.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was we remained idle, wasting our time, as I thought, until +an hour past noon, when Paul and I had wandered a short distance up the +river in company with Simon Kenton and the hunter whom he had greeted as +a friend, and then were spoken those words which lifted from Simon +Kenton's heart the greatest burden man can bear.</p> + +<p>Several times since he so suddenly appeared to me on the bank of the +Ohio River, having come at a time when he could render my mother and +myself the greatest possible service, had he commenced a sentence +regarding himself, and suddenly stopped, as if fearing to betray +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>somewhat of his own life which others should not know.</p> + +<p>Such behavior, together with the fact that he refused to say anything +concerning his early life, or why he was serving as a scout when it +would seem as if nature had fitted him for some noble purpose, convinced +me, boy though I was, that there was a painful secret which had sent him +out from among those whom he loved.</p> + +<p>On this day of which I speak, while we were strolling aimlessly up the +river, the hunter said carelessly, giving no particular weight to his +words:</p> + +<p>"I met Donnelly at Cahokia a short time ago, and we spoke of you, +Simon."</p> + +<p>Kenton stopped suddenly as does a man when a bullet reaches a vital spot +in his body. His face turned pale as I had seen it once before, and he +trembled as if in an ague fit, striving to speak, but in vain, and the +hunter, alarmed by this show of weakness, would have sprung forward to +prevent the scout from <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>falling, but the latter waved him aside as he +asked in a tremulous whisper:</p> + +<p>"Which Donnelly did you meet?"</p> + +<p>"He whom you have reason to know; perhaps it would have been better if I +said that Donnelly who has good cause to remember you."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Martin?" Simon Kenton asked with an effort, and showing yet +greater evidence of being disturbed in mind.</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad, Martin Donnelly, and why should you, above all others, show +fear at his name?"</p> + +<p>"Tell me!" and Kenton leaned forward eagerly, as if his very life +depended upon the answer. "Do you mean to say you spoke with that Martin +Donnelly who lived some time ago in Fauquier County, in the colony of +Virginia?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, Simon, the same. He whom you flogged until the breath had-well nigh +left his body."</p> + +<p>"And he lives?" Kenton asked with a long <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>indrawing of the breath, +straightening himself up as does one who has been suddenly relieved of a +heavy burden.</p> + +<p>"He was alive when I met him in Cahokia, and counted on settling down in +the Illinois country, if it so chanced everything was favorable. He left +his family in Virginia so I understood; but reckoned on going after them +some time this fall."</p> + +<p>Kenton leaned against a tree, his face hidden in his arm, and we three +stood gazing at him in silence and astonishment until perhaps ten +minutes had passed, when he turned to face us with an expression such as +I shall never forget.</p> + +<p>"If you have made no mistake, John Lucas," he said, speaking slowly, and +with a ring of joy in his tone, "if you have spoken truly, there is +taken from me that which I believed I must carry to my grave, and from +there to the presence of my God. If Martin Donnelly be alive, I am a +free man once more——"</p> + +<p>"I tell you, Simon, I saw and talked with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>Martin Donnelly," Lucas +exclaimed impatiently. "What is the meaning of your words? Why have you +not always been a free man, save perchance when the savages had you in +their clutches, as these lads here have told?"</p> + +<p>"Here is the story of a man who came on the frontier believing himself a +murderer, and doing whatsoever he might to atone for a supposed crime +committed at a moment when anger held possession of him. As you know, I +was born in Fauquier County in 1755, where my father, an Irishman, had +won for himself by hard labor such a home and such a plantation as a +poor man could survey with pride. Up to the time I was sixteen years old +there came no thought into my mind save to be a planter, and continue +the work my father had begun. Then I loved a girl, the daughter of our +nearest neighbor, and counted, with the consent of her parents as well +as mine, on marrying her in due course of time. Martin Donnelly came +into the district, and by unfair means, as I did and still claim, won +her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>from me. I met him the day after he was married. He taunted me with +what he had done; claimed that an Irish planter in Virginia was of so +little consequence that the first newcomer could take from him +whatsoever he had that was to be won by fair words, and continued in +such strain until rage overpowered me. I leaped upon him like a panther, +using no weapons; and with my bare hands pommeled him until he lay like +one dead. Fear took the place of anger; I tried to rouse him; but he lay +as does a corpse, and I, believing myself a murderer, fled, pursued only +by my own conscience, across the Alleghanies, where I joined those who +were pushing forward on the extreme frontier. Since that day have I +shunned the abode of all men save those who live remote from any +settlement. How often I have yearned to see my father and mother, there +is no need for me to say. I dared not go back, believing I would be +seized and executed as a murderer; but now I am free to do whatsoever I +will, and save for <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>the fact that my word binds me to remain as scout +with Major Clarke until the expedition comes to an end with the capture +of Vincennes, I would set off this hour for the home I have dreamed of, +but never expected again to see."</p> + +<p>Having thus spoken Simon Kenton walked rapidly away up stream, and we +three, awed by his story, and knowing that at such a time it would be +best to leave him alone, returned to the camp, I for one feeling that +however great a failure might be Major Clarke's expedition so far as +concerned the British outposts, it was wondrously successful, inasmuch +as through it there had been lifted from one man the shadow of a great +crime.</p> + +<p>Not until nearly nightfall did the scout rejoin us, and then all traces +of his emotion had vanished. He was much the same person as before, and +yet entirely different, if I may use so contradictory an expression. I +mean that there was no change in his manner so far as could be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>seen +when we spoke of the purpose of our journey, or of that which was to be +done in the future; but when talking with Paul and me there was a +gladsome ring in his voice—a certain freedom of manner which struck me +forcibly, and yet might not have been evident to one who was +unacquainted with all the facts.</p> + +<p>More than once during the evening he referred to the day when he was to +go back to Virginia, and during the remainder of the journey it was as +if all his future actions were marked out with especial reference to +that visit, only lately become possible.</p> + +<p>Not until noon of the following day did the first of the flat-boats come +in sight, and it was the advice of these hunters from Kaskaskia that we +set out on the march up the Mississippi without delay, lest Monsieur +Rocheblave's spies should give that officer timely warning of our +coming.</p> + +<p>Immediately Major Clarke came on shore Simon Kenton informed him of what +we had learned, and the four hunters announced their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>desire to +accompany the expedition from this point as guides.</p> + +<p>Nothing could have been more favorable to the enterprise, and, as may be +readily supposed, the major did not hesitate to accept their services.</p> + +<p>The volunteers, all good men and tried, were speedily acquainted with +the facts of the case, for in such an enterprise as this the commander +made no effort to conceal his intentions from those who accompanied him, +and it was believed by every one that no time should be wasted at this +point on the river.</p> + +<p>When the last boat had rounded-to and made fast in front of our camp, we +were as well prepared for the march, in fact, better, than we should be +twenty-four hours later, and the halt was prolonged only until it could +be decided by all the members of the party how we might best set out.</p> + +<p>After a consultation it was decided that the boats should be dropped +about six miles further <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>down the river to such point as would afford +concealment for them, after which our party would begin the march across +the wilderness, and the last craft had not been made fast half an hour +before we were under way again, Simon Kenton, Paul and I paddling ahead +to select a spot where we might leave the unwieldy boats with some +degree of assurance that they would remain undiscovered.</p> + +<p>In order that I should be able to tell the story of all we two lads did +while we were with Simon Kenton, it is necessary that much of the detail +be omitted, else would this poor story run to such length that he who +attempted to read might grow weary in the task.</p> + +<p>Therefore it is that nothing shall be set down regarding the march +across the wilderness, during which we met with no other adventure than +the capture of one of Rocheblave's spies, whom we met the second day +after leaving the river.</p> + +<p>It chanced to be the good fortune of us <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>three—meaning Simon Kenton, +Paul and myself—to come across the fellow while he was cooking a fat +turkey, and although it was by no means to his liking, we forced him to +go back with us to Major Clarke. He claimed to be an honest settler of +Kaskaskia, whose sympathies were with the struggling colonists; but John +Lucas had told us that there were few in the settlement thus disposed, +and Simon Kenton believed it safer to hold him for a certain time, than +run the chances of letting him go whithersoever he would.</p> + +<p>The hunters from the outposts soon settled his fate, for they recognized +in him one who had been most active in inciting the Indians against the +settlers of Kentucky, and but for Major Clarke's bold stand he would +have been put out of the world in the quickest possible manner, as +indeed he should have been, for I counted him a more deliberate murderer +even than the savages, and equally culpable.</p> + +<p>However, we held him close prisoner by tying <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>him between two of the +strongest men, and I venture to say that during the remainder of our +tramp through the wilderness he got a reasonably good idea of how +innocent women and children fare when they are forced to accompany +savage captors.</p> + +<p>Our progress was reasonably rapid, and yet no precautions were spared to +prevent surprise.</p> + +<p>Twenty of the party, among whom were Simon Kenton, Paul and myself, +remained two miles or more in advance of the main body, spreading out in +what nowadays would be called a skirmish line, and taking exceeding good +care that nothing escaped our attention.</p> + +<p>It was on the afternoon of the fourth day of July when we arrived within +a mile of the outpost, having every reason to believe that thus far +Monsieur Rocheblave was ignorant that we proposed to deprive him of his +command.</p> + +<p>Had it not been for the opportune meeting with the four hunters, I +question if we should have been able to advance secretly thus near; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>but +they, acquainted with all the approaches to the settlement, and knowing +where we would be less likely to attract attention, led us safely on +until we were in a good position to begin the work on hand.</p> + +<p>Although there were more than four hundred in the party, we remained +five hours hidden almost beside the garrison, and yet no suspicion of +our presence was aroused.</p> + +<p>None other, save men familiar with frontier life, could have +accomplished what at this time seems to me almost impossible, even +though I know full well it was done.</p> + +<p>We remained hidden in the thicket, from which point we could see the +people of the settlement as they moved to and fro intent on their daily +tasks, and yet one might have passed within an hundred yards of us +without being suspicious that so many armed men were in the vicinity.</p> + +<p>It was believed, at least by Paul and me, that a battle must be fought +before we could gain <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>possession of the outpost, and perhaps there is no +need why I should set down here the fact that once more was my heart +filled with timorousness, for by this time it should well be understood +that whenever danger threatened I grew cowardly.</p> + +<p>It was one thing to fight against the Indians in the forest where we +could find as good shelter as they, and quite another to advance in the +open against a garrison of men equally skilful with ourselves in +handling a rifle, and protected by a stockade.</p> + +<p>I believed, and with good cause, that many of as would be sent into +another world before the sun rose again, and, unless I was willing to +show my companions how much of a coward I had become, I must take my +chances of death with the others.</p> + +<p>It was by no means cheerful, lying there in the thicket, not daring to +speak or move lest an alarm should be given, and looking forward to that +struggle which must speedily ensue.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>Had it been possible to hold converse with Paul, then might some subject +have been brought up which would have changed the current of my +thoughts; but I was forbidden even to whisper, and it seemed to me then +as if between us and that stockade so short a distance away, death +stalked to and fro, awaiting our approach.</p> + +<p>It is the coward, and only the coward, who reaches out into the future +in search of danger. The sensible man waits until confronted by the +peril before giving way to fear, and this was proven to me before many +hours had passed. I suffered ten times more than if we had advanced and +been severely beaten, and yet, as we speedily understood, I had no +reason whatsoever to thus torture myself.</p> + +<p>When the night came it seemed to me as if Major Clarke had forgotten for +what purpose we were there.</p> + +<p>Peering out from amid the thicket we could see that the inhabitants of +the settlement had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>gone to their rest. Two hours after the sunset, the +garrison was quiet, and yet our commander gave no signal.</p> + +<p>Looking forward to wounds, and perhaps death, as I did, the moments went +by exceedingly slow, and I came to believe that almost any danger would +be preferable to this stealthy waiting for the signal which should +precipitate the action.</p> + +<p>Paul, who lay close by my side, seemingly gave no heed to the passage of +time. Like the brave lad I had come to understand him to be, he remained +apparently indifferent to what the future might hold in store for us, +gaining the repose which would serve him in good stead when violent +action was required.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if the night was more than half spent when I observed +Major Clarke rising to his feet, and, as I afterwards learned, it was no +more than nine o'clock.</p> + +<p>The decisive moment had come. If now we failed to capture Kaskaskia, +then was the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>expedition a dire failure, and those who did not fall +beneath the bullets might expect to find themselves prisoners in the +hands of captors who would show but little less mercy than the savages.</p> + +<p>Before we had arrived at this hiding-place it was decided that the party +should be divided into five sections, each of which would make the +attack from a different point, and now that the signal had been given +the men formed themselves into detachments, moving silently away in the +darkness as had been previously agreed upon.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton, Paul and myself, were among those who were to march +straight toward the stockade from where we lay, and therefore we made no +movement until those who were to approach from the opposite side had +been given time to get into position. Major Clarke himself was to lead +our division, and although he counted on taking the garrison by +surprise, I believe it was in his mind that if a victory was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>to be +secured, we would pay dearly for it in blood.</p> + +<p>Well, I am giving over many words to what was in itself but a most +trifling affair. It only required that we should march up and take the +garrison, as if all the king's soldiers there were waiting with open +arms to receive us in friendly fashion.</p> + +<p>When the word to advance was given, our portion of the company could see +in the gloom far away on either hand the different detachments closing +in upon the stockade, and yet not a sound came from those valiant +soldiers of the king, who instead of guarding the outpost were spending +their time in slumber.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer we advanced, believing all the while that in the next +second would be heard the report of an alarm gun; but the minutes went +by, and the silence within the stockade was as profound as if none save +the dead held possession.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep204" id="imagep204"></a> +<a href="images/imagep204.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep204.jpg" width="42%" alt="Straight up to the big gate we advanced..." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">Straight up to the big gate we advanced, believing that +in the next second we should hear the alarm gun.—Page 204. <i>On the +Kentucky Frontier.</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Straight up to the big gate we advanced, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>so secure did the +garrison feel in the friendship of the savages, who thirsted for the +blood of such white people as were not in the king's favor, that the +barrier was not so much as closed.</p> + +<p>We entered and had surrounded the commandant's quarters before any one +of the enemy was aware of our presence, and then came the alarm.</p> + +<p>A gun was fired at the instant Major Clarke stood before the door of +Monsieur Rocheblave's house, and the echo of the report had hardly died +away before he, followed by a score of men, entered the building.</p> + +<p>Standing close by Paul's side, directly behind Simon Kenton, I awaited +the beginning of that battle which seemed imminent; yet grown somewhat +bolder because of the fact that we were within the stockade.</p> + +<p>While I remained on the alert, my rifle half upraised, there came the +word, I know not from where, that the commandant had surrendered, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>and, +turning toward us, Simon Kenton said much as if he was dissatisfied with +this peaceful ending of what had promised to be a most difficult +undertaking.</p> + +<p>"Well, lads, the first of the outposts we counted on capturing is ours, +and we have not been put to the expense of a single charge of +ammunition."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to say that there will be no fighting?" I asked in +surprise.</p> + +<p>"How can there be since Monsieur Rocheblave has surrendered?"</p> + +<p>"But we were told there were eighty men here to hold the garrison in the +king's name?"</p> + +<p>"Ay, lad; but the commander having decided that we shall enter into +peaceful possession, deprives them of a right to make objections. +Kaskaskia is ours, and it will be a long day before the king's flag be +hoisted again. But how is this? One would say you were disappointed."</p> + +<p>"I hardly know whether to laugh or cry."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>"Why should you cry, lad?"</p> + +<p>"Because during this five hours past have I lain in the thicket +trembling lest death would be my share in this engagement, and he who +makes of himself such a simple should weep because he is so +feeble-minded."</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h2>CAHOKIA.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>While we could not rightfully take much praise to ourselves for having +captured a post where no resistance was made, the members of Major +Clarke's force, including even Paul and myself, looked with triumph upon +the exploit, bloodless though it had proven to be.</p> + +<p>Surely the king would not have thus lost possession of his outpost had +we, meaning the entire company, remained at home, and, therefore, might +we claim that the garrison was now held in the name of the province of +Virginia solely through our efforts.</p> + +<p>As we learned next day from those to whom Major Clarke had confided the +facts, many of Monsieur Rocheblave's papers had been destroyed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>by his +wife after he was made prisoner, for our people did not consider it +necessary to make a woman captive. She was allowed to retain possession +of the house until morning, and during that time burned many papers +which should have come into our keeping.</p> + +<p>There was not time, however, for her to destroy all Monsieur's +correspondence, and enough was found to prove beyond a doubt that he, +acting under instructions from England, had been inciting the Indians to +hostilities against such of the settlers as dared believe the rebellious +colonists were in the right.</p> + +<p>I believe of a verity our men would have wreaked speedy vengeance upon +this Frenchman who had caused the death and torture of so many of our +countrymen, but for Major Clarke's presence of mind.</p> + +<p>Immediately after learning that the members of the force were aware of +the Frenchman's guilt, he detailed twenty of the most reliable +men—those whom he could trust to carry out <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>his orders to the letter, +and sent them in charge of Monsieur Rocheblave and his wife to +Williamsburg in Virginia, that the wicked man might be tried for the +crimes he had committed against defenseless women and children.</p> + +<p>The party set off before noon of the day following our capture of the +garrison, at a time when our people were occupied in other directions, +and thus no act was committed which might have brought shame upon us, +although I hold even now that it would not have been wrong had we wiped +out Monsieur Rocheblave's crime with his own life, regardless of the +fact that he, being a prisoner, was entitled to our protection.</p> + +<p>He had entertained no such notions of honor when he set the savages upon +the defenseless settlers, knowing full well how much of horrible +suffering would be caused.</p> + +<p>He left with a whole skin, however, as I know full well, since Paul and +I aided in making ready the boat which was to carry the party to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>the +mouth of the Ohio River, from which point they would strike across the +country to Williamsburg.</p> + +<p>The Frenchman's wife went with him, as a matter of course, and I have +since tried to learn what became of the scoundrel, but without success. +He deserved hanging, if ever any man did, although many people claimed +that he was not really guilty, since he had but carried out the orders +given by his superiors.</p> + +<p>Had any of those who pleaded so eloquently for his release known what it +was to have a father tortured to death, as I knew, there would have been +leas said in favor of such a wretch.</p> + +<p>However, that has nothing to do with the story of what Paul Sampson and +I did and saw while we scouted in company with Simon Kenton.</p> + +<p>When our people learned that Monsieur Rocheblave had been sent away with +a whole skin, for, as I have said, all the preparations for his +departure were made with the utmost <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>secrecy and he and his wife +smuggled on board the boat, there was something very like mutiny in the +camp, and Major Clarke had quite as big a job to quiet the men as he +could well handle; but the volunteers soon settled down quietly, +promising themselves that the time would come when they might have more +voice in deciding the fate of the Frenchman.</p> + +<p>Having seized the outpost, it was as if Major Clarke counted on +loitering in Kaskaskia without making any further effort toward +capturing the other possessions of the king's on the Mississippi River.</p> + +<p>During three days we remained quietly in the settlement, amusing +ourselves as best we might, and many of the company indulged in much +grumbling because of the inactivity.</p> + +<p>We had come to open the river for our own people, they said, and it was +little short of a crime to loiter when there were so many garrisons near +at hand which should come into our possession.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>Before the three days were passed, however, we came to understand our +commander's purpose. He had not disturbed the French settlers whom we +found in Kaskaskia; but, on the contrary, showed his intention of +protecting them as he would those who were bound to us by ties of blood, +and the result was that the people began to realize how much had been +gained by this change of governors.</p> + +<p>The savages were no longer welcome to hold their hideous pow-wows there, +and the soldiers could not rob the settlers as had been done when +Monsieur Rocheblave was in command. In every respect the people were the +gainers by our coming, and fully appreciated the fact.</p> + +<p>The next British outpost up the river above Kaskaskia, was Cahokia, a +settlement where considerable trade was carried on, and a depository of +British arms for distribution among the savages.</p> + +<p>It had been occupied by the Caoquias, a tribe of Illinois Indians, long +before the discovery of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>the Mississippi. The French settled there +shortly after La Salle descended the river, and it was said to contain +not less than forty families in addition to the garrison of about sixty +soldiers.</p> + +<p>This was the post Major Clarke had counted on capturing when he left +Corn Island, and we soon came to know that he had not changed his +intentions, but was busily engaged perfecting his plans at the very time +when some of us accused him of spending the days in idleness.</p> + +<p>Between these two outposts were three small villages which the king +claimed as his own, and these it would be necessary to capture before +arriving at the larger settlements.</p> + +<p>When all his arrangements were completed, Major Clarke announced that +Captain Joseph Bowman, the commander of one of the companies, was to +lead the expedition to Cahokia, which would consist of about two hundred +men, while he, Major Clarke, with the remainder of the force, was to +remain at Kaskaskia, and at <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>the same time be prepared to keep in check +such of the Indians nearabout as might take into their ugly heads to +make trouble for us.</p> + +<p>Now was seen the wisdom of the major's proceedings during such time as +we had remained in the captured garrison.</p> + +<p>The inhabitants of Kaskaskia had had time to realize that they were much +better off under the rule of the colonists than that of the king, and +once this was brought fully home to them, they became eager that the +other outposts on the river should experience the same change of +government.</p> + +<p>Therefore, instead of secretly sending scouts ahead to warn these +villages through which we must pass, the people of the post begged +permission to accompany the volunteers, claiming that by relating what +had occurred in their own settlement they could quickly bring the others +to terms, thereby preventing bloodshed, and doing a favor to their +neighbors at the same time they benefited themselves.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>As Simon Kenton put it: "Once they knew that the Americans were prepared +to take possession of America—or such portion of it as came in their +way—the one desire was that the rule of the king might be wiped out +speedily, which was good sense, inasmuch as both parties could not hold +portions of the river without coming to blows."</p> + +<p>If these people whose settlements we had taken without striking a blow +could have had their way, every outpost now garrisoned by men who gave +allegiance to the king would be speedily in our possession, and while +the temper of the people was at this point, the proper time had come to +push the advantage.</p> + +<p>When it was announced that among those who would set out under command +of Captain Bowman would be the scout Kenton and his two companions, I +had no misgivings.</p> + +<p>The anguish of mind that had been mine with so little cause just before +we surprised the Kaskaskia garrison had taught me a lesson, and, in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>addition, I believed that we would continue our march in the same +bloodless, triumphant fashion as it had been begun.</p> + +<p>And in this I was not mistaken.</p> + +<p>Lest I draw out this story to too great length, setting down facts which +strangers may think are of no importance in the history of our taking +possession of the Mississippi River, I shall go straight ahead toward +the end without stopping here to relate what at the time seemed to us of +considerable importance, or to explain how Paul and I acted or felt +under certain trying and disagreeable circumstances.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton was to have charge of the advance portion of the force +which Captain Bowman led. That is to say, if we were speaking of such +maneuvers at this day, we should say that Simon Kenton was in command of +the skirmishers, and, as a matter of course, Paul Sampson and I played +the part, however poorly, of his assistants.</p> + +<p>We, and I am now speaking not only of us <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>three who called ourselves +scouts, but twelve or fifteen more who were ordered to join us, set out +from Kaskaskia on the morning of the 8th of July, about two hours in +advance of the main force, with the understanding that it was our duty +to capture such spies as might be met, or to fall back in case we were +confronted by any considerable number of savages.</p> + +<p>Well, we began the sixty-mile tramp in good spirits, and when, late on +that same day we were come within hailing distance of the first small +settlement that lay on the road, our march had been no more than a +pleasure excursion.</p> + +<p>Neither spy nor Indian had we seen, and I believe that eighteen or +twenty men could have taken possession of this village belonging to the +king, by force of arms, had it been necessary, without any very serious +trouble.</p> + +<p>But the orders were for us to halt until the main body should come up, +and this we did, whereupon those settlers from the captured post +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>advanced to hold a parley with the occupants of this clearing.</p> + +<p>It was not a lengthy conference. After those who had so lately +recognized Monsieur Rocheblave as their governor, explained to these +other settlers the advantages to be gained, the village was ours.</p> + +<p>We had simply to walk in as honored guests, and the American flag was +hoisted in token that they no longer held themselves as subjects of the +king.</p> + +<p>And the story of our successful advance thus far was the same as must be +told from this point.</p> + +<p>We marched into two other villages, our allies from Kaskaskia going +ahead to pave the way, and left the settlers, while we continued on up +the river, as brothers rather than enemies.</p> + +<p>Three villages hoisted our flag in token of their sympathy with and +desire to aid the colonists, and then we were come, at the close of the +third day, near to Cahokia, the post, as I have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>said, of no mean +importance, and garrisoned by sixty soldiers.</p> + +<p>Here at least did Paul Sampson and I believe our entrance would be +opposed; but as before, Captain Bowman sent our allies ahead, and we +came into the trading village where the king had deposited large +quantities of arms for barter with the Indians, having met with no +opposition, and being received right generously.</p> + +<p>The people greeted us with huzzas when we marched into the stockade, +behind our allies, and were equally as enthusiastic on being told by +Captain Bowman that they must take the oath of allegiance to the colony +of Virginia.</p> + +<p>The purpose for which our force had left Corn Island was accomplished in +the capture of Cahokia, for this post was really the last which Major +Clarke had claimed it might be possible to reduce.</p> + +<p>It is true he had mentioned Vincennes in his plans to the authorities of +Virginia; but, as we understood from Simon Kenton while we laid <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>here at +Cahokia, the garrison on the Wabash River was not to be attacked unless +it might be done with reasonable assurance of success.</p> + +<p>Now this outpost of Vincennes was one of the first settlements formed in +the valley of the Mississippi. It was occupied by the French emigrants +as early as 1735, and called post St. Vincent. In 1745, the name of +Vincennes was given to it in honor of F. M. de Vincennes, a gallant and +much respected French officer who was killed in the battle with the +Chickasaws in 1736.</p> + +<p>It was the most important post in the valley, but whether it was to be +attacked, we who were at Cahokia could not even so much as guess.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton believed our portion of the work would end here, arguing +that Major Clarke must leave a garrison both at Kaskaskia and Cahokia in +order to hold the stockades, and by so doing his little army would be +greatly weakened; so that he could hardly hope for a victory <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>if it +chanced that we were obliged to resort to force in order to gain +possession.</p> + +<p>"Accordin' to my way of thinkin', lads, our work is done," the scout +said, late on that night after we took possession of Cahokia. "There's +naught left us to do save retrace our steps, for I should guess that you +were not minded to remain in either of these settlements as members of +the garrison."</p> + +<p>"Indeed we are not," I replied promptly. "My mother awaits me at Corn +Island, and unless she decides to go back to the land which my father +cleared, I must set about making a home for her."</p> + +<p>"I have no wish to remain," Paul added. "It may not be that my father +needs me; but I have a mother in Maryland, and service in a garrison is +not pleasing. If, as you believe, the work laid out for Major Clarke has +been accomplished, Louis Nelson and I will return with you, if it so be +you are going back."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I am, my boy," Simon Kenton <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>replied with the air of one who +anticipates much pleasure in the future. "Now that there is no longer a +shadow over me, I am as eager to find my father and my mother as are you +lads to meet yours."</p> + +<p>"When shall we return?" I asked, for now that the homeward journey was +being considered, I, who really had no home, was eager to begin it.</p> + +<p>"It was understood between Major Clarke and myself that I might be at +liberty to turn back whenever Captain Bowman should state he no longer +required my services, and I reckon, lads, that the time has come. Wait +you here until I learn what he has to say regardin' the matter."</p> + +<p>Within an hour it was decided that we three were to carry Captain +Bowman's report to Major Clarke, and when I lay down to sleep that night +it was with the knowledge that at the first light of dawn we would begin +the sixty-mile journey, counting on making it within four-and-twenty +hours with but little labor, since <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>from this point we could proceed in +a canoe, aided by the swiftly running current.</p> + +<p>We set out as had been decided upon, one of the settlers in Cahokia +willingly lending us a dugout, with the understanding that we should +leave it at Kaskaskia to be returned whenever opportunity offered, and +before midnight Simon Kenton was giving to Major Clarke the account of +our successes.</p> + +<p>We remained three days longer at this post; but all that happened which +concerned us three may be told in few words.</p> + +<p>It was decided that all save those who chose to remain to man the +garrisons might return whenever it pleased them, and, knowing that fifty +or more who had left relatives on Corn Island were counting on going +back soon, we three waited for them in order that our force might be so +large as to deter the savages who were possibly lurking about the banks +of the Ohio River, from making an attack.</p> + +<p>When three days had passed, however, we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>found that none of the men were +disposed to begin quite so soon what would doubtless prove an arduous +undertaking, and Simon Kenton laid the matter before us by saying:</p> + +<p>"Lads, I am eager to get back into Fauquier County. If it so be you have +no stomach for layin' around here eatin' the bread of idleness suppose +we start to-morrow mornin'? There is nothin' to keep us, and much to +incline our hearts toward the journey."</p> + +<p>Unless I have utterly failed in making it appear here that I had a great +affection for my mother, it can readily be understood how we answered +the scout, and without delay we set about the few necessary preparations +for the voyage, determined to leave Kaskaskia before daylight next +morning.</p> + +<p>And now at this point let me copy what I read many years later regarding +Vincennes:</p> + +<p>"The stronger and more important post of Vincennes, situate on the east +bank of the Wabash River, one hundred miles above its entrance <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>into the +Ohio, was yet unsubdued, and Major Clarke felt that the object of his +mission would be but half accomplished if he did not gain possession of +that place. It was necessary to garrison Kaskaskia and Cahokia in order +to retain them, and to do this would so weaken his little army that he +could, scarcely hope for victory in an attack upon Vincennes, unless he +should be as successful in effecting a surprise as he had in capturing +the posts already in his possession. While thus perplexed and doubting +which course to pursue, he communicated his desires to Father Gabault, a +French priest, who agreed to bring those inhabitants of Vincennes over +whom he had pastoral charge, to the support of the American cause. The +influence of the priest was successful; the inhabitants arose in the +night and cast off their allegiance to the British, expelled the +garrison from the fort, and pulled down the English standard. The +American flag floated in triumph over the ramparts in the morning."</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>All this was done before we three were come again to Corn Island, and I +question if the British king ever lost more territory at a less cost in +blood, either on the part of those who made the capture or the hirelings +who should have held the garrisons, than in this expedition of Major +Clarke's into the valley of Mississippi.</p> + +<p>I am now come to be an old man, and yet since that time have heard but +little spoken concerning the achievements of Major Clarke and his force +of four hundred, when the most fertile portion of the Mississippi River +was taken from the Britishers and made a portion of the American +colonies.</p> + +<p>We had done our work well, as it seemed to me then and does now, +although in the telling of it there is none of that clash of arms and +cheers of triumph which have accompanied far smaller achievements.</p> + +<p>And here would my story properly end but for the fact that we three must +make the journey down the Mississippi to the Ohio, following <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>the course +of this last noble river on foot, because we could not well stem the +current in a canoe, through a country infested by savage enemies, who +would use every effort to take our lives.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h2>HOMEWARD BOUND.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>We spent no time in leave-taking after once having made ready for the +journey. It was as if we three formed a separate command, and had no +comrades among the main body of the volunteers, therefore it was not +necessary we should say good-by.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton was to carry up the Ohio certain papers with which Major +Clarke had entrusted him, and once these were in his possession there +was nothing to detain us at Kaskaskia.</p> + +<p>We took our departure from the post a full half hour before daybreak, +when none save the sentinels were there to see us push off from the +shore, and allowed the canoe to drift down the river until we were come +to the Ohio.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>It would be more laborious to paddle the dugout against the swift +current than to walk, and we had already decided to make our way through +the wilderness on foot, ever keeping within a short distance of the +river, where we might expect to get the earliest information if the +savages were moving about bent on mischief.</p> + +<p>We came to a halt at a point where we waited for the flat-boats on the +journey down, and here a day was spent in procuring and cooking meat, +for Simon Kenton had decided that once the long tramp was really begun +we would push forward at the best possible pace. It was reasonable to +believe that in a short time we would have arrived at that portion of +the country where it might not be well to discharge a rifle simply for +the purpose of killing game.</p> + +<p>We did not expect to make the journey without some danger of coming +across small parties of the painted brutes who thirsted for the blood of +white people; but it was not in our thoughts that we should encounter +any serious dangers. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>The worst of the tramp, so we believed, might be +the labor of pushing on through the underbrush until the many miles +which lay between us and Corn Island had been traversed.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton was in particularly good humor on that morning when, all +our preparations completed, we left the camping place with our faces +turned toward the north, and I was exceedingly happy, for at the end of +the journey my mother was waiting to greet me.</p> + +<p>During two full days we pressed steadily onward, seeing nothing to cause +alarm, and making reasonably good progress, and then came that which +threatened a fatal ending to what had been a most successful journey.</p> + +<p>We encamped on the second night in a small thicket of scrub where the +foliage was so dense that the chill night wind was shut out as +completely as if we had been within four walls of stout logs, and felt +so secure that Simon Kenton himself had proposed we build a light blaze +to cook a turkey we had just killed.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>The meat was roasted, and we ate such a supper as can be enjoyed only by +those who have performed a full day's labor, and after the meal was come +to an end Paul and I fell asleep even as we sat before the fire.</p> + +<p>How long we were thus unconscious I am unable to say; but it seemed to +me as if I had no more than crossed the borders of dreamland before I +was awakened by the pressure of a heavy hand over my mouth.</p> + +<p>In the forest one becomes accustomed to awakening quickly, and without +starting up.</p> + +<p>When the eyes are open the first thought is as to the reason for thus +being aroused, and due heed is given to all the surroundings before any +movement is made.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I understood at once that Simon Kenton's hand was +covering my mouth, and that he was hurriedly burying the light embers +with ashes.</p> + +<p>Pressing his arm to let him know I was thoroughly aroused, I rose to a +sitting posture.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>No sound brake the stillness of the night, for, sheltered as we were by +the scrub, even the moaning of the wind failed to reach our ears.</p> + +<p>Kenton was awakening Paul, and he, brave lad, made as little disturbance +on thus being aroused as if all his life had been spent on the frontier.</p> + +<p>It was to my mind a certainty that the scout had heard or seen savages, +and I drew up my rifle to assure myself it was in proper working order.</p> + +<p>It is by no means soothing to the nerves to be thus aroused and forced +to remain on the alert in ignorance of what threatens. I know of no +situation more trying, and while I inwardly trembled with apprehension, +my eyes sought out Paul in the gloom to learn how he was bearing up +under what many old, experienced hunters have told me was, in their +opinion, the most trying of all border warfare.</p> + +<p>The lad sat silent and motionless, his rifle in hand, and though it was +impossible to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>distinguish his features, I knew full well he was as calm +and placid as when we remained concealed in the thicket just beyond the +stockade at Kaskaskia, when I believed a desperate battle was before us.</p> + +<p>During perhaps half an hour we three remained in the same position as +when first having been awakened, and then Simon Kenton began to creep +cautiously out through the underbrush, having first motioned for us to +remain quiet.</p> + +<p>He was bent on learning what had alarmed him, and but for advertising +myself as a coward, I would have insisted, as well as I might by +gestures, upon his remaining with us, for to me, almost anything was +preferable to separation.</p> + +<p>I checked the impulse, however, but moved closer to Paul, and he, dear +lad, pressed my hand as if to give me courage.</p> + +<p>That he, whom I had at the outset considered the weakest of the party, +should be the one to encourage, shamed me, and I threw off his hand <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>as +if in anger, when in reality it was nothing save nervous fear which +prompted the movement.</p> + +<p>As nearly as I could judge, Simon Kenton had been absent ten minutes +before we heard anything whatsoever, and then the report of a musket, +followed by a scream of pain, caused the blood to bound in my veins.</p> + +<p>Instinctively I leaped to my feet when I should have remained +motionless, and Paul laid hold of the skirt of my hunting-shirt as if +fearing I might be counting on rushing out.</p> + +<p>One, two, three minutes passed, during which time the most absolute +silence reigned, and then a slight rustling of the branches told that +the scout was returning.</p> + +<p>I breathed more freely, knowing he was not the one who had given vent to +that cry of pain, and stepped forward to learn how serious was the +danger which threatened.</p> + +<p>"We have run across thirty or more reptiles—most likely the same that +were met while <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>coming down the river," he whispered in my ear as I bent +forward eager for information.</p> + +<p>"Why did you fire?" I asked, believing for the moment that by such act +he had told them where we lay concealed.</p> + +<p>"They had learned where we were, and now completely surround us. It's a +case of fightin' our way out, lad, if we count on gainin' Corn Island. +It is better to make a move at once, than wait till they are ready to +close in on us."</p> + +<p>I understood by these words that Kenton believed the situation to be +most dangerous, otherwise he would not have suggested we make a move in +the night when the savages would have a great advantage over us, and, as +usual in such cases, my heart grew cowardly once more.</p> + +<p>While I stood there undecided the scout hurriedly repeated to Paul that +which he had told me, and I saw the lad rise to his feet without +hesitation. He was even then, as he has since many times proven himself, +my superior in all that goes to make up a frontiersman.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>"Follow me," Kenton whispered, "and when you are forced to fire, see to +it there be no delay in re-loadin' your rifle. Accordin' to my way of +thinkin' we'll have to fight ourselves through this gang, an' the more +we disable 'twixt now an' night the easier will be our work to-morrow."</p> + +<p>There was in my mind the thought that we were now where we must keep up +a running fight until one party or the other was shot down, and, +considering the fact that they outnumbered us at least ten to one, it +seemed most likely ours would be the side that went under.</p> + +<p>When danger comes close upon me I forget my cowardice, as a rule, and so +it was now. There seemed little chance we could fight our way through +where were so many to oppose us, and the odds were all in favor of the +savages.</p> + +<p>Realizing this fully, as I believe Simon Kenton did also, I ceased to +think of the cause I had for fear, but set my teeth hard, resolving to +give the painted wolves good reason to remember me after they had shot +us down.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>Simon Kenton was not disposed to linger; he understood of what advantage +in a fight is the first blow, and was eager to deal it.</p> + +<p>He waited only long enough to assure himself we two lads were ready for +the hot work before us, and then turned to leave the hiding-place which, +as he had said, was already surrounded.</p> + +<p>Paul would have brought up the rear, but that I held the position as +belonging to me. Surely a lad who had always lived in towns could not +reasonably expect to be allowed such a post of danger when there were +others with a right to claim it.</p> + +<p>That the savages were keeping a keen watch we knew instantly Simon +Kenton stepped outside the dense thicket, for then came the report of a +rifle, and a bullet whistled past my head so near that I could feel the +"wind" of its flight.</p> + +<p>It was a queer act, when the darkness was so intense that one could not +distinguish an object twenty paces away, yet instinctively we three +darted behind the nearest trees for shelter, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>there stood straining +our eyes in the hope of being able to discover a living target.</p> + +<p>It was like looking into a deep well, to peer ahead, and all three of us +must have understood at the same instant that it was little less than +folly to remain there with any hope of sending a bullet home, for Paul +had just turned to continue the flight when Simon Kenton whispered to +me:</p> + +<p>"We cannot benefit ourselves by remainin' here. The best plan is to +continue on up river, makin' as many miles as possible before daylight."</p> + +<p>Having said this he darted forward, forcing Paul to fall into line +behind him, and I came close at the latter's heels.</p> + +<p>Now was begun the oddest fight ever seen on the Ohio River.</p> + +<p>We three were pressing forward as if it would advantage us much to gain +a few extra miles before morning, and the savages followed cautiously, +firing at random now and then, although <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>they could not hope a single +bullet would take effect.</p> + +<p>Several times we halted in the hope that the reptiles, thinking only of +overtaking us, might come up within shooting distance; but they were too +wary to be caught by any trick of that kind.</p> + +<p>Whenever we came to a full stop it was as if all nature ceased +breathing, for we could not hear the lightest whisper amid the foliage, +and when the flight had continued in such fashion for an hour or more, +Simon Kenton said as we stood side by side listening intently for some +token of the villains:</p> + +<p>"We won't get a fair shot at them until daylight, an' then they'll have +the same chance at us. I reckon we'd better make all the distance we can +while it is dark, an' then lay by when the sun rises."</p> + +<p>To my mind it could benefit us but little if we approached a few miles +nearer our destination, for unless these wretches could be beaten <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>back +within a reasonably short time, they would succeed in killing us before +we could come within fifty miles of the point we most desired to gain.</p> + +<p>However, while holding death at bay for a few hours more or less we +might as well have our faces turned in the right direction, and I was +ready to do whatsoever the scout suggested, for, as I have said, fear +had fled from me now that our position was so desperate.</p> + +<p>We alternately drove ahead at full speed, and stopped to take breath. +The Indians fired at random now and then, hoping that the sound of our +footsteps might serve as guide; but they inflicted no more injury on us +by shooting, than we did on them while we refrained from discharging our +weapons.</p> + +<p>In such manner was the night passed. We had not fired a shot, while the +painted crew in pursuit had wasted twenty bullets or more.</p> + +<p>Having walked all day, this severe exertion <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>throughout the night +wearied me excessively, and when the first gray light of coming dawn +filtered through the foliage, it seemed to me as if I was on the verge +of exhaustion.</p> + +<p>The labor had told even on Simon Kenton, and Paul was keeping the pace +only through sheer force of will-power.</p> + +<p>It was a wondrous relief to me when the scout pointed ahead to what +appeared to be a dense growth of bushes, through which ran a tiny +stream, as he said:</p> + +<p>"I reckon we'll find no better place in which to make a stand, than +there."</p> + +<p>"Almost anything will please me so that we come to a halt speedily, for +I'm well-nigh winded," I replied, speaking with difficulty because of my +heavy breathing, and in another instant we three stood facing each other +in the thicket, where as yet the light of a new day had not penetrated.</p> + +<p>The savages might not approach very near during the darkness without +taking more risks <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>than such reptiles fancied, and during a certain time +we need not fear molestation.</p> + +<p>Paul and I flung ourselves at full length on the ground, for in no other +position did it seem possible to recover from the exhaustion which beset +us; but Simon Kenton remained standing at a spot from where he could +have a view of some portion of our surroundings when the sun had +dispelled the gloom.</p> + +<p>"I suppose there is good reason to believe the Indians will kill us +before we can arrive at Corn Island?" Paul said in a tone of one asking +a question, after he had recovered his breath sufficiently to speak, and +Simon Kenton replied quietly.</p> + +<p>"Two or three such races as we have had this night should give them good +cause for discouragement."</p> + +<p>"It is a question whether they or we are getting the worst of this +business," I added, trying to speak calmly, as had my comrades; but +making a bad job of it.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>"Twenty-four hours is a long stretch," Paul said thoughtfully, "and it's +all I can do to keep my eyes open."</p> + +<p>"Go to sleep, lad," Kenton cried. "We must contrive to get some rest +'twixt now an' night, an' if you two take a nap at once I'll have a +chance later."</p> + +<p>It may seem strange that boys should be able to sleep under such +circumstances as these, and yet the permission had no sooner been given +by the scout than I was stretched out at full length, my eyes closing +despite all efforts to keep them open.</p> + +<p>The report of a rifle, discharged near at hand, awakened me, and I +looked around to see the scout reloading his rifle.</p> + +<p>"Did you wing your bird?" I asked sleepily.</p> + +<p>"I hope never to use this 'ere piece again if I didn't. The sneak has +been wrigglin' his way toward us for the last ten minutes, an' I only +waited to let him believe he was keepin' his red <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>carcass out of sight, +although I marked it plainly from the instant he started."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the others?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, now an' then through the bushes; but not in such a fashion as I +wanted in order to get a good aim. They've camped down somewhere near +that big gum tree yonder, needin' rest as much as we did, I reckon."</p> + +<p>"How long have I been asleep?"</p> + +<p>"Three hours or more."</p> + +<p>"Then it's time you took a turn at it," and I rose to my feet, Paul +rising up at the same time.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton insisted that we lie down again; but it was to me as if the +repose had been sufficiently long, so thoroughly was I awakened, and +after a short discussion he did as I suggested.</p> + +<p>It is needless for me to set down all that was done or said during the +remainder of this long day.</p> + +<p>Kenton slept a full four hours, and during that time we had fired twice +at the skulking <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>reptiles as they flitted from one tree to another, +feeling certain that some of the bullets had taken effect.</p> + +<p>Then the scout ordered us to get more sleep, nor would he listen to my +assertions that I was fully recovered from the fatigue which had beset +me so sorely.</p> + +<p>"You have another long race before you, an' stand in need of more sleep +if you count on holdin' such a pace as I shall set from the goin' down +of the sun till it rises again."</p> + +<p>"How long do you expect bein' able to keep up such a flight?" Paul asked +quietly, as if it was a matter in which he had no great interest.</p> + +<p>"So far we seem to be doin' rather better than holdin' our own, an' I +reckon we'd best keep up the game. At least three of the painted snakes +are feelin' the worse for havin' begun this little chase, an' we're as +sound as ever."</p> + +<p>It was on my tongue's end to say that we could not hope for the same +good fortune during another night of racing through the forest <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>when it +was too dark to distinguish anything not directly in our path; but I +checked myself in time, for no good could come of speaking dispiriting +words while we were in such a desperate situation.</p> + +<p>We two lads lay down again to sleep, in accordance with Kenton's +command; but were aroused for a few moments when the scout discharged +his rifle, and I heard him mutter to himself:</p> + +<p>"That makes the fourth to-day, an' if we can keep up this play two +nights more, they may come to believe that the game is not worth the +candle."</p> + +<p>Sleepily I thought we might find before many hours had passed that all +the shooting was not to be done by us; but the idea was no more than in +mind when my eyes closed again, and I was not conscious of the +surroundings until Kenton shook me roughly.</p> + +<p>"It's time we pushed ahead once more," he said in a whisper as I seized +my rifle, believing <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>the savages were about to make a determined attack, +and he added with a low laugh, "There's no more danger threatenin' than +when you was last awake, lad; but the night is well on us, an' we should +be movin'."</p> + +<p>He awakened Paul, and the little lad rose to his feet ready for any +emergency; but speaking not a word.</p> + +<p>We had yet some portion of our meat, and from this a hurried meal was +made, after which Simon Kenton showed himself ready to set out once more +on what I believed was a fruitless journey, for it did not seem possible +we would live to finish it.</p> + +<p>It was like a nightmare, that race through the thicket with the +murderous fiends close on our trail, shooting now and then when in the +gloom the waving branches told of our course.</p> + +<p>Kenton kept his word, so far as setting a rapid pace was concerned. +Never before nor since have I strained every muscle and nerve for so +many hours on a stretch.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>There were times when we pressed on as if running a foot-race, and more +than once did one or the other of us come full against a tree with such +force that we were hurled backward at full length on the ground.</p> + +<p>There was no time to attend to bruises, however severe, for close in our +rear came the relentless brutes, hoping, most likely, for just such a +mishap when they could lessen our number by one.</p> + +<p>I believe they fired at us fifty times before we halted for a day's rest +which must be spent in defending ourselves, and by the mercy of God no +bullet came nigh us.</p> + +<p>I watched eagerly for the first signs of dawn; my breath was coming +thick and fast, and I feared lest I might fall and not find myself able +to rise again.</p> + +<p>Paul had kept close at Kenton's heels without betraying fatigue or +distress; but just at the moment when it seemed as if I must halt, +whatever might be the consequences, he cried sharply:</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>"I can go no further. You two must keep on without me! It is better that +I be left behind than for all to perish!"</p> + +<p>"We'll all come out of it with whole skins, or fall together," Simon +Kenton said sharply. "Try to hold the pace, lad, till we find a place in +which we can defend ourselves."</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke we had arrived at a spot where half a dozen large trees +had been overthrown by the wind, forming exactly the kind of a +fortification needed by those sorely beset as were we.</p> + +<p>Kenton helped Paul over the logs into the very center, and I followed +with many a stumble, falling on my face, utterly blown, when we were in +the middle of the timber network.</p> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h2>A NOVEL BATTLE.</h2> +<br /> + +<p>It was yet so dark in the forest that one must needs strain his eyes to +distinguish objects ten paces in advance, therefore it can be readily +understood how near to us were the howling wolves, when I say that they +set up a shout of mingled triumph and menace as we thus brought the race +to a close.</p> + +<p>It was evident they believed we were now in their power, and indeed +there was much the same thought in my mind when I had aroused from the +stupor of exhaustion sufficiently to take note of our surroundings.</p> + +<p>Simon Kenton had led us into the midst of a pile of fallen timber +overgrown with vines and young bushes, which covered a space of perhaps +an hundred square feet. It was a place of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>refuge which stood in a +partially cleared spot, and might readily be surrounded, while, to make +our way out, it would be necessary to offer one's body as a target to +whomsoever might be on watch.</p> + +<p>In the gloom of the morning it had appeared to be a better place for +defense than really was the case, and I question if the scout would have +halted here had he understood what it really was.</p> + +<p>While we remained in the very center of the mass we were screened from +view, and could see a goodly portion of all that might be going on +around us; but when that has been said all the advantages of the place +have been described.</p> + +<p>In order to get out of it, once we were inside, it would be necessary, +as I have already said, to expose ourselves to the fire of the enemy, +and before many hours should elapse we would be forced to take to our +heels unless we were minded to die of hunger or thirst.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>We no longer had any food with us, and there was not a drop of water +nearer than the river. Already it seemed as if my mouth was parched to +the point of swelling, and because it was beyond my reach, I longed most +intensely for something to quench thirst.</p> + +<p>The knowledge of our situation, as I have set it down here, came upon me +immediately after I recovered slightly from the effects of the fatigue +caused by the swift race, and, looking into Simon Kenton's face, I knew +full well he had become aware of our disagreeable situation.</p> + +<p>Little Paul Sampson, plucky lad that he had proven himself to be, was +the only one who appeared indifferent to the danger.</p> + +<p>When it was possible for him to sit upright, for he had been more nearly +exhausted than I was, instead of trying to discover all the +disadvantages of the place, he began to do his share toward the defense +by crawling beneath the fallen timber until he could command a good view +of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>that portion of the forest from which we had come, and at the same +time screen his own body from those who were most likely searching with +their keen eyes for a living target.</p> + +<p>I believe Simon Kenton read from my face the thoughts which were in my +mind, for he said slowly, as if weighing well each word:</p> + +<p>"It must be a battle rather than simply a time of defense. We can hold +our position without any great sufferin' for four-an'-twenty hours; but +at the end of that time there's bound to be a change if we count on +seein' Corn Island again."</p> + +<p>"How will you bring about a battle unless the savages are disposed to +give us the chance?" I asked petulantly. "They can remain under cover +any length of time, and yet keep us in view. It isn't a case of +starvation with them."</p> + +<p>"A man is never beaten until he loses hope," the scout replied cheerily, +and the words were no more than spoken before Paul's rifle rang out +sharply.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>"There's one the less!" the lad cried triumphantly. "They're creeping up +to get a shot at us, an' we've only to keep our eyes open in order to +lessen their number greatly 'twixt now and sunrise."</p> + +<p>These brave words brought me out of my fit of despondency in a +twinkling, and with a sense of shame that this lad from the east should +show himself more of a man than myself, I crept down to the edge of our +barricade.</p> + +<p>Now we three lay where could be had a view of all our surroundings, and +during the next hour, at the end of which time the sun was sending long +shafts of light through the openings in the forest, we succeeded in +sending five of the scoundrels to their happy hunting-grounds, or back +under cover disabled by serious wounds.</p> + +<p>Such a beginning gave me great courage, until I came to realize that it +was not probable the reptiles would expose themselves so readily after +having received such a sharp lesson.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>Simon Kenton had evidently made up his mind to some course of action +which promised success, for he said cheerily when it was certain the red +snakes had withdrawn to a safe distance:</p> + +<p>"You two lads are to bottle up some sleep now, for unless I'm mistaken +we shall make a change of quarters by sunset."</p> + +<p>"There's little hope they'll let us go out of here with our lives," I +replied despondently, and the scout added sharply:</p> + +<p>"Thus far we have no reason to complain, an' we won't prove ourselves +fools by lookin' into the future for trouble. Get to sleep, lads, for at +noon I shall claim the same privilege."</p> + +<p>Weary as we were, it was not a difficult task to close our eyes in +slumber, and within five minutes from the giving of the order we were +sleeping soundly, not to awaken until the sun was directly overhead, +when the scout shook us into wakefulness.</p> + +<p>"You've had a good six hours of rest, an' I'm <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>countin' on scoopin' in +only three. Keep a sharp watch till the afternoon is half spent, an' +then rouse me."</p> + +<p>"Why should you not sleep as long as we have?" I asked as Paul crept +through the logs to where he could best have a view of our surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Because then will have come the time when we must make ready for such a +battle as will satisfy yonder brutes that it is not safe to run down +three white men with the idea of cornerin' them in a forest like this."</p> + +<p>Without explaining what he proposed to do, Simon Kenton betook himself +to his well-earned rest, and we lads stood guard to the best of our +ability.</p> + +<p>Three hours passed in silence, and during that time we had not seen even +a tuft of feathers to betoken the whereabouts of an enemy.</p> + +<p>By allowing my mind to dwell upon the disagreeable fact that we were +without food or water, I was suffering intensely from both <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>hunger and +thirst, and because of thus yielding free rein to imagination, I was +dispirited and hopeless.</p> + +<p>Paul took it upon himself to arouse the scout, and once Kenton's eyes +were open he set about bringing on the battle of which he had spoken.</p> + +<p>A few moments' work with our knives sufficed to provide each of us with +a long pole, and then he explained his plan.</p> + +<p>According to his orders, we were to lie on the ground with our rifles +ready for use, and with the poles make such a rustling of the foliage as +would cause the enemy to believe we were creeping out.</p> + +<p>It would be but natural the savages should fire whenever they saw a +swaying of the bushes or branches; but, because of the length of the +poles, we would not be near enough to the point of disturbance to run +any great chance of being hit by the bullets.</p> + +<div class="img"><a name="imagep258" id="imagep258"></a> +<a href="images/imagep258.jpg"> +<img border="0" src="images/imagep258.jpg" width="42%" alt="From out of our barricade whistled three bullets..." /></a><br /> +<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">From out of our barricade whistled three bullets, and +every one found its mark. Page 259. <i>On the Kentucky Frontier.</i></p> +</div> + +<p>Kenton had given the name of "battle" to this maneuver of his; but it +was neither more nor less than a trick, and such an one as the +savages themselves <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>most delighted in.</p> + +<p>They had no good cause to be joyous over this one, however, for it +worked as Kenton had counted on, and before the painted wolves +understood the game, they had received a lesson such as I warrant they +never forgot.</p> + +<p>When the three of us were in position Simon Kenton gave the signal, and +we prodded vigorously with the poles.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling half a dozen rifles were discharged from different points +amid the foliage, thus showing that the enemy was keeping sharp watch, +and we each had a target.</p> + +<p>From, out of our barricade whistled three bullets, and every one found +its mark!</p> + +<p>It was only with difficulty that I repressed a cry of triumph, for now I +began to understand that we might soon clear a way for ourselves, unless +this band of reptiles had more real courage than their race usually +displayed when pitted against white men.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>After an interval of five minutes or more we repeated the maneuver, +receiving a similar reply as before, and were able to deal death or +wounds to another trio.</p> + +<p>"Six wiped out or disabled in as many minutes!" Simon Kenton said in a +low tone of triumph. "What do you think now of my battle, lads?"</p> + +<p>"If they will fall into the trap twice more, we can count on having this +bank of the river to ourselves," I replied incautiously loud, and the +scout said warningly:</p> + +<p>"Have a care, Louis, have a care. If they suspect what kind of a game we +are playin' there'll be little chance of their doin' as we wish."</p> + +<p>Well, lest I draw this poor tale out to such length as to weary him who +may read, it is enough if I say that three times more did we succeed in +finding targets for our rifles by using the poles vigorously, and I was +certain that from the moment the scout was awakened until the savages +refused to come out at our bidding, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>we had sent bullets into no less +than thirteen of them.</p> + +<p>Considering the fact that their number could not have exceeded forty, +judging from what we had seen and heard, this work of ours was well +calculated to discourage them.</p> + +<p>They had poured into the pile of logs no less than an hundred bullets, +and yet we had not received a scratch!</p> + +<p>I almost forgot that I was hungry or thirsty, for the fever of killing +was upon me, and my one hope was that we might draw them two or three +times more in order to give the villainous brutes such a lesson in +blood-letting as they had never learned before.</p> + +<p>In this I was disappointed, however, for the snakes had either come to +understand our game, or were drawn off to nurse their wounds, and we saw +no more of them.</p> + +<p>At nightfall we stole cautiously out from among the fallen timber, and +not a shot was sent after us.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>A mile or more from the scene of our greatest triumph we made a halt +that we might quench our thirst from the river, and during the night our +march was less hurried than when we began the race.</p> + +<p>We stopped for breakfast next morning, after shooting a turkey, and by +this time it was certain that the painted reptiles who had relied on +spilling our blood, no longer retained such desire at the price we set +upon it.</p> + +<p>After this we pushed forward at a leisurely pace, and in comparative +security, until we arrived at Corn Island, where my mother greeted Paul +and me as if we were come from the dead.</p> + +<p>What we did there, or what further adventures befell Simon Kenton before +he was able to revisit his home in Virginia, is not for me to set down +here, since it forms a tale by itself. Neither can I relate how I made a +home for my mother in that new settlement which came to be known by the +name of Louisville; but it seems necessary I should copy from what +another <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>has written, the story of how Major Clarke succeeded in +wresting the valley of the Mississippi from the clutches of the British, +and with such account I bring this writing to an end, hoping others may +find as much pleasure in the reading as I have in the writing of it.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"On the twenty-ninth of January, 1779, intelligence was received that +Governor Hamilton had marched an expedition against Vincennes, from +Detroit, nearly a month previously, and that the town was again in +possession of the enemy. It was also said that another and more +formidable expedition was to be sent out in the spring to recapture +Kaskaskia, and to assail the various posts on the Kentucky frontier. +With his usual promptness and energy Colonel Clarke (the Virginia +legislature had recently promoted him) prepared to anticipate the enemy, +and strike the first blow.</p> + +<p>"He planned an expedition against Vincennes, and on the seventh of +February commenced his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>march through the wilderness, with one hundred +and seventy-five men. He had previously despatched Captain Rogers and +forty men, two four-pounders, and a boat, with orders to force their way +up the Wabash to a point near the mouth of White River, and there wait +for further orders.</p> + +<p>"For a whole week Colonel Clarke's party traversed the drowned lands of +Illinois, suffering every privation from wet, cold and hunger. When they +arrived at the Little Wabash, at a point where the forks of the stream +are three miles apart, they found the intervening space covered with +water to a depth of three feet. The points of dry land were five miles +apart, and all that distance those hardy soldiers waded the cold +snow-flood, sometimes armpit deep.</p> + +<p>"On the evening of the eighteenth they halted a little distance from the +mouth of Embarrass Creek, and so near Vincennes that they could hear the +booming of the evening gun. Here they encamped for the night, and the +next <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>morning at dawn, with their faces blackened with gunpowder to make +themselves appear hideous, they crossed the river in a boat they had +secured, and pushed on through the floods toward the town.</p> + +<p>"Just as they reached dry land, in sight of Vincennes, they captured a +resident, and sent him into the town with a letter demanding the +immediate surrender of the place and fort. The people, taken by +surprise, were greatly alarmed, and believed the expedition to be from +Kentucky, composed of the fierce and strong of that advancing +commonwealth. Had armed men dropped in their midst from the clouds, they +could not have been more astonished, for it seemed impossible for this +little band to have traversed the deluged country. The people were +disposed to comply with the demand, but Governor Hamilton, who commanded +in person, would not allow it.</p> + +<p>"A siege commenced, and for fourteen hours a furious conflict continued. +The next day the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>town and fort were surrendered, and the garrison were +made prisoners of war. The stars and stripes took the place of the red +cross of St. George; a round of thirteen guns proclaimed the victory, +and that night the exhausted troops of Colonel Clarke reposed in +comfort."</p> +<br /> + +<h3>THE END</h3> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + + +<hr /> +<br /> +<h2>A.L. BURT'S PUBLICATIONS</h2> + +<h3>For Young People</h3> + +<h4>BY POPULAR WRITERS.</h4> + +<h3>52-58 Duane Street, New York.</h3> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>Bonnie Prince Charlie</b>: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.</p></div> + +<p>The adventures of the son of a Scotch officer in French service. The +boy, brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is arrested for aiding a Jacobite +agent, escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches Paris, and +serves with the French army at Dettingen. He kills his father's foe in a +duel, and escaping to the coast, shares the adventures of Prince +Charlie, but finally settles happily in Scotland.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Ronald, the hero, is very much the hero of 'Quentin +Durward.' The lad's journey across France, and his +hairbreadth escapes, make up as good a narrative of the kind +as we have ever read. For freshness of treatment and variety +of incident, Mr. Henry has surpassed himself."—<i>Spectator.</i></p></div> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>With Clive in India</b>; or, the Beginnings of an Empire. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With 12 full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.</p></div> + +<p>The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in India and +the close of his career was critical and eventful in the extreme. At its +commencement the English were traders existing on sufferance of the +native princes. At its close they were masters of Bengal and the greater +part of Southern India. The author has given a full and accurate account +of the events of that stirring time, and battles and sieges follow each +other in rapid succession, while he combines with his narrative a tale +of daring and adventure, which gives a lifelike interest to the volume.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital +importance, and he has embroidered on the historical facts a +story which of itself is deeply interesting. Young people +assuredly will be delighted with the volume."—<i>Scotsman.</i></p></div> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>The Lion of the North</b>: A Tale of <span class="smcap">Gustavus Adolphus</span> and the +Wars of Religion. By <span class="smcap">G. A. Henty</span>. With full-page +Illustrations by <span class="smcap">John Schönberg</span>. 12mo, cloth, price +$1.00.</p></div> + +<p>In this story Mr. Henry gives the history of the first part of the +Thirty Years' War. The issue had its importance, which has extended to +the present day as it established religious freedom in Germany. The army +of the chivalrous king of Sweden was largely composed of Scotchmen, and +among these was the hero of the story.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The tale is a clever and instructive piece of history, and +as boys may be trusted to read it conscientiously, they can +hardly fail to be profited."—<span class="smcap">Times.</span></p></div> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>The Dragon and the Raven</b>; or, The Days of King Alfred. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">C. J. +Staniland</span>, R. I. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.</p></div> + +<p>In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle between +Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid picture of +the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the ravages of +the sea-wolves. The hero, a young Saxon thane, taken part in all the +battles fought by King Alfred. He is driven from his home, takes to the +sea and resists the Danes on their own element, and being pursued by +them up the Seine, is present at the long and desperate siege of Paris.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish +reader."—<i>Athenæum.</i></p></div> + + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>The Young Carthaginian</b>: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By <span class="smcap">G. +A. Henty</span>. With full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">C. J. +Staniland</span>, R. I. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.</p></div> + +<p>Boys reading the history of the Punic Wars have seldom a keen +appreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first a +struggle for empire, and afterward for existence on the part of +Carthage, that Hannibal was a great and skillful general, that he +defeated the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannæ, and all but +took Rome, represents pretty nearly the sum total of their knowledge. To +let them know more about this momentous struggle for the empire of the +world Mr. Henty has written this story, which not only gives in graphic +style a brilliant description of a most interesting period of history, +but is a tale of exciting adventure sure to secure the interest of the +reader.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last +nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us +along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but +never loses its force."—<i>Saturday Review.</i></p></div> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p><b>In Freedom's Cause</b>: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By <span class="smcap">G. A. +Henty</span>. With full-page Illustrations by <span class="smcap">Gordon +Browne</span>. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00.</p></div> + +<p>In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish War +of Independence. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of Wallace +and Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeed +at one time Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. The +researches of modern historians have shown, however, that he was a +living, breathing man—and a valiant champion. The hero of the tale +fought under both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historical +accuracy has been maintained with respect to public events, the work is +full of "hairbreadth 'scapes" and wild adventure.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is written in the author's best style. Full of the +wildest and most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of +great interest, which a boy, once he has begun it, will not +willingly put on one side."—<i>The Schoolmaster.</i></p></div> + +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<br /> + +<div class="tr"> +<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Transcriber's Note</p> +<br /> + +Typographical errors corrected in the text:<br /> +<br /> + + + Page 9 begining changed to beginning<br /> + Page 31 towards changed to toward<br /> + Page 50 trange changed to strange<br /> + Page 69 fight changed to flight<br /> + Page 118 It changed to If<br /> + Page 144 us changed to as<br /> + Page 215 heady changed to heads<br /> + Page 218 of changed to or<br /> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Kentucky Frontier, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER *** + +***** This file should be named 33890-h.htm or 33890-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/8/9/33890/ + +Produced by David Garcia, Barbara Kosker and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: On the Kentucky Frontier + A Story of the Fighting Pioneers of the West + +Author: James Otis + +Illustrator: J. Watson Davis + +Release Date: October 29, 2010 [EBook #33890] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER *** + + + + +Produced by David Garcia, Barbara Kosker and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + + + + + + + + + [Illustration: In a twinkling I was by his side, and there saw + that which caused the cold chill of fear to run down my + back.--Page 40. _Frontis. On the Kentucky Frontier._] + + + + + ON THE + + KENTUCKY FRONTIER. + + A STORY OF THE FIGHTING PIONEERS + OF THE WEST. + + + + + By JAMES OTIS + + + + + [Illustration] + + With Six Page Illustrations by J. Watson Davis + + + + + NEW YORK: + A. L. BURT, PUBLISHER. + + + + +Copyright, 1900, by A. L. BURT. + +ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. + +BY JAMES OTIS. + + + + +PREFACE. + + +"Poor Simon Kenton experienced the bitter effects of wrong, ingratitude, +and neglect. On account of some legal matters concerning his lands in +Kentucky, he was imprisoned for twelve months upon the very spot where +he built his cabin in 1775. In 1802, beggared by lawsuits and losses, he +became landless. Yet he never murmured at the ingratitude which pressed +him down, and in 1813 the veteran joined the Kentucky troops under +Shelby, and was in the battle of the Thames. In 1824, then seventy years +old, he journeyed to Frankfort, in tattered garments and upon a +miserable horse, to ask the legislature of Kentucky to release the +claims of the State upon some of his mountain lands. He was stared at by +the boys, and shunned by the citizens, for none knew him. At length +General Thomas Fletcher recognized him, gave him a new suit of clothes, +and entertained him kindly. When it was known that Simon Kenton was in +town, scores flocked to see the old hero. He was taken to the Capitol +and seated in the Speaker's chair. His lands were released, and +afterward Congress gave him a pension of two hundred and forty dollars a +year. He died, at the age of eighty-one years, in 1836, at his residence +at the head of Mad River, Logan County, Ohio, in sight of the place +where, fifty-eight years before, the Indians were about to put him to +death." + +(Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution.") + + + + +CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. SIMON KENTON 1 + + II. BESIEGED 24 + + III. THE VENTURE 45 + + IV. PAUL SAMPSON 68 + + V. DOWN THE OHIO 91 + + VI. ASTRAY 114 + + VII. THE CAPTIVE SCOUT 131 + + VIII. AT THE RENDEZVOUS 161 + + IX. KASKASKIA 184 + + X. CAHOKIA 208 + + XI. HOMEWARD BOUND 229 + + XII. A NOVEL BATTLE 251 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + PAGE + IN A TWINKLING I WAS BY HIS SIDE AND THERE SAW THAT + WHICH CAUSED THE COLD CHILL OF FEAR TO RUN + DOWN MY BACK FRONTISPIECE. + + THE BRUTE FELL, AS THOUGH STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND + A CRY OF TRIUMPH RANG FROM MY LIPS 62 + + WITHIN FIVE SECONDS I HAD FIRED, USING THE CURL OF + VAPOR FOR A TARGET 103 + + WE ADVANCED FROM ONE PLACE OF SHELTER TO ANOTHER, + FIRING RAPIDLY 142 + + STRAIGHT UP TO THE BIG GATE WE ADVANCED BELIEVING + THAT IN THE NEXT SECOND WE SHOULD HEAR THE + ALARM GUN 204 + + FROM OUT OF OUR BARRICADE WHISTLED THREE BULLETS + AND EVERY ONE FOUND ITS MARK 258 + + + + +ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +SIMON KENTON. + + +It is my purpose to set down what I saw during such time as Simon Kenton +gave me my first lessons in woodcraft and it is well to make the +statement in advance in order that others may be deprived of the +opportunity of saying what would sound disagreeable:--that the pupil was +for a time so dull that one less patient and painstaking than Kenton +would have brought the lessons to a speedy close. + +That which now seems the most difficult is to decide how I shall begin +this story of the little which I did on the Kentucky frontier during the +year of grace 1778, and I can hit upon no plan which promises better +success than that of copying here what I read in a printed book long +years after I, a green lad, set out to do my little share toward +bringing peace and a sense of security to the settlers who were striving +to make homes for themselves and their families in what was then known +as the colony of Virginia. + +I make use of such a beginning because it appears to me as if the wise +man who thus explains the condition of affairs among us at that time, +tells in a few lines what I might struggle vainly over many pages of +paper to put into form one-half so concise and satisfactory: + +"With the single exception of Dunmore's expedition in 1774, hostilities +west of the Alleghanies were nothing but a series of border conflicts, +each little party acting upon its own responsibility, until 1778, when +Major George Rogers Clarke led a regular expedition against the frontier +posts of the enemy in the wilderness. Clarke first went toward Kentucky +in 1772, when he paddled down the Ohio with the Reverend David Jones, +then on his way to preach the Gospel to the Western Indians. + +"He was at once impressed with the importance of that fertile region, +and the necessity of making it a secure place for settlements. His mind +was clear and comprehensive; his personal courage of the truest stamp; +his energies, physical and mental, always vigorous, and he soon became +an oracle among the backwoods-men. During the years 1775 and 1776, he +traversed vast regions of the wilderness south of the Ohio, studied the +character of the Indians chiefly from the observations of others, and +sought to discover a plan by which a tide of emigration might flow +unchecked and secure into that paradise of the continent. + +"He soon became convinced that the British garrisons at Detroit, +Kaskaskia, and Vincennes, were the nests of those vultures who preyed +upon the feeble settlements of the west, and deluged the virgin soil +with the blood of the pioneers. Virginia, to which province this rich +wilderness belonged, was at that time bending all her energies in +advancing the cause of independence within her borders east of the +Alleghanies, and the settlers west of the mountains were left to their +own defense. + +"Major Clarke, convinced of the necessity of reducing the hostile forts +in the Ohio country, submitted a plan for the purpose to the Virginia +Legislature, in December, 1777. His scheme was highly approved, and +Governor Henry and his council were so warmly interested that Major +Clarke received two sets of instructions, one public, ordering him to +'proceed to the defense of Kentucky,' the other private, directing an +attack upon the British fort at Kaskaskia. Twelve hundred pounds were +appropriated to defray the expenses of the expedition; and the +commandant of Fort Pitt was ordered to furnish Clarke with ammunition, +boats, and other necessary equipments. + +"His force consisted of only four companies, and they were all prime +men. Early in the spring they rendezvoused upon Corn Island, at the +falls of the Ohio, six hundred and seven miles by water, below Fort +Pitt. Here Clarke was joined by Simon Kenton, one of the boldest +pioneers of the west, then a young man of twenty-two years. He had been +acting as a spy for two years previously; henceforth he was engaged in a +more honorable, but not more useful, service." + +Now that this much has been explained by another, I am still at a loss +to know how this poor story should be begun, and after much cudgeling of +my weak brain have decided to jump into the matter after the same +fashion that the events come into my memory after these many years of +peace and idleness. + +On a certain morning in February, in the year 1778, I went out to look +after my traps, and had thrown myself down on the bank of the Ohio River +to decide a question which had been vexing me many days. + +Never for a moment did I lose sight of the fact that it was necessary I +have my wits about me in case I counted on keeping my hair, for many a +scalp had been taken in that vicinity within the six months just passed, +and I believed that nothing larger than a squirrel could come within +striking distance, save by my own knowledge and consent. + +Therefore it was I sprang up very suddenly in the greatest alarm when a +white man stood before me, having approached so silently that it was +almost as if he had come up through the very earth. + +It is not to be supposed that Indians were the only beings in form of +men we settlers on the Ohio had reason to fear in those days; there were +many white men whose hearts were as black as those of the savages, and +who would draw bead on one of their kind from sheer love of spilling +blood, if no other reason presented itself. + +As I have set down here, I sprang to my feet, rifle in hand, ready for +the first threatening movement on the part of the stranger; but he gave +little token of being an enemy. + +His weapon was thrown across the hollow of his arm as he stood looking +at me in a friendly manner, and I might easily have shot him down, +unless he was quicker with a rifle than any other I had ever met. + +A young fellow was this newcomer, hardly more than one and twenty, as it +then seemed to me, and there was that in his face which gave token that +he might be a close friend or a dangerous enemy, whichsoever way he was +approached. + +"Out for fur?" he said rather than asked, glancing down at the traps +which lay near at hand. + +I nodded; but remained on my guard, determined not to be taken at a +disadvantage by soft words. + +"It is better to keep movin', than lay 'round where a sneakin' Injun +might creep up a bit too near," he said with a smile, as he seated +himself near the decaying tree-trunk on which I had left the traps. + +"I would have sworn neither white nor red could have come upon me in the +fashion you did," I said hotly, and thoroughly ashamed of myself for +having been so careless. + +"I reckon it might have puzzled an Injun to do the trick. If I couldn't +beat them at movin' 'round, my head would have been bare these five +years." + +It sounded much like boasting, his claiming to be able to beat an Indian +at woodcraft, for at that time I believed the savages could outwit any +settler who ever lived; but before many weeks had passed I came to +understand that I had been sadly mistaken. + +"Is that your cabin yonder under the big knoll?" he asked, more as if by +way of beginning a conversation than from curiosity. + +"Yes; have you been there?" + +"I looked it over; but didn't try to scrape acquaintance. Does your +mother live there?" + +"Yes; she and I alone." + +"What sent her down into this wilderness with no one but a lad like +yourself?" he asked, speaking as if he was twice my age, when, unless +all signs failed, he was no more than five years my elder. + +"Father was with us when we came, last year. He was killed by the +murdering savage sneaks nearly two months ago." + +"Why did you hold on here?" the stranger asked, eying me curiously. +"Surely the clearin' isn't so far along that it pays to risk your life +for it." + +"Mother would have packed off; but I couldn't leave." + +"Why?" + +"It's a poor kind of a son who won't at least try to wipe off such a +score, and I'll hold on here till those who killed the poor old man have +found out who I am!" + +Tears of mingled rage, grief, and helplessness came into my eyes as I +spoke thus hotly, and I wheeled around quickly lest this stranger, +seeing them, should set me down for a younger lad than I really was. + +"It's quite a job you've shouldered," he said after a pause. "The Injuns +nearabout here ain't to be caught nappin' every hour in the day, and the +chances are your mother may find herself alone on the clearin' before +you have made any great headway in settlin' the score." + +"Because you crept up on me, there is no reason why the red snakes can +do the same thing!" I cried angrily, whereupon he nodded gravely as if +agreeing with me, after which he asked: + +"How old are you?" + +"Must a fellow have seen so many years more or less before he can do the +work of a man?" I demanded, giving proof by my petulance that I was yet +little more than a child. + +"It was not with anything of the kind in my mind that I asked the +question. Perhaps I wondered if you'd had the experience that'll be +needed before your work is done." + +"I'm just turned sixteen," I replied, thoroughly ashamed of having +displayed an ill-temper. + +"Where did you come from?" + +"Pennsylvania." + +"Was your father a Tory?" he asked. + +"Indeed he wasn't!" and now I grew hot again. "He believed we might +better our condition by pushing into the wilderness, for when a man's +land is overrun by two armies, as ours had been, farming is a poor +trade." + +Then he questioned me yet more closely until I had come to an end of my +short story, which began with the day we set out from the colony founded +by William Penn, and ended with that hour when I came across my poor +father's mangled body scarce half a mile from our clearing, where the +beasts in human form had tortured him. + +All this I told the stranger as if he had been, an old friend, for there +was something, in his voice and manner which won my heart at once, and +when the sad tale was ended I came to understand he had not questioned +me idly. + +"My name is Simon Kenton," he said, after a time of silence, as if he +was turning over in mind what I had told him. "The day I was sixteen I +took to the wilderness because of--there is no reason why that part of +it need be told. It was six years ago, an' in those years I've seen a +good bit of life on the frontier, though perhaps it would have been +better had I gone east an' taken a hand with those who are fightin' +against the king. But a soldier's life would raffle my grain, I reckon, +so I've held on out here, nearabout Fort Pitt, where there's been plenty +to do." + +"Fort Pitt!" I exclaimed. "Why, that's a long distance up the river!" + +"Six hundred miles or so." + +"Are you down here trapping?" I asked, now questioning him as he had me. + +"I'm headin' for Corn Island?" + +"Then you haven't much further to go. Its no more than a dozen miles +down the river." + +"So I guessed. I left my canoe over yonder, an' took to the shore partly +to find somethin' in the way of meat, and partly to have a look around." + +Then it was, and before I could question him further, he told me why he +had come, the substance of which I have already set down in the language +of another. At that time he did not give me the story complete as it was +written by him whose words I quoted at the beginning of this tale; but I +understood the settlers were making a move against the British and +Indians, and it seemed to me a most noble undertaking, for, had not the +king's officers incited the savages to bloody deeds, the frontier might +have been a land of peace. + +When he was come to an end of the story, and Simon Kenton was not one to +use more words than were necessary, I proposed that he go with me to my +home, for by this time it was near to noon, and I had suddenly lost all +desire to continue the work of setting traps. + +He agreed right willingly, as if it favored his plans to do so, and we +two went back to the clearing, he moving through the thicket more like a +shadow than a stoutly built man whose weight seemed against such +stealthy traveling. Never had I seen such noiseless progress; a squirrel +would have given more token of his presence, and I wondered not that he +had been welcomed at Fort Pitt as a scout, spy, or whatever one may +please to call his occupation. + +My mother made the young man welcome, as she would have done any I might +have brought in with me to our home in Pennsylvania, and out here in the +wilderness, where we had not seen a strange, yet friendly, face since my +poor father was murdered, she was rejoiced to meet one who might give us +news of the outside world. + +Simon Kenton was not a polished man such as would be met within the +eastern colonies; but he gave every token of honest purpose, and it was +impossible to remain long in his company without believing him to be one +who would be a firm friend at all times. + +We enjoyed his visit more than can be told, and then without warning he +broached that subject which had a great bearing upon all my life from +that moment. + +"Why do you try to hold your mother here in the wilderness, Louis +Nelson?" he asked suddenly. "Surely a lad like yourself cannot hope to +make a clearing unaided, and it is but keeping her in great danger of a +cruel death." + +"What other can I do?" I asked in surprise, having no inkling as to his +true meaning. + +"Take her where she will at least be able to lie down at night without +fear of being aroused by the gleam of the scalping knife, or the flames +of her own dwelling," he replied decidedly. + +"All we have in the world is here," my mother said half to herself. + +"Then it will not be hard to leave it, for a boy of Louis' age should +be able to provide you with as good almost anywhere else." + +I looked at him in open-mouthed astonishment, whereupon he said in such +a tone as forced one to believe he spoke only the truth: + +"We have every reason to believe there will be bloody scenes hereabout +before Major Clarke has finished his work. You cannot hope to hold out +against the painted scoundrels who will roam up and down the river in +search of white blood that can be spilled. Send your mother back to Fort +Pitt by the boats that will soon be returnin', an' join me in this +expedition. You can go to her in the fall with money enough to provide +another home as good, or better, than this, an' what is of more account, +you'll have the satisfaction of knowin' that ate is in safety." + +There is no good reason why I should set down here all the arguments +Simon Kenton used to persuade me to break up the home my father had +established, although in poor shape, at the cost of his life, nor yet +speak of his efforts to make my mother believe I would be in less danger +with Major Clarke's force than if I remained there struggling to make +headway against the encroachments of the wilderness, at the same time +that I would be forced to remain on the alert lest a pitiless, savage +foe take my life. + +It is enough if I say that before the shadows of night began to lengthen +both my mother and myself were convinced he had given good advice, and +were ready to follow it as soon as a new day had dawned. + +We decided to leave our poor belongings where they were, and set out +with Kenton next morning. Mother should go to Fort Pitt where she would +be protected, and I, with the consent of Major Clarke, was to enlist in +the troop which it was believed would drive out of the country those +unscrupulous British officers who were constantly striving to stir up +the savages against such of the settlers as believed the colonists had +good cause to rebel against the king. + +Until a late hour did Simon Kenton sit with us two, telling of the many +adventures he had met with since the day he left his home in Fauquier +County, Virginia, six years before, and although the stories related to +deeds of daring and hairbreadth escapes, there was in his speech nothing +of boasting. It was as if he spoke of what some other person had done, +and without due cause for praise. + +Never once did he speak of his reason for leaving home, and there was a +certain something in his manner which prevented me from asking any +questions. He told so much of his life story as seemed to him proper, +and we were content, believing him to be a young man of proven courage +and honest purposes. + +Kenton and I slept on the skins in front of the fireplace, where I had +ever made my bed, and so little fear had we the enemy might be near, +that I never so much as looked out of doors after mother went up the +ladder which led to the rough attic she called her chamber. + +It was the first time since my father's cruel death that I had not +circled around the cabin once or more to make certain everything was +quiet; the coming of this young man had driven from my mind all thought +of possible danger. + +Those who live on the frontier sleep lightly, it is true; but they do +not waste much time in tossing about on the bed before closing their +eyes in slumber--and I was in dreamland within a very few moments after +stretching out at full length. + +It seemed as if I had but just lost consciousness when I awakened to +find a heavy hand covering my mouth, and to hear Simon Kenton whisper: + +"There is need for us to turn out. The sneakin' redskins have surrounded +the cabin. Are you awake?" + +I nodded, for it would have been impossible to speak while his hand was +like to shut off my breath, and he rose softly to his feet. + +It is not necessary for me to say that we on the Ohio in 1778 thought +first in the morning of our rifles, and never lay down at night without +having the trusty weapons where we could grasp them readily. Thus it was +that, when I followed Kenton's example, I rose up ready for a struggle. + +Not a sound could I hear, save the soughing of the wind among the trees; +but I knew my companion had good cause for giving an alarm, and had +probably been on the alert while I was composing myself to sleep. + +"Get word to your mother; but do not let her come down here," he +whispered when I joined him at the shuttered window, where he stood with +his ear to the crevice. "Make no noise, an' it may be we can take the +painted snakes by surprise, which will be a fine turnin' of the +tables." + +I did as he directed, and heard my mother say in a low voice as I turned +to descend the ladder: + +"Be careful, Louis, and do not expose yourself recklessly in order to +give our visitor the idea that you can equal him in deeds of daring." + +Under almost any other circumstances I could have laughed at the idea +that I might even hope to equal such as Simon Kenton in bravery; but +with death lurking close at hand one does not give way to mirth, and I +hastened to the young man's side as a prayer of thankfulness went up +from my heart because it had so chanced he was with us when an +experienced head and arm were needed. + +It is not my purpose to belittle myself. While looking up to our visitor +as an elder and one well versed in such warfare as was before us, I knew +full well I should not have acted a stupid part had I been alone. I +might fail to hold my own against the savages; but death would not have +been invited by my own folly. + +The door, as well as the window shutters, was loopholed, and here Kenton +took his stand, stationing me at that side of the house nearest the +knoll, from where we might naturally expect the enemy would come. + +My mother appeared before we had made all the arrangements for a fight, +and at once set about supplying us with ammunition and food in order +that we might not be forced to move from our posts in quest of either. + +Then she took up my father's rifle, which was leaning against the side +of the hut nearest me, as if to show that it was her purpose to do +whatsoever lay in her power toward the defense, whereupon Kenton shook +his head disapprovingly, and might have made objection to being aided by +a woman; but before he could open his lips to speak the painted fiends +were upon us. + +With whoops and yells they rose up close under the walls of the cabin, +where we might not be able to draw bead upon them, and at the same +instant a volley of rifle shots rang out as three bullets came inside +between the crevices of the logs. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +BESIEGED. + + +This kind of warfare was new to me. Although living on the frontier so +far from any other settlement, our cabin had never before been attacked +by savages. + +My father was killed some distance away from home, and, judging from the +signs nearabout the place where he had been tortured to death, it seemed +certain that no more than three Indians had captured him. + +Most likely it was a party of hunters, who had not really come out for +mischief, but seeing an opportunity to take the life of a white man +seized upon it. If they had been on the warpath, then beyond a +peradventure our cabin would have been attacked. + +To Simon Kenton, however, this sort of work was by no means new. He had +been besieged many times, as we knew from the stories the young man told +us a short time previous; but I ventured to say that never before had he +been pitted against the painted foes with so small a force, and in a +place where it was not probable any help could come. + +Our cabin was situated so far back from the river that those passing up +or down the stream would not suspect a habitation was near at hand, and, +unless well acquainted with the clearing, an hundred men might go back +and forth, never thinking that a settler had ventured in this vicinity. + +Therefore it was that I, and most likely Simon Kenton also, realized how +entirely alone we were. Unless we could beat off this foe which had so +suddenly assailed us, within a comparatively short time, the end was +near at hand for all, because no preparations had been made for a siege, +and our store of provisions and water, even with careful husbanding, +must be exhausted within a few days. + +As all this came into my mind, and I learned that it was possible for +the Indians to send their bullets inside, through the chinks between the +logs, provided they were sufficiently good marksmen, my heart sank +within me. I said to myself that Kenton had come too late to be of +service to us, and too soon for his own safety. + +As I have said, the savages had crept up under the cover of darkness +close beneath the walls of the cabin, and were able to shoot at us with +but little danger to themselves. Our only hope lay in dislodging them +from their place of vantage, and this much I realized fully even though +unexperienced in warfare. + +On reading what is here set down one may say that a boy of sixteen, +situated as was I at that moment, would not thus calmly weigh the +chances for and against a successful defense. In reply to such +criticism, I would say that in my opinion any lad of ordinary +intelligence must perforce have had much the same thoughts, because of +the ample time for reflection. + +After the first volley, and until perhaps ten minutes had elapsed, the +Indians gave no sign of life. All was still as if we three were alone in +the wilderness--as if it had been some hideous nightmare which awakened +us. During such time, Simon Kenton stood like a statue; but in such +attitude as gave me to understand that all his senses were alert. He was +an experienced Indian fighter, listening for some token which should +give him a clue as to how he might best protect his own life. + +My mother remained near one of the loopholes at the rear of the house, +also on the alert, and I had not moved from the position taken up when +we made our first poor preparations for the defense. + +Suddenly, and when I had come to believe that our chances for a +successful defense were slight indeed, Simon Kenton moved swiftly, yet +noiselessly, to that side of the room opposite where I was standing, +thrust the muzzle of his rifle between the logs near to the ground and +fired. + +A cry of pain followed the report of the weapon, and it was as if the +noise had but just died away, when the young man had his rifle charged +once more, so rapid were his movements. + +One, two, three minutes, perhaps, passed in silence, and again, but in +another quarter, did Kenton repeat his maneuver, although during this +time I had heard nothing whatsoever save my own labored breathing. + +A second cry from without told that two of the painted snakes had +received a more or less serious dose of lead without having inflicted +injury upon us. + +I knew that Kenton's acts had been the result of his keen sense of +hearing, and said to myself that the man must have been fitted by nature +for work like this, since it would be impossible for any person to train +his ears to such perfection. + +This thought was in my mind when I heard a rustling of the foliage on +the outside near where I stood, and that instant I made as if to copy +the example of my companion. + +"It is too late now," he said in a low tone. "The snakes are creepin' +off satisfied that they are like to get the worst of such a game. They +will hatch up some other plan before troublin' us again." + +"But surely we haven't bested them so soon as this," I replied like a +stupid, and he laughed as if there was somewhat of humor in my remark. + +"They have come here to plunder this cabin, and are not like to draw off +so soon. We will have enough of their company within the next four and +twenty hours; but for a time I reckon we have got a breathin' spell. +This is the way the British king wages war; provokin' the savages +against peaceful settlers; but once Major Clarke has broken up the +English nests, I'll venture to say the scurvy redcoats will turn their +attention to other matters than playin' the part of butchers." + +"If we had only started to meet Major Clarke's force when you first +arrived," I said despondently, whereat Simon Kenton clapped me on the +shoulder in a friendly fashion, as he cried: + +"This is no time to be thinking of what might have happened, Louis +Nelson. Men on the frontier must ever look forward, else by gazing +backward their hearts may grow timorous. Until we have driven off these +savages it should be to us as if Major Clarke's force had never set +out." + +Mother had made no attempt to join in the conversation. Her pale face +and quivering lips told that she was thinking of that time, only such a +short distance in the past, when father had been in the clutches of +those who at that moment thirsted for our blood, and grief overshadowed +all the fears which the future could present. + +Observing her, and knowing full well what terrible memories had come +trooping into her mind, I fell silent, striving as best I could to keep +back the timorousness which threatened to overcome me as I thus realized +what the wretches on the outside would do once our feeble defense was +overcome. + +Simon Kenton moved here and there noiselessly as a cat, intent only upon +learning so much of what might be going on outside as his ears could +tell him. + +While I remained motionless and silent at the post assigned me, he never +ceased for an instant his stealthy movements, and the knowledge that he +was so keenly on the alert did much toward strengthening my weak heart. + +When perhaps an hour had passed thus in silence, a great hope came to +me, and foolishly I gave it words. + +"The savages, finding that we were prepared for them, have drawn off," I +said, whereat Kenton smiled pityingly as one might at the foolish remark +of a child. + +"We are not rid of them so easily, else are they different from any of +the scoundrels I have chanced to come across. Once having made an +attack, and blood has been drawn, I warrant you, we must beat them off +by sheer force before we can count on their leaving this clearin'." + +When perhaps another hour had passed, and yet the enemy made no sign, I +was grown more courageous, and ate of the corn cake and dried venison +which had been set out for our refreshment; but mother remained wrapped +in gloomy thought, and Simon Kenton did not even for the slightest space +of time relax his vigilance. + +It must have been well on toward morning before we heard aught more of +those whose great desire was to shed our blood. + +Then the first intimation I had of any movement was the report of +Kenton's rifle. + +"Did you see anything?" I asked in a tremor. + +"No; but they are comin' this way with brushwood, havin' an idea to set +fire to the cabin." + +Even though the danger which beset us was great, I could not repress my +curiosity. It seemed almost as if he had made me a foolish answer, for +how might a man know, when it was so dark that one could not see three +paces from the cabin in either direction, that the savages were making +ready for any such attempt, and I asked how he was so positive as to +their movements. + +"I have heard them rippin' off the dry branches with their knives, and, +just before I fired, knew from the noise in the thicket that they were +draggin' the brushwood this way." + +I was almost bewildered by this man's knowledge of woodcraft; but +refrained from commenting, contenting myself by saying in a tone of +satisfaction: + +"They will not make much headway at setting these green logs on fire. It +is but two days since the rain came down in such torrents that the +outside of the cabin must be sodden with water." + +"They may succeed in fillin' the room with smoke; but that counts for +little. The flames will give us an opportunity which must not be +neglected." + +It is possible that the savages came to understand all this before +carrying out the plan which Kenton believed had been formed, for after +he discharged his rifle we heard no more of them, and, finally, when it +seemed as if at least eight and forty hours were passed, the gray light +came stealing through the thicket, slowly dispelling the darkness, until +we had clear range of vision from the loopholes on either hand. + +Twenty paces from the front of the house lay a pile of dry brush, +telling that Simon Kenton's ears had not deceived him. + +There were no signs of our foe. So far as one's eyes might give him +information, we were alone in the thicket with none to molest or make +afraid. + +Kenton set about making a blaze in the fireplace, and such act aroused +my mother from her sorrowful memories to a realization of the present. + +All her housewifely instincts took possession of her once more, and she +set about preparing breakfast--perhaps the last meal we might ever eat. + +"Think you the savages count on starving us out?" I asked, rather for +the purpose of starting a conversation than to gain information. + +"It may be that all the party are not yet arrived, and those who made +the first attack are waitin' for more to come up. If the entire force is +here, then certain it is they count on starvin' us, although so far as +the villains know, that may prove a long task. Were you and I alone, I +should favor tryin' to give 'em the slip after midnight; but it would be +folly to attempt anything of the kind while your mother is to be +protected." + +"You will not find her a coward," I said proudly, whereat he replied +with a laugh: + +"Of that we have already had good proof; but there would be too much +danger in attemptin' to fight our way out while she was with us. After a +time----" + +He was interrupted by rifle shots in the distance. First one, then a +couple, and, after an interval of four or five seconds, what sounded +like a regular volley. + +Then came scattering shots, by which I understood that whoever was +engaged in deadly combat had succeeded in gaining a shelter, and was +firing only when the possibility of hitting a target presented itself. + +"Can it be that some of Major Clarke's force have come our way?" I asked +as a great hope came into my heart; but Simon Kenton speedily dashed it. + +"The major's men are to sail down the river, and would not stop this +side of Corn Island, save through dire necessity." + +"Then who can the savages have been firing at?" + +"Some white man must have ventured this way, as did I, and walked into +the very thick of them." + +"But all the while we have lived here you are the first who has come to +this clearing by accident," I replied, still bent on believing that some +of the major's forces must have gone out of their road, and were thus +near enough to lend aid in our time of trouble. + +"It is a trapper or, a settler," Kenton said decisively, with the air of +one who will not admit himself at fault. "The question in my mind is +whether I'm not bound to lend a hand." + +"Surely you would never think of leaving the cabin in daylight, when you +know beyond a peradventure that the savages are watching it?" my mother +said in alarm, and Kenton turned away as if realizing the truth of her +words. + +It is not possible for me to set down on paper such as will enable +another to understand our feelings during this time when we knew white +men were struggling for life, and needing the aid which we were +powerless to give. + +It seemed little short of the veriest cowardice to remain within shelter +at such a time, and yet all of us knew full well that speedy death would +come to him who should venture out. + +Five minutes after the first report was heard all was silent again, for +mayhap half an hour, during which time each of us, even Kenton, had come +to hope the Indians were baffled in their effort to murder, and with +that hope came into my mind a most intense regret that we had not been +able to give warning of our sore need. + +I persisted in believing that some of Major Clarke's men had been near +at hand, and said to myself we might have escaped all our perils could +it have been possible to give an alarm. + +When half an hour had passed the firing broke out again, not in volleys, +but with a shot at intervals of ten or fifteen seconds, and then we all +fancied screams of pain and exultation could be heard. + +"The savages have succeeded!" Kenton said curtly. "Whoever blundered +this way has already paid for the mistake, or will before the sun rises +again." + +Mother, her mind once more in the past, turned pale as death and I +trembled like one with an ague, for it seemed at the moment as if this +was a token of what our fate would be. + +The breakfast which mother had been preparing was neglected until some +time later, when Simon Kenton said with an evident effort at +cheerfulness: + +"We're playin' the fool to stand here as if waitin' for the painted +scoundrels to do their will. We have no reason to despair because they +have captured some unfortunate; but should be all the more determined to +worst them." + +Then he deftly finished the work mother had begun, and insisted upon our +sharing in the meal, for, according to his belief, there was no reason +why we need stand close guard now that the sun had risen. + +Under such circumstances it was difficult to eat, at least I found it +so; food well-nigh choked me, but I forced it down because of his stern +command, and we made at least the semblance of eating breakfast, with as +much zest as you can fancy people display under the shadow of the +gallows. + +When the pretense of a meal had come to an end, Kenton got up from the +table and stood at the loophole in the door an instant, giving vent to a +low exclamation of surprise or dismay as he peered forth. + +In a twinkling I was by his side, and there saw that which caused the +cold chill of fear to run down my back. + +Directly in front of the cabin, toward the river, beyond range of our +rifles, stood a man and a boy, each bound hand and foot to a tree trunk. + +It was the report of their guns that we heard, and fortune had been +unkind to them, else death would have come during the fight. It had +been delayed that it might be accompanied by the keenest torture. + +"Are they neighbors of yours?" Kenton asked. + +"So far as I know, there are no settlers nearabout." + +"Then this man and boy have come lookin' for a place to make a clearin', +or are workin' their way eastward from some point below on the river." + +This did not seem a reasonable explanation, to my mind, for if the +prisoners had been coming up the river they would not have ventured so +far away as must have been the case when the Indians discovered them; +but my heart was too heavy to admit of making any argument against his +assertion, which, as a matter of fact, was of but little consequence now +that they were doomed to a cruel death. + +And that they were doomed we knew full well. The savages were counting +on torturing them where we might have a full view of the horrible +spectacle, and we could not hope anything would happen to prevent it. + +On the evening previous Simon Kenton had told us the story of a settler +who was beset even as we were then, and whose nearest neighbor was +tortured at the stake within his range of vision that the helpless man +might see what was in store for him when he could no longer make any +defense. + +While hearing the story it was impossible for me to realize how +agonizing must have been the position of the besieged man. Now I +understood it keenly, and resolved not to look out from that side of the +house again, lest the painted fiends should begin their horrible work +before night came. + +Mother knew from our conversation what it was we gazed at, and remained +nearabout the fireplace striving to choke back the sobs of grief and +sympathy which shook her frame. + +After gazing upon the helpless captives five minutes or more, as if to +picture indelibly upon his mind all the surroundings, Simon Kenton +began moving to and fro across the end of the room, not on the alert +against the enemy, but apparently plunged in deep thought. + +After a time he said curtly to me: + +"Keep a lookout on either side, lad, for some of the snakes may grow +careless, an' you will get a shot." + +Then he fell to pacing to and fro again, and after what seemed a very +long time of most painful silence, said to me as if announcing the most +commonplace fact: + +"I count on lendin' a hand to those poor fellows yonder." + +"Lending a hand!" I repeated in amazement. "Haven't you declared it was +impossible to leave this house without being shot down?" + +"Yes, an' I reckon that comes pretty near being the truth." + +"Then how may you give them any assistance?" + +"I am not countin' on tryin' to do anything just now. There's like to +be plenty of time, for unless something happens to interrupt the curs, +they will not torture the prisoners until evening. When the sun goes +down I shall creep out." + +"And then is the time when the Indians will keep a closer watch," I +ventured to say. + +"Ay, lad, you are right, and yet we must contrive to outwit them. +Instead of openin' the door, I'll make my way through the small window +at the rear, which can be the better guarded by you and your mother +while the shutter is unfastened." + +"I shall go with you," I said, speaking on impulse, and hardly realizing +the meaning of the words. + +"You'll do nothing of the kind. Your duty is here, and mine there." + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE VENTURE. + + +I could not believe Simon Kenton would dare to make the venture of which +he had spoken, for of a verity it seemed no less than the killing of +one's self. + +We knew beyond a peradventure that the Indians secreted in the thicket +round about us were keeping sharp watch over the cabin, on the alert for +a movement of such a kind, and there was not a single chance in a +hundred that one of us could even show his head out of either window or +door without being shot down. + +That being the case, and there seemed no doubt about it, how might one +venture forth so far as where the poor captives were lashed to the trees +looking forward with almost certainty to all the terrible tortures +which these brutes could devise? + +Thinking over the matter after Simon Kenton had declared his purpose, I +said to myself that he had spoken out of the fulness of his heart, and +not with a belief that he might carry his proposition into execution. I +argued, mentally, that his desire to aid the unfortunate creatures had +caused him to believe the impossible might be accomplished; but after he +should have time to consider the matter thoroughly, he would realize +that he could effect nothing more than his own death. + +After having said what he would do, Kenton paced to and fro, keeping +sharp watch upon the thicket, and saying nothing. + +Once I would have spoken concerning the time when Major Clarke's party +might be expected at Corn Island; but he motioned me away as if he had +no inclination for conversation. + +I had promised myself not to look out in the direction where the unhappy +captives were to be seen; but it was as if their helplessness +fascinated me to such a degree that I could not keep my eyes from them. + +I gazed at short intervals, but for no more than a few seconds at a +time, and saw no change, save once when it appeared to me as if the man +was speaking earnestly to the boy. + +I could readily fancy that the elder was trying to encourage the lad for +that terrible time of trial, and the tears overflowed my eyes as I grew +faint with horror while thinking of what the evening would bring forth. + +There is no good reason why I should try to give the details of our +movements or conversation during this wofully long day. We spoke +together but little, first because Simon Kenton was buried in his own +thoughts or plans, and secondly because my mother's grief had been +aroused by sight of the captives to such an extent that her sobs put an +end to speech. + +Twice did Kenton get a glimpse of a tuft of feathers in the underbrush, +and both times he discharged his rifle; once bringing forth a shrill +cry of pain, and again evidently missing his aim, which was by no means +surprising under the circumstances. + +Late in the afternoon mother cooked another meal, and we went through +the form of eating as if from a sense of duty. It was but justice to our +bodies for us to do so, since no one could say when we might have +another opportunity. + +Then the shadows of evening began to lengthen, and I glanced at Simon +Kenton from time to time in order to learn how he might draw back after +having announced so positively that he should make an effort at aiding +the captives. + +But he had no idea of drawing back, as I should have known had I been +acquainted with him longer. + +During the latter part of the afternoon he surveyed the thicket in the +rear of the house at frequent intervals; partially opened the shutter +two or three times to make certain it could be swung outward +noiselessly, and, finally, threw off his hunting shirt lest the garment +should hamper his movements. + +"Are you indeed counting on the attempt?" I asked when he had thus put +himself in trim for wriggling through the thicket. + +"I have already said so," he replied calmly. + +"There is too much danger! You must not risk your life when the chances +are all against you!" I cried vehemently. + +"It will be easier to go than stay here and listen to that fiendish orgy +which will begin before many hours have passed!" + +"You can hope to do no more than share the poor fellow's fate!" I +exclaimed impatiently. + +"There is a chance I shall pull through, and the game is well worth the +candle. I may not tell the story to you; but there are good reasons why +I, above all others, should risk my life in an effort to save others; +or, to put it in other words, why I ought to die trying to help those +poor fellows, rather than remain idle." + +He spoke in such a solemn tone that I could not have argued further +against his going, however much it pained me, and I gazed at him in +silence, wondering what might be the meaning of those strange words. + +Now that it appeared positive he would set forth, and equally certain he +would be killed, I began to realize what might be our condition after he +had left my mother and myself alone to defend the cabin against the +painted crew who thirsted for our blood. + +It was not probable the poor woman and I could hold out many hours after +the brave fellow departed, however good our courage or strong our +endurance. The Indians would speedily overpower us, and I knew full well +what the end must be unless I was so fortunate as to die fighting. + +Therefore it was as if I was assisting in an attempt to take my own +life, when I did as Simon Kenton bid. + +"You are to stand by the window as I leap out," he said when the +evening was nearly come, "and on the first flash of a redskin's rifle +shoot at random if you see no target. The smoke will serve to partially +hide my movements. Your mother is to take up her station at the front +door until she hears you fire, and then she'll shoot over my head as +soon as possible. I'm countin' that you can keep the savages back till +I've gained a shelter in the thicket. After that the shutter is to be +barred quickly, and you will both stand on guard at the front door, +unless some danger threatens from the rear. If you hear the cry of an +owl repeated three times from any quarter, you can be certain I have +succeeded, an' there's no need of sayin' that you're to be on the alert +for my coming. It's possible I shall be able to get in here again. If I +fail in that, and yet remain free, you may be positive help will soon +arrive to raise the siege." + +He had crossed the room while speaking, and was now standing by the side +of the window through which he proposed to pass. + +I stepped forward to press his hand, for I knew full well he would not +linger once everything was ready for the perilous venture. + +It was as if he did not see me--perhaps it did not suit his mood to say +good-by. At all events he kept his face from me even after the shutter +was unbarred, and then, without turning his head, he whispered: + +"Stand ready! Remember what I have said!" + +Then, with a quick movement, he flung open the shutter and had leaped +through almost before I realized his purpose. His swift bound served to +bewilder me, and I stood gazing out, with my rifle raised, not realizing +the necessity of closing the opening. + +It was mother who flung the shutter into place softly and replaced the +bars, and I stood there like a stupid until the house was barricaded +once more, when I said stupidly: + +"The savages didn't see him!" + +"It is God's mercy, Louis," my mother replied devoutly. "Possibly he may +be permitted to rescue those poor creatures who must have suffered an +hundred deaths already!" + +"It can't be that he will succeed while so many keen eyes are close at +hand. It is only reasonable to suppose all the crew are near about the +captives, therefore how may one man prevail against them?" + +"If it be the Lord's will, there need be no counting the odds," and +having said this, mother knelt by the side of the table, while I, +somewhat recovered from my fear and bewilderment, went to the loophole +in the door that I might keep the captives in view so far as the +darkness permitted. + +It was not yet night, although the gloom of the forest was so dense that +one could not distinguish objects very far away. + +Simon Kenton had ventured out at that time when the gray of twilight +distorts everything, causing even the most familiar features of the +landscape to appear weird, and in so doing he had shown much wisdom. + +An hour later the Indians would have drawn closer to the cabin, +suspecting we might make an attempt to escape under cover of darkness, +and an hour earlier the light of day cut off any hope of getting out +unseen. + +Calculating the time to a nicety, moving swiftly as but few could move, +he had left the cabin without alarming the wary foe, and thus far his +success was so great as to astonish me. + +I could yet barely distinguish the forms of the unhappy prisoners, and, +moving to and fro near them like evil things, were shadow-like figures +which I knew to be Indians. + +As a matter of course it was impossible for me to see the faces of these +two over whom hovered a most cruel death; but I could well imagine the +expression of despair on their faces. + +They could not fail to understand that it was worse than vain to hope +aid would come in the hour of their extremity, and yet I doubt not they +tried to encourage themselves by saying it was possible a party of white +men might pass that way before the horrible orgy should be begun. + +While gazing through the loophole, my mother remaining on her knees +praying fervently, I said again and again to myself that Simon Kenton +could do nothing single-handed against that mob of murdering brutes. In +fact, now he was outside the house all the chances were against my ever +seeing him again. It was hardly within the range of probability he could +save his own life if he made even the slightest effort to rescue the +prisoners. + +The shadows of night gathered rapidly, and yet it seemed as if each +second was a full minute in length. I was in that agonizing frame of +mind where one is raised by hope and buried under despair at the same +instant. + +Although my ears were strained to catch the lightest sound, I heard +nothing save the rustling of the foliage as it was stirred by the +gentle night wind. If Simon Kenton was attempting to approach the +prisoners, he must have made a detour through the thicket to avoid the +savages who undoubtedly kept close watch over the cabin lest we +unfortunate ones should give them the slip. + +After a time, and it was impossible for me to decide whether I had +remained on watch one hour or two, a tiny gleam of light could be seen +in the direction where I knew the prisoners were stationed, and as it +increased in size I understood that the brutes were making ready for +their horrible sport. + +The flame grew brighter and brighter until I could distinguish the forms +of the helpless ones, with dark figures flitting between my line of +vision and the fire, and I mentally joined my mother in her prayer for +the relief of those whom I believed were beyond all earthly aid. + +As I knew the savages had done many times before, so they were about to +do now--torture us at the same time they inflicted death on their +prisoners. + +We were to be shown what would speedily be our own fate. + +While I stood there helplessly watching the horrible preparations, a +certain frenzy of rage took possession of me, and I no longer gave heed +to anything save a desire to bring death upon some of that fiendish crew +before they began the work of torture. + +"I cannot stay here longer, mother!" I exclaimed suddenly. "If Simon +Kenton risks his life to aid those who are strangers to him, why should +I not be as brave? Alone he cannot hope to effect a rescue, and will +surely perish. With one other to help him, that which now seems +impossible may be compassed." + +As I think of the scene now, the wonder is that my dear mother did not +remind me of what would be her fate if both Kenton and I were captured; +but the brave woman gave no heed to herself, nor to her love for me. + +Looking up while still remaining on her knees, she said softly: + +"If you believe it your duty, my son, go, and may the good God grant +that you come back to me alive!" + +These were not exactly the kind of words best calculated to give a lad +courage, and I realized that by listening to her many seconds I should +become cowardly. Even as I stood by her side my determination grew +fainter; in five minutes more timorousness might overcome me. + +"I will leave the cabin as he did, mother, and you shall stand at the +door ready to give us entrance, if it so be we come back." + +Mother rose quickly to her feet; kissed me fervently, and then, without +delay, as if understanding that it was not well to prolong the parting, +began to unbar the shutter. + +In a twinkling I had put on powder horn and pouch; looked well to my +rifle, and was ready to follow Simon Kenton in his desperate venture. + +The shutter was open. Not daring to look back, I sprang out, believing +as I did so that the report of a rifle would be my death knell; but no +sound came. + +The savages, thinking we were securely caged, had gathered around the +prisoners in readiness to begin the terrible work, and I was free to +rush on to my own doom. + +While believing there was little chance I should succeed in saving my +own life, I was not careless. + +Moving onward stealthily; stopping at each yard of distance to learn if +one of the foe might be near at hand, I pressed forward in a circle, +counting on coming within view of the prisoners at a point midway +between the cabin and that fork in the path which led to the riverside. + +Each instant I expected to come upon Simon Kenton, and as the moments +went by I began to understand that if he heard me approaching from the +rear he might leap upon me, believing one of the savages was creeping +upon him, and such realization caused me to hope it would be possible to +avoid him. + +It was a strange situation, this being equally afraid of friend and foe, +and could have been in a certain degree avoided if I had but accompanied +the young scout. + +Nothing interfered with my progress, however, until I was arrived at the +point for which I had been aiming, and saw full before me the +preparations for the torture. + +Two fires had been built ten or twelve yards distant from the prisoners, +evidently for purposes of illumination, and at the feet of the +unfortunate ones was heaped a quantity of dry wood, which would be +kindled into a flame when the first portion of the terrible work had +been concluded. + +Now the savages were making ready for the dance around their victims, +and I saw fourteen of the painted brutes, hideous in feathers, beads and +gaudy coloring. + +To describe that which followed immediately after I had a view of the +scene, would be impossible. The fiends were alternately advancing toward +the prisoners, and retreating, moving with a certain measured step, and +brandishing weapons in the faces of the two who were helpless. + +The lad seemed literally frozen with terror; but the man faced his cruel +enemies as if defying them to wring a cry of pain from his compressed +lips. + +Perhaps five minutes passed while I thus remained motionless in the +thicket within half a rifle-shot distance, and then one of the murderous +brutes approached the boy knife in hand. + +I knew the poor lad was to be maimed in some manner. The same blinding +rush of rage which had come upon me while I was in the cabin, +overpowered all sense of danger. + +Giving no heed to my own peril; thinking only to save the frightened lad +from immediate pain, I fired point blank at the brute who would have +drawn the first blood, and when he fell, as though struck by lightning, +a cry of triumph rang from my lips. + +What followed I am unable to set down of my own knowledge, for I was +become like one in a fever of rage and desperation. + +I set about re-charging my rifle without giving heed to the rush which +should have followed the shot, and dimly, as if it was something in +which I had no concern, I heard the report of another rifle; another cry +which seemed but the echo of my own. + +Before my feverish brain had taken in all this as a fact, I was ready to +shoot again, and never had I aimed with more deliberation. I felt +certain this second bullet of mine would find its target, and when it +sped on its way I needed not to gaze at the be-feathered brute within +range to know that he was dead or disabled. + + [Illustration: The brute fell as though struck by lightning, and a + cry of triumph rang from my lips.--Page 62. _On the Kentucky + Frontier._] + +Again came what was like the echo of my own gun, and I saw four of +the villains on the ground, while the others had made for the nearest +shelter, each seeking some tree trunk that would shelter his worthless +body. + +Now I realized that I had come up nearly opposite where Simon Kenton was +stationed, and he it was who had fired immediately after my rifle spoke. + +Thus attacked on either hand, the savages must have believed they were +beset by a large force, and their only desire was to shelter themselves +from the deadly fire. + +While loading my rifle I looked for an instant at the boy. His eyes were +opened wide; his lips parted as if to cry out, and on his face was an +expression of mingled hope and doubt painful in its intensity. + +Again I saw a target. Twenty paces away was one of the brutes leaping +from tree to tree as if striving to gain the river, and him I stopped on +the instant. + +Ten seconds later came the report of a rifle from the opposite side of +the path, and I knew Simon Kenton had not wasted a bullet. + +No less than six of the feathered brutes were out of the fight, and it +was only with difficulty that I repressed a cry of triumph, for I knew +full well the villains would not linger long against an unseen foe whose +aim was so deadly. + +Twice more did I fire, and once Kenton's rifle rang out. Then I believed +the brutes had taken refuge in flight, for two passed within my line of +vision while I was reloading my weapon. + +"Kenton!" I shouted, holding the rifle at my shoulder meanwhile, lest by +raising my voice I might have brought the foe upon me, and before one +could have counted twenty the young scout was by my side. + +"Is it indeed you, lad?" he asked as if overcome with astonishment. + +"And why not? I have been able to take some part in the rescue?" + +"_Some part_, lad? You have made it possible when I believed nothing +might be done. But for your attack, yonder poor fellows would even now +be in agony, because I could not have fired without bringing the whole +gang upon me. A shot from both sides was what caused them to believe we +had a large force." + +"Let us cut those prisoners loose," I cried, waiting to hear no more, +and eager to relieve them, from their misery. + +"Wait," he whispered, clutching me by the arm. "The snakes may take it +into their heads to turn back, and it will be well if I quicken their +pace a bit. Stand here, and do not come out from cover till I get back." + +He was off like a flash, and with no more noise, while I remained on the +alert for an attack; but burning to set free the poor lad, who was +seeking here and there with his eyes to learn if those who had saved him +from pain were yet near at hand. + +Then the man spoke words of hope to the boy, as I could understand, by +the expression on both their faces, and I waited with finger on the +trigger of the rifle lest the savages should make one desperate effort +to accomplish their cruel work. + +Surely if any of the Indians were near at hand now, some attempt would +be made to kill the prisoners, and after waiting perhaps five minutes, I +stepped boldly out within the rays of light. + +Near at hand were four rifles, where they had been left against a +sapling while their owners took part in the dance of death, and I knew +we might add the prisoners, well armed, to our force. + +The lad gave vent to a low cry of most intense joy as he saw me; but the +man said quietly, as if it was quite natural I should be there: + +"You came in good time. How many are with you?" + +"Only one other, sir, and he is in pursuit of the savages," I replied, +wielding my hunting knife to sever the bonds which held both prisoners +helpless. + +I had no more than given the poor fellows freedom, and while they stood +chafing their wrists to restore the circulation of blood, Simon Kenton +came up swiftly. + +"It is well we get back to the cabin; the snakes have halted just under +the river bank, and it may be they will turn back to find out how many +we can muster. Come on!" + +Stopping only sufficiently long to secure the rifles which were near at +hand, we four ran to the cabin, the door of which my mother held open; +and once we were inside, the dear soul clasped me to her bosom as if I +had come back from the dead, as indeed was very nearly the case. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +PAUL SAMPSON. + + +When we were inside the cabin once more, with the door and windows +barred and the man and lad whom we had rescued eating ravenously from +the store of food my mother set before them, there was in my mind the +thought that I had good reason to be proud of the part I had so lately +played. + +Simon Kenton and I had killed, or driven off, a band of fourteen +savages, and surely my portion of the work had not been slight. It +seemed to me then, as now, that I did my full share in the business. It +is true, except for the fact of our having taken the brutes by surprise, +and come upon them in such fashion they had no means of knowing but that +we outnumbered them three or four to one, the matter might have come to +a different ending; but it was much to our credit that we had been able +to surprise those wretches who seldom made an attack unless it can be +begun in like manner. + +I repeat I was feeling proud of our work, more particularly when I +looked at our guests, realizing that but for Simon Kenton and myself +they would at that very moment be suffering all the tortures the painted +wolves could inflict, and I glanced at the young scout, thinking to read +in his face thoughts akin to mine. + +In this I was mistaken. Despite what was very nearly a fact--that the +Indians had been put to flight--he was standing by the loophole of the +door keeping careful watch, and, so far as could be told by the +expression on his face, it might have been us white men who were worsted +in the encounter. + +I failed to see in his bearing anything to betoken that he had but +lately faced death in its most horrible form in order to make an effort +at saving the lives of strangers, and from that moment I looked up to +the young man much as if he had been of a superior race from any I had +previously seen. + +It is not to be supposed that I stood idly by dwelling upon such +thoughts as are here set down in words, while, for aught we knew, the +brutes might be gathering in greater force than before. + +I was not so wholly given over to vanity as all that would indicate; but +moved here or there looking after our defense in such manner as seemed +to me proper, my mind busy all the while, and the vainglorious thoughts +dying away as I observed Kenton. + +Then, when the young scout had advised that I remain at the further end +of the cabin, keeping watch from the loophole in the shutter, I turned +my attention to those whom we had saved from the stake. + +They were father and son, as I learned from the conversation the elder +was holding with my mother, who ministered to their wants at the table. +Horace Sampson was the man's name, and he called the lad Paul. + +The two had come from Maryland to locate a homestead, and the only +wonder in my mind was that the savages had not taken them captives +before they got so far into the wilderness; for neither of them knew as +much regarding woodcraft as had I on my tenth birthday. + +They had believed it would be possible for them to frighten the Indians +by a mere show of weapons, and could not be persuaded by those who had +been on the frontier, that it was but little less than suicide to +venture in this section of the country alone. + +For three weeks they had traveled here and there searching for a +likely-looking location, and not until the day previous had the savages +shown themselves. + +Then that which might have been expected happened in a twinkling, and +before either the father or the son had an idea any danger threatened, +they were disarmed, and bound within view of our cabin, as I have +related. + +Even after having been so near a terrible death, Mr. Sampson believed it +might be possible to retrace his steps in safety; but my mother cried +out so loudly against any such foolhardy venture, and painted the +dangers of the frontier in such vivid colors, that the ignorant man +finally came to believe it was hardly safe to trust himself alone amidst +foes whose methods of warfare were so entirely a secret to him. + +Simon Kenton must have been listening to the conversation even as I had +been doing, for he said when mother had ceased her warning: + +"The only safe path for you is that which leads to Corn Island. There +you will find a goodly company, and I doubt not that before many days +have passed you will meet with some who propose to journey on your +road." + +"But how may we provide for ourselves on this island of which you +speak?" the man asked helplessly, and the question in itself was +sufficient to prove his ignorance. + +"There will be no lack of helping hands," Simon Kenton replied with a +smile. "On the frontier men do not count the value of food and a +shelter, as do those who live in town." + +Then, as if to show he was pig-headed as well as ignorant, Mr. Sampson +argued that he was not willing to accept charity from strangers; that it +would be demeaning himself to receive anything for which he was unable +to pay. + +"You must do that, or take the chances of providin' sport for the +painted snakes, as you were like to do a short time ago," Kenton replied +curtly, and I understood by the tone that he was losing patience because +of the man's stubbornness. + +Having thus spoken the young scout turned once more to stand guard at +the loophole, and Paul, the lad, his meal ended, came timidly toward +where I was stationed. + +He appeared to be a boy after my own heart, entirely different in +manners and speech from his father, and I decided at once that we should +be firm friends so long as he might remain on the frontier. + +I could well understand that he was burning with a desire to ask +questions, and did not hesitate to give him encouragement to begin. + +He was eager to know how long I had lived in the wilderness; how often I +had fought against the savages, and such like simple questions, all of +which I answered until he was come to an end. + +Then I asked about his home in Maryland; of his journey to the Ohio +River, and, finally, how he felt while bound to the stake. + +"The fear in my heart was so great that I did not fully have my senses," +he replied with a shudder. "Not until the fires were kindled and the +dancing had begun did I dream that those beasts would put us to death. I +was like one in a dream until the first shot was fired, and a savage +dropped dead almost at my feet." + +"We didn't open fire any too soon," I said with perhaps a tinge of pride +in my tone because I had played my part well, as it seemed to me. + +"In another instant the Indian's knife would have been in my body!" he +cried. "I could tell by the fierce gleam in his eyes that he counted on +taking my life." + +"The murdering brutes do not kill their prisoners so quickly or easily. +He would have prolonged your life to its utmost limit, in order that you +might suffer the more." + +Then I told him of my father's cruel death; of what we had found to tell +the horrible story, and before I had finished the tears were running +down his cheeks. + +Simon Kenton must have been listening to our conversation, for he called +sharply, when Paul was almost overcome with grief: + +"You lads had best get what sleep you can before daylight, for as soon +as the sun rises, if it so be the red wolves have drawn off, we must set +out for Corn Island." + +I understood that he was not well pleased because I had frightened the +lad who was so lately come from the bustling world, and it shamed me +because of giving him, who was so brave, an opportunity for reproof. + +My mother spread out the skins near the fireplace, where I had been in +the custom of sleeping, and Paul dutifully laid himself down, while his +father remained at the table evidently in a brown study. + +It was not in my mind to allow Simon Kenton to perform all the labor, +and I said stoutly, yet at the same time feeling that my eyes were +growing heavy: + +"I count on doing my share of the watching this night. It is not right +that I should sleep while you remain awake." + +"I should not trust you to stand guard alone, and there is no good +reason why both of us remain on duty. Take your sleep now, that you may +be the better fitted for a long day's tramp." + +He spoke in such a commanding tone that I could do no less than obey, +and when my mother clambered up the ladder to her bed in the loft I lay +down by Paul's side, closing my eyes in slumber almost as soon as my +body was stretched out at full length. + +The day had dawned when a cry from Simon Kenton brought me to my feet in +alarm, believing the savages were upon us; but he quieted my fears as he +said with a laugh: + +"I had a notion of findin' out how long you need to get your eyes open +wide. If we two are to join Major Clarke, we should be well acquainted." + +"I am not such an idiot as to sleep after being summoned," I replied +just a trifle testily, for it seemed much as if he was making sport of +me. "I may not be as well up in woodcraft as are you; but I'm no +idler." + +"Now you are takin' me too seriously," he replied with another laugh +which disarmed me of anger. "It was high time you made ready for the +tramp, an' I'm pleased to see you so quick at a call. He who finds it +hard to shake the sleep from his eyes should remain in towns where he +need not hold a rifle ever at hand in order to save his life. Look at +yonder would-be settler," he added in a whisper, and I glanced in the +direction of his outstretched finger, where was Mr. Sampson, yawning and +stretching as if struggling to gather his senses. "Is it strange the +painted brutes captured such as he with but little difficulty?" + +Paul was no such sluggard. He had risen at the same time I did, and now +stood near the door on the alert for whatever might come his way. + +I could hear my mother moving about in the loft, and knew she would soon +be down to cook breakfast, after which, as I understood the plan, we +were to begin the journey. + +"Have the savages left us?" I asked of the young scout. + +"Ay, so it seems, though I'm not overly eager to believe it without +better proof than that we've heard nothin' from 'em since you went to +sleep. Stand you here ready for anything that may turn up, an' I'll have +a look round." + +He unbarred the door as he spoke, and when he had stolen softly out I +stood guard in his place, with Paul close by my side. + +Not until the morning meal had been cooked and was spread on the table +did Simon Kenton return, and the news which he brought gave me a sense +of deepest relief. + +"The dose we gave 'em last night was enough," he said, leaning his rifle +against the side of the hut as he took a seat at the table without +waiting for an invitation. "Now is the time for us to start, for there's +no knowin' how soon the brutes may take it into their ugly heads to come +back." + +"Are we to leave all our belongings here?" I asked, looking around at +the scanty store of furniture, the greater portion of which my father +had made. + +"Better them than your hair," Simon Kenton replied. "If the snakes come +this way again they'll make short work of the cabin an' all that's in +it, whether you be here to make a show of defendin' it or not. In case +they stay away, the stuff will be safe where it is, if we take care to +keep out the wild beasts." + +There was a look of pain on my mother's face which I knew had been +caused by the thought of leaving behind her scanty goods; but she gave +no words to her sorrow, joining with the young scout in the conversation +concerning the day's tramp. + +When the meal had been eaten, and mother tidied up the cabin a bit, we +went out into the sunlight, closing door and window shutter behind us, +as if counting on returning before nightfall. + +Simon Kenton took the lead, and then was begun the long march which did +not end until late in the night. + +We made few halts, and then only for a few moments at a time. We ate as +we walked, forcing our way through the dense underbrush, and ever on the +alert against danger. + +Mr. Sampson more than once insisted that the pace was killing him; he +declared, when the day was half spent, that it would be impossible for +him to walk half a mile farther; but when Kenton quietly suggested that +he might halt wheresoever he chose, and follow our trail the next +morning, he came to the conclusion that perhaps he might keep his feet a +short time longer. + +Paul was as cheery a companion as one could desire. Although he was +foot-sore and weary, as I knew full well, not a word of complaint came +from his lips, and before the day was ended I knew Simon Kenton had +begun to love the lad even as I already did, for he whispered once when +we were well in advance of the others: + +"That boy is worth a dozen such men as his father. He has got true +pluck, an' I'll warrant you wouldn't hear him whine even when he'd +fallen in his tracks worn out." + +There is no reason why I need say how my mother bore her share of the +fatigue. She was a brave, true woman, and when any task, however great, +was to be done, went at it with a will and in silence, or with cheery +words. + +When, at a late hour in the evening, we were come opposite Corn Island, +and had found one of Major Clarke's force who was willing to ferry us +across the river, I was more astounded than words can express, for it +was as if I had suddenly emerged from the wilderness to find myself in a +populous town. + +No less than twenty families had come down with the volunteers, and were +encamped together, nearby where the men had their quarters. Counting +men, women and children, there could not have been less than four +hundred and fifty people, three times as many as I had ever before seen +in one place. + +The greater portion of this gathering was asleep; but I could well fancy +what bustle and confusion there must be when all were moving about, and +the mere idea bewildered me. + +Simon Kenton led us directly to the hut set apart for the use of Major +Clarke, and there introduced us to the commander of the expedition, who +bid us welcome in such a hearty fashion that even Mr. Sampson must have +forgotten what he had said about "accepting charity." + +Mother was taken in charge by some of the women, and we four, meaning +Simon Kenton, the Sampsons, father and son, and myself, were given the +use of a lean-to made of brush--not a substantial shelter; but to me, +who had well-nigh come to an end of my endurance, it was most inviting. + +Even Kenton himself felt the effects of the long tramp; and we indulged +in no conversation that night, each member of the party falling asleep +as soon as he was on the ground. + +Paul and I were early abroad next morning. To him there was no novelty +in such a throng, for he told me solemnly that he had seen in Maryland +many more people bent on merrymaking than could be found on Corn Island, +and I was forced to believe the lad, although it hardly seemed possible. + +As I have said, there were no less than twenty families who had come +down with the major's force to find homes in the wilderness, and, +learning in some way, I know not how, that I was the son of a settler, +many of them gathered around to learn how we had fared on our clearing. + +There was more than one pale face among the women and younger children +when I told of my father's death, and I dare say but few would have +remained to build homes nearabout the Ohio River if it had been possible +for them to get back to the settlement they had just left. + +Mr. Sampson appeared like a different man now that he was with a throng +of people. He no longer seemed to think it necessary he should return +to Maryland, where a wife and two children awaited his coming; but +declared that he would join his fortunes with those who counted on +building up a village on the frontier. + +Paul kept close by my side as I talked with the men concerning the +expedition on which Major Clarke was to lead them, and when, late on +that first day in camp, I told him of my intention to join the force as +a volunteer, he declared that nothing would please him better than to be +my comrade. + +"If my father is willing, I shall go," he said quietly; but in a tone +which told me that he was one with a will of his own, and not likely to +be led by the nose against his own desire or inclination. + +At the first opportunity I sought out Simon Kenton to tell him of Paul's +plans, and the young scout said heartily: + +"I like the lad, and will be glad to have him with us, although for a +time he may cost us some trouble." + +"He is quick to learn, I fancy, and by observing those around him, will +soon be able to get about in a proper fashion," I replied confidently, +whereupon the scout surprised me by saying: + +"There will be none save you an' me for him to see." + +"What then will have become of all this gathering?" I asked in +astonishment. + +"They will be far behind us, lad. Was it in your mind that I would march +in line like a soldier?" + +"What else can you do?" + +"Remain in advance to make certain no danger threatens. You and I will +act as scouts; I reckon there may be others, but I have been hired to +conduct all this party, first to the British outpost at Kaskaskia, and +then to Cahokia." + +"You alone?" I cried, overwhelmed to learn that this young fellow was of +so much importance in the eyes of a soldier like Major Clarke. + +"Not alone, for I count on takin' one Louis Nelson with me, an' he has +it in mind that Paul Sampson will make the third." + +"But I am far too ignorant to share such an important duty!" + +"The lad who is willin' to face a gang of painted wolves such as +besieged your cabin, and to do so almost single-handed, gives promise of +bein' a comrade to my likin'. We'll lead the men, Louis, an' I dare +venture to say there'll be no ambush we shan't scent out before the +murderin' redskins succeed in doing any mischief." + +"And are you willing to take Paul Sampson?" I asked, still in a maze of +bewilderment. + +"Aye, that I am, an' venture to say he'll turn out to be your equal +after a little experience." + +I could hardly contain myself for joy at the thought that mine was to be +a man's work; but ran off at full speed to make my mother acquainted +with what I believed was rare good fortune. + +She, kind soul, was saddened because such an opportunity had presented +itself to me, and although she spoke not a word against the enterprise, +I understood what was in her heart, and said quickly, even though it +cost me a pang to utter the words: + +"You are not pleased, mother, and I had thought it would make you glad +because Simon Kenton had so much of faith in me. I will tell him I +cannot go, and you may forget I have spoken of it." + +The tears were very near her eyelids as she drew me closer and said +softly, hardly daring to trust her voice: + +"I would not keep you, my son, even though the parting give me great +pain. On the frontier boys must speedily learn to be men, and it may be +best for you to go. Perhaps we will join these settlers who intend to +build up a town nearby, when you come back covered with glory." + +"Now you are making sport of me, mother," I replied reproachfully. +"There is no glory to be gained in fighting savages." + +"To my mind you gained very much, Louis, when you ventured your life to +save Mr. Sampson and Paul." + +I was at a loss to understand exactly what she meant, nor did I try very +hard, for the look of pain was gone from her face, and I wanted to +repeat the good news to Paul. + +I found him on the shore of the island, gazing across the water as if he +saw in the muddy stream some wonderful vision, and instead of being +surprised or elated when I told what proud position we were to occupy in +the expedition, he said with a sigh: + +"It is enough if I am to be with you, Louis." + +"And your father? Will he give his consent?" + +"He is laying plans for the new settlement which is to be made, and when +I told him it would give me pleasure to go with you and Simon Kenton, +he said he had other things of which to think." + +"Does that mean you are free to go?" + +"Now that he has companions there will be no thought of me. We will go, +Louis; but do you think we will come back?" + +The question almost frightened me. I had thought only of being a scout +for such a brave party as was here encamped, and had given no heed to +the possible danger which awaited us, until reminded of it by Paul's +words. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +DOWN THE OHIO. + + +Paul's question as to whether we would ever come back caused me to be +attacked by timorousness, the first sensation of the kind I had +experienced since the venture was proposed. + +Now the matter had been brought home to me in such an innocent way, I +began to realize all that this journey might mean. I had not spent my +life on the frontier without having heard of Major Clarke, and knew full +well he would not turn his back because of danger; in fact, should he +chance to lead his men into a place where their lives were imperiled, +the major's first thought would be as to how he might get the best of +the foe--not as to how he and his following could escape. + +In addition to this, only a single glance was needed to show that the +work would be hot, once the force had come within striking distance of +the enemy. Major Clarke had enlisted none save old frontiersmen, each +one of whom had battled for his life against the painted wolves a dozen +times over, and I question if there was a man in the forest who had not +some private wrongs to avenge upon both savages and Britishers. + +Knowing all this, one need be a simple who did not understand how sharp +would be the efforts to strike a telling blow once the company was in +the vicinity of the enemy, whether that enemy was a red-coated soldier, +or a half-naked, feather-bedecked brute such as had lived a life of +murdering and plundering since the first day the white men came into +that section of the country. + +And Paul and I were to act, as best we might, the part of scouts in +advance of such a force as was this which followed Major Clarke! We +who, because of our ignorance, should have remained in the rear, would +lead the way, taking perforce the hottest of the fights because of being +the first to encounter the foe. + +It is little wonder that I was overwhelmed with timorousness on +realizing for the first time what I had taken upon myself; but Paul, who +never dreamed of all we might seek out, remained calm and placid as if +ours was to be the most innocent of pleasure excursions. + +The lad was surprised at finding me silent when he had done no more than +repeat what I had said to him a dozen times over, and asked solicitously +if I was ill. + +It would have been little more than the truth had I told him I was sick +with fear; but such words would have shamed me, and I held my peace, +allowing him to believe that I who had never known a day's sickness, had +suddenly been overcome in some womanish fashion. + +It was Simon Kenton who broke in upon our not overly pleasant +conversation, by saying gleefully, as one might who had just come into +some good fortune. + +"If you lads have settled all your business, we'll be off 'twixt now an' +sunset, for I'm countin' on gettin' a good view of the river before we +make a halt." + +"Are the men ready to move?" I asked in surprise. + +"They will follow twenty-four hours later, provided we learn of nothin' +to prevent the movement. It's our task to spy out the land, an' we're +bound to keep well in advance." + +I glanced quickly at Paul in order to see how the news affected him; but +not so much as a tremor of the eyelids followed this information. +Perhaps if he had known all the danger as well as did I, he might have +presented a different appearance. + +It would have been shameful had I shown fear when this lad who knew +nothing of life on the frontier remained unmoved, and I stiffened my +lip as best I might, resolved that neither he nor Simon Kenton should +guess of that which was in my heart. + +Not only did the scout intend to set forth on this day; but I understood +from his movements that he was eager to begin the work as soon as +possible, despite the fact of his having spoken as if an hour earlier or +later could make no difference to him, and I said with so much of +calmness as might be forced into my voice: + +"If it so be you are minded to go at once, I can make ready within five +minutes." + +"It would please me to be rid of this place. A crowd of people is not to +my likin' an' by settin' out now there will be no call for any great +haste, whereas the same cannot be said in case we are but a few hours +ahead of the volunteers." + +"I wish only to have a word with my mother, and then we cannot leave the +island too soon to please me," I replied, and added on observing in +Paul's face what I fancied was a wistful look, as if he was saying to +himself that it would be a consolation to have some one bid him God +speed, "will you come with me, lad? I dare venture to say she will treat +us both alike." + +He sprang forward eagerly, with the moisture of a coming tear in his +eyes, and we went toward that portion of the encampment where were the +women, all of whom found ample occupation in cooking for the volunteers. + +Perhaps it is as well if I set down nothing regarding the parting with +my mother; it was painful to me, and cannot deeply interest any who +reads these lines, if peradventure they really have a reader. + +It is enough if I say that both us lads, for she gave Paul the same show +of affection as was bestowed upon me, promised to be as careful of our +lives as one could who had set about such work as ours might prove, and +in less than half an hour from the moment Simon Kenton announced his +intention of leaving the island, we were standing by the water's edge +awaiting his commands. + +The young scout did not delay once we were ready. A canoe such as is +known by the name of "dugout," was moored to a tree, and in her had been +loaded our scanty outfit. + +A supply of ammunition, pepper, salt, a few potatoes and three loaves of +corn bread made up the list of our belongings such as we could not carry +in the pockets of our hunting shirts. As a matter of course each had a +knife and a rifle, which last would serve to provide us with more food, +and we really needed nothing else. + +Paul had made an attempt to speak with his father before leaving; but +Mr. Sampson was so deeply engaged in laying plans for the future village +which was to spring up on the banks of the Ohio, that he had no time to +spend on his son. + +Major Clarke was the only member of all that company who knew we were to +set out at this time, and he remained in close conversation with Simon +Kenton a good half hour after Paul and I had taken our places in the +dugout. Then, seeing that the scout was eager to be off, he stepped +back, saying to us lads: + +"See to it that you follow closely the instructions given by Kenton; +your lives may depend upon obedience, for the work you have undertaken +is in the highest degree dangerous." + +He might have spared himself that much breath, so far as I was +concerned, for there was in my mind a very good idea of the perils we +would be called upon to face, and I had little relish for such a +reminder, because my courage at this moment was none of the best. + +"So long as we remain in advance you may count on it that there is +nothin' to fear," Kenton said as he unmoored the boat and sent her +moving out into the current with a single stroke of the paddle. "We +shall give you fair warnin' if we come across anything worth knowin', +unless----" + +He did not finish the sentence; but I knew full well how to conclude it. +"Unless we are taken by surprise and all killed," is what he would have +said but for the fear of alarming Paul and me. + +Before we were half a mile from the island I came to realize that I was +playing the part of a fool by allowing my mind to dwell upon the +possibilities of the future, and, forcing thought into a different +channel, I began to speak of the village which it was proposed to build +on the bank of the river, little dreaming that it would one day be a +great city known as Louisville, as if named for me. + +During ten minutes or more, not a word was spoken, and then as if +talking to himself, Kenton said: + +"The volunteers will set out sometime to-morrow, an' should move along +as fast as we can." + +"Are all the men coming down the river?" Paul said: + +"Some will be left behind to look after the women and children; but the +remainder are to set off in the flat boats that were moored at the other +side of the island." + +"If they are to come in boats, I do not understand why we push on +ahead," I said stupidly, whereupon Kenton replied: + +"It's our business to know if the painted snakes are nearabout the river +in any great force." + +"And how may we learn that, unless we tramp along the shore?" + +"The chances are that the snakes would fire at us, not countin' on the +main force bein' so near." + +"In which case we should gain the information by being shot--perhaps +killed." + +"I reckon one of us would come out alive, an' he could get back to give +the news," Kenton said quietly, as if the possibility of our losing our +lives was as nothing so long as the volunteers were warned. "But there's +a good chance we'd all slip through without a scratch, even though the +reptiles had gathered in full force, for they're not the best marksmen +to be found hereabout, an' by keepin' well in the middle of the stream +it should be safe sailin'. Now I'm thinkin' we'd better keep our tongues +quiet, and set our eyes at work, else there's a show of slippin' by what +we've been sent to find. If you see the least auspicious looking thing, +sing out, and we'll know what it means before goin' any further." + +Paul listened to these words as if they had no especial concern for him, +and I was near to being vexed with the lad because of his seeming +indifference when life was in danger; but checked myself with the +thought that he would put on a different look if he fully understood the +situation. + +By this time Simon Kenton was keeping his eyes at work as he labored at +the paddle, refusing my proffer of assistance, and I question if a +single bent twig or broken bough escaped his notice. It was as if he +saw both sides of the river at the same instant, listening as eagerly as +he gazed, and it can be fancied that I did not dare attempt anything in +the way of conversation. + +It is needless for me to explain at length in what fashion we rounded +this point, or skirted that cove half hidden by the overhanging foliage, +for all know full well how voyagers on the Ohio in the days of the +revolution guarded against ambush or sudden attack. + +To my mind we might as well have remained with the volunteers during +this portion of the journey, for in case we came upon any considerable +body of savages there was little chance either of us would succeed in +carrying back the news to those who virtually placed their lives in our +keeping. + + [Illustration: Within five seconds I had fired, using the curl of + vapor for a target.--Page 108. _On The Kentucky Frontier._] + +We had been sailing three hours or more; the sun was low in the heavens, +and the shadows were already so dense on the western bank that a hundred +painted brutes might have been concealed beneath the low hanging +branches without our being any the wiser. + +To me it seemed foolish to continue on any further, if our only purpose +was to scan both sides of the river carefully, and I was on the point of +saying as much to Kenton when a tiny puff of smoke darted out from amid +the foliage to the right of us, hardly more than fifty yards away; a +sharp report like unto the crack of a whip could be heard, while the +splinters flew from the paddle in the scout's hand. + +It goes without saying that I was startled; but not to such an extent as +to deprive me of my wits. + +I knew full well none but a savage would have fired at us, and the +knowledge that the villainous enemy was so near served to make me forget +the fear which had beset me a short time previous. + +Within five seconds from the instant the tiny puff of smoke darted out +like the tongue of a snake, I had fired, using the curl of vapor for a +target, and Simon Kenton said approvingly, but with no trace of +excitement in his tone: + +"That was well done! A lad who is so quick with a shot should not be +taken at a disadvantage, whatever turns up." + +He had forced the bow of the dugout from the shore even before I fired, +and, bending low, was paddling with all his strength as if the one idea +of escape was all that occupied his mind. + +Paul had neither spoken nor moved; at the moment his back was toward me, +a fact which I regretted because I could not see his face to learn if he +changed color. + +We were no more than in mid-stream before a second shot was heard, this +time coming from a point lower down the river; but the bullet flew +harmlessly over our heads. + +I made no effort to return the shot, for the very good reason that there +was no chance I could do any execution at such a distance, even though +he who had fired remained motionless, which was hardly to be expected. + +Kenton pulled around the next bend, hugging the eastern shore closely, +and when we were come to a small creek he forced the canoe up the tiny +water course until it was completely hidden by the foliage. + +"We might have gone on without fear," I said in a whisper, surprised by +this manoeuver, "We were traveling faster than the savages could walk, +and might easily have outstripped them." + +"Which is exactly what we don't count on doin'," he said quietly, +speaking in an ordinary tone, and thus showing he had no thought of +danger while we remained on this side the river. + +"Why not?" Paul asked mildly. + +"Because it's our business to know how many of the reptiles are on +yonder bank." + +"But how will you find out?" + +"Go back there, an' have a look at 'em. In less than an hour we can do +the trick in fine style." + +Paul and I looked at each other in mingled fear and amazement while one +might have counted ten, and then I turned my eyes away, understanding by +this time that to gather such information was the only reason why we had +come down the river ahead of the volunteers. + +Kenton sat like a statue in the center of the canoe, we lads being at +either end, and it seemed to me as if a full hour passed before a word +was spoken. + +Then the night was so near upon us that, save directly in the middle of +the river, it was impossible to distinguish objects twenty paces +distant. + +"I reckon we may as well get to work," and Kenton cautiously forced the +canoe out from amid the tangle of foliage until the current carried her +down stream. + +He did not use the paddle save to keep her from running afoul of dry +brush or logs on the bank, and we had drifted two miles, perhaps, when +he suddenly bent to his work, sending the light craft across the river +at a speed I had never before seen equaled, even by my father. + +I fully expected to hear the report of a rifle, or feel the sting of a +bullet when we were in the middle of the stream where a sharp-eyed +savage might see us; but nothing occurred to check our progress, and in +a marvelously short space of time we were once more screened from view; +but now on the same side of the river where we knew the painted snakes +lurked. + +"You are to stay in the dugout," Simon Kenton whispered to me as he +raised his rifle. "If it so chances that I'm not back here by sunrise, +you must work your way up stream to warn Major Clarke." + +Had he given me the opportunity I should have urged that he take us with +him, or wait till near morning before undertaking so dangerous a +venture; but the words had no more than been spoken when he was gone. + +At one instant he was speaking with me, and at the next he had vanished +as completely and silently as if the waters had covered him. No Indian +who ever lived could have equaled him in swiftness and noiselessness. + +Paul was mystified when he turned and failed to see Kenton, and I felt +forced to explain in whispers what had happened, else I believe of a +verity the lad would have cried out in his bewilderment. + +It is not possible for those who have always lived in large settlements +or towns to realize the desolateness of such a position as was ours +while we waited for the return of the scout. + +He had ventured into the forest where we knew to a certainty were +bloodthirsty enemies, and that he realized all the possibilities had +been shown by the order for us to work our way up-stream to warn the +on-coming boats, in case he failed to return by sunrise. + +My heart was almost in my mouth as I sat there holding Paul's hand, +starting at the lightest sound, and hearing even in the rippling of the +water some token of the savages. My tongue was parched; I could not +have uttered a single word had it been necessary to speak, and only with +the greatest difficulty did I prevent my hand from trembling, thus +exposing to my companion that I was wofully afraid. + +When perhaps an hour had passed it seemed to me as if we had been there +a full night, and then came that sound which I had at the same time been +expecting and fearing to hear. + +From the distance, half a mile away, I guessed, came the crack of a +rifle; then another and another, and after that the same deathly silence +as before. + +"Think you any harm has come to him?" Paul whispered tremulously, and I +replied as I believed truly: + +"Not unless he met with an accident before that first shot was fired. If +there had been a large number of savages nearabout, he would have used +every effort to return without loss of time, that we might go to warn +the volunteers. There may have been only a few, with, perhaps, a +captive, and he has attempted a rescue." + +I was heartened by my own words, which sounded plausible, and remained +on the alert ten minutes or more, expecting each instant to see Kenton +appear as silently as he had vanished. + +When that length of time had elapsed, however, and he yet remained +absent, fear crept over me, and I imagined the worst. + +After half an hour went by, and I kept note of time by counting, there +was no longer any hope in my heart. + +After firing a shot Kenton would, had he been able, come back to us at +once; for even though he had not learned all which seemed necessary, he +must have understood that he would no longer be able to spy upon the +foe. + +I tried to decide what should be done; but my brain was in a whirl. I +could hardly have defended myself if one of the painted brutes had shown +himself close at hand. + +It was Paul who aroused me from what was little less than the +stupefaction of despair, by whispering in my ear: + +"He did not say that we should go up the river until sunrise. Why may it +not be possible for us to help him?" + +I shook my head, believing it was too late for us to effect anything in +his behalf; but the suggestion, coming from a lad who was ignorant of +all this wretched business, awakened me to a realization of my own +folly. + +"I am the one to go," I said decidedly "You shall stay here, in case he +comes back." + +"By so doing I could be of no assistance. We will go together." + +Even now I fail to understand why my wits had so completely deserted me. +I had no thought of what might be the result if we two made off into the +forest in the darkness; but before we met Simon Kenton again I realized +my folly most keenly. + +Without trying to persuade him to remain, as I should have done even in +my foolishness, I whispered: + +"You must move softly and keep close behind me, lest we be separated in +the thicket where it might mean death to cry out. Follow my every +motion, for I shall take the lead." + +He grasped his rifle in a manner which told he at least was no coward, +and clutched my hunting shirt to make certain of obeying the command I +had given. + +I stepped over the side of the canoe into the water; but not as silently +as Simon Kenton had done, and we two waded ashore with no heed as to +where this rash move was likely to lead us. + +Ashamed though I am to confess it, I took no heed as to the location of +the boat we were leaving--made no attempt to seek out what would serve +as a guide when we returned, if in deed we ever did; but had only in +mind the idea of proceeding up-stream toward where the reports of the +weapons had come from. + +And into the blackness of the forest we plunged, +I claiming to be better versed, in woodcraft than my companion, yet +doing that which the most ignorant townsman would never have dreamed of +attempting. + +It was the act of a fool, and I was to receive the punishment due my +folly. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +ASTRAY. + + +It seemed to me that the noise of the firearms had come from a point +about half a mile from the shore, and less than a third of this distance +up-stream, therefore I bent my way in that direction, heeding nothing +save the terrible fear that Simon Kenton had been taken prisoner, or +killed outright. + +Could I have learned that he was dead my heart might have been somewhat +lighter, for I knew full well how terrible would be the torture +inflicted upon him once the savages understood who he was. + +In such case, Paul and I were bound to carry the sad news back to the +volunteers without delay; but while there was a chance of our being able +to give him succor, I held that it was our duty to make every effort in +such direction. + +When I was older grown, and had seen more of warfare, I came to +understand that the life of one man counts for but little when compared +with the general good, and had such fact been impressed upon my mind at +this time, I would never have set out on the foolhardy errand which bid +fair to lead Paul Sampson and me to our death. + +The lad whom Simon Kenton and I had saved from the stake was an apt +pupil, as he showed on this night when he followed close in my +footsteps, betraying no signs of fear when he might well have been +excused for betraying timorousness, and moving with the utmost caution. + +It is not for me to say that we advanced as silently as the young scout +could have done; but I was satisfied that we were not moving in a clumsy +fashion, and began to feel a certain pride in thus showing Paul how we +of the frontier followed on the trail of our enemies. + +During perhaps half an hour we two went steadily but cautiously forward, +and then it seemed to me as if we should have arrived at the spot from +which the shots had come. + +I halted and listened intently. Not a sound could be heard save the +soughing of the wind among the foliage, or the countless faint noises of +the night which tell of life when the world is supposed to be sleeping. + +For the first time a sense of distrust in my own ability found lodgment +in my mind. It seemed positive we had either traveled in the wrong +direction, or the savages had left the vicinity where the encounter had +taken place. Surely we ought to have come across Kenton, unless he made +a wider detour than at first seemed probable, or, as I feared, had been +taken prisoners. + +A certain numbness as of despair took possession of me; I pressed +forward with less heed than before to the direction I was taking, and +again stood still to listen. + +When we made this second halt I believed we were no less than two miles +from where the canoe lay, and it was positive the enemy had not been so +far away when the weapons were discharged. + +Paul pressed my arm in token that he wanted to say something; but I +clapped my hand over his mouth. The fact that I had made a most grievous +mistake was beginning to find lodgment in my dull brain, and a nervous +fear was creeping over me. + +The thought that he, a lad from the east who knew nothing of woodcraft, +had good reason to distrust my ability, angered me, and like a fool I +advanced once more, this time at right angles with the course we had +been pursuing, even though I should have known that such traveling at +random was not calculated to produce the desired results. + +When we had forced our way through the underbrush for a distance of +perhaps another mile, we were halted by a swamp. + +It was not possible that either the Indians or Simon Kenton had +attempted to cross such a place where one must flounder around with +noise enough to proclaim his every movement, and I leaned against the +trunk of a tree fully realizing all the mischief I had wrought. + +Again Paul gave token of wishing to speak, and I no longer attempted to +check him. + +"If we are to hunt for Kenton, or count on learning what has become of +him, would it not be better that we went back to the canoe, and waited +for the coming of day?" + +"Then it is our duty to push up stream to warn the volunteers," I +replied moodily. + +"We cannot hope to find him while it is dark, and it may be that we +shall lose our way," he suggested mildly, whereupon, and without reason, +I turned upon him angrily. + +"We have lost it already!" + +"Can you not retrace your steps to the river?" he asked mildly, and +without show of fear. + +"We should be able to strike the stream; but, having done so, I could +not say whether we were above or below the canoe, and we might travel +for hours in the wrong direction." + +"We would be able to learn our course by the current, and if it be not +possible to find the boat, then must we go up the river to warn the +volunteers." + +"And leave Simon Kenton in the hands of the savage brutes?" I asked +angrily, grown unreasoning in my nervous fears and the knowledge that I +had made a fool of myself. + +"We are not leaving Kenton, because we have never found him, and since, +as seems true, we only wander about aimlessly, would it not be wisest to +think of the others, who rely upon us to point out the danger which may +await them?" + +Paul Sampson was speaking like a sensible lad, and I realized it fully. +He, the boy ignorant of woodcraft, should have been the leader, and I +wished most devoutly I had consulted with him before setting out on +this wild-goose chase. + +While one might have counted twenty I stood unwilling to acknowledge my +helplessness, and then something like a gleam of common sense came into +my mind. I stood ready to confess that I had acted like a simple, and he +must have understood something of the truth, when I said: + +"It shall be as you propose, Paul, and we'll make for the river; but +this time I am not counting on taking the lead, having already shown +that I have no right to direct our movements." + +"If you despair like this, then are we lost indeed," he said mildly. +"Remember that I know nothing whatever of such work. Go on as before, +using your best efforts to lead us to the river. Then we should aim to +meet the volunteers, so it seems to me, forgetting poor Kenton because +of the many others who need to know exactly what has happened here." + +Without attempting an argument, even had I been able to find one which +would warrant our traveling to and fro as we had done, I acted upon his +suggestion. + +Either we had traveled in a southerly direction to where the river took +a sharp bend, or were much deeper in the forest than had at first seemed +possible to me, for a full hour was spent making our way through the +tangled underbrush, now slowly because of the necessity for silence, and +again pressing forward as rapidly as we deemed safe, and not until such +a length of time had elapsed did we come to the bank of the stream. + +That I had allowed myself to be completely turned around was proven by +the current of the river, for without such evidence I would have gone +toward the south, believing I was making my way northward. + +"The canoe must be above us," Paul said as we halted, "and by following +the shore it should be possible to come upon it." + +This seemed no more than reasonable, and hope once more filled my heart +as I led the way along the bank, now moving with greater caution because +it was more probable we might come upon the enemy. + +One place looked much like another in the darkness, and yet before +midnight we arrived at a spot where I firmly believed the dugout had +been left. + +Paul was of the same opinion, even going so far as to declare that he +had noted on coming ashore the gum tree which we were standing near +while holding the consultation. + +I was disposed to believe as he did, but yet the fact that the canoe +could not be found caused me to think both of us were mistaken. + +"Surely this can't be the place," I argued, "for none save Simon Kenton +could have come upon the canoe in the darkness, and, on failing to find +us, he would wait a certain time for our return." + +"You can't say that positively," Paul replied, "for the scout realizes +that the safety of the volunteers depends upon him in a measure, and +would count our lives as of but little value compared with so many as +are coming down the river." + +"Then you think he has been here and gone away in the boat?" I asked. + +"That I do, for the gum tree is as familiar to my eyes as anything can +be on so dark a night as this." + +I was overcome by the possibility. If what Paul declared with such +assurance was true, then were we two lads left alone upon the banks of +the river amid a savage foe, to make our way back to Corn Island, or, +what would be a far more difficult and dangerous task, to continue on to +the mouth of the Tennessee River. + +By going back we should proclaim the fact of my folly, and prove me to +be a lad whose ignorance was near to crime; while to advance seemed +little less than the sacrifice of our own lives. + +Somewhat of this I said to Paul, and he replied like the true-hearted, +brave lad he was: + +"It is better to acknowledge one's ignorance than try to purchase +secrecy at the expense of life. If we have made a mistake, why not admit +it?" + +I, who had plumed myself upon the fact that Simon Kenton was willing to +take me with him as a scout, felt that almost anything was better than +returning, and yet I knew it was my duty to push on up the stream to +warn those who were descending, because we were not yet positive that +the scout had taken away the boat. + +Kenton might be a prisoner in the hands of the savages, and in such case +it was of the utmost importance Major Clarke and his volunteers should +know the facts. + +Not without a severe mental struggle did I decide to smother my pride +and follow Paul's advice; but once having settled upon a course of +action, I was eager to pursue it. + +Prudence dictated that we should wait until daybreak; but I believe of +a verity it would have made me wild to remain in that spot inactive, +thinking only of my folly, and now, as when we left the canoe, I pressed +on with but one idea in mind; but, fortunately, yet retaining so much of +common sense as to understand that we must be on the alert to gain such +information as was possible during the journey. + +The further we continued on up the river, the more firmly did I become +convinced that our last halting place was at the spot where the canoe +had been left, for we saw no other such familiar indentation on the +shore, and now the important question in my mind was as to whether Simon +Kenton had embarked in the dugout, or if the Indians had carried her +away. This last proposition appeared to me so improbable that I hardly +gave it a place in my thoughts. + +On, on, we went, traveling at the rate of no more than two miles an +hour, because of being forced to move silently and at the same time +carrying out the plan of learning if there might be enemies in the +vicinity, and it was nearabout daybreak when, as I believed, we had been +advancing for no less than three hours, our progress was checked as we +came suddenly upon a party of savages, the greater number of whom were +asleep. + +It was accident, rather than wisdom, which prevented our tumbling +directly in upon them, and thereby insuring our own captivity or death. + +I was in the lead, as Paul had insisted should be the case, and my +thoughts were occupied with speculations concerning Simon Kenton rather +than the work which lay before me, when a noise as of some one snoring +arrested my footsteps. + +I had come to a halt within a dozen paces of the savages, and could see, +where the underbrush was thinnest, the form of a feather-bedecked brute +leaning against a tree evidently on guard. + +A dozen steps more and we had been directly upon them. + +Turning quickly, I clasped my hand over Paul's mouth, lest he should +speak, although the lad had shown himself to be a better frontiersman +than I, and this movement of mine told him of the danger so near at +hand. + +During twenty seconds, perhaps, we two stood peering into the gloom, +able only to learn that there could not be less than twenty Indians here +encamped, and then silently as shadows, for our lives depended upon the +movement, we turned about, retracing our steps until thirty yards or +more lay between us and the sleeping murderers. + +Then I whispered in my comrade's ear: + +"We must make a detour here lest those brutes come to know of our +whereabouts, so keep well in mind the direction of the river." + +"Do you count on going forward without learning if Simon Kenton may be +among the savages?" he asked, and a flood of shame came over me as I +thus realized that my own danger had caused me to forget the scout at a +time when his possible fate should have been uppermost in mind. + +Of a verity Paul Sampson ought to have been the leader, and I his humble +follower. + +So abased was I by his thoughtfulness and my own stupidity, that I would +have suggested he reconnoiter the camp, but an instant later, realizing +that such dangerous work should be performed by me if for no other +reason than that I might atone for my past folly, I whispered: + +"Stay here, while I go forward." + +"Why should I not follow? If it so be Kenton is not there, we may +continue on, and thus save the time you would spend in returning to find +me." + +Again he was right, and again was I stupid. + +Well, we did as he suggested, and no lad on the frontier could have done +better work than this same Paul, who was so lately come from the east. + +Skirting around the sleeping scoundrels so silently that the quick-eared +watchers failed to take alarm, we got such view of the brutes as could +be had in the darkness, and when half an hour or more was spent in the +work, I could say of a truth that Simon Kenton had not been made +prisoner by this band. + +It was a great relief of mind, and yet only served to increase my shame, +for now did I begin to believe that the scout had taken away the canoe, +going up the river, or down, as might seem to him best, regardless of us +two who had committed such a fault as was ours. + +The gray light was filtering through the foliage when we were clear of +the foe and could with some degree of safety continue the journey. + +I pushed on at a swift pace that we might put the greatest possible +distance between them and us before the day should have fully come; and +the sun was rising when we halted for a breathing spell. + +Now I found that Paul had much the same idea as I regarding Kenton's +whereabouts, save that he contended the scout had continued on down the +river, believing a band of twenty would hardly attempt to lay an ambush +for three or four boats heavily laden with armed men. + +"A party like that might do great mischief firing upon the boats from +the thicket," I said, "and if Simon Kenton saw them, I make certain he +has gone back. If not, we may gain some little credit, although hardly +enough to counterbalance the shame, by returning." + +We knew the volunteers would begin the journey as soon as day broke, +therefore within an hour, if we traveled at our best pace, it should be +possible to hail the foremost craft. + +The Indians might also move in the same direction, therefore it stood us +in hand to advance as rapidly as possible, and I led the way once more +at my best pace. + +Lest it may seem that I set down too much concerning what we did, and +too little regarding the brave men who were about to risk their lives in +order that the settlers on the frontier might be more safe, this +account shall be cut short with no further mention of ourselves until we +saw, far in the distance, the first of the flat-boats. + +Making our way with all speed to the outermost portion of the point on +which we were standing at the moment, we waved our arms vigorously, not +daring to shout, and the craft was yet a quarter of a mile away when we +saw by the commotion aboard that our signals had been seen and +understood. + +Then two men set out in a canoe, paddling in advance of the unwieldy +flat-boat in order that there might be no necessity of her rounding-to, +and within a comparatively short time we were ferried out to the larger +craft, on which was Major Clarke, eager to learn why we were returning. + +I had no desire to shield myself, although knowing full well that in the +minds of such men as listened to the story I had committed almost a +crime in deserting the canoe while Simon Kenton was ashore. The entire +tale was told without reserve, and then was I gladdened by the major's +words: + +"It may be fortunate that you acted the part of a foolish lad, for +certain it is that Simon Kenton would not have disregarded such a +company as you saw on shore. It must be that he either failed to find +them, or came across another band. It stands us in hand to look after +the party of reptiles lest they be on their way to Corn Island, there to +fall upon the women and children." + +Having said this he gave certain orders to the men, and without delay +the long sweeps were worked until the heavy craft was forced close into +the western bank, where she was made fast. + +Then thirty or more were ordered ashore, the major going with them after +he had given us lads permission to follow. + +"That we will do, sir," I said, "if we are needed to lead the way." + +"We would be poor frontiersmen if we failed to follow your trail, lads," +Major Clarke said with a smile. "You shall do as you please." + +Now it would have suited me better to remain in safety aboard the +flat-boat, yet there was a chance that now I might show my desire to +repair the wrong committed, and I replied as if my heart was full of +courage: + +"We may not be of much assistance, sir; but I should like it better if +we had a hand in the work." + +Whereupon Paul stepped closely to my side as if to say I had but spoken +the thoughts which were in his mind. + +Thus it was that we two followed the volunteers, knowing full well we +might fall into an ambush, and certain we would soon be battling with +our enemies. + +Among these men led by Major Clarke, there was not one ignorant of how +the work before him should be accomplished. No orders, were necessary. + +The volunteers moved ten or twelve paces apart, stretching far up from +the river until they were what would be called by military men a +"skirmish line," and then began the advance, while the flat-boat +remained moored to the bank and two settlers were paddling at full speed +up-stream to warn the other craft. + +Save for the bungling movements of Paul and myself, not a sound could be +heard as we pressed forward, keenly on the alert for the enemy, and +ready for an immediate attack. + +It was as if a company of shadows flitted here and there amid the +underbrush, so far as might be told from sound, and although the advance +was noiseless, it was made swiftly. + +Paul and I were left somewhat in the rear because of not being able to +keep the pace silently, and during more than half of the hour which +passed, I failed to see a single man ahead of us. + +Then suddenly, although we knew full well it must soon come, the report +of a rifle rang out on the still air; after this another and another, +until there could be no question but that the foremost of the party had +come upon those of whom we gave warning. + +My timorousness was forgotten on the instant--cast out of mind by the +knowledge that our lives must be defended, and Paul, whom I believe of a +verity had never been timid, pressed forward so rapidly to take part in +the struggle that I laid hold of him lest he should unnecessarily run +into danger. + +We advanced three hundred paces or more before coming to where our men +were sheltered behind trees, trying to pick off the foe who were in +similar positions, and I heard Major Clarke say in a sharp, low tone: + +"Get to cover, lads! The reptiles are close upon us, and you are giving +them fair targets." + +I leaped behind a gum tree, giving no heed to Paul's movements, and had +but just gained this shelter when a bullet cut the bark within an inch +of my face. + +The Indians were ready for battle, although I had often heard it said +they would never stand up in a fair fight, and there came into my mind +the fear that Paul and I might have seen only a portion of their +force--that possibly we were confronting a large body led by British +officers. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +THE CAPTIVE SCOUT. + + +To you who have read of, and perhaps taken part in, battles between two +armies, this encounter on the banks of the Ohio may seem trifling, and +devoid of interest, because there is no thrilling account of this +gallant charge, or that stubborn holding of a position. + +Since the day when thirty men under command of Major Clarke confronted +an unknown number of Indians on the banks of the Ohio, driving them back +in such fashion that there was no longer spirit enough left in them to +carry out the murderous plan which they had formed for attacking the +defenseless ones on Corn Island--since that day, I say, this country +has seen much of warfare, and what was to Paul Sampson and myself like +a veritable battle has, even while I write, passed into history as +something too insignificant to be worthy of any extended mention. + +To us lads, however, who stood there in the long, scattered line, +knowing that our lives depended upon our own exertions; knowing that the +least incautious movement--a single instant wasted when the trigger of a +rifle should have been pressed, might mean death, it was an engagement +as heavy and important as any that has been waged since the world began, +and with good reason, because our own safety hung in the balance. + +In this world one is prone to give importance to, or detract from, an +event in such measure as it concerns himself alone, and, therefore, Paul +and I may well be excused for holding high in our memory this conflict +which meant everything to those people who on Corn Island awaited our +movements before they should begin to build that settlement which has +since become known as Louisville. + +Of it I can tell no more than that which I saw, and I dare venture to +say that my experience was the same as that of every other in the line, +for no man could give attention save to what lay directly before him. + +It was in fact nothing more, this battle, than standing behind gum or +pine tree, as the case might be, peering intently ahead and on either +side for a distance of twenty or thirty paces, hoping to catch a glimpse +of a tuft of feathers which would tell where a bullet might be sent with +deadly effect, or cowering back whenever a movement of the foliage told +that a rifle barrel was being thrust out so that the holder might take +deadly aim. + +Commonplace enough it sounds when set down in words; but if he who +chances to read can imagine himself in such a position, his only effort +being to save his own life or take that of another, some little idea may +be had of the thrilling excitement which overcame me like unto a fever. + +Now and then from different points could be heard voices shouting words +of encouragement to those in that line of brave men who might perchance +be for the moment faint-hearted. Again, and all too often, came the cry +of pain or an exclamation of anger when the bullet of a savage had +bitten the flesh, and meanwhile Major Clarke was calling out to this man +or to that as he leaped from one point of vantage to the other, +animating every one by his words as well as his example. + +In such a situation the combatants do not give heed to the passage of +time. There are intervals when each second is as a dozen minutes, and +then again, when the minutes flit by apparently more quickly than one +could count. + +Once, when having turned my back to the tree, knowing that my body was +fully sheltered while I reloaded my rifle, I observed Paul, calm and +collected as the mightiest hunter among us. If perchance his aim was +less true than some of the others, it was not because of nervousness or +anxiety concerning himself. He stood his ground like a man--a man who +fights to protect others, rather than for his own honor or to preserve +his own life. + +On that morning Paul Sampson gave good proof that he was worthy to be +numbered among the defenders of the frontier, and showed that in him +could be found none of his father's fickle-mindedness. + +The report of his rifle rang out as often as did that of the most eager +or most experienced in the line, and how much execution he might have +done I know not; but this is certain, that I saw no less than two tufts +of feathers rise convulsively and then sink suddenly out of sight when +his weapon had been discharged at them. + +I say it is impossible to tell at such a time how long one faces his +foe; but it was afterwards told that the Indians stood up to the battle +for near an hour, and then came the word from Major Clarke that they +were falling back. + +This information was in the nature of a command for us to advance, and +advance we did, leaping from one place of shelter to another, while +hastening the faint-hearted foe by bullets sent whithersoever the +swaying of the foliage told us one of the brutes was making his way +onward. + +When we had advanced in such halting fashion for the distance of forty +or fifty paces, I was come to where the painted crew had made their +stand, and there saw good evidence of what we had accomplished. + +No less than four bodies were stretched on the ground lifeless, and my +timorousness returned in a measure as I realized that near at hand, +perhaps making ready to take aim at me, might be some savage, so badly +wounded that he could not join his fellows in what had become little +less than a flight. + + [Illustration: We advanced from one place of shelter to another, + firing rapidly,--Page 142. _On the Kentucky Frontier._] + +At that moment we were in more danger of such of the savages than +from those who were yet sound in body; but as the time passed and I felt +neither the sting of a bullet nor the burning cut of a knife, my courage +came back again before those around me noted the fact of my having been +near to cowardice. + +We advanced, leaping from one sheltered spot to another, until the word +was passed along the line that the remnant of the foe had taken to +flight, no longer trying to shelter themselves, and the battle was over, +save for those eager white men who pursued in the hope of shedding yet +more Indian blood. + +Major Clarke gave the word for his force to fall back to the boat. He +told off four men to search the thicket for bodies of the savages in +order that we might know how many had fallen, and the remainder of the +party, save two or three who were so far in advance as not to have heard +the command, returned to where the flat-boat was moored. + +It was in my mind to congratulate Paul upon his having been in action +and come out unscathed, believing a lad like him, who had stood up +against the enemy for the first time in his life, would be ready to hear +words of praise, or, at least, discuss the exciting events. + +But the boy whom I had looked upon as ignorant because of never having +lived on the frontier, was now shaming me by his actions. + +Instead of spending his time in useless words, Paul began cleaning his +heated rifle, and otherwise putting himself into condition to do a like +service if the occasion should suddenly require it. + +Abashed by his calm and manly behavior, I held my peace, following his +example, and when the last of the pursuers had returned to the flat-boat +we two lads were ready to take part in another encounter. + +Those who had been detailed to learn how much injury we inflicted upon +the foe, reported that fourteen killed or grievously wounded lay in the +thicket, and once more Major Clarke questioned us as to the probable +number we had seen in the encampment. + +I was positive, as also was Paul, that there could not have been upward +of thirty, while it was more reasonable to believe the band numbered +less than twenty, and the major claimed that we might rest assured there +was no longer any danger to be feared from this particular band of +brutes. + +While we were fighting in the thicket the other flat-boats had come down +the stream, rounded-to, and made fast alongside the first craft; but not +a man had gone on shore to take part in the battle because of the orders +left by our leader. + +Now we were ready to continue the journey, and the major said to Paul +and me when we were on board once more, drifting with the current: + +"I allow that it was a fortunate mishap for you lads to have lost sight +of Simon Kenton, otherwise we should have been called upon to bury a +certain number of dead from among the force, instead of having to count +only four slightly wounded. Had that party of reptiles fired on us from +the thicket as we drifted by, much loss of life must have followed. +Therefore I hold to it that you have done us, at the very beginning of +the journey, good service." + +"But where can Simon Kenton be?" I asked. + +"Pushing on down the river most like, believing you were captured while +he was spying upon the other members of that gang. We shall come across +him before many days have passed, unless it so be that he finds it +necessary to come back for the purpose of warning us." + +If the major had intimated that Simon Kenton might at that moment be a +prisoner among the savages, I should have felt the keenest anxiety for +his safety; but here was a man who had had more experience on the +frontier than the eldest among us, speaking of the scout as if it was +not possible any danger could have come to him, and whatever fears +might have been in my mind prior to this time were speedily allayed. + +Now I began to enjoy the journey down the river. We had nothing to do +save sit at our ease while the swift, strong current bore us onward +toward our destination, and such traveling was exceedingly pleasant, +more particularly since I no longer thought it necessary to blame myself +for having left the canoe when I should have remained by her. + +Simon Kenton himself would censure me for having done as I did; but +after knowing how much good had resulted from it, his words of blame +could not be severe. + +It was with such thoughts I comforted myself, and finally gave no heed +to anything save that which was pleasurable. + +When noon came Paul and I shared the provisions of our companions, and, +after the meal was come to an end, lay stretched at full length in the +after part of the boat watching the panorama spread out before us. + +It must not be supposed that while the boats drifted on in this lazy +fashion the men neglected to give due heed to possible danger. + +Strict watch was kept on either bank, and when it became necessary to +round a point or pass some tiny cove fringed with trees wherein the +enemy might lurk to send a shower of bullets among us, the heavy craft +were forced to the greatest possible distance from the place of danger, +while every man stood, rifle in hand, ready to check an attack or return +a volley. + +It was not permitted that we should hold converse in voices louder than +a whisper, and those who worked the heavy sweeps were careful to do so +in the most noiseless fashion, for we knew full well that the enemy +lurked on either shore, and every care was taken to avoid giving notice +of our approach. + +When the day was near to an end the boats were allowed to come closer +together, and finally, when night was so near at hand that the shadows +on the shore grew dense, Major Clarke gave a signal, by gestures, that +we were to haul up till morning. + +"Are we to lay by the bank over night?" Paul asked, and I, unable to +reply, appealed for information to the man nearest, who said much as if +believing the question a foolish one: + +"I reckon there won't be any boatin' done after sunset, unless there's +some great need. Those who drift down this river just now had best do so +when it is possible to have a good view of either bank, and Major Clarke +is not the man to take needless chances." + +"The savages can do no more mischief in the dark than when the sun +shines," Paul said quietly. + +"That is where I'm not agreein' with you, my lad. In the light we can +give as good as they send; but after dark, when there's no chance of +seein' the reptiles, they have the upper hands. Howsomever, our opinion +on the matter won't have any very great weight with the major, and +you'll find that along about this time each day we'll be looking for a +place to halt." + +The boat in which we sailed was the foremost of the fleet, and while the +man was yet speaking the crew worked the sweeps until she rounded to +under the bank, followed by the others, and in less than half an hour we +were moored for the night. + +This done, the first duty was to learn whether there might be any of the +enemy in the vicinity, and scouts were sent out at once, while the +remainder of the company set about getting supper, or, perhaps I should +say, eating it, for such food as we carried at that time was already +cooked. + +There was no thought of immediate danger in my mind; as a matter of +course I realized that we were surrounded by enemies, but after the +battle of the morning I was confident the enemy had been driven to a +respectful distance. + +I had ceased to think of Simon Kenton, save as pushing on down the river +at his best pace, scolding because we were not with him to share in the +labor, and I counted on spending the night in rest. + +It so chanced that Major Clarke was seated very near Paul and I when the +first of the scouts returned, and the information he brought was +sufficient to drive from the minds of every man on board all thought of +idling. + +It appeared from the story we heard, that this scout, seeing a faint +glow as of a light on the opposite side of the river, a mile below where +we were lying, had taken a canoe from the nearest flat-boat and paddled +across. + +There, after having landed, he crept noiselessly through the foliage an +hundred yards or more from the bank until he saw that which explained to +me, at least, why Paul and I failed to find the dugout when we returned +after our foolish tramp. + +A party of fifty Indians, most likely a portion of the same band we +whipped that morning, had halted for the purpose of torturing a +prisoner to death, and that prisoner, so the man declared, was none +other than Simon Kenton. + +He also had been rash and foolish when going ashore in search of +information, and at about the time we heard the reports of the firearms +he must have been made a prisoner. + +Even as I shuddered at the possibility that those who would go to the +rescue might arrive too late, I thought with a certain sense of relief +that now he could not find fault with us for having abandoned our post. + +Had we remained in the canoe, as we should have done, then beyond a +peradventure we had been captives with him, and the flat-boats, not +having been delayed by the battle, might at this time be too far down +stream for their occupants to render any aid. + +It goes without saying that instantly this news was told preparations +were made for the rescue, and while the men were being told off, for +Major Clarke did not intend to take with him more than half a company, +Paul said to me quietly, as if there was nothing to excite or alarm: + +"Of course it is our right to aid in the rescue of the scout." + +"There are many others here who could do better service than we," I +replied, not relishing a second encounter. + +If Paul and I had been alone in the thicket, and were the only ones who +could give assistance to Simon Kenton, then never for an instant would I +have dreamed of holding back; but here were near to four hundred men, +all of them with more experience in such bloody business than either he +or I, and it was only a question of desire that would carry us into the +conflict. + +"We set out from Corn Island with him, and should be the first to go to +his relief," Paul said, as if the matter was already settled in his +mind, and I understood on the instant that he would apply to Major +Clarke for permission to join the force, whether I was disposed to +accompany him or not. + +It would have shamed me wofully had Simon Kenton been alive when the +party reached him, and failed to see me with my comrade, therefore I +leaped up at once as if eager for another battle, and together we +approached the commander. + +"It is our desire, sir, to take part in the rescue," Paul said modestly, +"We were his comrades, and should be the first to go to his relief." + +Then it was Major Clarke made much the same answer as had I, replying +that it would be better the older men take the brunt of the affair; but +Paul held grimly to his purpose, by repeating: + +"It is our duty, sir, and I believe it to be our right." + +I was not disposed that he should be the only one to display courage and +a desire to aid Simon Kenton, therefore I said, throwing such of desire +into my tones as was possible: + +"I pray you, sir, that we be allowed to join the party, if for no other +reason than because the scout was our comrade." + +"It shall be as you say, lads," Major Clarke replied; "but I warn you +against being too eager for such frays. An attack in the night, while it +may sometimes be less dangerous than in the daytime, is likely to prove +far more hazardous." + +The major might have convinced me that it was my duty to remain aboard +the flat-boat; but Paul Sampson was as headstrong once he had resolved, +as he was quiet in manner, and I understood, without the necessity for +words, that he would not be turned from his purpose. + +It can well be supposed that after this word was brought in every man +gave due heed to silence, for should the savages who were making ready +to torture the prisoner, discover that we were near at hand, Simon +Kenton's death would speedily follow. + +To make any attempt to gain the opposite shore with one of the large +flat-boats would be folly, therefore all the dugouts which we towed, or +carried aboard, were brought into line, and those men selected for the +enterprise clambered into them, Paul and I among the others. + +Now to my surprise, instead of putting directly across the river, the +boats were allowed to drift down on the same side where the heavy craft +were moored, keeping well within the shadow of the trees, and not until +we were a mile or more below where it was said the Indians had halted, +was any effort made to cross. + +By the time the opposite side was gained we were fully two miles down +stream, and even a greater distance from the place it would be necessary +to gain in order to rescue Kenton. + +Here we landed, Major Clarke and one of the older men taking the lead, +while the remainder followed in single file. + +Paul and I were midway of the line, and because strict orders had been +given that no word should be spoken, he pressed my arm from time to +time as if to convey by such means the thoughts that came into his mind. + +I could not divine of what he might be thinking; but I knew it was a +very disagreeable fact that at any moment we might fall into an ambush, +for no man could say with certainty that the Indians had failed to note +our coming. + +I suffered more during that tramp of two miles in the utter darkness, +than on the previous night when it had seemed as if Paul's fate and mine +was sealed. + +When we were come so near to the place of torture that the light of the +fires kindled around the tree to which the captive was bound could be +plainly seen, but were screened from view of the river by the foliage, +my heart beat and thumped until it seemed, so nervous had I become, as +if the noise must give warning to the painted crew who were dancing +around their intended victim. + +In whispers Major Clarke gave orders that the men should separate and +creep forward, each at a distance of six paces from the other, until we +had half encircled the murderous band, and then each was to be on the +alert, ready to fire when the first report of the commander's rifle was +heard. + +By such means was it believed that a full half of the savages would be +slain at the first fire, and, thus taken by surprise, the remainder +would seek safety in flight. + +When Paul and I, keeping nearer together than the orders permitted, had +come as close to the savages as might be done with safety, we had a full +view of the unfortunate Kenton. + +I had no doubt but that the Indians recognized him as one who had worked +them no little harm in the past, for they were preparing to prolong his +tortures to the utmost. Sharp splinters of wood were being made ready +for use after the fashion of spears, lest knives should produce death +too quickly, and the painted crew were already circling close around +him, when, as I knew from what had been told me by the others, before +the fires were lighted which should burn his flesh, he would be cut and +mangled with a thousand superficial wounds. + +A brave man was Simon Kenton, and so he showed himself at this moment +when there could have been no hope in his mind that help was near. + +Stripped nearly naked in order that the murderous wolves might see where +to strike without inflicting too serious an injury, he faced them with +what was very like a smile on his face, while the blood was already +flowing down his body from tiny gashes, and I understood that however +much of anguish might come to him, never a cry of pain could be rung +from his lips. + +Paul crept nearer to grasp my arm with a convulsive clutch, and I knew +the lad was feeling most keenly for the prisoner, being able to +understand full well what must have been the captive's thoughts, for had +he not occupied the same position? + +I had leveled my rifle, aiming at the Indian who stood nearest Simon +Kenton, determined that the ball should find its billet, when the sharp +crack of Major Clarke's weapon rang out, and a dancing savage fell to +the ground with a shriek of pain and defiance. + +Instantly half an hundred rifles were discharged, and it seemed to me as +if every feathered head went down, after which the scene was obscured +from view by clouds of sulphurous smoke. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +AT THE RENDEZVOUS. + + +Even before the smoke had cleared away sufficiently for me to see the +captives, our people rushed forward, all reloading as they ran, and +during two or three minutes the confusion was so great that I could not +make out what might be going on. + +Paul and I had dashed forward with the rest, and, instinctively, so far +as I was concerned, we directed our steps toward the prisoner, who was +bound hand and foot in such a manner that I question if he could have +moved either of his limbs by so much as a hair's breadth. + +The effect of the fire was not so deadly as I had at first supposed. +More than one of the savages must have dropped to the ground to +disconcert our aim, as I now understood on seeing that no more than +five lay stretched out on the ground near the captive. + +The remainder had taken to cover a short distance away, and two of our +men dropped as they ran forward, while I saw bloodstains on the shirts +of two others. + +"We must get to shelter!" I shouted to Paul, swerving aside from the +course we had been pursuing as I spoke, and clutching his arm in order +that he should be forced to do the same. + +The brave little lad had no idea of leaving Simon Kenton at the mercy of +the painted brutes, however. It was reasonable to suppose they would +shoot him rather than allow a rescue, and Paul was bent on saving him at +the hazard of his own life. + +Wrenching his arm from my grasp, and almost at the same instant drawing +his hunting knife, he dashed on toward the tree to which the scout was +bound, and involuntarily I followed; but no credit should be given me +for the act, because I was hardly conscious of my own movements. + +Here, there and everywhere around us, as it seemed to me, rang out the +reports of rifles, and every weapon was held with deadly aim. + +It was as if the air was full of death-dealing missiles, and yet no one +of them touched us as we sped across what was now an open space, both +white men and savages having retreated to the nearest shelter. + +Paul was the first to reach the captive, and with an exultant shout he +began hacking at the deer-hide thongs with which the poor fellow was +bound. + +"You're lads after my own heart!" Simon Kenton cried, his voice ringing +out clear and distinct even above the yells of the combatants and the +rattle of the rifles. "If I live it may be possible to pay you two for +this night's work!" + +His words drove the timorousness from my heart, and before he ceased +speaking I was aiding Paul in severing the thongs with as much eagerness +as if it had been my idea rather than his to perform such perilous work. + +The savages began to shoot at us in the hope of preventing our purpose, +and, perhaps, to kill the prisoner at the same time, whereupon our +people opened such rapid and murderous fire that not a be-feathered head +dared to show itself, and in a comparatively short space of time Simon +Kenton was running stiffly toward the nearest shelter. + +He had been bound in one position so long that his limbs were nearly +helpless; but he managed to get over the ground nearly as fast as could +we two lads, and picked up a rifle that had fallen from a dead Indian's +hand even as he ran. + +It was to me as if the fight had hardly more than begun when we three +were in a place of comparative safety once more, and on the alert to +pick off a foe. + +Paul and I had a sufficient amount of ammunition to provide the scout +with what he needed in order to continue his portion of the fight, and +as he stood behind a big gum tree watching keenly for an opportunity to +avenge the insults he had endured, we carried on quite a friendly +conversation. + +"What did you do when mornin' came an' I failed to show up?" Kenton +asked, whereupon I replied quickly, thinking that the present was by far +the best time I would ever have in which to acknowledge my fault. + +"We went in search of you after an hour had passed, and failed to find +the canoe on our return." + +Then Paul, most like, understanding that I would have the story told in +a manner favorable to myself, gave a hurried account of our adventures +from that time until we learned of the scout's trouble. + +"I ran straight into the arms of four snakes who had heard me coming, +and showed myself to be the biggest idiot that ever made a try of goin' +down the Ohio River," Kenton said bitterly, and I rejoiced at the tone, +for it told that he would not be likely to inquire very closely into my +folly. + +He had been bound to the tree where we found him, since early morning, +and during such time the savages had given him a slight foretaste of +what was to come, by cutting his body here and there until the blood +flowed in tiny streams. + +At the moment it struck me as strange that we three should be talking of +the past in this leisurely fashion, interrupting ourselves now and then +to discharge our rifles when a tuft of feathers could be seen; but I +afterward came to know that in times of greatest danger Simon Kenton +appeared to be occupied with the most trifling affairs. + +I asked him once, when the conversation lagged, if he had thought Major +Clarke's force might come to his relief, and he replied emphatically: + +"I had no idea, lad, but that they were many miles below here. You can +be certain that I turned the matter over and over again in my mind. +There was ample time for reflection, and I could see no way but for me +to go into the other world as cheerfully as possible. I was determined +those sneaks shouldn't bring a cry of pain to my lips. But for you two, +for I'm countin' that some of the reptiles would have shot me before +this if you hadn't come up like little men, riskin' the bullets, to set +me free, I'd taken no more part in this 'ere trip of Major Clarke's. If +either of you ever get into a tight place, you can count on my standin' +close alongside while the breath stays in my body." + +This was the moment when I should have confessed that but for Paul, he, +Simon Kenton, would yet be bound to the tree; but the words were not +spoken, and I have never ceased to regret that I did not make the +explanation due my comrade. + +As I read over what is here set down it seems much as if I had made it +appear that we were giving little heed to whatever might be passing +around us, when, as a matter of fact, we were keenly alive to all that +went on, and lost no opportunity of dealing the painted fiends a deadly +blow. + +Nor were the other members of our party at all backward in doing their +duty. As when we faced the savages further up the river, every man did +his best, and this display of courage was not to the liking of such +sneaks as had counted on shedding Simon Kenton's blood. + +Within half an hour from the time the scout was set free, they began to +draw back, and we pressed our advantage until such a blow had been dealt +as must have taught them a lesson. + +Then was heard Major Clarke's voice ordering the men back to the canoes, +and within a few moments we were being ferried across to the flat-boat, +where the other members of the expedition were waiting anxiously to +learn the result of the venture. + +There was no longer any urgent reason why we should remain silent, for +the noise of the conflict had alarmed every painted snake within sound +of the rifles, and our men discussed the situation without taking the +precaution to speak in whispers. + +The general belief appeared to be that these two parties whom we had +fought since daybreak, were one and the same. Our first meeting was with +those who were pushing on up the river in advance to spy out the land, +and it was the main body that had made of Kenton a prisoner. + +All that had happened was for the best. But for my folly many men might +have been slain, and that folly would not have been committed but for +the fact of the scout's having been taking prisoner. + +Clearly the good God had interposed in our favor, and we were come out +of the fights with nothing more serious than wounds which, if properly +cared for, would soon heal. + +Within half an hour from the time we stepped on board the flat-boat +after having released Kenton, he insisted that Paul and I should lay +down to sleep, and at the moment I believed this display of care for us +arose from our efforts to release him at a time when death was looking +into his face. + +Having had no sleep the night before, we were only too glad to act upon +his suggestion, and in a short time both of us lads were sleeping +soundly as only tired boys can. + +At midnight we came to understand why Kenton had been so solicitous for +our welfare. + +Then he aroused us, saying as we opened our eyes: + +"I reckon you lads don't want to stay here any longer, an' it's time we +were movin'?" + +"Where are you going?" I asked sleepily. + +"Ahead of the flat-boats. Unless we start now there's little chance we +can do the party much good, an' I'm countin' on makin' a better job than +was the first one." + +It was not to my liking, this setting out in the middle of the night to +drift through a country infested, as we had by this time every reason to +believe, with savage enemies, and I failed to understand how we could be +of benefit to the volunteers by sailing down the river in the darkness +when we might pass an hundred bands of reptiles without having any +suspicion they were near. + +This much I said to Kenton, and he replied with a laugh: + +"I reckon we can count on the river's bein' clear for the next thirty +miles, an' after we've gone that far it'll be a case of layin' alongside +the bank to wait for daylight, or takin' a quiet little scout ashore." + +"As you did last night," I said quietly, giving but little heed to the +words, and a second later I could have bitten my tongue for having made +such a slip, for the scout said grimly: + +"Perhaps it'll be as well if we don't talk much about last night. The +lad who leaves a canoe to search for a comrade who's out scoutin', not +havin' left any word as to where he might be goin', ain't in good trim +to cast up old scores at others." + +Now it was I understood why Simon Kenton had refrained from making any +disagreeable remark when Paul told of our movements. He realized that we +had done a reckless thing, but was not minded to say what might have +hurt our feelings at a time when we had just aided in saving his life. + +But for my quick tongue I should never have known that he realized fully +all my folly. + +It can well be fancied that, after this reminder that I was not to be +trusted in time of danger, my lips remained closed, and in silence I set +about making ready for the journey. + +The dugout which Kenton had decided to take was lying alongside, and in +her had already been placed such a supply of provisions as we might +need. + +There was little for Paul and I to do save get our sleepy eyes wide +open, and clamber over the side of the flat-boat, a task which we +performed in silence. + +Major Clarke was awake to give us his final instructions, and after he +had held a private conversation with Kenton, the latter came into the +canoe, casting off the hawser as he said in answer to a whispered remark +of the commander's: + +"Never fear but that I know full well what may happen, an' you can count +on my bein' more careful than before." + +I had an idea that these words might have reference to my foolishness of +the night previous, and did not seek to learn what Major Clarke had been +warning him against. + +We pushed off into the darkness, our light craft moved quickly away by +the rapid current, and almost immediately it seemed as if we were wholly +alone in the wilderness once more. + +Save to keep the canoe in mid-stream, Kenton made no effort to direct +her movements, and we floated down the river in silence, keeping sharp +watch on either bank while I promised myself never again to be guilty of +giving way to fear. + +Paul, brave lad that he was, held his peace. Thus far he had covered +himself with the glory which can be gained when one is pitted against +such enemies as were ours, and the fact that I had not given him full +credit when there was an opportunity for so doing, only caused me to +feel the more keenly that he was my superior even though having had no +previous experience. + +I guessed that the current carried us a good five miles an hour. The +distance from Corn Island to the rendezvous at the mouth of the +Tennessee River was said to be considerably more than three hundred +miles, and at the rate of progress made by the heavy boats, lying by +during the night as they did, it would require full six days in which to +make the journey. + +We in the canoe could not look forward to less than five days of this +drifting on the river, in case we met with no delay, and while I +thought of my mother it seemed as if we were going to the other side of +the world. I wondered whether I might ever see her again, and it +appeared much as if the chances were against our meeting, judging from +the dangers into which we had already run when the voyage was hardly +more than well begun. + +By this dwelling upon the possibilities I soon worked myself into a most +cowardly frame of mind, from which I did not awaken until we were come +to a long stretch of sandy land either side of the river, where there +was no fear our enemies could find a hiding-place. + +Then it was that Simon Kenton started a conversation, as if knowing I +needed cheering, and he did not bring it to a close until we were near +the wooded portion of the shores again. + +When daylight came we had seen nothing to cause alarm, although all knew +full well that we might have passed scores of savages without being +aware of the fact, and the scout paddled the boat toward the western +shore, as he said in a low tone: + +"I'm countin' on havin' a look around, lads, an' this time you'll stay +quietly aboard till I come back, or the flat-boats heave in sight." + +Paul, understanding that these words were somewhat in the nature of a +reproof to me, said boldly: + +"It was well for you, Simon Kenton, that Louis insisted on going ashore, +else the sun had never risen again for your eyes." + +"All that I know right well, lad, an' I'd be a brute if I didn't give +the fact due weight; but I'm not willin' you should put your own lives +in peril for me. You've got people who love you, while I----" + +He ceased speaking suddenly as if having said more than he intended, and +again my tongue was an unruly member. + +"Haven't you any kin who would mourn because of your absence?" I asked, +and Simon Kenton's face grew pale, bronzed though it was by the +weather. + +"The less that's said about me the better," he replied curtly, and then, +the canoe being alongside the bank, he sprang out to make her fast, thus +putting an end to further words. + +He was absent no more than half an hour, during which time Paul and I +sat motionless and silent, hidden by the foliage, from the view of any +who might pass either by land or water. + +When he returned we knew he had seen no signs of danger, although not a +word was spoken until we were a mile or more from the halting place. +Then he said quietly: + +"I reckon we've already met all the reptiles who are roamin' hereabout, +an' that we shan't run our noses into any more fights this side of the +Tennessee River. We'll keep a sharp lookout just the same, though, an' +pull up to-night so's not to get too far ahead of the volunteers." + +As he said so we did. During the day we drifted with the current seeing +naught of danger, and at nightfall pulled the canoe up under the +overhanging foliage to enjoy a good night's rest. + +The story of this day's journey was that of the days which followed +until we were come to the rendezvous, arriving, as we believed, not more +than four and twenty hours in advance of Major Clarke's force. + +Since the day when Simon Kenton was made prisoner we had seen no signs +of the foe, and it seemed certain that then we had come upon the only +warlike band outside the British outposts. + +When we stepped from the canoe at the mouth of the Tennessee River I +drew in a long breath of relief, for at that moment I was nearer +exhaustion than I ever believed would be possible when one has done +nothing more than remain inactive. + +To sit in a narrow boat like our dugout day after day, not daring to +move lest she should be overset, is real labor. I had never had much +experience in such traveling, and felt that I really needed no more. + +We made camp by building a lean-to of light stuff, and while Simon +Kenton went back into the thicket to search for game of some kind, Paul +Sampson and I lounged lazily about, enjoying to the utmost the +possibility of stretching our limbs at full length. + +The scout was yet absent when we saw emerge cautiously from the foliage +four white men, and but for the fact that they carried a goodly supply +of meat, thus showing they had been out hunting, I might have suspected +them to be British spies. + +As it was, I did not feel at liberty to give any especial information +concerning ourselves, and warned Paul to be on his guard against +speaking of the flat-boats; but rather to let them believe we were +simply journeying down the river in search of a homestead location. + +As a matter of course the sharp-eyed hunters saw our lean-to +immediately they emerged, from amid the underbrush, and came directly +toward us. + +In the wilderness men are either enemies or friends; there is no +half-way ground as amid townspeople, and I at once decided in my mind +that these newcomers might be depended upon, although I wished most +heartily for Simon Kenton, who could, take the responsibility of +receiving them. + +Their first question was as to whether we were alone, and on being told +who was our companion and leader, one of the party expressed the +greatest pleasure at meeting him once more. + +"I've scouted an' trapped with young Kenton," the hunter said warmly, +"an' a better friend I never hope to have. Where are you headin', lads?" + +I stammered, not willing to give much information until we knew more +regarding the strangers, and yet hesitating to refuse an answer to a +simple question, when Paul said quickly, relieving me of my +embarrassment: + +"If you know Simon Kenton, sir, you can well understand that it does not +become us boys to speak of his purpose. He has gone in search of meat, +and will soon return to answer for himself." + +"Well, said, lad. You have a cautious tongue, an' it's needed +hereabouts, because some of us have white enemies as well as red. We can +wait for Kenton, an' meanwhile there'll be no great harm done if we set +to work cookin' a bit of this 'ere game." + +Then the men took possession of our poor camp, and the odor of meat +cooking was soon rising on the evening air, sharpening our appetites +until, but for the shame of it, I would have begged some of the food +before it had more than been browned by the flames. + +The meal was not yet prepared when Simon Kenton appeared, and I was +rejoiced to see him greet the hunters as if they had been old friends, +for it told that during this night at least we had nothing to fear. + +Without hesitation he explained the purpose of our coming, and told of +the flat-boats with their loads of volunteers which might be expected on +the morrow, whereupon the strangers seemed highly gratified. + +It appeared, as I soon learned by the conversation, that these men had +come from Kaskaskia; but were by no means on friendly terms with the +commander of the British post there. + +They were in sympathy with the efforts of the colonists to shake off the +yoke which the king had put upon them, and declared their purpose to +join Major Clarke's force, if that officer should be willing to receive +them. + +"I'll answer for it that the major gives you a hearty welcome," Kenton +said in a tone of satisfaction, "an' by your aid we shall be able to +surprise the outpost." + +Then the conversation ceased in order that all hands might partake of +the meal, which by this time was prepared, and we two lads felt that +the most dangerous portion of the enterprise was over, although at least +two British garrisons were yet to be captured. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +KASKASKIA. + + +During this evening and the following day we gained all the information +concerning Kaskaskia which it was necessary Major Clarke should know. + +These men who had come upon us so opportunely, were, as I have said, +trappers from that outpost, and eager to do whatsoever they might toward +overthrowing the rule of the Britishers on our frontier. + +Such desire was only natural, as may be believed when I say that the +king's officers pursued the policy of stimulating the Indians against +the settlers, in order that such as were not willing to own allegiance +to the king should be killed or driven from the country. + +Monsieur Rocheblave, a Frenchman, had command of the British forces +roundabout Kaskaskia, and the hunters reported him to be an exceedingly +vigilant officer, who kept a large number of spies continually on the +alert to guard against the approach of people from Kentucky who were +known to have taken sides with the eastern colonists in the struggle for +liberty. + +There were eighty British soldiers in the garrison, and all the redskins +nearabout were in the pay of the commandant, therefore it might be said +that the force at this point was exceeding strong; but Simon Kenton's +friends believed it might be taken by surprise, providing we could +capture the spies sent out by Rocheblave. + +Once our people appeared before the garrison, when the Indians were not +there to lend their aid, the post must of a necessity surrender, and +thus the work set for us to do might be accomplished without bloodshed. + +That this renegade Frenchman was exerting himself to stir up the +Indiana against the settlers there could be no question; in fact one of +these hunters had good proof that such was the case, he having been +present when the king's officer offered a certain reward in the shape of +ammunition and blankets if the savages would surprise and massacre a +number of families who had made a clearing on the banks of the +Mississippi River. + +Kaskaskia was founded, as I have read, after the visit of La Salle to +the Mississippi in 1683, by Father Gravier, Catholic missionary among +the Illinois Indians, and was the capital and chief town of the Illinois +country so far as the French continued in possession of it. In 1763, it +was ceded by the French to Great Britain, and such of the French +officers as held possession were continued in the pay of the English +king. + +With the exception of fifteen or twenty, such as the hunters whom we +met, all the settlers in that vicinity were of French descent. + +The day following our arrival at the mouth of the Tennessee River was +spent in idleness. We had a plentiful supply of meat, and the hunters +were unwilling to talk or think of anything save the possible capture of +the outpost from whence had been sent so many murdering bands of savages +to shed blood simply that the king's hold upon this fair country might +be the stronger. + +Therefore it was we remained idle, wasting our time, as I thought, until +an hour past noon, when Paul and I had wandered a short distance up the +river in company with Simon Kenton and the hunter whom he had greeted as +a friend, and then were spoken those words which lifted from Simon +Kenton's heart the greatest burden man can bear. + +Several times since he so suddenly appeared to me on the bank of the +Ohio River, having come at a time when he could render my mother and +myself the greatest possible service, had he commenced a sentence +regarding himself, and suddenly stopped, as if fearing to betray +somewhat of his own life which others should not know. + +Such behavior, together with the fact that he refused to say anything +concerning his early life, or why he was serving as a scout when it +would seem as if nature had fitted him for some noble purpose, convinced +me, boy though I was, that there was a painful secret which had sent him +out from among those whom he loved. + +On this day of which I speak, while we were strolling aimlessly up the +river, the hunter said carelessly, giving no particular weight to his +words: + +"I met Donnelly at Cahokia a short time ago, and we spoke of you, +Simon." + +Kenton stopped suddenly as does a man when a bullet reaches a vital spot +in his body. His face turned pale as I had seen it once before, and he +trembled as if in an ague fit, striving to speak, but in vain, and the +hunter, alarmed by this show of weakness, would have sprung forward to +prevent the scout from falling, but the latter waved him aside as he +asked in a tremulous whisper: + +"Which Donnelly did you meet?" + +"He whom you have reason to know; perhaps it would have been better if I +said that Donnelly who has good cause to remember you." + +"Do you mean Martin?" Simon Kenton asked with an effort, and showing yet +greater evidence of being disturbed in mind. + +"Ay, lad, Martin Donnelly, and why should you, above all others, show +fear at his name?" + +"Tell me!" and Kenton leaned forward eagerly, as if his very life +depended upon the answer. "Do you mean to say you spoke with that Martin +Donnelly who lived some time ago in Fauquier County, in the colony of +Virginia?" + +"Ay, Simon, the same. He whom you flogged until the breath had-well nigh +left his body." + +"And he lives?" Kenton asked with a long indrawing of the breath, +straightening himself up as does one who has been suddenly relieved of a +heavy burden. + +"He was alive when I met him in Cahokia, and counted on settling down in +the Illinois country, if it so chanced everything was favorable. He left +his family in Virginia so I understood; but reckoned on going after them +some time this fall." + +Kenton leaned against a tree, his face hidden in his arm, and we three +stood gazing at him in silence and astonishment until perhaps ten +minutes had passed, when he turned to face us with an expression such as +I shall never forget. + +"If you have made no mistake, John Lucas," he said, speaking slowly, and +with a ring of joy in his tone, "if you have spoken truly, there is +taken from me that which I believed I must carry to my grave, and from +there to the presence of my God. If Martin Donnelly be alive, I am a +free man once more----" + +"I tell you, Simon, I saw and talked with Martin Donnelly," Lucas +exclaimed impatiently. "What is the meaning of your words? Why have you +not always been a free man, save perchance when the savages had you in +their clutches, as these lads here have told?" + +"Here is the story of a man who came on the frontier believing himself a +murderer, and doing whatsoever he might to atone for a supposed crime +committed at a moment when anger held possession of him. As you know, I +was born in Fauquier County in 1755, where my father, an Irishman, had +won for himself by hard labor such a home and such a plantation as a +poor man could survey with pride. Up to the time I was sixteen years old +there came no thought into my mind save to be a planter, and continue +the work my father had begun. Then I loved a girl, the daughter of our +nearest neighbor, and counted, with the consent of her parents as well +as mine, on marrying her in due course of time. Martin Donnelly came +into the district, and by unfair means, as I did and still claim, won +her from me. I met him the day after he was married. He taunted me with +what he had done; claimed that an Irish planter in Virginia was of so +little consequence that the first newcomer could take from him +whatsoever he had that was to be won by fair words, and continued in +such strain until rage overpowered me. I leaped upon him like a panther, +using no weapons; and with my bare hands pommeled him until he lay like +one dead. Fear took the place of anger; I tried to rouse him; but he lay +as does a corpse, and I, believing myself a murderer, fled, pursued only +by my own conscience, across the Alleghanies, where I joined those who +were pushing forward on the extreme frontier. Since that day have I +shunned the abode of all men save those who live remote from any +settlement. How often I have yearned to see my father and mother, there +is no need for me to say. I dared not go back, believing I would be +seized and executed as a murderer; but now I am free to do whatsoever I +will, and save for the fact that my word binds me to remain as scout +with Major Clarke until the expedition comes to an end with the capture +of Vincennes, I would set off this hour for the home I have dreamed of, +but never expected again to see." + +Having thus spoken Simon Kenton walked rapidly away up stream, and we +three, awed by his story, and knowing that at such a time it would be +best to leave him alone, returned to the camp, I for one feeling that +however great a failure might be Major Clarke's expedition so far as +concerned the British outposts, it was wondrously successful, inasmuch +as through it there had been lifted from one man the shadow of a great +crime. + +Not until nearly nightfall did the scout rejoin us, and then all traces +of his emotion had vanished. He was much the same person as before, and +yet entirely different, if I may use so contradictory an expression. I +mean that there was no change in his manner so far as could be seen +when we spoke of the purpose of our journey, or of that which was to be +done in the future; but when talking with Paul and me there was a +gladsome ring in his voice--a certain freedom of manner which struck me +forcibly, and yet might not have been evident to one who was +unacquainted with all the facts. + +More than once during the evening he referred to the day when he was to +go back to Virginia, and during the remainder of the journey it was as +if all his future actions were marked out with especial reference to +that visit, only lately become possible. + +Not until noon of the following day did the first of the flat-boats come +in sight, and it was the advice of these hunters from Kaskaskia that we +set out on the march up the Mississippi without delay, lest Monsieur +Rocheblave's spies should give that officer timely warning of our +coming. + +Immediately Major Clarke came on shore Simon Kenton informed him of what +we had learned, and the four hunters announced their desire to +accompany the expedition from this point as guides. + +Nothing could have been more favorable to the enterprise, and, as may be +readily supposed, the major did not hesitate to accept their services. + +The volunteers, all good men and tried, were speedily acquainted with +the facts of the case, for in such an enterprise as this the commander +made no effort to conceal his intentions from those who accompanied him, +and it was believed by every one that no time should be wasted at this +point on the river. + +When the last boat had rounded-to and made fast in front of our camp, we +were as well prepared for the march, in fact, better, than we should be +twenty-four hours later, and the halt was prolonged only until it could +be decided by all the members of the party how we might best set out. + +After a consultation it was decided that the boats should be dropped +about six miles further down the river to such point as would afford +concealment for them, after which our party would begin the march across +the wilderness, and the last craft had not been made fast half an hour +before we were under way again, Simon Kenton, Paul and I paddling ahead +to select a spot where we might leave the unwieldy boats with some +degree of assurance that they would remain undiscovered. + +In order that I should be able to tell the story of all we two lads did +while we were with Simon Kenton, it is necessary that much of the detail +be omitted, else would this poor story run to such length that he who +attempted to read might grow weary in the task. + +Therefore it is that nothing shall be set down regarding the march +across the wilderness, during which we met with no other adventure than +the capture of one of Rocheblave's spies, whom we met the second day +after leaving the river. + +It chanced to be the good fortune of us three--meaning Simon Kenton, +Paul and myself--to come across the fellow while he was cooking a fat +turkey, and although it was by no means to his liking, we forced him to +go back with us to Major Clarke. He claimed to be an honest settler of +Kaskaskia, whose sympathies were with the struggling colonists; but John +Lucas had told us that there were few in the settlement thus disposed, +and Simon Kenton believed it safer to hold him for a certain time, than +run the chances of letting him go whithersoever he would. + +The hunters from the outposts soon settled his fate, for they recognized +in him one who had been most active in inciting the Indians against the +settlers of Kentucky, and but for Major Clarke's bold stand he would +have been put out of the world in the quickest possible manner, as +indeed he should have been, for I counted him a more deliberate murderer +even than the savages, and equally culpable. + +However, we held him close prisoner by tying him between two of the +strongest men, and I venture to say that during the remainder of our +tramp through the wilderness he got a reasonably good idea of how +innocent women and children fare when they are forced to accompany +savage captors. + +Our progress was reasonably rapid, and yet no precautions were spared to +prevent surprise. + +Twenty of the party, among whom were Simon Kenton, Paul and myself, +remained two miles or more in advance of the main body, spreading out in +what nowadays would be called a skirmish line, and taking exceeding good +care that nothing escaped our attention. + +It was on the afternoon of the fourth day of July when we arrived within +a mile of the outpost, having every reason to believe that thus far +Monsieur Rocheblave was ignorant that we proposed to deprive him of his +command. + +Had it not been for the opportune meeting with the four hunters, I +question if we should have been able to advance secretly thus near; but +they, acquainted with all the approaches to the settlement, and knowing +where we would be less likely to attract attention, led us safely on +until we were in a good position to begin the work on hand. + +Although there were more than four hundred in the party, we remained +five hours hidden almost beside the garrison, and yet no suspicion of +our presence was aroused. + +None other, save men familiar with frontier life, could have +accomplished what at this time seems to me almost impossible, even +though I know full well it was done. + +We remained hidden in the thicket, from which point we could see the +people of the settlement as they moved to and fro intent on their daily +tasks, and yet one might have passed within an hundred yards of us +without being suspicious that so many armed men were in the vicinity. + +It was believed, at least by Paul and me, that a battle must be fought +before we could gain possession of the outpost, and perhaps there is no +need why I should set down here the fact that once more was my heart +filled with timorousness, for by this time it should well be understood +that whenever danger threatened I grew cowardly. + +It was one thing to fight against the Indians in the forest where we +could find as good shelter as they, and quite another to advance in the +open against a garrison of men equally skilful with ourselves in +handling a rifle, and protected by a stockade. + +I believed, and with good cause, that many of as would be sent into +another world before the sun rose again, and, unless I was willing to +show my companions how much of a coward I had become, I must take my +chances of death with the others. + +It was by no means cheerful, lying there in the thicket, not daring to +speak or move lest an alarm should be given, and looking forward to that +struggle which must speedily ensue. + +Had it been possible to hold converse with Paul, then might some subject +have been brought up which would have changed the current of my +thoughts; but I was forbidden even to whisper, and it seemed to me then +as if between us and that stockade so short a distance away, death +stalked to and fro, awaiting our approach. + +It is the coward, and only the coward, who reaches out into the future +in search of danger. The sensible man waits until confronted by the +peril before giving way to fear, and this was proven to me before many +hours had passed. I suffered ten times more than if we had advanced and +been severely beaten, and yet, as we speedily understood, I had no +reason whatsoever to thus torture myself. + +When the night came it seemed to me as if Major Clarke had forgotten for +what purpose we were there. + +Peering out from amid the thicket we could see that the inhabitants of +the settlement had gone to their rest. Two hours after the sunset, the +garrison was quiet, and yet our commander gave no signal. + +Looking forward to wounds, and perhaps death, as I did, the moments went +by exceedingly slow, and I came to believe that almost any danger would +be preferable to this stealthy waiting for the signal which should +precipitate the action. + +Paul, who lay close by my side, seemingly gave no heed to the passage of +time. Like the brave lad I had come to understand him to be, he remained +apparently indifferent to what the future might hold in store for us, +gaining the repose which would serve him in good stead when violent +action was required. + +It seemed to me as if the night was more than half spent when I observed +Major Clarke rising to his feet, and, as I afterwards learned, it was no +more than nine o'clock. + +The decisive moment had come. If now we failed to capture Kaskaskia, +then was the expedition a dire failure, and those who did not fall +beneath the bullets might expect to find themselves prisoners in the +hands of captors who would show but little less mercy than the savages. + +Before we had arrived at this hiding-place it was decided that the party +should be divided into five sections, each of which would make the +attack from a different point, and now that the signal had been given +the men formed themselves into detachments, moving silently away in the +darkness as had been previously agreed upon. + +Simon Kenton, Paul and myself, were among those who were to march +straight toward the stockade from where we lay, and therefore we made no +movement until those who were to approach from the opposite side had +been given time to get into position. Major Clarke himself was to lead +our division, and although he counted on taking the garrison by +surprise, I believe it was in his mind that if a victory was to be +secured, we would pay dearly for it in blood. + +Well, I am giving over many words to what was in itself but a most +trifling affair. It only required that we should march up and take the +garrison, as if all the king's soldiers there were waiting with open +arms to receive us in friendly fashion. + +When the word to advance was given, our portion of the company could see +in the gloom far away on either hand the different detachments closing +in upon the stockade, and yet not a sound came from those valiant +soldiers of the king, who instead of guarding the outpost were spending +their time in slumber. + +Nearer and nearer we advanced, believing all the while that in the next +second would be heard the report of an alarm gun; but the minutes went +by, and the silence within the stockade was as profound as if none save +the dead held possession. + + [Illustration: Straight up to the big gate we advanced, believing + that in the next second we should hear the alarm gun.--Page 204. + _On the Kentucky Frontier._] + +Straight up to the big gate we advanced, and so secure did the +garrison feel in the friendship of the savages, who thirsted for the +blood of such white people as were not in the king's favor, that the +barrier was not so much as closed. + +We entered and had surrounded the commandant's quarters before any one +of the enemy was aware of our presence, and then came the alarm. + +A gun was fired at the instant Major Clarke stood before the door of +Monsieur Rocheblave's house, and the echo of the report had hardly died +away before he, followed by a score of men, entered the building. + +Standing close by Paul's side, directly behind Simon Kenton, I awaited +the beginning of that battle which seemed imminent; yet grown somewhat +bolder because of the fact that we were within the stockade. + +While I remained on the alert, my rifle half upraised, there came the +word, I know not from where, that the commandant had surrendered, and, +turning toward us, Simon Kenton said much as if he was dissatisfied with +this peaceful ending of what had promised to be a most difficult +undertaking. + +"Well, lads, the first of the outposts we counted on capturing is ours, +and we have not been put to the expense of a single charge of +ammunition." + +"Do you mean to say that there will be no fighting?" I asked in +surprise. + +"How can there be since Monsieur Rocheblave has surrendered?" + +"But we were told there were eighty men here to hold the garrison in the +king's name?" + +"Ay, lad; but the commander having decided that we shall enter into +peaceful possession, deprives them of a right to make objections. +Kaskaskia is ours, and it will be a long day before the king's flag be +hoisted again. But how is this? One would say you were disappointed." + +"I hardly know whether to laugh or cry." + +"Why should you cry, lad?" + +"Because during this five hours past have I lain in the thicket +trembling lest death would be my share in this engagement, and he who +makes of himself such a simple should weep because he is so +feeble-minded." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +CAHOKIA. + + +While we could not rightfully take much praise to ourselves for having +captured a post where no resistance was made, the members of Major +Clarke's force, including even Paul and myself, looked with triumph upon +the exploit, bloodless though it had proven to be. + +Surely the king would not have thus lost possession of his outpost had +we, meaning the entire company, remained at home, and, therefore, might +we claim that the garrison was now held in the name of the province of +Virginia solely through our efforts. + +As we learned next day from those to whom Major Clarke had confided the +facts, many of Monsieur Rocheblave's papers had been destroyed by his +wife after he was made prisoner, for our people did not consider it +necessary to make a woman captive. She was allowed to retain possession +of the house until morning, and during that time burned many papers +which should have come into our keeping. + +There was not time, however, for her to destroy all Monsieur's +correspondence, and enough was found to prove beyond a doubt that he, +acting under instructions from England, had been inciting the Indians to +hostilities against such of the settlers as dared believe the rebellious +colonists were in the right. + +I believe of a verity our men would have wreaked speedy vengeance upon +this Frenchman who had caused the death and torture of so many of our +countrymen, but for Major Clarke's presence of mind. + +Immediately after learning that the members of the force were aware of +the Frenchman's guilt, he detailed twenty of the most reliable +men--those whom he could trust to carry out his orders to the letter, +and sent them in charge of Monsieur Rocheblave and his wife to +Williamsburg in Virginia, that the wicked man might be tried for the +crimes he had committed against defenseless women and children. + +The party set off before noon of the day following our capture of the +garrison, at a time when our people were occupied in other directions, +and thus no act was committed which might have brought shame upon us, +although I hold even now that it would not have been wrong had we wiped +out Monsieur Rocheblave's crime with his own life, regardless of the +fact that he, being a prisoner, was entitled to our protection. + +He had entertained no such notions of honor when he set the savages upon +the defenseless settlers, knowing full well how much of horrible +suffering would be caused. + +He left with a whole skin, however, as I know full well, since Paul and +I aided in making ready the boat which was to carry the party to the +mouth of the Ohio River, from which point they would strike across the +country to Williamsburg. + +The Frenchman's wife went with him, as a matter of course, and I have +since tried to learn what became of the scoundrel, but without success. +He deserved hanging, if ever any man did, although many people claimed +that he was not really guilty, since he had but carried out the orders +given by his superiors. + +Had any of those who pleaded so eloquently for his release known what it +was to have a father tortured to death, as I knew, there would have been +leas said in favor of such a wretch. + +However, that has nothing to do with the story of what Paul Sampson and +I did and saw while we scouted in company with Simon Kenton. + +When our people learned that Monsieur Rocheblave had been sent away with +a whole skin, for, as I have said, all the preparations for his +departure were made with the utmost secrecy and he and his wife +smuggled on board the boat, there was something very like mutiny in the +camp, and Major Clarke had quite as big a job to quiet the men as he +could well handle; but the volunteers soon settled down quietly, +promising themselves that the time would come when they might have more +voice in deciding the fate of the Frenchman. + +Having seized the outpost, it was as if Major Clarke counted on +loitering in Kaskaskia without making any further effort toward +capturing the other possessions of the king's on the Mississippi River. + +During three days we remained quietly in the settlement, amusing +ourselves as best we might, and many of the company indulged in much +grumbling because of the inactivity. + +We had come to open the river for our own people, they said, and it was +little short of a crime to loiter when there were so many garrisons near +at hand which should come into our possession. + +Before the three days were passed, however, we came to understand our +commander's purpose. He had not disturbed the French settlers whom we +found in Kaskaskia; but, on the contrary, showed his intention of +protecting them as he would those who were bound to us by ties of blood, +and the result was that the people began to realize how much had been +gained by this change of governors. + +The savages were no longer welcome to hold their hideous pow-wows there, +and the soldiers could not rob the settlers as had been done when +Monsieur Rocheblave was in command. In every respect the people were the +gainers by our coming, and fully appreciated the fact. + +The next British outpost up the river above Kaskaskia, was Cahokia, a +settlement where considerable trade was carried on, and a depository of +British arms for distribution among the savages. + +It had been occupied by the Caoquias, a tribe of Illinois Indians, long +before the discovery of the Mississippi. The French settled there +shortly after La Salle descended the river, and it was said to contain +not less than forty families in addition to the garrison of about sixty +soldiers. + +This was the post Major Clarke had counted on capturing when he left +Corn Island, and we soon came to know that he had not changed his +intentions, but was busily engaged perfecting his plans at the very time +when some of us accused him of spending the days in idleness. + +Between these two outposts were three small villages which the king +claimed as his own, and these it would be necessary to capture before +arriving at the larger settlements. + +When all his arrangements were completed, Major Clarke announced that +Captain Joseph Bowman, the commander of one of the companies, was to +lead the expedition to Cahokia, which would consist of about two hundred +men, while he, Major Clarke, with the remainder of the force, was to +remain at Kaskaskia, and at the same time be prepared to keep in check +such of the Indians nearabout as might take into their ugly heads to +make trouble for us. + +Now was seen the wisdom of the major's proceedings during such time as +we had remained in the captured garrison. + +The inhabitants of Kaskaskia had had time to realize that they were much +better off under the rule of the colonists than that of the king, and +once this was brought fully home to them, they became eager that the +other outposts on the river should experience the same change of +government. + +Therefore, instead of secretly sending scouts ahead to warn these +villages through which we must pass, the people of the post begged +permission to accompany the volunteers, claiming that by relating what +had occurred in their own settlement they could quickly bring the others +to terms, thereby preventing bloodshed, and doing a favor to their +neighbors at the same time they benefited themselves. + +As Simon Kenton put it: "Once they knew that the Americans were prepared +to take possession of America--or such portion of it as came in their +way--the one desire was that the rule of the king might be wiped out +speedily, which was good sense, inasmuch as both parties could not hold +portions of the river without coming to blows." + +If these people whose settlements we had taken without striking a blow +could have had their way, every outpost now garrisoned by men who gave +allegiance to the king would be speedily in our possession, and while +the temper of the people was at this point, the proper time had come to +push the advantage. + +When it was announced that among those who would set out under command +of Captain Bowman would be the scout Kenton and his two companions, I +had no misgivings. + +The anguish of mind that had been mine with so little cause just before +we surprised the Kaskaskia garrison had taught me a lesson, and, in +addition, I believed that we would continue our march in the same +bloodless, triumphant fashion as it had been begun. + +And in this I was not mistaken. + +Lest I draw out this story to too great length, setting down facts which +strangers may think are of no importance in the history of our taking +possession of the Mississippi River, I shall go straight ahead toward +the end without stopping here to relate what at the time seemed to us of +considerable importance, or to explain how Paul and I acted or felt +under certain trying and disagreeable circumstances. + +Simon Kenton was to have charge of the advance portion of the force +which Captain Bowman led. That is to say, if we were speaking of such +maneuvers at this day, we should say that Simon Kenton was in command of +the skirmishers, and, as a matter of course, Paul Sampson and I played +the part, however poorly, of his assistants. + +We, and I am now speaking not only of us three who called ourselves +scouts, but twelve or fifteen more who were ordered to join us, set out +from Kaskaskia on the morning of the 8th of July, about two hours in +advance of the main force, with the understanding that it was our duty +to capture such spies as might be met, or to fall back in case we were +confronted by any considerable number of savages. + +Well, we began the sixty-mile tramp in good spirits, and when, late on +that same day we were come within hailing distance of the first small +settlement that lay on the road, our march had been no more than a +pleasure excursion. + +Neither spy nor Indian had we seen, and I believe that eighteen or +twenty men could have taken possession of this village belonging to the +king, by force of arms, had it been necessary, without any very serious +trouble. + +But the orders were for us to halt until the main body should come up, +and this we did, whereupon those settlers from the captured post +advanced to hold a parley with the occupants of this clearing. + +It was not a lengthy conference. After those who had so lately +recognized Monsieur Rocheblave as their governor, explained to these +other settlers the advantages to be gained, the village was ours. + +We had simply to walk in as honored guests, and the American flag was +hoisted in token that they no longer held themselves as subjects of the +king. + +And the story of our successful advance thus far was the same as must be +told from this point. + +We marched into two other villages, our allies from Kaskaskia going +ahead to pave the way, and left the settlers, while we continued on up +the river, as brothers rather than enemies. + +Three villages hoisted our flag in token of their sympathy with and +desire to aid the colonists, and then we were come, at the close of the +third day, near to Cahokia, the post, as I have said, of no mean +importance, and garrisoned by sixty soldiers. + +Here at least did Paul Sampson and I believe our entrance would be +opposed; but as before, Captain Bowman sent our allies ahead, and we +came into the trading village where the king had deposited large +quantities of arms for barter with the Indians, having met with no +opposition, and being received right generously. + +The people greeted us with huzzas when we marched into the stockade, +behind our allies, and were equally as enthusiastic on being told by +Captain Bowman that they must take the oath of allegiance to the colony +of Virginia. + +The purpose for which our force had left Corn Island was accomplished in +the capture of Cahokia, for this post was really the last which Major +Clarke had claimed it might be possible to reduce. + +It is true he had mentioned Vincennes in his plans to the authorities of +Virginia; but, as we understood from Simon Kenton while we laid here at +Cahokia, the garrison on the Wabash River was not to be attacked unless +it might be done with reasonable assurance of success. + +Now this outpost of Vincennes was one of the first settlements formed in +the valley of the Mississippi. It was occupied by the French emigrants +as early as 1735, and called post St. Vincent. In 1745, the name of +Vincennes was given to it in honor of F. M. de Vincennes, a gallant and +much respected French officer who was killed in the battle with the +Chickasaws in 1736. + +It was the most important post in the valley, but whether it was to be +attacked, we who were at Cahokia could not even so much as guess. + +Simon Kenton believed our portion of the work would end here, arguing +that Major Clarke must leave a garrison both at Kaskaskia and Cahokia in +order to hold the stockades, and by so doing his little army would be +greatly weakened; so that he could hardly hope for a victory if it +chanced that we were obliged to resort to force in order to gain +possession. + +"Accordin' to my way of thinkin', lads, our work is done," the scout +said, late on that night after we took possession of Cahokia. "There's +naught left us to do save retrace our steps, for I should guess that you +were not minded to remain in either of these settlements as members of +the garrison." + +"Indeed we are not," I replied promptly. "My mother awaits me at Corn +Island, and unless she decides to go back to the land which my father +cleared, I must set about making a home for her." + +"I have no wish to remain," Paul added. "It may not be that my father +needs me; but I have a mother in Maryland, and service in a garrison is +not pleasing. If, as you believe, the work laid out for Major Clarke has +been accomplished, Louis Nelson and I will return with you, if it so be +you are going back." + +"Indeed I am, my boy," Simon Kenton replied with the air of one who +anticipates much pleasure in the future. "Now that there is no longer a +shadow over me, I am as eager to find my father and my mother as are you +lads to meet yours." + +"When shall we return?" I asked, for now that the homeward journey was +being considered, I, who really had no home, was eager to begin it. + +"It was understood between Major Clarke and myself that I might be at +liberty to turn back whenever Captain Bowman should state he no longer +required my services, and I reckon, lads, that the time has come. Wait +you here until I learn what he has to say regardin' the matter." + +Within an hour it was decided that we three were to carry Captain +Bowman's report to Major Clarke, and when I lay down to sleep that night +it was with the knowledge that at the first light of dawn we would begin +the sixty-mile journey, counting on making it within four-and-twenty +hours with but little labor, since from this point we could proceed in +a canoe, aided by the swiftly running current. + +We set out as had been decided upon, one of the settlers in Cahokia +willingly lending us a dugout, with the understanding that we should +leave it at Kaskaskia to be returned whenever opportunity offered, and +before midnight Simon Kenton was giving to Major Clarke the account of +our successes. + +We remained three days longer at this post; but all that happened which +concerned us three may be told in few words. + +It was decided that all save those who chose to remain to man the +garrisons might return whenever it pleased them, and, knowing that fifty +or more who had left relatives on Corn Island were counting on going +back soon, we three waited for them in order that our force might be so +large as to deter the savages who were possibly lurking about the banks +of the Ohio River, from making an attack. + +When three days had passed, however, we found that none of the men were +disposed to begin quite so soon what would doubtless prove an arduous +undertaking, and Simon Kenton laid the matter before us by saying: + +"Lads, I am eager to get back into Fauquier County. If it so be you have +no stomach for layin' around here eatin' the bread of idleness suppose +we start to-morrow mornin'? There is nothin' to keep us, and much to +incline our hearts toward the journey." + +Unless I have utterly failed in making it appear here that I had a great +affection for my mother, it can readily be understood how we answered +the scout, and without delay we set about the few necessary preparations +for the voyage, determined to leave Kaskaskia before daylight next +morning. + +And now at this point let me copy what I read many years later regarding +Vincennes: + +"The stronger and more important post of Vincennes, situate on the east +bank of the Wabash River, one hundred miles above its entrance into the +Ohio, was yet unsubdued, and Major Clarke felt that the object of his +mission would be but half accomplished if he did not gain possession of +that place. It was necessary to garrison Kaskaskia and Cahokia in order +to retain them, and to do this would so weaken his little army that he +could, scarcely hope for victory in an attack upon Vincennes, unless he +should be as successful in effecting a surprise as he had in capturing +the posts already in his possession. While thus perplexed and doubting +which course to pursue, he communicated his desires to Father Gabault, a +French priest, who agreed to bring those inhabitants of Vincennes over +whom he had pastoral charge, to the support of the American cause. The +influence of the priest was successful; the inhabitants arose in the +night and cast off their allegiance to the British, expelled the +garrison from the fort, and pulled down the English standard. The +American flag floated in triumph over the ramparts in the morning." + +All this was done before we three were come again to Corn Island, and I +question if the British king ever lost more territory at a less cost in +blood, either on the part of those who made the capture or the hirelings +who should have held the garrisons, than in this expedition of Major +Clarke's into the valley of Mississippi. + +I am now come to be an old man, and yet since that time have heard but +little spoken concerning the achievements of Major Clarke and his force +of four hundred, when the most fertile portion of the Mississippi River +was taken from the Britishers and made a portion of the American +colonies. + +We had done our work well, as it seemed to me then and does now, +although in the telling of it there is none of that clash of arms and +cheers of triumph which have accompanied far smaller achievements. + +And here would my story properly end but for the fact that we three must +make the journey down the Mississippi to the Ohio, following the course +of this last noble river on foot, because we could not well stem the +current in a canoe, through a country infested by savage enemies, who +would use every effort to take our lives. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +HOMEWARD BOUND. + + +We spent no time in leave-taking after once having made ready for the +journey. It was as if we three formed a separate command, and had no +comrades among the main body of the volunteers, therefore it was not +necessary we should say good-by. + +Simon Kenton was to carry up the Ohio certain papers with which Major +Clarke had entrusted him, and once these were in his possession there +was nothing to detain us at Kaskaskia. + +We took our departure from the post a full half hour before daybreak, +when none save the sentinels were there to see us push off from the +shore, and allowed the canoe to drift down the river until we were come +to the Ohio. + +It would be more laborious to paddle the dugout against the swift +current than to walk, and we had already decided to make our way through +the wilderness on foot, ever keeping within a short distance of the +river, where we might expect to get the earliest information if the +savages were moving about bent on mischief. + +We came to a halt at a point where we waited for the flat-boats on the +journey down, and here a day was spent in procuring and cooking meat, +for Simon Kenton had decided that once the long tramp was really begun +we would push forward at the best possible pace. It was reasonable to +believe that in a short time we would have arrived at that portion of +the country where it might not be well to discharge a rifle simply for +the purpose of killing game. + +We did not expect to make the journey without some danger of coming +across small parties of the painted brutes who thirsted for the blood of +white people; but it was not in our thoughts that we should encounter +any serious dangers. The worst of the tramp, so we believed, might be +the labor of pushing on through the underbrush until the many miles +which lay between us and Corn Island had been traversed. + +Simon Kenton was in particularly good humor on that morning when, all +our preparations completed, we left the camping place with our faces +turned toward the north, and I was exceedingly happy, for at the end of +the journey my mother was waiting to greet me. + +During two full days we pressed steadily onward, seeing nothing to cause +alarm, and making reasonably good progress, and then came that which +threatened a fatal ending to what had been a most successful journey. + +We encamped on the second night in a small thicket of scrub where the +foliage was so dense that the chill night wind was shut out as +completely as if we had been within four walls of stout logs, and felt +so secure that Simon Kenton himself had proposed we build a light blaze +to cook a turkey we had just killed. + +The meat was roasted, and we ate such a supper as can be enjoyed only by +those who have performed a full day's labor, and after the meal was come +to an end Paul and I fell asleep even as we sat before the fire. + +How long we were thus unconscious I am unable to say; but it seemed to +me as if I had no more than crossed the borders of dreamland before I +was awakened by the pressure of a heavy hand over my mouth. + +In the forest one becomes accustomed to awakening quickly, and without +starting up. + +When the eyes are open the first thought is as to the reason for thus +being aroused, and due heed is given to all the surroundings before any +movement is made. + +Therefore it was I understood at once that Simon Kenton's hand was +covering my mouth, and that he was hurriedly burying the light embers +with ashes. + +Pressing his arm to let him know I was thoroughly aroused, I rose to a +sitting posture. + +No sound brake the stillness of the night, for, sheltered as we were by +the scrub, even the moaning of the wind failed to reach our ears. + +Kenton was awakening Paul, and he, brave lad, made as little disturbance +on thus being aroused as if all his life had been spent on the frontier. + +It was to my mind a certainty that the scout had heard or seen savages, +and I drew up my rifle to assure myself it was in proper working order. + +It is by no means soothing to the nerves to be thus aroused and forced +to remain on the alert in ignorance of what threatens. I know of no +situation more trying, and while I inwardly trembled with apprehension, +my eyes sought out Paul in the gloom to learn how he was bearing up +under what many old, experienced hunters have told me was, in their +opinion, the most trying of all border warfare. + +The lad sat silent and motionless, his rifle in hand, and though it was +impossible to distinguish his features, I knew full well he was as calm +and placid as when we remained concealed in the thicket just beyond the +stockade at Kaskaskia, when I believed a desperate battle was before us. + +During perhaps half an hour we three remained in the same position as +when first having been awakened, and then Simon Kenton began to creep +cautiously out through the underbrush, having first motioned for us to +remain quiet. + +He was bent on learning what had alarmed him, and but for advertising +myself as a coward, I would have insisted, as well as I might by +gestures, upon his remaining with us, for to me, almost anything was +preferable to separation. + +I checked the impulse, however, but moved closer to Paul, and he, dear +lad, pressed my hand as if to give me courage. + +That he, whom I had at the outset considered the weakest of the party, +should be the one to encourage, shamed me, and I threw off his hand as +if in anger, when in reality it was nothing save nervous fear which +prompted the movement. + +As nearly as I could judge, Simon Kenton had been absent ten minutes +before we heard anything whatsoever, and then the report of a musket, +followed by a scream of pain, caused the blood to bound in my veins. + +Instinctively I leaped to my feet when I should have remained +motionless, and Paul laid hold of the skirt of my hunting-shirt as if +fearing I might be counting on rushing out. + +One, two, three minutes passed, during which time the most absolute +silence reigned, and then a slight rustling of the branches told that +the scout was returning. + +I breathed more freely, knowing he was not the one who had given vent to +that cry of pain, and stepped forward to learn how serious was the +danger which threatened. + +"We have run across thirty or more reptiles--most likely the same that +were met while coming down the river," he whispered in my ear as I bent +forward eager for information. + +"Why did you fire?" I asked, believing for the moment that by such act +he had told them where we lay concealed. + +"They had learned where we were, and now completely surround us. It's a +case of fightin' our way out, lad, if we count on gainin' Corn Island. +It is better to make a move at once, than wait till they are ready to +close in on us." + +I understood by these words that Kenton believed the situation to be +most dangerous, otherwise he would not have suggested we make a move in +the night when the savages would have a great advantage over us, and, as +usual in such cases, my heart grew cowardly once more. + +While I stood there undecided the scout hurriedly repeated to Paul that +which he had told me, and I saw the lad rise to his feet without +hesitation. He was even then, as he has since many times proven himself, +my superior in all that goes to make up a frontiersman. + +"Follow me," Kenton whispered, "and when you are forced to fire, see to +it there be no delay in re-loadin' your rifle. Accordin' to my way of +thinkin' we'll have to fight ourselves through this gang, an' the more +we disable 'twixt now an' night the easier will be our work to-morrow." + +There was in my mind the thought that we were now where we must keep up +a running fight until one party or the other was shot down, and, +considering the fact that they outnumbered us at least ten to one, it +seemed most likely ours would be the side that went under. + +When danger comes close upon me I forget my cowardice, as a rule, and so +it was now. There seemed little chance we could fight our way through +where were so many to oppose us, and the odds were all in favor of the +savages. + +Realizing this fully, as I believe Simon Kenton did also, I ceased to +think of the cause I had for fear, but set my teeth hard, resolving to +give the painted wolves good reason to remember me after they had shot +us down. + +Simon Kenton was not disposed to linger; he understood of what advantage +in a fight is the first blow, and was eager to deal it. + +He waited only long enough to assure himself we two lads were ready for +the hot work before us, and then turned to leave the hiding-place which, +as he had said, was already surrounded. + +Paul would have brought up the rear, but that I held the position as +belonging to me. Surely a lad who had always lived in towns could not +reasonably expect to be allowed such a post of danger when there were +others with a right to claim it. + +That the savages were keeping a keen watch we knew instantly Simon +Kenton stepped outside the dense thicket, for then came the report of a +rifle, and a bullet whistled past my head so near that I could feel the +"wind" of its flight. + +It was a queer act, when the darkness was so intense that one could not +distinguish an object twenty paces away, yet instinctively we three +darted behind the nearest trees for shelter, and there stood straining +our eyes in the hope of being able to discover a living target. + +It was like looking into a deep well, to peer ahead, and all three of us +must have understood at the same instant that it was little less than +folly to remain there with any hope of sending a bullet home, for Paul +had just turned to continue the flight when Simon Kenton whispered to +me: + +"We cannot benefit ourselves by remainin' here. The best plan is to +continue on up river, makin' as many miles as possible before daylight." + +Having said this he darted forward, forcing Paul to fall into line +behind him, and I came close at the latter's heels. + +Now was begun the oddest fight ever seen on the Ohio River. + +We three were pressing forward as if it would advantage us much to gain +a few extra miles before morning, and the savages followed cautiously, +firing at random now and then, although they could not hope a single +bullet would take effect. + +Several times we halted in the hope that the reptiles, thinking only of +overtaking us, might come up within shooting distance; but they were too +wary to be caught by any trick of that kind. + +Whenever we came to a full stop it was as if all nature ceased +breathing, for we could not hear the lightest whisper amid the foliage, +and when the flight had continued in such fashion for an hour or more, +Simon Kenton said as we stood side by side listening intently for some +token of the villains: + +"We won't get a fair shot at them until daylight, an' then they'll have +the same chance at us. I reckon we'd better make all the distance we can +while it is dark, an' then lay by when the sun rises." + +To my mind it could benefit us but little if we approached a few miles +nearer our destination, for unless these wretches could be beaten back +within a reasonably short time, they would succeed in killing us before +we could come within fifty miles of the point we most desired to gain. + +However, while holding death at bay for a few hours more or less we +might as well have our faces turned in the right direction, and I was +ready to do whatsoever the scout suggested, for, as I have said, fear +had fled from me now that our position was so desperate. + +We alternately drove ahead at full speed, and stopped to take breath. +The Indians fired at random now and then, hoping that the sound of our +footsteps might serve as guide; but they inflicted no more injury on us +by shooting, than we did on them while we refrained from discharging our +weapons. + +In such manner was the night passed. We had not fired a shot, while the +painted crew in pursuit had wasted twenty bullets or more. + +Having walked all day, this severe exertion throughout the night +wearied me excessively, and when the first gray light of coming dawn +filtered through the foliage, it seemed to me as if I was on the verge +of exhaustion. + +The labor had told even on Simon Kenton, and Paul was keeping the pace +only through sheer force of will-power. + +It was a wondrous relief to me when the scout pointed ahead to what +appeared to be a dense growth of bushes, through which ran a tiny +stream, as he said: + +"I reckon we'll find no better place in which to make a stand, than +there." + +"Almost anything will please me so that we come to a halt speedily, for +I'm well-nigh winded," I replied, speaking with difficulty because of my +heavy breathing, and in another instant we three stood facing each other +in the thicket, where as yet the light of a new day had not penetrated. + +The savages might not approach very near during the darkness without +taking more risks than such reptiles fancied, and during a certain time +we need not fear molestation. + +Paul and I flung ourselves at full length on the ground, for in no other +position did it seem possible to recover from the exhaustion which beset +us; but Simon Kenton remained standing at a spot from where he could +have a view of some portion of our surroundings when the sun had +dispelled the gloom. + +"I suppose there is good reason to believe the Indians will kill us +before we can arrive at Corn Island?" Paul said in a tone of one asking +a question, after he had recovered his breath sufficiently to speak, and +Simon Kenton replied quietly. + +"Two or three such races as we have had this night should give them good +cause for discouragement." + +"It is a question whether they or we are getting the worst of this +business," I added, trying to speak calmly, as had my comrades; but +making a bad job of it. + +"Twenty-four hours is a long stretch," Paul said thoughtfully, "and it's +all I can do to keep my eyes open." + +"Go to sleep, lad," Kenton cried. "We must contrive to get some rest +'twixt now an' night, an' if you two take a nap at once I'll have a +chance later." + +It may seem strange that boys should be able to sleep under such +circumstances as these, and yet the permission had no sooner been given +by the scout than I was stretched out at full length, my eyes closing +despite all efforts to keep them open. + +The report of a rifle, discharged near at hand, awakened me, and I +looked around to see the scout reloading his rifle. + +"Did you wing your bird?" I asked sleepily. + +"I hope never to use this 'ere piece again if I didn't. The sneak has +been wrigglin' his way toward us for the last ten minutes, an' I only +waited to let him believe he was keepin' his red carcass out of sight, +although I marked it plainly from the instant he started." + +"Have you seen the others?" + +"Yes, now an' then through the bushes; but not in such a fashion as I +wanted in order to get a good aim. They've camped down somewhere near +that big gum tree yonder, needin' rest as much as we did, I reckon." + +"How long have I been asleep?" + +"Three hours or more." + +"Then it's time you took a turn at it," and I rose to my feet, Paul +rising up at the same time. + +Simon Kenton insisted that we lie down again; but it was to me as if the +repose had been sufficiently long, so thoroughly was I awakened, and +after a short discussion he did as I suggested. + +It is needless for me to set down all that was done or said during the +remainder of this long day. + +Kenton slept a full four hours, and during that time we had fired twice +at the skulking reptiles as they flitted from one tree to another, +feeling certain that some of the bullets had taken effect. + +Then the scout ordered us to get more sleep, nor would he listen to my +assertions that I was fully recovered from the fatigue which had beset +me so sorely. + +"You have another long race before you, an' stand in need of more sleep +if you count on holdin' such a pace as I shall set from the goin' down +of the sun till it rises again." + +"How long do you expect bein' able to keep up such a flight?" Paul asked +quietly, as if it was a matter in which he had no great interest. + +"So far we seem to be doin' rather better than holdin' our own, an' I +reckon we'd best keep up the game. At least three of the painted snakes +are feelin' the worse for havin' begun this little chase, an' we're as +sound as ever." + +It was on my tongue's end to say that we could not hope for the same +good fortune during another night of racing through the forest when it +was too dark to distinguish anything not directly in our path; but I +checked myself in time, for no good could come of speaking dispiriting +words while we were in such a desperate situation. + +We two lads lay down again to sleep, in accordance with Kenton's +command; but were aroused for a few moments when the scout discharged +his rifle, and I heard him mutter to himself: + +"That makes the fourth to-day, an' if we can keep up this play two +nights more, they may come to believe that the game is not worth the +candle." + +Sleepily I thought we might find before many hours had passed that all +the shooting was not to be done by us; but the idea was no more than in +mind when my eyes closed again, and I was not conscious of the +surroundings until Kenton shook me roughly. + +"It's time we pushed ahead once more," he said in a whisper as I seized +my rifle, believing the savages were about to make a determined attack, +and he added with a low laugh, "There's no more danger threatenin' than +when you was last awake, lad; but the night is well on us, an' we should +be movin'." + +He awakened Paul, and the little lad rose to his feet ready for any +emergency; but speaking not a word. + +We had yet some portion of our meat, and from this a hurried meal was +made, after which Simon Kenton showed himself ready to set out once more +on what I believed was a fruitless journey, for it did not seem possible +we would live to finish it. + +It was like a nightmare, that race through the thicket with the +murderous fiends close on our trail, shooting now and then when in the +gloom the waving branches told of our course. + +Kenton kept his word, so far as setting a rapid pace was concerned. +Never before nor since have I strained every muscle and nerve for so +many hours on a stretch. + +There were times when we pressed on as if running a foot-race, and more +than once did one or the other of us come full against a tree with such +force that we were hurled backward at full length on the ground. + +There was no time to attend to bruises, however severe, for close in our +rear came the relentless brutes, hoping, most likely, for just such a +mishap when they could lessen our number by one. + +I believe they fired at us fifty times before we halted for a day's rest +which must be spent in defending ourselves, and by the mercy of God no +bullet came nigh us. + +I watched eagerly for the first signs of dawn; my breath was coming +thick and fast, and I feared lest I might fall and not find myself able +to rise again. + +Paul had kept close at Kenton's heels without betraying fatigue or +distress; but just at the moment when it seemed as if I must halt, +whatever might be the consequences, he cried sharply: + +"I can go no further. You two must keep on without me! It is better that +I be left behind than for all to perish!" + +"We'll all come out of it with whole skins, or fall together," Simon +Kenton said sharply. "Try to hold the pace, lad, till we find a place in +which we can defend ourselves." + +Even as he spoke we had arrived at a spot where half a dozen large trees +had been overthrown by the wind, forming exactly the kind of a +fortification needed by those sorely beset as were we. + +Kenton helped Paul over the logs into the very center, and I followed +with many a stumble, falling on my face, utterly blown, when we were in +the middle of the timber network. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +A NOVEL BATTLE. + + +It was yet so dark in the forest that one must needs strain his eyes to +distinguish objects ten paces in advance, therefore it can be readily +understood how near to us were the howling wolves, when I say that they +set up a shout of mingled triumph and menace as we thus brought the race +to a close. + +It was evident they believed we were now in their power, and indeed +there was much the same thought in my mind when I had aroused from the +stupor of exhaustion sufficiently to take note of our surroundings. + +Simon Kenton had led us into the midst of a pile of fallen timber +overgrown with vines and young bushes, which covered a space of perhaps +an hundred square feet. It was a place of refuge which stood in a +partially cleared spot, and might readily be surrounded, while, to make +our way out, it would be necessary to offer one's body as a target to +whomsoever might be on watch. + +In the gloom of the morning it had appeared to be a better place for +defense than really was the case, and I question if the scout would have +halted here had he understood what it really was. + +While we remained in the very center of the mass we were screened from +view, and could see a goodly portion of all that might be going on +around us; but when that has been said all the advantages of the place +have been described. + +In order to get out of it, once we were inside, it would be necessary, +as I have already said, to expose ourselves to the fire of the enemy, +and before many hours should elapse we would be forced to take to our +heels unless we were minded to die of hunger or thirst. + +We no longer had any food with us, and there was not a drop of water +nearer than the river. Already it seemed as if my mouth was parched to +the point of swelling, and because it was beyond my reach, I longed most +intensely for something to quench thirst. + +The knowledge of our situation, as I have set it down here, came upon me +immediately after I recovered slightly from the effects of the fatigue +caused by the swift race, and, looking into Simon Kenton's face, I knew +full well he had become aware of our disagreeable situation. + +Little Paul Sampson, plucky lad that he had proven himself to be, was +the only one who appeared indifferent to the danger. + +When it was possible for him to sit upright, for he had been more nearly +exhausted than I was, instead of trying to discover all the +disadvantages of the place, he began to do his share toward the defense +by crawling beneath the fallen timber until he could command a good view +of that portion of the forest from which we had come, and at the same +time screen his own body from those who were most likely searching with +their keen eyes for a living target. + +I believe Simon Kenton read from my face the thoughts which were in my +mind, for he said slowly, as if weighing well each word: + +"It must be a battle rather than simply a time of defense. We can hold +our position without any great sufferin' for four-an'-twenty hours; but +at the end of that time there's bound to be a change if we count on +seein' Corn Island again." + +"How will you bring about a battle unless the savages are disposed to +give us the chance?" I asked petulantly. "They can remain under cover +any length of time, and yet keep us in view. It isn't a case of +starvation with them." + +"A man is never beaten until he loses hope," the scout replied cheerily, +and the words were no more than spoken before Paul's rifle rang out +sharply. + +"There's one the less!" the lad cried triumphantly. "They're creeping up +to get a shot at us, an' we've only to keep our eyes open in order to +lessen their number greatly 'twixt now and sunrise." + +These brave words brought me out of my fit of despondency in a +twinkling, and with a sense of shame that this lad from the east should +show himself more of a man than myself, I crept down to the edge of our +barricade. + +Now we three lay where could be had a view of all our surroundings, and +during the next hour, at the end of which time the sun was sending long +shafts of light through the openings in the forest, we succeeded in +sending five of the scoundrels to their happy hunting-grounds, or back +under cover disabled by serious wounds. + +Such a beginning gave me great courage, until I came to realize that it +was not probable the reptiles would expose themselves so readily after +having received such a sharp lesson. + +Simon Kenton had evidently made up his mind to some course of action +which promised success, for he said cheerily when it was certain the red +snakes had withdrawn to a safe distance: + +"You two lads are to bottle up some sleep now, for unless I'm mistaken +we shall make a change of quarters by sunset." + +"There's little hope they'll let us go out of here with our lives," I +replied despondently, and the scout added sharply: + +"Thus far we have no reason to complain, an' we won't prove ourselves +fools by lookin' into the future for trouble. Get to sleep, lads, for at +noon I shall claim the same privilege." + +Weary as we were, it was not a difficult task to close our eyes in +slumber, and within five minutes from the giving of the order we were +sleeping soundly, not to awaken until the sun was directly overhead, +when the scout shook us into wakefulness. + +"You've had a good six hours of rest, an' I'm countin' on scoopin' in +only three. Keep a sharp watch till the afternoon is half spent, an' +then rouse me." + +"Why should you not sleep as long as we have?" I asked as Paul crept +through the logs to where he could best have a view of our surroundings. + +"Because then will have come the time when we must make ready for such a +battle as will satisfy yonder brutes that it is not safe to run down +three white men with the idea of cornerin' them in a forest like this." + +Without explaining what he proposed to do, Simon Kenton betook himself +to his well-earned rest, and we lads stood guard to the best of our +ability. + +Three hours passed in silence, and during that time we had not seen even +a tuft of feathers to betoken the whereabouts of an enemy. + +By allowing my mind to dwell upon the disagreeable fact that we were +without food or water, I was suffering intensely from both hunger and +thirst, and because of thus yielding free rein to imagination, I was +dispirited and hopeless. + +Paul took it upon himself to arouse the scout, and once Kenton's eyes +were open he set about bringing on the battle of which he had spoken. + +A few moments' work with our knives sufficed to provide each of us with +a long pole, and then he explained his plan. + +According to his orders, we were to lie on the ground with our rifles +ready for use, and with the poles make such a rustling of the foliage as +would cause the enemy to believe we were creeping out. + +It would be but natural the savages should fire whenever they saw a +swaying of the bushes or branches; but, because of the length of the +poles, we would not be near enough to the point of disturbance to run +any great chance of being hit by the bullets. + + [Illustration: From out of our barricade whistled three bullets, + and every one found its mark. Page 259. _On the Kentucky + Frontier._] + +Kenton had given the name of "battle" to this maneuver of his; but it +was neither more nor less than a trick, and such an one as the +savages themselves most delighted in. + +They had no good cause to be joyous over this one, however, for it +worked as Kenton had counted on, and before the painted wolves +understood the game, they had received a lesson such as I warrant they +never forgot. + +When the three of us were in position Simon Kenton gave the signal, and +we prodded vigorously with the poles. + +In a twinkling half a dozen rifles were discharged from different points +amid the foliage, thus showing that the enemy was keeping sharp watch, +and we each had a target. + +From, out of our barricade whistled three bullets, and every one found +its mark! + +It was only with difficulty that I repressed a cry of triumph, for now I +began to understand that we might soon clear a way for ourselves, unless +this band of reptiles had more real courage than their race usually +displayed when pitted against white men. + +After an interval of five minutes or more we repeated the maneuver, +receiving a similar reply as before, and were able to deal death or +wounds to another trio. + +"Six wiped out or disabled in as many minutes!" Simon Kenton said in a +low tone of triumph. "What do you think now of my battle, lads?" + +"If they will fall into the trap twice more, we can count on having this +bank of the river to ourselves," I replied incautiously loud, and the +scout said warningly: + +"Have a care, Louis, have a care. If they suspect what kind of a game we +are playin' there'll be little chance of their doin' as we wish." + +Well, lest I draw this poor tale out to such length as to weary him who +may read, it is enough if I say that three times more did we succeed in +finding targets for our rifles by using the poles vigorously, and I was +certain that from the moment the scout was awakened until the savages +refused to come out at our bidding, we had sent bullets into no less +than thirteen of them. + +Considering the fact that their number could not have exceeded forty, +judging from what we had seen and heard, this work of ours was well +calculated to discourage them. + +They had poured into the pile of logs no less than an hundred bullets, +and yet we had not received a scratch! + +I almost forgot that I was hungry or thirsty, for the fever of killing +was upon me, and my one hope was that we might draw them two or three +times more in order to give the villainous brutes such a lesson in +blood-letting as they had never learned before. + +In this I was disappointed, however, for the snakes had either come to +understand our game, or were drawn off to nurse their wounds, and we saw +no more of them. + +At nightfall we stole cautiously out from among the fallen timber, and +not a shot was sent after us. + +A mile or more from the scene of our greatest triumph we made a halt +that we might quench our thirst from the river, and during the night our +march was less hurried than when we began the race. + +We stopped for breakfast next morning, after shooting a turkey, and by +this time it was certain that the painted reptiles who had relied on +spilling our blood, no longer retained such desire at the price we set +upon it. + +After this we pushed forward at a leisurely pace, and in comparative +security, until we arrived at Corn Island, where my mother greeted Paul +and me as if we were come from the dead. + +What we did there, or what further adventures befell Simon Kenton before +he was able to revisit his home in Virginia, is not for me to set down +here, since it forms a tale by itself. Neither can I relate how I made a +home for my mother in that new settlement which came to be known by the +name of Louisville; but it seems necessary I should copy from what +another has written, the story of how Major Clarke succeeded in +wresting the valley of the Mississippi from the clutches of the British, +and with such account I bring this writing to an end, hoping others may +find as much pleasure in the reading as I have in the writing of it. + + * * * * * + +"On the twenty-ninth of January, 1779, intelligence was received that +Governor Hamilton had marched an expedition against Vincennes, from +Detroit, nearly a month previously, and that the town was again in +possession of the enemy. It was also said that another and more +formidable expedition was to be sent out in the spring to recapture +Kaskaskia, and to assail the various posts on the Kentucky frontier. +With his usual promptness and energy Colonel Clarke (the Virginia +legislature had recently promoted him) prepared to anticipate the enemy, +and strike the first blow. + +"He planned an expedition against Vincennes, and on the seventh of +February commenced his march through the wilderness, with one hundred +and seventy-five men. He had previously despatched Captain Rogers and +forty men, two four-pounders, and a boat, with orders to force their way +up the Wabash to a point near the mouth of White River, and there wait +for further orders. + +"For a whole week Colonel Clarke's party traversed the drowned lands of +Illinois, suffering every privation from wet, cold and hunger. When they +arrived at the Little Wabash, at a point where the forks of the stream +are three miles apart, they found the intervening space covered with +water to a depth of three feet. The points of dry land were five miles +apart, and all that distance those hardy soldiers waded the cold +snow-flood, sometimes armpit deep. + +"On the evening of the eighteenth they halted a little distance from the +mouth of Embarrass Creek, and so near Vincennes that they could hear the +booming of the evening gun. Here they encamped for the night, and the +next morning at dawn, with their faces blackened with gunpowder to make +themselves appear hideous, they crossed the river in a boat they had +secured, and pushed on through the floods toward the town. + +"Just as they reached dry land, in sight of Vincennes, they captured a +resident, and sent him into the town with a letter demanding the +immediate surrender of the place and fort. The people, taken by +surprise, were greatly alarmed, and believed the expedition to be from +Kentucky, composed of the fierce and strong of that advancing +commonwealth. Had armed men dropped in their midst from the clouds, they +could not have been more astonished, for it seemed impossible for this +little band to have traversed the deluged country. The people were +disposed to comply with the demand, but Governor Hamilton, who commanded +in person, would not allow it. + +"A siege commenced, and for fourteen hours a furious conflict continued. +The next day the town and fort were surrendered, and the garrison were +made prisoners of war. The stars and stripes took the place of the red +cross of St. George; a round of thirteen guns proclaimed the victory, +and that night the exhausted troops of Colonel Clarke reposed in +comfort." + + +THE END + + + + + +A. L. BURT'S PUBLICATIONS + +For Young People + +BY POPULAR WRITERS. + +52-58 Duane Street, New York. + + +=Bonnie Prince Charlie=: A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By G. A. + HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +The adventures of the son of a Scotch officer in French service. The +boy, brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is arrested for aiding a Jacobite +agent, escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches Paris, and +serves with the French army at Dettingen. He kills his father's foe in a +duel, and escaping to the coast, shares the adventures of Prince +Charlie, but finally settles happily in Scotland. + + "Ronald, the hero, is very much the hero of 'Quentin + Durward.' The lad's journey across France, and his + hairbreadth escapes, make up as good a narrative of the kind + as we have ever read. For freshness of treatment and variety + of incident, Mr. Henry has surpassed himself."--_Spectator._ + + +=With Clive in India=; or, the Beginnings of an Empire. By G. A. + HENTY. With 12 full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in India and +the close of his career was critical and eventful in the extreme. At its +commencement the English were traders existing on sufferance of the +native princes. At its close they were masters of Bengal and the greater +part of Southern India. The author has given a full and accurate account +of the events of that stirring time, and battles and sieges follow each +other in rapid succession, while he combines with his narrative a tale +of daring and adventure, which gives a lifelike interest to the volume. + + "He has taken a period of Indian history of the most vital + importance, and he has embroidered on the historical facts a + story which of itself is deeply interesting. Young people + assuredly will be delighted with the volume."--_Scotsman._ + + +=The Lion of the North=: A Tale of GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS and the + Wars of Religion. By G. A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations + by JOHN SCHOeNBERG. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +In this story Mr. Henry gives the history of the first part of the +Thirty Years' War. The issue had its importance, which has extended to +the present day as it established religious freedom in Germany. The army +of the chivalrous king of Sweden was largely composed of Scotchmen, and +among these was the hero of the story. + + "The tale is a clever and instructive piece of history, and + as boys may be trusted to read it conscientiously, they can + hardly fail to be profited."--TIMES. + + +=The Dragon and the Raven=; or, The Days of King Alfred. By G. A. + HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, R. I. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle between +Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents a vivid picture of +the misery and ruin to which the country was reduced by the ravages of +the sea-wolves. The hero, a young Saxon thane, taken part in all the +battles fought by King Alfred. He is driven from his home, takes to the +sea and resists the Danes on their own element, and being pursued by +them up the Seine, is present at the long and desperate siege of Paris. + + "Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish + reader."--_Athenaeum._ + + + +=The Young Carthaginian=: A Story of the Times of Hannibal. By G. + A. HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND, + R. I. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +Boys reading the history of the Punic Wars have seldom a keen +appreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first a +struggle for empire, and afterward for existence on the part of +Carthage, that Hannibal was a great and skillful general, that he +defeated the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannae, and all but +took Rome, represents pretty nearly the sum total of their knowledge. To +let them know more about this momentous struggle for the empire of the +world Mr. Henty has written this story, which not only gives in graphic +style a brilliant description of a most interesting period of history, +but is a tale of exciting adventure sure to secure the interest of the +reader. + + "Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last + nothing stays the interest of the narrative. It bears us + along as on a stream whose current varies in direction, but + never loses its force."--_Saturday Review._ + + +=In Freedom's Cause=: A Story of Wallace and Bruce. By G. A. + HENTY. With full-page Illustrations by GORDON BROWNE. + 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. + +In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish War +of Independence. The extraordinary valor and personal prowess of Wallace +and Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical heroes of chivalry, and indeed +at one time Wallace was ranked with these legendary personages. The +researches of modern historians have shown, however, that he was a +living, breathing man--and a valiant champion. The hero of the tale +fought under both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historical +accuracy has been maintained with respect to public events, the work is +full of "hairbreadth 'scapes" and wild adventure. + + "It is written in the author's best style. Full of the + wildest and most remarkable achievements, it is a tale of + great interest, which a boy, once he has begun it, will not + willingly put on one side."--_The Schoolmaster._ + + + + + +-----------------------------------------------+ + | Transcriber's Note: | + | | + | Typographical errors corrected in the text: | + | | + | Page 9 begining changed to beginning | + | Page 31 towards changed to toward | + | Page 50 trange changed to strange | + | Page 69 fight changed to flight | + | Page 118 It changed to If | + | Page 144 us changed to as | + | Page 215 heady changed to heads | + | Page 218 of changed to or | + +-----------------------------------------------+ + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Kentucky Frontier, by James Otis + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE KENTUCKY FRONTIER *** + +***** This file should be named 33890.txt or 33890.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/3/8/9/33890/ + +Produced by David Garcia, Barbara Kosker and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Kentuckiana Digital Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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