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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/34355-8.txt b/34355-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0dbda81 --- /dev/null +++ b/34355-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7915 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Marching on Niagara, by Edward Stratemeyer + +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: Marching on Niagara + or, The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier + +Author: Edward Stratemeyer + +Illustrator: A. B. Shute + +Release Date: November 17, 2010 [EBook #34355] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARCHING ON NIAGARA *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + MARCHING ON NIAGARA + + OR THE SOLDIER BOYS OF THE OLD FRONTIER + + Colonial Series + + BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER + +Author of "American Boys' Life of William McKinley," "Lost on the +Orinoco," "On to Pekin," "Between Boer and Briton," "Old Glory Series," +"Ship and Shore Series," "Bound to Succeed Series," etc. + + + _ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. SHUTE_ + + BOSTON: + LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. + + COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY LEE AND SHEPARD + + Published August, 1902 + + _All rights reserved_ + + Norwood Press + J. S. CUSHING & CO.--BERWICK & SMITH + Norwood, Mass. U. S. A. + + + + +[Illustration: After him tumbled a wild cat.] + + + + +PREFACE + + +"MARCHING ON NIAGARA" is a complete story in itself, but forms the +second of several volumes to be known by the general title of "Colonial +Series." + +In the first volume of this series, entitled "WITH WASHINGTON IN THE +WEST," we followed the fortunes of David Morris, the son of a hardy +pioneer, who first settled at Will's Creek (now the town of Cumberland, +Virginia), and later on established a trading post on one of the +tributaries of the Ohio River. This was just previous to the breaking +out of war between France and England, and when the French and English +settlers in America, especially in those localities where trading with +the Indians was profitable, were bitter foes. David becomes well +acquainted with Washington while the latter is a surveyor, and when +Braddock arrives in America and marches against Fort Duquesne the young +pioneer shoulders a musket and joins the Virginia Rangers under Major +Washington, to march forth and take part in Braddock's bitter defeat +and Washington's masterly effort to save the remnant of the army from +total annihilation. + +The defeat of the British forces left this section of the English +colonies at the mercy of both the French and their savage Indian allies, +and for two years, despite all that Washington and other colonial +leaders could do, every isolated cabin and every small settlement west +of Winchester was in constant danger, and numerous raids were made, +savage and brutal in the extreme, and these were kept up until the +arrival of General Forbes, who, aided by Washington and others, finally +compelled the French to abandon Fort Duquesne, and thus restored peace +and order to a frontier covering a distance of several hundred miles. + +Following General Forbes's success at Fort Duquesne (now the +enterprising city of Pittsburg), came English successes in other +quarters, not the least of which was the capture of Fort Niagara, +standing on the east bank of the Niagara River, where that stream flows +into Lake Ontario. This fort was of vast importance to the French, for +it guarded the way through the lakes and down the mighty Mississippi to +their Louisiana territory. In the expedition against Fort Niagara both +David and Henry Morris take an active part, and as brave young soldiers +endeavor to do their duty fully and fearlessly. + +In the preparation of the historical portions of this work the author +has endeavored to be as accurate as possible. This has been no easy +task, for upon many points American, English, and French historians have +differed greatly in their statements. However, it is hoped that the tale +is at least as accurate as the average history, giving as it does +statements from all sides. + +Again thanking the many readers who have taken such an interest in my +previous works, I place this volume in their hands, trusting they will +find it not only entertaining but likewise full of instruction and +inspiration. + +EDWARD STRATEMEYER. + +_Independence Day, 1902._ + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. IN THE FOREST + +II. DEER AND INDIANS + +III. DISCOVERY AND PURSUIT + +IV. BURNING OF THE CABIN + +V. UPRISING OF THE INDIANS + +VI. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HENRY + +VII. A DOUBLE WARNING + +VIII. DEPARTURE FROM HOME + +IX. GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE + +X. HOW HENRY FARED + +XI. SAM BARRINGFORD'S RUSE + +XII. DARK YEAR OF THE WAR + +XIII. FIGHTING OFF THE INDIANS + +XIV. RETREAT OF THE PIONEERS + +XV. DISAPPEARANCE OF LITTLE NELL + +XVI. BACK TO WINCHESTER + +XVII. A NEW CAMPAIGN + +XVIII. WILDCAT AND WATER + +XIX. DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH + +XX. AT FORT PITT--RETURN HOME + +XXI. ON THE WAY TO THE ARMY + +XXII. THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + +XXIII. UP THE MOHAWK VALLEY + +XXIV. HENRY IS ATTACKED + +XXV. A STORM ON LAKE ONTARIO + +XXVI. THE ATTACK AT OSWEGO + +XXVII. NEWS OF IMPORTANCE + +XXVIII. SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA + +XXIX. THE BATTLE NEAR THE FALLS + +XXX. INTO THE NIAGARA RAPIDS + +XXXI. FALL OF FORT NIAGARA + +XXXII. LITTLE NELL--CONCLUSION + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +After him tumbled a wildcat + +They could see the cabin, which still blazed + +The warrior with the torch held the light aloft + +"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so +quickly." + +He took a quick but careful aim at the leader + +He leaped forward once again, straight for Dave + +"Bail her out," roared the lieutenant + +He swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head + + + + +CHAPTER I + +IN THE FOREST + + +"Do you think we'll bag a deer to-day, Henry?" + +"I'll tell you better about that when we are on our way home, Dave. I +certainly saw the hoof-prints down by the salt lick this morning. That +proves they can't be far off. My idea is that at least three deer are +just beyond the lower creek, although I may be mistaken." + +"I'd like to get a shot at 'em. I haven't brought down a deer since we +left the army." + +"Well, I reckon we had shooting enough in the army to last us for a +while," returned Henry Morris, grimly. "I know I got all I wanted, and +you got a good deal more." + +"But it wasn't the right kind of shooting, Henry. I always hated to +think of firing on another human being, didn't you?" + +"Oh, I didn't mind shooting at the Indians--some of 'em don't seem to be +more than half human anyway. But I must say it was different when it +came to bringing down a Frenchman with his spick and span uniform. But +the Frenchmen hadn't any right to molest us and drive your father out of +his trading post." + +"I'm afraid General Braddock's defeat will cause us lots of trouble in +the future. Mr. Risley was telling me that he had heard the Indians over +at Plum Valley were as impudent as they could be. He said half a dozen +of 'em made a settler named Hochstein give 'em all they wanted to eat +and drink, and when the German found fault they flourished their +tomahawks and told him all the settlers but the French were squaws and +that he had better shut up or they'd scalp him and burn down his cabin." + +"Yes, Sam Barringford was telling something about that, too, and he said +he wouldn't be surprised to hear of an Indian uprising at any time. You +see, the French are backing the redskins up in everything and that makes +them bold. If I had my way, I'd get Colonel Washington to raise an army +of three or four thousand men--the best frontiersmen to be found--and +I'd chase every impudent Frenchman out of the country. We won't have +peace till that is done, mark my words on it," concluded Henry Morris, +emphatically. + +David and Henry Morris were cousins, living with their folks on a +clearing not far from what was then known as Will's Creek, now the town +of Cumberland, Virginia. The two families consisted of Dave and his +father, Mr. James Morris, who was a widower, and Mr. Joseph Morris, his +wife Lucy, and three children, Rodney, the oldest, who was something of +a cripple, Henry, who has just been introduced, and little Nell, the +sunshine of the whole home. + +In a former volume of this series, entitled "With Washington in the +West," I related the particulars of how the two Morris families settled +at Will's Creek, and how James Morris, after the loss of his wife, +wandered westward, and established a trading-post on the Kinotah, one of +the numerous branches of the Ohio River. In the meantime Dave, his son, +fell in with George Washington, when the future President was a +surveyor, and the youth helped to survey many tracts of land in the +beautiful Shenandoah valley. + +At this time the colonies of England and of France in America were +having a great deal of trouble between themselves and with the Indians. +Briefly stated, both England and France claimed all the territory +drained by the Ohio and other nearby rivers, and the French sought in +every possible way to drive out English traders who pushed westward. + +The driving out of the English traders soon brought trouble to James +Morris, and after being attacked by a band of Indians he was served +with a notice from the French to quit his trading-post in three months' +time or less. Unwilling to give up a profitable business, and half +suspecting that the notice was the concoction of a rascally French +trader named Jean Bevoir, and not an official document, Mr. Morris sent +Dave back to Winchester, that they might get the advice of Colonel +Washington and other officials as to what was best to do. + +When Dave arrived home he found that there was practically a state of +war between the French and English. Washington was preparing to march +against the enemy, and to get back to the trading post unaided was for +the youth out of the question. Such being the case, Dave joined the +Virginia Rangers under Washington, and with him went his cousin Henry, +and both fought bravely at the defense of Fort Necessity, where Henry +was badly wounded. + +The defeat of the English at Fort Necessity was followed by bitter news +for the Morrises. Sam Barringford, a well-known old trapper of that +locality, and a great friend to the boys, came in one day badly used up +and with the information that the trading-post had fallen under the +combined attack of some French led by Jean Bevoir and some Indians led +by a rascal named Fox Head, who was Bevoir's tool. James Morris had +been taken prisoner and what had become of the trader Barringford could +not tell. + +Poor Dave, cut to the heart, was for looking for his father at once, and +his relatives and Sam Barringford were equally eager. But the +trading-post was miles away--through the dense forest and over the wild +mountains--and the territory was now in the hands of the enemy. Under +such circumstances all had to wait throughout the severe winter and +following spring, a time that to the boy seemed an age. + +General Braddock had been sent over from England to take charge of +affairs against the French, and soon an expedition was organized having +for its object the reduction of Fort Duquesne, which was built where the +city of Pittsburg now stands. The expedition was composed of English +grenadiers brought over by Braddock and several hundred Virginia +Rangers, under Washington. With the rangers were Dave and Barringford. +Henry wished to go, but was still too weak, and it was felt that Joseph +Morris could not be spared from the homestead. + +Braddock's bitter defeat in the vicinity of Fort Duquesne came as a +great shock to all of the English colonies, and it was only by Colonel +Washington's tact and gallantry, and the bravery of the rangers under +him, that the retreating army was saved from total annihilation or +capture. During this battle Dave was shot and captured, but his enemies +soon after abandoned him in the woods, and while wandering around, more +dead than alive he fell in with White Buffalo, a friendly Indian chief, +and, later on, with Barringford and with his father, who had been a +prisoner of the French since the fall of the trading post. + +The home-coming of Dave and his father was viewed with great +satisfaction by Joseph Morris and his family, who did all in their power +to make the two sufferers comfortable. From Mr. Morris it was learned +that the pelts stored at the trading post had been saved through the +kindness of another English trader, so that the Frenchman, Jean Bevoir, +and his Indian tool, Fox Head, had not gained much by the raid. + +"I am certain that the raid was not the work of the French authorities," +said James Morris. "But now the war is on they will of course stand up +for everything Jean Bevoir and his followers have done. Nevertheless, I +hold to it that the trading post, and the land staked out around it, is +mine, and some day I shall lay claim to it." + +"Right you are, brother," came from Joseph Morris. "And, so far as I am +able, I will stand by you in the claim. But I am fearful that matters +will be much worse before they are better." + +"Oh, there's no doubt of that. This victory will make the French think +they can walk right over us." + +"Yes, and it will do more," put in Rodney, who was now a young man in +years. "Many Indians have been wavering between taking sides with us or +the enemy. Now many of these will stake fortunes with the +victors,--that's the usual way." He stretched himself on his chair and +gave a sigh. "I wish I was a little stronger, I'd join the army and +fight 'em." + +"We haven't any army to speak of now," resumed James Morris. "When I was +last down at Winchester Colonel Washington had but a handful of +soldiers,--all the rest having gone home to attend to their farms and +plantations--and over at Will's Creek fort it was no better. The pay +offered to the soldiers is so poor nobody cares to stay in the ranks. +Patriotism seems to be at a low ebb." + +"It's not such a lack of patriotism," said Joseph Morris. "None of our +home soldiers liked the ways of the troops from England, and it made +them mad to have their officers pushed down and Braddock's underlings +pushed up. Even Washington had to remonstrate, although they tell me he +was willing to fight no matter what position they gave him. And matters +are going no better in the North. Either England and our colonies must +wake up, or, ere we know it, all will be lost to the French and their +Indian allies." + +"What of the Indians?" put in Mrs. Morris. "Have those under White +Buffalo gone over to the French?" + +"White Buffalo's braves have not," answered her husband. "But the tribe +is badly split up, and White Buffalo himself is nearly crazy over the +matter. He says some of the old chiefs swear by the French while the +younger warriors all cling to Washington. White Buffalo says that he +himself will never lift a tomahawk against the English--and I feel +certain he means it." + +"White Buffalo is a real nice Indian," came from little Nell, who sat on +the door-step playing. "Didn't he make me this doll? If they were all as +good as he is I wouldn't be afraid a bit." And she hugged to her breast +the crude wooden figure, the "heap big pappoose" with which White +Buffalo had gained her childish confidence. + +"Nor would I be afraid," came from Mrs. Morris. "But all Indians are not +as kind and true as White Buffalo, and if they should ever go on the +war-path and move this way--" She did not finish, but shook her head +sadly. + +"If they should come this way we will do our best to fight them off," +said James Morris. "But let us hope it will never come to that. The +butchery at the trading post was enough, I should not wish to see such +doings around our homestead." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DEER AND INDIANS + + +Dave and Henry had left home an hour before, hoping to bring back with +them at least one deer if not two. Henry was a great hunter, having +brought down many a bird on the wing and squirrel on the run, and he +knew that if he could only get a fair sight at a deer the game would be +his. As old readers know, Dave was likewise a good shot, so it was +likely that the youths would bring back something if any game showed +itself. + +It was a cool, clear day, with just a touch of snow on the ground, ideal +weather for hunting, and as the boys pushed on each felt in excellent +spirits despite the talk about the Indians. So far as they knew there +was no Indian settlement within miles of them nor were there any +wandering redskins within half a day's journey. + +"Hullo, there go half a dozen rabbits!" cried Dave, presently, and +pointed through a little clearing to their left. + +"Don't shoot!" cried his cousin, although Dave had not raised his +flint-lock musket. "If you do you'll scare the deer sure--if they are +within hearing." + +"I wasn't going to shoot, Henry. But just look at the beggars, sitting +up and looking at us! I reckon they know they are safe." + +"Since the fighting with the French there hasn't been much hunting +through here, and so the game is quite tame. But they won't sit +long--there they go now. Come." + +The pair resumed their journey through the forest, Henry leading the +way, for he had been over this trail several times before. Birds were +numerous, and they could have filled their canvas bag with ease, had +they felt inclined. But the minds of both were on the deer, and to Henry +at least it was such game or nothing, although Dave might have contented +himself with something smaller. Yet both knew that Mrs. Morris would +look forward with pleasure to getting some fresh venison for her table. + +At length the pair reached the lower creek which Henry had mentioned. +Here the stream which flowed past the Morris homestead split into +several arms, one flowing through a wide clearing and the others +entering the forest and passing around a series of rough rocks and a +cliff nearly fifty feet high. At this point the forest had never yet +felt the weight of the white man's axe and trees had stood there until +brought low by storm or the weight of years. + +"Go slow now," whispered Henry, as he caught his cousin by the arm. "If +they hear us the game is up." + +"The wind is with us," returned Dave. Nevertheless, he slowed up as +desired, and then the pair moved forward with extreme caution, each +having seen to it that his firearm was ready for immediate use. + +Suddenly Henry came to a halt and dropped almost flat behind a rock, and +Dave instantly followed. Coming around a short turn they had caught +sight of four deer, standing hoof-deep in the water drinking. All the +heads were down, but as the youths looked in the direction that of an +old buck came up with a jerk and he sniffed the air suspiciously. + +"Take the nearest," whispered Henry, softly and quickly. "Ready?" + +"Yes," was the low reply. + +There was a second of silence and then the two guns spoke as one piece, +the reports echoing and re-echoing throughout the mighty forest and +along the cliff. The deer Henry had aimed at fell down in the water, +plunging wildly in its dying agonies, while that struck by Dave hobbled +painfully up the bank. The others, including the old buck, turned and +sped off with the swiftness of the wind. + +"Huzza! we have 'em!" shouted Henry. "Come on!" and he leaped to his +feet with Dave beside him. Not far off a dead tree lay across the stream +and they quickly climbed this, so as not to get their feet wet. When +they gained the spot where the deer had been drinking they found Henry's +quarry quite dead. The deer Dave had hit was thrashing around in some +brushwood. + +"I reckon he'll want another shot," said Dave, and reloaded his firearm +with all speed. Then he primed up and approached the deer, but before he +could pull trigger Henry stopped him. + +"He don't need it," came from the older youth. "Save your powder and +ball. I'll fix him." + +Giving his gun to Dave, Henry rushed up behind the deer, at the same +time drawing the long hunting knife he had lately gotten into the habit +of carrying. Watching his chance he plunged the knife into the deer's +throat. The stroke went true and soon the beast had breathed its last. + +"Good for you," cried Dave, enthusiastically. "No use in talking, Henry, +you were cut out for a hunter. You'll be as good as Sam Barringford if +you keep on." + +"Oh, you did about as well as I did, Dave," was the modest rejoinder. +"But this is a prime haul, no use of talking. Mother will be tickled to +death." + +"I reckon we'll all be pleased--we haven't had deer meat for some time. +But we're going to have some work getting these two carcasses home. No +use of trying to get those other deer, is there?" + +"Use? Not much! Why that old buck must be about two or three miles away +by this time. Say, he was a big fellow, wasn't he? I should like to have +had those horns, but I knew there was no use in fetching him down,--his +meat would be too tough and strong." + +"I fancy the best we can do is to make a drag for each deer and each +pull his own load home," went on Dave. "If we leave one here the wolves +and foxes will soon finish the meat." + +"Yes, that's the only way. And we might as well hurry, for it is getting +late and it will take us a good three hours to get back with such +loads." + +They were soon at work, Henry with his hunting knife and Dave with his +pocket blade, cutting down some long, pliable brushwood which would make +excellent drags for both loads. Their good luck put each in good humor, +and as he worked Dave could not refrain from whistling, his favorite +airs, being, as of old, "Lucy Locket Lost Her Pocket" and "The Pirate's +Lady, O!" + +The brushwood cut, they lost no time in binding their loads fast, and +then Henry led the way along the watercourse, without crossing to the +trail they had previously pursued. + +"It's almost as near this way as the other," he said. "And I reckon it +will be a bit easier pulling." + +"Well, make it as easy as you can, Henry. It's no light load, I can tell +you that. Sam Barringford was once telling me how he dragged three deer +from Plum Valley to Risley's new place, over the snow. I don't see how +he did it." + +"Oh, it's easy when the crust of the snow is hard enough--the drag goes +like a sled. But I admit Sam is a wonderfully powerful man." + +"Indeed he is. Why, it was a sight to see--the way he fought when Red +Fox and his followers attacked the trading post. He was a whole host in +himself." + +Inside of quarter of an hour they had reached a bend in the stream, and +now Henry left the watercourse and pushed on over a low hill backed up +by a series of rocks. + +"It will be a slight pull up hill," he said. "But it will save us nearly +half a mile. We can rest a few minutes when we get to the top. When we +get up there I'll show you the spot where I saw those four bears three +years ago." + +"Don't know as I want to meet four bears just now." + +"Oh, the spot isn't on this hill--it's on the hill to the left. Pow-wow +Hill Sam Barringford called it. He said it used to be a great Indian +resort when the Miamies were in this neighborhood. But the redskins from +Shunrum came and drove 'em out." + +The top of the rise gained, Dave was glad enough to rest, and both sat +down on the trunk of a fallen monarch of the forest, the home now of +some chipmunks that fled quickly at their approach. + +"There is the spot where I saw the bears," said Henry, pointing with his +hand to a clump of trees on the next hill, quite a distance away. "They +were in a bunch under that----Hullo! What can that mean?" He broke off +short. "Down behind the tree, Dave! Quick!" + +The sudden note of alarm was not lost on Dave and in a twinkle both the +young hunters were crouched behind the fallen tree. Dave caught his gun +and placed his hand on the trigger, but Henry shoved the barrel of the +piece downward. + +"What did you see?" came from the younger of the youths. + +"Indians!" was the short reply. Henry peeped carefully forth. "Yes, sir, +Indians, just as sure as you are born. Look for yourself." + +"By the king, but you're right!" exclaimed Dave, in excitement. "Two, +three--I see four of them." + +"I think I saw a fifth--behind that rock to the right. Yes, there he +is." + +"Can you make out what they are?" + +"No, excepting that they are none of White Buffalo's tribe." + +"If they don't belong in this neighborhood they are here for no good," +said Dave, decidedly. + +"I agree with you there, Dave. Possibly they are on a hunt. But why +should they come here when there is better game further west?" + +"If they are on a hunt it's not for wild animals," came from Dave, +significantly. "Have they got their war paint on?" + +"I can't see them clearly enough for that." + +For several minutes both youths remained silent, watching the distant +Indians as they moved around. They had evidently killed some wild +animal, although what it was the watchers could not make out. + +"If they shot anything it must have been before we reached this +neighborhood," said Henry, presently. "I heard no reports." + +"Nor I. But never mind that. What shall we do?" + +"I don't know, excepting to go home with our game and report them. I +don't care to let them see us, do you?" + +"Not if they are enemies, and I reckon they are." + +"Do you suppose they spotted us?" + +"I think not--although you can never tell, they are that cute. They may +have a spy working his way over here at this very minute." + +"Then let us go on without delay." + +It was easy to say this, but how to proceed without being noticed was a +problem. Henry's deer lay behind the fallen tree, but Dave's was in +front and the younger hunter did not wish to leave his game behind him. + +"I'm going to risk it," said Dave, and crawling cautiously around the +stump-end of the fallen tree he reached forth and caught one of the ends +of the drag. But the task was a difficult one and as he pulled the deer +slipped to the ground and the end of the tree branch was suddenly raised +high in the air. + +"Drop it," cried Henry, and Dave did so. "They must have seen that, +Dave. See, two of them are looking this way. We had better clear out and +be quick about it." + +"I'm going to have that deer," returned the younger hunter, and catching +the game by the hind legs he dragged it behind the tree. Then both boys +hurried down the opposite side of the hill with all speed. Here they +placed both deer on the single drag and continued on their way homeward +with all possible speed. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DISCOVERY AND PURSUIT + + +It must be confessed that both youths were thoroughly alarmed, and with +good reason. Since Braddock's defeat they had heard of the uprising of +the Indians at Nancoke, Lusher's Run, Willowbury, and several other +small settlements, and had heard of the murder of several German +families twenty-five miles to the north of Will's Creek fort, and the +murder of Lee Cass, and his wife and four children, thirty miles down +the valley. The outbreaks had not resulted from any united efforts on +the Indians part, but there was no telling how soon the different tribes +would dig up the war hatchet and descend upon all the frontier +settlements in force and simultaneously. + +From the top of the hill Henry had expected to go straight home, but +this course would necessitate the crossing of a clearing quarter of a +mile in extent and such a path he now deemed unwise to take. + +"If they are following us, it will be dead easy for them to spot us in +the open," he said. "We had better stick to the forest. Of course they +can follow the trail of the drag easily enough, but I hate to think of +giving up so much meat,--after we had such a journey to bring it down." + +"Don't let's give it up yet," pleaded Dave. The deer was the largest he +had yet laid low, and he was correspondingly proud of the showing. +"Perhaps they aren't after us at all." + +On they went, traveling as fast as their somewhat tired limbs permitted. +There was another rise to cross, beyond which was a watercourse leading +down to the rear of their homestead. + +"I think I know where there is a rough raft to be found," said Henry. +"And if I can find it, we can place the deer on that and tow them home. +We may get wet, but it will be easy work and we can make quicker time +than over the ground." + +"Right you are, Henry, and remember, water leaves no trail," responded +Dave. + +They were soon at the side of the stream, which at this point was +several feet deep and five to ten yards wide. The banks were thickly +overhung with bushes, now, however, bare of leaves. At one spot was an +inlet and here Henry pointed out the raft he had mentioned, a crude +affair of four short logs lashed together with willow withes. + +"We can pull that with ease," said Dave, as he surveyed the affair. +"Come, let us dump the deer aboard at once. We can wade along the bank +and----." + +He broke off short and clutched his cousin's arm. His glance had strayed +up the stream to a bend several rods away and there he had seen the prow +of an Indian canoe and the headgear of several painted warriors. + +"By ginger! More Indians!" ejaculated Henry, and both dropped flat on +top of their dead game. "How many did you see, Dave?" + +"Three or four,--and there are several more!" + +"Yes, and they are in their war-paint! Dave, do you know what I think?" + +"That they are on the war-path? Oh, Henry, if that is so----." Dave did +not finish, but looked anxiously at his cousin. + +"If that is so, it means that every homestead for miles around is in +danger. And we haven't a single soldier within fifty miles!" added the +older youth, with almost a groan. + +All the while they were talking they kept their eyes on the Indians, and +they now saw the redmen come out on the stream and cross to the side +they occupied. Then of a sudden the warriors sent up a shout calculated +to strike terror to their hearts. + +"They have discovered us! They are after us!" burst from Dave's lips. +"What shall we do?" + +"We've got to run for it," was Henry's answer. "Hurry up, before it's +too late." + +"But the deer----." + +"We'll have to let them go. Come!" + +Side by side they darted into the forest back of the watercourse and +made their way with all possible speed between bushes, trees and rocks. +There was no trail and neither knew exactly where he was going. Once +Dave tripped on some roots and pitched headlong, but he picked himself +up in a hurry and, panting for breath, kept on as before. + +The retreat of the two young hunters came none too quick, for scarcely +had they reached the shelter of the wood when several of the Indians let +fly with their arrows, one of which almost clipped Henry's shoulder. +This fixed the situation beyond all dispute. + +"They are on the war-path, or they wouldn't fire on us," said Dave. "Are +you winged?" + +"No, but it was a pretty close aim. Who can they be?" + +"I believe they are some of Fox Head's dirty band. If they catch us I +believe they'll kill us." + +"Or keep us to torture," answered the older youth. "But they are not +going to catch us if I can help it--and I think I can." + +While the two were talking they sped on and on, deeper and deeper into +the forest. Both wished to turn in the direction of home, but did not +dare do so, fearing the Indians would be waiting to head them off. + +At the start the shouts of their pursuers had sounded unpleasantly close +but now they died out utterly. But whether the redskins had given up the +chase or were coming on in silence they could not tell. + +"I don't think they'll give up so quick," was Henry's comment, as they +paused a few seconds to get their breath. "I reckon they've found it +doesn't pay to yell. We may get another volley of arrows before we know +it." + +Once more they went on. Their course was now in a wide semi-circle, +calculated to bring them up in the clearing on the east side of their +homestead. + +"We'll pass Uriah Risley's new cabin," said Dave. "It is our duty to +warn him of this danger. He isn't much of an Indian hunter, and if the +redskins come here he and his wife will be at their mercy." + +Uriah Risley was an Englishman who had settled in the vicinity with his +wife several years before. When Dave was once on a trip to Annapolis +with his uncle the two had stopped at Risley's home and been agreeably +entertained. Since that time, the Englishman, having grown more +accustomed to pioneer life, had moved further westward and built himself +a cabin twice as large as that previously occupied. But though the man +was a good farmer and wood cutter, he was a poor marksman and hunter, +and both he and his wife lived in dread of large wild animals and +unfriendly Indians. + +As said before, night was coming on, and under the lofty trees it was +dark. They had now to pick their way with care, for fear of falling into +some dangerous hole. Half a mile more was covered when Henry called a +halt. Dave was glad of this for he had stepped on a loose stone but a +moment before and given his ankle a nasty twist. + +"I'm wondering which is the most direct road to Risley's," said the +older youth. + +"I believe that is the direction," answered Dave, pointing with his +hand. + +"I reckon you are right, Dave. And how far do you calculate we are from +his cabin?" + +"The best part of a mile." + +"I agree again. Let us take a direct course. The Indians must be far to +the rear--if they haven't given up the chase altogether." + +A few minutes later they were again tearing their way through the +forest, the growth being here so thick they could scarcely pass. +Overhead a slight breeze was blowing, but they felt little of this. Far +to the westward the sun was slowly sinking behind the mountains, casting +long shadows across the tree-tops. Here and there the night birds were +tuning up, but otherwise all was as quiet as a graveyard. + +The coming of night, and the gravity of their situation, made the boys +thoughtful, and for a long while not a word was spoken. Henry was +thinking of his parents and his sister and brother, and wondering if +they were yet in peril, while Dave's thoughts turned to his father, who +had said that morning that he intended to go to Will's Creek fort on +business. Was his parent at the fort, and would the soldiers there get +news of the coming Indian raid? + +Both of the young hunters were thus deep in thought when Henry espied a +light directly in front of them. They had just come over a rise of +ground and found the light in a hollow between several rocks. It was an +Indian encampment, and around the blaze were seated fully a score of +warriors, smoking their long pipes, and listening to the speech being +made by a tall chief who stood in their midst. + +"More Indians!" muttered Henry, and threw himself flat. "The +neighborhood seems to be full of them. Dave, this means an awful +uprising! We must get back as fast as we can and warn everybody!" + +"I have seen some of those Indians before," whispered the younger youth. +"They were in the band that attacked the trading post while father came +on here. They belong to Fox Head's band and I believe that is Fox Head +himself addressing them, for he had a fox's head trailing over his +shoulder, and a fox brush among his head feathers. I'd like to shoot him +where he stands. He deserves it,--for all he has done to injure us." And +Dave gave his gun a sudden tight clutch which was very suggestive. + +"No! no!" interposed his cousin. "If you dropped him the whole pack +would be on us like so many wolves. The only thing we can do is to get +away and give warning. Let us crawl back to the other side of the rise +and go around." + +Without delay they started to do as Henry had advised. It was no easy +matter, for the brushwood was thick and the rocks sharp and uneven. They +had not gone a distance of fifty feet when Henry struck a loose stone +and sent it bumping down over a dozen others. + +Instantly half a dozen Indians leaped to their feet and the speech of +the leading Indian came to a sudden end. + +"The game is up!" cried Dave. "Let us run!" And run they did, as fast as +the darkness and the nature of the ground would permit. The Indians came +after them, calling on them to halt and then sending forth several +arrows and a gun-shot, none of which, however, took effect. + +"We are in for it now!" panted Dave, as they came to a halt in a small +clearing, hedged in on all sides by rocks and dense thickets. "I'm sure +I don't know how to turn, do you?" + +"If it comes to the worst, we can take a stand against these rocks," +answered his cousin, grimly. "But, come, I think I see an opening." + +He moved over to the rocks and stepped cautiously into the darkness. +There was an opening they had not noticed before, a crevice several feet +wide and both deep and long. Into this he squeezed, and Dave came after +him. They pushed forward among the dead vines, leaves and rubbish for a +distance of thirty feet, and then halted in what would have been a small +cave had it not been for the slit of an opening at the top. With bated +breath they waited, while their pursuers gradually grew closer. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +BURNING OF THE CABIN + + +It was not long before the two young hunters heard the Indians quite +plainly. Evidently the redmen did not deem it necessary to advance with +more than ordinary caution for they conversed with each other in a low +tone, to which Dave and Henry listened with interest, although they +could understand little of what was said. + +Presently one warrior took up a position in front of the crevice and not +over five yards from where the youths lay concealed. Evidently he was +listening for some sound from them, and they hardly dared to breathe. As +might be expected Dave at that instant felt a strong inclination to +sneeze, but he suppressed the desire, although almost bursting a blood +vessel in consequence. + +Soon another Indian came up and then a third. A talk lasting several +minutes followed, and one warrior started to light a torch. But the +others stopped this, fearing it might draw the fire of the whites. Then +one redman shifted to the right, another to the left, while a third +crawled up over the rocks and through the bushes growing above the +opening. + +By the time the Indians were out of hearing, and they dared to breathe +more freely, the darkness of night had settled heavily and high overhead +the stars came peeping forth one by one. They waited a little longer and +then Henry caught Dave by the arm. + +"What do you think?" he whispered. "Are they gone?" + +"I think so," returned the younger lad. "But there is no telling when +they will be back. Still I reckon we had better get out of here." + +"I agree. But we can't take the course we were following. I think the +best we can do is to turn further to the left and strike Risley's from +the west," added Henry. + +Dave was willing, and as cautiously as possible they climbed back out of +the crevice the way they had come. Just as Dave was about to step into +the clearing a sudden whirr of noise caused him to jerk back. + +"What's that?" came quickly from his cousin. + +"Some wild animal," was the answer after a pause. + +"Did it attack you?" + +"No, but it came pretty close. I thought first it was an Indian leaping +up out of the grass." + +They moved off, side by side, and each with his gun ready for use. As +Henry was the hunter of the Morris family and knew the forest better +than anyone, Dave allowed him to do such guiding as seemed necessary. +They pursued their course over one rise and then another, and after that +followed the windings of a tiny brook which Henry said ran to within +gun-shot of the Risley homestead. + +They were just making a bend of the watercourse when another wild animal +started up directly under Henry's feet. It was a fox resting in a hollow +log, and in its anxiety to get away the animal struck against Dave's +legs, upsetting him. + +"Oh!" cried Dave as he went down. "Help! shoot him!" + +"It's a fox!" ejaculated Henry, and as the animal shot past him he made +a dive and caught the beast by the brush. The fox gave a snarl and tried +to bite him, but ere the head came around the young hunter swung the fox +in a circle and brought him down with a dull thud on the log. The first +blow was followed by another, which crushed the beast's skull as though +it were an egg-shell. + +"There! he'll never bother anybody again," said Henry, as he threw the +beast down. "Wish I had time to skin him. But we had better not lose a +minute." + +"Henry, you're a wonder of a hunter!" burst out Dave. "I don't believe I +could have done that. It was much better than shooting him, for it saved +powder and saved making a noise too." + +"Sam Barringford taught me that trick--although not on a fox. I once saw +him hammer the life out of a limping wolf that way, and he often catches +up snakes by the tail and snaps their heads off, whip fashion." + +Leaving the fox where it had fallen, they continued on their way along +the stream until a tiny clearing was gained. Beyond this was a belt of +tall and heavy timber, which, on the opposite side, marked the boundary +of Uriah Risley's new land claim, one he had obtained, through Colonel +Washington, from old Lord Fairfax, who still resided at Greenway Court. + +"I see a light!" said Dave, as they stopped on the edge of the timber. +"Look!" + +Henry did so. It was a small blaze, apparently, and in the direction +where stood Risley's cabin. + +"Can that be an Indian camp-fire?" went on the younger hunter. + +"I don't think so, Dave. It's worse than that." + +"Worse? Oh, Henry, do you think it is Risley's cabin that is burning?" + +"Just what I do think. See, the flame is growing brighter. Either it's +the cabin or that cattle shed he has been building. Come on; we'll soon +know." + +Henry now set off on a run through the timber, picking the way with all +the skill of an old frontiersman. Dave kept close behind his cousin. As +they advanced they saw the fire more plainly and beheld it spread out +and mount further skyward. It was Uriah Risley's cabin beyond a doubt, +and now the new cattle shed had caught and was also being consumed by +the devouring element. + +"This is the work of the redskins," panted Henry, as they leaped over +rough rocks and tore their way through a clump of saplings. "And it +proves beyond a doubt that they are on the war-path." + +While he was speaking a gun-shot sounded out, coming from a great +distance. Another report followed and then all became as silent as +before. + +"That must be Risley, or somebody else, fighting the Indians off," said +Dave. "We'll have to be careful or we'll run into a trap." + +"Keep in the timber," answered Henry. "For all we know there may be a +hundred redskins in this vicinity. Hark! They are around the cabin sure +enough." + +They listened and amid the crackling of the flames they now heard the +whooping and yelling of a score of Indians, while the flickering glare +showed to them the dusky forms moving in one direction and another. Some +of the Indians had found a demijohn of liquor belonging to the +Englishman and were gulping this down in great glee, while others +paraded around with various spoils of war in their hands. + +"I'd like to give 'em a shot--they deserve it," muttered Dave. + +"Don't you do it," interposed Henry, hastily. "They'd be on us like a +wind-fall." + +"What do you suppose has become of Mr. Risley and his wife?" + +"Heaven alone knows, Dave. I trust they have escaped." + +"If that was Mr. Risley shooting, do you suppose his wife is with him?" + +"There is no telling. Perhaps he wasn't home when the Indians came up. +If that's so then Mrs. Risley is either dead or a prisoner." + +"Was she alone?" + +"I think so--at least I didn't hear of anybody going over lately." + +"I wonder if we can't get a bit closer without being seen? Perhaps we +can learn something to our advantage." + +"We might skirt the timber a bit. But be careful, and if the Indians +come for us we had better run without stopping to fire,--unless, of +course, they get too close," added Henry. + +Once again he led the way, slowly and cautiously, flitting from one tree +to another in absolute silence. The fire was now at its height, lighting +up the sky for a long distance around. The sparks were blowing in their +direction, but the light fall of snow had wet the trees and brushwood, +so no harm was done. + +Presently they found themselves again close to the brook, which at this +point crossed a garden patch that Uriah Risley had gotten into shape the +season before. At the side of the brook was a roughly constructed +milk-house, made of large stones for walls and untrimmed timbers for a +roof. Behind this the boys crouched, to take another view of what was +going on in the center of the clearing. + +The Indians who had been drinking from the demijohn were growing +hilarious and their wild whooping could be heard for a long distance. At +the start of the fire some furniture had been hauled forth, a chest of +drawers and a bureau, and now some of the redmen set to work to break +open both articles, to see what they contained. + +"They are after everything of value they can lay hands on," muttered +Dave. "What a shame! Do you see anything of----?" + +The young hunter broke off short, for at that instant came a low moan of +pain from the interior of the milk-house. + +"Are you--you white people!" came in a gasp. "If you are, for the love +of heaven--sa--save me!" + +"It's Mrs. Risley!" burst out Dave, for he remembered that voice well. +He raised his head up to a crack in the rude planking. "Mrs. Risley, are +you alone?" he questioned. "It is I, Dave Morris, who is speaking." + +"Dave Morris!" A groan followed. "Oh, Davy, lad, save me, won't you? I +am almost dead!" + +"I'll do what I can for you, Mrs. Risley. My cousin Henry is with me. We +were out hunting when the Indians almost captured us. The woods are full +of them. Is Mr. Risley around?" + +"No, he went to Will's Creek on business. I saw the Indians coming and I +tried to run away. But they shot at me with their arrows and one passed +through my left shoulder. Then I pretended to go into the house and +hide, and when they came in I leaped through a back window and ran for +this place. I got into the water up to my shoulders and pulled a bit of +a board over my head, to keep out of sight. They came down here and I +thought sure they'd find me, but they did not. But I am nearly perished +with the cold, and the wound from the arrow has made me very faint. You +will help me, won't you?" + +"To be sure we'll help you," put in Henry. "But all we can do at present +is to lead you into the woods, and you can have my dry jacket if you +want it. We had better start directly for our house." + +"I see a glare of a fire. Have they--they----?" The poor woman could not +finish. + +"Yes, I am sorry to say the cabin is about burnt up," said Dave. "But +come, if your husband isn't around, we had better not waste time here. +We may be needed at home. It may be just as bad there, you know." + +Both of the young hunters crawled around to the milk-house door and went +inside. The board was quickly raised and they helped Mrs. Risley from +the watery hole in which she had been squatting with her chin resting on +her knees. She was so chilled and stiff, and so weak from her wound, she +could scarcely stand, and they had literally to carry her into the +timber whence they had come. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +UPRISING OF THE INDIANS + + +Supporting Mrs. Risley between them, the two youths did not stop until +they had passed into the timber for a distance of five or six rods. They +had crossed the stream once more and now reached a slight knoll from +which they could see the cabin, which still blazed away, although the +roof and one side had fallen in. + +[Illustration: They could see the cabin, which still blazed.] + +The faint light from the conflagration, sifting through the bare tree +branches, was the only light they had, and by this they set the sufferer +down and proceeded to make her as comfortable as possible. As fortune +would have it, Dave wore two jackets, both somewhat thin. One of these +he gave to Henry, who in turn gave his thick jacket to Mrs. Risley. + +"You--you are quite sure you can spare it?" she asked. + +"Yes, yes," answered Henry. "I am sorry I can't give you something to +put over your dress, but I haven't anything. Before you put on the +jacket let me bind up that arrow wound." + +There was now no time to stand upon ceremony and she allowed him to +dress the wound with all the skill he could muster, Dave in the meantime +keeping watch, that the Indians might not surprise them. Fortunately +Henry, having suffered similarly himself, knew what to do, and after he +had finished Mrs. Risley announced that the sore place felt greatly +relieved. + +"But I don't see how I can travel far," she said, trying to stand up. +"My limbs are all in a tremble under me." + +"We will help you along," said Henry, sympathetically, and Dave echoed +the words. + +With the wounded woman between them, it was no easy matter to pick their +way through the black forest and more than once one or another stumbled +over a tree root or into a hole. Looking back, they saw that the fire +was now dying down. The whooping of the redmen also lessened and finally +ceased altogether. + +"I know you wish to get home," panted Mrs. Risley, presently. +"But--but--I cannot go--go another step!" And with these words she +pitched forward and would have gone in a heap had not their strong +youthful arms supported her. + +"She has fainted," said Henry, "and it is not to be wondered at. Come, +here is something of a shelter in between the rocks and those trees. We +may as well let her rest there, for we cannot carry her all the way +home." + +"But the delay--" began Dave. + +"Surely you don't wish to leave her to her fate, Dave?" + +"No! no! You know me better than that, Henry, but I was thinking of +those left at home. They may be in trouble, too, and if so they will +need us." + +"I've been thinking of a plan. I'm stronger than you and perhaps I can +get her along alone, after she recovers. Can you find the house from +here?" + +"I think I can. The creek is just beyond that next patch of timber, +isn't it?" + +"Yes, in that direction." Henry pointed with his hand. "If you find +everything all right you might bring father back to help--if he isn't +afraid the Indians will arrive in the meantime." + +So it was arranged, and without loss of another moment Dave started on +his solitary way through the somber woods, now as silent as the grave, +for the wind had gone down and the last of the night birds had given +their final calls. + +Under ordinary circumstances Dave would have been sleepy, for the day's +tramping had been sufficient to tire anybody, but now all thoughts of +rest were banished and he was as alert as ever as he stole forward, gun +before him, and his eyes shifting from one dark object to another, on +the lookout for a possible enemy. + +Dave was in the midst of the next patch of timber,--some beautiful +walnuts and chestnuts,--when he saw something glimmer through the +darkness far to his left. He was immediately interested, wondering what +the light could be. He came to a halt and gazed attentively in the +direction. + +"It must be an Indian camp-fire," he mused. "What a lot of the redskins +there must be in this vicinity!" + +He was about to move on, giving the fire a wide berth, when something +prompted him to turn toward it, to make sure that it was not the +encampment of friends. It might possibly be Barringford or some other +trapper in the woods, and if so to pass him by would be far from wise, +since such a person might be able to afford just the assistance needed. + +Careful of every footstep taken, Dave gradually drew close to the +camp-fire. There was a small, dry clearing, fringed by a series of low +rocks, and behind these rocks the young hunter crouched. The sight that +met his gaze held him spell-bound. + +The camp-fire in the center of the clearing was divided into two parts, +one to the east and the other to the west. That in the east was beset +with sharp stakes while its companion was being used for cooking +purposes. + +Around both camp-fires were fully thirty Indians; all more than +ordinarily hideous in their daubs of red, blue, and yellow war paint, +and their crowns of colored feathers and strings of animals' teeth and +human scalps. The redmen had been marching around the camp-fires but now +they halted and all sank cross-legged upon the soil. + +Suddenly, after a second of silence, one Indian, tall and straight, +leaped to his feet and holding his arms out at full length before him +began to rock his body from side to side. Then he ran for one of the +fires, and pulling a sharp stick from its place in the ground smote the +burning end on his breast. + +"This is the fear Spotted Wolf has for the English," he cried, in his +native tongue. "Even as he has pulled this stake from the ground so will +he pull the English from their cabins and burn them at the stake. The +English shall flee at the sound of his war whoop, and the children of +the English shall die of fright when he draws near. The French are our +friends but the English will be our enemies so long as one of them is +allowed to live. I will go forward to kill! Spotted Wolf has spoken." + +He sat down, and immediately another warrior leaped up and with another +burning stick went through the same performance. "I am called Black +Eagle," he cried, "because I have eyes that never sleep and a strength +handed down to me from Elk Heart, my father, and Janassarion, my +grandfather, he who slew the mighty Little Thunder of the Delawares. Our +medicine men have spoken and the English must be driven out like wolves +in the winter season. If we allow them this land, and the French the +land to the north and the west, where shall the Indian find his hunting +ground when he would hunt, and where raise his wigwam when he would rest +with his squaw and his children? I, too, will kill and burn until our +land knows them no longer! I have the strength of ten white men and I +will use it. Black Eagle has spoken." + +He had not yet finished when two others sprang up, followed by others, +until nearly all were again on their feet, talking of their alleged +wrongs and boasting of their strength, and promising each other to do +all in their power to wipe out all English settlers west of the Blue +Ridge mountains. The bragging was often ludicrous, yet it was easy to +see that the Indians were working themselves up into a state of mind +where they would hesitate at nothing in order to accomplish their +purpose. + +Dave could understand only a few words of what was said, yet, from +having such scenes described to him by his father and Sam Barringford, +he knew that this was a "big war talk," as White Buffalo called them. +Once he fancied he heard his Uncle Joe's name mentioned and his heart +almost stopped beating. Surely they must be planning an attack on his +home, and that for very soon! + +"I must get back and give the warning!" he told himself. "Henry will +have to do the best he can with Mrs. Risley. If they get to the cabin +and kill Uncle Joe, what will become of Rodney, Aunt Lucy and little +Nell? Oh, I must get back!" + +Turning, he crawled from the spot with care, and once back into the +timber, commenced to run, with his gun slung over his shoulder and his +hands held out before him, to keep from running afoul of any +obstruction. More than once he bumped into a tree or fell sprawling over +some exposed roots, knocking the wind out of him. But he always picked +himself up and went on again with undiminished speed. Indeed, the nearer +he got to home the greater was his fear that something might have +happened in his absence and finally he fairly flew, when he reached +familiar ground. + +"Hi! who goes there?" + +It was a call from close at hand and it made Dave jump as though stung +by a snake. He whirled around, to behold a man behind a tree, a leveled +gun in his hands. + +"Don't shoot!" he called out, for he fancied he knew the voice. "Is that +you, Mr. Risley?" + +"Yes. Dave Morris, is it not?" + +"Yes." Dave ran to meet the Englishman. "Tell me quickly is everything +all right over to our house?" + +"It was all right when I left, an hour or so ago, lad. But your uncle +had been talking to Hans Lomann and said the German had heard of +something of an Indian uprising." + +At this Dave gave a sigh of relief. But immediately his heart sank, at +the thought of the news he had to impart to his friend. + +"The Indians are rising, all over this section of the country. They +attacked your cabin." + +"My cabin!" The Englishman could scarcely utter the words. "Davy, is it +the truth? And what of my wife--tell me quickly!" + +"Your wife is safe, although she got an arrow through the shoulder. The +redskins attacked the cabin and set fire to it. She leaped out of a rear +window and hid in the milk-house. Henry and I came up just in time to +get her into the woods. We ran as far as we could and then she fainted. +Henry said he would stay with her and told me to come on and give the +alarm. We were afraid the Indians had attacked our place, although we +didn't hear any shooting or see any fire." + +"Then the cabin is destroyed? But never mind that. You are sure the +wound wasn't fatal?" + +"Quite sure, for Henry dressed it as well as he could. But she was very +weak from having been in the water under the milk-house floor so long." + +"And where are they now?" + +"About a mile or more from here--in that direction. But you want to be +careful. There are Indians all around here--one band is over yonder +holding a war talk--and I'm sure they'll show you no mercy if they catch +you." + +The Englishman nodded his head half a dozen times. "I know it, lad, I +know it. They are a bloodthirsty set. Sometimes I am sorry I came to +this country to settle among them. But times were bad with us in old +England, and we had to do something. But you'll take me to my wife, +won't you, that's a brave lad." + +"I--I don't know," faltered Dave. He was still anxious to go home. +"Perhaps you can find them alone." + +"I'm not equal to it, lad--the forest is almost as much of a mystery to +me as the day I landed here. Do come, and then we can all go back to +your home with all possible speed." + +The young hunter could see that Uriah Risley was sorely distressed, and +unwilling to add to the man's misery, he consented to go back, although +he knew the way was full of ever-increasing perils. Soon they were on +the way, and tired as he was Dave set a pace that caused the settler to +puff and blow to keep up with him. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HENRY + + +It must be confessed that though he walked swiftly, Dave's heart was +anything but light. Turn the subject as he might he felt it "in his +bones," as he afterward declared, that a big uprising was close at hand +and that this might mean the wiping out of every pioneer for scores of +miles around. + +"The soldiers at Will's Creek fort and at Winchester ought to know of +this," he observed to Uriah Risley. "Someone will have to carry the +news." + +"Perhaps someone has already done so," was the Englishman's answer. He +heaved a sigh. "So the cabin is to the ground. Alack! it was a sorry day +when I pushed to the front instead of taking up ground close to +Winchester, as the good housewife wanted me to." And he shook his head +dolefully. + +In moving toward the spot where he had left Henry and Mrs. Risley, Dave +took great care to steer clear of the camp-fires of the various Indians +he had encountered. This was no easy task and more than once they came +close to running into a "hornet's nest," as he called it. + +Once Uriah Risley gave a cry of alarm and came close to discharging his +firearm. A wolf had slunk across their path in the darkness and the +Englishman took the form to be that of a sneaking Indian. + +"A redskin! He will scalp us!" he cried, and was on the point of pulling +the trigger when Dave stopped him. + +"No! no! It's only a wolf!" cried the youth. "Don't waste your powder +and ball. Besides, a shot will arouse every Indian for quarter of a mile +around." + +"A wolf? So it must have been." Uriah Risley drew a long breath and +lowered his musket. "He gave me a good scare, I must vow." + +"Hush! It won't do to talk so loud," went on the boy. "For all we know +the Indians may be trailing us and be ready to pounce on us at any +moment." + +These words caused the Englishman to glance back apprehensively, and +hurry on faster than ever. "It's a beastly woods," he said. "I wish we +were out of it." + +"We are safer here than in a clearing," was the answer. "Come close +behind me and keep quiet, and I think we'll be safe." + +On and on they went. Dave's lower limbs ached and trembled under him, +for he was now almost fagged out and it was only will-power that kept +him up. Slowly they climbed the last rise of ground. At a distance +glowed the dying embers of a camp-fire. + +"There's a redskins' nest," said the youth, as he paused for a moment. +"But it looks as if they had deserted the place." + +"Then we'll have to be doubly cautious, lad. They may be scattered in +this vicinity." + +"You are right. But I hope not, for we are now close to where I left +your wife and Henry." + +With added caution Dave crept forward another couple of hundred feet. +Then he stopped and peered around him in perplexity. + +"What is it, lad?" + +"They are gone!" + +"Gone?" + +"Yes, gone." + +"You are certain this is the spot?" + +"I am. I know it well, by this fallen tree and that rock. They have +moved to another quarter--or else----" + +"Or else the redskins have attacked them and carried them off," finished +Uriah Risley. He gave a groan. "Oh, lad, what is best to do now? Tell +me, for you are better versed to this sort of thing than I." + +"I--I don't know what to do," faltered the young hunter, staring first +at the helpless man before him and then at the gloomy surroundings. +"Wait a minute, and keep your hands on your gun. But don't shoot me or +Henry or your wife by mistake." + +Leaving Risley in the center of the little opening Dave started to walk +around in a wide circle. He did this with extreme caution, his head bent +close to the ground and his eyes noting every root and rock that covered +his path. Then he took another circle, still wider, and at last came +back to where his companion stood, the picture of misery and despair. + +"I found nothing," he said, in reply to the Englishman's questioning. +"They are gone, and I don't believe there are any Indians close to us. +I'm going to make a light and risk it." + +He brought forth his flint and tinder and soon had a tiny light, which +he applied to some dry leaves and then a stick of wood which was full of +pine pitch. This latter made a fairly good torch, and holding it close +to the ground he continued the search. + +Suddenly he uttered a cry of horror. He had come to a spot where the +ground was torn up by many footprints. Close at hand was a white birch +tree and on its bark were several spots of deep red. + +"There has been a fight," he said, as Uriah Risley came closer. "See how +they struggled. There is blood on the tree and there is a bit of cloth +torn from Henry's jacket--or rather, the jacket I left him." Dave gave a +deep shudder. "I--I wonder if Henry is dead?" + +"My wife, my poor, poor Caddy!" moaned Uriah Risley, and for a moment +covered his face with his hands. "Oh, lad, this is monstrous, monstrous! +Heaven help her if she is in the power of such savages!" + +"Yes, heaven help them both," returned Dave. + +Torch in hand, the youth followed a bloody trail through the forest +until it ended abruptly by the side of one of the numerous streams in +that vicinity. Here he came to a halt, and as Risley rejoined him both +stared vacantly at each other. + +"Well?" said the Englishman. + +"They went up or down the stream," answered Dave. "But which way I can't +say. But one thing is certain--neither of them was killed." + +"How do you know that?" + +"If they were we should have found their bodies. The Indians wouldn't +bother to carry 'em off. They'd simply scalp 'em and let it go at that." + +"Perhaps they threw the--the bodies into the water." + +Dave shook his head. "No, I'm pretty certain they carried 'em off as +prisoners." + +There was an awkward pause and something like a lump arose in Dave's +throat. If Henry was a prisoner and the Indians were on the war-path +this could mean but one thing for the youth--burning at the stake or +some similar torture. The silence was broken by Uriah Risley. + +"It's a burning shame, lad, an outrage. But what can we do now?" + +"I don't know what to do excepting to go home and give the alarm. It +won't do any good to stay here. The Indians may fall on us half a +hundred strong--just as they most likely fell on Henry and your wife." + +"But--but I cannot desert my poor wife, my beloved Caddy. She is all the +world to me. I'd rather die myself than see a hair of her head injured." + +"Then you had better continue the hunt, while I go home. If you should +fall in with 'em tell Henry how matters stand. But, Mr. Risley, let me +caution you not to be rash, if you catch sight of Mrs. Risley in the +hands of the redskins. If you give them the chance they'll burn you at +the stake--and it won't help her a bit either." + +"I'll try to be cautious, lad. I hate to have you go, but I suppose +after all it's for the best. Do what you can to save Mrs. Morris and +little Nell and the rest. Leave me the torch. I'll go up and down the +stream a bit and investigate." + +A minute more and they had parted, shaking hands in a fashion that meant +a great deal. Perhaps they would never again meet in this world. Dave +turned away and stole off silently, his eyes staring straight ahead and +his throat working convulsively. Ah, how little do the boys of to-day, +living in their comfortable homes and surrounded with every luxury and +convenience, realize how much their great-grandfathers of those days had +to endure in the shape of privation and peril! + +So tired that he could scarcely drag one limb after the other, Dave +pursued his course through the forest. Fortunately his "bump of +locality" was well developed and there was small danger of his getting +totally lost, even though he might go more or less astray. It was now +beginning to snow again, but it was so warm that the particles of white +melted as soon as they fell. Not a star was to be seen anywhere and the +way was blacker than ever. + +Reaching the first rise of ground, the youth felt compelled to rest and +threw himself at the foot of a large tree with his musket across his +knees, ready for use should he be surprised. Once or twice his eyes +closed in spite of his efforts to keep them open. But he invariably +straightened up, determined to keep awake at all hazards. + +"I'll not rest until I know all at home are safe," he told himself. "I +must get along somehow." And he staggered up and continued his course. + +He had not gone over a rod when he saw something dark moving ahead. The +object looked like a pair of Indians, coming slowly toward him, and his +heart leaped into his throat. He raised his gun and pointed it. + +But ere he was called on to fire he saw the object more distinctly and +uttering something of a cry of joy he lowered his weapon and rushed +forward. + +"Widgeon!" burst from his lips, and in a moment more he had hold of the +mane of one of Uriah Risley's horses--an animal that had escaped from +the Indians when the shed was set on fire. "Where did you come from? How +lucky I am to find you!" + +The horse seemed to recognize Dave, for he gave a low whinny and rubbed +his cold nose on the youth's jacket sleeve. A broken halter dangled from +his neck, but he possessed neither saddle nor bridle. He was covered +with a cold moisture, showing that he had run considerably after having +broken away. + +Having found the horse Dave's spirits arose a little. He led the animal +forward and struck out for a new route homeward, longer than that which +he had been pursuing but free from thickets and pitfalls. As soon as he +thought it safe to do so he leaped upon Widgeon's back, spoke to the +horse, and set off on a comfortable jog, which later on, when the ground +became more familiar, he increased to a gallop. + +Once Dave fancied he heard Indians in pursuit and holding on to +Widgeon's mane with one hand, drew up his gun with the other. But the +noises died away in the distance, and after that came no more alarms. At +last he came in sight of home and found to his joy that it remained as +he had left it, undisturbed. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A DOUBLE WARNING + + +As my old readers know, the cabin of the Morris family was located in a +wide clearing, between a fair-sized creek and a brook flowing into the +larger stream. When we saw it before, it was a long, low but comfortable +building, containing four rooms on the ground floor, and a loft under +the sloping roof which was principally used for the storage of winter +supplies. + +During the past summer Mr. Joseph Morris had made an addition to the +cabin by building on at what was the kitchen end. This was now a new +kitchen while the old kitchen had become the general living room. The +old living room, so called, had been divided into two bedrooms, so that +the house was now large enough not alone for the regular family but also +for such occasional visitors as came that way. + +The coming of night made all of those at home anxious for the return of +the two young hunters. Feeling that both would be thoroughly hungry, +Mrs. Morris had cooked a liberal supper, of which after waiting an +hour, those in the cabin had eaten their share. The remainder now +simmered in the pot and kettle hung over the big open fire, while Mrs. +Morris moved uneasily about, clearing away the dirty dishes and +occasionally glancing out of the doorway in the direction she fancied +they must come. + +"It is strange what is keeping them," she said to the others. "I trust +they haven't gotten into trouble." + +"Perhaps they have struck more deer than they bargained for," answered +her husband, who had just entered with a bucket of water from the well. +"Henry said he felt certain he would bag something--and he rarely +deceives himself when it comes to game. Like as not they'll come along +toting all they can carry." + +"I wish they'd bring mamma another bear skin," put in little Nell. +"Wouldn't it be beautiful--if it matched the one Mr. Washington let +cousin Dave have?" + +"No! no! A bear might harm them!" put in Mrs. Morris hastily. "It's a +bad time of year to tackle such beasts, so I heard Sam Barringford say." + +"You let Henry and Dave alone when it comes to any kind of game," came +from Rodney, who sat in his easy chair close to the roaring fire. "Why, +the worst game they could meet wouldn't be half as bad as the Indians +and French they had to face when they went to war. You forget, mother, +what splendid shots both of them are." + +But the mother turned away shaking her head doubtfully. Perhaps her +instinct told her what grave trouble was brooding. She looked out of the +doorway once more and spoke to her husband. + +"Did James say when he should be back?" + +"He couldn't tell, because he didn't know if he could complete his +business right away or if he would have to wait to see certain parties. +Like as not he won't come back until to-morrow, or the day after. He +knew there was no need to hurry. We can't do anything much on the farm +just now." + +As even home-made candles were somewhat scarce, the family did without +any light excepting that afforded by the fire in the big-mouthed +chimney, the genial glare of which threw fantastic shadows on the walls. +Little Nell did not particularly fancy those shadows and so asked +permission to climb into Rodney's lap. + +"Why of course," said the cripple, and took her up at once. Then she +insisted that he tell a story, "but not about bears, or wolves, or +Indians, but about a fairy and a princess, and a castle full of gold," +and Rodney did his best to tell the most marvelous story his brain could +invent. But long before the good fairy had given the princess a +beautiful prince for a husband, and the castle full of gold in the +bargain, little Nell was sound asleep, so the story was never finished. + +As the night wore on even Mr. Morris began to show his anxiety, and +without saying a word he got down his musket from over the chimney shelf +and brought forth his horn of powder and his little bag of home-made +bullets. + +"You are going after them?" asked Mrs. Morris. + +"I'll wait a bit longer," he answered. "But I thought I'd be prepared, +in case anything was wrong." + +Having put little Nell to bed, Mrs. Morris brought forth her knitting +and for some time only the click-clicking of the polished needles broke +the silence. Then Rodney, who had been sitting with his chin in his +hands, watching the burning logs, roused up. + +"I don't suppose there is any use of my staying up," he said. "My back +doesn't feel quite as well as it did yesterday. I'll go to bed," and he +shuffled off to the bedroom he occupied. This was the one nearest to the +kitchen, on the south side, and had been given to the cripple because it +was warmer in the winter than the others. + +Left to themselves, the time seemed to drag more heavily than ever to +Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Every thought was centered on their son Henry and +nephew David. What could be keeping the pair? + +"They must have met with an accident," said the pioneer at length. +"Perhaps one of them fell in a hole and broke a leg. I know there are +several nasty pitfalls in the vicinity of the salt lick. I guess I had +better go out and look for them." + +Joseph Morris was soon ready for the journey, promising, whether he +found them or not, to be back inside of two hours. He went on horseback, +riding Fanny, Dave's favorite mare, the animal that had once been stolen +and so fortunately recovered. + +Left to herself, Mrs. Morris knitted faster than ever. But even the +flying needles could not stop her anxiety, and more than once she threw +down the work, to go to the doorway and gaze earnestly in every +direction. How dark and lonely the mighty forest looked. Something +caused her to shiver in spite of herself. She listened intently. + +What was that? A sound at a great distance. As it drew closer she made +out the hoof-beats of a horse on a gallop. She ran into the cabin and in +true pioneer fashion armed herself with a musket, ready to consider +every newcomer an enemy until he proved himself a friend. Swiftly the +horse came closer and she now made out a youth hanging heavily over the +animal's neck. + +"Dave! is it you?" + +"Yes, Aunt Lucy," was the answer. The boy rode up and dropped heavily to +the ground. "Are you all safe?" + +"Safe? Of course we are. What has happened? Where is Henry?" + +"I don't know where Henry is--just now. I left him in the woods doing +what he could for Mrs. Risley. The Indians surrounded their cabin and +burnt it down, and Mrs. Risley escaped to the milk-house. We rescued her +from her hiding place in the water and got her into the woods. Then I +started for home, but I met Mr. Risley and had to take him back to where +I had left Henry and Mrs. Risley. We couldn't find either of them, and +it looked as if they had had a fight. Mr. Risley remained to investigate +and I came home as quickly as I could to give the alarm. The Indians are +rising all over and are going to massacre everybody they can lay hands +on." + +While talking Dave staggered into the kitchen and sank down heavily on a +bench. + +"Mercy on us, Dave, you don't really mean it! The Risley cabin burnt +down, and the Indians on the war-path! Why, we'll all be murdered!" + +"We shall be unless we take means to defend ourselves, Aunt Lucy. Where +are father and Uncle Joe?" + +"Your father has gone to Winchester and won't be back before to-morrow +or next day. Your uncle went off a spell ago to look for you and Henry. +Are the Indians coming this way? Tell me about Henry." + +As anxious as she was the good woman saw that her nephew was not only +tired out but also hungry, and as she talked she bustled about and +prepared his meal for him at the corner of the table nearest to the +fire. Dave devoured his supper in short order, telling all he had to +relate at the same time. It is needless to state that Mrs. Morris was +greatly alarmed. The loud talking of the pair aroused Rodney, who called +from the bedroom to know what was wrong, and when told the cripple lost +no time in dressing himself. + +"If they come here we'll have to defend ourselves as best we can," said +Rodney. "I can't run but I can shoot pretty straight, and if mother will +load for us I guess we can give 'em some pretty good shots. What we want +to do first of all is to shut all the shutters tight and get in all the +water we can--to drink and to put out fires with. It's lucky father cut +those port-holes in the roof. They'll be just the spots to bring down +Injuns from." + +"My boy, you cannot do it!" cried Mrs. Morris, in increased alarm. "Even +if your father gets back what can three do against a horde of redskins? +They will fire the cabin and shoot you down the moment you are driven +out by the flames." + +"Well, I don't believe in letting the rascals have our cabin and +belongings," returned Rodney, stubbornly. "I'm only a cripple, but I'm +willing to fight to the last. If we run for it, how much can we take +along? Not much, I can tell you that." + +"Yes, but our lives are more precious to us than our things here," said +his mother. "And remember Nell, Rodney. If she fell into the Indians' +hands--" Mrs. Morris did not finish, but her breast heaved and two big +tears started from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. + +"Well, you wouldn't want to go before father got back, would you?" asked +Rodney, after a pause. + +"He is coming now--at least I hear somebody on horseback!" cried Dave. +"Perhaps it's an Indian," and he reached for his gun, which he had +brought in and placed beside the door. + +He went out, and Mrs. Morris and Rodney came behind him, each with some +sort of firearm. As the horseman came closer they saw that it was indeed +an Indian. But the white feathers and the general bearing of the new +arrival soon reassured them. + +"White Buffalo!" called Dave, and ran to meet the Indian chief who had +been the family's friend for so many years. + +"How-how!" returned the Indian, and came straight up to the cabin door. +"Where is my white brother Joseph, and my white brother James?" he +questioned anxiously. + +"Father is at Winchester," answered Dave. "Uncle Joseph went off awhile +ago to look for Henry and me. We were out hunting but found out the +Indians are rising. Do you know about that, White Buffalo?" + +"So the white boy knows the news already?" White Buffalo's face fell a +little, for he had hoped to be the first to bear intelligence. "Yes, it +is true, they have dug up the war hatchet, and have murdered many people +already. I came to help you, and I bring a message from Captain Tanner." + +"And your tribe--will they join those who rise against the English?" +asked Rodney. + +For a moment White Buffalo hung his head on his breast. Then with an +effort he straightened up. "Some of the Delawares are fools--they will +not listen to White Buffalo but listen to Skunk Tail and drink the +fire-water the French give them. We have had a pow-wow and some would go +to the French and some to the English. At Big Tree I left eighteen +braves who will follow me and fight for the English. The others have +joined Skunk Tail and Fox Head of the Miamis, and the tribes under +Rolling Thunder and Canshanran, and will fight for themselves and for +the French. They think not of right or of honor, but will burn and +murder and steal all they can. A black day and a black night are coming, +and how it will end only He who rules the Happy Hunting Ground can +tell." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +DEPARTURE FROM HOME + + +It was not until White Buffalo came into the light of the kitchen fire +that they saw he was wounded. Blood was trickling from an arrow thrust +in the left shoulder. At the sight of this Mrs. Morris uttered a slight +scream. + +"You are wounded, White Buffalo! Why didn't you say so before? Let me +bind it up for you." + +"No big heap hurt," answered the Indian. "Only little cut him." +Nevertheless, he was glad enough to have the lady of the cabin bind it +up, after which he said it felt better. + +White Buffalo had but little to add to what has already been narrated +excepting that in coming to the cabin to give warning he had fallen in +with some rival Indians, three of whom had sought to stop him. A +hand-to-hand fight had resulted and White Buffalo had sent one man to +earth by a blow from his tomahawk and ridden over a second in such a +fashion that the enemy had not stirred afterward. The arrow wound had +been received previous to this, but the chief had not noticed it until +some time later. + +The continued talking had roused little Nell and now she came running +out of the bedroom in her robe of white begging to know what was the +matter. She gave a scream when she saw the Indian, but quickly recovered +when she recognized White Buffalo. + +"I thought it was one of the bad Indians," she said, in her simple +fashion. "I'm not afraid of you, White Buffalo, am I?" + +"White Buffalo glad not," answered the chief, taking her by the hand. +"White Buffalo would not harm one hair of little Nell's head," and he +stroked the curly top affectionately. + +"You said you carried a message," put in Rodney, suddenly. "Where is +it?" + +From among his feathers White Buffalo produced a single sheet of paper. +It was covered with a hasty scrawl, running as follows: + + "FRIEND MORRIS: The Indians are rising. I think it best that + all settlers in this vicinity gather at Fort Lawrence for + safety. Shall send messengers wherever I can. Garwell's cabin + is in ashes and himself murdered and Mrs. Garwell carried off, + and it is said that Risley's cabin is also burning. + + "JOHN SMITH TANNER." + +"Captain Tanner wants us to gather at Fort Lawrence for safety," said +Dave, after listening to the reading by his cousin. "I believe, Aunt +Lucy, he is right. The rising is so widespread that it would be +foolhardy to remain here. We might--" + +The youth broke off short and ran toward the doorway. But White Buffalo +was ahead of him. Both had heard the approach of a horse. It was Joseph +Morris returning, and he was alone. + +"Thank heaven you are safe!" ejaculated the pioneer, as he leaped to the +ground and came into the cabin. "I was afraid you might all be murdered. +So Dave is here. Where is Henry?" + +"Gone," answered Dave. "You saw nothing of him, or of Mrs. Risley or her +husband?" + +"I did not. But I saw Indians--hundreds of them. They are on the +war-path. We must get out of here. There is not a moment to spare." + +"Oh, father!" The cry came from Mrs. Morris and she clung close to her +husband, while little Nell set up a wild sobbing. "Must we leave it +all--everything?" + +"All but what we can conveniently carry on horseback, Lucy. I believe +the redskins will be here within the hour." + +Only a few more hurried words passed, and Joseph Morris glanced at the +note White Buffalo had brought. The Indian looked very grave. + +"My white brother Joseph will go to Fort Lawrence?" he questioned. + +"Yes. I see no other way. I would rather go to the fort at Will's Creek, +but the Indians are covering that trail already. You will stick to us, +White Buffalo, won't you?" + +"To the death." + +The pioneer grasped the chief's hand warmly. "I knew I could depend on +you. Where are the braves under you?" + +"Two miles from here--at the Big Tree. Say where I shall meet you and if +White Buffalo can do it it shall be done." + +"We will go to Fort Lawrence by the brook way,--past where you and I +shot the bear and her two cubs two winters ago. Meet me on that trail. +Hurry, for we may need you sorely." + +Without a word White Buffalo darted from the cabin and a moment later +they heard him ride away at the best speed his steed could attain. + +There was now a great confusion in the cabin. Knowing that she must +really leave, Mrs. Morris set to work to gather her most precious things +into several bundles which might be carried on horseback. As well as he +was able Rodney helped her, and little Nell also took a hand, bound to +save the few precious toys she possessed, including the doll White +Buffalo had made for her. It made the good woman's heart ache sorely +when she realized how little could be carried and how much of all that +was dear to her must be left behind for the Indians to burn or plunder. + +While this was going on in the cabin Dave ran to the outbuilding where +he brought forth the several horses and saddled and bridled them. Then +he let out the live stock, turning the cows into the forest, to shift +for themselves. He wanted to take the cows along, but his uncle doubted +if there would be time. + +While the others worked Joseph Morris looked to all the firearms and got +them into readiness for use. Then he rode around the clearing to learn +if the trail he had mentioned to White Buffalo could still be used. + +"Come, we must go!" he cried, presently. "Hark, don't you hear the +distant war-whoops? The Indians are advancing. If we wait another five +minutes we may be lost!" + +From the cabin came Mrs. Morris, Rodney and little Nell, carrying the +several bundles they had made up. Little Nell cried piteously and the +silent tears coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks. + +Fortunately there were horses for all, with an extra animal for some of +the bundles. The latter were hurriedly adjusted and fastened. + +"Now, Dave, you lead the way," said Joseph Morris. "I will fix things so +that the redskins may be deceived when they come up." + +"All right, Uncle Joe. But don't stay back too long," was the lad's +answer. + +Astride of his favorite mare Fanny, Dave headed the silent procession +across the clearing, and into the woods. As soon as possible he struck +into the brook, that their trail might be hidden by the water. He knew +this way well, so there was no hesitation. Behind him came Mrs. Morris +and little Nell, and Rodney brought up the rear, with the extra horse. +Each carried all that was possible, but the youths had their bundles +strapped on, that they might have free hands for their guns, should they +wish to use the weapons. + +Left to himself, Joseph Morris closed the shutters of the cabin and +dampened down the fire with ashes. Then he ran up to the loft, opened +one of the port-holes in the roof and placed in it the shining barrel of +an old musket which had long ago seen its best days. Behind the musket +he placed a pillow upright and on the top an old hat. + +When he left the cabin and walked away he glanced back at his dummy and +a smile lit up his bronzed face. At a distance it looked exactly like +somebody on guard. + +"That will fool them for awhile anyway," was his mental comment. "And +even a little time is better than nothing," and he rode off swiftly +after the others. + +He was soon with them, for on account of the bundles and Rodney's +condition they could not make as good progress as they wished. Fort +Lawrence was a good twelve miles off and though it was desirable to +reach that place before daybreak, it was questionable if they could make +the distance. + +"If we can't reach the fort by five o'clock we had best remain in the +woods until darkness comes again," said Mr. Morris. "Because by morning +the fort will most likely be surrounded, even if the redskins remain in +hiding." + +"I wonder what father will do," came from Dave. + +"Oh, he will know enough to look out for himself, Dave. Remember, he is +the best frontiersman in the whole family." + +"Yes, Uncle Joe, that's true, but if he thinks we are at the cabin and +in peril he may do something rash trying to save us." + +"As soon as you are safe at the fort I will see what can be done, not +only for him but also for Henry and the Risleys. I am afraid Henry has +had serious trouble. Perhaps he is dead," and Joseph Morris shook his +head sorrowfully. + +Making as little noise as possible, they pushed forward to the point +where White Buffalo had promised to meet them with his braves. Too tired +to remain awake, little Nell had fallen asleep in her mother's arms, but +the others were wide-awake. + +Presently a distant gun-shot broke upon their ears. Another followed, +and then came a wild whooping and yelling which continued for ten +minutes or more. When it started Joseph Morris called a halt, but soon +told the others to move on again. + +"They have attacked the cabin," he said, sadly. "Those shots were +probably aimed at the dummy I set up. They will be in a fearful rage +over the ruse and will no doubt do their best to follow us. We must lose +no time on the way." + +"Won't they know we are bound for Fort Lawrence and try to head us off?" +questioned Rodney. + +"There is no telling, my son. We must trust to luck and our skill to +evade them." + +It was not long before a red glare appeared in the sky, in the direction +where the cabin was located. All knew what that meant but nobody said a +word, for fear of breaking down. But Joseph Morris gritted his teeth in +a fashion which showed only too plainly what was passing in his mind. +Given the chance and he would make the Indians pay dearly for the +destruction of his property. + +Suddenly Dave drew rein and up went his gun, aimed at a figure standing +under a tree ahead. But the figure put up an arm and waved it familiarly +and the gun dropped to the lad's side. White Buffalo was awaiting them +with eleven of his best warriors. The others of the tribe had deserted +to the enemy. + +"My white friends have been slow in coming up," said the chief. "They +have lost precious time. The enemy are on every side. It will be no easy +task for White Buffalo to lead his friends to the fort." + +"We made as much haste as we could," said Rodney. The rough ride was +beginning to tell upon him and he was almost ready to pitch from the +saddle through sheer weakness. + +A few words more followed, and the trail through the forest was resumed, +some of the Indians going ahead and others, including White Buffalo, +bringing up the rear, to keep back the advance of any who might be +following from the burning cabin. + +They were still two miles from the fort when some of the Indians in the +front sounded a note of warning. But this was not needed for a minute +later they fell in with a neighbor also bound for the fort. This +neighbor had with him his two sons, two daughters and his sick wife, +whom they were carrying on a litter. + +"No Injuns around here as yet," said the neighbor, whose name was +Larkwell. "But they are coming jest as fast as they can. We can't git to +the fort none too soon." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE + + +Fort Lawrence was little more than a fort in name only. It was a spot +selected by the Morrises and others living within a radius of one to +twenty-two miles, where they might congregate for safety at any time +when the way to Will's Creek or Winchester should be cut off. + +The fort was located at a point where two small streams joined. Here the +brushwood and trees had been cleared off for a distance of little over +an acre. Some trees, running in a semi-circle from one brook to the +other, had been left standing, and between these a rude stockade had +been planted of logs, ten to twelve feet high and sharp-pointed at the +top. Along the two watercourses were a series of rough rocks and on top +of these other rocks had been placed, making a barrier almost as high as +the wooden one opposite. In the wooden stockade and among the rocks, +port holes were placed, so that those inside could command every avenue +of approach with their firearms. To the whole there was a rude gateway, +but as yet no gate further than some heavy brushwood piled conveniently +near,--thorn-brush, which all Indians despised. + +So far there had assembled at the fort six families, consisting of eight +men and seven women, with fifteen children of all ages, from boys and +girls of Dave's growth to an infant in arms. These pioneers had brought +with them all the earthly possessions which they or their beasts of +burden could carry, and these goods were now piled high in the center of +the stockade, where there was something of a hollow among the rocks. +Back of this pile was a second hollow, rudely thatched with tree +branches, and here the women and the smaller children assembled, the +little ones either sleeping soundly or crying shrilly for the comforts +to which they were accustomed. + +Among the men was Captain John Smith Tanner, a Virginian, of mixed +English and German blood. Captain Tanner had fought under Washington at +Braddock's defeat and also done good work during several Indian +uprisings, and this had won for him the military title, which, however, +was not of the king's troops but of the local militia. The captain was +an out-and-out backwoodsman, a bachelor, and a man well-liked by nearly +all who knew him. + +As we know, it was Captain Tanner who had sent the note to Joseph +Morris's house by White Buffalo, and now he and several others of the +settlers waited anxiously for the appearance of not alone these friends, +but of five other pioneers, including Uriah Risley. Eight men to defend +both the stockade and the rocks were not many, and the captain felt that +should the enemy appear in force matters would speedily reach a crisis +with the whites. + +"Somebuddy comin'!" shouted one of the watchers, presently. "An Injun!" + +"Can you make him out?" questioned the captain, but before the question +was fairly finished the watcher continued: + +"It's White Buffalo, and some white folks with him." + +In a moment more the Morrises and Larkwells came into view, and the +thorn-brush was pulled aside to allow them to enter the enclosure. The +party rode in one at a time, Joseph Morris being the last to enter. +Rodney was so tired and exhausted he could not stand and Dave led him to +a seat on a tree stump and then assisted his aunt and little Nell to +alight. + +"Oh, dear! Where are we?" cried the little girl, who had just awakened. +"I thought I was home in bed!" + +"You are safe with mamma, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, hugging her +tightly. "We have come to the fort to get away from the wicked Indians." + +"And I was asleep all the time? How funny!" Little Nell stared around +her. "Oh, there is Mary Lee and Martha Brownley!" she ejaculated. "I'll +have company, won't I?" + +"Yes," answered her mother, and they joined their neighbors,--if those +living miles away could be called such. + +The woman on the litter cared for, all the "men folks," which included +several who were little more than boys, assembled to map out a plan of +action and decide what should be done with White Buffalo and his +warriors. The Indian Chief was willing to aid them as much as was in his +power, but did not wish to enter the stockade, preferring to fight from +the shelter of the forest beyond. + +"It is the redman's way," said White Buffalo, "even as it is the way of +the wildcat to fight in the darkness. White Buffalo can do more from the +outside than from the inside of the fort." + +"I reckon you're right, Injun," answered Captain Tanner. "But now you've +carried one message for us I rather wish you'd carry another." + +"White Buffalo will do what is best for his white brethren." + +"I'd like to send word to Winchester, to Colonel Washington, letting him +know just how we're fixed here." The captain turned to those around him. +"Isn't that a good plan?" + +"It is," said one, "but these Indians may give us lots of help,--if the +enemy come on us in heavy numbers. They oughtn't all to go." + +The matter was talked over, and at last it was decided to let White +Buffalo start for Winchester with two of his braves, leaving the other +redmen to scatter through the woods and give the alarm on the approach +of the enemy. A letter was hastily written to Washington, and White +Buffalo started off just as the first streaks of dawn were beginning to +appear in the east. + +Fortunately for those present, some of the pioneers had brought with +them large stocks of provision, so there was no need for anybody to go +hungry for a long while to come, should the Indians lay siege to them. +Water could also be had in plenty, which was desirable both for drinking +purposes and in case of fire. + +With the coming of day those in the fort breathed more freely, for they +knew that even if the enemy came up it was not likely they would begin +an attack until darkness once again settled down. In the meantime the +work of strengthening the defense went on steadily, a laborer only +quitting when he found it necessary to lie down for a few hours' sleep. + +The Indians had gone out, the thorn-brush had been piled high in the +gateway, and for the time being there seemed nothing for the pioneers to +do but to sit down and await developments. Several camp-fires were +burning and over these a morning meal was cooked, to which all but one +or two invalids did ample justice. The assemblage divided itself into +half a dozen groups, each talking in a low tone of the prospects. + +The Morrises were chiefly concerned over the fate of Henry. When she +thought of her boy perhaps murdered and scalped the bitter tears of +anguish rolled down Mrs. Morris's cheeks, and the little the others +could do to cheer her up was of no avail. + +"From what Dave says there must have been a fierce fight," she moaned. +"And more than likely our poor dear Henry got the worst of it. We'll +never see the brave boy again!" And her tears burst forth afresh. + +"I would go on a hunt for him, only I know it would be next to useless," +returned her husband. "Besides, at such a time as this I feel my place +is at your side, and with Nell, Rodney, and Dave." And she had to admit +that this was true. + +Slowly the morning wore along. It had stopped snowing and not a sound +broke the stillness, outside of the gentle murmur of the brooks as they +met between the rocks, and the songs of the birds in the forest. Not a +breath of air was stirring, and as Dave climbed into one of the stockade +trees to survey the situation it looked as if no Indians were within +miles of them. But this he knew to be untrue, since White Buffalo's +warriors could not be far off and the enemy was surely working their way +in that direction. + +"I fancy it's the calm before the storm," he said to Rodney, who having +had several hours of rest felt much stronger. "We'll catch it all the +worse when it does come." + +"If only I wasn't crippled," sighed Rodney. "I'd fight just as hard as +any of 'em." + +"I've no doubt of that, Rodney. Well, when the time comes perhaps you'll +have your share of the shooting same as any of us. You can watch from a +port-hole, even if you have to sit down to it." + +"Yes, I've already told Captain Tanner I wanted one of those places at +the north brook to-night. I don't intend to let you fellows do the work +while I go and sleep. The women folks and the children are the only ones +to take it easy." + +"Even the women folks will have their hands full--loading for us--when +the real attack begins. The first ten minutes are what counts. It was +that way when the Indians attacked father's trading post. If we hadn't +put it to 'em hot-like from the first minute we would never have beaten +'em back." + +By the middle of the afternoon all that could be done was finished, and +then Captain Tanner insisted upon it that the majority of the men and +boys lie down to rest. + +"You won't get any sleep to-night, so make the most of your time now," +were his words. Then he climbed the tallest tree in that vicinity, to +take a long and careful look around. But this survey brought nothing new +to light. + +It was just sundown when the first alarm came in. An Indian carrying a +white feather was seen sneaking up to the stockade. Seeing it was one of +White Buffalo's followers the captain sent Joseph Morris out to +interview him. + +"The Indians who side with the French are coming," announced the +warrior. "They come by the trail we traveled and by the trail in yonder +pathway," pointing with his hand. "They are in four bands, and Gray Tail +heard that they will strike to-night when darkness covers the land." + +This was all that the Indian could tell, but it was enough, and Joseph +Morris ran back to inform Captain Tanner and the others. Those who were +sleeping were aroused, and each man and boy was assigned to his place of +duty. + +As he had desired, Rodney was placed near one of the brooks. The young +man's father was stationed some distance above him and Dave an equal +distance below. Next to Dave came a pioneer named Ike Lee, and the +others followed, completing the circle of the fort. Then all waited +anxiously for a first sign of the advancing enemy, each with his eyes +strained to their utmost and with his finger on the trigger of his +firearm. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOW HENRY FARED + + +Let us now go back to Henry Morris and find out what occurred to the +young hunter and Mrs. Risley immediately after Dave departed from the +resting place in the forest. + +As we know the tired woman had fainted from exhaustion, and for fully +ten minutes Henry had all he could do to restore her to consciousness. +He rubbed her hands and wrists vigorously and fanned her face with his +cap, and at last had the satisfaction of seeing her open her eyes. + +"Oh!" she murmured. "I--I--what happened? Did I--I fall?" + +"You fainted I reckon," answered the young hunter, kindly. "The walk was +too much for you." + +"Yes--I felt I couldn't go another step, Henry. I see we are still in +the woods. Are the Indians near?" + +"I don't think they are--at least, we haven't seen anything of them." + +"Where is Dave?" + +"He has gone on ahead, to see if all is right at home, and if it is to +bring help." + +"I would give all I possess to be at your cabin," said the poor woman, +with a sigh. She tried to rise, then sank back heavily. "I--I--don't see +how I am going to walk." + +"You had better rest a bit longer, Mrs. Risley. There is no great hurry. +It may pay us to go slow--with so many redskins lurking about. They may +be--" + +Henry broke off short, and thinking his companion was about to speak, +clapped his hand over her mouth. Through the stillness of the forest he +had caught sounds that could mean but one thing--the approach of several +men. In a moment more he caught glimpses of a flickering light +approaching. + +"We must hide!" he whispered in Mrs. Risley's ear. "Come, there isn't a +second to lose!" + +"But where shall we go?" she panted, her heart leaping into her throat. +"I cannot run a step--it will kill me!" + +The young hunter looked around in perplexity. There was some brushwood +to their right, growing among some sharp-pointed rocks. He caught his +companion's hand and almost dragged her in that direction. On the rocks +Mrs. Risley's foot slipped and she gave a cry of pain. + +"My ankle--I have twisted it badly!" + +"Hush! they will hear!" he answered, and seeing she could go no further, +he caught her in his youthful arms and carried her forward. In the midst +of a clump of bushes he laid her down and threw himself flat beside her, +at the same time holding some brushwood down over them. + +By this time the glimmer of light had come closer. It was a torch, held +in the hands of a tall Indian, who was following up the trail of the +whites with great care. The Indian had with him six companions, all +armed with either guns or bows and arrows, and each hideous in his +war-paint. + +Hardly daring to breathe, Henry awaited their close approach, his left +hand holding down the bushes and his right on his gun. Soon the warriors +were at the spot where Mrs. Risley had fainted. Here they came to a halt +and began to talk in low tones. + +It was a moment of intense anxiety, and it must be confessed that +Henry's heart almost stopped beating. The warrior with the torch held +the light aloft, and all in the party gazed around with eyes as piercing +as those of some wild beasts. + +[Illustration: The warrior with the torch held the light aloft.] + +In a moment more something happened which changed the tables of fortune. +Unable to bear the pain of her twisted ankle, Mrs. Risley drew in a +sharp, rasping breath which sound reached the ears of one of the +Indians. Instantly he stepped in that direction and spoke to the warrior +with the torch. Three of the band came forward with swift steps and +arrows pointed. A yell rent the air, telling that those in hiding were +discovered. + +Seeing it was useless to remain prostrate Henry leaped up. An arrow +whizzed past his shoulder and would have struck him fairly in the breast +had he not leaped to one side. + +He, too, blazed away, and saw the leading Indian go down, shot through +the breast, a serious if not a mortal wound. Then he pulled Mrs. Risley +to her feet. + +"Run!" he cried. "Run! It is your only chance. Hide in the woods!" + +She limped off, but ere she had gotten a dozen steps two of the warriors +were after her, and she was made a prisoner. In the meantime Henry +retreated to a clump of birch trees and there made a stand against the +remaining Indians. + +The struggle, which lasted but a few minutes, was an unequal one. +Another arrow was fired, and it grazed his left hand, causing the blood +to flow freely, and making the stains afterward discovered by Dave. Then +one of the red men came up behind the trees, and reaching out struck him +with the flat side of a tomahawk. Henry tried to turn and grapple with +his assailant, but suddenly his senses left him and he knew no more. + +"'Tis one of the Morris family," said the Indian with the torch, in his +native tongue. He made an examination. "He is not dead." + +"A good capture," said another. "We must take him along. Gonawak, you +must help to carry him." + +"And what of the woman?" asked the warrior addressed as Gonawak, well +known throughout that territory for his extreme cruelty. + +"Talking Deer will take care of her," was the answer. "He is to take +care of all of them until this raid is over." + +But little more was said, and in a few minutes the unconscious form of +the young hunter was picked up and borne through the forest in the +direction of the nearest stream. As has been said, water leaves no +trail, and for this reason the redmen instinctively used the shallow +stream for a roadway. + +When Henry regained his senses he found himself strapped to the back of +a horse and moving slowly westward through the forest. The wound on his +hand had been allowed to bleed itself out. He felt both weak and stiff +and had a dull ache in his head, where the tomahawk had landed and +raised a good-sized lump. + +By a blaze on the animal's neck, Henry recognized the horse he rode as +one belonging to a pioneer living in that vicinity. He was in the +company of nine redmen, four of whom were mounted on stolen horses. From +this he inferred that the Risley cabin was not the only one which had +been attacked on that fatal night. + +He looked around, but could see nothing of Mrs. Risley nor of any other +captives. He was alone with the savage warriors, and what they intended +to do with him there was no telling. But he had good reasons for +believing that a horrible fate was in store for him. + +"I must get away if I can," he thought. "They can't do any more than +shoot me if I try to escape, and even that will be better than to be +burnt at the stake." + +The Indians now noticed that he had recovered consciousness, and one of +them rode closer and said sharply: + +"White hunter boy must keep still. If yell will strike him!" And he +flourished his tomahawk threateningly. + +"Where are you taking me?" questioned Henry. But the Indian would not +answer and only told him to keep quiet. + +It was growing morning when the small band came to a halt, at the bank +of a wide stream where there was a series of rapids among the rocks. +Henry was cut loose and ordered to dismount. Then he was led to a nearby +tree and tied up once more. + +"Will you give me a drink?" he asked of one of the Indians, but for +answer the redman slapped him sharply over the mouth and told him to +hold his tongue. + +Suffering much from thirst and from the wound on his left hand, which +had now begun to swell, Henry watched the Indians as they prepared an +early morning meal, for the light of dawn was now showing in the east. A +fire of very dry wood, which would give little smoke, was lighted and +over this two of the redmen prepared some deer meat they had been +carrying. The smell of the cooking venison was tantalizing to Henry, but +he knew better than to ask for a portion of the repast. Once or twice +the Indians came up to him but only to jibe at him and poke him with +their guns or their bows, while one made a move with his hunting knife +as if to cut out the young hunter's heart. + +While the Indians were busy eating Henry tugged at his bonds with all +the strength he could muster. But he was too weak, and the warriors had +bound the rawhides too firmly, for the youth to budge them. He only made +his wound break out afresh, and then had to stop, well-nigh exhausted +with his effort. + +"Getting away is out of the question," he thought, and a heavy sigh +escaped his lips. "They will keep a sharp watch on me until they get +back to their village and then they will take great delight in torturing +me in every way they can think of. Oh, what savages they are, every one +of them!" + +Thus musing, Henry watched the Indians eat their meal. When they had +finished one warrior came to him with some of the scraps and with a cup +full of dirty water. + +"White hunter boy can eat," said the Indian, and untied one of his +hands. It was far from an appetizing meal and was decidedly scant. But +it was better than nothing, and not wishing to starve to death Henry ate +all that was offered him and drank the water to the last drop. Then his +loose hand was once again fastened behind him. + +The Indians were now holding a consultation, sitting close to the dying +embers of the fire and smoking their long-stemmed pipes. But little of +what was said reached Henry's ears, yet he caught the words "big feast" +and "burn at stake" spoken in the Indian tongue. At this he had to +shudder in spite of every effort to control his feelings. + +"I must get away!" he thought. "I must! I'm not going to allow them to +burn me at the stake! It's horrible. I've heard all about old Sol Harper +and Dick Waterbury, and how they suffered. I'd rather be shot. +They'll--Oh!" + +His thoughts came to a sudden end, and for the instant he felt that he +must be dreaming. His eyes had strayed to the bushes on the opposite +bank of the stream. A white hand was raised warningly and the bushes +parted slowly, showing the face of his old friend, Sam Barringford. +Henry nodded, to show that he had seen the old frontiersman. Then the +bushes closed again and Sam Barringford disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SAM BARRINGFORD'S RUSE + + +The appearance of his old frontier friend gave Henry's hopes a bound +upward. He felt that he could rely upon Sam Barringford to do his utmost +for him in securing his release. He felt equally sure that Barringford +had been following the band for some time, trying to gain a chance to +rush in and cut his bonds. + +It was true that Barringford numbered but one against nine, and would +have stood small chance against them in an open fight, but Henry knew +the old frontiersman too well to imagine that Barringford would thus +expose himself to a stray shot that might kill him. His friend had +learned the value of playing a "waiting game," and would do nothing rash +unless the occasion actually demanded it. + +The best part of half an hour went by, and still the Indians remained +around the camp-fire, smoking and discussing the situation. Occasionally +one would glance toward Henry and perhaps raise a tomahawk +threateningly, meaning thereby that an attempt to escape would be +punishable by death. To these movements Henry paid no attention. + +The young hunter's ears were on the alert, for he half expected that +Barringford might be coming up behind him to cut his bonds. At last he +heard his name mentioned in a low, guarded tone: + +"Henry!" + +"Sam," he returned, without apparently moving his lips. + +"I'm right behind, lad. Do as I tell you and gittin' away may come easy. +I'll cut yer rawhides, but don't you attempt ter move till yer hear a +noise in the woods an' the Injuns run fer the spot. Then dust straight +back, an' I'll jine you fast as I kin. Do you understand?" + +"Yes," answered Henry, as softly as before. + +"All right. Now tell me when them measly critters ain't lookin'. I can't +see 'em from here." + +After this there was a few minutes of silence. Henry watched the nine +redmen as never before. Several faced him, but now they turned away for +a moment and he communicated that fact to Sam Barringford. + +Instantly a hand glided around the side of the tree and a sharp hunting +knife slid along the rawhides which bound the youth's hands and feet. +The bonds about the tree were already severed. + +"Now I'm goin'," whispered Barringford. "Don't run till they ain't +a-noticin' of you--unless, o' course, they come straight at you." + +As silently as he had come Sam Barringford retreated, keeping the tree +and some brushwood between himself and the enemy. Once more Henry was +left alone, and again many anxious minutes passed. + +Suddenly from a distance up the stream came a shot, followed by another, +and then a well-known Indian war-whoop. The voice of a white man, +calling out loudly, was heard, followed by another war-cry, and a +crashing and splitting of a tree branch. + +Throwing down their pipes all the Indians around the camp-fire leaped to +their feet and seized their weapons. With one accord they bounded up the +stream to learn what the encounter so close at hand could mean. The +war-whoop used was their own. Some of their own tribe must be making an +attack or must be in danger. + +No sooner had the Indians turned to leave him than Henry dropped his +bonds and leaped behind the tree. With all possible speed he rushed +straight into the woods. As he progressed he jumped from one rock to +another, where this could be done, in order to leave as imperfect a +trail as possible. + +He felt that the shots, the cries and the war-whoops, coupled with the +crashing of the tree branch, were all a part of the ruse employed by Sam +Barringford to make the Indians leave their captive, and in this he was +not mistaken. The Indians had gone off to a man, and now, when he felt +safe for the time being, Henry was sorry that he had not stopped long +enough to gain possession of his gun. + +"I can't go back now," he muttered. "They'll return soon--or send one or +two back to watch me." He listened for a second. "Hullo! some of 'em are +back already! Now they'll make it warm for me, if they can!" + +He pushed on until he heard a low but clear whistle, not unlike the +sound of certain night birds of that locality. He whistled in return and +soon saw the form of a man in the distance waving an arm for him to come +up. + +"Fooled 'em nicely, didn't I?" chuckled Sam Barringford. "They lit out +soon as they heard thet war-whoop, didn't they?" + +"They did," answered Henry. "But some of 'em are back, so we mustn't +lose any time getting away." + +"Right you are, lad--'t won't do to try to fool 'em too much--it's too +much like playin' with the teeth o' a wildcat, now they hev their +war-paint on. O' course you know the hull country's riz, don't you?" + +"Yes, and Risley's cabin has been burnt down and Mrs. Risley is a +captive I'm afraid." + +"I'm a-feered fer your own folks, Henry. The Injuns is headed that way, +seems to me." + +As they hurried on through the woods, with ears on the alert for the +possible appearance of the Indians left behind or of others, Henry told +his story, to which the old frontiersman listened with close attention. +In return Barringford related his own doings during the past forty-eight +hours. + +"I was up to Timber Ridge, back o' Siler's place, lookin' fer deer, when +I spotted some o' the Injuns makin' fer the old meetin' ground. I made +up my mind they was up to no good, and so I followed 'em. They held a +meeting with Little Horn's warriors, and one of 'em had a message from +thet rascally Jean Bevoir who robbed yer uncle o' that trading-post on +the Kinotah, and the message said not to forget the Morris cabin in the +raid." + +"Our cabin!" burst out Henry. "Then they will surely attack it." + +"Yes, and jest because Jean Bevoir wants 'em to, Henry. Thet rascal +ought to be hung. He's wuss nor any redman, to my way o' thinkin'." + +"Anyway, we can't get home too quick--at least I can't, Sam." + +"I'm with you, Henry. Your folks are my best friends. Besides, I want to +learn what has become of Dave. You know what a sight I think o' him," +concluded Barringford. + +They advanced with caution until Henry felt compelled to rest. Then they +sat down by the edge of a tiny stream and here obtained a drink, and the +frontiersman washed and bound up Henry's wounded hand. At last they went +on once more, taking a semi-circle which brought them in sight of the +Morris cabin. + +"Too late!" burst from Henry's lips, and his heart sank within him. +Against the early morning sky was a heavy cloud of smoke curling lazily +upward from the ruins of the cabin and the out-buildings. Around the +ruins half a dozen redmen were prowling, on the hunt for anything of +value which might have escaped their notice during the darkness of the +night. + +"Yes, lad, we're too late," responded Barringford, mournfully. "I only +trust your folks escaped." + +"Let--let us creep closer and see if there are any--any bodies lying +around," faltered the young hunter. He was so agitated he could scarcely +speak. + +"Be careful what you do," was the warning. "Follow me--I think I know a +safe lookout place." + +Barringford led the way, and presently they found themselves in a clump +of brushwood not over two hundred feet from the cabin. The brush was on +a rise of ground, so that they could survey the situation with ease. + +"Nothing in sight," said Henry, after a long and painful pause. "What do +you say to that, Sam?" + +"It's encouragin', lad. More'n likely your father got away with your +mother an' the others. I don't see none o' the hosses around. Thet's a +good sign, too. I believe they struck out fer Fort Lawrence or Will's +Creek--most likely the first, fer the trail to Will's Creek is +chuck-a-block with Injuns." + +Feeling that nothing could be gained by remaining in the vicinity, they +started to retreat to the friendly shelter of the forest. They had +hardly covered a hundred yards, when Henry gave a cry of warning. + +"An Indian! Coming straight for us!" + +He was right, and a moment later a painted warrior confronted them. He, +too, was surprised at the meeting, but quick as a flash raised the +tomahawk he carried to strike Barringford down. + +Had the blow landed as intended the frontiersman's skull would have been +split in twain. But if the Indian was quick Barringford was quicker. He +leaped to one side and in a twinkling had the warrior by the throat and +was bearing him backward. At the same moment Henry advanced. + +"Never mind--I've got the consarned critter!" cried Barringford, as he +held the Indian in a grasp of steel. "See if more are a-comin'!" + +Henry looked, but not another redman was in sight. The one in +Barringford's grasp squirmed and struggled and drew up a knee to plant +it against the frontiersman's breast. But even this did not break that +deadly grip, and now the Indian's tongue fairly lolled from his +wide-open mouth. He clutched Barringford's throat, but his hand was +thrown aside and the wrist pressed back until it was almost broken. Then +the Indian gave a strange gulp and suddenly collapsed in a heap. + +"Thet settles his account," panted Barringford, as he staggered away. +"An' he didn't git no chance to make any noise nuther. Serves the +critter right, don't it?" And he led the way onward once more. + +"Yes, it served him right," answered Henry, but even as he spoke he had +to shudder, and he wondered if the Indian was really dead or only partly +choked to death. + +Having decided to move in the direction of Fort Lawrence, Sam +Barringford led the way by the very route Joseph Morris had pursued. +Both he and Henry were now exhausted by their long walk, and both would +have rested had it not been that they were so anxious to know how +matters were going at the fort. On they stumbled as best they could. +Each was hungry, yet neither complained on that score. + +It was nearly noon when they heard a number of shots in the distance. A +fierce yelling followed, and the shooting was continued for the best +part of half an hour. + +"The Indians have attacked the fort!" cried Henry. "A big battle must be +going on!" + +"I reckon you are right, Henry. Come," and Barringford set off at an +increased rate of speed. + +They did not go far, however, for only a little while later they heard a +murmur of voices ahead. + +"An Injun camp," whispered Barringford. "Come, we'll go around," and he +moved to the left. + +But here the way was also blocked by Indians. Then they made a wide +detour, only to find more warriors encamped between themselves and the +fort. + +"The way's blocked," said the frontiersman at last. "The critters have +entirely surrounded the fort. We're out of it, and it looks as if we'd +have to stay out." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +DARK YEAR OF THE WAR + + +At the time this story opens George Washington had been on the frontier +for nearly two years, with what was little more than a handful of +rangers and militia, doing his best to protect a section of country +extending through Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. His headquarters +were at Winchester, where the fort was in a good state for defence, but +he was frequently away from that place, directing minor operations +against the Indians, who, urged by their French allies, were continually +attacking isolated settlements. + +At this time the future President of our country was still a young man, +strong, resolute, and full of the fire of ambition. There was no thought +of independence in those days. He was a subject of the King of England, +and as a subject willing to do his utmost to sustain British authority +in America. He was dearly beloved by all the soldiers under him, but it +must be confessed that some of these soldiers were not as willing to +remain in the army as was desirable. + +The trouble over the soldiers is easily explained. In the first place +the settlers objected to doing military duty when called upon to "play +second fiddle" to the soldiers brought over from England, and in the +second place the pay was poor and uncertain, and the pioneers, much as +they wished to defend their frontier and whip the French and Indians, +could ill afford to neglect their farms and crops. + +"I'd like to enlist again," said one old pioneer to Washington, "But I +have a wife and four little children at home, and if I don't care for +them they'll have nothing to eat. You know, sir, that I haven't received +a dollar of pay for three months." This explanation was typical of many, +and while Colonel Washington was sorry to have his men desert him thus, +deep down in his heart he could not blame them for wishing to provide +for those they dearly loved. + +Thus far the conduct of the war with France had been a series of +disasters to England's cause, extending over a period of three years. +Braddock's bitter defeat, in July, 1755, had been followed by Shirley's +abandonment of the plan to take Fort Niagara, and after a bitter battle +at Lake George, Sir William Johnson, of whom we shall hear much more +later, was forced to give up his hope of pushing on to Crown Point. This +closed the fighting for the year, leaving the outlook for the colonies +gloomy indeed. + +War between France and England was formally declared in May, 1756--just +twenty years before that memorable Revolution which separated the United +States from England. The Earl of Loudon was sent out to take command of +a new expedition north, but his work in that territory was no more +victorious than Johnson's had been, and as a consequence the French +commander, General Montcalm, captured Oswego, with all the guns and +supplies left there the year previous by Shirley, and in his defeat +General Webb, with a large portion of the British troops, had to fall +back to Albany. + +Early in the following year the English made greater preparations than +ever to bring the war to a satisfactory close. Loudon sailed from New +York with six thousand men, and was joined at Halifax by Admiral +Holborne with a fleet of eleven warships. The object of the expedition +was to attack Louisburg, but when the English arrived in the vicinity of +that French stronghold they found seventeen of the enemy's warships +awaiting them, backed up by heavy land fortifications, and to attack +such a force would have been foolhardy; so Loudon returned to New York +much dispirited. + +In the meantime, Montcalm was not idle. While Loudon was proceeding +against Louisburg the great French general came down with a strong force +from Crown Point and attacked Fort William Henry. The fort was compelled +to surrender, and did so with the understanding that the soldiers be +allowed to march out with the honors of war. But the Indians with the +French would not agree to this, and upon a given signal they fell with +great fury on the English, slaughtering them right and left, butchering +not only the soldiers but also about a hundred women and children who +had fled to the enclosure for safety. The barracks were battered down +and burned, and the cannon, boats, and stores carried away. For these +outrageous proceedings Montcalm was held responsible, but he claimed +that the Indians could not be controlled. + +The effect of so many disasters to British arms in other quarters, could +leave but one impression on the minds of the Indians who threatened the +frontier which Washington was trying to defend. These warriors came to +the conclusion that the English were too weak to defend themselves, and, +consequently, they could rush in and kill, burn, and loot to suit +themselves. They were well aware that the French still held Fort +Duquesne, and that if the English came too far westward (in a chase +after the redmen,) the French would rouse up in an effort to drive them +back from whence they had come. More than this, there were among the +Indians such rascally traders as Jean Bevoir, and these men, in order to +further their own interests, told the Indians to go ahead and do as they +pleased against the English, and that the French would never interfere, +no matter how barbarous was the warfare thus carried on. + +At this time the population of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia was +reckoned at about half a million souls, yet from such a number +Washington could only obtain two thousand militiamen and rangers, and, +as stated before, this number was constantly decreasing, as one after +another refused to re-enlist, for reasons already given. The young +commander did all in his power to protect the numerous settlements from +attacks, but to cover such a wide expanse of territory was, under the +circumstances, impossible. The best that could be done was to station +parts of the army at various forts and hold the soldiers in readiness to +march forth in any direction from whence should come an alarm. + +Colonel Washington had been out on a long tour of inspection, and was +just settling down for a much needed sleep, when an orderly entered and +told him that an Indian messenger had arrived with news. + +"Who is the messenger?" questioned the commander, for in those days it +was necessary to guard against all possible treachery. + +"An under chief named White Buffalo, sir." + +Washington knew White Buffalo fairly well, and at once commanded that +the chief be brought in. This was done, and the warrior delivered the +message written by Captain Tanner with all the ceremony the occasion, to +the Indian, seemed to require. + +"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so +quickly," said Washington. "Fort Lawrence needs help and I shall give +all the help in my power. You know much of the Indians who are friendly +to the French. How soon will they attack the place, do you think?" + +[Illustration: "White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this +message so quickly."] + +"That White Buffalo cannot tell to his brother Washington," was the +chief's answer. "They are eager for plunder and will hold off only so +long as they think they are too weak to make the attack. But when they +feel strong enough they will rush in, and if they take the fort, White +Buffalo is sure the massacre at Fort William Henry will be repeated." + +A few words more followed, and Washington hurried forth to notify +several of his officers of what was happening at Fort Lawrence. A force +of only thirty-six men could be spared from Fort Winchester, and these +were placed under the command of Lieutenant Baldwick, an old Indian +fighter. With the whites went nine Indians, who, after some little +urging, consented to act under White Buffalo, although they belonged to +a different tribe. Washington was greatly tempted to take command +himself but felt that he would soon be needed in other directions. + +The rangers chosen for this expedition were all on horseback, and +Lieutenant Baldwick started them off just as soon as they could be +gotten together, and the necessary food and ammunition could be +distributed. The Indians were on foot, but they were all good runners, +and as the trail was a rough one for horses the warriors kept up without +great difficulty. + +The expedition was yet within sight of Winchester when James Morris came +riding into the post, having been on a business trip a mile further +eastward. Dave's father met Colonel Washington at the entrance to the +stockade and took the liberty to ask what the departure of the soldiers +meant. + +"They are on the way to Fort Lawrence," was the answer, and Washington +told of the message received and of what White Buffalo had had to +relate. + +"That's bad!" ejaculated James Morris. "Did he say anything of my folks, +Colonel?" + +"He mentioned your brother Joseph as being with Captain Tanner, but that +is all. I sincerely trust your family are in the fort and safe," +answered Washington. + +Dave's father had wished to see the commander about the purchase of a +number of horses needed by the British army, but now the business was +forgotten, and without delay the trader dashed off on his steed after +Lieutenant Baldwick's command. As soon as he gained the expedition he +sought out White Buffalo and asked concerning Dave. + +"He is at the fort," said the Indian. "And so is your brother Joseph and +his wife and Rodney and little Bright-face,"--meaning Nell. + +"And what of Henry?" + +"He was missing--but he may be at the fort when we get there." And as +well as he was able the warrior told of what had happened at Uriah +Risley's cabin and afterwards. + +Although the expedition moved on as rapidly as possible, it was high +noon before half the distance to Fort Lawrence was covered. The mid-day +meal was eaten on the march, and the only stop made was one to water +the horses. Two white scouts and two Indians went ahead as spies, and +half an hour later discovered the camp of four Indians, who had with +them one warrior who was suffering with a broken leg. A skirmish ensued, +and two of the Indians, including the wounded man, were killed and the +others taken prisoners. After that the expedition moved onward with +greater vigilance than ever. + +It was nearly three o'clock, and the soldiers were still a mile from the +fort, when one of the advance guard set up a shout. He had caught sight +of two white men creeping along the edge of a ravine to the north of the +trail. A halt was ordered and another batch of scouts went forward to +learn who the whites could be. + +A short game of hide-and-seek now ensued, each side not knowing whether +the other was a friend or an enemy. But at last there came a yell of joy +from Sam Barringford as he swung his coonskin cap in the air. + +"I know you, Dick Hoggerly!" he shouted, to one of the scouts. "Don't +let 'em shoot at us. I've got Henry Morris with me." + +"Hullo, so it's you, Sam," was the answer. "All right; we ain't shootin' +no friends if we kin help it." And then the word was passed around and +soon the two wanderers were made welcome, Henry especially so by his +Uncle James. + +The pair had but little to relate outside of what is already known. They +told Lieutenant Baldwick that the Indians surrounded Fort Lawrence +completely and that some sort of an attack had already taken place. This +was enough to arouse the spirit of even the most sluggish, and once +again the expedition moved through the forest, determined to save the +fort and its defenders, if such a thing were possible. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +FIGHTING OFF THE INDIANS + + +"It doesn't look much like an attack now." + +It was Dave who spoke, as he leaned against the rocks and gazed sharply +out into the forest, beyond the tiny stream of water flowing beside the +improvised fort. + +"When the redskins come they won't blow a trumpet," replied Rodney, +grimly. "The more vicious the attack the more quiet they'll go about it. +Isn't that so, father?" + +"You're about right, my son," returned Joseph Morris. "I shouldn't be +surprised if the Indians are much closer than we think." + +"If only we knew where Henry is, and father," said Dave. "Perhaps the +redskins have captured them both." + +"They won't get your father so easily, Dave," came from Joseph Morris. +"They may----" + +The pioneer broke off short and suddenly raised his gun. He had seen +some war-like feathers floating above a fringe of brushwood between a +number of stately walnut trees. He took careful aim and fired. + +A yell rent the air and in a trice that cry was echoed by half a hundred +others, filling the air with a sudden noise, which no pen can describe. +As Dave said, it was truly "a hair raiser," and he felt a quick chill +creep down his backbone. That yell told only too well how the Indians +were aroused, and what they would do could they but gain the chance. + +The report of Joseph Morris's gun was followed by the discharge of +Rodney's weapon and then shots from several others. Rodney had seen a +warrior running from one tree to another and had brought the Indian down +midway between the two. But the fellow was only wounded and he lost no +time in crawling to cover. + +Spat! spat! A bullet and an arrow hit the rocks directly in front of the +Morrises and caused Dave to dodge quickly, although so far there was +small danger of being hit. Then came other shots from both sides and for +several minutes the air inside and outside the fort was filled with +smoke. + +"There's a good number of them, that's certain," observed Joseph Morris, +as he paused to reload. "I believe every Indian for a hundred and fifty +miles around has gathered here. Hark!" + +They listened, and from a distance came other yells, gradually circling +around in the forest to the other side of the fort. But this ruse did +not deceive those within. + +"It's an old dodge," observed Joseph Morris. "They want us to look for +them on that side while they make a dash on this. See, here they come +now!" + +"Yes, an' thar's fer 'em!" put in a pioneer standing near. His aim was +true and a warrior went down just as he leaped out to cross the stream. + +"Good for you, Pasney!" exclaimed Joseph Morris. "Never saw a truer shot +in my life. You took him straight in the heart." + +"Wall, thet's wot I reckoned on doin'," replied Pasney, coolly. He was +an old trapper, and had lived among friendly Indians for years. At rifle +practice he had often won prizes for marksmanship. + +With four of their warriors either killed or wounded, the Indians +retreated for the time being. So far nobody in the fort had been +touched, consequently the spirits of all, even of the women folks, +revived. + +"If we keep this up, we'll soon discourage them," said Captain Tanner. +"More than likely they'll hang around until to-morrow and then rush off +to loot what they can and get back to their own territory." + +"If they do that we ought to follow them," said Dave. "They should be +taught a good lesson. Just think of our nice home being burnt to the +ground for no reason at all. It's a shame!" + +Many of the women and children, as well as some of the men, were very +tired, but sleep was out of the question for all old enough to +comprehend what was taking place. Even little Nell came out of a nap +with a scream and clung closer than ever to her mother's skirt. + +"Oh, mamma, what will they do with us?" she asked. "Will they scalp us?" + +"Let us hope not, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, soothingly. "I think your +papa and the others can keep them off." + +Half an hour later came another attack. It was now dark, and only a +trained eye could see what was taking place in the blackness of the +forest surrounding the fort. To get a better view Pasney climbed one of +the trees forming part of the stockade. + +Hardly had he gained a favorable position than he uttered a cry of +alarm. Then came the whizzing of an arrow through the bare branches in +front of him and his body came down with a thud just inside the +defence. Several rushed to him and raised him up, but it was too late. + +"Shot through the heart!" whispered Dave, as he gazed on the body in +horror. "He got just what he gave that redskin a while ago." And he +turned away, scarcely able to control his feelings. + +Again the war-cry was given and once more the Indians made a rush, this +time attacking the fort on two sides. There was a constant discharge of +firearms, and arrows came freely into the enclosure, one taking Rodney +through the fleshy part of the arm and another grazing Dave's face. + +"You are hit, Rodney," cried Dave, as he saw his crippled cousin stagger +back. + +"Reckon it ain't much," was the answer. "But it was a close call," and +then Rodney went to his mother, to have the wound bound up. + +The fight had been waging for the best part of an hour when those in the +fort saw that the enemy were changing their tactics. Through the air +there rushed a dozen or more arrows all carrying with them trails of +fire. They went up like so many rockets, to fall in graceful curves +directly into the fort. One had a horn of powder attached to it, which, +on touching the ground, exploded with great violence. Fire was scattered +in all directions and for the moment it looked as if some of the women +folks and children would be burnt alive. + +Rodney was close to his mother and little Nell when the first shower of +burning arrows came down. He saw his mother's skirt go up into a blaze +and like a flash tore the burning garment from her. Then he brushed some +sparks from little Nell and himself and an old woman standing by. + +"They intend to burn us alive!" was the cry, and many of the children +began to scream louder than ever. + +"Let the women take water and dirt and put out the fire!" ordered +Captain Tanner. "Every man is needed at the stockade. They are getting +ready for another rush!" + +Fortunately all the water possible had been brought into the fort and +clothes were soaked in this and used for beating out the flames. It was +hard work, and soon the women were as smoke-begrimed as the men. To save +the children all their dresses were wet down so that the sparks might +have no effect. Where the burning arrows fell among the baggage, and +water was not handy, the sod was dug up with spades and pike poles and +thrown on as a blanket. + +In the meantime what Captain Tanner had said about another attack was +true. But this time the Indians were more cautious and they hardly +exposed themselves, while waiting for the fire to aid them. When they +saw that the blazing arrows had little or no effect they fell back once +more, with two warriors wounded, one mortally. + +Slowly the night wore away. The loss to the pioneers had been one man +killed and several wounded, although none seriously. One woman had been +burnt across the neck and one little boy had had an ear scorched. + +When day dawned the vigilance at the stockade and the rocks was not +relaxed, for all felt that another attack might come at any moment. +There was no water in the enclosure, all on hand having been used in +fighting fire. + +"We've got to get water somehow," said Joseph Morris. "I'm dying for a +drink and I reckon all of you are about the same." + +"Oh, Joseph, do not expose yourself," pleaded Mrs. Morris. "More than +likely the Indians know we want water and they'll watch the brooks +closely, to see if they can't catch whoever tries to get it." + +This was proved to be the case a few minutes later, when a pioneer named +Raymond tried to get a bucket of water. Hardly had he showed himself +when two arrows whizzed in that direction, one cutting through his +coonskin cap. Raymond dropped his bucket in a hurry and lost no time in +regaining shelter. + +"I know a way to get water," said Rodney. "Dig a hole down between the +rocks and then run a pike pole through that dirt bank. Some of the water +in that brook will be sure to flow in this direction." + +The suggestion was thought a good one and several started to dig the +hole immediately. It was made four feet deep and the pike pole was +jammed through the soil at as low a point as possible. At first no water +came, but presently a few drops showed themselves and then followed a +stream the size of one's little finger. + +"Hurrah!" cried Dave. "Rodney's scheme is all right. That hole will keep +the water here on a level with that in the stream and we'll have all we +wish." And so it proved, much to the satisfaction of all in the fort. To +be sure, the water was rather muddy, but even muddy water was much +better than none and nobody complained. + +"White Buffalo ought to be on his way back," observed Joseph Morris, as +he and the boys sat on the rocks, eating the scant morning meal which +Captain Tanner had had dealt out. + +"Yes, and he ought to have some of Colonel Washington's rangers with +him," returned Dave. + +"Your father will be with 'em," came from Rodney. "That is, unless he +struck out for the house instead." + +The talking went on in low voices, for all ears were on guard, waiting +for sounds from the forest. Captain Tanner had hoped to get some word +from the Indians White Buffalo had left behind, but none of these showed +themselves. + +An hour later an alarm came from the farther end of the stockade. The +Indians were gathering for a solid rush upon that quarter. Soon a yell +was heard and again came shots and arrows. + +"We are in for it now!" cried Captain Tanner. "Every man must do his +duty or we are lost. They are coming on us a couple of hundred +stronger!" + +He was right, and now the enemy advanced boldly as if encouraged by the +mere force of numbers. Several carried notched limbs of trees, to be +used as ladders in scaling the stockade. + +Shots flew thick and fast and inside of a few minutes two more of the +pioneers were wounded and a woman was killed outright. The Indians +suffered even a greater loss, but continued to come on until more than a +score of them were close to the stockade. In the meantime several of the +number ran around to the rocks, thinking the pioneers had deserted this +end of the fort. + +Joseph Morris, Rodney, Dave, and two others met those at the rocks with +a rapid volley which speedily put three of the warriors out of the +contest. But more were coming, and in a few minutes our friends found +themselves in what was almost a hand-to-hand encounter, only a few rough +rocks separating them from the redskins. + +Dave had just fired, and was reloading with all speed, when he saw an +arrow aimed full at his uncle. He gave a shout of warning, but the cry +came too late. Joseph Morris was struck in the breast and went down in a +heap. He gave a strange little groan and then lay still. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RETREAT OF THE PIONEERS + + +Dave's shout of warning reached Rodney's ears, and the young man turned +in time to see his father go down as just described. He gave a cry of +horror and then, with set teeth, discharged his gun straight at the +warrior who had laid Mr. Morris low. His aim was true and the Indian +fell to rise no more. + +The fall of his uncle nerved Dave to greater effort, and as the Indians +rushed over the rocks he, with several others, met them in a short but +bitter hand-to-hand contest, in which blows were freely taken and +delivered. The redskins were yelling at the top of their lungs and using +their tomahawks with great viciousness. Dave was confronted by a tall +warrior who did his best to split the youth's head open with his +hatchet, but Dave dodged and the blow merely grazed his shoulder. Then, +before the Indian could aim another blow a bullet from the rear cut +short the redskin's career forever. + +The forest was now full of shouting, and shots were being fired with +marvelous rapidity. Those in the fort could not understand this. Had +the Indians been re-enforced? + +"If more redskins have come up we are doomed!" was the cry which went +the rounds, but almost on top of it came a yell of joy: + +"The rangers have come! We are saved!" + +It was true, the command under Lieutenant Baldwick had come up after a +long running fight with some Indians journeying toward the fort. These +redskins had been put to flight and with them about a dozen French +trappers and traders under Jean Bevoir, one of the trappers having been +slain, along with two Indians. Now the rangers were fighting desperately +to get to those hemmed in at the fort. + +The coming of the soldiers put new life in the pioneers and the battle +broke forth afresh. Struck at from both the front and the rear the +Indians received a galling fire which filled them with sudden terror. + +In the midst of the rangers were James Morris and Sam Barringford. +Dave's father was cool and determined and every shot from his musket was +sent with deadly effect. Barringford seemed to be in his element, and +danced around so rapidly that not an Indian could draw a "bead" upon +him. + +"Thet for ye!" he yelled, firing his gun at the nearest warrior. "An' +how do yer like thet, eh?"--hitting a second with the butt of the +weapon. "I'll show ye! Ain't I a roarin' painter when I'm cut loose! +Cl'ar the track fer the bustin', roarin' whirlwind!" And thus shouting +in the style peculiar to the old-time trappers of that period he rushed +in, literally cutting a path over the rocks and into the fort proper. An +arrow stuck through his coonskin cap and his hunting jacket was ripped +in a dozen places by knives and tomahawks, yet with it all he seemed to +bear a charmed life and laid low every warrior who dared to bar his +progress. + +In less than ten minutes after the rangers had appeared and closed in +the Indians began to retreat. Seeing them thus on the run, the pioneers +and soldiers increased their efforts and soon the warriors were only too +glad to get back into the forest. They left the vicinity of the fort and +took up their stand several hundred yards away, behind a small hill, +enclosed on two sides by rocks. It is possible they expected the rangers +to follow them to this point, but for the time being they were not +molested. + +The reason for this was easily explained. Both pioneers and rangers were +utterly fagged out--the former by their hasty flights from their homes, +and the vigilance and fighting at the fort, and the latter because of +the forced ride from Winchester, and the first battle in the forest with +Indians and French. All needed a rest, and the wounded demanded +attention. So for the time being the battle remained a drawn one. + +As soon as it was made known that the Indians had retreated, a score of +rangers who were unhurt were set to watch their movements, and then +began the caring for the wounded. All told, it was found that six men, +women and children had been killed outright and that one man was +mortally hurt. Of the pioneers five were wounded, and of the rangers +three, and of the killed two had been scalped. + +"Dave, my son!" exclaimed James Morris, as he rushed up. "Are you safe?" + +"Yes, father," was the answer. "And you?" + +"I have a scratch on the leg, but it isn't much. How are the rest?" + +"Uncle Joe has been shot down. I reckon the others are all right." + +"Joe shot down? Is he--he----" + +"There he is, over by the rocks. No, he isn't dead, but I think he's +pretty bad. He got an arrow right in the breast." + +Father and son hurried to the spot, to find Joseph Morris stretched out +on a blanket and surrounded by all of his family, including Henry, who +during the advance of the rangers had fought as bravely as anyone. The +arrow had been extracted and Mrs. Morris was using her utmost skill in +binding up the wound. + +"What do you think, James?" she wailed. "Will he live?" + +"While there is life let us hope, Lucy," answered the brother-in-law, +tenderly. "Is he unconscious?" + +"Yes," put in Rodney. "I--I'm afraid that arrow point was poisoned." + +"Let me see the arrow." + +It was passed over and James Morris examined it with care. At this point +Sam Barringford also came up and he, too, looked the arrow over. + +"Ain't no p'ison thar," said the old frontiersman. "Thet tribe uses blue +juice an' if thar war p'ison the blood would turn greenish. But it's +rich red, as ye kin see. No, I allow as how he ain't p'isoned." + +"I believe Sam tells the truth," said James Morris. + +"But it's a fearful wound," said Dave. "I saw the arrow strike. It went +in straight." + +All set to work to revive the unconscious sufferer and Barringford +insisted upon obtaining some liquor and forcing a few teaspoonsful down +the wounded man's throat. At last they had the satisfaction of seeing +Joseph Morris give a short gasp and open his eyes dreamily. + +"Oh!" he murmured and for a moment was silent. "I--I am hit!" he went +on. + +"Be quiet, Joseph," said his wife, bending over him. "Yes, you were hit +in the breast with an arrow. We will do what we can for you, but you +mustn't move, or the wound will start to bleed again." + +"But the Indians--" + +"The Indians have retreated," said Rodney. "The rangers have come, and +Uncle James is here, too, and so is Henry." + +"All safe?" + +"Yes." + +"Thank God!" And then Joseph Morris relapsed once more into silence, +being almost too weak to breathe much less to speak. + +Little Nell had been crying bitterly, and now Henry took her in his arms +and did his best to soothe her, for he knew his mother would not leave +his father's side. + +"The bad, bad Indians!" cried the little girl. "Oh, how could they come +and shoot at us! And last night they tried to burn us up with their fire +arrows! Oh, it was dreadful!" And she buried her curly head in her +brother's shoulder. + +The hours to follow were gloomy enough, and ones which those in the +stockade never forgot. The man who had been mortally wounded died +shrieking with pain, and the sounds rang in the ears of both young and +old, filling the latter with new grief. The dead were buried together in +one deep hole and over their last resting place were rolled several +heavy stones, that no wild beasts might disturb their common grave. The +service at this funeral was short, for there was no telling when the +Indians might make another attack. + +Toward the middle of the afternoon word came in through the friendly +Indians under White Buffalo that the French Indians, as they were +called, were preparing for some new move. Instantly every available man +in the fort leaped for his gun and even some of the women armed +themselves, determined to fight to the last rather than risk the horrors +of becoming captives of the enemy. + +But the alarm proved a false one, for the Indians, although they shifted +their camp to the opposite side of the fort, did nothing but exchange a +few shots with several of the rangers. Yet this move kept the pioneers +on the alert all night, so that little or no sleep was had by anyone. + +"I must say I'm so tired I can scarcely keep my eyes open," said Henry +to Dave. "If we elect to retreat I don't see how I'm going to either +ride or walk." + +"Take a nap," said Dave. "If another alarm comes I'll call you." And +Henry dropped down and was in the land of dreams almost on the instant. + +On the following morning a council of war was held by Captain Tanner, +Lieutenant Baldwick and half a dozen of the leading pioneers, and it was +decided that the best thing to do would be to retreat to Winchester. +Provisions were getting low and so was ammunition, and the lieutenant +had been ordered not to hold Fort Lawrence, but do his best to bring in +the settlers and families in safety. + +"The Indians are gathering steadily," said Lieutenant Baldwick. "Every +hour makes them stronger. I think the sooner we strike out the better it +will be for us." And in this Captain Tanner and the majority of the +settlers agreed. + +The main difficulty which presented itself was how to care for the +wounded. It would be running a grave risk to move Joseph Morris and +several others, but there was no help for it, and the family were told +to prepare for leaving in an hour. + +"We will make a litter between two horses," said James Morris. "Rodney +can ride on one of the animals and lead them along the smoothest part of +the trail he can find. We will bind the wound as tightly as possible, so +that the blood won't get much chance to start afresh." + +Mrs. Morris wished to demur, fearing her husband might die ere the +journey was completed. But she could not remain behind alone, and so, +with a sinking heart, she prepared to move as had been ordered. + +The settlers were cautioned to leave the fort as silently as possible +and to carry along only that which was absolutely necessary. Before they +left the rangers and some of the Indians under White Buffalo went ahead, +to make sure that the trail chosen by Captain Tanner was clear. Eight of +the rangers remained at the fort, to give it the appearance of still +being inhabited and, in case of attack, to rush out and cover the +settlers' rear. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DISAPPEARANCE OF LITTLE NELL + + +As was natural Dave and Henry journeyed side by side. They moved +directly behind Mrs. Morris and little Nell, who brought up in the rear +of the litter on which Joseph Morris rested, and the horses under the +control of Rodney. Dave's father was not with the party, nor was trusty +Sam Barringford, both having joined the party of rangers who formed the +advance guard. + +Following the instructions given them the pioneers and their families +moved through the great forest as silently as possible, only the +occasional groan of a wounded one, or the cry of some little child +breaking the stillness. The route was past the rocks bordering one of +the watercourses previously mentioned and then along what in those days +was called the Old Buffalo Trail,--a well-beaten path along which in +years gone by countless buffaloes had passed in their migrations to the +east and return. The buffaloes were now fast disappearing from this +territory, as are to-day the deer, wolves, and other wild animals which +were likewise numerous. + +It was a trying time, for the ears of all were ever on the alert to +catch the first sign of an approaching enemy. Onward went Dave and Henry +with their guns ready for instant use. Rodney guided the horses with the +greatest of care, yet there were many jolts to the litter which more +than once caused Joseph Morris to utter a groan he could not suppress. + +It was calculated that if nothing out of the ordinary occurred the party +would be able to reach Winchester in three days, but if the Indians +followed them up and attacked them the journey would take much longer, +for they would have to make a stand behind whatever breastworks they +could manage to erect, and there remain until the coast was clear or the +enemy drove them forth. There was also the ever-present possibility that +the Indians would wipe out the expedition entirely, a possibility that +made many of the married men shudder, as they thought of their wives and +defenseless children. + +"We can consider ourselves lucky if we reach Winchester without any more +hair-raising," observed Henry, as they trudged along. + +"Right you are," replied Dave. "The Indians seem worked up to the last +degree. They'll trap us if they possibly can." + +"There is one thing in our favor, Dave. Captain Tanner is as good a +scout as you'll find in these parts, and with such men with him as +Barringford and your father he won't fall into any trap unless it's a +mighty slick one." + +"To think that Jean Bevoir should be in this neighborhood with his +thieving traders," went on Dave, after a pause. "I declare I wish he had +fallen instead of one of those Indians we brought down. He isn't as good +as some of the Iroquois, to my way of thinking." + +"He'll get what he deserves one of these days, Dave. He has cheated so +many redskins that some of them will lay for him some night, and that +will be the end of him and his band. But I must admit, I can't +understand how any redskins can follow the leadership of such a rascal, +who gives them liquor only in order to rob them of their hard-earned +pelts." + +Two miles had been covered when there came a shot from the front, +followed by three others. Immediately the pioneers and their families +gathered behind a semi-circle of rocks and brush which happened to be +near. Several Indians had shown themselves to the scouts, but as soon as +one was shot the others fled. The whole party remained on guard half an +hour longer, but none of the enemy returned, and the onward march was +resumed. + +Late that night Dave heard that two more white men had joined the +expedition and not long after this he caught sight of Uriah Risley. He +ran up to meet the Englishman, and Henry did the same. + +"My wife, where is she?" asked Uriah Risley, of Henry. "Tell me +quickly!" + +"I can't tell you," answered Henry. + +"But you were with her--so Dave told me." + +"I was with her. But some Indians came and attacked us, and I told her +to run and hide in the woods. Then the Indians came at me and I was +struck down, and that was all I knew until long afterward when I found +myself strapped to the back of a horse and traveling with a band of +redskins." And Henry gave the particulars of the encounter, and of how +Sam Barringford had afterward come to his rescue. + +"Do you think my wife got away into the woods?" + +"I really can't say. I know she ran off as well as her hurt ankle would +let her, but it may be that some of the Indians went after her. I had my +hands so full I couldn't look," concluded Henry. + +Uriah Risley was pale and haggard and said he had not slept for two +nights, nor had he had a regular meal for forty-eight hours. He had been +to the vicinity of his burnt cabin and had followed up Henry's trail as +best he could for several miles, but nowhere had he found a trace of his +wife. + +"I fear she is either dead or in the hands of those murderous redskins," +he groaned, his eyes growing suspiciously moist. "Poor dear Caddy! She +never could get used to this life either! It was a sorry day when we +didn't remain in England, or in Annapolis." And he turned away to hide +his emotion. Several came and offered him food and a portion of this he +ate mechanically. Sleep, although he needed it badly, was out of the +question. + +Strange to say no Indian attack occurred during the following day, and +that night found the expedition well on its way to Winchester. Some of +the pioneers were of the opinion that the enemy had retreated westward, +satisfied with the damage done and the booty obtained, but at this Sam +Barringford, Captain Tanner, and a number of other old frontiersmen +shook their heads. + +"The Injun's at his worst when he's layin' low," was the way Barringford +expressed himself. "We've got to keep our eyes peeled or fust thing you +know we'll all wake up skulped." + +Fortunately for the party one of the advance guard had brought down a +deer and another had bagged a number of birds with some fine shot. The +birds were made into a stew for the sick and wounded and the venison +was cut up and divided all around. The expedition was in the midst of a +wide timber belt, at a spot where there was a small clearing. Here, in a +hollow, a camp-fire was lit and the meat cooked and stew made, and while +one half of the able-bodied pioneers and soldiers remained on guard the +other half had their first full meal since leaving the fort. Then the +guard was changed and the other half satisfied the cravings of the inner +man, after which sentinels were posted and the camp settled down to see +if it could not obtain a much-needed night's rest. + +Mrs. Morris and the others were gratified to see that while Joseph +Morris's wound pained him not a little it did not break out afresh and +gave every promise of healing rapidly when once the sufferer should +reach a place where he could have a couple of weeks' quiet. Before +retiring with little Nell the wife washed and re-bound the wound and +gave her husband all the nourishment he cared to take. + +Dave was on guard during the first half of the night, with his father on +the next post not a hundred feet away. The night was dark and a low wind +was rising which betokened a storm. All else was quiet and the camp-fire +was allowed to burn low until only a few embers were left. + +"It looks as if the Indians had really given it up," said Dave, as he +and his father met on their walks up and down the two posts. + +"Don't be too sure," answered James Morris. "At this very minute they +may be preparing to rush in and overwhelm us. I won't believe we are +safe until we come in sight of Winchester." + +"Is the fort there in good shape?" + +"Fairly good, although Colonel Washington is going to strengthen it all +he can. The trouble is, Washington is having trouble with Governor +Dinwiddie. The governor thinks he knows it all and won't give the +colonel half the soldiers or equipments that are needed. He doesn't seem +to realize that if Winchester should fall all the English settlers would +be driven back over the Blue Ridge and would lose everything they +possess in this locality." + +When it came time to turn in Dave was glad enough to throw himself down +and go to sleep, with nothing more than a thin blanket to cover him. His +father lay beside him, with Joseph Morris, Mrs. Morris and Rodney and +little Nell not far off. + +How long he slept Dave did not know, but when he awoke it was with a +start and a cough. There was a fierce shouting and shooting going on and +the forest seemed full of smoke and fire. Hardly had he gained his feet +when an arrow whizzed past his head burying itself in the tree trunk +behind him. + +"The attack is on!" came from James Morris, who was already up. "They +have fired the woods on two sides of the camp and they are laying for us +on the other two sides. I'm afraid it is going to be a fight to the +finish." + +There was no time to say more for the confusion on every hand was great. +The shouting and shooting continued, and in the midst of this Captain +Tanner ran around, followed by Lieutenant Baldwick, giving orders to the +men and advising the women and children what to do. To the uproar was +added the mad prancing around of some of the horses, who sniffed the +smoke, and the screams of the frightened children, some clinging to the +skirts of their mothers and others running about looking for their +parents, who had become lost to them in the general mix-up. + +"Stay with your aunt and uncle, Dave," said James Morris. "They'll need +you. I'll go out with the soldiers," and in a second he was bounding +away, to learn how bad the situation really was, and what might be done +to remedy it. + +What happened during the next hour seemed to the boy, afterward, more +like some horrible dream than a reality. The war-whoops of the Indians +continued to ring out on the night air, punctuated by numerous shots and +yells from the wounded, while the fire in the forest grew brighter and +brighter, driving the sick, wounded, and the helpless before it. Rodney +and the others tried to get Joseph Morris back on the litter, but before +this could be done both horses bolted away in the darkness, one +upsetting Mrs. Morris and bruising her shoulder severely. Then Henry and +Dave locked hands chair-fashion and started to carry the sufferer +between them, only to stumble over some tree roots and go sprawling +headlong. In the meantime Mrs. Morris looked around her, to discover +that little Nell was missing. + +"Nell! Nell!" she screamed. "Come here! Nell!" + +"Isn't she with you, mother?" came quickly from Rodney. + +"No. But she was here a moment ago. Nell! Nell!" + +No answer came back to this cry, and now both Mrs. Morris and Rodney ran +hither and thither in search of the little girl. Little could be seen, +for the smoke was so thick it fairly blinded them. + +As quickly as possible Dave and Henry arose and picked up Mr. Morris. +The fall had hurt the sufferer's wound and he had to groan in spite of +his efforts to choke back the sounds. + +"Never--mind m-m--me!" he gasped. "Sa--save th--the others!" And then he +fainted dead away. + +"Your mother is calling for Nell!" cried Dave. "Here, Henry, put him on +my back. I'll carry him somehow, and then you can go back to her." And +after an effort Dave mastered his load and staggered on, in the +direction already taken by a number of others. He was now more careful +where he placed his feet and thus kept from going down again, although +the load made him pant and exert himself far beyond his youthful +strength. On and on he went, over rocks and tearing through low +brushwood. An arrow went by his shoulder but he paid no attention. He +heard more shots, and once a blaze of fire seemed to flash up almost in +front of him. But he was not struck, and ten minutes later he felt that +he had in some marvelous manner left the battleground behind him. He +plunged into a hollow filled with wet grass and went down up to his +knees. Unable to carry his load further he allowed his uncle's body to +slip down beside him, and there he rested, trying his best to get back +his breath and wondering what would happen next. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BACK TO WINCHESTER + + +At last the battle seemed to be at an end. Only a few shots sounded out +and they came from a distance. The fire in the forest had died down and, +thanks to an all-powerful Providence it had failed to give the Indians +the success they had sought. It was true a number of the pioneers and +soldiers had been badly wounded, but none were killed, while on the +other hand seven redskins had been laid low. + +All was in a hopeless confusion, and it was not until daylight came that +Captain Tanner and the others succeeded in straightening matters out. +Many of the women and children had fled into the forest and these had to +be hunted up, while some of the pioneers had followed the enemy on their +private account and did not return until they felt the Indians were +sufficiently beaten back. + +When Dave recovered from his forced traveling his first anxiety was for +his uncle, who had fainted away from a fresh loss of blood. As well as +he was able, the youth bound up the wound once more, tearing off a +sleeve of his shirt for that purpose. + +While he was at work several alarms sounded close to him, and he held +his breath, expecting to be discovered at any instant. But the Indians +passed him on both sides with a speed that showed him they were now +thinking only of retreat. + +With the first streak of daylight he looked around him and at a distance +discovered two rangers on horseback. They were rounding up the pioneers +and their families and they readily consented to assist him all in their +power. + +"Reckon Mr. Morris is in a pretty bad way," said one of the soldiers. +"The knocking around didn't do his wound no good." + +"That's just the trouble," answered Dave. "But I did the best I could +under the circumstances. I didn't want the Indians to scalp him." + +"Oh, you did mighty well, lad--mighty well. Come, I'll take him up on my +hoss." + +The ranger carried the helpless man with care and soon Dave and his +uncle reached the spot to which all the pioneers were coming. As soon as +she caught sight of them, Mrs. Morris came running forward. + +"Oh, Dave, how is he?" she questioned. + +"Not any better, Aunt Lucy," he responded, soberly. "I think you'll have +to keep him very quiet after this." + +"Did you see anything of Nell?" + +"No. Is she gone?" + +"Yes. Henry and your father are out looking for her." + +"It's too bad! I hope they find her soon." + +Dave felt very weak and gladly partook of some soup which several of the +women in the camp had made. + +The youth was just finishing the repast when his father and Henry came +back, looking much disheartened. + +"Did she come back?" questioned both, and then as Mrs. Morris shook her +head, not daring to trust herself to speak, James Morris continued: +"It's too bad! I can't believe it possible that the Indians carried her +off." + +"Yes! yes! They must have carried her off!" sobbed Mrs. Morris. "My poor +darling Nell! Oh, what will those wretches do with her!" And she burst +into a flood of tears. + +Rodney had just come up, and all turned in to console her as best they +could. Yet they could say but little to soothe her sorely wounded heart. +Even Dave found the tears standing in his eyes, for he loved little Nell +as much as if she were his own sister. + +When it came time to count those who had been in the expedition it was +found that two other girls besides little Nell were missing--twins named +Mary and Bertha Rose, the children of a pioneer who lived fifteen miles +to the north of the Morris homestead. Mrs. Rose was as grief-stricken as +Mrs. Morris, and both wept together when they met. + +"I shall remain behind to see if I can't find some trace of all the +children," said James Morris. + +"And I'll do the same," said Nelson Rose. "I would rather give up my +life than leave my two girls in the Indians' power." + +"Reckon as how I'll stay behind with ye," put in Sam Barringford. +Although he never admitted it, little Nell was very dear to the old +frontiersman's heart. + +"White Buffalo will also look for little Bright-face," said the Indian +chief. "But he is much afraid the French Indians have carried all three +of the maidens off." + +So it was decided, and when the expedition moved off the three white men +and the Indian with his followers were left behind. Captain Tanner and +Lieutenant Baldwick were now pretty certain that the Indians would not +make another attack in a hurry, and this was why he readily consented +to spare them. Although he said nothing, Uriah Risley also remained +behind, to see if he could not learn something concerning his wife. + +Owing to the condition of the wounded the onward march to Winchester was +now slower than ever, and when night came only half the distance to that +frontier town had been covered. But a messenger had been sent ahead and +now several wagons came out to carry in the disabled on the following +day. This made the remainder of the journey less of a hardship for +Joseph Morris, and while he did not improve neither did he seem to grow +worse. + +The news of the massacre, as it was called, had spread in all +directions, and when the pioneers reached Winchester they found the post +alive with many others who had come in from all points of the compass, +some with all of their belongings and others with nothing but the +clothing on their backs. As a consequence every cabin and house was +filled to overflowing, and it was only by good luck that the Morrises +obtained shelter at the cabin of an intimate friend named Maurice +Gibson. Gibson himself was a trader like James Morris, and his wife +Abigail and Mrs. Lucy Morris had been old schoolmates. + +Joseph Morris was placed on a comfortable bed and without delay a +surgeon was called to attend him. The medical man probed his wound and +had it thoroughly washed, and then left a strong tonic as a medicine. + +"I think he will recover before long," said the doctor. "But he must +remain quiet until the wound is thoroughly healed. If not fever may set +in and then I will not be responsible for the consequences." + +"He shall remain here as long as he pleases," said Maurice Gibson. "And +his family also;" and so it was settled. + +Of course Mrs. Morris felt relieved to think that her husband would +recover, but she could not forget her little daughter, and as she +thought of Nell in the hands of the Indians the silent tears would +course down her cheeks in spite of all she could do to stay them. + +"It is awful, awful!" she said to Dave. "Oh, I would give my right hand +to know that she was safe!" + +"I'd give a good deal myself, Aunt Lucy," he returned. "But keep up your +courage. Father, and Barringford, and White Buffalo will do all in their +power to bring her back to us." + +Two days of anxiety passed in the town and then it was reported that the +majority of the hostile Indians had retreated in the direction of Fort +Duquesne, to join the French located at that stronghold. Some of the +regulars had followed a portion of the enemy and brought down three +braves at what was called Three Posts. Among these Indians thus laid low +was Crooked Nose, a half brother to Spotted Tail, a celebrated chief of +that time. + +"And still no trace of Nell," sighed Mrs. Morris, when the news came in. +"Dave, did you hear anything of your father?" + +"Not a word, Aunt Lucy." + +"I hope he is safe." + +"Oh, you can trust him to take care of himself--especially when +Barringford and White Buffalo are with him. I think they'll bring us +some certain news when they return." + +But none of the party did return, and at the end of a week even Dave +grew anxious. By this time Joseph Morris felt strong enough to do a +little talking although he was not allowed to move further than was +absolutely necessary. + +Even though there were no telegraph lines in those days, it did not take +the news long to travel throughout the length and breadth of Virginia +and her neighboring states, and it was felt on all sides that that +whole territory would not be safe from Indian and French raids so long +as Fort Duquesne remained in the hands of the French. + +"Give me the authority and men to march against that fort and take +possession and our frontier will be at peace," wrote Colonel Washington. +"But the longer we delay the more dangerous will this situation become +to us." These are not his exact words but they are the gist of numerous +communications which he addressed to those in authority over him. + +Two weeks later James Morris came in, pale and careworn, having traveled +a distance of several hundred miles in half a dozen directions, on a +hunt for little Nell and the Rose twins. + +"We found traces of them, but that is all," he said. "They are +undoubtedly in the hands of the Indians, who are taking them either to +Fort Duquesne or else northward to Lake Erie. I left Mr. Rose, +Barringford and the Indians still looking for them. I was anxious to +learn how it was going with brother Joseph and the rest of you." + +"But you will go back--you won't give up the hunt so soon?" pleaded Mrs. +Morris. + +"Yes, I will go out again," answered Dave's father. "Just as soon as I +can have one square meal and one good night's sleep." + +The meal was speedily forthcoming, and the trader went to bed at seven +that evening and did not awaken until noon of the next day. Then he +declared that he felt as if he had been made new all over, and two hours +later, bidding the others good-bye, set off to continue his search. It +was a long while before Dave saw his father again. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A NEW CAMPAIGN + + +As already told, affairs in the colonies looked blue indeed, and some +hardy pioneers who had risked their all in making their homes in this +new country were afraid that ere long they would be forced to either +give in to the Indians or come under French rule. Three campaigns had +been fought, and still the French were masters, and held Louisburg, +Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Frontenac, and the long chain of posts from +Niagara to the Ohio and thence to the Mississippi. The English fort at +Oswego had been destroyed and the French had compelled the Six Nations, +the most powerful Indian organization ever known, either to remain +neutral or else give them aid. + +To add to English alarm, the war in Europe also took a turn in favor of +the French. This brought a storm of protests upon the English ministry, +and George II. was compelled to make a change. As a consequence William +Pitt was placed in entire control of foreign and colonial affairs. + +Pitt was a man of both wisdom and action, and his plans for a new +campaign in America aroused the colonies as they had not been aroused +before. An army of fifty thousand men, English regulars and colonial +militia, was gathered, and it was resolved that a three-headed campaign +should be instituted at once, one against Louisburg, another against +Ticonderoga and a third against Fort Duquesne. + +The first blow was struck early in June, 1758, when the English appeared +before Louisburg with thirty-eight ships of war and an army of fourteen +thousand men. There was a vigorous attack, and something of a siege, and +late in July the place capitulated, and this fall also included the +capture of the islands of Prince Edward and Cape Breton. + +The advance upon Ticonderoga was not so successful, although a portion +of the troops under gallant Israel Putnam, afterwards so famous in the +Revolution, dispersed some of the French and captured a hundred and +forty-eight prisoners. Following this, an attack was made upon Fort +Frontenac, located where the city of Kingston, Canada, is now situated, +and here the English laid the fort in ruins and captured nine vessels +carrying guns and supplies. + +The people of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were anxious that the +attack on Fort Duquesne be made at once, but as we already know, the +armies, especially such as had to march through the wilderness, moved +very slowly. The command of this expedition was placed in the hands of +General Forbes, a gallant officer but one who was far from being in +proper health for such an undertaking. This general left Philadelphia +early in July with the main portion of his command, and after a hard +march reached Raytown, ninety miles eastward of Fort Duquesne, and now +known as Bedford. + +While General Forbes was thus moving westward Colonel Washington, who +had been ordered to join the main command, gathered together all his +available troops and moved northward from Winchester to Fort Cumberland, +called in these pages by its, then, common name of Will's Creek. + +The spring had passed slowly to those of the Morris family located at +Winchester. Strange to say although Joseph Morris' wound healed it +seemed next to impossible for the pioneer to get back his strength, and +the most he could do was to walk around the rooms of the Gibson home, or +around the dooryard, supported by his wife or others. + +"My legs won't support me," he said. "They feel as if they'd let me down +in a heap at any minute." + +"It is the effects of the fever," said Mrs. Morris. "The doctor says you +will have to take it easy for several months." + +Rodney, too, had suffered from the march through the forest and from the +fighting and was confined more or less to the house. + +"It's a shame--and just after I thought I was getting so strong," sighed +the cripple. "Somehow, we seem to be an ill-fated family." + +During all those dreary months no direct word had come to them +concerning little Nell, but through White Buffalo had come a report that +a certain tribe of Indians known as the Little Waters had several white +girls in their keeping and that one old Indian chief had taken one of +the captives as his daughter, he being childless. + +"If they take 'em in as their children they'll treat 'em putty +civil-like," said Sam Barringford. "But I reckon you don't want to lose +little Nell even so." + +"No! no!" said Mrs. Morris. "Oh, we must get her back somehow!" + +After this news was brought in, Barringford and Dave's father went +north-westward once more, in the hope of opening negotiations with the +Indians. How this trip would turn out was still a question, although +White Buffalo declared that little could be done so long as the war +hatchet remained unburied between the English and the French Indians. + +As soon as the new call came for additional troops to the colonial +militia, Dave signified his intention of once more entering the service +under his old commander, Colonel Washington. About this he did not +hesitate to see Washington personally. + +"I'll be glad to have you with us," said Washington, after the youth had +explained matters. "I remember how you acted in our other campaign +against Fort Duquesne, and I haven't forgotten, Master David, how we +shot the bear,"--this with a twinkle in his eye. "Yes, join us by all +means if you care to do so." And Dave signed the muster roll that +day,--as a colonial militiaman, at a salary of ten-pence a day, twopence +to be deducted for clothing and other necessaries! This was the regular +rate of pay, and for those days was considered quite fair. + +It must be confessed that the troops under Colonel Washington formed a +motley collection. Many of the best of the pioneers and frontiersmen had +grown tired of the delays in the past and now refused to re-enlist, +fearful that they would be called on to do nothing but wait around the +fort, while the summer harvests at home demanded their attention. +Drumming up recruits proved the hardest kind of work, and the companies +were made up in some cases of men who knew not the meaning of home +life--hardy trappers and traders, some industrious enough, but others +given to drink and brawling, and not a few who lived almost as the +Indians did, using the redmen's style of dress and occasionally painting +their faces, "jes' fer the sport on't," as they expressed it. When it +came to fighting these men were like human tigers, but in camp and on +the march it was next to impossible to bring them under military +discipline. Many refused to carry rations as the regular soldiers did, +preferring to bring down game as they needed it, and if game was not +handy they appropriated a pig or a cow belonging to some settler--thus +bringing additional trouble on the command. + +"So you are going with the soldiers," said Henry, when Dave told him of +what he had done. "Well, if you go I shall go too--that is, if mother +will let me." + +Henry put in the proviso with an anxious look on his face, for he knew +how difficult would be his task of getting his parent's consent. + +"No, no, Henry!" cried Mrs. Morris. "With your father and Rodney so ill, +and with Nell gone, how can I spare you?" + +"But, mother, somebody has got to fight the French," insisted the son. +"If we don't fight them, and whip them, how shall we ever get back to +our home? I don't want to give all that up, do you?" + +A long argument followed, and at last Mrs. Morris said she would let her +son know about it in the morning. + +White Buffalo came in that night with news. "The Little Waters have gone +to the setting sun, to the French," he said. "White Buffalo has been +told they will remain there until winter comes again." + +"To Fort Duquesne!" cried Dave. "I'm glad of it. Now if we take that +fort perhaps we'll be able to rescue Nell and the Rose twins." + +This news decided Mrs. Morris, and with tears standing in her eyes she +told Henry he might go with Dave and Colonel Washington. "And may God +grant that you return with Nell safe and sound," she added. + +A few days later found the two young soldiers on the march. It was +something of a gala day for Winchester, and the post was gay with flags +and bunting. The long drums rolled and the fifes piped up cheerily as +the command passed out of the town and on the trail running northward to +Cumberland. Many were in the best of spirits, hoping that the downfall +of Fort Duquesne would be speedily accomplished. + +The town was scarcely left behind however, before the music came to an +end, and the command moved on by the route step--that is, every soldier +stepping out to suit himself. This was necessary, for the way was rough, +having fallen into disuse since the beginning of the troubles with the +Indians. + +"I heard a report that we are not to use the old Braddock road to Fort +Duquesne," said Henry, as he trudged alongside of Dave. "Colonel +Washington advised using it, but General Forbes is going to cut a road +of his own." + +"If he does that we'll be all fall and winter getting to the fort," +answered Dave. "How foolish not to use a road already made." + +"It's queer they won't take Colonel Washington's advice. He knows this +territory better than anybody." + +"There is a good deal of military jealousy afloat," was the answer. +"English officers hate to see a colonial get ahead of them. They want to +head the whole game." + +The second night out the troops encamped near a large brook. It was hot +and Dave and Henry were glad enough to take a swim in the stream as soon +as they got the chance. They were soon in the water and diving and +sporting to their heart's content. Then Henry caught a branch hanging +over the water's edge and pulled himself up into the tree. + +"See what a fine dive I can take from here," he called to his cousin. + +"Don't you do it," cried Dave. "You may go too deep and strike your head +on a rock." + +"I'll be careful," was Henry's answer. "Here goes!" + +With a quick movement he leaped from one limb to another. As the second +limb gave a sudden swish Henry uttered a cry of alarm. Then he came +tumbling into the water with a loud splash. After him tumbled a wildcat, +snarling in rage at being thus unceremoniously disturbed. The wildcat +struck close to where Dave was treading water and on the instant made a +leap for the young soldier's shoulder. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +WILDCAT AND WATER + + +Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on +top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a +leap for his naked shoulder. He had had several experiences with +wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty. + +By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible. +As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold +and began to swim for the shore. + +Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere +the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his +back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh. + +"Get off!" screamed Henry. "Get off! Help! help!" + +And then he went down, not because he thought of doing so, but because +he could not bear the weight. The stream closed over him and he went +directly to the bottom. + +This time the wildcat did not let go its hold. It clung desperately and +when Henry tried to shake it off it only sunk its nails deeper into his +flesh. Mechanically he started to scream, when the water rushed into his +mouth, almost strangling him on the spot. + +By this time Dave had reached the surface, and the rings and bubbles +showed him plainly where Henry and the wildcat had gone down. With swift +strokes he swam to the river bank, just as several rangers came running +to the scene. + +"Did you call for help?" asked one. + +"A wildcat!" panted Dave, hardly able to speak, and he pointed out into +the stream. "Sa--save my cousin!" + +"So a cat has attacked him, eh?" said one of the rangers. He raised his +gun. "Don't see anything of the critter." + +Just as he finished speaking there was a splash in the water and the +head of the wildcat appeared. Then up came Henry, and they saw that the +beast still clung to the young hunter's back. + +It was a risky shot to take, for youth and beast floundered around +furiously. But something had to be done, and in a second one gun-shot +rang out, followed quickly by another. The aims of both rangers had been +true, and the wildcat was struck in the forequarter and in the head. +With a snarl and a sputter it let go its hold of Henry and splashed +madly around in the water. + +No cry came from Henry, but as soon as the beast had let go its hold he +sank beneath the surface once more, too weak to do anything toward +saving himself. + +"He'll be drowned!" muttered Dave. "Save him!" And without waiting he +plunged in the river once more. + +He felt deathly weak himself, but the thought that his cousin might be +lost forever nerved him on. With set teeth he swam to the spot. Catching +sight of Henry's arm as it was thrown up, he grabbed at the member and +clung fast. + +"Henry, hold to me," he managed to say, but his cousin paid no +attention, for he was more than half insensible. Then Dave tried to +raise him up, but the weight was more than he could sustain. + +"Help us, somebody!" the young hunter managed to call out, and there +followed a splash, as one of the rangers leaped into the river. Another +shot rang out, a finishing one for the wildcat, and the carcass of the +beast floated down the river and out of sight among the bushes lining +the opposite bank. + +By the time the ranger came up, Dave was nearly as far gone as Henry. +The old soldier was a powerful fellow and easily brought both to the +bank, which was only a short distance off. Here Dave sank down in a +heap, while the other soldiers did what they could to revive Henry. + +The report that a wildcat had attacked some bathers quickly spread +throughout the camp and many flocked in that direction to learn the +particulars. Both Dave and Henry were given the best of attention, and +by the following morning each said he was able to resume his duties. But +both were stiff from the treatment received from the wild beast and on +Henry's neck were deep scratches which he was destined to carry with him +to the grave. + +"After this I'm going to be mighty particular where I bathe," he said to +Dave, when on the march. + +"Yes, and particular where you dive from," returned Dave. "If you see +another wildcat on your spring-board better let him finish his nap +without disturbing him." + +The march to Cumberland was more difficult than had been anticipated, +and the young soldiers were glad when it came to an end and they found +themselves encamped just outside of the fort, which both had visited +more than once when on a trip to Will's Creek. Soldiers were coming in +from all directions, and soon the camp was full to overflowing. + +"Wonder how long we'll stay here," said Henry, after they had been at +Cumberland over a week. "I had an idea we were to march straight on to +Fort Duquesne." + +"There is some trouble over that new road to the fort," answered Dave. +"I understand Colonel Washington is awfully cut up over it. He thinks +they ought to use the old Braddock road and polish up the Frenchmen in +short order." + +"It was the delay that brought on defeat before, that's certain, Dave. +It's a pity the British generals won't take Washington's advice." + +What Dave said about trouble over the road was true. The Braddock road, +originally selected by the Indians, was as good as any to be had or +made, yet despite all arguments against it, it was decided to cut a new +road through to Fort Duquesne from Raytown. It was true such a road +would be a little shorter than the old road, but to cut it would take +all summer and to keep up the campaign during the winter would be +well-nigh out of the question. + +When a part of the colonial troops, including the company to which Dave +and Henry were attached, reached Raytown they found the new road already +started, with two hundred men engaged in cutting down trees, removing +big stones, and burning brushwood. This was kept up week after week, +and in the meantime the troops suffered greatly through sickness and +lack of proper food. Many of the colonials grew disgusted at the slow +progress of the campaign and would have gone home had not the military +regulations forbidden it. + +It was in the midst of this that Sam Barringford came in and hunted up +Henry and Dave. "Thought you'd like to set eyes on me," he said, on +shaking hands. "Jes' got in with Dave's father. We did some tall hunting +I kin tell ye." + +"And Nell?" asked Henry, quickly. + +"She's a prisoner up to Fort Duquesne. We got thet putty straight." + +"Not of the French?" + +"No, of the Injuns hangin' around thar--the Jean Bevoir crowd, as Dave's +father calls 'em--a bad lot, too." + +Barringford had decided to take part in the campaign now in progress and +it can well be imagined that the two young soldiers were right glad to +have their trusty old friend with them once more. + +"It will seem like old times," said Dave. "If only we could move ahead +to-morrow!" + +It was late in October when Dave brought in news. He rushed up to where +Henry and Barringford were industriously sewing up some holes in their +jackets. + +"Hurrah, we are to move at last!" he cried. "Major Grant is ordered +ahead with eight hundred men, and our company is to go with the body." + +"Only eight hundred," returned Barringford. "Thet ain't many. Kind o' a +scoutin' party, I reckon." + +Yet, he too was glad to make a movement of any kind, and prepared at +once for the departure. Two days later the command was on the road, +those left behind wishing them the best of success. + +The English were still many miles from Fort Duquesne when the French +scouts brought word to their commander that the enemy were approaching. +Without waiting to be attacked the French marched forth to do the +approaching English battle. + +"The fight is on!" cried Dave, as several shots rang out from in front. +"We are in for it now!" + +"Well, we came to fight," answered Henry. "And the sooner the battle is +over the better." + +The real battle, however, did not take place until the next day. Then +the French did their best to surround the English, and in a short while +the contest waxed hot on all sides. Part of the battleground was a small +opening and the rest of the fighting took place in the forest. Soon the +smoke became so thick that but little could be seen on either side. + +"Tell ye wot, them Frenchers mean business!" ejaculated Barringford, +while reloading his firearm, which was so hot he could scarcely hold it. +"We've lost a sight o' men already." + +What he said was true. The loss had been frightful, and the dead and +dying lay on every side. Moans and shrieks rent the air, in a fashion to +turn the stoutest heart sick. Major Grant rushed around heedless of +danger, giving directions and doing all he could to encourage those +under him. + +"Don't retreat! The battle is ours!" he called out. "Stand where you +are!" And then his voice was lost in the rattle of musketry and the mad +yelling of the Indians, who had come up to aid the French and steal what +they could from the English. + +Dave, Henry and Barringford were behind a fallen tree, blazing away as +rapidly as possible. The French were before them and the Indians on +their left, and for some time it was as if pandemonium had broken loose. +Suddenly Barringford gave a yell. + +"Duck, boys, duck!" + +They fell flat and not a second too soon, for half a dozen arrows +whizzed over their heads. Then the old frontiersman leaped to his feet. + +"I'll pay ye back!" he roared. "That fer ye, ye sarpints o' the Evil +One!" + +[Illustration: He took a quick but careful aim at the leader.] + +He took a quick but careful aim at the leader of the Indians, who was +rushing straight forward, with tomahawk lifted. The hammer of his +flint-lock musket fell. A terrific explosion followed and Barringford +was hurled flat while Dave and Henry were also struck and knocked down. +The gun had exploded. + +Then before any of the party could recover, the Indians were upon them, +shouting like demons and flourishing their tomahawks and their +keen-edged hunting knives. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH + + +The explosion of the musket had been so unexpected that for the moment +Dave and Henry hardly knew what had happened. Dave felt something hit +him on the bottom of his left cheek and putting up his hand withdrew it +covered with blood. Henry, too, was hit by a flying fragment of the gun +barrel which clipped off a lock of his hair. Poor Barringford lay like +one dead. + +Before Dave could recover the Indians were on them, whooping as if their +very lives depended upon it. One threw a tomahawk at Dave, but the aim +was poor and the weapon buried itself in the log which had sheltered our +friends. + +But just at this moment, when all seemed lost, the battleground shifted +and instantly thirty or forty English red-coats burst from the woods +directly behind the Indians. A volley rang out and four of the redmen +pitched forward, shot through the back. Other bullets hit the log behind +which our friends lay, but Dave, Henry, and Barringford were not +touched. + +Attacked so unexpectedly from a new quarter, the Indians appeared dazed. +They attempted to turn upon the English soldiers, but when two more were +laid low, they fled to one side, where there was a dense growth of +walnuts. The soldiers at once made after them, and another skirmish took +place in the forest. + +"Are you hurt much, Sam?" asked Henry, when he had recovered +sufficiently to speak. + +"I--I reckon not," was the gasped-out answer, after a long silence. +Barringford opened his eyes and gazed ruefully at the gun stock which +lay at his feet. "Busted! Well, by gum! Didn't think Old Trusty would do +it nohow. Ain't ye ashamed?" And he shook his head dolefully. He had +carried the firearm for many years, as our old readers know, and to have +it "go back on him" like this hurt him more than had the explosion. + +"It singed your beard pretty well," said Dave. "You can be thankful it +didn't blow your face to pieces." + +"We must get out of here!" cried Henry. "See, the French are coming!" + +Henry was right, the French column had suddenly appeared on the brow of +a neighboring hill. Those of the English who were in view received a +galling fire and then the enemy came forward with a rush. Our friends +were glad enough to retreat, and join the main body of rangers once +more. + +Unfortunately for the English, Major Grant had divided his force and now +as the French commander came on he ordered that the smaller of the +English commands be surrounded. This was done, and though Major Grant +did his best to bring his command together again, it was impossible to +do so. The English became hopelessly separated, and by the time the +fighting came to an end the major and a large number of his officers and +men were made prisoners. + +"We are catching it and no mistake," panted Dave, after another stand +had been made, during which Barringford had provided himself with +another gun--one taken from the hands of a dead grenadier. "The French +mean business." + +"Here they come again!" exclaimed Henry. "Look! look! they seem to have +re-enforcements!" + +Henry was right, and it must be admitted that the attack of the French, +with the Indians on the left flank, was a superb one. The shock of the +two armies coming together was terrific, and soon hand-to-hand +encounters were taking place in hundreds of places at once. Guns and +pistols rattled constantly and the keen frosty air of late fall was +filled with smoke. The grass being wet with dew many slipped and fell +and not a few soldiers were trampled to death by frightened horses. It +was a scene not easily forgotten and reminded Dave strongly of that +other battle when General Braddock had suffered bitter defeat and death. + +And bitter defeat was again to be the portion of the English. Major +Grant's force was not strong enough to resist the combined onslaught of +French and Indians, and at last word came to retreat, and in the +gathering darkness the English fell back, taking with them a number of +their wounded. How many of the wounded were left on that cold +battlefield to die from exposure will never be known. Snow was now +falling and a wind came up that chilled every soldier to the bone. + +"It's another Braddock victory," said Barringford, sarcastically, as he +limped painfully along, a horse having stepped on the toes of his left +foot. "Them reg'lars don't understand fightin' in the woods nohow. Ye +hev got to fight Injuns Injun fashion, an' French likewise. 'Twon't do +no good to set yerself up like a target to be shot at." + +"We have lost about three hundred men, killed, wounded and captured," +said Dave. "I wonder what General Forbes will say to that?" + +"I fancy he's too sick to say much," said Henry. He spoke thus for +General Forbes had been on a sick bed for several weeks and had had to +be carried forward on a litter whenever his command moved. + +The news that Major Grant's command had been whipped and driven back, +and the major and many of his officers taken prisoners, was quickly sent +to General Forbes, and at once a council of war was held. It was decided +that the entire army should be sent forward without delay, and the +soldiers moved onward as rapidly as the state of the road permitted. By +the time the re-enforcements arrived the French and Indians had +retreated to Fort Duquesne, for additional ammunition and general +supplies, and to take care of their wounded and prisoners. + +Once again Washington urged that a swift march be made on the fort. "It +is our only chance of success," he said. "In a few weeks winter will be +on us and then the campaign in this wilderness must come to an end." + +There was no disputing his words, for the snow continued to fall and +when it did not snow it rained and the wind kept growing colder and +colder every day until even the most hardy of the soldiers began to +grumble over the discomforts of camp life. Forward went the whole army, +toiling painfully through the forest, where only an imperfect Indian +trail led the way. General Forbes was now weaker than ever and others +urged him to go back. But, full of determination, he refused, and +continued to direct the movements of his army from his sick bed. His +devotion to duty was wonderful and something well worthy of being +remembered. + +Dave and Henry suffered with the other soldiers. Frequently when night +came they had to rest in clothing that was soaked through and through, +and the one grain of comfort they extracted from their situation was the +thought that each day's march brought them so much nearer to the spot +where they supposed little Nell was being kept a prisoner. + +"I won't complain if only we get her back," said Henry. And Dave agreed +heartily. + +It was now the middle of November, and winter had begun to set in in +earnest. Ice was forming on every pool and slow-running brook and snow +storms were frequent, although none of them amounted to much. The nights +were the worst and many a large camp-fire did the soldiers build to keep +themselves warm. An advance guard was out constantly, to guard against a +surprise, but no French or hostile Indians appeared. + +Late one afternoon there were a number of shots fired in the distance +and half an hour later a small vanguard came in bringing with them a +number of French and Indian prisoners. These prisoners were closely +questioned and from them it was learned that the French and Indians at +the fort were suffering greatly from sickness and from a lack of +supplies,--the latter having failed to reach Fort Duquesne on account of +the English victories in the north. + +"If you hurry you may take the fort with ease," said one of the +prisoners, who wished to curry favor with his captors. + +This news was most encouraging and it was ordered that the main body of +soldiers should push on again, leaving the artillery and supply wagons +to come up later. The news placed Dave and Henry in the best of spirits, +and they pushed on as quickly as anybody, with Barringford beside them. + +But progress was slow, for there were many hills to cross, and on +retreating the French had left many fallen trees in the pathway, and in +one spot was a dangerous pitfall, into which the enemy had thrown +several wolves. A couple of grenadiers fell into this pitfall and were +sadly bitten by the half-starved beasts before being rescued. + +At last those in advance reckoned that they were now but one day's +journey from Fort Duquesne. The ground looked familiar to Dave and +presently Barringford pointed out the spot where the young soldier and +his father had been re-united after the battle under Braddock. + +Soon from a distance came a hurrahing, which every instant increased in +volume. "The fort is deserted! The French and Indians are retreating!" + +"Can that be possible?" burst from Henry's lips. "Come, let us find +out!" + +He rushed forward, and Dave and Barringford quickly followed. Soon they +were in the vanguard, which was scrambling over fallen trees and +brushwood and climbing the last hill which separated the English +soldiers from the fort. There was a thick smoke ahead and presently they +saw a column of flame shoot up, followed by a dull explosion. + +"They have fired the fort," said Barringford. "Reckon as how they'll +burn everything they can't carry." + +By the time the soldiers reached the vicinity of the stronghold the fire +was burning low. Only a small portion of the stockade was gone, with one +or two small buildings and what had been left of the stores. An Indian +was found nearby, suffering from a broken leg, and he gave the +intelligence that the French command had retreated down the Ohio. Some +had gone only a few hours before and others had left three days +previous. + +"And what of the prisoners they had?" asked Henry, as soon as he could +get the chance. + +"The prisoners were taken away three days ago." + +"Were there any little girls among them?" + +"Yes, four little maidens. One from the south and three from the east, +with two women and forty-one men," was the reply. + +"Three girls!" murmured Henry. "One of them must have been Nell! And +they took them off three days ago? Oh, Dave, I'm afraid we have lost her +forever!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +AT FORT PITT--RETURN HOME + + +Dave could do but little to comfort his cousin and if the truth be told +he felt almost as sad as Henry, for little Nell, with her bright ways +and sweet disposition, seemed more dear to his heart now than ever. + +"It's certainly too bad, Henry," he said, after the interview with the +Indian had come to an end. "We might follow down the Ohio, but if they +have three days' start there is small hope of our catching up. They'll +think the English soldiers are after them and they'll push ahead just as +hard as possible." + +"Do you think General Forbes or Colonel Washington will go after them?" + +Dave shook his head. + +"No, General Forbes is too sick and winter is now at hand. He is certain +to rest on his laurels." + +So it proved. A small detachment was sent down the Ohio, and with this +went our young soldiers and Sam Barringford. But this detachment +returned to the fort three days later, having captured but three +Indians and one French trader, all of whom were found in a canoe too +intoxicated to make good their escape. + +The trader thus taken was named Varlette. He had once been attached to +Jean Bevoir's trading post. Dave knew the man, having met him when out +gunning with Barringford. + +From Varlette they gained the information that Jean Bevoir had been at +Fort Duquesne, having come in after the raid upon the homes of the +Morrises, Uriah Risley and others. Some of Bevoir's bloodthirsty acts +had been discountenanced by the French general in authority, and in +something of a rage Bevoir had taken himself off, with his Indian +followers and their prisoners. + +"Now it ees for him to become von vite chief of de Indians," said +Varlette. "Dat will suit heem, and will bring heem in von pot of money, +for he vill make de vite peoples pay heem big money for de prisoners." + +"The contemptible rascal!" cried Barringford. "Ef the rangers git holt +o' him they'll hang him higher nor the tail o' a kite, hear me!" + +"He'll deserve hanging, if he misuses little Nell and the others," +returned Henry. + +As soon as it was possible to do so, the fort was put in thorough +repair, and the name was changed to Fort Pitt, in honor of the prime +minister of England. To-day this ground is covered by the city of +Pittsburg, with its gigantic iron and steel works. What a mighty change +from the lonely forest lands of less than a hundred and fifty years ago! +Then called the West, or the Western Country, Pittsburg is now +considered in the East. So has our country grown. + +The fall of Fort Duquesne brought to a close the campaigns of 1758. The +taking of this stronghold was hailed with delight by all the settlers in +this section of the colonies, and they hastened to re-possess themselves +of the homesteads which they had been forced to abandon during the two +or three years previous. + +As soon as the victory at Fort Duquesne assured peace upon the frontier +for some time to come, Washington retired from the colonial troops and +returned to Mount Vernon, to the large estate left by his brother, and +which now demanded his attention. It may be added here that soon after +this he married Mrs. Custis, afterward known to all as the gentle and +loving Martha Washington. This was Washington's last appearance on the +scene of battle during the French and English War. When next he took up +the sword it was for American Independence. + +It was not until early spring that Dave and Henry were released from +duty and marched with a number of the militia back to Winchester. Their +coming was hailed with delight by Mrs. Morris and the others, although +all were downcast at the news that little Nell was still missing. + +It was found that Joseph Morris was doing nicely and that Rodney was +feeling better than ever. James Morris had been out to the homestead and +had already cut the timber for another cabin, to take the place of that +burned down. + +"I also rounded up the most of our cattle and have all our horses and a +new lot of chickens and pigs," said he. "So, although we have lost a +good deal, we are not as bad off as we might be. The worst loss is the +furniture we brought here when we came, years ago. That came from +England and Germany and can't be replaced. But I'm reckoning on getting +a few fancy pieces for sister Lucy from Annapolis, so things will look +kind of homelike after awhile." + +"Oh, James, you are very good!" cried Mrs. Morris. "But it won't be home +until Nell comes back to it." + +A few weeks later found all the Morrises at the homestead, if such the +spot can be called. The burned place had been carefully cleaned off by +James Morris, and a temporary shelter had been made of a new cattle +shed. Here the family went to live while the men and the boys began the +construction of the new cabin. Rodney could not do such hard work but +kept himself busy with the cattle and the poultry; and thus several +weeks passed swiftly away. + +Carpenter work pleased Dave and he was set at work making doors and +window frames, and also several benches and a table or two, while the +others attended to the raising of the cabin frame and the roofing and +side boarding. Soon the cabin was fit for use and they moved in, and +then Mr. James Morris made several trips to Winchester and one to +Annapolis, taking Henry along, to buy the hundred and one things which +were needed and which had either been burnt up or carried off by the +Indians and their French allies. In the meantime Mrs. Morris busied +herself in weaving a new rag carpet and toweling, and in making some +necessary clothing, for to buy many of these things was, in those days, +out of the question. Then Dave and Henry went hunting and brought down +several deer and a number of rabbits and foxes, and once, when out with +Sam Barringford, all three brought down a bear, and these skins were all +properly tanned and then used for bed coverings and rugs. + +On his return from Annapolis James Morris brought news of a new campaign +against the French. + +"We are going in for the entire conquest of Canada," he said. "Major +General Amherst has been put in command of all the British forces, and +the army is to be divided into three parts, one under Wolfe against +Quebec, another under Amherst himself against Ticonderoga and Crown +Point, and a third under General Prideaux, who is to march against Fort +Niagara." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Henry, "I hope we take Niagara. If we do it will cut +the French entirely off from the Ohio and the Mississippi, and this +ground will be safer than ever." + +"Is Fort Niagara on the Niagara River?" questioned Mrs. Morris. + +"It's located on the eastern bank of the river, just where that stream +flows into Lake Ontario," replied her husband. "I understand it's a +first-class stronghold--a good sight better than Fort Duquesne was. +General Prideaux will have no fool of a task reducing it." + +"I don't see how he's going to get there, unless he starts from Fort +Duquesne and fights his way through the Indian lands," said Rodney. "If +he tries that he'll certainly have his hands full." + +"No, he's not to go that way," was James Morris's answer. "He's going up +to Albany first and from there through the Mohawk valley to Oswego. At +Oswego, if everything is favorable, he will take his way westward to +Fort Niagara. They didn't say so, but I think he'll go by water from +Oswego to Niagara. If he had the boats it would be the safest and +quickest route." + +"Is he going to take any rangers along?" questioned Dave, eagerly. + +"Why, Dave, do you want to become a soldier again?" asked his father, +turning to study his son's face. + +"Yes, sir," was the prompt response. "I'll tell you why. So long as +Canada remains unconquered just so long there is going to be trouble +here and elsewhere. But once we show the French we are masters in +America we'll have no further fuss, either with them or with the +Indians. I go in for settling the matter, and doing it thoroughly and +right away, too." + +"Gallinippers!" ejaculated Barringford, who stood by, oiling up his +flint-lock musket. "Dave, you're a reg'lar lawyer, hang me ef ye ain't! +An' the argyment's right to the p'int, too. The Frenchers won't know +they're beat until we lick 'em good an' hard, an' I go in fer doin' the +lickin' right now. Then, arfter it's done, we kin set out an' plow, an' +raise cattle, an' hunt an' trap in peace,--an' the Injun who wants to +raise a sculp every ten minits now will sit on a tree stump an' smoke +his pipe an' look on," and Barringford shook his head earnestly. "Ain't +no ust to talk," he went on. "It's like damming a stream--you dam it +about half tight an' the fust lively rain will break the dam to bits; +but you dam it good an' hard an' it will stick, no matter how hard it +rains and by-an'-by the water will find out it's got to go a new +way--an' the French an' Injuns will find they've got to leave the +English alone. I ain't much on eddication, but I kin figger thet out, +an' so kin any man whose head is level;" and Barringford resumed his gun +oiling. + +James Morris had much to tell that night--of his many purchases, and of +the war talk he had heard at Annapolis and other cities he had visited. +He, too, was interested in the expedition against Fort Niagara, for he +felt that if the French power was broken in this direction he would be +able to return to his trading post on the Kinotah without much fear of +molestation from either French or Indians. + +It was late that night when there came a sudden thumping on the cabin +door. All sprang to their feet in alarm, and each of the men and the +boys reached for his firearm, which they were in the habit of having +close at hand. + +"Who is there?" demanded James Morris. + +"It is I--Uriah Risley," came in the well-known voice of the Englishman. +"Let me in. I've good news." + +At once the cabin door was unbarred and flung back. All crowded forward, +to behold Uriah Risley outside, on horseback. Beside him, also on +horseback, was his wife, pale and thin, a mere shadow of her former +self, but still able to ride alone. + +"Well, I declare, Caddy Risley!" screamed Mrs. Morris, and ran out to +greet the woman. "Is it really you or your ghost?" + +"'Tis really me," was the answer, "although I sometimes feel like a +ghost, I'm that thin." + +"But mercy on us! Where have you been--with the Indians?" + +"With them and with the French. I was with the Indians first--for many +weeks--and then some French soldiers rescued me. They turned me over to +some traders just before a battle with the English, and then the Indians +and some French under Jean Bevoir got hold of me. They took me up +through the Mohawk valley to Lake Ontario, and there I met a lot of +other prisoners, your Nell with them." + +"Nell!" the name came from several lips simultaneously. + +"Yes, Nell and the Rose twins. They were with some Indians who are under +Bevoir's thumb." + +"And what of Nell now?" asked Mrs. Morris quickly. + +"I think she is still with the Indians. A French soldier came along one +day and carried me off in a canoe. He wanted to marry me, but I told him +I was already married and then he set me ashore in the wilderness. I +tramped for miles and miles, until I was so weary I could scarcely stand +and I was almost dying of starvation, when I fell in with some German +settlers. They took me to Fort Stanwix and from there I was taken to +Albany, and finally made my way to Philadelphia, and then came on here. +Uriah and I met at Winchester." + +"Yes, and I nearly dropped dead from joy," put in the Englishman. "It +was like getting her back from the grave. I could not at first believe +my eyes. But it's really and truly my good wife, and I pray God we may +never be separated again," concluded Uriah Risley, reverently. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON THE WAY TO THE ARMY + + +Once inside the cabin, Mrs. Risley related her story in detail, to which +the others paid the closest attention. Her trials had been great, and +the quick tears of sympathy coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks as she +listened, and the others were also affected. + +"It was enough to kill you," said Mrs. Morris, at the conclusion. "But +now you are back, safe and sound, we'll do our best by you. You can stay +here until your husband builds another cabin and gets everything else +into proper shape for living on your land." And so it was settled. + +When Dave and Henry retired once more it was not to sleep but to talk in +an undertone, the subject of the conversation being little Nell and the +twins with her. + +"I'm going to do what I can to rescue her," declared Henry. "It makes my +blood boil to think of her being among those dirty redskins and +French." + +"I believe the best thing we can do is to join the army under General +Prideaux," declared Dave. "His force will most likely go right through +the Mohawk valley to Lake Ontario and then along the lake to Fort +Niagara--just the territory where those Indians and French must be." + +"I've got another idea," said Henry, after a thoughtful pause. "I got +the news through White Buffalo. General Johnson has been commissioned to +stir up the Indians in the Mohawk valley and get them to join in the +attack on Fort Niagara. White Buffalo and his followers are going to +join Johnson's force. Why not go with the white men in this crowd? We'll +be sure to hear more about those Indians and the French traders in that +way than if we went with the regular army." + +"But to train with redskins, Henry!" + +"We needn't train with 'em. There will be at least a dozen white men +with the crowd and we can go with them. I once met General Johnson. He's +a big-hearted Irishman, full of hard, common sense, and I know we could +get along with him. And when he heard our story he might put himself out +to help us." + +So the youths talked on until at last they fell asleep--to dream of +fierce fights with the French and Indians and daring rescues of little +Nell. But these were only dreams. Little did they realize how many real +difficulties and perils still awaited them. + +In the morning Dave insisted upon talking the matter over with Sam +Barringford. They found the old hunter ready enough to listen to what +they had to say. + +"I'm with ye!" he exclaimed, after they had finished. "It ain't no half +bad plan nuther. I know Sir William Johnson like a book--fact is, I know +him a heap sight better nor any book. As ye say, he's whole-souled and +chock full of common sense. The Injuns love him as they love few white +men--an' all because he's treated 'em fa'r and squar'. Why he's done +more fer the English government nor any dozen Indian Commissioners put +together. He knows jest how to handle 'em, an' he makes friends o' foes +almost afore ye can turn a hand. Yes, let us go to him by all means and +I'll warrant when ye tell him the whole story he'll set some Injuns out +to find little Nell an' them Rose twins." + +That afternoon the subject was brought to the attention of the whole +family. Mrs. Morris did not know whether to be glad or sorry, but in the +end she told the boys to go, but be careful and not run into unnecessary +danger, and in private she asked Barringford to watch over them +carefully. + +"I'll do my level best, ma'am," said the frontiersman. "And ef I can +make it, they'll come back to ye unharmed. But they're putty hot-like +when they strike a trail as suits 'em, ye know thet as well as I." + +Preparations were at once made for their departure. Both Dave and Henry +were fitted out with new hunting suits of the regular trapper pattern +and each took along the best gun he could obtain. Sam Barringford had +bought another rifle, which he christened Old Trusty No. 2. They went on +foot, not knowing if their progress with the whites and Indians would +admit of riding on horseback. + +In the meantime it was decided that James Morris should remain at the +cabin, to finish the building and do the planting, thus giving his +brother ample time to regain his health and strength, and also making it +easier for Rodney, who during the past few weeks had been working harder +than was good for his constitution. + +"Good-bye, my son," said James Morris, when the trio was ready to start. +"Be careful, but do not forget that we look to you to bring little Nell +back, if such a thing is possible;" and then Mrs. Morris kissed the +boys; and the long journey into what had been the Indian country was +begun. + +Dave felt somewhat sober so long as they were in sight of the newly +built cabin, but when the last rise of ground was passed, and they had +waved a parting farewell, to which Mrs. Morris had answered by a wave of +her apron, his spirits returned, and soon he, Henry, and Barringford +were chatting as though nothing out of the ordinary was occurring, yet +down in his heart, each felt that this search for little Nell was going +to prove a serious and, most likely, a dangerous undertaking. + +"Where is Sir William Johnson now?" asked Dave, presently, after several +miles of the trail through the forest had been covered. + +"Somewhere near Fort Johnson," answered Barringford. "He's out to get +the Six Nations to join General Prideaux's army either at Fort Stanwix +or at Oswego--if Prideaux can get that far. Johnson is the very best man +they could send to the Indians." + +"Were you ever out with him?" asked Henry. + +"Many a time, lad. He's a great hunter, too, let me tell you--can hit +the bull's-eye at a hundred paces without half trying. And when it comes +to dancing an Indian war dance he can do that, too." + +"And yet he's an Irish nobleman!" + +"Yes, I allow as how he's an odd mixture of a man. But that mixture +makes him just the right kind for the redskins. He understands 'em--top, +bottom and sides, as the saying goes. He appeals to their brains as well +as their instincts--and when he once makes friends of 'em they are +willing to lay down their lives for him. In 1756 he was appointed sole +superintendent of the Six Nations Indians, and he made a perilous trip +all the way to Onondaga, their capital, and staid with 'em two weeks, +and got 'em to swear that they would remain neutral. That was a big +feather in his cap. Then the next year he joined Webb at Fort Edward +with some of his Indians, but he was too late to do anything, although +I've heard he was more than willing to fight. He was also on hand to +fight Montcalm when Abercrombie attacked Ticonderoga, but his three +hundred Indians didn't see the use of being slaughtered in the open at +mid-day and they refused to fight, although they told Johnson they would +take part in the battle in their own way." + +"It's queer the English soldiers can't fight as we do," said Henry. "I +really can't understand it. They get out in the open and the Indian gets +behind a tree, and who has the best of it? Certainly not the man in the +open." + +"I think the English soldiers have learned a lesson or two," said Dave. +"I don't believe you'll find General Prideaux marching on Fort Niagara +in the broad sunlight." + +They were trailing through a dense forest, with trees on every side, +lifting their heads a hundred feet and more to the sky. Gigantic roots +lay sprawling on every side and they had to pick their way with care, +for fear of pitching headlong or spraining an ankle. It was clear and +moderately warm, and would have been warmer had the sunlight reached +them. + +"Years ago this was a great ground fer b'ar," said Barringford, as they +rested for their noonday lunch, eating some things they had brought +along from the cabin. "There war a cave 'bout two miles from here whar +the b'ar ust to gather to the number of fifteen or twenty. But the cave +was cleaned out so many times ain't likely to be any b'ar left." + +"Shall we go near the cave?" questioned Dave. "I'd like to have a look +at the spot." + +"Yes, we'll go putty clost, lad. But you don't want to waste no time on +game jest now, do ye?" + +"Not unless it came very easy. If we got a bear it would give us some +fine meat to take along, and we could sell the skin at Cherry Run." + +"Ain't no b'ar there, I'm putty sure on it. But we can stop an' +see--jest out o' curiosity sake." + +They did not rest long, for they were anxious to join General Johnson at +as early a date as possible, and knew that it would take them at least +two weeks to make the trip. They were on rising ground, but soon they +struck a downward path, filled with rough rocks and loose stones, where +the footing was far from certain. + +"The cave is over yonder," said Barringford, pointing with his hand. +"The opening to it is on the other side. Come, I'll show ye the way. And +have your guns ready--in case a b'ar should turn up." + +After this no more was said, and they went forward, side by side--so +that no one might hinder the aim of a companion. There was a slight +undergrowth between the rocks but for the most part only tall trees, +bare for a distance of thirty feet upward, marked the locality. + +Suddenly Barringford put up his hand, to warn his companions. All came +to a halt and listened, at the same time straining their eyes to see +what might be ahead. They heard a low thump, followed by another, and +then all became as silent as before. + +"What was it?" at last whispered Dave. + +"Some wild animal," returned Barringford, in an equally low tone. "Don't +reckon as how it was a b'ar though." + +They waited a moment longer, and then the old hunter again led the +advance. There were several large rocks to cross and then they rounded +one end of the cave, which, on top, was shaped very much like a huge +rocky egg. + +"A deer!" ejaculated Henry. "Look out!" + +All looked and saw a magnificent deer standing close to the mouth of the +cave, gazing cautiously forward. Suddenly a fox leaped out of the +opening and the deer started back in alarm. + +Bang! It was the report of Barringford's rifle and the deer leaped high +in the air, to fall dead immediately afterward. + +"A good shot--" began Henry, when a noise behind him caused him to swing +around swiftly. What he saw filled him with horror. A huge buck was +glaring at him from the opposite end of the rocky eminence. In a second +more the buck charged the crowd, rushing forward with lowered antlers +and with the swiftness of the wind. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + + +"Look out!" + +These were the only words Henry had time to utter and as they left his +lips he leaped to one side as swiftly as possible. + +Hardly knowing what Henry meant, Dave and Barringford stood their +ground, looking first one way and then another. + +On the instant the big buck came forward. His rush was aimed at Henry, +but missing that youth, he went onward with a wild plunge, directly +between Dave and Barringford. + +"A buck!" yelled the frontiersman. "Back out, Dave, an' be quick about +it!" + +He himself started on a run, reloading his rifle as he went. Dave wanted +to do as bidden, but he had been so surprised that before he could turn +his heel caught on a rock and down he went flat on his back. His gun +struck on the trigger and went off, the charge tearing over the top of +the cave into the tree branches beyond. + +Dave was now helpless and if the truth must be told the fall had more +than half dazed him, for his head came down on a spot that was far from +soft and comfortable. More than this, with an empty gun he could do but +little to defend himself. + +The big buck had now come to a halt and turned around. He stood as if +uncertain whether to renew the attack or take to his heels. Then he +gazed at his mate and a strange red light shone in his angry eyes. He +was "blood struck," as old hunters call it, and drawing in a sharp, +hissing breath, he leaped forward once again, straight for Dave, who was +now trying to rise. + +[Illustration: He leaped forward once again, straight for Dave.] + +Bang! It was now Henry's gun that spoke up, and though the aim was not +of the best--for Henry was excited because Dave was in such dire +peril--the buck was struck in the shoulder and badly wounded. He leaped +back and into the air, and when he came down lifted his right foreleg as +if in intense pain. But he was still full of fight and now he came on +once more, with eyes glittering more dangerously than ever. + +Dave had not time to rise, so he did the next best thing, which was to +roll over and over, until a clump of brush stopped his further progress. +Then he slipped into the brush, worming his way to the other side. + +The big buck came on and struck the brush a stunning blow that sent the +stalks and twigs flying in all directions. Then the animal backed out +and started for Henry, who had begun to reload. + +All this had happened faster than I can relate it, yet it had given +Barringford sufficient time to throw powder and ball into his gun and +fix the priming. Now the old hunter came close to the side of the buck +and blazed away once more, straight for those reddish eyes. + +The shot was a telling one, for it tore out one eye completely and +seriously damaged the other. Again the buck halted, and then turned +slowly back and began to stagger off. But he could not see and in a +moment more hit the rocks of the cave with a crash that could be heard +for a considerable distance. + +"Good for you, Sam!" cried Henry, who was now reloading. "I reckon we've +got him." + +"Don't be too sure," returned the old hunter. "He's got lots of fight in +him yet." + +Barringford was right, for again the buck turned and now catching a +glimpse of Barringford through the blood of his wounds made a mighty +leap for the frontiersman. But Barringford was too quick for him and +leaping aside, sprang on the rocks of the cave, satisfied the wounded +buck could not follow him to that spot. + +By this time Henry had reloaded, and watching his chance he ran up and +let drive for the buck's neck. This shot proved fatal, and rocking to +and fro for several seconds the magnificent beast at last fell down on +his side, and breathed his last. + +"Is he--he dead?" came from Dave, as he pulled himself out of the tangle +of brushwood. + +"I think he is," replied his cousin. "But we had better make sure. Bucks +are mighty tricky at times." + +Taking out his hunting knife Henry went forward and cut the throat of +the game. Then Barringford leaped from the rocks, and all went to +inspect the buck. + +"A regular monarch of the forest!" cried Dave, enthusiastically. "Don't +know as I've ever seen a larger." + +"Nor I," added Barringford. "An' he was a fighter, too, wasn't he?" + +"We've got more deer meat now than we know what to do with," went on +Dave. + +"We don't want the meat of this buck," said Henry. "It would be as tough +as all get-out. We can take the skin and some of the meat from that +deer, and that will be enough; don't you say so, Sam?" + +"Right you are, lad." + +All were experienced in the work at hand, so it did not take them long +to skin both beasts and then the best of the deer meat was cut out by +Barringford and rolled up in one of the pelts. + +After this the march forward was again resumed. + +That night they slept in the open, near a generous camp-fire, without +being disturbed, and by sunrise were again on their way. They reached +Cherry Run--a collection of half a dozen cabins--a little after noon, +and here exchanged the skins and some of the meat for other things of +more importance to them. + +"There is a Dutch hunter here, who is going to join General Johnson," +said the pioneer who gave them other things for their skins. "His name +is Hans Schnitzer. Perhaps he'd like to go along with you--if you want +him." + +"What, old Dutch Hans, the beaver hunter!" exclaimed Barringford. "Why +certainly I'd like him along. Thar's more fun in him nor in a barrel o' +wasps. Whar is he?" + +"He vos right here," came a voice from behind Barringford, and a short, +stout individual stepped forward. His hair was red and his shock of a +beard bore the same color. Above two sunburnt cheeks peeped two small +eyes of blue, ever on a twinkle. He was dressed in the typical suit of +the frontiersman of that day, buckskin leggings, coonskin cap and all. + +"So you dinks dare vos more fun py me as mit von parrel of vasps, hey?" +went on the Dutch trapper. "Vell, how apout dot dime ven you vos going +to git dot pird's nest in der hollow dree und you stick your hand py dat +vasps' nest, hey? Vosn't dot funny, hey? Ha! ha! ha! I see dot yet--mit +you dancing arount like you vos a sailor on a pipe-horn, eh?" + +"Gosh! don't mention it, Hans," returned Barringford, ruefully. "I kin +feel them pesky wasps yet, fer they war the biggest I ever ran across. +But put it thar, old boy, I'm downright glad to see you--an' after all +the fightin' we've been a-havin', too. I suppose ye broke loose, didn't +ye?" + +"Vell I dinks me so," said Hans Schnitzer. "I vos up py dot Mohawk +Valley, und I got me into nine fights by von veek vonce, und fourteen +fights after dot." He removed his cap. "See dot mark? Dot is vere two +Injuns tried to kill me--von mit a tomahawk und der udder mit his +shcalpin' knife--dinking I vos dead. But I vasn't dead. I chumped up und +ve rasselled und rasselled, und I got dem poth down ven, vot you +dinks?--Cheneral Johnson himself come up--und dot vos der last of dose +Injuns putty quick I can tole you." + +"Good for the general," said Barringford. Then turning, he introduced +Dave and Henry, and a general conversation ensued. The boys liked Hans +Schnitzer from the start, and having often heard of the comical Dutch +trapper, soon felt at home with him. Schnitzer knew exactly where Sir +William Johnson's camp was located, and promised to take the party there +by the shortest and easiest trail. + +The party of four left Cherry Run early the next morning, each in the +best of spirits, Schnitzer gaily humming a song of the Fatherland. The +trail led almost due north, until a small stream was reached. Here, in a +convenient spot, the Dutch trapper had a canoe secreted. This they +entered and followed the stream for a distance of thirty miles, when +they again struck out on foot, this time over the hills leading into the +beautiful Mohawk Valley. + +Day after day passed without anything unusual happening. Game was to be +had in plenty, and it often made Henry heart-sick to leave it behind +without taking a shot. + +"A regular Paradise!" he said. "When this war is over, how I would like +to come up here and knock around for a few weeks. I reckon I could make +it well worth while." + +"You'll find game just as plentiful at father's post on the Kinotah," +answered Dave. "If father can ever get the post back, you must make a +trip out there with me." + +Ever since leaving home Dave had wanted to see a bear, and one day, just +before the sun was setting, his wish was gratified. But the game was too +far away for shooting, and before they could get closer the bear took to +his heels and went crashing out of sight in the brushwood. + +"Never mind, lad, we'll go b'ar huntin' another day," said Barringford, +consolingly. "Jest fer the present, we have other ground ter plough, as +the sayin' goes." + +At the end of ten days the journey began to grow tiresome to the boys, +and they were glad when Schnitzer announced that another day would more +than likely bring them in sight of General Johnson's camp. + +That night they encamped on the bank of the Mohawk, in an ideal spot +covered with brush and some timber. All were thoroughly tired, for the +day's tramp had been a long one, and Dave and Henry were glad when +preparations for supper were at an end and there was nothing more to do +than to eat and go to sleep. + +It had been a clear day, but with the coming of night, the sky had +clouded over, showing that a storm was not far off, although neither +Barringford nor Hans the trapper thought it would rain before morning. + +"Put ven it does come, I dink me it vos come hardt," said Schnitzer. +"Maype it vos rain for two or fife days, eh?" + +"Oh, I hope it doesn't rain as long as that!" cried Dave. "Why, we'll be +drowned out." + +The wood was piled on the fire, and a little later all lay down to rest, +and it did not take Henry and Dave long to reach the land of dreams. +They lay on one side of the cheerful blaze while the two men lay on the +other. The wind was blowing the smoke from the fire directly across the +river, so this did not bother them. + +Dave had been asleep three hours when he suddenly awoke and gave a +cough. Thinking that he was in danger of being smothered by the smoke he +sat up and gazed at the fire. The wind had shifted slightly, but not +enough to do any harm. + +"No use of waking up the others," he thought. "They need every bit of +sleep they can get. That wood is about burnt out anyway, so there won't +be much more smoke." + +He was about to lie down again, when the snapping of some brushwood +behind him caught his ear. Turning he caught sight of an Indian +crouching in the bushes gazing at him. Then came a noise from another +direction and four other redmen glided into view. All were armed with +guns, and at once Dave realized that the camp was surrounded. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +UP THE MOHAWK VALLEY + + +"Henry! Sam! Schnitzer! Wake up! The camp is surrounded by Indians!" + +Dave uttered the cry loudly, and on the instant Barringford leaped to +his feet, reaching for his ever-ready gun as he did so. The Dutch +trapper was also awake in short order, and Henry followed. + +"Injuns?" queried Barringford. "Whar?" + +"In those bushes, and behind yonder trees. What shall we do?" + +Before the old frontiersman could answer that question, a voice came out +of the darkness: + +"Are the white men English?" + +"Yes, we're English," answered Barringford. + +"Then the redmen are glad to meet their brothers. The redmen were afraid +the sleeping ones were French." + +"Who are you?" asked Henry. + +"Arrow Head, of the Miamis. We have joined the great English warrior +Johnson, to fight the French. Let us be friends." + +A few words more followed, and Barringford told the Indians to come +forward. At this eight redmen advanced to the camp-fire, on which the +boys threw some extra brushwood, so that they might see the new +arrivals. The Indians had slung their weapons over their shoulders, as a +sign of peace, and our friends did likewise. + +Schnitzer had met Arrow Head before, and said he would vouch for it that +the warrior was all right. From the under chief it was learned that +General Johnson, with seven hundred Indians, had already marched to meet +General Prideaux and that the camp of the army was some forty miles +distant, up the river. Arrow Head had been left behind to "drum up" a +few stragglers, but was now ready to go forward with the redmen under +him. + +"The war talk at Canajoharie castle was a great one," said the under +warrior. "Your General Johnson has treated us like brothers, and we will +fight for him to the bitter end. We have sung our war songs and put on +our war paints, and no French soldiers shall stand up against us. +Henceforth the English shall be our brothers for evermore." + +"Yah, now you vos talkin' common sense," put in Schnitzer. "Ven you +fight mid dem Frenchers you vos all fools--for dem Frenchers vill pe +licked chust so sure as Henry Hudson discovered New York. I peen a +Dutch prophet, und I know," and he said this so earnestly that Arrow +Head was duly impressed. Schnitzer, who afterward made himself famous as +a pioneer in Ohio, could do a few sleight of hand tricks, and because of +these tricks many of the redmen considered him something of a wizard. + +All rested until daybreak and then, after a hasty breakfast, in which +the Indians joined the whites, the march forward was resumed. Soon it +began to rain, but the drops did not come down heavily, and Barringford +said the storm had shifted to the westward. In this he was right for by +noon the sun was shining as brightly as ever. + +As they trudged along, Dave and Henry questioned Arrow Head concerning +the French Indians and their captives, and about Jean Bevoir. They +could, however, get little satisfaction, excepting that Arrow Head had +heard that all the captives had been removed to the shores of Lake Erie +and Lake Ontario, and that a general movement toward Montreal and Quebec +was contemplated. + +While our friends were trudging through the woods northward, General +Prideaux had gone to Schenectady. He had with him his own division of +the army consisting of two regiments of English soldiers and twenty-six +hundred Americans, principally from New York, although with the New +Yorkers were a good sprinkling of rangers from Vermont, Massachusetts, +New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, men who roamed from one colony to +another, looking for a chance to better themselves and ever ready for a +fight, be it with the French or the Indians. + +From Schenectady General Prideaux moved up the Mohawk Valley, which was +the most direct route to the lakes. This old Indian trail was protected +by Fort Herkimer, Fort William, Fort Stanwix, Fort Bull, and other +fortifications along the river and Lake Oneida. But this great +wilderness was a wilderness still, with stopping places few and far +between, and had it not been for the friendliness of the Indians--thanks +to the good work done by General Johnson--matters might have gone badly +with the English. More than once there was an alarm and at night +sentries were posted with as much care as though they were in the very +heart of the enemy's country. + +It was not until three days after meeting Arrow Head and his followers +that our friends came in sight of General Prideaux's command, toiling +painfully around some of the rapids in the river. This first sight of +the army was a thrilling one, for uniforms and weapons shone brightly in +the clear sunlight. Dave's heart gave a bound. + +"Puts me in mind of the time I marched with Braddock," he said to Henry. +"Indeed, it might almost be the same scene over again." + +"Well, let us hope it isn't the same defeat over again," returned his +cousin, grimly. + +The army came to a halt half an hour later, and then they learned that +General Johnson and his Indians were miles away. They talked the matter +over and at length concluded to move forward with the soldiers, trusting +to luck to interview Johnson later. + +It was an easy matter for Barringford and Hans Schnitzer to locate a +number of friends among the rangers, and they received a hearty welcome, +and Dave and Henry were put at their ease. One old soldier asked Dave if +he had seen much of the war, and when the lad told him he had been both +with Braddock and with Forbes in the attacks on what was now Fort Pitt +the old soldier shook his hand warmly and "reckoned as how" he'd "do +fust-rate to fight them Frenchmen at Fort Niagara." + +Our four friends were assigned to a company under Captain John Mollett, +who was known to Barringford, and inside of a couple of days felt +thoroughly at home. + +In those days the Mohawk River was navigable with canoes and batteaux to +within four miles of Lake Oneida. From this point the boats had to be +carried across the watershed, on the backs of horses, Indians, and +soldiers to the lake. From Lake Oneida it was clear sailing down the +Oswego River to Lake Ontario. + +As they had done so many times in the past, some of the English soldiers +were apt to sneer at the provincials, and this led to more than one +wordy quarrel and not infrequently to blows. + +"They make me sick!" declared Henry, one day, after listening to the +bluster of several grenadiers. "To hear them talk one would think only +they were able to fight. I reckon we can do our full share." + +"If they say anything to me I'll tell 'em what happened under Braddock," +returned Dave. "And they can take it as they please." + +Barringford counseled moderation, but secretly he was as much put out as +the boys even though some of the English were his warm friends. He had +come near to having a quarrel with an English lieutenant named Naster +and he was still much disturbed over this. + +That very night Dave, while on picket duty, heard Lieutenant Naster +finding fault with an old ranger named Campwell. Campwell was a pioneer +over sixty-five years of age, and while a good shot and a good fighter +was at times not just right in his mind, although he could by no means +be called crazy. The pair came close to where Dave was on guard and the +young soldier heard the lieutenant poke all manner of fun at the old +man. + +"Better go home and mind the babies, Campwell," said the English +lieutenant. "It's more in your line of duty, isn't it now?" + +"Let me alone!" cried the old man. "If I was to mind babies I'd not mind +such a one as you, I'll warrant. 'T would have been better had you +remained in England." + +"Ha! so you call me a baby?" roared Lieutenant Naster, sourly. "If I am, +how do you like that from me?" And he gave the old pioneer a shove that +sent him headlong over the roots of a nearby tree. + +The action was so cowardly, and so entirely uncalled for, that it made +Dave's temper rise on the instant, and regardless of consequences he +leaped to where Lieutenant Naster was standing and caught him by the +shoulder. + +"Leave him alone, you brute!" he ejaculated. "How dare you treat an old +man like that?" + +In sudden fear the English lieutenant wheeled around. When he saw it was +only a boy who had spoken, and a hated provincial at that, his rage +returned. + +"What do you mean by placing your dirty hand on me!" he roared. "I'll +have you arrested on the spot! This to me--an officer of the King's +Guard! Preposterous!" + +"It wasn't right to molest old Campwell," returned Dave, sturdily. "He +is as brave as any of us, and I have heard tell that he has fought well +all through this war. You ought----" + +"Don't tell me what I ought to do, you dirty little plantation hand! Say +another word and I'll report you at headquarters." + +"As you please," answered Dave, recklessly. "But if you worry Campwell +any more you'll have an account to settle with Colonel Haldimand--and I +can tell you that he won't put up with it any more than any of us." + +At the mention of the officer in charge of the provincials the English +lieutenant was for the moment nonplussed. He knew Colonel Haldimand to +be a Swiss-American of stern military bearing and one to whom many of +the pioneers were warmly attached. + +"You--you threaten me?" he asked, after an ugly pause. + +"You can take it as you please." + +"My affair with this old man was my own--not yours." + +"Yes, but I'm glad he took my part," came from Campwell, as he arose +slowly to his feet, for the fall had deprived him of his breath. "You +took a mean advantage o' me. I've a good mind to fill ye full o' +buckshot!" And he caught hold of his gun threateningly. + +It was now that Lieutenant Naster showed his true nature. Much of his +color forsook him and he retreated in alarm. + +"Don't--don't!" he cried, hurriedly. "I--I didn't mean to +be--ah--serious. The whole thing was meant in fun." + +"No fun in shoving me down." + +"I--ah--I didn't mean to shove you so hard--upon my honor I did not, +Campwell. Let us drop it; won't you?" + +The old pioneer gave a grunt. He was too open-hearted to understand such +a mean, sneaking nature as that of the Englishman. + +"We'll drop it--but keep your hands off of me in the future," he said, +at last. + +"I won't bother you. But you--" The lieutenant turned to Dave. "I'll +bear you in mind, my fine young cock-of-the-walk,--and I'll take you +down a peg or two ere I'm done with you, remember what I say!" And with +a shake of his fist he hurried away in the darkness. + +A minute after this Barringford came up, asking what was the matter. +When told his brow contracted. + +"That lieutenant is a regular sneak," he said. "Keep your eye open fer +him, Dave--an' don't trust him a farthing's worth. He is just the kind +to play you dirty the first chance he gits." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +HENRY IS ATTACKED + + +The days to follow were full of hard work for the young soldiers. They +were detailed with the baggage corps, and had all they could do to bring +through the many things left in their care. Although Dave did not know +the truth, it was Lieutenant Naster who had much of this work piled on +the young soldier's shoulders. + +The sail down Lake Oneida proved a period of rest, for which both Dave +and Henry were truly thankful. Both made the journey in a long and wide +batteau, commonly called to-day a flat-bottom boat. It was now the end +of June and the weather was hot. On one occasion the youths went in +bathing, but this time nothing molested them. They also went fishing and +brought out as nice a mess of fish as the clear waters of this lake +afforded. + +"It's an ideal spot for a home," said Dave. "Puts me in mind of the +Kinotah." + +"If the Kinotah is as good as this I wouldn't want anything better," +replied Henry. + +The batteau, of extra-large size, was filled with baggage, and besides +the boys there were ten rangers on board, including old Campwell. The +old man sat in the rear of the craft, eyeing the shore critically. + +"My eyesight ain't none o' the best," he drawled, presently. "But onless +I'm in error, I jest see a number o' Injuns behind yonder skirt o' +bushes." + +All looked in the direction, and presently one of the other rangers said +that he, too, saw at least two Indians. They appeared to be following up +the boats and at the same time did all they could to keep hidden. + +"What do you make of that?" asked Henry of Barringford, who was pulling +an oar beside him. + +The old frontiersman shrugged his shoulders. "Depends on whether they +are friends or enemies, Henry," he said. "If they are friends more'n +likely they'll jine us when we reach the river." + +"And if not?" + +"Then they ought to be captured, for if they ain't friends they are +spying for the French." + +Evidently the Indians had not been discovered by those on the other +batteaux, and after a short talk the man in charge of that containing +our friends decided to report the case to his superior, in a boat some +distance ahead. Pulling with all strength, the clumsy craft was, in +quarter of an hour, brought alongside of Captain Mollett's boat. + +"Indians, eh?" said the captain, reflectively. "Couldn't make them out +very well, could you?" + +"No, captain." + +"Hum! We'll have to investigate this." + +Word was passed to several other batteaux, and soon after a boat turned +toward shore, having on board fifteen rangers, including Barringford and +Henry. Dave and Schnitzer wished to accompany the others but this was +not permitted. + +"Good-by until we meet again!" cried Henry, on leaving. + +"Take good care of yourself," returned Dave, and so with a wave of the +hand the two cousins parted. + +It did not take the batteau long to reach the north shore of the lake, +and as soon as the craft grounded all leaped out. Fastening the boat to +a nearby tree, the rangers set out on a search for the Indians. + +The party was under the command of George Harvey, well known as an old +Indian fighter of the Mohawk valley and a man who was as shrewd as he +was daring. He had brought the rangers ashore boldly, but once in the +shelter of the timber he halted his men to give them advice. + +"We'll spread out in a straight line, due north," he said. "Each man +about thirty yards from the next. Then we can beat up the timber +thoroughly. Don't fire until you're sure of what you are doing, for to +kill a friendly Indian just now would be the worst thing we could do. +General Johnson would never forgive you for it. He had hard enough work +to make 'em come over to us." + +It fell to Henry's lot to skirt the shore of the lake, with Barringford +next to him. The way was easy where the trail ran close to the water, +but at other points was exceedingly difficult, for big stones and thick +brushwood frequently blocked his progress. + +"Phew! but this is no child's play!" he muttered to himself, as he came +out on a point of the shore where the sun blazed down fiercely. "A +fellow couldn't feel any hotter plowing corn or turning hay. I'd rather +go swimming than hunt up Indians, I must confess." + +His soliloquy was broken by the flitting of something from one tree to +another, some distance ahead. The movement was so rapid, and the +distance so great, that he could not settle in his mind what the object +had been. + +"Was that an Indian, or some big wild bird?" he asked himself. Drawing +back into the shelter of some bushes he held his gun ready for use, and +gazed ahead with much interest. + +The sun was now well down in the west, so his shadow fell in front of +him as he gazed eastward. Of a sudden another shadow loomed up beside +his own. He turned, but before he could defend himself, he was hauled +back and his gun was wrenched from his grasp. He tried to cry out, but a +red hand was instantly clapped over his mouth. + +Henry tried his best to free himself but it was useless. Two brawny +warriors had attacked him, and now one of the redmen flourished a long +hunting knife in his face, at the same time muttering some words of +warning in a guttural tone. Henry did not understand the language +spoken, but he knew what was meant--that he would be killed if he +attempted to either fight or cry out--and so for the time being he lay +still. + +At a distance the young soldier heard the sounds of footsteps, and he +rightfully surmised that Barringford was continuing his journey forward, +with the rest of the rangers. Soon the sounds died away and all became +as silent as the grave. + +But the Indians did not wish to take any chances and so the one with the +knife continued to stand over the young soldier until his companion was +certain the whites had gone on. Then he emitted a short and peculiar +bird-like whistle. + +In less than two minutes fully a dozen warriors appeared on the scene, +crawling from behind logs and rocks and from holes among the tree roots. +All came forward and gazed curiously at the prisoner. + +A parley lasting but a few minutes followed. Henry tried his best to +make out what was said, but this Indian dialect was entirely new to him. +He half suspected that these redmen had come down into New York from the +north shore of Lake Ontario and in this he was not mistaken. They were +spies, as it was long afterward proved, sent out by Saint Luc de la +Corne, the French officer in command at Isle Royal, afterward called +Chimney Island. + +The coming ashore of the English had evidently disconcerted the Indians +and they hesitated over what should be their next move. But at last they +set off on a rapid march northward, taking Henry with them. The young +soldier's hands were bound behind him and he was given to understand +that if he did not move along as suited them he would be killed on the +spot. + +"A nice pickle I'm in and no mistake," he mused, as the party toiled up +a long hill and through a dense patch of timber where the undergrowth +almost barred all progress. "These redskins won't give me the slightest +chance to get away, and where they are taking me is more than I can +guess. Wonder what Barringford will say when he finds I am missing?" + +Some time after this a distant shot sounded out, at which all of the +Indians came to a halt. The shot was followed by several others, all +coming from the direction of the lake. + +"Perhaps they are signals meant for me," thought Henry. "Oh, if only +Barringford and the others strike the right trail!" + +The shots having come to an end, the forward march was resumed, and the +party did not halt again until long after nightfall. Henry was bound to +a tree and one of the Indians, who seemed less bloodthirsty than the +others, gave him a bit of meat, some corn cakes, and a drink of water. +The young soldier thanked the redskin and tried to engage him in +conversation, but the Indian merely shook his head and walked away. + +When the Indians retired for the night Henry was tied to a short stake +driven deeply into the ground. This allowed him to rest on one side or +the other, but still kept his hands behind him--a most uncomfortable +position. But lying down, even like that, was better than standing +against the tree, and he was so tired he was soon fast asleep. + +A kick in the ribs awoke him at early daybreak, and after a light +breakfast, the Indians resumed their journey. In a short time they +gained a small stream, and from a hiding place brought forth several +canoes. Henry was made to enter one of the canoes and the whole party +began to paddle down the stream swiftly and in the utmost silence. + +The watercourse was less than five yards wide and in many places the +branches of the trees on the opposite banks intertwined, forming a long, +low bower, beneath which the sunlight was hardly able to penetrate. +Outside it was hot and dry, but on this stream it was deliciously cool, +and under other circumstances Henry would have enjoyed the canoe trip +greatly. Game was plentiful and frequently popped up within easy +shooting distance. The Indians did not use their guns, however, although +a number of birds and a deer were brought down by the aid of a bow and +arrows in the hands of an Indian in the front canoe. + +Before the trip on the river came to an end Henry calculated that they +had covered at least sixteen miles. They went ashore just above a small +water-fall and now the Indians took their canoes with them. The party +turned westward, and Henry guessed that they were bound for the eastern +shore of Lake Ontario. + +"If they once get me on the lake I'll be booked for Canada, that's +certain," he mused, dismally. "If only I had half a chance I'd run for +it, even though I'd risk being shot." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A STORM ON LAKE ONTARIO + + +When the soldiers under General Prideaux reached Oswego they found the +fort in ruins. Three years before the French and Indians under Montcalm +had won a victory there and before leaving had burnt up and otherwise +destroyed every building, large and small, and also every ship in the +harbor, and had taken away all the guns and ammunition and a large part +of the possessions of the settlers in that vicinity. On every side were +heaps of ashes and charred logs, some overgrown with weeds, and in the +midst of these stood a huge wooden cross, erected by Piquet, the French +priest, and on a tall pole hung the tattered arms of France. The scene +was one of unutterable loneliness and desolation, and it must be +confessed that something like a shiver went over Dave as he gazed upon +it. + +"This shows what war will do," he said, to a comrade standing near. +"Think of how prosperous a trading post Oswego was three years ago, and +now look at this. Why even a wild animal would shun the spot--after +those skeletons were picked clean." + +"True for you, lad," was the answer. "But I don't think it will be that +way again. General Prideaux means business, and so does General Johnson, +and the French will have to do some tall fighting to win out now." + +The first of the soldiers arrived on the site of Oswego about the middle +of June, and it was only a few days later the remainder of the army came +up from Lake Oneida bringing the stores and baggage, including a great +many barrels of pork, which in those days formed a staple article of +soldiers' diet. + +Dave was anxious to see Henry and Barringford again, and when the last +of the soldiers came up and went into camp not far from the lake and the +river, he hurried in that direction as soon as he was off duty. + +"Oh, Sam!" he cried, when he caught sight of the old frontiersman and +saw the serious look on his face. "Where's Henry?" + +"I can't tell you, Dave." + +"Can't tell?" + +"No, lad. After we went ashore at Lake Oneida he disappeared like as if +the earth had opened and swallowed him up." + +"But--but didn't you look for him?" + +"Dave you oughter know better nor to ask sech a question. Look? Why, I +tramped miles an' miles a-looking fer him,--an' fer them Injuns. But the +redskins got away, and we couldn't find Henry, alive or dead." + +"Then they must have taken him prisoner." + +"Thet's it, unless----" + +"Unless what, Sam?" + +"Wall, I don't like to say, lad. Let us hope fer the best." + +"You mean they might have killed him and thrown his body into the lake?" + +"Yes." + +Dave drew a long breath. The thought was a horrible one. He shook his +head dismally. + +"You didn't hear any shots, or any struggling?" + +"Nary a sound, Dave. We went along as silently as ghosts and with our +ears wide open. I know Henry was along when we moved up the lake, but I +missed him jest as soon as we turned to come back. He had been next to +the lake front and I walked over to find out if he had seen anything of +the Injuns. But he was gone--and that was the end of it--although I and +the others hunted around until we simply had to give it up and come back +to report." + +It was dismal news, and all Barringford could do did not cheer Dave up. +"First it was little Nell and now it's Henry," he said, soberly. "If +neither of them return what will Aunt Lucy say?" + +As soon as the army was settled at Oswego General Prideaux had all of +the batteaux and other boats made ready for the trip along the lake +shore to Fort Niagara, a distance of about a hundred and thirty miles. +In the meantime Colonel Haldimand was placed in charge of the garrison +to be left at Oswego, with orders to rebuild the fort, and otherwise +strengthen the place, as speedily as possible. Haldimand, who during the +Revolution became Governor of Canada, was an able and energetic officer, +and went about the work assigned to him without delay. Soon the ring of +the axe was heard in the forest and the big timbers for the new fort +were being brought out as fast as the pioneer-soldiers could handle +them. + +Prideaux had expected to embark for Niagara within a few days after +reaching Oswego where he was joined by Johnson with his seven hundred +Indians, but numerous delays occurred and it was not until the first of +July that his novel flotilla of boats, batteaux, and canoes set sail +westward over the mighty waters of Lake Ontario. All the time that the +army was at Oswego a sharp lookout was kept for the possible appearance +of French ships of war, or of transports carrying French troops, but +none came in sight. + +"Not a sail in sight anywhere," said Dave to Schnitzer one day, when the +two were at the beach. "If the French are near they are keeping +themselves well hidden." + +"Maybe da vos vaiting for a chanct to cotch us nabbing," answered the +Dutch soldier. "Dose Frenchers peen mighty schmart let me tole you. Of +da don't vos schmart den dis var vouldn't peen so long vinded, hey?" + +"Oh, they know what they are doing, no doubt of that. I wouldn't be +surprised if they attacked Colonel Haldimand after we go away." + +"Yah, dot is it, Tave--da vaits bis ve peen sphlit by two bieces und den +da fights first one bard und den der udder bard--und ve peen licked our +poots out, hey--maybe--of da peen schmart enough." And Hans Schnitzer +nodded his shaggy head vigorously. + +Dave had been wondering if he would be ordered to remain behind with +those left at Oswego or if he was to go forward to Fort Niagara. He half +wished he would be told to remain behind, that he might have a chance to +go in search of Henry. + +But this was not to be, and a few days later came word that the company +to which he belonged would go forward under General Prideaux. + +"But I'm a-going to be left behind," said Sam Barringford. "I've got +orders to take charge o' the sharpshooters as is going to watch out here +while Colonel Haldimand rebuilds the old fort." + +"Oh Sam, if you stay behind, won't you keep an eye open for Henry?" + +"To be sure I will, lad--thought o' thet myself." + +"Do you think those Indians are still sneaking around?" + +"More'n likely not, Dave. Not if they war French spies. They've gone +across the lake to give warning of our coming." + +"If they had Henry a prisoner they would take him along." + +"Yes,--or worse." + +Dave shook his head sadly, and went about his work, which was to see to +the loading of two batteaux, that were piled high with utensils +belonging to the culinary department of the army--for soldiers, like +ordinary mortals, must eat and if they are not served properly there is +apt to be a good deal of grumbling. + +One day later the army was off, in a long string of batteaux and other +craft stretching out a distance of over a mile. It was truly an imposing +sight, for the leading batteau was flying the flag of England, and other +banners were by no means lacking. There was music, too, to lighten up +the hearts of the soldiers, and ringing cheers for good luck to the +enterprise. + +It was General Prideaux's plan to hug the shore of the lake, +consequently the trip would be a little longer than if they sailed in a +direct line from Oswego to what is now the coast town of Carlton. The +reason for hugging the shore was, that the French might swoop down upon +the flotilla at any moment when out of sight of land, whereas, if the +English kept close to shore, they could at any moment turn into one of +the numerous bays or creeks, and there hide or throw up a temporary +defense. + +The southern shore of Lake Ontario is to-day dotted with villages and +towns, but when General Prideaux's army sailed along this coast it +showed an almost unbroken front of gigantic timber, rough rocks and +stretches of sandy waste. Here and there was an Indian village, but the +warriors were away, either with the French or the English. + +Much to Dave's disgust Lieutenant Naster was placed in charge of the +batteau, which contained besides Dave several soldiers who were hardly +known to our young soldier. When Naster saw Dave, he scowled but said +nothing. + +"He has it in for me, that's certain," thought Dave. "I'll have to keep +my eyes wide open." + +"I want none of your laziness," said the lieutenant, to Dave, an hour +later, and when all hands were resting on the oars. "I see you are not +pulling as well as the others, and it won't do." + +"I thought I was doing my full share," answered Dave. + +"Hi don't answer back, boy! Do as I tell you!" + +In a few minutes the rowing was resumed. One of the soldiers, unnoticed +by the lieutenant, winked at Dave. + +"He's a regular bear," he whispered. "Look out, or he'll make trouble +for you." + +"He's tried to make trouble for me before," answered Dave, in an equally +low tone. "He doesn't like me because I stood up for old Campwell when +he was browbeating the man." + +"Oh, so you were the soldier who interfered, eh? I heard of that case. +They say----" + +"Silence over here, and attend to your rowing!" shouted the lieutenant +from his comfortable seat in the stern. "Don't you see how we are +lagging behind? Pull up there, all of you, or somebody will get the lash +to-night, instead of his supper." + +After that but little was said, and the rowing continued steadily until +noon, when a brief halt was made for dinner. The lake was almost like +glass, so that while some of the batteaux drifted together, no damage +was done. + +"If I know anything about it, this weather won't last," said one of the +soldiers, after a careful survey of the sky. + +"It looks like a storm to me, too," said Dave. "But it may blow around +before it reaches here." + +Yet the day passed without the storm coming, and that night the +occupants of the batteaux slept soundly on the shore of a tiny bay +opening up from the lake. At sunrise the army was again in motion and +once again the flotilla continued its journey westward. + +Several soldiers who had been taken sick on the march to Oswego had been +left behind, but now others were overcome by the heat and the glare of +the sun on the water, and one batteau had to be turned into a floating +hospital. At one time Dave himself felt dizzy, but he said nothing, for +he well knew that Lieutenant Naster would have no mercy on him, sick or +well. + +The sun had come up over the water like a great ball of fire and by nine +o'clock the day promised to prove more than usually hot. But an hour +later the clouds began to show up in the west and it became rapidly +cooler. + +"We're in for that storm now," said a soldier to Dave. "See how the wind +is rising." + +"Yes, and we are pretty far out from land now, too," added Dave. "I +reckon we ought to turn in." + +One of the soldiers appealed to the lieutenant, but he would not listen +to advice. "Straight ahead," he roared. "You only want to go in that you +may rest. We have no time to fool away. A little rain won't hurt +anybody." + +The wind rapidly increased in violence, and soon the black clouds +overshadowed the sun, making the surface of the lake dark and ominous +looking. Then came a gust that whirled the batteau around in spite of +all the rowers could do to keep the craft up to the wind. The waves +dashed up, drenching everybody. + +"Oh!" cried Lieutenant Naster, for he had received some of the water +full in the face. "Steady there, you fools! Don't let her swing around!" + +"If we don't pull to shore we'll be swamped!" cried one of the soldiers. +"I was a sailor for six years and I know this is going to be a big blow. +Give the order, lieutenant, unless ye want to see bottom putty quick." + +At these words Lieutenant Naster turned pale. "Very well, turn about and +pull for the shore," he said. "And don't lose time," he added, as he saw +the white caps chasing madly toward them. + +With much difficulty the clumsy batteau was swung around and the journey +shoreward began. But valuable time had been lost, and now the rain came +down in a deluge, shutting out the view on every side. The wind whistled +a gale and in the midst of the downpour came a vivid flash of lightning +and a crack of thunder that was deafening. + +As much for his own safety as for the others, Dave bent to his oar with +a will, pulling with might and main. The sight of land was now shut out +and the task was therefore a blind one. On they went, the wind blowing +the waves into the batteau until the craft was speedily in danger of +becoming waterlogged. + +"Bail her out!" roared the lieutenant, who was now as much alarmed as +anyone. "Bail her out, or we'll go to the bottom!" + +[Illustration: "Bail her out," roared the lieutenant.] + +"Bail her out yourself;" came a voice from the front of the craft. "None +of us can leave the oars. Pull away, boys,--it's our only chance!" + +It was the man who had been a sailor who spoke, and all the other +soldiers obeyed him, leaving the lieutenant to take up an iron dipper +and begin the bailing as best he could. + +A moment later came a wild cry from beyond the batteau. "Look out, you +are running into us! Back water!" The cry was followed by a thump and a +crash and half a dozen yells of pain, and then ensued a wild scramble +for safety, for two of the batteaux had come together with such force +that the bottom of each was broken away on one side, letting in the +lake water with a rush. + +When the collision came Dave was thrown over backward, into the lap of +the soldier who had once been a sailor. Each clutched the other, and +both struggled to their feet wondering what would happen next. Then the +batteau began to settle and in a moment more Dave found himself +struggling in the waters of Lake Ontario. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE ATTACK AT OSWEGO + + +"I wonder when this will end?" + +Such was the question which Henry asked himself, after he had been a +prisoner of the Indians for a week and more. + +The warriors had marched him to the eastern shore of the lake, and here +he had been left in charge of two young warriors while the balance of +the party had taken canoes and disappeared in the direction of +Frontenac. + +The days had passed slowly. The warriors had found something of a cave +fronting the lake shore and Henry had been placed in this. His hands +were bound behind him almost constantly, they being released only when +he was eating or when both of his captors were at hand with their guns +to watch him. + +The young soldier often wondered what had become of Sam Barringford and +the others who had been in the party that had landed on the shore of +Lake Oneida. Had they too been captured and carried off, or had they +been killed? + +"Sam ought to have been able to follow their trail," he reasoned. He did +not know that the trail had been followed as far as the stream where the +Indians had first brought forth their hidden canoes. + +In the meantime the Indians had gone to Saint Luc de la Corne and +explained the situation to him. The French commander at once gathered +together twelve hundred men, consisting of Canadian pioneers and +Indians, and set out to do the English battle. He felt that a force +would be left behind at Oswego and this he determined to annihilate as +soon as General Prideaux had gone on with the main portion of the +English army. + +The coming of over a hundred Indians to the camp on the lake front +surprised Henry and he wondered what was in the wind. But he soon found +out, for several of the newcomers could talk English and they did not +hesitate to speak of the contemplated attack on Colonel Haldimand's +command, and of their high hopes of again laying Fort Oswego in ashes +and scalping all who should remain to defend it. + +After hearing this talk Henry burnt with a desire to obtain his freedom +and warn Haldimand of what was coming. For this purpose he resorted to a +ruse which worked better than he anticipated. He pretended to be very +sick and whenever the Indians came near groaned dismally and put his +hand to his head and then to his breast as if in intense pain. + +At first the warriors paid no attention, for they did not care how much +he suffered. But after releasing him during meal time, they grew +careless about tying him up again, and left him to roll upon the ground +as he pleased. He now pretended to be sicker than ever and crawled over +to a nearby pool of water, where he bathed his head and then lay down as +if utterly exhausted. + +Behind the pool was a clump of bushes, and back of this a stretch of +dense timber. Once in the timber he felt that he could hide until +nightfall and then make his way down the lake shore in the direction of +Fort Oswego. Perhaps he might even find a canoe, for the Indians had a +large number of these craft, hidden in various coves and creeks. + +Henry had to move with extreme caution, for he realized that one mistake +might cost him his life. Once or twice he saw the warriors gaze toward +him and each time he led them to believe that he was in as great a pain +as ever. + +Presently there was a shouting at the lake front, announcing the arrival +of more Indians, and all of the warriors on land looked in that +direction. Now was his chance, and with the swiftness of a deer released +from a trap he leaped across the pool and dove into the clump of +bushes. He did not stop, but at the risk of scratching himself in a +dozen places, tore his way along into the timber and went on and on, +pell-mell, fetching up against more than one tree and tripping over one +big root after another. Once he went into a hole up to his knee and came +close to breaking his leg, which, in the end, would undoubtedly have +cost him his life. But he freed himself and did not stop but continued +his course, limping deeper and deeper into the forest. + +A yell of rage told him that his escape was discovered, and soon he +heard several Indians thrashing around through the brushwood, while +others spread out for a search through the forest. There was no doubt +but that they meant to re-take him were such a thing possible. + +"But they shan't do it," he muttered, through his set teeth. "I must get +away somehow!" + +When half a mile had been covered he was surprised to find himself +within sight of the lake. At first he imagined that he had gone around +in a circle and brought up at the point from which he had started, but +soon he saw that the spot was a strange one, some distance south of the +Indian camp. + +His injured shin hurt him not a little and he was glad enough to plunge +into the water up to his knees. He had come out on a little bay and here +several overhanging trees and bushes afforded him good shelter. He +secreted himself as best he could and awaited developments. + +The Indians came within a hundred yards of the spot, but no closer, and +before nightfall he was left entirely alone. By this time the scraped +shin felt better, and he waded out to the lake proper, the water being +scarcely up to his knees. + +As night drew on, he could see a faint light up the shore, which told +him where the Indian camp lay. All around him was silent and deserted, +only the occasional cry of a bird breaking the stillness. + +Henry felt that he must get some sleep, or he would be unable to +undertake the journey toward Oswego in the morning, and with this in +view sought out a comfortable spot where he might lie down. Nothing came +to disturb him during the night, and by sunrise he arose feeling +decidedly refreshed. + +A storm was approaching--the same which was to prove so disastrous to +the batteaux on the lake, and Henry had not covered many miles along the +lake front when it burst on him in all of its fury, causing him to seek +shelter under a cliff of rocks some distance away from the water. The +lightning was sharp and he heard more than one tree in the forest go +down with a crash. But the storm did not last in that vicinity, and in +two hours it was over, although the drifting clouds still hid the sun +from view. + +The storm proved a great blessing to Henry, for after it was over he +came across two squirrels that had been killed by it and also a number +of birds. He had not had a mouthful to eat for twenty-four hours and he +now set about making himself a fire and cooking the game. He had a flint +and steel, which the Indians had not taken from him, and soon he had a +blaze in a hollow, where it would not be noticed. + +Having satisfied the cravings of his stomach, he renewed his journey +along the lake front. The storm had washed a number of things ashore and +presently he came upon an upturned Indian canoe, one of the rougher +sort, made of a hollowed-out log. + +"Hullo, that's better than nothing," he told himself, and righted the +canoe, although not without difficulty. There was also a paddle on the +beach, and soon he was on board the craft and paddling southward with +all the skill he could command. + +As he moved over the waters of the lake he kept his eyes behind as well +as in front of him, wondering if the Indians would discover what he was +doing. But they were out of sight, nor did a single warrior show himself +anywhere. + +It was growing dark again when Henry brought his canoe to a sudden stop +and then turned hastily shoreward. Far ahead he had seen another craft, +holding two men. That they were whites he was sure, but whether French +or English was still to be determined. He moved his canoe into a cove, +and secreting himself in the bushes awaited the approach of the +strangers. + +Soon the boat came close enough for him to make out the voices of the +newcomers. One voice sounded strangely familiar, and peering through the +bushes Henry was overjoyed to recognize Sam Barringford, who was sitting +in the bow of the boat, rifle in hand, while his companion was rowing. + +"Sam! Sam!" he cried, as he rushed forward. "Oh, Sam, how glad I am to +see you!" + +"Well, by the eternal, ef it ain't Henry!" shouted the frontiersman, in +almost equal joy. "This is dumb luck an' no mistake. Why, me and Gangley +came out on purpose to see ef we couldn't find out what had become of +ye! Are ye alone?" + +"Yes." + +"Any Injuns about here?" + +"There are a number up the shore--about ten or fifteen miles from here." + +The boat was turned into the cove and soon Henry and his old friend were +shaking hands, and then the young soldier shook hands with Gangley, who +was an old hunter from Pennsylvania. The youth told his story in full, +to which the others listened closely. + +"I reckon the best thing we can do is to git back and tell Colonel +Haldimand how matters stand," said Barringford. "If the French are +a-coming this way he'll want to know it." + +The craft Barringford and Gangley occupied was large enough for three +persons and soon Henry was on board. Then the boat was turned about and +the trip to Oswego began. + +On the way Barringford told about Dave's departure with the force under +General Prideaux. He also asked if Henry had learned anything concerning +little Nell. + +"Not a word, although I questioned the Indians all I could," answered +the youth. + +Gangley was an expert at handling a small boat and the craft fairly flew +through the water under his command and by the united efforts of those +on board. + +They were just coming in sight of the fort at Oswego when the sounds of +distant firing reached their ears. At first there were a few scattering +shots, followed, some minutes later, by a regular volley. + +"The French have arrived!" cried Henry. "That's a regular battle!" + +"Right you are, lad," returned the frontiersman. "See, there are their +boats--a goodly number of 'em, too!" + +"What shall we do?" + +"Better land up the shore a bit and take to the woods. It won't do for +us to show ourselves in the open down there--they'd pick us off in no +time." + +Gangley also agreed that this was best, and the boat was immediately +turned toward shore. They leaped out without delay, and hiding the +craft, proceeded without loss of time in the direction from whence the +shots had come. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NEWS OF IMPORTANCE + + +When General Prideaux left Oswego for Fort Niagara he was well aware +that the French would more than likely make an attack on the new fort +Colonel Haldimand was building, consequently, he cautioned that officer +to be on his guard at all hours of the day and night. + +But Haldimand needed no word of warning. His military training was of a +high order, and the very first thing he did before setting his men to +work to cut logs for the new fort was to have them arrange the pork +barrels, containing a large portion of their food, in a circle, and +outside of this lay a dense mass of brushwood in such a fashion that to +climb over or through it would be no easy task. + +This "pork fort" as it was called later on, caused many a laugh, yet it +proved no mean defense, as we shall soon see. Behind the barrels +Haldimand planted such cannon as Prideaux had left him; and then went to +work to build the fort proper without loss of time. + +The French came over the lake with as much secrecy as possible. In the +darkness they landed behind some brushwood and tall timber and took up +what they thought was a position of advantage. + +The battle began the next day, while the English were hard at work +chopping down trees and cutting them up into proper sizes for the new +fort. A scout gave the alarm and this was immediately followed by +several shots from the French and the blood-curdling war-cry of the +hostile Indians. + +Realizing at once that the enemy had tried to steal a march on him, +Haldimand ordered his command to stop work and make for the "pork fort." +Dropping their axes, the soldiers and pioneers seized their guns and ran +for the shelter of barrels and brushwood. Several were wounded, one +seriously, and seeing this, the command was given to fire in return, and +something of a pitched battle occurred. But the Frenchmen between the +English and the improvised fort were easily scattered, and then +Haldimand brought up his troops inside the barrel barricade and manned +his guns with such vigor that all of the enemy lost no time in seeking +the shelter of the forest so close at hand. + +It was this first encounter which reached the ears of Henry and his +friends. By the time they were on shore the firing had ceased and utter +silence prevailed as they crept slowly forward in the direction of +Haldimand's command. + +"Do you think it possible that the French have withdrawn?" asked Henry, +presently, as Barringford put up his hand as a signal to halt. + +"I think they are up to some trick," was the low answer. "Hist! down +with ye!" + +Barringford had seen a tall French soldier moving toward them. The +fellow was a sharpshooter and carried his rifle ready for immediate use. + +The soldier was coming directly toward them and in a moment more Henry +felt they would be discovered. Then, without warning, Barringford leaped +forward like a lightning flash, caught the soldier by the throat, and +bore him to the ground. + +Before Henry could recover from his bewilderment it was all over, and +the soldier lay flat on his back, for in going over his head had struck +on a sharp rock, rendering him unconscious. Barringford took the man's +gun and his ammunition box and handed them to the youth. "Now you're +armed as good as any o' us," he whispered. "It's lucky I cotched him +jest right, otherwise we might have had to do some powerful rasselin', +eh? Come." + +Once again they moved forward, until they felt the barricade of pork +barrels could not be more than a hundred yards distant. Then a fresh +firing broke out on their left, and soon fifty or more French soldiers +hove into sight as they were making a detour from one side of +Haldimand's defense to the other. + +"Come, we must get out of here!" shouted Barringford, and as the enemy +came closer, he fired at the leading soldier. Henry and Gangley also +emptied their pieces and three of the enemy went down, all badly +wounded. + +Running with all possible swiftness, our friends soon reached a point +where they could see some of the pork barrels. Barringford held up his +hands and was recognized. + +"Come in!" was the cry. "Don't stay out there!" And then the three went +forward again. But the French had also noticed them and half a score of +rifles were turned in that direction. Henry felt a bullet sing +unpleasantly close to his head and then saw Barringford, who was close +beside him, stagger and go down in a heap. + +"Oh, Sam!" he cried, in deep horror, "are you hit?" + +There was no reply to this, and Henry saw the blood beginning to show +itself around the old hunter's neck. In desperation he caught up +Barringford's body and commenced to drag it to the entrance between the +pork barrels. Gangley assisted him and soon they were behind the +temporary shelter with their burden. + +"I hope he isn't dead?" said Henry, as he surveyed the motionless form. +"Isn't there a surgeon handy?" + +A medical officer soon appeared, and Barringford was carried to an +improvised hospital but a short distance away, and here the medical man +made a hasty examination. + +"He isn't dead, but he's pretty hard hit," was the surgeon's conclusion. +"I'll do what I can for him. No, you can't help me. Better go to the +front and do your duty. There is no telling how strong the French are, +and if they defeat us, you know what we can all expect--a dreary life in +a Canadian prison--or worse." + +There was no time to say more, for the shooting had now started up once +more. It came from three sides. The enemy remained hidden behind the +trees and it was only occasionally that the English could get a shot in +return. + +"Will they make a general attack, do you think?" asked Henry, of +Gangley. + +"That depends on how strong they are," was the reply. + +It was a fearfully hot day and those behind the improvised +fortification suffered much both from heat and thirst. It was only +occasionally that a French soldier or an Indian showed himself and often +he was picked off before he could again find shelter. + +Presently, about two in the afternoon, came a fierce yelling of Indians +to the west of the fort, and the redskins could be seen moving through +the forest, although they took care not to expose themselves too much to +an attack. + +"They are coming!" was the cry. + +But Haldimand was not to be caught by any trick, and he divided his +force, one half to meet the expected attack of the redmen and the others +to guard the side upon which the French were still located. + +But the attack did not come off. Not over a score of redmen ran out into +the open, and when three of these were stretched lifeless by the +rangers, or the Royal Americans, as they were officially designated, the +remainder ran back with all possible speed. + +After this came another lull, and Henry ran to where Barringford had +been placed. He found the old frontiersman propped up against some +brushwood, over which a pair of blankets had been spread. He tried to +smile at the youth. + +"Got it putty bad," said Barringford, in a low voice. +"In--the--neck--can't talk." + +"Then don't say another word, Sam," returned Henry tenderly. "I am glad +to learn it's no worse. You keep quiet. I reckon we are safe, so far;" +and that was all that was said between them. + +"He'll be all right in a few days," said the surgeon. "But he had a +narrow escape. Had the bullet cut in half an inch deeper it would have +gone through his windpipe." + +Slowly the hours dragged by after this, with only an occasional shot. +But now Haldimand was laying his plans for moving on the enemy. Some +guns were brought into play on a certain bit of forest before the pork +barrel fort and when these were discharged the cries that followed told +that the French had been taken by surprise. + +"They are running for their boats!" was the announcement, a little while +later. "They are on the retreat!" + +A cheer went up at this announcement, and regardless of orders some of +the rangers leaped out over the barrels and brushwood and made after the +French, who seemed to have suddenly become panic-stricken. + +It was seen that La Corne was indeed retreating. The French soldiers and +the Indians were running in all directions, and in the excitement a +dozen or more were sent sprawling on the shore. + +"After 'em! After 'em!" was the cry. "Don't let 'em escape!" And then +came the rapid crack-cracking of guns and rifles and long pistols and +thirty of the enemy were killed and wounded. La Corne was struck among +the number, but not seriously wounded. + +With the rangers who left the fort was Henry, and soon he and Gangley +and four other pioneers were hurrying after a number of Indians who were +fleeing up the lake shore. These were the redmen who had made Henry a +prisoner and he was anxious to "square accounts" with them. + +The Indians had three canoes secreted in the bushes and they were +anxious to gain possession of the craft. After a swift run of ten +minutes they came in sight of the spot where the canoes were located. +But now the rangers opened fire on them and two of the Indians went +down, both wounded. The Indians returned the fire with a rifle shot and +several arrows, but nobody was struck. + +"They shan't git away so easy!" cried Gangley, and as the redmen leaped +into their canoes, he opened fire again. The others reloaded with all +speed, and a volley was delivered as the light craft shot out into the +lake. One more redman was brought low and fell into the water with a +loud splash, and then the canoes drew out of range with all possible +speed. + +The Indian who had fallen into the water was a stranger to Henry. He was +not seriously wounded and not wishing to drown, came ashore, although +evidently in terror of the whites. + +"Don't shoot him!" cried Henry, as two of the others leveled their guns. + +"Why not?" drawled one of the rangers. "Reckon as how he desarves it, +don't he?" + +"I want to question him." + +In a few minutes more the Indian was a prisoner, and then the rangers +turned their attention to the pair that lay wounded some distance back. +One was dying, but the other suffered only from a slight wound in the +leg. The dying redman was left where he had fallen and the others were +taken back to the fort. + +It was not until some time later that Henry got a chance to question the +captured Indians. One could speak fairly good English but it was only +with difficulty that the young soldier could make him tell anything +concerning the Indians in general and the prisoners they were holding. + +But after Henry had taken the trouble to dress the wounded one's hurt +and had supplied him with water and food, the redman's tongue became +loosened, and he listened to what Henry had to say with increased +interest. + +"Yes, Missapaw has seen the little girls," he said. "Two are of the same +birth, and the other is called 'Nell.'" + +"And where are they now?" demanded Henry, eagerly. + +"They are with some Indians and some French traders, in the west--at the +mighty fall of waters." + +"You mean Niagara Falls?" + +The Indian nodded. + +"And who are the French traders?" + +"Missapaw knows but one of them--a trader of the Kinotah." + +"What, you don't mean Jean Bevoir?" cried the young soldier. + +"Yes, that is his name." + +"And they are helping the Indians to hold the little girls captive. What +is their object?" + +"To make the little girls' fathers pay well for the return of the little +ones," was the answer. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA + + +We will now go back to Dave, at the time he was thrown into the waters +of the lake, in the midst of the storm. + +For the moment after the waters closed over him, the young soldier was +too bewildered to do more than throw out his hands wildly. He attempted +to cry out, and the water rushed into his mouth, almost drowning him. +Then he spluttered and struggled, and more by instinct than anything +else began to strike out. + +When he came up he took a fresh breath and dashed the water from his +eyes. He could see but little in the darkness, and although he could +hear many cries, and a shout or two from distant boats, yet the craft +remained invisible to him. + +At length another flash of lightning showed him that one batteau had +gone down and also showed him the sailor-soldier struggling near him. + +"Hullo there!" shouted the other, whose name was Simon Lapp. "Can you +swim?" + +"Yes, but not extra well," panted Dave. + +"Move this way, then--the shore's over yonder, and I think we'll soon +strike bottom with our feet." + +Dave did as suggested, and ranged up alongside of Simon Lapp. The +proximity of the sailor-soldier gave the youth confidence, and he did +his best to keep up with the man. + +It was the hardest swim of his life and more than once Dave felt as if +the weight of his uniform would carry him down. The two were alone in +the vicinity, the others having either gone down or struck out for the +uninjured boats nearest to them. + +When Dave was almost exhausted he felt bottom under him, and hand in +hand he and Simon Lapp waded ashore. The rain was now coming down harder +than ever, and both crawled to the shelter of some overhanging trees, +regardless of the danger from lightning. + +"We're in a pickle, that's certain," observed Dave, when he felt able to +speak. "Do you reckon anybody will come to shore for us?" + +"More'n likely some of the boats have been driven ashore," answered +Lapp. "Let us be thankful that our lives have been spared." + +Dave was thankful, and as they crouched there in the darkness he uttered +a prayer to God for His mercies, and prayed that this adventure might +speedily be brought to a safe conclusion. + +As we know, the storm was not of long duration, and by nightfall Dave +and Lapp were walking along the shore, searching for friends, or for +some signs of the other batteaux. + +But, strange as it may seem, no boats showed themselves, nor did a +single human being come into sight. + +"Might as well give it up," said the sailor-soldier at last. "I'm too +tired to stick on my pins a minit longer. Let's make a fire and dry +off." + +Dave was agreeable, and the fire was started, although not without great +difficulty. In moving along the shore they had come across a few small +fish thrown up by the fury of the wind and these they cooked and ate. + +The next day found Dave and Lapp still in the woods. In some manner they +had strayed from the lake front and before nightfall they had covered +many miles in an endeavor to set themselves right once again. They had +found no more game, and being without means of shooting anything, or +even of going fishing, were almost starved for the want of food. + +"We've got to do something," said Dave, on the following morning. "If we +don't, we'll starve. I'm going to try to bring down some birds with +sticks and stones." + +He tried his best, but though he followed his plan up for fully an hour +not a bird did he hit, and by that time his arm was so tired that +further throwing was out of the question. In the meantime, his course +had brought him out on the lake front once more, and now while he +rested, Simon Lapp tried his hand at fishing, with a hook made out of a +thorn and some line manufactured from threads from his shirt. + +But the fish would not bite, and in an hour Lapp gave up the attempt in +disgust. Each looked at the other inquiringly. + +"The lake is full o' fish, and the woods full o' game--an' yet it looks +like we were meant to starve, Morris," said Lapp, slowly. + +"Oh, don't say that!" cried Dave. "Something may turn up--it must turn +up!" + +He had scarcely spoken when Lapp leaped to his feet and pointed down the +lake shore. "A boat!" he cried. + +There was a speck on the water, and as it grew larger, Dave saw that it +was indeed a boat, quite a large affair, carrying a small sail and in +addition several men at oars. + +Were those in the craft friends or enemies? That was the interesting +question, and Dave felt his heart beat rapidly. If they were friends all +would be well, but if enemies----? They would not wish to expose +themselves, and yet to starve to death was out of the question. + +As the boat came closer, they crawled behind some bushes and crouched +down out of sight. Slowly the craft glided up, until it was less than a +hundred yards away. Then Simon Lapp leaped up and swung his arms wildly. + +"Boat ahoy!" he cried. "Boat ahoy!" + +Those in the craft heard the call and the rowers stopped rowing, while +all looked with interest toward the shore. Then Dave uttered a yell. + +"Henry! Henry!" + +"Hullo, Dave, is that you?" was the answer. + +"Yes. Come in and take us on board. We are almost starved!" + +"How many of you there?" questioned the officer in charge of the boat. + +"Only two," answered Simon Lapp. "And unarmed at that." + +"It's all right, sir," said Henry, to the officer in command. "That is +my cousin, who left Oswego with General Prideaux's command. I don't know +what he is doing here though." + +The boat came ashore, and soon Henry was shaking Dave by the hand. The +hungry ones were provided with food, and although this consisted of +nothing better than some boiled pork, with beans and crackers which were +anything but fresh, never had a meal tasted sweeter to both. + +The officer and the others listened with interest to what Lapp and Dave +had to tell. They had come across the waterlogged remains of the wrecked +batteaux and had been watching sharply for any signs of floating bodies. +They had come across that of Lieutenant Naster and had buried it but a +few hours before. The news that the lieutenant was dead caused Dave to +shudder. + +The rangers were bound for the Niagara River, having been sent out by +Colonel Haldimand with a message to General Prideaux, telling the latter +of the defeat and retreat of La Corne. It was possible that La Corne +would now move onward to assist in the defense of Fort Niagara in which +case measures would have to be taken to cut him off. But La Corne had +been too thoroughly whipped to move westward, and, besides, he was soon +after needed in other directions. + +Of course the news which Henry had to tell about little Nell and Jean +Bevoir was of great interest to Dave. + +"Did the Indian tell you just where she was being kept?" he asked. + +"He said so far as he knew the captives and the traders were at an +Indian village called Shumetta, not over two miles away from Niagara +Falls. He said Jean Bevoir spent part of his time at Shumetta and the +rest at Venango, where he has charge of a company of traders, who intend +to fight in the French army, if the war is carried into that territory." + +"I hope Bevoir does fight, and that we get a chance at him!" cried Dave. +"I really think I'd take pleasure in laying him low--such a rascal as he +is!" + +After the privations of the past two days Dave was well content to take +it easy as the boat sped on its way along the dark and silent shore of +Lake Ontario, then presenting an almost unbroken line of forest and +rocks, to-day the sites of many villages and thriving cities. As the +craft moved on, constant watch was kept for a possible French sail, but +none appeared. + +It took General Prideaux's flotilla between six and seven days to make +the journey westward, and it was not until the troops were landing that +the boat containing Dave and Henry reached the main army. General +Prideaux was at once acquainted with what had occurred at Oswego and +seemed well pleased to think that La Corne's strategy had not availed +him. He already knew of the loss of Lieutenant Naster and of four +others who were swept away by the storm. + +Dave and Lapp had been given up for lost by their friends who had +escaped from the wrecking of the batteau, and their re-appearance was +hailed with delight. + +It was General Prideaux's plan to land some distance from Fort Niagara, +and then lay siege to the place. The soldiers disembarked as silently as +possible, the trees, rocks and bushes keeping them well hidden from +those in the fort. Then, while several companies were left behind to +guard the boats and baggage, the rest of the army moved through the +woods, the engineering corps going ahead, to throw up entrenchments as +soon as such a move seemed necessary. + +The old fort, which was speedily to see its last days under French rule, +stood on the right bank of the Niagara River, where that picturesque +stream empties into Lake Ontario. It was both large and strongly built, +after the fashion of French fortification of that period. Within the +outer defenses were several buildings of considerable importance, for +this fort had stood as a guardian of lake and river for many years. + +The commander at the fort was Captain Pouchot, an able French officer, +who had seen service for many campaigns. He had under him a force of +about six hundred soldiers--trained veterans who could boast of more +than one victory. Up to a short while before, there had been other +soldiers in this vicinity, but not dreaming of an attack--for his Indian +spies had this time failed him--the French officer had allowed these to +depart--to Venango and other trading posts, and to several of the nearby +Indian villages. It was mid-summer, and traders and Indians hated to do +military duty when they could bring down game and make trades. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE BATTLE NEAR THE FALLS + + +"We are certainly in for a fight now, Henry!" + +It was Dave who spoke, as he examined the priming of his new gun, to +make sure that the weapon was ready for use. "That little brush day +before yesterday woke the French up, and they will sail into us +heavily--if they can," he added. + +"Well, we came to fight," returned Henry, as he, too, looked his weapon +over. "And I guess we can be thankful, all things considered, that we +are here to do them battle and not killed, or laid up as Sam Barringford +is." + +"I hope Sam pulls through and that quickly." + +"The surgeon said he would--if he'll keep quiet for a while. But it's +like putting a torch to gun-powder to keep him quiet when there's a +scrimmage in sight,--he's such a born fighter." + +The two young soldiers were standing behind a breastworks which had been +thrown up early that morning. The first works thrown up by the English +engineering corps had proved untenable and the French had fired on them +with disastrous effect. But now they were comparatively safe; and the +English gunners were serving their various cannon steadily and +effectively, knocking the logs of the fort into bits with almost every +discharge. + +The fort had been under bombardment for several days, and the young +soldiers had been out on the firing line three times. But only one of +these times had been of any consequence and that was when a French +cannon ball, hitting some loose stones, had sent the latter in their +faces, scratching them both on each cheek and blinding a soldier +standing between them. + +The bombardment had been opened at rather long range, for General +Prideaux had not known the exact strength of the French garrison. Now +the worthy English general was dead, having been killed on the second +day by the unexpected explosion of a shell as it was being fired by some +English gunners from a small bronze mortar, generally called a coe-horn. + +The killing of General Prideaux placed the command of the expedition in +the hands of Sir William Johnson, who up to this time had been giving +all of his attention to the Indians who had volunteered to aid their +English brothers. Johnson was as quick to act as he was brave, and +having stationed his Indians where he could call upon them at a moment's +notice, had the English make another advance on the next day, which +brought the cannon to bear directly on the most vital parts of the fort. + +Captain Pouchot was now thoroughly alarmed, and under cover of darkness, +sent out messengers in various directions, to bring up the soldiers, +traders, and friendly Indians from Venango, Presqu'île, Detroit, and +other points. These different forces were to join together at some point +near Lake Erie and then sail down the Niagara River to the vicinity of +the Falls, where they were to disembark and then march forward with the +idea of attacking the English from the rear. + +Having sent forth his messengers the French commander now undertook to +do his best until the reinforcements should arrive. The English attack +was answered with spirit, so that day after day the air was filled with +shot and shell, hurled either into the fort or from it. + +The attack Dave had mentioned came late that afternoon and was followed +by another on the next day and still another two days later. + +It was hot work, for the July sun blazed down with unmitigating vigor, +and had the young soldiers not been toughened to a life in the open they +would have done as many of the English grenadiers did, fallen down in +the entrenchments exhausted. There was a continual demand for water and +it was fortunate for all that a good supply was close at hand. This same +supply more than once saved the fort from burning down. + +Both Dave and Henry had hoped to gain permission from General Johnson to +go off in search of little Nell, taking several friends with them. But +when they broached the subject the brave-hearted Irish commander shook +his head. + +"It will do you no good, young men," he said, kindly. "Stay with me, and +if we win out--as we must--I will do all possible to rescue the +children." + +The general was sure of a victory and his spirit proved contagious to +all under him. As the days went by the bombardment of the fort +continued, until Captain Pouchot had lost fully half a hundred of his +garrison. Impatiently he awaited the reinforcements from up the river. + +But if he had expected to catch Sir William Johnson napping he was sadly +mistaken. The commander of the English forces was thoroughly wide-awake, +and had his scouts out in all directions, and these included a dozen old +backwoodsmen and fully a score of Indians who could be depended upon to +do their best, no matter what the risk. It may be as well to mention +that among these scouts was White Buffalo, who had followed from Oswego +to Fort Niagara, not alone to aid Sir William Johnson but also to assist +the Morrises to find little Nell. + +The attack on the fort had begun on the seventh of July. On the +twenty-fourth word came in through the spies that a force of French and +Indians were coming down the river from Lake Erie. This body of +soldiers, traders and Indians was twelve hundred strong, and was +commanded by several French officers of note. The traders were of the +most savage and lawless kind and many of them were in the habit of +dressing like the Indians and smearing their faces with the same +war-paint. + +The word concerning this body came in late in the day and that night +General Johnson ordered forward a large part of his force, including +some grenadiers, some rangers and his Indians. The troops were cautioned +to move forward without making unnecessary noise, and to be certain of +what was taking place before opening fire. + +"Now for some real fighting!" cried Dave. "This won't be any such play +as besieging the fort." + +"Well, that hasn't been play to my notion," answered Henry. "At least it +wasn't play when that cannon ball came and blinded poor Campbell." + +"Well, I'm with ye, lads!" came a voice from behind them, and turning +swiftly they beheld Sam Barringford standing there, rifle in hand, and +with his throat done up in a bandage. + +"Where in the world did you come from?" ejaculated Henry. "Why, you +ought to be in the hospital!" + +"Not by a jugful, Henry! I'm well enough ag'in, I can tell ye--though I +allow as how my neck's a bit stiff." + +"How did you get here?" + +"Came up on a boat that brought some ammunition. Reckon I'm jest in +time, too, eh?" + +"You ought to take it easy, Sam," said Dave. "You've done enough--" + +"Cut it short, lad; I can't sit still when thar's a scrimmage on--no two +ways about it. Besides, I promised your folks to stay with ye, remember +thet,--an' I'm bound to keep my promise. Come along, an' tell me what +ye've been up to sence we parted company." + +As they trudged forward, along the Indian trail which led along the +bluff on the east side of the Niagara River, the youths related their +various adventures. Barringford was astonished to learn how Dave had +been nearly drowned and starved and how Henry and others had come up +just in the nick of time. + +"It's the work of an all-wise an' all-powerful Providence, thet's what +it is, lads," he said, reverently. "When we can't help ourselves it does +seem jest like an arm reached down out o' the clouds to give us a lift." + +On and still on went the soldiers, some keeping to the trail and others +skirting the river and the thick forest beyond. To those who had been on +guard duty during the day it was a tiresome tramp, but the life of the +soldier, as I have had occasion to say before, is not all glory, but is +usually a mixture of one-tenth glory and nine-tenths work and +duty-doing. + +At last came the welcome command to halt. The soldiers were now less +than a mile away from the falls and in the stillness of the early +morning the great body of falling waters could be distinctly heard--a +muffled roar which keeps on day and night now just as it did in those +days and just as it has done probably for centuries upon centuries. + +The rangers to which our friends belonged came to a halt in a little +grove of trees and both Dave and Henry were glad that they were not +called upon to do picket duty. They sank down to rest, and despite the +undertone of excitement observable on every hand, fell into a light +slumber, from which Barringford did not arouse them until it was +absolutely necessary. + +When they awoke there was a fierce yelling in the distance, followed by +a number of scattering shots. The fight had opened between the Mohawks +on one side and the Iroquois on the other. Soon the French traders +leaped into the fray, and then the soldiers on both sides followed. + +The French and their allies had come around the falls by the portage +trail and the battle began at some little distance below the falls. The +Indians fought like so many demons, both sides taking as many scalps as +possible. Soon the forest and the open space were filled with gun-smoke. + +"Forward!" came the cry. "Forward! We must drive them back! They must +never reach the fort!" And forward went our friends, and in a moment +more Dave, Henry, and Barringford found themselves in the very thickest +of the fray. + +Dirty looking traders confronted them, several Dave had seen before, on +the Kinotah, and some of these tried their best to bring down the son of +the English trader they so hated. But Dave was un-touched, although one +bullet did pierce his jacket. The rush of the English rangers was +successful and soon the Frenchmen scattered to the right and the left. + +But now a body of French soldiery was coming forward on the +double-quick. The rangers had no time to reload their weapons, and so +leaped forward for a hand-to-hand contest, such as soldiers of to-day +know little or nothing about, where bayonet met clubbed musket and sword +the long and equally dangerous hunting knife of the pioneer, and where +many a contest was settled in short order with the naked fist, if no +better weapon was handy. It was a time to bring out "real grit" in the +best meaning of that term. + +Henry had discharged his gun and was now trying to club off two French +soldiers who had attacked him with their bayonets. He struck one of the +enemy on the head, sending him reeling, but the force of the blow made +him lose his balance and he too fell, but only upon his knees. + +"Ha! now we have you!" cried another French soldier, close by, as he saw +Henry slip, and lowering his bayonet he charged on the youth, intending +to run him through on the spot! + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +INTO THE NIAGARA RAPIDS + + +For the moment it looked as if poor Henry's last moment on earth had +come and the young soldier closed his eyes to meet the fate he thought +could not be averted. + +"Back with you!" came a cry from Dave, and making a wild leap forward, +he swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head. The blow, +however, merely grazed the enemy's cap, which fell upon the forest +sward. Then the Frenchman drew back and made another desperate lunge +forward. + +[Illustration: He swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's +head.] + +At that instant a rifle report rang out. Sam Barringford, who had just +reloaded his weapon, had seen Henry go down and was as quick to act as +Dave had been. He was in such a position that he could not get a full +view of the Frenchman but he could see the extended arms and the gun +with the bayonet, and he fired at these. + +His aim was true, and with a howl of pain, as the bullet cracked his +elbow joint, the enemy dropped the weapon just as the bayonet point was +entering the cloth of Henry's jacket. Then, finding himself wounded and +defenseless, the Frenchman lost no time in retreating and was soon lost +to sight behind the trees. + +Now was no time to thank Barringford for what he had done, for the +fighting still continued on every side. Dave helped his cousin to his +feet, and soon the pair, with the faithful old frontiersman, were again +in the thick of the fray. The forest was heavy with gun smoke so that in +spots but little could be seen, and more than once it happened that one +side or the other fired into the ranks of its friends. + +Inside of quarter of an hour our friends found themselves in something +of an open spot bordering the river, at a point where the rapids rushed +furiously along the rocks on their way to the lake. Here, as they were +moving forward, to join a body of English soldiers fifty yards away, +they were suddenly confronted by a body of Iroquois who came upon them +uttering the most horrible war-cries the youths had ever heard, and +brandishing their tomahawks and scalping knives. + +"On yer guard thar!" came from Barringford. "They air after us +hot-footed now!" + +He swung around, and as the nearest Iroquois came within a dozen steps +of him, he let the savage have the contents of his gun full in the +breast, killing him instantly. Then the boys also fired, wounding two +others. This halted the Indians for the moment, but quickly recovering, +they darted forward with increased fury, bent upon adding the scalps of +the three whites to their belts ere the battle should come to an end. + +It was Dave who found himself the first attacked. A tall Iroquois, +straight as an arrow, leaped upon him and tried to stab him with a +hunting knife. The young soldier warded off the blow, with his gun, and +in a trice the pair were locked in each other's arms and swaying back +and forth over the rocks. The Indian muttered something between his set +teeth, but Dave did not understand what was said. + +Henry and Barringford were also attacked, so they could do nothing for +their companion. The Iroquois were ten strong, and soon it looked as if +all our friends would undoubtedly be killed and scalped. + +The Indian who had attacked Dave had made a desperate clutch at the +young soldier's throat. But Dave had caught the wrist so quickly thrust +forth, and now the two were fighting with one arm of each thrust out and +up and the other wound tightly about the enemy's neck. Thus they swayed +back and forth, each doing his best to force an advantage and each +failing. Both looked about, thinking that possible assistance might be +at hand, but all the others engaged in the combat were too busy to +notice them. + +Slowly but surely the pair drew closer to the edge of the river, which +at this point was some fifteen or twenty feet below the ledge of rock +upon which the combat was occurring. In the stream the rapids swirled +and boiled in every direction, occasionally sending a shower of spray up +to their very feet. The dampness made the rocks slippery and both had +all they could do to retain their footing. + +At last Dave seemed to obtain a slight advantage. The Indian relaxed his +vigor for just a moment and in that fraction of time the young soldier +caught him by the throat and gave him such a squeeze that the redman's +windpipe was well-nigh dislocated. + +At this the Indian uttered a grunt and began to back away, but still +retained his grip on Dave. This brought the pair closer than ever to the +edge of the rocks. + +"Look out!" came a sudden cry from Henry, who happened to see the +movement. "Dave! Dave! Look out!" + +Dave heard the cry, but was powerless to heed it. At the very edge the +rocks were worn smooth, and of a sudden the Indian slid backward +dragging the young soldier with him! Over went both, into the flying +spray, to disappear a moment later beneath the surface of the fiercely +running rapids. + +Henry saw the fall and his heart leaped into his throat, for he felt +that it could mean but one thing for his cousin, and that death. But +even had he been able to do anything, which was doubtful, he was given +no chance, for now the advancing Iroquois surrounded him and Barringford +upon every side. + +The scene to follow was one which it would be hard for pen to describe. +Feeling that it might be his last stand on earth, Barringford's whole +will-power arose to the occasion, and once again he was the very +personification of reckless courage, just as he had been when the +Indians had attacked the trading post on the Kinotah. With clubbed +musket he whirled around from right to left and left to right so quickly +that the human eye could scarcely follow him. + +"Come on, ye red sarpints o' the woods!" he yelled. "Come on, an' I'll +show ye the real trick o' fightin'! Ye don't know what a roarin', +blusterin' hurricane ole Sam Barringford is when he's woke up, do ye? +Thar's one fer ye, an' thar's another, an' another! Cut me loose, will +ye! I'll show what a generwine ole Injun fighter kin do! Yer nuthin' +'tall but a lot of measly pappoose, thet's wot ye be, an' don't yer go +fer to wake up sech a roarin' mountain painter as me!" + +Barringford had just brought down his third Indian and was still at it, +with Henry lending all the aid possible, when there came a sudden +war-cry from the woods to the north of the opening. It was the cry of +Indians friendly to the English, and scarcely had it ended when White +Buffalo burst into view, followed by a number of his braves. + +A glance told the chief what was happening, and without delay he leaped +in to aid our friends, and in a moment more the redmen on both sides +were having a battle as warm as the one just ended. But the Iroquois had +suffered about all they could stand, and soon those that were able to +move were in full retreat, while the others were just as speedily +dispatched and scalped by the redmen who had put them to flight. + +As soon as he was at liberty to do so, Henry approached the edge of the +rocks, to ascertain, if possible, what had become of his cousin. Here, +while he was peering eagerly down into the rapids and flying spray, +Barringford joined him. Both were suffering from several small wounds +from which the blood flowed freely, but to these hurts they, just then, +paid no attention. + +"Whar's Dave?" was the frontiersman's question, as he proceeded to +reload his rifle. + +"Why, didn't you see him, Sam? He and a redskin had each other by the +throat and both went over into the river." + +"Gollywhoppers, Henry, you don't mean it! When was thet?" + +"Just before White Buffalo and his braves came up." + +"And they went over right here?" + +"Yes." + +Barringford peered sharply down the stream for nearly half a minute, +while Henry did the same. + +"Don't see no sight of 'em; do you?" he said, slowly. + +"No." Henry drew a long breath and shuddered. "Oh, Sam, I--I hope Dave +isn't drowned!" + +At this the backwoodsman shrugged his shoulders. + +"So do I hope it, lad. But war is war ye must remember, an' we can't +expect to kill the enemy right along an' hev nuthin' happen to us." + +"Yes, but--" Henry could not finish because of the lump which came up in +his throat. "I'm going to follow the river and see if I can't find out +the truth," he blurted out at length. + +"Sure. Come on." + +The fighting now seemed to be at an end in that neighborhood, and +although they could hear gun-shots in the direction of the falls, and +further to the southward, not a French soldier or an unfriendly Indian +remained in sight. + +For the day had been irretrievably lost to the enemy, and with one +hundred and fifty of the French and Indians killed, and over one hundred +French taken prisoners, the remainder of the attacking force had fled in +wild confusion past the falls and upper rapids to where lay the boats +which had brought them down from Lake Erie. Into these boats they +tumbled with all possible speed and sped in the direction whence they +had come. They were followed by some of the English and by Indians, who +ran along the shore for a distance of half a mile, shooting down every +enemy who could be reached by bullet or arrow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +FALL OF FORT NIAGARA + + +So intent were Dave and his enemy on getting the better of each other +that neither noticed their close proximity to the river until it was too +late to do anything to save themselves. + +Down they went through the flying spray, to strike the boiling waters +which flowed so rapidly at the base of the rocks. Both went under like a +flash and with equal quickness were borne along by that treacherous +current which had proved the death of so many in the past and will most +likely bring death to many more in the future. + +The redman did not relax his hold even when both had been under the +surface for some time. To him it was a struggle to the death, and he +cared not how the grim terror might come, so long as the hated white +person should go down with him. + +But Dave, much younger, and with the hope of youth in his veins, did not +intend to give up thus easily. As the waters of the river closed over +him the idea of further battle with his opponent ended, and his one +thought was now of how to save himself from drowning. He had been warned +of the stream's treachery, and he knew that to keep from perishing would +be no easy task. + +With all the strength he could command he essayed to push the Indian +away from him. But the warrior clung closer, for he could not swim and +knew he could gain nothing by being left to himself. Thus the pair +continued to struggle, and in the meanwhile the current carried them +further and further away from the spot where the unfortunate tumble had +occurred. + +"I must get loose somehow!" thought the youth. "If only I could break +that hold on my throat!" But the hold was like that of a steel band, and +instead of loosening it seemed to grow tighter, until poor Dave's head +began to swim and he gave himself up for lost. He drew up his knee and +forced it against the Indian's breast, but still his endeavors had no +effect. And now the water began to enter his mouth and nose and he felt +himself growing unconscious. A thousand thoughts flashed through his +mind--of Henry and Sam, and of his father and the other dear ones left +behind. Was this to be the end of all--this drowning in the grasp of a +hideously painted Indian? + +Suddenly came an awful shock which threw Dave heels over head in the +swirling waters. In their rapid passage down the stream, the Indian's +head had struck fairly and squarely on a jagged rock just below the +surface. The fearful impact of the blow had crushed in the warrior's +skull like an egg-shell, and instantly his hold relaxed, and in a moment +more the body passed from sight. + +The shock threw Dave on another rock, rising less than a foot above the +surface of the stream. Amid the foam and spray he felt the edge of the +stone and by instinct more than reason he clutched at it wildly and held +fast. Then, as he recovered his breath, he drew himself up until his +head and his back were out of the water. His feet swung around with the +current and there he remained, with the water tugging strongly to drag +him down from his temporary place of safety. + +He was in this position when discovered by the sharp eyes of Henry and +Sam Barringford, and with all possible speed they ran down to the bit of +shore which stuck out to within thirty feet of Dave's resting place. + +"Dave! Dave!" called Henry. "Are you all right?" + +"Henry! Help me! I--I can't stand th--this strain much longer," was the +answer, delivered with a jerk and a gasp. + +"We'll have to git a rope," came from Barringford. He raised his voice. +"Hold tight, Dave, and we'll save you!" + +He was off on the run then and Henry heard him crashing along the trail +of the portage. Dave could hear but little save the pounding and rushing +of the river torrent on all sides. He looked toward his cousin through +the flying spray and the appeal went straight to Henry's heart. + +The young soldier looked around. Not far away grew a number of saplings. +He leaped toward the nearest, and with his hunting knife commenced to +hack it down. The task was almost completed when Barringford reappeared. + +"Thought I knowed whar I could git a rope," said the backwoodsman, as he +held up the article. "Seen a dead Frencher with it a spell back. Going +to git a tree, eh? Perhaps we'll need thet too. Let's try the rope +fust." + +He made a noose, and flung it forth with care. It slid close to where +Dave lay, but the youth failed to grasp it. Then the rope was flung a +second and a third time. + +At last Dave caught the noose, and managed, although not without great +difficulty, to slide it up his left arm above the elbow. This would +leave his hands free to battle with any obstruction which might +threaten him in the dangerous passage from the rock to the shore. + +"Are you ready to be pulled in?" queried Barringford. + +"Yes, but be careful. There's a sharp rock just below this point. I just +caught sight of it," answered Dave. + +"We'll pull you up stream--if we can," answered the backwoodsman. + +In another moment Dave was again in the mad current. Planting their feet +firmly between cracks in the rocks on shore, Henry and Barringford +pulled in as quickly as possible. + +As all had supposed, the current swung Dave down the stream and then +flung him up along the rocks lining the bank. Still holding the rope +Barringford told Henry to run down and help his cousin out of the water, +and this the young soldier did. + +Poor Dave was more dead than alive, and for a good half hour felt too +weak to move from the river bank. While he was resting, with the others +beside him, a small detachment of the English grenadiers came up. + +"The battle is over," said one of them, in answer to Barringford's +question on that point. "We've whipped 'em finely, and it's doubtful if +they ever come back to try it over again." + +"If that's the fact, then it means the fall of Fort Niagara," put in +Henry. "The commander there has undoubtedly been waiting for +reinforcements." + +"Well, we're here to make the fort surrender," answered the soldier from +England. + +The soldiers had some rations with them, including some coffee, and +after Barringford had started a fire whereat Dave might dry himself, the +youth was given something hot to drink, which did much to revive him. + +What Henry had said about the fall of the fort was true. That very +evening General Johnson sent a Major Harvey to the commander of the +fort, with news of the defeat at the falls and stating that the fort had +better surrender at once, otherwise the Indians friendly to the English +might take it into their heads to massacre all the French prisoners. + +At first Captain Pouchot could not believe that the disaster to the +French cause had been so great, and to convince him he was allowed to +send an aide into the British camp. The aide reported that the contest +was indeed lost, and thereupon, early on the following morning, Fort +Niagara surrendered, and six hundred and eighteen officers and men +became English prisoners. Later on, the majority of the prisoners were +sent to England while the women and the children who had been driven to +the fort for protection were, at their own request, allowed to depart +for Montreal. + +The fall of Fort Niagara accomplished all that the English government +and the colonists had hoped for. It broke the chain of defenses the +French had established between the lakes and the lower Mississippi, and +closely following this disaster the enemy were compelled to vacate +Venango, Presqu'île, La Boeuf, and other points, including the trading +posts on the Ohio and the Kinotah. They retired to Detroit, and to the +upper bank of the St. Lawrence, and the English and colonists quickly +took possession of the places vacated. + +It was not deemed necessary that Dave and his friends return to the +vicinity of the fort the next day, and they and a party of rangers +numbering eighteen encamped along the bank of the Niagara. Two of the +rangers were suffering from wounds in the shoulders, and they and Dave +were made as comfortable as possible, so that by the next night the +young soldier felt once more like himself. + +"But I never want to tumble into that river again," he said to Henry +with a shudder. "I felt as if every minute was going to be my last." + +"Yes, you were lucky though," answered his cousin. "Think of what that +redskin got. It might have been your head instead of his." + +"I've seen that Indian before, Henry. I can't tell where, exactly, but I +think it was out at father's trading post." + +"That's not unlikely. I suppose all those rascally French Indians came +on with the French soldiers and traders to wipe us out. Well, they got +what they least expected." + +While the majority of the rangers were resting several of the number +went off in search of game, for provisions were now running low. The +most of the birds and wild animals had been scared away by the noise of +battle, and the hunters had to beat about for several miles before they +found what they wanted. + +On the return to the camp beside the river they heard a man calling +feebly in French, and moving toward the sound, discovered a French +trader lying in some brushwood, covered with blood and dirt, the picture +of weakness and despair. The trader had been shot in the leg and could +not walk and was suffering for the want of food and water as well as +attention to his wound. + +"For ze love of heaven, do not leave me here," he begged, piteously. +"Help me, kind sirs, and I vill revard you vell." + +The trader was evidently a rough sort of a man, yet the rangers took +pity on him, even though he did belong to the ranks of the enemy. Food +and drink were furnished, and the wound washed and bound up, and then +the rangers carried the prisoner with them to the camp. + +Dave and Barringford saw the rangers returning, and at the sight of the +prisoner Barringford leaped to his feet in high excitement. + +"Jean Bevoir!" he exclaimed. "Jean Bevoir, jest as sure as fate!" + +"Bevoir!" ejaculated Dave. + +"Bevoir?" repeated Henry, who stood near. "Do you mean to say that +fellow is Bevoir?" + +"It is!" answered Barringford. "He's wounded, too." + +Without waiting to hear more, Henry, followed by Dave, ran forward to +where the prisoner had been placed on a moss-grown bank. + +"You are Jean Bevoir," he began, sternly. + +"Ah! you know me, eh?" returned the French trader. "I do not seem to +know you?" and a puzzled look crossed his face. + +"Then I'll tell you who I am!" roared Henry, clenching his fists. "I am +Henry Morris, of Will's Creek. This is my cousin Dave Morris. You +helped to steal my little sister Nell. Where is she? Tell me this +minute!" + +As Henry finished he advanced, as if to strike the prisoner down where +he sat. Jean Bevoir grew pale and trembled with fear. + +"No! no! do not heet me!" he cried. "I no do zat. Eet ees von mistake! I +no see ze gal! I----" + +"Don't talk that way to me!" interrupted Henry, whose blood was +thoroughly aroused. "You'll tell me where she is, and at once, or +I'll--I'll--" he hesitated and looked around, and then caught up a gun +standing near. "I'll blow your head off, that's what I'll do!" + +It is doubtful whether Henry would have carried out his threat, but his +manner was so earnest that for once Jean Bevoir, wounded as he was, was +well-nigh scared to death. He put up his hands beseechingly. Then he +looked at the rangers gathered around; but no one stepped to his aid, +for all had heard of his doings, and of how little Nell and the Rose +twins had been carried off into captivity by the Indians and of how +Bevoir had plotted to hold them for a ransom. Many looked at him as +little short of a brigand, or pirate, and would not have been sorry had +his miserable existence been ended then and there. + +"No! no!" cried the trader and clasped his hands tremblingly before him. +"No shoot, please you!" + +"Then tell me where my little sister is!" + +"I--I know not zat--now. I--I--the Indians da run away, an----" + +Bevoir broke off short. The gun had been lowered, but now it was once +more brought up and the muzzle touched his forehead. He gave a yell of +terror and rolled backward. + +"Stop! No shoot me! I will tell you all!" he screamed. "No shoot! De gal +she in von cave up de river, near de falls. Da Indians bring her dare. +No shoot! I show da place. No shoot!" + +"In a cave near the falls?" queried Henry. + +"Yees, yees! Not far from here. She dare now, if not runned avay. I +show, you no shoot me!" + +"Then show the way," commanded Henry. "And remember, if you are telling +a lie, it will go hard with you." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +LITTLE NELL--CONCLUSION + + +Jean Bevoir was now thoroughly cowed, and once having exposed himself he +did all in his power to curry favor with those he had so deeply wronged, +in the hope that they would relent in their treatment of him and perhaps +grant him his ultimate liberty. But neither Henry nor the others would +make him any promises, for nobody had any intention of letting him go +free. + +"He deserves to become a prisoner," said Dave. "And he ought to be put +in solitary confinement and on bread and water." + +"Right ye are, lad," said Barringford. "He's wuss nor a snake in the +grass. I don't wonder Henry felt like pepperin' him on the spot." + +It was well along in the middle of the afternoon and the rangers who had +been out on the hunt were thoroughly tired, yet it was arranged that +those who had remained in camp should move to the cave near the falls +without delay, after getting minute directions from Jean Bevoir, so that +there should be no chance of making a mistake in the route. A strict +guard was ordered over the trader and he was given to understand that if +anything went wrong with those who set out on the search for little Nell +and the others the blame would fall upon him. + +It must be said that the hearts of both Henry and Dave beat rapidly as +they pushed along the trail leading towards the falls. Henry, as we +know, loved his little sister dearly, and Dave's affection for his +little cousin was scarcely less strong. Throughout the whole campaign +there had not been a day when they had not thought of her and of what +she must be suffering. + +Barringford led the advance, having questioned Bevoir so closely that he +said he felt he could find the cave in the dark. As the party moved on, +all kept their eyes and ears wide open for a possible surprise by the +enemy. + +But as we already know, French and Indians had fled in the direction of +their boats beyond the upper rapids, and the only persons met with were +half a dozen braves under White Buffalo, who were out doing spy duty for +General Johnson. + +"Heap glad to see Dave well," said White Buffalo, when they met. "Hear +Dave go into rushing waters. Glad Dave get out." + +"So am I glad, White Buffalo. And how did you make out in the battle?" + +For answer the chief pointed to his girdle, at which hung two freshly +taken Indian scalps. Then he pointed to the girdles of his followers, +all similarly adorned. Dave nodded to show that he understood. + +In these days such a showing would make one shiver, but in colonial +times the taking of scalps by the Indians was such a common occurrence +that it occasioned little or no comment, especially when practiced on an +enemy of the same color. A few of the French soldiers had been scalped, +but not many, since General Johnson had given strict orders that no +mutilation of the whites would be allowed. On the other hand, the French +Indians engaged in the battle had committed all the atrocities possible +before retreating to the upper river and the woods. + +Learning what was taking place, White Buffalo asked the privilege of +joining the party with one of his braves, and this was readily granted. +On they went again, through the thick undergrowth and around the rough +rocks, for in those days where the town of Niagara Falls now stands was +little short of a complete wilderness. + +At length White Buffalo called a halt and pointed to the ground. +Barringford had been watching the trail intently. + +"Fresh footprints, eh, White Buffalo?" queried the frontiersman. + +"Indians close by," answered the chief, gravely. "No friends to the +English." + +"Then we'll go slow." + +The Indian grunted, and the word was passed for every soldier to be on +his guard. Barringford now calculated that they were less than quarter +of a mile away from where Jean Bevoir had said the cave was situated. + +Suddenly a shot rang out and this was followed by the whizzing of an +arrow over Barringford's head. One of the rangers had been struck in the +shoulder, although the wound was but a trifle. + +"This way," shouted Barringford, who had been chosen as the leader, and +all followed him to a thicket. In another moment they had caught sight +of several Indians and two French traders hurrying along a trail leading +to the river bank above the falls. + +"Look! look!" cried Dave, suddenly. "There is little Nell now! An Indian +has her in his arms!" + +He was right, and soon they saw two other Indians who were carrying the +Rose twins. The dusky trio appeared but for a moment, then slipped out +of sight in the timber. + +With a yell to the others to follow, Dave darted after the redman who +held little Nell, and Henry, Barringford and White Buffalo came close +behind him. On they went through thickets which almost tore the clothing +from their bodies and over rough rocks. The Indians seemed to know the +way and kept a good distance ahead despite their burdens. + +But now those in front had to cross a little opening, and while doing +this Barringford and White Buffalo fired on them, bringing two of the +number down. They were the Indians holding the Rose twins and in a few +minutes more the twins, who were sobbing in fright, were safe in the +rangers' care. + +The Indian holding little Nell now bounded on with increased speed, +making directly for the bluff overlooking the mighty falls. He knew of +the opening under the falls and hoped by some chance to throw his +pursuers off the scent and gain this hiding-place. + +But those in pursuit were too clever for him, and in perplexity he +turned, like a hunted hare, and started out on the bluff. Then, as he +came again into the open, he swung little Nell to his back and held her +there. + +"He is making for the falls!" screamed Henry. + +"What! do you think he means to jump over?" questioned Dave, in fresh +horror. + +"It looks like it. I reckon he's afraid if he's captured that we'll +torture him." + +This was probably the truth, and having glanced back once, to see if +they were still pursuing him, the Indian kept on, until he was less than +fifty feet away from the brink of the cataract. + +"Oh, Dave--shall we--we shoot?" faltered Henry. + +"We must!" was the quick answer. "It's our one chance to save Nell!" + +Up came his gun, and up also came the weapons of Henry and several +others of the party. Four reports rang out almost as one. The Indian +staggered a dozen steps and pitched headlong, carrying little Nell down +with him. Both lay perfectly still close to the brink of the cataract. + +For the moment neither Henry nor Dave dared to go forward. Supposing one +of those four bullets had found little Nell's body instead of that of +the Indian? + +It was Barringford who advanced, with several of the rangers. A glance +showed him that the Indian was dead, with two bullets through the lower +portion of his back. Little Nell lay beside the fallen Indian, +unconscious and with the blood flowing from a scratch on her right lower +limb. She was only stunned by the shock and as Barringford picked her up +she opened her eyes wildly. + +"Let me go! Please let me go!" she screamed, and then, on catching sight +of her preserver, stared in astonishment. "Oh, Mr. Barringford, is it +really you? Oh, I'm so glad! Save me from the naughty Indian." + +"The Injun is dead, Nell," he answered, and then as Henry and Dave +rushed up, he added, "You are safe enough now." + +Henry caught his little sister in his arms and both hugged each other +tightly. The young soldier was too overcome to say a word, nor could +Dave speak as he embraced his cousin. It was truly a happy moment. + +In a little while the other rangers came up with the Rose twins, who +were as delighted as little Nell to find themselves among friends once +more. In the mean time the other unfriendly Indians and the French +traders disappeared, and although White Buffalo and some of the rangers +went after them, they could not be captured. + +That evening, seated around a generous camp-fire, and after the best +supper they had enjoyed for many a day, little Nell and her companions +told the tale of their captivity,--how the Indians had at first carried +them off, how they had been moved from one spot to another, and of how +Jean Bevoir had finally taken charge of them. The little girls were too +young to understand how the rascally trader had hoped to make money by +having them ransomed, but the boys and the other soldiers understood, +and they made up their minds that Bevoir should not escape them and that +the whole matter should be laid before the proper authorities at the +earliest possible date. + +"But I am so glad to be with you again!" murmured little Nell, as she +nestled down between Henry and Dave. "I hope the bad Indians never carry +me off again!" + +"They shall never do it if I can help it," answered Henry; and Dave +echoed the sentiment. + + * * * * * + +Let me add a few words more and then bring to a close this story of two +young soldiers' adventures while "Marching on Niagara." + +On the day following the rescue of little Nell and the Rose twins all +our friends took themselves to Fort Niagara, which was now occupied by +French and English combined. With the party went Jean Bevoir, a +thoroughly miserable prisoner of war. The trader begged hard to be given +his freedom and offered all sorts of inducements to those having him in +charge, but nobody would listen to him, and one ranger threatened to +thrash him if he ever mentioned a bribe again. At the fort the matter +was laid before Sir William Johnson, and Bevoir was placed under guard +in the military hospital; and that was the last seen or heard from him +for some time to come. + +Little Nell was very anxious to get back home, to see her father and +mother, as well as Rodney and her Uncle James, and it was finally +decided that she should be sent back, along with the Rose twins and a +number of other captives who had turned up. The party was placed in +charge of a company of rangers including Hans Schnitzer, who in the +siege of the fort had lost an ear, and of Barringford, who had given his +word to Joseph Morris that if he found little Nell he would not leave +her out of his sight until the miss was once again with her parents. + +"But what will you boys do?" questioned the backwoodsman of Dave and +Henry. + +"We have decided to remain in the army and see this war to a finish," +said Dave. "We've got the French and their Indian allies on the run, as +they call it, and both of us feel that it's our duty to remain at the +front." + +"That feelin' does ye both credit," was Barringford's answer. "Well, I +reckon you'll git fighting enough before you're done. If it keeps on +very much longer I allow as how I'll be back with ye sooner or later." +What Barringford said about getting fighting enough was true, and the +further adventures of our young friends will be related in another +volume, to be entitled "At the Fall of Montreal; Or, A Soldier Boy's +Final Victory." In this volume we shall meet all our old friends again +and learn what they did toward establishing a lasting victory over +France in Canada. + +It was not long after the taking of Fort Niagara that the boys received +good news from home. Matters were going well with all those left behind, +and they were delighted to learn that little Nell was safe and would +soon be with them. Dave's father was likewise delighted to learn that +Jean Bevoir was a prisoner and that the French hold on the Ohio River +and its tributaries was broken. He felt certain that the French traders +and the Indians under them would never regain that which had been lost, +and that in another season at the latest he would be perfectly safe in +re-establishing his trading post on the Kinotah, and that by that time +matters would be in proper shape for doing more trading than ever +before. + +"I hope what he says proves true," said Dave, as he and Henry read the +letter on the subject. "I think we deserve whatever we can get out of +that trading-post, seeing how hard we have worked to gain possession of +our own." + +"I am glad matters are going on so well at home," returned Henry. "My, +but won't mother be glad to see Nell again! They'll hug each other to +death." And he wiped something like a tear from his eye as he pictured +the scene in his mind. + +In the darkness of the evening Dave's hand stole into that of his +cousin. "I am just as glad over it all as you, Henry," he said softly. +And then after a short silence he added: "There is no disputing it. God +has been very good to us; don't you think so?" + +For answer Henry gave his hand a tight squeeze. "We can be thankful +we're alive, considering what we've gone through with. War is no holiday +making." + +"You're right it's not. But I'm glad I'm a soldier anyway--and I mean to +do my duty to the end, no matter what comes." + +A few minutes later both lay down to sleep, the hand of one resting in +that of the other; and here for the time being let us leave them, kind +reader, with our best wishes. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marching on Niagara, by Edward Stratemeyer + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARCHING ON NIAGARA *** + +***** This file should be named 34355-8.txt or 34355-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/3/5/34355/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +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: Marching on Niagara + or, The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier + +Author: Edward Stratemeyer + +Illustrator: A. B. Shute + +Release Date: November 17, 2010 [EBook #34355] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARCHING ON NIAGARA *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h1>MARCHING ON NIAGARA</h1> + +<h2>OR THE SOLDIER BOYS OF THE OLD FRONTIER</h2> + +<h3>Colonial Series</h3> + +<h2>BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER</h2> + +<h3>Author of "American Boys' Life of William McKinley," "Lost on the +Orinoco," "On to Pekin," "Between Boer and Briton," "Old Glory Series," +"Ship and Shore Series," "Bound to Succeed Series," etc.</h3> + + +<h3><i>ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. SHUTE</i></h3> + +<h3>BOSTON:<br /> +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.</h3> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1902, by Lee and Shepard</span></h3> + +<h3>Published August, 1902</h3> + +<h3><i>All rights reserved</i></h3> + +<h3>Norwood Press<br /> +<span class="smcap">J. S. Cushing & Co.—Berwick & Smith</span><br /> +Norwood, Mass. U. S. A.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus1" id="illus1"></a> +<img src="images/illus1.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>After him tumbled a wild cat.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Marching on Niagara</span>" is a complete story in itself, but forms the +second of several volumes to be known by the general title of "Colonial +Series."</p> + +<p>In the first volume of this series, entitled "<span class="smcap">With Washington in the +West</span>," we followed the fortunes of David Morris, the son of a hardy +pioneer, who first settled at Will's Creek (now the town of Cumberland, +Virginia), and later on established a trading post on one of the +tributaries of the Ohio River. This was just previous to the breaking +out of war between France and England, and when the French and English +settlers in America, especially in those localities where trading with +the Indians was profitable, were bitter foes. David becomes well +acquainted with Washington while the latter is a surveyor, and when +Braddock arrives in America and marches against Fort Duquesne the young +pioneer shoulders a musket and joins the Virginia Rangers under Major +Washington, to march forth and take part in Braddock's bitter defeat +and Washington's masterly effort to save the remnant of the army from +total annihilation.</p> + +<p>The defeat of the British forces left this section of the English +colonies at the mercy of both the French and their savage Indian allies, +and for two years, despite all that Washington and other colonial +leaders could do, every isolated cabin and every small settlement west +of Winchester was in constant danger, and numerous raids were made, +savage and brutal in the extreme, and these were kept up until the +arrival of General Forbes, who, aided by Washington and others, finally +compelled the French to abandon Fort Duquesne, and thus restored peace +and order to a frontier covering a distance of several hundred miles.</p> + +<p>Following General Forbes's success at Fort Duquesne (now the +enterprising city of Pittsburg), came English successes in other +quarters, not the least of which was the capture of Fort Niagara, +standing on the east bank of the Niagara River, where that stream flows +into Lake Ontario. This fort was of vast importance to the French, for +it guarded the way through the lakes and down the mighty Mississippi to +their Louisiana territory. In the expedition against Fort Niagara both +David and Henry Morris take an active part, and as brave young soldiers +endeavor to do their duty fully and fearlessly.</p> + +<p>In the preparation of the historical portions of this work the author +has endeavored to be as accurate as possible. This has been no easy +task, for upon many points American, English, and French historians have +differed greatly in their statements. However, it is hoped that the tale +is at least as accurate as the average history, giving as it does +statements from all sides.</p> + +<p>Again thanking the many readers who have taken such an interest in my +previous works, I place this volume in their hands, trusting they will +find it not only entertaining but likewise full of instruction and +inspiration.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Edward Stratemeyer.</span></p> + +<p><i>Independence Day, 1902.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + + +<!-- Autogenerated TOC. Modify or delete as required. --> +<p> +<a href="#PREFACE">PREFACE</a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I. <span class="smcap">In the Forest</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II. <span class="smcap">Deer and Indians</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III. <span class="smcap">Discovery and Pursuit</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV. <span class="smcap">Burning of the Cabin</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V. <span class="smcap">Uprising of the Indians</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI. <span class="smcap">The Disappearance of Henry</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII. <span class="smcap">A Double Warning</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII. <span class="smcap">Departure from Home</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX. <span class="smcap">Gathering at Fort Lawrence</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X. <span class="smcap">How Henry Fared</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI. <span class="smcap">Sam Barringford's Ruse</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII. <span class="smcap">Dark Year of the War</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII. <span class="smcap">Fighting Off the Indians</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV. <span class="smcap">Retreat of the Pioneers</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV. <span class="smcap">Disappearance of Little Nell</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI. <span class="smcap">Back to Winchester</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII. <span class="smcap">A New Campaign</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII. <span class="smcap">Wildcat and Water</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX. <span class="smcap">Defeat of the English</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX. <span class="smcap">At Fort Pitt—Return Home</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI. <span class="smcap">On the Way to the Army</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII. <span class="smcap">The Fight with the Buck</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII. <span class="smcap">Up the Mohawk Valley</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV. <span class="smcap">Henry is Attacked</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV. <span class="smcap">A Storm on Lake Ontario</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI. <span class="smcap">The Attack at Oswego</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII. <span class="smcap">News of Importance</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII. <span class="smcap">Something About Fort Niagara</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX. <span class="smcap">The Battle Near the Falls</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX. <span class="smcap">Into the Niagara Rapids</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI. <span class="smcap">Fall of Fort Niagara</span></a><br /> +<a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII. <span class="smcap">Little Nell—Conclusion</span></a><br /> +</p> +<!-- End Autogenerated TOC. --> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + + +<p><a href="#illus1">After him tumbled a wildcat</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus2">They could see the cabin, which still blazed</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus3">The warrior with the torch held the light aloft</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus4">"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so +quickly."</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus5">He took a quick but careful aim at the leader</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus6">He leaped forward once again, straight for Dave</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus7">"Bail her out," roared the lieutenant</a></p> + +<p><a href="#illus8">He swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head</a></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>IN THE FOREST</h3> + + +<p>"Do you think we'll bag a deer to-day, Henry?"</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you better about that when we are on our way home, Dave. I +certainly saw the hoof-prints down by the salt lick this morning. That +proves they can't be far off. My idea is that at least three deer are +just beyond the lower creek, although I may be mistaken."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to get a shot at 'em. I haven't brought down a deer since we +left the army."</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon we had shooting enough in the army to last us for a +while," returned Henry Morris, grimly. "I know I got all I wanted, and +you got a good deal more."</p> + +<p>"But it wasn't the right kind of shooting, Henry. I always hated to +think of firing on another human being, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't mind shooting at the Indians—some of 'em don't seem to be +more than half human anyway. But I must say it was different when it +came to bringing down a Frenchman with his spick and span uniform. But +the Frenchmen hadn't any right to molest us and drive your father out of +his trading post."</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid General Braddock's defeat will cause us lots of trouble in +the future. Mr. Risley was telling me that he had heard the Indians over +at Plum Valley were as impudent as they could be. He said half a dozen +of 'em made a settler named Hochstein give 'em all they wanted to eat +and drink, and when the German found fault they flourished their +tomahawks and told him all the settlers but the French were squaws and +that he had better shut up or they'd scalp him and burn down his cabin."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Sam Barringford was telling something about that, too, and he said +he wouldn't be surprised to hear of an Indian uprising at any time. You +see, the French are backing the redskins up in everything and that makes +them bold. If I had my way, I'd get Colonel Washington to raise an army +of three or four thousand men—the best frontiersmen to be found—and +I'd chase every impudent Frenchman out of the country. We won't have +peace till that is done, mark my words on it," concluded Henry Morris, +emphatically.</p> + +<p>David and Henry Morris were cousins, living with their folks on a +clearing not far from what was then known as Will's Creek, now the town +of Cumberland, Virginia. The two families consisted of Dave and his +father, Mr. James Morris, who was a widower, and Mr. Joseph Morris, his +wife Lucy, and three children, Rodney, the oldest, who was something of +a cripple, Henry, who has just been introduced, and little Nell, the +sunshine of the whole home.</p> + +<p>In a former volume of this series, entitled "With Washington in the +West," I related the particulars of how the two Morris families settled +at Will's Creek, and how James Morris, after the loss of his wife, +wandered westward, and established a trading-post on the Kinotah, one of +the numerous branches of the Ohio River. In the meantime Dave, his son, +fell in with George Washington, when the future President was a +surveyor, and the youth helped to survey many tracts of land in the +beautiful Shenandoah valley.</p> + +<p>At this time the colonies of England and of France in America were +having a great deal of trouble between themselves and with the Indians. +Briefly stated, both England and France claimed all the territory +drained by the Ohio and other nearby rivers, and the French sought in +every possible way to drive out English traders who pushed westward.</p> + +<p>The driving out of the English traders soon brought trouble to James +Morris, and after being attacked by a band of Indians he was served +with a notice from the French to quit his trading-post in three months' +time or less. Unwilling to give up a profitable business, and half +suspecting that the notice was the concoction of a rascally French +trader named Jean Bevoir, and not an official document, Mr. Morris sent +Dave back to Winchester, that they might get the advice of Colonel +Washington and other officials as to what was best to do.</p> + +<p>When Dave arrived home he found that there was practically a state of +war between the French and English. Washington was preparing to march +against the enemy, and to get back to the trading post unaided was for +the youth out of the question. Such being the case, Dave joined the +Virginia Rangers under Washington, and with him went his cousin Henry, +and both fought bravely at the defense of Fort Necessity, where Henry +was badly wounded.</p> + +<p>The defeat of the English at Fort Necessity was followed by bitter news +for the Morrises. Sam Barringford, a well-known old trapper of that +locality, and a great friend to the boys, came in one day badly used up +and with the information that the trading-post had fallen under the +combined attack of some French led by Jean Bevoir and some Indians led +by a rascal named Fox Head, who was Bevoir's tool. James Morris had +been taken prisoner and what had become of the trader Barringford could +not tell.</p> + +<p>Poor Dave, cut to the heart, was for looking for his father at once, and +his relatives and Sam Barringford were equally eager. But the +trading-post was miles away—through the dense forest and over the wild +mountains—and the territory was now in the hands of the enemy. Under +such circumstances all had to wait throughout the severe winter and +following spring, a time that to the boy seemed an age.</p> + +<p>General Braddock had been sent over from England to take charge of +affairs against the French, and soon an expedition was organized having +for its object the reduction of Fort Duquesne, which was built where the +city of Pittsburg now stands. The expedition was composed of English +grenadiers brought over by Braddock and several hundred Virginia +Rangers, under Washington. With the rangers were Dave and Barringford. +Henry wished to go, but was still too weak, and it was felt that Joseph +Morris could not be spared from the homestead.</p> + +<p>Braddock's bitter defeat in the vicinity of Fort Duquesne came as a +great shock to all of the English colonies, and it was only by Colonel +Washington's tact and gallantry, and the bravery of the rangers under +him, that the retreating army was saved from total annihilation or +capture. During this battle Dave was shot and captured, but his enemies +soon after abandoned him in the woods, and while wandering around, more +dead than alive he fell in with White Buffalo, a friendly Indian chief, +and, later on, with Barringford and with his father, who had been a +prisoner of the French since the fall of the trading post.</p> + +<p>The home-coming of Dave and his father was viewed with great +satisfaction by Joseph Morris and his family, who did all in their power +to make the two sufferers comfortable. From Mr. Morris it was learned +that the pelts stored at the trading post had been saved through the +kindness of another English trader, so that the Frenchman, Jean Bevoir, +and his Indian tool, Fox Head, had not gained much by the raid.</p> + +<p>"I am certain that the raid was not the work of the French authorities," +said James Morris. "But now the war is on they will of course stand up +for everything Jean Bevoir and his followers have done. Nevertheless, I +hold to it that the trading post, and the land staked out around it, is +mine, and some day I shall lay claim to it."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, brother," came from Joseph Morris. "And, so far as I am +able, I will stand by you in the claim. But I am fearful that matters +will be much worse before they are better."</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's no doubt of that. This victory will make the French think +they can walk right over us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and it will do more," put in Rodney, who was now a young man in +years. "Many Indians have been wavering between taking sides with us or +the enemy. Now many of these will stake fortunes with the +victors,—that's the usual way." He stretched himself on his chair and +gave a sigh. "I wish I was a little stronger, I'd join the army and +fight 'em."</p> + +<p>"We haven't any army to speak of now," resumed James Morris. "When I was +last down at Winchester Colonel Washington had but a handful of +soldiers,—all the rest having gone home to attend to their farms and +plantations—and over at Will's Creek fort it was no better. The pay +offered to the soldiers is so poor nobody cares to stay in the ranks. +Patriotism seems to be at a low ebb."</p> + +<p>"It's not such a lack of patriotism," said Joseph Morris. "None of our +home soldiers liked the ways of the troops from England, and it made +them mad to have their officers pushed down and Braddock's underlings +pushed up. Even Washington had to remonstrate, although they tell me he +was willing to fight no matter what position they gave him. And matters +are going no better in the North. Either England and our colonies must +wake up, or, ere we know it, all will be lost to the French and their +Indian allies."</p> + +<p>"What of the Indians?" put in Mrs. Morris. "Have those under White +Buffalo gone over to the French?"</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo's braves have not," answered her husband. "But the tribe +is badly split up, and White Buffalo himself is nearly crazy over the +matter. He says some of the old chiefs swear by the French while the +younger warriors all cling to Washington. White Buffalo says that he +himself will never lift a tomahawk against the English—and I feel +certain he means it."</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo is a real nice Indian," came from little Nell, who sat on +the door-step playing. "Didn't he make me this doll? If they were all as +good as he is I wouldn't be afraid a bit." And she hugged to her breast +the crude wooden figure, the "heap big pappoose" with which White +Buffalo had gained her childish confidence.</p> + +<p>"Nor would I be afraid," came from Mrs. Morris. "But all Indians are not +as kind and true as White Buffalo, and if they should ever go on the +war-path and move this way—" She did not finish, but shook her head +sadly.</p> + +<p>"If they should come this way we will do our best to fight them off," +said James Morris. "But let us hope it will never come to that. The +butchery at the trading post was enough, I should not wish to see such +doings around our homestead."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>DEER AND INDIANS</h3> + + +<p>Dave and Henry had left home an hour before, hoping to bring back with +them at least one deer if not two. Henry was a great hunter, having +brought down many a bird on the wing and squirrel on the run, and he +knew that if he could only get a fair sight at a deer the game would be +his. As old readers know, Dave was likewise a good shot, so it was +likely that the youths would bring back something if any game showed +itself.</p> + +<p>It was a cool, clear day, with just a touch of snow on the ground, ideal +weather for hunting, and as the boys pushed on each felt in excellent +spirits despite the talk about the Indians. So far as they knew there +was no Indian settlement within miles of them nor were there any +wandering redskins within half a day's journey.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, there go half a dozen rabbits!" cried Dave, presently, and +pointed through a little clearing to their left.</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot!" cried his cousin, although Dave had not raised his +flint-lock musket. "If you do you'll scare the deer sure—if they are +within hearing."</p> + +<p>"I wasn't going to shoot, Henry. But just look at the beggars, sitting +up and looking at us! I reckon they know they are safe."</p> + +<p>"Since the fighting with the French there hasn't been much hunting +through here, and so the game is quite tame. But they won't sit +long—there they go now. Come."</p> + +<p>The pair resumed their journey through the forest, Henry leading the +way, for he had been over this trail several times before. Birds were +numerous, and they could have filled their canvas bag with ease, had +they felt inclined. But the minds of both were on the deer, and to Henry +at least it was such game or nothing, although Dave might have contented +himself with something smaller. Yet both knew that Mrs. Morris would +look forward with pleasure to getting some fresh venison for her table.</p> + +<p>At length the pair reached the lower creek which Henry had mentioned. +Here the stream which flowed past the Morris homestead split into +several arms, one flowing through a wide clearing and the others +entering the forest and passing around a series of rough rocks and a +cliff nearly fifty feet high. At this point the forest had never yet +felt the weight of the white man's axe and trees had stood there until +brought low by storm or the weight of years.</p> + +<p>"Go slow now," whispered Henry, as he caught his cousin by the arm. "If +they hear us the game is up."</p> + +<p>"The wind is with us," returned Dave. Nevertheless, he slowed up as +desired, and then the pair moved forward with extreme caution, each +having seen to it that his firearm was ready for immediate use.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Henry came to a halt and dropped almost flat behind a rock, and +Dave instantly followed. Coming around a short turn they had caught +sight of four deer, standing hoof-deep in the water drinking. All the +heads were down, but as the youths looked in the direction that of an +old buck came up with a jerk and he sniffed the air suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"Take the nearest," whispered Henry, softly and quickly. "Ready?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the low reply.</p> + +<p>There was a second of silence and then the two guns spoke as one piece, +the reports echoing and re-echoing throughout the mighty forest and +along the cliff. The deer Henry had aimed at fell down in the water, +plunging wildly in its dying agonies, while that struck by Dave hobbled +painfully up the bank. The others, including the old buck, turned and +sped off with the swiftness of the wind.</p> + +<p>"Huzza! we have 'em!" shouted Henry. "Come on!" and he leaped to his +feet with Dave beside him. Not far off a dead tree lay across the stream +and they quickly climbed this, so as not to get their feet wet. When +they gained the spot where the deer had been drinking they found Henry's +quarry quite dead. The deer Dave had hit was thrashing around in some +brushwood.</p> + +<p>"I reckon he'll want another shot," said Dave, and reloaded his firearm +with all speed. Then he primed up and approached the deer, but before he +could pull trigger Henry stopped him.</p> + +<p>"He don't need it," came from the older youth. "Save your powder and +ball. I'll fix him."</p> + +<p>Giving his gun to Dave, Henry rushed up behind the deer, at the same +time drawing the long hunting knife he had lately gotten into the habit +of carrying. Watching his chance he plunged the knife into the deer's +throat. The stroke went true and soon the beast had breathed its last.</p> + +<p>"Good for you," cried Dave, enthusiastically. "No use in talking, Henry, +you were cut out for a hunter. You'll be as good as Sam Barringford if +you keep on."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you did about as well as I did, Dave," was the modest rejoinder. +"But this is a prime haul, no use of talking. Mother will be tickled to +death."</p> + +<p>"I reckon we'll all be pleased—we haven't had deer meat for some time. +But we're going to have some work getting these two carcasses home. No +use of trying to get those other deer, is there?"</p> + +<p>"Use? Not much! Why that old buck must be about two or three miles away +by this time. Say, he was a big fellow, wasn't he? I should like to have +had those horns, but I knew there was no use in fetching him down,—his +meat would be too tough and strong."</p> + +<p>"I fancy the best we can do is to make a drag for each deer and each +pull his own load home," went on Dave. "If we leave one here the wolves +and foxes will soon finish the meat."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's the only way. And we might as well hurry, for it is getting +late and it will take us a good three hours to get back with such +loads."</p> + +<p>They were soon at work, Henry with his hunting knife and Dave with his +pocket blade, cutting down some long, pliable brushwood which would make +excellent drags for both loads. Their good luck put each in good humor, +and as he worked Dave could not refrain from whistling, his favorite +airs, being, as of old, "Lucy Locket Lost Her Pocket" and "The Pirate's +Lady, O!"</p> + +<p>The brushwood cut, they lost no time in binding their loads fast, and +then Henry led the way along the watercourse, without crossing to the +trail they had previously pursued.</p> + +<p>"It's almost as near this way as the other," he said. "And I reckon it +will be a bit easier pulling."</p> + +<p>"Well, make it as easy as you can, Henry. It's no light load, I can tell +you that. Sam Barringford was once telling me how he dragged three deer +from Plum Valley to Risley's new place, over the snow. I don't see how +he did it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's easy when the crust of the snow is hard enough—the drag goes +like a sled. But I admit Sam is a wonderfully powerful man."</p> + +<p>"Indeed he is. Why, it was a sight to see—the way he fought when Red +Fox and his followers attacked the trading post. He was a whole host in +himself."</p> + +<p>Inside of quarter of an hour they had reached a bend in the stream, and +now Henry left the watercourse and pushed on over a low hill backed up +by a series of rocks.</p> + +<p>"It will be a slight pull up hill," he said. "But it will save us nearly +half a mile. We can rest a few minutes when we get to the top. When we +get up there I'll show you the spot where I saw those four bears three +years ago."</p> + +<p>"Don't know as I want to meet four bears just now."</p> + +<p>"Oh, the spot isn't on this hill—it's on the hill to the left. Pow-wow +Hill Sam Barringford called it. He said it used to be a great Indian +resort when the Miamies were in this neighborhood. But the redskins from +Shunrum came and drove 'em out."</p> + +<p>The top of the rise gained, Dave was glad enough to rest, and both sat +down on the trunk of a fallen monarch of the forest, the home now of +some chipmunks that fled quickly at their approach.</p> + +<p>"There is the spot where I saw the bears," said Henry, pointing with his +hand to a clump of trees on the next hill, quite a distance away. "They +were in a bunch under that——Hullo! What can that mean?" He broke off +short. "Down behind the tree, Dave! Quick!"</p> + +<p>The sudden note of alarm was not lost on Dave and in a twinkle both the +young hunters were crouched behind the fallen tree. Dave caught his gun +and placed his hand on the trigger, but Henry shoved the barrel of the +piece downward.</p> + +<p>"What did you see?" came from the younger of the youths.</p> + +<p>"Indians!" was the short reply. Henry peeped carefully forth. "Yes, sir, +Indians, just as sure as you are born. Look for yourself."</p> + +<p>"By the king, but you're right!" exclaimed Dave, in excitement. "Two, +three—I see four of them."</p> + +<p>"I think I saw a fifth—behind that rock to the right. Yes, there he +is."</p> + +<p>"Can you make out what they are?"</p> + +<p>"No, excepting that they are none of White Buffalo's tribe."</p> + +<p>"If they don't belong in this neighborhood they are here for no good," +said Dave, decidedly.</p> + +<p>"I agree with you there, Dave. Possibly they are on a hunt. But why +should they come here when there is better game further west?"</p> + +<p>"If they are on a hunt it's not for wild animals," came from Dave, +significantly. "Have they got their war paint on?"</p> + +<p>"I can't see them clearly enough for that."</p> + +<p>For several minutes both youths remained silent, watching the distant +Indians as they moved around. They had evidently killed some wild +animal, although what it was the watchers could not make out.</p> + +<p>"If they shot anything it must have been before we reached this +neighborhood," said Henry, presently. "I heard no reports."</p> + +<p>"Nor I. But never mind that. What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, excepting to go home with our game and report them. I +don't care to let them see us, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Not if they are enemies, and I reckon they are."</p> + +<p>"Do you suppose they spotted us?"</p> + +<p>"I think not—although you can never tell, they are that cute. They may +have a spy working his way over here at this very minute."</p> + +<p>"Then let us go on without delay."</p> + +<p>It was easy to say this, but how to proceed without being noticed was a +problem. Henry's deer lay behind the fallen tree, but Dave's was in +front and the younger hunter did not wish to leave his game behind him.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to risk it," said Dave, and crawling cautiously around the +stump-end of the fallen tree he reached forth and caught one of the ends +of the drag. But the task was a difficult one and as he pulled the deer +slipped to the ground and the end of the tree branch was suddenly raised +high in the air.</p> + +<p>"Drop it," cried Henry, and Dave did so. "They must have seen that, +Dave. See, two of them are looking this way. We had better clear out and +be quick about it."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to have that deer," returned the younger hunter, and catching +the game by the hind legs he dragged it behind the tree. Then both boys +hurried down the opposite side of the hill with all speed. Here they +placed both deer on the single drag and continued on their way homeward +with all possible speed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>DISCOVERY AND PURSUIT</h3> + + +<p>It must be confessed that both youths were thoroughly alarmed, and with +good reason. Since Braddock's defeat they had heard of the uprising of +the Indians at Nancoke, Lusher's Run, Willowbury, and several other +small settlements, and had heard of the murder of several German +families twenty-five miles to the north of Will's Creek fort, and the +murder of Lee Cass, and his wife and four children, thirty miles down +the valley. The outbreaks had not resulted from any united efforts on +the Indians part, but there was no telling how soon the different tribes +would dig up the war hatchet and descend upon all the frontier +settlements in force and simultaneously.</p> + +<p>From the top of the hill Henry had expected to go straight home, but +this course would necessitate the crossing of a clearing quarter of a +mile in extent and such a path he now deemed unwise to take.</p> + +<p>"If they are following us, it will be dead easy for them to spot us in +the open," he said. "We had better stick to the forest. Of course they +can follow the trail of the drag easily enough, but I hate to think of +giving up so much meat,—after we had such a journey to bring it down."</p> + +<p>"Don't let's give it up yet," pleaded Dave. The deer was the largest he +had yet laid low, and he was correspondingly proud of the showing. +"Perhaps they aren't after us at all."</p> + +<p>On they went, traveling as fast as their somewhat tired limbs permitted. +There was another rise to cross, beyond which was a watercourse leading +down to the rear of their homestead.</p> + +<p>"I think I know where there is a rough raft to be found," said Henry. +"And if I can find it, we can place the deer on that and tow them home. +We may get wet, but it will be easy work and we can make quicker time +than over the ground."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, Henry, and remember, water leaves no trail," responded +Dave.</p> + +<p>They were soon at the side of the stream, which at this point was +several feet deep and five to ten yards wide. The banks were thickly +overhung with bushes, now, however, bare of leaves. At one spot was an +inlet and here Henry pointed out the raft he had mentioned, a crude +affair of four short logs lashed together with willow withes.</p> + +<p>"We can pull that with ease," said Dave, as he surveyed the affair. +"Come, let us dump the deer aboard at once. We can wade along the bank +and——."</p> + +<p>He broke off short and clutched his cousin's arm. His glance had strayed +up the stream to a bend several rods away and there he had seen the prow +of an Indian canoe and the headgear of several painted warriors.</p> + +<p>"By ginger! More Indians!" ejaculated Henry, and both dropped flat on +top of their dead game. "How many did you see, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"Three or four,—and there are several more!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and they are in their war-paint! Dave, do you know what I think?"</p> + +<p>"That they are on the war-path? Oh, Henry, if that is so——." Dave did +not finish, but looked anxiously at his cousin.</p> + +<p>"If that is so, it means that every homestead for miles around is in +danger. And we haven't a single soldier within fifty miles!" added the +older youth, with almost a groan.</p> + +<p>All the while they were talking they kept their eyes on the Indians, and +they now saw the redmen come out on the stream and cross to the side +they occupied. Then of a sudden the warriors sent up a shout calculated +to strike terror to their hearts.</p> + +<p>"They have discovered us! They are after us!" burst from Dave's lips. +"What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"We've got to run for it," was Henry's answer. "Hurry up, before it's +too late."</p> + +<p>"But the deer——."</p> + +<p>"We'll have to let them go. Come!"</p> + +<p>Side by side they darted into the forest back of the watercourse and +made their way with all possible speed between bushes, trees and rocks. +There was no trail and neither knew exactly where he was going. Once +Dave tripped on some roots and pitched headlong, but he picked himself +up in a hurry and, panting for breath, kept on as before.</p> + +<p>The retreat of the two young hunters came none too quick, for scarcely +had they reached the shelter of the wood when several of the Indians let +fly with their arrows, one of which almost clipped Henry's shoulder. +This fixed the situation beyond all dispute.</p> + +<p>"They are on the war-path, or they wouldn't fire on us," said Dave. "Are +you winged?"</p> + +<p>"No, but it was a pretty close aim. Who can they be?"</p> + +<p>"I believe they are some of Fox Head's dirty band. If they catch us I +believe they'll kill us."</p> + +<p>"Or keep us to torture," answered the older youth. "But they are not +going to catch us if I can help it—and I think I can."</p> + +<p>While the two were talking they sped on and on, deeper and deeper into +the forest. Both wished to turn in the direction of home, but did not +dare do so, fearing the Indians would be waiting to head them off.</p> + +<p>At the start the shouts of their pursuers had sounded unpleasantly close +but now they died out utterly. But whether the redskins had given up the +chase or were coming on in silence they could not tell.</p> + +<p>"I don't think they'll give up so quick," was Henry's comment, as they +paused a few seconds to get their breath. "I reckon they've found it +doesn't pay to yell. We may get another volley of arrows before we know +it."</p> + +<p>Once more they went on. Their course was now in a wide semi-circle, +calculated to bring them up in the clearing on the east side of their +homestead.</p> + +<p>"We'll pass Uriah Risley's new cabin," said Dave. "It is our duty to +warn him of this danger. He isn't much of an Indian hunter, and if the +redskins come here he and his wife will be at their mercy."</p> + +<p>Uriah Risley was an Englishman who had settled in the vicinity with his +wife several years before. When Dave was once on a trip to Annapolis +with his uncle the two had stopped at Risley's home and been agreeably +entertained. Since that time, the Englishman, having grown more +accustomed to pioneer life, had moved further westward and built himself +a cabin twice as large as that previously occupied. But though the man +was a good farmer and wood cutter, he was a poor marksman and hunter, +and both he and his wife lived in dread of large wild animals and +unfriendly Indians.</p> + +<p>As said before, night was coming on, and under the lofty trees it was +dark. They had now to pick their way with care, for fear of falling into +some dangerous hole. Half a mile more was covered when Henry called a +halt. Dave was glad of this for he had stepped on a loose stone but a +moment before and given his ankle a nasty twist.</p> + +<p>"I'm wondering which is the most direct road to Risley's," said the +older youth.</p> + +<p>"I believe that is the direction," answered Dave, pointing with his +hand.</p> + +<p>"I reckon you are right, Dave. And how far do you calculate we are from +his cabin?"</p> + +<p>"The best part of a mile."</p> + +<p>"I agree again. Let us take a direct course. The Indians must be far to +the rear—if they haven't given up the chase altogether."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later they were again tearing their way through the +forest, the growth being here so thick they could scarcely pass. +Overhead a slight breeze was blowing, but they felt little of this. Far +to the westward the sun was slowly sinking behind the mountains, casting +long shadows across the tree-tops. Here and there the night birds were +tuning up, but otherwise all was as quiet as a graveyard.</p> + +<p>The coming of night, and the gravity of their situation, made the boys +thoughtful, and for a long while not a word was spoken. Henry was +thinking of his parents and his sister and brother, and wondering if +they were yet in peril, while Dave's thoughts turned to his father, who +had said that morning that he intended to go to Will's Creek fort on +business. Was his parent at the fort, and would the soldiers there get +news of the coming Indian raid?</p> + +<p>Both of the young hunters were thus deep in thought when Henry espied a +light directly in front of them. They had just come over a rise of +ground and found the light in a hollow between several rocks. It was an +Indian encampment, and around the blaze were seated fully a score of +warriors, smoking their long pipes, and listening to the speech being +made by a tall chief who stood in their midst.</p> + +<p>"More Indians!" muttered Henry, and threw himself flat. "The +neighborhood seems to be full of them. Dave, this means an awful +uprising! We must get back as fast as we can and warn everybody!"</p> + +<p>"I have seen some of those Indians before," whispered the younger youth. +"They were in the band that attacked the trading post while father came +on here. They belong to Fox Head's band and I believe that is Fox Head +himself addressing them, for he had a fox's head trailing over his +shoulder, and a fox brush among his head feathers. I'd like to shoot him +where he stands. He deserves it,—for all he has done to injure us." And +Dave gave his gun a sudden tight clutch which was very suggestive.</p> + +<p>"No! no!" interposed his cousin. "If you dropped him the whole pack +would be on us like so many wolves. The only thing we can do is to get +away and give warning. Let us crawl back to the other side of the rise +and go around."</p> + +<p>Without delay they started to do as Henry had advised. It was no easy +matter, for the brushwood was thick and the rocks sharp and uneven. They +had not gone a distance of fifty feet when Henry struck a loose stone +and sent it bumping down over a dozen others.</p> + +<p>Instantly half a dozen Indians leaped to their feet and the speech of +the leading Indian came to a sudden end.</p> + +<p>"The game is up!" cried Dave. "Let us run!" And run they did, as fast as +the darkness and the nature of the ground would permit. The Indians came +after them, calling on them to halt and then sending forth several +arrows and a gun-shot, none of which, however, took effect.</p> + +<p>"We are in for it now!" panted Dave, as they came to a halt in a small +clearing, hedged in on all sides by rocks and dense thickets. "I'm sure +I don't know how to turn, do you?"</p> + +<p>"If it comes to the worst, we can take a stand against these rocks," +answered his cousin, grimly. "But, come, I think I see an opening."</p> + +<p>He moved over to the rocks and stepped cautiously into the darkness. +There was an opening they had not noticed before, a crevice several feet +wide and both deep and long. Into this he squeezed, and Dave came after +him. They pushed forward among the dead vines, leaves and rubbish for a +distance of thirty feet, and then halted in what would have been a small +cave had it not been for the slit of an opening at the top. With bated +breath they waited, while their pursuers gradually grew closer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>BURNING OF THE CABIN</h3> + + +<p>It was not long before the two young hunters heard the Indians quite +plainly. Evidently the redmen did not deem it necessary to advance with +more than ordinary caution for they conversed with each other in a low +tone, to which Dave and Henry listened with interest, although they +could understand little of what was said.</p> + +<p>Presently one warrior took up a position in front of the crevice and not +over five yards from where the youths lay concealed. Evidently he was +listening for some sound from them, and they hardly dared to breathe. As +might be expected Dave at that instant felt a strong inclination to +sneeze, but he suppressed the desire, although almost bursting a blood +vessel in consequence.</p> + +<p>Soon another Indian came up and then a third. A talk lasting several +minutes followed, and one warrior started to light a torch. But the +others stopped this, fearing it might draw the fire of the whites. Then +one redman shifted to the right, another to the left, while a third +crawled up over the rocks and through the bushes growing above the +opening.</p> + +<p>By the time the Indians were out of hearing, and they dared to breathe +more freely, the darkness of night had settled heavily and high overhead +the stars came peeping forth one by one. They waited a little longer and +then Henry caught Dave by the arm.</p> + +<p>"What do you think?" he whispered. "Are they gone?"</p> + +<p>"I think so," returned the younger lad. "But there is no telling when +they will be back. Still I reckon we had better get out of here."</p> + +<p>"I agree. But we can't take the course we were following. I think the +best we can do is to turn further to the left and strike Risley's from +the west," added Henry.</p> + +<p>Dave was willing, and as cautiously as possible they climbed back out of +the crevice the way they had come. Just as Dave was about to step into +the clearing a sudden whirr of noise caused him to jerk back.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" came quickly from his cousin.</p> + +<p>"Some wild animal," was the answer after a pause.</p> + +<p>"Did it attack you?"</p> + +<p>"No, but it came pretty close. I thought first it was an Indian leaping +up out of the grass."</p> + +<p>They moved off, side by side, and each with his gun ready for use. As +Henry was the hunter of the Morris family and knew the forest better +than anyone, Dave allowed him to do such guiding as seemed necessary. +They pursued their course over one rise and then another, and after that +followed the windings of a tiny brook which Henry said ran to within +gun-shot of the Risley homestead.</p> + +<p>They were just making a bend of the watercourse when another wild animal +started up directly under Henry's feet. It was a fox resting in a hollow +log, and in its anxiety to get away the animal struck against Dave's +legs, upsetting him.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Dave as he went down. "Help! shoot him!"</p> + +<p>"It's a fox!" ejaculated Henry, and as the animal shot past him he made +a dive and caught the beast by the brush. The fox gave a snarl and tried +to bite him, but ere the head came around the young hunter swung the fox +in a circle and brought him down with a dull thud on the log. The first +blow was followed by another, which crushed the beast's skull as though +it were an egg-shell.</p> + +<p>"There! he'll never bother anybody again," said Henry, as he threw the +beast down. "Wish I had time to skin him. But we had better not lose a +minute."</p> + +<p>"Henry, you're a wonder of a hunter!" burst out Dave. "I don't believe I +could have done that. It was much better than shooting him, for it saved +powder and saved making a noise too."</p> + +<p>"Sam Barringford taught me that trick—although not on a fox. I once saw +him hammer the life out of a limping wolf that way, and he often catches +up snakes by the tail and snaps their heads off, whip fashion."</p> + +<p>Leaving the fox where it had fallen, they continued on their way along +the stream until a tiny clearing was gained. Beyond this was a belt of +tall and heavy timber, which, on the opposite side, marked the boundary +of Uriah Risley's new land claim, one he had obtained, through Colonel +Washington, from old Lord Fairfax, who still resided at Greenway Court.</p> + +<p>"I see a light!" said Dave, as they stopped on the edge of the timber. +"Look!"</p> + +<p>Henry did so. It was a small blaze, apparently, and in the direction +where stood Risley's cabin.</p> + +<p>"Can that be an Indian camp-fire?" went on the younger hunter.</p> + +<p>"I don't think so, Dave. It's worse than that."</p> + +<p>"Worse? Oh, Henry, do you think it is Risley's cabin that is burning?"</p> + +<p>"Just what I do think. See, the flame is growing brighter. Either it's +the cabin or that cattle shed he has been building. Come on; we'll soon +know."</p> + +<p>Henry now set off on a run through the timber, picking the way with all +the skill of an old frontiersman. Dave kept close behind his cousin. As +they advanced they saw the fire more plainly and beheld it spread out +and mount further skyward. It was Uriah Risley's cabin beyond a doubt, +and now the new cattle shed had caught and was also being consumed by +the devouring element.</p> + +<p>"This is the work of the redskins," panted Henry, as they leaped over +rough rocks and tore their way through a clump of saplings. "And it +proves beyond a doubt that they are on the war-path."</p> + +<p>While he was speaking a gun-shot sounded out, coming from a great +distance. Another report followed and then all became as silent as +before.</p> + +<p>"That must be Risley, or somebody else, fighting the Indians off," said +Dave. "We'll have to be careful or we'll run into a trap."</p> + +<p>"Keep in the timber," answered Henry. "For all we know there may be a +hundred redskins in this vicinity. Hark! They are around the cabin sure +enough."</p> + +<p>They listened and amid the crackling of the flames they now heard the +whooping and yelling of a score of Indians, while the flickering glare +showed to them the dusky forms moving in one direction and another. Some +of the Indians had found a demijohn of liquor belonging to the +Englishman and were gulping this down in great glee, while others +paraded around with various spoils of war in their hands.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to give 'em a shot—they deserve it," muttered Dave.</p> + +<p>"Don't you do it," interposed Henry, hastily. "They'd be on us like a +wind-fall."</p> + +<p>"What do you suppose has become of Mr. Risley and his wife?"</p> + +<p>"Heaven alone knows, Dave. I trust they have escaped."</p> + +<p>"If that was Mr. Risley shooting, do you suppose his wife is with him?"</p> + +<p>"There is no telling. Perhaps he wasn't home when the Indians came up. +If that's so then Mrs. Risley is either dead or a prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Was she alone?"</p> + +<p>"I think so—at least I didn't hear of anybody going over lately."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if we can't get a bit closer without being seen? Perhaps we +can learn something to our advantage."</p> + +<p>"We might skirt the timber a bit. But be careful, and if the Indians +come for us we had better run without stopping to fire,—unless, of +course, they get too close," added Henry.</p> + +<p>Once again he led the way, slowly and cautiously, flitting from one tree +to another in absolute silence. The fire was now at its height, lighting +up the sky for a long distance around. The sparks were blowing in their +direction, but the light fall of snow had wet the trees and brushwood, +so no harm was done.</p> + +<p>Presently they found themselves again close to the brook, which at this +point crossed a garden patch that Uriah Risley had gotten into shape the +season before. At the side of the brook was a roughly constructed +milk-house, made of large stones for walls and untrimmed timbers for a +roof. Behind this the boys crouched, to take another view of what was +going on in the center of the clearing.</p> + +<p>The Indians who had been drinking from the demijohn were growing +hilarious and their wild whooping could be heard for a long distance. At +the start of the fire some furniture had been hauled forth, a chest of +drawers and a bureau, and now some of the redmen set to work to break +open both articles, to see what they contained.</p> + +<p>"They are after everything of value they can lay hands on," muttered +Dave. "What a shame! Do you see anything of——?"</p> + +<p>The young hunter broke off short, for at that instant came a low moan of +pain from the interior of the milk-house.</p> + +<p>"Are you—you white people!" came in a gasp. "If you are, for the love +of heaven—sa—save me!"</p> + +<p>"It's Mrs. Risley!" burst out Dave, for he remembered that voice well. +He raised his head up to a crack in the rude planking. "Mrs. Risley, are +you alone?" he questioned. "It is I, Dave Morris, who is speaking."</p> + +<p>"Dave Morris!" A groan followed. "Oh, Davy, lad, save me, won't you? I +am almost dead!"</p> + +<p>"I'll do what I can for you, Mrs. Risley. My cousin Henry is with me. We +were out hunting when the Indians almost captured us. The woods are full +of them. Is Mr. Risley around?"</p> + +<p>"No, he went to Will's Creek on business. I saw the Indians coming and I +tried to run away. But they shot at me with their arrows and one passed +through my left shoulder. Then I pretended to go into the house and +hide, and when they came in I leaped through a back window and ran for +this place. I got into the water up to my shoulders and pulled a bit of +a board over my head, to keep out of sight. They came down here and I +thought sure they'd find me, but they did not. But I am nearly perished +with the cold, and the wound from the arrow has made me very faint. You +will help me, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure we'll help you," put in Henry. "But all we can do at present +is to lead you into the woods, and you can have my dry jacket if you +want it. We had better start directly for our house."</p> + +<p>"I see a glare of a fire. Have they—they——?" The poor woman could not +finish.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am sorry to say the cabin is about burnt up," said Dave. "But +come, if your husband isn't around, we had better not waste time here. +We may be needed at home. It may be just as bad there, you know."</p> + +<p>Both of the young hunters crawled around to the milk-house door and went +inside. The board was quickly raised and they helped Mrs. Risley from +the watery hole in which she had been squatting with her chin resting on +her knees. She was so chilled and stiff, and so weak from her wound, she +could scarcely stand, and they had literally to carry her into the +timber whence they had come.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>UPRISING OF THE INDIANS</h3> + + +<p>Supporting Mrs. Risley between them, the two youths did not stop until +they had passed into the timber for a distance of five or six rods. They +had crossed the stream once more and now reached a slight knoll from +which they could see the cabin, which still blazed away, although the +roof and one side had fallen in.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus2" id="illus2"></a> +<img src="images/illus2.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>They could see the cabin, which still blazed.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>The faint light from the conflagration, sifting through the bare tree +branches, was the only light they had, and by this they set the sufferer +down and proceeded to make her as comfortable as possible. As fortune +would have it, Dave wore two jackets, both somewhat thin. One of these +he gave to Henry, who in turn gave his thick jacket to Mrs. Risley.</p> + +<p>"You—you are quite sure you can spare it?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," answered Henry. "I am sorry I can't give you something to +put over your dress, but I haven't anything. Before you put on the +jacket let me bind up that arrow wound."</p> + +<p>There was now no time to stand upon ceremony and she allowed him to +dress the wound with all the skill he could muster, Dave in the meantime +keeping watch, that the Indians might not surprise them. Fortunately +Henry, having suffered similarly himself, knew what to do, and after he +had finished Mrs. Risley announced that the sore place felt greatly +relieved.</p> + +<p>"But I don't see how I can travel far," she said, trying to stand up. +"My limbs are all in a tremble under me."</p> + +<p>"We will help you along," said Henry, sympathetically, and Dave echoed +the words.</p> + +<p>With the wounded woman between them, it was no easy matter to pick their +way through the black forest and more than once one or another stumbled +over a tree root or into a hole. Looking back, they saw that the fire +was now dying down. The whooping of the redmen also lessened and finally +ceased altogether.</p> + +<p>"I know you wish to get home," panted Mrs. Risley, presently. +"But—but—I cannot go—go another step!" And with these words she +pitched forward and would have gone in a heap had not their strong +youthful arms supported her.</p> + +<p>"She has fainted," said Henry, "and it is not to be wondered at. Come, +here is something of a shelter in between the rocks and those trees. We +may as well let her rest there, for we cannot carry her all the way +home."</p> + +<p>"But the delay—" began Dave.</p> + +<p>"Surely you don't wish to leave her to her fate, Dave?"</p> + +<p>"No! no! You know me better than that, Henry, but I was thinking of +those left at home. They may be in trouble, too, and if so they will +need us."</p> + +<p>"I've been thinking of a plan. I'm stronger than you and perhaps I can +get her along alone, after she recovers. Can you find the house from +here?"</p> + +<p>"I think I can. The creek is just beyond that next patch of timber, +isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, in that direction." Henry pointed with his hand. "If you find +everything all right you might bring father back to help—if he isn't +afraid the Indians will arrive in the meantime."</p> + +<p>So it was arranged, and without loss of another moment Dave started on +his solitary way through the somber woods, now as silent as the grave, +for the wind had gone down and the last of the night birds had given +their final calls.</p> + +<p>Under ordinary circumstances Dave would have been sleepy, for the day's +tramping had been sufficient to tire anybody, but now all thoughts of +rest were banished and he was as alert as ever as he stole forward, gun +before him, and his eyes shifting from one dark object to another, on +the lookout for a possible enemy.</p> + +<p>Dave was in the midst of the next patch of timber,—some beautiful +walnuts and chestnuts,—when he saw something glimmer through the +darkness far to his left. He was immediately interested, wondering what +the light could be. He came to a halt and gazed attentively in the +direction.</p> + +<p>"It must be an Indian camp-fire," he mused. "What a lot of the redskins +there must be in this vicinity!"</p> + +<p>He was about to move on, giving the fire a wide berth, when something +prompted him to turn toward it, to make sure that it was not the +encampment of friends. It might possibly be Barringford or some other +trapper in the woods, and if so to pass him by would be far from wise, +since such a person might be able to afford just the assistance needed.</p> + +<p>Careful of every footstep taken, Dave gradually drew close to the +camp-fire. There was a small, dry clearing, fringed by a series of low +rocks, and behind these rocks the young hunter crouched. The sight that +met his gaze held him spell-bound.</p> + +<p>The camp-fire in the center of the clearing was divided into two parts, +one to the east and the other to the west. That in the east was beset +with sharp stakes while its companion was being used for cooking +purposes.</p> + +<p>Around both camp-fires were fully thirty Indians; all more than +ordinarily hideous in their daubs of red, blue, and yellow war paint, +and their crowns of colored feathers and strings of animals' teeth and +human scalps. The redmen had been marching around the camp-fires but now +they halted and all sank cross-legged upon the soil.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, after a second of silence, one Indian, tall and straight, +leaped to his feet and holding his arms out at full length before him +began to rock his body from side to side. Then he ran for one of the +fires, and pulling a sharp stick from its place in the ground smote the +burning end on his breast.</p> + +<p>"This is the fear Spotted Wolf has for the English," he cried, in his +native tongue. "Even as he has pulled this stake from the ground so will +he pull the English from their cabins and burn them at the stake. The +English shall flee at the sound of his war whoop, and the children of +the English shall die of fright when he draws near. The French are our +friends but the English will be our enemies so long as one of them is +allowed to live. I will go forward to kill! Spotted Wolf has spoken."</p> + +<p>He sat down, and immediately another warrior leaped up and with another +burning stick went through the same performance. "I am called Black +Eagle," he cried, "because I have eyes that never sleep and a strength +handed down to me from Elk Heart, my father, and Janassarion, my +grandfather, he who slew the mighty Little Thunder of the Delawares. Our +medicine men have spoken and the English must be driven out like wolves +in the winter season. If we allow them this land, and the French the +land to the north and the west, where shall the Indian find his hunting +ground when he would hunt, and where raise his wigwam when he would rest +with his squaw and his children? I, too, will kill and burn until our +land knows them no longer! I have the strength of ten white men and I +will use it. Black Eagle has spoken."</p> + +<p>He had not yet finished when two others sprang up, followed by others, +until nearly all were again on their feet, talking of their alleged +wrongs and boasting of their strength, and promising each other to do +all in their power to wipe out all English settlers west of the Blue +Ridge mountains. The bragging was often ludicrous, yet it was easy to +see that the Indians were working themselves up into a state of mind +where they would hesitate at nothing in order to accomplish their +purpose.</p> + +<p>Dave could understand only a few words of what was said, yet, from +having such scenes described to him by his father and Sam Barringford, +he knew that this was a "big war talk," as White Buffalo called them. +Once he fancied he heard his Uncle Joe's name mentioned and his heart +almost stopped beating. Surely they must be planning an attack on his +home, and that for very soon!</p> + +<p>"I must get back and give the warning!" he told himself. "Henry will +have to do the best he can with Mrs. Risley. If they get to the cabin +and kill Uncle Joe, what will become of Rodney, Aunt Lucy and little +Nell? Oh, I must get back!"</p> + +<p>Turning, he crawled from the spot with care, and once back into the +timber, commenced to run, with his gun slung over his shoulder and his +hands held out before him, to keep from running afoul of any +obstruction. More than once he bumped into a tree or fell sprawling over +some exposed roots, knocking the wind out of him. But he always picked +himself up and went on again with undiminished speed. Indeed, the nearer +he got to home the greater was his fear that something might have +happened in his absence and finally he fairly flew, when he reached +familiar ground.</p> + +<p>"Hi! who goes there?"</p> + +<p>It was a call from close at hand and it made Dave jump as though stung +by a snake. He whirled around, to behold a man behind a tree, a leveled +gun in his hands.</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot!" he called out, for he fancied he knew the voice. "Is that +you, Mr. Risley?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Dave Morris, is it not?"</p> + +<p>"Yes." Dave ran to meet the Englishman. "Tell me quickly is everything +all right over to our house?"</p> + +<p>"It was all right when I left, an hour or so ago, lad. But your uncle +had been talking to Hans Lomann and said the German had heard of +something of an Indian uprising."</p> + +<p>At this Dave gave a sigh of relief. But immediately his heart sank, at +the thought of the news he had to impart to his friend.</p> + +<p>"The Indians are rising, all over this section of the country. They +attacked your cabin."</p> + +<p>"My cabin!" The Englishman could scarcely utter the words. "Davy, is it +the truth? And what of my wife—tell me quickly!"</p> + +<p>"Your wife is safe, although she got an arrow through the shoulder. The +redskins attacked the cabin and set fire to it. She leaped out of a rear +window and hid in the milk-house. Henry and I came up just in time to +get her into the woods. We ran as far as we could and then she fainted. +Henry said he would stay with her and told me to come on and give the +alarm. We were afraid the Indians had attacked our place, although we +didn't hear any shooting or see any fire."</p> + +<p>"Then the cabin is destroyed? But never mind that. You are sure the +wound wasn't fatal?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure, for Henry dressed it as well as he could. But she was very +weak from having been in the water under the milk-house floor so long."</p> + +<p>"And where are they now?"</p> + +<p>"About a mile or more from here—in that direction. But you want to be +careful. There are Indians all around here—one band is over yonder +holding a war talk—and I'm sure they'll show you no mercy if they catch +you."</p> + +<p>The Englishman nodded his head half a dozen times. "I know it, lad, I +know it. They are a bloodthirsty set. Sometimes I am sorry I came to +this country to settle among them. But times were bad with us in old +England, and we had to do something. But you'll take me to my wife, +won't you, that's a brave lad."</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know," faltered Dave. He was still anxious to go home. +"Perhaps you can find them alone."</p> + +<p>"I'm not equal to it, lad—the forest is almost as much of a mystery to +me as the day I landed here. Do come, and then we can all go back to +your home with all possible speed."</p> + +<p>The young hunter could see that Uriah Risley was sorely distressed, and +unwilling to add to the man's misery, he consented to go back, although +he knew the way was full of ever-increasing perils. Soon they were on +the way, and tired as he was Dave set a pace that caused the settler to +puff and blow to keep up with him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HENRY</h3> + + +<p>It must be confessed that though he walked swiftly, Dave's heart was +anything but light. Turn the subject as he might he felt it "in his +bones," as he afterward declared, that a big uprising was close at hand +and that this might mean the wiping out of every pioneer for scores of +miles around.</p> + +<p>"The soldiers at Will's Creek fort and at Winchester ought to know of +this," he observed to Uriah Risley. "Someone will have to carry the +news."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps someone has already done so," was the Englishman's answer. He +heaved a sigh. "So the cabin is to the ground. Alack! it was a sorry day +when I pushed to the front instead of taking up ground close to +Winchester, as the good housewife wanted me to." And he shook his head +dolefully.</p> + +<p>In moving toward the spot where he had left Henry and Mrs. Risley, Dave +took great care to steer clear of the camp-fires of the various Indians +he had encountered. This was no easy task and more than once they came +close to running into a "hornet's nest," as he called it.</p> + +<p>Once Uriah Risley gave a cry of alarm and came close to discharging his +firearm. A wolf had slunk across their path in the darkness and the +Englishman took the form to be that of a sneaking Indian.</p> + +<p>"A redskin! He will scalp us!" he cried, and was on the point of pulling +the trigger when Dave stopped him.</p> + +<p>"No! no! It's only a wolf!" cried the youth. "Don't waste your powder +and ball. Besides, a shot will arouse every Indian for quarter of a mile +around."</p> + +<p>"A wolf? So it must have been." Uriah Risley drew a long breath and +lowered his musket. "He gave me a good scare, I must vow."</p> + +<p>"Hush! It won't do to talk so loud," went on the boy. "For all we know +the Indians may be trailing us and be ready to pounce on us at any +moment."</p> + +<p>These words caused the Englishman to glance back apprehensively, and +hurry on faster than ever. "It's a beastly woods," he said. "I wish we +were out of it."</p> + +<p>"We are safer here than in a clearing," was the answer. "Come close +behind me and keep quiet, and I think we'll be safe."</p> + +<p>On and on they went. Dave's lower limbs ached and trembled under him, +for he was now almost fagged out and it was only will-power that kept +him up. Slowly they climbed the last rise of ground. At a distance +glowed the dying embers of a camp-fire.</p> + +<p>"There's a redskins' nest," said the youth, as he paused for a moment. +"But it looks as if they had deserted the place."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll have to be doubly cautious, lad. They may be scattered in +this vicinity."</p> + +<p>"You are right. But I hope not, for we are now close to where I left +your wife and Henry."</p> + +<p>With added caution Dave crept forward another couple of hundred feet. +Then he stopped and peered around him in perplexity.</p> + +<p>"What is it, lad?"</p> + +<p>"They are gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, gone."</p> + +<p>"You are certain this is the spot?"</p> + +<p>"I am. I know it well, by this fallen tree and that rock. They have +moved to another quarter—or else——"</p> + +<p>"Or else the redskins have attacked them and carried them off," finished +Uriah Risley. He gave a groan. "Oh, lad, what is best to do now? Tell +me, for you are better versed to this sort of thing than I."</p> + +<p>"I—I don't know what to do," faltered the young hunter, staring first +at the helpless man before him and then at the gloomy surroundings. +"Wait a minute, and keep your hands on your gun. But don't shoot me or +Henry or your wife by mistake."</p> + +<p>Leaving Risley in the center of the little opening Dave started to walk +around in a wide circle. He did this with extreme caution, his head bent +close to the ground and his eyes noting every root and rock that covered +his path. Then he took another circle, still wider, and at last came +back to where his companion stood, the picture of misery and despair.</p> + +<p>"I found nothing," he said, in reply to the Englishman's questioning. +"They are gone, and I don't believe there are any Indians close to us. +I'm going to make a light and risk it."</p> + +<p>He brought forth his flint and tinder and soon had a tiny light, which +he applied to some dry leaves and then a stick of wood which was full of +pine pitch. This latter made a fairly good torch, and holding it close +to the ground he continued the search.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he uttered a cry of horror. He had come to a spot where the +ground was torn up by many footprints. Close at hand was a white birch +tree and on its bark were several spots of deep red.</p> + +<p>"There has been a fight," he said, as Uriah Risley came closer. "See how +they struggled. There is blood on the tree and there is a bit of cloth +torn from Henry's jacket—or rather, the jacket I left him." Dave gave a +deep shudder. "I—I wonder if Henry is dead?"</p> + +<p>"My wife, my poor, poor Caddy!" moaned Uriah Risley, and for a moment +covered his face with his hands. "Oh, lad, this is monstrous, monstrous! +Heaven help her if she is in the power of such savages!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, heaven help them both," returned Dave.</p> + +<p>Torch in hand, the youth followed a bloody trail through the forest +until it ended abruptly by the side of one of the numerous streams in +that vicinity. Here he came to a halt, and as Risley rejoined him both +stared vacantly at each other.</p> + +<p>"Well?" said the Englishman.</p> + +<p>"They went up or down the stream," answered Dave. "But which way I can't +say. But one thing is certain—neither of them was killed."</p> + +<p>"How do you know that?"</p> + +<p>"If they were we should have found their bodies. The Indians wouldn't +bother to carry 'em off. They'd simply scalp 'em and let it go at that."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they threw the—the bodies into the water."</p> + +<p>Dave shook his head. "No, I'm pretty certain they carried 'em off as +prisoners."</p> + +<p>There was an awkward pause and something like a lump arose in Dave's +throat. If Henry was a prisoner and the Indians were on the war-path +this could mean but one thing for the youth—burning at the stake or +some similar torture. The silence was broken by Uriah Risley.</p> + +<p>"It's a burning shame, lad, an outrage. But what can we do now?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know what to do excepting to go home and give the alarm. It +won't do any good to stay here. The Indians may fall on us half a +hundred strong—just as they most likely fell on Henry and your wife."</p> + +<p>"But—but I cannot desert my poor wife, my beloved Caddy. She is all the +world to me. I'd rather die myself than see a hair of her head injured."</p> + +<p>"Then you had better continue the hunt, while I go home. If you should +fall in with 'em tell Henry how matters stand. But, Mr. Risley, let me +caution you not to be rash, if you catch sight of Mrs. Risley in the +hands of the redskins. If you give them the chance they'll burn you at +the stake—and it won't help her a bit either."</p> + +<p>"I'll try to be cautious, lad. I hate to have you go, but I suppose +after all it's for the best. Do what you can to save Mrs. Morris and +little Nell and the rest. Leave me the torch. I'll go up and down the +stream a bit and investigate."</p> + +<p>A minute more and they had parted, shaking hands in a fashion that meant +a great deal. Perhaps they would never again meet in this world. Dave +turned away and stole off silently, his eyes staring straight ahead and +his throat working convulsively. Ah, how little do the boys of to-day, +living in their comfortable homes and surrounded with every luxury and +convenience, realize how much their great-grandfathers of those days had +to endure in the shape of privation and peril!</p> + +<p>So tired that he could scarcely drag one limb after the other, Dave +pursued his course through the forest. Fortunately his "bump of +locality" was well developed and there was small danger of his getting +totally lost, even though he might go more or less astray. It was now +beginning to snow again, but it was so warm that the particles of white +melted as soon as they fell. Not a star was to be seen anywhere and the +way was blacker than ever.</p> + +<p>Reaching the first rise of ground, the youth felt compelled to rest and +threw himself at the foot of a large tree with his musket across his +knees, ready for use should he be surprised. Once or twice his eyes +closed in spite of his efforts to keep them open. But he invariably +straightened up, determined to keep awake at all hazards.</p> + +<p>"I'll not rest until I know all at home are safe," he told himself. "I +must get along somehow." And he staggered up and continued his course.</p> + +<p>He had not gone over a rod when he saw something dark moving ahead. The +object looked like a pair of Indians, coming slowly toward him, and his +heart leaped into his throat. He raised his gun and pointed it.</p> + +<p>But ere he was called on to fire he saw the object more distinctly and +uttering something of a cry of joy he lowered his weapon and rushed +forward.</p> + +<p>"Widgeon!" burst from his lips, and in a moment more he had hold of the +mane of one of Uriah Risley's horses—an animal that had escaped from +the Indians when the shed was set on fire. "Where did you come from? How +lucky I am to find you!"</p> + +<p>The horse seemed to recognize Dave, for he gave a low whinny and rubbed +his cold nose on the youth's jacket sleeve. A broken halter dangled from +his neck, but he possessed neither saddle nor bridle. He was covered +with a cold moisture, showing that he had run considerably after having +broken away.</p> + +<p>Having found the horse Dave's spirits arose a little. He led the animal +forward and struck out for a new route homeward, longer than that which +he had been pursuing but free from thickets and pitfalls. As soon as he +thought it safe to do so he leaped upon Widgeon's back, spoke to the +horse, and set off on a comfortable jog, which later on, when the ground +became more familiar, he increased to a gallop.</p> + +<p>Once Dave fancied he heard Indians in pursuit and holding on to +Widgeon's mane with one hand, drew up his gun with the other. But the +noises died away in the distance, and after that came no more alarms. At +last he came in sight of home and found to his joy that it remained as +he had left it, undisturbed.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>A DOUBLE WARNING</h3> + + +<p>As my old readers know, the cabin of the Morris family was located in a +wide clearing, between a fair-sized creek and a brook flowing into the +larger stream. When we saw it before, it was a long, low but comfortable +building, containing four rooms on the ground floor, and a loft under +the sloping roof which was principally used for the storage of winter +supplies.</p> + +<p>During the past summer Mr. Joseph Morris had made an addition to the +cabin by building on at what was the kitchen end. This was now a new +kitchen while the old kitchen had become the general living room. The +old living room, so called, had been divided into two bedrooms, so that +the house was now large enough not alone for the regular family but also +for such occasional visitors as came that way.</p> + +<p>The coming of night made all of those at home anxious for the return of +the two young hunters. Feeling that both would be thoroughly hungry, +Mrs. Morris had cooked a liberal supper, of which after waiting an +hour, those in the cabin had eaten their share. The remainder now +simmered in the pot and kettle hung over the big open fire, while Mrs. +Morris moved uneasily about, clearing away the dirty dishes and +occasionally glancing out of the doorway in the direction she fancied +they must come.</p> + +<p>"It is strange what is keeping them," she said to the others. "I trust +they haven't gotten into trouble."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they have struck more deer than they bargained for," answered +her husband, who had just entered with a bucket of water from the well. +"Henry said he felt certain he would bag something—and he rarely +deceives himself when it comes to game. Like as not they'll come along +toting all they can carry."</p> + +<p>"I wish they'd bring mamma another bear skin," put in little Nell. +"Wouldn't it be beautiful—if it matched the one Mr. Washington let +cousin Dave have?"</p> + +<p>"No! no! A bear might harm them!" put in Mrs. Morris hastily. "It's a +bad time of year to tackle such beasts, so I heard Sam Barringford say."</p> + +<p>"You let Henry and Dave alone when it comes to any kind of game," came +from Rodney, who sat in his easy chair close to the roaring fire. "Why, +the worst game they could meet wouldn't be half as bad as the Indians +and French they had to face when they went to war. You forget, mother, +what splendid shots both of them are."</p> + +<p>But the mother turned away shaking her head doubtfully. Perhaps her +instinct told her what grave trouble was brooding. She looked out of the +doorway once more and spoke to her husband.</p> + +<p>"Did James say when he should be back?"</p> + +<p>"He couldn't tell, because he didn't know if he could complete his +business right away or if he would have to wait to see certain parties. +Like as not he won't come back until to-morrow, or the day after. He +knew there was no need to hurry. We can't do anything much on the farm +just now."</p> + +<p>As even home-made candles were somewhat scarce, the family did without +any light excepting that afforded by the fire in the big-mouthed +chimney, the genial glare of which threw fantastic shadows on the walls. +Little Nell did not particularly fancy those shadows and so asked +permission to climb into Rodney's lap.</p> + +<p>"Why of course," said the cripple, and took her up at once. Then she +insisted that he tell a story, "but not about bears, or wolves, or +Indians, but about a fairy and a princess, and a castle full of gold," +and Rodney did his best to tell the most marvelous story his brain could +invent. But long before the good fairy had given the princess a +beautiful prince for a husband, and the castle full of gold in the +bargain, little Nell was sound asleep, so the story was never finished.</p> + +<p>As the night wore on even Mr. Morris began to show his anxiety, and +without saying a word he got down his musket from over the chimney shelf +and brought forth his horn of powder and his little bag of home-made +bullets.</p> + +<p>"You are going after them?" asked Mrs. Morris.</p> + +<p>"I'll wait a bit longer," he answered. "But I thought I'd be prepared, +in case anything was wrong."</p> + +<p>Having put little Nell to bed, Mrs. Morris brought forth her knitting +and for some time only the click-clicking of the polished needles broke +the silence. Then Rodney, who had been sitting with his chin in his +hands, watching the burning logs, roused up.</p> + +<p>"I don't suppose there is any use of my staying up," he said. "My back +doesn't feel quite as well as it did yesterday. I'll go to bed," and he +shuffled off to the bedroom he occupied. This was the one nearest to the +kitchen, on the south side, and had been given to the cripple because it +was warmer in the winter than the others.</p> + +<p>Left to themselves, the time seemed to drag more heavily than ever to +Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Every thought was centered on their son Henry and +nephew David. What could be keeping the pair?</p> + +<p>"They must have met with an accident," said the pioneer at length. +"Perhaps one of them fell in a hole and broke a leg. I know there are +several nasty pitfalls in the vicinity of the salt lick. I guess I had +better go out and look for them."</p> + +<p>Joseph Morris was soon ready for the journey, promising, whether he +found them or not, to be back inside of two hours. He went on horseback, +riding Fanny, Dave's favorite mare, the animal that had once been stolen +and so fortunately recovered.</p> + +<p>Left to herself, Mrs. Morris knitted faster than ever. But even the +flying needles could not stop her anxiety, and more than once she threw +down the work, to go to the doorway and gaze earnestly in every +direction. How dark and lonely the mighty forest looked. Something +caused her to shiver in spite of herself. She listened intently.</p> + +<p>What was that? A sound at a great distance. As it drew closer she made +out the hoof-beats of a horse on a gallop. She ran into the cabin and in +true pioneer fashion armed herself with a musket, ready to consider +every newcomer an enemy until he proved himself a friend. Swiftly the +horse came closer and she now made out a youth hanging heavily over the +animal's neck.</p> + +<p>"Dave! is it you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, Aunt Lucy," was the answer. The boy rode up and dropped heavily to +the ground. "Are you all safe?"</p> + +<p>"Safe? Of course we are. What has happened? Where is Henry?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know where Henry is—just now. I left him in the woods doing +what he could for Mrs. Risley. The Indians surrounded their cabin and +burnt it down, and Mrs. Risley escaped to the milk-house. We rescued her +from her hiding place in the water and got her into the woods. Then I +started for home, but I met Mr. Risley and had to take him back to where +I had left Henry and Mrs. Risley. We couldn't find either of them, and +it looked as if they had had a fight. Mr. Risley remained to investigate +and I came home as quickly as I could to give the alarm. The Indians are +rising all over and are going to massacre everybody they can lay hands +on."</p> + +<p>While talking Dave staggered into the kitchen and sank down heavily on a +bench.</p> + +<p>"Mercy on us, Dave, you don't really mean it! The Risley cabin burnt +down, and the Indians on the war-path! Why, we'll all be murdered!"</p> + +<p>"We shall be unless we take means to defend ourselves, Aunt Lucy. Where +are father and Uncle Joe?"</p> + +<p>"Your father has gone to Winchester and won't be back before to-morrow +or next day. Your uncle went off a spell ago to look for you and Henry. +Are the Indians coming this way? Tell me about Henry."</p> + +<p>As anxious as she was the good woman saw that her nephew was not only +tired out but also hungry, and as she talked she bustled about and +prepared his meal for him at the corner of the table nearest to the +fire. Dave devoured his supper in short order, telling all he had to +relate at the same time. It is needless to state that Mrs. Morris was +greatly alarmed. The loud talking of the pair aroused Rodney, who called +from the bedroom to know what was wrong, and when told the cripple lost +no time in dressing himself.</p> + +<p>"If they come here we'll have to defend ourselves as best we can," said +Rodney. "I can't run but I can shoot pretty straight, and if mother will +load for us I guess we can give 'em some pretty good shots. What we want +to do first of all is to shut all the shutters tight and get in all the +water we can—to drink and to put out fires with. It's lucky father cut +those port-holes in the roof. They'll be just the spots to bring down +Injuns from."</p> + +<p>"My boy, you cannot do it!" cried Mrs. Morris, in increased alarm. "Even +if your father gets back what can three do against a horde of redskins? +They will fire the cabin and shoot you down the moment you are driven +out by the flames."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't believe in letting the rascals have our cabin and +belongings," returned Rodney, stubbornly. "I'm only a cripple, but I'm +willing to fight to the last. If we run for it, how much can we take +along? Not much, I can tell you that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but our lives are more precious to us than our things here," said +his mother. "And remember Nell, Rodney. If she fell into the Indians' +hands—" Mrs. Morris did not finish, but her breast heaved and two big +tears started from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Well, you wouldn't want to go before father got back, would you?" asked +Rodney, after a pause.</p> + +<p>"He is coming now—at least I hear somebody on horseback!" cried Dave. +"Perhaps it's an Indian," and he reached for his gun, which he had +brought in and placed beside the door.</p> + +<p>He went out, and Mrs. Morris and Rodney came behind him, each with some +sort of firearm. As the horseman came closer they saw that it was indeed +an Indian. But the white feathers and the general bearing of the new +arrival soon reassured them.</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo!" called Dave, and ran to meet the Indian chief who had +been the family's friend for so many years.</p> + +<p>"How-how!" returned the Indian, and came straight up to the cabin door. +"Where is my white brother Joseph, and my white brother James?" he +questioned anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Father is at Winchester," answered Dave. "Uncle Joseph went off awhile +ago to look for Henry and me. We were out hunting but found out the +Indians are rising. Do you know about that, White Buffalo?"</p> + +<p>"So the white boy knows the news already?" White Buffalo's face fell a +little, for he had hoped to be the first to bear intelligence. "Yes, it +is true, they have dug up the war hatchet, and have murdered many people +already. I came to help you, and I bring a message from Captain Tanner."</p> + +<p>"And your tribe—will they join those who rise against the English?" +asked Rodney.</p> + +<p>For a moment White Buffalo hung his head on his breast. Then with an +effort he straightened up. "Some of the Delawares are fools—they will +not listen to White Buffalo but listen to Skunk Tail and drink the +fire-water the French give them. We have had a pow-wow and some would go +to the French and some to the English. At Big Tree I left eighteen +braves who will follow me and fight for the English. The others have +joined Skunk Tail and Fox Head of the Miamis, and the tribes under +Rolling Thunder and Canshanran, and will fight for themselves and for +the French. They think not of right or of honor, but will burn and +murder and steal all they can. A black day and a black night are coming, +and how it will end only He who rules the Happy Hunting Ground can +tell."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>DEPARTURE FROM HOME</h3> + + +<p>It was not until White Buffalo came into the light of the kitchen fire +that they saw he was wounded. Blood was trickling from an arrow thrust +in the left shoulder. At the sight of this Mrs. Morris uttered a slight +scream.</p> + +<p>"You are wounded, White Buffalo! Why didn't you say so before? Let me +bind it up for you."</p> + +<p>"No big heap hurt," answered the Indian. "Only little cut him." +Nevertheless, he was glad enough to have the lady of the cabin bind it +up, after which he said it felt better.</p> + +<p>White Buffalo had but little to add to what has already been narrated +excepting that in coming to the cabin to give warning he had fallen in +with some rival Indians, three of whom had sought to stop him. A +hand-to-hand fight had resulted and White Buffalo had sent one man to +earth by a blow from his tomahawk and ridden over a second in such a +fashion that the enemy had not stirred afterward. The arrow wound had +been received previous to this, but the chief had not noticed it until +some time later.</p> + +<p>The continued talking had roused little Nell and now she came running +out of the bedroom in her robe of white begging to know what was the +matter. She gave a scream when she saw the Indian, but quickly recovered +when she recognized White Buffalo.</p> + +<p>"I thought it was one of the bad Indians," she said, in her simple +fashion. "I'm not afraid of you, White Buffalo, am I?"</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo glad not," answered the chief, taking her by the hand. +"White Buffalo would not harm one hair of little Nell's head," and he +stroked the curly top affectionately.</p> + +<p>"You said you carried a message," put in Rodney, suddenly. "Where is +it?"</p> + +<p>From among his feathers White Buffalo produced a single sheet of paper. +It was covered with a hasty scrawl, running as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Friend Morris</span>: The Indians are rising. I think it best that +all settlers in this vicinity gather at Fort Lawrence for +safety. Shall send messengers wherever I can. Garwell's cabin +is in ashes and himself murdered and Mrs. Garwell carried off, +and it is said that Risley's cabin is also burning.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">John Smith Tanner.</span>"</p></blockquote> + +<p>"Captain Tanner wants us to gather at Fort Lawrence for safety," said +Dave, after listening to the reading by his cousin. "I believe, Aunt +Lucy, he is right. The rising is so widespread that it would be +foolhardy to remain here. We might—"</p> + +<p>The youth broke off short and ran toward the doorway. But White Buffalo +was ahead of him. Both had heard the approach of a horse. It was Joseph +Morris returning, and he was alone.</p> + +<p>"Thank heaven you are safe!" ejaculated the pioneer, as he leaped to the +ground and came into the cabin. "I was afraid you might all be murdered. +So Dave is here. Where is Henry?"</p> + +<p>"Gone," answered Dave. "You saw nothing of him, or of Mrs. Risley or her +husband?"</p> + +<p>"I did not. But I saw Indians—hundreds of them. They are on the +war-path. We must get out of here. There is not a moment to spare."</p> + +<p>"Oh, father!" The cry came from Mrs. Morris and she clung close to her +husband, while little Nell set up a wild sobbing. "Must we leave it +all—everything?"</p> + +<p>"All but what we can conveniently carry on horseback, Lucy. I believe +the redskins will be here within the hour."</p> + +<p>Only a few more hurried words passed, and Joseph Morris glanced at the +note White Buffalo had brought. The Indian looked very grave.</p> + +<p>"My white brother Joseph will go to Fort Lawrence?" he questioned.</p> + +<p>"Yes. I see no other way. I would rather go to the fort at Will's Creek, +but the Indians are covering that trail already. You will stick to us, +White Buffalo, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"To the death."</p> + +<p>The pioneer grasped the chief's hand warmly. "I knew I could depend on +you. Where are the braves under you?"</p> + +<p>"Two miles from here—at the Big Tree. Say where I shall meet you and if +White Buffalo can do it it shall be done."</p> + +<p>"We will go to Fort Lawrence by the brook way,—past where you and I +shot the bear and her two cubs two winters ago. Meet me on that trail. +Hurry, for we may need you sorely."</p> + +<p>Without a word White Buffalo darted from the cabin and a moment later +they heard him ride away at the best speed his steed could attain.</p> + +<p>There was now a great confusion in the cabin. Knowing that she must +really leave, Mrs. Morris set to work to gather her most precious things +into several bundles which might be carried on horseback. As well as he +was able Rodney helped her, and little Nell also took a hand, bound to +save the few precious toys she possessed, including the doll White +Buffalo had made for her. It made the good woman's heart ache sorely +when she realized how little could be carried and how much of all that +was dear to her must be left behind for the Indians to burn or plunder.</p> + +<p>While this was going on in the cabin Dave ran to the outbuilding where +he brought forth the several horses and saddled and bridled them. Then +he let out the live stock, turning the cows into the forest, to shift +for themselves. He wanted to take the cows along, but his uncle doubted +if there would be time.</p> + +<p>While the others worked Joseph Morris looked to all the firearms and got +them into readiness for use. Then he rode around the clearing to learn +if the trail he had mentioned to White Buffalo could still be used.</p> + +<p>"Come, we must go!" he cried, presently. "Hark, don't you hear the +distant war-whoops? The Indians are advancing. If we wait another five +minutes we may be lost!"</p> + +<p>From the cabin came Mrs. Morris, Rodney and little Nell, carrying the +several bundles they had made up. Little Nell cried piteously and the +silent tears coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks.</p> + +<p>Fortunately there were horses for all, with an extra animal for some of +the bundles. The latter were hurriedly adjusted and fastened.</p> + +<p>"Now, Dave, you lead the way," said Joseph Morris. "I will fix things so +that the redskins may be deceived when they come up."</p> + +<p>"All right, Uncle Joe. But don't stay back too long," was the lad's +answer.</p> + +<p>Astride of his favorite mare Fanny, Dave headed the silent procession +across the clearing, and into the woods. As soon as possible he struck +into the brook, that their trail might be hidden by the water. He knew +this way well, so there was no hesitation. Behind him came Mrs. Morris +and little Nell, and Rodney brought up the rear, with the extra horse. +Each carried all that was possible, but the youths had their bundles +strapped on, that they might have free hands for their guns, should they +wish to use the weapons.</p> + +<p>Left to himself, Joseph Morris closed the shutters of the cabin and +dampened down the fire with ashes. Then he ran up to the loft, opened +one of the port-holes in the roof and placed in it the shining barrel of +an old musket which had long ago seen its best days. Behind the musket +he placed a pillow upright and on the top an old hat.</p> + +<p>When he left the cabin and walked away he glanced back at his dummy and +a smile lit up his bronzed face. At a distance it looked exactly like +somebody on guard.</p> + +<p>"That will fool them for awhile anyway," was his mental comment. "And +even a little time is better than nothing," and he rode off swiftly +after the others.</p> + +<p>He was soon with them, for on account of the bundles and Rodney's +condition they could not make as good progress as they wished. Fort +Lawrence was a good twelve miles off and though it was desirable to +reach that place before daybreak, it was questionable if they could make +the distance.</p> + +<p>"If we can't reach the fort by five o'clock we had best remain in the +woods until darkness comes again," said Mr. Morris. "Because by morning +the fort will most likely be surrounded, even if the redskins remain in +hiding."</p> + +<p>"I wonder what father will do," came from Dave.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he will know enough to look out for himself, Dave. Remember, he is +the best frontiersman in the whole family."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Uncle Joe, that's true, but if he thinks we are at the cabin and +in peril he may do something rash trying to save us."</p> + +<p>"As soon as you are safe at the fort I will see what can be done, not +only for him but also for Henry and the Risleys. I am afraid Henry has +had serious trouble. Perhaps he is dead," and Joseph Morris shook his +head sorrowfully.</p> + +<p>Making as little noise as possible, they pushed forward to the point +where White Buffalo had promised to meet them with his braves. Too tired +to remain awake, little Nell had fallen asleep in her mother's arms, but +the others were wide-awake.</p> + +<p>Presently a distant gun-shot broke upon their ears. Another followed, +and then came a wild whooping and yelling which continued for ten +minutes or more. When it started Joseph Morris called a halt, but soon +told the others to move on again.</p> + +<p>"They have attacked the cabin," he said, sadly. "Those shots were +probably aimed at the dummy I set up. They will be in a fearful rage +over the ruse and will no doubt do their best to follow us. We must lose +no time on the way."</p> + +<p>"Won't they know we are bound for Fort Lawrence and try to head us off?" +questioned Rodney.</p> + +<p>"There is no telling, my son. We must trust to luck and our skill to +evade them."</p> + +<p>It was not long before a red glare appeared in the sky, in the direction +where the cabin was located. All knew what that meant but nobody said a +word, for fear of breaking down. But Joseph Morris gritted his teeth in +a fashion which showed only too plainly what was passing in his mind. +Given the chance and he would make the Indians pay dearly for the +destruction of his property.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Dave drew rein and up went his gun, aimed at a figure standing +under a tree ahead. But the figure put up an arm and waved it familiarly +and the gun dropped to the lad's side. White Buffalo was awaiting them +with eleven of his best warriors. The others of the tribe had deserted +to the enemy.</p> + +<p>"My white friends have been slow in coming up," said the chief. "They +have lost precious time. The enemy are on every side. It will be no easy +task for White Buffalo to lead his friends to the fort."</p> + +<p>"We made as much haste as we could," said Rodney. The rough ride was +beginning to tell upon him and he was almost ready to pitch from the +saddle through sheer weakness.</p> + +<p>A few words more followed, and the trail through the forest was resumed, +some of the Indians going ahead and others, including White Buffalo, +bringing up the rear, to keep back the advance of any who might be +following from the burning cabin.</p> + +<p>They were still two miles from the fort when some of the Indians in the +front sounded a note of warning. But this was not needed for a minute +later they fell in with a neighbor also bound for the fort. This +neighbor had with him his two sons, two daughters and his sick wife, +whom they were carrying on a litter.</p> + +<p>"No Injuns around here as yet," said the neighbor, whose name was +Larkwell. "But they are coming jest as fast as they can. We can't git to +the fort none too soon."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE</h3> + + +<p>Fort Lawrence was little more than a fort in name only. It was a spot +selected by the Morrises and others living within a radius of one to +twenty-two miles, where they might congregate for safety at any time +when the way to Will's Creek or Winchester should be cut off.</p> + +<p>The fort was located at a point where two small streams joined. Here the +brushwood and trees had been cleared off for a distance of little over +an acre. Some trees, running in a semi-circle from one brook to the +other, had been left standing, and between these a rude stockade had +been planted of logs, ten to twelve feet high and sharp-pointed at the +top. Along the two watercourses were a series of rough rocks and on top +of these other rocks had been placed, making a barrier almost as high as +the wooden one opposite. In the wooden stockade and among the rocks, +port holes were placed, so that those inside could command every avenue +of approach with their firearms. To the whole there was a rude gateway, +but as yet no gate further than some heavy brushwood piled conveniently +near,—thorn-brush, which all Indians despised.</p> + +<p>So far there had assembled at the fort six families, consisting of eight +men and seven women, with fifteen children of all ages, from boys and +girls of Dave's growth to an infant in arms. These pioneers had brought +with them all the earthly possessions which they or their beasts of +burden could carry, and these goods were now piled high in the center of +the stockade, where there was something of a hollow among the rocks. +Back of this pile was a second hollow, rudely thatched with tree +branches, and here the women and the smaller children assembled, the +little ones either sleeping soundly or crying shrilly for the comforts +to which they were accustomed.</p> + +<p>Among the men was Captain John Smith Tanner, a Virginian, of mixed +English and German blood. Captain Tanner had fought under Washington at +Braddock's defeat and also done good work during several Indian +uprisings, and this had won for him the military title, which, however, +was not of the king's troops but of the local militia. The captain was +an out-and-out backwoodsman, a bachelor, and a man well-liked by nearly +all who knew him.</p> + +<p>As we know, it was Captain Tanner who had sent the note to Joseph +Morris's house by White Buffalo, and now he and several others of the +settlers waited anxiously for the appearance of not alone these friends, +but of five other pioneers, including Uriah Risley. Eight men to defend +both the stockade and the rocks were not many, and the captain felt that +should the enemy appear in force matters would speedily reach a crisis +with the whites.</p> + +<p>"Somebuddy comin'!" shouted one of the watchers, presently. "An Injun!"</p> + +<p>"Can you make him out?" questioned the captain, but before the question +was fairly finished the watcher continued:</p> + +<p>"It's White Buffalo, and some white folks with him."</p> + +<p>In a moment more the Morrises and Larkwells came into view, and the +thorn-brush was pulled aside to allow them to enter the enclosure. The +party rode in one at a time, Joseph Morris being the last to enter. +Rodney was so tired and exhausted he could not stand and Dave led him to +a seat on a tree stump and then assisted his aunt and little Nell to +alight.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear! Where are we?" cried the little girl, who had just awakened. +"I thought I was home in bed!"</p> + +<p>"You are safe with mamma, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, hugging her +tightly. "We have come to the fort to get away from the wicked Indians."</p> + +<p>"And I was asleep all the time? How funny!" Little Nell stared around +her. "Oh, there is Mary Lee and Martha Brownley!" she ejaculated. "I'll +have company, won't I?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered her mother, and they joined their neighbors,—if those +living miles away could be called such.</p> + +<p>The woman on the litter cared for, all the "men folks," which included +several who were little more than boys, assembled to map out a plan of +action and decide what should be done with White Buffalo and his +warriors. The Indian Chief was willing to aid them as much as was in his +power, but did not wish to enter the stockade, preferring to fight from +the shelter of the forest beyond.</p> + +<p>"It is the redman's way," said White Buffalo, "even as it is the way of +the wildcat to fight in the darkness. White Buffalo can do more from the +outside than from the inside of the fort."</p> + +<p>"I reckon you're right, Injun," answered Captain Tanner. "But now you've +carried one message for us I rather wish you'd carry another."</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo will do what is best for his white brethren."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to send word to Winchester, to Colonel Washington, letting him +know just how we're fixed here." The captain turned to those around him. +"Isn't that a good plan?"</p> + +<p>"It is," said one, "but these Indians may give us lots of help,—if the +enemy come on us in heavy numbers. They oughtn't all to go."</p> + +<p>The matter was talked over, and at last it was decided to let White +Buffalo start for Winchester with two of his braves, leaving the other +redmen to scatter through the woods and give the alarm on the approach +of the enemy. A letter was hastily written to Washington, and White +Buffalo started off just as the first streaks of dawn were beginning to +appear in the east.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for those present, some of the pioneers had brought with +them large stocks of provision, so there was no need for anybody to go +hungry for a long while to come, should the Indians lay siege to them. +Water could also be had in plenty, which was desirable both for drinking +purposes and in case of fire.</p> + +<p>With the coming of day those in the fort breathed more freely, for they +knew that even if the enemy came up it was not likely they would begin +an attack until darkness once again settled down. In the meantime the +work of strengthening the defense went on steadily, a laborer only +quitting when he found it necessary to lie down for a few hours' sleep.</p> + +<p>The Indians had gone out, the thorn-brush had been piled high in the +gateway, and for the time being there seemed nothing for the pioneers to +do but to sit down and await developments. Several camp-fires were +burning and over these a morning meal was cooked, to which all but one +or two invalids did ample justice. The assemblage divided itself into +half a dozen groups, each talking in a low tone of the prospects.</p> + +<p>The Morrises were chiefly concerned over the fate of Henry. When she +thought of her boy perhaps murdered and scalped the bitter tears of +anguish rolled down Mrs. Morris's cheeks, and the little the others +could do to cheer her up was of no avail.</p> + +<p>"From what Dave says there must have been a fierce fight," she moaned. +"And more than likely our poor dear Henry got the worst of it. We'll +never see the brave boy again!" And her tears burst forth afresh.</p> + +<p>"I would go on a hunt for him, only I know it would be next to useless," +returned her husband. "Besides, at such a time as this I feel my place +is at your side, and with Nell, Rodney, and Dave." And she had to admit +that this was true.</p> + +<p>Slowly the morning wore along. It had stopped snowing and not a sound +broke the stillness, outside of the gentle murmur of the brooks as they +met between the rocks, and the songs of the birds in the forest. Not a +breath of air was stirring, and as Dave climbed into one of the stockade +trees to survey the situation it looked as if no Indians were within +miles of them. But this he knew to be untrue, since White Buffalo's +warriors could not be far off and the enemy was surely working their way +in that direction.</p> + +<p>"I fancy it's the calm before the storm," he said to Rodney, who having +had several hours of rest felt much stronger. "We'll catch it all the +worse when it does come."</p> + +<p>"If only I wasn't crippled," sighed Rodney. "I'd fight just as hard as +any of 'em."</p> + +<p>"I've no doubt of that, Rodney. Well, when the time comes perhaps you'll +have your share of the shooting same as any of us. You can watch from a +port-hole, even if you have to sit down to it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I've already told Captain Tanner I wanted one of those places at +the north brook to-night. I don't intend to let you fellows do the work +while I go and sleep. The women folks and the children are the only ones +to take it easy."</p> + +<p>"Even the women folks will have their hands full—loading for us—when +the real attack begins. The first ten minutes are what counts. It was +that way when the Indians attacked father's trading post. If we hadn't +put it to 'em hot-like from the first minute we would never have beaten +'em back."</p> + +<p>By the middle of the afternoon all that could be done was finished, and +then Captain Tanner insisted upon it that the majority of the men and +boys lie down to rest.</p> + +<p>"You won't get any sleep to-night, so make the most of your time now," +were his words. Then he climbed the tallest tree in that vicinity, to +take a long and careful look around. But this survey brought nothing new +to light.</p> + +<p>It was just sundown when the first alarm came in. An Indian carrying a +white feather was seen sneaking up to the stockade. Seeing it was one of +White Buffalo's followers the captain sent Joseph Morris out to +interview him.</p> + +<p>"The Indians who side with the French are coming," announced the +warrior. "They come by the trail we traveled and by the trail in yonder +pathway," pointing with his hand. "They are in four bands, and Gray Tail +heard that they will strike to-night when darkness covers the land."</p> + +<p>This was all that the Indian could tell, but it was enough, and Joseph +Morris ran back to inform Captain Tanner and the others. Those who were +sleeping were aroused, and each man and boy was assigned to his place of +duty.</p> + +<p>As he had desired, Rodney was placed near one of the brooks. The young +man's father was stationed some distance above him and Dave an equal +distance below. Next to Dave came a pioneer named Ike Lee, and the +others followed, completing the circle of the fort. Then all waited +anxiously for a first sign of the advancing enemy, each with his eyes +strained to their utmost and with his finger on the trigger of his +firearm.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>HOW HENRY FARED</h3> + + +<p>Let us now go back to Henry Morris and find out what occurred to the +young hunter and Mrs. Risley immediately after Dave departed from the +resting place in the forest.</p> + +<p>As we know the tired woman had fainted from exhaustion, and for fully +ten minutes Henry had all he could do to restore her to consciousness. +He rubbed her hands and wrists vigorously and fanned her face with his +cap, and at last had the satisfaction of seeing her open her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she murmured. "I—I—what happened? Did I—I fall?"</p> + +<p>"You fainted I reckon," answered the young hunter, kindly. "The walk was +too much for you."</p> + +<p>"Yes—I felt I couldn't go another step, Henry. I see we are still in +the woods. Are the Indians near?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think they are—at least, we haven't seen anything of them."</p> + +<p>"Where is Dave?"</p> + +<p>"He has gone on ahead, to see if all is right at home, and if it is to +bring help."</p> + +<p>"I would give all I possess to be at your cabin," said the poor woman, +with a sigh. She tried to rise, then sank back heavily. "I—I—don't see +how I am going to walk."</p> + +<p>"You had better rest a bit longer, Mrs. Risley. There is no great hurry. +It may pay us to go slow—with so many redskins lurking about. They may +be—"</p> + +<p>Henry broke off short, and thinking his companion was about to speak, +clapped his hand over her mouth. Through the stillness of the forest he +had caught sounds that could mean but one thing—the approach of several +men. In a moment more he caught glimpses of a flickering light +approaching.</p> + +<p>"We must hide!" he whispered in Mrs. Risley's ear. "Come, there isn't a +second to lose!"</p> + +<p>"But where shall we go?" she panted, her heart leaping into her throat. +"I cannot run a step—it will kill me!"</p> + +<p>The young hunter looked around in perplexity. There was some brushwood +to their right, growing among some sharp-pointed rocks. He caught his +companion's hand and almost dragged her in that direction. On the rocks +Mrs. Risley's foot slipped and she gave a cry of pain.</p> + +<p>"My ankle—I have twisted it badly!"</p> + +<p>"Hush! they will hear!" he answered, and seeing she could go no further, +he caught her in his youthful arms and carried her forward. In the midst +of a clump of bushes he laid her down and threw himself flat beside her, +at the same time holding some brushwood down over them.</p> + +<p>By this time the glimmer of light had come closer. It was a torch, held +in the hands of a tall Indian, who was following up the trail of the +whites with great care. The Indian had with him six companions, all +armed with either guns or bows and arrows, and each hideous in his +war-paint.</p> + +<p>Hardly daring to breathe, Henry awaited their close approach, his left +hand holding down the bushes and his right on his gun. Soon the warriors +were at the spot where Mrs. Risley had fainted. Here they came to a halt +and began to talk in low tones.</p> + +<p>It was a moment of intense anxiety, and it must be confessed that +Henry's heart almost stopped beating. The warrior with the torch held +the light aloft, and all in the party gazed around with eyes as piercing +as those of some wild beasts.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus3" id="illus3"></a> +<img src="images/illus3.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>The warrior with the torch held the light aloft.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>In a moment more something happened which changed the tables of fortune. +Unable to bear the pain of her twisted ankle, Mrs. Risley drew in a +sharp, rasping breath which sound reached the ears of one of the +Indians. Instantly he stepped in that direction and spoke to the warrior +with the torch. Three of the band came forward with swift steps and +arrows pointed. A yell rent the air, telling that those in hiding were +discovered.</p> + +<p>Seeing it was useless to remain prostrate Henry leaped up. An arrow +whizzed past his shoulder and would have struck him fairly in the breast +had he not leaped to one side.</p> + +<p>He, too, blazed away, and saw the leading Indian go down, shot through +the breast, a serious if not a mortal wound. Then he pulled Mrs. Risley +to her feet.</p> + +<p>"Run!" he cried. "Run! It is your only chance. Hide in the woods!"</p> + +<p>She limped off, but ere she had gotten a dozen steps two of the warriors +were after her, and she was made a prisoner. In the meantime Henry +retreated to a clump of birch trees and there made a stand against the +remaining Indians.</p> + +<p>The struggle, which lasted but a few minutes, was an unequal one. +Another arrow was fired, and it grazed his left hand, causing the blood +to flow freely, and making the stains afterward discovered by Dave. Then +one of the red men came up behind the trees, and reaching out struck him +with the flat side of a tomahawk. Henry tried to turn and grapple with +his assailant, but suddenly his senses left him and he knew no more.</p> + +<p>"'Tis one of the Morris family," said the Indian with the torch, in his +native tongue. He made an examination. "He is not dead."</p> + +<p>"A good capture," said another. "We must take him along. Gonawak, you +must help to carry him."</p> + +<p>"And what of the woman?" asked the warrior addressed as Gonawak, well +known throughout that territory for his extreme cruelty.</p> + +<p>"Talking Deer will take care of her," was the answer. "He is to take +care of all of them until this raid is over."</p> + +<p>But little more was said, and in a few minutes the unconscious form of +the young hunter was picked up and borne through the forest in the +direction of the nearest stream. As has been said, water leaves no +trail, and for this reason the redmen instinctively used the shallow +stream for a roadway.</p> + +<p>When Henry regained his senses he found himself strapped to the back of +a horse and moving slowly westward through the forest. The wound on his +hand had been allowed to bleed itself out. He felt both weak and stiff +and had a dull ache in his head, where the tomahawk had landed and +raised a good-sized lump.</p> + +<p>By a blaze on the animal's neck, Henry recognized the horse he rode as +one belonging to a pioneer living in that vicinity. He was in the +company of nine redmen, four of whom were mounted on stolen horses. From +this he inferred that the Risley cabin was not the only one which had +been attacked on that fatal night.</p> + +<p>He looked around, but could see nothing of Mrs. Risley nor of any other +captives. He was alone with the savage warriors, and what they intended +to do with him there was no telling. But he had good reasons for +believing that a horrible fate was in store for him.</p> + +<p>"I must get away if I can," he thought. "They can't do any more than +shoot me if I try to escape, and even that will be better than to be +burnt at the stake."</p> + +<p>The Indians now noticed that he had recovered consciousness, and one of +them rode closer and said sharply:</p> + +<p>"White hunter boy must keep still. If yell will strike him!" And he +flourished his tomahawk threateningly.</p> + +<p>"Where are you taking me?" questioned Henry. But the Indian would not +answer and only told him to keep quiet.</p> + +<p>It was growing morning when the small band came to a halt, at the bank +of a wide stream where there was a series of rapids among the rocks. +Henry was cut loose and ordered to dismount. Then he was led to a nearby +tree and tied up once more.</p> + +<p>"Will you give me a drink?" he asked of one of the Indians, but for +answer the redman slapped him sharply over the mouth and told him to +hold his tongue.</p> + +<p>Suffering much from thirst and from the wound on his left hand, which +had now begun to swell, Henry watched the Indians as they prepared an +early morning meal, for the light of dawn was now showing in the east. A +fire of very dry wood, which would give little smoke, was lighted and +over this two of the redmen prepared some deer meat they had been +carrying. The smell of the cooking venison was tantalizing to Henry, but +he knew better than to ask for a portion of the repast. Once or twice +the Indians came up to him but only to jibe at him and poke him with +their guns or their bows, while one made a move with his hunting knife +as if to cut out the young hunter's heart.</p> + +<p>While the Indians were busy eating Henry tugged at his bonds with all +the strength he could muster. But he was too weak, and the warriors had +bound the rawhides too firmly, for the youth to budge them. He only made +his wound break out afresh, and then had to stop, well-nigh exhausted +with his effort.</p> + +<p>"Getting away is out of the question," he thought, and a heavy sigh +escaped his lips. "They will keep a sharp watch on me until they get +back to their village and then they will take great delight in torturing +me in every way they can think of. Oh, what savages they are, every one +of them!"</p> + +<p>Thus musing, Henry watched the Indians eat their meal. When they had +finished one warrior came to him with some of the scraps and with a cup +full of dirty water.</p> + +<p>"White hunter boy can eat," said the Indian, and untied one of his +hands. It was far from an appetizing meal and was decidedly scant. But +it was better than nothing, and not wishing to starve to death Henry ate +all that was offered him and drank the water to the last drop. Then his +loose hand was once again fastened behind him.</p> + +<p>The Indians were now holding a consultation, sitting close to the dying +embers of the fire and smoking their long-stemmed pipes. But little of +what was said reached Henry's ears, yet he caught the words "big feast" +and "burn at stake" spoken in the Indian tongue. At this he had to +shudder in spite of every effort to control his feelings.</p> + +<p>"I must get away!" he thought. "I must! I'm not going to allow them to +burn me at the stake! It's horrible. I've heard all about old Sol Harper +and Dick Waterbury, and how they suffered. I'd rather be shot. +They'll—Oh!"</p> + +<p>His thoughts came to a sudden end, and for the instant he felt that he +must be dreaming. His eyes had strayed to the bushes on the opposite +bank of the stream. A white hand was raised warningly and the bushes +parted slowly, showing the face of his old friend, Sam Barringford. +Henry nodded, to show that he had seen the old frontiersman. Then the +bushes closed again and Sam Barringford disappeared.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>SAM BARRINGFORD'S RUSE</h3> + + +<p>The appearance of his old frontier friend gave Henry's hopes a bound +upward. He felt that he could rely upon Sam Barringford to do his utmost +for him in securing his release. He felt equally sure that Barringford +had been following the band for some time, trying to gain a chance to +rush in and cut his bonds.</p> + +<p>It was true that Barringford numbered but one against nine, and would +have stood small chance against them in an open fight, but Henry knew +the old frontiersman too well to imagine that Barringford would thus +expose himself to a stray shot that might kill him. His friend had +learned the value of playing a "waiting game," and would do nothing rash +unless the occasion actually demanded it.</p> + +<p>The best part of half an hour went by, and still the Indians remained +around the camp-fire, smoking and discussing the situation. Occasionally +one would glance toward Henry and perhaps raise a tomahawk +threateningly, meaning thereby that an attempt to escape would be +punishable by death. To these movements Henry paid no attention.</p> + +<p>The young hunter's ears were on the alert, for he half expected that +Barringford might be coming up behind him to cut his bonds. At last he +heard his name mentioned in a low, guarded tone:</p> + +<p>"Henry!"</p> + +<p>"Sam," he returned, without apparently moving his lips.</p> + +<p>"I'm right behind, lad. Do as I tell you and gittin' away may come easy. +I'll cut yer rawhides, but don't you attempt ter move till yer hear a +noise in the woods an' the Injuns run fer the spot. Then dust straight +back, an' I'll jine you fast as I kin. Do you understand?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," answered Henry, as softly as before.</p> + +<p>"All right. Now tell me when them measly critters ain't lookin'. I can't +see 'em from here."</p> + +<p>After this there was a few minutes of silence. Henry watched the nine +redmen as never before. Several faced him, but now they turned away for +a moment and he communicated that fact to Sam Barringford.</p> + +<p>Instantly a hand glided around the side of the tree and a sharp hunting +knife slid along the rawhides which bound the youth's hands and feet. +The bonds about the tree were already severed.</p> + +<p>"Now I'm goin'," whispered Barringford. "Don't run till they ain't +a-noticin' of you—unless, o' course, they come straight at you."</p> + +<p>As silently as he had come Sam Barringford retreated, keeping the tree +and some brushwood between himself and the enemy. Once more Henry was +left alone, and again many anxious minutes passed.</p> + +<p>Suddenly from a distance up the stream came a shot, followed by another, +and then a well-known Indian war-whoop. The voice of a white man, +calling out loudly, was heard, followed by another war-cry, and a +crashing and splitting of a tree branch.</p> + +<p>Throwing down their pipes all the Indians around the camp-fire leaped to +their feet and seized their weapons. With one accord they bounded up the +stream to learn what the encounter so close at hand could mean. The +war-whoop used was their own. Some of their own tribe must be making an +attack or must be in danger.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the Indians turned to leave him than Henry dropped his +bonds and leaped behind the tree. With all possible speed he rushed +straight into the woods. As he progressed he jumped from one rock to +another, where this could be done, in order to leave as imperfect a +trail as possible.</p> + +<p>He felt that the shots, the cries and the war-whoops, coupled with the +crashing of the tree branch, were all a part of the ruse employed by Sam +Barringford to make the Indians leave their captive, and in this he was +not mistaken. The Indians had gone off to a man, and now, when he felt +safe for the time being, Henry was sorry that he had not stopped long +enough to gain possession of his gun.</p> + +<p>"I can't go back now," he muttered. "They'll return soon—or send one or +two back to watch me." He listened for a second. "Hullo! some of 'em are +back already! Now they'll make it warm for me, if they can!"</p> + +<p>He pushed on until he heard a low but clear whistle, not unlike the +sound of certain night birds of that locality. He whistled in return and +soon saw the form of a man in the distance waving an arm for him to come +up.</p> + +<p>"Fooled 'em nicely, didn't I?" chuckled Sam Barringford. "They lit out +soon as they heard thet war-whoop, didn't they?"</p> + +<p>"They did," answered Henry. "But some of 'em are back, so we mustn't +lose any time getting away."</p> + +<p>"Right you are, lad—'t won't do to try to fool 'em too much—it's too +much like playin' with the teeth o' a wildcat, now they hev their +war-paint on. O' course you know the hull country's riz, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Risley's cabin has been burnt down and Mrs. Risley is a +captive I'm afraid."</p> + +<p>"I'm a-feered fer your own folks, Henry. The Injuns is headed that way, +seems to me."</p> + +<p>As they hurried on through the woods, with ears on the alert for the +possible appearance of the Indians left behind or of others, Henry told +his story, to which the old frontiersman listened with close attention. +In return Barringford related his own doings during the past forty-eight +hours.</p> + +<p>"I was up to Timber Ridge, back o' Siler's place, lookin' fer deer, when +I spotted some o' the Injuns makin' fer the old meetin' ground. I made +up my mind they was up to no good, and so I followed 'em. They held a +meeting with Little Horn's warriors, and one of 'em had a message from +thet rascally Jean Bevoir who robbed yer uncle o' that trading-post on +the Kinotah, and the message said not to forget the Morris cabin in the +raid."</p> + +<p>"Our cabin!" burst out Henry. "Then they will surely attack it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and jest because Jean Bevoir wants 'em to, Henry. Thet rascal +ought to be hung. He's wuss nor any redman, to my way o' thinkin'."</p> + +<p>"Anyway, we can't get home too quick—at least I can't, Sam."</p> + +<p>"I'm with you, Henry. Your folks are my best friends. Besides, I want to +learn what has become of Dave. You know what a sight I think o' him," +concluded Barringford.</p> + +<p>They advanced with caution until Henry felt compelled to rest. Then they +sat down by the edge of a tiny stream and here obtained a drink, and the +frontiersman washed and bound up Henry's wounded hand. At last they went +on once more, taking a semi-circle which brought them in sight of the +Morris cabin.</p> + +<p>"Too late!" burst from Henry's lips, and his heart sank within him. +Against the early morning sky was a heavy cloud of smoke curling lazily +upward from the ruins of the cabin and the out-buildings. Around the +ruins half a dozen redmen were prowling, on the hunt for anything of +value which might have escaped their notice during the darkness of the +night.</p> + +<p>"Yes, lad, we're too late," responded Barringford, mournfully. "I only +trust your folks escaped."</p> + +<p>"Let—let us creep closer and see if there are any—any bodies lying +around," faltered the young hunter. He was so agitated he could scarcely +speak.</p> + +<p>"Be careful what you do," was the warning. "Follow me—I think I know a +safe lookout place."</p> + +<p>Barringford led the way, and presently they found themselves in a clump +of brushwood not over two hundred feet from the cabin. The brush was on +a rise of ground, so that they could survey the situation with ease.</p> + +<p>"Nothing in sight," said Henry, after a long and painful pause. "What do +you say to that, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"It's encouragin', lad. More'n likely your father got away with your +mother an' the others. I don't see none o' the hosses around. Thet's a +good sign, too. I believe they struck out fer Fort Lawrence or Will's +Creek—most likely the first, fer the trail to Will's Creek is +chuck-a-block with Injuns."</p> + +<p>Feeling that nothing could be gained by remaining in the vicinity, they +started to retreat to the friendly shelter of the forest. They had +hardly covered a hundred yards, when Henry gave a cry of warning.</p> + +<p>"An Indian! Coming straight for us!"</p> + +<p>He was right, and a moment later a painted warrior confronted them. He, +too, was surprised at the meeting, but quick as a flash raised the +tomahawk he carried to strike Barringford down.</p> + +<p>Had the blow landed as intended the frontiersman's skull would have been +split in twain. But if the Indian was quick Barringford was quicker. He +leaped to one side and in a twinkling had the warrior by the throat and +was bearing him backward. At the same moment Henry advanced.</p> + +<p>"Never mind—I've got the consarned critter!" cried Barringford, as he +held the Indian in a grasp of steel. "See if more are a-comin'!"</p> + +<p>Henry looked, but not another redman was in sight. The one in +Barringford's grasp squirmed and struggled and drew up a knee to plant +it against the frontiersman's breast. But even this did not break that +deadly grip, and now the Indian's tongue fairly lolled from his +wide-open mouth. He clutched Barringford's throat, but his hand was +thrown aside and the wrist pressed back until it was almost broken. Then +the Indian gave a strange gulp and suddenly collapsed in a heap.</p> + +<p>"Thet settles his account," panted Barringford, as he staggered away. +"An' he didn't git no chance to make any noise nuther. Serves the +critter right, don't it?" And he led the way onward once more.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it served him right," answered Henry, but even as he spoke he had +to shudder, and he wondered if the Indian was really dead or only partly +choked to death.</p> + +<p>Having decided to move in the direction of Fort Lawrence, Sam +Barringford led the way by the very route Joseph Morris had pursued. +Both he and Henry were now exhausted by their long walk, and both would +have rested had it not been that they were so anxious to know how +matters were going at the fort. On they stumbled as best they could. +Each was hungry, yet neither complained on that score.</p> + +<p>It was nearly noon when they heard a number of shots in the distance. A +fierce yelling followed, and the shooting was continued for the best +part of half an hour.</p> + +<p>"The Indians have attacked the fort!" cried Henry. "A big battle must be +going on!"</p> + +<p>"I reckon you are right, Henry. Come," and Barringford set off at an +increased rate of speed.</p> + +<p>They did not go far, however, for only a little while later they heard a +murmur of voices ahead.</p> + +<p>"An Injun camp," whispered Barringford. "Come, we'll go around," and he +moved to the left.</p> + +<p>But here the way was also blocked by Indians. Then they made a wide +detour, only to find more warriors encamped between themselves and the +fort.</p> + +<p>"The way's blocked," said the frontiersman at last. "The critters have +entirely surrounded the fort. We're out of it, and it looks as if we'd +have to stay out."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>DARK YEAR OF THE WAR</h3> + + +<p>At the time this story opens George Washington had been on the frontier +for nearly two years, with what was little more than a handful of +rangers and militia, doing his best to protect a section of country +extending through Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. His headquarters +were at Winchester, where the fort was in a good state for defence, but +he was frequently away from that place, directing minor operations +against the Indians, who, urged by their French allies, were continually +attacking isolated settlements.</p> + +<p>At this time the future President of our country was still a young man, +strong, resolute, and full of the fire of ambition. There was no thought +of independence in those days. He was a subject of the King of England, +and as a subject willing to do his utmost to sustain British authority +in America. He was dearly beloved by all the soldiers under him, but it +must be confessed that some of these soldiers were not as willing to +remain in the army as was desirable.</p> + +<p>The trouble over the soldiers is easily explained. In the first place +the settlers objected to doing military duty when called upon to "play +second fiddle" to the soldiers brought over from England, and in the +second place the pay was poor and uncertain, and the pioneers, much as +they wished to defend their frontier and whip the French and Indians, +could ill afford to neglect their farms and crops.</p> + +<p>"I'd like to enlist again," said one old pioneer to Washington, "But I +have a wife and four little children at home, and if I don't care for +them they'll have nothing to eat. You know, sir, that I haven't received +a dollar of pay for three months." This explanation was typical of many, +and while Colonel Washington was sorry to have his men desert him thus, +deep down in his heart he could not blame them for wishing to provide +for those they dearly loved.</p> + +<p>Thus far the conduct of the war with France had been a series of +disasters to England's cause, extending over a period of three years. +Braddock's bitter defeat, in July, 1755, had been followed by Shirley's +abandonment of the plan to take Fort Niagara, and after a bitter battle +at Lake George, Sir William Johnson, of whom we shall hear much more +later, was forced to give up his hope of pushing on to Crown Point. This +closed the fighting for the year, leaving the outlook for the colonies +gloomy indeed.</p> + +<p>War between France and England was formally declared in May, 1756—just +twenty years before that memorable Revolution which separated the United +States from England. The Earl of Loudon was sent out to take command of +a new expedition north, but his work in that territory was no more +victorious than Johnson's had been, and as a consequence the French +commander, General Montcalm, captured Oswego, with all the guns and +supplies left there the year previous by Shirley, and in his defeat +General Webb, with a large portion of the British troops, had to fall +back to Albany.</p> + +<p>Early in the following year the English made greater preparations than +ever to bring the war to a satisfactory close. Loudon sailed from New +York with six thousand men, and was joined at Halifax by Admiral +Holborne with a fleet of eleven warships. The object of the expedition +was to attack Louisburg, but when the English arrived in the vicinity of +that French stronghold they found seventeen of the enemy's warships +awaiting them, backed up by heavy land fortifications, and to attack +such a force would have been foolhardy; so Loudon returned to New York +much dispirited.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, Montcalm was not idle. While Loudon was proceeding +against Louisburg the great French general came down with a strong force +from Crown Point and attacked Fort William Henry. The fort was compelled +to surrender, and did so with the understanding that the soldiers be +allowed to march out with the honors of war. But the Indians with the +French would not agree to this, and upon a given signal they fell with +great fury on the English, slaughtering them right and left, butchering +not only the soldiers but also about a hundred women and children who +had fled to the enclosure for safety. The barracks were battered down +and burned, and the cannon, boats, and stores carried away. For these +outrageous proceedings Montcalm was held responsible, but he claimed +that the Indians could not be controlled.</p> + +<p>The effect of so many disasters to British arms in other quarters, could +leave but one impression on the minds of the Indians who threatened the +frontier which Washington was trying to defend. These warriors came to +the conclusion that the English were too weak to defend themselves, and, +consequently, they could rush in and kill, burn, and loot to suit +themselves. They were well aware that the French still held Fort +Duquesne, and that if the English came too far westward (in a chase +after the redmen,) the French would rouse up in an effort to drive them +back from whence they had come. More than this, there were among the +Indians such rascally traders as Jean Bevoir, and these men, in order to +further their own interests, told the Indians to go ahead and do as they +pleased against the English, and that the French would never interfere, +no matter how barbarous was the warfare thus carried on.</p> + +<p>At this time the population of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia was +reckoned at about half a million souls, yet from such a number +Washington could only obtain two thousand militiamen and rangers, and, +as stated before, this number was constantly decreasing, as one after +another refused to re-enlist, for reasons already given. The young +commander did all in his power to protect the numerous settlements from +attacks, but to cover such a wide expanse of territory was, under the +circumstances, impossible. The best that could be done was to station +parts of the army at various forts and hold the soldiers in readiness to +march forth in any direction from whence should come an alarm.</p> + +<p>Colonel Washington had been out on a long tour of inspection, and was +just settling down for a much needed sleep, when an orderly entered and +told him that an Indian messenger had arrived with news.</p> + +<p>"Who is the messenger?" questioned the commander, for in those days it +was necessary to guard against all possible treachery.</p> + +<p>"An under chief named White Buffalo, sir."</p> + +<p>Washington knew White Buffalo fairly well, and at once commanded that +the chief be brought in. This was done, and the warrior delivered the +message written by Captain Tanner with all the ceremony the occasion, to +the Indian, seemed to require.</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so +quickly," said Washington. "Fort Lawrence needs help and I shall give +all the help in my power. You know much of the Indians who are friendly +to the French. How soon will they attack the place, do you think?"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus4" id="illus4"></a> +<img src="images/illus4.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this +message so quickly."</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"That White Buffalo cannot tell to his brother Washington," was the +chief's answer. "They are eager for plunder and will hold off only so +long as they think they are too weak to make the attack. But when they +feel strong enough they will rush in, and if they take the fort, White +Buffalo is sure the massacre at Fort William Henry will be repeated."</p> + +<p>A few words more followed, and Washington hurried forth to notify +several of his officers of what was happening at Fort Lawrence. A force +of only thirty-six men could be spared from Fort Winchester, and these +were placed under the command of Lieutenant Baldwick, an old Indian +fighter. With the whites went nine Indians, who, after some little +urging, consented to act under White Buffalo, although they belonged to +a different tribe. Washington was greatly tempted to take command +himself but felt that he would soon be needed in other directions.</p> + +<p>The rangers chosen for this expedition were all on horseback, and +Lieutenant Baldwick started them off just as soon as they could be +gotten together, and the necessary food and ammunition could be +distributed. The Indians were on foot, but they were all good runners, +and as the trail was a rough one for horses the warriors kept up without +great difficulty.</p> + +<p>The expedition was yet within sight of Winchester when James Morris came +riding into the post, having been on a business trip a mile further +eastward. Dave's father met Colonel Washington at the entrance to the +stockade and took the liberty to ask what the departure of the soldiers +meant.</p> + +<p>"They are on the way to Fort Lawrence," was the answer, and Washington +told of the message received and of what White Buffalo had had to +relate.</p> + +<p>"That's bad!" ejaculated James Morris. "Did he say anything of my folks, +Colonel?"</p> + +<p>"He mentioned your brother Joseph as being with Captain Tanner, but that +is all. I sincerely trust your family are in the fort and safe," +answered Washington.</p> + +<p>Dave's father had wished to see the commander about the purchase of a +number of horses needed by the British army, but now the business was +forgotten, and without delay the trader dashed off on his steed after +Lieutenant Baldwick's command. As soon as he gained the expedition he +sought out White Buffalo and asked concerning Dave.</p> + +<p>"He is at the fort," said the Indian. "And so is your brother Joseph and +his wife and Rodney and little Bright-face,"—meaning Nell.</p> + +<p>"And what of Henry?"</p> + +<p>"He was missing—but he may be at the fort when we get there." And as +well as he was able the warrior told of what had happened at Uriah +Risley's cabin and afterwards.</p> + +<p>Although the expedition moved on as rapidly as possible, it was high +noon before half the distance to Fort Lawrence was covered. The mid-day +meal was eaten on the march, and the only stop made was one to water +the horses. Two white scouts and two Indians went ahead as spies, and +half an hour later discovered the camp of four Indians, who had with +them one warrior who was suffering with a broken leg. A skirmish ensued, +and two of the Indians, including the wounded man, were killed and the +others taken prisoners. After that the expedition moved onward with +greater vigilance than ever.</p> + +<p>It was nearly three o'clock, and the soldiers were still a mile from the +fort, when one of the advance guard set up a shout. He had caught sight +of two white men creeping along the edge of a ravine to the north of the +trail. A halt was ordered and another batch of scouts went forward to +learn who the whites could be.</p> + +<p>A short game of hide-and-seek now ensued, each side not knowing whether +the other was a friend or an enemy. But at last there came a yell of joy +from Sam Barringford as he swung his coonskin cap in the air.</p> + +<p>"I know you, Dick Hoggerly!" he shouted, to one of the scouts. "Don't +let 'em shoot at us. I've got Henry Morris with me."</p> + +<p>"Hullo, so it's you, Sam," was the answer. "All right; we ain't shootin' +no friends if we kin help it." And then the word was passed around and +soon the two wanderers were made welcome, Henry especially so by his +Uncle James.</p> + +<p>The pair had but little to relate outside of what is already known. They +told Lieutenant Baldwick that the Indians surrounded Fort Lawrence +completely and that some sort of an attack had already taken place. This +was enough to arouse the spirit of even the most sluggish, and once +again the expedition moved through the forest, determined to save the +fort and its defenders, if such a thing were possible.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>FIGHTING OFF THE INDIANS</h3> + + +<p>"It doesn't look much like an attack now."</p> + +<p>It was Dave who spoke, as he leaned against the rocks and gazed sharply +out into the forest, beyond the tiny stream of water flowing beside the +improvised fort.</p> + +<p>"When the redskins come they won't blow a trumpet," replied Rodney, +grimly. "The more vicious the attack the more quiet they'll go about it. +Isn't that so, father?"</p> + +<p>"You're about right, my son," returned Joseph Morris. "I shouldn't be +surprised if the Indians are much closer than we think."</p> + +<p>"If only we knew where Henry is, and father," said Dave. "Perhaps the +redskins have captured them both."</p> + +<p>"They won't get your father so easily, Dave," came from Joseph Morris. +"They may——"</p> + +<p>The pioneer broke off short and suddenly raised his gun. He had seen +some war-like feathers floating above a fringe of brushwood between a +number of stately walnut trees. He took careful aim and fired.</p> + +<p>A yell rent the air and in a trice that cry was echoed by half a hundred +others, filling the air with a sudden noise, which no pen can describe. +As Dave said, it was truly "a hair raiser," and he felt a quick chill +creep down his backbone. That yell told only too well how the Indians +were aroused, and what they would do could they but gain the chance.</p> + +<p>The report of Joseph Morris's gun was followed by the discharge of +Rodney's weapon and then shots from several others. Rodney had seen a +warrior running from one tree to another and had brought the Indian down +midway between the two. But the fellow was only wounded and he lost no +time in crawling to cover.</p> + +<p>Spat! spat! A bullet and an arrow hit the rocks directly in front of the +Morrises and caused Dave to dodge quickly, although so far there was +small danger of being hit. Then came other shots from both sides and for +several minutes the air inside and outside the fort was filled with +smoke.</p> + +<p>"There's a good number of them, that's certain," observed Joseph Morris, +as he paused to reload. "I believe every Indian for a hundred and fifty +miles around has gathered here. Hark!"</p> + +<p>They listened, and from a distance came other yells, gradually circling +around in the forest to the other side of the fort. But this ruse did +not deceive those within.</p> + +<p>"It's an old dodge," observed Joseph Morris. "They want us to look for +them on that side while they make a dash on this. See, here they come +now!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, an' thar's fer 'em!" put in a pioneer standing near. His aim was +true and a warrior went down just as he leaped out to cross the stream.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Pasney!" exclaimed Joseph Morris. "Never saw a truer shot +in my life. You took him straight in the heart."</p> + +<p>"Wall, thet's wot I reckoned on doin'," replied Pasney, coolly. He was +an old trapper, and had lived among friendly Indians for years. At rifle +practice he had often won prizes for marksmanship.</p> + +<p>With four of their warriors either killed or wounded, the Indians +retreated for the time being. So far nobody in the fort had been +touched, consequently the spirits of all, even of the women folks, +revived.</p> + +<p>"If we keep this up, we'll soon discourage them," said Captain Tanner. +"More than likely they'll hang around until to-morrow and then rush off +to loot what they can and get back to their own territory."</p> + +<p>"If they do that we ought to follow them," said Dave. "They should be +taught a good lesson. Just think of our nice home being burnt to the +ground for no reason at all. It's a shame!"</p> + +<p>Many of the women and children, as well as some of the men, were very +tired, but sleep was out of the question for all old enough to +comprehend what was taking place. Even little Nell came out of a nap +with a scream and clung closer than ever to her mother's skirt.</p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma, what will they do with us?" she asked. "Will they scalp us?"</p> + +<p>"Let us hope not, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, soothingly. "I think your +papa and the others can keep them off."</p> + +<p>Half an hour later came another attack. It was now dark, and only a +trained eye could see what was taking place in the blackness of the +forest surrounding the fort. To get a better view Pasney climbed one of +the trees forming part of the stockade.</p> + +<p>Hardly had he gained a favorable position than he uttered a cry of +alarm. Then came the whizzing of an arrow through the bare branches in +front of him and his body came down with a thud just inside the +defence. Several rushed to him and raised him up, but it was too late.</p> + +<p>"Shot through the heart!" whispered Dave, as he gazed on the body in +horror. "He got just what he gave that redskin a while ago." And he +turned away, scarcely able to control his feelings.</p> + +<p>Again the war-cry was given and once more the Indians made a rush, this +time attacking the fort on two sides. There was a constant discharge of +firearms, and arrows came freely into the enclosure, one taking Rodney +through the fleshy part of the arm and another grazing Dave's face.</p> + +<p>"You are hit, Rodney," cried Dave, as he saw his crippled cousin stagger +back.</p> + +<p>"Reckon it ain't much," was the answer. "But it was a close call," and +then Rodney went to his mother, to have the wound bound up.</p> + +<p>The fight had been waging for the best part of an hour when those in the +fort saw that the enemy were changing their tactics. Through the air +there rushed a dozen or more arrows all carrying with them trails of +fire. They went up like so many rockets, to fall in graceful curves +directly into the fort. One had a horn of powder attached to it, which, +on touching the ground, exploded with great violence. Fire was scattered +in all directions and for the moment it looked as if some of the women +folks and children would be burnt alive.</p> + +<p>Rodney was close to his mother and little Nell when the first shower of +burning arrows came down. He saw his mother's skirt go up into a blaze +and like a flash tore the burning garment from her. Then he brushed some +sparks from little Nell and himself and an old woman standing by.</p> + +<p>"They intend to burn us alive!" was the cry, and many of the children +began to scream louder than ever.</p> + +<p>"Let the women take water and dirt and put out the fire!" ordered +Captain Tanner. "Every man is needed at the stockade. They are getting +ready for another rush!"</p> + +<p>Fortunately all the water possible had been brought into the fort and +clothes were soaked in this and used for beating out the flames. It was +hard work, and soon the women were as smoke-begrimed as the men. To save +the children all their dresses were wet down so that the sparks might +have no effect. Where the burning arrows fell among the baggage, and +water was not handy, the sod was dug up with spades and pike poles and +thrown on as a blanket.</p> + +<p>In the meantime what Captain Tanner had said about another attack was +true. But this time the Indians were more cautious and they hardly +exposed themselves, while waiting for the fire to aid them. When they +saw that the blazing arrows had little or no effect they fell back once +more, with two warriors wounded, one mortally.</p> + +<p>Slowly the night wore away. The loss to the pioneers had been one man +killed and several wounded, although none seriously. One woman had been +burnt across the neck and one little boy had had an ear scorched.</p> + +<p>When day dawned the vigilance at the stockade and the rocks was not +relaxed, for all felt that another attack might come at any moment. +There was no water in the enclosure, all on hand having been used in +fighting fire.</p> + +<p>"We've got to get water somehow," said Joseph Morris. "I'm dying for a +drink and I reckon all of you are about the same."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Joseph, do not expose yourself," pleaded Mrs. Morris. "More than +likely the Indians know we want water and they'll watch the brooks +closely, to see if they can't catch whoever tries to get it."</p> + +<p>This was proved to be the case a few minutes later, when a pioneer named +Raymond tried to get a bucket of water. Hardly had he showed himself +when two arrows whizzed in that direction, one cutting through his +coonskin cap. Raymond dropped his bucket in a hurry and lost no time in +regaining shelter.</p> + +<p>"I know a way to get water," said Rodney. "Dig a hole down between the +rocks and then run a pike pole through that dirt bank. Some of the water +in that brook will be sure to flow in this direction."</p> + +<p>The suggestion was thought a good one and several started to dig the +hole immediately. It was made four feet deep and the pike pole was +jammed through the soil at as low a point as possible. At first no water +came, but presently a few drops showed themselves and then followed a +stream the size of one's little finger.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" cried Dave. "Rodney's scheme is all right. That hole will keep +the water here on a level with that in the stream and we'll have all we +wish." And so it proved, much to the satisfaction of all in the fort. To +be sure, the water was rather muddy, but even muddy water was much +better than none and nobody complained.</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo ought to be on his way back," observed Joseph Morris, as +he and the boys sat on the rocks, eating the scant morning meal which +Captain Tanner had had dealt out.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he ought to have some of Colonel Washington's rangers with +him," returned Dave.</p> + +<p>"Your father will be with 'em," came from Rodney. "That is, unless he +struck out for the house instead."</p> + +<p>The talking went on in low voices, for all ears were on guard, waiting +for sounds from the forest. Captain Tanner had hoped to get some word +from the Indians White Buffalo had left behind, but none of these showed +themselves.</p> + +<p>An hour later an alarm came from the farther end of the stockade. The +Indians were gathering for a solid rush upon that quarter. Soon a yell +was heard and again came shots and arrows.</p> + +<p>"We are in for it now!" cried Captain Tanner. "Every man must do his +duty or we are lost. They are coming on us a couple of hundred +stronger!"</p> + +<p>He was right, and now the enemy advanced boldly as if encouraged by the +mere force of numbers. Several carried notched limbs of trees, to be +used as ladders in scaling the stockade.</p> + +<p>Shots flew thick and fast and inside of a few minutes two more of the +pioneers were wounded and a woman was killed outright. The Indians +suffered even a greater loss, but continued to come on until more than a +score of them were close to the stockade. In the meantime several of the +number ran around to the rocks, thinking the pioneers had deserted this +end of the fort.</p> + +<p>Joseph Morris, Rodney, Dave, and two others met those at the rocks with +a rapid volley which speedily put three of the warriors out of the +contest. But more were coming, and in a few minutes our friends found +themselves in what was almost a hand-to-hand encounter, only a few rough +rocks separating them from the redskins.</p> + +<p>Dave had just fired, and was reloading with all speed, when he saw an +arrow aimed full at his uncle. He gave a shout of warning, but the cry +came too late. Joseph Morris was struck in the breast and went down in a +heap. He gave a strange little groan and then lay still.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>RETREAT OF THE PIONEERS</h3> + + +<p>Dave's shout of warning reached Rodney's ears, and the young man turned +in time to see his father go down as just described. He gave a cry of +horror and then, with set teeth, discharged his gun straight at the +warrior who had laid Mr. Morris low. His aim was true and the Indian +fell to rise no more.</p> + +<p>The fall of his uncle nerved Dave to greater effort, and as the Indians +rushed over the rocks he, with several others, met them in a short but +bitter hand-to-hand contest, in which blows were freely taken and +delivered. The redskins were yelling at the top of their lungs and using +their tomahawks with great viciousness. Dave was confronted by a tall +warrior who did his best to split the youth's head open with his +hatchet, but Dave dodged and the blow merely grazed his shoulder. Then, +before the Indian could aim another blow a bullet from the rear cut +short the redskin's career forever.</p> + +<p>The forest was now full of shouting, and shots were being fired with +marvelous rapidity. Those in the fort could not understand this. Had +the Indians been re-enforced?</p> + +<p>"If more redskins have come up we are doomed!" was the cry which went +the rounds, but almost on top of it came a yell of joy:</p> + +<p>"The rangers have come! We are saved!"</p> + +<p>It was true, the command under Lieutenant Baldwick had come up after a +long running fight with some Indians journeying toward the fort. These +redskins had been put to flight and with them about a dozen French +trappers and traders under Jean Bevoir, one of the trappers having been +slain, along with two Indians. Now the rangers were fighting desperately +to get to those hemmed in at the fort.</p> + +<p>The coming of the soldiers put new life in the pioneers and the battle +broke forth afresh. Struck at from both the front and the rear the +Indians received a galling fire which filled them with sudden terror.</p> + +<p>In the midst of the rangers were James Morris and Sam Barringford. +Dave's father was cool and determined and every shot from his musket was +sent with deadly effect. Barringford seemed to be in his element, and +danced around so rapidly that not an Indian could draw a "bead" upon +him.</p> + +<p>"Thet for ye!" he yelled, firing his gun at the nearest warrior. "An' +how do yer like thet, eh?"—hitting a second with the butt of the +weapon. "I'll show ye! Ain't I a roarin' painter when I'm cut loose! +Cl'ar the track fer the bustin', roarin' whirlwind!" And thus shouting +in the style peculiar to the old-time trappers of that period he rushed +in, literally cutting a path over the rocks and into the fort proper. An +arrow stuck through his coonskin cap and his hunting jacket was ripped +in a dozen places by knives and tomahawks, yet with it all he seemed to +bear a charmed life and laid low every warrior who dared to bar his +progress.</p> + +<p>In less than ten minutes after the rangers had appeared and closed in +the Indians began to retreat. Seeing them thus on the run, the pioneers +and soldiers increased their efforts and soon the warriors were only too +glad to get back into the forest. They left the vicinity of the fort and +took up their stand several hundred yards away, behind a small hill, +enclosed on two sides by rocks. It is possible they expected the rangers +to follow them to this point, but for the time being they were not +molested.</p> + +<p>The reason for this was easily explained. Both pioneers and rangers were +utterly fagged out—the former by their hasty flights from their homes, +and the vigilance and fighting at the fort, and the latter because of +the forced ride from Winchester, and the first battle in the forest with +Indians and French. All needed a rest, and the wounded demanded +attention. So for the time being the battle remained a drawn one.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was made known that the Indians had retreated, a score of +rangers who were unhurt were set to watch their movements, and then +began the caring for the wounded. All told, it was found that six men, +women and children had been killed outright and that one man was +mortally hurt. Of the pioneers five were wounded, and of the rangers +three, and of the killed two had been scalped.</p> + +<p>"Dave, my son!" exclaimed James Morris, as he rushed up. "Are you safe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, father," was the answer. "And you?"</p> + +<p>"I have a scratch on the leg, but it isn't much. How are the rest?"</p> + +<p>"Uncle Joe has been shot down. I reckon the others are all right."</p> + +<p>"Joe shot down? Is he—he——"</p> + +<p>"There he is, over by the rocks. No, he isn't dead, but I think he's +pretty bad. He got an arrow right in the breast."</p> + +<p>Father and son hurried to the spot, to find Joseph Morris stretched out +on a blanket and surrounded by all of his family, including Henry, who +during the advance of the rangers had fought as bravely as anyone. The +arrow had been extracted and Mrs. Morris was using her utmost skill in +binding up the wound.</p> + +<p>"What do you think, James?" she wailed. "Will he live?"</p> + +<p>"While there is life let us hope, Lucy," answered the brother-in-law, +tenderly. "Is he unconscious?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," put in Rodney. "I—I'm afraid that arrow point was poisoned."</p> + +<p>"Let me see the arrow."</p> + +<p>It was passed over and James Morris examined it with care. At this point +Sam Barringford also came up and he, too, looked the arrow over.</p> + +<p>"Ain't no p'ison thar," said the old frontiersman. "Thet tribe uses blue +juice an' if thar war p'ison the blood would turn greenish. But it's +rich red, as ye kin see. No, I allow as how he ain't p'isoned."</p> + +<p>"I believe Sam tells the truth," said James Morris.</p> + +<p>"But it's a fearful wound," said Dave. "I saw the arrow strike. It went +in straight."</p> + +<p>All set to work to revive the unconscious sufferer and Barringford +insisted upon obtaining some liquor and forcing a few teaspoonsful down +the wounded man's throat. At last they had the satisfaction of seeing +Joseph Morris give a short gasp and open his eyes dreamily.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" he murmured and for a moment was silent. "I—I am hit!" he went +on.</p> + +<p>"Be quiet, Joseph," said his wife, bending over him. "Yes, you were hit +in the breast with an arrow. We will do what we can for you, but you +mustn't move, or the wound will start to bleed again."</p> + +<p>"But the Indians—"</p> + +<p>"The Indians have retreated," said Rodney. "The rangers have come, and +Uncle James is here, too, and so is Henry."</p> + +<p>"All safe?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Thank God!" And then Joseph Morris relapsed once more into silence, +being almost too weak to breathe much less to speak.</p> + +<p>Little Nell had been crying bitterly, and now Henry took her in his arms +and did his best to soothe her, for he knew his mother would not leave +his father's side.</p> + +<p>"The bad, bad Indians!" cried the little girl. "Oh, how could they come +and shoot at us! And last night they tried to burn us up with their fire +arrows! Oh, it was dreadful!" And she buried her curly head in her +brother's shoulder.</p> + +<p>The hours to follow were gloomy enough, and ones which those in the +stockade never forgot. The man who had been mortally wounded died +shrieking with pain, and the sounds rang in the ears of both young and +old, filling the latter with new grief. The dead were buried together in +one deep hole and over their last resting place were rolled several +heavy stones, that no wild beasts might disturb their common grave. The +service at this funeral was short, for there was no telling when the +Indians might make another attack.</p> + +<p>Toward the middle of the afternoon word came in through the friendly +Indians under White Buffalo that the French Indians, as they were +called, were preparing for some new move. Instantly every available man +in the fort leaped for his gun and even some of the women armed +themselves, determined to fight to the last rather than risk the horrors +of becoming captives of the enemy.</p> + +<p>But the alarm proved a false one, for the Indians, although they shifted +their camp to the opposite side of the fort, did nothing but exchange a +few shots with several of the rangers. Yet this move kept the pioneers +on the alert all night, so that little or no sleep was had by anyone.</p> + +<p>"I must say I'm so tired I can scarcely keep my eyes open," said Henry +to Dave. "If we elect to retreat I don't see how I'm going to either +ride or walk."</p> + +<p>"Take a nap," said Dave. "If another alarm comes I'll call you." And +Henry dropped down and was in the land of dreams almost on the instant.</p> + +<p>On the following morning a council of war was held by Captain Tanner, +Lieutenant Baldwick and half a dozen of the leading pioneers, and it was +decided that the best thing to do would be to retreat to Winchester. +Provisions were getting low and so was ammunition, and the lieutenant +had been ordered not to hold Fort Lawrence, but do his best to bring in +the settlers and families in safety.</p> + +<p>"The Indians are gathering steadily," said Lieutenant Baldwick. "Every +hour makes them stronger. I think the sooner we strike out the better it +will be for us." And in this Captain Tanner and the majority of the +settlers agreed.</p> + +<p>The main difficulty which presented itself was how to care for the +wounded. It would be running a grave risk to move Joseph Morris and +several others, but there was no help for it, and the family were told +to prepare for leaving in an hour.</p> + +<p>"We will make a litter between two horses," said James Morris. "Rodney +can ride on one of the animals and lead them along the smoothest part of +the trail he can find. We will bind the wound as tightly as possible, so +that the blood won't get much chance to start afresh."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Morris wished to demur, fearing her husband might die ere the +journey was completed. But she could not remain behind alone, and so, +with a sinking heart, she prepared to move as had been ordered.</p> + +<p>The settlers were cautioned to leave the fort as silently as possible +and to carry along only that which was absolutely necessary. Before they +left the rangers and some of the Indians under White Buffalo went ahead, +to make sure that the trail chosen by Captain Tanner was clear. Eight of +the rangers remained at the fort, to give it the appearance of still +being inhabited and, in case of attack, to rush out and cover the +settlers' rear.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>DISAPPEARANCE OF LITTLE NELL</h3> + + +<p>As was natural Dave and Henry journeyed side by side. They moved +directly behind Mrs. Morris and little Nell, who brought up in the rear +of the litter on which Joseph Morris rested, and the horses under the +control of Rodney. Dave's father was not with the party, nor was trusty +Sam Barringford, both having joined the party of rangers who formed the +advance guard.</p> + +<p>Following the instructions given them the pioneers and their families +moved through the great forest as silently as possible, only the +occasional groan of a wounded one, or the cry of some little child +breaking the stillness. The route was past the rocks bordering one of +the watercourses previously mentioned and then along what in those days +was called the Old Buffalo Trail,—a well-beaten path along which in +years gone by countless buffaloes had passed in their migrations to the +east and return. The buffaloes were now fast disappearing from this +territory, as are to-day the deer, wolves, and other wild animals which +were likewise numerous.</p> + +<p>It was a trying time, for the ears of all were ever on the alert to +catch the first sign of an approaching enemy. Onward went Dave and Henry +with their guns ready for instant use. Rodney guided the horses with the +greatest of care, yet there were many jolts to the litter which more +than once caused Joseph Morris to utter a groan he could not suppress.</p> + +<p>It was calculated that if nothing out of the ordinary occurred the party +would be able to reach Winchester in three days, but if the Indians +followed them up and attacked them the journey would take much longer, +for they would have to make a stand behind whatever breastworks they +could manage to erect, and there remain until the coast was clear or the +enemy drove them forth. There was also the ever-present possibility that +the Indians would wipe out the expedition entirely, a possibility that +made many of the married men shudder, as they thought of their wives and +defenseless children.</p> + +<p>"We can consider ourselves lucky if we reach Winchester without any more +hair-raising," observed Henry, as they trudged along.</p> + +<p>"Right you are," replied Dave. "The Indians seem worked up to the last +degree. They'll trap us if they possibly can."</p> + +<p>"There is one thing in our favor, Dave. Captain Tanner is as good a +scout as you'll find in these parts, and with such men with him as +Barringford and your father he won't fall into any trap unless it's a +mighty slick one."</p> + +<p>"To think that Jean Bevoir should be in this neighborhood with his +thieving traders," went on Dave, after a pause. "I declare I wish he had +fallen instead of one of those Indians we brought down. He isn't as good +as some of the Iroquois, to my way of thinking."</p> + +<p>"He'll get what he deserves one of these days, Dave. He has cheated so +many redskins that some of them will lay for him some night, and that +will be the end of him and his band. But I must admit, I can't +understand how any redskins can follow the leadership of such a rascal, +who gives them liquor only in order to rob them of their hard-earned +pelts."</p> + +<p>Two miles had been covered when there came a shot from the front, +followed by three others. Immediately the pioneers and their families +gathered behind a semi-circle of rocks and brush which happened to be +near. Several Indians had shown themselves to the scouts, but as soon as +one was shot the others fled. The whole party remained on guard half an +hour longer, but none of the enemy returned, and the onward march was +resumed.</p> + +<p>Late that night Dave heard that two more white men had joined the +expedition and not long after this he caught sight of Uriah Risley. He +ran up to meet the Englishman, and Henry did the same.</p> + +<p>"My wife, where is she?" asked Uriah Risley, of Henry. "Tell me +quickly!"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you," answered Henry.</p> + +<p>"But you were with her—so Dave told me."</p> + +<p>"I was with her. But some Indians came and attacked us, and I told her +to run and hide in the woods. Then the Indians came at me and I was +struck down, and that was all I knew until long afterward when I found +myself strapped to the back of a horse and traveling with a band of +redskins." And Henry gave the particulars of the encounter, and of how +Sam Barringford had afterward come to his rescue.</p> + +<p>"Do you think my wife got away into the woods?"</p> + +<p>"I really can't say. I know she ran off as well as her hurt ankle would +let her, but it may be that some of the Indians went after her. I had my +hands so full I couldn't look," concluded Henry.</p> + +<p>Uriah Risley was pale and haggard and said he had not slept for two +nights, nor had he had a regular meal for forty-eight hours. He had been +to the vicinity of his burnt cabin and had followed up Henry's trail as +best he could for several miles, but nowhere had he found a trace of his +wife.</p> + +<p>"I fear she is either dead or in the hands of those murderous redskins," +he groaned, his eyes growing suspiciously moist. "Poor dear Caddy! She +never could get used to this life either! It was a sorry day when we +didn't remain in England, or in Annapolis." And he turned away to hide +his emotion. Several came and offered him food and a portion of this he +ate mechanically. Sleep, although he needed it badly, was out of the +question.</p> + +<p>Strange to say no Indian attack occurred during the following day, and +that night found the expedition well on its way to Winchester. Some of +the pioneers were of the opinion that the enemy had retreated westward, +satisfied with the damage done and the booty obtained, but at this Sam +Barringford, Captain Tanner, and a number of other old frontiersmen +shook their heads.</p> + +<p>"The Injun's at his worst when he's layin' low," was the way Barringford +expressed himself. "We've got to keep our eyes peeled or fust thing you +know we'll all wake up skulped."</p> + +<p>Fortunately for the party one of the advance guard had brought down a +deer and another had bagged a number of birds with some fine shot. The +birds were made into a stew for the sick and wounded and the venison +was cut up and divided all around. The expedition was in the midst of a +wide timber belt, at a spot where there was a small clearing. Here, in a +hollow, a camp-fire was lit and the meat cooked and stew made, and while +one half of the able-bodied pioneers and soldiers remained on guard the +other half had their first full meal since leaving the fort. Then the +guard was changed and the other half satisfied the cravings of the inner +man, after which sentinels were posted and the camp settled down to see +if it could not obtain a much-needed night's rest.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Morris and the others were gratified to see that while Joseph +Morris's wound pained him not a little it did not break out afresh and +gave every promise of healing rapidly when once the sufferer should +reach a place where he could have a couple of weeks' quiet. Before +retiring with little Nell the wife washed and re-bound the wound and +gave her husband all the nourishment he cared to take.</p> + +<p>Dave was on guard during the first half of the night, with his father on +the next post not a hundred feet away. The night was dark and a low wind +was rising which betokened a storm. All else was quiet and the camp-fire +was allowed to burn low until only a few embers were left.</p> + +<p>"It looks as if the Indians had really given it up," said Dave, as he +and his father met on their walks up and down the two posts.</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure," answered James Morris. "At this very minute they +may be preparing to rush in and overwhelm us. I won't believe we are +safe until we come in sight of Winchester."</p> + +<p>"Is the fort there in good shape?"</p> + +<p>"Fairly good, although Colonel Washington is going to strengthen it all +he can. The trouble is, Washington is having trouble with Governor +Dinwiddie. The governor thinks he knows it all and won't give the +colonel half the soldiers or equipments that are needed. He doesn't seem +to realize that if Winchester should fall all the English settlers would +be driven back over the Blue Ridge and would lose everything they +possess in this locality."</p> + +<p>When it came time to turn in Dave was glad enough to throw himself down +and go to sleep, with nothing more than a thin blanket to cover him. His +father lay beside him, with Joseph Morris, Mrs. Morris and Rodney and +little Nell not far off.</p> + +<p>How long he slept Dave did not know, but when he awoke it was with a +start and a cough. There was a fierce shouting and shooting going on and +the forest seemed full of smoke and fire. Hardly had he gained his feet +when an arrow whizzed past his head burying itself in the tree trunk +behind him.</p> + +<p>"The attack is on!" came from James Morris, who was already up. "They +have fired the woods on two sides of the camp and they are laying for us +on the other two sides. I'm afraid it is going to be a fight to the +finish."</p> + +<p>There was no time to say more for the confusion on every hand was great. +The shouting and shooting continued, and in the midst of this Captain +Tanner ran around, followed by Lieutenant Baldwick, giving orders to the +men and advising the women and children what to do. To the uproar was +added the mad prancing around of some of the horses, who sniffed the +smoke, and the screams of the frightened children, some clinging to the +skirts of their mothers and others running about looking for their +parents, who had become lost to them in the general mix-up.</p> + +<p>"Stay with your aunt and uncle, Dave," said James Morris. "They'll need +you. I'll go out with the soldiers," and in a second he was bounding +away, to learn how bad the situation really was, and what might be done +to remedy it.</p> + +<p>What happened during the next hour seemed to the boy, afterward, more +like some horrible dream than a reality. The war-whoops of the Indians +continued to ring out on the night air, punctuated by numerous shots and +yells from the wounded, while the fire in the forest grew brighter and +brighter, driving the sick, wounded, and the helpless before it. Rodney +and the others tried to get Joseph Morris back on the litter, but before +this could be done both horses bolted away in the darkness, one +upsetting Mrs. Morris and bruising her shoulder severely. Then Henry and +Dave locked hands chair-fashion and started to carry the sufferer +between them, only to stumble over some tree roots and go sprawling +headlong. In the meantime Mrs. Morris looked around her, to discover +that little Nell was missing.</p> + +<p>"Nell! Nell!" she screamed. "Come here! Nell!"</p> + +<p>"Isn't she with you, mother?" came quickly from Rodney.</p> + +<p>"No. But she was here a moment ago. Nell! Nell!"</p> + +<p>No answer came back to this cry, and now both Mrs. Morris and Rodney ran +hither and thither in search of the little girl. Little could be seen, +for the smoke was so thick it fairly blinded them.</p> + +<p>As quickly as possible Dave and Henry arose and picked up Mr. Morris. +The fall had hurt the sufferer's wound and he had to groan in spite of +his efforts to choke back the sounds.</p> + +<p>"Never—mind m-m—me!" he gasped. "Sa—save th—the others!" And then he +fainted dead away.</p> + +<p>"Your mother is calling for Nell!" cried Dave. "Here, Henry, put him on +my back. I'll carry him somehow, and then you can go back to her." And +after an effort Dave mastered his load and staggered on, in the +direction already taken by a number of others. He was now more careful +where he placed his feet and thus kept from going down again, although +the load made him pant and exert himself far beyond his youthful +strength. On and on he went, over rocks and tearing through low +brushwood. An arrow went by his shoulder but he paid no attention. He +heard more shots, and once a blaze of fire seemed to flash up almost in +front of him. But he was not struck, and ten minutes later he felt that +he had in some marvelous manner left the battleground behind him. He +plunged into a hollow filled with wet grass and went down up to his +knees. Unable to carry his load further he allowed his uncle's body to +slip down beside him, and there he rested, trying his best to get back +his breath and wondering what would happen next.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>BACK TO WINCHESTER</h3> + + +<p>At last the battle seemed to be at an end. Only a few shots sounded out +and they came from a distance. The fire in the forest had died down and, +thanks to an all-powerful Providence it had failed to give the Indians +the success they had sought. It was true a number of the pioneers and +soldiers had been badly wounded, but none were killed, while on the +other hand seven redskins had been laid low.</p> + +<p>All was in a hopeless confusion, and it was not until daylight came that +Captain Tanner and the others succeeded in straightening matters out. +Many of the women and children had fled into the forest and these had to +be hunted up, while some of the pioneers had followed the enemy on their +private account and did not return until they felt the Indians were +sufficiently beaten back.</p> + +<p>When Dave recovered from his forced traveling his first anxiety was for +his uncle, who had fainted away from a fresh loss of blood. As well as +he was able, the youth bound up the wound once more, tearing off a +sleeve of his shirt for that purpose.</p> + +<p>While he was at work several alarms sounded close to him, and he held +his breath, expecting to be discovered at any instant. But the Indians +passed him on both sides with a speed that showed him they were now +thinking only of retreat.</p> + +<p>With the first streak of daylight he looked around him and at a distance +discovered two rangers on horseback. They were rounding up the pioneers +and their families and they readily consented to assist him all in their +power.</p> + +<p>"Reckon Mr. Morris is in a pretty bad way," said one of the soldiers. +"The knocking around didn't do his wound no good."</p> + +<p>"That's just the trouble," answered Dave. "But I did the best I could +under the circumstances. I didn't want the Indians to scalp him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you did mighty well, lad—mighty well. Come, I'll take him up on my +hoss."</p> + +<p>The ranger carried the helpless man with care and soon Dave and his +uncle reached the spot to which all the pioneers were coming. As soon as +she caught sight of them, Mrs. Morris came running forward.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dave, how is he?" she questioned.</p> + +<p>"Not any better, Aunt Lucy," he responded, soberly. "I think you'll have +to keep him very quiet after this."</p> + +<p>"Did you see anything of Nell?"</p> + +<p>"No. Is she gone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes. Henry and your father are out looking for her."</p> + +<p>"It's too bad! I hope they find her soon."</p> + +<p>Dave felt very weak and gladly partook of some soup which several of the +women in the camp had made.</p> + +<p>The youth was just finishing the repast when his father and Henry came +back, looking much disheartened.</p> + +<p>"Did she come back?" questioned both, and then as Mrs. Morris shook her +head, not daring to trust herself to speak, James Morris continued: +"It's too bad! I can't believe it possible that the Indians carried her +off."</p> + +<p>"Yes! yes! They must have carried her off!" sobbed Mrs. Morris. "My poor +darling Nell! Oh, what will those wretches do with her!" And she burst +into a flood of tears.</p> + +<p>Rodney had just come up, and all turned in to console her as best they +could. Yet they could say but little to soothe her sorely wounded heart. +Even Dave found the tears standing in his eyes, for he loved little Nell +as much as if she were his own sister.</p> + +<p>When it came time to count those who had been in the expedition it was +found that two other girls besides little Nell were missing—twins named +Mary and Bertha Rose, the children of a pioneer who lived fifteen miles +to the north of the Morris homestead. Mrs. Rose was as grief-stricken as +Mrs. Morris, and both wept together when they met.</p> + +<p>"I shall remain behind to see if I can't find some trace of all the +children," said James Morris.</p> + +<p>"And I'll do the same," said Nelson Rose. "I would rather give up my +life than leave my two girls in the Indians' power."</p> + +<p>"Reckon as how I'll stay behind with ye," put in Sam Barringford. +Although he never admitted it, little Nell was very dear to the old +frontiersman's heart.</p> + +<p>"White Buffalo will also look for little Bright-face," said the Indian +chief. "But he is much afraid the French Indians have carried all three +of the maidens off."</p> + +<p>So it was decided, and when the expedition moved off the three white men +and the Indian with his followers were left behind. Captain Tanner and +Lieutenant Baldwick were now pretty certain that the Indians would not +make another attack in a hurry, and this was why he readily consented +to spare them. Although he said nothing, Uriah Risley also remained +behind, to see if he could not learn something concerning his wife.</p> + +<p>Owing to the condition of the wounded the onward march to Winchester was +now slower than ever, and when night came only half the distance to that +frontier town had been covered. But a messenger had been sent ahead and +now several wagons came out to carry in the disabled on the following +day. This made the remainder of the journey less of a hardship for +Joseph Morris, and while he did not improve neither did he seem to grow +worse.</p> + +<p>The news of the massacre, as it was called, had spread in all +directions, and when the pioneers reached Winchester they found the post +alive with many others who had come in from all points of the compass, +some with all of their belongings and others with nothing but the +clothing on their backs. As a consequence every cabin and house was +filled to overflowing, and it was only by good luck that the Morrises +obtained shelter at the cabin of an intimate friend named Maurice +Gibson. Gibson himself was a trader like James Morris, and his wife +Abigail and Mrs. Lucy Morris had been old schoolmates.</p> + +<p>Joseph Morris was placed on a comfortable bed and without delay a +surgeon was called to attend him. The medical man probed his wound and +had it thoroughly washed, and then left a strong tonic as a medicine.</p> + +<p>"I think he will recover before long," said the doctor. "But he must +remain quiet until the wound is thoroughly healed. If not fever may set +in and then I will not be responsible for the consequences."</p> + +<p>"He shall remain here as long as he pleases," said Maurice Gibson. "And +his family also;" and so it was settled.</p> + +<p>Of course Mrs. Morris felt relieved to think that her husband would +recover, but she could not forget her little daughter, and as she +thought of Nell in the hands of the Indians the silent tears would +course down her cheeks in spite of all she could do to stay them.</p> + +<p>"It is awful, awful!" she said to Dave. "Oh, I would give my right hand +to know that she was safe!"</p> + +<p>"I'd give a good deal myself, Aunt Lucy," he returned. "But keep up your +courage. Father, and Barringford, and White Buffalo will do all in their +power to bring her back to us."</p> + +<p>Two days of anxiety passed in the town and then it was reported that the +majority of the hostile Indians had retreated in the direction of Fort +Duquesne, to join the French located at that stronghold. Some of the +regulars had followed a portion of the enemy and brought down three +braves at what was called Three Posts. Among these Indians thus laid low +was Crooked Nose, a half brother to Spotted Tail, a celebrated chief of +that time.</p> + +<p>"And still no trace of Nell," sighed Mrs. Morris, when the news came in. +"Dave, did you hear anything of your father?"</p> + +<p>"Not a word, Aunt Lucy."</p> + +<p>"I hope he is safe."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you can trust him to take care of himself—especially when +Barringford and White Buffalo are with him. I think they'll bring us +some certain news when they return."</p> + +<p>But none of the party did return, and at the end of a week even Dave +grew anxious. By this time Joseph Morris felt strong enough to do a +little talking although he was not allowed to move further than was +absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>Even though there were no telegraph lines in those days, it did not take +the news long to travel throughout the length and breadth of Virginia +and her neighboring states, and it was felt on all sides that that +whole territory would not be safe from Indian and French raids so long +as Fort Duquesne remained in the hands of the French.</p> + +<p>"Give me the authority and men to march against that fort and take +possession and our frontier will be at peace," wrote Colonel Washington. +"But the longer we delay the more dangerous will this situation become +to us." These are not his exact words but they are the gist of numerous +communications which he addressed to those in authority over him.</p> + +<p>Two weeks later James Morris came in, pale and careworn, having traveled +a distance of several hundred miles in half a dozen directions, on a +hunt for little Nell and the Rose twins.</p> + +<p>"We found traces of them, but that is all," he said. "They are +undoubtedly in the hands of the Indians, who are taking them either to +Fort Duquesne or else northward to Lake Erie. I left Mr. Rose, +Barringford and the Indians still looking for them. I was anxious to +learn how it was going with brother Joseph and the rest of you."</p> + +<p>"But you will go back—you won't give up the hunt so soon?" pleaded Mrs. +Morris.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will go out again," answered Dave's father. "Just as soon as I +can have one square meal and one good night's sleep."</p> + +<p>The meal was speedily forthcoming, and the trader went to bed at seven +that evening and did not awaken until noon of the next day. Then he +declared that he felt as if he had been made new all over, and two hours +later, bidding the others good-bye, set off to continue his search. It +was a long while before Dave saw his father again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>A NEW CAMPAIGN</h3> + + +<p>As already told, affairs in the colonies looked blue indeed, and some +hardy pioneers who had risked their all in making their homes in this +new country were afraid that ere long they would be forced to either +give in to the Indians or come under French rule. Three campaigns had +been fought, and still the French were masters, and held Louisburg, +Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Frontenac, and the long chain of posts from +Niagara to the Ohio and thence to the Mississippi. The English fort at +Oswego had been destroyed and the French had compelled the Six Nations, +the most powerful Indian organization ever known, either to remain +neutral or else give them aid.</p> + +<p>To add to English alarm, the war in Europe also took a turn in favor of +the French. This brought a storm of protests upon the English ministry, +and George II. was compelled to make a change. As a consequence William +Pitt was placed in entire control of foreign and colonial affairs.</p> + +<p>Pitt was a man of both wisdom and action, and his plans for a new +campaign in America aroused the colonies as they had not been aroused +before. An army of fifty thousand men, English regulars and colonial +militia, was gathered, and it was resolved that a three-headed campaign +should be instituted at once, one against Louisburg, another against +Ticonderoga and a third against Fort Duquesne.</p> + +<p>The first blow was struck early in June, 1758, when the English appeared +before Louisburg with thirty-eight ships of war and an army of fourteen +thousand men. There was a vigorous attack, and something of a siege, and +late in July the place capitulated, and this fall also included the +capture of the islands of Prince Edward and Cape Breton.</p> + +<p>The advance upon Ticonderoga was not so successful, although a portion +of the troops under gallant Israel Putnam, afterwards so famous in the +Revolution, dispersed some of the French and captured a hundred and +forty-eight prisoners. Following this, an attack was made upon Fort +Frontenac, located where the city of Kingston, Canada, is now situated, +and here the English laid the fort in ruins and captured nine vessels +carrying guns and supplies.</p> + +<p>The people of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were anxious that the +attack on Fort Duquesne be made at once, but as we already know, the +armies, especially such as had to march through the wilderness, moved +very slowly. The command of this expedition was placed in the hands of +General Forbes, a gallant officer but one who was far from being in +proper health for such an undertaking. This general left Philadelphia +early in July with the main portion of his command, and after a hard +march reached Raytown, ninety miles eastward of Fort Duquesne, and now +known as Bedford.</p> + +<p>While General Forbes was thus moving westward Colonel Washington, who +had been ordered to join the main command, gathered together all his +available troops and moved northward from Winchester to Fort Cumberland, +called in these pages by its, then, common name of Will's Creek.</p> + +<p>The spring had passed slowly to those of the Morris family located at +Winchester. Strange to say although Joseph Morris' wound healed it +seemed next to impossible for the pioneer to get back his strength, and +the most he could do was to walk around the rooms of the Gibson home, or +around the dooryard, supported by his wife or others.</p> + +<p>"My legs won't support me," he said. "They feel as if they'd let me down +in a heap at any minute."</p> + +<p>"It is the effects of the fever," said Mrs. Morris. "The doctor says you +will have to take it easy for several months."</p> + +<p>Rodney, too, had suffered from the march through the forest and from the +fighting and was confined more or less to the house.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame—and just after I thought I was getting so strong," sighed +the cripple. "Somehow, we seem to be an ill-fated family."</p> + +<p>During all those dreary months no direct word had come to them +concerning little Nell, but through White Buffalo had come a report that +a certain tribe of Indians known as the Little Waters had several white +girls in their keeping and that one old Indian chief had taken one of +the captives as his daughter, he being childless.</p> + +<p>"If they take 'em in as their children they'll treat 'em putty +civil-like," said Sam Barringford. "But I reckon you don't want to lose +little Nell even so."</p> + +<p>"No! no!" said Mrs. Morris. "Oh, we must get her back somehow!"</p> + +<p>After this news was brought in, Barringford and Dave's father went +north-westward once more, in the hope of opening negotiations with the +Indians. How this trip would turn out was still a question, although +White Buffalo declared that little could be done so long as the war +hatchet remained unburied between the English and the French Indians.</p> + +<p>As soon as the new call came for additional troops to the colonial +militia, Dave signified his intention of once more entering the service +under his old commander, Colonel Washington. About this he did not +hesitate to see Washington personally.</p> + +<p>"I'll be glad to have you with us," said Washington, after the youth had +explained matters. "I remember how you acted in our other campaign +against Fort Duquesne, and I haven't forgotten, Master David, how we +shot the bear,"—this with a twinkle in his eye. "Yes, join us by all +means if you care to do so." And Dave signed the muster roll that +day,—as a colonial militiaman, at a salary of ten-pence a day, twopence +to be deducted for clothing and other necessaries! This was the regular +rate of pay, and for those days was considered quite fair.</p> + +<p>It must be confessed that the troops under Colonel Washington formed a +motley collection. Many of the best of the pioneers and frontiersmen had +grown tired of the delays in the past and now refused to re-enlist, +fearful that they would be called on to do nothing but wait around the +fort, while the summer harvests at home demanded their attention. +Drumming up recruits proved the hardest kind of work, and the companies +were made up in some cases of men who knew not the meaning of home +life—hardy trappers and traders, some industrious enough, but others +given to drink and brawling, and not a few who lived almost as the +Indians did, using the redmen's style of dress and occasionally painting +their faces, "jes' fer the sport on't," as they expressed it. When it +came to fighting these men were like human tigers, but in camp and on +the march it was next to impossible to bring them under military +discipline. Many refused to carry rations as the regular soldiers did, +preferring to bring down game as they needed it, and if game was not +handy they appropriated a pig or a cow belonging to some settler—thus +bringing additional trouble on the command.</p> + +<p>"So you are going with the soldiers," said Henry, when Dave told him of +what he had done. "Well, if you go I shall go too—that is, if mother +will let me."</p> + +<p>Henry put in the proviso with an anxious look on his face, for he knew +how difficult would be his task of getting his parent's consent.</p> + +<p>"No, no, Henry!" cried Mrs. Morris. "With your father and Rodney so ill, +and with Nell gone, how can I spare you?"</p> + +<p>"But, mother, somebody has got to fight the French," insisted the son. +"If we don't fight them, and whip them, how shall we ever get back to +our home? I don't want to give all that up, do you?"</p> + +<p>A long argument followed, and at last Mrs. Morris said she would let her +son know about it in the morning.</p> + +<p>White Buffalo came in that night with news. "The Little Waters have gone +to the setting sun, to the French," he said. "White Buffalo has been +told they will remain there until winter comes again."</p> + +<p>"To Fort Duquesne!" cried Dave. "I'm glad of it. Now if we take that +fort perhaps we'll be able to rescue Nell and the Rose twins."</p> + +<p>This news decided Mrs. Morris, and with tears standing in her eyes she +told Henry he might go with Dave and Colonel Washington. "And may God +grant that you return with Nell safe and sound," she added.</p> + +<p>A few days later found the two young soldiers on the march. It was +something of a gala day for Winchester, and the post was gay with flags +and bunting. The long drums rolled and the fifes piped up cheerily as +the command passed out of the town and on the trail running northward to +Cumberland. Many were in the best of spirits, hoping that the downfall +of Fort Duquesne would be speedily accomplished.</p> + +<p>The town was scarcely left behind however, before the music came to an +end, and the command moved on by the route step—that is, every soldier +stepping out to suit himself. This was necessary, for the way was rough, +having fallen into disuse since the beginning of the troubles with the +Indians.</p> + +<p>"I heard a report that we are not to use the old Braddock road to Fort +Duquesne," said Henry, as he trudged alongside of Dave. "Colonel +Washington advised using it, but General Forbes is going to cut a road +of his own."</p> + +<p>"If he does that we'll be all fall and winter getting to the fort," +answered Dave. "How foolish not to use a road already made."</p> + +<p>"It's queer they won't take Colonel Washington's advice. He knows this +territory better than anybody."</p> + +<p>"There is a good deal of military jealousy afloat," was the answer. +"English officers hate to see a colonial get ahead of them. They want to +head the whole game."</p> + +<p>The second night out the troops encamped near a large brook. It was hot +and Dave and Henry were glad enough to take a swim in the stream as soon +as they got the chance. They were soon in the water and diving and +sporting to their heart's content. Then Henry caught a branch hanging +over the water's edge and pulled himself up into the tree.</p> + +<p>"See what a fine dive I can take from here," he called to his cousin.</p> + +<p>"Don't you do it," cried Dave. "You may go too deep and strike your head +on a rock."</p> + +<p>"I'll be careful," was Henry's answer. "Here goes!"</p> + +<p>With a quick movement he leaped from one limb to another. As the second +limb gave a sudden swish Henry uttered a cry of alarm. Then he came +tumbling into the water with a loud splash. After him tumbled a wildcat, +snarling in rage at being thus unceremoniously disturbed. The wildcat +struck close to where Dave was treading water and on the instant made a +leap for the young soldier's shoulder.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>WILDCAT AND WATER</h3> + + +<p>Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on +top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a +leap for his naked shoulder. He had had several experiences with +wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.</p> + +<p>By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible. +As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold +and began to swim for the shore.</p> + +<p>Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere +the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his +back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.</p> + +<p>"Get off!" screamed Henry. "Get off! Help! help!"</p> + +<p>And then he went down, not because he thought of doing so, but because +he could not bear the weight. The stream closed over him and he went +directly to the bottom.</p> + +<p>This time the wildcat did not let go its hold. It clung desperately and +when Henry tried to shake it off it only sunk its nails deeper into his +flesh. Mechanically he started to scream, when the water rushed into his +mouth, almost strangling him on the spot.</p> + +<p>By this time Dave had reached the surface, and the rings and bubbles +showed him plainly where Henry and the wildcat had gone down. With swift +strokes he swam to the river bank, just as several rangers came running +to the scene.</p> + +<p>"Did you call for help?" asked one.</p> + +<p>"A wildcat!" panted Dave, hardly able to speak, and he pointed out into +the stream. "Sa—save my cousin!"</p> + +<p>"So a cat has attacked him, eh?" said one of the rangers. He raised his +gun. "Don't see anything of the critter."</p> + +<p>Just as he finished speaking there was a splash in the water and the +head of the wildcat appeared. Then up came Henry, and they saw that the +beast still clung to the young hunter's back.</p> + +<p>It was a risky shot to take, for youth and beast floundered around +furiously. But something had to be done, and in a second one gun-shot +rang out, followed quickly by another. The aims of both rangers had been +true, and the wildcat was struck in the forequarter and in the head. +With a snarl and a sputter it let go its hold of Henry and splashed +madly around in the water.</p> + +<p>No cry came from Henry, but as soon as the beast had let go its hold he +sank beneath the surface once more, too weak to do anything toward +saving himself.</p> + +<p>"He'll be drowned!" muttered Dave. "Save him!" And without waiting he +plunged in the river once more.</p> + +<p>He felt deathly weak himself, but the thought that his cousin might be +lost forever nerved him on. With set teeth he swam to the spot. Catching +sight of Henry's arm as it was thrown up, he grabbed at the member and +clung fast.</p> + +<p>"Henry, hold to me," he managed to say, but his cousin paid no +attention, for he was more than half insensible. Then Dave tried to +raise him up, but the weight was more than he could sustain.</p> + +<p>"Help us, somebody!" the young hunter managed to call out, and there +followed a splash, as one of the rangers leaped into the river. Another +shot rang out, a finishing one for the wildcat, and the carcass of the +beast floated down the river and out of sight among the bushes lining +the opposite bank.</p> + +<p>By the time the ranger came up, Dave was nearly as far gone as Henry. +The old soldier was a powerful fellow and easily brought both to the +bank, which was only a short distance off. Here Dave sank down in a +heap, while the other soldiers did what they could to revive Henry.</p> + +<p>The report that a wildcat had attacked some bathers quickly spread +throughout the camp and many flocked in that direction to learn the +particulars. Both Dave and Henry were given the best of attention, and +by the following morning each said he was able to resume his duties. But +both were stiff from the treatment received from the wild beast and on +Henry's neck were deep scratches which he was destined to carry with him +to the grave.</p> + +<p>"After this I'm going to be mighty particular where I bathe," he said to +Dave, when on the march.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and particular where you dive from," returned Dave. "If you see +another wildcat on your spring-board better let him finish his nap +without disturbing him."</p> + +<p>The march to Cumberland was more difficult than had been anticipated, +and the young soldiers were glad when it came to an end and they found +themselves encamped just outside of the fort, which both had visited +more than once when on a trip to Will's Creek. Soldiers were coming in +from all directions, and soon the camp was full to overflowing.</p> + +<p>"Wonder how long we'll stay here," said Henry, after they had been at +Cumberland over a week. "I had an idea we were to march straight on to +Fort Duquesne."</p> + +<p>"There is some trouble over that new road to the fort," answered Dave. +"I understand Colonel Washington is awfully cut up over it. He thinks +they ought to use the old Braddock road and polish up the Frenchmen in +short order."</p> + +<p>"It was the delay that brought on defeat before, that's certain, Dave. +It's a pity the British generals won't take Washington's advice."</p> + +<p>What Dave said about trouble over the road was true. The Braddock road, +originally selected by the Indians, was as good as any to be had or +made, yet despite all arguments against it, it was decided to cut a new +road through to Fort Duquesne from Raytown. It was true such a road +would be a little shorter than the old road, but to cut it would take +all summer and to keep up the campaign during the winter would be +well-nigh out of the question.</p> + +<p>When a part of the colonial troops, including the company to which Dave +and Henry were attached, reached Raytown they found the new road already +started, with two hundred men engaged in cutting down trees, removing +big stones, and burning brushwood. This was kept up week after week, +and in the meantime the troops suffered greatly through sickness and +lack of proper food. Many of the colonials grew disgusted at the slow +progress of the campaign and would have gone home had not the military +regulations forbidden it.</p> + +<p>It was in the midst of this that Sam Barringford came in and hunted up +Henry and Dave. "Thought you'd like to set eyes on me," he said, on +shaking hands. "Jes' got in with Dave's father. We did some tall hunting +I kin tell ye."</p> + +<p>"And Nell?" asked Henry, quickly.</p> + +<p>"She's a prisoner up to Fort Duquesne. We got thet putty straight."</p> + +<p>"Not of the French?"</p> + +<p>"No, of the Injuns hangin' around thar—the Jean Bevoir crowd, as Dave's +father calls 'em—a bad lot, too."</p> + +<p>Barringford had decided to take part in the campaign now in progress and +it can well be imagined that the two young soldiers were right glad to +have their trusty old friend with them once more.</p> + +<p>"It will seem like old times," said Dave. "If only we could move ahead +to-morrow!"</p> + +<p>It was late in October when Dave brought in news. He rushed up to where +Henry and Barringford were industriously sewing up some holes in their +jackets.</p> + +<p>"Hurrah, we are to move at last!" he cried. "Major Grant is ordered +ahead with eight hundred men, and our company is to go with the body."</p> + +<p>"Only eight hundred," returned Barringford. "Thet ain't many. Kind o' a +scoutin' party, I reckon."</p> + +<p>Yet, he too was glad to make a movement of any kind, and prepared at +once for the departure. Two days later the command was on the road, +those left behind wishing them the best of success.</p> + +<p>The English were still many miles from Fort Duquesne when the French +scouts brought word to their commander that the enemy were approaching. +Without waiting to be attacked the French marched forth to do the +approaching English battle.</p> + +<p>"The fight is on!" cried Dave, as several shots rang out from in front. +"We are in for it now!"</p> + +<p>"Well, we came to fight," answered Henry. "And the sooner the battle is +over the better."</p> + +<p>The real battle, however, did not take place until the next day. Then +the French did their best to surround the English, and in a short while +the contest waxed hot on all sides. Part of the battleground was a small +opening and the rest of the fighting took place in the forest. Soon the +smoke became so thick that but little could be seen on either side.</p> + +<p>"Tell ye wot, them Frenchers mean business!" ejaculated Barringford, +while reloading his firearm, which was so hot he could scarcely hold it. +"We've lost a sight o' men already."</p> + +<p>What he said was true. The loss had been frightful, and the dead and +dying lay on every side. Moans and shrieks rent the air, in a fashion to +turn the stoutest heart sick. Major Grant rushed around heedless of +danger, giving directions and doing all he could to encourage those +under him.</p> + +<p>"Don't retreat! The battle is ours!" he called out. "Stand where you +are!" And then his voice was lost in the rattle of musketry and the mad +yelling of the Indians, who had come up to aid the French and steal what +they could from the English.</p> + +<p>Dave, Henry and Barringford were behind a fallen tree, blazing away as +rapidly as possible. The French were before them and the Indians on +their left, and for some time it was as if pandemonium had broken loose. +Suddenly Barringford gave a yell.</p> + +<p>"Duck, boys, duck!"</p> + +<p>They fell flat and not a second too soon, for half a dozen arrows +whizzed over their heads. Then the old frontiersman leaped to his feet.</p> + +<p>"I'll pay ye back!" he roared. "That fer ye, ye sarpints o' the Evil +One!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus5" id="illus5"></a> +<img src="images/illus5.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>He took a quick but careful aim at the leader.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>He took a quick but careful aim at the leader of the Indians, who was +rushing straight forward, with tomahawk lifted. The hammer of his +flint-lock musket fell. A terrific explosion followed and Barringford +was hurled flat while Dave and Henry were also struck and knocked down. +The gun had exploded.</p> + +<p>Then before any of the party could recover, the Indians were upon them, +shouting like demons and flourishing their tomahawks and their +keen-edged hunting knives.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH</h3> + + +<p>The explosion of the musket had been so unexpected that for the moment +Dave and Henry hardly knew what had happened. Dave felt something hit +him on the bottom of his left cheek and putting up his hand withdrew it +covered with blood. Henry, too, was hit by a flying fragment of the gun +barrel which clipped off a lock of his hair. Poor Barringford lay like +one dead.</p> + +<p>Before Dave could recover the Indians were on them, whooping as if their +very lives depended upon it. One threw a tomahawk at Dave, but the aim +was poor and the weapon buried itself in the log which had sheltered our +friends.</p> + +<p>But just at this moment, when all seemed lost, the battleground shifted +and instantly thirty or forty English red-coats burst from the woods +directly behind the Indians. A volley rang out and four of the redmen +pitched forward, shot through the back. Other bullets hit the log behind +which our friends lay, but Dave, Henry, and Barringford were not +touched.</p> + +<p>Attacked so unexpectedly from a new quarter, the Indians appeared dazed. +They attempted to turn upon the English soldiers, but when two more were +laid low, they fled to one side, where there was a dense growth of +walnuts. The soldiers at once made after them, and another skirmish took +place in the forest.</p> + +<p>"Are you hurt much, Sam?" asked Henry, when he had recovered +sufficiently to speak.</p> + +<p>"I—I reckon not," was the gasped-out answer, after a long silence. +Barringford opened his eyes and gazed ruefully at the gun stock which +lay at his feet. "Busted! Well, by gum! Didn't think Old Trusty would do +it nohow. Ain't ye ashamed?" And he shook his head dolefully. He had +carried the firearm for many years, as our old readers know, and to have +it "go back on him" like this hurt him more than had the explosion.</p> + +<p>"It singed your beard pretty well," said Dave. "You can be thankful it +didn't blow your face to pieces."</p> + +<p>"We must get out of here!" cried Henry. "See, the French are coming!"</p> + +<p>Henry was right, the French column had suddenly appeared on the brow of +a neighboring hill. Those of the English who were in view received a +galling fire and then the enemy came forward with a rush. Our friends +were glad enough to retreat, and join the main body of rangers once +more.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately for the English, Major Grant had divided his force and now +as the French commander came on he ordered that the smaller of the +English commands be surrounded. This was done, and though Major Grant +did his best to bring his command together again, it was impossible to +do so. The English became hopelessly separated, and by the time the +fighting came to an end the major and a large number of his officers and +men were made prisoners.</p> + +<p>"We are catching it and no mistake," panted Dave, after another stand +had been made, during which Barringford had provided himself with +another gun—one taken from the hands of a dead grenadier. "The French +mean business."</p> + +<p>"Here they come again!" exclaimed Henry. "Look! look! they seem to have +re-enforcements!"</p> + +<p>Henry was right, and it must be admitted that the attack of the French, +with the Indians on the left flank, was a superb one. The shock of the +two armies coming together was terrific, and soon hand-to-hand +encounters were taking place in hundreds of places at once. Guns and +pistols rattled constantly and the keen frosty air of late fall was +filled with smoke. The grass being wet with dew many slipped and fell +and not a few soldiers were trampled to death by frightened horses. It +was a scene not easily forgotten and reminded Dave strongly of that +other battle when General Braddock had suffered bitter defeat and death.</p> + +<p>And bitter defeat was again to be the portion of the English. Major +Grant's force was not strong enough to resist the combined onslaught of +French and Indians, and at last word came to retreat, and in the +gathering darkness the English fell back, taking with them a number of +their wounded. How many of the wounded were left on that cold +battlefield to die from exposure will never be known. Snow was now +falling and a wind came up that chilled every soldier to the bone.</p> + +<p>"It's another Braddock victory," said Barringford, sarcastically, as he +limped painfully along, a horse having stepped on the toes of his left +foot. "Them reg'lars don't understand fightin' in the woods nohow. Ye +hev got to fight Injuns Injun fashion, an' French likewise. 'Twon't do +no good to set yerself up like a target to be shot at."</p> + +<p>"We have lost about three hundred men, killed, wounded and captured," +said Dave. "I wonder what General Forbes will say to that?"</p> + +<p>"I fancy he's too sick to say much," said Henry. He spoke thus for +General Forbes had been on a sick bed for several weeks and had had to +be carried forward on a litter whenever his command moved.</p> + +<p>The news that Major Grant's command had been whipped and driven back, +and the major and many of his officers taken prisoners, was quickly sent +to General Forbes, and at once a council of war was held. It was decided +that the entire army should be sent forward without delay, and the +soldiers moved onward as rapidly as the state of the road permitted. By +the time the re-enforcements arrived the French and Indians had +retreated to Fort Duquesne, for additional ammunition and general +supplies, and to take care of their wounded and prisoners.</p> + +<p>Once again Washington urged that a swift march be made on the fort. "It +is our only chance of success," he said. "In a few weeks winter will be +on us and then the campaign in this wilderness must come to an end."</p> + +<p>There was no disputing his words, for the snow continued to fall and +when it did not snow it rained and the wind kept growing colder and +colder every day until even the most hardy of the soldiers began to +grumble over the discomforts of camp life. Forward went the whole army, +toiling painfully through the forest, where only an imperfect Indian +trail led the way. General Forbes was now weaker than ever and others +urged him to go back. But, full of determination, he refused, and +continued to direct the movements of his army from his sick bed. His +devotion to duty was wonderful and something well worthy of being +remembered.</p> + +<p>Dave and Henry suffered with the other soldiers. Frequently when night +came they had to rest in clothing that was soaked through and through, +and the one grain of comfort they extracted from their situation was the +thought that each day's march brought them so much nearer to the spot +where they supposed little Nell was being kept a prisoner.</p> + +<p>"I won't complain if only we get her back," said Henry. And Dave agreed +heartily.</p> + +<p>It was now the middle of November, and winter had begun to set in in +earnest. Ice was forming on every pool and slow-running brook and snow +storms were frequent, although none of them amounted to much. The nights +were the worst and many a large camp-fire did the soldiers build to keep +themselves warm. An advance guard was out constantly, to guard against a +surprise, but no French or hostile Indians appeared.</p> + +<p>Late one afternoon there were a number of shots fired in the distance +and half an hour later a small vanguard came in bringing with them a +number of French and Indian prisoners. These prisoners were closely +questioned and from them it was learned that the French and Indians at +the fort were suffering greatly from sickness and from a lack of +supplies,—the latter having failed to reach Fort Duquesne on account of +the English victories in the north.</p> + +<p>"If you hurry you may take the fort with ease," said one of the +prisoners, who wished to curry favor with his captors.</p> + +<p>This news was most encouraging and it was ordered that the main body of +soldiers should push on again, leaving the artillery and supply wagons +to come up later. The news placed Dave and Henry in the best of spirits, +and they pushed on as quickly as anybody, with Barringford beside them.</p> + +<p>But progress was slow, for there were many hills to cross, and on +retreating the French had left many fallen trees in the pathway, and in +one spot was a dangerous pitfall, into which the enemy had thrown +several wolves. A couple of grenadiers fell into this pitfall and were +sadly bitten by the half-starved beasts before being rescued.</p> + +<p>At last those in advance reckoned that they were now but one day's +journey from Fort Duquesne. The ground looked familiar to Dave and +presently Barringford pointed out the spot where the young soldier and +his father had been re-united after the battle under Braddock.</p> + +<p>Soon from a distance came a hurrahing, which every instant increased in +volume. "The fort is deserted! The French and Indians are retreating!"</p> + +<p>"Can that be possible?" burst from Henry's lips. "Come, let us find +out!"</p> + +<p>He rushed forward, and Dave and Barringford quickly followed. Soon they +were in the vanguard, which was scrambling over fallen trees and +brushwood and climbing the last hill which separated the English +soldiers from the fort. There was a thick smoke ahead and presently they +saw a column of flame shoot up, followed by a dull explosion.</p> + +<p>"They have fired the fort," said Barringford. "Reckon as how they'll +burn everything they can't carry."</p> + +<p>By the time the soldiers reached the vicinity of the stronghold the fire +was burning low. Only a small portion of the stockade was gone, with one +or two small buildings and what had been left of the stores. An Indian +was found nearby, suffering from a broken leg, and he gave the +intelligence that the French command had retreated down the Ohio. Some +had gone only a few hours before and others had left three days +previous.</p> + +<p>"And what of the prisoners they had?" asked Henry, as soon as he could +get the chance.</p> + +<p>"The prisoners were taken away three days ago."</p> + +<p>"Were there any little girls among them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, four little maidens. One from the south and three from the east, +with two women and forty-one men," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Three girls!" murmured Henry. "One of them must have been Nell! And +they took them off three days ago? Oh, Dave, I'm afraid we have lost her +forever!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>AT FORT PITT—RETURN HOME</h3> + + +<p>Dave could do but little to comfort his cousin and if the truth be told +he felt almost as sad as Henry, for little Nell, with her bright ways +and sweet disposition, seemed more dear to his heart now than ever.</p> + +<p>"It's certainly too bad, Henry," he said, after the interview with the +Indian had come to an end. "We might follow down the Ohio, but if they +have three days' start there is small hope of our catching up. They'll +think the English soldiers are after them and they'll push ahead just as +hard as possible."</p> + +<p>"Do you think General Forbes or Colonel Washington will go after them?"</p> + +<p>Dave shook his head.</p> + +<p>"No, General Forbes is too sick and winter is now at hand. He is certain +to rest on his laurels."</p> + +<p>So it proved. A small detachment was sent down the Ohio, and with this +went our young soldiers and Sam Barringford. But this detachment +returned to the fort three days later, having captured but three +Indians and one French trader, all of whom were found in a canoe too +intoxicated to make good their escape.</p> + +<p>The trader thus taken was named Varlette. He had once been attached to +Jean Bevoir's trading post. Dave knew the man, having met him when out +gunning with Barringford.</p> + +<p>From Varlette they gained the information that Jean Bevoir had been at +Fort Duquesne, having come in after the raid upon the homes of the +Morrises, Uriah Risley and others. Some of Bevoir's bloodthirsty acts +had been discountenanced by the French general in authority, and in +something of a rage Bevoir had taken himself off, with his Indian +followers and their prisoners.</p> + +<p>"Now it ees for him to become von vite chief of de Indians," said +Varlette. "Dat will suit heem, and will bring heem in von pot of money, +for he vill make de vite peoples pay heem big money for de prisoners."</p> + +<p>"The contemptible rascal!" cried Barringford. "Ef the rangers git holt +o' him they'll hang him higher nor the tail o' a kite, hear me!"</p> + +<p>"He'll deserve hanging, if he misuses little Nell and the others," +returned Henry.</p> + +<p>As soon as it was possible to do so, the fort was put in thorough +repair, and the name was changed to Fort Pitt, in honor of the prime +minister of England. To-day this ground is covered by the city of +Pittsburg, with its gigantic iron and steel works. What a mighty change +from the lonely forest lands of less than a hundred and fifty years ago! +Then called the West, or the Western Country, Pittsburg is now +considered in the East. So has our country grown.</p> + +<p>The fall of Fort Duquesne brought to a close the campaigns of 1758. The +taking of this stronghold was hailed with delight by all the settlers in +this section of the colonies, and they hastened to re-possess themselves +of the homesteads which they had been forced to abandon during the two +or three years previous.</p> + +<p>As soon as the victory at Fort Duquesne assured peace upon the frontier +for some time to come, Washington retired from the colonial troops and +returned to Mount Vernon, to the large estate left by his brother, and +which now demanded his attention. It may be added here that soon after +this he married Mrs. Custis, afterward known to all as the gentle and +loving Martha Washington. This was Washington's last appearance on the +scene of battle during the French and English War. When next he took up +the sword it was for American Independence.</p> + +<p>It was not until early spring that Dave and Henry were released from +duty and marched with a number of the militia back to Winchester. Their +coming was hailed with delight by Mrs. Morris and the others, although +all were downcast at the news that little Nell was still missing.</p> + +<p>It was found that Joseph Morris was doing nicely and that Rodney was +feeling better than ever. James Morris had been out to the homestead and +had already cut the timber for another cabin, to take the place of that +burned down.</p> + +<p>"I also rounded up the most of our cattle and have all our horses and a +new lot of chickens and pigs," said he. "So, although we have lost a +good deal, we are not as bad off as we might be. The worst loss is the +furniture we brought here when we came, years ago. That came from +England and Germany and can't be replaced. But I'm reckoning on getting +a few fancy pieces for sister Lucy from Annapolis, so things will look +kind of homelike after awhile."</p> + +<p>"Oh, James, you are very good!" cried Mrs. Morris. "But it won't be home +until Nell comes back to it."</p> + +<p>A few weeks later found all the Morrises at the homestead, if such the +spot can be called. The burned place had been carefully cleaned off by +James Morris, and a temporary shelter had been made of a new cattle +shed. Here the family went to live while the men and the boys began the +construction of the new cabin. Rodney could not do such hard work but +kept himself busy with the cattle and the poultry; and thus several +weeks passed swiftly away.</p> + +<p>Carpenter work pleased Dave and he was set at work making doors and +window frames, and also several benches and a table or two, while the +others attended to the raising of the cabin frame and the roofing and +side boarding. Soon the cabin was fit for use and they moved in, and +then Mr. James Morris made several trips to Winchester and one to +Annapolis, taking Henry along, to buy the hundred and one things which +were needed and which had either been burnt up or carried off by the +Indians and their French allies. In the meantime Mrs. Morris busied +herself in weaving a new rag carpet and toweling, and in making some +necessary clothing, for to buy many of these things was, in those days, +out of the question. Then Dave and Henry went hunting and brought down +several deer and a number of rabbits and foxes, and once, when out with +Sam Barringford, all three brought down a bear, and these skins were all +properly tanned and then used for bed coverings and rugs.</p> + +<p>On his return from Annapolis James Morris brought news of a new campaign +against the French.</p> + +<p>"We are going in for the entire conquest of Canada," he said. "Major +General Amherst has been put in command of all the British forces, and +the army is to be divided into three parts, one under Wolfe against +Quebec, another under Amherst himself against Ticonderoga and Crown +Point, and a third under General Prideaux, who is to march against Fort +Niagara."</p> + +<p>"Hurrah!" shouted Henry, "I hope we take Niagara. If we do it will cut +the French entirely off from the Ohio and the Mississippi, and this +ground will be safer than ever."</p> + +<p>"Is Fort Niagara on the Niagara River?" questioned Mrs. Morris.</p> + +<p>"It's located on the eastern bank of the river, just where that stream +flows into Lake Ontario," replied her husband. "I understand it's a +first-class stronghold—a good sight better than Fort Duquesne was. +General Prideaux will have no fool of a task reducing it."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how he's going to get there, unless he starts from Fort +Duquesne and fights his way through the Indian lands," said Rodney. "If +he tries that he'll certainly have his hands full."</p> + +<p>"No, he's not to go that way," was James Morris's answer. "He's going up +to Albany first and from there through the Mohawk valley to Oswego. At +Oswego, if everything is favorable, he will take his way westward to +Fort Niagara. They didn't say so, but I think he'll go by water from +Oswego to Niagara. If he had the boats it would be the safest and +quickest route."</p> + +<p>"Is he going to take any rangers along?" questioned Dave, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Why, Dave, do you want to become a soldier again?" asked his father, +turning to study his son's face.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," was the prompt response. "I'll tell you why. So long as +Canada remains unconquered just so long there is going to be trouble +here and elsewhere. But once we show the French we are masters in +America we'll have no further fuss, either with them or with the +Indians. I go in for settling the matter, and doing it thoroughly and +right away, too."</p> + +<p>"Gallinippers!" ejaculated Barringford, who stood by, oiling up his +flint-lock musket. "Dave, you're a reg'lar lawyer, hang me ef ye ain't! +An' the argyment's right to the p'int, too. The Frenchers won't know +they're beat until we lick 'em good an' hard, an' I go in fer doin' the +lickin' right now. Then, arfter it's done, we kin set out an' plow, an' +raise cattle, an' hunt an' trap in peace,—an' the Injun who wants to +raise a sculp every ten minits now will sit on a tree stump an' smoke +his pipe an' look on," and Barringford shook his head earnestly. "Ain't +no ust to talk," he went on. "It's like damming a stream—you dam it +about half tight an' the fust lively rain will break the dam to bits; +but you dam it good an' hard an' it will stick, no matter how hard it +rains and by-an'-by the water will find out it's got to go a new +way—an' the French an' Injuns will find they've got to leave the +English alone. I ain't much on eddication, but I kin figger thet out, +an' so kin any man whose head is level;" and Barringford resumed his gun +oiling.</p> + +<p>James Morris had much to tell that night—of his many purchases, and of +the war talk he had heard at Annapolis and other cities he had visited. +He, too, was interested in the expedition against Fort Niagara, for he +felt that if the French power was broken in this direction he would be +able to return to his trading post on the Kinotah without much fear of +molestation from either French or Indians.</p> + +<p>It was late that night when there came a sudden thumping on the cabin +door. All sprang to their feet in alarm, and each of the men and the +boys reached for his firearm, which they were in the habit of having +close at hand.</p> + +<p>"Who is there?" demanded James Morris.</p> + +<p>"It is I—Uriah Risley," came in the well-known voice of the Englishman. +"Let me in. I've good news."</p> + +<p>At once the cabin door was unbarred and flung back. All crowded forward, +to behold Uriah Risley outside, on horseback. Beside him, also on +horseback, was his wife, pale and thin, a mere shadow of her former +self, but still able to ride alone.</p> + +<p>"Well, I declare, Caddy Risley!" screamed Mrs. Morris, and ran out to +greet the woman. "Is it really you or your ghost?"</p> + +<p>"'Tis really me," was the answer, "although I sometimes feel like a +ghost, I'm that thin."</p> + +<p>"But mercy on us! Where have you been—with the Indians?"</p> + +<p>"With them and with the French. I was with the Indians first—for many +weeks—and then some French soldiers rescued me. They turned me over to +some traders just before a battle with the English, and then the Indians +and some French under Jean Bevoir got hold of me. They took me up +through the Mohawk valley to Lake Ontario, and there I met a lot of +other prisoners, your Nell with them."</p> + +<p>"Nell!" the name came from several lips simultaneously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Nell and the Rose twins. They were with some Indians who are under +Bevoir's thumb."</p> + +<p>"And what of Nell now?" asked Mrs. Morris quickly.</p> + +<p>"I think she is still with the Indians. A French soldier came along one +day and carried me off in a canoe. He wanted to marry me, but I told him +I was already married and then he set me ashore in the wilderness. I +tramped for miles and miles, until I was so weary I could scarcely stand +and I was almost dying of starvation, when I fell in with some German +settlers. They took me to Fort Stanwix and from there I was taken to +Albany, and finally made my way to Philadelphia, and then came on here. +Uriah and I met at Winchester."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I nearly dropped dead from joy," put in the Englishman. "It +was like getting her back from the grave. I could not at first believe +my eyes. But it's really and truly my good wife, and I pray God we may +never be separated again," concluded Uriah Risley, reverently.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h2> + +<h3>ON THE WAY TO THE ARMY</h3> + + +<p>Once inside the cabin, Mrs. Risley related her story in detail, to which +the others paid the closest attention. Her trials had been great, and +the quick tears of sympathy coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks as she +listened, and the others were also affected.</p> + +<p>"It was enough to kill you," said Mrs. Morris, at the conclusion. "But +now you are back, safe and sound, we'll do our best by you. You can stay +here until your husband builds another cabin and gets everything else +into proper shape for living on your land." And so it was settled.</p> + +<p>When Dave and Henry retired once more it was not to sleep but to talk in +an undertone, the subject of the conversation being little Nell and the +twins with her.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to do what I can to rescue her," declared Henry. "It makes my +blood boil to think of her being among those dirty redskins and +French."</p> + +<p>"I believe the best thing we can do is to join the army under General +Prideaux," declared Dave. "His force will most likely go right through +the Mohawk valley to Lake Ontario and then along the lake to Fort +Niagara—just the territory where those Indians and French must be."</p> + +<p>"I've got another idea," said Henry, after a thoughtful pause. "I got +the news through White Buffalo. General Johnson has been commissioned to +stir up the Indians in the Mohawk valley and get them to join in the +attack on Fort Niagara. White Buffalo and his followers are going to +join Johnson's force. Why not go with the white men in this crowd? We'll +be sure to hear more about those Indians and the French traders in that +way than if we went with the regular army."</p> + +<p>"But to train with redskins, Henry!"</p> + +<p>"We needn't train with 'em. There will be at least a dozen white men +with the crowd and we can go with them. I once met General Johnson. He's +a big-hearted Irishman, full of hard, common sense, and I know we could +get along with him. And when he heard our story he might put himself out +to help us."</p> + +<p>So the youths talked on until at last they fell asleep—to dream of +fierce fights with the French and Indians and daring rescues of little +Nell. But these were only dreams. Little did they realize how many real +difficulties and perils still awaited them.</p> + +<p>In the morning Dave insisted upon talking the matter over with Sam +Barringford. They found the old hunter ready enough to listen to what +they had to say.</p> + +<p>"I'm with ye!" he exclaimed, after they had finished. "It ain't no half +bad plan nuther. I know Sir William Johnson like a book—fact is, I know +him a heap sight better nor any book. As ye say, he's whole-souled and +chock full of common sense. The Injuns love him as they love few white +men—an' all because he's treated 'em fa'r and squar'. Why he's done +more fer the English government nor any dozen Indian Commissioners put +together. He knows jest how to handle 'em, an' he makes friends o' foes +almost afore ye can turn a hand. Yes, let us go to him by all means and +I'll warrant when ye tell him the whole story he'll set some Injuns out +to find little Nell an' them Rose twins."</p> + +<p>That afternoon the subject was brought to the attention of the whole +family. Mrs. Morris did not know whether to be glad or sorry, but in the +end she told the boys to go, but be careful and not run into unnecessary +danger, and in private she asked Barringford to watch over them +carefully.</p> + +<p>"I'll do my level best, ma'am," said the frontiersman. "And ef I can +make it, they'll come back to ye unharmed. But they're putty hot-like +when they strike a trail as suits 'em, ye know thet as well as I."</p> + +<p>Preparations were at once made for their departure. Both Dave and Henry +were fitted out with new hunting suits of the regular trapper pattern +and each took along the best gun he could obtain. Sam Barringford had +bought another rifle, which he christened Old Trusty No. 2. They went on +foot, not knowing if their progress with the whites and Indians would +admit of riding on horseback.</p> + +<p>In the meantime it was decided that James Morris should remain at the +cabin, to finish the building and do the planting, thus giving his +brother ample time to regain his health and strength, and also making it +easier for Rodney, who during the past few weeks had been working harder +than was good for his constitution.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, my son," said James Morris, when the trio was ready to start. +"Be careful, but do not forget that we look to you to bring little Nell +back, if such a thing is possible;" and then Mrs. Morris kissed the +boys; and the long journey into what had been the Indian country was +begun.</p> + +<p>Dave felt somewhat sober so long as they were in sight of the newly +built cabin, but when the last rise of ground was passed, and they had +waved a parting farewell, to which Mrs. Morris had answered by a wave of +her apron, his spirits returned, and soon he, Henry, and Barringford +were chatting as though nothing out of the ordinary was occurring, yet +down in his heart, each felt that this search for little Nell was going +to prove a serious and, most likely, a dangerous undertaking.</p> + +<p>"Where is Sir William Johnson now?" asked Dave, presently, after several +miles of the trail through the forest had been covered.</p> + +<p>"Somewhere near Fort Johnson," answered Barringford. "He's out to get +the Six Nations to join General Prideaux's army either at Fort Stanwix +or at Oswego—if Prideaux can get that far. Johnson is the very best man +they could send to the Indians."</p> + +<p>"Were you ever out with him?" asked Henry.</p> + +<p>"Many a time, lad. He's a great hunter, too, let me tell you—can hit +the bull's-eye at a hundred paces without half trying. And when it comes +to dancing an Indian war dance he can do that, too."</p> + +<p>"And yet he's an Irish nobleman!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I allow as how he's an odd mixture of a man. But that mixture +makes him just the right kind for the redskins. He understands 'em—top, +bottom and sides, as the saying goes. He appeals to their brains as well +as their instincts—and when he once makes friends of 'em they are +willing to lay down their lives for him. In 1756 he was appointed sole +superintendent of the Six Nations Indians, and he made a perilous trip +all the way to Onondaga, their capital, and staid with 'em two weeks, +and got 'em to swear that they would remain neutral. That was a big +feather in his cap. Then the next year he joined Webb at Fort Edward +with some of his Indians, but he was too late to do anything, although +I've heard he was more than willing to fight. He was also on hand to +fight Montcalm when Abercrombie attacked Ticonderoga, but his three +hundred Indians didn't see the use of being slaughtered in the open at +mid-day and they refused to fight, although they told Johnson they would +take part in the battle in their own way."</p> + +<p>"It's queer the English soldiers can't fight as we do," said Henry. "I +really can't understand it. They get out in the open and the Indian gets +behind a tree, and who has the best of it? Certainly not the man in the +open."</p> + +<p>"I think the English soldiers have learned a lesson or two," said Dave. +"I don't believe you'll find General Prideaux marching on Fort Niagara +in the broad sunlight."</p> + +<p>They were trailing through a dense forest, with trees on every side, +lifting their heads a hundred feet and more to the sky. Gigantic roots +lay sprawling on every side and they had to pick their way with care, +for fear of pitching headlong or spraining an ankle. It was clear and +moderately warm, and would have been warmer had the sunlight reached +them.</p> + +<p>"Years ago this was a great ground fer b'ar," said Barringford, as they +rested for their noonday lunch, eating some things they had brought +along from the cabin. "There war a cave 'bout two miles from here whar +the b'ar ust to gather to the number of fifteen or twenty. But the cave +was cleaned out so many times ain't likely to be any b'ar left."</p> + +<p>"Shall we go near the cave?" questioned Dave. "I'd like to have a look +at the spot."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we'll go putty clost, lad. But you don't want to waste no time on +game jest now, do ye?"</p> + +<p>"Not unless it came very easy. If we got a bear it would give us some +fine meat to take along, and we could sell the skin at Cherry Run."</p> + +<p>"Ain't no b'ar there, I'm putty sure on it. But we can stop an' +see—jest out o' curiosity sake."</p> + +<p>They did not rest long, for they were anxious to join General Johnson at +as early a date as possible, and knew that it would take them at least +two weeks to make the trip. They were on rising ground, but soon they +struck a downward path, filled with rough rocks and loose stones, where +the footing was far from certain.</p> + +<p>"The cave is over yonder," said Barringford, pointing with his hand. +"The opening to it is on the other side. Come, I'll show ye the way. And +have your guns ready—in case a b'ar should turn up."</p> + +<p>After this no more was said, and they went forward, side by side—so +that no one might hinder the aim of a companion. There was a slight +undergrowth between the rocks but for the most part only tall trees, +bare for a distance of thirty feet upward, marked the locality.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Barringford put up his hand, to warn his companions. All came +to a halt and listened, at the same time straining their eyes to see +what might be ahead. They heard a low thump, followed by another, and +then all became as silent as before.</p> + +<p>"What was it?" at last whispered Dave.</p> + +<p>"Some wild animal," returned Barringford, in an equally low tone. "Don't +reckon as how it was a b'ar though."</p> + +<p>They waited a moment longer, and then the old hunter again led the +advance. There were several large rocks to cross and then they rounded +one end of the cave, which, on top, was shaped very much like a huge +rocky egg.</p> + +<p>"A deer!" ejaculated Henry. "Look out!"</p> + +<p>All looked and saw a magnificent deer standing close to the mouth of the +cave, gazing cautiously forward. Suddenly a fox leaped out of the +opening and the deer started back in alarm.</p> + +<p>Bang! It was the report of Barringford's rifle and the deer leaped high +in the air, to fall dead immediately afterward.</p> + +<p>"A good shot—" began Henry, when a noise behind him caused him to swing +around swiftly. What he saw filled him with horror. A huge buck was +glaring at him from the opposite end of the rocky eminence. In a second +more the buck charged the crowd, rushing forward with lowered antlers +and with the swiftness of the wind.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h2> + +<h3>THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK</h3> + + +<p>"Look out!"</p> + +<p>These were the only words Henry had time to utter and as they left his +lips he leaped to one side as swiftly as possible.</p> + +<p>Hardly knowing what Henry meant, Dave and Barringford stood their +ground, looking first one way and then another.</p> + +<p>On the instant the big buck came forward. His rush was aimed at Henry, +but missing that youth, he went onward with a wild plunge, directly +between Dave and Barringford.</p> + +<p>"A buck!" yelled the frontiersman. "Back out, Dave, an' be quick about +it!"</p> + +<p>He himself started on a run, reloading his rifle as he went. Dave wanted +to do as bidden, but he had been so surprised that before he could turn +his heel caught on a rock and down he went flat on his back. His gun +struck on the trigger and went off, the charge tearing over the top of +the cave into the tree branches beyond.</p> + +<p>Dave was now helpless and if the truth must be told the fall had more +than half dazed him, for his head came down on a spot that was far from +soft and comfortable. More than this, with an empty gun he could do but +little to defend himself.</p> + +<p>The big buck had now come to a halt and turned around. He stood as if +uncertain whether to renew the attack or take to his heels. Then he +gazed at his mate and a strange red light shone in his angry eyes. He +was "blood struck," as old hunters call it, and drawing in a sharp, +hissing breath, he leaped forward once again, straight for Dave, who was +now trying to rise.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus6" id="illus6"></a> +<img src="images/illus6.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>He leaped forward once again, straight for Dave.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>Bang! It was now Henry's gun that spoke up, and though the aim was not +of the best—for Henry was excited because Dave was in such dire +peril—the buck was struck in the shoulder and badly wounded. He leaped +back and into the air, and when he came down lifted his right foreleg as +if in intense pain. But he was still full of fight and now he came on +once more, with eyes glittering more dangerously than ever.</p> + +<p>Dave had not time to rise, so he did the next best thing, which was to +roll over and over, until a clump of brush stopped his further progress. +Then he slipped into the brush, worming his way to the other side.</p> + +<p>The big buck came on and struck the brush a stunning blow that sent the +stalks and twigs flying in all directions. Then the animal backed out +and started for Henry, who had begun to reload.</p> + +<p>All this had happened faster than I can relate it, yet it had given +Barringford sufficient time to throw powder and ball into his gun and +fix the priming. Now the old hunter came close to the side of the buck +and blazed away once more, straight for those reddish eyes.</p> + +<p>The shot was a telling one, for it tore out one eye completely and +seriously damaged the other. Again the buck halted, and then turned +slowly back and began to stagger off. But he could not see and in a +moment more hit the rocks of the cave with a crash that could be heard +for a considerable distance.</p> + +<p>"Good for you, Sam!" cried Henry, who was now reloading. "I reckon we've +got him."</p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure," returned the old hunter. "He's got lots of fight in +him yet."</p> + +<p>Barringford was right, for again the buck turned and now catching a +glimpse of Barringford through the blood of his wounds made a mighty +leap for the frontiersman. But Barringford was too quick for him and +leaping aside, sprang on the rocks of the cave, satisfied the wounded +buck could not follow him to that spot.</p> + +<p>By this time Henry had reloaded, and watching his chance he ran up and +let drive for the buck's neck. This shot proved fatal, and rocking to +and fro for several seconds the magnificent beast at last fell down on +his side, and breathed his last.</p> + +<p>"Is he—he dead?" came from Dave, as he pulled himself out of the tangle +of brushwood.</p> + +<p>"I think he is," replied his cousin. "But we had better make sure. Bucks +are mighty tricky at times."</p> + +<p>Taking out his hunting knife Henry went forward and cut the throat of +the game. Then Barringford leaped from the rocks, and all went to +inspect the buck.</p> + +<p>"A regular monarch of the forest!" cried Dave, enthusiastically. "Don't +know as I've ever seen a larger."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," added Barringford. "An' he was a fighter, too, wasn't he?"</p> + +<p>"We've got more deer meat now than we know what to do with," went on +Dave.</p> + +<p>"We don't want the meat of this buck," said Henry. "It would be as tough +as all get-out. We can take the skin and some of the meat from that +deer, and that will be enough; don't you say so, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"Right you are, lad."</p> + +<p>All were experienced in the work at hand, so it did not take them long +to skin both beasts and then the best of the deer meat was cut out by +Barringford and rolled up in one of the pelts.</p> + +<p>After this the march forward was again resumed.</p> + +<p>That night they slept in the open, near a generous camp-fire, without +being disturbed, and by sunrise were again on their way. They reached +Cherry Run—a collection of half a dozen cabins—a little after noon, +and here exchanged the skins and some of the meat for other things of +more importance to them.</p> + +<p>"There is a Dutch hunter here, who is going to join General Johnson," +said the pioneer who gave them other things for their skins. "His name +is Hans Schnitzer. Perhaps he'd like to go along with you—if you want +him."</p> + +<p>"What, old Dutch Hans, the beaver hunter!" exclaimed Barringford. "Why +certainly I'd like him along. Thar's more fun in him nor in a barrel o' +wasps. Whar is he?"</p> + +<p>"He vos right here," came a voice from behind Barringford, and a short, +stout individual stepped forward. His hair was red and his shock of a +beard bore the same color. Above two sunburnt cheeks peeped two small +eyes of blue, ever on a twinkle. He was dressed in the typical suit of +the frontiersman of that day, buckskin leggings, coonskin cap and all.</p> + +<p>"So you dinks dare vos more fun py me as mit von parrel of vasps, hey?" +went on the Dutch trapper. "Vell, how apout dot dime ven you vos going +to git dot pird's nest in der hollow dree und you stick your hand py dat +vasps' nest, hey? Vosn't dot funny, hey? Ha! ha! ha! I see dot yet—mit +you dancing arount like you vos a sailor on a pipe-horn, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Gosh! don't mention it, Hans," returned Barringford, ruefully. "I kin +feel them pesky wasps yet, fer they war the biggest I ever ran across. +But put it thar, old boy, I'm downright glad to see you—an' after all +the fightin' we've been a-havin', too. I suppose ye broke loose, didn't +ye?"</p> + +<p>"Vell I dinks me so," said Hans Schnitzer. "I vos up py dot Mohawk +Valley, und I got me into nine fights by von veek vonce, und fourteen +fights after dot." He removed his cap. "See dot mark? Dot is vere two +Injuns tried to kill me—von mit a tomahawk und der udder mit his +shcalpin' knife—dinking I vos dead. But I vasn't dead. I chumped up und +ve rasselled und rasselled, und I got dem poth down ven, vot you +dinks?—Cheneral Johnson himself come up—und dot vos der last of dose +Injuns putty quick I can tole you."</p> + +<p>"Good for the general," said Barringford. Then turning, he introduced +Dave and Henry, and a general conversation ensued. The boys liked Hans +Schnitzer from the start, and having often heard of the comical Dutch +trapper, soon felt at home with him. Schnitzer knew exactly where Sir +William Johnson's camp was located, and promised to take the party there +by the shortest and easiest trail.</p> + +<p>The party of four left Cherry Run early the next morning, each in the +best of spirits, Schnitzer gaily humming a song of the Fatherland. The +trail led almost due north, until a small stream was reached. Here, in a +convenient spot, the Dutch trapper had a canoe secreted. This they +entered and followed the stream for a distance of thirty miles, when +they again struck out on foot, this time over the hills leading into the +beautiful Mohawk Valley.</p> + +<p>Day after day passed without anything unusual happening. Game was to be +had in plenty, and it often made Henry heart-sick to leave it behind +without taking a shot.</p> + +<p>"A regular Paradise!" he said. "When this war is over, how I would like +to come up here and knock around for a few weeks. I reckon I could make +it well worth while."</p> + +<p>"You'll find game just as plentiful at father's post on the Kinotah," +answered Dave. "If father can ever get the post back, you must make a +trip out there with me."</p> + +<p>Ever since leaving home Dave had wanted to see a bear, and one day, just +before the sun was setting, his wish was gratified. But the game was too +far away for shooting, and before they could get closer the bear took to +his heels and went crashing out of sight in the brushwood.</p> + +<p>"Never mind, lad, we'll go b'ar huntin' another day," said Barringford, +consolingly. "Jest fer the present, we have other ground ter plough, as +the sayin' goes."</p> + +<p>At the end of ten days the journey began to grow tiresome to the boys, +and they were glad when Schnitzer announced that another day would more +than likely bring them in sight of General Johnson's camp.</p> + +<p>That night they encamped on the bank of the Mohawk, in an ideal spot +covered with brush and some timber. All were thoroughly tired, for the +day's tramp had been a long one, and Dave and Henry were glad when +preparations for supper were at an end and there was nothing more to do +than to eat and go to sleep.</p> + +<p>It had been a clear day, but with the coming of night, the sky had +clouded over, showing that a storm was not far off, although neither +Barringford nor Hans the trapper thought it would rain before morning.</p> + +<p>"Put ven it does come, I dink me it vos come hardt," said Schnitzer. +"Maype it vos rain for two or fife days, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I hope it doesn't rain as long as that!" cried Dave. "Why, we'll be +drowned out."</p> + +<p>The wood was piled on the fire, and a little later all lay down to rest, +and it did not take Henry and Dave long to reach the land of dreams. +They lay on one side of the cheerful blaze while the two men lay on the +other. The wind was blowing the smoke from the fire directly across the +river, so this did not bother them.</p> + +<p>Dave had been asleep three hours when he suddenly awoke and gave a +cough. Thinking that he was in danger of being smothered by the smoke he +sat up and gazed at the fire. The wind had shifted slightly, but not +enough to do any harm.</p> + +<p>"No use of waking up the others," he thought. "They need every bit of +sleep they can get. That wood is about burnt out anyway, so there won't +be much more smoke."</p> + +<p>He was about to lie down again, when the snapping of some brushwood +behind him caught his ear. Turning he caught sight of an Indian +crouching in the bushes gazing at him. Then came a noise from another +direction and four other redmen glided into view. All were armed with +guns, and at once Dave realized that the camp was surrounded.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> + +<h3>UP THE MOHAWK VALLEY</h3> + + +<p>"Henry! Sam! Schnitzer! Wake up! The camp is surrounded by Indians!"</p> + +<p>Dave uttered the cry loudly, and on the instant Barringford leaped to +his feet, reaching for his ever-ready gun as he did so. The Dutch +trapper was also awake in short order, and Henry followed.</p> + +<p>"Injuns?" queried Barringford. "Whar?"</p> + +<p>"In those bushes, and behind yonder trees. What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>Before the old frontiersman could answer that question, a voice came out +of the darkness:</p> + +<p>"Are the white men English?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we're English," answered Barringford.</p> + +<p>"Then the redmen are glad to meet their brothers. The redmen were afraid +the sleeping ones were French."</p> + +<p>"Who are you?" asked Henry.</p> + +<p>"Arrow Head, of the Miamis. We have joined the great English warrior +Johnson, to fight the French. Let us be friends."</p> + +<p>A few words more followed, and Barringford told the Indians to come +forward. At this eight redmen advanced to the camp-fire, on which the +boys threw some extra brushwood, so that they might see the new +arrivals. The Indians had slung their weapons over their shoulders, as a +sign of peace, and our friends did likewise.</p> + +<p>Schnitzer had met Arrow Head before, and said he would vouch for it that +the warrior was all right. From the under chief it was learned that +General Johnson, with seven hundred Indians, had already marched to meet +General Prideaux and that the camp of the army was some forty miles +distant, up the river. Arrow Head had been left behind to "drum up" a +few stragglers, but was now ready to go forward with the redmen under +him.</p> + +<p>"The war talk at Canajoharie castle was a great one," said the under +warrior. "Your General Johnson has treated us like brothers, and we will +fight for him to the bitter end. We have sung our war songs and put on +our war paints, and no French soldiers shall stand up against us. +Henceforth the English shall be our brothers for evermore."</p> + +<p>"Yah, now you vos talkin' common sense," put in Schnitzer. "Ven you +fight mid dem Frenchers you vos all fools—for dem Frenchers vill pe +licked chust so sure as Henry Hudson discovered New York. I peen a +Dutch prophet, und I know," and he said this so earnestly that Arrow +Head was duly impressed. Schnitzer, who afterward made himself famous as +a pioneer in Ohio, could do a few sleight of hand tricks, and because of +these tricks many of the redmen considered him something of a wizard.</p> + +<p>All rested until daybreak and then, after a hasty breakfast, in which +the Indians joined the whites, the march forward was resumed. Soon it +began to rain, but the drops did not come down heavily, and Barringford +said the storm had shifted to the westward. In this he was right for by +noon the sun was shining as brightly as ever.</p> + +<p>As they trudged along, Dave and Henry questioned Arrow Head concerning +the French Indians and their captives, and about Jean Bevoir. They +could, however, get little satisfaction, excepting that Arrow Head had +heard that all the captives had been removed to the shores of Lake Erie +and Lake Ontario, and that a general movement toward Montreal and Quebec +was contemplated.</p> + +<p>While our friends were trudging through the woods northward, General +Prideaux had gone to Schenectady. He had with him his own division of +the army consisting of two regiments of English soldiers and twenty-six +hundred Americans, principally from New York, although with the New +Yorkers were a good sprinkling of rangers from Vermont, Massachusetts, +New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, men who roamed from one colony to +another, looking for a chance to better themselves and ever ready for a +fight, be it with the French or the Indians.</p> + +<p>From Schenectady General Prideaux moved up the Mohawk Valley, which was +the most direct route to the lakes. This old Indian trail was protected +by Fort Herkimer, Fort William, Fort Stanwix, Fort Bull, and other +fortifications along the river and Lake Oneida. But this great +wilderness was a wilderness still, with stopping places few and far +between, and had it not been for the friendliness of the Indians—thanks +to the good work done by General Johnson—matters might have gone badly +with the English. More than once there was an alarm and at night +sentries were posted with as much care as though they were in the very +heart of the enemy's country.</p> + +<p>It was not until three days after meeting Arrow Head and his followers +that our friends came in sight of General Prideaux's command, toiling +painfully around some of the rapids in the river. This first sight of +the army was a thrilling one, for uniforms and weapons shone brightly in +the clear sunlight. Dave's heart gave a bound.</p> + +<p>"Puts me in mind of the time I marched with Braddock," he said to Henry. +"Indeed, it might almost be the same scene over again."</p> + +<p>"Well, let us hope it isn't the same defeat over again," returned his +cousin, grimly.</p> + +<p>The army came to a halt half an hour later, and then they learned that +General Johnson and his Indians were miles away. They talked the matter +over and at length concluded to move forward with the soldiers, trusting +to luck to interview Johnson later.</p> + +<p>It was an easy matter for Barringford and Hans Schnitzer to locate a +number of friends among the rangers, and they received a hearty welcome, +and Dave and Henry were put at their ease. One old soldier asked Dave if +he had seen much of the war, and when the lad told him he had been both +with Braddock and with Forbes in the attacks on what was now Fort Pitt +the old soldier shook his hand warmly and "reckoned as how" he'd "do +fust-rate to fight them Frenchmen at Fort Niagara."</p> + +<p>Our four friends were assigned to a company under Captain John Mollett, +who was known to Barringford, and inside of a couple of days felt +thoroughly at home.</p> + +<p>In those days the Mohawk River was navigable with canoes and batteaux to +within four miles of Lake Oneida. From this point the boats had to be +carried across the watershed, on the backs of horses, Indians, and +soldiers to the lake. From Lake Oneida it was clear sailing down the +Oswego River to Lake Ontario.</p> + +<p>As they had done so many times in the past, some of the English soldiers +were apt to sneer at the provincials, and this led to more than one +wordy quarrel and not infrequently to blows.</p> + +<p>"They make me sick!" declared Henry, one day, after listening to the +bluster of several grenadiers. "To hear them talk one would think only +they were able to fight. I reckon we can do our full share."</p> + +<p>"If they say anything to me I'll tell 'em what happened under Braddock," +returned Dave. "And they can take it as they please."</p> + +<p>Barringford counseled moderation, but secretly he was as much put out as +the boys even though some of the English were his warm friends. He had +come near to having a quarrel with an English lieutenant named Naster +and he was still much disturbed over this.</p> + +<p>That very night Dave, while on picket duty, heard Lieutenant Naster +finding fault with an old ranger named Campwell. Campwell was a pioneer +over sixty-five years of age, and while a good shot and a good fighter +was at times not just right in his mind, although he could by no means +be called crazy. The pair came close to where Dave was on guard and the +young soldier heard the lieutenant poke all manner of fun at the old +man.</p> + +<p>"Better go home and mind the babies, Campwell," said the English +lieutenant. "It's more in your line of duty, isn't it now?"</p> + +<p>"Let me alone!" cried the old man. "If I was to mind babies I'd not mind +such a one as you, I'll warrant. 'T would have been better had you +remained in England."</p> + +<p>"Ha! so you call me a baby?" roared Lieutenant Naster, sourly. "If I am, +how do you like that from me?" And he gave the old pioneer a shove that +sent him headlong over the roots of a nearby tree.</p> + +<p>The action was so cowardly, and so entirely uncalled for, that it made +Dave's temper rise on the instant, and regardless of consequences he +leaped to where Lieutenant Naster was standing and caught him by the +shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Leave him alone, you brute!" he ejaculated. "How dare you treat an old +man like that?"</p> + +<p>In sudden fear the English lieutenant wheeled around. When he saw it was +only a boy who had spoken, and a hated provincial at that, his rage +returned.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by placing your dirty hand on me!" he roared. "I'll +have you arrested on the spot! This to me—an officer of the King's +Guard! Preposterous!"</p> + +<p>"It wasn't right to molest old Campwell," returned Dave, sturdily. "He +is as brave as any of us, and I have heard tell that he has fought well +all through this war. You ought——"</p> + +<p>"Don't tell me what I ought to do, you dirty little plantation hand! Say +another word and I'll report you at headquarters."</p> + +<p>"As you please," answered Dave, recklessly. "But if you worry Campwell +any more you'll have an account to settle with Colonel Haldimand—and I +can tell you that he won't put up with it any more than any of us."</p> + +<p>At the mention of the officer in charge of the provincials the English +lieutenant was for the moment nonplussed. He knew Colonel Haldimand to +be a Swiss-American of stern military bearing and one to whom many of +the pioneers were warmly attached.</p> + +<p>"You—you threaten me?" he asked, after an ugly pause.</p> + +<p>"You can take it as you please."</p> + +<p>"My affair with this old man was my own—not yours."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I'm glad he took my part," came from Campwell, as he arose +slowly to his feet, for the fall had deprived him of his breath. "You +took a mean advantage o' me. I've a good mind to fill ye full o' +buckshot!" And he caught hold of his gun threateningly.</p> + +<p>It was now that Lieutenant Naster showed his true nature. Much of his +color forsook him and he retreated in alarm.</p> + +<p>"Don't—don't!" he cried, hurriedly. "I—I didn't mean to +be—ah—serious. The whole thing was meant in fun."</p> + +<p>"No fun in shoving me down."</p> + +<p>"I—ah—I didn't mean to shove you so hard—upon my honor I did not, +Campwell. Let us drop it; won't you?"</p> + +<p>The old pioneer gave a grunt. He was too open-hearted to understand such +a mean, sneaking nature as that of the Englishman.</p> + +<p>"We'll drop it—but keep your hands off of me in the future," he said, +at last.</p> + +<p>"I won't bother you. But you—" The lieutenant turned to Dave. "I'll +bear you in mind, my fine young cock-of-the-walk,—and I'll take you +down a peg or two ere I'm done with you, remember what I say!" And with +a shake of his fist he hurried away in the darkness.</p> + +<p>A minute after this Barringford came up, asking what was the matter. +When told his brow contracted.</p> + +<p>"That lieutenant is a regular sneak," he said. "Keep your eye open fer +him, Dave—an' don't trust him a farthing's worth. He is just the kind +to play you dirty the first chance he gits."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> + +<h3>HENRY IS ATTACKED</h3> + + +<p>The days to follow were full of hard work for the young soldiers. They +were detailed with the baggage corps, and had all they could do to bring +through the many things left in their care. Although Dave did not know +the truth, it was Lieutenant Naster who had much of this work piled on +the young soldier's shoulders.</p> + +<p>The sail down Lake Oneida proved a period of rest, for which both Dave +and Henry were truly thankful. Both made the journey in a long and wide +batteau, commonly called to-day a flat-bottom boat. It was now the end +of June and the weather was hot. On one occasion the youths went in +bathing, but this time nothing molested them. They also went fishing and +brought out as nice a mess of fish as the clear waters of this lake +afforded.</p> + +<p>"It's an ideal spot for a home," said Dave. "Puts me in mind of the +Kinotah."</p> + +<p>"If the Kinotah is as good as this I wouldn't want anything better," +replied Henry.</p> + +<p>The batteau, of extra-large size, was filled with baggage, and besides +the boys there were ten rangers on board, including old Campwell. The +old man sat in the rear of the craft, eyeing the shore critically.</p> + +<p>"My eyesight ain't none o' the best," he drawled, presently. "But onless +I'm in error, I jest see a number o' Injuns behind yonder skirt o' +bushes."</p> + +<p>All looked in the direction, and presently one of the other rangers said +that he, too, saw at least two Indians. They appeared to be following up +the boats and at the same time did all they could to keep hidden.</p> + +<p>"What do you make of that?" asked Henry of Barringford, who was pulling +an oar beside him.</p> + +<p>The old frontiersman shrugged his shoulders. "Depends on whether they +are friends or enemies, Henry," he said. "If they are friends more'n +likely they'll jine us when we reach the river."</p> + +<p>"And if not?"</p> + +<p>"Then they ought to be captured, for if they ain't friends they are +spying for the French."</p> + +<p>Evidently the Indians had not been discovered by those on the other +batteaux, and after a short talk the man in charge of that containing +our friends decided to report the case to his superior, in a boat some +distance ahead. Pulling with all strength, the clumsy craft was, in +quarter of an hour, brought alongside of Captain Mollett's boat.</p> + +<p>"Indians, eh?" said the captain, reflectively. "Couldn't make them out +very well, could you?"</p> + +<p>"No, captain."</p> + +<p>"Hum! We'll have to investigate this."</p> + +<p>Word was passed to several other batteaux, and soon after a boat turned +toward shore, having on board fifteen rangers, including Barringford and +Henry. Dave and Schnitzer wished to accompany the others but this was +not permitted.</p> + +<p>"Good-by until we meet again!" cried Henry, on leaving.</p> + +<p>"Take good care of yourself," returned Dave, and so with a wave of the +hand the two cousins parted.</p> + +<p>It did not take the batteau long to reach the north shore of the lake, +and as soon as the craft grounded all leaped out. Fastening the boat to +a nearby tree, the rangers set out on a search for the Indians.</p> + +<p>The party was under the command of George Harvey, well known as an old +Indian fighter of the Mohawk valley and a man who was as shrewd as he +was daring. He had brought the rangers ashore boldly, but once in the +shelter of the timber he halted his men to give them advice.</p> + +<p>"We'll spread out in a straight line, due north," he said. "Each man +about thirty yards from the next. Then we can beat up the timber +thoroughly. Don't fire until you're sure of what you are doing, for to +kill a friendly Indian just now would be the worst thing we could do. +General Johnson would never forgive you for it. He had hard enough work +to make 'em come over to us."</p> + +<p>It fell to Henry's lot to skirt the shore of the lake, with Barringford +next to him. The way was easy where the trail ran close to the water, +but at other points was exceedingly difficult, for big stones and thick +brushwood frequently blocked his progress.</p> + +<p>"Phew! but this is no child's play!" he muttered to himself, as he came +out on a point of the shore where the sun blazed down fiercely. "A +fellow couldn't feel any hotter plowing corn or turning hay. I'd rather +go swimming than hunt up Indians, I must confess."</p> + +<p>His soliloquy was broken by the flitting of something from one tree to +another, some distance ahead. The movement was so rapid, and the +distance so great, that he could not settle in his mind what the object +had been.</p> + +<p>"Was that an Indian, or some big wild bird?" he asked himself. Drawing +back into the shelter of some bushes he held his gun ready for use, and +gazed ahead with much interest.</p> + +<p>The sun was now well down in the west, so his shadow fell in front of +him as he gazed eastward. Of a sudden another shadow loomed up beside +his own. He turned, but before he could defend himself, he was hauled +back and his gun was wrenched from his grasp. He tried to cry out, but a +red hand was instantly clapped over his mouth.</p> + +<p>Henry tried his best to free himself but it was useless. Two brawny +warriors had attacked him, and now one of the redmen flourished a long +hunting knife in his face, at the same time muttering some words of +warning in a guttural tone. Henry did not understand the language +spoken, but he knew what was meant—that he would be killed if he +attempted to either fight or cry out—and so for the time being he lay +still.</p> + +<p>At a distance the young soldier heard the sounds of footsteps, and he +rightfully surmised that Barringford was continuing his journey forward, +with the rest of the rangers. Soon the sounds died away and all became +as silent as the grave.</p> + +<p>But the Indians did not wish to take any chances and so the one with the +knife continued to stand over the young soldier until his companion was +certain the whites had gone on. Then he emitted a short and peculiar +bird-like whistle.</p> + +<p>In less than two minutes fully a dozen warriors appeared on the scene, +crawling from behind logs and rocks and from holes among the tree roots. +All came forward and gazed curiously at the prisoner.</p> + +<p>A parley lasting but a few minutes followed. Henry tried his best to +make out what was said, but this Indian dialect was entirely new to him. +He half suspected that these redmen had come down into New York from the +north shore of Lake Ontario and in this he was not mistaken. They were +spies, as it was long afterward proved, sent out by Saint Luc de la +Corne, the French officer in command at Isle Royal, afterward called +Chimney Island.</p> + +<p>The coming ashore of the English had evidently disconcerted the Indians +and they hesitated over what should be their next move. But at last they +set off on a rapid march northward, taking Henry with them. The young +soldier's hands were bound behind him and he was given to understand +that if he did not move along as suited them he would be killed on the +spot.</p> + +<p>"A nice pickle I'm in and no mistake," he mused, as the party toiled up +a long hill and through a dense patch of timber where the undergrowth +almost barred all progress. "These redskins won't give me the slightest +chance to get away, and where they are taking me is more than I can +guess. Wonder what Barringford will say when he finds I am missing?"</p> + +<p>Some time after this a distant shot sounded out, at which all of the +Indians came to a halt. The shot was followed by several others, all +coming from the direction of the lake.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they are signals meant for me," thought Henry. "Oh, if only +Barringford and the others strike the right trail!"</p> + +<p>The shots having come to an end, the forward march was resumed, and the +party did not halt again until long after nightfall. Henry was bound to +a tree and one of the Indians, who seemed less bloodthirsty than the +others, gave him a bit of meat, some corn cakes, and a drink of water. +The young soldier thanked the redskin and tried to engage him in +conversation, but the Indian merely shook his head and walked away.</p> + +<p>When the Indians retired for the night Henry was tied to a short stake +driven deeply into the ground. This allowed him to rest on one side or +the other, but still kept his hands behind him—a most uncomfortable +position. But lying down, even like that, was better than standing +against the tree, and he was so tired he was soon fast asleep.</p> + +<p>A kick in the ribs awoke him at early daybreak, and after a light +breakfast, the Indians resumed their journey. In a short time they +gained a small stream, and from a hiding place brought forth several +canoes. Henry was made to enter one of the canoes and the whole party +began to paddle down the stream swiftly and in the utmost silence.</p> + +<p>The watercourse was less than five yards wide and in many places the +branches of the trees on the opposite banks intertwined, forming a long, +low bower, beneath which the sunlight was hardly able to penetrate. +Outside it was hot and dry, but on this stream it was deliciously cool, +and under other circumstances Henry would have enjoyed the canoe trip +greatly. Game was plentiful and frequently popped up within easy +shooting distance. The Indians did not use their guns, however, although +a number of birds and a deer were brought down by the aid of a bow and +arrows in the hands of an Indian in the front canoe.</p> + +<p>Before the trip on the river came to an end Henry calculated that they +had covered at least sixteen miles. They went ashore just above a small +water-fall and now the Indians took their canoes with them. The party +turned westward, and Henry guessed that they were bound for the eastern +shore of Lake Ontario.</p> + +<p>"If they once get me on the lake I'll be booked for Canada, that's +certain," he mused, dismally. "If only I had half a chance I'd run for +it, even though I'd risk being shot."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h2> + +<h3>A STORM ON LAKE ONTARIO</h3> + + +<p>When the soldiers under General Prideaux reached Oswego they found the +fort in ruins. Three years before the French and Indians under Montcalm +had won a victory there and before leaving had burnt up and otherwise +destroyed every building, large and small, and also every ship in the +harbor, and had taken away all the guns and ammunition and a large part +of the possessions of the settlers in that vicinity. On every side were +heaps of ashes and charred logs, some overgrown with weeds, and in the +midst of these stood a huge wooden cross, erected by Piquet, the French +priest, and on a tall pole hung the tattered arms of France. The scene +was one of unutterable loneliness and desolation, and it must be +confessed that something like a shiver went over Dave as he gazed upon +it.</p> + +<p>"This shows what war will do," he said, to a comrade standing near. +"Think of how prosperous a trading post Oswego was three years ago, and +now look at this. Why even a wild animal would shun the spot—after +those skeletons were picked clean."</p> + +<p>"True for you, lad," was the answer. "But I don't think it will be that +way again. General Prideaux means business, and so does General Johnson, +and the French will have to do some tall fighting to win out now."</p> + +<p>The first of the soldiers arrived on the site of Oswego about the middle +of June, and it was only a few days later the remainder of the army came +up from Lake Oneida bringing the stores and baggage, including a great +many barrels of pork, which in those days formed a staple article of +soldiers' diet.</p> + +<p>Dave was anxious to see Henry and Barringford again, and when the last +of the soldiers came up and went into camp not far from the lake and the +river, he hurried in that direction as soon as he was off duty.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam!" he cried, when he caught sight of the old frontiersman and +saw the serious look on his face. "Where's Henry?"</p> + +<p>"I can't tell you, Dave."</p> + +<p>"Can't tell?"</p> + +<p>"No, lad. After we went ashore at Lake Oneida he disappeared like as if +the earth had opened and swallowed him up."</p> + +<p>"But—but didn't you look for him?"</p> + +<p>"Dave you oughter know better nor to ask sech a question. Look? Why, I +tramped miles an' miles a-looking fer him,—an' fer them Injuns. But the +redskins got away, and we couldn't find Henry, alive or dead."</p> + +<p>"Then they must have taken him prisoner."</p> + +<p>"Thet's it, unless——"</p> + +<p>"Unless what, Sam?"</p> + +<p>"Wall, I don't like to say, lad. Let us hope fer the best."</p> + +<p>"You mean they might have killed him and thrown his body into the lake?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Dave drew a long breath. The thought was a horrible one. He shook his +head dismally.</p> + +<p>"You didn't hear any shots, or any struggling?"</p> + +<p>"Nary a sound, Dave. We went along as silently as ghosts and with our +ears wide open. I know Henry was along when we moved up the lake, but I +missed him jest as soon as we turned to come back. He had been next to +the lake front and I walked over to find out if he had seen anything of +the Injuns. But he was gone—and that was the end of it—although I and +the others hunted around until we simply had to give it up and come back +to report."</p> + +<p>It was dismal news, and all Barringford could do did not cheer Dave up. +"First it was little Nell and now it's Henry," he said, soberly. "If +neither of them return what will Aunt Lucy say?"</p> + +<p>As soon as the army was settled at Oswego General Prideaux had all of +the batteaux and other boats made ready for the trip along the lake +shore to Fort Niagara, a distance of about a hundred and thirty miles. +In the meantime Colonel Haldimand was placed in charge of the garrison +to be left at Oswego, with orders to rebuild the fort, and otherwise +strengthen the place, as speedily as possible. Haldimand, who during the +Revolution became Governor of Canada, was an able and energetic officer, +and went about the work assigned to him without delay. Soon the ring of +the axe was heard in the forest and the big timbers for the new fort +were being brought out as fast as the pioneer-soldiers could handle +them.</p> + +<p>Prideaux had expected to embark for Niagara within a few days after +reaching Oswego where he was joined by Johnson with his seven hundred +Indians, but numerous delays occurred and it was not until the first of +July that his novel flotilla of boats, batteaux, and canoes set sail +westward over the mighty waters of Lake Ontario. All the time that the +army was at Oswego a sharp lookout was kept for the possible appearance +of French ships of war, or of transports carrying French troops, but +none came in sight.</p> + +<p>"Not a sail in sight anywhere," said Dave to Schnitzer one day, when the +two were at the beach. "If the French are near they are keeping +themselves well hidden."</p> + +<p>"Maybe da vos vaiting for a chanct to cotch us nabbing," answered the +Dutch soldier. "Dose Frenchers peen mighty schmart let me tole you. Of +da don't vos schmart den dis var vouldn't peen so long vinded, hey?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, they know what they are doing, no doubt of that. I wouldn't be +surprised if they attacked Colonel Haldimand after we go away."</p> + +<p>"Yah, dot is it, Tave—da vaits bis ve peen sphlit by two bieces und den +da fights first one bard und den der udder bard—und ve peen licked our +poots out, hey—maybe—of da peen schmart enough." And Hans Schnitzer +nodded his shaggy head vigorously.</p> + +<p>Dave had been wondering if he would be ordered to remain behind with +those left at Oswego or if he was to go forward to Fort Niagara. He half +wished he would be told to remain behind, that he might have a chance to +go in search of Henry.</p> + +<p>But this was not to be, and a few days later came word that the company +to which he belonged would go forward under General Prideaux.</p> + +<p>"But I'm a-going to be left behind," said Sam Barringford. "I've got +orders to take charge o' the sharpshooters as is going to watch out here +while Colonel Haldimand rebuilds the old fort."</p> + +<p>"Oh Sam, if you stay behind, won't you keep an eye open for Henry?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure I will, lad—thought o' thet myself."</p> + +<p>"Do you think those Indians are still sneaking around?"</p> + +<p>"More'n likely not, Dave. Not if they war French spies. They've gone +across the lake to give warning of our coming."</p> + +<p>"If they had Henry a prisoner they would take him along."</p> + +<p>"Yes,—or worse."</p> + +<p>Dave shook his head sadly, and went about his work, which was to see to +the loading of two batteaux, that were piled high with utensils +belonging to the culinary department of the army—for soldiers, like +ordinary mortals, must eat and if they are not served properly there is +apt to be a good deal of grumbling.</p> + +<p>One day later the army was off, in a long string of batteaux and other +craft stretching out a distance of over a mile. It was truly an imposing +sight, for the leading batteau was flying the flag of England, and other +banners were by no means lacking. There was music, too, to lighten up +the hearts of the soldiers, and ringing cheers for good luck to the +enterprise.</p> + +<p>It was General Prideaux's plan to hug the shore of the lake, +consequently the trip would be a little longer than if they sailed in a +direct line from Oswego to what is now the coast town of Carlton. The +reason for hugging the shore was, that the French might swoop down upon +the flotilla at any moment when out of sight of land, whereas, if the +English kept close to shore, they could at any moment turn into one of +the numerous bays or creeks, and there hide or throw up a temporary +defense.</p> + +<p>The southern shore of Lake Ontario is to-day dotted with villages and +towns, but when General Prideaux's army sailed along this coast it +showed an almost unbroken front of gigantic timber, rough rocks and +stretches of sandy waste. Here and there was an Indian village, but the +warriors were away, either with the French or the English.</p> + +<p>Much to Dave's disgust Lieutenant Naster was placed in charge of the +batteau, which contained besides Dave several soldiers who were hardly +known to our young soldier. When Naster saw Dave, he scowled but said +nothing.</p> + +<p>"He has it in for me, that's certain," thought Dave. "I'll have to keep +my eyes wide open."</p> + +<p>"I want none of your laziness," said the lieutenant, to Dave, an hour +later, and when all hands were resting on the oars. "I see you are not +pulling as well as the others, and it won't do."</p> + +<p>"I thought I was doing my full share," answered Dave.</p> + +<p>"Hi don't answer back, boy! Do as I tell you!"</p> + +<p>In a few minutes the rowing was resumed. One of the soldiers, unnoticed +by the lieutenant, winked at Dave.</p> + +<p>"He's a regular bear," he whispered. "Look out, or he'll make trouble +for you."</p> + +<p>"He's tried to make trouble for me before," answered Dave, in an equally +low tone. "He doesn't like me because I stood up for old Campwell when +he was browbeating the man."</p> + +<p>"Oh, so you were the soldier who interfered, eh? I heard of that case. +They say——"</p> + +<p>"Silence over here, and attend to your rowing!" shouted the lieutenant +from his comfortable seat in the stern. "Don't you see how we are +lagging behind? Pull up there, all of you, or somebody will get the lash +to-night, instead of his supper."</p> + +<p>After that but little was said, and the rowing continued steadily until +noon, when a brief halt was made for dinner. The lake was almost like +glass, so that while some of the batteaux drifted together, no damage +was done.</p> + +<p>"If I know anything about it, this weather won't last," said one of the +soldiers, after a careful survey of the sky.</p> + +<p>"It looks like a storm to me, too," said Dave. "But it may blow around +before it reaches here."</p> + +<p>Yet the day passed without the storm coming, and that night the +occupants of the batteaux slept soundly on the shore of a tiny bay +opening up from the lake. At sunrise the army was again in motion and +once again the flotilla continued its journey westward.</p> + +<p>Several soldiers who had been taken sick on the march to Oswego had been +left behind, but now others were overcome by the heat and the glare of +the sun on the water, and one batteau had to be turned into a floating +hospital. At one time Dave himself felt dizzy, but he said nothing, for +he well knew that Lieutenant Naster would have no mercy on him, sick or +well.</p> + +<p>The sun had come up over the water like a great ball of fire and by nine +o'clock the day promised to prove more than usually hot. But an hour +later the clouds began to show up in the west and it became rapidly +cooler.</p> + +<p>"We're in for that storm now," said a soldier to Dave. "See how the wind +is rising."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we are pretty far out from land now, too," added Dave. "I +reckon we ought to turn in."</p> + +<p>One of the soldiers appealed to the lieutenant, but he would not listen +to advice. "Straight ahead," he roared. "You only want to go in that you +may rest. We have no time to fool away. A little rain won't hurt +anybody."</p> + +<p>The wind rapidly increased in violence, and soon the black clouds +overshadowed the sun, making the surface of the lake dark and ominous +looking. Then came a gust that whirled the batteau around in spite of +all the rowers could do to keep the craft up to the wind. The waves +dashed up, drenching everybody.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" cried Lieutenant Naster, for he had received some of the water +full in the face. "Steady there, you fools! Don't let her swing around!"</p> + +<p>"If we don't pull to shore we'll be swamped!" cried one of the soldiers. +"I was a sailor for six years and I know this is going to be a big blow. +Give the order, lieutenant, unless ye want to see bottom putty quick."</p> + +<p>At these words Lieutenant Naster turned pale. "Very well, turn about and +pull for the shore," he said. "And don't lose time," he added, as he saw +the white caps chasing madly toward them.</p> + +<p>With much difficulty the clumsy batteau was swung around and the journey +shoreward began. But valuable time had been lost, and now the rain came +down in a deluge, shutting out the view on every side. The wind whistled +a gale and in the midst of the downpour came a vivid flash of lightning +and a crack of thunder that was deafening.</p> + +<p>As much for his own safety as for the others, Dave bent to his oar with +a will, pulling with might and main. The sight of land was now shut out +and the task was therefore a blind one. On they went, the wind blowing +the waves into the batteau until the craft was speedily in danger of +becoming waterlogged.</p> + +<p>"Bail her out!" roared the lieutenant, who was now as much alarmed as +anyone. "Bail her out, or we'll go to the bottom!"</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus7" id="illus7"></a> +<img src="images/illus7.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>"Bail her out," roared the lieutenant.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>"Bail her out yourself;" came a voice from the front of the craft. "None +of us can leave the oars. Pull away, boys,—it's our only chance!"</p> + +<p>It was the man who had been a sailor who spoke, and all the other +soldiers obeyed him, leaving the lieutenant to take up an iron dipper +and begin the bailing as best he could.</p> + +<p>A moment later came a wild cry from beyond the batteau. "Look out, you +are running into us! Back water!" The cry was followed by a thump and a +crash and half a dozen yells of pain, and then ensued a wild scramble +for safety, for two of the batteaux had come together with such force +that the bottom of each was broken away on one side, letting in the +lake water with a rush.</p> + +<p>When the collision came Dave was thrown over backward, into the lap of +the soldier who had once been a sailor. Each clutched the other, and +both struggled to their feet wondering what would happen next. Then the +batteau began to settle and in a moment more Dave found himself +struggling in the waters of Lake Ontario.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> + +<h3>THE ATTACK AT OSWEGO</h3> + + +<p>"I wonder when this will end?"</p> + +<p>Such was the question which Henry asked himself, after he had been a +prisoner of the Indians for a week and more.</p> + +<p>The warriors had marched him to the eastern shore of the lake, and here +he had been left in charge of two young warriors while the balance of +the party had taken canoes and disappeared in the direction of +Frontenac.</p> + +<p>The days had passed slowly. The warriors had found something of a cave +fronting the lake shore and Henry had been placed in this. His hands +were bound behind him almost constantly, they being released only when +he was eating or when both of his captors were at hand with their guns +to watch him.</p> + +<p>The young soldier often wondered what had become of Sam Barringford and +the others who had been in the party that had landed on the shore of +Lake Oneida. Had they too been captured and carried off, or had they +been killed?</p> + +<p>"Sam ought to have been able to follow their trail," he reasoned. He did +not know that the trail had been followed as far as the stream where the +Indians had first brought forth their hidden canoes.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the Indians had gone to Saint Luc de la Corne and +explained the situation to him. The French commander at once gathered +together twelve hundred men, consisting of Canadian pioneers and +Indians, and set out to do the English battle. He felt that a force +would be left behind at Oswego and this he determined to annihilate as +soon as General Prideaux had gone on with the main portion of the +English army.</p> + +<p>The coming of over a hundred Indians to the camp on the lake front +surprised Henry and he wondered what was in the wind. But he soon found +out, for several of the newcomers could talk English and they did not +hesitate to speak of the contemplated attack on Colonel Haldimand's +command, and of their high hopes of again laying Fort Oswego in ashes +and scalping all who should remain to defend it.</p> + +<p>After hearing this talk Henry burnt with a desire to obtain his freedom +and warn Haldimand of what was coming. For this purpose he resorted to a +ruse which worked better than he anticipated. He pretended to be very +sick and whenever the Indians came near groaned dismally and put his +hand to his head and then to his breast as if in intense pain.</p> + +<p>At first the warriors paid no attention, for they did not care how much +he suffered. But after releasing him during meal time, they grew +careless about tying him up again, and left him to roll upon the ground +as he pleased. He now pretended to be sicker than ever and crawled over +to a nearby pool of water, where he bathed his head and then lay down as +if utterly exhausted.</p> + +<p>Behind the pool was a clump of bushes, and back of this a stretch of +dense timber. Once in the timber he felt that he could hide until +nightfall and then make his way down the lake shore in the direction of +Fort Oswego. Perhaps he might even find a canoe, for the Indians had a +large number of these craft, hidden in various coves and creeks.</p> + +<p>Henry had to move with extreme caution, for he realized that one mistake +might cost him his life. Once or twice he saw the warriors gaze toward +him and each time he led them to believe that he was in as great a pain +as ever.</p> + +<p>Presently there was a shouting at the lake front, announcing the arrival +of more Indians, and all of the warriors on land looked in that +direction. Now was his chance, and with the swiftness of a deer released +from a trap he leaped across the pool and dove into the clump of +bushes. He did not stop, but at the risk of scratching himself in a +dozen places, tore his way along into the timber and went on and on, +pell-mell, fetching up against more than one tree and tripping over one +big root after another. Once he went into a hole up to his knee and came +close to breaking his leg, which, in the end, would undoubtedly have +cost him his life. But he freed himself and did not stop but continued +his course, limping deeper and deeper into the forest.</p> + +<p>A yell of rage told him that his escape was discovered, and soon he +heard several Indians thrashing around through the brushwood, while +others spread out for a search through the forest. There was no doubt +but that they meant to re-take him were such a thing possible.</p> + +<p>"But they shan't do it," he muttered, through his set teeth. "I must get +away somehow!"</p> + +<p>When half a mile had been covered he was surprised to find himself +within sight of the lake. At first he imagined that he had gone around +in a circle and brought up at the point from which he had started, but +soon he saw that the spot was a strange one, some distance south of the +Indian camp.</p> + +<p>His injured shin hurt him not a little and he was glad enough to plunge +into the water up to his knees. He had come out on a little bay and here +several overhanging trees and bushes afforded him good shelter. He +secreted himself as best he could and awaited developments.</p> + +<p>The Indians came within a hundred yards of the spot, but no closer, and +before nightfall he was left entirely alone. By this time the scraped +shin felt better, and he waded out to the lake proper, the water being +scarcely up to his knees.</p> + +<p>As night drew on, he could see a faint light up the shore, which told +him where the Indian camp lay. All around him was silent and deserted, +only the occasional cry of a bird breaking the stillness.</p> + +<p>Henry felt that he must get some sleep, or he would be unable to +undertake the journey toward Oswego in the morning, and with this in +view sought out a comfortable spot where he might lie down. Nothing came +to disturb him during the night, and by sunrise he arose feeling +decidedly refreshed.</p> + +<p>A storm was approaching—the same which was to prove so disastrous to +the batteaux on the lake, and Henry had not covered many miles along the +lake front when it burst on him in all of its fury, causing him to seek +shelter under a cliff of rocks some distance away from the water. The +lightning was sharp and he heard more than one tree in the forest go +down with a crash. But the storm did not last in that vicinity, and in +two hours it was over, although the drifting clouds still hid the sun +from view.</p> + +<p>The storm proved a great blessing to Henry, for after it was over he +came across two squirrels that had been killed by it and also a number +of birds. He had not had a mouthful to eat for twenty-four hours and he +now set about making himself a fire and cooking the game. He had a flint +and steel, which the Indians had not taken from him, and soon he had a +blaze in a hollow, where it would not be noticed.</p> + +<p>Having satisfied the cravings of his stomach, he renewed his journey +along the lake front. The storm had washed a number of things ashore and +presently he came upon an upturned Indian canoe, one of the rougher +sort, made of a hollowed-out log.</p> + +<p>"Hullo, that's better than nothing," he told himself, and righted the +canoe, although not without difficulty. There was also a paddle on the +beach, and soon he was on board the craft and paddling southward with +all the skill he could command.</p> + +<p>As he moved over the waters of the lake he kept his eyes behind as well +as in front of him, wondering if the Indians would discover what he was +doing. But they were out of sight, nor did a single warrior show himself +anywhere.</p> + +<p>It was growing dark again when Henry brought his canoe to a sudden stop +and then turned hastily shoreward. Far ahead he had seen another craft, +holding two men. That they were whites he was sure, but whether French +or English was still to be determined. He moved his canoe into a cove, +and secreting himself in the bushes awaited the approach of the +strangers.</p> + +<p>Soon the boat came close enough for him to make out the voices of the +newcomers. One voice sounded strangely familiar, and peering through the +bushes Henry was overjoyed to recognize Sam Barringford, who was sitting +in the bow of the boat, rifle in hand, while his companion was rowing.</p> + +<p>"Sam! Sam!" he cried, as he rushed forward. "Oh, Sam, how glad I am to +see you!"</p> + +<p>"Well, by the eternal, ef it ain't Henry!" shouted the frontiersman, in +almost equal joy. "This is dumb luck an' no mistake. Why, me and Gangley +came out on purpose to see ef we couldn't find out what had become of +ye! Are ye alone?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Any Injuns about here?"</p> + +<p>"There are a number up the shore—about ten or fifteen miles from here."</p> + +<p>The boat was turned into the cove and soon Henry and his old friend were +shaking hands, and then the young soldier shook hands with Gangley, who +was an old hunter from Pennsylvania. The youth told his story in full, +to which the others listened closely.</p> + +<p>"I reckon the best thing we can do is to git back and tell Colonel +Haldimand how matters stand," said Barringford. "If the French are +a-coming this way he'll want to know it."</p> + +<p>The craft Barringford and Gangley occupied was large enough for three +persons and soon Henry was on board. Then the boat was turned about and +the trip to Oswego began.</p> + +<p>On the way Barringford told about Dave's departure with the force under +General Prideaux. He also asked if Henry had learned anything concerning +little Nell.</p> + +<p>"Not a word, although I questioned the Indians all I could," answered +the youth.</p> + +<p>Gangley was an expert at handling a small boat and the craft fairly flew +through the water under his command and by the united efforts of those +on board.</p> + +<p>They were just coming in sight of the fort at Oswego when the sounds of +distant firing reached their ears. At first there were a few scattering +shots, followed, some minutes later, by a regular volley.</p> + +<p>"The French have arrived!" cried Henry. "That's a regular battle!"</p> + +<p>"Right you are, lad," returned the frontiersman. "See, there are their +boats—a goodly number of 'em, too!"</p> + +<p>"What shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Better land up the shore a bit and take to the woods. It won't do for +us to show ourselves in the open down there—they'd pick us off in no +time."</p> + +<p>Gangley also agreed that this was best, and the boat was immediately +turned toward shore. They leaped out without delay, and hiding the +craft, proceeded without loss of time in the direction from whence the +shots had come.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> + +<h3>NEWS OF IMPORTANCE</h3> + + +<p>When General Prideaux left Oswego for Fort Niagara he was well aware +that the French would more than likely make an attack on the new fort +Colonel Haldimand was building, consequently, he cautioned that officer +to be on his guard at all hours of the day and night.</p> + +<p>But Haldimand needed no word of warning. His military training was of a +high order, and the very first thing he did before setting his men to +work to cut logs for the new fort was to have them arrange the pork +barrels, containing a large portion of their food, in a circle, and +outside of this lay a dense mass of brushwood in such a fashion that to +climb over or through it would be no easy task.</p> + +<p>This "pork fort" as it was called later on, caused many a laugh, yet it +proved no mean defense, as we shall soon see. Behind the barrels +Haldimand planted such cannon as Prideaux had left him; and then went to +work to build the fort proper without loss of time.</p> + +<p>The French came over the lake with as much secrecy as possible. In the +darkness they landed behind some brushwood and tall timber and took up +what they thought was a position of advantage.</p> + +<p>The battle began the next day, while the English were hard at work +chopping down trees and cutting them up into proper sizes for the new +fort. A scout gave the alarm and this was immediately followed by +several shots from the French and the blood-curdling war-cry of the +hostile Indians.</p> + +<p>Realizing at once that the enemy had tried to steal a march on him, +Haldimand ordered his command to stop work and make for the "pork fort." +Dropping their axes, the soldiers and pioneers seized their guns and ran +for the shelter of barrels and brushwood. Several were wounded, one +seriously, and seeing this, the command was given to fire in return, and +something of a pitched battle occurred. But the Frenchmen between the +English and the improvised fort were easily scattered, and then +Haldimand brought up his troops inside the barrel barricade and manned +his guns with such vigor that all of the enemy lost no time in seeking +the shelter of the forest so close at hand.</p> + +<p>It was this first encounter which reached the ears of Henry and his +friends. By the time they were on shore the firing had ceased and utter +silence prevailed as they crept slowly forward in the direction of +Haldimand's command.</p> + +<p>"Do you think it possible that the French have withdrawn?" asked Henry, +presently, as Barringford put up his hand as a signal to halt.</p> + +<p>"I think they are up to some trick," was the low answer. "Hist! down +with ye!"</p> + +<p>Barringford had seen a tall French soldier moving toward them. The +fellow was a sharpshooter and carried his rifle ready for immediate use.</p> + +<p>The soldier was coming directly toward them and in a moment more Henry +felt they would be discovered. Then, without warning, Barringford leaped +forward like a lightning flash, caught the soldier by the throat, and +bore him to the ground.</p> + +<p>Before Henry could recover from his bewilderment it was all over, and +the soldier lay flat on his back, for in going over his head had struck +on a sharp rock, rendering him unconscious. Barringford took the man's +gun and his ammunition box and handed them to the youth. "Now you're +armed as good as any o' us," he whispered. "It's lucky I cotched him +jest right, otherwise we might have had to do some powerful rasselin', +eh? Come."</p> + +<p>Once again they moved forward, until they felt the barricade of pork +barrels could not be more than a hundred yards distant. Then a fresh +firing broke out on their left, and soon fifty or more French soldiers +hove into sight as they were making a detour from one side of +Haldimand's defense to the other.</p> + +<p>"Come, we must get out of here!" shouted Barringford, and as the enemy +came closer, he fired at the leading soldier. Henry and Gangley also +emptied their pieces and three of the enemy went down, all badly +wounded.</p> + +<p>Running with all possible swiftness, our friends soon reached a point +where they could see some of the pork barrels. Barringford held up his +hands and was recognized.</p> + +<p>"Come in!" was the cry. "Don't stay out there!" And then the three went +forward again. But the French had also noticed them and half a score of +rifles were turned in that direction. Henry felt a bullet sing +unpleasantly close to his head and then saw Barringford, who was close +beside him, stagger and go down in a heap.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Sam!" he cried, in deep horror, "are you hit?"</p> + +<p>There was no reply to this, and Henry saw the blood beginning to show +itself around the old hunter's neck. In desperation he caught up +Barringford's body and commenced to drag it to the entrance between the +pork barrels. Gangley assisted him and soon they were behind the +temporary shelter with their burden.</p> + +<p>"I hope he isn't dead?" said Henry, as he surveyed the motionless form. +"Isn't there a surgeon handy?"</p> + +<p>A medical officer soon appeared, and Barringford was carried to an +improvised hospital but a short distance away, and here the medical man +made a hasty examination.</p> + +<p>"He isn't dead, but he's pretty hard hit," was the surgeon's conclusion. +"I'll do what I can for him. No, you can't help me. Better go to the +front and do your duty. There is no telling how strong the French are, +and if they defeat us, you know what we can all expect—a dreary life in +a Canadian prison—or worse."</p> + +<p>There was no time to say more, for the shooting had now started up once +more. It came from three sides. The enemy remained hidden behind the +trees and it was only occasionally that the English could get a shot in +return.</p> + +<p>"Will they make a general attack, do you think?" asked Henry, of +Gangley.</p> + +<p>"That depends on how strong they are," was the reply.</p> + +<p>It was a fearfully hot day and those behind the improvised +fortification suffered much both from heat and thirst. It was only +occasionally that a French soldier or an Indian showed himself and often +he was picked off before he could again find shelter.</p> + +<p>Presently, about two in the afternoon, came a fierce yelling of Indians +to the west of the fort, and the redskins could be seen moving through +the forest, although they took care not to expose themselves too much to +an attack.</p> + +<p>"They are coming!" was the cry.</p> + +<p>But Haldimand was not to be caught by any trick, and he divided his +force, one half to meet the expected attack of the redmen and the others +to guard the side upon which the French were still located.</p> + +<p>But the attack did not come off. Not over a score of redmen ran out into +the open, and when three of these were stretched lifeless by the +rangers, or the Royal Americans, as they were officially designated, the +remainder ran back with all possible speed.</p> + +<p>After this came another lull, and Henry ran to where Barringford had +been placed. He found the old frontiersman propped up against some +brushwood, over which a pair of blankets had been spread. He tried to +smile at the youth.</p> + +<p>"Got it putty bad," said Barringford, in a low voice. +"In—the—neck—can't talk."</p> + +<p>"Then don't say another word, Sam," returned Henry tenderly. "I am glad +to learn it's no worse. You keep quiet. I reckon we are safe, so far;" +and that was all that was said between them.</p> + +<p>"He'll be all right in a few days," said the surgeon. "But he had a +narrow escape. Had the bullet cut in half an inch deeper it would have +gone through his windpipe."</p> + +<p>Slowly the hours dragged by after this, with only an occasional shot. +But now Haldimand was laying his plans for moving on the enemy. Some +guns were brought into play on a certain bit of forest before the pork +barrel fort and when these were discharged the cries that followed told +that the French had been taken by surprise.</p> + +<p>"They are running for their boats!" was the announcement, a little while +later. "They are on the retreat!"</p> + +<p>A cheer went up at this announcement, and regardless of orders some of +the rangers leaped out over the barrels and brushwood and made after the +French, who seemed to have suddenly become panic-stricken.</p> + +<p>It was seen that La Corne was indeed retreating. The French soldiers and +the Indians were running in all directions, and in the excitement a +dozen or more were sent sprawling on the shore.</p> + +<p>"After 'em! After 'em!" was the cry. "Don't let 'em escape!" And then +came the rapid crack-cracking of guns and rifles and long pistols and +thirty of the enemy were killed and wounded. La Corne was struck among +the number, but not seriously wounded.</p> + +<p>With the rangers who left the fort was Henry, and soon he and Gangley +and four other pioneers were hurrying after a number of Indians who were +fleeing up the lake shore. These were the redmen who had made Henry a +prisoner and he was anxious to "square accounts" with them.</p> + +<p>The Indians had three canoes secreted in the bushes and they were +anxious to gain possession of the craft. After a swift run of ten +minutes they came in sight of the spot where the canoes were located. +But now the rangers opened fire on them and two of the Indians went +down, both wounded. The Indians returned the fire with a rifle shot and +several arrows, but nobody was struck.</p> + +<p>"They shan't git away so easy!" cried Gangley, and as the redmen leaped +into their canoes, he opened fire again. The others reloaded with all +speed, and a volley was delivered as the light craft shot out into the +lake. One more redman was brought low and fell into the water with a +loud splash, and then the canoes drew out of range with all possible +speed.</p> + +<p>The Indian who had fallen into the water was a stranger to Henry. He was +not seriously wounded and not wishing to drown, came ashore, although +evidently in terror of the whites.</p> + +<p>"Don't shoot him!" cried Henry, as two of the others leveled their guns.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" drawled one of the rangers. "Reckon as how he desarves it, +don't he?"</p> + +<p>"I want to question him."</p> + +<p>In a few minutes more the Indian was a prisoner, and then the rangers +turned their attention to the pair that lay wounded some distance back. +One was dying, but the other suffered only from a slight wound in the +leg. The dying redman was left where he had fallen and the others were +taken back to the fort.</p> + +<p>It was not until some time later that Henry got a chance to question the +captured Indians. One could speak fairly good English but it was only +with difficulty that the young soldier could make him tell anything +concerning the Indians in general and the prisoners they were holding.</p> + +<p>But after Henry had taken the trouble to dress the wounded one's hurt +and had supplied him with water and food, the redman's tongue became +loosened, and he listened to what Henry had to say with increased +interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Missapaw has seen the little girls," he said. "Two are of the same +birth, and the other is called 'Nell.'"</p> + +<p>"And where are they now?" demanded Henry, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"They are with some Indians and some French traders, in the west—at the +mighty fall of waters."</p> + +<p>"You mean Niagara Falls?"</p> + +<p>The Indian nodded.</p> + +<p>"And who are the French traders?"</p> + +<p>"Missapaw knows but one of them—a trader of the Kinotah."</p> + +<p>"What, you don't mean Jean Bevoir?" cried the young soldier.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is his name."</p> + +<p>"And they are helping the Indians to hold the little girls captive. What +is their object?"</p> + +<p>"To make the little girls' fathers pay well for the return of the little +ones," was the answer.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> + +<h3>SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA</h3> + + +<p>We will now go back to Dave, at the time he was thrown into the waters +of the lake, in the midst of the storm.</p> + +<p>For the moment after the waters closed over him, the young soldier was +too bewildered to do more than throw out his hands wildly. He attempted +to cry out, and the water rushed into his mouth, almost drowning him. +Then he spluttered and struggled, and more by instinct than anything +else began to strike out.</p> + +<p>When he came up he took a fresh breath and dashed the water from his +eyes. He could see but little in the darkness, and although he could +hear many cries, and a shout or two from distant boats, yet the craft +remained invisible to him.</p> + +<p>At length another flash of lightning showed him that one batteau had +gone down and also showed him the sailor-soldier struggling near him.</p> + +<p>"Hullo there!" shouted the other, whose name was Simon Lapp. "Can you +swim?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but not extra well," panted Dave.</p> + +<p>"Move this way, then—the shore's over yonder, and I think we'll soon +strike bottom with our feet."</p> + +<p>Dave did as suggested, and ranged up alongside of Simon Lapp. The +proximity of the sailor-soldier gave the youth confidence, and he did +his best to keep up with the man.</p> + +<p>It was the hardest swim of his life and more than once Dave felt as if +the weight of his uniform would carry him down. The two were alone in +the vicinity, the others having either gone down or struck out for the +uninjured boats nearest to them.</p> + +<p>When Dave was almost exhausted he felt bottom under him, and hand in +hand he and Simon Lapp waded ashore. The rain was now coming down harder +than ever, and both crawled to the shelter of some overhanging trees, +regardless of the danger from lightning.</p> + +<p>"We're in a pickle, that's certain," observed Dave, when he felt able to +speak. "Do you reckon anybody will come to shore for us?"</p> + +<p>"More'n likely some of the boats have been driven ashore," answered +Lapp. "Let us be thankful that our lives have been spared."</p> + +<p>Dave was thankful, and as they crouched there in the darkness he uttered +a prayer to God for His mercies, and prayed that this adventure might +speedily be brought to a safe conclusion.</p> + +<p>As we know, the storm was not of long duration, and by nightfall Dave +and Lapp were walking along the shore, searching for friends, or for +some signs of the other batteaux.</p> + +<p>But, strange as it may seem, no boats showed themselves, nor did a +single human being come into sight.</p> + +<p>"Might as well give it up," said the sailor-soldier at last. "I'm too +tired to stick on my pins a minit longer. Let's make a fire and dry +off."</p> + +<p>Dave was agreeable, and the fire was started, although not without great +difficulty. In moving along the shore they had come across a few small +fish thrown up by the fury of the wind and these they cooked and ate.</p> + +<p>The next day found Dave and Lapp still in the woods. In some manner they +had strayed from the lake front and before nightfall they had covered +many miles in an endeavor to set themselves right once again. They had +found no more game, and being without means of shooting anything, or +even of going fishing, were almost starved for the want of food.</p> + +<p>"We've got to do something," said Dave, on the following morning. "If we +don't, we'll starve. I'm going to try to bring down some birds with +sticks and stones."</p> + +<p>He tried his best, but though he followed his plan up for fully an hour +not a bird did he hit, and by that time his arm was so tired that +further throwing was out of the question. In the meantime, his course +had brought him out on the lake front once more, and now while he +rested, Simon Lapp tried his hand at fishing, with a hook made out of a +thorn and some line manufactured from threads from his shirt.</p> + +<p>But the fish would not bite, and in an hour Lapp gave up the attempt in +disgust. Each looked at the other inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"The lake is full o' fish, and the woods full o' game—an' yet it looks +like we were meant to starve, Morris," said Lapp, slowly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say that!" cried Dave. "Something may turn up—it must turn +up!"</p> + +<p>He had scarcely spoken when Lapp leaped to his feet and pointed down the +lake shore. "A boat!" he cried.</p> + +<p>There was a speck on the water, and as it grew larger, Dave saw that it +was indeed a boat, quite a large affair, carrying a small sail and in +addition several men at oars.</p> + +<p>Were those in the craft friends or enemies? That was the interesting +question, and Dave felt his heart beat rapidly. If they were friends all +would be well, but if enemies——? They would not wish to expose +themselves, and yet to starve to death was out of the question.</p> + +<p>As the boat came closer, they crawled behind some bushes and crouched +down out of sight. Slowly the craft glided up, until it was less than a +hundred yards away. Then Simon Lapp leaped up and swung his arms wildly.</p> + +<p>"Boat ahoy!" he cried. "Boat ahoy!"</p> + +<p>Those in the craft heard the call and the rowers stopped rowing, while +all looked with interest toward the shore. Then Dave uttered a yell.</p> + +<p>"Henry! Henry!"</p> + +<p>"Hullo, Dave, is that you?" was the answer.</p> + +<p>"Yes. Come in and take us on board. We are almost starved!"</p> + +<p>"How many of you there?" questioned the officer in charge of the boat.</p> + +<p>"Only two," answered Simon Lapp. "And unarmed at that."</p> + +<p>"It's all right, sir," said Henry, to the officer in command. "That is +my cousin, who left Oswego with General Prideaux's command. I don't know +what he is doing here though."</p> + +<p>The boat came ashore, and soon Henry was shaking Dave by the hand. The +hungry ones were provided with food, and although this consisted of +nothing better than some boiled pork, with beans and crackers which were +anything but fresh, never had a meal tasted sweeter to both.</p> + +<p>The officer and the others listened with interest to what Lapp and Dave +had to tell. They had come across the waterlogged remains of the wrecked +batteaux and had been watching sharply for any signs of floating bodies. +They had come across that of Lieutenant Naster and had buried it but a +few hours before. The news that the lieutenant was dead caused Dave to +shudder.</p> + +<p>The rangers were bound for the Niagara River, having been sent out by +Colonel Haldimand with a message to General Prideaux, telling the latter +of the defeat and retreat of La Corne. It was possible that La Corne +would now move onward to assist in the defense of Fort Niagara in which +case measures would have to be taken to cut him off. But La Corne had +been too thoroughly whipped to move westward, and, besides, he was soon +after needed in other directions.</p> + +<p>Of course the news which Henry had to tell about little Nell and Jean +Bevoir was of great interest to Dave.</p> + +<p>"Did the Indian tell you just where she was being kept?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"He said so far as he knew the captives and the traders were at an +Indian village called Shumetta, not over two miles away from Niagara +Falls. He said Jean Bevoir spent part of his time at Shumetta and the +rest at Venango, where he has charge of a company of traders, who intend +to fight in the French army, if the war is carried into that territory."</p> + +<p>"I hope Bevoir does fight, and that we get a chance at him!" cried Dave. +"I really think I'd take pleasure in laying him low—such a rascal as he +is!"</p> + +<p>After the privations of the past two days Dave was well content to take +it easy as the boat sped on its way along the dark and silent shore of +Lake Ontario, then presenting an almost unbroken line of forest and +rocks, to-day the sites of many villages and thriving cities. As the +craft moved on, constant watch was kept for a possible French sail, but +none appeared.</p> + +<p>It took General Prideaux's flotilla between six and seven days to make +the journey westward, and it was not until the troops were landing that +the boat containing Dave and Henry reached the main army. General +Prideaux was at once acquainted with what had occurred at Oswego and +seemed well pleased to think that La Corne's strategy had not availed +him. He already knew of the loss of Lieutenant Naster and of four +others who were swept away by the storm.</p> + +<p>Dave and Lapp had been given up for lost by their friends who had +escaped from the wrecking of the batteau, and their re-appearance was +hailed with delight.</p> + +<p>It was General Prideaux's plan to land some distance from Fort Niagara, +and then lay siege to the place. The soldiers disembarked as silently as +possible, the trees, rocks and bushes keeping them well hidden from +those in the fort. Then, while several companies were left behind to +guard the boats and baggage, the rest of the army moved through the +woods, the engineering corps going ahead, to throw up entrenchments as +soon as such a move seemed necessary.</p> + +<p>The old fort, which was speedily to see its last days under French rule, +stood on the right bank of the Niagara River, where that picturesque +stream empties into Lake Ontario. It was both large and strongly built, +after the fashion of French fortification of that period. Within the +outer defenses were several buildings of considerable importance, for +this fort had stood as a guardian of lake and river for many years.</p> + +<p>The commander at the fort was Captain Pouchot, an able French officer, +who had seen service for many campaigns. He had under him a force of +about six hundred soldiers—trained veterans who could boast of more +than one victory. Up to a short while before, there had been other +soldiers in this vicinity, but not dreaming of an attack—for his Indian +spies had this time failed him—the French officer had allowed these to +depart—to Venango and other trading posts, and to several of the nearby +Indian villages. It was mid-summer, and traders and Indians hated to do +military duty when they could bring down game and make trades.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> + +<h3>THE BATTLE NEAR THE FALLS</h3> + + +<p>"We are certainly in for a fight now, Henry!"</p> + +<p>It was Dave who spoke, as he examined the priming of his new gun, to +make sure that the weapon was ready for use. "That little brush day +before yesterday woke the French up, and they will sail into us +heavily—if they can," he added.</p> + +<p>"Well, we came to fight," returned Henry, as he, too, looked his weapon +over. "And I guess we can be thankful, all things considered, that we +are here to do them battle and not killed, or laid up as Sam Barringford +is."</p> + +<p>"I hope Sam pulls through and that quickly."</p> + +<p>"The surgeon said he would—if he'll keep quiet for a while. But it's +like putting a torch to gun-powder to keep him quiet when there's a +scrimmage in sight,—he's such a born fighter."</p> + +<p>The two young soldiers were standing behind a breastworks which had been +thrown up early that morning. The first works thrown up by the English +engineering corps had proved untenable and the French had fired on them +with disastrous effect. But now they were comparatively safe; and the +English gunners were serving their various cannon steadily and +effectively, knocking the logs of the fort into bits with almost every +discharge.</p> + +<p>The fort had been under bombardment for several days, and the young +soldiers had been out on the firing line three times. But only one of +these times had been of any consequence and that was when a French +cannon ball, hitting some loose stones, had sent the latter in their +faces, scratching them both on each cheek and blinding a soldier +standing between them.</p> + +<p>The bombardment had been opened at rather long range, for General +Prideaux had not known the exact strength of the French garrison. Now +the worthy English general was dead, having been killed on the second +day by the unexpected explosion of a shell as it was being fired by some +English gunners from a small bronze mortar, generally called a coe-horn.</p> + +<p>The killing of General Prideaux placed the command of the expedition in +the hands of Sir William Johnson, who up to this time had been giving +all of his attention to the Indians who had volunteered to aid their +English brothers. Johnson was as quick to act as he was brave, and +having stationed his Indians where he could call upon them at a moment's +notice, had the English make another advance on the next day, which +brought the cannon to bear directly on the most vital parts of the fort.</p> + +<p>Captain Pouchot was now thoroughly alarmed, and under cover of darkness, +sent out messengers in various directions, to bring up the soldiers, +traders, and friendly Indians from Venango, Presqu'île, Detroit, and +other points. These different forces were to join together at some point +near Lake Erie and then sail down the Niagara River to the vicinity of +the Falls, where they were to disembark and then march forward with the +idea of attacking the English from the rear.</p> + +<p>Having sent forth his messengers the French commander now undertook to +do his best until the reinforcements should arrive. The English attack +was answered with spirit, so that day after day the air was filled with +shot and shell, hurled either into the fort or from it.</p> + +<p>The attack Dave had mentioned came late that afternoon and was followed +by another on the next day and still another two days later.</p> + +<p>It was hot work, for the July sun blazed down with unmitigating vigor, +and had the young soldiers not been toughened to a life in the open they +would have done as many of the English grenadiers did, fallen down in +the entrenchments exhausted. There was a continual demand for water and +it was fortunate for all that a good supply was close at hand. This same +supply more than once saved the fort from burning down.</p> + +<p>Both Dave and Henry had hoped to gain permission from General Johnson to +go off in search of little Nell, taking several friends with them. But +when they broached the subject the brave-hearted Irish commander shook +his head.</p> + +<p>"It will do you no good, young men," he said, kindly. "Stay with me, and +if we win out—as we must—I will do all possible to rescue the +children."</p> + +<p>The general was sure of a victory and his spirit proved contagious to +all under him. As the days went by the bombardment of the fort +continued, until Captain Pouchot had lost fully half a hundred of his +garrison. Impatiently he awaited the reinforcements from up the river.</p> + +<p>But if he had expected to catch Sir William Johnson napping he was sadly +mistaken. The commander of the English forces was thoroughly wide-awake, +and had his scouts out in all directions, and these included a dozen old +backwoodsmen and fully a score of Indians who could be depended upon to +do their best, no matter what the risk. It may be as well to mention +that among these scouts was White Buffalo, who had followed from Oswego +to Fort Niagara, not alone to aid Sir William Johnson but also to assist +the Morrises to find little Nell.</p> + +<p>The attack on the fort had begun on the seventh of July. On the +twenty-fourth word came in through the spies that a force of French and +Indians were coming down the river from Lake Erie. This body of +soldiers, traders and Indians was twelve hundred strong, and was +commanded by several French officers of note. The traders were of the +most savage and lawless kind and many of them were in the habit of +dressing like the Indians and smearing their faces with the same +war-paint.</p> + +<p>The word concerning this body came in late in the day and that night +General Johnson ordered forward a large part of his force, including +some grenadiers, some rangers and his Indians. The troops were cautioned +to move forward without making unnecessary noise, and to be certain of +what was taking place before opening fire.</p> + +<p>"Now for some real fighting!" cried Dave. "This won't be any such play +as besieging the fort."</p> + +<p>"Well, that hasn't been play to my notion," answered Henry. "At least it +wasn't play when that cannon ball came and blinded poor Campbell."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'm with ye, lads!" came a voice from behind them, and turning +swiftly they beheld Sam Barringford standing there, rifle in hand, and +with his throat done up in a bandage.</p> + +<p>"Where in the world did you come from?" ejaculated Henry. "Why, you +ought to be in the hospital!"</p> + +<p>"Not by a jugful, Henry! I'm well enough ag'in, I can tell ye—though I +allow as how my neck's a bit stiff."</p> + +<p>"How did you get here?"</p> + +<p>"Came up on a boat that brought some ammunition. Reckon I'm jest in +time, too, eh?"</p> + +<p>"You ought to take it easy, Sam," said Dave. "You've done enough—"</p> + +<p>"Cut it short, lad; I can't sit still when thar's a scrimmage on—no two +ways about it. Besides, I promised your folks to stay with ye, remember +thet,—an' I'm bound to keep my promise. Come along, an' tell me what +ye've been up to sence we parted company."</p> + +<p>As they trudged forward, along the Indian trail which led along the +bluff on the east side of the Niagara River, the youths related their +various adventures. Barringford was astonished to learn how Dave had +been nearly drowned and starved and how Henry and others had come up +just in the nick of time.</p> + +<p>"It's the work of an all-wise an' all-powerful Providence, thet's what +it is, lads," he said, reverently. "When we can't help ourselves it does +seem jest like an arm reached down out o' the clouds to give us a lift."</p> + +<p>On and still on went the soldiers, some keeping to the trail and others +skirting the river and the thick forest beyond. To those who had been on +guard duty during the day it was a tiresome tramp, but the life of the +soldier, as I have had occasion to say before, is not all glory, but is +usually a mixture of one-tenth glory and nine-tenths work and +duty-doing.</p> + +<p>At last came the welcome command to halt. The soldiers were now less +than a mile away from the falls and in the stillness of the early +morning the great body of falling waters could be distinctly heard—a +muffled roar which keeps on day and night now just as it did in those +days and just as it has done probably for centuries upon centuries.</p> + +<p>The rangers to which our friends belonged came to a halt in a little +grove of trees and both Dave and Henry were glad that they were not +called upon to do picket duty. They sank down to rest, and despite the +undertone of excitement observable on every hand, fell into a light +slumber, from which Barringford did not arouse them until it was +absolutely necessary.</p> + +<p>When they awoke there was a fierce yelling in the distance, followed by +a number of scattering shots. The fight had opened between the Mohawks +on one side and the Iroquois on the other. Soon the French traders +leaped into the fray, and then the soldiers on both sides followed.</p> + +<p>The French and their allies had come around the falls by the portage +trail and the battle began at some little distance below the falls. The +Indians fought like so many demons, both sides taking as many scalps as +possible. Soon the forest and the open space were filled with gun-smoke.</p> + +<p>"Forward!" came the cry. "Forward! We must drive them back! They must +never reach the fort!" And forward went our friends, and in a moment +more Dave, Henry, and Barringford found themselves in the very thickest +of the fray.</p> + +<p>Dirty looking traders confronted them, several Dave had seen before, on +the Kinotah, and some of these tried their best to bring down the son of +the English trader they so hated. But Dave was un-touched, although one +bullet did pierce his jacket. The rush of the English rangers was +successful and soon the Frenchmen scattered to the right and the left.</p> + +<p>But now a body of French soldiery was coming forward on the +double-quick. The rangers had no time to reload their weapons, and so +leaped forward for a hand-to-hand contest, such as soldiers of to-day +know little or nothing about, where bayonet met clubbed musket and sword +the long and equally dangerous hunting knife of the pioneer, and where +many a contest was settled in short order with the naked fist, if no +better weapon was handy. It was a time to bring out "real grit" in the +best meaning of that term.</p> + +<p>Henry had discharged his gun and was now trying to club off two French +soldiers who had attacked him with their bayonets. He struck one of the +enemy on the head, sending him reeling, but the force of the blow made +him lose his balance and he too fell, but only upon his knees.</p> + +<p>"Ha! now we have you!" cried another French soldier, close by, as he saw +Henry slip, and lowering his bayonet he charged on the youth, intending +to run him through on the spot!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h2> + +<h3>INTO THE NIAGARA RAPIDS</h3> + + +<p>For the moment it looked as if poor Henry's last moment on earth had +come and the young soldier closed his eyes to meet the fate he thought +could not be averted.</p> + +<p>"Back with you!" came a cry from Dave, and making a wild leap forward, +he swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head. The blow, +however, merely grazed the enemy's cap, which fell upon the forest +sward. Then the Frenchman drew back and made another desperate lunge +forward.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter"> +<a name="illus8" id="illus8"></a> +<img src="images/illus8.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<h3>He swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head.</h3> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>At that instant a rifle report rang out. Sam Barringford, who had just +reloaded his weapon, had seen Henry go down and was as quick to act as +Dave had been. He was in such a position that he could not get a full +view of the Frenchman but he could see the extended arms and the gun +with the bayonet, and he fired at these.</p> + +<p>His aim was true, and with a howl of pain, as the bullet cracked his +elbow joint, the enemy dropped the weapon just as the bayonet point was +entering the cloth of Henry's jacket. Then, finding himself wounded and +defenseless, the Frenchman lost no time in retreating and was soon lost +to sight behind the trees.</p> + +<p>Now was no time to thank Barringford for what he had done, for the +fighting still continued on every side. Dave helped his cousin to his +feet, and soon the pair, with the faithful old frontiersman, were again +in the thick of the fray. The forest was heavy with gun smoke so that in +spots but little could be seen, and more than once it happened that one +side or the other fired into the ranks of its friends.</p> + +<p>Inside of quarter of an hour our friends found themselves in something +of an open spot bordering the river, at a point where the rapids rushed +furiously along the rocks on their way to the lake. Here, as they were +moving forward, to join a body of English soldiers fifty yards away, +they were suddenly confronted by a body of Iroquois who came upon them +uttering the most horrible war-cries the youths had ever heard, and +brandishing their tomahawks and scalping knives.</p> + +<p>"On yer guard thar!" came from Barringford. "They air after us +hot-footed now!"</p> + +<p>He swung around, and as the nearest Iroquois came within a dozen steps +of him, he let the savage have the contents of his gun full in the +breast, killing him instantly. Then the boys also fired, wounding two +others. This halted the Indians for the moment, but quickly recovering, +they darted forward with increased fury, bent upon adding the scalps of +the three whites to their belts ere the battle should come to an end.</p> + +<p>It was Dave who found himself the first attacked. A tall Iroquois, +straight as an arrow, leaped upon him and tried to stab him with a +hunting knife. The young soldier warded off the blow, with his gun, and +in a trice the pair were locked in each other's arms and swaying back +and forth over the rocks. The Indian muttered something between his set +teeth, but Dave did not understand what was said.</p> + +<p>Henry and Barringford were also attacked, so they could do nothing for +their companion. The Iroquois were ten strong, and soon it looked as if +all our friends would undoubtedly be killed and scalped.</p> + +<p>The Indian who had attacked Dave had made a desperate clutch at the +young soldier's throat. But Dave had caught the wrist so quickly thrust +forth, and now the two were fighting with one arm of each thrust out and +up and the other wound tightly about the enemy's neck. Thus they swayed +back and forth, each doing his best to force an advantage and each +failing. Both looked about, thinking that possible assistance might be +at hand, but all the others engaged in the combat were too busy to +notice them.</p> + +<p>Slowly but surely the pair drew closer to the edge of the river, which +at this point was some fifteen or twenty feet below the ledge of rock +upon which the combat was occurring. In the stream the rapids swirled +and boiled in every direction, occasionally sending a shower of spray up +to their very feet. The dampness made the rocks slippery and both had +all they could do to retain their footing.</p> + +<p>At last Dave seemed to obtain a slight advantage. The Indian relaxed his +vigor for just a moment and in that fraction of time the young soldier +caught him by the throat and gave him such a squeeze that the redman's +windpipe was well-nigh dislocated.</p> + +<p>At this the Indian uttered a grunt and began to back away, but still +retained his grip on Dave. This brought the pair closer than ever to the +edge of the rocks.</p> + +<p>"Look out!" came a sudden cry from Henry, who happened to see the +movement. "Dave! Dave! Look out!"</p> + +<p>Dave heard the cry, but was powerless to heed it. At the very edge the +rocks were worn smooth, and of a sudden the Indian slid backward +dragging the young soldier with him! Over went both, into the flying +spray, to disappear a moment later beneath the surface of the fiercely +running rapids.</p> + +<p>Henry saw the fall and his heart leaped into his throat, for he felt +that it could mean but one thing for his cousin, and that death. But +even had he been able to do anything, which was doubtful, he was given +no chance, for now the advancing Iroquois surrounded him and Barringford +upon every side.</p> + +<p>The scene to follow was one which it would be hard for pen to describe. +Feeling that it might be his last stand on earth, Barringford's whole +will-power arose to the occasion, and once again he was the very +personification of reckless courage, just as he had been when the +Indians had attacked the trading post on the Kinotah. With clubbed +musket he whirled around from right to left and left to right so quickly +that the human eye could scarcely follow him.</p> + +<p>"Come on, ye red sarpints o' the woods!" he yelled. "Come on, an' I'll +show ye the real trick o' fightin'! Ye don't know what a roarin', +blusterin' hurricane ole Sam Barringford is when he's woke up, do ye? +Thar's one fer ye, an' thar's another, an' another! Cut me loose, will +ye! I'll show what a generwine ole Injun fighter kin do! Yer nuthin' +'tall but a lot of measly pappoose, thet's wot ye be, an' don't yer go +fer to wake up sech a roarin' mountain painter as me!"</p> + +<p>Barringford had just brought down his third Indian and was still at it, +with Henry lending all the aid possible, when there came a sudden +war-cry from the woods to the north of the opening. It was the cry of +Indians friendly to the English, and scarcely had it ended when White +Buffalo burst into view, followed by a number of his braves.</p> + +<p>A glance told the chief what was happening, and without delay he leaped +in to aid our friends, and in a moment more the redmen on both sides +were having a battle as warm as the one just ended. But the Iroquois had +suffered about all they could stand, and soon those that were able to +move were in full retreat, while the others were just as speedily +dispatched and scalped by the redmen who had put them to flight.</p> + +<p>As soon as he was at liberty to do so, Henry approached the edge of the +rocks, to ascertain, if possible, what had become of his cousin. Here, +while he was peering eagerly down into the rapids and flying spray, +Barringford joined him. Both were suffering from several small wounds +from which the blood flowed freely, but to these hurts they, just then, +paid no attention.</p> + +<p>"Whar's Dave?" was the frontiersman's question, as he proceeded to +reload his rifle.</p> + +<p>"Why, didn't you see him, Sam? He and a redskin had each other by the +throat and both went over into the river."</p> + +<p>"Gollywhoppers, Henry, you don't mean it! When was thet?"</p> + +<p>"Just before White Buffalo and his braves came up."</p> + +<p>"And they went over right here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>Barringford peered sharply down the stream for nearly half a minute, +while Henry did the same.</p> + +<p>"Don't see no sight of 'em; do you?" he said, slowly.</p> + +<p>"No." Henry drew a long breath and shuddered. "Oh, Sam, I—I hope Dave +isn't drowned!"</p> + +<p>At this the backwoodsman shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>"So do I hope it, lad. But war is war ye must remember, an' we can't +expect to kill the enemy right along an' hev nuthin' happen to us."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but—" Henry could not finish because of the lump which came up in +his throat. "I'm going to follow the river and see if I can't find out +the truth," he blurted out at length.</p> + +<p>"Sure. Come on."</p> + +<p>The fighting now seemed to be at an end in that neighborhood, and +although they could hear gun-shots in the direction of the falls, and +further to the southward, not a French soldier or an unfriendly Indian +remained in sight.</p> + +<p>For the day had been irretrievably lost to the enemy, and with one +hundred and fifty of the French and Indians killed, and over one hundred +French taken prisoners, the remainder of the attacking force had fled in +wild confusion past the falls and upper rapids to where lay the boats +which had brought them down from Lake Erie. Into these boats they +tumbled with all possible speed and sped in the direction whence they +had come. They were followed by some of the English and by Indians, who +ran along the shore for a distance of half a mile, shooting down every +enemy who could be reached by bullet or arrow.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> + +<h3>FALL OF FORT NIAGARA</h3> + + +<p>So intent were Dave and his enemy on getting the better of each other +that neither noticed their close proximity to the river until it was too +late to do anything to save themselves.</p> + +<p>Down they went through the flying spray, to strike the boiling waters +which flowed so rapidly at the base of the rocks. Both went under like a +flash and with equal quickness were borne along by that treacherous +current which had proved the death of so many in the past and will most +likely bring death to many more in the future.</p> + +<p>The redman did not relax his hold even when both had been under the +surface for some time. To him it was a struggle to the death, and he +cared not how the grim terror might come, so long as the hated white +person should go down with him.</p> + +<p>But Dave, much younger, and with the hope of youth in his veins, did not +intend to give up thus easily. As the waters of the river closed over +him the idea of further battle with his opponent ended, and his one +thought was now of how to save himself from drowning. He had been warned +of the stream's treachery, and he knew that to keep from perishing would +be no easy task.</p> + +<p>With all the strength he could command he essayed to push the Indian +away from him. But the warrior clung closer, for he could not swim and +knew he could gain nothing by being left to himself. Thus the pair +continued to struggle, and in the meanwhile the current carried them +further and further away from the spot where the unfortunate tumble had +occurred.</p> + +<p>"I must get loose somehow!" thought the youth. "If only I could break +that hold on my throat!" But the hold was like that of a steel band, and +instead of loosening it seemed to grow tighter, until poor Dave's head +began to swim and he gave himself up for lost. He drew up his knee and +forced it against the Indian's breast, but still his endeavors had no +effect. And now the water began to enter his mouth and nose and he felt +himself growing unconscious. A thousand thoughts flashed through his +mind—of Henry and Sam, and of his father and the other dear ones left +behind. Was this to be the end of all—this drowning in the grasp of a +hideously painted Indian?</p> + +<p>Suddenly came an awful shock which threw Dave heels over head in the +swirling waters. In their rapid passage down the stream, the Indian's +head had struck fairly and squarely on a jagged rock just below the +surface. The fearful impact of the blow had crushed in the warrior's +skull like an egg-shell, and instantly his hold relaxed, and in a moment +more the body passed from sight.</p> + +<p>The shock threw Dave on another rock, rising less than a foot above the +surface of the stream. Amid the foam and spray he felt the edge of the +stone and by instinct more than reason he clutched at it wildly and held +fast. Then, as he recovered his breath, he drew himself up until his +head and his back were out of the water. His feet swung around with the +current and there he remained, with the water tugging strongly to drag +him down from his temporary place of safety.</p> + +<p>He was in this position when discovered by the sharp eyes of Henry and +Sam Barringford, and with all possible speed they ran down to the bit of +shore which stuck out to within thirty feet of Dave's resting place.</p> + +<p>"Dave! Dave!" called Henry. "Are you all right?"</p> + +<p>"Henry! Help me! I—I can't stand th—this strain much longer," was the +answer, delivered with a jerk and a gasp.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to git a rope," came from Barringford. He raised his voice. +"Hold tight, Dave, and we'll save you!"</p> + +<p>He was off on the run then and Henry heard him crashing along the trail +of the portage. Dave could hear but little save the pounding and rushing +of the river torrent on all sides. He looked toward his cousin through +the flying spray and the appeal went straight to Henry's heart.</p> + +<p>The young soldier looked around. Not far away grew a number of saplings. +He leaped toward the nearest, and with his hunting knife commenced to +hack it down. The task was almost completed when Barringford reappeared.</p> + +<p>"Thought I knowed whar I could git a rope," said the backwoodsman, as he +held up the article. "Seen a dead Frencher with it a spell back. Going +to git a tree, eh? Perhaps we'll need thet too. Let's try the rope +fust."</p> + +<p>He made a noose, and flung it forth with care. It slid close to where +Dave lay, but the youth failed to grasp it. Then the rope was flung a +second and a third time.</p> + +<p>At last Dave caught the noose, and managed, although not without great +difficulty, to slide it up his left arm above the elbow. This would +leave his hands free to battle with any obstruction which might +threaten him in the dangerous passage from the rock to the shore.</p> + +<p>"Are you ready to be pulled in?" queried Barringford.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but be careful. There's a sharp rock just below this point. I just +caught sight of it," answered Dave.</p> + +<p>"We'll pull you up stream—if we can," answered the backwoodsman.</p> + +<p>In another moment Dave was again in the mad current. Planting their feet +firmly between cracks in the rocks on shore, Henry and Barringford +pulled in as quickly as possible.</p> + +<p>As all had supposed, the current swung Dave down the stream and then +flung him up along the rocks lining the bank. Still holding the rope +Barringford told Henry to run down and help his cousin out of the water, +and this the young soldier did.</p> + +<p>Poor Dave was more dead than alive, and for a good half hour felt too +weak to move from the river bank. While he was resting, with the others +beside him, a small detachment of the English grenadiers came up.</p> + +<p>"The battle is over," said one of them, in answer to Barringford's +question on that point. "We've whipped 'em finely, and it's doubtful if +they ever come back to try it over again."</p> + +<p>"If that's the fact, then it means the fall of Fort Niagara," put in +Henry. "The commander there has undoubtedly been waiting for +reinforcements."</p> + +<p>"Well, we're here to make the fort surrender," answered the soldier from +England.</p> + +<p>The soldiers had some rations with them, including some coffee, and +after Barringford had started a fire whereat Dave might dry himself, the +youth was given something hot to drink, which did much to revive him.</p> + +<p>What Henry had said about the fall of the fort was true. That very +evening General Johnson sent a Major Harvey to the commander of the +fort, with news of the defeat at the falls and stating that the fort had +better surrender at once, otherwise the Indians friendly to the English +might take it into their heads to massacre all the French prisoners.</p> + +<p>At first Captain Pouchot could not believe that the disaster to the +French cause had been so great, and to convince him he was allowed to +send an aide into the British camp. The aide reported that the contest +was indeed lost, and thereupon, early on the following morning, Fort +Niagara surrendered, and six hundred and eighteen officers and men +became English prisoners. Later on, the majority of the prisoners were +sent to England while the women and the children who had been driven to +the fort for protection were, at their own request, allowed to depart +for Montreal.</p> + +<p>The fall of Fort Niagara accomplished all that the English government +and the colonists had hoped for. It broke the chain of defenses the +French had established between the lakes and the lower Mississippi, and +closely following this disaster the enemy were compelled to vacate +Venango, Presqu'île, La Bœuf, and other points, including the trading +posts on the Ohio and the Kinotah. They retired to Detroit, and to the +upper bank of the St. Lawrence, and the English and colonists quickly +took possession of the places vacated.</p> + +<p>It was not deemed necessary that Dave and his friends return to the +vicinity of the fort the next day, and they and a party of rangers +numbering eighteen encamped along the bank of the Niagara. Two of the +rangers were suffering from wounds in the shoulders, and they and Dave +were made as comfortable as possible, so that by the next night the +young soldier felt once more like himself.</p> + +<p>"But I never want to tumble into that river again," he said to Henry +with a shudder. "I felt as if every minute was going to be my last."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you were lucky though," answered his cousin. "Think of what that +redskin got. It might have been your head instead of his."</p> + +<p>"I've seen that Indian before, Henry. I can't tell where, exactly, but I +think it was out at father's trading post."</p> + +<p>"That's not unlikely. I suppose all those rascally French Indians came +on with the French soldiers and traders to wipe us out. Well, they got +what they least expected."</p> + +<p>While the majority of the rangers were resting several of the number +went off in search of game, for provisions were now running low. The +most of the birds and wild animals had been scared away by the noise of +battle, and the hunters had to beat about for several miles before they +found what they wanted.</p> + +<p>On the return to the camp beside the river they heard a man calling +feebly in French, and moving toward the sound, discovered a French +trader lying in some brushwood, covered with blood and dirt, the picture +of weakness and despair. The trader had been shot in the leg and could +not walk and was suffering for the want of food and water as well as +attention to his wound.</p> + +<p>"For ze love of heaven, do not leave me here," he begged, piteously. +"Help me, kind sirs, and I vill revard you vell."</p> + +<p>The trader was evidently a rough sort of a man, yet the rangers took +pity on him, even though he did belong to the ranks of the enemy. Food +and drink were furnished, and the wound washed and bound up, and then +the rangers carried the prisoner with them to the camp.</p> + +<p>Dave and Barringford saw the rangers returning, and at the sight of the +prisoner Barringford leaped to his feet in high excitement.</p> + +<p>"Jean Bevoir!" he exclaimed. "Jean Bevoir, jest as sure as fate!"</p> + +<p>"Bevoir!" ejaculated Dave.</p> + +<p>"Bevoir?" repeated Henry, who stood near. "Do you mean to say that +fellow is Bevoir?"</p> + +<p>"It is!" answered Barringford. "He's wounded, too."</p> + +<p>Without waiting to hear more, Henry, followed by Dave, ran forward to +where the prisoner had been placed on a moss-grown bank.</p> + +<p>"You are Jean Bevoir," he began, sternly.</p> + +<p>"Ah! you know me, eh?" returned the French trader. "I do not seem to +know you?" and a puzzled look crossed his face.</p> + +<p>"Then I'll tell you who I am!" roared Henry, clenching his fists. "I am +Henry Morris, of Will's Creek. This is my cousin Dave Morris. You +helped to steal my little sister Nell. Where is she? Tell me this +minute!"</p> + +<p>As Henry finished he advanced, as if to strike the prisoner down where +he sat. Jean Bevoir grew pale and trembled with fear.</p> + +<p>"No! no! do not heet me!" he cried. "I no do zat. Eet ees von mistake! I +no see ze gal! I——"</p> + +<p>"Don't talk that way to me!" interrupted Henry, whose blood was +thoroughly aroused. "You'll tell me where she is, and at once, or +I'll—I'll—" he hesitated and looked around, and then caught up a gun +standing near. "I'll blow your head off, that's what I'll do!"</p> + +<p>It is doubtful whether Henry would have carried out his threat, but his +manner was so earnest that for once Jean Bevoir, wounded as he was, was +well-nigh scared to death. He put up his hands beseechingly. Then he +looked at the rangers gathered around; but no one stepped to his aid, +for all had heard of his doings, and of how little Nell and the Rose +twins had been carried off into captivity by the Indians and of how +Bevoir had plotted to hold them for a ransom. Many looked at him as +little short of a brigand, or pirate, and would not have been sorry had +his miserable existence been ended then and there.</p> + +<p>"No! no!" cried the trader and clasped his hands tremblingly before him. +"No shoot, please you!"</p> + +<p>"Then tell me where my little sister is!"</p> + +<p>"I—I know not zat—now. I—I—the Indians da run away, an——"</p> + +<p>Bevoir broke off short. The gun had been lowered, but now it was once +more brought up and the muzzle touched his forehead. He gave a yell of +terror and rolled backward.</p> + +<p>"Stop! No shoot me! I will tell you all!" he screamed. "No shoot! De gal +she in von cave up de river, near de falls. Da Indians bring her dare. +No shoot! I show da place. No shoot!"</p> + +<p>"In a cave near the falls?" queried Henry.</p> + +<p>"Yees, yees! Not far from here. She dare now, if not runned avay. I +show, you no shoot me!"</p> + +<p>"Then show the way," commanded Henry. "And remember, if you are telling +a lie, it will go hard with you."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII</h2> + +<h3>LITTLE NELL—CONCLUSION</h3> + + +<p>Jean Bevoir was now thoroughly cowed, and once having exposed himself he +did all in his power to curry favor with those he had so deeply wronged, +in the hope that they would relent in their treatment of him and perhaps +grant him his ultimate liberty. But neither Henry nor the others would +make him any promises, for nobody had any intention of letting him go +free.</p> + +<p>"He deserves to become a prisoner," said Dave. "And he ought to be put +in solitary confinement and on bread and water."</p> + +<p>"Right ye are, lad," said Barringford. "He's wuss nor a snake in the +grass. I don't wonder Henry felt like pepperin' him on the spot."</p> + +<p>It was well along in the middle of the afternoon and the rangers who had +been out on the hunt were thoroughly tired, yet it was arranged that +those who had remained in camp should move to the cave near the falls +without delay, after getting minute directions from Jean Bevoir, so that +there should be no chance of making a mistake in the route. A strict +guard was ordered over the trader and he was given to understand that if +anything went wrong with those who set out on the search for little Nell +and the others the blame would fall upon him.</p> + +<p>It must be said that the hearts of both Henry and Dave beat rapidly as +they pushed along the trail leading towards the falls. Henry, as we +know, loved his little sister dearly, and Dave's affection for his +little cousin was scarcely less strong. Throughout the whole campaign +there had not been a day when they had not thought of her and of what +she must be suffering.</p> + +<p>Barringford led the advance, having questioned Bevoir so closely that he +said he felt he could find the cave in the dark. As the party moved on, +all kept their eyes and ears wide open for a possible surprise by the +enemy.</p> + +<p>But as we already know, French and Indians had fled in the direction of +their boats beyond the upper rapids, and the only persons met with were +half a dozen braves under White Buffalo, who were out doing spy duty for +General Johnson.</p> + +<p>"Heap glad to see Dave well," said White Buffalo, when they met. "Hear +Dave go into rushing waters. Glad Dave get out."</p> + +<p>"So am I glad, White Buffalo. And how did you make out in the battle?"</p> + +<p>For answer the chief pointed to his girdle, at which hung two freshly +taken Indian scalps. Then he pointed to the girdles of his followers, +all similarly adorned. Dave nodded to show that he understood.</p> + +<p>In these days such a showing would make one shiver, but in colonial +times the taking of scalps by the Indians was such a common occurrence +that it occasioned little or no comment, especially when practiced on an +enemy of the same color. A few of the French soldiers had been scalped, +but not many, since General Johnson had given strict orders that no +mutilation of the whites would be allowed. On the other hand, the French +Indians engaged in the battle had committed all the atrocities possible +before retreating to the upper river and the woods.</p> + +<p>Learning what was taking place, White Buffalo asked the privilege of +joining the party with one of his braves, and this was readily granted. +On they went again, through the thick undergrowth and around the rough +rocks, for in those days where the town of Niagara Falls now stands was +little short of a complete wilderness.</p> + +<p>At length White Buffalo called a halt and pointed to the ground. +Barringford had been watching the trail intently.</p> + +<p>"Fresh footprints, eh, White Buffalo?" queried the frontiersman.</p> + +<p>"Indians close by," answered the chief, gravely. "No friends to the +English."</p> + +<p>"Then we'll go slow."</p> + +<p>The Indian grunted, and the word was passed for every soldier to be on +his guard. Barringford now calculated that they were less than quarter +of a mile away from where Jean Bevoir had said the cave was situated.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a shot rang out and this was followed by the whizzing of an +arrow over Barringford's head. One of the rangers had been struck in the +shoulder, although the wound was but a trifle.</p> + +<p>"This way," shouted Barringford, who had been chosen as the leader, and +all followed him to a thicket. In another moment they had caught sight +of several Indians and two French traders hurrying along a trail leading +to the river bank above the falls.</p> + +<p>"Look! look!" cried Dave, suddenly. "There is little Nell now! An Indian +has her in his arms!"</p> + +<p>He was right, and soon they saw two other Indians who were carrying the +Rose twins. The dusky trio appeared but for a moment, then slipped out +of sight in the timber.</p> + +<p>With a yell to the others to follow, Dave darted after the redman who +held little Nell, and Henry, Barringford and White Buffalo came close +behind him. On they went through thickets which almost tore the clothing +from their bodies and over rough rocks. The Indians seemed to know the +way and kept a good distance ahead despite their burdens.</p> + +<p>But now those in front had to cross a little opening, and while doing +this Barringford and White Buffalo fired on them, bringing two of the +number down. They were the Indians holding the Rose twins and in a few +minutes more the twins, who were sobbing in fright, were safe in the +rangers' care.</p> + +<p>The Indian holding little Nell now bounded on with increased speed, +making directly for the bluff overlooking the mighty falls. He knew of +the opening under the falls and hoped by some chance to throw his +pursuers off the scent and gain this hiding-place.</p> + +<p>But those in pursuit were too clever for him, and in perplexity he +turned, like a hunted hare, and started out on the bluff. Then, as he +came again into the open, he swung little Nell to his back and held her +there.</p> + +<p>"He is making for the falls!" screamed Henry.</p> + +<p>"What! do you think he means to jump over?" questioned Dave, in fresh +horror.</p> + +<p>"It looks like it. I reckon he's afraid if he's captured that we'll +torture him."</p> + +<p>This was probably the truth, and having glanced back once, to see if +they were still pursuing him, the Indian kept on, until he was less than +fifty feet away from the brink of the cataract.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dave—shall we—we shoot?" faltered Henry.</p> + +<p>"We must!" was the quick answer. "It's our one chance to save Nell!"</p> + +<p>Up came his gun, and up also came the weapons of Henry and several +others of the party. Four reports rang out almost as one. The Indian +staggered a dozen steps and pitched headlong, carrying little Nell down +with him. Both lay perfectly still close to the brink of the cataract.</p> + +<p>For the moment neither Henry nor Dave dared to go forward. Supposing one +of those four bullets had found little Nell's body instead of that of +the Indian?</p> + +<p>It was Barringford who advanced, with several of the rangers. A glance +showed him that the Indian was dead, with two bullets through the lower +portion of his back. Little Nell lay beside the fallen Indian, +unconscious and with the blood flowing from a scratch on her right lower +limb. She was only stunned by the shock and as Barringford picked her up +she opened her eyes wildly.</p> + +<p>"Let me go! Please let me go!" she screamed, and then, on catching sight +of her preserver, stared in astonishment. "Oh, Mr. Barringford, is it +really you? Oh, I'm so glad! Save me from the naughty Indian."</p> + +<p>"The Injun is dead, Nell," he answered, and then as Henry and Dave +rushed up, he added, "You are safe enough now."</p> + +<p>Henry caught his little sister in his arms and both hugged each other +tightly. The young soldier was too overcome to say a word, nor could +Dave speak as he embraced his cousin. It was truly a happy moment.</p> + +<p>In a little while the other rangers came up with the Rose twins, who +were as delighted as little Nell to find themselves among friends once +more. In the mean time the other unfriendly Indians and the French +traders disappeared, and although White Buffalo and some of the rangers +went after them, they could not be captured.</p> + +<p>That evening, seated around a generous camp-fire, and after the best +supper they had enjoyed for many a day, little Nell and her companions +told the tale of their captivity,—how the Indians had at first carried +them off, how they had been moved from one spot to another, and of how +Jean Bevoir had finally taken charge of them. The little girls were too +young to understand how the rascally trader had hoped to make money by +having them ransomed, but the boys and the other soldiers understood, +and they made up their minds that Bevoir should not escape them and that +the whole matter should be laid before the proper authorities at the +earliest possible date.</p> + +<p>"But I am so glad to be with you again!" murmured little Nell, as she +nestled down between Henry and Dave. "I hope the bad Indians never carry +me off again!"</p> + +<p>"They shall never do it if I can help it," answered Henry; and Dave +echoed the sentiment.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>Let me add a few words more and then bring to a close this story of two +young soldiers' adventures while "Marching on Niagara."</p> + +<p>On the day following the rescue of little Nell and the Rose twins all +our friends took themselves to Fort Niagara, which was now occupied by +French and English combined. With the party went Jean Bevoir, a +thoroughly miserable prisoner of war. The trader begged hard to be given +his freedom and offered all sorts of inducements to those having him in +charge, but nobody would listen to him, and one ranger threatened to +thrash him if he ever mentioned a bribe again. At the fort the matter +was laid before Sir William Johnson, and Bevoir was placed under guard +in the military hospital; and that was the last seen or heard from him +for some time to come.</p> + +<p>Little Nell was very anxious to get back home, to see her father and +mother, as well as Rodney and her Uncle James, and it was finally +decided that she should be sent back, along with the Rose twins and a +number of other captives who had turned up. The party was placed in +charge of a company of rangers including Hans Schnitzer, who in the +siege of the fort had lost an ear, and of Barringford, who had given his +word to Joseph Morris that if he found little Nell he would not leave +her out of his sight until the miss was once again with her parents.</p> + +<p>"But what will you boys do?" questioned the backwoodsman of Dave and +Henry.</p> + +<p>"We have decided to remain in the army and see this war to a finish," +said Dave. "We've got the French and their Indian allies on the run, as +they call it, and both of us feel that it's our duty to remain at the +front."</p> + +<p>"That feelin' does ye both credit," was Barringford's answer. "Well, I +reckon you'll git fighting enough before you're done. If it keeps on +very much longer I allow as how I'll be back with ye sooner or later." +What Barringford said about getting fighting enough was true, and the +further adventures of our young friends will be related in another +volume, to be entitled "At the Fall of Montreal; Or, A Soldier Boy's +Final Victory." In this volume we shall meet all our old friends again +and learn what they did toward establishing a lasting victory over +France in Canada.</p> + +<p>It was not long after the taking of Fort Niagara that the boys received +good news from home. Matters were going well with all those left behind, +and they were delighted to learn that little Nell was safe and would +soon be with them. Dave's father was likewise delighted to learn that +Jean Bevoir was a prisoner and that the French hold on the Ohio River +and its tributaries was broken. He felt certain that the French traders +and the Indians under them would never regain that which had been lost, +and that in another season at the latest he would be perfectly safe in +re-establishing his trading post on the Kinotah, and that by that time +matters would be in proper shape for doing more trading than ever +before.</p> + +<p>"I hope what he says proves true," said Dave, as he and Henry read the +letter on the subject. "I think we deserve whatever we can get out of +that trading-post, seeing how hard we have worked to gain possession of +our own."</p> + +<p>"I am glad matters are going on so well at home," returned Henry. "My, +but won't mother be glad to see Nell again! They'll hug each other to +death." And he wiped something like a tear from his eye as he pictured +the scene in his mind.</p> + +<p>In the darkness of the evening Dave's hand stole into that of his +cousin. "I am just as glad over it all as you, Henry," he said softly. +And then after a short silence he added: "There is no disputing it. God +has been very good to us; don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>For answer Henry gave his hand a tight squeeze. "We can be thankful +we're alive, considering what we've gone through with. War is no holiday +making."</p> + +<p>"You're right it's not. But I'm glad I'm a soldier anyway—and I mean to +do my duty to the end, no matter what comes."</p> + +<p>A few minutes later both lay down to sleep, the hand of one resting in +that of the other; and here for the time being let us leave them, kind +reader, with our best wishes.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marching on Niagara, by Edward Stratemeyer + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARCHING ON NIAGARA *** + +***** This file should be named 34355-h.htm or 34355-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/3/5/34355/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +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: Marching on Niagara + or, The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier + +Author: Edward Stratemeyer + +Illustrator: A. B. Shute + +Release Date: November 17, 2010 [EBook #34355] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARCHING ON NIAGARA *** + + + + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + + + + + + + MARCHING ON NIAGARA + + OR THE SOLDIER BOYS OF THE OLD FRONTIER + + Colonial Series + + BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER + +Author of "American Boys' Life of William McKinley," "Lost on the +Orinoco," "On to Pekin," "Between Boer and Briton," "Old Glory Series," +"Ship and Shore Series," "Bound to Succeed Series," etc. + + + _ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. SHUTE_ + + BOSTON: + LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO. + + COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY LEE AND SHEPARD + + Published August, 1902 + + _All rights reserved_ + + Norwood Press + J. S. CUSHING & CO.--BERWICK & SMITH + Norwood, Mass. U. S. A. + + + + +[Illustration: After him tumbled a wild cat.] + + + + +PREFACE + + +"MARCHING ON NIAGARA" is a complete story in itself, but forms the +second of several volumes to be known by the general title of "Colonial +Series." + +In the first volume of this series, entitled "WITH WASHINGTON IN THE +WEST," we followed the fortunes of David Morris, the son of a hardy +pioneer, who first settled at Will's Creek (now the town of Cumberland, +Virginia), and later on established a trading post on one of the +tributaries of the Ohio River. This was just previous to the breaking +out of war between France and England, and when the French and English +settlers in America, especially in those localities where trading with +the Indians was profitable, were bitter foes. David becomes well +acquainted with Washington while the latter is a surveyor, and when +Braddock arrives in America and marches against Fort Duquesne the young +pioneer shoulders a musket and joins the Virginia Rangers under Major +Washington, to march forth and take part in Braddock's bitter defeat +and Washington's masterly effort to save the remnant of the army from +total annihilation. + +The defeat of the British forces left this section of the English +colonies at the mercy of both the French and their savage Indian allies, +and for two years, despite all that Washington and other colonial +leaders could do, every isolated cabin and every small settlement west +of Winchester was in constant danger, and numerous raids were made, +savage and brutal in the extreme, and these were kept up until the +arrival of General Forbes, who, aided by Washington and others, finally +compelled the French to abandon Fort Duquesne, and thus restored peace +and order to a frontier covering a distance of several hundred miles. + +Following General Forbes's success at Fort Duquesne (now the +enterprising city of Pittsburg), came English successes in other +quarters, not the least of which was the capture of Fort Niagara, +standing on the east bank of the Niagara River, where that stream flows +into Lake Ontario. This fort was of vast importance to the French, for +it guarded the way through the lakes and down the mighty Mississippi to +their Louisiana territory. In the expedition against Fort Niagara both +David and Henry Morris take an active part, and as brave young soldiers +endeavor to do their duty fully and fearlessly. + +In the preparation of the historical portions of this work the author +has endeavored to be as accurate as possible. This has been no easy +task, for upon many points American, English, and French historians have +differed greatly in their statements. However, it is hoped that the tale +is at least as accurate as the average history, giving as it does +statements from all sides. + +Again thanking the many readers who have taken such an interest in my +previous works, I place this volume in their hands, trusting they will +find it not only entertaining but likewise full of instruction and +inspiration. + +EDWARD STRATEMEYER. + +_Independence Day, 1902._ + + + + +CONTENTS + + +I. IN THE FOREST + +II. DEER AND INDIANS + +III. DISCOVERY AND PURSUIT + +IV. BURNING OF THE CABIN + +V. UPRISING OF THE INDIANS + +VI. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HENRY + +VII. A DOUBLE WARNING + +VIII. DEPARTURE FROM HOME + +IX. GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE + +X. HOW HENRY FARED + +XI. SAM BARRINGFORD'S RUSE + +XII. DARK YEAR OF THE WAR + +XIII. FIGHTING OFF THE INDIANS + +XIV. RETREAT OF THE PIONEERS + +XV. DISAPPEARANCE OF LITTLE NELL + +XVI. BACK TO WINCHESTER + +XVII. A NEW CAMPAIGN + +XVIII. WILDCAT AND WATER + +XIX. DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH + +XX. AT FORT PITT--RETURN HOME + +XXI. ON THE WAY TO THE ARMY + +XXII. THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + +XXIII. UP THE MOHAWK VALLEY + +XXIV. HENRY IS ATTACKED + +XXV. A STORM ON LAKE ONTARIO + +XXVI. THE ATTACK AT OSWEGO + +XXVII. NEWS OF IMPORTANCE + +XXVIII. SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA + +XXIX. THE BATTLE NEAR THE FALLS + +XXX. INTO THE NIAGARA RAPIDS + +XXXI. FALL OF FORT NIAGARA + +XXXII. LITTLE NELL--CONCLUSION + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + +After him tumbled a wildcat + +They could see the cabin, which still blazed + +The warrior with the torch held the light aloft + +"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so +quickly." + +He took a quick but careful aim at the leader + +He leaped forward once again, straight for Dave + +"Bail her out," roared the lieutenant + +He swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head + + + + +CHAPTER I + +IN THE FOREST + + +"Do you think we'll bag a deer to-day, Henry?" + +"I'll tell you better about that when we are on our way home, Dave. I +certainly saw the hoof-prints down by the salt lick this morning. That +proves they can't be far off. My idea is that at least three deer are +just beyond the lower creek, although I may be mistaken." + +"I'd like to get a shot at 'em. I haven't brought down a deer since we +left the army." + +"Well, I reckon we had shooting enough in the army to last us for a +while," returned Henry Morris, grimly. "I know I got all I wanted, and +you got a good deal more." + +"But it wasn't the right kind of shooting, Henry. I always hated to +think of firing on another human being, didn't you?" + +"Oh, I didn't mind shooting at the Indians--some of 'em don't seem to be +more than half human anyway. But I must say it was different when it +came to bringing down a Frenchman with his spick and span uniform. But +the Frenchmen hadn't any right to molest us and drive your father out of +his trading post." + +"I'm afraid General Braddock's defeat will cause us lots of trouble in +the future. Mr. Risley was telling me that he had heard the Indians over +at Plum Valley were as impudent as they could be. He said half a dozen +of 'em made a settler named Hochstein give 'em all they wanted to eat +and drink, and when the German found fault they flourished their +tomahawks and told him all the settlers but the French were squaws and +that he had better shut up or they'd scalp him and burn down his cabin." + +"Yes, Sam Barringford was telling something about that, too, and he said +he wouldn't be surprised to hear of an Indian uprising at any time. You +see, the French are backing the redskins up in everything and that makes +them bold. If I had my way, I'd get Colonel Washington to raise an army +of three or four thousand men--the best frontiersmen to be found--and +I'd chase every impudent Frenchman out of the country. We won't have +peace till that is done, mark my words on it," concluded Henry Morris, +emphatically. + +David and Henry Morris were cousins, living with their folks on a +clearing not far from what was then known as Will's Creek, now the town +of Cumberland, Virginia. The two families consisted of Dave and his +father, Mr. James Morris, who was a widower, and Mr. Joseph Morris, his +wife Lucy, and three children, Rodney, the oldest, who was something of +a cripple, Henry, who has just been introduced, and little Nell, the +sunshine of the whole home. + +In a former volume of this series, entitled "With Washington in the +West," I related the particulars of how the two Morris families settled +at Will's Creek, and how James Morris, after the loss of his wife, +wandered westward, and established a trading-post on the Kinotah, one of +the numerous branches of the Ohio River. In the meantime Dave, his son, +fell in with George Washington, when the future President was a +surveyor, and the youth helped to survey many tracts of land in the +beautiful Shenandoah valley. + +At this time the colonies of England and of France in America were +having a great deal of trouble between themselves and with the Indians. +Briefly stated, both England and France claimed all the territory +drained by the Ohio and other nearby rivers, and the French sought in +every possible way to drive out English traders who pushed westward. + +The driving out of the English traders soon brought trouble to James +Morris, and after being attacked by a band of Indians he was served +with a notice from the French to quit his trading-post in three months' +time or less. Unwilling to give up a profitable business, and half +suspecting that the notice was the concoction of a rascally French +trader named Jean Bevoir, and not an official document, Mr. Morris sent +Dave back to Winchester, that they might get the advice of Colonel +Washington and other officials as to what was best to do. + +When Dave arrived home he found that there was practically a state of +war between the French and English. Washington was preparing to march +against the enemy, and to get back to the trading post unaided was for +the youth out of the question. Such being the case, Dave joined the +Virginia Rangers under Washington, and with him went his cousin Henry, +and both fought bravely at the defense of Fort Necessity, where Henry +was badly wounded. + +The defeat of the English at Fort Necessity was followed by bitter news +for the Morrises. Sam Barringford, a well-known old trapper of that +locality, and a great friend to the boys, came in one day badly used up +and with the information that the trading-post had fallen under the +combined attack of some French led by Jean Bevoir and some Indians led +by a rascal named Fox Head, who was Bevoir's tool. James Morris had +been taken prisoner and what had become of the trader Barringford could +not tell. + +Poor Dave, cut to the heart, was for looking for his father at once, and +his relatives and Sam Barringford were equally eager. But the +trading-post was miles away--through the dense forest and over the wild +mountains--and the territory was now in the hands of the enemy. Under +such circumstances all had to wait throughout the severe winter and +following spring, a time that to the boy seemed an age. + +General Braddock had been sent over from England to take charge of +affairs against the French, and soon an expedition was organized having +for its object the reduction of Fort Duquesne, which was built where the +city of Pittsburg now stands. The expedition was composed of English +grenadiers brought over by Braddock and several hundred Virginia +Rangers, under Washington. With the rangers were Dave and Barringford. +Henry wished to go, but was still too weak, and it was felt that Joseph +Morris could not be spared from the homestead. + +Braddock's bitter defeat in the vicinity of Fort Duquesne came as a +great shock to all of the English colonies, and it was only by Colonel +Washington's tact and gallantry, and the bravery of the rangers under +him, that the retreating army was saved from total annihilation or +capture. During this battle Dave was shot and captured, but his enemies +soon after abandoned him in the woods, and while wandering around, more +dead than alive he fell in with White Buffalo, a friendly Indian chief, +and, later on, with Barringford and with his father, who had been a +prisoner of the French since the fall of the trading post. + +The home-coming of Dave and his father was viewed with great +satisfaction by Joseph Morris and his family, who did all in their power +to make the two sufferers comfortable. From Mr. Morris it was learned +that the pelts stored at the trading post had been saved through the +kindness of another English trader, so that the Frenchman, Jean Bevoir, +and his Indian tool, Fox Head, had not gained much by the raid. + +"I am certain that the raid was not the work of the French authorities," +said James Morris. "But now the war is on they will of course stand up +for everything Jean Bevoir and his followers have done. Nevertheless, I +hold to it that the trading post, and the land staked out around it, is +mine, and some day I shall lay claim to it." + +"Right you are, brother," came from Joseph Morris. "And, so far as I am +able, I will stand by you in the claim. But I am fearful that matters +will be much worse before they are better." + +"Oh, there's no doubt of that. This victory will make the French think +they can walk right over us." + +"Yes, and it will do more," put in Rodney, who was now a young man in +years. "Many Indians have been wavering between taking sides with us or +the enemy. Now many of these will stake fortunes with the +victors,--that's the usual way." He stretched himself on his chair and +gave a sigh. "I wish I was a little stronger, I'd join the army and +fight 'em." + +"We haven't any army to speak of now," resumed James Morris. "When I was +last down at Winchester Colonel Washington had but a handful of +soldiers,--all the rest having gone home to attend to their farms and +plantations--and over at Will's Creek fort it was no better. The pay +offered to the soldiers is so poor nobody cares to stay in the ranks. +Patriotism seems to be at a low ebb." + +"It's not such a lack of patriotism," said Joseph Morris. "None of our +home soldiers liked the ways of the troops from England, and it made +them mad to have their officers pushed down and Braddock's underlings +pushed up. Even Washington had to remonstrate, although they tell me he +was willing to fight no matter what position they gave him. And matters +are going no better in the North. Either England and our colonies must +wake up, or, ere we know it, all will be lost to the French and their +Indian allies." + +"What of the Indians?" put in Mrs. Morris. "Have those under White +Buffalo gone over to the French?" + +"White Buffalo's braves have not," answered her husband. "But the tribe +is badly split up, and White Buffalo himself is nearly crazy over the +matter. He says some of the old chiefs swear by the French while the +younger warriors all cling to Washington. White Buffalo says that he +himself will never lift a tomahawk against the English--and I feel +certain he means it." + +"White Buffalo is a real nice Indian," came from little Nell, who sat on +the door-step playing. "Didn't he make me this doll? If they were all as +good as he is I wouldn't be afraid a bit." And she hugged to her breast +the crude wooden figure, the "heap big pappoose" with which White +Buffalo had gained her childish confidence. + +"Nor would I be afraid," came from Mrs. Morris. "But all Indians are not +as kind and true as White Buffalo, and if they should ever go on the +war-path and move this way--" She did not finish, but shook her head +sadly. + +"If they should come this way we will do our best to fight them off," +said James Morris. "But let us hope it will never come to that. The +butchery at the trading post was enough, I should not wish to see such +doings around our homestead." + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DEER AND INDIANS + + +Dave and Henry had left home an hour before, hoping to bring back with +them at least one deer if not two. Henry was a great hunter, having +brought down many a bird on the wing and squirrel on the run, and he +knew that if he could only get a fair sight at a deer the game would be +his. As old readers know, Dave was likewise a good shot, so it was +likely that the youths would bring back something if any game showed +itself. + +It was a cool, clear day, with just a touch of snow on the ground, ideal +weather for hunting, and as the boys pushed on each felt in excellent +spirits despite the talk about the Indians. So far as they knew there +was no Indian settlement within miles of them nor were there any +wandering redskins within half a day's journey. + +"Hullo, there go half a dozen rabbits!" cried Dave, presently, and +pointed through a little clearing to their left. + +"Don't shoot!" cried his cousin, although Dave had not raised his +flint-lock musket. "If you do you'll scare the deer sure--if they are +within hearing." + +"I wasn't going to shoot, Henry. But just look at the beggars, sitting +up and looking at us! I reckon they know they are safe." + +"Since the fighting with the French there hasn't been much hunting +through here, and so the game is quite tame. But they won't sit +long--there they go now. Come." + +The pair resumed their journey through the forest, Henry leading the +way, for he had been over this trail several times before. Birds were +numerous, and they could have filled their canvas bag with ease, had +they felt inclined. But the minds of both were on the deer, and to Henry +at least it was such game or nothing, although Dave might have contented +himself with something smaller. Yet both knew that Mrs. Morris would +look forward with pleasure to getting some fresh venison for her table. + +At length the pair reached the lower creek which Henry had mentioned. +Here the stream which flowed past the Morris homestead split into +several arms, one flowing through a wide clearing and the others +entering the forest and passing around a series of rough rocks and a +cliff nearly fifty feet high. At this point the forest had never yet +felt the weight of the white man's axe and trees had stood there until +brought low by storm or the weight of years. + +"Go slow now," whispered Henry, as he caught his cousin by the arm. "If +they hear us the game is up." + +"The wind is with us," returned Dave. Nevertheless, he slowed up as +desired, and then the pair moved forward with extreme caution, each +having seen to it that his firearm was ready for immediate use. + +Suddenly Henry came to a halt and dropped almost flat behind a rock, and +Dave instantly followed. Coming around a short turn they had caught +sight of four deer, standing hoof-deep in the water drinking. All the +heads were down, but as the youths looked in the direction that of an +old buck came up with a jerk and he sniffed the air suspiciously. + +"Take the nearest," whispered Henry, softly and quickly. "Ready?" + +"Yes," was the low reply. + +There was a second of silence and then the two guns spoke as one piece, +the reports echoing and re-echoing throughout the mighty forest and +along the cliff. The deer Henry had aimed at fell down in the water, +plunging wildly in its dying agonies, while that struck by Dave hobbled +painfully up the bank. The others, including the old buck, turned and +sped off with the swiftness of the wind. + +"Huzza! we have 'em!" shouted Henry. "Come on!" and he leaped to his +feet with Dave beside him. Not far off a dead tree lay across the stream +and they quickly climbed this, so as not to get their feet wet. When +they gained the spot where the deer had been drinking they found Henry's +quarry quite dead. The deer Dave had hit was thrashing around in some +brushwood. + +"I reckon he'll want another shot," said Dave, and reloaded his firearm +with all speed. Then he primed up and approached the deer, but before he +could pull trigger Henry stopped him. + +"He don't need it," came from the older youth. "Save your powder and +ball. I'll fix him." + +Giving his gun to Dave, Henry rushed up behind the deer, at the same +time drawing the long hunting knife he had lately gotten into the habit +of carrying. Watching his chance he plunged the knife into the deer's +throat. The stroke went true and soon the beast had breathed its last. + +"Good for you," cried Dave, enthusiastically. "No use in talking, Henry, +you were cut out for a hunter. You'll be as good as Sam Barringford if +you keep on." + +"Oh, you did about as well as I did, Dave," was the modest rejoinder. +"But this is a prime haul, no use of talking. Mother will be tickled to +death." + +"I reckon we'll all be pleased--we haven't had deer meat for some time. +But we're going to have some work getting these two carcasses home. No +use of trying to get those other deer, is there?" + +"Use? Not much! Why that old buck must be about two or three miles away +by this time. Say, he was a big fellow, wasn't he? I should like to have +had those horns, but I knew there was no use in fetching him down,--his +meat would be too tough and strong." + +"I fancy the best we can do is to make a drag for each deer and each +pull his own load home," went on Dave. "If we leave one here the wolves +and foxes will soon finish the meat." + +"Yes, that's the only way. And we might as well hurry, for it is getting +late and it will take us a good three hours to get back with such +loads." + +They were soon at work, Henry with his hunting knife and Dave with his +pocket blade, cutting down some long, pliable brushwood which would make +excellent drags for both loads. Their good luck put each in good humor, +and as he worked Dave could not refrain from whistling, his favorite +airs, being, as of old, "Lucy Locket Lost Her Pocket" and "The Pirate's +Lady, O!" + +The brushwood cut, they lost no time in binding their loads fast, and +then Henry led the way along the watercourse, without crossing to the +trail they had previously pursued. + +"It's almost as near this way as the other," he said. "And I reckon it +will be a bit easier pulling." + +"Well, make it as easy as you can, Henry. It's no light load, I can tell +you that. Sam Barringford was once telling me how he dragged three deer +from Plum Valley to Risley's new place, over the snow. I don't see how +he did it." + +"Oh, it's easy when the crust of the snow is hard enough--the drag goes +like a sled. But I admit Sam is a wonderfully powerful man." + +"Indeed he is. Why, it was a sight to see--the way he fought when Red +Fox and his followers attacked the trading post. He was a whole host in +himself." + +Inside of quarter of an hour they had reached a bend in the stream, and +now Henry left the watercourse and pushed on over a low hill backed up +by a series of rocks. + +"It will be a slight pull up hill," he said. "But it will save us nearly +half a mile. We can rest a few minutes when we get to the top. When we +get up there I'll show you the spot where I saw those four bears three +years ago." + +"Don't know as I want to meet four bears just now." + +"Oh, the spot isn't on this hill--it's on the hill to the left. Pow-wow +Hill Sam Barringford called it. He said it used to be a great Indian +resort when the Miamies were in this neighborhood. But the redskins from +Shunrum came and drove 'em out." + +The top of the rise gained, Dave was glad enough to rest, and both sat +down on the trunk of a fallen monarch of the forest, the home now of +some chipmunks that fled quickly at their approach. + +"There is the spot where I saw the bears," said Henry, pointing with his +hand to a clump of trees on the next hill, quite a distance away. "They +were in a bunch under that----Hullo! What can that mean?" He broke off +short. "Down behind the tree, Dave! Quick!" + +The sudden note of alarm was not lost on Dave and in a twinkle both the +young hunters were crouched behind the fallen tree. Dave caught his gun +and placed his hand on the trigger, but Henry shoved the barrel of the +piece downward. + +"What did you see?" came from the younger of the youths. + +"Indians!" was the short reply. Henry peeped carefully forth. "Yes, sir, +Indians, just as sure as you are born. Look for yourself." + +"By the king, but you're right!" exclaimed Dave, in excitement. "Two, +three--I see four of them." + +"I think I saw a fifth--behind that rock to the right. Yes, there he +is." + +"Can you make out what they are?" + +"No, excepting that they are none of White Buffalo's tribe." + +"If they don't belong in this neighborhood they are here for no good," +said Dave, decidedly. + +"I agree with you there, Dave. Possibly they are on a hunt. But why +should they come here when there is better game further west?" + +"If they are on a hunt it's not for wild animals," came from Dave, +significantly. "Have they got their war paint on?" + +"I can't see them clearly enough for that." + +For several minutes both youths remained silent, watching the distant +Indians as they moved around. They had evidently killed some wild +animal, although what it was the watchers could not make out. + +"If they shot anything it must have been before we reached this +neighborhood," said Henry, presently. "I heard no reports." + +"Nor I. But never mind that. What shall we do?" + +"I don't know, excepting to go home with our game and report them. I +don't care to let them see us, do you?" + +"Not if they are enemies, and I reckon they are." + +"Do you suppose they spotted us?" + +"I think not--although you can never tell, they are that cute. They may +have a spy working his way over here at this very minute." + +"Then let us go on without delay." + +It was easy to say this, but how to proceed without being noticed was a +problem. Henry's deer lay behind the fallen tree, but Dave's was in +front and the younger hunter did not wish to leave his game behind him. + +"I'm going to risk it," said Dave, and crawling cautiously around the +stump-end of the fallen tree he reached forth and caught one of the ends +of the drag. But the task was a difficult one and as he pulled the deer +slipped to the ground and the end of the tree branch was suddenly raised +high in the air. + +"Drop it," cried Henry, and Dave did so. "They must have seen that, +Dave. See, two of them are looking this way. We had better clear out and +be quick about it." + +"I'm going to have that deer," returned the younger hunter, and catching +the game by the hind legs he dragged it behind the tree. Then both boys +hurried down the opposite side of the hill with all speed. Here they +placed both deer on the single drag and continued on their way homeward +with all possible speed. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +DISCOVERY AND PURSUIT + + +It must be confessed that both youths were thoroughly alarmed, and with +good reason. Since Braddock's defeat they had heard of the uprising of +the Indians at Nancoke, Lusher's Run, Willowbury, and several other +small settlements, and had heard of the murder of several German +families twenty-five miles to the north of Will's Creek fort, and the +murder of Lee Cass, and his wife and four children, thirty miles down +the valley. The outbreaks had not resulted from any united efforts on +the Indians part, but there was no telling how soon the different tribes +would dig up the war hatchet and descend upon all the frontier +settlements in force and simultaneously. + +From the top of the hill Henry had expected to go straight home, but +this course would necessitate the crossing of a clearing quarter of a +mile in extent and such a path he now deemed unwise to take. + +"If they are following us, it will be dead easy for them to spot us in +the open," he said. "We had better stick to the forest. Of course they +can follow the trail of the drag easily enough, but I hate to think of +giving up so much meat,--after we had such a journey to bring it down." + +"Don't let's give it up yet," pleaded Dave. The deer was the largest he +had yet laid low, and he was correspondingly proud of the showing. +"Perhaps they aren't after us at all." + +On they went, traveling as fast as their somewhat tired limbs permitted. +There was another rise to cross, beyond which was a watercourse leading +down to the rear of their homestead. + +"I think I know where there is a rough raft to be found," said Henry. +"And if I can find it, we can place the deer on that and tow them home. +We may get wet, but it will be easy work and we can make quicker time +than over the ground." + +"Right you are, Henry, and remember, water leaves no trail," responded +Dave. + +They were soon at the side of the stream, which at this point was +several feet deep and five to ten yards wide. The banks were thickly +overhung with bushes, now, however, bare of leaves. At one spot was an +inlet and here Henry pointed out the raft he had mentioned, a crude +affair of four short logs lashed together with willow withes. + +"We can pull that with ease," said Dave, as he surveyed the affair. +"Come, let us dump the deer aboard at once. We can wade along the bank +and----." + +He broke off short and clutched his cousin's arm. His glance had strayed +up the stream to a bend several rods away and there he had seen the prow +of an Indian canoe and the headgear of several painted warriors. + +"By ginger! More Indians!" ejaculated Henry, and both dropped flat on +top of their dead game. "How many did you see, Dave?" + +"Three or four,--and there are several more!" + +"Yes, and they are in their war-paint! Dave, do you know what I think?" + +"That they are on the war-path? Oh, Henry, if that is so----." Dave did +not finish, but looked anxiously at his cousin. + +"If that is so, it means that every homestead for miles around is in +danger. And we haven't a single soldier within fifty miles!" added the +older youth, with almost a groan. + +All the while they were talking they kept their eyes on the Indians, and +they now saw the redmen come out on the stream and cross to the side +they occupied. Then of a sudden the warriors sent up a shout calculated +to strike terror to their hearts. + +"They have discovered us! They are after us!" burst from Dave's lips. +"What shall we do?" + +"We've got to run for it," was Henry's answer. "Hurry up, before it's +too late." + +"But the deer----." + +"We'll have to let them go. Come!" + +Side by side they darted into the forest back of the watercourse and +made their way with all possible speed between bushes, trees and rocks. +There was no trail and neither knew exactly where he was going. Once +Dave tripped on some roots and pitched headlong, but he picked himself +up in a hurry and, panting for breath, kept on as before. + +The retreat of the two young hunters came none too quick, for scarcely +had they reached the shelter of the wood when several of the Indians let +fly with their arrows, one of which almost clipped Henry's shoulder. +This fixed the situation beyond all dispute. + +"They are on the war-path, or they wouldn't fire on us," said Dave. "Are +you winged?" + +"No, but it was a pretty close aim. Who can they be?" + +"I believe they are some of Fox Head's dirty band. If they catch us I +believe they'll kill us." + +"Or keep us to torture," answered the older youth. "But they are not +going to catch us if I can help it--and I think I can." + +While the two were talking they sped on and on, deeper and deeper into +the forest. Both wished to turn in the direction of home, but did not +dare do so, fearing the Indians would be waiting to head them off. + +At the start the shouts of their pursuers had sounded unpleasantly close +but now they died out utterly. But whether the redskins had given up the +chase or were coming on in silence they could not tell. + +"I don't think they'll give up so quick," was Henry's comment, as they +paused a few seconds to get their breath. "I reckon they've found it +doesn't pay to yell. We may get another volley of arrows before we know +it." + +Once more they went on. Their course was now in a wide semi-circle, +calculated to bring them up in the clearing on the east side of their +homestead. + +"We'll pass Uriah Risley's new cabin," said Dave. "It is our duty to +warn him of this danger. He isn't much of an Indian hunter, and if the +redskins come here he and his wife will be at their mercy." + +Uriah Risley was an Englishman who had settled in the vicinity with his +wife several years before. When Dave was once on a trip to Annapolis +with his uncle the two had stopped at Risley's home and been agreeably +entertained. Since that time, the Englishman, having grown more +accustomed to pioneer life, had moved further westward and built himself +a cabin twice as large as that previously occupied. But though the man +was a good farmer and wood cutter, he was a poor marksman and hunter, +and both he and his wife lived in dread of large wild animals and +unfriendly Indians. + +As said before, night was coming on, and under the lofty trees it was +dark. They had now to pick their way with care, for fear of falling into +some dangerous hole. Half a mile more was covered when Henry called a +halt. Dave was glad of this for he had stepped on a loose stone but a +moment before and given his ankle a nasty twist. + +"I'm wondering which is the most direct road to Risley's," said the +older youth. + +"I believe that is the direction," answered Dave, pointing with his +hand. + +"I reckon you are right, Dave. And how far do you calculate we are from +his cabin?" + +"The best part of a mile." + +"I agree again. Let us take a direct course. The Indians must be far to +the rear--if they haven't given up the chase altogether." + +A few minutes later they were again tearing their way through the +forest, the growth being here so thick they could scarcely pass. +Overhead a slight breeze was blowing, but they felt little of this. Far +to the westward the sun was slowly sinking behind the mountains, casting +long shadows across the tree-tops. Here and there the night birds were +tuning up, but otherwise all was as quiet as a graveyard. + +The coming of night, and the gravity of their situation, made the boys +thoughtful, and for a long while not a word was spoken. Henry was +thinking of his parents and his sister and brother, and wondering if +they were yet in peril, while Dave's thoughts turned to his father, who +had said that morning that he intended to go to Will's Creek fort on +business. Was his parent at the fort, and would the soldiers there get +news of the coming Indian raid? + +Both of the young hunters were thus deep in thought when Henry espied a +light directly in front of them. They had just come over a rise of +ground and found the light in a hollow between several rocks. It was an +Indian encampment, and around the blaze were seated fully a score of +warriors, smoking their long pipes, and listening to the speech being +made by a tall chief who stood in their midst. + +"More Indians!" muttered Henry, and threw himself flat. "The +neighborhood seems to be full of them. Dave, this means an awful +uprising! We must get back as fast as we can and warn everybody!" + +"I have seen some of those Indians before," whispered the younger youth. +"They were in the band that attacked the trading post while father came +on here. They belong to Fox Head's band and I believe that is Fox Head +himself addressing them, for he had a fox's head trailing over his +shoulder, and a fox brush among his head feathers. I'd like to shoot him +where he stands. He deserves it,--for all he has done to injure us." And +Dave gave his gun a sudden tight clutch which was very suggestive. + +"No! no!" interposed his cousin. "If you dropped him the whole pack +would be on us like so many wolves. The only thing we can do is to get +away and give warning. Let us crawl back to the other side of the rise +and go around." + +Without delay they started to do as Henry had advised. It was no easy +matter, for the brushwood was thick and the rocks sharp and uneven. They +had not gone a distance of fifty feet when Henry struck a loose stone +and sent it bumping down over a dozen others. + +Instantly half a dozen Indians leaped to their feet and the speech of +the leading Indian came to a sudden end. + +"The game is up!" cried Dave. "Let us run!" And run they did, as fast as +the darkness and the nature of the ground would permit. The Indians came +after them, calling on them to halt and then sending forth several +arrows and a gun-shot, none of which, however, took effect. + +"We are in for it now!" panted Dave, as they came to a halt in a small +clearing, hedged in on all sides by rocks and dense thickets. "I'm sure +I don't know how to turn, do you?" + +"If it comes to the worst, we can take a stand against these rocks," +answered his cousin, grimly. "But, come, I think I see an opening." + +He moved over to the rocks and stepped cautiously into the darkness. +There was an opening they had not noticed before, a crevice several feet +wide and both deep and long. Into this he squeezed, and Dave came after +him. They pushed forward among the dead vines, leaves and rubbish for a +distance of thirty feet, and then halted in what would have been a small +cave had it not been for the slit of an opening at the top. With bated +breath they waited, while their pursuers gradually grew closer. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +BURNING OF THE CABIN + + +It was not long before the two young hunters heard the Indians quite +plainly. Evidently the redmen did not deem it necessary to advance with +more than ordinary caution for they conversed with each other in a low +tone, to which Dave and Henry listened with interest, although they +could understand little of what was said. + +Presently one warrior took up a position in front of the crevice and not +over five yards from where the youths lay concealed. Evidently he was +listening for some sound from them, and they hardly dared to breathe. As +might be expected Dave at that instant felt a strong inclination to +sneeze, but he suppressed the desire, although almost bursting a blood +vessel in consequence. + +Soon another Indian came up and then a third. A talk lasting several +minutes followed, and one warrior started to light a torch. But the +others stopped this, fearing it might draw the fire of the whites. Then +one redman shifted to the right, another to the left, while a third +crawled up over the rocks and through the bushes growing above the +opening. + +By the time the Indians were out of hearing, and they dared to breathe +more freely, the darkness of night had settled heavily and high overhead +the stars came peeping forth one by one. They waited a little longer and +then Henry caught Dave by the arm. + +"What do you think?" he whispered. "Are they gone?" + +"I think so," returned the younger lad. "But there is no telling when +they will be back. Still I reckon we had better get out of here." + +"I agree. But we can't take the course we were following. I think the +best we can do is to turn further to the left and strike Risley's from +the west," added Henry. + +Dave was willing, and as cautiously as possible they climbed back out of +the crevice the way they had come. Just as Dave was about to step into +the clearing a sudden whirr of noise caused him to jerk back. + +"What's that?" came quickly from his cousin. + +"Some wild animal," was the answer after a pause. + +"Did it attack you?" + +"No, but it came pretty close. I thought first it was an Indian leaping +up out of the grass." + +They moved off, side by side, and each with his gun ready for use. As +Henry was the hunter of the Morris family and knew the forest better +than anyone, Dave allowed him to do such guiding as seemed necessary. +They pursued their course over one rise and then another, and after that +followed the windings of a tiny brook which Henry said ran to within +gun-shot of the Risley homestead. + +They were just making a bend of the watercourse when another wild animal +started up directly under Henry's feet. It was a fox resting in a hollow +log, and in its anxiety to get away the animal struck against Dave's +legs, upsetting him. + +"Oh!" cried Dave as he went down. "Help! shoot him!" + +"It's a fox!" ejaculated Henry, and as the animal shot past him he made +a dive and caught the beast by the brush. The fox gave a snarl and tried +to bite him, but ere the head came around the young hunter swung the fox +in a circle and brought him down with a dull thud on the log. The first +blow was followed by another, which crushed the beast's skull as though +it were an egg-shell. + +"There! he'll never bother anybody again," said Henry, as he threw the +beast down. "Wish I had time to skin him. But we had better not lose a +minute." + +"Henry, you're a wonder of a hunter!" burst out Dave. "I don't believe I +could have done that. It was much better than shooting him, for it saved +powder and saved making a noise too." + +"Sam Barringford taught me that trick--although not on a fox. I once saw +him hammer the life out of a limping wolf that way, and he often catches +up snakes by the tail and snaps their heads off, whip fashion." + +Leaving the fox where it had fallen, they continued on their way along +the stream until a tiny clearing was gained. Beyond this was a belt of +tall and heavy timber, which, on the opposite side, marked the boundary +of Uriah Risley's new land claim, one he had obtained, through Colonel +Washington, from old Lord Fairfax, who still resided at Greenway Court. + +"I see a light!" said Dave, as they stopped on the edge of the timber. +"Look!" + +Henry did so. It was a small blaze, apparently, and in the direction +where stood Risley's cabin. + +"Can that be an Indian camp-fire?" went on the younger hunter. + +"I don't think so, Dave. It's worse than that." + +"Worse? Oh, Henry, do you think it is Risley's cabin that is burning?" + +"Just what I do think. See, the flame is growing brighter. Either it's +the cabin or that cattle shed he has been building. Come on; we'll soon +know." + +Henry now set off on a run through the timber, picking the way with all +the skill of an old frontiersman. Dave kept close behind his cousin. As +they advanced they saw the fire more plainly and beheld it spread out +and mount further skyward. It was Uriah Risley's cabin beyond a doubt, +and now the new cattle shed had caught and was also being consumed by +the devouring element. + +"This is the work of the redskins," panted Henry, as they leaped over +rough rocks and tore their way through a clump of saplings. "And it +proves beyond a doubt that they are on the war-path." + +While he was speaking a gun-shot sounded out, coming from a great +distance. Another report followed and then all became as silent as +before. + +"That must be Risley, or somebody else, fighting the Indians off," said +Dave. "We'll have to be careful or we'll run into a trap." + +"Keep in the timber," answered Henry. "For all we know there may be a +hundred redskins in this vicinity. Hark! They are around the cabin sure +enough." + +They listened and amid the crackling of the flames they now heard the +whooping and yelling of a score of Indians, while the flickering glare +showed to them the dusky forms moving in one direction and another. Some +of the Indians had found a demijohn of liquor belonging to the +Englishman and were gulping this down in great glee, while others +paraded around with various spoils of war in their hands. + +"I'd like to give 'em a shot--they deserve it," muttered Dave. + +"Don't you do it," interposed Henry, hastily. "They'd be on us like a +wind-fall." + +"What do you suppose has become of Mr. Risley and his wife?" + +"Heaven alone knows, Dave. I trust they have escaped." + +"If that was Mr. Risley shooting, do you suppose his wife is with him?" + +"There is no telling. Perhaps he wasn't home when the Indians came up. +If that's so then Mrs. Risley is either dead or a prisoner." + +"Was she alone?" + +"I think so--at least I didn't hear of anybody going over lately." + +"I wonder if we can't get a bit closer without being seen? Perhaps we +can learn something to our advantage." + +"We might skirt the timber a bit. But be careful, and if the Indians +come for us we had better run without stopping to fire,--unless, of +course, they get too close," added Henry. + +Once again he led the way, slowly and cautiously, flitting from one tree +to another in absolute silence. The fire was now at its height, lighting +up the sky for a long distance around. The sparks were blowing in their +direction, but the light fall of snow had wet the trees and brushwood, +so no harm was done. + +Presently they found themselves again close to the brook, which at this +point crossed a garden patch that Uriah Risley had gotten into shape the +season before. At the side of the brook was a roughly constructed +milk-house, made of large stones for walls and untrimmed timbers for a +roof. Behind this the boys crouched, to take another view of what was +going on in the center of the clearing. + +The Indians who had been drinking from the demijohn were growing +hilarious and their wild whooping could be heard for a long distance. At +the start of the fire some furniture had been hauled forth, a chest of +drawers and a bureau, and now some of the redmen set to work to break +open both articles, to see what they contained. + +"They are after everything of value they can lay hands on," muttered +Dave. "What a shame! Do you see anything of----?" + +The young hunter broke off short, for at that instant came a low moan of +pain from the interior of the milk-house. + +"Are you--you white people!" came in a gasp. "If you are, for the love +of heaven--sa--save me!" + +"It's Mrs. Risley!" burst out Dave, for he remembered that voice well. +He raised his head up to a crack in the rude planking. "Mrs. Risley, are +you alone?" he questioned. "It is I, Dave Morris, who is speaking." + +"Dave Morris!" A groan followed. "Oh, Davy, lad, save me, won't you? I +am almost dead!" + +"I'll do what I can for you, Mrs. Risley. My cousin Henry is with me. We +were out hunting when the Indians almost captured us. The woods are full +of them. Is Mr. Risley around?" + +"No, he went to Will's Creek on business. I saw the Indians coming and I +tried to run away. But they shot at me with their arrows and one passed +through my left shoulder. Then I pretended to go into the house and +hide, and when they came in I leaped through a back window and ran for +this place. I got into the water up to my shoulders and pulled a bit of +a board over my head, to keep out of sight. They came down here and I +thought sure they'd find me, but they did not. But I am nearly perished +with the cold, and the wound from the arrow has made me very faint. You +will help me, won't you?" + +"To be sure we'll help you," put in Henry. "But all we can do at present +is to lead you into the woods, and you can have my dry jacket if you +want it. We had better start directly for our house." + +"I see a glare of a fire. Have they--they----?" The poor woman could not +finish. + +"Yes, I am sorry to say the cabin is about burnt up," said Dave. "But +come, if your husband isn't around, we had better not waste time here. +We may be needed at home. It may be just as bad there, you know." + +Both of the young hunters crawled around to the milk-house door and went +inside. The board was quickly raised and they helped Mrs. Risley from +the watery hole in which she had been squatting with her chin resting on +her knees. She was so chilled and stiff, and so weak from her wound, she +could scarcely stand, and they had literally to carry her into the +timber whence they had come. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +UPRISING OF THE INDIANS + + +Supporting Mrs. Risley between them, the two youths did not stop until +they had passed into the timber for a distance of five or six rods. They +had crossed the stream once more and now reached a slight knoll from +which they could see the cabin, which still blazed away, although the +roof and one side had fallen in. + +[Illustration: They could see the cabin, which still blazed.] + +The faint light from the conflagration, sifting through the bare tree +branches, was the only light they had, and by this they set the sufferer +down and proceeded to make her as comfortable as possible. As fortune +would have it, Dave wore two jackets, both somewhat thin. One of these +he gave to Henry, who in turn gave his thick jacket to Mrs. Risley. + +"You--you are quite sure you can spare it?" she asked. + +"Yes, yes," answered Henry. "I am sorry I can't give you something to +put over your dress, but I haven't anything. Before you put on the +jacket let me bind up that arrow wound." + +There was now no time to stand upon ceremony and she allowed him to +dress the wound with all the skill he could muster, Dave in the meantime +keeping watch, that the Indians might not surprise them. Fortunately +Henry, having suffered similarly himself, knew what to do, and after he +had finished Mrs. Risley announced that the sore place felt greatly +relieved. + +"But I don't see how I can travel far," she said, trying to stand up. +"My limbs are all in a tremble under me." + +"We will help you along," said Henry, sympathetically, and Dave echoed +the words. + +With the wounded woman between them, it was no easy matter to pick their +way through the black forest and more than once one or another stumbled +over a tree root or into a hole. Looking back, they saw that the fire +was now dying down. The whooping of the redmen also lessened and finally +ceased altogether. + +"I know you wish to get home," panted Mrs. Risley, presently. +"But--but--I cannot go--go another step!" And with these words she +pitched forward and would have gone in a heap had not their strong +youthful arms supported her. + +"She has fainted," said Henry, "and it is not to be wondered at. Come, +here is something of a shelter in between the rocks and those trees. We +may as well let her rest there, for we cannot carry her all the way +home." + +"But the delay--" began Dave. + +"Surely you don't wish to leave her to her fate, Dave?" + +"No! no! You know me better than that, Henry, but I was thinking of +those left at home. They may be in trouble, too, and if so they will +need us." + +"I've been thinking of a plan. I'm stronger than you and perhaps I can +get her along alone, after she recovers. Can you find the house from +here?" + +"I think I can. The creek is just beyond that next patch of timber, +isn't it?" + +"Yes, in that direction." Henry pointed with his hand. "If you find +everything all right you might bring father back to help--if he isn't +afraid the Indians will arrive in the meantime." + +So it was arranged, and without loss of another moment Dave started on +his solitary way through the somber woods, now as silent as the grave, +for the wind had gone down and the last of the night birds had given +their final calls. + +Under ordinary circumstances Dave would have been sleepy, for the day's +tramping had been sufficient to tire anybody, but now all thoughts of +rest were banished and he was as alert as ever as he stole forward, gun +before him, and his eyes shifting from one dark object to another, on +the lookout for a possible enemy. + +Dave was in the midst of the next patch of timber,--some beautiful +walnuts and chestnuts,--when he saw something glimmer through the +darkness far to his left. He was immediately interested, wondering what +the light could be. He came to a halt and gazed attentively in the +direction. + +"It must be an Indian camp-fire," he mused. "What a lot of the redskins +there must be in this vicinity!" + +He was about to move on, giving the fire a wide berth, when something +prompted him to turn toward it, to make sure that it was not the +encampment of friends. It might possibly be Barringford or some other +trapper in the woods, and if so to pass him by would be far from wise, +since such a person might be able to afford just the assistance needed. + +Careful of every footstep taken, Dave gradually drew close to the +camp-fire. There was a small, dry clearing, fringed by a series of low +rocks, and behind these rocks the young hunter crouched. The sight that +met his gaze held him spell-bound. + +The camp-fire in the center of the clearing was divided into two parts, +one to the east and the other to the west. That in the east was beset +with sharp stakes while its companion was being used for cooking +purposes. + +Around both camp-fires were fully thirty Indians; all more than +ordinarily hideous in their daubs of red, blue, and yellow war paint, +and their crowns of colored feathers and strings of animals' teeth and +human scalps. The redmen had been marching around the camp-fires but now +they halted and all sank cross-legged upon the soil. + +Suddenly, after a second of silence, one Indian, tall and straight, +leaped to his feet and holding his arms out at full length before him +began to rock his body from side to side. Then he ran for one of the +fires, and pulling a sharp stick from its place in the ground smote the +burning end on his breast. + +"This is the fear Spotted Wolf has for the English," he cried, in his +native tongue. "Even as he has pulled this stake from the ground so will +he pull the English from their cabins and burn them at the stake. The +English shall flee at the sound of his war whoop, and the children of +the English shall die of fright when he draws near. The French are our +friends but the English will be our enemies so long as one of them is +allowed to live. I will go forward to kill! Spotted Wolf has spoken." + +He sat down, and immediately another warrior leaped up and with another +burning stick went through the same performance. "I am called Black +Eagle," he cried, "because I have eyes that never sleep and a strength +handed down to me from Elk Heart, my father, and Janassarion, my +grandfather, he who slew the mighty Little Thunder of the Delawares. Our +medicine men have spoken and the English must be driven out like wolves +in the winter season. If we allow them this land, and the French the +land to the north and the west, where shall the Indian find his hunting +ground when he would hunt, and where raise his wigwam when he would rest +with his squaw and his children? I, too, will kill and burn until our +land knows them no longer! I have the strength of ten white men and I +will use it. Black Eagle has spoken." + +He had not yet finished when two others sprang up, followed by others, +until nearly all were again on their feet, talking of their alleged +wrongs and boasting of their strength, and promising each other to do +all in their power to wipe out all English settlers west of the Blue +Ridge mountains. The bragging was often ludicrous, yet it was easy to +see that the Indians were working themselves up into a state of mind +where they would hesitate at nothing in order to accomplish their +purpose. + +Dave could understand only a few words of what was said, yet, from +having such scenes described to him by his father and Sam Barringford, +he knew that this was a "big war talk," as White Buffalo called them. +Once he fancied he heard his Uncle Joe's name mentioned and his heart +almost stopped beating. Surely they must be planning an attack on his +home, and that for very soon! + +"I must get back and give the warning!" he told himself. "Henry will +have to do the best he can with Mrs. Risley. If they get to the cabin +and kill Uncle Joe, what will become of Rodney, Aunt Lucy and little +Nell? Oh, I must get back!" + +Turning, he crawled from the spot with care, and once back into the +timber, commenced to run, with his gun slung over his shoulder and his +hands held out before him, to keep from running afoul of any +obstruction. More than once he bumped into a tree or fell sprawling over +some exposed roots, knocking the wind out of him. But he always picked +himself up and went on again with undiminished speed. Indeed, the nearer +he got to home the greater was his fear that something might have +happened in his absence and finally he fairly flew, when he reached +familiar ground. + +"Hi! who goes there?" + +It was a call from close at hand and it made Dave jump as though stung +by a snake. He whirled around, to behold a man behind a tree, a leveled +gun in his hands. + +"Don't shoot!" he called out, for he fancied he knew the voice. "Is that +you, Mr. Risley?" + +"Yes. Dave Morris, is it not?" + +"Yes." Dave ran to meet the Englishman. "Tell me quickly is everything +all right over to our house?" + +"It was all right when I left, an hour or so ago, lad. But your uncle +had been talking to Hans Lomann and said the German had heard of +something of an Indian uprising." + +At this Dave gave a sigh of relief. But immediately his heart sank, at +the thought of the news he had to impart to his friend. + +"The Indians are rising, all over this section of the country. They +attacked your cabin." + +"My cabin!" The Englishman could scarcely utter the words. "Davy, is it +the truth? And what of my wife--tell me quickly!" + +"Your wife is safe, although she got an arrow through the shoulder. The +redskins attacked the cabin and set fire to it. She leaped out of a rear +window and hid in the milk-house. Henry and I came up just in time to +get her into the woods. We ran as far as we could and then she fainted. +Henry said he would stay with her and told me to come on and give the +alarm. We were afraid the Indians had attacked our place, although we +didn't hear any shooting or see any fire." + +"Then the cabin is destroyed? But never mind that. You are sure the +wound wasn't fatal?" + +"Quite sure, for Henry dressed it as well as he could. But she was very +weak from having been in the water under the milk-house floor so long." + +"And where are they now?" + +"About a mile or more from here--in that direction. But you want to be +careful. There are Indians all around here--one band is over yonder +holding a war talk--and I'm sure they'll show you no mercy if they catch +you." + +The Englishman nodded his head half a dozen times. "I know it, lad, I +know it. They are a bloodthirsty set. Sometimes I am sorry I came to +this country to settle among them. But times were bad with us in old +England, and we had to do something. But you'll take me to my wife, +won't you, that's a brave lad." + +"I--I don't know," faltered Dave. He was still anxious to go home. +"Perhaps you can find them alone." + +"I'm not equal to it, lad--the forest is almost as much of a mystery to +me as the day I landed here. Do come, and then we can all go back to +your home with all possible speed." + +The young hunter could see that Uriah Risley was sorely distressed, and +unwilling to add to the man's misery, he consented to go back, although +he knew the way was full of ever-increasing perils. Soon they were on +the way, and tired as he was Dave set a pace that caused the settler to +puff and blow to keep up with him. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HENRY + + +It must be confessed that though he walked swiftly, Dave's heart was +anything but light. Turn the subject as he might he felt it "in his +bones," as he afterward declared, that a big uprising was close at hand +and that this might mean the wiping out of every pioneer for scores of +miles around. + +"The soldiers at Will's Creek fort and at Winchester ought to know of +this," he observed to Uriah Risley. "Someone will have to carry the +news." + +"Perhaps someone has already done so," was the Englishman's answer. He +heaved a sigh. "So the cabin is to the ground. Alack! it was a sorry day +when I pushed to the front instead of taking up ground close to +Winchester, as the good housewife wanted me to." And he shook his head +dolefully. + +In moving toward the spot where he had left Henry and Mrs. Risley, Dave +took great care to steer clear of the camp-fires of the various Indians +he had encountered. This was no easy task and more than once they came +close to running into a "hornet's nest," as he called it. + +Once Uriah Risley gave a cry of alarm and came close to discharging his +firearm. A wolf had slunk across their path in the darkness and the +Englishman took the form to be that of a sneaking Indian. + +"A redskin! He will scalp us!" he cried, and was on the point of pulling +the trigger when Dave stopped him. + +"No! no! It's only a wolf!" cried the youth. "Don't waste your powder +and ball. Besides, a shot will arouse every Indian for quarter of a mile +around." + +"A wolf? So it must have been." Uriah Risley drew a long breath and +lowered his musket. "He gave me a good scare, I must vow." + +"Hush! It won't do to talk so loud," went on the boy. "For all we know +the Indians may be trailing us and be ready to pounce on us at any +moment." + +These words caused the Englishman to glance back apprehensively, and +hurry on faster than ever. "It's a beastly woods," he said. "I wish we +were out of it." + +"We are safer here than in a clearing," was the answer. "Come close +behind me and keep quiet, and I think we'll be safe." + +On and on they went. Dave's lower limbs ached and trembled under him, +for he was now almost fagged out and it was only will-power that kept +him up. Slowly they climbed the last rise of ground. At a distance +glowed the dying embers of a camp-fire. + +"There's a redskins' nest," said the youth, as he paused for a moment. +"But it looks as if they had deserted the place." + +"Then we'll have to be doubly cautious, lad. They may be scattered in +this vicinity." + +"You are right. But I hope not, for we are now close to where I left +your wife and Henry." + +With added caution Dave crept forward another couple of hundred feet. +Then he stopped and peered around him in perplexity. + +"What is it, lad?" + +"They are gone!" + +"Gone?" + +"Yes, gone." + +"You are certain this is the spot?" + +"I am. I know it well, by this fallen tree and that rock. They have +moved to another quarter--or else----" + +"Or else the redskins have attacked them and carried them off," finished +Uriah Risley. He gave a groan. "Oh, lad, what is best to do now? Tell +me, for you are better versed to this sort of thing than I." + +"I--I don't know what to do," faltered the young hunter, staring first +at the helpless man before him and then at the gloomy surroundings. +"Wait a minute, and keep your hands on your gun. But don't shoot me or +Henry or your wife by mistake." + +Leaving Risley in the center of the little opening Dave started to walk +around in a wide circle. He did this with extreme caution, his head bent +close to the ground and his eyes noting every root and rock that covered +his path. Then he took another circle, still wider, and at last came +back to where his companion stood, the picture of misery and despair. + +"I found nothing," he said, in reply to the Englishman's questioning. +"They are gone, and I don't believe there are any Indians close to us. +I'm going to make a light and risk it." + +He brought forth his flint and tinder and soon had a tiny light, which +he applied to some dry leaves and then a stick of wood which was full of +pine pitch. This latter made a fairly good torch, and holding it close +to the ground he continued the search. + +Suddenly he uttered a cry of horror. He had come to a spot where the +ground was torn up by many footprints. Close at hand was a white birch +tree and on its bark were several spots of deep red. + +"There has been a fight," he said, as Uriah Risley came closer. "See how +they struggled. There is blood on the tree and there is a bit of cloth +torn from Henry's jacket--or rather, the jacket I left him." Dave gave a +deep shudder. "I--I wonder if Henry is dead?" + +"My wife, my poor, poor Caddy!" moaned Uriah Risley, and for a moment +covered his face with his hands. "Oh, lad, this is monstrous, monstrous! +Heaven help her if she is in the power of such savages!" + +"Yes, heaven help them both," returned Dave. + +Torch in hand, the youth followed a bloody trail through the forest +until it ended abruptly by the side of one of the numerous streams in +that vicinity. Here he came to a halt, and as Risley rejoined him both +stared vacantly at each other. + +"Well?" said the Englishman. + +"They went up or down the stream," answered Dave. "But which way I can't +say. But one thing is certain--neither of them was killed." + +"How do you know that?" + +"If they were we should have found their bodies. The Indians wouldn't +bother to carry 'em off. They'd simply scalp 'em and let it go at that." + +"Perhaps they threw the--the bodies into the water." + +Dave shook his head. "No, I'm pretty certain they carried 'em off as +prisoners." + +There was an awkward pause and something like a lump arose in Dave's +throat. If Henry was a prisoner and the Indians were on the war-path +this could mean but one thing for the youth--burning at the stake or +some similar torture. The silence was broken by Uriah Risley. + +"It's a burning shame, lad, an outrage. But what can we do now?" + +"I don't know what to do excepting to go home and give the alarm. It +won't do any good to stay here. The Indians may fall on us half a +hundred strong--just as they most likely fell on Henry and your wife." + +"But--but I cannot desert my poor wife, my beloved Caddy. She is all the +world to me. I'd rather die myself than see a hair of her head injured." + +"Then you had better continue the hunt, while I go home. If you should +fall in with 'em tell Henry how matters stand. But, Mr. Risley, let me +caution you not to be rash, if you catch sight of Mrs. Risley in the +hands of the redskins. If you give them the chance they'll burn you at +the stake--and it won't help her a bit either." + +"I'll try to be cautious, lad. I hate to have you go, but I suppose +after all it's for the best. Do what you can to save Mrs. Morris and +little Nell and the rest. Leave me the torch. I'll go up and down the +stream a bit and investigate." + +A minute more and they had parted, shaking hands in a fashion that meant +a great deal. Perhaps they would never again meet in this world. Dave +turned away and stole off silently, his eyes staring straight ahead and +his throat working convulsively. Ah, how little do the boys of to-day, +living in their comfortable homes and surrounded with every luxury and +convenience, realize how much their great-grandfathers of those days had +to endure in the shape of privation and peril! + +So tired that he could scarcely drag one limb after the other, Dave +pursued his course through the forest. Fortunately his "bump of +locality" was well developed and there was small danger of his getting +totally lost, even though he might go more or less astray. It was now +beginning to snow again, but it was so warm that the particles of white +melted as soon as they fell. Not a star was to be seen anywhere and the +way was blacker than ever. + +Reaching the first rise of ground, the youth felt compelled to rest and +threw himself at the foot of a large tree with his musket across his +knees, ready for use should he be surprised. Once or twice his eyes +closed in spite of his efforts to keep them open. But he invariably +straightened up, determined to keep awake at all hazards. + +"I'll not rest until I know all at home are safe," he told himself. "I +must get along somehow." And he staggered up and continued his course. + +He had not gone over a rod when he saw something dark moving ahead. The +object looked like a pair of Indians, coming slowly toward him, and his +heart leaped into his throat. He raised his gun and pointed it. + +But ere he was called on to fire he saw the object more distinctly and +uttering something of a cry of joy he lowered his weapon and rushed +forward. + +"Widgeon!" burst from his lips, and in a moment more he had hold of the +mane of one of Uriah Risley's horses--an animal that had escaped from +the Indians when the shed was set on fire. "Where did you come from? How +lucky I am to find you!" + +The horse seemed to recognize Dave, for he gave a low whinny and rubbed +his cold nose on the youth's jacket sleeve. A broken halter dangled from +his neck, but he possessed neither saddle nor bridle. He was covered +with a cold moisture, showing that he had run considerably after having +broken away. + +Having found the horse Dave's spirits arose a little. He led the animal +forward and struck out for a new route homeward, longer than that which +he had been pursuing but free from thickets and pitfalls. As soon as he +thought it safe to do so he leaped upon Widgeon's back, spoke to the +horse, and set off on a comfortable jog, which later on, when the ground +became more familiar, he increased to a gallop. + +Once Dave fancied he heard Indians in pursuit and holding on to +Widgeon's mane with one hand, drew up his gun with the other. But the +noises died away in the distance, and after that came no more alarms. At +last he came in sight of home and found to his joy that it remained as +he had left it, undisturbed. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +A DOUBLE WARNING + + +As my old readers know, the cabin of the Morris family was located in a +wide clearing, between a fair-sized creek and a brook flowing into the +larger stream. When we saw it before, it was a long, low but comfortable +building, containing four rooms on the ground floor, and a loft under +the sloping roof which was principally used for the storage of winter +supplies. + +During the past summer Mr. Joseph Morris had made an addition to the +cabin by building on at what was the kitchen end. This was now a new +kitchen while the old kitchen had become the general living room. The +old living room, so called, had been divided into two bedrooms, so that +the house was now large enough not alone for the regular family but also +for such occasional visitors as came that way. + +The coming of night made all of those at home anxious for the return of +the two young hunters. Feeling that both would be thoroughly hungry, +Mrs. Morris had cooked a liberal supper, of which after waiting an +hour, those in the cabin had eaten their share. The remainder now +simmered in the pot and kettle hung over the big open fire, while Mrs. +Morris moved uneasily about, clearing away the dirty dishes and +occasionally glancing out of the doorway in the direction she fancied +they must come. + +"It is strange what is keeping them," she said to the others. "I trust +they haven't gotten into trouble." + +"Perhaps they have struck more deer than they bargained for," answered +her husband, who had just entered with a bucket of water from the well. +"Henry said he felt certain he would bag something--and he rarely +deceives himself when it comes to game. Like as not they'll come along +toting all they can carry." + +"I wish they'd bring mamma another bear skin," put in little Nell. +"Wouldn't it be beautiful--if it matched the one Mr. Washington let +cousin Dave have?" + +"No! no! A bear might harm them!" put in Mrs. Morris hastily. "It's a +bad time of year to tackle such beasts, so I heard Sam Barringford say." + +"You let Henry and Dave alone when it comes to any kind of game," came +from Rodney, who sat in his easy chair close to the roaring fire. "Why, +the worst game they could meet wouldn't be half as bad as the Indians +and French they had to face when they went to war. You forget, mother, +what splendid shots both of them are." + +But the mother turned away shaking her head doubtfully. Perhaps her +instinct told her what grave trouble was brooding. She looked out of the +doorway once more and spoke to her husband. + +"Did James say when he should be back?" + +"He couldn't tell, because he didn't know if he could complete his +business right away or if he would have to wait to see certain parties. +Like as not he won't come back until to-morrow, or the day after. He +knew there was no need to hurry. We can't do anything much on the farm +just now." + +As even home-made candles were somewhat scarce, the family did without +any light excepting that afforded by the fire in the big-mouthed +chimney, the genial glare of which threw fantastic shadows on the walls. +Little Nell did not particularly fancy those shadows and so asked +permission to climb into Rodney's lap. + +"Why of course," said the cripple, and took her up at once. Then she +insisted that he tell a story, "but not about bears, or wolves, or +Indians, but about a fairy and a princess, and a castle full of gold," +and Rodney did his best to tell the most marvelous story his brain could +invent. But long before the good fairy had given the princess a +beautiful prince for a husband, and the castle full of gold in the +bargain, little Nell was sound asleep, so the story was never finished. + +As the night wore on even Mr. Morris began to show his anxiety, and +without saying a word he got down his musket from over the chimney shelf +and brought forth his horn of powder and his little bag of home-made +bullets. + +"You are going after them?" asked Mrs. Morris. + +"I'll wait a bit longer," he answered. "But I thought I'd be prepared, +in case anything was wrong." + +Having put little Nell to bed, Mrs. Morris brought forth her knitting +and for some time only the click-clicking of the polished needles broke +the silence. Then Rodney, who had been sitting with his chin in his +hands, watching the burning logs, roused up. + +"I don't suppose there is any use of my staying up," he said. "My back +doesn't feel quite as well as it did yesterday. I'll go to bed," and he +shuffled off to the bedroom he occupied. This was the one nearest to the +kitchen, on the south side, and had been given to the cripple because it +was warmer in the winter than the others. + +Left to themselves, the time seemed to drag more heavily than ever to +Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Every thought was centered on their son Henry and +nephew David. What could be keeping the pair? + +"They must have met with an accident," said the pioneer at length. +"Perhaps one of them fell in a hole and broke a leg. I know there are +several nasty pitfalls in the vicinity of the salt lick. I guess I had +better go out and look for them." + +Joseph Morris was soon ready for the journey, promising, whether he +found them or not, to be back inside of two hours. He went on horseback, +riding Fanny, Dave's favorite mare, the animal that had once been stolen +and so fortunately recovered. + +Left to herself, Mrs. Morris knitted faster than ever. But even the +flying needles could not stop her anxiety, and more than once she threw +down the work, to go to the doorway and gaze earnestly in every +direction. How dark and lonely the mighty forest looked. Something +caused her to shiver in spite of herself. She listened intently. + +What was that? A sound at a great distance. As it drew closer she made +out the hoof-beats of a horse on a gallop. She ran into the cabin and in +true pioneer fashion armed herself with a musket, ready to consider +every newcomer an enemy until he proved himself a friend. Swiftly the +horse came closer and she now made out a youth hanging heavily over the +animal's neck. + +"Dave! is it you?" + +"Yes, Aunt Lucy," was the answer. The boy rode up and dropped heavily to +the ground. "Are you all safe?" + +"Safe? Of course we are. What has happened? Where is Henry?" + +"I don't know where Henry is--just now. I left him in the woods doing +what he could for Mrs. Risley. The Indians surrounded their cabin and +burnt it down, and Mrs. Risley escaped to the milk-house. We rescued her +from her hiding place in the water and got her into the woods. Then I +started for home, but I met Mr. Risley and had to take him back to where +I had left Henry and Mrs. Risley. We couldn't find either of them, and +it looked as if they had had a fight. Mr. Risley remained to investigate +and I came home as quickly as I could to give the alarm. The Indians are +rising all over and are going to massacre everybody they can lay hands +on." + +While talking Dave staggered into the kitchen and sank down heavily on a +bench. + +"Mercy on us, Dave, you don't really mean it! The Risley cabin burnt +down, and the Indians on the war-path! Why, we'll all be murdered!" + +"We shall be unless we take means to defend ourselves, Aunt Lucy. Where +are father and Uncle Joe?" + +"Your father has gone to Winchester and won't be back before to-morrow +or next day. Your uncle went off a spell ago to look for you and Henry. +Are the Indians coming this way? Tell me about Henry." + +As anxious as she was the good woman saw that her nephew was not only +tired out but also hungry, and as she talked she bustled about and +prepared his meal for him at the corner of the table nearest to the +fire. Dave devoured his supper in short order, telling all he had to +relate at the same time. It is needless to state that Mrs. Morris was +greatly alarmed. The loud talking of the pair aroused Rodney, who called +from the bedroom to know what was wrong, and when told the cripple lost +no time in dressing himself. + +"If they come here we'll have to defend ourselves as best we can," said +Rodney. "I can't run but I can shoot pretty straight, and if mother will +load for us I guess we can give 'em some pretty good shots. What we want +to do first of all is to shut all the shutters tight and get in all the +water we can--to drink and to put out fires with. It's lucky father cut +those port-holes in the roof. They'll be just the spots to bring down +Injuns from." + +"My boy, you cannot do it!" cried Mrs. Morris, in increased alarm. "Even +if your father gets back what can three do against a horde of redskins? +They will fire the cabin and shoot you down the moment you are driven +out by the flames." + +"Well, I don't believe in letting the rascals have our cabin and +belongings," returned Rodney, stubbornly. "I'm only a cripple, but I'm +willing to fight to the last. If we run for it, how much can we take +along? Not much, I can tell you that." + +"Yes, but our lives are more precious to us than our things here," said +his mother. "And remember Nell, Rodney. If she fell into the Indians' +hands--" Mrs. Morris did not finish, but her breast heaved and two big +tears started from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. + +"Well, you wouldn't want to go before father got back, would you?" asked +Rodney, after a pause. + +"He is coming now--at least I hear somebody on horseback!" cried Dave. +"Perhaps it's an Indian," and he reached for his gun, which he had +brought in and placed beside the door. + +He went out, and Mrs. Morris and Rodney came behind him, each with some +sort of firearm. As the horseman came closer they saw that it was indeed +an Indian. But the white feathers and the general bearing of the new +arrival soon reassured them. + +"White Buffalo!" called Dave, and ran to meet the Indian chief who had +been the family's friend for so many years. + +"How-how!" returned the Indian, and came straight up to the cabin door. +"Where is my white brother Joseph, and my white brother James?" he +questioned anxiously. + +"Father is at Winchester," answered Dave. "Uncle Joseph went off awhile +ago to look for Henry and me. We were out hunting but found out the +Indians are rising. Do you know about that, White Buffalo?" + +"So the white boy knows the news already?" White Buffalo's face fell a +little, for he had hoped to be the first to bear intelligence. "Yes, it +is true, they have dug up the war hatchet, and have murdered many people +already. I came to help you, and I bring a message from Captain Tanner." + +"And your tribe--will they join those who rise against the English?" +asked Rodney. + +For a moment White Buffalo hung his head on his breast. Then with an +effort he straightened up. "Some of the Delawares are fools--they will +not listen to White Buffalo but listen to Skunk Tail and drink the +fire-water the French give them. We have had a pow-wow and some would go +to the French and some to the English. At Big Tree I left eighteen +braves who will follow me and fight for the English. The others have +joined Skunk Tail and Fox Head of the Miamis, and the tribes under +Rolling Thunder and Canshanran, and will fight for themselves and for +the French. They think not of right or of honor, but will burn and +murder and steal all they can. A black day and a black night are coming, +and how it will end only He who rules the Happy Hunting Ground can +tell." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +DEPARTURE FROM HOME + + +It was not until White Buffalo came into the light of the kitchen fire +that they saw he was wounded. Blood was trickling from an arrow thrust +in the left shoulder. At the sight of this Mrs. Morris uttered a slight +scream. + +"You are wounded, White Buffalo! Why didn't you say so before? Let me +bind it up for you." + +"No big heap hurt," answered the Indian. "Only little cut him." +Nevertheless, he was glad enough to have the lady of the cabin bind it +up, after which he said it felt better. + +White Buffalo had but little to add to what has already been narrated +excepting that in coming to the cabin to give warning he had fallen in +with some rival Indians, three of whom had sought to stop him. A +hand-to-hand fight had resulted and White Buffalo had sent one man to +earth by a blow from his tomahawk and ridden over a second in such a +fashion that the enemy had not stirred afterward. The arrow wound had +been received previous to this, but the chief had not noticed it until +some time later. + +The continued talking had roused little Nell and now she came running +out of the bedroom in her robe of white begging to know what was the +matter. She gave a scream when she saw the Indian, but quickly recovered +when she recognized White Buffalo. + +"I thought it was one of the bad Indians," she said, in her simple +fashion. "I'm not afraid of you, White Buffalo, am I?" + +"White Buffalo glad not," answered the chief, taking her by the hand. +"White Buffalo would not harm one hair of little Nell's head," and he +stroked the curly top affectionately. + +"You said you carried a message," put in Rodney, suddenly. "Where is +it?" + +From among his feathers White Buffalo produced a single sheet of paper. +It was covered with a hasty scrawl, running as follows: + + "FRIEND MORRIS: The Indians are rising. I think it best that + all settlers in this vicinity gather at Fort Lawrence for + safety. Shall send messengers wherever I can. Garwell's cabin + is in ashes and himself murdered and Mrs. Garwell carried off, + and it is said that Risley's cabin is also burning. + + "JOHN SMITH TANNER." + +"Captain Tanner wants us to gather at Fort Lawrence for safety," said +Dave, after listening to the reading by his cousin. "I believe, Aunt +Lucy, he is right. The rising is so widespread that it would be +foolhardy to remain here. We might--" + +The youth broke off short and ran toward the doorway. But White Buffalo +was ahead of him. Both had heard the approach of a horse. It was Joseph +Morris returning, and he was alone. + +"Thank heaven you are safe!" ejaculated the pioneer, as he leaped to the +ground and came into the cabin. "I was afraid you might all be murdered. +So Dave is here. Where is Henry?" + +"Gone," answered Dave. "You saw nothing of him, or of Mrs. Risley or her +husband?" + +"I did not. But I saw Indians--hundreds of them. They are on the +war-path. We must get out of here. There is not a moment to spare." + +"Oh, father!" The cry came from Mrs. Morris and she clung close to her +husband, while little Nell set up a wild sobbing. "Must we leave it +all--everything?" + +"All but what we can conveniently carry on horseback, Lucy. I believe +the redskins will be here within the hour." + +Only a few more hurried words passed, and Joseph Morris glanced at the +note White Buffalo had brought. The Indian looked very grave. + +"My white brother Joseph will go to Fort Lawrence?" he questioned. + +"Yes. I see no other way. I would rather go to the fort at Will's Creek, +but the Indians are covering that trail already. You will stick to us, +White Buffalo, won't you?" + +"To the death." + +The pioneer grasped the chief's hand warmly. "I knew I could depend on +you. Where are the braves under you?" + +"Two miles from here--at the Big Tree. Say where I shall meet you and if +White Buffalo can do it it shall be done." + +"We will go to Fort Lawrence by the brook way,--past where you and I +shot the bear and her two cubs two winters ago. Meet me on that trail. +Hurry, for we may need you sorely." + +Without a word White Buffalo darted from the cabin and a moment later +they heard him ride away at the best speed his steed could attain. + +There was now a great confusion in the cabin. Knowing that she must +really leave, Mrs. Morris set to work to gather her most precious things +into several bundles which might be carried on horseback. As well as he +was able Rodney helped her, and little Nell also took a hand, bound to +save the few precious toys she possessed, including the doll White +Buffalo had made for her. It made the good woman's heart ache sorely +when she realized how little could be carried and how much of all that +was dear to her must be left behind for the Indians to burn or plunder. + +While this was going on in the cabin Dave ran to the outbuilding where +he brought forth the several horses and saddled and bridled them. Then +he let out the live stock, turning the cows into the forest, to shift +for themselves. He wanted to take the cows along, but his uncle doubted +if there would be time. + +While the others worked Joseph Morris looked to all the firearms and got +them into readiness for use. Then he rode around the clearing to learn +if the trail he had mentioned to White Buffalo could still be used. + +"Come, we must go!" he cried, presently. "Hark, don't you hear the +distant war-whoops? The Indians are advancing. If we wait another five +minutes we may be lost!" + +From the cabin came Mrs. Morris, Rodney and little Nell, carrying the +several bundles they had made up. Little Nell cried piteously and the +silent tears coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks. + +Fortunately there were horses for all, with an extra animal for some of +the bundles. The latter were hurriedly adjusted and fastened. + +"Now, Dave, you lead the way," said Joseph Morris. "I will fix things so +that the redskins may be deceived when they come up." + +"All right, Uncle Joe. But don't stay back too long," was the lad's +answer. + +Astride of his favorite mare Fanny, Dave headed the silent procession +across the clearing, and into the woods. As soon as possible he struck +into the brook, that their trail might be hidden by the water. He knew +this way well, so there was no hesitation. Behind him came Mrs. Morris +and little Nell, and Rodney brought up the rear, with the extra horse. +Each carried all that was possible, but the youths had their bundles +strapped on, that they might have free hands for their guns, should they +wish to use the weapons. + +Left to himself, Joseph Morris closed the shutters of the cabin and +dampened down the fire with ashes. Then he ran up to the loft, opened +one of the port-holes in the roof and placed in it the shining barrel of +an old musket which had long ago seen its best days. Behind the musket +he placed a pillow upright and on the top an old hat. + +When he left the cabin and walked away he glanced back at his dummy and +a smile lit up his bronzed face. At a distance it looked exactly like +somebody on guard. + +"That will fool them for awhile anyway," was his mental comment. "And +even a little time is better than nothing," and he rode off swiftly +after the others. + +He was soon with them, for on account of the bundles and Rodney's +condition they could not make as good progress as they wished. Fort +Lawrence was a good twelve miles off and though it was desirable to +reach that place before daybreak, it was questionable if they could make +the distance. + +"If we can't reach the fort by five o'clock we had best remain in the +woods until darkness comes again," said Mr. Morris. "Because by morning +the fort will most likely be surrounded, even if the redskins remain in +hiding." + +"I wonder what father will do," came from Dave. + +"Oh, he will know enough to look out for himself, Dave. Remember, he is +the best frontiersman in the whole family." + +"Yes, Uncle Joe, that's true, but if he thinks we are at the cabin and +in peril he may do something rash trying to save us." + +"As soon as you are safe at the fort I will see what can be done, not +only for him but also for Henry and the Risleys. I am afraid Henry has +had serious trouble. Perhaps he is dead," and Joseph Morris shook his +head sorrowfully. + +Making as little noise as possible, they pushed forward to the point +where White Buffalo had promised to meet them with his braves. Too tired +to remain awake, little Nell had fallen asleep in her mother's arms, but +the others were wide-awake. + +Presently a distant gun-shot broke upon their ears. Another followed, +and then came a wild whooping and yelling which continued for ten +minutes or more. When it started Joseph Morris called a halt, but soon +told the others to move on again. + +"They have attacked the cabin," he said, sadly. "Those shots were +probably aimed at the dummy I set up. They will be in a fearful rage +over the ruse and will no doubt do their best to follow us. We must lose +no time on the way." + +"Won't they know we are bound for Fort Lawrence and try to head us off?" +questioned Rodney. + +"There is no telling, my son. We must trust to luck and our skill to +evade them." + +It was not long before a red glare appeared in the sky, in the direction +where the cabin was located. All knew what that meant but nobody said a +word, for fear of breaking down. But Joseph Morris gritted his teeth in +a fashion which showed only too plainly what was passing in his mind. +Given the chance and he would make the Indians pay dearly for the +destruction of his property. + +Suddenly Dave drew rein and up went his gun, aimed at a figure standing +under a tree ahead. But the figure put up an arm and waved it familiarly +and the gun dropped to the lad's side. White Buffalo was awaiting them +with eleven of his best warriors. The others of the tribe had deserted +to the enemy. + +"My white friends have been slow in coming up," said the chief. "They +have lost precious time. The enemy are on every side. It will be no easy +task for White Buffalo to lead his friends to the fort." + +"We made as much haste as we could," said Rodney. The rough ride was +beginning to tell upon him and he was almost ready to pitch from the +saddle through sheer weakness. + +A few words more followed, and the trail through the forest was resumed, +some of the Indians going ahead and others, including White Buffalo, +bringing up the rear, to keep back the advance of any who might be +following from the burning cabin. + +They were still two miles from the fort when some of the Indians in the +front sounded a note of warning. But this was not needed for a minute +later they fell in with a neighbor also bound for the fort. This +neighbor had with him his two sons, two daughters and his sick wife, +whom they were carrying on a litter. + +"No Injuns around here as yet," said the neighbor, whose name was +Larkwell. "But they are coming jest as fast as they can. We can't git to +the fort none too soon." + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE + + +Fort Lawrence was little more than a fort in name only. It was a spot +selected by the Morrises and others living within a radius of one to +twenty-two miles, where they might congregate for safety at any time +when the way to Will's Creek or Winchester should be cut off. + +The fort was located at a point where two small streams joined. Here the +brushwood and trees had been cleared off for a distance of little over +an acre. Some trees, running in a semi-circle from one brook to the +other, had been left standing, and between these a rude stockade had +been planted of logs, ten to twelve feet high and sharp-pointed at the +top. Along the two watercourses were a series of rough rocks and on top +of these other rocks had been placed, making a barrier almost as high as +the wooden one opposite. In the wooden stockade and among the rocks, +port holes were placed, so that those inside could command every avenue +of approach with their firearms. To the whole there was a rude gateway, +but as yet no gate further than some heavy brushwood piled conveniently +near,--thorn-brush, which all Indians despised. + +So far there had assembled at the fort six families, consisting of eight +men and seven women, with fifteen children of all ages, from boys and +girls of Dave's growth to an infant in arms. These pioneers had brought +with them all the earthly possessions which they or their beasts of +burden could carry, and these goods were now piled high in the center of +the stockade, where there was something of a hollow among the rocks. +Back of this pile was a second hollow, rudely thatched with tree +branches, and here the women and the smaller children assembled, the +little ones either sleeping soundly or crying shrilly for the comforts +to which they were accustomed. + +Among the men was Captain John Smith Tanner, a Virginian, of mixed +English and German blood. Captain Tanner had fought under Washington at +Braddock's defeat and also done good work during several Indian +uprisings, and this had won for him the military title, which, however, +was not of the king's troops but of the local militia. The captain was +an out-and-out backwoodsman, a bachelor, and a man well-liked by nearly +all who knew him. + +As we know, it was Captain Tanner who had sent the note to Joseph +Morris's house by White Buffalo, and now he and several others of the +settlers waited anxiously for the appearance of not alone these friends, +but of five other pioneers, including Uriah Risley. Eight men to defend +both the stockade and the rocks were not many, and the captain felt that +should the enemy appear in force matters would speedily reach a crisis +with the whites. + +"Somebuddy comin'!" shouted one of the watchers, presently. "An Injun!" + +"Can you make him out?" questioned the captain, but before the question +was fairly finished the watcher continued: + +"It's White Buffalo, and some white folks with him." + +In a moment more the Morrises and Larkwells came into view, and the +thorn-brush was pulled aside to allow them to enter the enclosure. The +party rode in one at a time, Joseph Morris being the last to enter. +Rodney was so tired and exhausted he could not stand and Dave led him to +a seat on a tree stump and then assisted his aunt and little Nell to +alight. + +"Oh, dear! Where are we?" cried the little girl, who had just awakened. +"I thought I was home in bed!" + +"You are safe with mamma, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, hugging her +tightly. "We have come to the fort to get away from the wicked Indians." + +"And I was asleep all the time? How funny!" Little Nell stared around +her. "Oh, there is Mary Lee and Martha Brownley!" she ejaculated. "I'll +have company, won't I?" + +"Yes," answered her mother, and they joined their neighbors,--if those +living miles away could be called such. + +The woman on the litter cared for, all the "men folks," which included +several who were little more than boys, assembled to map out a plan of +action and decide what should be done with White Buffalo and his +warriors. The Indian Chief was willing to aid them as much as was in his +power, but did not wish to enter the stockade, preferring to fight from +the shelter of the forest beyond. + +"It is the redman's way," said White Buffalo, "even as it is the way of +the wildcat to fight in the darkness. White Buffalo can do more from the +outside than from the inside of the fort." + +"I reckon you're right, Injun," answered Captain Tanner. "But now you've +carried one message for us I rather wish you'd carry another." + +"White Buffalo will do what is best for his white brethren." + +"I'd like to send word to Winchester, to Colonel Washington, letting him +know just how we're fixed here." The captain turned to those around him. +"Isn't that a good plan?" + +"It is," said one, "but these Indians may give us lots of help,--if the +enemy come on us in heavy numbers. They oughtn't all to go." + +The matter was talked over, and at last it was decided to let White +Buffalo start for Winchester with two of his braves, leaving the other +redmen to scatter through the woods and give the alarm on the approach +of the enemy. A letter was hastily written to Washington, and White +Buffalo started off just as the first streaks of dawn were beginning to +appear in the east. + +Fortunately for those present, some of the pioneers had brought with +them large stocks of provision, so there was no need for anybody to go +hungry for a long while to come, should the Indians lay siege to them. +Water could also be had in plenty, which was desirable both for drinking +purposes and in case of fire. + +With the coming of day those in the fort breathed more freely, for they +knew that even if the enemy came up it was not likely they would begin +an attack until darkness once again settled down. In the meantime the +work of strengthening the defense went on steadily, a laborer only +quitting when he found it necessary to lie down for a few hours' sleep. + +The Indians had gone out, the thorn-brush had been piled high in the +gateway, and for the time being there seemed nothing for the pioneers to +do but to sit down and await developments. Several camp-fires were +burning and over these a morning meal was cooked, to which all but one +or two invalids did ample justice. The assemblage divided itself into +half a dozen groups, each talking in a low tone of the prospects. + +The Morrises were chiefly concerned over the fate of Henry. When she +thought of her boy perhaps murdered and scalped the bitter tears of +anguish rolled down Mrs. Morris's cheeks, and the little the others +could do to cheer her up was of no avail. + +"From what Dave says there must have been a fierce fight," she moaned. +"And more than likely our poor dear Henry got the worst of it. We'll +never see the brave boy again!" And her tears burst forth afresh. + +"I would go on a hunt for him, only I know it would be next to useless," +returned her husband. "Besides, at such a time as this I feel my place +is at your side, and with Nell, Rodney, and Dave." And she had to admit +that this was true. + +Slowly the morning wore along. It had stopped snowing and not a sound +broke the stillness, outside of the gentle murmur of the brooks as they +met between the rocks, and the songs of the birds in the forest. Not a +breath of air was stirring, and as Dave climbed into one of the stockade +trees to survey the situation it looked as if no Indians were within +miles of them. But this he knew to be untrue, since White Buffalo's +warriors could not be far off and the enemy was surely working their way +in that direction. + +"I fancy it's the calm before the storm," he said to Rodney, who having +had several hours of rest felt much stronger. "We'll catch it all the +worse when it does come." + +"If only I wasn't crippled," sighed Rodney. "I'd fight just as hard as +any of 'em." + +"I've no doubt of that, Rodney. Well, when the time comes perhaps you'll +have your share of the shooting same as any of us. You can watch from a +port-hole, even if you have to sit down to it." + +"Yes, I've already told Captain Tanner I wanted one of those places at +the north brook to-night. I don't intend to let you fellows do the work +while I go and sleep. The women folks and the children are the only ones +to take it easy." + +"Even the women folks will have their hands full--loading for us--when +the real attack begins. The first ten minutes are what counts. It was +that way when the Indians attacked father's trading post. If we hadn't +put it to 'em hot-like from the first minute we would never have beaten +'em back." + +By the middle of the afternoon all that could be done was finished, and +then Captain Tanner insisted upon it that the majority of the men and +boys lie down to rest. + +"You won't get any sleep to-night, so make the most of your time now," +were his words. Then he climbed the tallest tree in that vicinity, to +take a long and careful look around. But this survey brought nothing new +to light. + +It was just sundown when the first alarm came in. An Indian carrying a +white feather was seen sneaking up to the stockade. Seeing it was one of +White Buffalo's followers the captain sent Joseph Morris out to +interview him. + +"The Indians who side with the French are coming," announced the +warrior. "They come by the trail we traveled and by the trail in yonder +pathway," pointing with his hand. "They are in four bands, and Gray Tail +heard that they will strike to-night when darkness covers the land." + +This was all that the Indian could tell, but it was enough, and Joseph +Morris ran back to inform Captain Tanner and the others. Those who were +sleeping were aroused, and each man and boy was assigned to his place of +duty. + +As he had desired, Rodney was placed near one of the brooks. The young +man's father was stationed some distance above him and Dave an equal +distance below. Next to Dave came a pioneer named Ike Lee, and the +others followed, completing the circle of the fort. Then all waited +anxiously for a first sign of the advancing enemy, each with his eyes +strained to their utmost and with his finger on the trigger of his +firearm. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HOW HENRY FARED + + +Let us now go back to Henry Morris and find out what occurred to the +young hunter and Mrs. Risley immediately after Dave departed from the +resting place in the forest. + +As we know the tired woman had fainted from exhaustion, and for fully +ten minutes Henry had all he could do to restore her to consciousness. +He rubbed her hands and wrists vigorously and fanned her face with his +cap, and at last had the satisfaction of seeing her open her eyes. + +"Oh!" she murmured. "I--I--what happened? Did I--I fall?" + +"You fainted I reckon," answered the young hunter, kindly. "The walk was +too much for you." + +"Yes--I felt I couldn't go another step, Henry. I see we are still in +the woods. Are the Indians near?" + +"I don't think they are--at least, we haven't seen anything of them." + +"Where is Dave?" + +"He has gone on ahead, to see if all is right at home, and if it is to +bring help." + +"I would give all I possess to be at your cabin," said the poor woman, +with a sigh. She tried to rise, then sank back heavily. "I--I--don't see +how I am going to walk." + +"You had better rest a bit longer, Mrs. Risley. There is no great hurry. +It may pay us to go slow--with so many redskins lurking about. They may +be--" + +Henry broke off short, and thinking his companion was about to speak, +clapped his hand over her mouth. Through the stillness of the forest he +had caught sounds that could mean but one thing--the approach of several +men. In a moment more he caught glimpses of a flickering light +approaching. + +"We must hide!" he whispered in Mrs. Risley's ear. "Come, there isn't a +second to lose!" + +"But where shall we go?" she panted, her heart leaping into her throat. +"I cannot run a step--it will kill me!" + +The young hunter looked around in perplexity. There was some brushwood +to their right, growing among some sharp-pointed rocks. He caught his +companion's hand and almost dragged her in that direction. On the rocks +Mrs. Risley's foot slipped and she gave a cry of pain. + +"My ankle--I have twisted it badly!" + +"Hush! they will hear!" he answered, and seeing she could go no further, +he caught her in his youthful arms and carried her forward. In the midst +of a clump of bushes he laid her down and threw himself flat beside her, +at the same time holding some brushwood down over them. + +By this time the glimmer of light had come closer. It was a torch, held +in the hands of a tall Indian, who was following up the trail of the +whites with great care. The Indian had with him six companions, all +armed with either guns or bows and arrows, and each hideous in his +war-paint. + +Hardly daring to breathe, Henry awaited their close approach, his left +hand holding down the bushes and his right on his gun. Soon the warriors +were at the spot where Mrs. Risley had fainted. Here they came to a halt +and began to talk in low tones. + +It was a moment of intense anxiety, and it must be confessed that +Henry's heart almost stopped beating. The warrior with the torch held +the light aloft, and all in the party gazed around with eyes as piercing +as those of some wild beasts. + +[Illustration: The warrior with the torch held the light aloft.] + +In a moment more something happened which changed the tables of fortune. +Unable to bear the pain of her twisted ankle, Mrs. Risley drew in a +sharp, rasping breath which sound reached the ears of one of the +Indians. Instantly he stepped in that direction and spoke to the warrior +with the torch. Three of the band came forward with swift steps and +arrows pointed. A yell rent the air, telling that those in hiding were +discovered. + +Seeing it was useless to remain prostrate Henry leaped up. An arrow +whizzed past his shoulder and would have struck him fairly in the breast +had he not leaped to one side. + +He, too, blazed away, and saw the leading Indian go down, shot through +the breast, a serious if not a mortal wound. Then he pulled Mrs. Risley +to her feet. + +"Run!" he cried. "Run! It is your only chance. Hide in the woods!" + +She limped off, but ere she had gotten a dozen steps two of the warriors +were after her, and she was made a prisoner. In the meantime Henry +retreated to a clump of birch trees and there made a stand against the +remaining Indians. + +The struggle, which lasted but a few minutes, was an unequal one. +Another arrow was fired, and it grazed his left hand, causing the blood +to flow freely, and making the stains afterward discovered by Dave. Then +one of the red men came up behind the trees, and reaching out struck him +with the flat side of a tomahawk. Henry tried to turn and grapple with +his assailant, but suddenly his senses left him and he knew no more. + +"'Tis one of the Morris family," said the Indian with the torch, in his +native tongue. He made an examination. "He is not dead." + +"A good capture," said another. "We must take him along. Gonawak, you +must help to carry him." + +"And what of the woman?" asked the warrior addressed as Gonawak, well +known throughout that territory for his extreme cruelty. + +"Talking Deer will take care of her," was the answer. "He is to take +care of all of them until this raid is over." + +But little more was said, and in a few minutes the unconscious form of +the young hunter was picked up and borne through the forest in the +direction of the nearest stream. As has been said, water leaves no +trail, and for this reason the redmen instinctively used the shallow +stream for a roadway. + +When Henry regained his senses he found himself strapped to the back of +a horse and moving slowly westward through the forest. The wound on his +hand had been allowed to bleed itself out. He felt both weak and stiff +and had a dull ache in his head, where the tomahawk had landed and +raised a good-sized lump. + +By a blaze on the animal's neck, Henry recognized the horse he rode as +one belonging to a pioneer living in that vicinity. He was in the +company of nine redmen, four of whom were mounted on stolen horses. From +this he inferred that the Risley cabin was not the only one which had +been attacked on that fatal night. + +He looked around, but could see nothing of Mrs. Risley nor of any other +captives. He was alone with the savage warriors, and what they intended +to do with him there was no telling. But he had good reasons for +believing that a horrible fate was in store for him. + +"I must get away if I can," he thought. "They can't do any more than +shoot me if I try to escape, and even that will be better than to be +burnt at the stake." + +The Indians now noticed that he had recovered consciousness, and one of +them rode closer and said sharply: + +"White hunter boy must keep still. If yell will strike him!" And he +flourished his tomahawk threateningly. + +"Where are you taking me?" questioned Henry. But the Indian would not +answer and only told him to keep quiet. + +It was growing morning when the small band came to a halt, at the bank +of a wide stream where there was a series of rapids among the rocks. +Henry was cut loose and ordered to dismount. Then he was led to a nearby +tree and tied up once more. + +"Will you give me a drink?" he asked of one of the Indians, but for +answer the redman slapped him sharply over the mouth and told him to +hold his tongue. + +Suffering much from thirst and from the wound on his left hand, which +had now begun to swell, Henry watched the Indians as they prepared an +early morning meal, for the light of dawn was now showing in the east. A +fire of very dry wood, which would give little smoke, was lighted and +over this two of the redmen prepared some deer meat they had been +carrying. The smell of the cooking venison was tantalizing to Henry, but +he knew better than to ask for a portion of the repast. Once or twice +the Indians came up to him but only to jibe at him and poke him with +their guns or their bows, while one made a move with his hunting knife +as if to cut out the young hunter's heart. + +While the Indians were busy eating Henry tugged at his bonds with all +the strength he could muster. But he was too weak, and the warriors had +bound the rawhides too firmly, for the youth to budge them. He only made +his wound break out afresh, and then had to stop, well-nigh exhausted +with his effort. + +"Getting away is out of the question," he thought, and a heavy sigh +escaped his lips. "They will keep a sharp watch on me until they get +back to their village and then they will take great delight in torturing +me in every way they can think of. Oh, what savages they are, every one +of them!" + +Thus musing, Henry watched the Indians eat their meal. When they had +finished one warrior came to him with some of the scraps and with a cup +full of dirty water. + +"White hunter boy can eat," said the Indian, and untied one of his +hands. It was far from an appetizing meal and was decidedly scant. But +it was better than nothing, and not wishing to starve to death Henry ate +all that was offered him and drank the water to the last drop. Then his +loose hand was once again fastened behind him. + +The Indians were now holding a consultation, sitting close to the dying +embers of the fire and smoking their long-stemmed pipes. But little of +what was said reached Henry's ears, yet he caught the words "big feast" +and "burn at stake" spoken in the Indian tongue. At this he had to +shudder in spite of every effort to control his feelings. + +"I must get away!" he thought. "I must! I'm not going to allow them to +burn me at the stake! It's horrible. I've heard all about old Sol Harper +and Dick Waterbury, and how they suffered. I'd rather be shot. +They'll--Oh!" + +His thoughts came to a sudden end, and for the instant he felt that he +must be dreaming. His eyes had strayed to the bushes on the opposite +bank of the stream. A white hand was raised warningly and the bushes +parted slowly, showing the face of his old friend, Sam Barringford. +Henry nodded, to show that he had seen the old frontiersman. Then the +bushes closed again and Sam Barringford disappeared. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SAM BARRINGFORD'S RUSE + + +The appearance of his old frontier friend gave Henry's hopes a bound +upward. He felt that he could rely upon Sam Barringford to do his utmost +for him in securing his release. He felt equally sure that Barringford +had been following the band for some time, trying to gain a chance to +rush in and cut his bonds. + +It was true that Barringford numbered but one against nine, and would +have stood small chance against them in an open fight, but Henry knew +the old frontiersman too well to imagine that Barringford would thus +expose himself to a stray shot that might kill him. His friend had +learned the value of playing a "waiting game," and would do nothing rash +unless the occasion actually demanded it. + +The best part of half an hour went by, and still the Indians remained +around the camp-fire, smoking and discussing the situation. Occasionally +one would glance toward Henry and perhaps raise a tomahawk +threateningly, meaning thereby that an attempt to escape would be +punishable by death. To these movements Henry paid no attention. + +The young hunter's ears were on the alert, for he half expected that +Barringford might be coming up behind him to cut his bonds. At last he +heard his name mentioned in a low, guarded tone: + +"Henry!" + +"Sam," he returned, without apparently moving his lips. + +"I'm right behind, lad. Do as I tell you and gittin' away may come easy. +I'll cut yer rawhides, but don't you attempt ter move till yer hear a +noise in the woods an' the Injuns run fer the spot. Then dust straight +back, an' I'll jine you fast as I kin. Do you understand?" + +"Yes," answered Henry, as softly as before. + +"All right. Now tell me when them measly critters ain't lookin'. I can't +see 'em from here." + +After this there was a few minutes of silence. Henry watched the nine +redmen as never before. Several faced him, but now they turned away for +a moment and he communicated that fact to Sam Barringford. + +Instantly a hand glided around the side of the tree and a sharp hunting +knife slid along the rawhides which bound the youth's hands and feet. +The bonds about the tree were already severed. + +"Now I'm goin'," whispered Barringford. "Don't run till they ain't +a-noticin' of you--unless, o' course, they come straight at you." + +As silently as he had come Sam Barringford retreated, keeping the tree +and some brushwood between himself and the enemy. Once more Henry was +left alone, and again many anxious minutes passed. + +Suddenly from a distance up the stream came a shot, followed by another, +and then a well-known Indian war-whoop. The voice of a white man, +calling out loudly, was heard, followed by another war-cry, and a +crashing and splitting of a tree branch. + +Throwing down their pipes all the Indians around the camp-fire leaped to +their feet and seized their weapons. With one accord they bounded up the +stream to learn what the encounter so close at hand could mean. The +war-whoop used was their own. Some of their own tribe must be making an +attack or must be in danger. + +No sooner had the Indians turned to leave him than Henry dropped his +bonds and leaped behind the tree. With all possible speed he rushed +straight into the woods. As he progressed he jumped from one rock to +another, where this could be done, in order to leave as imperfect a +trail as possible. + +He felt that the shots, the cries and the war-whoops, coupled with the +crashing of the tree branch, were all a part of the ruse employed by Sam +Barringford to make the Indians leave their captive, and in this he was +not mistaken. The Indians had gone off to a man, and now, when he felt +safe for the time being, Henry was sorry that he had not stopped long +enough to gain possession of his gun. + +"I can't go back now," he muttered. "They'll return soon--or send one or +two back to watch me." He listened for a second. "Hullo! some of 'em are +back already! Now they'll make it warm for me, if they can!" + +He pushed on until he heard a low but clear whistle, not unlike the +sound of certain night birds of that locality. He whistled in return and +soon saw the form of a man in the distance waving an arm for him to come +up. + +"Fooled 'em nicely, didn't I?" chuckled Sam Barringford. "They lit out +soon as they heard thet war-whoop, didn't they?" + +"They did," answered Henry. "But some of 'em are back, so we mustn't +lose any time getting away." + +"Right you are, lad--'t won't do to try to fool 'em too much--it's too +much like playin' with the teeth o' a wildcat, now they hev their +war-paint on. O' course you know the hull country's riz, don't you?" + +"Yes, and Risley's cabin has been burnt down and Mrs. Risley is a +captive I'm afraid." + +"I'm a-feered fer your own folks, Henry. The Injuns is headed that way, +seems to me." + +As they hurried on through the woods, with ears on the alert for the +possible appearance of the Indians left behind or of others, Henry told +his story, to which the old frontiersman listened with close attention. +In return Barringford related his own doings during the past forty-eight +hours. + +"I was up to Timber Ridge, back o' Siler's place, lookin' fer deer, when +I spotted some o' the Injuns makin' fer the old meetin' ground. I made +up my mind they was up to no good, and so I followed 'em. They held a +meeting with Little Horn's warriors, and one of 'em had a message from +thet rascally Jean Bevoir who robbed yer uncle o' that trading-post on +the Kinotah, and the message said not to forget the Morris cabin in the +raid." + +"Our cabin!" burst out Henry. "Then they will surely attack it." + +"Yes, and jest because Jean Bevoir wants 'em to, Henry. Thet rascal +ought to be hung. He's wuss nor any redman, to my way o' thinkin'." + +"Anyway, we can't get home too quick--at least I can't, Sam." + +"I'm with you, Henry. Your folks are my best friends. Besides, I want to +learn what has become of Dave. You know what a sight I think o' him," +concluded Barringford. + +They advanced with caution until Henry felt compelled to rest. Then they +sat down by the edge of a tiny stream and here obtained a drink, and the +frontiersman washed and bound up Henry's wounded hand. At last they went +on once more, taking a semi-circle which brought them in sight of the +Morris cabin. + +"Too late!" burst from Henry's lips, and his heart sank within him. +Against the early morning sky was a heavy cloud of smoke curling lazily +upward from the ruins of the cabin and the out-buildings. Around the +ruins half a dozen redmen were prowling, on the hunt for anything of +value which might have escaped their notice during the darkness of the +night. + +"Yes, lad, we're too late," responded Barringford, mournfully. "I only +trust your folks escaped." + +"Let--let us creep closer and see if there are any--any bodies lying +around," faltered the young hunter. He was so agitated he could scarcely +speak. + +"Be careful what you do," was the warning. "Follow me--I think I know a +safe lookout place." + +Barringford led the way, and presently they found themselves in a clump +of brushwood not over two hundred feet from the cabin. The brush was on +a rise of ground, so that they could survey the situation with ease. + +"Nothing in sight," said Henry, after a long and painful pause. "What do +you say to that, Sam?" + +"It's encouragin', lad. More'n likely your father got away with your +mother an' the others. I don't see none o' the hosses around. Thet's a +good sign, too. I believe they struck out fer Fort Lawrence or Will's +Creek--most likely the first, fer the trail to Will's Creek is +chuck-a-block with Injuns." + +Feeling that nothing could be gained by remaining in the vicinity, they +started to retreat to the friendly shelter of the forest. They had +hardly covered a hundred yards, when Henry gave a cry of warning. + +"An Indian! Coming straight for us!" + +He was right, and a moment later a painted warrior confronted them. He, +too, was surprised at the meeting, but quick as a flash raised the +tomahawk he carried to strike Barringford down. + +Had the blow landed as intended the frontiersman's skull would have been +split in twain. But if the Indian was quick Barringford was quicker. He +leaped to one side and in a twinkling had the warrior by the throat and +was bearing him backward. At the same moment Henry advanced. + +"Never mind--I've got the consarned critter!" cried Barringford, as he +held the Indian in a grasp of steel. "See if more are a-comin'!" + +Henry looked, but not another redman was in sight. The one in +Barringford's grasp squirmed and struggled and drew up a knee to plant +it against the frontiersman's breast. But even this did not break that +deadly grip, and now the Indian's tongue fairly lolled from his +wide-open mouth. He clutched Barringford's throat, but his hand was +thrown aside and the wrist pressed back until it was almost broken. Then +the Indian gave a strange gulp and suddenly collapsed in a heap. + +"Thet settles his account," panted Barringford, as he staggered away. +"An' he didn't git no chance to make any noise nuther. Serves the +critter right, don't it?" And he led the way onward once more. + +"Yes, it served him right," answered Henry, but even as he spoke he had +to shudder, and he wondered if the Indian was really dead or only partly +choked to death. + +Having decided to move in the direction of Fort Lawrence, Sam +Barringford led the way by the very route Joseph Morris had pursued. +Both he and Henry were now exhausted by their long walk, and both would +have rested had it not been that they were so anxious to know how +matters were going at the fort. On they stumbled as best they could. +Each was hungry, yet neither complained on that score. + +It was nearly noon when they heard a number of shots in the distance. A +fierce yelling followed, and the shooting was continued for the best +part of half an hour. + +"The Indians have attacked the fort!" cried Henry. "A big battle must be +going on!" + +"I reckon you are right, Henry. Come," and Barringford set off at an +increased rate of speed. + +They did not go far, however, for only a little while later they heard a +murmur of voices ahead. + +"An Injun camp," whispered Barringford. "Come, we'll go around," and he +moved to the left. + +But here the way was also blocked by Indians. Then they made a wide +detour, only to find more warriors encamped between themselves and the +fort. + +"The way's blocked," said the frontiersman at last. "The critters have +entirely surrounded the fort. We're out of it, and it looks as if we'd +have to stay out." + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +DARK YEAR OF THE WAR + + +At the time this story opens George Washington had been on the frontier +for nearly two years, with what was little more than a handful of +rangers and militia, doing his best to protect a section of country +extending through Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. His headquarters +were at Winchester, where the fort was in a good state for defence, but +he was frequently away from that place, directing minor operations +against the Indians, who, urged by their French allies, were continually +attacking isolated settlements. + +At this time the future President of our country was still a young man, +strong, resolute, and full of the fire of ambition. There was no thought +of independence in those days. He was a subject of the King of England, +and as a subject willing to do his utmost to sustain British authority +in America. He was dearly beloved by all the soldiers under him, but it +must be confessed that some of these soldiers were not as willing to +remain in the army as was desirable. + +The trouble over the soldiers is easily explained. In the first place +the settlers objected to doing military duty when called upon to "play +second fiddle" to the soldiers brought over from England, and in the +second place the pay was poor and uncertain, and the pioneers, much as +they wished to defend their frontier and whip the French and Indians, +could ill afford to neglect their farms and crops. + +"I'd like to enlist again," said one old pioneer to Washington, "But I +have a wife and four little children at home, and if I don't care for +them they'll have nothing to eat. You know, sir, that I haven't received +a dollar of pay for three months." This explanation was typical of many, +and while Colonel Washington was sorry to have his men desert him thus, +deep down in his heart he could not blame them for wishing to provide +for those they dearly loved. + +Thus far the conduct of the war with France had been a series of +disasters to England's cause, extending over a period of three years. +Braddock's bitter defeat, in July, 1755, had been followed by Shirley's +abandonment of the plan to take Fort Niagara, and after a bitter battle +at Lake George, Sir William Johnson, of whom we shall hear much more +later, was forced to give up his hope of pushing on to Crown Point. This +closed the fighting for the year, leaving the outlook for the colonies +gloomy indeed. + +War between France and England was formally declared in May, 1756--just +twenty years before that memorable Revolution which separated the United +States from England. The Earl of Loudon was sent out to take command of +a new expedition north, but his work in that territory was no more +victorious than Johnson's had been, and as a consequence the French +commander, General Montcalm, captured Oswego, with all the guns and +supplies left there the year previous by Shirley, and in his defeat +General Webb, with a large portion of the British troops, had to fall +back to Albany. + +Early in the following year the English made greater preparations than +ever to bring the war to a satisfactory close. Loudon sailed from New +York with six thousand men, and was joined at Halifax by Admiral +Holborne with a fleet of eleven warships. The object of the expedition +was to attack Louisburg, but when the English arrived in the vicinity of +that French stronghold they found seventeen of the enemy's warships +awaiting them, backed up by heavy land fortifications, and to attack +such a force would have been foolhardy; so Loudon returned to New York +much dispirited. + +In the meantime, Montcalm was not idle. While Loudon was proceeding +against Louisburg the great French general came down with a strong force +from Crown Point and attacked Fort William Henry. The fort was compelled +to surrender, and did so with the understanding that the soldiers be +allowed to march out with the honors of war. But the Indians with the +French would not agree to this, and upon a given signal they fell with +great fury on the English, slaughtering them right and left, butchering +not only the soldiers but also about a hundred women and children who +had fled to the enclosure for safety. The barracks were battered down +and burned, and the cannon, boats, and stores carried away. For these +outrageous proceedings Montcalm was held responsible, but he claimed +that the Indians could not be controlled. + +The effect of so many disasters to British arms in other quarters, could +leave but one impression on the minds of the Indians who threatened the +frontier which Washington was trying to defend. These warriors came to +the conclusion that the English were too weak to defend themselves, and, +consequently, they could rush in and kill, burn, and loot to suit +themselves. They were well aware that the French still held Fort +Duquesne, and that if the English came too far westward (in a chase +after the redmen,) the French would rouse up in an effort to drive them +back from whence they had come. More than this, there were among the +Indians such rascally traders as Jean Bevoir, and these men, in order to +further their own interests, told the Indians to go ahead and do as they +pleased against the English, and that the French would never interfere, +no matter how barbarous was the warfare thus carried on. + +At this time the population of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia was +reckoned at about half a million souls, yet from such a number +Washington could only obtain two thousand militiamen and rangers, and, +as stated before, this number was constantly decreasing, as one after +another refused to re-enlist, for reasons already given. The young +commander did all in his power to protect the numerous settlements from +attacks, but to cover such a wide expanse of territory was, under the +circumstances, impossible. The best that could be done was to station +parts of the army at various forts and hold the soldiers in readiness to +march forth in any direction from whence should come an alarm. + +Colonel Washington had been out on a long tour of inspection, and was +just settling down for a much needed sleep, when an orderly entered and +told him that an Indian messenger had arrived with news. + +"Who is the messenger?" questioned the commander, for in those days it +was necessary to guard against all possible treachery. + +"An under chief named White Buffalo, sir." + +Washington knew White Buffalo fairly well, and at once commanded that +the chief be brought in. This was done, and the warrior delivered the +message written by Captain Tanner with all the ceremony the occasion, to +the Indian, seemed to require. + +"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so +quickly," said Washington. "Fort Lawrence needs help and I shall give +all the help in my power. You know much of the Indians who are friendly +to the French. How soon will they attack the place, do you think?" + +[Illustration: "White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this +message so quickly."] + +"That White Buffalo cannot tell to his brother Washington," was the +chief's answer. "They are eager for plunder and will hold off only so +long as they think they are too weak to make the attack. But when they +feel strong enough they will rush in, and if they take the fort, White +Buffalo is sure the massacre at Fort William Henry will be repeated." + +A few words more followed, and Washington hurried forth to notify +several of his officers of what was happening at Fort Lawrence. A force +of only thirty-six men could be spared from Fort Winchester, and these +were placed under the command of Lieutenant Baldwick, an old Indian +fighter. With the whites went nine Indians, who, after some little +urging, consented to act under White Buffalo, although they belonged to +a different tribe. Washington was greatly tempted to take command +himself but felt that he would soon be needed in other directions. + +The rangers chosen for this expedition were all on horseback, and +Lieutenant Baldwick started them off just as soon as they could be +gotten together, and the necessary food and ammunition could be +distributed. The Indians were on foot, but they were all good runners, +and as the trail was a rough one for horses the warriors kept up without +great difficulty. + +The expedition was yet within sight of Winchester when James Morris came +riding into the post, having been on a business trip a mile further +eastward. Dave's father met Colonel Washington at the entrance to the +stockade and took the liberty to ask what the departure of the soldiers +meant. + +"They are on the way to Fort Lawrence," was the answer, and Washington +told of the message received and of what White Buffalo had had to +relate. + +"That's bad!" ejaculated James Morris. "Did he say anything of my folks, +Colonel?" + +"He mentioned your brother Joseph as being with Captain Tanner, but that +is all. I sincerely trust your family are in the fort and safe," +answered Washington. + +Dave's father had wished to see the commander about the purchase of a +number of horses needed by the British army, but now the business was +forgotten, and without delay the trader dashed off on his steed after +Lieutenant Baldwick's command. As soon as he gained the expedition he +sought out White Buffalo and asked concerning Dave. + +"He is at the fort," said the Indian. "And so is your brother Joseph and +his wife and Rodney and little Bright-face,"--meaning Nell. + +"And what of Henry?" + +"He was missing--but he may be at the fort when we get there." And as +well as he was able the warrior told of what had happened at Uriah +Risley's cabin and afterwards. + +Although the expedition moved on as rapidly as possible, it was high +noon before half the distance to Fort Lawrence was covered. The mid-day +meal was eaten on the march, and the only stop made was one to water +the horses. Two white scouts and two Indians went ahead as spies, and +half an hour later discovered the camp of four Indians, who had with +them one warrior who was suffering with a broken leg. A skirmish ensued, +and two of the Indians, including the wounded man, were killed and the +others taken prisoners. After that the expedition moved onward with +greater vigilance than ever. + +It was nearly three o'clock, and the soldiers were still a mile from the +fort, when one of the advance guard set up a shout. He had caught sight +of two white men creeping along the edge of a ravine to the north of the +trail. A halt was ordered and another batch of scouts went forward to +learn who the whites could be. + +A short game of hide-and-seek now ensued, each side not knowing whether +the other was a friend or an enemy. But at last there came a yell of joy +from Sam Barringford as he swung his coonskin cap in the air. + +"I know you, Dick Hoggerly!" he shouted, to one of the scouts. "Don't +let 'em shoot at us. I've got Henry Morris with me." + +"Hullo, so it's you, Sam," was the answer. "All right; we ain't shootin' +no friends if we kin help it." And then the word was passed around and +soon the two wanderers were made welcome, Henry especially so by his +Uncle James. + +The pair had but little to relate outside of what is already known. They +told Lieutenant Baldwick that the Indians surrounded Fort Lawrence +completely and that some sort of an attack had already taken place. This +was enough to arouse the spirit of even the most sluggish, and once +again the expedition moved through the forest, determined to save the +fort and its defenders, if such a thing were possible. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +FIGHTING OFF THE INDIANS + + +"It doesn't look much like an attack now." + +It was Dave who spoke, as he leaned against the rocks and gazed sharply +out into the forest, beyond the tiny stream of water flowing beside the +improvised fort. + +"When the redskins come they won't blow a trumpet," replied Rodney, +grimly. "The more vicious the attack the more quiet they'll go about it. +Isn't that so, father?" + +"You're about right, my son," returned Joseph Morris. "I shouldn't be +surprised if the Indians are much closer than we think." + +"If only we knew where Henry is, and father," said Dave. "Perhaps the +redskins have captured them both." + +"They won't get your father so easily, Dave," came from Joseph Morris. +"They may----" + +The pioneer broke off short and suddenly raised his gun. He had seen +some war-like feathers floating above a fringe of brushwood between a +number of stately walnut trees. He took careful aim and fired. + +A yell rent the air and in a trice that cry was echoed by half a hundred +others, filling the air with a sudden noise, which no pen can describe. +As Dave said, it was truly "a hair raiser," and he felt a quick chill +creep down his backbone. That yell told only too well how the Indians +were aroused, and what they would do could they but gain the chance. + +The report of Joseph Morris's gun was followed by the discharge of +Rodney's weapon and then shots from several others. Rodney had seen a +warrior running from one tree to another and had brought the Indian down +midway between the two. But the fellow was only wounded and he lost no +time in crawling to cover. + +Spat! spat! A bullet and an arrow hit the rocks directly in front of the +Morrises and caused Dave to dodge quickly, although so far there was +small danger of being hit. Then came other shots from both sides and for +several minutes the air inside and outside the fort was filled with +smoke. + +"There's a good number of them, that's certain," observed Joseph Morris, +as he paused to reload. "I believe every Indian for a hundred and fifty +miles around has gathered here. Hark!" + +They listened, and from a distance came other yells, gradually circling +around in the forest to the other side of the fort. But this ruse did +not deceive those within. + +"It's an old dodge," observed Joseph Morris. "They want us to look for +them on that side while they make a dash on this. See, here they come +now!" + +"Yes, an' thar's fer 'em!" put in a pioneer standing near. His aim was +true and a warrior went down just as he leaped out to cross the stream. + +"Good for you, Pasney!" exclaimed Joseph Morris. "Never saw a truer shot +in my life. You took him straight in the heart." + +"Wall, thet's wot I reckoned on doin'," replied Pasney, coolly. He was +an old trapper, and had lived among friendly Indians for years. At rifle +practice he had often won prizes for marksmanship. + +With four of their warriors either killed or wounded, the Indians +retreated for the time being. So far nobody in the fort had been +touched, consequently the spirits of all, even of the women folks, +revived. + +"If we keep this up, we'll soon discourage them," said Captain Tanner. +"More than likely they'll hang around until to-morrow and then rush off +to loot what they can and get back to their own territory." + +"If they do that we ought to follow them," said Dave. "They should be +taught a good lesson. Just think of our nice home being burnt to the +ground for no reason at all. It's a shame!" + +Many of the women and children, as well as some of the men, were very +tired, but sleep was out of the question for all old enough to +comprehend what was taking place. Even little Nell came out of a nap +with a scream and clung closer than ever to her mother's skirt. + +"Oh, mamma, what will they do with us?" she asked. "Will they scalp us?" + +"Let us hope not, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, soothingly. "I think your +papa and the others can keep them off." + +Half an hour later came another attack. It was now dark, and only a +trained eye could see what was taking place in the blackness of the +forest surrounding the fort. To get a better view Pasney climbed one of +the trees forming part of the stockade. + +Hardly had he gained a favorable position than he uttered a cry of +alarm. Then came the whizzing of an arrow through the bare branches in +front of him and his body came down with a thud just inside the +defence. Several rushed to him and raised him up, but it was too late. + +"Shot through the heart!" whispered Dave, as he gazed on the body in +horror. "He got just what he gave that redskin a while ago." And he +turned away, scarcely able to control his feelings. + +Again the war-cry was given and once more the Indians made a rush, this +time attacking the fort on two sides. There was a constant discharge of +firearms, and arrows came freely into the enclosure, one taking Rodney +through the fleshy part of the arm and another grazing Dave's face. + +"You are hit, Rodney," cried Dave, as he saw his crippled cousin stagger +back. + +"Reckon it ain't much," was the answer. "But it was a close call," and +then Rodney went to his mother, to have the wound bound up. + +The fight had been waging for the best part of an hour when those in the +fort saw that the enemy were changing their tactics. Through the air +there rushed a dozen or more arrows all carrying with them trails of +fire. They went up like so many rockets, to fall in graceful curves +directly into the fort. One had a horn of powder attached to it, which, +on touching the ground, exploded with great violence. Fire was scattered +in all directions and for the moment it looked as if some of the women +folks and children would be burnt alive. + +Rodney was close to his mother and little Nell when the first shower of +burning arrows came down. He saw his mother's skirt go up into a blaze +and like a flash tore the burning garment from her. Then he brushed some +sparks from little Nell and himself and an old woman standing by. + +"They intend to burn us alive!" was the cry, and many of the children +began to scream louder than ever. + +"Let the women take water and dirt and put out the fire!" ordered +Captain Tanner. "Every man is needed at the stockade. They are getting +ready for another rush!" + +Fortunately all the water possible had been brought into the fort and +clothes were soaked in this and used for beating out the flames. It was +hard work, and soon the women were as smoke-begrimed as the men. To save +the children all their dresses were wet down so that the sparks might +have no effect. Where the burning arrows fell among the baggage, and +water was not handy, the sod was dug up with spades and pike poles and +thrown on as a blanket. + +In the meantime what Captain Tanner had said about another attack was +true. But this time the Indians were more cautious and they hardly +exposed themselves, while waiting for the fire to aid them. When they +saw that the blazing arrows had little or no effect they fell back once +more, with two warriors wounded, one mortally. + +Slowly the night wore away. The loss to the pioneers had been one man +killed and several wounded, although none seriously. One woman had been +burnt across the neck and one little boy had had an ear scorched. + +When day dawned the vigilance at the stockade and the rocks was not +relaxed, for all felt that another attack might come at any moment. +There was no water in the enclosure, all on hand having been used in +fighting fire. + +"We've got to get water somehow," said Joseph Morris. "I'm dying for a +drink and I reckon all of you are about the same." + +"Oh, Joseph, do not expose yourself," pleaded Mrs. Morris. "More than +likely the Indians know we want water and they'll watch the brooks +closely, to see if they can't catch whoever tries to get it." + +This was proved to be the case a few minutes later, when a pioneer named +Raymond tried to get a bucket of water. Hardly had he showed himself +when two arrows whizzed in that direction, one cutting through his +coonskin cap. Raymond dropped his bucket in a hurry and lost no time in +regaining shelter. + +"I know a way to get water," said Rodney. "Dig a hole down between the +rocks and then run a pike pole through that dirt bank. Some of the water +in that brook will be sure to flow in this direction." + +The suggestion was thought a good one and several started to dig the +hole immediately. It was made four feet deep and the pike pole was +jammed through the soil at as low a point as possible. At first no water +came, but presently a few drops showed themselves and then followed a +stream the size of one's little finger. + +"Hurrah!" cried Dave. "Rodney's scheme is all right. That hole will keep +the water here on a level with that in the stream and we'll have all we +wish." And so it proved, much to the satisfaction of all in the fort. To +be sure, the water was rather muddy, but even muddy water was much +better than none and nobody complained. + +"White Buffalo ought to be on his way back," observed Joseph Morris, as +he and the boys sat on the rocks, eating the scant morning meal which +Captain Tanner had had dealt out. + +"Yes, and he ought to have some of Colonel Washington's rangers with +him," returned Dave. + +"Your father will be with 'em," came from Rodney. "That is, unless he +struck out for the house instead." + +The talking went on in low voices, for all ears were on guard, waiting +for sounds from the forest. Captain Tanner had hoped to get some word +from the Indians White Buffalo had left behind, but none of these showed +themselves. + +An hour later an alarm came from the farther end of the stockade. The +Indians were gathering for a solid rush upon that quarter. Soon a yell +was heard and again came shots and arrows. + +"We are in for it now!" cried Captain Tanner. "Every man must do his +duty or we are lost. They are coming on us a couple of hundred +stronger!" + +He was right, and now the enemy advanced boldly as if encouraged by the +mere force of numbers. Several carried notched limbs of trees, to be +used as ladders in scaling the stockade. + +Shots flew thick and fast and inside of a few minutes two more of the +pioneers were wounded and a woman was killed outright. The Indians +suffered even a greater loss, but continued to come on until more than a +score of them were close to the stockade. In the meantime several of the +number ran around to the rocks, thinking the pioneers had deserted this +end of the fort. + +Joseph Morris, Rodney, Dave, and two others met those at the rocks with +a rapid volley which speedily put three of the warriors out of the +contest. But more were coming, and in a few minutes our friends found +themselves in what was almost a hand-to-hand encounter, only a few rough +rocks separating them from the redskins. + +Dave had just fired, and was reloading with all speed, when he saw an +arrow aimed full at his uncle. He gave a shout of warning, but the cry +came too late. Joseph Morris was struck in the breast and went down in a +heap. He gave a strange little groan and then lay still. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +RETREAT OF THE PIONEERS + + +Dave's shout of warning reached Rodney's ears, and the young man turned +in time to see his father go down as just described. He gave a cry of +horror and then, with set teeth, discharged his gun straight at the +warrior who had laid Mr. Morris low. His aim was true and the Indian +fell to rise no more. + +The fall of his uncle nerved Dave to greater effort, and as the Indians +rushed over the rocks he, with several others, met them in a short but +bitter hand-to-hand contest, in which blows were freely taken and +delivered. The redskins were yelling at the top of their lungs and using +their tomahawks with great viciousness. Dave was confronted by a tall +warrior who did his best to split the youth's head open with his +hatchet, but Dave dodged and the blow merely grazed his shoulder. Then, +before the Indian could aim another blow a bullet from the rear cut +short the redskin's career forever. + +The forest was now full of shouting, and shots were being fired with +marvelous rapidity. Those in the fort could not understand this. Had +the Indians been re-enforced? + +"If more redskins have come up we are doomed!" was the cry which went +the rounds, but almost on top of it came a yell of joy: + +"The rangers have come! We are saved!" + +It was true, the command under Lieutenant Baldwick had come up after a +long running fight with some Indians journeying toward the fort. These +redskins had been put to flight and with them about a dozen French +trappers and traders under Jean Bevoir, one of the trappers having been +slain, along with two Indians. Now the rangers were fighting desperately +to get to those hemmed in at the fort. + +The coming of the soldiers put new life in the pioneers and the battle +broke forth afresh. Struck at from both the front and the rear the +Indians received a galling fire which filled them with sudden terror. + +In the midst of the rangers were James Morris and Sam Barringford. +Dave's father was cool and determined and every shot from his musket was +sent with deadly effect. Barringford seemed to be in his element, and +danced around so rapidly that not an Indian could draw a "bead" upon +him. + +"Thet for ye!" he yelled, firing his gun at the nearest warrior. "An' +how do yer like thet, eh?"--hitting a second with the butt of the +weapon. "I'll show ye! Ain't I a roarin' painter when I'm cut loose! +Cl'ar the track fer the bustin', roarin' whirlwind!" And thus shouting +in the style peculiar to the old-time trappers of that period he rushed +in, literally cutting a path over the rocks and into the fort proper. An +arrow stuck through his coonskin cap and his hunting jacket was ripped +in a dozen places by knives and tomahawks, yet with it all he seemed to +bear a charmed life and laid low every warrior who dared to bar his +progress. + +In less than ten minutes after the rangers had appeared and closed in +the Indians began to retreat. Seeing them thus on the run, the pioneers +and soldiers increased their efforts and soon the warriors were only too +glad to get back into the forest. They left the vicinity of the fort and +took up their stand several hundred yards away, behind a small hill, +enclosed on two sides by rocks. It is possible they expected the rangers +to follow them to this point, but for the time being they were not +molested. + +The reason for this was easily explained. Both pioneers and rangers were +utterly fagged out--the former by their hasty flights from their homes, +and the vigilance and fighting at the fort, and the latter because of +the forced ride from Winchester, and the first battle in the forest with +Indians and French. All needed a rest, and the wounded demanded +attention. So for the time being the battle remained a drawn one. + +As soon as it was made known that the Indians had retreated, a score of +rangers who were unhurt were set to watch their movements, and then +began the caring for the wounded. All told, it was found that six men, +women and children had been killed outright and that one man was +mortally hurt. Of the pioneers five were wounded, and of the rangers +three, and of the killed two had been scalped. + +"Dave, my son!" exclaimed James Morris, as he rushed up. "Are you safe?" + +"Yes, father," was the answer. "And you?" + +"I have a scratch on the leg, but it isn't much. How are the rest?" + +"Uncle Joe has been shot down. I reckon the others are all right." + +"Joe shot down? Is he--he----" + +"There he is, over by the rocks. No, he isn't dead, but I think he's +pretty bad. He got an arrow right in the breast." + +Father and son hurried to the spot, to find Joseph Morris stretched out +on a blanket and surrounded by all of his family, including Henry, who +during the advance of the rangers had fought as bravely as anyone. The +arrow had been extracted and Mrs. Morris was using her utmost skill in +binding up the wound. + +"What do you think, James?" she wailed. "Will he live?" + +"While there is life let us hope, Lucy," answered the brother-in-law, +tenderly. "Is he unconscious?" + +"Yes," put in Rodney. "I--I'm afraid that arrow point was poisoned." + +"Let me see the arrow." + +It was passed over and James Morris examined it with care. At this point +Sam Barringford also came up and he, too, looked the arrow over. + +"Ain't no p'ison thar," said the old frontiersman. "Thet tribe uses blue +juice an' if thar war p'ison the blood would turn greenish. But it's +rich red, as ye kin see. No, I allow as how he ain't p'isoned." + +"I believe Sam tells the truth," said James Morris. + +"But it's a fearful wound," said Dave. "I saw the arrow strike. It went +in straight." + +All set to work to revive the unconscious sufferer and Barringford +insisted upon obtaining some liquor and forcing a few teaspoonsful down +the wounded man's throat. At last they had the satisfaction of seeing +Joseph Morris give a short gasp and open his eyes dreamily. + +"Oh!" he murmured and for a moment was silent. "I--I am hit!" he went +on. + +"Be quiet, Joseph," said his wife, bending over him. "Yes, you were hit +in the breast with an arrow. We will do what we can for you, but you +mustn't move, or the wound will start to bleed again." + +"But the Indians--" + +"The Indians have retreated," said Rodney. "The rangers have come, and +Uncle James is here, too, and so is Henry." + +"All safe?" + +"Yes." + +"Thank God!" And then Joseph Morris relapsed once more into silence, +being almost too weak to breathe much less to speak. + +Little Nell had been crying bitterly, and now Henry took her in his arms +and did his best to soothe her, for he knew his mother would not leave +his father's side. + +"The bad, bad Indians!" cried the little girl. "Oh, how could they come +and shoot at us! And last night they tried to burn us up with their fire +arrows! Oh, it was dreadful!" And she buried her curly head in her +brother's shoulder. + +The hours to follow were gloomy enough, and ones which those in the +stockade never forgot. The man who had been mortally wounded died +shrieking with pain, and the sounds rang in the ears of both young and +old, filling the latter with new grief. The dead were buried together in +one deep hole and over their last resting place were rolled several +heavy stones, that no wild beasts might disturb their common grave. The +service at this funeral was short, for there was no telling when the +Indians might make another attack. + +Toward the middle of the afternoon word came in through the friendly +Indians under White Buffalo that the French Indians, as they were +called, were preparing for some new move. Instantly every available man +in the fort leaped for his gun and even some of the women armed +themselves, determined to fight to the last rather than risk the horrors +of becoming captives of the enemy. + +But the alarm proved a false one, for the Indians, although they shifted +their camp to the opposite side of the fort, did nothing but exchange a +few shots with several of the rangers. Yet this move kept the pioneers +on the alert all night, so that little or no sleep was had by anyone. + +"I must say I'm so tired I can scarcely keep my eyes open," said Henry +to Dave. "If we elect to retreat I don't see how I'm going to either +ride or walk." + +"Take a nap," said Dave. "If another alarm comes I'll call you." And +Henry dropped down and was in the land of dreams almost on the instant. + +On the following morning a council of war was held by Captain Tanner, +Lieutenant Baldwick and half a dozen of the leading pioneers, and it was +decided that the best thing to do would be to retreat to Winchester. +Provisions were getting low and so was ammunition, and the lieutenant +had been ordered not to hold Fort Lawrence, but do his best to bring in +the settlers and families in safety. + +"The Indians are gathering steadily," said Lieutenant Baldwick. "Every +hour makes them stronger. I think the sooner we strike out the better it +will be for us." And in this Captain Tanner and the majority of the +settlers agreed. + +The main difficulty which presented itself was how to care for the +wounded. It would be running a grave risk to move Joseph Morris and +several others, but there was no help for it, and the family were told +to prepare for leaving in an hour. + +"We will make a litter between two horses," said James Morris. "Rodney +can ride on one of the animals and lead them along the smoothest part of +the trail he can find. We will bind the wound as tightly as possible, so +that the blood won't get much chance to start afresh." + +Mrs. Morris wished to demur, fearing her husband might die ere the +journey was completed. But she could not remain behind alone, and so, +with a sinking heart, she prepared to move as had been ordered. + +The settlers were cautioned to leave the fort as silently as possible +and to carry along only that which was absolutely necessary. Before they +left the rangers and some of the Indians under White Buffalo went ahead, +to make sure that the trail chosen by Captain Tanner was clear. Eight of +the rangers remained at the fort, to give it the appearance of still +being inhabited and, in case of attack, to rush out and cover the +settlers' rear. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DISAPPEARANCE OF LITTLE NELL + + +As was natural Dave and Henry journeyed side by side. They moved +directly behind Mrs. Morris and little Nell, who brought up in the rear +of the litter on which Joseph Morris rested, and the horses under the +control of Rodney. Dave's father was not with the party, nor was trusty +Sam Barringford, both having joined the party of rangers who formed the +advance guard. + +Following the instructions given them the pioneers and their families +moved through the great forest as silently as possible, only the +occasional groan of a wounded one, or the cry of some little child +breaking the stillness. The route was past the rocks bordering one of +the watercourses previously mentioned and then along what in those days +was called the Old Buffalo Trail,--a well-beaten path along which in +years gone by countless buffaloes had passed in their migrations to the +east and return. The buffaloes were now fast disappearing from this +territory, as are to-day the deer, wolves, and other wild animals which +were likewise numerous. + +It was a trying time, for the ears of all were ever on the alert to +catch the first sign of an approaching enemy. Onward went Dave and Henry +with their guns ready for instant use. Rodney guided the horses with the +greatest of care, yet there were many jolts to the litter which more +than once caused Joseph Morris to utter a groan he could not suppress. + +It was calculated that if nothing out of the ordinary occurred the party +would be able to reach Winchester in three days, but if the Indians +followed them up and attacked them the journey would take much longer, +for they would have to make a stand behind whatever breastworks they +could manage to erect, and there remain until the coast was clear or the +enemy drove them forth. There was also the ever-present possibility that +the Indians would wipe out the expedition entirely, a possibility that +made many of the married men shudder, as they thought of their wives and +defenseless children. + +"We can consider ourselves lucky if we reach Winchester without any more +hair-raising," observed Henry, as they trudged along. + +"Right you are," replied Dave. "The Indians seem worked up to the last +degree. They'll trap us if they possibly can." + +"There is one thing in our favor, Dave. Captain Tanner is as good a +scout as you'll find in these parts, and with such men with him as +Barringford and your father he won't fall into any trap unless it's a +mighty slick one." + +"To think that Jean Bevoir should be in this neighborhood with his +thieving traders," went on Dave, after a pause. "I declare I wish he had +fallen instead of one of those Indians we brought down. He isn't as good +as some of the Iroquois, to my way of thinking." + +"He'll get what he deserves one of these days, Dave. He has cheated so +many redskins that some of them will lay for him some night, and that +will be the end of him and his band. But I must admit, I can't +understand how any redskins can follow the leadership of such a rascal, +who gives them liquor only in order to rob them of their hard-earned +pelts." + +Two miles had been covered when there came a shot from the front, +followed by three others. Immediately the pioneers and their families +gathered behind a semi-circle of rocks and brush which happened to be +near. Several Indians had shown themselves to the scouts, but as soon as +one was shot the others fled. The whole party remained on guard half an +hour longer, but none of the enemy returned, and the onward march was +resumed. + +Late that night Dave heard that two more white men had joined the +expedition and not long after this he caught sight of Uriah Risley. He +ran up to meet the Englishman, and Henry did the same. + +"My wife, where is she?" asked Uriah Risley, of Henry. "Tell me +quickly!" + +"I can't tell you," answered Henry. + +"But you were with her--so Dave told me." + +"I was with her. But some Indians came and attacked us, and I told her +to run and hide in the woods. Then the Indians came at me and I was +struck down, and that was all I knew until long afterward when I found +myself strapped to the back of a horse and traveling with a band of +redskins." And Henry gave the particulars of the encounter, and of how +Sam Barringford had afterward come to his rescue. + +"Do you think my wife got away into the woods?" + +"I really can't say. I know she ran off as well as her hurt ankle would +let her, but it may be that some of the Indians went after her. I had my +hands so full I couldn't look," concluded Henry. + +Uriah Risley was pale and haggard and said he had not slept for two +nights, nor had he had a regular meal for forty-eight hours. He had been +to the vicinity of his burnt cabin and had followed up Henry's trail as +best he could for several miles, but nowhere had he found a trace of his +wife. + +"I fear she is either dead or in the hands of those murderous redskins," +he groaned, his eyes growing suspiciously moist. "Poor dear Caddy! She +never could get used to this life either! It was a sorry day when we +didn't remain in England, or in Annapolis." And he turned away to hide +his emotion. Several came and offered him food and a portion of this he +ate mechanically. Sleep, although he needed it badly, was out of the +question. + +Strange to say no Indian attack occurred during the following day, and +that night found the expedition well on its way to Winchester. Some of +the pioneers were of the opinion that the enemy had retreated westward, +satisfied with the damage done and the booty obtained, but at this Sam +Barringford, Captain Tanner, and a number of other old frontiersmen +shook their heads. + +"The Injun's at his worst when he's layin' low," was the way Barringford +expressed himself. "We've got to keep our eyes peeled or fust thing you +know we'll all wake up skulped." + +Fortunately for the party one of the advance guard had brought down a +deer and another had bagged a number of birds with some fine shot. The +birds were made into a stew for the sick and wounded and the venison +was cut up and divided all around. The expedition was in the midst of a +wide timber belt, at a spot where there was a small clearing. Here, in a +hollow, a camp-fire was lit and the meat cooked and stew made, and while +one half of the able-bodied pioneers and soldiers remained on guard the +other half had their first full meal since leaving the fort. Then the +guard was changed and the other half satisfied the cravings of the inner +man, after which sentinels were posted and the camp settled down to see +if it could not obtain a much-needed night's rest. + +Mrs. Morris and the others were gratified to see that while Joseph +Morris's wound pained him not a little it did not break out afresh and +gave every promise of healing rapidly when once the sufferer should +reach a place where he could have a couple of weeks' quiet. Before +retiring with little Nell the wife washed and re-bound the wound and +gave her husband all the nourishment he cared to take. + +Dave was on guard during the first half of the night, with his father on +the next post not a hundred feet away. The night was dark and a low wind +was rising which betokened a storm. All else was quiet and the camp-fire +was allowed to burn low until only a few embers were left. + +"It looks as if the Indians had really given it up," said Dave, as he +and his father met on their walks up and down the two posts. + +"Don't be too sure," answered James Morris. "At this very minute they +may be preparing to rush in and overwhelm us. I won't believe we are +safe until we come in sight of Winchester." + +"Is the fort there in good shape?" + +"Fairly good, although Colonel Washington is going to strengthen it all +he can. The trouble is, Washington is having trouble with Governor +Dinwiddie. The governor thinks he knows it all and won't give the +colonel half the soldiers or equipments that are needed. He doesn't seem +to realize that if Winchester should fall all the English settlers would +be driven back over the Blue Ridge and would lose everything they +possess in this locality." + +When it came time to turn in Dave was glad enough to throw himself down +and go to sleep, with nothing more than a thin blanket to cover him. His +father lay beside him, with Joseph Morris, Mrs. Morris and Rodney and +little Nell not far off. + +How long he slept Dave did not know, but when he awoke it was with a +start and a cough. There was a fierce shouting and shooting going on and +the forest seemed full of smoke and fire. Hardly had he gained his feet +when an arrow whizzed past his head burying itself in the tree trunk +behind him. + +"The attack is on!" came from James Morris, who was already up. "They +have fired the woods on two sides of the camp and they are laying for us +on the other two sides. I'm afraid it is going to be a fight to the +finish." + +There was no time to say more for the confusion on every hand was great. +The shouting and shooting continued, and in the midst of this Captain +Tanner ran around, followed by Lieutenant Baldwick, giving orders to the +men and advising the women and children what to do. To the uproar was +added the mad prancing around of some of the horses, who sniffed the +smoke, and the screams of the frightened children, some clinging to the +skirts of their mothers and others running about looking for their +parents, who had become lost to them in the general mix-up. + +"Stay with your aunt and uncle, Dave," said James Morris. "They'll need +you. I'll go out with the soldiers," and in a second he was bounding +away, to learn how bad the situation really was, and what might be done +to remedy it. + +What happened during the next hour seemed to the boy, afterward, more +like some horrible dream than a reality. The war-whoops of the Indians +continued to ring out on the night air, punctuated by numerous shots and +yells from the wounded, while the fire in the forest grew brighter and +brighter, driving the sick, wounded, and the helpless before it. Rodney +and the others tried to get Joseph Morris back on the litter, but before +this could be done both horses bolted away in the darkness, one +upsetting Mrs. Morris and bruising her shoulder severely. Then Henry and +Dave locked hands chair-fashion and started to carry the sufferer +between them, only to stumble over some tree roots and go sprawling +headlong. In the meantime Mrs. Morris looked around her, to discover +that little Nell was missing. + +"Nell! Nell!" she screamed. "Come here! Nell!" + +"Isn't she with you, mother?" came quickly from Rodney. + +"No. But she was here a moment ago. Nell! Nell!" + +No answer came back to this cry, and now both Mrs. Morris and Rodney ran +hither and thither in search of the little girl. Little could be seen, +for the smoke was so thick it fairly blinded them. + +As quickly as possible Dave and Henry arose and picked up Mr. Morris. +The fall had hurt the sufferer's wound and he had to groan in spite of +his efforts to choke back the sounds. + +"Never--mind m-m--me!" he gasped. "Sa--save th--the others!" And then he +fainted dead away. + +"Your mother is calling for Nell!" cried Dave. "Here, Henry, put him on +my back. I'll carry him somehow, and then you can go back to her." And +after an effort Dave mastered his load and staggered on, in the +direction already taken by a number of others. He was now more careful +where he placed his feet and thus kept from going down again, although +the load made him pant and exert himself far beyond his youthful +strength. On and on he went, over rocks and tearing through low +brushwood. An arrow went by his shoulder but he paid no attention. He +heard more shots, and once a blaze of fire seemed to flash up almost in +front of him. But he was not struck, and ten minutes later he felt that +he had in some marvelous manner left the battleground behind him. He +plunged into a hollow filled with wet grass and went down up to his +knees. Unable to carry his load further he allowed his uncle's body to +slip down beside him, and there he rested, trying his best to get back +his breath and wondering what would happen next. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +BACK TO WINCHESTER + + +At last the battle seemed to be at an end. Only a few shots sounded out +and they came from a distance. The fire in the forest had died down and, +thanks to an all-powerful Providence it had failed to give the Indians +the success they had sought. It was true a number of the pioneers and +soldiers had been badly wounded, but none were killed, while on the +other hand seven redskins had been laid low. + +All was in a hopeless confusion, and it was not until daylight came that +Captain Tanner and the others succeeded in straightening matters out. +Many of the women and children had fled into the forest and these had to +be hunted up, while some of the pioneers had followed the enemy on their +private account and did not return until they felt the Indians were +sufficiently beaten back. + +When Dave recovered from his forced traveling his first anxiety was for +his uncle, who had fainted away from a fresh loss of blood. As well as +he was able, the youth bound up the wound once more, tearing off a +sleeve of his shirt for that purpose. + +While he was at work several alarms sounded close to him, and he held +his breath, expecting to be discovered at any instant. But the Indians +passed him on both sides with a speed that showed him they were now +thinking only of retreat. + +With the first streak of daylight he looked around him and at a distance +discovered two rangers on horseback. They were rounding up the pioneers +and their families and they readily consented to assist him all in their +power. + +"Reckon Mr. Morris is in a pretty bad way," said one of the soldiers. +"The knocking around didn't do his wound no good." + +"That's just the trouble," answered Dave. "But I did the best I could +under the circumstances. I didn't want the Indians to scalp him." + +"Oh, you did mighty well, lad--mighty well. Come, I'll take him up on my +hoss." + +The ranger carried the helpless man with care and soon Dave and his +uncle reached the spot to which all the pioneers were coming. As soon as +she caught sight of them, Mrs. Morris came running forward. + +"Oh, Dave, how is he?" she questioned. + +"Not any better, Aunt Lucy," he responded, soberly. "I think you'll have +to keep him very quiet after this." + +"Did you see anything of Nell?" + +"No. Is she gone?" + +"Yes. Henry and your father are out looking for her." + +"It's too bad! I hope they find her soon." + +Dave felt very weak and gladly partook of some soup which several of the +women in the camp had made. + +The youth was just finishing the repast when his father and Henry came +back, looking much disheartened. + +"Did she come back?" questioned both, and then as Mrs. Morris shook her +head, not daring to trust herself to speak, James Morris continued: +"It's too bad! I can't believe it possible that the Indians carried her +off." + +"Yes! yes! They must have carried her off!" sobbed Mrs. Morris. "My poor +darling Nell! Oh, what will those wretches do with her!" And she burst +into a flood of tears. + +Rodney had just come up, and all turned in to console her as best they +could. Yet they could say but little to soothe her sorely wounded heart. +Even Dave found the tears standing in his eyes, for he loved little Nell +as much as if she were his own sister. + +When it came time to count those who had been in the expedition it was +found that two other girls besides little Nell were missing--twins named +Mary and Bertha Rose, the children of a pioneer who lived fifteen miles +to the north of the Morris homestead. Mrs. Rose was as grief-stricken as +Mrs. Morris, and both wept together when they met. + +"I shall remain behind to see if I can't find some trace of all the +children," said James Morris. + +"And I'll do the same," said Nelson Rose. "I would rather give up my +life than leave my two girls in the Indians' power." + +"Reckon as how I'll stay behind with ye," put in Sam Barringford. +Although he never admitted it, little Nell was very dear to the old +frontiersman's heart. + +"White Buffalo will also look for little Bright-face," said the Indian +chief. "But he is much afraid the French Indians have carried all three +of the maidens off." + +So it was decided, and when the expedition moved off the three white men +and the Indian with his followers were left behind. Captain Tanner and +Lieutenant Baldwick were now pretty certain that the Indians would not +make another attack in a hurry, and this was why he readily consented +to spare them. Although he said nothing, Uriah Risley also remained +behind, to see if he could not learn something concerning his wife. + +Owing to the condition of the wounded the onward march to Winchester was +now slower than ever, and when night came only half the distance to that +frontier town had been covered. But a messenger had been sent ahead and +now several wagons came out to carry in the disabled on the following +day. This made the remainder of the journey less of a hardship for +Joseph Morris, and while he did not improve neither did he seem to grow +worse. + +The news of the massacre, as it was called, had spread in all +directions, and when the pioneers reached Winchester they found the post +alive with many others who had come in from all points of the compass, +some with all of their belongings and others with nothing but the +clothing on their backs. As a consequence every cabin and house was +filled to overflowing, and it was only by good luck that the Morrises +obtained shelter at the cabin of an intimate friend named Maurice +Gibson. Gibson himself was a trader like James Morris, and his wife +Abigail and Mrs. Lucy Morris had been old schoolmates. + +Joseph Morris was placed on a comfortable bed and without delay a +surgeon was called to attend him. The medical man probed his wound and +had it thoroughly washed, and then left a strong tonic as a medicine. + +"I think he will recover before long," said the doctor. "But he must +remain quiet until the wound is thoroughly healed. If not fever may set +in and then I will not be responsible for the consequences." + +"He shall remain here as long as he pleases," said Maurice Gibson. "And +his family also;" and so it was settled. + +Of course Mrs. Morris felt relieved to think that her husband would +recover, but she could not forget her little daughter, and as she +thought of Nell in the hands of the Indians the silent tears would +course down her cheeks in spite of all she could do to stay them. + +"It is awful, awful!" she said to Dave. "Oh, I would give my right hand +to know that she was safe!" + +"I'd give a good deal myself, Aunt Lucy," he returned. "But keep up your +courage. Father, and Barringford, and White Buffalo will do all in their +power to bring her back to us." + +Two days of anxiety passed in the town and then it was reported that the +majority of the hostile Indians had retreated in the direction of Fort +Duquesne, to join the French located at that stronghold. Some of the +regulars had followed a portion of the enemy and brought down three +braves at what was called Three Posts. Among these Indians thus laid low +was Crooked Nose, a half brother to Spotted Tail, a celebrated chief of +that time. + +"And still no trace of Nell," sighed Mrs. Morris, when the news came in. +"Dave, did you hear anything of your father?" + +"Not a word, Aunt Lucy." + +"I hope he is safe." + +"Oh, you can trust him to take care of himself--especially when +Barringford and White Buffalo are with him. I think they'll bring us +some certain news when they return." + +But none of the party did return, and at the end of a week even Dave +grew anxious. By this time Joseph Morris felt strong enough to do a +little talking although he was not allowed to move further than was +absolutely necessary. + +Even though there were no telegraph lines in those days, it did not take +the news long to travel throughout the length and breadth of Virginia +and her neighboring states, and it was felt on all sides that that +whole territory would not be safe from Indian and French raids so long +as Fort Duquesne remained in the hands of the French. + +"Give me the authority and men to march against that fort and take +possession and our frontier will be at peace," wrote Colonel Washington. +"But the longer we delay the more dangerous will this situation become +to us." These are not his exact words but they are the gist of numerous +communications which he addressed to those in authority over him. + +Two weeks later James Morris came in, pale and careworn, having traveled +a distance of several hundred miles in half a dozen directions, on a +hunt for little Nell and the Rose twins. + +"We found traces of them, but that is all," he said. "They are +undoubtedly in the hands of the Indians, who are taking them either to +Fort Duquesne or else northward to Lake Erie. I left Mr. Rose, +Barringford and the Indians still looking for them. I was anxious to +learn how it was going with brother Joseph and the rest of you." + +"But you will go back--you won't give up the hunt so soon?" pleaded Mrs. +Morris. + +"Yes, I will go out again," answered Dave's father. "Just as soon as I +can have one square meal and one good night's sleep." + +The meal was speedily forthcoming, and the trader went to bed at seven +that evening and did not awaken until noon of the next day. Then he +declared that he felt as if he had been made new all over, and two hours +later, bidding the others good-bye, set off to continue his search. It +was a long while before Dave saw his father again. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A NEW CAMPAIGN + + +As already told, affairs in the colonies looked blue indeed, and some +hardy pioneers who had risked their all in making their homes in this +new country were afraid that ere long they would be forced to either +give in to the Indians or come under French rule. Three campaigns had +been fought, and still the French were masters, and held Louisburg, +Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Frontenac, and the long chain of posts from +Niagara to the Ohio and thence to the Mississippi. The English fort at +Oswego had been destroyed and the French had compelled the Six Nations, +the most powerful Indian organization ever known, either to remain +neutral or else give them aid. + +To add to English alarm, the war in Europe also took a turn in favor of +the French. This brought a storm of protests upon the English ministry, +and George II. was compelled to make a change. As a consequence William +Pitt was placed in entire control of foreign and colonial affairs. + +Pitt was a man of both wisdom and action, and his plans for a new +campaign in America aroused the colonies as they had not been aroused +before. An army of fifty thousand men, English regulars and colonial +militia, was gathered, and it was resolved that a three-headed campaign +should be instituted at once, one against Louisburg, another against +Ticonderoga and a third against Fort Duquesne. + +The first blow was struck early in June, 1758, when the English appeared +before Louisburg with thirty-eight ships of war and an army of fourteen +thousand men. There was a vigorous attack, and something of a siege, and +late in July the place capitulated, and this fall also included the +capture of the islands of Prince Edward and Cape Breton. + +The advance upon Ticonderoga was not so successful, although a portion +of the troops under gallant Israel Putnam, afterwards so famous in the +Revolution, dispersed some of the French and captured a hundred and +forty-eight prisoners. Following this, an attack was made upon Fort +Frontenac, located where the city of Kingston, Canada, is now situated, +and here the English laid the fort in ruins and captured nine vessels +carrying guns and supplies. + +The people of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were anxious that the +attack on Fort Duquesne be made at once, but as we already know, the +armies, especially such as had to march through the wilderness, moved +very slowly. The command of this expedition was placed in the hands of +General Forbes, a gallant officer but one who was far from being in +proper health for such an undertaking. This general left Philadelphia +early in July with the main portion of his command, and after a hard +march reached Raytown, ninety miles eastward of Fort Duquesne, and now +known as Bedford. + +While General Forbes was thus moving westward Colonel Washington, who +had been ordered to join the main command, gathered together all his +available troops and moved northward from Winchester to Fort Cumberland, +called in these pages by its, then, common name of Will's Creek. + +The spring had passed slowly to those of the Morris family located at +Winchester. Strange to say although Joseph Morris' wound healed it +seemed next to impossible for the pioneer to get back his strength, and +the most he could do was to walk around the rooms of the Gibson home, or +around the dooryard, supported by his wife or others. + +"My legs won't support me," he said. "They feel as if they'd let me down +in a heap at any minute." + +"It is the effects of the fever," said Mrs. Morris. "The doctor says you +will have to take it easy for several months." + +Rodney, too, had suffered from the march through the forest and from the +fighting and was confined more or less to the house. + +"It's a shame--and just after I thought I was getting so strong," sighed +the cripple. "Somehow, we seem to be an ill-fated family." + +During all those dreary months no direct word had come to them +concerning little Nell, but through White Buffalo had come a report that +a certain tribe of Indians known as the Little Waters had several white +girls in their keeping and that one old Indian chief had taken one of +the captives as his daughter, he being childless. + +"If they take 'em in as their children they'll treat 'em putty +civil-like," said Sam Barringford. "But I reckon you don't want to lose +little Nell even so." + +"No! no!" said Mrs. Morris. "Oh, we must get her back somehow!" + +After this news was brought in, Barringford and Dave's father went +north-westward once more, in the hope of opening negotiations with the +Indians. How this trip would turn out was still a question, although +White Buffalo declared that little could be done so long as the war +hatchet remained unburied between the English and the French Indians. + +As soon as the new call came for additional troops to the colonial +militia, Dave signified his intention of once more entering the service +under his old commander, Colonel Washington. About this he did not +hesitate to see Washington personally. + +"I'll be glad to have you with us," said Washington, after the youth had +explained matters. "I remember how you acted in our other campaign +against Fort Duquesne, and I haven't forgotten, Master David, how we +shot the bear,"--this with a twinkle in his eye. "Yes, join us by all +means if you care to do so." And Dave signed the muster roll that +day,--as a colonial militiaman, at a salary of ten-pence a day, twopence +to be deducted for clothing and other necessaries! This was the regular +rate of pay, and for those days was considered quite fair. + +It must be confessed that the troops under Colonel Washington formed a +motley collection. Many of the best of the pioneers and frontiersmen had +grown tired of the delays in the past and now refused to re-enlist, +fearful that they would be called on to do nothing but wait around the +fort, while the summer harvests at home demanded their attention. +Drumming up recruits proved the hardest kind of work, and the companies +were made up in some cases of men who knew not the meaning of home +life--hardy trappers and traders, some industrious enough, but others +given to drink and brawling, and not a few who lived almost as the +Indians did, using the redmen's style of dress and occasionally painting +their faces, "jes' fer the sport on't," as they expressed it. When it +came to fighting these men were like human tigers, but in camp and on +the march it was next to impossible to bring them under military +discipline. Many refused to carry rations as the regular soldiers did, +preferring to bring down game as they needed it, and if game was not +handy they appropriated a pig or a cow belonging to some settler--thus +bringing additional trouble on the command. + +"So you are going with the soldiers," said Henry, when Dave told him of +what he had done. "Well, if you go I shall go too--that is, if mother +will let me." + +Henry put in the proviso with an anxious look on his face, for he knew +how difficult would be his task of getting his parent's consent. + +"No, no, Henry!" cried Mrs. Morris. "With your father and Rodney so ill, +and with Nell gone, how can I spare you?" + +"But, mother, somebody has got to fight the French," insisted the son. +"If we don't fight them, and whip them, how shall we ever get back to +our home? I don't want to give all that up, do you?" + +A long argument followed, and at last Mrs. Morris said she would let her +son know about it in the morning. + +White Buffalo came in that night with news. "The Little Waters have gone +to the setting sun, to the French," he said. "White Buffalo has been +told they will remain there until winter comes again." + +"To Fort Duquesne!" cried Dave. "I'm glad of it. Now if we take that +fort perhaps we'll be able to rescue Nell and the Rose twins." + +This news decided Mrs. Morris, and with tears standing in her eyes she +told Henry he might go with Dave and Colonel Washington. "And may God +grant that you return with Nell safe and sound," she added. + +A few days later found the two young soldiers on the march. It was +something of a gala day for Winchester, and the post was gay with flags +and bunting. The long drums rolled and the fifes piped up cheerily as +the command passed out of the town and on the trail running northward to +Cumberland. Many were in the best of spirits, hoping that the downfall +of Fort Duquesne would be speedily accomplished. + +The town was scarcely left behind however, before the music came to an +end, and the command moved on by the route step--that is, every soldier +stepping out to suit himself. This was necessary, for the way was rough, +having fallen into disuse since the beginning of the troubles with the +Indians. + +"I heard a report that we are not to use the old Braddock road to Fort +Duquesne," said Henry, as he trudged alongside of Dave. "Colonel +Washington advised using it, but General Forbes is going to cut a road +of his own." + +"If he does that we'll be all fall and winter getting to the fort," +answered Dave. "How foolish not to use a road already made." + +"It's queer they won't take Colonel Washington's advice. He knows this +territory better than anybody." + +"There is a good deal of military jealousy afloat," was the answer. +"English officers hate to see a colonial get ahead of them. They want to +head the whole game." + +The second night out the troops encamped near a large brook. It was hot +and Dave and Henry were glad enough to take a swim in the stream as soon +as they got the chance. They were soon in the water and diving and +sporting to their heart's content. Then Henry caught a branch hanging +over the water's edge and pulled himself up into the tree. + +"See what a fine dive I can take from here," he called to his cousin. + +"Don't you do it," cried Dave. "You may go too deep and strike your head +on a rock." + +"I'll be careful," was Henry's answer. "Here goes!" + +With a quick movement he leaped from one limb to another. As the second +limb gave a sudden swish Henry uttered a cry of alarm. Then he came +tumbling into the water with a loud splash. After him tumbled a wildcat, +snarling in rage at being thus unceremoniously disturbed. The wildcat +struck close to where Dave was treading water and on the instant made a +leap for the young soldier's shoulder. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +WILDCAT AND WATER + + +Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on +top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a +leap for his naked shoulder. He had had several experiences with +wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty. + +By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible. +As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold +and began to swim for the shore. + +Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere +the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his +back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh. + +"Get off!" screamed Henry. "Get off! Help! help!" + +And then he went down, not because he thought of doing so, but because +he could not bear the weight. The stream closed over him and he went +directly to the bottom. + +This time the wildcat did not let go its hold. It clung desperately and +when Henry tried to shake it off it only sunk its nails deeper into his +flesh. Mechanically he started to scream, when the water rushed into his +mouth, almost strangling him on the spot. + +By this time Dave had reached the surface, and the rings and bubbles +showed him plainly where Henry and the wildcat had gone down. With swift +strokes he swam to the river bank, just as several rangers came running +to the scene. + +"Did you call for help?" asked one. + +"A wildcat!" panted Dave, hardly able to speak, and he pointed out into +the stream. "Sa--save my cousin!" + +"So a cat has attacked him, eh?" said one of the rangers. He raised his +gun. "Don't see anything of the critter." + +Just as he finished speaking there was a splash in the water and the +head of the wildcat appeared. Then up came Henry, and they saw that the +beast still clung to the young hunter's back. + +It was a risky shot to take, for youth and beast floundered around +furiously. But something had to be done, and in a second one gun-shot +rang out, followed quickly by another. The aims of both rangers had been +true, and the wildcat was struck in the forequarter and in the head. +With a snarl and a sputter it let go its hold of Henry and splashed +madly around in the water. + +No cry came from Henry, but as soon as the beast had let go its hold he +sank beneath the surface once more, too weak to do anything toward +saving himself. + +"He'll be drowned!" muttered Dave. "Save him!" And without waiting he +plunged in the river once more. + +He felt deathly weak himself, but the thought that his cousin might be +lost forever nerved him on. With set teeth he swam to the spot. Catching +sight of Henry's arm as it was thrown up, he grabbed at the member and +clung fast. + +"Henry, hold to me," he managed to say, but his cousin paid no +attention, for he was more than half insensible. Then Dave tried to +raise him up, but the weight was more than he could sustain. + +"Help us, somebody!" the young hunter managed to call out, and there +followed a splash, as one of the rangers leaped into the river. Another +shot rang out, a finishing one for the wildcat, and the carcass of the +beast floated down the river and out of sight among the bushes lining +the opposite bank. + +By the time the ranger came up, Dave was nearly as far gone as Henry. +The old soldier was a powerful fellow and easily brought both to the +bank, which was only a short distance off. Here Dave sank down in a +heap, while the other soldiers did what they could to revive Henry. + +The report that a wildcat had attacked some bathers quickly spread +throughout the camp and many flocked in that direction to learn the +particulars. Both Dave and Henry were given the best of attention, and +by the following morning each said he was able to resume his duties. But +both were stiff from the treatment received from the wild beast and on +Henry's neck were deep scratches which he was destined to carry with him +to the grave. + +"After this I'm going to be mighty particular where I bathe," he said to +Dave, when on the march. + +"Yes, and particular where you dive from," returned Dave. "If you see +another wildcat on your spring-board better let him finish his nap +without disturbing him." + +The march to Cumberland was more difficult than had been anticipated, +and the young soldiers were glad when it came to an end and they found +themselves encamped just outside of the fort, which both had visited +more than once when on a trip to Will's Creek. Soldiers were coming in +from all directions, and soon the camp was full to overflowing. + +"Wonder how long we'll stay here," said Henry, after they had been at +Cumberland over a week. "I had an idea we were to march straight on to +Fort Duquesne." + +"There is some trouble over that new road to the fort," answered Dave. +"I understand Colonel Washington is awfully cut up over it. He thinks +they ought to use the old Braddock road and polish up the Frenchmen in +short order." + +"It was the delay that brought on defeat before, that's certain, Dave. +It's a pity the British generals won't take Washington's advice." + +What Dave said about trouble over the road was true. The Braddock road, +originally selected by the Indians, was as good as any to be had or +made, yet despite all arguments against it, it was decided to cut a new +road through to Fort Duquesne from Raytown. It was true such a road +would be a little shorter than the old road, but to cut it would take +all summer and to keep up the campaign during the winter would be +well-nigh out of the question. + +When a part of the colonial troops, including the company to which Dave +and Henry were attached, reached Raytown they found the new road already +started, with two hundred men engaged in cutting down trees, removing +big stones, and burning brushwood. This was kept up week after week, +and in the meantime the troops suffered greatly through sickness and +lack of proper food. Many of the colonials grew disgusted at the slow +progress of the campaign and would have gone home had not the military +regulations forbidden it. + +It was in the midst of this that Sam Barringford came in and hunted up +Henry and Dave. "Thought you'd like to set eyes on me," he said, on +shaking hands. "Jes' got in with Dave's father. We did some tall hunting +I kin tell ye." + +"And Nell?" asked Henry, quickly. + +"She's a prisoner up to Fort Duquesne. We got thet putty straight." + +"Not of the French?" + +"No, of the Injuns hangin' around thar--the Jean Bevoir crowd, as Dave's +father calls 'em--a bad lot, too." + +Barringford had decided to take part in the campaign now in progress and +it can well be imagined that the two young soldiers were right glad to +have their trusty old friend with them once more. + +"It will seem like old times," said Dave. "If only we could move ahead +to-morrow!" + +It was late in October when Dave brought in news. He rushed up to where +Henry and Barringford were industriously sewing up some holes in their +jackets. + +"Hurrah, we are to move at last!" he cried. "Major Grant is ordered +ahead with eight hundred men, and our company is to go with the body." + +"Only eight hundred," returned Barringford. "Thet ain't many. Kind o' a +scoutin' party, I reckon." + +Yet, he too was glad to make a movement of any kind, and prepared at +once for the departure. Two days later the command was on the road, +those left behind wishing them the best of success. + +The English were still many miles from Fort Duquesne when the French +scouts brought word to their commander that the enemy were approaching. +Without waiting to be attacked the French marched forth to do the +approaching English battle. + +"The fight is on!" cried Dave, as several shots rang out from in front. +"We are in for it now!" + +"Well, we came to fight," answered Henry. "And the sooner the battle is +over the better." + +The real battle, however, did not take place until the next day. Then +the French did their best to surround the English, and in a short while +the contest waxed hot on all sides. Part of the battleground was a small +opening and the rest of the fighting took place in the forest. Soon the +smoke became so thick that but little could be seen on either side. + +"Tell ye wot, them Frenchers mean business!" ejaculated Barringford, +while reloading his firearm, which was so hot he could scarcely hold it. +"We've lost a sight o' men already." + +What he said was true. The loss had been frightful, and the dead and +dying lay on every side. Moans and shrieks rent the air, in a fashion to +turn the stoutest heart sick. Major Grant rushed around heedless of +danger, giving directions and doing all he could to encourage those +under him. + +"Don't retreat! The battle is ours!" he called out. "Stand where you +are!" And then his voice was lost in the rattle of musketry and the mad +yelling of the Indians, who had come up to aid the French and steal what +they could from the English. + +Dave, Henry and Barringford were behind a fallen tree, blazing away as +rapidly as possible. The French were before them and the Indians on +their left, and for some time it was as if pandemonium had broken loose. +Suddenly Barringford gave a yell. + +"Duck, boys, duck!" + +They fell flat and not a second too soon, for half a dozen arrows +whizzed over their heads. Then the old frontiersman leaped to his feet. + +"I'll pay ye back!" he roared. "That fer ye, ye sarpints o' the Evil +One!" + +[Illustration: He took a quick but careful aim at the leader.] + +He took a quick but careful aim at the leader of the Indians, who was +rushing straight forward, with tomahawk lifted. The hammer of his +flint-lock musket fell. A terrific explosion followed and Barringford +was hurled flat while Dave and Henry were also struck and knocked down. +The gun had exploded. + +Then before any of the party could recover, the Indians were upon them, +shouting like demons and flourishing their tomahawks and their +keen-edged hunting knives. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH + + +The explosion of the musket had been so unexpected that for the moment +Dave and Henry hardly knew what had happened. Dave felt something hit +him on the bottom of his left cheek and putting up his hand withdrew it +covered with blood. Henry, too, was hit by a flying fragment of the gun +barrel which clipped off a lock of his hair. Poor Barringford lay like +one dead. + +Before Dave could recover the Indians were on them, whooping as if their +very lives depended upon it. One threw a tomahawk at Dave, but the aim +was poor and the weapon buried itself in the log which had sheltered our +friends. + +But just at this moment, when all seemed lost, the battleground shifted +and instantly thirty or forty English red-coats burst from the woods +directly behind the Indians. A volley rang out and four of the redmen +pitched forward, shot through the back. Other bullets hit the log behind +which our friends lay, but Dave, Henry, and Barringford were not +touched. + +Attacked so unexpectedly from a new quarter, the Indians appeared dazed. +They attempted to turn upon the English soldiers, but when two more were +laid low, they fled to one side, where there was a dense growth of +walnuts. The soldiers at once made after them, and another skirmish took +place in the forest. + +"Are you hurt much, Sam?" asked Henry, when he had recovered +sufficiently to speak. + +"I--I reckon not," was the gasped-out answer, after a long silence. +Barringford opened his eyes and gazed ruefully at the gun stock which +lay at his feet. "Busted! Well, by gum! Didn't think Old Trusty would do +it nohow. Ain't ye ashamed?" And he shook his head dolefully. He had +carried the firearm for many years, as our old readers know, and to have +it "go back on him" like this hurt him more than had the explosion. + +"It singed your beard pretty well," said Dave. "You can be thankful it +didn't blow your face to pieces." + +"We must get out of here!" cried Henry. "See, the French are coming!" + +Henry was right, the French column had suddenly appeared on the brow of +a neighboring hill. Those of the English who were in view received a +galling fire and then the enemy came forward with a rush. Our friends +were glad enough to retreat, and join the main body of rangers once +more. + +Unfortunately for the English, Major Grant had divided his force and now +as the French commander came on he ordered that the smaller of the +English commands be surrounded. This was done, and though Major Grant +did his best to bring his command together again, it was impossible to +do so. The English became hopelessly separated, and by the time the +fighting came to an end the major and a large number of his officers and +men were made prisoners. + +"We are catching it and no mistake," panted Dave, after another stand +had been made, during which Barringford had provided himself with +another gun--one taken from the hands of a dead grenadier. "The French +mean business." + +"Here they come again!" exclaimed Henry. "Look! look! they seem to have +re-enforcements!" + +Henry was right, and it must be admitted that the attack of the French, +with the Indians on the left flank, was a superb one. The shock of the +two armies coming together was terrific, and soon hand-to-hand +encounters were taking place in hundreds of places at once. Guns and +pistols rattled constantly and the keen frosty air of late fall was +filled with smoke. The grass being wet with dew many slipped and fell +and not a few soldiers were trampled to death by frightened horses. It +was a scene not easily forgotten and reminded Dave strongly of that +other battle when General Braddock had suffered bitter defeat and death. + +And bitter defeat was again to be the portion of the English. Major +Grant's force was not strong enough to resist the combined onslaught of +French and Indians, and at last word came to retreat, and in the +gathering darkness the English fell back, taking with them a number of +their wounded. How many of the wounded were left on that cold +battlefield to die from exposure will never be known. Snow was now +falling and a wind came up that chilled every soldier to the bone. + +"It's another Braddock victory," said Barringford, sarcastically, as he +limped painfully along, a horse having stepped on the toes of his left +foot. "Them reg'lars don't understand fightin' in the woods nohow. Ye +hev got to fight Injuns Injun fashion, an' French likewise. 'Twon't do +no good to set yerself up like a target to be shot at." + +"We have lost about three hundred men, killed, wounded and captured," +said Dave. "I wonder what General Forbes will say to that?" + +"I fancy he's too sick to say much," said Henry. He spoke thus for +General Forbes had been on a sick bed for several weeks and had had to +be carried forward on a litter whenever his command moved. + +The news that Major Grant's command had been whipped and driven back, +and the major and many of his officers taken prisoners, was quickly sent +to General Forbes, and at once a council of war was held. It was decided +that the entire army should be sent forward without delay, and the +soldiers moved onward as rapidly as the state of the road permitted. By +the time the re-enforcements arrived the French and Indians had +retreated to Fort Duquesne, for additional ammunition and general +supplies, and to take care of their wounded and prisoners. + +Once again Washington urged that a swift march be made on the fort. "It +is our only chance of success," he said. "In a few weeks winter will be +on us and then the campaign in this wilderness must come to an end." + +There was no disputing his words, for the snow continued to fall and +when it did not snow it rained and the wind kept growing colder and +colder every day until even the most hardy of the soldiers began to +grumble over the discomforts of camp life. Forward went the whole army, +toiling painfully through the forest, where only an imperfect Indian +trail led the way. General Forbes was now weaker than ever and others +urged him to go back. But, full of determination, he refused, and +continued to direct the movements of his army from his sick bed. His +devotion to duty was wonderful and something well worthy of being +remembered. + +Dave and Henry suffered with the other soldiers. Frequently when night +came they had to rest in clothing that was soaked through and through, +and the one grain of comfort they extracted from their situation was the +thought that each day's march brought them so much nearer to the spot +where they supposed little Nell was being kept a prisoner. + +"I won't complain if only we get her back," said Henry. And Dave agreed +heartily. + +It was now the middle of November, and winter had begun to set in in +earnest. Ice was forming on every pool and slow-running brook and snow +storms were frequent, although none of them amounted to much. The nights +were the worst and many a large camp-fire did the soldiers build to keep +themselves warm. An advance guard was out constantly, to guard against a +surprise, but no French or hostile Indians appeared. + +Late one afternoon there were a number of shots fired in the distance +and half an hour later a small vanguard came in bringing with them a +number of French and Indian prisoners. These prisoners were closely +questioned and from them it was learned that the French and Indians at +the fort were suffering greatly from sickness and from a lack of +supplies,--the latter having failed to reach Fort Duquesne on account of +the English victories in the north. + +"If you hurry you may take the fort with ease," said one of the +prisoners, who wished to curry favor with his captors. + +This news was most encouraging and it was ordered that the main body of +soldiers should push on again, leaving the artillery and supply wagons +to come up later. The news placed Dave and Henry in the best of spirits, +and they pushed on as quickly as anybody, with Barringford beside them. + +But progress was slow, for there were many hills to cross, and on +retreating the French had left many fallen trees in the pathway, and in +one spot was a dangerous pitfall, into which the enemy had thrown +several wolves. A couple of grenadiers fell into this pitfall and were +sadly bitten by the half-starved beasts before being rescued. + +At last those in advance reckoned that they were now but one day's +journey from Fort Duquesne. The ground looked familiar to Dave and +presently Barringford pointed out the spot where the young soldier and +his father had been re-united after the battle under Braddock. + +Soon from a distance came a hurrahing, which every instant increased in +volume. "The fort is deserted! The French and Indians are retreating!" + +"Can that be possible?" burst from Henry's lips. "Come, let us find +out!" + +He rushed forward, and Dave and Barringford quickly followed. Soon they +were in the vanguard, which was scrambling over fallen trees and +brushwood and climbing the last hill which separated the English +soldiers from the fort. There was a thick smoke ahead and presently they +saw a column of flame shoot up, followed by a dull explosion. + +"They have fired the fort," said Barringford. "Reckon as how they'll +burn everything they can't carry." + +By the time the soldiers reached the vicinity of the stronghold the fire +was burning low. Only a small portion of the stockade was gone, with one +or two small buildings and what had been left of the stores. An Indian +was found nearby, suffering from a broken leg, and he gave the +intelligence that the French command had retreated down the Ohio. Some +had gone only a few hours before and others had left three days +previous. + +"And what of the prisoners they had?" asked Henry, as soon as he could +get the chance. + +"The prisoners were taken away three days ago." + +"Were there any little girls among them?" + +"Yes, four little maidens. One from the south and three from the east, +with two women and forty-one men," was the reply. + +"Three girls!" murmured Henry. "One of them must have been Nell! And +they took them off three days ago? Oh, Dave, I'm afraid we have lost her +forever!" + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +AT FORT PITT--RETURN HOME + + +Dave could do but little to comfort his cousin and if the truth be told +he felt almost as sad as Henry, for little Nell, with her bright ways +and sweet disposition, seemed more dear to his heart now than ever. + +"It's certainly too bad, Henry," he said, after the interview with the +Indian had come to an end. "We might follow down the Ohio, but if they +have three days' start there is small hope of our catching up. They'll +think the English soldiers are after them and they'll push ahead just as +hard as possible." + +"Do you think General Forbes or Colonel Washington will go after them?" + +Dave shook his head. + +"No, General Forbes is too sick and winter is now at hand. He is certain +to rest on his laurels." + +So it proved. A small detachment was sent down the Ohio, and with this +went our young soldiers and Sam Barringford. But this detachment +returned to the fort three days later, having captured but three +Indians and one French trader, all of whom were found in a canoe too +intoxicated to make good their escape. + +The trader thus taken was named Varlette. He had once been attached to +Jean Bevoir's trading post. Dave knew the man, having met him when out +gunning with Barringford. + +From Varlette they gained the information that Jean Bevoir had been at +Fort Duquesne, having come in after the raid upon the homes of the +Morrises, Uriah Risley and others. Some of Bevoir's bloodthirsty acts +had been discountenanced by the French general in authority, and in +something of a rage Bevoir had taken himself off, with his Indian +followers and their prisoners. + +"Now it ees for him to become von vite chief of de Indians," said +Varlette. "Dat will suit heem, and will bring heem in von pot of money, +for he vill make de vite peoples pay heem big money for de prisoners." + +"The contemptible rascal!" cried Barringford. "Ef the rangers git holt +o' him they'll hang him higher nor the tail o' a kite, hear me!" + +"He'll deserve hanging, if he misuses little Nell and the others," +returned Henry. + +As soon as it was possible to do so, the fort was put in thorough +repair, and the name was changed to Fort Pitt, in honor of the prime +minister of England. To-day this ground is covered by the city of +Pittsburg, with its gigantic iron and steel works. What a mighty change +from the lonely forest lands of less than a hundred and fifty years ago! +Then called the West, or the Western Country, Pittsburg is now +considered in the East. So has our country grown. + +The fall of Fort Duquesne brought to a close the campaigns of 1758. The +taking of this stronghold was hailed with delight by all the settlers in +this section of the colonies, and they hastened to re-possess themselves +of the homesteads which they had been forced to abandon during the two +or three years previous. + +As soon as the victory at Fort Duquesne assured peace upon the frontier +for some time to come, Washington retired from the colonial troops and +returned to Mount Vernon, to the large estate left by his brother, and +which now demanded his attention. It may be added here that soon after +this he married Mrs. Custis, afterward known to all as the gentle and +loving Martha Washington. This was Washington's last appearance on the +scene of battle during the French and English War. When next he took up +the sword it was for American Independence. + +It was not until early spring that Dave and Henry were released from +duty and marched with a number of the militia back to Winchester. Their +coming was hailed with delight by Mrs. Morris and the others, although +all were downcast at the news that little Nell was still missing. + +It was found that Joseph Morris was doing nicely and that Rodney was +feeling better than ever. James Morris had been out to the homestead and +had already cut the timber for another cabin, to take the place of that +burned down. + +"I also rounded up the most of our cattle and have all our horses and a +new lot of chickens and pigs," said he. "So, although we have lost a +good deal, we are not as bad off as we might be. The worst loss is the +furniture we brought here when we came, years ago. That came from +England and Germany and can't be replaced. But I'm reckoning on getting +a few fancy pieces for sister Lucy from Annapolis, so things will look +kind of homelike after awhile." + +"Oh, James, you are very good!" cried Mrs. Morris. "But it won't be home +until Nell comes back to it." + +A few weeks later found all the Morrises at the homestead, if such the +spot can be called. The burned place had been carefully cleaned off by +James Morris, and a temporary shelter had been made of a new cattle +shed. Here the family went to live while the men and the boys began the +construction of the new cabin. Rodney could not do such hard work but +kept himself busy with the cattle and the poultry; and thus several +weeks passed swiftly away. + +Carpenter work pleased Dave and he was set at work making doors and +window frames, and also several benches and a table or two, while the +others attended to the raising of the cabin frame and the roofing and +side boarding. Soon the cabin was fit for use and they moved in, and +then Mr. James Morris made several trips to Winchester and one to +Annapolis, taking Henry along, to buy the hundred and one things which +were needed and which had either been burnt up or carried off by the +Indians and their French allies. In the meantime Mrs. Morris busied +herself in weaving a new rag carpet and toweling, and in making some +necessary clothing, for to buy many of these things was, in those days, +out of the question. Then Dave and Henry went hunting and brought down +several deer and a number of rabbits and foxes, and once, when out with +Sam Barringford, all three brought down a bear, and these skins were all +properly tanned and then used for bed coverings and rugs. + +On his return from Annapolis James Morris brought news of a new campaign +against the French. + +"We are going in for the entire conquest of Canada," he said. "Major +General Amherst has been put in command of all the British forces, and +the army is to be divided into three parts, one under Wolfe against +Quebec, another under Amherst himself against Ticonderoga and Crown +Point, and a third under General Prideaux, who is to march against Fort +Niagara." + +"Hurrah!" shouted Henry, "I hope we take Niagara. If we do it will cut +the French entirely off from the Ohio and the Mississippi, and this +ground will be safer than ever." + +"Is Fort Niagara on the Niagara River?" questioned Mrs. Morris. + +"It's located on the eastern bank of the river, just where that stream +flows into Lake Ontario," replied her husband. "I understand it's a +first-class stronghold--a good sight better than Fort Duquesne was. +General Prideaux will have no fool of a task reducing it." + +"I don't see how he's going to get there, unless he starts from Fort +Duquesne and fights his way through the Indian lands," said Rodney. "If +he tries that he'll certainly have his hands full." + +"No, he's not to go that way," was James Morris's answer. "He's going up +to Albany first and from there through the Mohawk valley to Oswego. At +Oswego, if everything is favorable, he will take his way westward to +Fort Niagara. They didn't say so, but I think he'll go by water from +Oswego to Niagara. If he had the boats it would be the safest and +quickest route." + +"Is he going to take any rangers along?" questioned Dave, eagerly. + +"Why, Dave, do you want to become a soldier again?" asked his father, +turning to study his son's face. + +"Yes, sir," was the prompt response. "I'll tell you why. So long as +Canada remains unconquered just so long there is going to be trouble +here and elsewhere. But once we show the French we are masters in +America we'll have no further fuss, either with them or with the +Indians. I go in for settling the matter, and doing it thoroughly and +right away, too." + +"Gallinippers!" ejaculated Barringford, who stood by, oiling up his +flint-lock musket. "Dave, you're a reg'lar lawyer, hang me ef ye ain't! +An' the argyment's right to the p'int, too. The Frenchers won't know +they're beat until we lick 'em good an' hard, an' I go in fer doin' the +lickin' right now. Then, arfter it's done, we kin set out an' plow, an' +raise cattle, an' hunt an' trap in peace,--an' the Injun who wants to +raise a sculp every ten minits now will sit on a tree stump an' smoke +his pipe an' look on," and Barringford shook his head earnestly. "Ain't +no ust to talk," he went on. "It's like damming a stream--you dam it +about half tight an' the fust lively rain will break the dam to bits; +but you dam it good an' hard an' it will stick, no matter how hard it +rains and by-an'-by the water will find out it's got to go a new +way--an' the French an' Injuns will find they've got to leave the +English alone. I ain't much on eddication, but I kin figger thet out, +an' so kin any man whose head is level;" and Barringford resumed his gun +oiling. + +James Morris had much to tell that night--of his many purchases, and of +the war talk he had heard at Annapolis and other cities he had visited. +He, too, was interested in the expedition against Fort Niagara, for he +felt that if the French power was broken in this direction he would be +able to return to his trading post on the Kinotah without much fear of +molestation from either French or Indians. + +It was late that night when there came a sudden thumping on the cabin +door. All sprang to their feet in alarm, and each of the men and the +boys reached for his firearm, which they were in the habit of having +close at hand. + +"Who is there?" demanded James Morris. + +"It is I--Uriah Risley," came in the well-known voice of the Englishman. +"Let me in. I've good news." + +At once the cabin door was unbarred and flung back. All crowded forward, +to behold Uriah Risley outside, on horseback. Beside him, also on +horseback, was his wife, pale and thin, a mere shadow of her former +self, but still able to ride alone. + +"Well, I declare, Caddy Risley!" screamed Mrs. Morris, and ran out to +greet the woman. "Is it really you or your ghost?" + +"'Tis really me," was the answer, "although I sometimes feel like a +ghost, I'm that thin." + +"But mercy on us! Where have you been--with the Indians?" + +"With them and with the French. I was with the Indians first--for many +weeks--and then some French soldiers rescued me. They turned me over to +some traders just before a battle with the English, and then the Indians +and some French under Jean Bevoir got hold of me. They took me up +through the Mohawk valley to Lake Ontario, and there I met a lot of +other prisoners, your Nell with them." + +"Nell!" the name came from several lips simultaneously. + +"Yes, Nell and the Rose twins. They were with some Indians who are under +Bevoir's thumb." + +"And what of Nell now?" asked Mrs. Morris quickly. + +"I think she is still with the Indians. A French soldier came along one +day and carried me off in a canoe. He wanted to marry me, but I told him +I was already married and then he set me ashore in the wilderness. I +tramped for miles and miles, until I was so weary I could scarcely stand +and I was almost dying of starvation, when I fell in with some German +settlers. They took me to Fort Stanwix and from there I was taken to +Albany, and finally made my way to Philadelphia, and then came on here. +Uriah and I met at Winchester." + +"Yes, and I nearly dropped dead from joy," put in the Englishman. "It +was like getting her back from the grave. I could not at first believe +my eyes. But it's really and truly my good wife, and I pray God we may +never be separated again," concluded Uriah Risley, reverently. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +ON THE WAY TO THE ARMY + + +Once inside the cabin, Mrs. Risley related her story in detail, to which +the others paid the closest attention. Her trials had been great, and +the quick tears of sympathy coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks as she +listened, and the others were also affected. + +"It was enough to kill you," said Mrs. Morris, at the conclusion. "But +now you are back, safe and sound, we'll do our best by you. You can stay +here until your husband builds another cabin and gets everything else +into proper shape for living on your land." And so it was settled. + +When Dave and Henry retired once more it was not to sleep but to talk in +an undertone, the subject of the conversation being little Nell and the +twins with her. + +"I'm going to do what I can to rescue her," declared Henry. "It makes my +blood boil to think of her being among those dirty redskins and +French." + +"I believe the best thing we can do is to join the army under General +Prideaux," declared Dave. "His force will most likely go right through +the Mohawk valley to Lake Ontario and then along the lake to Fort +Niagara--just the territory where those Indians and French must be." + +"I've got another idea," said Henry, after a thoughtful pause. "I got +the news through White Buffalo. General Johnson has been commissioned to +stir up the Indians in the Mohawk valley and get them to join in the +attack on Fort Niagara. White Buffalo and his followers are going to +join Johnson's force. Why not go with the white men in this crowd? We'll +be sure to hear more about those Indians and the French traders in that +way than if we went with the regular army." + +"But to train with redskins, Henry!" + +"We needn't train with 'em. There will be at least a dozen white men +with the crowd and we can go with them. I once met General Johnson. He's +a big-hearted Irishman, full of hard, common sense, and I know we could +get along with him. And when he heard our story he might put himself out +to help us." + +So the youths talked on until at last they fell asleep--to dream of +fierce fights with the French and Indians and daring rescues of little +Nell. But these were only dreams. Little did they realize how many real +difficulties and perils still awaited them. + +In the morning Dave insisted upon talking the matter over with Sam +Barringford. They found the old hunter ready enough to listen to what +they had to say. + +"I'm with ye!" he exclaimed, after they had finished. "It ain't no half +bad plan nuther. I know Sir William Johnson like a book--fact is, I know +him a heap sight better nor any book. As ye say, he's whole-souled and +chock full of common sense. The Injuns love him as they love few white +men--an' all because he's treated 'em fa'r and squar'. Why he's done +more fer the English government nor any dozen Indian Commissioners put +together. He knows jest how to handle 'em, an' he makes friends o' foes +almost afore ye can turn a hand. Yes, let us go to him by all means and +I'll warrant when ye tell him the whole story he'll set some Injuns out +to find little Nell an' them Rose twins." + +That afternoon the subject was brought to the attention of the whole +family. Mrs. Morris did not know whether to be glad or sorry, but in the +end she told the boys to go, but be careful and not run into unnecessary +danger, and in private she asked Barringford to watch over them +carefully. + +"I'll do my level best, ma'am," said the frontiersman. "And ef I can +make it, they'll come back to ye unharmed. But they're putty hot-like +when they strike a trail as suits 'em, ye know thet as well as I." + +Preparations were at once made for their departure. Both Dave and Henry +were fitted out with new hunting suits of the regular trapper pattern +and each took along the best gun he could obtain. Sam Barringford had +bought another rifle, which he christened Old Trusty No. 2. They went on +foot, not knowing if their progress with the whites and Indians would +admit of riding on horseback. + +In the meantime it was decided that James Morris should remain at the +cabin, to finish the building and do the planting, thus giving his +brother ample time to regain his health and strength, and also making it +easier for Rodney, who during the past few weeks had been working harder +than was good for his constitution. + +"Good-bye, my son," said James Morris, when the trio was ready to start. +"Be careful, but do not forget that we look to you to bring little Nell +back, if such a thing is possible;" and then Mrs. Morris kissed the +boys; and the long journey into what had been the Indian country was +begun. + +Dave felt somewhat sober so long as they were in sight of the newly +built cabin, but when the last rise of ground was passed, and they had +waved a parting farewell, to which Mrs. Morris had answered by a wave of +her apron, his spirits returned, and soon he, Henry, and Barringford +were chatting as though nothing out of the ordinary was occurring, yet +down in his heart, each felt that this search for little Nell was going +to prove a serious and, most likely, a dangerous undertaking. + +"Where is Sir William Johnson now?" asked Dave, presently, after several +miles of the trail through the forest had been covered. + +"Somewhere near Fort Johnson," answered Barringford. "He's out to get +the Six Nations to join General Prideaux's army either at Fort Stanwix +or at Oswego--if Prideaux can get that far. Johnson is the very best man +they could send to the Indians." + +"Were you ever out with him?" asked Henry. + +"Many a time, lad. He's a great hunter, too, let me tell you--can hit +the bull's-eye at a hundred paces without half trying. And when it comes +to dancing an Indian war dance he can do that, too." + +"And yet he's an Irish nobleman!" + +"Yes, I allow as how he's an odd mixture of a man. But that mixture +makes him just the right kind for the redskins. He understands 'em--top, +bottom and sides, as the saying goes. He appeals to their brains as well +as their instincts--and when he once makes friends of 'em they are +willing to lay down their lives for him. In 1756 he was appointed sole +superintendent of the Six Nations Indians, and he made a perilous trip +all the way to Onondaga, their capital, and staid with 'em two weeks, +and got 'em to swear that they would remain neutral. That was a big +feather in his cap. Then the next year he joined Webb at Fort Edward +with some of his Indians, but he was too late to do anything, although +I've heard he was more than willing to fight. He was also on hand to +fight Montcalm when Abercrombie attacked Ticonderoga, but his three +hundred Indians didn't see the use of being slaughtered in the open at +mid-day and they refused to fight, although they told Johnson they would +take part in the battle in their own way." + +"It's queer the English soldiers can't fight as we do," said Henry. "I +really can't understand it. They get out in the open and the Indian gets +behind a tree, and who has the best of it? Certainly not the man in the +open." + +"I think the English soldiers have learned a lesson or two," said Dave. +"I don't believe you'll find General Prideaux marching on Fort Niagara +in the broad sunlight." + +They were trailing through a dense forest, with trees on every side, +lifting their heads a hundred feet and more to the sky. Gigantic roots +lay sprawling on every side and they had to pick their way with care, +for fear of pitching headlong or spraining an ankle. It was clear and +moderately warm, and would have been warmer had the sunlight reached +them. + +"Years ago this was a great ground fer b'ar," said Barringford, as they +rested for their noonday lunch, eating some things they had brought +along from the cabin. "There war a cave 'bout two miles from here whar +the b'ar ust to gather to the number of fifteen or twenty. But the cave +was cleaned out so many times ain't likely to be any b'ar left." + +"Shall we go near the cave?" questioned Dave. "I'd like to have a look +at the spot." + +"Yes, we'll go putty clost, lad. But you don't want to waste no time on +game jest now, do ye?" + +"Not unless it came very easy. If we got a bear it would give us some +fine meat to take along, and we could sell the skin at Cherry Run." + +"Ain't no b'ar there, I'm putty sure on it. But we can stop an' +see--jest out o' curiosity sake." + +They did not rest long, for they were anxious to join General Johnson at +as early a date as possible, and knew that it would take them at least +two weeks to make the trip. They were on rising ground, but soon they +struck a downward path, filled with rough rocks and loose stones, where +the footing was far from certain. + +"The cave is over yonder," said Barringford, pointing with his hand. +"The opening to it is on the other side. Come, I'll show ye the way. And +have your guns ready--in case a b'ar should turn up." + +After this no more was said, and they went forward, side by side--so +that no one might hinder the aim of a companion. There was a slight +undergrowth between the rocks but for the most part only tall trees, +bare for a distance of thirty feet upward, marked the locality. + +Suddenly Barringford put up his hand, to warn his companions. All came +to a halt and listened, at the same time straining their eyes to see +what might be ahead. They heard a low thump, followed by another, and +then all became as silent as before. + +"What was it?" at last whispered Dave. + +"Some wild animal," returned Barringford, in an equally low tone. "Don't +reckon as how it was a b'ar though." + +They waited a moment longer, and then the old hunter again led the +advance. There were several large rocks to cross and then they rounded +one end of the cave, which, on top, was shaped very much like a huge +rocky egg. + +"A deer!" ejaculated Henry. "Look out!" + +All looked and saw a magnificent deer standing close to the mouth of the +cave, gazing cautiously forward. Suddenly a fox leaped out of the +opening and the deer started back in alarm. + +Bang! It was the report of Barringford's rifle and the deer leaped high +in the air, to fall dead immediately afterward. + +"A good shot--" began Henry, when a noise behind him caused him to swing +around swiftly. What he saw filled him with horror. A huge buck was +glaring at him from the opposite end of the rocky eminence. In a second +more the buck charged the crowd, rushing forward with lowered antlers +and with the swiftness of the wind. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK + + +"Look out!" + +These were the only words Henry had time to utter and as they left his +lips he leaped to one side as swiftly as possible. + +Hardly knowing what Henry meant, Dave and Barringford stood their +ground, looking first one way and then another. + +On the instant the big buck came forward. His rush was aimed at Henry, +but missing that youth, he went onward with a wild plunge, directly +between Dave and Barringford. + +"A buck!" yelled the frontiersman. "Back out, Dave, an' be quick about +it!" + +He himself started on a run, reloading his rifle as he went. Dave wanted +to do as bidden, but he had been so surprised that before he could turn +his heel caught on a rock and down he went flat on his back. His gun +struck on the trigger and went off, the charge tearing over the top of +the cave into the tree branches beyond. + +Dave was now helpless and if the truth must be told the fall had more +than half dazed him, for his head came down on a spot that was far from +soft and comfortable. More than this, with an empty gun he could do but +little to defend himself. + +The big buck had now come to a halt and turned around. He stood as if +uncertain whether to renew the attack or take to his heels. Then he +gazed at his mate and a strange red light shone in his angry eyes. He +was "blood struck," as old hunters call it, and drawing in a sharp, +hissing breath, he leaped forward once again, straight for Dave, who was +now trying to rise. + +[Illustration: He leaped forward once again, straight for Dave.] + +Bang! It was now Henry's gun that spoke up, and though the aim was not +of the best--for Henry was excited because Dave was in such dire +peril--the buck was struck in the shoulder and badly wounded. He leaped +back and into the air, and when he came down lifted his right foreleg as +if in intense pain. But he was still full of fight and now he came on +once more, with eyes glittering more dangerously than ever. + +Dave had not time to rise, so he did the next best thing, which was to +roll over and over, until a clump of brush stopped his further progress. +Then he slipped into the brush, worming his way to the other side. + +The big buck came on and struck the brush a stunning blow that sent the +stalks and twigs flying in all directions. Then the animal backed out +and started for Henry, who had begun to reload. + +All this had happened faster than I can relate it, yet it had given +Barringford sufficient time to throw powder and ball into his gun and +fix the priming. Now the old hunter came close to the side of the buck +and blazed away once more, straight for those reddish eyes. + +The shot was a telling one, for it tore out one eye completely and +seriously damaged the other. Again the buck halted, and then turned +slowly back and began to stagger off. But he could not see and in a +moment more hit the rocks of the cave with a crash that could be heard +for a considerable distance. + +"Good for you, Sam!" cried Henry, who was now reloading. "I reckon we've +got him." + +"Don't be too sure," returned the old hunter. "He's got lots of fight in +him yet." + +Barringford was right, for again the buck turned and now catching a +glimpse of Barringford through the blood of his wounds made a mighty +leap for the frontiersman. But Barringford was too quick for him and +leaping aside, sprang on the rocks of the cave, satisfied the wounded +buck could not follow him to that spot. + +By this time Henry had reloaded, and watching his chance he ran up and +let drive for the buck's neck. This shot proved fatal, and rocking to +and fro for several seconds the magnificent beast at last fell down on +his side, and breathed his last. + +"Is he--he dead?" came from Dave, as he pulled himself out of the tangle +of brushwood. + +"I think he is," replied his cousin. "But we had better make sure. Bucks +are mighty tricky at times." + +Taking out his hunting knife Henry went forward and cut the throat of +the game. Then Barringford leaped from the rocks, and all went to +inspect the buck. + +"A regular monarch of the forest!" cried Dave, enthusiastically. "Don't +know as I've ever seen a larger." + +"Nor I," added Barringford. "An' he was a fighter, too, wasn't he?" + +"We've got more deer meat now than we know what to do with," went on +Dave. + +"We don't want the meat of this buck," said Henry. "It would be as tough +as all get-out. We can take the skin and some of the meat from that +deer, and that will be enough; don't you say so, Sam?" + +"Right you are, lad." + +All were experienced in the work at hand, so it did not take them long +to skin both beasts and then the best of the deer meat was cut out by +Barringford and rolled up in one of the pelts. + +After this the march forward was again resumed. + +That night they slept in the open, near a generous camp-fire, without +being disturbed, and by sunrise were again on their way. They reached +Cherry Run--a collection of half a dozen cabins--a little after noon, +and here exchanged the skins and some of the meat for other things of +more importance to them. + +"There is a Dutch hunter here, who is going to join General Johnson," +said the pioneer who gave them other things for their skins. "His name +is Hans Schnitzer. Perhaps he'd like to go along with you--if you want +him." + +"What, old Dutch Hans, the beaver hunter!" exclaimed Barringford. "Why +certainly I'd like him along. Thar's more fun in him nor in a barrel o' +wasps. Whar is he?" + +"He vos right here," came a voice from behind Barringford, and a short, +stout individual stepped forward. His hair was red and his shock of a +beard bore the same color. Above two sunburnt cheeks peeped two small +eyes of blue, ever on a twinkle. He was dressed in the typical suit of +the frontiersman of that day, buckskin leggings, coonskin cap and all. + +"So you dinks dare vos more fun py me as mit von parrel of vasps, hey?" +went on the Dutch trapper. "Vell, how apout dot dime ven you vos going +to git dot pird's nest in der hollow dree und you stick your hand py dat +vasps' nest, hey? Vosn't dot funny, hey? Ha! ha! ha! I see dot yet--mit +you dancing arount like you vos a sailor on a pipe-horn, eh?" + +"Gosh! don't mention it, Hans," returned Barringford, ruefully. "I kin +feel them pesky wasps yet, fer they war the biggest I ever ran across. +But put it thar, old boy, I'm downright glad to see you--an' after all +the fightin' we've been a-havin', too. I suppose ye broke loose, didn't +ye?" + +"Vell I dinks me so," said Hans Schnitzer. "I vos up py dot Mohawk +Valley, und I got me into nine fights by von veek vonce, und fourteen +fights after dot." He removed his cap. "See dot mark? Dot is vere two +Injuns tried to kill me--von mit a tomahawk und der udder mit his +shcalpin' knife--dinking I vos dead. But I vasn't dead. I chumped up und +ve rasselled und rasselled, und I got dem poth down ven, vot you +dinks?--Cheneral Johnson himself come up--und dot vos der last of dose +Injuns putty quick I can tole you." + +"Good for the general," said Barringford. Then turning, he introduced +Dave and Henry, and a general conversation ensued. The boys liked Hans +Schnitzer from the start, and having often heard of the comical Dutch +trapper, soon felt at home with him. Schnitzer knew exactly where Sir +William Johnson's camp was located, and promised to take the party there +by the shortest and easiest trail. + +The party of four left Cherry Run early the next morning, each in the +best of spirits, Schnitzer gaily humming a song of the Fatherland. The +trail led almost due north, until a small stream was reached. Here, in a +convenient spot, the Dutch trapper had a canoe secreted. This they +entered and followed the stream for a distance of thirty miles, when +they again struck out on foot, this time over the hills leading into the +beautiful Mohawk Valley. + +Day after day passed without anything unusual happening. Game was to be +had in plenty, and it often made Henry heart-sick to leave it behind +without taking a shot. + +"A regular Paradise!" he said. "When this war is over, how I would like +to come up here and knock around for a few weeks. I reckon I could make +it well worth while." + +"You'll find game just as plentiful at father's post on the Kinotah," +answered Dave. "If father can ever get the post back, you must make a +trip out there with me." + +Ever since leaving home Dave had wanted to see a bear, and one day, just +before the sun was setting, his wish was gratified. But the game was too +far away for shooting, and before they could get closer the bear took to +his heels and went crashing out of sight in the brushwood. + +"Never mind, lad, we'll go b'ar huntin' another day," said Barringford, +consolingly. "Jest fer the present, we have other ground ter plough, as +the sayin' goes." + +At the end of ten days the journey began to grow tiresome to the boys, +and they were glad when Schnitzer announced that another day would more +than likely bring them in sight of General Johnson's camp. + +That night they encamped on the bank of the Mohawk, in an ideal spot +covered with brush and some timber. All were thoroughly tired, for the +day's tramp had been a long one, and Dave and Henry were glad when +preparations for supper were at an end and there was nothing more to do +than to eat and go to sleep. + +It had been a clear day, but with the coming of night, the sky had +clouded over, showing that a storm was not far off, although neither +Barringford nor Hans the trapper thought it would rain before morning. + +"Put ven it does come, I dink me it vos come hardt," said Schnitzer. +"Maype it vos rain for two or fife days, eh?" + +"Oh, I hope it doesn't rain as long as that!" cried Dave. "Why, we'll be +drowned out." + +The wood was piled on the fire, and a little later all lay down to rest, +and it did not take Henry and Dave long to reach the land of dreams. +They lay on one side of the cheerful blaze while the two men lay on the +other. The wind was blowing the smoke from the fire directly across the +river, so this did not bother them. + +Dave had been asleep three hours when he suddenly awoke and gave a +cough. Thinking that he was in danger of being smothered by the smoke he +sat up and gazed at the fire. The wind had shifted slightly, but not +enough to do any harm. + +"No use of waking up the others," he thought. "They need every bit of +sleep they can get. That wood is about burnt out anyway, so there won't +be much more smoke." + +He was about to lie down again, when the snapping of some brushwood +behind him caught his ear. Turning he caught sight of an Indian +crouching in the bushes gazing at him. Then came a noise from another +direction and four other redmen glided into view. All were armed with +guns, and at once Dave realized that the camp was surrounded. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +UP THE MOHAWK VALLEY + + +"Henry! Sam! Schnitzer! Wake up! The camp is surrounded by Indians!" + +Dave uttered the cry loudly, and on the instant Barringford leaped to +his feet, reaching for his ever-ready gun as he did so. The Dutch +trapper was also awake in short order, and Henry followed. + +"Injuns?" queried Barringford. "Whar?" + +"In those bushes, and behind yonder trees. What shall we do?" + +Before the old frontiersman could answer that question, a voice came out +of the darkness: + +"Are the white men English?" + +"Yes, we're English," answered Barringford. + +"Then the redmen are glad to meet their brothers. The redmen were afraid +the sleeping ones were French." + +"Who are you?" asked Henry. + +"Arrow Head, of the Miamis. We have joined the great English warrior +Johnson, to fight the French. Let us be friends." + +A few words more followed, and Barringford told the Indians to come +forward. At this eight redmen advanced to the camp-fire, on which the +boys threw some extra brushwood, so that they might see the new +arrivals. The Indians had slung their weapons over their shoulders, as a +sign of peace, and our friends did likewise. + +Schnitzer had met Arrow Head before, and said he would vouch for it that +the warrior was all right. From the under chief it was learned that +General Johnson, with seven hundred Indians, had already marched to meet +General Prideaux and that the camp of the army was some forty miles +distant, up the river. Arrow Head had been left behind to "drum up" a +few stragglers, but was now ready to go forward with the redmen under +him. + +"The war talk at Canajoharie castle was a great one," said the under +warrior. "Your General Johnson has treated us like brothers, and we will +fight for him to the bitter end. We have sung our war songs and put on +our war paints, and no French soldiers shall stand up against us. +Henceforth the English shall be our brothers for evermore." + +"Yah, now you vos talkin' common sense," put in Schnitzer. "Ven you +fight mid dem Frenchers you vos all fools--for dem Frenchers vill pe +licked chust so sure as Henry Hudson discovered New York. I peen a +Dutch prophet, und I know," and he said this so earnestly that Arrow +Head was duly impressed. Schnitzer, who afterward made himself famous as +a pioneer in Ohio, could do a few sleight of hand tricks, and because of +these tricks many of the redmen considered him something of a wizard. + +All rested until daybreak and then, after a hasty breakfast, in which +the Indians joined the whites, the march forward was resumed. Soon it +began to rain, but the drops did not come down heavily, and Barringford +said the storm had shifted to the westward. In this he was right for by +noon the sun was shining as brightly as ever. + +As they trudged along, Dave and Henry questioned Arrow Head concerning +the French Indians and their captives, and about Jean Bevoir. They +could, however, get little satisfaction, excepting that Arrow Head had +heard that all the captives had been removed to the shores of Lake Erie +and Lake Ontario, and that a general movement toward Montreal and Quebec +was contemplated. + +While our friends were trudging through the woods northward, General +Prideaux had gone to Schenectady. He had with him his own division of +the army consisting of two regiments of English soldiers and twenty-six +hundred Americans, principally from New York, although with the New +Yorkers were a good sprinkling of rangers from Vermont, Massachusetts, +New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, men who roamed from one colony to +another, looking for a chance to better themselves and ever ready for a +fight, be it with the French or the Indians. + +From Schenectady General Prideaux moved up the Mohawk Valley, which was +the most direct route to the lakes. This old Indian trail was protected +by Fort Herkimer, Fort William, Fort Stanwix, Fort Bull, and other +fortifications along the river and Lake Oneida. But this great +wilderness was a wilderness still, with stopping places few and far +between, and had it not been for the friendliness of the Indians--thanks +to the good work done by General Johnson--matters might have gone badly +with the English. More than once there was an alarm and at night +sentries were posted with as much care as though they were in the very +heart of the enemy's country. + +It was not until three days after meeting Arrow Head and his followers +that our friends came in sight of General Prideaux's command, toiling +painfully around some of the rapids in the river. This first sight of +the army was a thrilling one, for uniforms and weapons shone brightly in +the clear sunlight. Dave's heart gave a bound. + +"Puts me in mind of the time I marched with Braddock," he said to Henry. +"Indeed, it might almost be the same scene over again." + +"Well, let us hope it isn't the same defeat over again," returned his +cousin, grimly. + +The army came to a halt half an hour later, and then they learned that +General Johnson and his Indians were miles away. They talked the matter +over and at length concluded to move forward with the soldiers, trusting +to luck to interview Johnson later. + +It was an easy matter for Barringford and Hans Schnitzer to locate a +number of friends among the rangers, and they received a hearty welcome, +and Dave and Henry were put at their ease. One old soldier asked Dave if +he had seen much of the war, and when the lad told him he had been both +with Braddock and with Forbes in the attacks on what was now Fort Pitt +the old soldier shook his hand warmly and "reckoned as how" he'd "do +fust-rate to fight them Frenchmen at Fort Niagara." + +Our four friends were assigned to a company under Captain John Mollett, +who was known to Barringford, and inside of a couple of days felt +thoroughly at home. + +In those days the Mohawk River was navigable with canoes and batteaux to +within four miles of Lake Oneida. From this point the boats had to be +carried across the watershed, on the backs of horses, Indians, and +soldiers to the lake. From Lake Oneida it was clear sailing down the +Oswego River to Lake Ontario. + +As they had done so many times in the past, some of the English soldiers +were apt to sneer at the provincials, and this led to more than one +wordy quarrel and not infrequently to blows. + +"They make me sick!" declared Henry, one day, after listening to the +bluster of several grenadiers. "To hear them talk one would think only +they were able to fight. I reckon we can do our full share." + +"If they say anything to me I'll tell 'em what happened under Braddock," +returned Dave. "And they can take it as they please." + +Barringford counseled moderation, but secretly he was as much put out as +the boys even though some of the English were his warm friends. He had +come near to having a quarrel with an English lieutenant named Naster +and he was still much disturbed over this. + +That very night Dave, while on picket duty, heard Lieutenant Naster +finding fault with an old ranger named Campwell. Campwell was a pioneer +over sixty-five years of age, and while a good shot and a good fighter +was at times not just right in his mind, although he could by no means +be called crazy. The pair came close to where Dave was on guard and the +young soldier heard the lieutenant poke all manner of fun at the old +man. + +"Better go home and mind the babies, Campwell," said the English +lieutenant. "It's more in your line of duty, isn't it now?" + +"Let me alone!" cried the old man. "If I was to mind babies I'd not mind +such a one as you, I'll warrant. 'T would have been better had you +remained in England." + +"Ha! so you call me a baby?" roared Lieutenant Naster, sourly. "If I am, +how do you like that from me?" And he gave the old pioneer a shove that +sent him headlong over the roots of a nearby tree. + +The action was so cowardly, and so entirely uncalled for, that it made +Dave's temper rise on the instant, and regardless of consequences he +leaped to where Lieutenant Naster was standing and caught him by the +shoulder. + +"Leave him alone, you brute!" he ejaculated. "How dare you treat an old +man like that?" + +In sudden fear the English lieutenant wheeled around. When he saw it was +only a boy who had spoken, and a hated provincial at that, his rage +returned. + +"What do you mean by placing your dirty hand on me!" he roared. "I'll +have you arrested on the spot! This to me--an officer of the King's +Guard! Preposterous!" + +"It wasn't right to molest old Campwell," returned Dave, sturdily. "He +is as brave as any of us, and I have heard tell that he has fought well +all through this war. You ought----" + +"Don't tell me what I ought to do, you dirty little plantation hand! Say +another word and I'll report you at headquarters." + +"As you please," answered Dave, recklessly. "But if you worry Campwell +any more you'll have an account to settle with Colonel Haldimand--and I +can tell you that he won't put up with it any more than any of us." + +At the mention of the officer in charge of the provincials the English +lieutenant was for the moment nonplussed. He knew Colonel Haldimand to +be a Swiss-American of stern military bearing and one to whom many of +the pioneers were warmly attached. + +"You--you threaten me?" he asked, after an ugly pause. + +"You can take it as you please." + +"My affair with this old man was my own--not yours." + +"Yes, but I'm glad he took my part," came from Campwell, as he arose +slowly to his feet, for the fall had deprived him of his breath. "You +took a mean advantage o' me. I've a good mind to fill ye full o' +buckshot!" And he caught hold of his gun threateningly. + +It was now that Lieutenant Naster showed his true nature. Much of his +color forsook him and he retreated in alarm. + +"Don't--don't!" he cried, hurriedly. "I--I didn't mean to +be--ah--serious. The whole thing was meant in fun." + +"No fun in shoving me down." + +"I--ah--I didn't mean to shove you so hard--upon my honor I did not, +Campwell. Let us drop it; won't you?" + +The old pioneer gave a grunt. He was too open-hearted to understand such +a mean, sneaking nature as that of the Englishman. + +"We'll drop it--but keep your hands off of me in the future," he said, +at last. + +"I won't bother you. But you--" The lieutenant turned to Dave. "I'll +bear you in mind, my fine young cock-of-the-walk,--and I'll take you +down a peg or two ere I'm done with you, remember what I say!" And with +a shake of his fist he hurried away in the darkness. + +A minute after this Barringford came up, asking what was the matter. +When told his brow contracted. + +"That lieutenant is a regular sneak," he said. "Keep your eye open fer +him, Dave--an' don't trust him a farthing's worth. He is just the kind +to play you dirty the first chance he gits." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +HENRY IS ATTACKED + + +The days to follow were full of hard work for the young soldiers. They +were detailed with the baggage corps, and had all they could do to bring +through the many things left in their care. Although Dave did not know +the truth, it was Lieutenant Naster who had much of this work piled on +the young soldier's shoulders. + +The sail down Lake Oneida proved a period of rest, for which both Dave +and Henry were truly thankful. Both made the journey in a long and wide +batteau, commonly called to-day a flat-bottom boat. It was now the end +of June and the weather was hot. On one occasion the youths went in +bathing, but this time nothing molested them. They also went fishing and +brought out as nice a mess of fish as the clear waters of this lake +afforded. + +"It's an ideal spot for a home," said Dave. "Puts me in mind of the +Kinotah." + +"If the Kinotah is as good as this I wouldn't want anything better," +replied Henry. + +The batteau, of extra-large size, was filled with baggage, and besides +the boys there were ten rangers on board, including old Campwell. The +old man sat in the rear of the craft, eyeing the shore critically. + +"My eyesight ain't none o' the best," he drawled, presently. "But onless +I'm in error, I jest see a number o' Injuns behind yonder skirt o' +bushes." + +All looked in the direction, and presently one of the other rangers said +that he, too, saw at least two Indians. They appeared to be following up +the boats and at the same time did all they could to keep hidden. + +"What do you make of that?" asked Henry of Barringford, who was pulling +an oar beside him. + +The old frontiersman shrugged his shoulders. "Depends on whether they +are friends or enemies, Henry," he said. "If they are friends more'n +likely they'll jine us when we reach the river." + +"And if not?" + +"Then they ought to be captured, for if they ain't friends they are +spying for the French." + +Evidently the Indians had not been discovered by those on the other +batteaux, and after a short talk the man in charge of that containing +our friends decided to report the case to his superior, in a boat some +distance ahead. Pulling with all strength, the clumsy craft was, in +quarter of an hour, brought alongside of Captain Mollett's boat. + +"Indians, eh?" said the captain, reflectively. "Couldn't make them out +very well, could you?" + +"No, captain." + +"Hum! We'll have to investigate this." + +Word was passed to several other batteaux, and soon after a boat turned +toward shore, having on board fifteen rangers, including Barringford and +Henry. Dave and Schnitzer wished to accompany the others but this was +not permitted. + +"Good-by until we meet again!" cried Henry, on leaving. + +"Take good care of yourself," returned Dave, and so with a wave of the +hand the two cousins parted. + +It did not take the batteau long to reach the north shore of the lake, +and as soon as the craft grounded all leaped out. Fastening the boat to +a nearby tree, the rangers set out on a search for the Indians. + +The party was under the command of George Harvey, well known as an old +Indian fighter of the Mohawk valley and a man who was as shrewd as he +was daring. He had brought the rangers ashore boldly, but once in the +shelter of the timber he halted his men to give them advice. + +"We'll spread out in a straight line, due north," he said. "Each man +about thirty yards from the next. Then we can beat up the timber +thoroughly. Don't fire until you're sure of what you are doing, for to +kill a friendly Indian just now would be the worst thing we could do. +General Johnson would never forgive you for it. He had hard enough work +to make 'em come over to us." + +It fell to Henry's lot to skirt the shore of the lake, with Barringford +next to him. The way was easy where the trail ran close to the water, +but at other points was exceedingly difficult, for big stones and thick +brushwood frequently blocked his progress. + +"Phew! but this is no child's play!" he muttered to himself, as he came +out on a point of the shore where the sun blazed down fiercely. "A +fellow couldn't feel any hotter plowing corn or turning hay. I'd rather +go swimming than hunt up Indians, I must confess." + +His soliloquy was broken by the flitting of something from one tree to +another, some distance ahead. The movement was so rapid, and the +distance so great, that he could not settle in his mind what the object +had been. + +"Was that an Indian, or some big wild bird?" he asked himself. Drawing +back into the shelter of some bushes he held his gun ready for use, and +gazed ahead with much interest. + +The sun was now well down in the west, so his shadow fell in front of +him as he gazed eastward. Of a sudden another shadow loomed up beside +his own. He turned, but before he could defend himself, he was hauled +back and his gun was wrenched from his grasp. He tried to cry out, but a +red hand was instantly clapped over his mouth. + +Henry tried his best to free himself but it was useless. Two brawny +warriors had attacked him, and now one of the redmen flourished a long +hunting knife in his face, at the same time muttering some words of +warning in a guttural tone. Henry did not understand the language +spoken, but he knew what was meant--that he would be killed if he +attempted to either fight or cry out--and so for the time being he lay +still. + +At a distance the young soldier heard the sounds of footsteps, and he +rightfully surmised that Barringford was continuing his journey forward, +with the rest of the rangers. Soon the sounds died away and all became +as silent as the grave. + +But the Indians did not wish to take any chances and so the one with the +knife continued to stand over the young soldier until his companion was +certain the whites had gone on. Then he emitted a short and peculiar +bird-like whistle. + +In less than two minutes fully a dozen warriors appeared on the scene, +crawling from behind logs and rocks and from holes among the tree roots. +All came forward and gazed curiously at the prisoner. + +A parley lasting but a few minutes followed. Henry tried his best to +make out what was said, but this Indian dialect was entirely new to him. +He half suspected that these redmen had come down into New York from the +north shore of Lake Ontario and in this he was not mistaken. They were +spies, as it was long afterward proved, sent out by Saint Luc de la +Corne, the French officer in command at Isle Royal, afterward called +Chimney Island. + +The coming ashore of the English had evidently disconcerted the Indians +and they hesitated over what should be their next move. But at last they +set off on a rapid march northward, taking Henry with them. The young +soldier's hands were bound behind him and he was given to understand +that if he did not move along as suited them he would be killed on the +spot. + +"A nice pickle I'm in and no mistake," he mused, as the party toiled up +a long hill and through a dense patch of timber where the undergrowth +almost barred all progress. "These redskins won't give me the slightest +chance to get away, and where they are taking me is more than I can +guess. Wonder what Barringford will say when he finds I am missing?" + +Some time after this a distant shot sounded out, at which all of the +Indians came to a halt. The shot was followed by several others, all +coming from the direction of the lake. + +"Perhaps they are signals meant for me," thought Henry. "Oh, if only +Barringford and the others strike the right trail!" + +The shots having come to an end, the forward march was resumed, and the +party did not halt again until long after nightfall. Henry was bound to +a tree and one of the Indians, who seemed less bloodthirsty than the +others, gave him a bit of meat, some corn cakes, and a drink of water. +The young soldier thanked the redskin and tried to engage him in +conversation, but the Indian merely shook his head and walked away. + +When the Indians retired for the night Henry was tied to a short stake +driven deeply into the ground. This allowed him to rest on one side or +the other, but still kept his hands behind him--a most uncomfortable +position. But lying down, even like that, was better than standing +against the tree, and he was so tired he was soon fast asleep. + +A kick in the ribs awoke him at early daybreak, and after a light +breakfast, the Indians resumed their journey. In a short time they +gained a small stream, and from a hiding place brought forth several +canoes. Henry was made to enter one of the canoes and the whole party +began to paddle down the stream swiftly and in the utmost silence. + +The watercourse was less than five yards wide and in many places the +branches of the trees on the opposite banks intertwined, forming a long, +low bower, beneath which the sunlight was hardly able to penetrate. +Outside it was hot and dry, but on this stream it was deliciously cool, +and under other circumstances Henry would have enjoyed the canoe trip +greatly. Game was plentiful and frequently popped up within easy +shooting distance. The Indians did not use their guns, however, although +a number of birds and a deer were brought down by the aid of a bow and +arrows in the hands of an Indian in the front canoe. + +Before the trip on the river came to an end Henry calculated that they +had covered at least sixteen miles. They went ashore just above a small +water-fall and now the Indians took their canoes with them. The party +turned westward, and Henry guessed that they were bound for the eastern +shore of Lake Ontario. + +"If they once get me on the lake I'll be booked for Canada, that's +certain," he mused, dismally. "If only I had half a chance I'd run for +it, even though I'd risk being shot." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +A STORM ON LAKE ONTARIO + + +When the soldiers under General Prideaux reached Oswego they found the +fort in ruins. Three years before the French and Indians under Montcalm +had won a victory there and before leaving had burnt up and otherwise +destroyed every building, large and small, and also every ship in the +harbor, and had taken away all the guns and ammunition and a large part +of the possessions of the settlers in that vicinity. On every side were +heaps of ashes and charred logs, some overgrown with weeds, and in the +midst of these stood a huge wooden cross, erected by Piquet, the French +priest, and on a tall pole hung the tattered arms of France. The scene +was one of unutterable loneliness and desolation, and it must be +confessed that something like a shiver went over Dave as he gazed upon +it. + +"This shows what war will do," he said, to a comrade standing near. +"Think of how prosperous a trading post Oswego was three years ago, and +now look at this. Why even a wild animal would shun the spot--after +those skeletons were picked clean." + +"True for you, lad," was the answer. "But I don't think it will be that +way again. General Prideaux means business, and so does General Johnson, +and the French will have to do some tall fighting to win out now." + +The first of the soldiers arrived on the site of Oswego about the middle +of June, and it was only a few days later the remainder of the army came +up from Lake Oneida bringing the stores and baggage, including a great +many barrels of pork, which in those days formed a staple article of +soldiers' diet. + +Dave was anxious to see Henry and Barringford again, and when the last +of the soldiers came up and went into camp not far from the lake and the +river, he hurried in that direction as soon as he was off duty. + +"Oh, Sam!" he cried, when he caught sight of the old frontiersman and +saw the serious look on his face. "Where's Henry?" + +"I can't tell you, Dave." + +"Can't tell?" + +"No, lad. After we went ashore at Lake Oneida he disappeared like as if +the earth had opened and swallowed him up." + +"But--but didn't you look for him?" + +"Dave you oughter know better nor to ask sech a question. Look? Why, I +tramped miles an' miles a-looking fer him,--an' fer them Injuns. But the +redskins got away, and we couldn't find Henry, alive or dead." + +"Then they must have taken him prisoner." + +"Thet's it, unless----" + +"Unless what, Sam?" + +"Wall, I don't like to say, lad. Let us hope fer the best." + +"You mean they might have killed him and thrown his body into the lake?" + +"Yes." + +Dave drew a long breath. The thought was a horrible one. He shook his +head dismally. + +"You didn't hear any shots, or any struggling?" + +"Nary a sound, Dave. We went along as silently as ghosts and with our +ears wide open. I know Henry was along when we moved up the lake, but I +missed him jest as soon as we turned to come back. He had been next to +the lake front and I walked over to find out if he had seen anything of +the Injuns. But he was gone--and that was the end of it--although I and +the others hunted around until we simply had to give it up and come back +to report." + +It was dismal news, and all Barringford could do did not cheer Dave up. +"First it was little Nell and now it's Henry," he said, soberly. "If +neither of them return what will Aunt Lucy say?" + +As soon as the army was settled at Oswego General Prideaux had all of +the batteaux and other boats made ready for the trip along the lake +shore to Fort Niagara, a distance of about a hundred and thirty miles. +In the meantime Colonel Haldimand was placed in charge of the garrison +to be left at Oswego, with orders to rebuild the fort, and otherwise +strengthen the place, as speedily as possible. Haldimand, who during the +Revolution became Governor of Canada, was an able and energetic officer, +and went about the work assigned to him without delay. Soon the ring of +the axe was heard in the forest and the big timbers for the new fort +were being brought out as fast as the pioneer-soldiers could handle +them. + +Prideaux had expected to embark for Niagara within a few days after +reaching Oswego where he was joined by Johnson with his seven hundred +Indians, but numerous delays occurred and it was not until the first of +July that his novel flotilla of boats, batteaux, and canoes set sail +westward over the mighty waters of Lake Ontario. All the time that the +army was at Oswego a sharp lookout was kept for the possible appearance +of French ships of war, or of transports carrying French troops, but +none came in sight. + +"Not a sail in sight anywhere," said Dave to Schnitzer one day, when the +two were at the beach. "If the French are near they are keeping +themselves well hidden." + +"Maybe da vos vaiting for a chanct to cotch us nabbing," answered the +Dutch soldier. "Dose Frenchers peen mighty schmart let me tole you. Of +da don't vos schmart den dis var vouldn't peen so long vinded, hey?" + +"Oh, they know what they are doing, no doubt of that. I wouldn't be +surprised if they attacked Colonel Haldimand after we go away." + +"Yah, dot is it, Tave--da vaits bis ve peen sphlit by two bieces und den +da fights first one bard und den der udder bard--und ve peen licked our +poots out, hey--maybe--of da peen schmart enough." And Hans Schnitzer +nodded his shaggy head vigorously. + +Dave had been wondering if he would be ordered to remain behind with +those left at Oswego or if he was to go forward to Fort Niagara. He half +wished he would be told to remain behind, that he might have a chance to +go in search of Henry. + +But this was not to be, and a few days later came word that the company +to which he belonged would go forward under General Prideaux. + +"But I'm a-going to be left behind," said Sam Barringford. "I've got +orders to take charge o' the sharpshooters as is going to watch out here +while Colonel Haldimand rebuilds the old fort." + +"Oh Sam, if you stay behind, won't you keep an eye open for Henry?" + +"To be sure I will, lad--thought o' thet myself." + +"Do you think those Indians are still sneaking around?" + +"More'n likely not, Dave. Not if they war French spies. They've gone +across the lake to give warning of our coming." + +"If they had Henry a prisoner they would take him along." + +"Yes,--or worse." + +Dave shook his head sadly, and went about his work, which was to see to +the loading of two batteaux, that were piled high with utensils +belonging to the culinary department of the army--for soldiers, like +ordinary mortals, must eat and if they are not served properly there is +apt to be a good deal of grumbling. + +One day later the army was off, in a long string of batteaux and other +craft stretching out a distance of over a mile. It was truly an imposing +sight, for the leading batteau was flying the flag of England, and other +banners were by no means lacking. There was music, too, to lighten up +the hearts of the soldiers, and ringing cheers for good luck to the +enterprise. + +It was General Prideaux's plan to hug the shore of the lake, +consequently the trip would be a little longer than if they sailed in a +direct line from Oswego to what is now the coast town of Carlton. The +reason for hugging the shore was, that the French might swoop down upon +the flotilla at any moment when out of sight of land, whereas, if the +English kept close to shore, they could at any moment turn into one of +the numerous bays or creeks, and there hide or throw up a temporary +defense. + +The southern shore of Lake Ontario is to-day dotted with villages and +towns, but when General Prideaux's army sailed along this coast it +showed an almost unbroken front of gigantic timber, rough rocks and +stretches of sandy waste. Here and there was an Indian village, but the +warriors were away, either with the French or the English. + +Much to Dave's disgust Lieutenant Naster was placed in charge of the +batteau, which contained besides Dave several soldiers who were hardly +known to our young soldier. When Naster saw Dave, he scowled but said +nothing. + +"He has it in for me, that's certain," thought Dave. "I'll have to keep +my eyes wide open." + +"I want none of your laziness," said the lieutenant, to Dave, an hour +later, and when all hands were resting on the oars. "I see you are not +pulling as well as the others, and it won't do." + +"I thought I was doing my full share," answered Dave. + +"Hi don't answer back, boy! Do as I tell you!" + +In a few minutes the rowing was resumed. One of the soldiers, unnoticed +by the lieutenant, winked at Dave. + +"He's a regular bear," he whispered. "Look out, or he'll make trouble +for you." + +"He's tried to make trouble for me before," answered Dave, in an equally +low tone. "He doesn't like me because I stood up for old Campwell when +he was browbeating the man." + +"Oh, so you were the soldier who interfered, eh? I heard of that case. +They say----" + +"Silence over here, and attend to your rowing!" shouted the lieutenant +from his comfortable seat in the stern. "Don't you see how we are +lagging behind? Pull up there, all of you, or somebody will get the lash +to-night, instead of his supper." + +After that but little was said, and the rowing continued steadily until +noon, when a brief halt was made for dinner. The lake was almost like +glass, so that while some of the batteaux drifted together, no damage +was done. + +"If I know anything about it, this weather won't last," said one of the +soldiers, after a careful survey of the sky. + +"It looks like a storm to me, too," said Dave. "But it may blow around +before it reaches here." + +Yet the day passed without the storm coming, and that night the +occupants of the batteaux slept soundly on the shore of a tiny bay +opening up from the lake. At sunrise the army was again in motion and +once again the flotilla continued its journey westward. + +Several soldiers who had been taken sick on the march to Oswego had been +left behind, but now others were overcome by the heat and the glare of +the sun on the water, and one batteau had to be turned into a floating +hospital. At one time Dave himself felt dizzy, but he said nothing, for +he well knew that Lieutenant Naster would have no mercy on him, sick or +well. + +The sun had come up over the water like a great ball of fire and by nine +o'clock the day promised to prove more than usually hot. But an hour +later the clouds began to show up in the west and it became rapidly +cooler. + +"We're in for that storm now," said a soldier to Dave. "See how the wind +is rising." + +"Yes, and we are pretty far out from land now, too," added Dave. "I +reckon we ought to turn in." + +One of the soldiers appealed to the lieutenant, but he would not listen +to advice. "Straight ahead," he roared. "You only want to go in that you +may rest. We have no time to fool away. A little rain won't hurt +anybody." + +The wind rapidly increased in violence, and soon the black clouds +overshadowed the sun, making the surface of the lake dark and ominous +looking. Then came a gust that whirled the batteau around in spite of +all the rowers could do to keep the craft up to the wind. The waves +dashed up, drenching everybody. + +"Oh!" cried Lieutenant Naster, for he had received some of the water +full in the face. "Steady there, you fools! Don't let her swing around!" + +"If we don't pull to shore we'll be swamped!" cried one of the soldiers. +"I was a sailor for six years and I know this is going to be a big blow. +Give the order, lieutenant, unless ye want to see bottom putty quick." + +At these words Lieutenant Naster turned pale. "Very well, turn about and +pull for the shore," he said. "And don't lose time," he added, as he saw +the white caps chasing madly toward them. + +With much difficulty the clumsy batteau was swung around and the journey +shoreward began. But valuable time had been lost, and now the rain came +down in a deluge, shutting out the view on every side. The wind whistled +a gale and in the midst of the downpour came a vivid flash of lightning +and a crack of thunder that was deafening. + +As much for his own safety as for the others, Dave bent to his oar with +a will, pulling with might and main. The sight of land was now shut out +and the task was therefore a blind one. On they went, the wind blowing +the waves into the batteau until the craft was speedily in danger of +becoming waterlogged. + +"Bail her out!" roared the lieutenant, who was now as much alarmed as +anyone. "Bail her out, or we'll go to the bottom!" + +[Illustration: "Bail her out," roared the lieutenant.] + +"Bail her out yourself;" came a voice from the front of the craft. "None +of us can leave the oars. Pull away, boys,--it's our only chance!" + +It was the man who had been a sailor who spoke, and all the other +soldiers obeyed him, leaving the lieutenant to take up an iron dipper +and begin the bailing as best he could. + +A moment later came a wild cry from beyond the batteau. "Look out, you +are running into us! Back water!" The cry was followed by a thump and a +crash and half a dozen yells of pain, and then ensued a wild scramble +for safety, for two of the batteaux had come together with such force +that the bottom of each was broken away on one side, letting in the +lake water with a rush. + +When the collision came Dave was thrown over backward, into the lap of +the soldier who had once been a sailor. Each clutched the other, and +both struggled to their feet wondering what would happen next. Then the +batteau began to settle and in a moment more Dave found himself +struggling in the waters of Lake Ontario. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE ATTACK AT OSWEGO + + +"I wonder when this will end?" + +Such was the question which Henry asked himself, after he had been a +prisoner of the Indians for a week and more. + +The warriors had marched him to the eastern shore of the lake, and here +he had been left in charge of two young warriors while the balance of +the party had taken canoes and disappeared in the direction of +Frontenac. + +The days had passed slowly. The warriors had found something of a cave +fronting the lake shore and Henry had been placed in this. His hands +were bound behind him almost constantly, they being released only when +he was eating or when both of his captors were at hand with their guns +to watch him. + +The young soldier often wondered what had become of Sam Barringford and +the others who had been in the party that had landed on the shore of +Lake Oneida. Had they too been captured and carried off, or had they +been killed? + +"Sam ought to have been able to follow their trail," he reasoned. He did +not know that the trail had been followed as far as the stream where the +Indians had first brought forth their hidden canoes. + +In the meantime the Indians had gone to Saint Luc de la Corne and +explained the situation to him. The French commander at once gathered +together twelve hundred men, consisting of Canadian pioneers and +Indians, and set out to do the English battle. He felt that a force +would be left behind at Oswego and this he determined to annihilate as +soon as General Prideaux had gone on with the main portion of the +English army. + +The coming of over a hundred Indians to the camp on the lake front +surprised Henry and he wondered what was in the wind. But he soon found +out, for several of the newcomers could talk English and they did not +hesitate to speak of the contemplated attack on Colonel Haldimand's +command, and of their high hopes of again laying Fort Oswego in ashes +and scalping all who should remain to defend it. + +After hearing this talk Henry burnt with a desire to obtain his freedom +and warn Haldimand of what was coming. For this purpose he resorted to a +ruse which worked better than he anticipated. He pretended to be very +sick and whenever the Indians came near groaned dismally and put his +hand to his head and then to his breast as if in intense pain. + +At first the warriors paid no attention, for they did not care how much +he suffered. But after releasing him during meal time, they grew +careless about tying him up again, and left him to roll upon the ground +as he pleased. He now pretended to be sicker than ever and crawled over +to a nearby pool of water, where he bathed his head and then lay down as +if utterly exhausted. + +Behind the pool was a clump of bushes, and back of this a stretch of +dense timber. Once in the timber he felt that he could hide until +nightfall and then make his way down the lake shore in the direction of +Fort Oswego. Perhaps he might even find a canoe, for the Indians had a +large number of these craft, hidden in various coves and creeks. + +Henry had to move with extreme caution, for he realized that one mistake +might cost him his life. Once or twice he saw the warriors gaze toward +him and each time he led them to believe that he was in as great a pain +as ever. + +Presently there was a shouting at the lake front, announcing the arrival +of more Indians, and all of the warriors on land looked in that +direction. Now was his chance, and with the swiftness of a deer released +from a trap he leaped across the pool and dove into the clump of +bushes. He did not stop, but at the risk of scratching himself in a +dozen places, tore his way along into the timber and went on and on, +pell-mell, fetching up against more than one tree and tripping over one +big root after another. Once he went into a hole up to his knee and came +close to breaking his leg, which, in the end, would undoubtedly have +cost him his life. But he freed himself and did not stop but continued +his course, limping deeper and deeper into the forest. + +A yell of rage told him that his escape was discovered, and soon he +heard several Indians thrashing around through the brushwood, while +others spread out for a search through the forest. There was no doubt +but that they meant to re-take him were such a thing possible. + +"But they shan't do it," he muttered, through his set teeth. "I must get +away somehow!" + +When half a mile had been covered he was surprised to find himself +within sight of the lake. At first he imagined that he had gone around +in a circle and brought up at the point from which he had started, but +soon he saw that the spot was a strange one, some distance south of the +Indian camp. + +His injured shin hurt him not a little and he was glad enough to plunge +into the water up to his knees. He had come out on a little bay and here +several overhanging trees and bushes afforded him good shelter. He +secreted himself as best he could and awaited developments. + +The Indians came within a hundred yards of the spot, but no closer, and +before nightfall he was left entirely alone. By this time the scraped +shin felt better, and he waded out to the lake proper, the water being +scarcely up to his knees. + +As night drew on, he could see a faint light up the shore, which told +him where the Indian camp lay. All around him was silent and deserted, +only the occasional cry of a bird breaking the stillness. + +Henry felt that he must get some sleep, or he would be unable to +undertake the journey toward Oswego in the morning, and with this in +view sought out a comfortable spot where he might lie down. Nothing came +to disturb him during the night, and by sunrise he arose feeling +decidedly refreshed. + +A storm was approaching--the same which was to prove so disastrous to +the batteaux on the lake, and Henry had not covered many miles along the +lake front when it burst on him in all of its fury, causing him to seek +shelter under a cliff of rocks some distance away from the water. The +lightning was sharp and he heard more than one tree in the forest go +down with a crash. But the storm did not last in that vicinity, and in +two hours it was over, although the drifting clouds still hid the sun +from view. + +The storm proved a great blessing to Henry, for after it was over he +came across two squirrels that had been killed by it and also a number +of birds. He had not had a mouthful to eat for twenty-four hours and he +now set about making himself a fire and cooking the game. He had a flint +and steel, which the Indians had not taken from him, and soon he had a +blaze in a hollow, where it would not be noticed. + +Having satisfied the cravings of his stomach, he renewed his journey +along the lake front. The storm had washed a number of things ashore and +presently he came upon an upturned Indian canoe, one of the rougher +sort, made of a hollowed-out log. + +"Hullo, that's better than nothing," he told himself, and righted the +canoe, although not without difficulty. There was also a paddle on the +beach, and soon he was on board the craft and paddling southward with +all the skill he could command. + +As he moved over the waters of the lake he kept his eyes behind as well +as in front of him, wondering if the Indians would discover what he was +doing. But they were out of sight, nor did a single warrior show himself +anywhere. + +It was growing dark again when Henry brought his canoe to a sudden stop +and then turned hastily shoreward. Far ahead he had seen another craft, +holding two men. That they were whites he was sure, but whether French +or English was still to be determined. He moved his canoe into a cove, +and secreting himself in the bushes awaited the approach of the +strangers. + +Soon the boat came close enough for him to make out the voices of the +newcomers. One voice sounded strangely familiar, and peering through the +bushes Henry was overjoyed to recognize Sam Barringford, who was sitting +in the bow of the boat, rifle in hand, while his companion was rowing. + +"Sam! Sam!" he cried, as he rushed forward. "Oh, Sam, how glad I am to +see you!" + +"Well, by the eternal, ef it ain't Henry!" shouted the frontiersman, in +almost equal joy. "This is dumb luck an' no mistake. Why, me and Gangley +came out on purpose to see ef we couldn't find out what had become of +ye! Are ye alone?" + +"Yes." + +"Any Injuns about here?" + +"There are a number up the shore--about ten or fifteen miles from here." + +The boat was turned into the cove and soon Henry and his old friend were +shaking hands, and then the young soldier shook hands with Gangley, who +was an old hunter from Pennsylvania. The youth told his story in full, +to which the others listened closely. + +"I reckon the best thing we can do is to git back and tell Colonel +Haldimand how matters stand," said Barringford. "If the French are +a-coming this way he'll want to know it." + +The craft Barringford and Gangley occupied was large enough for three +persons and soon Henry was on board. Then the boat was turned about and +the trip to Oswego began. + +On the way Barringford told about Dave's departure with the force under +General Prideaux. He also asked if Henry had learned anything concerning +little Nell. + +"Not a word, although I questioned the Indians all I could," answered +the youth. + +Gangley was an expert at handling a small boat and the craft fairly flew +through the water under his command and by the united efforts of those +on board. + +They were just coming in sight of the fort at Oswego when the sounds of +distant firing reached their ears. At first there were a few scattering +shots, followed, some minutes later, by a regular volley. + +"The French have arrived!" cried Henry. "That's a regular battle!" + +"Right you are, lad," returned the frontiersman. "See, there are their +boats--a goodly number of 'em, too!" + +"What shall we do?" + +"Better land up the shore a bit and take to the woods. It won't do for +us to show ourselves in the open down there--they'd pick us off in no +time." + +Gangley also agreed that this was best, and the boat was immediately +turned toward shore. They leaped out without delay, and hiding the +craft, proceeded without loss of time in the direction from whence the +shots had come. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +NEWS OF IMPORTANCE + + +When General Prideaux left Oswego for Fort Niagara he was well aware +that the French would more than likely make an attack on the new fort +Colonel Haldimand was building, consequently, he cautioned that officer +to be on his guard at all hours of the day and night. + +But Haldimand needed no word of warning. His military training was of a +high order, and the very first thing he did before setting his men to +work to cut logs for the new fort was to have them arrange the pork +barrels, containing a large portion of their food, in a circle, and +outside of this lay a dense mass of brushwood in such a fashion that to +climb over or through it would be no easy task. + +This "pork fort" as it was called later on, caused many a laugh, yet it +proved no mean defense, as we shall soon see. Behind the barrels +Haldimand planted such cannon as Prideaux had left him; and then went to +work to build the fort proper without loss of time. + +The French came over the lake with as much secrecy as possible. In the +darkness they landed behind some brushwood and tall timber and took up +what they thought was a position of advantage. + +The battle began the next day, while the English were hard at work +chopping down trees and cutting them up into proper sizes for the new +fort. A scout gave the alarm and this was immediately followed by +several shots from the French and the blood-curdling war-cry of the +hostile Indians. + +Realizing at once that the enemy had tried to steal a march on him, +Haldimand ordered his command to stop work and make for the "pork fort." +Dropping their axes, the soldiers and pioneers seized their guns and ran +for the shelter of barrels and brushwood. Several were wounded, one +seriously, and seeing this, the command was given to fire in return, and +something of a pitched battle occurred. But the Frenchmen between the +English and the improvised fort were easily scattered, and then +Haldimand brought up his troops inside the barrel barricade and manned +his guns with such vigor that all of the enemy lost no time in seeking +the shelter of the forest so close at hand. + +It was this first encounter which reached the ears of Henry and his +friends. By the time they were on shore the firing had ceased and utter +silence prevailed as they crept slowly forward in the direction of +Haldimand's command. + +"Do you think it possible that the French have withdrawn?" asked Henry, +presently, as Barringford put up his hand as a signal to halt. + +"I think they are up to some trick," was the low answer. "Hist! down +with ye!" + +Barringford had seen a tall French soldier moving toward them. The +fellow was a sharpshooter and carried his rifle ready for immediate use. + +The soldier was coming directly toward them and in a moment more Henry +felt they would be discovered. Then, without warning, Barringford leaped +forward like a lightning flash, caught the soldier by the throat, and +bore him to the ground. + +Before Henry could recover from his bewilderment it was all over, and +the soldier lay flat on his back, for in going over his head had struck +on a sharp rock, rendering him unconscious. Barringford took the man's +gun and his ammunition box and handed them to the youth. "Now you're +armed as good as any o' us," he whispered. "It's lucky I cotched him +jest right, otherwise we might have had to do some powerful rasselin', +eh? Come." + +Once again they moved forward, until they felt the barricade of pork +barrels could not be more than a hundred yards distant. Then a fresh +firing broke out on their left, and soon fifty or more French soldiers +hove into sight as they were making a detour from one side of +Haldimand's defense to the other. + +"Come, we must get out of here!" shouted Barringford, and as the enemy +came closer, he fired at the leading soldier. Henry and Gangley also +emptied their pieces and three of the enemy went down, all badly +wounded. + +Running with all possible swiftness, our friends soon reached a point +where they could see some of the pork barrels. Barringford held up his +hands and was recognized. + +"Come in!" was the cry. "Don't stay out there!" And then the three went +forward again. But the French had also noticed them and half a score of +rifles were turned in that direction. Henry felt a bullet sing +unpleasantly close to his head and then saw Barringford, who was close +beside him, stagger and go down in a heap. + +"Oh, Sam!" he cried, in deep horror, "are you hit?" + +There was no reply to this, and Henry saw the blood beginning to show +itself around the old hunter's neck. In desperation he caught up +Barringford's body and commenced to drag it to the entrance between the +pork barrels. Gangley assisted him and soon they were behind the +temporary shelter with their burden. + +"I hope he isn't dead?" said Henry, as he surveyed the motionless form. +"Isn't there a surgeon handy?" + +A medical officer soon appeared, and Barringford was carried to an +improvised hospital but a short distance away, and here the medical man +made a hasty examination. + +"He isn't dead, but he's pretty hard hit," was the surgeon's conclusion. +"I'll do what I can for him. No, you can't help me. Better go to the +front and do your duty. There is no telling how strong the French are, +and if they defeat us, you know what we can all expect--a dreary life in +a Canadian prison--or worse." + +There was no time to say more, for the shooting had now started up once +more. It came from three sides. The enemy remained hidden behind the +trees and it was only occasionally that the English could get a shot in +return. + +"Will they make a general attack, do you think?" asked Henry, of +Gangley. + +"That depends on how strong they are," was the reply. + +It was a fearfully hot day and those behind the improvised +fortification suffered much both from heat and thirst. It was only +occasionally that a French soldier or an Indian showed himself and often +he was picked off before he could again find shelter. + +Presently, about two in the afternoon, came a fierce yelling of Indians +to the west of the fort, and the redskins could be seen moving through +the forest, although they took care not to expose themselves too much to +an attack. + +"They are coming!" was the cry. + +But Haldimand was not to be caught by any trick, and he divided his +force, one half to meet the expected attack of the redmen and the others +to guard the side upon which the French were still located. + +But the attack did not come off. Not over a score of redmen ran out into +the open, and when three of these were stretched lifeless by the +rangers, or the Royal Americans, as they were officially designated, the +remainder ran back with all possible speed. + +After this came another lull, and Henry ran to where Barringford had +been placed. He found the old frontiersman propped up against some +brushwood, over which a pair of blankets had been spread. He tried to +smile at the youth. + +"Got it putty bad," said Barringford, in a low voice. +"In--the--neck--can't talk." + +"Then don't say another word, Sam," returned Henry tenderly. "I am glad +to learn it's no worse. You keep quiet. I reckon we are safe, so far;" +and that was all that was said between them. + +"He'll be all right in a few days," said the surgeon. "But he had a +narrow escape. Had the bullet cut in half an inch deeper it would have +gone through his windpipe." + +Slowly the hours dragged by after this, with only an occasional shot. +But now Haldimand was laying his plans for moving on the enemy. Some +guns were brought into play on a certain bit of forest before the pork +barrel fort and when these were discharged the cries that followed told +that the French had been taken by surprise. + +"They are running for their boats!" was the announcement, a little while +later. "They are on the retreat!" + +A cheer went up at this announcement, and regardless of orders some of +the rangers leaped out over the barrels and brushwood and made after the +French, who seemed to have suddenly become panic-stricken. + +It was seen that La Corne was indeed retreating. The French soldiers and +the Indians were running in all directions, and in the excitement a +dozen or more were sent sprawling on the shore. + +"After 'em! After 'em!" was the cry. "Don't let 'em escape!" And then +came the rapid crack-cracking of guns and rifles and long pistols and +thirty of the enemy were killed and wounded. La Corne was struck among +the number, but not seriously wounded. + +With the rangers who left the fort was Henry, and soon he and Gangley +and four other pioneers were hurrying after a number of Indians who were +fleeing up the lake shore. These were the redmen who had made Henry a +prisoner and he was anxious to "square accounts" with them. + +The Indians had three canoes secreted in the bushes and they were +anxious to gain possession of the craft. After a swift run of ten +minutes they came in sight of the spot where the canoes were located. +But now the rangers opened fire on them and two of the Indians went +down, both wounded. The Indians returned the fire with a rifle shot and +several arrows, but nobody was struck. + +"They shan't git away so easy!" cried Gangley, and as the redmen leaped +into their canoes, he opened fire again. The others reloaded with all +speed, and a volley was delivered as the light craft shot out into the +lake. One more redman was brought low and fell into the water with a +loud splash, and then the canoes drew out of range with all possible +speed. + +The Indian who had fallen into the water was a stranger to Henry. He was +not seriously wounded and not wishing to drown, came ashore, although +evidently in terror of the whites. + +"Don't shoot him!" cried Henry, as two of the others leveled their guns. + +"Why not?" drawled one of the rangers. "Reckon as how he desarves it, +don't he?" + +"I want to question him." + +In a few minutes more the Indian was a prisoner, and then the rangers +turned their attention to the pair that lay wounded some distance back. +One was dying, but the other suffered only from a slight wound in the +leg. The dying redman was left where he had fallen and the others were +taken back to the fort. + +It was not until some time later that Henry got a chance to question the +captured Indians. One could speak fairly good English but it was only +with difficulty that the young soldier could make him tell anything +concerning the Indians in general and the prisoners they were holding. + +But after Henry had taken the trouble to dress the wounded one's hurt +and had supplied him with water and food, the redman's tongue became +loosened, and he listened to what Henry had to say with increased +interest. + +"Yes, Missapaw has seen the little girls," he said. "Two are of the same +birth, and the other is called 'Nell.'" + +"And where are they now?" demanded Henry, eagerly. + +"They are with some Indians and some French traders, in the west--at the +mighty fall of waters." + +"You mean Niagara Falls?" + +The Indian nodded. + +"And who are the French traders?" + +"Missapaw knows but one of them--a trader of the Kinotah." + +"What, you don't mean Jean Bevoir?" cried the young soldier. + +"Yes, that is his name." + +"And they are helping the Indians to hold the little girls captive. What +is their object?" + +"To make the little girls' fathers pay well for the return of the little +ones," was the answer. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA + + +We will now go back to Dave, at the time he was thrown into the waters +of the lake, in the midst of the storm. + +For the moment after the waters closed over him, the young soldier was +too bewildered to do more than throw out his hands wildly. He attempted +to cry out, and the water rushed into his mouth, almost drowning him. +Then he spluttered and struggled, and more by instinct than anything +else began to strike out. + +When he came up he took a fresh breath and dashed the water from his +eyes. He could see but little in the darkness, and although he could +hear many cries, and a shout or two from distant boats, yet the craft +remained invisible to him. + +At length another flash of lightning showed him that one batteau had +gone down and also showed him the sailor-soldier struggling near him. + +"Hullo there!" shouted the other, whose name was Simon Lapp. "Can you +swim?" + +"Yes, but not extra well," panted Dave. + +"Move this way, then--the shore's over yonder, and I think we'll soon +strike bottom with our feet." + +Dave did as suggested, and ranged up alongside of Simon Lapp. The +proximity of the sailor-soldier gave the youth confidence, and he did +his best to keep up with the man. + +It was the hardest swim of his life and more than once Dave felt as if +the weight of his uniform would carry him down. The two were alone in +the vicinity, the others having either gone down or struck out for the +uninjured boats nearest to them. + +When Dave was almost exhausted he felt bottom under him, and hand in +hand he and Simon Lapp waded ashore. The rain was now coming down harder +than ever, and both crawled to the shelter of some overhanging trees, +regardless of the danger from lightning. + +"We're in a pickle, that's certain," observed Dave, when he felt able to +speak. "Do you reckon anybody will come to shore for us?" + +"More'n likely some of the boats have been driven ashore," answered +Lapp. "Let us be thankful that our lives have been spared." + +Dave was thankful, and as they crouched there in the darkness he uttered +a prayer to God for His mercies, and prayed that this adventure might +speedily be brought to a safe conclusion. + +As we know, the storm was not of long duration, and by nightfall Dave +and Lapp were walking along the shore, searching for friends, or for +some signs of the other batteaux. + +But, strange as it may seem, no boats showed themselves, nor did a +single human being come into sight. + +"Might as well give it up," said the sailor-soldier at last. "I'm too +tired to stick on my pins a minit longer. Let's make a fire and dry +off." + +Dave was agreeable, and the fire was started, although not without great +difficulty. In moving along the shore they had come across a few small +fish thrown up by the fury of the wind and these they cooked and ate. + +The next day found Dave and Lapp still in the woods. In some manner they +had strayed from the lake front and before nightfall they had covered +many miles in an endeavor to set themselves right once again. They had +found no more game, and being without means of shooting anything, or +even of going fishing, were almost starved for the want of food. + +"We've got to do something," said Dave, on the following morning. "If we +don't, we'll starve. I'm going to try to bring down some birds with +sticks and stones." + +He tried his best, but though he followed his plan up for fully an hour +not a bird did he hit, and by that time his arm was so tired that +further throwing was out of the question. In the meantime, his course +had brought him out on the lake front once more, and now while he +rested, Simon Lapp tried his hand at fishing, with a hook made out of a +thorn and some line manufactured from threads from his shirt. + +But the fish would not bite, and in an hour Lapp gave up the attempt in +disgust. Each looked at the other inquiringly. + +"The lake is full o' fish, and the woods full o' game--an' yet it looks +like we were meant to starve, Morris," said Lapp, slowly. + +"Oh, don't say that!" cried Dave. "Something may turn up--it must turn +up!" + +He had scarcely spoken when Lapp leaped to his feet and pointed down the +lake shore. "A boat!" he cried. + +There was a speck on the water, and as it grew larger, Dave saw that it +was indeed a boat, quite a large affair, carrying a small sail and in +addition several men at oars. + +Were those in the craft friends or enemies? That was the interesting +question, and Dave felt his heart beat rapidly. If they were friends all +would be well, but if enemies----? They would not wish to expose +themselves, and yet to starve to death was out of the question. + +As the boat came closer, they crawled behind some bushes and crouched +down out of sight. Slowly the craft glided up, until it was less than a +hundred yards away. Then Simon Lapp leaped up and swung his arms wildly. + +"Boat ahoy!" he cried. "Boat ahoy!" + +Those in the craft heard the call and the rowers stopped rowing, while +all looked with interest toward the shore. Then Dave uttered a yell. + +"Henry! Henry!" + +"Hullo, Dave, is that you?" was the answer. + +"Yes. Come in and take us on board. We are almost starved!" + +"How many of you there?" questioned the officer in charge of the boat. + +"Only two," answered Simon Lapp. "And unarmed at that." + +"It's all right, sir," said Henry, to the officer in command. "That is +my cousin, who left Oswego with General Prideaux's command. I don't know +what he is doing here though." + +The boat came ashore, and soon Henry was shaking Dave by the hand. The +hungry ones were provided with food, and although this consisted of +nothing better than some boiled pork, with beans and crackers which were +anything but fresh, never had a meal tasted sweeter to both. + +The officer and the others listened with interest to what Lapp and Dave +had to tell. They had come across the waterlogged remains of the wrecked +batteaux and had been watching sharply for any signs of floating bodies. +They had come across that of Lieutenant Naster and had buried it but a +few hours before. The news that the lieutenant was dead caused Dave to +shudder. + +The rangers were bound for the Niagara River, having been sent out by +Colonel Haldimand with a message to General Prideaux, telling the latter +of the defeat and retreat of La Corne. It was possible that La Corne +would now move onward to assist in the defense of Fort Niagara in which +case measures would have to be taken to cut him off. But La Corne had +been too thoroughly whipped to move westward, and, besides, he was soon +after needed in other directions. + +Of course the news which Henry had to tell about little Nell and Jean +Bevoir was of great interest to Dave. + +"Did the Indian tell you just where she was being kept?" he asked. + +"He said so far as he knew the captives and the traders were at an +Indian village called Shumetta, not over two miles away from Niagara +Falls. He said Jean Bevoir spent part of his time at Shumetta and the +rest at Venango, where he has charge of a company of traders, who intend +to fight in the French army, if the war is carried into that territory." + +"I hope Bevoir does fight, and that we get a chance at him!" cried Dave. +"I really think I'd take pleasure in laying him low--such a rascal as he +is!" + +After the privations of the past two days Dave was well content to take +it easy as the boat sped on its way along the dark and silent shore of +Lake Ontario, then presenting an almost unbroken line of forest and +rocks, to-day the sites of many villages and thriving cities. As the +craft moved on, constant watch was kept for a possible French sail, but +none appeared. + +It took General Prideaux's flotilla between six and seven days to make +the journey westward, and it was not until the troops were landing that +the boat containing Dave and Henry reached the main army. General +Prideaux was at once acquainted with what had occurred at Oswego and +seemed well pleased to think that La Corne's strategy had not availed +him. He already knew of the loss of Lieutenant Naster and of four +others who were swept away by the storm. + +Dave and Lapp had been given up for lost by their friends who had +escaped from the wrecking of the batteau, and their re-appearance was +hailed with delight. + +It was General Prideaux's plan to land some distance from Fort Niagara, +and then lay siege to the place. The soldiers disembarked as silently as +possible, the trees, rocks and bushes keeping them well hidden from +those in the fort. Then, while several companies were left behind to +guard the boats and baggage, the rest of the army moved through the +woods, the engineering corps going ahead, to throw up entrenchments as +soon as such a move seemed necessary. + +The old fort, which was speedily to see its last days under French rule, +stood on the right bank of the Niagara River, where that picturesque +stream empties into Lake Ontario. It was both large and strongly built, +after the fashion of French fortification of that period. Within the +outer defenses were several buildings of considerable importance, for +this fort had stood as a guardian of lake and river for many years. + +The commander at the fort was Captain Pouchot, an able French officer, +who had seen service for many campaigns. He had under him a force of +about six hundred soldiers--trained veterans who could boast of more +than one victory. Up to a short while before, there had been other +soldiers in this vicinity, but not dreaming of an attack--for his Indian +spies had this time failed him--the French officer had allowed these to +depart--to Venango and other trading posts, and to several of the nearby +Indian villages. It was mid-summer, and traders and Indians hated to do +military duty when they could bring down game and make trades. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX + +THE BATTLE NEAR THE FALLS + + +"We are certainly in for a fight now, Henry!" + +It was Dave who spoke, as he examined the priming of his new gun, to +make sure that the weapon was ready for use. "That little brush day +before yesterday woke the French up, and they will sail into us +heavily--if they can," he added. + +"Well, we came to fight," returned Henry, as he, too, looked his weapon +over. "And I guess we can be thankful, all things considered, that we +are here to do them battle and not killed, or laid up as Sam Barringford +is." + +"I hope Sam pulls through and that quickly." + +"The surgeon said he would--if he'll keep quiet for a while. But it's +like putting a torch to gun-powder to keep him quiet when there's a +scrimmage in sight,--he's such a born fighter." + +The two young soldiers were standing behind a breastworks which had been +thrown up early that morning. The first works thrown up by the English +engineering corps had proved untenable and the French had fired on them +with disastrous effect. But now they were comparatively safe; and the +English gunners were serving their various cannon steadily and +effectively, knocking the logs of the fort into bits with almost every +discharge. + +The fort had been under bombardment for several days, and the young +soldiers had been out on the firing line three times. But only one of +these times had been of any consequence and that was when a French +cannon ball, hitting some loose stones, had sent the latter in their +faces, scratching them both on each cheek and blinding a soldier +standing between them. + +The bombardment had been opened at rather long range, for General +Prideaux had not known the exact strength of the French garrison. Now +the worthy English general was dead, having been killed on the second +day by the unexpected explosion of a shell as it was being fired by some +English gunners from a small bronze mortar, generally called a coe-horn. + +The killing of General Prideaux placed the command of the expedition in +the hands of Sir William Johnson, who up to this time had been giving +all of his attention to the Indians who had volunteered to aid their +English brothers. Johnson was as quick to act as he was brave, and +having stationed his Indians where he could call upon them at a moment's +notice, had the English make another advance on the next day, which +brought the cannon to bear directly on the most vital parts of the fort. + +Captain Pouchot was now thoroughly alarmed, and under cover of darkness, +sent out messengers in various directions, to bring up the soldiers, +traders, and friendly Indians from Venango, Presqu'ile, Detroit, and +other points. These different forces were to join together at some point +near Lake Erie and then sail down the Niagara River to the vicinity of +the Falls, where they were to disembark and then march forward with the +idea of attacking the English from the rear. + +Having sent forth his messengers the French commander now undertook to +do his best until the reinforcements should arrive. The English attack +was answered with spirit, so that day after day the air was filled with +shot and shell, hurled either into the fort or from it. + +The attack Dave had mentioned came late that afternoon and was followed +by another on the next day and still another two days later. + +It was hot work, for the July sun blazed down with unmitigating vigor, +and had the young soldiers not been toughened to a life in the open they +would have done as many of the English grenadiers did, fallen down in +the entrenchments exhausted. There was a continual demand for water and +it was fortunate for all that a good supply was close at hand. This same +supply more than once saved the fort from burning down. + +Both Dave and Henry had hoped to gain permission from General Johnson to +go off in search of little Nell, taking several friends with them. But +when they broached the subject the brave-hearted Irish commander shook +his head. + +"It will do you no good, young men," he said, kindly. "Stay with me, and +if we win out--as we must--I will do all possible to rescue the +children." + +The general was sure of a victory and his spirit proved contagious to +all under him. As the days went by the bombardment of the fort +continued, until Captain Pouchot had lost fully half a hundred of his +garrison. Impatiently he awaited the reinforcements from up the river. + +But if he had expected to catch Sir William Johnson napping he was sadly +mistaken. The commander of the English forces was thoroughly wide-awake, +and had his scouts out in all directions, and these included a dozen old +backwoodsmen and fully a score of Indians who could be depended upon to +do their best, no matter what the risk. It may be as well to mention +that among these scouts was White Buffalo, who had followed from Oswego +to Fort Niagara, not alone to aid Sir William Johnson but also to assist +the Morrises to find little Nell. + +The attack on the fort had begun on the seventh of July. On the +twenty-fourth word came in through the spies that a force of French and +Indians were coming down the river from Lake Erie. This body of +soldiers, traders and Indians was twelve hundred strong, and was +commanded by several French officers of note. The traders were of the +most savage and lawless kind and many of them were in the habit of +dressing like the Indians and smearing their faces with the same +war-paint. + +The word concerning this body came in late in the day and that night +General Johnson ordered forward a large part of his force, including +some grenadiers, some rangers and his Indians. The troops were cautioned +to move forward without making unnecessary noise, and to be certain of +what was taking place before opening fire. + +"Now for some real fighting!" cried Dave. "This won't be any such play +as besieging the fort." + +"Well, that hasn't been play to my notion," answered Henry. "At least it +wasn't play when that cannon ball came and blinded poor Campbell." + +"Well, I'm with ye, lads!" came a voice from behind them, and turning +swiftly they beheld Sam Barringford standing there, rifle in hand, and +with his throat done up in a bandage. + +"Where in the world did you come from?" ejaculated Henry. "Why, you +ought to be in the hospital!" + +"Not by a jugful, Henry! I'm well enough ag'in, I can tell ye--though I +allow as how my neck's a bit stiff." + +"How did you get here?" + +"Came up on a boat that brought some ammunition. Reckon I'm jest in +time, too, eh?" + +"You ought to take it easy, Sam," said Dave. "You've done enough--" + +"Cut it short, lad; I can't sit still when thar's a scrimmage on--no two +ways about it. Besides, I promised your folks to stay with ye, remember +thet,--an' I'm bound to keep my promise. Come along, an' tell me what +ye've been up to sence we parted company." + +As they trudged forward, along the Indian trail which led along the +bluff on the east side of the Niagara River, the youths related their +various adventures. Barringford was astonished to learn how Dave had +been nearly drowned and starved and how Henry and others had come up +just in the nick of time. + +"It's the work of an all-wise an' all-powerful Providence, thet's what +it is, lads," he said, reverently. "When we can't help ourselves it does +seem jest like an arm reached down out o' the clouds to give us a lift." + +On and still on went the soldiers, some keeping to the trail and others +skirting the river and the thick forest beyond. To those who had been on +guard duty during the day it was a tiresome tramp, but the life of the +soldier, as I have had occasion to say before, is not all glory, but is +usually a mixture of one-tenth glory and nine-tenths work and +duty-doing. + +At last came the welcome command to halt. The soldiers were now less +than a mile away from the falls and in the stillness of the early +morning the great body of falling waters could be distinctly heard--a +muffled roar which keeps on day and night now just as it did in those +days and just as it has done probably for centuries upon centuries. + +The rangers to which our friends belonged came to a halt in a little +grove of trees and both Dave and Henry were glad that they were not +called upon to do picket duty. They sank down to rest, and despite the +undertone of excitement observable on every hand, fell into a light +slumber, from which Barringford did not arouse them until it was +absolutely necessary. + +When they awoke there was a fierce yelling in the distance, followed by +a number of scattering shots. The fight had opened between the Mohawks +on one side and the Iroquois on the other. Soon the French traders +leaped into the fray, and then the soldiers on both sides followed. + +The French and their allies had come around the falls by the portage +trail and the battle began at some little distance below the falls. The +Indians fought like so many demons, both sides taking as many scalps as +possible. Soon the forest and the open space were filled with gun-smoke. + +"Forward!" came the cry. "Forward! We must drive them back! They must +never reach the fort!" And forward went our friends, and in a moment +more Dave, Henry, and Barringford found themselves in the very thickest +of the fray. + +Dirty looking traders confronted them, several Dave had seen before, on +the Kinotah, and some of these tried their best to bring down the son of +the English trader they so hated. But Dave was un-touched, although one +bullet did pierce his jacket. The rush of the English rangers was +successful and soon the Frenchmen scattered to the right and the left. + +But now a body of French soldiery was coming forward on the +double-quick. The rangers had no time to reload their weapons, and so +leaped forward for a hand-to-hand contest, such as soldiers of to-day +know little or nothing about, where bayonet met clubbed musket and sword +the long and equally dangerous hunting knife of the pioneer, and where +many a contest was settled in short order with the naked fist, if no +better weapon was handy. It was a time to bring out "real grit" in the +best meaning of that term. + +Henry had discharged his gun and was now trying to club off two French +soldiers who had attacked him with their bayonets. He struck one of the +enemy on the head, sending him reeling, but the force of the blow made +him lose his balance and he too fell, but only upon his knees. + +"Ha! now we have you!" cried another French soldier, close by, as he saw +Henry slip, and lowering his bayonet he charged on the youth, intending +to run him through on the spot! + + + + +CHAPTER XXX + +INTO THE NIAGARA RAPIDS + + +For the moment it looked as if poor Henry's last moment on earth had +come and the young soldier closed his eyes to meet the fate he thought +could not be averted. + +"Back with you!" came a cry from Dave, and making a wild leap forward, +he swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head. The blow, +however, merely grazed the enemy's cap, which fell upon the forest +sward. Then the Frenchman drew back and made another desperate lunge +forward. + +[Illustration: He swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's +head.] + +At that instant a rifle report rang out. Sam Barringford, who had just +reloaded his weapon, had seen Henry go down and was as quick to act as +Dave had been. He was in such a position that he could not get a full +view of the Frenchman but he could see the extended arms and the gun +with the bayonet, and he fired at these. + +His aim was true, and with a howl of pain, as the bullet cracked his +elbow joint, the enemy dropped the weapon just as the bayonet point was +entering the cloth of Henry's jacket. Then, finding himself wounded and +defenseless, the Frenchman lost no time in retreating and was soon lost +to sight behind the trees. + +Now was no time to thank Barringford for what he had done, for the +fighting still continued on every side. Dave helped his cousin to his +feet, and soon the pair, with the faithful old frontiersman, were again +in the thick of the fray. The forest was heavy with gun smoke so that in +spots but little could be seen, and more than once it happened that one +side or the other fired into the ranks of its friends. + +Inside of quarter of an hour our friends found themselves in something +of an open spot bordering the river, at a point where the rapids rushed +furiously along the rocks on their way to the lake. Here, as they were +moving forward, to join a body of English soldiers fifty yards away, +they were suddenly confronted by a body of Iroquois who came upon them +uttering the most horrible war-cries the youths had ever heard, and +brandishing their tomahawks and scalping knives. + +"On yer guard thar!" came from Barringford. "They air after us +hot-footed now!" + +He swung around, and as the nearest Iroquois came within a dozen steps +of him, he let the savage have the contents of his gun full in the +breast, killing him instantly. Then the boys also fired, wounding two +others. This halted the Indians for the moment, but quickly recovering, +they darted forward with increased fury, bent upon adding the scalps of +the three whites to their belts ere the battle should come to an end. + +It was Dave who found himself the first attacked. A tall Iroquois, +straight as an arrow, leaped upon him and tried to stab him with a +hunting knife. The young soldier warded off the blow, with his gun, and +in a trice the pair were locked in each other's arms and swaying back +and forth over the rocks. The Indian muttered something between his set +teeth, but Dave did not understand what was said. + +Henry and Barringford were also attacked, so they could do nothing for +their companion. The Iroquois were ten strong, and soon it looked as if +all our friends would undoubtedly be killed and scalped. + +The Indian who had attacked Dave had made a desperate clutch at the +young soldier's throat. But Dave had caught the wrist so quickly thrust +forth, and now the two were fighting with one arm of each thrust out and +up and the other wound tightly about the enemy's neck. Thus they swayed +back and forth, each doing his best to force an advantage and each +failing. Both looked about, thinking that possible assistance might be +at hand, but all the others engaged in the combat were too busy to +notice them. + +Slowly but surely the pair drew closer to the edge of the river, which +at this point was some fifteen or twenty feet below the ledge of rock +upon which the combat was occurring. In the stream the rapids swirled +and boiled in every direction, occasionally sending a shower of spray up +to their very feet. The dampness made the rocks slippery and both had +all they could do to retain their footing. + +At last Dave seemed to obtain a slight advantage. The Indian relaxed his +vigor for just a moment and in that fraction of time the young soldier +caught him by the throat and gave him such a squeeze that the redman's +windpipe was well-nigh dislocated. + +At this the Indian uttered a grunt and began to back away, but still +retained his grip on Dave. This brought the pair closer than ever to the +edge of the rocks. + +"Look out!" came a sudden cry from Henry, who happened to see the +movement. "Dave! Dave! Look out!" + +Dave heard the cry, but was powerless to heed it. At the very edge the +rocks were worn smooth, and of a sudden the Indian slid backward +dragging the young soldier with him! Over went both, into the flying +spray, to disappear a moment later beneath the surface of the fiercely +running rapids. + +Henry saw the fall and his heart leaped into his throat, for he felt +that it could mean but one thing for his cousin, and that death. But +even had he been able to do anything, which was doubtful, he was given +no chance, for now the advancing Iroquois surrounded him and Barringford +upon every side. + +The scene to follow was one which it would be hard for pen to describe. +Feeling that it might be his last stand on earth, Barringford's whole +will-power arose to the occasion, and once again he was the very +personification of reckless courage, just as he had been when the +Indians had attacked the trading post on the Kinotah. With clubbed +musket he whirled around from right to left and left to right so quickly +that the human eye could scarcely follow him. + +"Come on, ye red sarpints o' the woods!" he yelled. "Come on, an' I'll +show ye the real trick o' fightin'! Ye don't know what a roarin', +blusterin' hurricane ole Sam Barringford is when he's woke up, do ye? +Thar's one fer ye, an' thar's another, an' another! Cut me loose, will +ye! I'll show what a generwine ole Injun fighter kin do! Yer nuthin' +'tall but a lot of measly pappoose, thet's wot ye be, an' don't yer go +fer to wake up sech a roarin' mountain painter as me!" + +Barringford had just brought down his third Indian and was still at it, +with Henry lending all the aid possible, when there came a sudden +war-cry from the woods to the north of the opening. It was the cry of +Indians friendly to the English, and scarcely had it ended when White +Buffalo burst into view, followed by a number of his braves. + +A glance told the chief what was happening, and without delay he leaped +in to aid our friends, and in a moment more the redmen on both sides +were having a battle as warm as the one just ended. But the Iroquois had +suffered about all they could stand, and soon those that were able to +move were in full retreat, while the others were just as speedily +dispatched and scalped by the redmen who had put them to flight. + +As soon as he was at liberty to do so, Henry approached the edge of the +rocks, to ascertain, if possible, what had become of his cousin. Here, +while he was peering eagerly down into the rapids and flying spray, +Barringford joined him. Both were suffering from several small wounds +from which the blood flowed freely, but to these hurts they, just then, +paid no attention. + +"Whar's Dave?" was the frontiersman's question, as he proceeded to +reload his rifle. + +"Why, didn't you see him, Sam? He and a redskin had each other by the +throat and both went over into the river." + +"Gollywhoppers, Henry, you don't mean it! When was thet?" + +"Just before White Buffalo and his braves came up." + +"And they went over right here?" + +"Yes." + +Barringford peered sharply down the stream for nearly half a minute, +while Henry did the same. + +"Don't see no sight of 'em; do you?" he said, slowly. + +"No." Henry drew a long breath and shuddered. "Oh, Sam, I--I hope Dave +isn't drowned!" + +At this the backwoodsman shrugged his shoulders. + +"So do I hope it, lad. But war is war ye must remember, an' we can't +expect to kill the enemy right along an' hev nuthin' happen to us." + +"Yes, but--" Henry could not finish because of the lump which came up in +his throat. "I'm going to follow the river and see if I can't find out +the truth," he blurted out at length. + +"Sure. Come on." + +The fighting now seemed to be at an end in that neighborhood, and +although they could hear gun-shots in the direction of the falls, and +further to the southward, not a French soldier or an unfriendly Indian +remained in sight. + +For the day had been irretrievably lost to the enemy, and with one +hundred and fifty of the French and Indians killed, and over one hundred +French taken prisoners, the remainder of the attacking force had fled in +wild confusion past the falls and upper rapids to where lay the boats +which had brought them down from Lake Erie. Into these boats they +tumbled with all possible speed and sped in the direction whence they +had come. They were followed by some of the English and by Indians, who +ran along the shore for a distance of half a mile, shooting down every +enemy who could be reached by bullet or arrow. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI + +FALL OF FORT NIAGARA + + +So intent were Dave and his enemy on getting the better of each other +that neither noticed their close proximity to the river until it was too +late to do anything to save themselves. + +Down they went through the flying spray, to strike the boiling waters +which flowed so rapidly at the base of the rocks. Both went under like a +flash and with equal quickness were borne along by that treacherous +current which had proved the death of so many in the past and will most +likely bring death to many more in the future. + +The redman did not relax his hold even when both had been under the +surface for some time. To him it was a struggle to the death, and he +cared not how the grim terror might come, so long as the hated white +person should go down with him. + +But Dave, much younger, and with the hope of youth in his veins, did not +intend to give up thus easily. As the waters of the river closed over +him the idea of further battle with his opponent ended, and his one +thought was now of how to save himself from drowning. He had been warned +of the stream's treachery, and he knew that to keep from perishing would +be no easy task. + +With all the strength he could command he essayed to push the Indian +away from him. But the warrior clung closer, for he could not swim and +knew he could gain nothing by being left to himself. Thus the pair +continued to struggle, and in the meanwhile the current carried them +further and further away from the spot where the unfortunate tumble had +occurred. + +"I must get loose somehow!" thought the youth. "If only I could break +that hold on my throat!" But the hold was like that of a steel band, and +instead of loosening it seemed to grow tighter, until poor Dave's head +began to swim and he gave himself up for lost. He drew up his knee and +forced it against the Indian's breast, but still his endeavors had no +effect. And now the water began to enter his mouth and nose and he felt +himself growing unconscious. A thousand thoughts flashed through his +mind--of Henry and Sam, and of his father and the other dear ones left +behind. Was this to be the end of all--this drowning in the grasp of a +hideously painted Indian? + +Suddenly came an awful shock which threw Dave heels over head in the +swirling waters. In their rapid passage down the stream, the Indian's +head had struck fairly and squarely on a jagged rock just below the +surface. The fearful impact of the blow had crushed in the warrior's +skull like an egg-shell, and instantly his hold relaxed, and in a moment +more the body passed from sight. + +The shock threw Dave on another rock, rising less than a foot above the +surface of the stream. Amid the foam and spray he felt the edge of the +stone and by instinct more than reason he clutched at it wildly and held +fast. Then, as he recovered his breath, he drew himself up until his +head and his back were out of the water. His feet swung around with the +current and there he remained, with the water tugging strongly to drag +him down from his temporary place of safety. + +He was in this position when discovered by the sharp eyes of Henry and +Sam Barringford, and with all possible speed they ran down to the bit of +shore which stuck out to within thirty feet of Dave's resting place. + +"Dave! Dave!" called Henry. "Are you all right?" + +"Henry! Help me! I--I can't stand th--this strain much longer," was the +answer, delivered with a jerk and a gasp. + +"We'll have to git a rope," came from Barringford. He raised his voice. +"Hold tight, Dave, and we'll save you!" + +He was off on the run then and Henry heard him crashing along the trail +of the portage. Dave could hear but little save the pounding and rushing +of the river torrent on all sides. He looked toward his cousin through +the flying spray and the appeal went straight to Henry's heart. + +The young soldier looked around. Not far away grew a number of saplings. +He leaped toward the nearest, and with his hunting knife commenced to +hack it down. The task was almost completed when Barringford reappeared. + +"Thought I knowed whar I could git a rope," said the backwoodsman, as he +held up the article. "Seen a dead Frencher with it a spell back. Going +to git a tree, eh? Perhaps we'll need thet too. Let's try the rope +fust." + +He made a noose, and flung it forth with care. It slid close to where +Dave lay, but the youth failed to grasp it. Then the rope was flung a +second and a third time. + +At last Dave caught the noose, and managed, although not without great +difficulty, to slide it up his left arm above the elbow. This would +leave his hands free to battle with any obstruction which might +threaten him in the dangerous passage from the rock to the shore. + +"Are you ready to be pulled in?" queried Barringford. + +"Yes, but be careful. There's a sharp rock just below this point. I just +caught sight of it," answered Dave. + +"We'll pull you up stream--if we can," answered the backwoodsman. + +In another moment Dave was again in the mad current. Planting their feet +firmly between cracks in the rocks on shore, Henry and Barringford +pulled in as quickly as possible. + +As all had supposed, the current swung Dave down the stream and then +flung him up along the rocks lining the bank. Still holding the rope +Barringford told Henry to run down and help his cousin out of the water, +and this the young soldier did. + +Poor Dave was more dead than alive, and for a good half hour felt too +weak to move from the river bank. While he was resting, with the others +beside him, a small detachment of the English grenadiers came up. + +"The battle is over," said one of them, in answer to Barringford's +question on that point. "We've whipped 'em finely, and it's doubtful if +they ever come back to try it over again." + +"If that's the fact, then it means the fall of Fort Niagara," put in +Henry. "The commander there has undoubtedly been waiting for +reinforcements." + +"Well, we're here to make the fort surrender," answered the soldier from +England. + +The soldiers had some rations with them, including some coffee, and +after Barringford had started a fire whereat Dave might dry himself, the +youth was given something hot to drink, which did much to revive him. + +What Henry had said about the fall of the fort was true. That very +evening General Johnson sent a Major Harvey to the commander of the +fort, with news of the defeat at the falls and stating that the fort had +better surrender at once, otherwise the Indians friendly to the English +might take it into their heads to massacre all the French prisoners. + +At first Captain Pouchot could not believe that the disaster to the +French cause had been so great, and to convince him he was allowed to +send an aide into the British camp. The aide reported that the contest +was indeed lost, and thereupon, early on the following morning, Fort +Niagara surrendered, and six hundred and eighteen officers and men +became English prisoners. Later on, the majority of the prisoners were +sent to England while the women and the children who had been driven to +the fort for protection were, at their own request, allowed to depart +for Montreal. + +The fall of Fort Niagara accomplished all that the English government +and the colonists had hoped for. It broke the chain of defenses the +French had established between the lakes and the lower Mississippi, and +closely following this disaster the enemy were compelled to vacate +Venango, Presqu'ile, La Boeuf, and other points, including the trading +posts on the Ohio and the Kinotah. They retired to Detroit, and to the +upper bank of the St. Lawrence, and the English and colonists quickly +took possession of the places vacated. + +It was not deemed necessary that Dave and his friends return to the +vicinity of the fort the next day, and they and a party of rangers +numbering eighteen encamped along the bank of the Niagara. Two of the +rangers were suffering from wounds in the shoulders, and they and Dave +were made as comfortable as possible, so that by the next night the +young soldier felt once more like himself. + +"But I never want to tumble into that river again," he said to Henry +with a shudder. "I felt as if every minute was going to be my last." + +"Yes, you were lucky though," answered his cousin. "Think of what that +redskin got. It might have been your head instead of his." + +"I've seen that Indian before, Henry. I can't tell where, exactly, but I +think it was out at father's trading post." + +"That's not unlikely. I suppose all those rascally French Indians came +on with the French soldiers and traders to wipe us out. Well, they got +what they least expected." + +While the majority of the rangers were resting several of the number +went off in search of game, for provisions were now running low. The +most of the birds and wild animals had been scared away by the noise of +battle, and the hunters had to beat about for several miles before they +found what they wanted. + +On the return to the camp beside the river they heard a man calling +feebly in French, and moving toward the sound, discovered a French +trader lying in some brushwood, covered with blood and dirt, the picture +of weakness and despair. The trader had been shot in the leg and could +not walk and was suffering for the want of food and water as well as +attention to his wound. + +"For ze love of heaven, do not leave me here," he begged, piteously. +"Help me, kind sirs, and I vill revard you vell." + +The trader was evidently a rough sort of a man, yet the rangers took +pity on him, even though he did belong to the ranks of the enemy. Food +and drink were furnished, and the wound washed and bound up, and then +the rangers carried the prisoner with them to the camp. + +Dave and Barringford saw the rangers returning, and at the sight of the +prisoner Barringford leaped to his feet in high excitement. + +"Jean Bevoir!" he exclaimed. "Jean Bevoir, jest as sure as fate!" + +"Bevoir!" ejaculated Dave. + +"Bevoir?" repeated Henry, who stood near. "Do you mean to say that +fellow is Bevoir?" + +"It is!" answered Barringford. "He's wounded, too." + +Without waiting to hear more, Henry, followed by Dave, ran forward to +where the prisoner had been placed on a moss-grown bank. + +"You are Jean Bevoir," he began, sternly. + +"Ah! you know me, eh?" returned the French trader. "I do not seem to +know you?" and a puzzled look crossed his face. + +"Then I'll tell you who I am!" roared Henry, clenching his fists. "I am +Henry Morris, of Will's Creek. This is my cousin Dave Morris. You +helped to steal my little sister Nell. Where is she? Tell me this +minute!" + +As Henry finished he advanced, as if to strike the prisoner down where +he sat. Jean Bevoir grew pale and trembled with fear. + +"No! no! do not heet me!" he cried. "I no do zat. Eet ees von mistake! I +no see ze gal! I----" + +"Don't talk that way to me!" interrupted Henry, whose blood was +thoroughly aroused. "You'll tell me where she is, and at once, or +I'll--I'll--" he hesitated and looked around, and then caught up a gun +standing near. "I'll blow your head off, that's what I'll do!" + +It is doubtful whether Henry would have carried out his threat, but his +manner was so earnest that for once Jean Bevoir, wounded as he was, was +well-nigh scared to death. He put up his hands beseechingly. Then he +looked at the rangers gathered around; but no one stepped to his aid, +for all had heard of his doings, and of how little Nell and the Rose +twins had been carried off into captivity by the Indians and of how +Bevoir had plotted to hold them for a ransom. Many looked at him as +little short of a brigand, or pirate, and would not have been sorry had +his miserable existence been ended then and there. + +"No! no!" cried the trader and clasped his hands tremblingly before him. +"No shoot, please you!" + +"Then tell me where my little sister is!" + +"I--I know not zat--now. I--I--the Indians da run away, an----" + +Bevoir broke off short. The gun had been lowered, but now it was once +more brought up and the muzzle touched his forehead. He gave a yell of +terror and rolled backward. + +"Stop! No shoot me! I will tell you all!" he screamed. "No shoot! De gal +she in von cave up de river, near de falls. Da Indians bring her dare. +No shoot! I show da place. No shoot!" + +"In a cave near the falls?" queried Henry. + +"Yees, yees! Not far from here. She dare now, if not runned avay. I +show, you no shoot me!" + +"Then show the way," commanded Henry. "And remember, if you are telling +a lie, it will go hard with you." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII + +LITTLE NELL--CONCLUSION + + +Jean Bevoir was now thoroughly cowed, and once having exposed himself he +did all in his power to curry favor with those he had so deeply wronged, +in the hope that they would relent in their treatment of him and perhaps +grant him his ultimate liberty. But neither Henry nor the others would +make him any promises, for nobody had any intention of letting him go +free. + +"He deserves to become a prisoner," said Dave. "And he ought to be put +in solitary confinement and on bread and water." + +"Right ye are, lad," said Barringford. "He's wuss nor a snake in the +grass. I don't wonder Henry felt like pepperin' him on the spot." + +It was well along in the middle of the afternoon and the rangers who had +been out on the hunt were thoroughly tired, yet it was arranged that +those who had remained in camp should move to the cave near the falls +without delay, after getting minute directions from Jean Bevoir, so that +there should be no chance of making a mistake in the route. A strict +guard was ordered over the trader and he was given to understand that if +anything went wrong with those who set out on the search for little Nell +and the others the blame would fall upon him. + +It must be said that the hearts of both Henry and Dave beat rapidly as +they pushed along the trail leading towards the falls. Henry, as we +know, loved his little sister dearly, and Dave's affection for his +little cousin was scarcely less strong. Throughout the whole campaign +there had not been a day when they had not thought of her and of what +she must be suffering. + +Barringford led the advance, having questioned Bevoir so closely that he +said he felt he could find the cave in the dark. As the party moved on, +all kept their eyes and ears wide open for a possible surprise by the +enemy. + +But as we already know, French and Indians had fled in the direction of +their boats beyond the upper rapids, and the only persons met with were +half a dozen braves under White Buffalo, who were out doing spy duty for +General Johnson. + +"Heap glad to see Dave well," said White Buffalo, when they met. "Hear +Dave go into rushing waters. Glad Dave get out." + +"So am I glad, White Buffalo. And how did you make out in the battle?" + +For answer the chief pointed to his girdle, at which hung two freshly +taken Indian scalps. Then he pointed to the girdles of his followers, +all similarly adorned. Dave nodded to show that he understood. + +In these days such a showing would make one shiver, but in colonial +times the taking of scalps by the Indians was such a common occurrence +that it occasioned little or no comment, especially when practiced on an +enemy of the same color. A few of the French soldiers had been scalped, +but not many, since General Johnson had given strict orders that no +mutilation of the whites would be allowed. On the other hand, the French +Indians engaged in the battle had committed all the atrocities possible +before retreating to the upper river and the woods. + +Learning what was taking place, White Buffalo asked the privilege of +joining the party with one of his braves, and this was readily granted. +On they went again, through the thick undergrowth and around the rough +rocks, for in those days where the town of Niagara Falls now stands was +little short of a complete wilderness. + +At length White Buffalo called a halt and pointed to the ground. +Barringford had been watching the trail intently. + +"Fresh footprints, eh, White Buffalo?" queried the frontiersman. + +"Indians close by," answered the chief, gravely. "No friends to the +English." + +"Then we'll go slow." + +The Indian grunted, and the word was passed for every soldier to be on +his guard. Barringford now calculated that they were less than quarter +of a mile away from where Jean Bevoir had said the cave was situated. + +Suddenly a shot rang out and this was followed by the whizzing of an +arrow over Barringford's head. One of the rangers had been struck in the +shoulder, although the wound was but a trifle. + +"This way," shouted Barringford, who had been chosen as the leader, and +all followed him to a thicket. In another moment they had caught sight +of several Indians and two French traders hurrying along a trail leading +to the river bank above the falls. + +"Look! look!" cried Dave, suddenly. "There is little Nell now! An Indian +has her in his arms!" + +He was right, and soon they saw two other Indians who were carrying the +Rose twins. The dusky trio appeared but for a moment, then slipped out +of sight in the timber. + +With a yell to the others to follow, Dave darted after the redman who +held little Nell, and Henry, Barringford and White Buffalo came close +behind him. On they went through thickets which almost tore the clothing +from their bodies and over rough rocks. The Indians seemed to know the +way and kept a good distance ahead despite their burdens. + +But now those in front had to cross a little opening, and while doing +this Barringford and White Buffalo fired on them, bringing two of the +number down. They were the Indians holding the Rose twins and in a few +minutes more the twins, who were sobbing in fright, were safe in the +rangers' care. + +The Indian holding little Nell now bounded on with increased speed, +making directly for the bluff overlooking the mighty falls. He knew of +the opening under the falls and hoped by some chance to throw his +pursuers off the scent and gain this hiding-place. + +But those in pursuit were too clever for him, and in perplexity he +turned, like a hunted hare, and started out on the bluff. Then, as he +came again into the open, he swung little Nell to his back and held her +there. + +"He is making for the falls!" screamed Henry. + +"What! do you think he means to jump over?" questioned Dave, in fresh +horror. + +"It looks like it. I reckon he's afraid if he's captured that we'll +torture him." + +This was probably the truth, and having glanced back once, to see if +they were still pursuing him, the Indian kept on, until he was less than +fifty feet away from the brink of the cataract. + +"Oh, Dave--shall we--we shoot?" faltered Henry. + +"We must!" was the quick answer. "It's our one chance to save Nell!" + +Up came his gun, and up also came the weapons of Henry and several +others of the party. Four reports rang out almost as one. The Indian +staggered a dozen steps and pitched headlong, carrying little Nell down +with him. Both lay perfectly still close to the brink of the cataract. + +For the moment neither Henry nor Dave dared to go forward. Supposing one +of those four bullets had found little Nell's body instead of that of +the Indian? + +It was Barringford who advanced, with several of the rangers. A glance +showed him that the Indian was dead, with two bullets through the lower +portion of his back. Little Nell lay beside the fallen Indian, +unconscious and with the blood flowing from a scratch on her right lower +limb. She was only stunned by the shock and as Barringford picked her up +she opened her eyes wildly. + +"Let me go! Please let me go!" she screamed, and then, on catching sight +of her preserver, stared in astonishment. "Oh, Mr. Barringford, is it +really you? Oh, I'm so glad! Save me from the naughty Indian." + +"The Injun is dead, Nell," he answered, and then as Henry and Dave +rushed up, he added, "You are safe enough now." + +Henry caught his little sister in his arms and both hugged each other +tightly. The young soldier was too overcome to say a word, nor could +Dave speak as he embraced his cousin. It was truly a happy moment. + +In a little while the other rangers came up with the Rose twins, who +were as delighted as little Nell to find themselves among friends once +more. In the mean time the other unfriendly Indians and the French +traders disappeared, and although White Buffalo and some of the rangers +went after them, they could not be captured. + +That evening, seated around a generous camp-fire, and after the best +supper they had enjoyed for many a day, little Nell and her companions +told the tale of their captivity,--how the Indians had at first carried +them off, how they had been moved from one spot to another, and of how +Jean Bevoir had finally taken charge of them. The little girls were too +young to understand how the rascally trader had hoped to make money by +having them ransomed, but the boys and the other soldiers understood, +and they made up their minds that Bevoir should not escape them and that +the whole matter should be laid before the proper authorities at the +earliest possible date. + +"But I am so glad to be with you again!" murmured little Nell, as she +nestled down between Henry and Dave. "I hope the bad Indians never carry +me off again!" + +"They shall never do it if I can help it," answered Henry; and Dave +echoed the sentiment. + + * * * * * + +Let me add a few words more and then bring to a close this story of two +young soldiers' adventures while "Marching on Niagara." + +On the day following the rescue of little Nell and the Rose twins all +our friends took themselves to Fort Niagara, which was now occupied by +French and English combined. With the party went Jean Bevoir, a +thoroughly miserable prisoner of war. The trader begged hard to be given +his freedom and offered all sorts of inducements to those having him in +charge, but nobody would listen to him, and one ranger threatened to +thrash him if he ever mentioned a bribe again. At the fort the matter +was laid before Sir William Johnson, and Bevoir was placed under guard +in the military hospital; and that was the last seen or heard from him +for some time to come. + +Little Nell was very anxious to get back home, to see her father and +mother, as well as Rodney and her Uncle James, and it was finally +decided that she should be sent back, along with the Rose twins and a +number of other captives who had turned up. The party was placed in +charge of a company of rangers including Hans Schnitzer, who in the +siege of the fort had lost an ear, and of Barringford, who had given his +word to Joseph Morris that if he found little Nell he would not leave +her out of his sight until the miss was once again with her parents. + +"But what will you boys do?" questioned the backwoodsman of Dave and +Henry. + +"We have decided to remain in the army and see this war to a finish," +said Dave. "We've got the French and their Indian allies on the run, as +they call it, and both of us feel that it's our duty to remain at the +front." + +"That feelin' does ye both credit," was Barringford's answer. "Well, I +reckon you'll git fighting enough before you're done. If it keeps on +very much longer I allow as how I'll be back with ye sooner or later." +What Barringford said about getting fighting enough was true, and the +further adventures of our young friends will be related in another +volume, to be entitled "At the Fall of Montreal; Or, A Soldier Boy's +Final Victory." In this volume we shall meet all our old friends again +and learn what they did toward establishing a lasting victory over +France in Canada. + +It was not long after the taking of Fort Niagara that the boys received +good news from home. Matters were going well with all those left behind, +and they were delighted to learn that little Nell was safe and would +soon be with them. Dave's father was likewise delighted to learn that +Jean Bevoir was a prisoner and that the French hold on the Ohio River +and its tributaries was broken. He felt certain that the French traders +and the Indians under them would never regain that which had been lost, +and that in another season at the latest he would be perfectly safe in +re-establishing his trading post on the Kinotah, and that by that time +matters would be in proper shape for doing more trading than ever +before. + +"I hope what he says proves true," said Dave, as he and Henry read the +letter on the subject. "I think we deserve whatever we can get out of +that trading-post, seeing how hard we have worked to gain possession of +our own." + +"I am glad matters are going on so well at home," returned Henry. "My, +but won't mother be glad to see Nell again! They'll hug each other to +death." And he wiped something like a tear from his eye as he pictured +the scene in his mind. + +In the darkness of the evening Dave's hand stole into that of his +cousin. "I am just as glad over it all as you, Henry," he said softly. +And then after a short silence he added: "There is no disputing it. God +has been very good to us; don't you think so?" + +For answer Henry gave his hand a tight squeeze. "We can be thankful +we're alive, considering what we've gone through with. War is no holiday +making." + +"You're right it's not. But I'm glad I'm a soldier anyway--and I mean to +do my duty to the end, no matter what comes." + +A few minutes later both lay down to sleep, the hand of one resting in +that of the other; and here for the time being let us leave them, kind +reader, with our best wishes. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marching on Niagara, by Edward Stratemeyer + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARCHING ON NIAGARA *** + +***** This file should be named 34355.txt or 34355.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/4/3/5/34355/ + +Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.) + + +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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