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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/76656-0.txt b/76656-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e25aba --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9717 @@ + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76656 *** + + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE WYOMING VALLEY + + + + +[Illustration: “‘SO TRUE AS I LIVE, I WILL SHOOT.’”] + + + + + THE + MINUTE BOYS OF THE + WYOMING VALLEY + + BY + JAMES OTIS + + AUTHOR OF + “MINUTE BOYS OF THE GREEN MOUNTAINS,” “MINUTE BOYS + OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY,” ETC., ETC. + + Illustrated by + A. BURNHAM SHUTE + + [Illustration] + + BOSTON + DANA ESTES & COMPANY + PUBLISHERS + + + + + _Copyright, 1906_ + BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY + + _All rights reserved_ + + THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE + WYOMING VALLEY + + _COLONIAL PRESS + Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co. + Boston, U. S. A._ + + + + +FOREWORD + + +It was the good fortune of the writer, a short time ago, to find +in manuscript form a story--perhaps a diary would be more nearly +correct--of that which the boys of Wyoming Valley did during the year +1778, while their fathers were fighting the battles of the Revolution +elsewhere. + +It is not necessary to explain how that manuscript came into my +possession, nor to speak of the doubts which I had concerning the +accuracy of the information given, because in the last case every +statement made by the lad Jonathan Ogden has been verified by the works +of such historians as Fiske, Lossing, and Bancroft. + +It is essential, however, to a thorough understanding of the conditions +existing in that portion of what is now the State of Pennsylvania, +known as Wyoming Valley, to state as briefly as may be the troubles and +trials which fell to the lot of the settlers there prior to the opening +of the War of the Revolution. + +Every fellow finds fault, and with good cause, at being forced to stop +in the midst of a narrative to read historical matters which are of no +very great interest, even though they may serve to enlighten him as to +the reason of the movements of the several characters; therefore, as +the editor, rather than the author, I propose to give a synopsis of the +story of the settlement of Wyoming Valley, as set down by Lossing in +his “Field Book of the Revolution.” + +In 1753 an association was formed in Connecticut, called the +Susquehanna Company, the object of which was to plant a colony in +Wyoming Valley. At that time Connecticut claimed, by virtue of its old +charter, the northeastern portion of the State of Pennsylvania. In +order to strengthen its title to the land, the association purchased +from the Six Nations the entire valley of Wyoming and the country +westward to the Allegheny River. + +Shortly afterward another Connecticut association, called the Delaware +Company, purchased from the Indians land upon the Delaware River at +a place called Cushetunk, and began a settlement there in 1757, but, +owing to the French and Indian War, little was done until 1762, when +two hundred colonists began building and planting near the mouth of +Mill Creek, a little above the present site of Wilkesbarre. + +The reader must remember that at this time the people of Pennsylvania +looked upon both these companies as intruders, and proceeded to serve +writs of ejectment upon them, but without any very satisfactory +results. + +Then came the massacre of 1763, when the Connecticut settlers were +killed or driven away by the Delawares. + +Now, Governor Penn, claiming that this valley of Wyoming belonged to +him by virtue of his original grant, and desirous of avoiding legal +complications, bargained with the Six Nations for this same land which +they had sold to the Connecticut associations, and received from them a +deed to the same. + +Thus it was that in 1769 the State of Pennsylvania claimed the Wyoming +Valley by virtue of its original grant and the purchase just effected; +the State of Connecticut claimed the same territory through its +ancient grant; the Susquehanna Company laid claims to it because of +the permission granted by the State of Connecticut and the purchase +from the Six Nations, while the Delaware Company believed it had equal +rights with the others. + +Therefore were there four claimants, each of whom was trying to +establish a colony, and at the same time drive away those whom it was +claimed were intruders. + +It can be understood what confusion necessarily arose under such +conditions, and it is needless to attempt to give here all the disputes +and quarrels which ensued. + +Each claimant built a fort or blockhouse where was the headquarters of +his particular faction, and from which they sallied out in absolute +warfare against the other dwellers in the valley. In 1770 members of +the Susquehanna Company, called by the people of Pennsylvania “the +Yankees,” fought a pitched battle with the “Pennymites,” in which +several men were killed, and no less than six times, between that date +and the opening of the War of the Revolution, was the valley the scene +of hotly contested, bloody engagements. + +All the claimants appealed to the Congress at Philadelphia for such an +act as would finally settle the disputes, but the Revolution was begun, +and little attention paid to those colonists who were squabbling for +the ownership of a small territory when there was so much land on every +hand to be had almost for the asking. + +When the war broke out, the Assembly of Connecticut forbade further +immigration into Wyoming Valley, but yet settlers went there, as if +believing only in that one spot could a refuge be found from the wrath +of the king and the bloodthirsty savages. In addition to that, people +came from the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, who had no sympathy with +either of the parties in what was then known as the Pennymite war, and +nearly all of them were avowed Tories. + +“In the meanwhile two companies of regular troops, of eighty-two men +each, had been raised in the valley, under the resolution of Congress, +commanded by Captains Ransom and Durkee, and were attached to the +Connecticut line. The Wintermoots, who had purchased land toward the +head of the valley and upon the old banks of the Susquehanna, at a +place where bubbled forth a large and living spring of pure water, +erected a strong fortification known as Wintermoot’s fort.” + +Because these Wintermoots were avowed Tories, those of the settlers +who had espoused the American Cause, met in town meeting and resolved +that it had “become necessary for the inhabitants of the town to erect +suitable forts as a defence against the common enemy.” + +The original settlers, as the people of Pennsylvania called themselves, +were, to a man, in favor of the Revolution, and this declaration as +to fortifications was the first step taken in Wyoming to further and +strengthen the cause of liberty. + +Lossing says: “A fort was accordingly built, about two miles above +Wintermoot’s, under the supervision of the families of Jenkins and +Harding, called Fort Jenkins. Forty Fort (so called from the first +forty Yankees, pioneers of the Susquehanna settlers in Wyoming), then +little more than a weak blockhouse, was strengthened and enlarged, +and sites for other forts were fixed on at Pittstown, Wilkesbarre, +and Hanover. It was agreed in town meeting that these several +fortifications should be built by the people ‘without either fee or +reward from the town.’” + +Such, in brief, was the condition of affairs in Wyoming Valley in +1776. And now, with one more extract from the records of the past, +these dry, but necessary, matters of history shall come to an end, save +when Jonathan Ogden refers to them in the story which he himself wrote. + +On the tenth of March, 1777, the following resolutions were adopted at +a town meeting held at Wilkesbarre: + +“_Voted_, That the first man that shall make fifty weight of good +saltpetre in this town shall be entitled to a bounty of ten pounds +lawful money, to be paid out of the town treasury. + +“_Voted_, That the selectmen be directed to dispose of the grain in the +hands of the treasurer or collector in such a way as to obtain powder +and lead to the value of forty pounds lawful money, if they can do the +same.” + + JAMES OTIS. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. THE COMPANY 11 + + II. THE SIEGE 29 + + III. SIMON BARTLETT 47 + + IV. AFTER THE BATTLE 66 + + V. THE SORTIE 85 + + VI. THE SECOND ATTACK 104 + + VII. MONOCASY ISLAND 123 + + VIII. WICKED FOLLY 140 + + IX. DISASTER 159 + + X. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE 178 + + XI. A COMRADE IN DISTRESS 196 + + XII. SAVING ELIAS 214 + + XIII. DEFENDING THE CAVE 233 + + XIV. UNEXPECTED AID 252 + + XV. A FORTUNATE FIND 270 + + XVI. ELIAS SHENDLE’S PLAN 289 + + XVII. FORTY FORT 308 + + XVIII. THE REFUGEES 327 + + XIX. FREEING THE VALLEY 349 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + PAGE + + “‘SO TRUE AS I LIVE, I WILL SHOOT’” (_page 25_) _Frontispiece_ + + “I WAS ABLE TO GET A GRIP UPON THE NAKED MURDERER’S THROAT” 51 + + “‘WATCHING HIS CHANCE, DANIEL WENT UP TO HER’” 76 + + “THE THIRD MOHAWK FELL, NEVER TO RISE AGAIN” 94 + + “GILES MARCH AND I EACH TOOK HIM BY THE HAND” 121 + + “‘STAND FIRM ... AND THE VICTORY IS OURS’” 167 + + “ONE OF WHOM A PAINTED BRUTE HELD HIGH IN HIS HAND” 219 + + “TAKING STEADY AIM ... I PULLED THE TRIGGER” 241 + + + + +THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE WYOMING VALLEY + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE COMPANY + + +I am not claiming even to myself that I, Jonathan Ogden, who was just +turned sixteen years of age on the first day of June, in the year of +grace 1778, was any more ardent in the desire to do whatsoever I might +toward breaking the shackles which the king had forged upon us than any +other of my acquaintance in or around Wilkesbarre, but it so chanced +that when we learned of the doings of the Indians nearabout Conewawah, +which was seemingly good proof the red villains had their faces turned +toward the valley, the idea of us lads banding ourselves together came +into my mind before my comrades had hit upon it. + +As a matter of course, even while we were having a war of our own and +among ourselves, we had heard of the Minute Boys of the Green Mountains +and of Lexington, and more than once had I burned with the desire to +start some such organization in the valley; but what with writs of +ejectment here, and attacks by the Tories there, it seemed as if we +lads had our hands full in obeying the commands of our elders, without +scheming to push ahead for ourselves. + +When we learned that Brant and his warriors, with the Johnsons, the +Butlers, and their Tory following, were looking with unfriendly eyes +toward our little settlements, it seemed of a verity that then was come +the time when we few lads might do the work of men, and truly was it +needed. + +We of the valley had sent forth as soldiers an hundred and sixty-four +men, who had already done brave work in New Jersey. When that force +marched away, I question if an able-bodied man, of sufficient age to +be liable for military duty, had been left at home. We had old men, +cripples, and invalids, numbering perhaps seventy-five, and they, with +the women, made up the entire list which could be counted on for the +defence of our homes. + +We in Wilkesbarre knew to our sorrow that, when it was apparent to all +the world what the Johnsons and the Butlers would do, our fathers and +neighbors in the army pleaded for furloughs in order that they might +defend their homes; but such permission had either been refused, or no +answer given to the request. + +When General Schuyler wrote to the Congress, explaining how helpless +were the people of the valley, and asking that some steps be taken +toward our defence, a resolution was passed, generously allowing that +we raise troops among ourselves, and find “our own arms, accoutrements, +and blankets.” + +On learning this, we all questioned whether our representatives in +Congress really understood the condition of affairs when such a +resolution was passed, for, if they did, then was it cruel sarcasm to +give us permission to raise troops when there were none in the valley +left of military age. + +All this, as I thus set it down, seems a roundabout way of coming at +my story. What I should write, and without so many words, is that on a +certain morning in June, meeting Elias Shendle as I was driving the cow +to pasture, I said to him that which came into my mind on the moment: + +“What say you, Elias, to raising a company of lads here in the valley, +who shall show that they can do the work of men?” + +Elias stared at me with open mouth while one might have counted ten, +and then replied doubtfully: + +“I question, Jonathan, whether you could find six lads of our age, if +you spent a full week in the search.” + +While Elias was hesitating, the purpose so suddenly come into my mind +was strengthened, and, determined to prove that the suggestion I had +made could readily be carried out, I forgot about the cow, leaving her +to wander as she would, while I said: + +“Sit you down, Elias, and let us name over the lads hereabout from +thirteen to sixteen years old. If peradventure we can find twenty, +would it not be better those twenty were banded together with a single +purpose--the defence of our homes, if nothing more--than that we remain +idly sucking our thumbs, while Johnson and his Tories, or Brant and his +wolves, descend upon us?” + +Elias was a lad slow to think, but quick of action once he had grasped +an idea, and for the moment he seemingly found it impossible to +remember a single name, but, before thirty minutes were gone by, we had +a list of twenty-two lads whom I knew could, if they were so disposed, +act the part of soldiers, and all of whom were true to the Cause. + +That was the beginning of the movement hatched by Elias and me, which +resulted in the forming of a company of lads who styled themselves the +Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley. + +Some of our elders gave us encouragement by word of mouth. More than +that, the most generous could not do, for we had already exhausted our +resources in providing for those who had joined the American army; but +a goodly number of the people laughed outright when we proposed to take +upon ourselves, so far as might be, the defence of the settlements. + +A motley party it was when we were first assembled, but I question +whether in many of the colonies could have been found an equal number +of lads who were more earnest in their purpose, and more ready to +brave hardships and fatigue than we. + +Since it is not probable that this poor apology for a history of our +doings will be read by any who knew us, there is no good reason why I +set down all the names here, save as it shall be necessary to speak of +what this or that one did during the years which followed, for until +the colonies were free, we Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley remained +together, an independent company even after we joined the Continental +Army. + +As I was the one who had proposed that we band ourselves together, my +comrades made me their captain, and Elias Shendle was the lieutenant. +Other officers were not needed. + +As a matter of course, we all owned muskets of some kind, for lads of +our age were forced to seek food in the forest, and, without meaning +to boast of our skill, I dare venture to say that two out of every +three could kill a squirrel by “winding him,” which is to say that we +could bring him down without inflicting a wound. We were accustomed to +hardships of every kind; it was not considered a serious matter, save +when there might be danger from Indians, for us to go so far afield +as to find it necessary to camp in the woods overnight, whatever the +season, and, therefore, were we in good bodily condition to take up +such duties as we voluntarily, and in the face of the laughter of our +neighbors and friends, proposed to assume. + +And now that I may arrive the more quickly to the setting down of our +deeds, rather than our intentions, let him who reads imagine that we +twenty-two lads bound ourselves to come together in the half-ruined hut +which had been built by Isaac Bassett, and abandoned when he journeyed +with the other Tories to join Johnson, every morning at seven o’clock, +in order to drill and otherwise put ourselves in as near soldierly +shape as might be come at by me, who had no knowledge whatsoever of +military matters. + +In three days we had arrived at that point where all of us understood +the necessity of obeying without question a word of command, but more +than that had not been accomplished, and then was come the time when +all those people who had ridiculed the idea of our attempting anything +of the kind began to realize that we might be of valuable assistance. + +A family by the name of Dykeman, living five miles or more from +Wilkesbarre, were murdered or carried away into captivity by the +Indians, and then it was that we were needed, for at once every man and +woman remaining in the settlement set about making preparations for +defence, by building stockades here or there where it seemed probable +they might be needed. On the instant we were called upon to man this +fort of logs, or that fortified house, that the others might work in +safety, and thus, without drill or study, as it were, did we become, +in our own eyes at least, veritable soldiers. + +Our third station was at Fort Jenkins, about two miles above +Wintermoot’s Fort, and there we had been asked to go because of word +brought in that a party of twelve or fifteen, white men and Indians, +had lately been seen entering this resort of the Tories. + +We were to the northward of all the other fortifications belonging to +our friends,--meaning those who were loyal to the American Cause,--and +while opposite our station, directly across the river, were the three +Pittstown stockades, we could have no communication with them save by +crossing the rapid-running stream, which would require, owing to the +current, some considerable time. + +In other words, we lads, at whom the people of Wilkesbarre laughed, +because we had proposed to set ourselves up as soldiers, were really +holding, or pretending to hold, the entrance to the valley, and to do +which we had not above twenty rounds of ammunition apiece. + +As I have said, it was rumored that white men and Indians had been seen +entering Wintermoot’s Fort stealthily, and therefore they could well +be considered enemies. Whether they had left that place or not I was +determined to find out, because it stood us in hand to know in what +force were our neighbors. + +We Minute Boys were the sole occupants of the fort, and if the Tories +took it into their heads that we might in time prove dangerous, there +was every reason to believe we would speedily be beset. + +I talked the matter over with Elias Shendle during the first hour after +our arrival at the fort, and before we were fairly settled down. He +was of my opinion, that our first duty consisted in ascertaining how +many of those whom we had every reason to consider enemies were in +the vicinity, and because it would not look well for the captain of a +company to _order_ one of his men to do a certain piece of work, since +he might be charged with not daring to perform it himself, I proposed +alone to make what military men would call a reconnaissance. + +To this Elias made most emphatic protest, claiming that because of +having been given command of the company I had no right to leave it +in order to do the work of a scout, and he wound up his argument by +declaring that he himself would undertake the work. + +Well, the result of it was that as soon as night came Elias crept +secretly away, for we were not minded any of our comrades should +know of the work in hand, lest they be eager to have a share in what +was certainly a hazardous venture, since we knew full well that +Wintermoot’s people would not hesitate to kill any whom they might find +spying upon them. + +I went with him to the small gate of the stockade, for it must be +remembered that these so-called forts in the valley were really +nothing but blockhouses enclosed in a fence of logs, and, watching his +opportunity when none was looking, he went out, saying, as he did so: + +“I shall be back before sunrise, if I come at all.” + +“Ay, lad, but you must come!” I cried. + +As if seized with a certain timorousness at the intimation in his +own words of the danger which was to be faced, he made no reply, and +suddenly was swallowed up in the gloom. + +Not until he had departed from view did I fully realize how hazardous +might be this venture which he was making, and asked myself whether it +was warranted. + +Such speculations should have been indulged in before he left me, but +it must be remembered that I was very far from being a soldier, and +too prone to consider first my own wishes and then the advisability of +doing this or that thing. + +Clambering up on the logs which were fastened inside the stockade +perhaps three or four feet below the top, in order that the sentinels +might have a secure foothold, I strained my eyes in the direction of +that nest of Tories, as if expecting to see some one emerge from the +thicket, and then suddenly was like to have cried aloud in surprise, +for a dark form came swiftly toward the main gate of the stockade, +crouching as if expecting to be followed by a bullet. + +“Who’s there?” I whispered, leaning over the top of the logs without +realizing that I was exposing myself to possible death, and proving +that I possessed very little of that caution which the captain of a +company should display. + +The stranger made no reply, but continued to advance, and again I +hailed him, crying out that I would shoot unless he explained his +purpose. + +Whereupon he halted, throwing himself flat upon the ground, as does one +who knows there are enemies on his trail, and asked, in a low, hoarse +whisper: + +“Who are you?” + +“Jonathan Ogden,” I replied, “captain of the Minute Boys of Wyoming +Valley, and we are holding this fort.” + +“Let me in! I beg you to let me in!” he cried. “I have twice been +within a hand’s breadth of death, and the savages are close behind.” + +As a matter of course, my comrades in the fort had heard this +conversation, for we were so lately come as to be on the alert for the +lightest token of danger. + +Therefore it was I had simply to give the word that the smaller gate +be unbarred, at the same moment that I leaped down and stood ready +to receive the stranger, as well as any who might take the chance of +following him. + +All this shows how poor an apology I was for a soldier, since, with +more knowledge, I would have insisted that he give an account of +himself, lest I be admitting one who would work us harm. + +A single glance at the stranger was sufficient to show, however +suspicious I may have been of his intentions, that we had nothing to +fear from him. + +A lad hardly as old as myself, I should say, and what with long running +and terror he was so nearly used up as to be unable to stand erect, +but sank to the ground, as if his legs refused longer to perform their +office, immediately the gate of the stockade was closed behind him. + +I waited while one might have counted twenty, perhaps, for him to gain +his breath, and then asked for explanations. + +His name was Daniel Hinchman, so he said, and he lived on the slope of +the hills two miles or more to the westward of Wintermoot’s Fort. He +and his sister Esther were alone in their home about an hour before +sunset, when five or six Indians, whom he believed to be of the Mohawk +tribe, were seen skulking about the dwelling. + +Yielding to his sister’s entreaties, instead of making any attempt at +defending the home, he set out with her, thinking to gain the stockades +at Pittstown, although there was no idea in his mind as to how it might +be possible for him to cross the river. + +Not twenty minutes before coming within sight of our stockade, so he +said, the savages suddenly burst upon him, seizing his sister, and one +of them would have cut him down with a hatchet, but that he leaped +aside just as the weapon was descending. Then, and I never came to know +exactly how, he succeeded in outstripping them, although twice during +the flight did he have good proof that the painted fiends were close +behind him. + +That was the story, as he told it little by little, now choking with +emotion as he thought of his sister’s fate, and again giving way to +passion because he had not uselessly sacrificed his own life in the +attempt to save her from captivity. + +“You will go with me in search of her, will you not?” he cried, +springing to his feet, as if expecting that on the instant we would +send out force sufficient to do as he wished, and half a dozen of the +more impetuous ones sprang toward him as if ready to join in a pursuit +which would have been as reckless as it was useless. + +Then, for the first time, did I find it difficult to hold myself as +should the captain of a company; but it was not to be expected that +these lads, who called themselves Minute Boys, could, on hearing +such a story as had just been told, realize all the conditions and +possibilities. Even to this day I am unable to say why it was that +suddenly the true situation presented itself to me, and in reply to +their clamors that the gate be opened at once, I made reply: + +“We have been sent here, lads, to hold this fort so long as may be +against those who would do murder in the valley. By leaving our post +of duty in order to aid one person, we are putting in jeopardy a +thousand, mayhap, who depend upon our vigilance.” + +“But are we to stand here idle while those red wolves carry into +captivity one of our neighbors?” Giles March, a member of the company, +cried, angrily. + +And I replied as hotly as he had spoken: + +“What chance would we have if all of us went out in pursuit this +moment? Think you, Giles March, that we are any match in woodcraft for +those who have done this thing? In the darkness we could never find the +trail, and I question if Daniel Hinchman is able to lead you to the +place where his sister was taken.” + +“And because there is a chance we may not succeed, you, calling +yourself the captain of this company, count on staying here behind +a stockade?” Giles cried, passionately, and his words rankled in my +heart, for it was much the same as if he had called me a coward. + +“Because I am the captain of this company, it is my duty to hold you +all here within the fort, at least, until another day shall come. +Even at this moment is Elias Shendle trying to make his way toward +Wintermoot’s Fort, and we know beyond a peradventure that he must be +nearabout where the Mohawks are, in ignorance of their presence. He is +the dearest friend I have in the valley, and yet I would neither go +myself, nor allow one of you, to warn him of the danger, because of the +duty we owe the people who sent us here.” + +“And what may Elias Shendle be doing outside the stockade?” Giles March +asked, angrily. + +I could do no less at that time than explain why the lad had gone, else +might I have had a mutiny on my hands before I was well in command of a +company which, I hoped, would one day perform great deeds in behalf of +their relatives and friends. + +Immediately, and as I might have expected, there was a conflict of +opinions boldly expressed as to the wisdom of weakening our small +company by sending out scouts, and, to my dismay, I realized that +at the very moment when it was needed that we exercise the utmost +vigilance, and carry ourselves like soldiers so nearly as might be, was +a mutiny brewing. + +Nearly half the company were in favor of going out immediately with +Daniel Hinchman to search for the savages, who could conceal themselves +as quickly and as thoroughly as a squirrel might in a dead oak, and a +goodly portion of the remainder were becoming timorous, or so it seemed +to me, because Elias had left us. + +At that moment I was convinced that the Minute Boys of the Wyoming +Valley could not be kept together as an organization while I remained +at its head, and I could have cried with vexation because this project +of mine was like to come to so speedy an end, through my inability to +hold the lads to their duty as I should have done. + +Daniel Hinchman, quite naturally, urged eagerly that we go out in +search of his sister, and his entreaties, to which, because of the +grief in his heart, I could make no protest, only served to add fuel to +the flame of insubordination which had been kindled so quickly. + +Giles March, quick to see how this poor, grieving lad was weakening +my authority, urged his prayers, and I believe of a verity that, had +I delayed one full moment longer, the fort would have been abandoned, +some to follow Daniel, and others to set out for their homes, believing +we were all too weak to perform the work which had been undertaken. + +The anger which possessed me at that instant was so overpowering I +gave no heed whatsoever to the fact that I was talking to friends; I +saw before me only those reckless spirits who would imperil all the +settlers in the valley, simply because of not being willing to wait and +understand the situation, and, priming my musket, I leaped in front +of the small gate, where I would be within a dozen paces of whosoever +should attempt to unbar the main entrance, as I cried: + +“So true as I live, I will shoot, making every effort to kill, the lad +who shall attempt to leave this stockade on any pretext whatsoever! You +are to remain here at least one hour, that you may have time in which +to consider fully the situation, and then, if so be you are minded to +desert the post of duty at the very moment when your best efforts are +needed, I will say that I no longer claim, nor deserve the right, to +stand as your captain.” + +“And in an hour my sister will have been carried so far away that there +can be no possibility of overtaking her!” Daniel Hinchman shouted, +passionately. + +“In an hour your sister will be at Wintermoot’s Fort, if those who +seized her were, as you believe, Mohawks!” I cried, the idea coming +into my mind like a flash that whatsoever of savages were in that +vicinity must be in league with those of the Tory nest. + +I could see that this shot told on Giles March, for his voice, which +had been loud and angry, was lowered on the instant, and, thinking to +follow up the advantage, if such it was, I said to them much like this: + +“Elias Shendle is risking his life to learn that which it is necessary +you should know in order to keep yourselves alive, for, if the rumors +be true that a number of white men and Indians have lately gained +entrance to Wintermoot’s, then do we stand more than a good chance of +being attacked. Wait until he makes his report. Wait until we know +how much of danger menaces us and those whom we are trying to guard. +Think of what would be said in your homes if you came there hotfoot +in the night, crying out that you had deserted because your captain +refused to allow you to go in a useless effort to trail savages in the +darkness! Do you fancy they would believe you returned because of that, +or on account of having grown so timorous, and your hearts had turned +so white, you no longer dared to stand in a place of danger?” + +I believe it was that which put an end for the time being to the +mutinous spirit which had been aroused so suddenly. At all events, +Giles March ceased his tongue-wagging, but I was disturbed because the +others gathered here and there in little knots, conversing in whispers +lest I should overhear, and I was no longer proud, as I had been, of +calling myself captain of the Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley. + +Virtually left alone, I debated as to what my next move should be, but +realized, fortunately, that having said none should go out, I must, +so long as I remained in command, see that such order was obeyed. +Therefore, to the end that I might get the first glimpse of Elias when +he returned, I climbed up to the watcher’s post above the gate, where I +could keep an eye on those inside, as well as whosoever might come from +the outside, and there I stood during three hours or more, the only +sentinel, at a time when every one of us should have had his eyes and +ears open. + +If the Indians were sufficiently bold to make an attack upon Daniel +Hinchman and his sister so near the settlement, then were they +prepared, if there was any show of success, to come against us who +were trying to hold the fort. + +The hour of respite which I had asked for went by, and yet none came +to demand that I give up the office of captain, therefore did it seem +as if one danger was well-nigh passed, yet I remained as keenly on the +alert as to what my comrades might do, as to the possible movements of +the enemy. + +It was near to midnight before any member of the company gave signs +of trusting in my plan, and then two or three of them came up on the +stockade, proposing to share with me the watch, whereupon I said, with +more of temper than was seemly: + +“If you are ready to obey orders, as you should be after having agreed +to play the part of soldiers, then I am willing you go on duty.” + +Perhaps half of our number heartily declared their confidence in +me, and voluntarily stationed themselves at different places around +the stockade on guard; but there was yet the dangerous element, or +so it seemed to me, who, because of their silence, much the same as +proclaimed that they were yet at odds with my plan, and this gave me +more than a little uneasiness. + +I remained on duty near the gate throughout all that long night, +watching and praying, oh, so earnestly, for the coming of Elias; but +when the sun showed his face once more, our comrade was yet absent, and +there could be but one reason for his delay. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE SIEGE + + +There were no signs of insubordination to be seen in the faces of my +comrades when the new day had come, and Elias Shendle was yet absent. + +Instead of setting themselves at odds with me, as had been the case a +few hours previous, they gathered around near where I yet remained as +sentinel, with anxiety written plainly on their faces, awaiting some +word. + +Daniel Hinchman, with every cause for sorrow,--and my heart truly ached +for the lad at that moment,--had evidently come to understand what +folly it would have been for us to have made any attempt at following +those who had captured his sister, and I fancied he was struggling to +repress his grief that he might seem the more ready to aid us in case +it should become necessary. + +Giles March was no longer clamoring to be led out of the stockade; he +knew as well as did I what the continued absence of Elias portended, +and even in that time of mental distress I secretly rejoiced because +the lad, who had given such free rein to his tongue, was come to the +length of his rope for the time being. + +As a matter of course, I was in much the same condition of mind as +Giles, finding it impossible to answer the question which must be +settled without delay. Should we make any attempt at learning of our +comrade’s whereabouts, or wait longer in the poor hope that he might +yet come? + +The temptation to give these comrades of mine, who had been so +mutinously inclined but a short time before, an opportunity of settling +the matter themselves was too strong to be resisted, and, leaping down +from the stockade, I asked: + +“What shall be done now, lads? You know as much of the situation as +do I. Elias promised to be back by sunrise if he was alive. His only +purpose in going out was to learn whatsoever he might concerning the +situation at Wintermoot’s Fort, and it seems to me most probable he +has fallen into the clutches of those who made a prisoner of Daniel +Hinchman’s sister. Shall we wait here in ignorance, or weaken the +defence of this stockade by sending out scouts?” + +For a full moment no one made any reply, and then it was Giles March +who, much to my surprise, said meekly: + +“It is for you to say, Jonathan Ogden. We have come to see wherein we +made fools of ourselves last night. It is you who are the captain, and +I dare pledge myself that none of us will again question whatsoever you +may say.” + +Although the answer pleased me, I was disappointed, having hoped +it might be possible some of them would make such a suggestion or +proposition as would give me an idea, and I could do no less than admit +my perplexity. + +“In the first place, it is absolutely necessary that at least four +sentinels be placed on the walls, for we know with good reason that the +enemy are close around. After that has been done, it may be we can hit +upon the right plan of action; but just now I consider myself unable to +say what it should be.” + +“Who shall go on duty?” Giles asked, and I replied: + +“Name them yourself; while Elias is away, you shall act in his place.” + +Giles lost no time in stationing four lads on the wall, with +instructions to keep careful watch upon the surrounding forest, ever +bearing in mind that it was likely a force of Indians might be creeping +upon us, and then he returned near the main gate, where we stood +awaiting him. + +By this time I had come to understand that we were playing the part of +simples by remaining inside the stockade, wholly ignorant of what might +be going on around us, and I said sharply, as if doubting the sincerity +of my comrades: + +“You have agreed that matters shall go to my liking while I hold +command of what we call the Minute Boys.” + +To this Giles assented emphatically, whereupon I said decidedly: + +“You are to remain here with no less than four lads on the watch all +the time. I am going out to learn whether there be any danger of an +attack.” + +“It is for one of us to do that,” Giles said, quickly, and then I +understood how brave the lad was, for he was jealous that I should +incur greater danger than himself. + +“You shall remain, Giles, until six hours have passed, and if I +have not returned, come in search of me, leaving whosoever you will +in charge of the company. Remember, lads, that we are to hold this +stockade so long as life shall last, for only by fighting until the +final moment can we aid those who are depending upon our loyalty to +them.” + +Giles would have spoken again, but, as if he remembered the pledge just +made, held his peace, and I went into the stockade for as much of corn +bread as would serve for my breakfast. There was no need of taking more +than that amount, for, if I returned not by noon, I would never again +need food. + +Having made ready, I went toward the small gate, and there stopped to +take Giles by the hand, as I said: + +“The greatest danger which threatens lies between here and Wintermoot’s +in as straight a line as the crow flies. I am counting only on going +there before I return, therefore, if it becomes necessary to search for +me, you need not spend very much time in the hunt.” + +My hand was on the bar of the gate to raise it from its place, when the +lad who was stationed on the west side of the stockade discharged his +musket, and a sharp cry from the thicket directly in front of him told +that the missile had found its target. + +The lad who had fired leaped down in order that he might reload his +weapon without giving an opportunity for a shot to those who were on +the outside, and, running up to him, I asked, hurriedly: + +“Was it red man or white?” + +“Red,” he replied, “and, unless I mistake, there were three others near +by.” + +Beckoning to four of the lads who stood nearest, I bade them mount the +wall, but urged that they take care before shooting, lest Elias be +making an effort to gain the stockade, and then I stationed the rest of +the company on the different sides of the fortification, knowing that, +if an attack by the Indians was about to be made, they were more like +to come from all quarters at the same moment. + +Giles was the only member of the company whom I had not stationed, and +he stood moodily near the main entrance, as if disgruntled because I +had seemingly overlooked him. + +The frown left his face very quickly, however, when I said, clapping +him on the shoulder: + +“It is for you and me, Giles, to be certain the others do their duty +faithfully. We will make the round of the stockade, you starting toward +the east and I the west, until something more is known of the foe. +Don’t expose yourself foolishly, for it will be a serious matter indeed +when one of our small company is disabled.” + +Then we clambered up on the logs which gave us footing all the way +around the enclosure, and had hardly more than shown ourselves when a +bullet whistled past Giles’s head, so near that he clapped his hand to +his cheek, believing he had been wounded. My heart sank within me, for +now I knew beyond a question that the Indians, or the Tories, or both, +had set about capturing Jenkins’s Fort, to the end that it might not +shelter those who were in position to give warning of the doings at +Wintermoot’s. + +Strain our eyes as we might, it was not possible to distinguish any +form amid the foliage where the tiny curl of smoke was rising above +the leaves to tell of the whereabouts of him who had fired, and I said +bitterly to myself, unconscious of giving breath to the words: + +“They count on regularly besieging the place and starving us out. It +won’t be a long job, for our provisions are none too abundant.” + +I had dropped to my knees while speaking, with my face pressed against +the aperture left where two logs were joined together, and Giles, +crouching by my side, his eyes fixed upon the underbrush directly in +front of us, said grimly: + +“We have enough in plenty for two days; by halving that, we can hold +out four, and should be able to get along on wind for two more, +making six. Within that time some one should come from Forty Fort, or +thereabouts, to learn how we are faring.” + +“Ay, so they should, Giles, if it be possible, but in case those who +hold Wintermoot’s are determined on gaining possession of this place, +they will take good care no succor comes from that direction.” + +Then a shot rang out from the north side of the stockade, and there +could no longer be any question but that my worst fears were to be +realized. + +Leaping to the ground, I ran across the enclosure until I came to where +the shot had been fired, and there asked if they had seen their target +distinctly. + +“Ay, enough to tell us that it was an Indian, but the bullet went +wide of its mark,” one of the lads replied. “We must be regularly +surrounded, and the red villains don’t propose to show themselves any +more than may be absolutely necessary in order to keep us fairly well +in view.” + +Disheartening as were those words, they cheered me in a certain +measure, for I began to realize that those who menaced us must have +been in their present position some time before sunrise, and it was +possible that Elias, succeeding in making his way through the lines +when he started out, had found himself unable to return. He might be +at that moment trying to gain an entrance. + +It is needless to make any attempt at describing all that occurred +during the long day which followed, for it would be but to repeat the +words again and again. + +We kept vigilant watch, rewarded now and then by getting a shot at +some painted fiend who incautiously exposed himself, and again being +fired upon, but without result. Only twice before sunset did we have +fair proof that our bullets had taken effect, and then, as in the first +case, it was but a cry of pain which might more reasonably have been +caused by a slight wound than a deadly one. + +We saw no white man, and this encouraged both Giles and myself, for, if +the Indians were of the Mohawk tribe, they would not continue a siege +very long, unless there were Tories near at hand to hold them to their +work. + +When night came Giles and I took careful account of the provisions, +fearing less than we had supposed was on hand, and, that done, we told +off five of the party with orders that they lie down at once to sleep, +for up to this time all had remained awake at least thirty-six hours. + +“We will divide the company into parties of four or five, that each may +get an hour’s rest in turn,” I said to Giles, “and those who remain +longest on duty must be kept constantly moving about, lest their eyes +close despite their will. And now is it in your mind that we had best +sit here idle?” + +He looked at me questioningly and in surprise, whereat I continued: + +“It is my belief that Elias may be trying to gain entrance here, and +I beg that you, so long as is possible without rest, remain on the +stockade just over the small gate, watching for him. I am going out.” + +“To what end?” he asked. + +“In the hope of finding him, and to learn the situation of affairs at +Wintermoot’s. Failing in that, to carry word to our friends farther +down the valley of what is being done here. Thus far we have escaped +injury; but, in case they press us hard, it is not probable that we +have such good luck during the next four and twenty hours.” + +I had expected Giles would protest; but, to my surprise and delight, he +replied, quietly: + +“If you think it best that you go rather than I, do so, yet I would +rather take the venture myself, although I question whether the danger +be greater outside than in.” + +I took him by the hand, and did not speak. It was as if, during the +past four and twenty hours, he and I had ceased to be lads, and were +become men,--men who were entrusted with the defence of the women and +the aged in the poorly fortified blockhouses in the valley below us. + +I am not minded that whomsoever reads these words shall believe I was +eager to encounter danger, therefore do I set it down that there was a +great fear in my heart as I unbarred the gate and stepped out, hearing +Giles replace the fastenings which separated me from my comrades. + +However timorous one may be, he does not linger long in such a place as +I then was, for it stood to reason there were many pairs of sharp eyes +fixed on this particular portion of the stockade, and, lying flat on my +stomach, I began the advance, which needed to be slow and cautious if +one would continue it many moments. + +Before having gotten fifty yards away, following the line of the river +at about an hundred paces from it, I suddenly came upon an Indian +leaning against a tree as if half-asleep. + +It might have been possible to have struck a blow that would have +carried him out of this world; but the chances were that, in making +such an attempt, I would bring his fellows down upon me, and, +therefore, hardly daring to breathe lest he should be aware of my +neighborhood, I made such a détour as soon left him behind me. + +Then half an hour more of creeping and stopping to listen, suspicious +of every leaf that was stirred by the wind, and after having gone, so +nearly as I could judge, a mile in distance, I was literally paralyzed +with fear when I laid my hand squarely upon the leg of a man. + +In an instant he had kicked back with such force that the breath was +knocked out of me, and, before I could recover, he was upon my back, +clutching me by the throat with a grip which threatened soon to put an +end to my struggles. + +It was impossible for me to draw my knife, and the musket which I +gripped in my right hand was useless at such a time. My brain was in a +whirl, and consciousness rapidly deserting me when, suddenly, the iron +grip upon my throat was loosened, as I heard dimly the whisper: + +“Who are you?” + +Then I understood who was my assailant, and it was with difficulty I +prevented myself from crying aloud with joy, for I knew now that I had +thus inadvertently come upon Elias. + +It was not needed that I should reply to the question, for, passing his +hand quickly over my face, he knew who I was, and throwing himself by +my side, whispered: + +“What are you doing here? Have they taken the fort?” + +I explained in as few words as possible why I had ventured forth, and +in turn asked the reason for his failing to come back within the time +agreed upon. + +“The stockade was all surrounded when I left, and since noon have I +been trying to have speech with you. Once I got within sight of the +fort, but was obliged to fall back when an additional force was sent up +from Wintermoot’s.” + +“Did you get anywhere near the nest of Tories?” + +“Ay, and because they evidently are not fearing any interference from +the people of the valley, I had good opportunity to see what was going +on. I should say no less than an hundred white men in the uniform of +Johnson Greens are there, and between the stockade and the river can +be seen twenty or more Indian lodges, which will give you an idea of +how many redskins Butler has gathered to begin the work of destruction +hereabout. I have heard shots enough from around our fort to tell me +that you must have, by this time, some idea of where the enemy are.” + +“I know that a goodly number of them are outside Fort Jenkins, and it +looks to me much as if they counted on laying regular siege to the +place,” I replied, bitterly; “but as to how many may be nearabout, we +have no knowledge.” + +“I believe a full half the force of Indians from Wintermoot’s are +there,” Elias replied. “Judging from the trouble I had in getting +anywhere near the main gate, it seemed to me that no less than two +hundred were in front of the stockade. How did you get out, and why are +you come?” + +I replied to the questions, and began to think myself fortunate in +having gotten through the lines of the enemy with so little difficulty. +Elias was a better hand at such work than I, and if he had found it +impossible to open communication with us inside the stockade, then was +I lucky in not having come to grief before I chanced upon him. + +“Then since you came out only to learn where the enemy might be found, +and how many there were of them near Wintermoot’s, you will go back +with me?” Elias said, questioningly, and straightway I told him about +the capture of Esther Hinchman, asking if he saw any evidences that the +Indians in camp had a prisoner with them. + +“There might have been a dozen in the lodges, and I remain in ignorance +of the fact because of not looking for anything of that kind,” Elias +replied, in a tone of vexation and doubt, as if the matter needed no +discussion. “Of course we must retrace our steps at once.” + +“Meaning that you think we might aid her if she was held by the red +villains?” I asked, and he replied, promptly: + +“Meaning that we’d have a try for it, of course. The lads in the fort +are as well off as they would be if we were with them, therefore I +don’t see how we can help turning back, but I’d be in better shape for +the work if I had something besides wind in my stomach.” + +Now it was I remembered that when Elias left the stockade he had +neglected to take any food with him, believing he would either be taken +prisoner, or succeed in returning within a few hours. Although my store +of provision was wofully small, consisting of only so much corn bread +as could be carried in the pocket of my hunting shirt, I divided it +with him, and while we were eating spoke of the necessity as it seemed +to me, of sending some word down the valley concerning what was going +on at Fort Jenkins, as well as what we knew regarding the situation at +Wintermoot’s. + +Elias was of my mind concerning the necessity of so doing, but I +understood plainly that he was not inclined to volunteer for such a +mission. In fact, he said decidedly that if a message was to be sent, +some one of the lads inside the stockade, of whose courage we might be +in doubt, could best be spared at such a time when it seemed probable +an attack was imminent. + +But I reminded him that it might be impossible, and certainly would +require a great expenditure of time, to seek for some other messenger +than one of us two who were already beyond the enemy’s lines. + +Well, because of the darkness, when it would be impossible to do +much spying upon the enemy after we were come in the vicinity of +Wintermoot’s, we spent considerable time in the thicket talking of this +or of that, and chiefly regarding the show of insubordination which was +displayed shortly after he went out on the scout. + +It matters little what we said, although to us the conversation was of +deepest import, since it was the foreshadowing of what we might expect +when the villainous Col. John Butler began his work of butchery upon +almost defenceless people, claiming that he was no more than waging +legitimate warfare. + +Young in experience though we were, it was possible for us to +understand full well that on account of the quarrels which we of the +valley had had concerning the ownership of the land, and also because +of the interferences of Connecticut in our affairs, were we in greater +peril than any other cluster of settlements in the colonies, owing to +the greater number of Tories as compared with the loyal people. + +It must not be supposed, however, that we spent any very great amount +of time chewing over those questions which had caused bloodshed long +before the colonists decided to array themselves against the king, but +the greater portion of our talk was regarding what we might be able to +do at Jenkins’s Fort, in event of a pitched battle, when the odds were +like to be heavy against us. + +When the day was within an hour of breaking we began our advance toward +Wintermoot’s, moving with such caution that the gray light of morning +had dispersed the darkness as we were come within sight of, but at a +respectful distance from, the stockade, wherein were probably gathered +those who were minded to lay waste all the little settlements in our +beautiful valley. + +At this early hour no one was stirring within the fort, and because of +having halted on a slight elevation of land it was possible for us to +see everything within the enclosure. + +Outside, however, toward the river, where had been put up the lodges of +the savages, as if to effect a permanent settlement, we could see that +the Indians were all astir, and now and then one would set off at a +rapid pace in the direction of Jenkins’s Fort, or again, a runner would +return, as if bringing some intelligence from those who menaced the +Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley. + +“It is the Indians who are entrusted with the task of capturing the +fort,” Elias whispered, as we gazed. “The Tories will take no hand in +the work unless it should become necessary--at least, that is my way of +figuring it.” + +“There is no good reason why we should speculate upon the future,” I +said, irritably, made nervous by the desire to return to my comrades. +“Let us finish our business here as soon as may be. If Esther Hinchman +is held prisoner by those scoundrels, we should be able to get some +glimpse of her before very long, for I can’t believe they think it +necessary to guard her closely.” + +We were concealed within the thicket at a point where there was the +least likelihood of our being come upon through accident by the enemy, +and, therefore, felt reasonably secure. During the quarrels between +the several claimants for Wyoming, even the youngest lads had become +accustomed to danger, and this I say in order that it may be the +better understood why Elias and I could thus take care of ourselves +in such a situation as we then were. In fact, for as long a time as I +could remember, we had been ever on the lookout for a foe, and were +almost as skilful at hiding ourselves in the wilderness as are the wild +things. + +Within an hour from the time of our arrival the work was accomplished, +so far as learning whether Esther Hinchman was held a prisoner by those +savages who were under command of Col. John Butler, for we saw a white +girl moving timidly about, showing by every movement that she was a +stranger to the place and the people who surrounded her. + +“I reckon this portion of the task is the same as finished,” Elias +said, after we had watched the poor girl a few moments, “and now +comes the question as to whether you are still determined that one of +us--which will, of course, be me--must go down the valley, and give +information of what is happening hereabouts.” + +I had already made up my mind as to that, and was determined there +should be no discussion. + +“Yes, you are to go, Elias,” I said, in a tone of one who has well +considered the matter, “and the sooner you set off the better. There +will be no necessity of travelling farther than Forty Fort, and once +you have arrived there, see to it that the people understand how great +is the danger which menaces. It is better that you put it too strongly, +rather than allow them to believe there is a chance they may not be +attacked.” + +“And after that has been done?” he asked. + +“Come back to Jenkins’s Fort as soon as possible, for you know that we +shall need you, unless, peradventure, we are by that time past all need +of human help.” + +Elias half turned as if to speak, then quickly, with a gesture of +impatience, he turned his face in the direction I would have him +go, gliding through the thicket on a course which would take him +considerably to the westward of Wintermoot’s, and making no more noise +than might have been caused by a squirrel. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +SIMON BARTLETT + + +After Elias had departed from view, I wasted no more time in watching +the red sneaks who had counted on satisfying their thirst for blood +by answering John Butler’s call to what he claimed to be civilized +warfare, but began the journey toward our stockade, knowing full well +the danger of moving carelessly or rapidly. + +There was in my mind a determination to do something toward the rescue +of that poor girl who was eating her heart out in the lodges of the +Indians, if it should be decided by the members of our company that two +or three could be spared to accompany me in the venture. I was turning +all this over in my mind as I advanced pace by pace, keeping sharp +watch for the slightest unusual movement of the foliage ahead of me, +and listening intently to every noise, the cause of which I might not +be absolutely certain. + +Perhaps half an hour passed, and already I began to believe it would be +possible for us Minute Boys to effect a rescue, when it suddenly became +apparent that not very far behind me some person was moving quite as +cautiously as myself. + +As a matter of course it was absolutely essential I should know who +this stranger might be, and, halting within a dense clump of cedars, +I waited, breathlessly, finding it difficult to repress a cry of +astonishment when he finally came into view, peering cautiously around +in a manner which told that he understood full well the dangers to be +encountered. + +It was Simon Bartlett, an old man of near seventy, from Wilkesbarre, +whom I knew full well as one being nigh crippled with rheumatism, but +having a heart so full of courage that in times of stern necessity he +could so far defy bodily ailment as to do the work of half a dozen men. + +As I stepped out in front of him he had his musket to his shoulder in a +twinkling, but lowered it quickly, as he asked, in a whisper: + +“What has happened at Jenkins’s Fort, lad, that you are here?” + +Before answering him I put the question: + +“Did you not meet Elias Shendle during this past half-hour?” + +He shook his head. + +“The lad left me hardly more than thirty minutes ago, to carry to Forty +Fort the information that we at the stockade are the same as besieged. +There are an hundred or more Indians close around, and so many Tories +at Wintermoot’s that it seems positive we of the valley are marked out +as victims.” + +I believe the information which I gave Master Bartlett was no more +alarming than he had anticipated, for instead of making any ado, he +said, quietly: + +“We had come to believe from rumors which lately arrived that mischief +was brewing, and in order to know exactly what we might expect, I took +upon myself the task of visiting you lads.” + +“And right glad will the members of the company be to see you, Master +Bartlett, for there is none in all the valley who could give so much +aid. I believe of a verity the mere fact of your entering the stockade +will renew their courage.” + +“Are they growing timorous, then?” the old man asked. + +“Not to the extent of showing it, Master Bartlett; but you must +remember that the Minute Boys are young at this business which John +Butler calls war, and it would not be surprising if more than one felt +a tremor of fear at knowing that all the miserable horde from Johnson +Hall were assembling here.” + +“Ay, lad, true,” the old man said, half to himself, and he added, in a +louder tone, “Think you it will be possible to hold your own, in case +of an attack?” + +“That you should be better able to judge than I, Master Bartlett. The +stockade is larger. With Elias gone, we number but twenty-one, and if +a determined attack be made on all sides, then of a verity must we go +under; but, I pledge you this, that unless the people in the settlement +below can have ample warning of what may be in store for them, we shall +fight without thought of preserving our own lives, in the hope of +saving them.” + +“That’s the right kind of talk, lad, and it does me good in these times +when there are so many croaking as to the impossibility of our standing +against those who will come down on us. I will go into the fort with +you, since Elias Shendle is doing that which I would have done,” and +he started on, I detaining him only long enough to explain the danger +which lay before us. + +From this moment, and until we were come within sight of the stockade, +neither he nor I spoke. There was so much of difficulty in the task +that we could not afford to spend any moments in conversation, and I +believe we traversed not less than six miles in making a distance of +no more than two, so many détours were we forced to make, in order to +avoid the red scouts who were flitting here, there, and everywhere, as +it seemed, through the forest. Never before had I seen so many Indians +in such a small extent of territory, and all of them on the war-path. + +That we did succeed in getting within view of the stockade without an +encounter, now seems to me almost marvellous; but it was destined that +when we believed the more perilous portion of the enterprise was past, +did the dangers thicken. + +[Illustration: “I WAS ABLE TO GET A GRIP UPON THE NAKED MURDERER’S +THROAT.”] + +In my eagerness to make certain the Minute Boys were not in more +danger than at the time of my leaving them, I pressed forward eagerly +to get a clear view of the fortification through the foliage, counting +on the possibility of attracting the attention of those on guard, and, +just as I was parting the leaves in front of me, a sharp ray of light, +as if glinted from a surface of steel, caught my eye. + +Instinctively, although not realizing all the peril, I swerved aside, +catching in my left hand the trunk of a sapling, swinging half around +and coming up erect, only to find myself facing a venomous Mohawk, who +had raised his hatchet to strike. + +In another instant, despite the fact that I had escaped his first blow, +he would have stricken me down, and this I realized, therefore, bending +my body ever so slightly, I darted in to catch him under the arms, as +we lads were wont to do while wrestling. + +How I might dispose of him, or he of me, after that, did not come into +my calculations, for the very good reason that there was no time in +which to reason out the matter. The fellow was thrown off his guard +for an instant by my unexpected and unusual movement, and fortune so +far favored me that I was able to get a grip upon the naked murderer’s +throat in such a fashion that he could not cry out. + +I hope it will never be my ill luck to have again such a struggle as +ensued. + +While battling for very life, and knowing that the slightest careless +movement would give him an opportunity to brain me, I had sense enough +to realize that the noise of the struggle would bring to his aid a +score or more of his fellows. Therefore was I hampered in my efforts +because I durst not work as I otherwise would, whilst he, on his part, +was aiming to give the alarm, threshing here and there with his feet +in the hope that some of those near about might hear him, and all the +while I wondered where Simon Bartlett could be. + +The only hold which the fellow could get upon me was around my back, +and he hugged as does a bear, striving to crush in my ribs, until the +sense of suffocation which came upon me was so nearly overpowering that +had it been only my life which was in the balance I must have given up +the struggle before it was well begun. + +Not many seconds did we stand upright in this fight which could end +only in the death of one; soon we were on the ground, he uppermost, but +I knowing that the advantage was mine, because of his protruding tongue +and eyeballs, which seemed starting from their sockets. + +How long we fought there I am unable to say. It seemed to me a full +hour was spent, when most likely no more than three minutes had passed, +and during all this time, as I afterward learned, Master Bartlett +was doing his utmost to get in a blow with his knife, but finding it +difficult to do so without danger of wounding me. + +Then, at the very moment when I believed victory lay with the Mohawk, +and that I was even on the borders of the Beyond, I felt the sinewy +frame suddenly relax, the head which had been bent toward me in the +effort to weaken the hold upon his throat fell back, as a stream of +warm blood covered my breast. + +Simon Bartlett had thrust his knife in through the savage’s back, and +the fight was over. + +Yes, the fight was over; but even while I struggled to my feet, trying +to regain the breath which had been nearly forced from my body, I +realized that although we had come off victorious in this encounter, +our peril had been increased tenfold, for the body of the Indian would +unquestionably soon be found by his fellows, and then must be known the +fact that some of our company were outside the stockade, after which +our doom was certain. + +On the heels of this thought came another, which was, that by killing +this villainous Mohawk had we put in greater jeopardy Elias Shendle, +for even though Master Bartlett and I succeeded in gaining the +stockade, the besiegers would be more keenly on the alert than before, +while Elias, believing matters to be as when he left, would find +himself confronted by death, when the only mercy he could hope to +receive would be that it came speedily, while he was fighting. + +However, the deed was done, and no good could come of my conjuring up +all the possibilities of trouble. + +We must get into the fort now without delay, or else abandon our +efforts to do so, in which case rapid retreat would be necessary. + +It was not in my mind, however, to leave the vicinity of Fort Jenkins +while it was possible to remain, and believing the danger to be less if +we made a bold stroke, I said hurriedly to Master Bartlett: + +“If the Indians nearabout have not already heard the noise of the +fight, they will soon come upon this fellow’s body, and then are we +lost beyond hope; therefore I propose that you and I take to our heels +now, running with all swiftness toward the main entrance, on the +chances that the sentinels will see us and open the gate. Of course we +stand the risk of being shot down; but that, in my mind, is no less if +we stay here trying to get across the cleared space secretly.” + +“It shall be as you say, lad,” the old man replied, grimly. “I am ready +to take my chances of running as fast as you.” + +Without waiting for further converse, for it seemed to me that even the +seconds were precious just then, I started at full speed across the +space which had been cleared immediately in front of the main entrance +to the stockade, and on seeing Giles March standing sentinel directly +over the gate, it seemed as if fortune was smiling on us. + +Master Bartlett, half-crippled though he was, held even pace with me; +but when the race was a little more than two-thirds run, and I saw that +the small gate was being opened cautiously, the report of a musket rang +out almost at the same instant that I heard a bullet whistle past my +ears. Then came another, and another, and in a twinkling it was as if +all the thicket surrounding the stockade was alive with the crackling +of musketry. + +Strangely enough, I gave no heed to the possibility of death at that +moment when it lurked close behind me, but said to myself, as if it +were something in the nature of a jest: + +“Elias Shendle’s arithmetic is strangely out of sorts when he claims +that there are but an hundred Indians nearabout, for of a verity twice +that number of shots have already been fired.” + +Then, turning my head ever so slightly, I looked to see if Master +Bartlett was still on his feet, fearing lest he had been stricken down, +and the old man was close at my heels, smiling, if you please, because +we had thus far run the gauntlet in safety. + +It heartened me wondrously to hear him cry: + +“They need practice at a target, lad, before they shoot at moving game.” + +Then, ere one could have counted ten, we were safe within the stockade, +and I gripping Giles March’s hand, as if he and I had both come from +our graves to meet each other. + +“It was a narrow shave,” one of the lads who crowded around us said, +and Master Bartlett replied with a laugh: + +“Ay, narrow, if you please, but yet margin enough and to spare, since +we are here sound of body, although a little lacking in wind.” + +And thus did the old man come out from the race with death, having a +jest upon his lips, even as I have known him in later days when the +peril was equally great. + +I had returned none too soon, so Giles March told me when we stood +apart from the others that I might learn what had happened during my +absence. + +The lads were growing faint-hearted, having come to understand full +well the force which menaced from the outside, and knowing that the +slightest relaxation of vigilance meant a decided advantage to the +enemy. + +It could not be otherwise than disheartening to know that possibly all +the strength which the Tories could muster was about to be directed +upon us, and our number so small that, even though each lad proved to +be a host in himself, we were all too few to defend the stockade at +every point. + +“There are four or five among us whose hearts have grown faint,” +Giles said, “and unless their courage can be brought up to the +sticking-point, there is a fear in my heart that they will make the +others timorous.” + +“And yet what may we do, Giles?” I asked, in perplexity. “We cannot put +blood in veins that are filled with milk.” + +“I believe it were better that we sent them away. To my mind the +company would be stronger without them.” + +“Unless they be lads who are well versed in woodcraft, the chances of +their getting away are exceeding small,” I replied, and, while I was +describing to him what I had seen, both in company with Elias and while +returning with Master Bartlett, the old man joined us. + +“You lads are in a position where open battle is to be preferred, +rather than this constant nagging by bullets whenever a head is shown +above the stockade,” he said, as if thinking aloud, and so much +confidence did I have in his courage and judgment that I repeated what +Giles had told me, whereupon he said gravely: + +“I believe in looking bad matters squarely in the face, and, judging +from what has been seen, your plight is likely to continue as it has +been until Butler’s gang makes a direct assault. You should have more +of a force here.” + +“Very true, Master Bartlett,” I replied, with a laugh, in which was no +mirth, “and mayhap you will be able to tell us how our numbers can be +increased? There are not enough men, counting the cripples, in all +the valley to defend the blockhouses which are scattered from here to +Wilkesbarre, therefore how may we expect that any will come to us?” + +“It would be wiser for them to abandon some of the stockades lower +down, in order to hold this one, where the heaviest fighting will come, +and it may be that those to whom Elias Shendle speaks will understand +such to be the case.” + +“I am not minded to build my hopes on getting reinforcements,” I +replied, and then, because the subject was not heartening, I begged the +old man to tell us what had been done by our people. + +He made a long story out of little, and yet in that little was +considerable meat. + +In the first place, the people at Wilkesbarre had information that +General Schuyler had written a letter to the Congress, detailing the +situation and forecasting the probabilities, urging that such recruits +in the American army as came from Wyoming be allowed to return on +furlough, in order to defend their homes, but thus far no attention had +been paid to the communication. + +The women of the valley, knowing well all the needs, and how put to +it we were for ammunition, had taken it upon themselves not only to +plant the gardens and till the farms, but to make gunpowder for the +several garrisons. They had taken up the floors of their houses, dug +out the earth, and put in casks in order to make saltpetre. Then mixing +charcoal and sulphur with it, and grinding the whole in a small mill +which Master Hollenback had brought, made such powder as we could use; +but it fouled the guns so badly that not above a dozen charges might be +fired without cleaning the weapons. + +Word was also received that John Butler had gathered two companies of +Tory rangers, a detachment of Johnson’s Royal Greens, and from five +to six hundred Indians, who were advancing from Niagara, intending to +overrun the valley. The men already at Wintermoot’s were probably the +advance of this large army. + +To oppose this force, Giles and I knew full well that, taking every man +in the valley who could fire a musket, we would not be able to raise +more than two hundred at the most. + +It was a situation of affairs such as might daunt even the bravest +spirits, and we Minute Boys, ignorant of all the rules of warfare, a +mere handful, as compared with the Indians which already surrounded us, +were expected to hold in check the Tories and savages which Butler was +leading against us. + +“It is not well, Master Bartlett, that you should tell the others what +we have just heard,” Giles March said, gravely, when the old man had +come to an end of his budget of news. “I had thought my heart stout +enough to keep me behind these logs so long as life remained, believing +I might aid those of my own blood in the valley; but, knowing what may +be coming against us, I understand now how vain it will be. Those who +are weak-hearted already are like to make such plaint that a retreat +will be begun before the battle is commenced.” + +Then it was that Master Bartlett set about trying to hearten us, saying +that it was not impossible the Congress, learning what was being done, +would take immediate steps to send three or four companies--perhaps +a regiment--to aid us. He also suggested that possibly John Butler +intended to strike a blow elsewhere rather than at our valley, and +there might have been some chance for hope in this last had we not +known that many of the Tories were members of the Susquehanna Company, +who, by shedding blood now, might establish firmly their claims upon +the land. + +However heavy my heart had grown since Master Bartlett told us so much +regarding the situation outside, I was not minded that the Minute Boys +should relax their vigilance in the slightest degree, for we would +hold Jenkins’s Fort as long as might be, forcing the enemy to pay the +largest possible price in blood for whatsoever of advantage he gained +over us. + +When Giles and I had made the round of the stockade to learn if every +lad was doing his duty, we returned to where Master Bartlett awaited +us, and then I asked if he believed it possible or advisable for us to +make any attempt at rescuing Esther Hinchman, detailing the plans which +had already been formed in my mind. + +The old man was unwilling to give a direct opinion; but that he favored +something of the kind both Giles and I understood when he said: + +“Whatsoever you do must be done quickly, lad, before the enemy +has gotten ready to make an attack upon the fort. Nothing can be +accomplished by force, and, therefore, a small number only should be +sent out,--say, two or three. I am ready to do my share of the work; +the brother of the girl had, perhaps, better be made one of the party, +and the third man can be of your own choice.” + +“If you had the task in hand, Master Bartlett, when would you set out?” +I asked, and he replied, promptly: + +“As soon as the sun has set.” + +“It should be my right to name the third member of the party,” Giles +March said, and I knew what was in his mind, but did not settle the +matter then, for I was hoping there might be some change in affairs +which would give me the privilege of going with Master Bartlett, +therefore turned the conversation by speaking of the possibility that +we might be able to add to our store of provisions. + +It was when the old man heard we had such a small stock of food that +his face took on a graver expression than while he was telling of the +overwhelming force likely to come against us, and until the sun was +near to setting did we discuss the chances of replenishing our scanty +larder, but without arriving at any satisfactory conclusion. + +That night each of us had for supper a piece of corn bread as large, +perhaps, as half your hand, and so dry that it was like unto hardened +clay. + +While I was absent Giles had divided the force into three parties, +allowing each in turn to go off duty for two hours, that all might thus +have opportunity for sleep. It seemed to me best that such routine +should be continued. + +Master Bartlett, as if having forgotten what he had advised in regard +to attempting the rescue of Esther Hinchman, proposed that both Giles +and I lie down to rest, leaving him in charge of the fort, and this we +did, for slumber weighed so heavily upon our eyelids that it was with +difficulty I could keep mine from closing even while I made the rounds +of the stockade. + +During three hours or more we slept as only tired lads can, and when +I came out from the blockhouse it was near to ten o’clock; but Master +Bartlett had nothing of importance to report. + +The enemy remained quite as vigilant as before, shooting with poor +aim whenever one of the lads incautiously showed himself above the +stockade, and nothing had been seen to betoken any change of plan on +their part; therefore it was that I did no more than make the rounds +from one sentinel to another, without giving any attention to the +surrounding forest. + +An hour later Giles joined me, he having gained just so much the more +sleep, and Master Bartlett took his turn at lying down. + +We two lads stood near the door of the blockhouse while I explained to +Giles that the enemy had been wasting less ammunition than usual, as +it seemed to me, when suddenly a rattle of musketry was heard from the +eastern side, near the water, and our lads who were at that portion of +the stockade failed to return it. + +As a matter of course, Giles and I ran quickly toward what seemed to be +the danger-point, and, clambering up on the narrow platform, I demanded +of the lad nearest me why he had not discharged his musket. + +“I have seen no target as yet,” he replied. “The shots were fired from +such a distance that even the flashes of the guns have been hidden by +the foliage.” + +Looking to the priming of my musket, I strained my eyes in vain for +some sign of the enemy, but yet the reports continued to ring out in +rapid succession, and I wondered why I failed to hear the whistling of +the bullets. + +Two or three of those who were off duty came running up in the belief +that they might be needed, and it was only natural that all the other +sentinels should have turned in that direction from which it seemed +probable an attack would be made. + +Therefore it was, and I am willing to take all the blame for such +carelessness, that the stockade nearabout the gate was virtually +unguarded. + +The first intimation I had that the discharge of musketry from the +eastward was only a feint on the part of the enemy was from Master +Bartlett, who, having come out of the blockhouse, saw at once in what +way we had laid ourselves open to an attack. + +It was the report of his musket which caused me to whirl about +suddenly, and then it looked as if fifty or more naked savages were +scaling the stockade just over the gates, while inside perhaps ten or +twelve stood awaiting the coming of their comrades. + +An exclamation of anger because of my stupidity involuntarily burst +from my lips, as I gave the word for all, save only four sentinels, to +join me; but, by the time the lads were down from the platforms, there +were not less than two score Indians already inside. + +It seemed to me at that moment as if the fort was already taken; but +so great was my anger because of having given the foe the opportunity +he wanted that I forgot all the danger which menaced, and, shouting to +hearten my comrades, ran forward side by side with Giles March to do +whatsoever we might toward repairing the mischief. + +And now of what took place during the next half-hour I have no clear +knowledge, save as to our first charge, when, emptying our muskets into +that throng of half-naked murderers, we dashed forward, not stopping to +reload, but depending upon using our weapons as clubs. + +It was like some horrible nightmare, where one struggles against such +odds that he can make no headway, but is continually forced to exert +himself to the utmost, knowing death to be close at hand. + +Once, while I was parrying with my musket a blow which one of the +Mohawks would have dealt me, another ran swiftly around, as if to +strike from behind, and already in fancy had I felt the burning +sensation which accompanies the thrust of cold steel, when the report +of Master Bartlett’s musket rang out, while one of my adversaries +dropped dead as the other took to his heels. + +It was a battle wherein we fought hand to hand, overmatched in numbers, +in strength, and in weapons, and yet to the credit of the Minute Boys +it must be said that even those who had shown themselves faint-hearted +shortly before, fought like men, regarding not their own lives in the +hope of delaying the enemy ever so little on his march through the +valley. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +AFTER THE BATTLE + + +If it were advisable to spend the time, one might write page after +page, detailing the acts of heroism performed by the Minute Boys in +this their first battle, when, taken by surprise, and with odds of not +less than three to one against them, they saved the fort from capture. + +Master Bartlett, who should be a judge in such matters, declares that +never one of us flinched from his duty; but I could speak only of what +occurred as I myself took part in it, and it seemed as if we were +favored by God, else the enemy must literally have overrun us. + +There were times during the battle when it was possible for us to +reload our weapons; but before twenty minutes had passed, my gun was +so foul that I could not drive a bullet home, and was forced to depend +upon the weapon as a club, or use my knife. + +And yet we drove those human wolves back from whence they came, all +save eight, who remained inside the stockade with no breath of life in +their ugly bodies. + +I have always maintained that an Indian is a coward who can fight well +only when his adversary has been taken by surprise, or is too feeble +for resistance. So it was here. During half an hour, mayhap, they +fought like the wolves that they are, and then, as one after another +was cut down, the remainder of them turned tail, striving to make their +way out, and we did our best to lessen the number of John Butler’s +followers. + +One there was who showed himself courageous, despite the fact that he +battled in a wicked cause, and, when we pressed him hard, stood with +his back against the logs, fighting until he fell dead. + +The others were as curs. Not until the last of the horde who could +move had escaped did we count up our losses, and grievous they were as +compared with our numbers. Ezra Simpson lay dead across the body of a +stalwart Indian, with evidences enough near by to show that he had left +his mark upon more than one of those who would turn our peaceful valley +into a shambles. + +Two of the company were seriously wounded, and three others, including +myself, bore marks of either knife or hatchet, but not to such an +extent that we were disabled. + +It was a victory for us; but should we win two or three more in the +same manner, then were we undone for a verity, because of being wiped +out entirely. + +It goes without saying that Master Bartlett did valiant duty. Two +others, besides myself, owed their lives to him, for it was as if he +saw all that was going on, and wherever the battle raged hottest he +sought to aid him who was hardest pressed. Without the old man, I fear +there would have been a different ending to this poor tale. + +There was no rest for us when the battle had come to an end. Those +whose turn it was to sleep threw themselves down on the floor of the +blockhouse, and the rest of us did duty on the walls, all save five, +who were told off to drag out through the small gate, even at risk of +being shot down, the dead bodies of our enemies. + +That done, we buried Ezra Simpson hurriedly but reverentially, and +perchance the tears which flowed from our eyes were caused by the +knowledge that our time of greater suffering was yet to come, while +they had done with the agony of death. + +I think the fever of battle was yet upon Giles March, when we had +finished the mournful task of laying our comrade in his last bed, for +no sooner was that done than he said eagerly to me: + +“Now is the time when we may make an effort to release Daniel +Hinchman’s sister, with more chance of success than ever before.” + +“What do you mean, Giles?” I cried, in surprise. “We have but just +brought to an end as severe a battle as we shall ever again fight, +however long we claim to be soldiers, and would you run another +hazardous venture on the heels of this?” + +“Ay, that I would, Jonathan Ogden. The Indians have been beaten +thoroughly, and for a certain time are cowed by failing to capture this +stockade, which, doubtless, they believed would fall into their hands +like a rotten apple. Now is come the time for us to strike.” + +“I believe the lad speaks truly,” Master Bartlett said, as he joined +us. “If I know anything of the red sneaks, they will not make another +assault upon this fort to-night, but will spend the time mourning over +the dead, and patching up the living who bear the marks of our weapons. +More than that, it is not reasonable for them to suppose we would +attempt so soon to strike a blow in return.” + +“It is my right to leave the stockade this time,” Giles said, in a +tone so firm that I realized it would be useless to argue against his +proposal, whereupon I replied, turning to Master Bartlett: + +“If it so be you think it right for three of this small party to +venture into yet further danger, leaving us weak as we are, go, +although it would please me better that Giles took the command of the +fort while I journeyed toward Wintermoot’s.” + +“Are you ready, Master Bartlett?” the lad asked, eagerly, and I fancied +there was somewhat of grim pleasure in the old man’s heart at the +thought of such a venture, for he replied promptly: + +“Ay, that I am, lad, and the sooner we set off, the sooner will we be +trying to get back inside this fence of logs.” + +“Yes, if you live to return,” I said, moodily, whereat the old man +clapped me on the shoulder heartily, as he cried: + +“Those who venture most are apt to live the longest,--at least, that +has been my experience. I’m not claiming that we’ll be able to release +the girl; but ’twixt now and sunrise we shall know if it be possible.” + +Giles had already gone into the blockhouse to find Daniel Hinchman, and +I was hardly yet recovered from the daze which had come over me with +the idea of setting out on a venture directly on the heels of a battle, +when the three were marching toward the small gate. + +I ran after them to unbar it, wishing to have even that slight share in +the task, after which they crept silently out. + +“God be with you,” I whispered. + +“If He goes with either party this night, it will be with us,” Master +Bartlett said grimly, and then the three were lost to view in the gloom. + +I was left with but eighteen lads to defend the fort, and it seemed, +with the going of the old man, that our strength had departed. It was +necessary I pull myself together with a will, else had my heart grown +so heavy that those who called me the captain of the Minute Boys would +have seen by one look at my face that I was no longer capable of +controlling even myself, let alone my comrades. + +At such a time work, and plenty of it, does a fellow a deal of good. +I went here and there, doing whatsoever my hands could find to do, in +order to drive away the timorousness which was creeping into my heart. + +As yet, those of us who were slightly wounded had given no attention to +their hurts. Now I insisted that each lad be looked after carefully, +saying to those who laughed at such coddling that it was necessary, +because our numbers were so few that the loss of one would be serious +indeed, and he who might be disabled because of neglecting his wounds +was nearly as much to be blamed as the coward who ran away. + +It goes without saying that all this while we kept strictest watch from +the top of the stockade, but without seeing anything whatsoever of the +enemy, however recklessly we exposed ourselves. + +It was as Master Bartlett had said, they were cowed for the time being, +because of failing in an attempt which they believed could be carried +through without severe loss. + +And now am I come to that part of my story which seems almost +improbable even to myself. + +The night passed, and the next day was nearly half spent before +anything occurred to cause either joy or sorrow. We had seen nothing +whatsoever of the Indians; it was as if the siege had suddenly been +raised, and I was such a simple as to question whether that might not +be the fact. + +Because we had beaten back such an overwhelming number of Mohawks, we +lads were heartened wondrously, believing it possible to accomplish +far more than we had ever supposed ourselves capable of, and were in +fine fettle for whatsoever might come, when suddenly the watcher on the +south side of the stockade cried out: + +“Here comes Giles March, and with a supply of provisions.” + +I thought the lad had taken leave of his senses, and sprang up on the +platform, fearing the Indians were playing some new trick, when, to my +amazement, I saw Giles staggering toward the fort under the weight of a +heavy buck. + +Behind him came Master Bartlett with a bag of what I judged might be +meal on his shoulder. Directly in his wake was the same girl I had seen +in the Indian encampment, and, bringing up the rear, appeared Daniel +Hinchman, burdened as were the others. + +Had John Butler’s army marched out of the forest arraying themselves in +battle-line, I could not have been more astonished than I was to see +returning so soon those whom I feared had gone to certain death. + +It is not necessary I should say that we unbarred the gate without +delay, and, when Giles came in, throwing down the buck with the air of +one who has borne his burden as long as possible, I cried out, even +before greeting the others: + +“How did you dare spend time in hunting when the woods are filled with +savages?” + +“In the first place I didn’t spend any time hunting, and next, it seems +as if all the Indians who were round about the stockade had beat a +retreat to Wintermoot’s.” + +Then Master Bartlett, dropping his load on the ground, said, with +boyish glee: + +“There is meal enough, lad, to fatten your larder for two or three +days, at all events, and Daniel has got of dried deer flesh as much as +will serve to keep your jaws working for a full fortnight.” + +The girl entered the stockade hurriedly, looking around with an air of +most intense relief, as if she had at last arrived at some secure place +of refuge, instead of having come where the chances were that death +awaited her. + +“There is little need to keep more than one sentinel on duty,” Master +Bartlett said, with a laugh, “for, from what we have seen, the brave +band of Mohawks has decided to throw up the job with which John Butler +entrusted them, and are spending their time in all kinds of heathenish +mummery round about their lodges at Wintermoot’s.” + +Hearing this, every fellow leaped from the platform and gathered around +those whose mission had been so quickly but thoroughly performed, to +hear their story. + +“I will stand on guard while you tell us how it happened that you could +not only do what seemed impossible; but have brought with you that of +which we stood sorely in need,” I cried, all that burden of fear and +responsibility suddenly lifted from my shoulders, as I sprang upon the +platform just over the small gate. + +“I reckon Giles had best spin the yarn,” Master Bartlett said, “while I +attend to my rheumatics, for spending the night nearabout the river has +not done my old joints any good.” + +Then the old man fell to rubbing his knees energetically, and I knew, +despite the smile which he forced to his face, that he was suffering; +but, when I taxed him with it, he denied that he was in any great +pain, saying it was better to drive away the ache before it had fairly +settled down, than wait until it gained firm lodgment. + +The remainder of the company clamored for a recital of what had been +done, so Giles could do no less than go into the details, while Daniel +led his sister to the blockhouse as if, which undoubtedly was the case, +she needed repose. + +“It was all so easy that, but for our precautions, we might have got +back by daylight,” Giles began. “Believing the Indians were stationed +as they had been before the attack, we wormed our way through the +underbrush, thinking ourselves wondrously fortunate in not coming +across any, and only when we were within an hundred yards, perhaps, of +Wintermoot’s did we see the first show of an enemy.” + +“Meaning that when we gave them the dose they needed inside the +stockade, all the others grew disheartened,” Master Bartlett +interrupted. “It is the way the sneaks have. If you once get the upper +hand of them, they are whipped to a standstill.” + +“It was not until nearly morning that we came to a little hill this +side the fort, where we could have a view of all that was going on,” +Giles continued; “but long before arriving there, we heard the howls +and yells of the Mohawks, as they sang what we fancied was a dirge for +those who had been left behind. By the light of the many fires which +had been built, for they believed themselves secure from an attack +because of being so near the fort, we could see not less than two +hundred of the villains, with here and there a white man among them, +and I have the idea that John Butler has got a reasonably big job on +his hands to hold the red allies in place, simply because the Minute +Boys of Wyoming Valley thrashed them out of their boots.” + +“There is no question but that the one fight would have sent them back +home, save for the fact that others are on the way to join them,” +Master Bartlett added. + +“The lodges appeared to be deserted, and we could see Esther Hinchman +sitting outside that one on the river bank. Now you must know that +all this hullabaloo was going on in front of the stockade, and perhaps +two hundred yards from the nearest wigwam, therefore, taking Master +Bartlett’s advice, we made our way down to the stream, where a dead +tree was floating in the eddy. Wading into the water, we pushed that +off. The branches hid our heads from view, and the remainder of our +bodies were beneath the surface. It was an easy matter to make it +appear as if the tree grounded by accident directly in front of the +lodge where Esther Hinchman was sitting, and then, watching his chance, +Daniel went up to her. The only fear was that the girl might scream; +but it so happened she did not, and in less than five minutes she also +was in the water, clinging to the tree.” + +“But surely you could not get up-stream in the same way,” I +interrupted, and Giles replied, with a laugh: + +“No, and neither did we try, for about the time Esther Hinchman joined +us, the whole gang of Indians filed into the fort, where, most likely, +they were to be feasted, in order to brace them up after the disaster +of the night. Then was the time when I believed we should make our way +into the thicket again, but Master Bartlett insisted that it would be +little less than wicked to lose the chance of adding to our store of +provisions, so he and I made a regular search of the lodges.” + +“You were taking too big a risk,” I cried. + +[Illustration: “‘WATCHING HIS CHANCE, DANIEL WENT UP TO HER.’”] + +“Having gotten the girl, you should have been satisfied.” + +“In which case you wouldn’t have so good a show of sleeping with a +full stomach this night, lad,” Master Bartlett said, grimly. “We could +do our work without being seen, even though the Tories had had their +sentinels on the stockade, which they didn’t. Giles is right about the +feasting part of it, for, as I came away, it was possible to see that +rum was being distributed generously, and a savage always expects to +gorge himself at such a time.” + +“We brought away all that we could carry,” Giles continued. “I took as +my share from the lodges a bag of meal; but when we were in the thicket +once more and found this buck hanging up to season, I believed it was +a good trade to swap corn-meal for deer. If any of you fellows think +we ran our noses into danger, you are mistaken, for it was as safe as +any pleasure excursion you ever heard about, although had we waited +four and twenty hours before setting out, I question if Esther Hinchman +would not have remained a prisoner with the Mohawks.” + +“And she may thank you for her release, Giles March,” I said, +determined that he should have his full share of the credit. + +His cheeks reddened with pleasure, and he would have declared that he +was not entitled to any praise if, at that moment, I had not startled +the company by saying in astonishment, as my eye caught a glimpse of +something moving amid the foliage: + +“There are white people coming this way,--women as well as children!” + +Every fellow leaped to the platform, and then we saw that which at +first filled us with wonderment, but was afterward easily explained. + +Four men, two of whom were walking on crutches, six or eight women, +all of whom carried burdens of some kind, and not less than a dozen +children, the largest weighted down with what appeared to be provisions +and household utensils, were coming toward us. + +“Refugees from nearabout the burnt lands, if I’m not mistaken,” Master +Bartlett exclaimed, as he clambered up beside me. + +“And why have they come here?” I asked, in bewilderment. “It would have +been safer for them to have gone to Forty Fort.” + +“I’m afraid, lad, their coming means that John Butler’s forces are +advancing, and they have fled to the nearest fortified place.” + +There was little need for us to speculate very long as to why these +people had come, for within five minutes they were all inside the fort, +and we heard the pitiful story. + +Stephen Morley, a settler who had taken up land in what was known as +the burnt district, some six miles away, was the only able-bodied man +among the party, and he it was who told the tale. + +There were in that district, within a radius of perhaps five miles, +six families. Four of the husbands were in the American army. Stephen +Morley himself was a soldier, but had been given a three months’ +furlough because of illness, and arrived home just as a large body of +Indians suddenly appeared in the neighborhood. + +He, knowing much of the condition of affairs, and understanding that +this must be the advance of Butler’s force, realized the necessity of +immediate flight, and, taking with them such goods and provisions as +could be carried through the wilderness, the party set out the night +before, travelling in the darkness, all unsuspicious of the fact that +Fort Jenkins had been besieged. + +Save for the fact of the attack upon us, they would have been made +prisoners at the very moment when they believed themselves near a place +of safety, and, except for the number of mouths to be fed, I could have +rejoiced at their coming. As it was, however, I might not complain, +because they were fleeing for their lives, and had brought with them, +as we afterward learned, a sufficiency of provisions for three or four +days’ consumption. + +It was a welcome addition to our number, for in those days, and in our +valley, the women could and did fight as valiantly as the men. The only +phase of the matter which troubled me was that we might be hemmed in +so long that starvation would finally stare us in the face, and, with +those children crying for bread, one could not hold out as long as he +otherwise might. + +Master Morley could give us little information concerning the strength +of the party which had driven him and his neighbors from their homes. +It seems that the savages were yet several miles from the settlement +when their whereabouts were discovered, and Morley had advised +immediate flight, because of the rumors regarding Butler’s intentions, +not making an effort to learn any particulars concerning the enemy. + +Among the other things which these guests of ours brought was a +quantity of powder equal to all we had in the fort, and this, as may be +imagined, was very welcome to us, for I had been looking forward with +cowardly fear to that time when we would be reduced to the last round +of ammunition. + +As a matter of course the women and children were given quarters in the +blockhouse. My company and the male refugees could gain all the repose +which might be allowed us by the enemy on the ground outside, while the +weather was so warm. + +With Stephen Morley, who had served in the American army nearly a year, +and Master Bartlett, we Minute Boys had good advisers, and I felt as +if I might well shift the heaviest of the responsibility on to their +shoulders. + +As a matter of course, we took Master Morley into our confidence, +and Master Bartlett, Giles, and I held a council of war, as it were, +as soon as matters were settled down inside the stockade. Then it +was decided, in view of the success which had attended the visit to +Wintermoot’s, that we make some attempt to get game before night should +come. It was believed there would be no danger in venturing out, at +least until sunset, for it was not probable that those who had driven +the settlers from the burnt district would arrive before dark, or, even +if they did, their course would be far to the westward of the river. + +Therefore it was that I called the lads together, asking if any of them +were minded to go out in search of game, and found that it would be +necessary to make a detail by name, since every member of the company +was willing to take the chances in order to add to the store of food. + +I selected two of the lads whom I knew to be good shots, and Giles +March named two others. These four we sent out at once, with +instructions for them to remain near the bank of the river, and not to +venture above three miles from the stockade. + +When they had gone we added the names of the newcomers to our company +of Minute Boys, dividing the whole into three squads as before, and +settled down to routine duty, with good reason to believe nothing +menacing would occur, at least until another day had come. + +Then it was that Giles and I threw ourselves on the ground in the shade +of the blockhouse to sleep, and when we awakened night had fully come. + +Rising to my feet, wonderfully refreshed by the few hours of dreamless +repose, I asked, curiously, of the first lad I saw, whether the hunters +had brought much game. + +“They haven’t come back yet,” was the reply. “Master Morley and Simon +Bartlett are yonder on the eastern angle, watching for them.” + +“Haven’t come back!” I cried, in dismay. “It was understood that even +though they were on the track of a deer, there should be no question of +returning before sunset,” and, filled with apprehension, I ran toward +that portion of the enclosure where I saw the two men of whom the lad +had spoken, peering intently into the thicket. + +“What can have happened?” I asked, nervously, climbing up by the side +of Master Bartlett, and he replied in a whisper: + +“According to my belief, lad, they have met the advance of Butler’s +force, and been taken prisoners.” + +“But they were told to stay near the bank of the river!” I cried. + +“True, and that was because you and I were so stiff in our own opinions +as to believe the Tory crew would keep on the direct course from the +burnt district to Wintermoot’s, whereas the chances are the scoundrels +counted on first having a look at Fort Jenkins.” + +“We must go at once in search of them,” I cried, not stopping to +realize that but a short time before, when Daniel Hinchman pleaded +for aid to find his sister, I refused to allow any one to depart on so +hazardous a venture in the night. + +“To what end, lad?” Master Bartlett asked, sorrowfully. “If matters are +as Stephen Morley and I fear, then, even though you turn this entire +force out, nothing could be done. To my mind, if four lads well armed +were overcome, then was it done by such numbers as are too many for us.” + +“And are we to sit here idle?” I cried, almost beside myself with +grief, since it seemed as if I was directly responsible for their +safety because of having allowed them to go. + +“There is nothing else you can do, Jonathan Ogden, in justice to those +who call you their captain,” Master Bartlett replied, and he had hardly +more than ceased speaking before a bright light flashed up near the +river, considerably beyond musket-shot from where we were standing, and +at the same time we heard shrieks and yells as of rejoicing. + +“It is as we feared,” Master Morley said, turning suddenly upon me, +and speaking for the first time since I had come. “The savages have +captured the lads, and we know full well the meaning of that fire.” + +“The meaning of it?” I screamed, understanding what he meant, but at +the same time refusing to admit it. + +“Ay, lad,” Master Bartlett replied, in a tearful tone. “Now is the +time when those whom we whipped inside the stockade will have their +revenge, and, if I mistake not, the fiends count on doing their bloody +work where we must witness it.” + +“Then you believe they have taken our lads, and are about to torture +them?” I whispered. + +The old man nodded his head, and then turned away as if unwilling to +say more. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +THE SORTIE + + +There could be no question but that Master Bartlett had guessed rightly +as to the purpose of the savages, for there was no other way by which +we could account for the fire which had just been kindled. + +They would not have camped so far from Wintermoot’s in order to break +a day’s march, and even if they had halted for the purpose of resting, +common prudence would have dictated that they do so secretly. + +When I had reasoned all this out in my mind, and been forced to believe +the worst, it was no longer possible for me to think of ourselves as +Minute Boys, if by so acting we were forced to remain inside the fort. +Only one idea found lodgment in my brain, which was that we must, at +all hazards, do what we might toward aiding the unfortunate lads, who +were thus come to the stake while in pursuance of duty. + +To remain idle within the stockade, as Master Bartlett seemed willing +to do, while they suffered such torture as those fiendish savages could +invent, seemed to me more heartless than anything I had ever heard, +and, forgetting my duty to the company of which I was captain, I cried, +passionately: + +“It shall not be. We will not remain here with folded hands and allow +those murderers to do their cruel work!” + +“Ay, it would not be if it were in our power to give them aid,” Master +Bartlett said, grimly. “Stephen Morley had fair chance to judge of the +strength of the red-skinned wolves, and from him we know that there +must, at the very least, be more than an hundred gathered around yonder +fire. To venture out now is but to play into their hands, leaving the +fort so illy manned that its capture would be certain.” + +“We are stronger than before Stephen Morley’s party came in,” I said, +half to myself, and Master Bartlett replied: + +“True, we are, and yet the number here is all too small for the defence +of the stockade.” + +“If four or five should go out, there would still remain as many as our +people of Wilkesbarre believe to be here,” I continued, thinking aloud +rather than making a statement which demanded any answer, and the old +man asked with more of impatience than I had yet seen him display: + +“What wild plan have you in mind, Jonathan Ogden? Don’t forget that you +are the captain of this company, and as such it is your duty to keep +them together.” + +“A poor captain have I made,” I replied, hotly. “It were better for +all that the youngest of the party had been selected for the command. +If I should go out, you can serve the lads more to their advantage than +I could ever hope to do.” + +“There is no good reason why you make such talk as that, and I would +refuse to listen, save that it is necessary I know upon what your mind +is dwelling.” + +“That can be told quickly,” I replied, burning with the desire to be +where I could strike a blow at those who were making ready for such +work as the imps of the evil one would blush at. “I am minded to go out +there, not boldly, nor in a careless manner, but to creep upon that +band of demons until it be possible either to drive them away, or do +the last friendly act to our comrades who are prisoners--bring them to +their death quickly.” + +“He who has had the most experience in warfare with the savages will +tell you, Jonathan Ogden, that you haven’t one chance in ten thousand, +even though you take all your company of Minute Boys, to drive away +those savages after they have once begun, or made ready for their cruel +work. I grant you it would be a blessed boon to kill the lads quickly; +but to do that you would bring down, not only upon yourselves, but on +all within this stockade, that horde of ravening wolves.” + +I was not minded to continue the discussion when the moments were so +precious, and knew beyond a peradventure that Simon Bartlett would +never give his consent to my going in case I asked it; therefore did I +put the matter plainly before him: + +“It is my intent, Master Bartlett, to do whatsoever I can to aid my +comrades, and with the expectation of meeting death while doing it. +Neither the fact that I am in command of this company, nor that it is +a forlorn hope on which I am embarking, can prevent me. If so be two +others here want to go with me, I believe it possible the dear lads may +be killed before they are tortured.” + +“I am one who goes with you, Jonathan Ogden,” came a voice near at +hand, and, looking down from the platform on which the old man and I +were standing, I saw Giles March, who had come up unobserved and thus +heard a goodly portion of the conversation. + +“But you must stay here, Giles,” I cried, and he replied, sharply: + +“What fetters have I more than you? Is the captain of a company the +only one who is permitted to attempt a man’s work?” + +As a matter of course, that silenced me. What reply could I make to +such questions? + +“You know how few are the chances that we shall come back into this +stockade alive?” I ventured to ask, and he replied promptly: + +“Ay, even as well as you, Jonathan Ogden, and yet would I go, for +death were better, as I look at the matter, than remaining here idle, +knowing what is being done yonder.” + +“What is it you speak of in which death seems so certain?” Daniel +Hinchman asked, as he came up hurriedly, and I would have held my +peace, but Giles March must needs explain to him what I proposed to do. + +“And who will go with you, Jonathan Ogden?” Daniel asked. + +“I am going,” Giles said, before it was possible for me to make reply. + +“Then you shall count me in also. It would be the least I could do, +after this company of lads has saved my sister from a doom even worse +than that which you say probably awaits those who went out hunting.” + +Again I would have protested; but Master Bartlett, laying his hand +heavily on my shoulder, said gravely: + +“Haven’t they as good right as you to risk life in the hope of aiding +a comrade? Now you have the two you asked for, and, if it still be in +your mind to go out on what I shall count a hopeless task, then let +me beg you do it secretly, allowing no person inside this enclosure, +save only Stephen Morley and myself, to know that the force has been +weakened by seven.” + +“How seven?” I asked, with irritation. + +“The four hunters and you three, for there is no more chance one will +return than the other.” + +Leaping down from the stockade, I began hurriedly to make my +preparations, for however determined I was to sally forth, such talk as +Master Bartlett was indulging in could have no other effect than that +of making me for the moment faint-hearted, and surely just then I had +need of all the courage which could be summoned. + +I would take with me nothing save my musket and ammunition; every +garment that could be dispensed with should be left behind, lest it +impede me in the short journey which must be made as silently as death, +and Giles and Daniel followed my example, until we stood in little more +clothing than was indulged in by those fiends whom we hoped to kill. + +While this was being done, Master Bartlett held a whispered +conversation with Stephen Morley, after which the old man said: + +“If you go out through the gate, lads, one or more of the company will +know your purpose, therefore I propose that you let yourselves down +from the top of the stockade at whatsoever point seems best to you, +and, although we dare not hope you may return, both Stephen Morley and +I will stand here on watch, ready to open the small gate when we see +you coming, or to summon the rest of the company to shoot down those +who may be pursuing.” + +“As well go from here as anywhere?” I said to Giles, pointing just +above our heads, and he nodded. + +Master Bartlett gripped each of us by the hand in turn, and thus +we climbed up, swinging ourselves over the top of the stockade and +dropping down on the outside. + +I had feared that one or both of the men might attempt to indulge in +leave-taking, and so tensely were my nerves strung then that I could +not have endured anything of the kind; but, fortunately for me, not a +word was spoken. + +After reaching the ground, it was not necessary we should hold any +converse one with the other. Each of us understood what was to be done, +and could see plainly before us the goal. The fire was leaping higher +and higher, and a deathly sickness came into my heart, as I asked +myself whether the tongues of flame had not already fastened upon the +bodies of our comrades. + +It was as if Giles March read my thoughts, for he said in a whisper: + +“They haven’t begun the work of torture yet, else would we have +heard songs and shouts. Yonder light comes from the camp-fire, where +doubtless they are making ready supper.” + +As nearly as I could judge, the Indians were less than a mile away, and +the night was so far advanced that it seemed necessary we take some +chances of making a noise, else we might arrive too late, therefore I +believe we covered the distance within half an hour, seeing nothing +during that short journey betokening the presence of foes. It was as +if the murdering villains, secure in their numbers, believed that no +danger threatened them, or that it would not be necessary to send out +scouts, because we in the fort were penned up like sheep awaiting the +butcher. + +When we had finally arrived so near the fire as to be able to +distinguish objects within the circle of illumination, it was possible +to see two of our lads bound to trees near by, and looking as one may +well fancy human beings would look when watching preparations that are +being made for the most cruel death which can come to man. + +“Where are the others?” Daniel Hinchman asked in a whisper. + +“Already dead,” Giles March replied, confidently, “and theirs was the +happier fate.” + +“Why can’t they have escaped?” I asked, hopefully. + +“Because, if such had been the case, we should have seen them at the +stockade before this. Stephen Morley has said that the Indians were +advancing like soldiers on a skirmish-line, covering not less than half +a mile in distance, and in such case, all ignorant of the fact that so +many foes were near, the lads would not have made détour wide enough to +avoid them.” + +I hardly heard the last of his words. If, indeed, two of our lads were +already dead, then were they the more fortunate. We could do nothing +in their behalf, and it was of the living that care should be taken. + +So nearly as could be told, there were less, instead of more, than an +hundred savages encamping here to indulge in their fiendish sport, and +the thought came to me like a flash of light that there were none of +the red demons at Wintermoot’s who would miss seeing such a spectacle +as that afforded by two white boys while they were being tortured to +death. Therefore might we with good reason expect all that horde of +bloodthirsty murderers would arrive before the final moment came. + +I said to Giles that, if we were to effect anything, the task must +be begun quickly, for, although it did not seem within the range of +possibility we could overmaster four score or more, surely was all hope +gone when that number should be doubled or trebled. + +“Ay, I am of the same mind, Jonathan, therefore say what shall be done, +and we will commence, selling our lives desperately, but making certain +to hold the last shots for those poor lads yonder.” + +I had no more idea than he how we could strike the heaviest blow; but, +in turning over the matter in my mind, came the desire to lessen the +number of the enemy by as many as might be possible, and therefore did +it seem to me as if that might best be done by beginning the work at +long range. + +Acting on my suggestion, rather than commands, Daniel stole softly to +the right of me, a distance of perhaps an hundred paces, and Giles as +far in the opposite direction, while I remained with my musket resting +on the branch of a tree, that there might be no question as to the +trueness of aim until one or the other should open fire. + +With the reports of three muskets coming from so many different points, +each at quite a distance from the other, the savages would reasonably +suppose they were surrounded by a considerable force, and therefore +might be thrown in confusion sufficiently long for us to reload and get +in a second volley before any move was made. + +This would suffice for six of them, unless we were careless in the +shooting, and after that had been done Daniel and Giles were to come +back to me, when we would do whatsoever was dictated by the movements +of the enemy. + +It was Daniel who fired first, and I saw an Indian, who was standing +somewhat apart from the others, as if he was one of the chiefs of the +tribe, pitch forward on his face, dead. + +Then came Giles’s shot, and a brave who was bending over the fire, +evidently cooking meat, fell among the embers, getting a taste before +he died, I hope, of what he would have inflicted upon our comrades. On +the instant I discharged my musket, and the third Mohawk fell, never to +rise again. + +[Illustration: “THE THIRD MOHAWK FELL, NEVER TO RISE AGAIN.”] + +The Indians stood for a moment as if transfixed with amazement and +terror, looking here and there questioningly, and not a movement toward +us had been made, when once more Daniel fired. + +That savage who was standing full in the light of the flames fell at +the report of his musket, and his neighbor dropped an instant later +under my bullet, while on the other side of the fire a sixth man sank +down. + +Then, as never before, did I work with utmost haste to reload my +weapon, hoping to get in one more shot before my comrades joined me, +and in this was I successful. + +The seventh Mohawk had been sent to his happy hunting-grounds when +Giles and Daniel came up, and we three, peering intently toward those +bloodthirsty cowards, who dared not make a move, as if fearing that +some supernatural power had stricken their fellows down, loaded our +weapons. + +Then, in a twinkling, we dashed toward the encampment, without any +purpose save that of coming hand to hand with those whom we believed +were speedily to kill us. + +When we had arrived just at the edge of the thicket, and in another +instant would have come out into the light of the fire, the Indians +made their first move, which was to retreat until they gained cover, +for the brutes were never known to be willing to stand up in the open +against an unseen enemy. + +“One more shot,” I whispered, hurriedly, and even as the last vanished, +two of them fell to the ground dead; but whether the third bullet +missed its billet, we could not see. + +Now, on the instant, came to me a possible plan. There was one chance +perhaps in a thousand of its succeeding, and yet, if it didn’t, we were +in no worse position than before, for we had come fully expecting to +yield up our lives in the hope of giving our comrades a merciful death. + +“You two shall stand here within the shelter of the trees,” I said, +hurriedly, “and fire as rapidly as may be possible whenever you see a +target. In the meanwhile I will make my way through the thicket until +coming up behind the prisoners, when there is the barest possibility I +may be able to sever their bonds.” + +Then, throwing down the musket and drawing my knife, I made my way +outside the circle of light, hidden by the foliage, giving no heed as +to preserving silence, and hearing, as I ran, the discharge of a weapon +by one of my comrades. + +My heart beat as if it were like to burst through the flesh, for there +had suddenly come into my mind the belief that it was possible we +should yet succeed, if not in holding our own lives, in giving liberty +to those who had been so near death. + +Hardly knowing if I walked or ran, giving no heed as to whether there +might be any one in my path, I made all speed until, having gained the +tree behind which John Coburn was bound, and slashing through the +deer-hide thongs with my knife, I whispered, hoarsely: + +“If it be possible to use your legs now, lad, make all speed to the +fort, where Master Bartlett is watching for your coming. In case your +limbs are numbed, stand where you are until the blood circulates again, +and then make a rush.” + +I question if thirty seconds had been spent in freeing John, and then, +darting back into the bushes once more, I came up behind the other +lad,--Oscar Stephenson,--just as another report from the rear told that +an Indian had incautiously shown himself. + +Oscar was free, and, as I made ready to go back where Giles and Daniel +were waiting, I saw the lad straighten up, as if trying his muscles. +An instant later the two were flying like startled deer; but their +movements were the signal for the Indians to rush forward, and in a +twinkling the whole savage horde was at my heels. + +Crack! crack! rang out the muskets of my comrades, and, guided by that +sound, I reached them as speedily as my legs could carry me, snatching +the musket which Daniel held toward me, and starting hotfoot for the +stockade. + +Rapid as had been my movements, the rescued lads ran even more swiftly, +for they had been looking death in the face an hour or more, and +were able to accomplish that which at any other time would have been +impossible. + +Daniel was just behind me, not two paces distant, and close at his +heels came Giles, who, when we had run half-way to the stockade, said, +hoarsely: + +“It were better we stopped here for one more shot than to cross the +clearing while there are so many behind us.” + +It was good advice, and, wheeling about, I charged my musket with +trembling hands, for what with the excitement and the exertion, I was +quivering like an aspen leaf. + +Then we waited for a target. Beyond the glowing fire as we were, it was +difficult to distinguish the enemy. I was on the point of proposing +that we move on rather than lose valuable time, when hardly ten paces +distant I saw a black form amid the foliage, and then another and +another, until we could count five sneaking up, probably seeing us even +more plainly than we saw them. + +Fortunately all of our weapons were loaded, and, prodding my comrades +to call their attention to that which I saw, we took steady aim and +fired. + +A howl of pain followed the report, as one of the figures turned and +went halting back toward the fire, while two dropped, and the others +stood as if suddenly turned into statues. + +“Verily have we dealt a blow to the Mohawks of which we should +be proud, even though we never reach the stockade again,” I said +exultingly, and there was in my heart a fervent thanksgiving that I +had been allowed to slay so many of those who would make of our valley +a shambles. + +“It will be better if we get to the stockade alive,” Giles said, +grimly, and then we ran more slowly, because of trying to load our +weapons as we moved. + +I am making a long story of what should be told in few words, and, +therefore, will cease trying to glorify myself and my comrades for our +work of the night, to say that twice before coming out into the cleared +space in front of the stockade we loaded and fired at skulking figures +amid the trees, wasting no shot, and then was come that most dangerous +portion of the work. + +Full fifty yards, from the edge of the thicket to the small gate of +the stockade, we must run exposed to the full view of those who might +follow, and Giles said, as we slackened our pace before bursting out of +the bushes: + +“It were better we separated than ran in a bunch, for of a verity are +we to be their targets now.” + +As he said, so we did. Each for himself, and, twelve or fifteen yards +apart, we started on that race with death. + +It seemed to me as if I had no more than left the cover of the bushes +when the muskets began to sound, and, before half the distance was +covered, it was as if no less than an hundred were shooting at me; but +I came to understand afterward that this multiplicity of reports arose +from the fact that our friends within the stockade were keeping up +quite as heavy a fusillade as were the Mohawks. + +And now for that which seems almost beyond belief: We three lads +covered the distance in the open, where we afforded the best targets +to our pursuers, gaining the shelter of the fort without having been +scratched by a bullet, and that when, I dare venture to say, no less +than fifty missiles were sent after us by the excited foe whom we had +outwitted so completely. + +Once inside, with the gate barred behind us, I fell forward on my +face, unable to move or speak, so thoroughly exhausted was I by the +excitement and the exertion, and for a time I knew nothing whatsoever, +until becoming dimly conscious that Master Bartlett was bending over +me, saying: + +“You have accomplished that this night, Jonathan Ogden, which I doubt +if any man in the valley could have done, and, if our people at +Wilkesbarre do not come to know of the courage and self-sacrifice you +have shown in behalf of your comrades, it will be because I can no +longer wag my tongue.” + +“The others, where are they?” I managed to ask, and with speech came +power of motion, until I stood upright. + +“All are safe, lad, that is--you three who went out, and two who came +back ahead of you.” + +“Do you mean Oscar Stephenson and John Coburn?” + +“Ay, lad.” + +“And what of the other two? Were they killed?” + +“Oscar claims that they must be at liberty, for, when the savages first +appeared, the others made for the river, evidently counting on swimming +across, and therefore, while there are two Minute Boys of the Wyoming +Valley who will not answer to the roll just now, it is probable they +are yet alive. I would not have believed, when you left, that twenty +men could have rescued those lads who were so near the stake, and am +burning to know how it was done.” + +“There is nothing to be told, Master Bartlett,” I said, with a nervous +laugh. “We simply advanced and fired upon the Indians while under +cover; they were stampeded because of not being able to see us, and, +consequently, as much was done by our remaining hidden as by our +shooting. It did indeed seem like a dangerous task when we began, but, +as matters turned, it was no more than you or many another man has done +time and time again since the troubles concerning the ownership of this +valley began.” + +“As to that I have another opinion, lad; but we won’t discuss it now, +for, unless I am mistaken in those red villains, there is a hot night +ahead of us. I am of the mind that we will have another attack upon the +stockade before morning, and it promises to be vastly different from +the last one, for now the savages will fight to revenge the death of +those whom you have killed. Therefore, as soon as may be, lad, I beg +you to get your company in shape, and see to it that you call upon the +women as you do the men.” + +In a flash I understood that what Master Bartlett said was true; even +at that moment I knew the fort must be surrounded by those who thirsted +for vengeance, and, in addition to obeying the command of John Butler, +they would strive to kill us because of what we had done that night. +Nor would it be as easy to drive them away as before, and we were +facing a greater danger than Giles, Daniel, and I faced when we went +toward the camp-fire. + +It can well be understood that I lost no time in doing whatsoever I +might toward making ready for the battle which was to come, and my +comrades who had shared with me the danger just past were not one whit +behind in their efforts. + +We put on sentinel duty every member of our company, including myself, +leaving to Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley the task of making the +rounds to ascertain if each fellow was doing his duty, and the women +stationed themselves here and there under the walls, where they could +load our weapons as soon as they were discharged, while the children we +fastened securely inside the blockhouse, lest in their terror they come +out and impede the defenders in their work. + +Then we waited for that which we knew was surely to come, and I had +more of timorousness in my heart during the few moments of quietude +which reigned than when we were making the attack upon that horde who +were preparing to torture our comrades. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +THE SECOND ATTACK + + +Why it was that my thoughts should go back to Elias Shendle at this +moment when we were in the greatest peril, I am unable to say. Even as +we waited for the first report of a musket, betokening that the savages +were bent on taking revenge, the question as to where the lad might be +came to me, and straightway I, who had felt that he of all our company +was the most secure, began to be anxious concerning him. + +If the lad had gone to Forty Fort without hindrance, unfolded his +budget of information there, and returned immediately, he would barely +have time to arrive at Fort Jenkins, and it was reasonable to suppose +he would spend at least four and twenty hours among his friends, not +thinking it might be absolutely necessary for him to hasten back. + +Then, arriving on the morrow, mayhap he would find the stockade so +invested as to render it impossible for him to enter, and thus be +forced to return again; at least, so I figured it in my mind, until +coming to believe that I might have seen the last of my comrade in this +world. + +Regarding the fate of the hunters who as yet were unaccounted for, I +had no great fear, because of the fact that their comrades reported +them as having fled toward the river, and, once on the other side +of the stream, I believed they would seek safety at the Pittstown +stockades, which, as I have already said, were directly opposite Fort +Jenkins. + +“There is little use in trying to form plans for defence when we have +no fair idea as to how the attack may be begun,” Master Bartlett said, +seeing that I was in a brown study. + +“It was of Elias Shendle I was thinking, sir, and for the moment had +forgotten we were here to defend the stockade against overwhelming +odds.” + +“Elias may thank his lucky stars you believed it necessary to send word +to Forty Fort as to what had been learned,” Master Bartlett replied, +gravely. “With such a force of savages as we know are hereabouts, or at +Wintermoot’s, there will be no child’s play when the business is once +begun, for, if we tire one gang, as you did those who made the first +attack, there are others in plenty to take their places.” + +“That has the sound of croaking, Master Bartlett,” I said, with a +mirthless laugh, “and it seems to me just now what we most need is +something to raise our courage.” + +“After what you three lads have done this night, Jonathan Ogden, I’m +thinking that you are not in sore need of being bolstered up lest you +show the white feather, and, because you have proven yourself a lad of +spirit, would I have you look upon the situation exactly as it is.” + +“And what may it be, Master Bartlett, from your standpoint?” + +“Defeat for us, as a matter of course; but, please God, we’ll hold out +long enough for our friends and neighbors to know of what is being +done, and thereby understand the better their own situation.” + +I was surprised that the old man should speak so positively of our +being whipped, although such must be the natural conclusion by one who +knew the strength of both parties, and I said as much to him, whereupon +he replied, gravely: + +“To my mind, lad, a man can fight better having confessed his own +weakness, for he who anticipates the worst is not so easily discouraged +as the one who, believing he will be victorious, suddenly finds the +tide of battle turning against him.” + +It had been agreed that all within the stockade, save the women, should +take their places on the platform as watchers, while Masters Bartlett +and Morley kept an eye out to make certain no one was shirking his +duty, and at this point in the gloomy conversation I bethought myself +it was time to take station, therefore climbed up just over the small +gate, with Daniel Hinchman a dozen paces to my left, and Giles March +about the same distance on my right. + +I saw Master Bartlett walking across the enclosure, as if to begin his +rounds, while Stephen Morley was on the eastern side talking with some +of those on duty there. + +“Have you and Master Bartlett settled what is to be done?” Giles March +asked, in a low tone, as he stepped nearer to me, both of us crouching +where we could gaze out through the apertures between the logs, rather +than expose ourselves uselessly as targets. + +Knowing that there was little danger of disheartening a lad like Giles +by giving words to gloomy forebodings, I repeated to him that which the +old man had said, and, greatly to my surprise, he replied: + +“I believe he is in the right of it, Jonathan Ogden. It isn’t +reasonable to suppose we could stand off very long such a force as John +Butler has brought into the valley, even though we had ammunition in +plenty, which is far from being the case. Sooner or later, unless help +comes to us from the army, we must be whipped.” + +“Why?” I asked, hotly. + +“Because John Butler has brought here an army to take possession of +the valley, and has with him white men enough to keep the savages at +their work, however little stomach they may have for it. Therefore do I +say again that, before this business is ended, I am looking to see the +settlements in Wyoming wiped out. But they shall pay a goodly price +for victory, Jonathan, even in the capture of this--” + +He ceased speaking suddenly to raise his head above the tops of the +logs, with his musket ready for instant use, and, following his +example, I saw far away, even amid the gloom, a certain movement of the +foliage which told that some heavy body was trying to force a passage +through the bushes. + +“If that fellow will keep on a minute longer, so that I may get a fair +idea of where his carcass is, I’ll guarantee he comes no nearer,” Giles +said, grimly, and then it was that there came into my mind once more +the thought of Elias Shendle. + +Laying my hand on his shoulder to prevent him from firing, I whispered: + +“Make certain, Giles, who you shoot at, for it isn’t impossible that +Elias may have returned.” + +“Even if such was the case, he couldn’t have made his way up past +Wintermoot’s while there are so many of the enemy hereabout,” the lad +replied, but at the same time he lowered his weapon. + +“You might have said an hour ago that we couldn’t have released the +two lads who were being made ready for the torture, and yet we did +it, Giles,” but, even while speaking, I said to myself that it wasn’t +within the range of probability that he who was causing the movement +among the branches could be our absent comrade. + +Then it was that Daniel Hinchman caught sight of the disturbance +amid the foliage, and, seeing him raise his musket, I crept over +to give warning; but before many minutes had passed, we knew beyond +a peradventure that it must be a friend instead of an enemy who was +thus coming up. No single Indian could have effected anything to his +advantage by creeping so close to the stockade that it would have been +impossible to shoot us down save by thrusting the muzzle of his musket +between the logs. + +“Keep your wits about you,” I whispered to Daniel and Giles, “watching +lest the savages make a dash, and I’ll open the gate for whoever has +been so fortunate, or so skilful, as to come alive through the forest +wherein are lurking so many of the enemy.” + +Master Bartlett came up while I was unbarring the gate, and, when I +told him of what we had seen, he stood by in readiness to defend the +entrance if by any chance we had been mistaken. + +Then, five minutes later, came a scratching upon the logs outside, and +cautiously I swung the narrow gate open sufficiently wide to admit of +one person entering at a time, when in crawled Elias Shendle. + +Not until the gate was barred again securely did I turn to greet the +lad who had joined us at such great risk of his life, and, instead of +welcoming him, I said that which first came to my mind: + +“Why did you come back, once having gained the security of Forty Fort?” + +“Because this is my place, Jonathan Ogden,” was the quiet reply, “and +from what I have seen since noon, it strikes me that you need every +musket here which can be mustered.” + +“What have you seen, lad?” Master Bartlett asked, anxiously. + +“Savages and Tories enough to make a full army, and all of them with +their faces turned this way. It was near to noon when I came up within +half a mile of Wintermoot’s, and since then have I made the best speed +possible under the circumstances. Twenty times was I like to have run +into a white cur or a red villain, and twenty times did I get off by +the skin of my teeth.” + +“You succeeded in reaching Forty Fort?” I interrupted, not minded to +hear more of information which was disheartening. + +“Ay, and found there that I might as well have stayed here, for it’s +a question if they are not better informed as to the situation than +are we. Two days before I arrived there, Colonel Zebulon Butler came +from the army on a five days’ furlough, and, learning of the danger +which menaces, declares that he will allow the word ‘deserter’ written +against his name rather than leave this valley while the enemy are so +strong against us. The people have made him their commander, and it +is agreed that Forty Fort shall be the general rendezvous. Before I +got there, nearly all the women and children from roundabout had come +up for safety. Runners have been sent to General Washington’s camp, +which is now near New Brunswick, begging that troops be sent at least +sufficiently long for us to make an attack upon John Butler’s force; +Colonel Zebulon Butler himself writing to the general that it is +impossible for our people to retreat to a place of safety, and unless +succor be sent at once we must all perish.” + +Elias ceased speaking as if his story was told, and Master Bartlett +said, in a tone of satisfaction: + +“It is well that they are alive to the danger which menaces. Does +Colonel Zebulon believe Forty Fort will be attacked?” + +“Indeed he does,” Elias replied, “and with good reason. Yesterday +did John Butler send a demand for surrender, not only of the fort, +but of the entire valley, threatening that unless we throw ourselves +on his mercy the savages shall be let loose upon us. It was when his +messengers returned to Wintermoot’s that I followed not above three +hundred paces in their rear, believing safety lay in keeping as near to +them as might be possible with secrecy, and thus did I come up as far +as that nest of Tories without fear.” + +Even though Elias’s journey had proved unnecessary, so far as warning +our friends in the valley was concerned, it seemed to me of great +benefit, since we had gained information of the general situation, and +knew it was not necessary we absolutely sacrifice our lives in order to +give them tidings of what might be expected. Yet with such assurance +it must not be supposed that the thought of surrendering the fort came +into my mind, save as a last dread resort. + +“How many men, think you, are in the Pittstown stockades?” Master +Bartlett inquired, of no one in particular. + +“Surely not more than a corporal’s guard,” I replied. “Why did you ask?” + +“There was in my mind the thought as to whether we might not persuade +them to come over to us,” the old man replied, slowly, as if to weigh +his own words, and Giles March said, sharply: + +“If, as we believe, the two lads who are yet missing succeeded in +reaching those stockades, then do the men of Pittstown know by this +time all our needs, and would make effort to reinforce us if they were +minded to do so.” + +Master Bartlett did not continue the conversation after this +interruption; but a few moments later I noticed that he was holding +earnest converse with Stephen Morley, and believed it had reference to +sending some one across the river with an appeal for help. + +It is not well that I should set down what we said and did during this +time while waiting for the attack to be made, because it would not make +pleasing reading. With the knowledge in the minds of all that we were +heavily overmatched, there was little of cheer in our words; but no +thought in our hearts of yielding simply because the odds were heavy +against us. + +Every lad did his duty as sentinel, but never a sign of the foe was +seen or heard until perhaps half an hour before midnight, and then the +battle was begun upon that side of the stockade nearest the river, the +savages suddenly bursting out from the thicket with whoops and yells, +at the same time that a discharge of musketry came from every quarter. + +This was no more than we anticipated. In fact, it was the kind of +an assault we had reason to believe would be made, and were holding +ourselves in readiness for it. + +Four of the lads had been instructed by Master Bartlett that, when such +assault began, they were to take stations on the side of the stockade +opposite where the attack was being made, in order to give an alarm in +case the enemy attempted to rush us from any other quarter at the same +time. + +This first assault would not have been anything very serious, as I +viewed it, except for the fact that John Coburn, he who had been +rescued from the stake, was quite painfully, though not dangerously, +wounded, therefore was our force reduced by one, since he would be +unable to do duty again for several days. + +The savages had come on with a rush, firing at random, each bringing +with him a log of wood to pile up at the foot of the stockade, with the +idea that they might scale the walls; but we poured in such a heavy +dose of lead that within fifteen minutes they had had all that was +needed, and to spare. + +When they sneaked back under cover again, it was as if the battle had +come to an end; but Master Bartlett said, grimly, to some of those lads +who were congratulating themselves that we had won a victory: + +“Don’t deceive yourselves, lads; they were but just feeling of us, +and the next time they try it, which will be before daylight, unless +I am mistaken, their work won’t be so difficult, for you will take +notice that the logs they brought are yet piled up at the foot of the +stockade. Now they may come with no burden, and it will be strange if +some don’t succeed in getting over.” + +“If they do, we’ll make short work of them,” Oscar Stephenson said, +boldly, and Master Bartlett turned away, as if to say that it was a +waste of time to argue the question with a lad who could not look +further into the future. + +In case only a certain few succeeded in scaling the stockade we might +overcome them, but at some expense to ourselves, and in time, if the +red demons could be kept at their work, we would have beaten ourselves, +so to speak. + +However, Master Bartlett was so convinced that there remained a +breathing spell for us that he suggested to me the idea of allowing +at least half the force to lie down and sleep, if that should be +possible, and so I directed, but as for myself and Giles March, there +was no desire for slumber--death seemed too near at hand. + +We were left unmolested perhaps an hour, and then the silence was +broken as the sentinels on the eastern side discharged their muskets, +when Elias Shendle, who was standing by my side, exclaimed, as we +started forward: + +“They count on hammering at the same place until the stockade can be +scaled.” + +Within ten minutes I had good reason for believing that Elias had +spoken no more than the truth. + +Fully an hundred Indians suddenly burst out from the thicket, each +carrying over his shoulder a log, and running at full speed, regardless +of the fire which we poured in upon them. Throwing their burdens upon +those which had previously been brought, they immediately retreated, +strange to say, with a loss of only two of their number. Why our +lads did not fire with greater accuracy of aim I fail even now to +understand, and was not then minded to speculate upon it, because I saw +plainly the plan which the enemy had in view for the capture of the +fort. + +On that side nearest the river was a pile of logs extending nearly +to the top of the stockade, and Master Bartlett said, as I leaned +cautiously over to see what had been done: + +“They have made their preparations, lad, and I am of the mind that at +the next assault we shall find ourselves overrun.” + +He had said only that which I already realized; but it irritated me +that the fact should thus be put in words, and I said sharply, not +with any intent to show disrespect to one of his age, but owing to my +nervousness: + +“Of what avail is it that we continually speculate upon the time when +the end shall come? If they succeed in gaining an entrance, it only +remains for us to fight so long as we can hold our muskets.” + +“True, lad,” the old man said, thoughtfully; “but it strikes me that we +have a duty to perform before that moment shall come.” + +“And what may it be?” I asked, in surprise. + +“If we fight until the last, refusing to surrender because of such +mercy as those demons will show, _our_ end has come with but little +pain; but how about those women and the children fastened in yonder +blockhouse?” + +It was as if my heart ceased beating, for until that moment I had +thought only of meeting death as a lad who was defending his home +should meet it; but now I understood all too well that there was +something more,--something of horror in which I would have no part, +because of selfishly allowing myself to be put out of the world. + +“But how can we provide for their safety?” I cried, passionately. “If +we fight to the last, more cannot be demanded of us.” + +“Stephen Morley and I have been talking together as to the possibility +of giving those poor creatures one little chance of escape, while we +make our last stand, so that our lives may not be given up simply to +save ourselves from the pain of torture.” + +“Explain yourself, Master Bartlett. We may not have many moments in +which to talk, and if there is work to be done, it is necessary that we +set about it quickly.” + +“Even now Stephen Morley is explaining to the women what we hope even +against hope that it may be possible for them to do. So far as we know, +the Pittstown stockades are in no immediate danger; why can’t these +women and children, during the heat of the battle, contrive to get +themselves across the river, or, failing in stemming the current, drift +so far down-stream as to be beyond reach of the fiends?” + +“If they can leave the fort, then why not we?” I asked, and he replied +in a tone which made me ashamed of having used the words: + +“Because it is not for us to turn our backs upon the foe until the +moment has come when we know, beyond a peradventure, that nothing can +be gained by continuing the battle.” + +In order that no more words may be used than is absolutely necessary +for the telling of the story, let me say that Masters Bartlett and +Morley had hatched up what seemed like a poor plan, but yet better +than nothing. + +Their idea was that, when the savages made the next assault, if they +succeeded in throwing into the enclosure an overwhelming number, we +should make our last stand near by the blockhouse, or inside, as the +case might be. Before this could happen, the women, each taking from +the building itself such timbers as could be readily carried, should be +allowed to go out through the small gate, with the chance of gaining +the river, and there, trusting to the logs or splints which they +carried, gain the opposite side, or, as Master Bartlett had said, float +down to some place of safety. + +It was a poor plan at the best, but yet the only one that could be +formed. As a matter of course, I agreed to it; but my agreement was +no more than a form, for, on approaching the blockhouse, I saw that +already were the women at work tearing out the inside in such fashion +that each procured a plank or log which would serve to keep herself and +little ones above the surface of the water. + +I had no hope that it would succeed. With all these preparations for +the final moment, and the knowledge that when the Indians had made up +their minds to come in there was nothing to prevent them, death seemed +so very near that it shut out every thought of life beyond the next +assault. + +And that came even before we had anticipated. + +Giles had proposed that we divide the ammunition equally, and this was +being done when the sentinels on the eastern wall gave the alarm. It +seemed to me as if the words had no more than been spoken when, looking +in that direction, I saw, coming over the stockade like a black cloud, +hundreds upon hundreds of the naked foe, whooping and yelling, as they +struck here and there at our fellows with their hatchets. + +Three of the Minute Boys fell at the first rush, even before I had time +to summon the others to the blockhouse. + +Amid the howls and exulting cries of the savages, I heard Stephen +Morley ordering the women to put into execution the plan which had been +agreed upon, and as we lads and men ran into or behind the blockhouse, +I knew, without seeing, that the helpless members of our little company +were streaming out through the narrow gate, but believed that, once on +the plain, they would be met by those whose chief delight is to butcher +the helpless. + +Then came that which you may call a battle, if such a name can be given +to an encounter where less than twenty were opposed to three or four +hundred. + +We stood our ground, firing as rapidly as it was possible to recharge +our weapons, and kept up such a shower of lead that, strange as it may +seem, the savages wavered and hung back, when, by coming forward at +full speed, they could have trampled us under foot. There we held them +in check,--how long I know not; but it seemed to me that half the night +was gone before the foremost of the curs gathered courage enough to +make the dash. + +At that instant I felt a grip upon my shoulder, and Master Bartlett was +shouting in my ear: + +“We have done all that men can, and more than many would. Now let us +take such chance for our lives as remains.” + +It seems pitiful a lad should be forced to set down the fact that, +after having brought himself to the point where he believed it his +duty to stand up fighting until death overtook him, he should beat a +retreat, and yet that was what we did. + +Now, looking back, when it is possible to view the matter calmly, +my wonder is that we had not done the same thing before the second +assault, knowing as we did what the end must be. At that time it would +have been more than an even chance we might succeed in the escape by +marching in a solid body to the river, where, plunging into the stream, +we could take our chances of swimming to the opposite shore or of +drifting down. Then there would have been a possibility of retreating +without such loss as we afterward suffered, and without benefiting +those whom we were bound to protect. + +[Illustration: “GILES MARCH AND I EACH TOOK HIM BY THE HAND.”] + +Of all that dreadful story of Wyoming, the only bright spot in it, if +there can be anything bright amid so much of horror, was that out +of Fort Jenkins went all those women and children in safety, while our +little force of twenty-three or four got away with a loss of seven, +three of whom were killed at the first rush, one stricken down by +a hatchet hurled at him as we stood near the blockhouse, and three +captured when we began the retreat. + +From the small gate to the river bank was not above eighty paces, and, +knowing that Master Bartlett could not run as swiftly as either of us, +because of his infirmities, Giles March and I each took him by the +hand, literally dragging the old man along with us, and into the river +we three went. + +Elias Shendle I had not seen since the fight began; but it seemed to me +probable that he was among those who had first been killed. + +I believe it was fully three minutes after we, who were the hindermost +of that retreating company, leaped into the water before our pursuers +opened fire, and then the chances of their doing any execution were +exceeding small, for we had but to keep within the shadows of the +western bank to be entirely hidden from view. + +“Better leave me, lads, for I can’t swim,” Master Bartlett said when +Giles and I had forced him into the stream, and were striking out +lustily that we might get into the line of shadow where we would be +hidden, and I, burning to do something which would lessen the shame +of having retreated when I should have remained to be killed, said, +sharply: + +“It shall be all three of us, Master Bartlett, or none. Do you take +hold of Giles’s collar and mine, and it will go hard if we can’t +succeed in carrying you along with us.” + +“It is best to leave me, lads; I am grown too old to be of much +service, and a matter of a few days more or less will make no +difference either to me or the people of the valley.” + +“You go with us, Master Bartlett, whether you will or no,” Giles said, +sharply, and then we held our peace, fearing to speak again lest we +give the savage foe good warning of where a target might be found. + +And the waters of the Susquehanna carried us swiftly and silently away, +as they carried that night the women and children who were battling for +life, down past Wintermoot’s, past this bend and that cove, until the +shrieks and yells of triumph raised by John Butler’s wolves, as they +exulted in their victory, were lost to our ears in the distance. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +MONOCASY ISLAND + + +Fate carried us to Monocasy Island, which is, as all know, about a mile +below Wintermoot’s. The first intimation we had of having arrived at +this place, which could hardly be called a refuge of safety, was when +our feet struck the bottom, and then, because of the excitement and +labor of the fight, and the exertion of swimming with such a burden as +Master Bartlett made, we were so nearly exhausted that, after crawling +up out of the water, neither Giles nor I could do other than lay flat +upon the sands, panting as if from a long race, which indeed we had had. + +Even then we were uncertain as to our whereabouts, and questioned if, +unwittingly, we had not gained the opposite bank of the river. It +was enough for the time being, however, that we had escaped from the +merciless savages; but, when a prayer of thanksgiving welled up in our +hearts, it was hushed because of the sorrow which followed with the +possibility that we might be the only ones who had escaped from Fort +Jenkins. + +Master Bartlett was in no better bodily condition than either of us, +and until the first gray light of morning appeared in the eastern sky, +we lay there upon the bank of the island, with the waters of the river +just touching our feet, silent and well-nigh heart-broken. + +“It is time we were getting under cover, lads,” Master Bartlett said, +when it became possible to distinguish surrounding objects. “If we +alone of all our company have come out from Fort Jenkins, then is it +our duty to take good care of our lives, for they will be needed before +John Butler has finished his bloody work in the valley.” + +“We shall live to say that we ran away!” Giles March cried, bitterly, +and Master Bartlett turned upon him angrily. + +“It is only a boy who would reproach himself with what has been done. +Of what avail if we had remained until death came? Who could have been +benefited thereby? Think you that those at Forty Fort are not in need +of such as us? Everything within our power was done last night, before +we turned our backs upon the enemy, and now must we put forth every +effort that we may be able to join them.” + +Well, Master Bartlett continued in that strain until he stung Giles and +me into activity,--until he had literally made us ashamed because we +reproached ourselves with flight. + +Then it was, and before the day had really come, that we learned where +we were, after which arose the question of what should be done. + +Save for the knives in our belts, we were weaponless; of food we had +not so much as would feed a sparrow, nor were we likely to find any on +Monocasy Island. + +“If the people at Forty Fort are depending on us for help, then do they +lean upon a broken reed,” Giles March said, bitterly, when we were +hidden among the bushes where those who passed up or down the river +might not see us. + +“Just now, I admit, we are not in very fine trim for fighting,” Master +Bartlett said, cheerily, “but that isn’t saying we sha’n’t get into +shape once more. It is a matter of staying here and sucking our thumbs +till night shall come again, and then, if you lads cannot drag me +through the water as before, we’ll put together a raft and drift down +until we have arrived opposite Forty Fort, where I venture to say we +shall be welcomed as those who did their duty, even when they turned +their backs upon the enemy.” + +Well, much as he said, so we did. Looking far up the river, we could +see in the distance bands of savages on the western bank prowling +around as if searching for those who had escaped their clutches, and +but few of them were sufficient to keep us well within the shelter of +the foliage, for however much a fellow may prate about standing in +front of the foe until death comes, he does not in cold blood court +that death very ardently. + +We did not even dare to come out from our place of concealment to get +water, and by noon it seemed as if my throat was parched, the thirst +being all the greater because everywhere around were the means of +quenching it, but just beyond our reach. + +We were hungry; but that was of small moment as compared with the +craving for something to drink, and, with the view of taking our minds +from the suffering, Master Bartlett told stories of what he had done +during his younger days, when the valley was nearly the same as a +wilderness, or described how the first settlers fought in turn the many +claimants for the lands. + +So the time passed, wearily, slowly, but none the less surely, until +the sun, which had seemed at times to stand still in the heavens, sank +toward the west, bringing evening near at hand. + +Then, for the first time, did we question as to how we would make our +way down-stream. Master Bartlett was in favor of building a raft of +such saplings as could be cut with our knives, binding them together +with vines, but both Giles and I insisted that, having rested during +twelve or fifteen hours, we were well able to swim with him between us, +and finally persuaded the old man to agree to such method of travelling. + +Night was not yet fully come when we three crept down to the edge of +the river, and, plunging our heads beneath the surface, revelled in the +supply of water, enjoying the sweetest draughts I have ever known. + +With thirst quenched, it was as if my courage returned, and I felt +confident that, however many of John Butler’s force might be between +us and Forty Fort, we could succeed in entering that place of refuge, +although how long it might remain such was an open question. + +“We shall simply be continuing the fight which was begun at Fort +Jenkins,” Master Bartlett said, as we stood on the shore waiting for +the darkness to cover us more completely, “and I am counting on finding +the remainder of your company there, Jonathan Ogden.” + +God forgive me! it was the first time I had dwelt seriously upon the +fate of our comrades. My own sufferings had occupied my mind to the +exclusion of everything else, save when I listened listlessly to the +stories of adventure which the old man told; but now I questioned, +as a fever of fear crept over me, whether we three might not be the +only survivors of the fight at that stockade, which we had hoped to +hold until the valley could be saved from the horde which were bent on +overrunning it. + +“Don’t conjure up that which will disturb you,” Master Bartlett said, +when I gave words to the thoughts which were in my mind. “It is enough +if we make our way to the fort, and then will come the time when we can +settle all doubts.” + +Well, an hour after sunset perhaps, we waded down into the water, Giles +March and I, with Master Bartlett between us, and struck out strong in +the belief that the way was open before us. In fact, so secure did +we feel that, while swimming leisurely, we talked among ourselves, +regardless of the fact, which all three knew full well, that water +is a rare conductor of sound, and thus like simples did we run our +necks into danger when, by holding our peace we might, perchance, have +accomplished what was so ardently desired. + +It was hardly more than ten minutes after leaving Monocasy Island when, +almost directly in front of us, there shot out from the western bank a +boat in which were five men, and, at the same instant we saw it, the +river in its vicinity was illumined by the flashes of guns, while the +bullets actually splashed the water in our faces, so near to us did the +missiles strike the surface. + +Like a couple of loons, Giles March and I dove, carrying Master +Bartlett down with us, swimming under water so long as we could hold +our breath, and coming to the surface perhaps twenty yards down-stream. + +Again the reports of muskets; again the zip-zip-zipping of bullets near +by, and again we escaped unharmed, to dive once more. + +Even as I went beneath the surface did I call myself doubly a fool for +not having suspected that those bloodthirsty wolves, knowing some of us +had escaped by the river, would have gone down-stream to lay in wait +for our coming, on the chance that we failed to gain the shore beyond +them. + +Once more on the surface; but this time we were so far within the +shadow of the eastern bank as not to be seen, yet it was possible to +hear the splash of paddles, which told that the enemy were searching +for us. + +Now, when it was too late, I understood the danger of speaking aloud to +my comrades, but motioned for Giles to swim across toward the nearest +shore, for it was not within the bounds of reason that we could hope to +pass the boat while remaining in the river. + +Ten minutes later, for we were forced to move slowly, lest our +whereabouts be made known, we climbed out on the bank once more, with +no idea of where we might be, save that it seemed probable we were yet +to the northward of Wilkesbarre, and no sooner had we emerged from the +river than we heard from behind us a voice say in English: + +“They haven’t got below here, that much is certain; but now to prevent +them from landing.” + +Then came a reply in the Indian tongue, which I failed to understand, +and Master Bartlett whispered: + +“It’s a case of making our way into the thicket, lads, else are we +taken to a certainty.” + +And so it was that we went forward blindly in the darkness, stumbling +here over some fallen tree, or tripping there across a trailing vine, +until it seemed as if we must give our pursuers good knowledge of where +we were. + +Then suddenly, believing there was before us only the thicket, we came +full upon a stockade with such force that I was knocked backward two or +three feet. + +“Where are we?” Giles March whispered, and I replied, heeding not +the fact that we had with us one more familiar with the country than +ourselves: + +“I know not, save it be we have wandered back to Pittstown,” whereupon +he asked, irritably: + +“How can that be, Jonathan Ogden? We have come with the current, and +not against it.” + +“This must be a fort which Jonathan should know full well, since it +bears his own name,” Master Bartlett said, quietly. + +“Fort Ogden!” I exclaimed, and there came to my mind the memory of how +proud I had been when the stockade was built, and the people decided it +should be named in honor of my father, who had given his life for the +Cause at the battle of Long Island. + +“Then we are with friends,” Giles cried, exultantly, feeling his way +along the logs to come at the gate, “and from here to Wilkesbarre is +but a short distance, if we are not minded to stay.” + +Master Bartlett held his peace, and I thought it strange that he should +not give way to joy, when for the second time were we come as if from +out the very jaws of death. + +Groping with our hands, because the darkness was so intense that we +could not see even the trees in front of us, we made our way around +the wall of logs until come to the entrance. + +The gates were open; the enclosure vacant save for the small blockhouse +which stood, as I knew, on the western side. + +“Have they all been killed?” Giles asked, in a tone of horror, and +Master Bartlett replied: + +“Nay, lad, that isn’t probable. Fort Jenkins was the first stockade +John Butler would desire to take, and this could well be left until +that work was accomplished. I dare venture to say you will find those +who garrisoned this place in Forty Fort, for, if you remember, Elias +Shendle told us that that stockade had been decided upon as the +rendezvous for all in the valley, and the people are wise to gather at +one place rather than try to hold many.” + +“Then, if you are right, are we like to find Wyoming Fort” (by which I +meant the Wilkesbarre stockade) “in the same condition, and we would be +no better off to go there.” + +“Our course lies across the river,” Master Bartlett said, decidedly, +“and there is no reason why we should linger here any longer than may +be necessary for you to regain your strength.” + +“Then let our stay be short, if it rests with me,” Giles March said, +quickly. “I am as fit for a tramp or a swim now as I ever shall be; but +first we must go farther down the river, in order to give the slip to +those who were hunting us as if we were wild ducks.” + +He had no more than spoken, when we were startled into silence by +hearing in the distance a noise such as might have been made by a large +animal forcing his way through the thicket, and straightway Master +Bartlett whispered: + +“Those who were hunting us like wild ducks have taken up the scent in +right good shape. Unless we can bar these gates, it is a matter of +skulking in the woods, with the chances against us.” + +Even the old man made a mistake when he proposed that we take refuge +there, nor were Giles and I any the wiser, for, springing into the +enclosure, we set about swinging the heavy barricades of logs into +place, and fastening them with the bars which yet remained near at hand. + +Then it was, while we were waiting breathlessly to learn if those who +were on our trail would discover the refuge, that I began to realize +what had been done. + +We were without weapons, already nearly starved, and had shut ourselves +in this place like rats in a trap. If, peradventure, those who were +coming got an inkling of our situation, and it stood to reason they +would know we could have no firearms after taking to the river, our +capture would be but the work of a few moments. + +Even while such thoughts were in my mind, it was possible to hear +footsteps, and now and then a smothered exclamation, as those who were +advancing tripped or fell, and Master Bartlett gripped my arm in a +manner which told that he had come to understand much the same as had I. + +Then we heard from the outside the same voices which had come to our +ears from the river: + +“You were right, Sam; the rebels decided that they could hold this +place, and mayhap there are more inside than the three whom we have +followed.” + +“It won’t take long to smoke them out,” another voice replied, and the +first speaker said: + +“There is no need of running our noses into danger when the work can +be done safely. Go back for half a dozen more men,--tell them there is +rare sport to be had here, and in the meanwhile we’ll see to it the +cubs don’t give us the slip.” + +“We have made fools of ourselves,” Master Bartlett whispered, “and I am +the one who is to blame for our getting into this trap. An idiot should +have had better sense than to have walked in here, knowing he was being +followed.” + +“But why do we stay?” Giles asked. “In a few minutes these fellows will +have surrounded the stockade, and then there can be no choice in the +matter. It shouldn’t be difficult to scale the wall at the other end, +and take our chances in the woods, rather than stay here until they +choose to drag us out.” + +I could have cried aloud with vexation because I had been so simple +as to settle it firmly in my mind that there was no further chance of +escape for us. Giles had spoken wisely, and it would be folly to do +other than as he suggested. + +Master Bartlett, touching each of us in turn, for it was so dark that +we could not distinguish the movements of the one nearest us, crept +cautiously in the direction of which Giles had spoken, and soon the +three of us were stealing swiftly along, able to do so silently because +there was nothing to impede our progress over ground which had been +beaten hard by the tramp of many feet. + +Giles reached the northern wall before either Master Bartlett or myself +came up, and, when we stood against the logs, he was already on top of +the stockade, waiting to give us a hand up. + +Because the old man could not move as nimbly as either of us lads, I +did what I could toward lifting him, while Giles pulled from above, and +in this fashion we got him over, after which it was a simple matter for +me to climb up by aid of the platform, when I dropped to the ground on +the opposite side. + +We were in the thicket once more; but the night was so dark, as I have +already said, that it was impossible to move swiftly and at the same +time surely. I certainly was not woodsman enough to be able to keep on +a straight course while travelling rapidly in the night. + +Master Bartlett must have distrusted his own powers in this direction, +for he whispered, after we had crept away from the stockade as we +would from a place of deadliest danger: + +“It’s a case of trusting to luck now, lads, and going blindly. So that +we do not double back on our tracks, we may be able to give those +fellows the slip and a fairly hard night’s work, for, believing we +are yet inside, they will spend no little time and labor in gaining +entrance without exposing themselves to what they believe may be +danger.” + +It must not be supposed that we had halted near by where John Butler’s +Tories could overhear what was said. Before either of us spoke, we put +at least twenty yards between ourselves and the walls of the fort, and +even then conversed only in faintest whispers. + +I tried to keep in mind a general idea of the country, so that we might +have, when it came time to rest, some knowledge of our location. We +left the stockade at the northern end; the river should be at our left, +and the only safe course lay straight to the right. If we could travel +in a fairly direct line half an hour or more, there was good reason for +believing we would be near the mountains, and safe from pursuit. Then, +when day came, it would go hard if we were unable to retrace our steps. + +I had no idea of the passage of time, but staggered on as best I could +until Master Bartlett gave the word to halt, by saying: + +“I’m allowing, lads, that we need go no farther. If the Tories had +followed us, we should have heard something from them by this time. +Let’s sit down for the night, and Jonathan and I will thank the good +God that Giles wasn’t as thick-headed as we, else all of us would be in +the stockade awaiting certain capture.” + +Under ordinary circumstances I would not have considered it a hardship +to spend one night, or a dozen of them for that matter, in the woods, +especially while the weather was so warm that one needed no covering; +but now, weak from lack of food, and wearied with exertion and +excitement, I felt as if our plight was indeed sad when we stretched +ourselves out at the foot of a huge tree, with the idea of trying to +gain some repose. + +As when we were suffering with thirst, Master Bartlett tried to beguile +the time by telling of his experiences while suffering even greater +hardships than we were then striving to endure in silence, but I could +give no heed to his words. + +If the Tories had made plans to seek sport by hunting wretched +fugitives who had been driven by their wolfish allies from Fort +Jenkins, and could deliberately wait around on the river for them to +come down, as does the hunter for the deer to visit the salt-lick, then +might we with a certainty know that more than one of those who fled +from the stockade had been taken, and, being taken by such a crew, +would most likely have been turned over to the tender mercies of the +Indians. + +Although I had good reason to believe that Elias Shendle had been +captured, if indeed he was not killed outright during the fight, I +strove not to dwell upon such a possibility. + +Taking one’s bodily condition, together with the grief in his heart +because of the possible fate of others, it was difficult to bear up +under what might at another time have been borne with something like +fortitude, and the tears were near to overflowing my eyelids when Giles +March said, hopefully: + +“I’m counting that two hours’ work to-morrow will bring us to Forty +Fort. After knowing what we do about Fort Ogden, let us agree that the +stockade at Wilkesbarre has been abandoned, and say that we must gain +the appointed rendezvous before finding ourselves among friends. Now +think it over. A tramp of not more than two hours at the most, then a +swim across the river, and perhaps another hour’s walk, after which we +are where we can rest and eat,--at least until John Butler takes it +into his head to make an attack.” + +It was such talk as that which I needed to hearten me, for I am free +to confess that then my courage was well-nigh gone, and, putting aside +with an effort all the forebodings which had come over me since we +halted, I discussed with Giles and Master Bartlett the course which we +should pursue when day dawned. + +Some one has said that “the darkest night always has an end,” but +before the sun rose again it did verily seem to me as if that time of +darkness would never pass, yet the day broke with not a cloud in the +sky, and, looking out from where we had thrown ourselves down, it was +difficult to believe that our peaceful valley was overrun by those who +would murder and burn through fiendish love of cruelty. + +When I would have hunted around among the leaves to find something +with which to fill my mouth, for the day had so far come that we could +see surrounding objects distinctly, Master Bartlett said, with more of +authority in his tones than I had ever heard him use: + +“Now then, lad, nothing of that kind. I have seen many a good man use +himself up by chewing whatsoever he might find in the woods. Better +suck your thumbs a few hours longer, and then we’ll sit down to corn +bread and smoked meat with all the keener appetite.” + +“The sooner we begin the quicker will we come to the end,” Giles cried, +with a feeble attempt at a laugh. “Suppose you lead the way, Master +Bartlett, while Jonathan and I watch out to see if you wander from a +straight course.” + +And thus we started, thinking it was only a question of endurance +before we would come to our destination, and little heeding the +possible dangers in our path. + +We stumbled on like those who are drunken, because of the weakness +which beset us. More than once did Giles call a halt that we might +decide whether or no Master Bartlett was not making a détour to the +right or left instead of keeping straight on toward where the river +would be found. But never once did we say to each other that our ideas +of the country, because of the darkness when we fled so hastily, might +be wrong, until the moment came when we found ourselves climbing higher +and higher. + +Then there could no longer be any question but that, instead of going +toward the river, we had turned our backs upon it, and were come to the +mountains. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +WICKED FOLLY + + +It is beyond the power of words to describe the sensations which I +experienced on learning that, instead of having advanced toward where +it would be possible to obtain food, we had been going directly away +from it. + +What with the excitement of the battle and the flight, the fatigue of +swimming and walking, and, above all, the wearing strain of anxiety as +to the fate of our friends, I was no longer in a condition to fight +against fate after receiving this last blow. + +“It is better to die here in peace than struggle farther with the good +chance of finally being tortured at the stake!” I exclaimed, throwing +myself on the ground, and Giles March flung himself headlong beside me, +as if it was no longer within his power to speak. + +It was Master Bartlett who aroused us from the dangerous mood into +which we were allowing ourselves to drift, and I afterward came to +realize that, when we gave aid to him, we were but struggling to +preserve the one who should save us from such a death as would have +brought shame to our names, for he who ceases to fight simply because +the odds are heavy against him is indeed a coward. + +“I’m willing to grant, lads, that it looks as if we had fallen into +hard lines,” the old man said, after giving Giles and me time in which +to realize that we had the same as surrendered at a moment when our +best efforts were needed. “The question is, however, whether you are +willing to die here, as do the brutes, without reasoning, leaving our +friends in the valley to call in vain for your services, or, if you +can, as brave men should, fight against the weakness of your bodies so +long as the last ounce of strength remains?” + +“It is not possible for me to make my way through the thicket to the +river,” I said, in despair. “When we set off all so boldly, I was +well-nigh at the end of my rope, and now am I done up in good truth.” + +“If that be the case, if you are indeed at the end of your strength, +then is there nothing left but to meet death with a smile on your lips, +as should a lad who bears the name of Ogden. It is not well to show +the white feather at the last moment, when, as you have said, it is +possible to die in peace,” Master Bartlett said, mockingly. “It will +be time for me to surrender when I can no longer raise a hand toward +helping myself, and, because I am yet able to keep on my feet, I count +on fighting against fate many hours longer.” + +Then the old man turned as if to go away, and I, shamed by his words, +although not willing to admit it, asked in a whisper, as if it was no +longer within my power to speak aloud: + +“What are you about to do?” + +“Look for food first, since that seems necessary before I can hope to +push on much farther while my stomach makes such an outcry,” he said, +cheerily, and I asked again: + +“How will you find it here among the hills?” + +“When I was a lad living on the frontier, not yet as old as you, powder +was precious, and difficult to get, even when one had that with which +to pay for it. Then it was possible to snare game sufficient to keep +others besides myself from starvation, and I am counting on making the +same effort now. If the Tories hold the river, I will live here until +they have given over searching for fugitives, and then make my way +across, where every man with life in his body is needed.” + +As he said this, Giles March suddenly sprang to his feet, crying: + +“We are not needing any more of a tongue-lashing, Master Bartlett. I am +well ashamed of myself for having been so simple, and Jonathan Ogden is +of the same mind. None save a fool would lie down to die when but a few +miles separated him from his friends! Tell us what is to be done, and +you will see that we can hold our own with you.” + +It would have been strange indeed if I had not been stung into action +by this time, and on the instant I stood beside Giles. + +“Now are you true lads of the valley!” the old man cried, in delight. +“I can well understand how much of despair came when we found ourselves +back among the hills, and stronger men than you have made the same +fatal mistake of yielding before the last ounce of strength has been +spent. Now that you are come to your senses, let us decide upon what +seems the best course, and then hold to it. We will begin by resting a +bit, after which our heads will be the clearer.” + +Then the old man threw himself down at the foot of a huge tree, and we +lads followed his example, when he said, as if having forgotten our +folly: + +“Mayhap it was for the best that we got turned about. The Tories who +chased us into Fort Ogden know that some of us who left the stockade +yet remain on this side the river, and are doubtless hunting for us. +We will have a better chance of getting across after four and twenty +hours have passed, and shall then be in fair shape for whatsoever of a +struggle may be necessary, if in the meantime we can pick up something +to stay the gnawing in our stomachs.” + +Then the old man began explaining how we might be able to snare such +small game as rabbits among the mountains, and to speculate as to the +possibility of catching a coon or a hedgehog, for anything in the way +of meat would be welcomed by us, until my cheeks glowed red with shame +because I, who called myself captain of the Minute Boys, had lacked the +courage which he was showing. + +While he was thus heartening, and at the same time covering us with +confusion, we were startled by hearing a noise in the thicket as if a +number of people were approaching, and straightway forgetting that I +had so lately resigned myself to death, I drew my knife while creeping +behind the tree, determined to sell life dearly, for there was no +question in my mind but that the Tories were hunting us down. + +Then, an instant later, I cried aloud in surprise, for Daniel Hinchman +and his sister Esther came in view, and, before either of us could +speak, we saw that they were followed by two women and as many children. + +“How did you get here?” Giles cried, in joyful surprise, as he sprang +forward to where Daniel was standing in open-mouthed astonishment. + +“Esther and I left the stockade hand in hand,” Daniel said, when it was +possible for him to speak. “She had refused to go with the women and +children, and was waiting for me near the gate. We drifted down-stream +clinging to a dead tree, until learning that the Tories were on the +lookout for any who might have escaped the Indians, and then I took +to this shore, for there was no other way open. We had no more than +landed when we came across Mistress Morley and one of her neighbors, as +you see. We were minded to make our way into the Pittstown stockades, +but before travelling very far found that the savages were in the +thicket close about, therefore turned back. How is it you are here?” + +Giles told Daniel of our adventures, but without speaking of the +cowardice he and I had shown, and wound up the story by saying, with +the ghost of a smile on his lips: + +“It looks much as if the Minute Boys had taken it into their heads to +rendezvous here, and we need only wait in order to have so many of the +company as are yet alive in line. Do you know if Elias Shendle came out +of the fight?” + +“I have seen nothing of him since that moment when the Indians poured +in upon us,” Daniel replied, sadly. + +The two women, hearing that we had halted because of weariness caused +by lack of food, drew from the pockets of their dresses a small +quantity of corn bread, which they had brought from the stockade that +the children might not cry with hunger when silence was necessary for +the safety of all, and urged that we eat it. + +I looked shamefacedly at Giles for an instant, and then said, +emphatically, inwardly resolving that never again would I complain of +needing food: + +“It would choke me to take bread from the mouths of babes. Keep what +you have, Mistress Morley, lest the children be in worse plight than +they are even now. Giles March and I are about to do what we may at +snaring game of some kind, and if so be we can find means to kindle a +fire, we’ll not long be hungry.” + +With that, Mistress Morley drew from her pocket flint and steel, as she +said with an effort at cheeriness: + +“When we were making ready to leave the stockade, I had it in mind that +these might be needed, and it only remains for Master Bartlett to find +that which shall serve as tinder, in order for us to build as much of a +fire as it may be safe to make.” + +“If the women, who have children to care for, can hold their courage at +such a time as this, then have you and I shown ourselves unfit ever to +perform the duties of men,” Giles March said to me as we started out in +search of game, and I replied, sorrowfully: + +“Let us try to forget it, else we shall be unable to hold up our heads +again. From this out I will never tell in Master Bartlett’s hearing of +what I hope to do, lest he remind me of this time when I showed myself +a fool as well as a coward.” + +“There is yet time for us to wipe out the stain, and from this on will +I welcome danger, however great, because of the chance to show Master +Bartlett that it was our bodies, rather than our hearts, which gave +way.” + +Then, as if we had agreed to hold our peace regarding the folly, we +spoke of it no more, but set about finding something which might serve +as food. + +There is no good reason why I should tell of the long search, or of our +efforts to capture the coon which finally showed himself. It is enough +to say that, within less than two hours from the time of setting out, +we returned with meat enough for one meal, and had set a dozen or more +snares, using trailing vines in the stead of twine. + +When we were come to the big tree where our friends had halted, no one +was to be seen, and a sickening fear came into my heart lest they had +been taken by the Tory hunters; but, even as we stood looking with +dismay into each other’s faces, Daniel Hinchman appeared before us. + +“Master Bartlett has found what will serve as camp during such time +as the women may be forced to stay here, and there it will be safe to +build a fire that we may roast the meat.” + +We went with him, arriving after a walk of five minutes at a sort of +cave under a shelving rock, on the side of the mountain where, thanks +to a thick screen of bushes, a party much larger than ours could remain +hidden from view of any who might pass without making careful search. + +Another night was come before we had satisfied our hunger, and then +once more did I feel able to do my full share of the work necessary for +the defence of the valley, if so be we might get across the river. + +Master Bartlett, mindful of others rather than himself, had gathered +fir-tips and leaves in sufficient quantity to form beds for the little +ones, who fell asleep as soon as they had eaten, and now he was making +ready to take some rest. + +“I am thinking that this refuge is safer than Forty Fort, unless it +so chance the Congress begins to understand how sore is our need,” +Daniel Hinchman began, as if he had something more in mind, and Master +Bartlett replied, sleepily: + +“Ay, lad, there is little chance either Tory or Indian will come thus +far among the mountains in search of victims, and here we may remain in +safety until such time as it is possible to cross the river.” + +“If more of food could be had, I would rather Esther stayed here than +to go farther in search of what may not be found in our valley for many +days,” Daniel continued, and Master Bartlett, rising on his elbow, +asked, sharply: + +“Tell us what it is you have in mind, lad, and without so much beating +about the bush.” + +“How far think you it may be from here to the river?” Daniel asked, +without answering the question. + +“Not above five miles at the most.” + +“Then it is in my mind to set off at once, leaving you here. If matters +on the other side of the river are as they should be, it will not +cost much labor to come back for the party, while, if the danger has +increased,--meaning if the enemy is attacking Forty Fort,--the women +and children had better be here than there.” + +“You are in the right, Daniel Hinchman, and both Jonathan Ogden and I +will go with you,” Giles March cried, quickly. “Master Bartlett shall +stay to look after the women; he should be able to find where we have +set our snares, and I am counting that by morning he will have a fresh +supply of meat.” + +I fully expected to hear the old man make some outcry against such a +plan; but he held his peace, as if well content we should do as Daniel +had suggested, and there was nothing to prevent us from setting off at +once. + +“Look well about you before venturing to cross the river,” Master +Bartlett called, as we walked away, and a moment later we were +stumbling along through the thicket, unable to distinguish with our +eyes even the trees directly in our path. + +We walked in single file, each fellow striving to keep the others on a +straight course, and had gone no more than half a mile from the place +of refuge, when a low moan, coming from a clump of bushes directly in +front of us, caused a sudden halt. + +There was no fear the noise could have been made by an enemy in the +hope of tricking us, for, without weapons as we were, our capture or +death might readily have been compassed, and I, who chanced just at +that time to be in the advance, asked in a low tone: + +“Who is there?” + +“A lad by name of Samuel Rogers,” was the reply. + +I was overwhelmed with surprise, for he was one of the two lads who had +left the stockade to go out hunting, and was supposed to have escaped +by crossing the river when the Indians captured John Coburn and Oscar +Stephenson. + +In a twinkling we were by his side, where he lay in a dense thicket, +and, before making any effort to learn if he was hurt, I cried: + +“How did you get here? We believed that you escaped into the Pittstown +stockades.” + +“So I did,” was the reply; “but when the men there made ready to go to +Forty Fort, knowing they were all too weak to hold the place in case an +attack was made, I did my best to rejoin you, and was come to the shore +opposite Fort Jenkins when the retreat began. Then I kept on, thinking +to cross from Wilkesbarre, where likely a canoe could be found; but +stumbled upon a party of Tories near Fort Ogden, and, while taking to +my heels, was shot through the leg. I gave them the slip, however, but +had just come to believe I should die here like a dog, for verily I can +go no farther.” + +“He has his musket and ammunition!” Giles March cried, joyfully, as he +came upon the gun by chance. “Now there need be no fear those whom we +have left behind will starve while we are away!” + +In few words I told Samuel why we were there, and then, as a matter of +course, we set about getting him back to the cave. + +It was a long, difficult task to carry the wounded lad back through the +thicket; but we succeeded after a time, and surely it seemed as if God +was with us, for we came out at the big tree without making a turn, +which was more than I would have believed possible even in the daytime, +when we might see the landmarks. + +“We’ll hope you find more of the company on this side the river, though +not in such sore straits,” Master Bartlett said, when aroused from his +slumber as we entered the cave. “The women and I will look after his +hurts, so you need not linger here.” + +“This shall be left, so you may not lack for food,” and Giles thrust +the musket and horns into the old man’s hands, after which we hurried +away lest he should insist that we take the weapon for our better +protection. + +There was a song of thanksgiving in my heart when we set our faces +once more in the direction of where we believed the river could be +found, and there was good reason for rejoicing, because, except for our +troubles, Sam Rogers would have suffered a lingering death alone in the +thicket. + +“It’s a good omen,” Daniel Hinchman said, in a tone of satisfaction. +“We shall succeed in what we are undertaking, and mayhap yet be able to +give aid to those who are in sore need.” + +Heartened by the knowledge that we had, perhaps, been the means of +saving a comrade’s life, we pushed on with more confidence, and it +could not have been much past midnight when we arrived on the bank of +the river, having neither seen nor heard anything betokening danger +during the blind march. + +“Because of having no muskets, we shall not be hampered in the +swimming,” Giles March said, as we stood at the edge of the water to +regain breath before breasting the current, and no better evidence was +needed that he had gotten back his courage than that he could find +cause for rejoicing when we would be defenceless on arriving at the +opposite bank. + +There is little need to say that we listened to make sure there were no +boats between us and our goal before wading down into the water, and +then all our wits and strength were needed to take us across against +the strong current. + +With one to aid the other, the passage was made after such exertion as +left us unable to do more than crawl out of the water, and then it was +necessary to lie at full-length on the bank a good half-hour before +being able to set off in search of Forty Fort. + +It was daylight before we were come to the end of our journey, and then +our hearts were made glad indeed, for at the stockade we found six of +our company safe and sound, they having been able to avoid the Tories +who were in search of victims; but, alas, Elias Shendle was not among +them. + +Here, also, was Master Morley, and his joy can be imagined when we told +him that his wife and two children were yet alive, comparatively safe. + +We did not spend much time in listening to stories of escape; it was +necessary we learn what might be the situation in order to send word +back to Master Bartlett, and before coming to an end of gathering +information our hearts were heavy with forebodings. + +Counting old men, and small boys who could fire a musket, but without +much idea of taking aim, there were not above three hundred who could +be mustered from all the stockades, and these were talking boldly of +giving battle to John Butler’s force, thinking it would be possible to +take him and his men by surprise. + +When I first heard such talk made it seemed certain those who spoke +were making sport of me; but before we had been inside the stockade +half an hour, Daniel Hinchman sought me out to say: + +“It is true, Jonathan Ogden, that these people really count on marching +against Wintermoot’s. Colonel Zebulon Butler is arguing against it as +best he may, and five officers who have just come from New Jersey are +saying all they can to prevent this apology for an army from marching +to certain death. I pray that you go among the reckless ones, telling +them what you know of John Butler’s strength, and whether there be any +chance that it is possible to take him by surprise.” + +Then it was, before I could make reply, that Colonel Zebulon Butler +himself came up, and asked, looking at me: + +“Are you the lad who commands the Minute Boys?” + +“I held the position of captain, sir, before we were driven out of Fort +Jenkins, and now am I at a loss to say whether there is any longer a +company which may be called Minute Boys.” + +“But you know somewhat of the doings in and around Wintermoot’s, and +can make a good guess as to how many of the enemy may be there?” + +“Ay, sir, and so can Master Morley, Giles March, or Daniel Hinchman.” + +“Will you tell these hot-heads what you have seen, and set your +comrades at the same task?” + +As he asked, so we did, moving here and there, wherever we saw a number +of men or boys gathered, and giving our story loudly, without waiting +for an invitation to join in the conversation; but words were of no +avail. Those who did not the same as accuse us of telling of that which +was untrue, claimed that we had been frightened out of our wits, and +mistook a handful of savages for an entire army. + +“It is of no use,” I said to Master Morley, after a time, when we +were come together by chance. “Verily, it seems as if the people had +gone mad! The more we say the stronger is their determination to give +battle--” + +“Ay, lad, that has already been put to vote, and despite the entreaties +of the officers from the army, it is decided to leave here at one +o’clock.” + +I cried out in anger and grief, heedless of what I said, and one of +those men whose voice had been loudest for an immediate advance, +although he was a cripple who had never taken a step without his +crutches for more than five years, called me a coward, declaring that +we Minute Boys had no sooner seen the feathers of an Indian than we +beat a retreat. + +“Do not make reply,” Master Morley said as he led me away by main +strength, for I was minded to call upon my comrades to bear me out +in the story I had told. “Though an hundred were to repeat what we +have said, and there were a dozen lifeless bodies here as proof, such +pig-heads as that fellow would still declare they knew better than +any other. At one o’clock we shall march out to our death, and the +women and children whom we leave behind will be at the mercy of those +ravening wolves. Thank God, my dear ones are not on this side of the +river!” + +“Then you will go, knowing that we have no possible show of winning the +battle?” I asked, and Master Morley replied, stoutly: + +“That is my duty, lad. Because these people are fools, is no reason why +we can remain idle when all in the valley march forth to battle.” + +Until this moment I had not realized that those of us who had escaped +from Fort Jenkins must march back, even as those at Wintermoot’s would +have us do; but now I understood what our duty was, and as soon as +might be did I call Giles and Daniel to where Master Morley and I stood. + +“Some one must go back to where Master Bartlett is in hiding,” I said +sharply, for it was already so near noon that there was no time for +argument, and I counted on their taking my words as a command. “There +are weapons and ammunition here in plenty, and he who goes to carry the +word of the folly to be done this day must take with him a full load, +so that those who are alive to-morrow morning will have that with which +to procure food, or defend themselves.” + +Neither of the lads questioned as to whether we were bound to go with +the foolish ones; both seemed to believe as did Master Morley, that we +could not hold back even while knowing how fatal such a move would be; +but Giles March said: + +“Who is to go back?” + +“You, if you will,” I replied quickly, wronging the lad by fancying it +would give him pleasure to thus avoid the danger. + +“Not me!” he cried, shrilly. “I will not have it said that I was too +much of a coward to follow yonder party of cripples.” + +I looked at Daniel questioningly; but he shook his head as he said: + +“My reason is the same as that given by Giles March.” + +“Draw lots for it,” Master Morley suggested, “and then it can be said +that he who goes does so against his will.” + +In order that the matter might be settled without further delay, I +broke off four twigs, saying as I concealed them in my hand: + +“He who draws the shortest will set out at once, and give his word to +remain with those at the cave till this day’s bloody work has come to +an end, or John Butler has worked his will on the valley.” + +“They are not for me,” Master Morley said sharply, when I held the +twigs toward him. “I am not bound to you, lads, and therefore do not +take chances with you. Besides,” he added, as a new thought came to +him, “I have no knowledge of where the hiding-place may be, and could +not find it.” + +Without parleying I threw one of the twigs away, and held the remainder +toward Giles. He drew quickly; Daniel took the second, and the third +remained in my hand. + +We held up the twigs that all might see, and it was Daniel Hinchman who +had the shortest. + +One would have thought he had missed a great prize, instead of having +been saved from much the same as death, for his face paled, and he +turned away quickly, as if to hide a tear. + +“Do not lose any time in setting out,” I said, again sharply, lest he +plead to remain. “Take at least two muskets, and let the remainder of +your burden be made up of ammunition. If it so chance that either of us +three be left alive and free when this day’s work is done, we will join +you at the cave. It seems to me well you and Master Bartlett should +be on the watch for fugitives, beginning at sunset, for some of these +people must escape death, and perhaps gain the opposite shore.” + +“I will go to find a boat, so that he may set himself across the river, +without danger of wetting the powder,” Giles March said, as he hurried +away, and Master Morley and I went with Daniel to make certain he got +that which was so sorely needed by those in hiding. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +DISASTER + + +We loaded Daniel Hinchman with all he could lug through the thicket, +and more than it would be possible for him to carry comfortably; but +the need of those of us who lived through the day would be so great for +weapons of defence that we did not hesitate to overburden him. + +Giles March had no trouble in finding a canoe, for there were scores of +them drawn up on the shore, and many would be unclaimed when night came. + +I was in a fever of impatience for Daniel to be gone, lest some of +those who were so eager to come against the overwhelming force under +command of John Butler urge him to remain, and we bundled the weapons +and ammunition into the boat hurriedly, pushing the light craft from +the shore almost before he had entered it. + +“Make all speed!” I cried, as he began to ply the paddle vigorously +lest he be carried too far down-stream. “At the best possible pace, +with such a load, you cannot hope to reach the cave before the unequal +battle has begun, and within a very short time after that our people +will be seeking refuge from the knives and hatchets of the savages. You +and Master Bartlett should be able to save more than one life ’twixt +now and sunset.” + +He waved his hand in reply, as if not daring to trust himself to speak, +and then we turned away, lest our standing there should attract the +attention of those who might hail him. + +Even now, when we were committed to the foolish venture, we continued +to argue against the plan which had been decided upon, trying to prove +to the ignorant hot-heads how impossible it would be to surprise a +commander who had already begun his savage warfare; but only a few +would listen to us, and even these turned away when we were done, as if +believing they had spent their time on cowards. + +Colonel Zebulon Butler, and the army officers who were with him, +appeared to be the only ones who did not believe it possible for our +three hundred cripples to overcome John Butler’s eleven hundred wolves; +but these military men, like us from Fort Jenkins, would go with the +undisciplined mob, preferring to meet death than have it said they +refused to obey the call to arms at such a time. + +From the moment when it was seen that there was no hope of convincing +the foolish ones of their error until near to one o’clock, the officers +worked industriously, trying to get the motley gathering into something +like shape, and then the people were divided into six companies, each +with a military man at its head. + +We three, together with the six Minute Boys whom we had found at Forty +Fort, were in that division led by Captain Durkee. Colonel Zebulon +Butler was in command of the apology for an army, and Major Garratt +stood second in rank. + +We set out from the stockade at the time agreed upon, leaving behind +the women and children unprotected, and it was much like absolutely +abandoning them. + +“Even though the battle does not go against us, the chances are that +those poor creatures will fall victims to the savages before any of +this mob can return,” Master Morley said, sorrowfully, as he looked +back at the helpless ones, and then we tried to put from our minds all +else save the determination to fight desperately so long as our people +could be kept together. + +Our straggling column had no more than gotten under way before it was +joined by the justices of the courts and others holding office in the +valley, as if we were going out to serve writs of ejectment rather than +to offer ourselves as victims to John Butler’s murderers. + +It was not until near to four o’clock that we arrived within sight of +Wintermoot’s, and then my comrades and I were literally bewildered at +seeing the stockade in flames, as if the enemy had applied the torch +lest we should succeed in capturing it. + +“Can it be that John Butler, half-savage, half-brute that he is, fears +what this collection of cripples may be able to do?” Giles March asked, +in astonishment, and Master Morley replied: + +“He doubtless fears that we are coming in some large force. If his +scouts brought in word that all the people of the valley were making +ready to march against him, he, knowing they had had a good chance to +learn of his strength, believed they were mustered in overwhelming +numbers. The loss of Wintermoot’s won’t be serious to him, since he can +soon have his pick of all the stockades in the valley.” + +A few moments later we came in view of the enemy, drawn up in a line +which extended from the river just above Wintermoot’s to the swamp +at the foot of the hills, and then we were halted that some of our +officers might advance to select a position for the battle. + +We were within musket-shot of the enemy, yet they did not molest us +while we were making preparations for a fight, and again Master Morley +had an explanation ready: + +“John Butler is well content to await our movements since it will thus +be possible for him to see in what force we have come, and, later, he +can make his arrangements accordingly.” + +Ten minutes afterward we were brought up to where the officers who had +selected the battleground were standing, and, when each company had +wheeled into line, Colonel Zebulon said, gravely: + +“Men, yonder is the enemy. We have come out here to fight, not only +for liberty, but for life itself, and, what is dearer, to preserve our +homes from conflagration, our women and children from the tomahawk. +Stand firm at the first shock, and the Indians will give way. Every man +to his duty!” + +John Butler, stripped of his feathers and other trappings, with a +handkerchief tied around his head, stood with his so-called Rangers +near the river bank; the Indians and Tories were in line to his right +as far as the swamp. Johnson’s Greens were just behind the Tories, +as if to keep them from running away, while here and there along the +entire front were Indians with rifles, who would probably have called +themselves sharpshooters. + +In a low tone our officers ordered us to advance a single pace each +time we emptied our muskets, and to take careful aim instead of firing +at random. + +Then we awaited the word, which seemed to me a long time coming, for +it was mighty hard on one’s nerves to stand there facing those who had +come to ravage the valley, knowing that within a few seconds we would +be engaged in what must necessarily be a life or death struggle. + +“When the battle is over, unless by some queer chance we should have +the best of it, if you lads are yet alive, retreat toward the north +until you are half a mile or more up-stream, and then make the effort +to cross,” Master Morley said, in a whisper. “If possible, I shall +follow close at your heels; but, in case I cannot, and either of you +live to see my dear ones, tell them that I could do no less than die +when our neighbors demanded the sacrifice.” + +It was well for me that we got the word to open fire just then, for my +knees were beginning to tremble beneath me, and in another moment it +might have been possible for my comrades to see that I was not holding +myself any too bravely. + +It was as if John Butler had instructed his men to take the word of +command from Colonel Zebulon, for both armies fired at the same moment, +and each advanced one pace. + +Then, because of the gaps which had been cut in our lines and the +wounded who writhed on the ground at our feet, we could not move +forward when next our weapons were discharged, but stood as best we +might, firing and loading with all possible speed. + +How long we remained there exchanging shots, I am unable to say, +although it seemed to me a very long while; but Master Morley maintains +that it was not above twenty minutes, and then I could see dimly +through the dense clouds of smoke that the Indians nearest the swamp +were moving down toward the ruins of the fort. + +I was on the point of speaking to Captain Durkee, who was not more than +ten paces from me, to tell him what I had seen, when that officer +pitched forward on his face dead, and a man in my rear came upon me +in his dying struggles so violently that I was thrown to the ground, +covered with blood, causing Giles March to utter a cry of horror, +believing I had been killed. + +By the time I regained my feet and cleared the blood from my eyes, the +Johnson Greens had begun an advance, and we were forced to put forth +every effort lest they should overrun us, therefore did the movement of +the savages pass from my mind. + +For a time the battle raged nearabout our company as hotly as I have +ever known. More than once we grappled with those who had come within +arm’s length, and, while our companions were cut down on either hand, +neither Master Morley, Giles March, or I had received a scratch. Twice +had one or the other saved my life when I was overmatched by some big +Tory, who chose me for an antagonist because I was the smallest, and +more than once I did the same service for them. + +Then, while we were the same as drunken men from the fumes of burning +powder and the excitement of the battle, that company to the left of us +set up a shout of dismay, as the bullets began to come from the rear. + +I understood then the meaning of that movement of the savages which I +had seen. The red wolves had crept along the edge of the swamp until +the yet smouldering ruins of Wintermoot’s Fort hid them from view, +and then made a dash which brought them in the rear of the left of our +line, where Colonel Dennison was in command. + +Even above the din of the conflict I heard him give the word for his +men to fall back, and understood that such manœuvre was for the purpose +of changing position in order to meet the foe who had outflanked him; +but his men, among whom were a goodly number of those who had cried the +loudest to be led against the enemy, mistook--or afterward claimed that +they did--the command, believing he had said “retreat.” + +In an instant that terrible word rang out along the entire line which, +up to this time, had inflicted even more injury than had been received, +and in a twinkling three men out of every four were facing to the rear. + +Not an officer belonging to our company was left alive, and Master +Morley, believing he might stem the tide, leaped in front of those who +had begun to run, as he shouted: + +“Stand to your duty, you men of Wyoming! This battle was of your own +seeking, and will you run away when we are more than holding our own?” + +Giles March and I added our voices to his, but with no avail. The +hot-heads, who would not listen to us when we begged that they remain +in Forty Fort, were alike heedless of our entreaties as we urged them +to stand firm, and all the while the enemy was pouring in a shower +of lead that the panic might be increased. + +[Illustration: “‘STAND FIRM ... AND THE VICTORY IS OURS.’”] + +Colonel Zebulon, who was the only mounted officer, rode up and down the +line, regardless of the fact that he was exposing himself to the fire +of all John Butler’s force, as he cried, imploringly: + +“Don’t leave me, my children! Stand firm one half-hour longer, and the +victory is ours!” + +He might as well have appealed to the wind, expecting to still it; with +each second of time the men grew more and more frantic with fear, until +they were no longer thinking, reasoning creatures, but blind people, +crazed by terror brought about through their own folly. + +It seemed to me as if no more than three minutes passed from the time +Colonel Dennison gave the order to fall back, before we of the Minute +Boys who yet remained alive were in the midst of a panic-stricken +throng which carried us, despite all our efforts, past the ruins of +Wintermoot’s toward the settlement from which, in our folly, we had +come to measure strength with John Butler’s wolves. + +Behind us came a horde of yelling, exultant demons, striking with +knives or tomahawks in vengeful glee, and killing more during the first +five minutes of that unreasoning retreat than had been possible all the +time the battle lasted. + +“Work over toward the swamp!” Master Morley shouted in my ear, as we +were borne along against our will. “It is certain death to remain with +this mob; our only show is to get back in the rear of John Butler’s +line!” + +I did not then understand how this might be done, even though we +succeeded in gaining the swamp; but I had every confidence in the man’s +judgment, and, gripping Giles March’s arm because there was not time to +explain to him the plan, I fought desperately against my own neighbors +of the valley until we were on the western edge of the panic-stricken +crowd. + +Then Master Morley, brushing past me and at the same time striking down +a savage who, having outstripped his fellows, had aimed a blow at my +head, ran at his best pace in an oblique line toward the swamp. + +It seemed to me as if we would never gain that fringe of deeper green +which marked the edge of the morass, nor could we have done so but for +the fact that the Indians were delayed in the chase by killing and +scalping, and then, when it was as if my breath had gone entirely, we +plunged knee-deep into the mud and water. + +“A little farther, lad, and then you’ll have time to breathe,” Master +Morley said, as he seized me by the hand, and I was literally dragged +behind the sheltering foliage. + +Because our people were so crazed that they fled in a body, as does +a drove of sheep, we might have been pursued, but, where there were +so many victims, the human wolves could not spend time to search for +three when it might be possible to kill a dozen, therefore did we +escape. + +There are nights even now when, in my sleep, I see that plain covered +with dead bodies, and hear again the horrible yells of fiendish glee +and screams of pain, as one and another of those whom I had known +and held converse with were cut down in the flight. Again I run +desperately, panting for breath, and see behind me the uplifted knife +dripping blood, or the tomahawk crimsoned with the life fluid of my +friends. + +Please God I may never again be called upon to take part in such a +horror, beside which the bloodiest battle that was ever fought is +commonplace. + +It was Master Morley who took command immediately we were screened from +view by the bushes, and neither Giles nor I had any mind to question +his authority. + +We had filled our stomachs and pockets with food while at Forty Fort, +but, even though I had been on the verge of starvation, it would have +been impossible to swallow a mouthful while all that horrible scene was +before me,--while the shrieks of those who were being murdered still +rang in my ears, and, when Master Morley asked if we would eat before +continuing the flight, I was sickened. + +We remained within earshot of all those dreadful cries not more than +three minutes,--only long enough for me to get back my wind, and then +Master Morley plunged yet farther into the swamp, we following as best +we might until, as nearly as could be judged, we were a mile or more to +the northward of Wintermoot’s. + +Then we halted until night was come, and, while lying there in the +water and mud, Master Morley told us what he would do in order to +circle around John Butler’s fiends, who by this time must have been +literally drunken with blood. He claimed to be able to lead us to the +river as well in the darkness as when the sun was shining, and we were +only too glad to do as he proposed. + +When we were finally clear of the swamp, so far from the battle-field +that no sound either of anguish or exultation could be heard, it struck +me that the country looked familiar, and I began to fear it might have +been possible, in our fear and horror, we had turned toward the south +instead of the north, when suddenly we came upon what had once been +Fort Jenkins, but was now only blackened ruins. + +The enemy made no attempt to hold it when we Minute Boys were forced to +retreat, but had applied the torch, and that which had cost the people +of Wyoming so much of labor was but a marking of half-burned logs. + +“We are now opposite the Pittstown stockades,” Giles March said, +speaking for the first time since this second portion of our flight had +been resumed. “Think you we would have any chance of safety by going +there?” + +“It is better that we make for the cave, as has been agreed upon,” +Master Morley said, hoarsely, and I knew full well how he was hungering +to see, once more, those whom he had never expected to greet again. +“We shall then be where the enemy has little idea of finding victims, +and there are not enough men now left in all the valley to hold the +best stockade that was ever built against John Butler’s curs, who are +well-nigh mad with the taste of blood.” + +We made no further question as to what we would do, but continued on +to the river; and there, when I would have plunged in to swim across +without delay, Master Morley checked me as he said: + +“The ammunition is too precious to be wasted. We must first build such +a raft as will carry our muskets and powder-horns, and then push it +before us as we swim.” + +We worked feverishly, not knowing how soon the bloodthirsty brutes +might come back to see if there had been any poor wretches left behind +with sufficient of life in them to afford pleasure by their torture, +and perhaps no more than five minutes were spent before, forcing the +small raft in front of us, we waded out into the black waters. + +“Now is the time when we must strain every muscle, lest we be carried +down on Monocasy Island,” Master Morley said, as we struck out, and, +surprised by the words, I asked: + +“Why should we not rest ourselves on the island? It will be a long pull +against this vicious current, and we shall need to regain our wind.” + +“To my mind Monocasy Island is become no more than a trap to catch +those who, outstripping the others, took to the river with much the +same idea that we have, and it is there the savages will seek fresh +victims.” + +As he ceased speaking, Master Morley struck out vigorously, minded, as +I believed, to aid us in the swimming. + +I could not put much faith in the proposition that John Butler’s wolves +would bethink themselves of the island, and, therefore, but for what +our leader had said, should have sought refuge on that small spot of +land; but because of having given my word to do as he directed, I +strained every muscle to stem the current. + +Work as we might, it was impossible to gain the eastern shore before +coming near Monocasy, and, when we were within a hundred yards or more +of it, good proof was had that Master Morley had not made any mistake. + +From three or four points of the small island could be heard shrieks +and cries, and we knew only too well that the savages, and most likely +the Tories as well, were hunting down their human game. + +Thanks to the darkness of the night and our distance from the island, +we were not discovered while drifting past; but, before having gotten +so far down-stream as to be beyond hearing of the dreadful work, our +feet touched the bottom. + +It can well be supposed that we made all haste to get under cover, and, +once hidden by the foliage, it was possible to see, on the western +shore of the river, flames mounting to the sky in twenty places at the +same time, telling of the homes which were given over to the torch by +the orders of that king who claimed us as his subjects. + +“And this is the end of the wicked folly!” Master Morley said, with a +long-drawn sigh. “We are told that we should not speak ill of the dead; +and, while it stands to reason that the greater number of those who +were so eager to be led against John Butler’s murdering followers are +no longer in this world, yet I claim now, and always shall, that they +alone are responsible for the crimes which have been committed since +noon of the day just past.” + +“The whole valley will now be overrun; we can no longer call any place +our home!” Giles March exclaimed, passionately, and I, understanding +that such converse was but tending to make us faint-hearted, proposed +that we set off for the cave. + +“No one can say how soon the Tories may come this way in search of +sport, as when we fled from Fort Jenkins, and it is well that we seek +some safer refuge while there is an opportunity,” I said, laying my +hand on Giles’s shoulder to arouse him from the slough of despondency +into which he had fallen. + +“Our homes, until such as John Butler and his imps have been killed +or driven out of the country, will be in the army, doing what we may +against a king who would thus force love from his people,” Master +Morley said, sternly, and then it was I realized there was no other +refuge for us in case we succeeded in getting out of the valley alive. + +It was not a simple matter to find our way through the forest in +the darkness, for there was nothing save a knowledge of the general +direction to guide us; but we stumbled on as best we might, well +content, since each step took us just so much farther away from the +scene of murder. + +Never once did we come across any rock or tree which could be +recognized, and when we had travelled as long as it seemed would have +been necessary had our course been the true one, I said, coming to a +full stop: + +“We may be going in a circle, as when Master Bartlett was leading, and +I am of the mind that we halt here until morning rather than take the +chances of coming upon the river bank again.” + +“This time Master Bartlett will lead you true, and there is no need +of a halt until you are come to where can be had food and a bed,” a +voice from the thicket said, in cautious tones, and I made no effort to +repress a cry of joy, for I knew it was the old man who had spoken. + +“I have been back and forth here since Daniel Hinchman arrived,” the +old man said, as he made his way through the thicket to where we were +standing. “Already have we picked up two of the Minute Boys who were +among the missing since the retreat from Fort Jenkins, and there may be +more than you hereabout who are searching for a hiding-place.” + +“Was Elias Shendle one of the two?” I asked, eagerly, and Master +Bartlett shook his head mournfully. + +“It is to be feared we are the only ones remaining on this side,” +Stephen Morley said, mournfully, and then, as a matter of course, +Master Bartlett insisted on hearing of what had taken place. + +Neither Giles March nor I had the heart to tell the dreadful story, and +even Stephen Morley made it as brief as possible; but he told enough +to give the old man an idea of the horrors we had seen, and said, in +conclusion: + +“No good can come of repeating such a tale in the hearing of the women, +for they have already had enough to terrify them; therefore, when we +reach the cave, let it be said we fought a pitched battle, and were +beaten so sorely that it will no longer be possible to live in the +valley until the Continental army has won for us our independence.” + +To that we all agreed, and then it was I asked Master Bartlett for the +names of the two Minute Boys whom he had found. + +“One is that Miles Parker who lived down Hanover way, and the other +is Oscar Stephenson, who is well crippled with a bullet-wound in the +shoulder, received during our fight at the stockade.” + +“How is it that they strayed in this direction?” I asked, curiously. + +“They drifted down-stream, according to their story, a long bit past +here, and landed on this side, when Stephenson grew so weak that it was +necessary to halt. Parker nursed him as best he could, and the two had +set out again, hoping to find a boat in which they could cross, for +Oscar was too weak to swim, when the din of the battle could be heard. +They made for the mountains, and I came across them just in time, for +the wounded lad was nearly done up.” + +Having made this explanation, the old man wheeled about to lead the +way to the cave, and we followed, thanking God most fervently that our +lives had been spared when so many were taken. + +It was like a home-coming to meet those anxious ones who had been +awaiting us, for here we were among friends, and shut out from the +sickening horrors of the other shore. + +There was no need to say that we had been beaten in battle, for our +appearance told of flight, hurried and fearful. Mistress Morley flung +her arms around her husband’s neck as tears of joy and relief streamed +down her cheeks; and I, who had expected no womanly welcome, received +one which raised, in some slight degree, the burden from my heart, when +Esther Hinchman took both my hands in hers as she said: + +“God has been good to let you come back to us.” + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +PLANS FOR THE FUTURE + + +Daniel was not to be seen when we entered the cave, but Master Bartlett +explained his absence by saying that he was out in search of game. That +he had been at work industriously we could see, for there were the +carcasses of two deer cut up and stacked inside, while near by were a +dozen or more pheasants. + +Even before making any attempt to tell such a story regarding the +events of that fearful day as had been decided upon, Giles March and I +gave attention to the wounded. + +Samuel Rogers was resting comfortably on a pile of leaves at the +farther end of the cave, and declared that he had improved wondrously +since we brought him there, while Oscar Stephenson appeared to be +suffering rather from exhaustion, caused by rapid travel and loss of +blood, than from the bullet, which had ploughed its way through the +flesh without breaking bones. + +Having seen so much of killing during the day just past, I was actually +surprised at learning how many of us had been spared from what was +neither more nor less than a massacre. The cave had seemed too large +when we first found it; but now, with so many inside, it was all too +small for comfortable living. + +Lest the reader may have forgotten how many of us were here assembled, +let me set down the list: + +First, there was Mistress Morley, and the other woman whose name I do +not now remember, with the two Morley children. Esther Hinchman made up +the list of females. + +Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley represented the men of the valley, +and in addition we had of the Minute Boys, Daniel Hinchman, for we +counted him as among us, Samuel Rogers, Giles March, Oscar Stephenson, +Miles Parker, and myself. + +I had not supposed so many of our company escaped the tomahawk and the +scalping-knife until I saw them here assembled, and it was in my mind +that we were more in numbers than all the others who had come out alive +from the battle with John Butler’s renegades and red wolves. + +That Daniel Hinchman and Master Bartlett had worked like beavers during +the absence of Giles March and myself, there could be no question. The +cave, if such it could be called, had been cleared of rubbish, and that +part of it to be used as sleeping quarters was covered with leaves and +fir-tips. + +To my great delight, during such house-cleaning a living spring at the +farther end of the excavation had been found, and, as showing how we +might hold out against a considerable force for many days without fear +of bodily suffering, Master Bartlett explained that it was his purpose, +now we were all there to aid in the labor, to bring a number of large +rocks in order to partially close up the mouth in such fashion that +only one person could enter at a time. Therefore did it seem as if we +would be more secure, in event of an attack, than if we were holding +the best stockade that had ever been built in the valley. + +Mistress Morley and Master Bartlett had made further plans for the +bettering of this refuge as soon as there was time in which to do the +work, and among other things it was decided that it might be possible +to drill a hole through the side of the mountain into the cave, using +a sharpened sapling as a drill,--in case there were no rocks to +interfere,--and thereby an outlet for smoke could be had. + +Both Giles March and I said all we could by way of encouraging the +others in making the place more habitable, for after what had occurred +since those hot-heads at Forty Fort insisted upon doing exactly as +John Butler would have them, it was more than reasonable to suppose +this place would be their only shelter and refuge until the Tories and +savages were minded to leave the valley. In other words, as we who knew +the truth believed, many months must elapse before it would be safe for +the women and children to venture out from the hiding-place. + +Before the new day was an hour old, Daniel Hinchman came in with a +goodly supply of game, which had been taken in the snares, and it goes +without saying that he was feverishly impatient to learn how the battle +had terminated, therefore, acting upon the advice of Stephen Morley +that the truth should not be told in the presence of the women, Giles +March and I led him a short distance up the mountainside, where we +related the terrible story. + +He was nearly overcome by astonishment and grief, and how could it be +otherwise, for we had the same as told him that all his neighbors and +friends, those whom he knew and loved, were dead, and yet, at that time +we were ignorant of more than half the horrors which had come upon us +of Wyoming since we, who had escaped from the retreat, entered the +swamp to make our way alone. + +“And now what is to be done?” Daniel Hinchman asked, helplessly, when +we were come to an end of the dreadful recital. “Are we to stay here?” + +“Where else, think you, will your sister be safe, unless peradventure +you make the attempt to lead her across the mountains to the Delaware +River?” Giles March asked, and I added: + +“Even though it were probable she could withstand all the fatigue +and hardships of a long, perilous journey, Daniel Hinchman, are you +warranted in leaving the other women? Seeing that we are come out, +as if led by God, from all the horrors which have descended upon the +valley, are we not bound together until such time as the entire party +may go forth in peace, if, peradventure, that day shall ever come?” + +“I am not minded to leave you, lads, because, save for your company +of Minute Boys, Esther would yet be a prisoner among the Mohawks, if +they had allowed her to live, and I, most like, be among those who are +slain. I was only questioning if we were to make of yonder cave our +dwelling?” + +When we had come to this point in the conversation, Master Bartlett and +Stephen Morley joined us, as if understanding that we were holding a +consultation as to the future, and so did it become right speedily, for +Master Morley took it upon himself to reply to Daniel’s question. + +“If Jonathan Ogden and Giles March have described to you one-half the +horrors which we three have witnessed since yesterday’s sun rose, +then must you know that, until some great change can be effected, are +we bound to remain here, where those whom we love are in reasonable +safety, and it seems to me as if we could do no better than settle down +with the idea of making this our abiding-place for a time.” + +“That is all which can be done,” Master Bartlett added. “With so many +hands, the labor of making the cave more habitable will be simple, and +it is not likely, unless we ourselves grow careless, that any of the +enemy will come to suspect the whereabouts of our refuge.” + +“Of course we must know what may be going on in the valley,” Giles +March said, quickly, “and there should not be overmuch danger if one of +us sets out very soon in gaining the information.” + +“I will be that one, and go to-night,” Daniel Hinchman said, before it +was possible for me to propose that I myself make the venture. “The +canoe in which I came across the river is hidden snugly some distance +from the water, and I alone can find it.” + +Master Bartlett nodded his head, as if to say that the proposition was +one which should be entertained by us, and, therefore, without further +words, was it settled that Daniel should go out at nightfall to learn +what he might. + +Such information as he brought back would determine our future +movements, although we were well convinced that there could be no +immediate change of location. + +The women, together with those of us who were not wounded, spent the +remainder of this day in working upon our underground dwelling, and +many and great were the improvements we made. + +Master Bartlett, with the assistance of Miles Parker, succeeded in +drilling a hole for a chimney, as had been proposed, and Stephen Morley +made a serviceable fireplace of rocks at the farther end of the cave +near the spring. The women, by weaving boughs together, succeeded in +setting up something in the shape of a screen which shut off a small +portion of the cave for their sleeping quarters, and, without very much +disturbance of the foliage, we rolled two large boulders to the mouth +of the cavern in such a manner as satisfied me that we could stand a +long siege, however many might come against us. + +As a matter of course, our food consisted of deer meat or birds, cooked +without salt, and nothing more; but people who have been as near death +as we had, and come off alive, are not warranted in complaining about +the quality or the sameness of their provisions, provided there be +sufficient to satisfy hunger. + +To my mind God had been very good to us,--better far than our deserts, +for He had led us through a Red Sea of blood to this refuge, and verily +we had cause for most fervent thanksgiving. + +It lacked but an hour of sunset when Daniel Hinchman announced that he +was ready to set off on the scout, explaining that it was his purpose +to start thus early in order that he might find the canoe before night +had fully shut in, and when no one made protest at his going, for we +all believed it necessary to learn of the situation of affairs, he +said, quietly: + +“I beg of you not to feel alarmed concerning me during eight and forty +hours, for it is my purpose to be absent that length of time. If I am +not returned nearabout sunrise on the third day, then may you know I +have come to grief.” + +“It is not well that you take overly many chances, lad,” Master +Bartlett said quickly. “Make your way to Forty Fort, and if you find +there the enemy in possession, as doubtless you will, give it a wide +berth. In some of the stockades should those who are yet alive be +gathered, and once you have good assurance of coming upon a remnant +of our people, don’t make any effort at learning the whereabouts of +the enemy, for we know full well they will be roaming up and down the +valley, slaying and burning until those exceeding wise men in the +Congress come to understand that something should be done for our +relief.” + +Well, Daniel Hinchman went out as he planned, and during the eight and +forty hours which he had set as the time of his absence, we worked at +making our underground dwelling more habitable, being able to add to it +much which, in the eyes of people not in such sore distress, would have +seemed rude and uncouth, but to us were improvements and even luxuries. + +Then came the time when Daniel Hinchman should return, and in our +anxiety for his safety, those of us who were able to walk ventured a +mile or more from the cave toward the river to hear the news which he +might bring as speedily as possible; but he came not. + +Only at noon did we give up all hope of him, and then, while inside +the cave, we spoke cheeringly lest his sister should be overcome with +grief, saying that doubtless he had found more of our friends alive +than we expected, or was waiting to bring us a bigger budget of good +tidings than could be gathered in a short while. Yet even as we spoke +our hearts were like lead, and I dared not hold converse with my +comrades concerning his fate, for it seemed all too certain he had but +added another to the long list of victims which had been sacrificed to +satisfy John Butler’s love of cruelty. + +That evening the two older men, with Giles March and me, went up the +mountainside where we could talk without fear of being overheard, and +discussed seriously whether it were well to send out another scout, for +it seemed absolutely necessary we should know what was going on in the +valley. + +The discussion we had there was a long one, owing to the fact that both +Giles March and myself were eager to be off, in the poor hope that +there was yet time to be of service to Daniel Hinchman, while Master +Bartlett and Stephen Morley insisted that we remain within our place of +refuge six full days before making a move, the old man saying: + +“It is only reasonable to suppose the savages are running riot through +the valley, and our people have been slain or driven out to the last +man, otherwise I am minded that Daniel Hinchman would not have been +taken, for he went with his eyes open, knowing all the dangers, +therefore surely could have shunned them.” + +“Yet we _can’t_ sit here idle, Master Bartlett!” I cried, passionately. +“It may be we are needed there, and it were cowardly to remain in +hiding when we are able to lend aid to those who are so sorely pressed.” + +“How would you aid them, lad, if you crossed the river only to find +yourselves in the hands of the savages? It would be as great an act +of wicked folly for us to venture out now, knowing that John Butler’s +wolves are sweeping everything before them, as it was for those +hot-heads whom you and Stephen Morley strove against at Forty Fort. +Content yourself, however hard it may be, with idleness until such time +comes as you can be of real service, and I venture to say that, by +saving your lives now, you will be of benefit to our neighbors and our +friends--if any there be yet alive.” + +Well, it is not needed I should say that the counsels of the older +men prevailed, for we lads would have been foolish indeed had we set +ourselves up as being more wise in such a case, where they had had all +too bitter an experience. + +Yet when we laid down that night there was in my heart a feeling of +shame that I remained there comfortable and apparently content, while +there was so much of suffering and agony near at hand which I might +relieve. + +Esther Hinchman had not spoken above a dozen words during all that +long, weary day, and although knowing full well she believed, and +with good reason, that her brother was a prisoner in the hands of the +savages, or had already been killed by them, we did not venture words +of sympathy lest it should be seen by her that we feared the worst. + +Then another day came, and we who were despairing and sorrowing +became electrified, as it were, by hearing the cheery voice of Daniel +Hinchman, as he hailed us from the thicket a short distance from the +cave. + +“He has come back!” Esther cried, in a fever of joy. “He whom I +believed had been killed has come back!” + +Then we who were burning to embrace the lad, who had seemingly come +from out the jaws of death, held back that she might have the first +privilege of greeting her brother whom she had mourned. + +Daniel Hinchman’s story was a long one, and when he came to an end of +it, we had almost as good an idea of what had occurred in the valley +since our flight as if we ourselves had taken part in all that was done. + +Because each of us in turn interrupted the lad here or there in his +story that we might ask for some unimportant details which he had +neglected to mention, thereby prolonging the sad tale, I will make no +attempt at setting it down as he related it; but, rather, put in few +words that account which is already a matter of history. + +As we already knew, many of the fugitives from the field of battle fled +to Monocasy Island, believing there to find a safe refuge; but Colonel +Zebulon Butler’s men told Daniel that fully an hundred Indians, and +nearly as many Tories, hid themselves on the river banks until such of +the fugitives as were aiming for the island gained that poor place of +refuge, and then did they hunt them down like wild animals. + +It was even said, and I have no question as to the truth because the +man Pensil himself boasted of it, that he, who was a Tory and had +joined John Butler’s force, found his brother on the island and slew +him, even while the poor man pleaded to his own flesh and blood for aid. + +Daniel’s voice trembled and his cheeks paled as he related the horrors +which the savage horde boasted of as having taken place on Monocasy +Island that night. + +Colonel Zebulon Butler, with perhaps fifteen or twenty men, escaped to +reach Wilkesbarre fort, and Colonel Dennison, accompanied by a small +number, gained Forty Fort. Both these officers made preparations to +defend the stockades so long as life lasted, knowing full well what +would be in store if there was a surrender at that time. + +When night was come, John Butler’s wolves, red and white alike, +assembled to dispose of their prisoners, and one has a feeling near +akin to shame at setting down all that was done before the sun rose +again. Captain Bidlack, who had led one of our companies in the +battle and was wounded, was thrown alive upon the burning timbers of +Wintermoot’s Fort, and there held down with sticks and pitchforks until +he was dead. Squads of prisoners were ranged in line, bound hand and +foot, while their savage captors began with the first, deliberately +murdering one after the other until the last had fallen. A half-breed +woman, who was called Queen Esther, herself, with maul and tomahawk, +butchered sixteen, who were forced to kneel around that boulder which +in later days has been called “Queen Esther’s rock.” + +I am minded to set down here that which was written afterward, by one +who was a witness of the terrible scene in which the half-breed squaw +supped on blood: + +“The time was midnight, and the scene being lighted up by a large fire +burning near, this Queen Esther appeared like a very fury from Hades +while performing her bloody work. With the death of each victim her +fury increased, and her song rose louder and clearer upon the midnight +air. Leddeus Hammond and Joseph Eliot, seeing there was no hope, shook +off the Indians who held them, and, with a desperate spring, fled to +the thicket amid rifle-bullets and tomahawks that were sent after them, +and escaped. This was not the only scene of a similar kind that could +have been witnessed between the ruins of Wintermoot’s and the walls of +Forty Fort.” + +Daniel told us that the only ray of light in this dreadful time to our +people of the valley was just after sunset, when Captain John Franklin +arrived at Forty Fort with a company of thirty-five men from Hunterdon +and Salem, and before the sun had risen again, Colonel Zebulon Butler, +with those who had taken refuge in Wilkesbarre Fort, joined the people, +who were now beginning to hope. + +Therefore it was that in all the valley, the only stockade remaining +in the hands of our friends was this same Forty Fort. The stockades at +Pittstown had long since been abandoned. + +On the following morning, which was the day before Daniel had crossed +the river on his scout, John Butler sent a messenger demanding the +surrender of Forty Fort, and particularly of Colonel Zebulon Butler, +with such of the Continental troops as he had with him, threatening in +event of a refusal to comply, that an immediate attack would be made, +and every one, including women and children, should be put to torture +when taken. + +Now it appears that there were only fifteen men belonging to the +Continental army left alive, and knowing John Butler would, however +many promises he might make, put to death all the soldiers that fell +into his hands, Colonel Zebulon proposed that he and his followers +should immediately leave the valley before there was time for John +Butler to set out in pursuit. Therefore, taking his wife behind him on +a horse, the colonel rode through the woods that same day, intending +to sleep at Conyngham in the Nescopeck Valley, twenty miles away. The +soldiers followed on foot as best they might. + +Then there remained only Colonel Dennison with some of the men from +Hunterdon, the cripples and old men, the women and children, which +had escaped the massacre, to be surrendered. And so he returned word +to John Butler, understanding that there was no hope of making a +successful resistance, and taking the chances that the Tory, who was +more of a savage than the most benighted of his followers, would hold +to the word which he should be called upon to give in writing. These +terms, which Colonel Dennison himself drew up, were much as follows: + +First, that the inhabitants of the valley should lay down their arms, +and the garrison be destroyed. Again, that the people be allowed to +occupy their farms peaceably, and the lives of all be preserved. +Thirdly, that all stores supplied for the Continental army, wherever +they might be hidden, should be delivered up as soon as possible, and +that John Butler would use all his influence toward saving the private +property of the inhabitants. + +There was also inserted afterward, at the dictation of Butler, that +such property as had been taken from the people who were called +Tories, at any time since the beginning of the war, be made good; +that they should remain in peaceful possession of their farms, and be +allowed to trade throughout the province without molestation. + +Not to make too many words of the story, this surrender was effected +late that same evening, which explains why Daniel Hinchman did not +return as agreed upon, for he had succeeded in gaining entrance to +Forty Fort, and was minded to remain until he could tell us all the +tale, which would not be until he was able to see whether John Butler +held faithfully to the terms of the surrender. + +Here is an account as set down by Colonel Dennison himself: + +“Everything being arranged, the two gates of the fort were thrown open +that evening. The arms of the patriots were piled up in the centre, +and the women and children retired within the huts that lined the +interior of the stockade. At the appointed time the victors approached +with drums beating and colors flying. They came in two columns, whites +and Indians. The former were led by John Butler, who entered the +north gate, and the latter by Queen Esther, the bloody priestess of +the midnight sacrifice. She was followed by Giengwatah, who, with his +warriors, entered the south gate. The wily chief, fearing treachery, +glanced quickly to the right and left as he entered. The Tories, with +their natural instinct for plunder, immediately seized the piled +arms. Butler ordered them to desist, and presented the muskets to +the Indians. The inhabitants were then marked by the Indians with +black paint on their faces, and ordered to carry a white cloth on a +stick. These were objects, the savages said, which would ensure their +protection.” + +Before morning came, so Daniel Hinchman told us, every dwelling in +Wilkesbarre, and there were then twenty-three, was given over to the +flames; but, so far as he could learn, no more blood had been shed. + +Colonel Dennison and those men who had surrendered remained in the fort +instead of seeking refuge elsewhere, in order that he might do what +he could toward defending the women and children in case the savages +proved too unruly for John Butler to control. + +That was the story in substance, without going into the details, and it +showed us that now indeed was the valley lost to us. John Butler had +made arrangements for the Tories to remain in undisturbed possession, +not only of such property as they then held, but all which had been +taken from them shortly after the war began, and Wyoming was become a +nest of loyalists who would do all they could to harrow, if not kill, +those of us who had held to the American Cause. + +The question which had come to us now in that cave of refuge, with the +telling of Daniel Hinchman’s story, was where we should go? Surely not +to our homes, for we had none; not again to the Susquehanna River, for +of a verity would we be driven out if allowed to live, and until our +wounded had recovered we were the same as prisoners in an underground +dwelling, unless we were minded to play the part of savages and leave +the helpless ones to their fate. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +A COMRADE IN DISTRESS + + +Because of the questions regarding the future, which had come into +my mind, I gave no heed to the fact that Daniel had not finished his +recital, since the story had been concerning our unfortunate friends +and neighbors, but never a word as to how he succeeded in returning to +us. + +It was Giles March who noticed the omission, and while my heart was +filled with grief because of the fact that we were virtually prisoners +in the cave, unable to raise our hands in defence of those who were +needing help so sorely, he asked of Daniel: + +“How is it that you were able to get away? Was your face painted black, +and did you carry a white cloth on a stick, in order to show John +Butler that you were one of those who pledged obedience to him?” + +“I was neither painted black, nor did I carry the badge of disgrace,” +Daniel replied, curtly. “By moving here and there about the stockade, +keeping as close to the ranks of the Tories as possible, I managed to +avoid attracting very much attention, and when the surrender was fully +effected I stole quietly out, making my way down to the shore. And +well it was that I did not linger, for before gaining this side of the +river it was possible to see the flames shooting up from those houses +which had been left standing near the fort, and I knew that, despite +John Butler’s promises, the Indians were continuing their work of +destruction.” + +When Daniel had thus come to an end of his story, we sat silent and +motionless, turning over in our minds that which he had told, and +questioning whether there was any ray of hope in the future. + +When perhaps five minutes had passed, I asked, looking at Master +Bartlett: + +“Is it in your mind that we are to stay in the cave until such time as +it may be possible for us to go out in perfect safety, or might we try +to play the part of men?” + +“In what way, lad?” the old man asked in perplexity. + +“It strikes me that such a party as we can muster might, possibly +effect very much in the way of holding John Butler’s wolves to the +strict letter of the surrender. We number six able-bodied men and lads. +Why should we not go forth to do whatsoever we may for those who are in +distress? The women need no assistance in caring for Samuel Rogers and +Oscar Stephenson, and if we stay here, it is simply to suck our paws in +the sun, like bears who have laid in sufficient of fat long before it +is time to den up.” + +“If I knew what we might do, lad, an answer to your question could be +better given. Tell us what may be in your mind.” + +“That we set out as soon as may be, not showing ourselves boldly to +court an encounter with those who are stronger, but in the effort to +give assistance where it may be needed. I dare venture to say work will +be found for our hands, at the same time that we hold ourselves in +prudence, remembering that those whom we leave behind us in the cave +may have the first claim upon our services.” + +Instead of answering my question, Master Bartlett turned to Stephen +Morley, as he asked: + +“What think you of it? Soldiering has become your trade, and you should +be able to give a better opinion than me.” + +“I believe the lad to be in the right,” Stephen Morley replied, +promptly. “It is true we can be of no service here after laying in a +store of fuel. There are of provisions in the cave sufficient to fill +all the stomachs in case we should remain away three weeks, and surely +in that time we would rust out, if, indeed, there were no harm attached +to our remaining idle when men are needed as they never were before.” + +“True for you, Master Morley!” Giles March cried, emphatically. “It +would be a disgrace for us to linger here in idleness at such a time.” + +There was no need of further discussion; the question had already been +settled, and Master Bartlett gave good proof that he so considered it +by saying, thoughtfully: + +“We can’t well set off before sunset or thereabouts, and until such +time it seems necessary Daniel Hinchman should gain some rest, while +we provide against the needs of the women and the wounded during our +absence.” + +It was a most intense relief to have thus decided upon some plan which +promised action, and, when we returned to the cave to tell the women +what it was we proposed to do, never one of them raised a voice against +our departure. + +Mistress Morley, gathering her two children in her arms, said in a low +tone as she caressed them: + +“We could not ask father to stay, and it would be selfish in us if we +did not bid him go.” + +Esther Hinchman spoke privately with her brother for a few moments, and +then, coming up to me, said, as she laid her hand in mine: + +“I’m glad you have decided to go, and shall pray that you may all +be allowed to come back. There is no reason why you should have any +anxiety concerning us, for here, if anywhere in the province, are we +secure from intrusion.” + +Miles Parker showed plainly how well such a plan suited him, while the +two wounded lads strove unsuccessfully to hide the sorrow which they +felt at not being able to accompany us. Oscar Stephenson even went so +far as to claim that it could do him no harm to march in our company; +but Mistress Morley very quickly put an end to his hopes by saying, +emphatically, that he should not be allowed even so much as to stand on +his feet until his wound gave better promise of healing. + +Well, we did whatsoever we might around about the cave, and then, as +Stephen Morley had said, those whom we would leave behind us were +provided for in the way of necessities for at least three weeks. + +The entrance to this dwelling in the mountainside had been, as I have +already said, nearly closed by boulders, and there was enough of fuel +inside to make as much of a fire as they would dare build, for it was +not wise that too large an amount of smoke be allowed to escape, lest +it attract attention from a distance. The water-supply was unfailing; +the deer meat would be all the better for seasoning awhile, and in +event of our being absent longer than we then counted on, that which +was not eaten could readily be smoked. + +We left behind us two muskets, with a goodly amount of ammunition, and, +although two of our party would march forth unarmed, save as to their +knives, we counted on being able to supply them with weapons before +many days had passed. + +Then came the time for us to set off, and I feared that the +leave-taking would be painful; but it was Mistress Morley who spared +us, by saying, as she held the two children up for her husband to kiss: + +“It shall only be a God love you, Stephen, and not a good-by.” + +Then Giles March cried out cheerfully to the wounded: + +“Take care of yourselves, lads, and get into condition as soon as +possible. One or the other of us will be back every few days to know +how you are progressing, and in a short time you will join us, for it +is in my mind that the Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley are far from +being wiped out of existence.” + +Then we set our faces toward the river, marching rapidly in order to +take advantage of the daylight which yet remained, and making no effort +to hold converse one with another, for, although it was our desire to +thus go out in the hope of being able to succor those who were in need, +our hearts were heavy, as indeed they well might be. + +We travelled light, carrying only so much of provisions as would allay +the pangs of hunger during twenty-four hours, and therefore moved with +reasonable rapidity, covering the five miles of distance before the sun +had been out of sight an hour. + +Daniel Hinchman went to where he had hidden the canoe, believing as +did I that we would cross that same night, and two trips would be +necessary, since the light craft could carry no more than four; but, +before she was launched, Stephen Morley said: + +“I see no good reason why we should push across the river yet awhile, +for there is as much distress this side as yonder. Let us make our way +to the settlement of Wilkesbarre, and see what can be found.” + +“The dwellings were all burned, as I have told you, and we shall find +nothing but ruins,” Daniel replied. + +“And it is among the ruins we should look for those whom we would aid,” +Stephen Morley said, curtly. “It must be there are some portions of +the buildings yet remaining, however complete the work of destruction, +and my proposition is that we search in turn each of the settlements, +taking plenty of time for the work, because there is no reason why we +try to cover any great extent of territory immediately.” + +Now it must be understood that we were come to the river between +Fort Ogden and the stockade at Wilkesbarre, known as Wyoming Fort, +therefore, in order to carry out Master Morley’s suggestion, it was +necessary we travel down-stream perhaps a mile and a half, and this +required but a short time, since we were no longer traversing the +wilderness, but a beaten road. + +On arriving at the site of the settlement, we found that Daniel +Hinchman had not drawn upon his imagination when he told us of its +destruction. In the night the blackened ruins of the settlers’ homes +spoke more eloquently of the wilful havoc that had been wrought than +if the sun was shining upon them, and as we went past this pile of yet +smouldering embers or the other, saying that here lived one friend +and there that neighbor, our hearts heavy with grief, it was difficult +indeed to repress audible evidences of our sorrow. + +To me the strangest of it all was that we six had been permitted to +pass through so much of danger, and yet come out unharmed. + +It was necessary we go the entire length of what had been the +settlement before arriving at the fort, and why Stephen Morley should +have led us so far I could not understand. He had no real purpose +in so doing, as I believed, for, when we were come within sight of +the stockade, finding it untouched by the flames, he gave vent to an +exclamation of astonishment, and Master Bartlett said, warningly, as he +halted: + +“Have a care, lads, lest we come suddenly upon too large a force of the +enemy. It must be they have taken possession of the stockade, else why +has it been spared?” + +“I will make it my business to find out whether there be any of John +Butler’s crew in this vicinity,” Giles March whispered hurriedly. “Wait +you here until I come back.” + +We had halted near by the ruins of Phineas Barnes’s dwelling, and +there were yet enough of the timbers standing to make a fairly good +hiding-place for us within the deep shadow. There we crouched until +five minutes had passed, when we heard Giles crying: + +“Come on, the stockade is deserted, and it strikes me we can find no +better place in which to spend the night.” + +I was vexed that he should think then of our own comfort, when we were +come so near to where we might search out those who were, possibly, in +direst distress; but, because the others obeyed his call, I could do no +less, and we entered the stockade, finding it, I fancy, exactly as when +Colonel Zebulon Butler and his soldiers abandoned it to go to Forty +Fort. + +As we passed through the main gates, which were standing open, Master +Bartlett closed and barred them carefully, whereat I, remembering our +experience in Fort Ogden, asked in a tone of irritation because of my +nervousness: + +“Is it well we should fasten ourselves in here, when for aught we know +the enemy may be creeping up on us at this moment?” and he replied, +grimly: + +“If they are on our trail, lad, it strikes me we were better off with +this gate closed than open. We are not now running from every one who +has any connection with John Butler, as were you when you blundered +into the Ogden stockade; but are out with the determination to hold +our own when the forces are anywhere near equal. With the supply of +ammunition which we have, it should be possible to make good our +possession here for many days, however large a crew might come against +us.” + +“Ay, and be wofully hungry before the first four and twenty hours had +gone by,” I replied, vexed because he spoke so confidently, as if we +might stand against any who were abroad in the valley thirsting for +blood. + +Not until the stockade had been closed as if we intended to make +permanent quarters there, did Master Bartlett give token as to why he +had entered, and then, mounting one of the platforms, he said: + +“We should be able to get a good idea from here of what is being done +on the other side of the river, and I propose that we stand guard +to-night as if regularly stationed.” + +“Is that all we have come here for?” I asked, sharply. + +“Nay, lad, it was in my mind, when we found this place untouched by +fire, that, because it had been abandoned so hurriedly, we might find +here some small store of provisions, or a secret hoard of ammunition. +You who are acquainted with the fort should know all the likely places.” + +Upon this Giles March claimed to be as familiar with the interior of +the stockade as he had been with his own home, and agreed to make +diligent search if I would accompany him. + +There were within the walls of this fort two blockhouses, and perhaps +half a dozen small buildings intended for the use of the settlers +at such times as they might be driven to take shelter in moments of +danger, and I said to the lad as he entered the first dwelling: + +“If it be in your mind to search all these houses, then we may as well +understand that there is a long task before us.” + +“Now, Jonathan Ogden, have you grown almost as unreasonable as was I +the first night we took possession of Fort Jenkins! If I was hot-headed +then, what may you be counted now, who would push on at the best +possible speed from one place to another, regardless of the fact that, +if we are to find those who are in distress, it will be in hiding, and +our work must of necessity be done slowly?” + +Giles’s words were sufficient to show me how childishly I was behaving, +and without further remark I followed him from one building to another, +while he made hurried search in such places as he knew things of value +had formerly been kept, until we were come to a small structure of logs +which had been put up for the shelter of horses or cattle, and, as he +passed it, I said, laughingly: + +“Since you are making so diligent a hunt, Giles March, I wonder you +fail to enter this place,” and he replied in a tone of good nature: + +“Because we have nothing better to do just now, Jonathan Ogden, it +seems to me you should be willing to spend your time uselessly, as it +appears to you, for we shall come into places of danger soon enough to +satisfy the most bloodthirsty.” + +He had no more than spoken, when from the interior of the shed came a +low moan, and as we halted involuntarily, it was to hear the words: + +“Is Jonathan Ogden there?” + +Although not recognizing the voice, and having no idea in my mind that +we might find a comrade there, on the instant it was borne in upon me +that Elias Shendle was near at hand, and straightway I called his name. + +Then it was we heard distinctly: + +“I am here, Jonathan, which is not surprising; but how you have come, I +fail to understand.” + +In a twinkling we entered the shed, where all was darkness save for the +gray light which came through the doorway, but, peer into the gloom as +we might, nothing could be seen. + +Giles March walked entirely around the inside of the small building, +and then, clutching me by the arm, whispered: + +“It was the lad’s ghost, Jonathan, for there is no one here.” + +I confess to being terrified, for it seemed as if Giles spoke truly; +but, luckily, I plucked up sufficient courage to call: + +“Elias! Elias! Where may you be?” + +“Here! Here underneath the timbers of the wall, and so pinned down that +I cannot get out unaided.” + +Even then we had difficulty to find where the voice came from. Not +until we had crept across one end, searching with our hands for any +excavation wherein a human being might be hidden, did we come upon the +lad, and most grievous was his plight. + +At the rear of the shed, where doubtless the horses had pawed away the +earth, was a depression extending beneath the first tier of logs, and +here my hands touched his garments. + +“Be as careful as you may, Jonathan,” he said, with a moan, “for I am +well mangled by the bullets of the savages.” + +Without making too long a story, for it was nearly half an hour before +we succeeded in getting our wounded comrade out from the narrow place +into which he had crowded himself, and then only after having had the +assistance of all the rest of our company, let it suffice to say that +he had escaped from the fight at Jenkins’s Fort, drifted down the river +after stopping twice on the western shore, until come to this stockade, +where he arrived in the night before Colonel Zebulon Butler’s men had +taken shelter there. + +Finding the fort abandoned, he crept into the shed as the most likely +place of concealment, believing the savages were close on his heels, +and thinking they would search every other building rather than that. +Coming upon the depression of which I have spoken, he had crawled into +it, dug away the earth with his hands while burrowing yet deeper, and +gotten so far beneath the timbers that, owing to his wounds, he could +not get back unaided. + +When we had the poor lad where Stephen Morley and Master Bartlett could +attend to his wounds, which they did without delay, Miles Parker, too +eager for information to take heed of the fact that the lad was so +nearly exhausted it was cruel to force him into conversation, asked why +he had not come out when Colonel Zebulon and his men were there. + +“I heard them when they entered,” Elias said, striving manfully against +the pain in order to make the explanation. “I knew who they were, and, +finding it impossible, because of this mangled arm, to get out of the +hole, I cried again and again for help; but they, most like, remained +in the blockhouse nearest the main gate and heard me not, or, if my +voice did reach their ears, it alarmed them, even as Jonathan and Giles +were frightened. My efforts to attract their attention must have thrown +me into a delirium, for I became unconscious during a time, and, when +my senses returned, the yells and cries of Indians could be heard on +every hand.” + +“That was when they were destroying the settlement,” Giles March said +half to himself, and Elias continued: + +“So I believed at the time, and felt certain the stockade would be +given over to the flames, when I must be burned to death. Then it +was that I contrived to get my knife from the belt and turn its point +against my heart, that I might drive it in rather than suffer a painful +death. But the moments passed without bringing further harm until it +was as if the savages had departed, since which time I have been like +one in a frightful dream, knowing well my condition at times, and again +overcome by fever, as it were.” + +“I reckon it can do you no good to tell overly long stories just now,” +Master Bartlett interrupted. “We shall have plenty of time to hear the +tale when you are mended somewhat.” + +“The wonder of it is that he did not starve,” I said in a low tone to +the old man, thinking that the greatest kindness we could do him would +be to satisfy the pangs of hunger, and he, hearing my words, replied: + +“When I came through the settlement on the night of the battle, the +people had just abandoned their dwellings, and, as I ran, I found +near half a loaf of corn bread which had been dropped by some of the +fugitives. It is water I need, although while coming down the river it +seemed as if I could never be thirsty again, so much was I forced to +drink in.” + +Giles March had hastened toward the spring inside the enclosure when +Elias first spoke of his thirst, and we soon gave him as much clear +water as seemed safe at one time. + +Then, the wounds being bandaged rudely, I took Master Bartlett aside +and asked him if, in his belief, they were dangerous. + +“I am not overly much of a surgeon, Jonathan, but it looks to me as if +the lad was badly hurt. One leg and an arm are useless, bearing no less +than three wounds, and he has what appears to be a knife-thrust in his +right side. If he was at the cave, where the women could care for him, +there might be some chance for his life; but, as it is, I believe we +have only come in time to ease his meeting with death.” + +Then it was as if I forgot my impatience to be out in the valley, +searching here and there for sufferers, and had in mind only the plight +of my comrade. If it was possible his life could be saved by taking him +to the cave, then would I carry Elias Shendle on my back the entire +distance, begrudging not the labor if he might be spared one single +pang; but when I gave words to that thought, Master Bartlett said, +gravely: + +“I question, lad, if he would live to get there. The journey could +not be otherwise than long and rough, and he holds on to his life, +as it seems to me, but by a thread. The wonder of it is that he had +sufficient strength remaining to cry out when you and Giles were near +him.” + +“But we must do something for him, Master Bartlett.” + +“Ay, lad, so we have to the best of our ability, and will do as much +more as is within our power.” + +Then came the thought that, if we could not carry Elias to the cave, we +must be held there in the stockade as prisoners, for verily I would not +leave him, even though I was forced to stand against all John Butler’s +wolves until they had overcome me. + +Elias Shendle was the dearest comrade I ever had, and whatsoever of +distress or danger there might be abroad was as nothing compared with +the duty I owed him, for I knew full well he could never be frightened +or coaxed from my side if I was needing his assistance. + +It was a black perplexity. We who had come out on a definite +enterprise, knowing that it might be possible for us to aid very many, +would be held here by one, unless those who had come with me minded to +act contrary to my wishes. + +While I had been talking with the old man, Elias sank into a sort of +stupor, which was not unlike death itself; but Stephen Morley, who +claimed, and with good reason, to have more experience in such matters +than either of us, stated as his belief that the lad was suffering more +just then from exhaustion than from his wounds, and declared positively +that, now he was in comparative safety, it would be possible for him to +sleep, which was the best medicine that could come to him. + +“We will make up such a bed as is within our power, here in the open, +rather than inflict pain by moving him into one of the blockhouses, and +he shall be left in quietude until morning, after which I am looking +for so much of an improvement as will make it seem as if he was on the +road to recovery.” + +I could have kissed the old soldier, who gave me such relief of mind, +and, after we had made Elias as comfortable as we might with the +poor materials at our hands for a bed, I took Giles March one side, +explaining to him all which I have set down here, whereupon the lad +said manfully, and as a comrade should: + +“You may count on me, Jonathan Ogden, to go as far in behalf of Elias +Shendle as you would. If it be necessary, we two will stay here by him; +but I am thinking, because of what Stephen Morley has said, that we +may rig up with saplings what will serve as a litter, so that he can +be carried to the cave without too much of jolting. We are warranted, +I believe, in taking more than ordinary risks in moving him, since it +seems certain he will die here, where at any moment the enemy may come +upon us.” + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +SAVING ELIAS + + +Because Master Bartlett had said that sleep was the best medicine our +wounded comrade could have, Giles March and I remained at a distance, +but yet where it was possible to keep him in view, while the others +had taken up their stations near that blockhouse which stood at the +southwestern corner of the stockade. + +Now and then we conversed in whispers, careful lest we disturb the lad, +who appeared to be resting comfortably, and laid our plans for the +morrow, when we were determined, as I have already said, to carry Elias +Shendle to the cave. + +It seemed probable we would be able to do this and return to the fort +within four or five hours, since the journey was to be made during the +day, and I said to myself that we were fully warranted in thus spending +the time which could have been employed in looking for others, for here +was one whose life might be saved. Even though he had not been a dear +friend, I argued that it would be criminal in us to pass him by on the +chance of finding others. + +Now and then we two lads slumbered a few moments, for the soughing +of the wind through the trees, the darkness, and the myriad of night +noises, all tended to render our eyelids heavy. Sleep did not come, +however, with such effect as to render us unconscious of any unusual +sound, and when, perhaps half an hour before daybreak, the noise of +rapid footsteps coming across the enclosure was heard, I sprang to my +feet, knowing there must be some good reason for such rapid approach. + +It was Daniel Hinchman who came up, but before he could speak I placed +my hand over his mouth, in token that Elias might be disturbed by the +sound of voices, and then led him a short distance from the building, +to hear the message which he brought. + +“Master Bartlett has sent me to say that we have good reason for +believing a party of the enemy is coming this way from the direction of +Fort Ogden, and one of you lads is to join him at the blockhouse.” + +Without thinking I might be detained many moments, and also fancying, +in my stupidity, that it was a false alarm, I ran back and repeated in +Giles March’s ear that which Daniel had said, adding on my own account: + +“Do you remain with Elias, and as soon as may be I will come back to +let you know what is in the wind.” + +Then I followed Daniel, and we had hardly more than joined the others +when all doubts as to the cause of the alarm were set at rest, for the +voices of Indians could be plainly heard. + +“After having destroyed the settlement, what may they be coming for +now?” I whispered, not intending to ask a question; but Stephen Morley +heard the words, and replied, grimly: + +“It has most like entered their minds that this stockade was left +standing, and now they have returned to complete the work of +destruction. We are like to have trouble, for even though I may be at +fault as to the reason of their coming, it is not likely the villains +will pass by the fort without trying to have a look at the inside.” + +I had left my musket just inside the blockhouse, with the weapons +belonging to the other members of the party, and this I took up, making +certain it was loaded and primed, but forgetting in the excitement that +I should have hastened back to tell Giles March of what had been said. + +The savages were coming straight toward the fort, talking now and then +among themselves as if suspicious that there might be in the vicinity +white people whom they could butcher, and our little company stood just +behind the main gates, where had been made loopholes for the use of the +defenders. + +“Are we to open fire immediately they come in view?” I whispered to +Master Bartlett, and he replied: + +“That is for you to say, Jonathan Ogden. We yet count this the company +of Minute Boys who defended Fort Jenkins, and Stephen Morley and myself +are two privates under your command.” + +“Nay, nay, Master Bartlett, do not jest at such a time as this,” I said +irritably. “It is for you and Stephen Morley to say what should be +done, even though we had a full company here.” + +“Then it is to my mind, lad, that when the villains are come close to +the gates we shall open fire, taking good care each bullet counts, for +it will avail us nothing to give them an opportunity to decide how +we may be attacked. In fact, we are not in position to stand a long +battle, because of the probability that there may be many others of +their kind in the vicinity.” + +Then it was we understood, by the sound of the voices, that the +newcomers had halted a short distance away, and I was on the point of +clambering up to the sentry’s platform in the hope of seeing what might +have stopped them, when suddenly there rang out on the night air a +woman’s voice, shrill and full of agony. + +At that cry, which came to our ears like an appeal for help which could +not be disregarded, Master Bartlett forgot entirely that he claimed to +be only a private under my command, and said sharply, as he began to +unbar the gates: + +“Stand ready, lads! They have found some poor creature who had been +hiding in the ruins of her own home, perchance, and we will take a +hand in the matter whatever may be the result.” + +One of the big gates had been swung open wide enough to admit of our +passing out, before the old man ceased speaking, and I was the first to +go through the opening, showing how illy fitted I was to command even +this remnant of a company of Minute Boys, since I forgot entirely our +wounded comrade and he who watched by his side. + +It was Stephen Morley who halted me by placing his hand on my shoulder, +as he whispered: + +“One moment, lad, until Simon Bartlett has decided who shall remain +to hold the stockade,” and then I remembered my neglect, turning on +the instant to make amends by going back, when Master Bartlett, having +thrust Miles Parker aside, said to him: + +“Bar the gate after we are on the outside, and await some signal from +us before you open it again.” + +Then he pressed forward upon my heels, and I could not have delayed if +I would. + +Again came that cry of agony, and I could think only of the poor +creature in such sore straits; but yet had sufficient sense to +understand that we must go out under some leadership, rather than +helter-skelter like a flock of sheep. + +“Lead on, Stephen Morley, and I will bring up the rear,” Master +Bartlett said, and thus were our preparations made. + +[Illustration: “ONE OF WHOM A PAINTED BRUTE HELD HIGH IN HIS HAND.”] + +There was no need to search for the foe; the savages were laughing and +chattering like a lot of baboons, so that even in the darkest night +might we have gone directly toward them without making any mistake, and +since Stephen Morley continued on around the stockade, keeping close +within the denser shadows of the walls, we came so near to the red +wolves that it seemed almost as if I could have thrust out my hand and +touched the nearest without leaving my tracks. + +They numbered, I judged in the first hurried glance, not less than ten +or twelve, and were clustered around a woman, who was kneeling on the +ground before them begging for mercy, and three children, one of whom a +painted brute held high in his hand, as if to dash it to the ground. + +I saw Stephen Morley level his musket, and knew full well what target +he aimed at, therefore did I follow his example, save that I counted to +send my bullet into the heart of the wretch who stood nearest the woman. + +There was no need that we await the word of command. As if our little +party had been standing shoulder to shoulder, and could understand by +the sense of touch what was being done, our muskets were discharged in +a volley that rang out as one report. + +Four of the savages fell, and it was as if they had hardly reached +the ground before we were upon the others, striking with our clubbed +muskets right and left, knowing that upon the swiftness of our +movements depended the life of this poor woman and her children, for +they would have plunged their weapons into the helpless ones before +turning to meet us had we given them time. + +It was the suddenness of our first attack, and the quickness with which +we followed it up, that prevented them from making any attempt at +fighting, more particularly since they were all ignorant as to how much +of a force had fallen upon them. + +In a twinkling those who were left alive turned and fled like the curs +that they were, leaving behind them five of their number, while it is +safe to promise that more than one of those who ran carried with them +bullets that had been moulded by the women of Wyoming Valley. + +“Pick up the youngsters and make for the fort,” Master Bartlett said, +sharply, seizing the arm of the woman, who yet remained on her knees +as if paralyzed with fear, and I venture to say that one could not +have counted sixty from the time we left the stockade until we were +inside it once more and the gates barred, with the woman and her three +children in safety. + +“Why did you beat a retreat when we were having the best of it?” I +asked of Master Bartlett, feeling aggrieved because he had turned tail +when there was a possibility, as it seemed to me, of inflicting further +injury upon the enemy. + +“Because it stands us in hand to keep them in ignorance of our +numbers,” he replied. “If, peradventure, they have learned how weak +a force we are, then can we count on seeing not only those who have +retreated, but an hundred others, mayhap, in front of this stockade by +sunrise.” + +This he said to me hurriedly, and literally shouldered me aside as he +spoke, that he might look in the face of the woman whom we had saved. + +“This is Mrs. Stockbridge, if I’m not mistaken,” the old man said, +taking the yet terrified woman by the arm. “What were you doing here, +mistress, that you failed to join the others in their flight?” + +“It is Master Bartlett!” she cried in a frenzy of joy, as she seized +the old man’s hand. “Thank God you were come in time to save my little +ones!” + +“But what have you been doing here so long?” the old man asked, sharply. + +“When the others fled I was left behind because of trying to save some +little things for the children, and on coming out of the house found +myself alone in the settlement.” + +“And then?” Master Bartlett cried. “And then why did you not go?” + +“Because I dared not!” she wailed. “It seemed as if we were entirely +surrounded by the savages, and, not being able to carry all three of +the children, I knew it was impossible they could keep pace with me in +the rapid flight.” + +“But when the savages burned this settlement?” Stephen Morley asked, +and of a verity it did seem a miracle that this woman should have been +alive, amid the ruins of her house, in which hardly four of the timbers +were unconsumed. + +“On finding ourselves alone, deserted, as it were, I went into the +cellar with the children, and there, in the casks which had been sunken +that we might make saltpetre, I took refuge, not knowing when the +building was fired.” + +“And you lived while your home burned above your heads?” Stephen Morley +demanded, but it was a useless question since there stood the woman +before him. + +“Yes, by the goodness of God. Because we had been working so lately +with the lye, and in order to get the water from the outside had +brought it in a stream across what remained of the floor, such timbers +as I could pile above us were sodden; they protected us even against +the heat of the burning house.” + +“And have you been there ever since?” I asked in astonishment, saying +to myself that it was little more surprising she and her children had +lived in that narrow hiding-place so long than that the poor protection +had saved them from the fire. + +“I gathered up food when we made ready for the flight, and therefore +had plenty with which to feed the babies, while one of the casks was +filled with clear water, therefore, save for being in such narrow +quarters, we suffered no harm.” + +“And how was it the savages discovered you at this time?” some one +asked, and then we learned that it was through us the poor woman had +ventured out at the very moment when danger lurked close at hand. + +It seemed that she had heard our voices when we came through the +settlement, and only waited to make certain we were not pursuers. +Leaving the children in the place of concealment, she had come out +a few moments before, listening at the gate of the stockade until +satisfying herself who was inside. Then returning, and taking the +children with her, started for the fort just as John Butler’s butchers +arrived. + +“It was well we decided to leave the cave,” Master Bartlett said as if +speaking to himself. “Not yet twelve hours since we set out, and here +are four lives saved. What may we not do later?” Then, in a louder +tone, he added, turning to me, “Our work is cut for us, lad; it lies +here and there among the ruins of the different settlements, rather +than in any fortified place.” + +While he was speaking to me Mistress Stockbridge had been kissing and +fondling her children as if after a long time of separation, and I +could well understand she believed, in her ignorance, that after all +the horrors of the past few days was she come unto deliverance, whereas +she stood, perhaps, in more danger than while among the lye-casks under +the ruins of her home. + +“Is there any good reason why we should stand here chattering like a +party of old women?” Stephen Morley asked impatiently, and I, surprised +at his tone, turned upon him with the question: + +“What would you have us do?” + +“Anything rather than remain here. Is it in your mind that those +savages whom we sprang upon so suddenly are yet running? Even though +there was nothing else to call them back, they would strive to save the +scalps of their friends whom we have killed, as you should know from +what has been done in the past. It is time we were making a move.” + +“True for you, Stephen Morley,” Master Bartlett said, heartily. “I was +near to forgetting myself, in the joy of knowing we had been allowed to +save this poor woman and her children from the knives of those fiends.” + +“But where are we to go?” I asked, helplessly, thus showing how little +I knew concerning the work in which I embarked when joining the Minute +Boys. + +“It matters little, so that we be not here when those whom we attacked +return, as return they will very shortly.” + +Then it was that I bethought me now had come the time when no complaint +could be made against the plan which Giles March and I had formed of +carrying Elias Shendle to the cave, and I said, beginning to speak even +as Giles himself came across the enclosure to learn the cause of the +firing: + +“You can’t go far, or make any very desperate fight while Mistress +Stockbridge and her children are of the party, neither am I willing +that we desert Elias Shendle while he is unable to raise a hand in his +own defence.” + +“Well, lad?” Master Bartlett said, impatiently, knowing most like I had +some plan to propose. + +“It is in this way, as Giles March and I have figured it: We two can +carry Elias Shendle to the cave, returning here within five hours, if +so be we travel in the light, and day is now close at hand. Why is it +not an act of prudence to take the poor lad to our refuge, and with him +these four who have just been rescued?” + +“It is what should be done,” Master Bartlett said decidedly, and much +to my surprise, for I had fancied he might take stand against the +proposal. “If we are to accomplish anything more, we cannot be hampered +by such helpless ones as these,” and he pointed toward the children. +“We will all go back with you a mile, perhaps, and then, returning, so +cover the trail that the savages may not be able to follow it.” + +For the first time since we had found that place of safety on the +mountainside, did I realize how simple a matter it might be for those +human bloodhounds to track us out, for we had journeyed back and forth +without giving heed to our footsteps. + +It sounds strange that a lad living in such times, and accustomed to +a life of danger, himself trailing man and beast when the necessity +arose, should have forgotten entirely how easy it would be for the +enemy to come upon that refuge which we had, in our heedlessness, +believed no foe could find. + +However, that wasn’t the time to consider such a matter. Our helpless +ones were there, and must remain for a certain number of days at +all events. We could only hope that they might be able to defend +themselves, should need arise. At present, it was for us to pursue the +plans we had formed and already begun. + +As soon as Master Bartlett had fallen in so completely with the +proposition made by me, Giles March and I set about making a litter, +which consisted of two saplings bound together by vines, interwoven so +closely as to form a rude bed on which the sufferer could lie. + +Because in this work all assisted, we were ready in less than ten +minutes from the time of the rescue to set out, and then the grayish +hue of the eastern sky was telling of the day to come. Giles March and +I stripped off our hunting-shirts, laying them across the saplings in +order to render the rude litter a trifle more comfortable to the poor +lad, and when we lifted him upon this rough couch he opened his eyes, +looking at us in a manner which told he understood what we were doing. + +“It is to carry you back among the mountains, dear lad,” I said to him +as I laid both our muskets by his side. “There will be found those who +can care for you better than we, and you will be safe from the fiends +who have worked so much of misery upon us.” + +“Death is very near to me, Jonathan Ogden,” he whispered, “and it seems +better you should strive to aid those who have more of life remaining +in them.” + +“We shall so patch you up, Elias Shendle, that within two weeks’ time +you will be begging to go out with us, when we show to John Butler that +his hand is not so mighty as the happenings of the past two or three +days have led him to believe,” Giles March said, cheerily. + +Then, taking up the handles of the litter, we set off, Mistress +Stockbridge walking by Elias’s side, where she might be able to +minister to his wants, and the children following close behind. + +After them marched the remainder of the party, and as we went out +through the gates of the stockade the day was so nearly come that +it was possible to see our way through the thicket with reasonable +clearness. + +Thus did we take up the line of march, silently, for the children, +young though they were, realized, after their past terrible experience, +how necessary it was they should hold their peace. We were returning to +that little refuge in the mountainside where the helpless ones might be +left, as we believed, in safety. + +Once well clear of the fort Master Bartlett halted us, saying, as he +did so: + +“In order that you two lads may be the fresher for the task yet before +you when we have gone as far as seems best, let Miles Parker and Daniel +Hinchman carry the litter.” + +It was a heavy burden over that rough way, but yet we would not have +complained, however severe the labor. When, however, Master Bartlett +himself made this suggestion, it seemed to me a good one, since by +acting upon it we could advance just so much the more rapidly. + +After this change had been made we went on hurriedly, for there was no +telling how soon those painted curs would be at our heels, and when we +had covered a mile or more in distance, again the old man called a halt. + +“Now has come the time when we shall turn back, Jonathan Ogden. +Instead of making any further effort to go up the valley, we will +wait somewhere between here and the stockade for your coming, unless, +peradventure, those savages who left us so suddenly should come back in +the meanwhile with reinforcements, and we be obliged to shift quarters. +Do not delay any longer than may be necessary, but on approaching the +settlement again, take ample time to move warily, for I warn you that +the danger will be great.” + +This was our leave-taking, and my heart was light when Giles March +and I continued on, bearing Elias Shendle between us, with Mistress +Stockbridge and the children following close at hand, for there was no +question in my mind but that within five hours, at the very longest, we +would again be with those whom we called comrades. + +More than once before we arrived at the cave was it necessary for Giles +and me to set down the burden in order to relieve our aching arms; but +I promise you that the halts were no longer than seemed absolutely +necessary, for we had good reason to make the utmost speed. + +It can well be supposed that Mistress Morley and Esther Hinchman were +surprised when, while yet a short distance from the cave, we cried out +to them that we were returning, lest they should be alarmed at hearing +footsteps, and then, as they came to know what we had already succeeded +in doing, their joy can be perhaps faintly imagined. + +It seemed to me that more than once during the journey had Elias +slumbered or lapsed into unconsciousness, but when we took him into the +cave where he was greeted by Samuel Rogers and Oscar Stephenson--when +he saw what seemed to be a place of refuge from all the horrors which +had surrounded him, his face lighted up with sudden joy, and I fancied +that the belief he had escaped from his enemies was already doing much +toward his recovery. + +We made up another bed of twigs and leaves, where the lad could +lie between his two wounded comrades, and, having made him thus +comfortable, were ready to depart. Mistress Stockbridge and the +children seemed wondrously contented--almost happy, if any one could +have been happy in Wyoming Valley at that time, and were settled down +as if at home. + +It seemed necessary we should delay our departure sufficiently long to +tell Esther Hinchman of all that had happened since our starting out, +and when the story was come to an end she said, as if a premonition of +what was to follow overshadowed her: + +“Why do you lads go back so soon? If it be that the remainder of the +company are to stay in hiding until nightfall, you had best stop here a +while longer.” + +“But they will be looking for us, and, if we fail to show ourselves at +the time set, might come to see what had happened,” I said, laughingly. + +Then we two, Giles March and I, went out, leaving the girl standing at +the entrance of the cave watching with wistful eyes, as if fearing lest +something terrible was about to overtake us. + +With the feeling that the Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley were +accomplishing something of good, even though their numbers had been so +sadly lessened, we lads walked on without thought of taking heed as +to silence. A sense of security was upon us while we were so near the +eastern mountains, but before we had travelled no more than half a +mile Giles March, who was in the advance, stopped suddenly, stepping +backward until he was pressed close against me. + +Even then there was no suspicion in my mind that he might have seen one +of the savages, and, thinking a bear or some other animal was within +easy musket-shot, I looked in the direction he was gazing. + +Then it was as if my heart stood still and the blood in my veins grew +chill, for I saw amid the green leaves, hardly twenty paces away, a +half-naked savage coming toward us, stooping, with his eyes fastened +upon the ground as if he was following the trail. + +There was no time then to speculate as to why the villain had come, nor +how he could have followed our tracks without meeting the remainder of +the party. The traces upon the leaves and earth would lead him directly +to the cave and, however many might be behind, it was our duty to cut +him short in the chase. + +The same thought must have been in Giles’s mind, for before I could +raise my musket he fired. The Indian stopped suddenly, half-raised +himself, and then wheeled about, being lost to view amid the foliage in +an instant. + +We two stood staring at each other in fear and amazement, knowing +beyond a peradventure that the discovery of our refuge, by the enemy +was close at hand, for even though this cur did not live to join his +fellows, they would soon come upon his trail and then follow ours. + +Thus it was that all suddenly and without warning, our cave, wherein +the helpless ones sought safety, was become the most dangerous spot +that could be found, and I grew sick with fear and indecision, not +knowing whether it was our duty to stay and defend the place which +would likely soon be assaulted, or first speed on to tell Master +Bartlett and his company of the disaster which seemed so near at hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +DEFENDING THE CAVE + + +That which seemed to me at the moment most important was whether +Giles’s shot had been a fatal one, or, if he had wounded that +bloodhound, who, most like by accident, had come upon our trail, and +the question shaped itself into words. + +“There is yet life enough remaining in him, judging by the way in which +he turned, to admit of his giving the alarm, unless his companions +are too far away,” Giles replied, and continued in a tone of grief: +“Why did I not shoot with surer aim? Why have we allowed the murdering +villain to escape?” + +“It is of little moment, Giles March, whether he lived or died,” I +said, soothingly, and the lad looked at me in surprise, whereupon I +hastened to add: “When he failed to return to his fellows, they would +most likely set out in search of him, and, coming upon the trail, not +only follow it to where his body might be lying, but to our cave.” + +“What shall we do?” Giles asked, helplessly, and I was unable to answer +the question promptly. + +“It seems to me as necessary Master Bartlett and his party be warned, +as that we return to guard the cave,” I said, half to myself. “Help +me to decide whether we shall go back simply to give the alarm, then +striving to reach those who are waiting for us by the river, or if we +ought to remain at the cave.” + +“To my mind we have little need for raising such a question,” Giles +said, promptly. “When we fail to return, our comrades must understand +that something of serious import has detained us, and will be on the +alert for danger from this direction. There are none in the cave to +defend it, save the women, for those crippled lads would make a poor +showing in trying to handle a weapon. We must go back, and without +delay.” + +Even while recognizing the truth of Giles’s words, I was in doubt as to +which party of our friends stood more in need of aid just then. That +the women could stand off the savages for a time seemed certain, and I +knew only too well that the little company of Minute Boys, being all +unsuspicious of danger from the rear, might easily be overwhelmed. + +Yet when Giles wheeled about, marching resolutely up the mountain, I +followed, and neither of us spoke until Esther Hinchman, hearing our +footsteps, crept cautiously out to see who might be approaching. + +The quick-eyed girl could readily see by our faces that something in +the nature of a disaster had prevented the continuance of the journey, +and coming yet farther from the cave, as if fearing lest those within +should be unduly alarmed, she asked, in a whisper: + +“What is it?” + +I could not bring myself to tell her that even at the moment, when she +fancied herself in comparative security, John Butler’s wolves were on +the trail, and hesitated and stammered until Giles March cut me short +by saying: + +“We met one of the savages on the trail not far from here, but +succeeded only in wounding him. He was following us, and there is good +reason for believing more than he may come very shortly.” + +I had looked to see Esther Hinchman overcome with alarm and grief, but +to my surprise she bore herself as bravely as her brother could have +done, asking sharply: + +“How long a time, think you, before they can get here?” + +“As to that, we have ample opportunity for making such further +preparations for defence as may be needed,” I replied, able now to +speak with her concerning the danger, since she seemed prepared to meet +it. “Surely a full half-hour must pass before that cur can gather force +enough to come upon us,--he hasn’t the courage to follow the trail +farther alone, even though he may have the ability.” + +“What ought we to do in the way of making ready for them?” she asked, +and I said, as I believed, that there was nothing further which could +be done with profit, save it might be to roll the boulders a trifle +closer together, and even while speaking I questioned if that would be +advisable, since in the fight, which was almost certain to come sooner +or later, it might be necessary for one or more of us to leave the cave +secretly and quickly. + +“The others must be told,” she said, turning to run on in advance. + +Giles and I lingered that we might not witness the first outburst of +grief in which we believed the women would indulge. + +When, five minutes later, we entered the cave, it could plainly be +seen by the expression on the faces of Mistress Morley, Mistress +Stockbridge and the others that the worst was known; but yet I could +see no evidences of terror. The poor people had passed through so much +that was horrible during the last eight and forty hours that it was no +longer possible to cause them further alarm. + +Elias Shendle beckoned feebly to me with his uninjured hand, and, +dropping on my knee beside him, I whispered: + +“What is it, lad?” + +“Did you see more than one of the savages?” he asked. + +“No, no, Elias; Esther has told you all the truth. There was but one, +and he followed our trail, therefore do we know that others will come +shortly.” + +“Unless it should be that Master Bartlett and the lads, seeing them, +and having suspicions of their intent, do something toward stopping +the curs,” he whispered, and then it was that for the first time I saw +somewhat of hope in the situation. There yet seemed a possibility that +the attack which I had reckoned on so confidently might not be made. + +“There are two of us wounded lads here who should be of some service in +defending the place,” Oscar Stephenson said. “I can make my way to the +entrance unaided, and, if Samuel Rogers and Elias Shendle were carried +forward where it would be possible to see out, why might not they be +able to discharge a musket with reasonably good effect?” + +“There are as many of us here uninjured as can fight with advantage,” I +replied, quickly. “The entrance is so narrow that more than two would +choke it, and, with the women to load the guns, I see no reason why +Giles and I should not be able to do as much execution as could half a +dozen who would be forced to fall back after firing, that others might +take their places.” + +There is no good reason why I should set down all that was said during +the first few moments after coming back with such woful tidings. When +it was decided that Giles and I alone would face the enemy, and we took +our places with all the muskets in the cave loaded and lying ready at +hand, everything possible had been done. + +It only remained for the savages to open the battle, and I counted +that, because of the screen of bushes directly in front of the +aperture, the foremost of those who came on the trail would show +themselves fair targets for us before understanding they were at the +end of the journey, therefore, as I said to Giles, were we likely to +cut down a couple before they could fire a shot. + +“It is not well that we talk one with the other, save in whispers,” +Giles said, after we had taken our stations behind the boulders which +partially blocked the entrance, “else by so doing we give the savages +token as to where we are.” + +On the instant a profound silence reigned, and I could understand that +the wounded lads and anxious women must be suffering mentally, for the +waiting was like unto that which a soldier experiences while standing +in line of battle listening for the word to begin his work. + +The suspense was terrible as we watched eagerly for the first movement +of the bushes which should tell of the approach of the enemy, straining +our ears for the lightest unusual sound, and when it seemed as if a +full hour had passed since we heard even a whisper from our companions, +there came a rustling at the farther end of the cave, which, because of +the stillness, startled me. + +Looking around, I saw that Mistress Morley and Mistress Stockbridge +were dragging the wounded lads yet farther into the cavern, where they +might the better be sheltered from a stray bullet, and heard Elias +Shendle say, hoarsely: + +“It is the children who should be thus protected; not we lads, who are +of no good either to ourselves or our friends.” + +I was yet watching the movements of these brave-hearted women, when +Giles discharged his weapon, and, turning suddenly, I saw lying almost +directly in front of the opening the half-naked body of a dead Indian. + +The savages had come, but in what number it was impossible even to +guess, and now was the time at hand when the lives of all within our +place of refuge depended upon the watchfulness of Giles and myself. + +“How many did you see?” I asked, and he replied as he took up a loaded +musket, pushing his empty one back that it might be recharged by +Mistress Morley: + +“Only one, and it is not certain but that he may be the same at whom I +fired before.” + +Then it was that I searched with my eyes every inch of that dusky form +which could be seen lying so hideously still in front of us, hoping to +find there the trace of a second bullet, but seeing none. Then came +the disheartening realization that, when the day was done and darkness +covered everything as with a veil, we could not prevent the red wolves +from creeping up until, sheltered by the same boulders behind which we +lay, they might shoot into the cave. + +I should have grown even more timorous than I was had I not shaken off +such forebodings resolutely, and given myself wholly up to the task of +watching for a target. + +So profound was the silence that when Mistress Morley, having loaded +the weapon Giles had discharged, pushed it forward toward us, I started +like one in fear, and was near to trembling so violently that she might +have seen it. + +Not a sound from the outside broke the silence; nothing betokened the +probable fact that the bloodthirsty enemy, perhaps in large numbers, +were crouching within a few paces, hoping to kill, and a stranger who +could have looked in on us then would have questioned why we two lads +were lying there behind the rocks watching so intently through the +narrow aperture. + +I believe ten minutes had passed in this distressing suspense, when +Giles whispered, cautiously: + +“It is ten times worse than a battle, lying here where nothing can be +seen, until one’s eyes become so tired that he fancies this bush or +that is suddenly turned into one of John Butler’s demons.” + +I would have made reply in much the same strain, but at that moment +the leaves to the right of our trail were moved aside in a direction +contrary to the breeze which was blowing, and then I saw two fierce, +eager eyes peering out from amid the leafy screen of green. + +[Illustration: “TAKING STEADY AIM ... I PULLED THE TRIGGER.”] + +Taking steady aim, my hands as firm now as though they had never +trembled with suspense, I pulled the trigger. Following the report came +a sound like unto the falling of a heavy body, and, regardless of the +necessity that we remain silent, I said, exultantly, to Giles March: + +“That is the second viper we have wiped out!” + +It was like a tonic to me, being able to do some execution, and I found +it difficult to restrain myself from rushing forth boldly, so eager was +I to put an end to this skulking method of warfare. + +Again Mistress Morley performed her work, and I took up a loaded musket. + +“We are equal to twenty of them at this rate, for, with three women to +load the weapons, surely we will be able to fire as fast as they can +give us the opportunity,” I whispered to Giles, and he nodded without +speaking, much as to say that I was forgetting prudence because of the +blood-fever which had come upon me. + +Another long time of anxious waiting, and then I felt a hand upon my +shoulder, when, turning quickly, I saw Esther Hinchman crouching close +behind me. + +“What is it?” I asked, nervously, and she replied: + +“Nothing, save that I wanted you and Giles March to know we were ready +to do whatsoever lay in our power, and await the time when we may be +needed.” + +“That I knew before, dear girl,” I said, feeling wondrously heartened +because of the words, and a sensation near akin to jealousy came into +my heart when I saw her go over to Giles March to give him cheer also, +as if I alone had the right to hear such words from her. + +That my comrade’s courage was strengthened by Esther’s coming, if, +indeed, it had needed strengthening, I knew when he whispered to me: + +“Go back and speak with the lads. They must be in sore need of +cheering, and I can do all that is called for here.” + +There was really no good reason why two of us should remain on guard +while the Indians remained so well concealed, not daring to rush the +place, and I acted on his suggestion, kneeling beside Elias Shendle a +moment later, to say: + +“Everything is well with us, lad, and I believe we may be able to hold +off such force as is concealed near by, until Master Bartlett and those +with him shall come to learn why we failed to join them.” + +“Can you get any idea how many there are in front of the cave?” Elias +asked, and I told him what had been done--that we had succeeded thus +far in killing the only two who had, as I believed, gotten a view of +the entrance to our retreat. + +“I wish I might take a hand in the matter, instead of being thus worse +than useless,” he said, and pressing his hand, I replied, warmly: + +“You are far from being useless yet awhile, Elias Shendle. Do your best +at getting on your feet once more, and thus will you hearten us all. I +am yet looking to see the time when our company of Minute Boys, or as +many as are alive, will be able to do their full share toward driving +from the valley those who are even now ravaging it.” + +“All that might have been done already, Jonathan Ogden, if I, and such +as I, had not been a hindrance. If the savages had killed us outright +then you would not be wasting your time here defending us.” + +“Nay, lad, you are wrong in that, since whether you were alive or dead +should we be held here because of the women and children. I count that +we Minute Boys are doing full service when we save the lives of as many +as are here in this cave, and that I warrant you we shall do, however +hotly those who are lurking outside may press us, for we hold the +advantage to such an extent that an hundred of them could never gain an +entrance while two of us are able to discharge the muskets which the +women can load.” + +Then I went in turn to each of the other lads, whispering such words of +comfort as came most readily to my tongue, and returned to my place by +Giles March’s side, feeling as never before the importance of holding +myself well together in order to cheer those who were depending upon us. + +Later Esther Hinchman brought us dried meat, and water in a vessel of +birch bark, which she had deftly fastened together with thorns, and we +made what served us well for a meal, watching keenly as we ate. + +Then, in turn, Giles went back to speak with our wounded comrades, +leaving me alone on guard, and in this wise did time pass until evening +came, without our having again seen anything at which we should shoot. + +Just at twilight, when we might distinguish the bushes in front of us +and yet not be able to see clearly, that happened which robbed me of my +sense of security. + +The children had laid down to sleep, their mothers sitting beside +them to check any cry of alarm which might come if one of the muskets +was discharged suddenly, when I heard distinctly the dropping of a +pebble, evidently from that portion of the cave where Master Bartlett +had formed the narrow chimney by thrusting down through the earth a +sharpened sapling. + +Giles’s head came up on the instant, and I knew he had heard the same. +It seemed like a matter of small moment to thus arouse two who were +defending the lives of so many; but we had learned to distrust the +lightest unusual sound, knowing that it betokened some new danger, +although for the instant it was impossible to say what. + +Then, suddenly, the reason for the dropping of that pebble came to me. +Touching Giles ever so lightly, that he should understand I had left +him, I stole softly back to the fireplace, and, as I looked up through +the aperture, a few tiny particles of earth struck my face. + +Then was it all plain. + +The Indians, despairing of being able to dislodge us by direct assault, +except at too great a cost, had been prowling about searching for some +other entrance to our place of refuge, and their keen sense of smell +had detected the odor of smoke near by that small hole. + +Hurriedly I asked myself what it might be possible for them to do, and +began to realize that, unless the earth contained as many rocks as +would serve to form a roof sufficiently strong to uphold the soil, then +might they without danger to themselves so loosen the whole as to bury +us completely. + +If Master Bartlett had been able to force a sapling through the earth +without meeting any obstruction, then was it likely that the same +might be done in other places, and half a dozen of such holes would be +sufficient to bring down the mass upon us, when the weight of a dozen +or more savages was put upon it. + +In a twinkling I could see that we might all be killed without a shot +having been fired, and the danger was one against which we could not +guard and yet hold ourselves covered. + +Going back hurriedly to Giles March, I would have told him that which I +had learned, but he checked me by saying: + +“I can understand it all, lad, and there is no reason for words. They +are above the fireplace.” + +“Yes; I felt the soft earth as it fell.” + +“And they may work there, for all I can see, until the task is +finished,” he said, and to this I made no reply, for verily none was +needed. + +Then, while one might have counted twenty, we two remained silent, +after which he whispered, drawing closer to me lest our companions +might hear: + +“Oscar Stephenson is less sorely wounded than either of the others. He +can, by resting his musket against one of the boulders, be depended on +to take my place here.” + +“Where would you go, Giles March?” I asked, yet at the same time +knowing full well what was in his mind. + +“Outside. In less than half an hour it will be possible to move about +among the trees, because of the darkness, as well as can the Indians, +and with no more danger than they will be running.” + +“But you are like to come upon them unawares.” + +“Ay, but so are they like to come upon me, and he who is least +surprised will get the best of the battle.” + +“But what if you should be worsted?” + +“You who remain here would be in no greater danger, and there is +a chance that I may be able to put an end to that work above the +fireplace.” + +“You shall go, Giles March,” I said after a moment’s thought. “I +believe you are warranted in doing so, for before morning, unless they +are turned from the effort, will we be buried alive.” + +“Then you are to stay here on guard with Oscar,” he whispered, groping +about for his powder-horn, and I replied in a tone of one who is not +disposed to argue the matter: + +“You and I go together, Giles March. Mistress Morley can do as good +work here as either of us, and she, with Oscar, will be able to defend +the entrance.” + +He would have remonstrated, despite my manner of speaking, but that I +cut him short by saying: + +“It is no longer a question of what we _would_ do, Giles March, but of +what we _must_. With you to make your way up the mountainside at the +left, and me on the right, we stand a chance of being able one to aid +the other in case of a hand-to-hand fight, and I am of the opinion that +two are needed, therefore it only remains to tell the others what we +propose to do.” + +“Then do you go back and prepare them for the change, while I remain +here, and because it is necessary we go at once, try to find my +powder-horn. It should have been near here; but likely Mistress Morley +used it when she loaded the muskets.” + +I did as he bade me, summoning the women to where our wounded lads +could hear what was said, for I was not minded to go over the plan more +than once, because of my desire to get at work as soon as possible. + +As I expected, much opposition was made, particularly by Mistress +Stockbridge, who claimed that if we two lads, the only able-bodied male +members of the party, went out, then would their doom be certain; but I +cut her short by saying: + +“If we remain then is there no hope that a single one of us will be +alive when the sun rises again. It wasn’t to discuss the matter that I +came back here, but to tell you what was to be done. Mistress Morley +and Oscar Stephenson will take our places at the entrance. Mistress +Stockbridge will, if it shall be necessary, reload their weapons, and +thus the defence may be continued the same as if Giles March and I +remained.” + +“I wish I might be with you,” Elias Shendle said, faintly, and although +we were going into direst danger, I pitied the dear lad because he +was forced to remain inactive at a time when he knew, as did all the +others, that every hand which could be raised in our behalf was needed. + +It was Esther Hinchman who brought the powder-horns when I asked for +them, and whispered softly as she put them in my hands: + +“May God go with you, and send you back unharmed!” + +I think it was some such words as those which I needed just at that +time, for until she spoke there was a chill at my heart because of +believing the time to be so near at hand when we must lead these +defenceless ones out to meet the bloodthirsty wolves, unless we were +willing they should die from suffocation beneath the roof of their +refuge, and I said to her that which at the moment I firmly believed. + +“He must send us back that we may be able to take you out from this +place of danger.” + +She and I helped Oscar Stephenson out to the entrance, Mistress Morley +following, and as we came up Giles March arose to his feet. + +I gave him the powder-horn, swung mine over my shoulder, made certain +of having a handful of bullets in my pocket, and we two stood listening +intently to make certain that the time was ripe for us to begin the +hazardous venture. + +Night had fully come. In the forest, as we were, it was impossible to +see half a dozen paces in advance, and because of the trees were there +no shadows to be cast, therefore it was necessary only to guard against +making a noise. It can well be imagined that we moved stealthily while +coming out from between the boulders, he going to one side and I to +the other, the friendly night swallowing us up almost immediately. + +So far as the whereabouts of the Indians were concerned, we knew only +that one or more of them must be directly above the cave over the +fireplace, and it was reasonable to suppose there were others here or +there guarding against a surprise. To avoid those who were acting as +sentinels was the most difficult portion of our task. + +I made a wide détour, counting to ascend the mountain fifteen or +twenty yards above where I believed the enemy were, and then coming +down upon them from that direction in which they would least expect +any interference, knowing full well that in order to make even such +a journey an hour or more would be required, because my advance was +necessarily so slow that I hardly took a single pace in a full minute. + +It was as if the forest was untenanted save by the beasts and birds +whom God had placed there; I heard no sound, saw nothing betokening +danger, until I was come forty paces or more from the starting-point, +and then, so suddenly that I was literally stupefied by bewilderment, +did two sinewy hands clutch my throat, bending me backward and yet +further backward as if to crush my bones. + +Cry out I could not, because of that steel-like grasp upon my throat, +and even though I had been able to call for help I would not, since by +so doing it would have brought Giles March straight to his death; for +I knew all too well that he would never pass unheeded an appeal from +me, however great the danger which menaced him. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +UNEXPECTED AID + + +I was well-nigh powerless in the grasp of the brawny savage, and, +although nearly suffocated, there came into my mind the question as to +how long I could stand the strain which he was putting upon me. + +Each second were my senses growing more and more dim, and yet I +wondered whether I might live one minute or two, for it was a settled +fact in my mind that death had then come, and there was no power which +could be summoned to my aid to hold it back. + +Fortunately for me, although as a matter of course I did not understand +it at the time, this human wolf of John Butler’s was as eager to keep +the silence as I, for, not knowing how many of us might have come out +of the cave, he naturally supposed I had at my back a sufficient force +to meet those who were working on the mountainside above, and to his +mind an alarm would be the same as turning the tables upon them. + +My brain was in a whirl. It seemed as if I could see a dozen hideous +faces swaying round and round in a circle before me; sparks of fire +danced before my eyes, and in another instant I would have been sent +out of this world beyond a peradventure. + +All this I realized despite the mental confusion caused by the +suffocation, and then suddenly I felt the fingers relax. I staggered +back against a tree, and when my adversary sank slowly to his knees, +and then downward until he lay prone upon the earth, falling in a heap +as does one who has been killed while standing, I believed it was all a +trick of the imagination--that while I was passing into the Beyond this +picture, and this belief that I was no longer being choked, was but a +fancy born of death. + +Then while I swayed to and fro, striving to collect my scattered +senses, a voice whispered in my ear as a hand was passed over my face: + +“Did he wound you, or are you only half-choked?” + +“A good bit more than _half_-choked,” I replied, now beginning to +understand that I had to do with a friend, and yet bewildered because +one had appeared so unexpectedly. “Is it you, Giles March?” + +I bent down as I spoke, and to my utter amazement did I see Esther +Hinchman standing before me. She it was who had stricken down the +savage when he was so near to making an end of me, and I believe the +astonishment caused by such fact was greater than the bewilderment +from which I suffered while nearly suffocated. + +“How did you come here?” I asked, regardless of the fact that it was +dangerous even to whisper in that place, which we knew must be peopled +with our enemies. + +“I followed you out from the cave, fearing lest something of this sort +might happen, and knowing that you and Giles March were to separate.” + +“But how was it that Mistress Morley so nearly lost her head as to +allow you to come?” I continued, and she replied in a whisper light as +the morning breeze: + +“There was no reason why I should stay. I could be of no assistance in +the cave, and here I was needed, as it so chanced. Is it in your mind, +Jonathan Ogden, that we girls of Wyoming Valley should have no part in +this desperate struggle, or do you believe we ought to sit with folded +arms, while our fathers and our brothers sacrifice their lives in our +behalf?” + +It was folly for me to remain in that place talking with the girl, when +duty demanded that I ascend the mountain at as nearly an equal pace +with Giles March as might be possible, and, besides, it was dangerous +to indulge in conversation. + +Therefore it was that, taking her by the arm lest we be separated +in the darkness, I led her by my side, continuing the advance as +stealthily as was in my power, and she knew enough of woodcraft to be +able to make her way through the undergrowth with no more of noise than +might have been caused by a falling leaf. + +Never before had I admired one of my race as I have since that moment! +It was all so strange to me that this young girl could come out and +do the work of a man, and such work! She had saved my life, and while +climbing up the mountainside, feeling the way inch by inch lest I set +my foot upon a dry twig which would give the alarm, I resolved that all +my life long would I endeavor to repay her for that which she had done. + +When we came to a spot where the trees grew less dense, I noted that +she carried a musket as well as a knife, and had slung over her +shoulder a powder-horn. She had made ready for the kind of work which +might be found to her hand, and had shown more of wisdom than Giles +March and I put together, for neither of us, in making our plans, had +fancied that we would come upon such an encounter as had just been mine. + +We continued on up the mountainside until having, as I judged, arrived +at a point opposite where Master Bartlett had made the aperture in the +earth to serve us as chimney, and then struck off at right angles, +moving even more slowly than ever because of knowing that when we were +come near to our destination we would be in the very thick of those +painted fiends who were striving to compass the death of the women and +little children in the cave. + +Until we were, according to my belief, almost directly over the cavern, +no sign of the enemy had been seen, save when the fellow who was now +lifeless had seized me; but as we halted, straining our eyes to peer +through the gloom which so nearly concealed surrounding objects, it was +possible to see four or five dark forms clustered within a circle not +more than ten feet in diameter. + +By this time I recovered the wits which had been nearly choked out of +me, and believed Giles March was gazing upon the same scene presented +to Esther Hinchman and me, awaiting some movement on my part. As I +figured to myself, he was nearly opposite where we stood, not very far +away, and if we opened fire it would be necessary to avoid shooting in +his direction. + +It was only needed I should touch Esther Hinchman lightly on the arm, +for her to understand that which was in my mind as clearly as if I gave +the thoughts words, and then we circled around the crouching savages +until believing we were come upon them directly from the rear. + +Raising my musket, I called her attention by gestures to what I was +about to do, and she at the same time took aim. + +I counted that Giles March, hearing the report of our weapons, would +fire almost immediately, and unless two of us had singled out as a +target the same Indian, then we might count on disposing of three at +the first volley. + +When I fired, Esther Hinchman’s shot followed as if it was but an echo +of mine, and before a quick-tongued lad could have counted three came +the report of a musket from where I believed Giles March had stationed +himself. + +We could do no more, for like startled deer two of the savages sprang +forward into the thicket, and the crashing of the branches as they ran +in terror, regardless of their footsteps, told that they had gone down +the mountainside. + +Before it was possible for me to leap forward in order to learn what +execution had been done, two reports rang out seemingly from beneath +our very feet, and then did I know that Oscar Stephenson and Mistress +Morley had caught a glimpse of the fugitives sufficient to warrant them +in shooting. + +An instant later Giles March and I came together as we approached +the place where the Indians had been at work, and there saw two of +the fellows who would give us no further trouble, while it was also +possible that those in the cave had succeeded in inflicting some injury +upon the curs who ran so swiftly. + +“There could have been but few of them here,” Giles said, after making +certain those of our enemies who remained above the cavern were dead, +“for unless my eyes deceived me, there were only four in the party.” + +“Five,” I said, “for Esther Hinchman killed one who was nigh to making +an end of me not forty paces from here.” + +“Esther Hinchman!” Giles March cried in astonishment, and as he spoke +the girl stood before him. + +He looked at her in open-mouthed astonishment, and despite the dangers +and horrors of the situation I could find food for mirth in his +bewilderment. The lad’s surprise was so great that it seemed absolutely +necessary we should gratify his curiosity at once, and in a few words I +told him of what had happened, thereby causing him to seize her hands +as he cried, heeding not the fact that open speech might imperil our +lives: + +“You are a comrade worth having, and if Jonathan Ogden and I had known +of what stuff you are made, I question whether we would have believed +it necessary to stay in the cave instead of rejoining Master Bartlett +and the remainder of the party.” + +It was neither the time nor the place for us to indulge in compliments +or much conversation, and I gave my companions to understand such fact, +while I began looking about to see what the Indians had succeeded in +doing. + +From the evidences of their work it was plain to be seen that they +understood full well how we might be disposed of without danger to +themselves. Although having nothing but sharpened saplings with which +to dig, they had furrowed up the ground in a spot ten to twelve feet +square, until fifteen inches or more of the surface had been removed. +But for the interruption, it seemed certain they would have succeeded +in their purpose within another hour. + +“Keep moving roundabout here, Esther Hinchman, while Giles March and I +shall have put back this earth so far as we may, for as matters look, +it would not require any very heavy weight to throw down the roof of +the cave upon those who are inside.” + +She went on guard as I had suggested, and then it was that Giles March +proposed we cut down a dozen or more saplings, laying them in the +excavation to form a sort of network which would further protect the +roof of our place of refuge, which was now all too insecure, and after +this had been done we pushed back as best we might the soil that had +been removed. + +We must have spent not less than half an hour in this labor, and all +the while did Esther Hinchman flit here and there through the thicket +to make certain there were none of the savages creeping up on us, after +which we went back to relieve the anxiety of those who could not fail +to be wondering why we lingered so long after having discharged our +weapons. + +Not until giving due warning of our coming did we venture to present +ourselves in front of the opening, because in the darkness those who +were on guard might well have shot us down for the enemy, and once +inside the wounded lads as well as the women insisted on knowing what +had taken place, for, as I suspected, they had been filled with keenest +fear lest we had come to some harm. + +I took it upon myself to tell the tale while Mistress Morley and Oscar +Stephenson yet remained on duty at the entrance, and it was my desire +to do so in order to give full meed of praise to Esther Hinchman, +because, except for her courage and quick wit that night, had I been +lying on the mountainside stark and cold as was the fiend whom she had +sent out of the world. + +“There is no longer a chimney to our refuge,” I said, having come to an +end of my story, “and perchance the time is near at hand when we should +make a change of quarters, for I question whether John Butler’s braves +will not come back in strong force, believing there are enough of us +here to afford them pleasing amusement in the way of torture.” + +“Shall we go out now?” Mistress Morley asked, as if speaking of making +a pleasant jaunt from one dwelling to another, and I replied with a +laugh, for my heart was strangely light, having come back to life as it +seemed I had: + +“I wouldn’t care to undertake a journey through the thicket in the +darkness, howsoever great might be the peril which threatened, and +even when the sun shall rise to-morrow, I am of the belief that either +Giles March or I should seek out the remainder of our company before +making any change, lest we lose them in the wilderness.” + +Esther Hinchman was not disposed to set herself up as a heroine, and +as soon as we were inside the cave, even while I was telling the story +of what she had done, the dear girl went from one to the other of the +wounded lads, striving to give them more of comfort or relief. + +As was but natural, we speculated upon the probable force of the +party which had come so near compassing our death, and only then did +I remember that Oscar Stephenson and Mistress Morley had fired at the +fugitives. + +“My bullet went wide of its mark, I feel certain,” Oscar said in reply +to my question. “I fired at what was hardly more than a shadow; but +Mistress Morley believes hers sped with truer aim, and I am counting, +if there be not a dead Indian on the trail a short distance in front of +us, one grievously wounded is trying to make his way to the river.” + +Giles March would have gone out to learn what he could, but that I +insisted on his remaining, for the price he might be called upon to pay +would be too great simply for the satisfying of our curiosity. + +Well, of what we said that night among ourselves I could write many +pages; but they would be entertaining only to those who took part +in the conversation, therefore is it enough if I say that we kept +vigilant watch throughout all the long hours of darkness. + +After a new day was come, rendering it possible to see each other’s +faces, I fancied that all the wounded lads were in better condition +than they had been four and twenty hours previous, while each of our +small party wore a look of hopefulness, in vivid contrast with the +despair that had been written on the features when first arriving at +that place of refuge. + +Giles March and I had long since taken the places of Oscar Stephenson +and Mistress Morley at the entrance, and after meat, which had been +cooked the day previous, and water was brought to us that we might at +least go through the form of eating breakfast, Giles asked of me: + +“Which shall it be, Jonathan Ogden, you or me?” + +“What mean you?” I inquired in perplexity. + +“Was it not in your mind last night that one of us would go to meet the +others of our company?” + +I made no reply for the moment; that which a short time previous had +seemed the proper thing to do now looked much like foolhardiness. +During the night I had persuaded myself that the savages could not come +upon us in any force within six and thirty hours at the most, because +of the fact that they must necessarily be scattered all over the valley +in their work of butchery, and I had more desire to linger there on +the chance of our friends coming to learn of our fate than of dividing +the force. + +I gave words to much of that which was in my mind; but Giles March +would not be convinced it was the part of wisdom for us thus to delay, +and I argued the matter at considerable length until, while we were yet +talking incautiously loud, the sound of footsteps could be heard but a +short distance in front of us. + +On the instant we were on the alert and ready for what had a ring of +danger in it, and then came a low call like the note of a catbird, +whereupon I ran out quickly, knowing that Master Bartlett was near at +hand. + +What a relief it was when I saw all of our friends had returned, and +the look of anxiety, which had not yet passed from their faces, told +how disturbed in mind they had been regarding our safety. + +“You have had a tussle with the savages,” Master Bartlett said, +hurriedly, as I advanced to meet him. + +“How know you that?” + +“There is a dead one on the trail a short distance below here.” + +“Ay, Mistress Morley was right; she gave him more lead than he could +carry, and now may we count that only one of that villainous gang +escaped.” + +As a matter of course, it was necessary I explain the meaning of my +words to those who gathered around me, and, when I was come to an end +of the story, Stephen Morley and Master Bartlett appeared to be more +concerned in mind than before. + +“What is it?” I asked, thinking, mayhap, they had brought news of worse +disaster. + +“Enough, to my thinking,” Stephen Morley replied, grimly. “You believe +one of the red wolves escaped, and we may be certain that he will +bring back a crowd to smoke you out of the cave. There are not so many +victims to be had in the valley now that they can afford to let slip +our party, and the question is, what shall be done, Simon Bartlett?” + +While the two men were discussing the matter, I asked Daniel Hinchman +to tell me what he and his companions had done since Giles March and I +left them. + +“Very little,” he replied, “save to learn that Colonel Dennison and +some of our friends yet remain in Forty Fort. John Butler is trying to +keep the word which he gave when they surrendered; but his red butchers +are not inclined to be kept in leading-strings while there is yet blood +to be spilled, therefore do those under Dennison fear to go out lest +they be massacred, for they are the same as without weapons.” + +“And the Indians themselves?” I asked. “Do they remain near the fort?” + +“Only so many of them as John Butler’s Tories can hold there by force. +So nearly as we could learn they are divided in parties of from +twenty-five to fifty, travelling to and fro, destroying such dwellings +as first were spared the flames, because of being at too great a +distance from the stockade.” + +“And how many settlers yet remain alive?” I asked. + +“That cannot be said by me or any other. There are many who have fled; +women and children have gone on foot across the mountains, or down +the river, trusting to rafts or even single logs, and yet scores upon +scores of them are fallen under the tomahawk of the savages or the +bullets of the Tories, for it is difficult to say whether the red man +or the white is inclined to show the least mercy.” + +“And you found no others who might be aided?” + +“None. All that has been done by us, in addition to gaining the +information I have just given you, was a brush with half a dozen whom +we met near by Fort Ogden, and to those we gave such a taste of our +metal that they will never again follow any other so-called leaders who +come from Johnson’s Hall. If we had fifty lads or men, Jonathan Ogden, +we would drive those human wolves to take shelter in the stockade at +Forty Fort, and hold them there. Now has come the time when we may take +revenge, and I pray that my life be spared long enough to shoot down as +many as I believe I should claim as my share.” + +“But we can’t roam here or there over the valley,” I said, after a +pause, and he replied, bitterly: + +“True, and the reason is that some of us must be left to protect those +who cannot care for themselves. If Stephen Morley and Master Bartlett +would decide that the women and children should undertake the journey +over the mountains, then might we be left free-handed to do as is our +duty.” + +“But you forget the wounded, Daniel; they may not be moved yet awhile.” + +“You are right, Jonathan, and thus are we hampered,” Daniel replied, +and then he went up the trail toward the cave to greet his sister, who +stood a short distance away waiting for him impatiently. + +When next I joined the two men it was to find them at loggerheads. +Stephen Morley was of the belief that we might take the three injured +lads, the women and the children, into the stockade at Wyoming, leaving +them there to protect themselves, while we went out to harry the +smaller bands of savages who were roaming to and fro, even as they had +harried our people. + +On the other hand, Master Bartlett insisted that we remain in the +cave during at least eight and forty hours, claiming that there we +could defend ourselves the better, and when I asked why he would delay +that length of time, he replied that it would give at least two of +the wounded chance to recover sufficiently to move through the forest +unaided. + +“But then where will you go, Master Bartlett?” I asked. + +“By that time we shall know better where we are most needed.” + +“How?” Stephen Morley demanded. + +“By going out again. I will take Jonathan Ogden and Giles March, +agreeing to return here within eight and forty hours, and promise you +that while absent we will give good account of ourselves.” + +“But why not take all the able-bodied of our force?” + +“Because now is it certain the cave will be again attacked, and there +must be enough left here to guard it.” + +Then once more the two men fell into a discussion as to the best +course, and, burning with the desire to do something other than remain +on the mountainside in idleness, I cut short the arguments by saying: + +“Stephen Morley is bound to stay here because in his wife and children +he has more at stake than any other. Do you select the force you +desire, Master Bartlett, and let us set off without delay.” + +Master Morley went into the cave as if disgruntled; but, as I looked at +the matter, it was not a time when we were bound to consider one man’s +ideas as against the many, and once more I urged Master Bartlett to do +as I had suggested. + +The result of the matter was that within half an hour we three, the +old man, Giles, and I, were ready to depart, and those of our comrades +who were to be left behind had sorrowful faces, as if, because of being +forced to remain in a place of comparative safety, they were in some +way being deprived of their rights. + +We would have gone without speaking even to the wounded, but that, just +as Master Bartlett took up his musket to set off, Esther Hinchman came +toward me, and I was only too glad to meet her. + +“You will remember, Jonathan Ogden, that while there are helpless ones +left here on the mountainside your life belongs to them. Daniel has +told me how eager you are to be off in the aiding of those who may be +suffering. He believes, and so does Master Morley, that your efforts +will be vain, because there are none left alive needing assistance, +therefore I know full well you will have an encounter with the savages.” + +“Ay, that is what we hope for. There is a price which they must pay +in blood for what has been done, and until the debt is collected I am +hoping no man or lad who once called our valley his home may be willing +to remain idle.” + +“But you will remember that there is a debt which you owe us who are +here.” + +“Meaning that I shall lag behind when there is work to be done?” I said +with a laugh, and she replied, taking my hand with a caressing gesture +which pleased me wondrously: + +“Not so, Jonathan Ogden, for even though you promised it, I would not +believe you could keep such word. I am not asking you to stay here, but +that you remember those whom you leave behind.” + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +A FORTUNATE FIND + + +It heartened me more than I can tell to know that Esther Hinchman had +singled me out to say that which she did. If she had spoken to Giles as +well as me, then would I have known beyond question that her anxiety +was concerning all who might be needed to defend the cave; but she had +picked me from the others, and, without being able to say exactly why, +I rejoiced thereat. + +Turning my head just before passing the fringe of bushes which +concealed the entrance to our place of refuge, I saw that she was +looking after me, and I waved my hand, wishing most fervently it was +possible to put into words the thoughts which were in my heart. + +Until we had travelled two miles or more, no word was spoken between +us who had set off on a scout with the hope of finding some of our +neighbors and friends whose lives might yet be saved, and then it was +that Master Bartlett came to a halt. + +“Why do you stop this side of the river?” I asked, impatiently, for I +was burning as never before with the desire to accomplish that which +would prove to Esther Hinchman I was a lad only in years, that I might +be depended upon to perform a man’s work. + +“Because it is well we understand exactly why we have come,” Master +Bartlett replied in a tone which provoked my curiosity, and Giles March +said, sharply: + +“I thought that much was already agreed upon; surely we made talk +enough concerning it before setting out.” + +“Ay, lad, what we would have the others believe was well threshed out; +but at the time there was another idea in my mind which seemed of more +importance, although I could not give it words lest all the able-bodied +of our company insisted on holding with us.” + +“Do not be so mysterious,” and Giles spoke in a tone of irritation, +“but let us know what you are driving at.” + +“So you shall, lad; it was for that purpose I halted,” the old man +said, deliberately, as if to weigh well his words before uttering them. +“To begin with, we are all agreed that, as soon as the savage who has +learned the secret of our hiding-place can tell his fellows what he +knows, a large force will be sent to smoke us out. Now it is certain +that, in case an attack is made upon the cave, but few of those on the +inside can do anything against them, since, fortunately, the entrance +is so narrow.” + +“No more than two can work to advantage there,” I interrupted, “and, +with two others to reload the weapons, the place cannot be taken from +the front, save by a determined rush, when the first six who presented +themselves would surely be killed.” + +“Ay, and because of that same condition of affairs have we come out as +if on a scout. I am satisfied there are none in the valley at this time +whom we could aid, therefore our only show of accomplishing anything +would be to lie in wait for small parties of the red fiends and wipe +them out.” + +“And is that what you count on doing?” Giles March asked, impatiently. + +“No, lad, because I do not believe we would be warranted in that kind +of fighting so long as we have with us the women and children. I was +eager we three should come out, to the end that we might lie in wait +nearabout until the enemy arrives, and it would go hard if, taking them +in the rear after an attack on the cave was begun, we could not give +the murderers a lesson such as they would not soon forget. If we had +said as much before starting, it would have been hard work to keep the +others back.” + +The old man’s plan was a good one, and I could readily understand that +we might be able to do much execution when the time came; yet, because +of what Esther Hinchman had said, I would have been better pleased to +roam up and down the valley, in the hope of accomplishing something +which might convince her I was able to do a man’s work. + +Giles March, however, was not willing to remain inactive as long as +might be necessary in order to carry out what Master Bartlett had +planned, arguing that it was not reasonable to suppose the savages +could or would be likely to arrive before the day was spent and another +nearly ended. + +“I agree that you have hit upon the proper trick to put a speedy end +to any attack that may be made; but, if that was all we were to do, it +would have been better that we remained in the cave with our friends +at least until to-morrow noon,” he said, quickly. “Since we have come +away, and to the end that we may not be forced to stay here sucking +our thumbs, let us keep on to the river, having a good look at all the +ruins, with the chance of finding some one who has been hidden as was +Mistress Stockbridge.” + +I added my voice to this proposition, since it seemed the true one, and +we started off once more with the agreement that, at the end of four +and twenty hours, we would return to go on watch. + +Our faces were turned toward the river, and we made no other halt +until having arrived at the bank of the stream, when we moved more +cautiously, lest we attract the attention of those of the enemy who +might be on the opposite side. + +Nothing could be seen to cause alarm, and we set about searching such +ruins as lay to the south of where we then were. + +Even as we began the task I understood that it was too much to expect +we could find another family who had remained securely hidden, as had +Mistress Stockbridge and her children; but, nevertheless, we did our +work thoroughly and without interruption until nearly nightfall. + +There was sufficient evidence of butchery and destruction on every hand +to make our hearts ache, but we found no one alive; and, when the sun +was near to setting, Giles March claimed that there was no reason why +we should not be able to learn of what might be going on near Forty +Fort if we were willing to spend the hours of darkness scouting in that +direction. + +To this Master Bartlett made no protest, although I could understand +full well that it caused him pain to walk so far and so long. + +“We should be able to find a canoe somewhere along the bank near these +ruins,” I said to the old man, because it was quite a serious matter +for him to go into the water when he could not swim a stroke, and +immediately I began to search. + +It was only reasonable to suppose that those of the settlers who had +more boats than were needed to take them across the river when they +fled to Forty Fort would have concealed the remainder in the bushes +near the water, and, because of such reckoning, I clambered down the +bank to the very edge of the stream, peering in at every likely spot. + +On arriving opposite the ruins of Eben Towle’s house, which had stood +near the water and was the most southerly in the settlement, I saw +what looked like an opening in the bank, which would have been passed +unnoticed save for the fact that I had been searching for some such +place. + +A tangle of bushes and vines grew nearabout, and, worming my way amid +these, taking care not to disturb them more than might be necessary, I +finally came upon an opening not unlike the den of a bear, which was, +perhaps, three feet in diameter. + +Thrusting in my head, I cried out, thinking it possible some +unfortunate might be hidden therein, and a reply came from Master +Bartlett, who was some distance away on the other side of the ruins. + +It struck me as queer that he should have been able to hear my voice +while I was so far from him, and with my head in a hole, therefore +I called him by name, speaking more softly, and, to my surprise, he +replied promptly, the words sounding as if they had come from the hole +just in advance of me instead of from the open air. + +“Where are you?” I asked, in bewilderment. + +“Here in the bushes. What are you doing in the ruins of that house when +it was agreed you should look for a canoe?” + +Then it was that an idea came into my mind which, although it seemed +unreasonable even to the verge of folly, prompted me to force my way +into the hole. + +I had no more than gotten my body into the entrance when I saw that the +sides of the hole, cave, or tunnel, whichever it might be called, were +timbered to prevent the earth from caving in, and then that which I had +said was folly to imagine became well-nigh a fact. + +I was in a veritable tunnel, which widened as I advanced until it was +really an underground chamber, where, to my great surprise, I saw +stored salted and smoked meat, together with many small packages done +up in bark or furs. + +I was too much excited, because of this fortunate find, to make any +careful examination of the different things around me, but pushed on +until arriving at a wall of rock, through which the light of day came +from above. + +Then it was that I called again for Master Bartlett, asking that he +come down to the ruins of the building, and there was that in my voice +which caused him to obey without parleying; but when he was near at +hand I heard him ask, impatiently: + +“Where are you, lad? It is unwise for us to be moving around where +those on the other side of the river can see all that is going on, and, +if we are not to cross, it is better that we go back into the thicket.” + +Then it was that I tried to explain what I had found, but, before I +had hardly well begun, he cried, excitedly: + +“You have found Eben Towle’s tunnel! I remember he declared, two years +ago, that he had made one, and had a hiding-place out of which he could +not be smoked. That was when the Susquehanna Company had sent warning +we would be driven from the valley by force, and declared blood should +be spilled if we failed to obey.” + +“Can you see any show of such a place from where you are standing?” I +asked, and it was possible for me to hear his footsteps as he walked +twice around the ruins before making reply. + +“There is nothing to be seen here but the charred timbers, lad. How did +you get in?” + +Instead of replying, I made my way out with all speed, save that at the +entrance I moved with the utmost care lest I leave a trail, and, on +coming into the open air once more, saw that Giles March, having heard +our voices, had joined the old man to learn what was going on between +us two. + +Situated as we were, it was but natural that the same thought should +come into the minds of all when the nature of my discovery had been +made known. In this tunnel, which Eben Towle had made as a refuge +against those of the Susquehanna Company who would have driven him from +his home, our little party of women, children, and wounded lads might +remain in safety awhile longer,--surely until the savages tracked us +down once more. + +On the heels of such fact came to me the belief that the time was now +at hand when our company of Minute Boys might be able to give further +proof that they could play the part of soldiers nearly as well as men. +In this tunnel of Eben Towle’s we would be securely hidden in the very +heart of the valley, keeping in touch with those who remained at Forty +Fort, and it would go hard, indeed, if we did not give good account of +ourselves before Butler’s wolves returned to Johnson Hall. + +Giles March would have gone at once to the mouth of the tunnel, in +order to see for himself that which I had found, but Master Bartlett +prevented him by saying, sharply: + +“None of that, lad! We went in and out of the cave without heed to +leaving a trail, thinking none of Butler’s curs would come upon us +there, and yet they found the hiding-place. To go in simply to gratify +your curiosity will be to leave just so many more invitations for those +who are prowling around to have a look at it. We will first see what +can be done toward opening an entrance from the ruins, so that we may +get the helpless ones inside without leaving a sign-board behind them.” + +There is no good reason why I should set down all we said while trying +to decide just what it was best to do at once; it is enough if I +say that after more talk than I believed necessary, in view of the +situation, it was decided that we could not bring down the women and +children during the night, owing to all the difficulties, and it would +not be safe to do so next day, because of the possibility that the +savages might come sooner than we expected. + +It seemed better they remain in the cave until we had beaten off the +Indians when they made the next attack, and this we believed would +be a comparatively easy matter, if the plans already formed should +be carried out. Therefore it was agreed that Master Bartlett should +spend the night at the ruins, making an entrance through them to the +tunnel, while Giles March and I went back to get so many of the party +as Stephen Morley thought best after we had explained to him all the +situation. + +Night had come before we arrived at this decision, and we two lads +started at once, travelling swiftly because it did not seem probable +there was any danger, and with light hearts, owing to the hopes for the +future which had so lately been born. + +It was near to midnight when we were come to the fringe of bushes +which screened the entrance of the cave; but immediately I sounded the +catbird’s note, it was replied to without delay, and in another instant +Esther Hinchman came out to meet us. + +“I persuaded Master Morley and Daniel to take some rest, while I stood +guard,” she began, and I interrupted by asking sharply: + +“Why did not Miles Parker do his share of the duty?” + +“He was sleeping so soundly that it seemed a pity to awaken him when +I was fit for the work; but where is Master Bartlett?” she asked in +alarm, noting for the first time that he was not with us. + +I explained in few words the good fortune which had seemingly come to +us, and while talking I held her hand in mine, to which she did not +object. + +Then we entered the cave, arousing the others, and explaining to them +not only why we had come, but the plans we had formed in the way of +falling upon those who attacked the cave, saying in conclusion: + +“It has been agreed that you shall say how many, and who, are to go +back at once, Master Morley, and I pray that we be able to set off +without delay, lest we meet enemies on the path.” + +“You may take Oscar, who is fit to travel that distance in the night, +Daniel and Esther and Miles Parker. So many should be able to carry all +the stores we have gathered here, and leave us with no other burden +than the wounded when we join you.” + +I cried out against his sending away all the able-bodied, save the +three women; but he insisted that since we were to be on the outside +to take part in the battle, if one came off, he had all the help that +would be needed, therefore those selected to go made their preparations. + +If I have failed to say anything regarding the manner in which our +comrades received the news we brought, it is because words are not +needed. One can readily understand that when a party of fugitives, +about to be driven from their place of refuge, suddenly learn that +another and more secure place has been found, the joy and relief are +great. + +Within half an hour after Giles and I arrived, the little company was +ready to set out, each carrying a full load, and when we filed out of +the cave, which had sheltered us so well in the hour of our extremity, +I took Esther Hinchman’s hand in mine that we might walk side by side. + +We made the journey to the river without mishap, although it seemed +long and tedious to the others, owing to the heavy burdens we carried; +but to me it was a pleasure jaunt ever to be remembered because of her +who walked by my side. + +Master Bartlett was on the watch for us, and as we were led directly +into the ruins, each stepping in the tracks of the one in advance that +the trail might not be too plain, it was possible to see what the old +man had done. + +One of the stones in the wall of which I have spoken was removed, +leaving an opening sufficiently large for us to crawl through, and on +walking the length of the tunnel I found that end which gave on the +river choked up with logs and half-burned timbers. + +“I haven’t finished the work at that end,” Master Bartlett said when +I joined the others after the inspection. “There will be time enough +later, and when daylight comes I am counting on starting a fire among +the charred timbers in order to hide our trail. There is an hour yet +remaining before morning, and you had best get what sleep you can. Eben +Towle put up a sort of partition in one corner here, therefore Esther +Hinchman may have a room to herself.” + +We threw ourselves on the floor of the tunnel almost as soon as he had +spoken, and I was no more than stretched out at full-length before my +eyes closed in slumber. + +It seemed as if only three or four minutes had passed when I felt the +pressure of a hand on my shoulder, and, opening my eyes, saw Master +Bartlett in the dim light, as he whispered: + +“I’ve been knocking around a bit, and saw a dozen or more redskins land +from a couple of canoes not a hundred yards up-stream. They have struck +off toward the mountains, and I reckon it’s our business to follow +them. We three will go alone; I’ve told the girl Esther, and she’ll +keep an eye out till the other lads finish their job of sleeping.” + +Then the old man aroused Giles March, and we made ready to creep out +through the ruins, I lingering behind my comrades to whisper a word to +Esther, after which I followed. + +Master Bartlett showed, by taking the lead when we had gained the +shelter of the thicket, that he counted on running the business, at +least until this portion of our work was done, and I was only too glad +to have him thus take command. + +A good woodsman was Master Simon Bartlett, else he would not have +kept us so close on the heels of the skulking savages without being +discovered, and that during all the time we consumed in making the five +miles, moving not much faster than a mile an hour. + +From their cautious advance it could plainly be seen that John Butler’s +wolves believed there were a large number of people in the cave, and +were afraid of coming across an enemy by mistake, or of finding an +overwhelming force in their path. + +How my fingers itched to strike a blow when one or another lagged +behind at such a distance that we could have overpowered him with +but little chance of his being able to alarm his fellows; but Master +Bartlett shook his head decidedly whenever Giles March or I told him by +gestures of what we would do. + +Then, when an unusually good opportunity came, he whispered, warningly: + +“Don’t make the mistake of striking down one of those villains when +we can bag the most of them. If we carry ourselves right between now +and the time they fire the first shot at those who are in the cave, +it should be possible to give the sneaks such a blow as will make the +others a bit uneasy.” + +Well, we trailed the murderers up to the very mouth of the cave, and +there they hid themselves, hoping, most likely, that one or more of the +fugitives might show them a target. I was nearly wild with fear lest +Stephen Morley, believing, as we had a few hours previous, that there +would be no danger until later, might venture outside. + +These fellows must have had with them the cur who escaped when we gave +them so warm a reception, else they would have blundered on until +coming in sight of the entrance; but, as if familiar with the lay of +the land, the entire party concealed themselves not twenty paces from +where Stephen Morley was on watch. + +We knew full well that no attack would be made until night was nearly +come, unless it so chanced our people ventured out incautiously, and +settled down with whatsoever of patience we could command, to await +their movements. + +It must have been nearabout noon when we arrived, and until sunset did +we lie in the thicket like logs of wood, not daring to move lest we +make so much of a noise as might give warning of our whereabouts. + +What a blessed relief it was, when the gloom of night came like a film +through the foliage, to see those half-naked villains move more closely +together as if making ready for action, and only then did Master +Bartlett give signs that he was on the alert. + +By gestures he made Giles March and me understand that we were to take +stations twenty paces to the right of him, and not to open fire until +his musket had been discharged. + +Inch by inch we wormed ourselves through the leaves and vines until +having gained the station pointed out, and there waited impatiently for +that struggle which might end only with the death of one or all, for it +was by no means certain the savages would fall readily into our trap. + +Then, as the gloom thickened, we could see the dark forms of the +murderers as they crept silently through the screen of bushes toward +the cave, and I knew it was their purpose to press on until it might be +possible to thrust their muskets between the rocks before firing. + +I literally held my breath with suspense, fearing lest Stephen Morley +be caught off his guard, and could have cried aloud in triumph when +the report of a musket rang out, while one of the painted crew came +staggering through the bushes to sink on the ground as if having got a +mortal hurt. + +The curs had found that they could not hope to catch Stephen Morley +napping, and once more they crouched behind the screen of bushes as if +for a consultation. + +Then, when perhaps ten minutes more had passed, we could see even +in the darkness that they were making ready for another move, and I +fancied it was possible to distinguish a movement of Master Bartlett’s +arm, as if he warned us that our time had come at last. + +With our muskets raised, Giles March and I waited, and at the very +moment when the savages vanished into the gloom a bright flash and +a ringing report from the direction of where I had last seen Master +Bartlett, sounded our signal to begin the fight; but, alas! it was no +longer possible for us to carry out the plan as it had been arranged. + +The one thought in my mind was that if Giles March and I failed of +doing our share, the curs would skulk here and there in the thicket, +and instead of our being able to give them such a lesson as we had +counted on, it would be a question whether we might be able to make our +way back to Eben Towle’s tunnel. + +All this passed through my mind like a flash, and the echoes of Master +Bartlett’s weapon had not yet died away when I sprang forward, followed +so closely by Giles March that it was as if we had been yoked together. + +I was saying to myself that there was little hope I would be able in +the darkness to see a target, when suddenly a light so bright as to be +almost blinding flashed up seemingly from the very mouth of the cave, +showing in bold relief the forms of four villains at the edge of the +thicket, and on the instant Giles and I both fired. + +It seemed to me that I heard the reports of a dozen muskets; flashes of +flame sprang up here and there near at hand as if by magic, and amid +the rattle of musketry could be heard Master Bartlett’s voice, as he +shouted: + +“At them, lads! Smite front and rear! Finish the job now, else we may +not get another chance!” + +Then that happened which absolutely frightened me for the moment, and +but for the fact that I realized how necessary it was we strike a heavy +blow, I might have faltered. + +Here, there, and everywhere that the rustling or swaying of the bushes +told some person was forcing his way through, a ball of fire sped +through the air in that direction, and then flared out a burning flash +which illumined the thicket for a dozen paces around. + +I believed I understood the cause of the first light, when we emptied +our weapons; but it was more than bewildering to see those fiery +messengers seemingly pursuing our enemies, although I was not so dazed +but that it was possible for me to strike more than one telling blow, +thanks to the friendly fire. + +All this while muskets were being discharged from the cave, and I said +to myself that Stephen Morley was firing as rapidly as loaded pieces +could be thrust into his hands, and even as the thought came I ran +plump into him twenty paces from the entrance. + +At this moment such of the savages as yet remained alive set up a yell +of terror, and the sound of their footsteps told that they were racing +at full speed down the mountainside, intent only on escaping from those +mysterious flames. + +“It is all over for this night, lads,” Master Bartlett called from +somewhere amid the darkness, “and now I’d like to know the meaning of +all I’ve seen.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +ELIAS SHENDLE’S PLAN + + +Master Bartlett was not the only member of our party eager to learn the +meaning of what we had seen. As for myself, I was far too bewildered +to reply when Master Morley asked me where we first saw the enemy; but +stood staring in open-mouthed astonishment as if he could see me, or I +him, while the darkness seemed all the more intense because of those +blinding flashes which had dazzled our eyes. + +“How was it done?” Master Bartlett demanded, as he came up to where +Stephen Morley and I stood, fifteen or twenty paces from the entrance +to the cave. + +“It wasn’t a bad kind of an idea, eh?” Master Morley cried, as he +indulged in a hearty laugh, “and the joke of it is that you came near +getting scared as badly as did those precious sneaks, who won’t stop +running till they are with their fellow brutes. I’d give quite a little +to hear what kind of a story they’ll tell.” + +“It wouldn’t be a bad plan for you to tell your story,” Master Bartlett +said, sharply. “I’ve seen some good tricks in my day, but this one +goes ahead of any that’s ever been worked in the valley.” + +“It was planned by Elias Shendle,” Stephen Morley said, as soon as it +was possible for him to control his mirth, “and I reckon we’d better +tell the yarn where he can hear it, because the lad is entitled to all +the credit for this night’s work.” + +Then we went into the cave, without making any effort to learn how many +of the enemy had remained near by because of not having life enough +left to run away, and, to my great surprise, I saw that Elias Shendle +and Sam Rogers were on guard. + +“Have you so far got the best of your wounds that you can take part in +a fight?” I asked, in astonishment, and the lad replied, grimly: + +“A fellow can do considerable when it is necessary in order to save his +own life. Stephen Morley wanted to creep outside just after dark, that +he might take a hand when you opened the battle, and there was no good +reason why Sam Rogers and I couldn’t look to this part of the business, +especially while the women were ready to load the guns.” + +“But I’m itching to know how you managed to send those balls of fire +wherever one of John Butler’s wolves broke cover,” Master Bartlett +cried, impatiently, and Elias replied, in a matter-of-fact tone: + +“There isn’t anything so very sharp about that trick, although I heard +Master Morley speaking to you as if it was something great. We had a +fair supply of powder, and during the afternoon, when there was nothing +else to be done, I made fifteen or twenty balls about the size of a +wren’s egg, wrapping them in leaves stuck together with a little mud. +We knew you would be behind the Indians, therefore I had a handful of +powder ready just at the entrance, so it could be flashed off when the +fight began, to give you a chance to see exactly where the curs were +hidden.” + +“Yes, yes, I understood that part of it,” Master Bartlett interrupted; +“but what about the flying fire?” + +“Mistress Morley kept a brand ready, and I had put a fuse into the +small balls of powder. When the fight was well started, I crept part +way between the boulders; there I could have an idea of where the red +sneaks were stationed, and as she lighted the fuse, I threw the ball +in that direction, allowing that it would flash before striking the +ground. It stirred them up a bit, I reckon.” + +“You’ve got a big head on your shoulders, Elias Shendle,” Master +Bartlett said, emphatically, “and have done more toward driving John +Butler’s murderers out of this valley than could have been effected by +the killing of threescore. We can now count on having time and to spare +for the journey to the river, because you won’t see one of those curs +around here again until there are Tories enough with him to do the +biggest part of the fighting.” + +“I’m looking to see the renegade Butler himself over this way within +four and twenty hours,” Stephen Morley said in a tone of conviction. +“It stands to reason that, after hearing the story his sneaks are +likely to tell, he’ll want to know what’s afoot.” + +“Ay, but by that time we’ll be at the river, getting Jonathan Ogden’s +Minute Boys ready for service,” Master Bartlett cried. “Let us get what +sleep we may ’twixt now and daylight, for all hands of us must make an +early start in order to reach Eben Towle’s tunnel ahead of the scouts +who may come down the river.” + +Before obeying this suggestion, which was really a command, I asked +Elias if he thought it would be possible for him to make the journey on +foot, and then learned that it had already been agreed Mistress Morley +should lend him her aid during the tramp. + +“With her to lean upon when it comes to climbing over fallen trees, +I’ll get on all right,” he said, cheerily. “Sam Rogers believes he can +walk alone, so you need have no fear concerning us two, Jonathan Ogden.” + +Stephen Morley stood guard while all the rest of the party slept, and +as soon as the first gray light of coming day appeared in the sky we +set off to make a change of quarters. + +The two cripples were sent away first, with the children and Mistress +Morley, Giles March leading them. Then, each man and woman loaded to +the utmost of his or her strength, the remainder of us followed as best +we might, fearing no interruption so we arrived at the river within +three or four hours, and it can well be fancied that we made all speed, +heeding neither the difficulties of the way nor fatigue. + +Before he left Master Bartlett tramped twice far up the mountainside, +so that it might look as if we had fled in that direction, and when the +last person departed from that which had been to us a veritable cave +of refuge, there was nothing remaining save the beds of leaves and the +charred embers of the fire. + +Those of us who were in the rear soon overtook the crippled lads, and +then one and another lent a hand, until they contrived to cover the +ground at about the same rate of speed we would have been able to do +without them; but I could see full well by the lines of pain of Elias +Shendle’s face, and by his labored breathing, that he was making the +effort of his life. + +Much as I pitied the dear lad, I could not advise him to go more +slowly, for the lives of all might depend on the last one being within +Eben Towle’s tunnel in a certain time, and all that remained was to +give him such assistance as might be possible. + +Then came the time when we crept cautiously out from the thicket to +approach the ruins, each moving swiftly with due regard to leaving a +trail, and watching jealously the opposite bank of the river lest there +be spectators. + +It seemed as if we gained cover without having been seen, and once the +crippled lads and the children were safe, Master Bartlett and Stephen +Morley spent a full hour trying to hide the trail which, despite our +best efforts, had been left behind. + +Esther Hinchman had a soft word of greeting for me when we were +arrived, which caused me to forget all fatigue, discomfort, or fears +for the future, and then we set about making more habitable this place +of defence and abode. + +Esther, Oscar, and Daniel had worked like beavers doing what they might +to make it homelike, and but for the absence of light, I would have +said that we could ask for nothing better. As a matter of course the +place was dark; but Esther tried to cheer the other women by showing a +small store of candles, which had been found among the packages made up +by Eben Towle, and promising that, whenever it should be thought safe, +the tunnel could be illumined as well as any house. + +Then, while we lay upon the ground, resting from the fatigue of the +tramp, we speculated as to where the man might be who had dug out this +place, which we believed would serve us well. + +Giles felt quite certain he was with us when we marched from Forty Fort +to give battle to John Butler’s force, and if such had been the case, +then was it certain the poor man would never need a hiding-place in +this world, for unless he was among the slain, then would we have found +him there. He had no family, as we knew full well, therefore it seemed +certain that we alone, of all who were left alive in the valley, had +knowledge of the tunnel. + +I will not undertake to say how much of provisions we found as he had +left them. Considerable was spoiled because of having been stored away +so long; but sufficient yet remained to keep us alive many days, and, +in addition, we had the supplies brought from the cave. + +“We are in good shape to begin our work,” Master Bartlett said when the +situation had been discussed to a finish, “and it is now for us to pay +off the scores John Butler has run up.” + +“How will we set about it?” Elias Shendle asked, eagerly, as if +counting that he could do his full share of work with the best of us. + +“That can’t well be figured out till we know what may be doing at Forty +Fort,” Master Bartlett replied. “I have had it in mind that we would +hold together as Minute Boys, even though some of us are a bit old to +be counted in that class, and it will go hard if we don’t do some work +that will tell, not only to those whose homes are here in the valley, +but in the struggle against the king.” + +“Who will go to Forty Fort to learn what may be doing there?” Daniel +Hinchman asked, and I knew he was burning with the desire to do that +portion of the work. + +“You, if it so be Jonathan Ogden is willing.” + +“Why speak in that way?” I asked, perhaps a little petulantly, for it +was not to my liking that they hold longer to the pretence of my being +captain. + +“Because you were chosen as the leader, and I hold to it that you boys +shall do the work.” + +“When you and Stephen Morley are here it is veriest folly to speak of +me, or any other member of our company, being in command,” I cried, and +Master Bartlett replied, quietly: + +“All that may be true, lad, and you still remain the captain. Stephen +Morley is a member of the Continental army, and must leave us soon. I +am not in shape to be called a soldier, else had I enlisted long since; +but there is no reason why I should not stay with the Minute Boys so +long as pleases me, and, not having made an agreement to serve in the +ranks, will be able to leave at any time without taking the chances of +being called a deserter.” + +At this point Daniel Hinchman began moving around as if at work, and +Elias Shendle asked what he was doing. + +“Getting ready to set out for Forty Fort,” he replied. “There is no +good reason why I should idle away the time here.” + +“It would be folly to make any attempt at crossing the river until +after night has come,” I said, and Master Bartlett added: + +“With the chance that the story, which the curs whom we frightened are +sure to tell, will bring a large force of the enemy this way, it is +not well that we show ourselves more than may be absolutely necessary +during the hours of daylight. Stay where you are, Daniel Hinchman, +until night has come, and then you may go out through the entrance +which lets on to the river. Stephen Morley and I count on having a look +around from now till dark, after which it shall be your turn.” + +I was considerably surprised and very much disgruntled because the old +man was, seemingly, shutting me out from any of the work; but did not +think it well to complain just then, lest it should appear as if I was +trying to assume command of the party while the older men were present. + +Half an hour later Stephen Morley and Master Bartlett crept out through +the ruins of the house, after cautioning the remainder of us against +straying from the tunnel until their return, and we were left to pass +the time as best we might. + +The majority of the party gave themselves up to slumber, and were wise +in thus taking advantage of the opportunity; but my thoughts strayed so +far into the future, while I speculated on what it might be possible +for us lads to do by way of driving the enemy from the valley, that I +could not have closed my eyes in rest however hard I might try. + +Therefore it was that, some time later, when I saw Esther Hinchman +moving about as if searching for something, I joined her, asking what +she would do. + +“I was only trying to get a better idea of this queer place where we +appear to be so secure,” she replied, and it pleased me well to go with +her up and down the length of the tunnel, prying here and there to find +more of Eben Towle’s hoardings, until we were come to that end which +gave toward the river. + +Here Master Bartlett had thrown up a barricade of half-burned logs and +such other materials as he could come at handily. The entrance was not +closed so thoroughly but that we could catch a glimpse of the river +through the bushes which grew outside. + +“It seems good to see the sun shining, even though we cannot feel its +warmth,” she said, musingly, and I laughed softly, for verily had she +had enough of the sun’s heat and to spare while coming down from the +cave, because then we were like to have roasted. + +“If it please God, you shall soon be able to sit in the glare of the +sun whenever it may be your fancy to do so,” I said, feeling at the +time strong enough to fight John Butler’s wolves single-handed, so her +life was at stake, and before it was possible to reply, even had she +been so minded, there suddenly came into view on the river a veritable +fleet of canoes, heading as if to make land near the ruins of Eben +Towle’s house. + +I should say, speaking well within bounds, that there were no less than +sixteen boats, all filled to the utmost of their capacity with Indians +and white men, and it was not needed that we should question as to why +they had come. + +These were John Butler’s Tories and red wolves, sent to learn the +secret of the cave on the mountain where so many of their companions +had met their fate, and I really trembled with what was very like fear +as I thought of what must have been the result had we not found another +hiding-place just as we did. + +Each canoe carried five or more passengers, and when that large force +stood in front of the cave we could not have hoped to hold it many +hours, however desperate may have been our resistance. + +Now, however, they had come in vain, and when the terror aroused by +what might have happened had passed away, I laughed aloud as I saw in +fancy the slow, cautious advance up the mountainside, the stealthy +approach, and the rush upon the cave where remained no living being. + +Nearer and nearer the fleet approached the shore, and, laying her +finger on her lips, Esther glided noiselessly away from me to warn, as +I fancied, our comrades against the lightest sound lest the secret of +our hiding-place be betrayed. + +When she returned all the lads were with her, and we watched our +enemies as they came ashore, drew the canoes high out of the water, and +then disappeared beyond our line of vision toward the forest. + +There was not one in all that small army who showed signs of joy at +taking part in such an expedition. Every face was grave, while many +had an anxious look, and it was not difficult to believe they had been +ordered to perform the duty, rather than having volunteered, for, +according to such a story as the frightened savages must have told, +they were about to have an encounter with those who dealt in magic. + +During a full half-hour we could hear them moving around just over our +heads, as if loath to set out on the final stage of their journey, and +then the sounds died away until silence reigned as before the renegades +and curs showed themselves. + +Even then we in the tunnel did not dare to speak lest some of the party +had remained behind to act as sentinels, and were sitting there silent +and motionless, when those sounds were heard which told that Master +Bartlett and Stephen Morley were entering the hiding-place by way of +the ruins. + +Then we knew all the ruffians had departed, and straightway our tongues +were loosened, as we asked of the men what they had seen, at the same +time explaining how it was we knew of what had been going on. + +“I reckon you are as wise as we,” Master Bartlett replied, “for we +were obliged to remain at a distance. They have gone to take the cave, +and it is safe guessing that not one of them will dare to remain in the +woods after dark, even though it can be seen only a party of fugitives +were concealed there. Stephen Morley and I believe it will be possible +to deal out such a dose that they won’t be eager to visit this side of +the river any oftener than may be absolutely necessary, therefore if +you lads who can move about are minded to come with us, the work of the +Minute Boys can be begun ’twixt now and sunset.” + +Never one of us waited to hear what the old man’s plan might be; but +all eagerly set about making ready for the excursion, and ten minutes +had not passed before the male members of the party, save only Elias +Shendle and Sam Rogers, were in the open air, seeking cover in the +nearest thicket. + +Master Bartlett led us up-stream, once we were within the shelter of +the woods, until having left the tunnel nearly a mile behind, and then +halted where it was possible to have a full view of the river. + +“What is the plan?” Daniel Hinchman asked eagerly when we were come to +a halt. + +“There isn’t any, lad,” Master Bartlett replied, with a laugh. “It only +came to Stephen Morley and me that we might begin to square accounts +with those curs at once. They will, of course, go up-stream, at least +as far as Forty Fort, after finding that the cave is empty, and I’m +reckoning that we won’t see them this way until nearly dark. We’ll +scatter along the bank twenty paces or so apart, keeping under cover, +of course, and when they show up, open fire. They won’t have the heart +to come ashore in search of us; but in case they should, we are to +strike out for the cave, going as nearly as may be over their trail. +That’s all we had decided upon, and if things don’t go as we have +figured, it will be a case of each for himself, with the understanding +that no one is to go near the tunnel until it is certain he will not be +seen by the enemy.” + +It would have pleased me better had the old man decided to meet the +curs in open fight, for this striking a blow in the darkness, with the +odds all in our favor, smacked too much of the same style of fighting +which John Butler called warfare; but it was not for me to find fault +when we might make reprisals in some slight degree for the massacre of +our people. + +We took our stations according to the instructions given by Master +Bartlett, and, ready to kill, but not accounting it other than a +just punishment, awaited the coming of those who had laid waste our +beautiful valley. + +Not until half an hour after sunset did the foremost of the canoes come +in sight, and the men were paddling wearily as if after a hard day’s +march. + +It had been understood that the signal for us to begin work would be +the report of Master Bartlett’s musket, and we waited eagerly for that, +each fellow with his musket levelled and resting on a branch or stump +that he might send the bullet more truly. + +The sights of my weapon covered a big savage, whose head-dress of +feathers told that he was more vain than his brothers, else he would +not have worn that ornament while on the war-path, and I had no doubt +of bringing him down, for the boats were well within the range of our +muskets. + +Then, when five or six of the foremost canoes were directly opposite +where we had taken our stations, Master Bartlett fired, and one of +the curs who had been paddling fell over the side of the frail craft +in such a manner that it filled on the instant, leaving its occupants +floundering in the river. + +I had the satisfaction of seeing the red brute at whom I aimed fall +backward, and while reloading had a full view of all that took place. +Not one of our party had missed his target; two of the canoes had been +overset by the struggles of those who were wounded, and such of the +boats as yet floated were headed for the opposite bank in desperate +haste. + +It would have done me real good to give voice to the feelings of +triumph which were mine when I saw those sneaks in such a panic of +fear; but I held my peace, and stood ready for a shot at the next +canoe, when I came to understand that all was not going as the old man +had counted on. + +Giles March, who had been stationed next below me, came up hurriedly, +as he whispered: + +“Master Bartlett gave the signal too soon; he should have waited till +the last of the fleet was passing. Those in the rear are coming ashore +on this side of the river, and we are like to have a warm time unless +we can gain the cave, in which case we may find ourselves regularly +besieged.” + +He had no more than ceased speaking when all the party came up, for +my station was the one toward the north, and Master Bartlett said +hurriedly: + +“Three canoes have been hauled up on this shore; the others are putting +straight across the river. Is it in your minds, lads, that we keep +together, or separate, in the retreat?” + +“If but three boat-loads have landed, let us stand our ground like men; +there will be time enough to take to the mountain when we see too large +a force coming across the river to have a share in the scrimmage,” I +said, quickly, eager for a pitched battle. + +“Jonathan Ogden is right,” Stephen Morley said without hesitation. +“Thus far only about fifteen men have come ashore, and we can make the +odds more nearly even when they first show themselves.” + +No one made a protest, and we took our stations, each for himself, but +within easy distance of the others, and all where they could be hidden +from view of those who were coming up. + +It was to be a battle in the night; but we who stood for the right +could see as well in the darkness as those butcher’s curs, and had +more of a heart for the fight, it was reasonable to suppose. + +“Fire whenever you see anything moving; but try not to waste a shot,” +Master Bartlett whispered loud enough for all to hear, and then came +those sounds, faintly yet distinctly, which betokened the advance of +the enemy. + +“Now has come the time when we begin to tell John Butler that he has +yet to reckon with the Minute Boys, before he can take possession of +this valley,” Giles March, who stood next me, whispered, and before I +could make reply the report of a musket broke the stillness. + +Another report, and another, but yet I could see no signs of the enemy, +strain my eyes as I might, and in my impatience I moved forward two or +three paces, when a bullet came singing past my head. + +The savages had been doing all the firing, as I soon believed, and it +caused me no little shame when I realized that they were gaining the +advantage which should have been ours. + +“Can you see anything?” Giles March whispered as he came to where I +had sheltered myself behind a big oak-tree, and I replied, as a better +understanding of the situation came into my mind like a flash: + +“They outwitted us by sending part of their force straight toward us, +while the remainder sneaked up the river bank, counting that we would +not be looking for danger from such direction. Face about, lad, and +let us give them a bit of their own music.” + +Now instead of searching with our eyes to the south, we slipped from +tree-trunk to tree-trunk until we were within perhaps thirty paces of +the stream, and then we had targets in plenty before us. + +No less than five--two savages and three white men, as I made out--were +coming warily up from the water looking for us, and heeding not the +possibility that we might have made a change of front even as they had +done. + +Crouching on one knee I fired, bringing down my game, and an instant +later Giles March had winged another. The remaining three hunted cover +in a twinkling, and when we had reloaded our weapons, I shouted to the +others of our company: + +“They are coming up from the river! Have an eye out in that direction!” + +“Get together, lads!” I heard Master Bartlett cry, doing so lest +Giles and I should shoot our own comrades, and as soon as might be +thereafter, each fellow moving as rapidly as possible, we were united +once more. + +I did not understand why the old man had made this move, until he +whispered in my ear: + +“It is likely that the noise of the firing will bring others from the +opposite side, and it is in my mind that we had better circle around +them.” + +“To the end that we may take refuge in the cave once more?” I asked, +and he replied with what was very like a chuckle of satisfaction: + +“It may be we could come at the canoes while they are searching here +for us, in which case all hands might have a look at Forty Fort before +morning.” + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +FORTY FORT + + +There was to my mind something comical in the idea of circling around +the enemy to get possession of their canoes, for it would seem as if we +might thus appear to be playing with them as a cat does with a mouse. +In addition to the satisfaction we would have in so outwitting them, +was the fact that the manœuvre must perforce mystify the curs, until +they came to believe we were strong in numbers. + +It was only necessary to make a wide détour toward the mountain, +travelling silently, in order to accomplish the purpose, and I begged +Master Bartlett to set about it without delay. + +“Let each keep well on the heels of the man in front, so there may be +no danger in straying, and remember that silence as well as speed is +necessary, else we may find ourselves in trouble,” the old man said, +hurriedly, and then he led the way toward the east, we following his +instructions to the best of our ability. + +Not until we were well on our way did I realize what this attempt to +play a trick might cost us. In event of our movements being discovered +before we had gained possession of the canoes, the enemy would be led +to believe we had a hiding-place further down the river, and might +spend much time trying to find it. + +There was no danger that those in the tunnel would betray their +whereabouts carelessly, for all, even to the children, understood full +well how much of danger threatened; but if I had found the entrance to +Eben Towle’s hiding-place when searching for a canoe, it was more than +possible they might come upon it while hunting for us. + +Therefore it was that I became seriously disturbed in mind, even before +we were well committed to the movement, and would have drawn back while +there was time, if it had been possible to explain to my comrades what +had thus suddenly occurred to me. + +When I tried to stop the file in order to whisper a warning, however, +each fellow was so eager to come to a successful conclusion of the +venture, that he simply moved forward all the faster when I would have +detained him, and I could do no less than refrain from any further +efforts in that direction lest too much noise be made. + +There was no longer anything comical to me in the attempt we were +making, for I questioned whether by such a venture the lives of those +who were hidden in the tunnel had not been imperilled without due +reason. + +However, despite all my forebodings, we made the détour successfully, +gaining the river bank a full half-mile below where we believed the +enemy were searching for us, and then it was necessary to creep up +along the water’s edge until coming to the canoes. + +And this also we did without detection, finding the frail craft on the +shore with never a man left to guard them. + +Six canoes were there, and all these we took, our party embarking in +two, and towing the others well out into the stream, when, stopping +sufficiently long to slash the bottoms with our knives in such fashion +that they could never be repaired, we sent them adrift. + +“Now we have forced those curs to stay on the same side of the river +with those whom it is our duty to guard, and who can say that they may +not find the tunnel before we return to defend it?” I said, gloomily, +as the last of the wounded canoes disappeared from view. + +“We need have little fear of what they may do ’twixt now and sunrise,” +Master Bartlett said, curtly, as if he also had begun to question +whether we were acting wisely. “It will be well to midnight before they +give over searching the thicket for us, and as much more time must be +spent looking after the boats. In the meantime we shall have returned.” + +“Ay, unless we come across those on the opposite shore who are strong +enough to hold us there,” I replied, and then held my peace, ashamed of +thus croaking like a bird of ill-omen. + +We buckled down to the paddles, each one realizing by this time the +necessity of making all speed, and the light craft skimmed the surface +of the water like birds. + +Then, at the very moment when we heard the report of a musket from the +shore where the enemy were searching for us, the bows of the canoes ran +up on the bank. + +We had come into the very thick of John Butler’s wolves, and the lives +of those left behind depended, perhaps, upon our returning before +daylight. + +“It was a fool’s trick for us to make this venture,” Giles March +whispered to me after the canoes had been hidden among the bushes +where we might find them again without too long a search, and we were +following at Master Bartlett’s heels. + +I gripped his arm hard, but made no reply. He thus told me that much +the same forebodings had come into his mind as were in mine, and the +fact did not tend to render me any more cheerful. + +We were all familiar with the country hereabouts, and, since it simply +remained to make our way over travelled roads, there was no reason why +we could not push on rapidly, save only when we might see others in +advance. + +Nothing occurred to delay us, and it was yet early in the night when we +arrived near the log walls of Forty Fort; but, much to our surprise, +we saw sentinels on the walls, as if the place was being defended +against an enemy. + +We came to a halt within the shadow of all that remained to mark the +site of Joseph Seddons’s house, and Stephen Morley said hurriedly: + +“Let me go on to learn what I may of the situation, and, if possible, +have speech with Colonel Dennison. I am not counting myself a better +man than any other in the party; but, if being discovered, can explain +my reason for being here, on the ground that I have come to learn when +I am to report for duty in the army.” + +“Go on, Stephen, and do not spend overly much time, for we may be +needed on the other side of the river,” Master Bartlett said, thus +showing that he, too, had grown anxious concerning the safety of those +whom we left behind. + +While he was absent we kept well within the shadow of the ruins, not +daring to talk even in whispers, and listening intently for any sounds +from the opposite shore which might betoken that our secret there had +been discovered. + +Stephen Morley had rare good fortune in his attempt to have speech with +those of our friends who yet remained inside the fort, as we learned +ten minutes later when he returned, and with him was none other than +Colonel Dennison himself. + +The officer greeted each of us in turn as if we were old friends, and +it could be readily understood that he felt great relief of mind at +knowing there were yet alive in the valley those who were eager to +drive out the brutes who had brought us so much of misery and grief. + +“I have told him nothing concerning ourselves,” Stephen Morley said, +and straightway Master Bartlett gave the colonel a brief account of our +doings since the battle, saying in conclusion: + +“Here are six of us ready for whatsoever comes to our hands, and on +the other side are three more who will soon be able, please God, to +do duty. We count on holding together to defend the valley so far as +we may, and ask you if there is any chance we can do anything toward +repairing the ruin that has been wrought?” + +“Indeed you can,” Colonel Dennison replied, eagerly, “and it gives +me new hope to know there are so many near at hand. What about the +stockade at Wilkesbarre?” + +“It yet stands as when Colonel Zebulon marched out with his men; no +attempt has been made to destroy it, which seems to me exceeding +strange.” + +“That is because the Tories who follow John Butler count on taking +possession of all the country roundabout, and in order to hold it will +have need of the fortified places. Because of the knowledge which the +enemy has that your party is on the other side of the river, and owing +to your attack upon the canoes to-night, the stockade here is defended +as if an immediate battle was expected. Only by the most fortunate of +chances did I happen to see Stephen Morley, and was able to get outside +without arousing suspicion. Let me tell you of the situation here, for, +in order to be of service in the valley, you must know of it.” + +“First tell me, sir, if John Butler is holding to the terms upon which +you surrendered?” Master Bartlett interrupted. + +“I believe he is trying hard to do so; but the savages are refusing +to recognize his authority. We have in the fort upwards of thirty +women and children, and fourteen men and boys, none of whom dare stray +outside the stockade lest the red brutes murder them. Unless something +can be done speedily, there is no question in my mind but that we will +all be massacred. John Butler has already admitted to me what I knew +full well, that he is unable to hold in check his wolfish followers, +and because of such fact, proposes to depart immediately with such of +his army as yet obey his commands.” + +“How many of the red snakes will likely remain behind?” Master Bartlett +asked quickly. + +“Butler has told me that not less than two hundred have already broken +away from him, therefore we can count on that number prowling around, +with this fort as a headquarters, and in such case every white person +remaining will stand in the shadow of death. I had despaired of being +able to effect anything; but since knowing you are near at hand, it +begins to seem as if we might be able to hold our own against them, if +nothing more. On the day before John Butler marches away, I will make +every effort to send all our people over the river, and believe he will +aid me in the task, because of being unable to hold to the written +promises he made before we surrendered.” + +“But our hiding-place will not give shelter to half the number you have +named!” Giles March cried in dismay. + +“I was not counting that either you or they should remain in hiding,” +the colonel replied, gravely. “You Minute Boys must take possession of +the Wilkesbarre stockade at once, putting forth every effort to hold +it for the coming of our people. That will give them a refuge until we +can get help from the outside, as I believe will be possible when the +situation is made known.” + +“Can you give any guess as to when the people may come across the +river?” Master Bartlett asked. + +“I shall try to send a messenger the day before, therefore do you be on +the lookout for him each morning shortly after sunrise. The greatest +danger is that these savages who have thrown off all allegiance to John +Butler will fall upon our helpless ones while they are crossing the +river, or when they land, therefore you must be on your guard against +anything of the kind.” + +“Will you not come with them?” I asked, and the colonel replied: + +“It is more likely I shall go with Butler, as the surest and quickest +way of getting to such portion of the country from which aid may come +to us.” + +Then he went on to advise what we should do to hold the stockade, and +gave us to believe it might be possible to send by the women some +addition to our store of ammunition, but dampened our spirits in no +slight degree by stating that those who might join us would be without +weapons, since it had been necessary to deliver up their arms when the +fort was surrendered. + +The interview was brought to a sudden end when the reports of half a +dozen muskets were heard from the other side of the river, and we could +see the glow of a fire which increased each moment until the flames +were leaping high in the air. + +“They have discovered that the canoes are missing,” the colonel said, +hurriedly. “It is time for you to go, and I will get inside the walls, +for, because of their failure to take any prisoners, our people may be +in danger.” + +Even as he spoke the colonel left us, keeping within the line of shadow +as he approached the stockade, and we started off at our best pace, +for the red wolves, seeing the call for help on the other side of the +river, were swarming out of the fort like bees from a hive. + +Now had come the time when we had need of all our wits to save our +skins, owing to the fact that it was necessary to advance directly +down-stream where was no shelter. Except for the darkness we could +never have gained that place where the canoes had been hidden, because +Indians and Tories were running to and fro in greatest excitement, and +more than once were we on the verge of being discovered. + +However, we did succeed in embarking, and then it was necessary to +paddle down-stream, keeping within the denser shadows of the western +shore a mile or more, before venturing to cross. + +When, finally, we stood near the ruins of Eben Towle’s home, the +signal-fire was yet burning, and Master Bartlett said, in a tone of +satisfaction: + +“The cowards at Forty Fort haven’t yet made up their minds that it is +safe for them to cross. Because of what we have done the whole boiling +of them are grown exceeding cautious, even though knowing full well +they have butchered nearly all in the valley.” + +“And they will kill yet more before the women and children can be got +across to this stockade,” Stephen Morley added gloomily. “Those who +have declared they will not follow John Butler any longer are hanging +back only that they may slaughter the helpless ones in the fort, and +will not allow them to go away in peace.” + +Such words were only in accord with what had come into my mind while +Colonel Dennison was talking so glibly of our holding the Wilkesbarre +stockade, when we had no more than seven muskets with which to arm the +defenders. + +There was no good reason why we should stand outside where, at +any moment, we might be discovered by those whose canoes had been +destroyed, and Master Bartlett led the way into the tunnel, where we +were welcomed as if after a long absence. + +As a matter of course we told of all we had seen and heard since going +out, and it was Mistress Morley who picked the first flaw in Colonel +Dennison’s plan. + +“If all the people come over into this stockade, where will you find +food enough to feed them during such time as the colonel is searching +for those who may be willing to aid us?” she asked, and I, who had been +thinking only of the lack of weapons, cried thoughtlessly: + +“It can’t be done! We shall only succeed in bringing death upon all +this party!” + +“If we think first of our own safety, what becomes of the proposition +that the Minute Boys shall take it upon themselves to defend the entire +valley?” Master Bartlett asked, gravely, and I replied, hotly, thinking +more of Esther Hinchman’s life than any other: + +“It is not defending the valley when we sacrifice our own to save +others! Here are so many who have come out alive from the slaughter, +and now shall we give them over to starvation, or the mercies of those +wolves, that strangers, whom we cannot defend or feed, shall come in?” + +“It was the Minute Boys who were to do the work,” and Master Bartlett +spoke so calmly and slowly that I was near to crying out with vexation. +“You are the captain, and it is for you to say that when John Butler +abandons the women and children now in the fort to those of his +followers whom he cannot control, they shall not come here.” + +For the moment I was silenced, and then it was that Esther Hinchman put +her hand in mine, as she said in a tone so low that none save me could +hear the words: + +“It is better all of us meet death than refuse a share of what we have +to those who are in such sore need.” + +After that, which was neither more nor less than a reproof, I could +say nothing, and because no one spoke again, we laid ourselves down to +rest, if indeed that might be possible when there was so much to make +us wakeful. + +It must have been nearly daybreak before my eyes closed in slumber, and +when I awakened Esther Hinchman called for me to come where she was +sitting at the entrance to the tunnel, looking out over the water as it +sparkled in the sunshine. + +“Why was I allowed to sleep so late?” I asked, taking a seat by her +side, and giving no heed to the others of the company. + +“Master Bartlett said we should be careful not to disturb you, because +of your having remained awake so long,” she replied, in a whisper. +“Shall I get you something to eat?” + +“Not now; I have no desire for food, and if the lack of appetite lasts, +it will be well, for we must go on short allowance when our company has +more mouths to feed.” + +“Master Bartlett, Stephen Morley, Giles March, and Daniel have been out +since early light searching for game, believing the savages will not +venture across the river again until the day is older.” + +It annoyed me because I had not been called upon to make one of the +party; but I choked back the petulant words which rose to my lips, +lest she might think I was accusing her, and then she began to speak +of Colonel Dennison’s plan, soon convincing me that there was no other +course for us to pursue than such as he had mapped out. + +“Those at Forty Fort, and we here, are all of our people remaining in +the valley, and it is far better every one of us perishes by starvation +than that a portion of the number be abandoned to such fate as would +be theirs,” she said, softly, and I resolved then never to say another +word against the plan. + +Toward noon the hunters returned, bringing with them two deer and +considerable small game, after which Stephen Morley took it upon +himself to go back into the thicket with a haunch of venison, that he +might roast it where a fire could be built with little danger of its +being seen from the other side of the river. + +We ate heartily when the meat was cooked, despite the heaviness of our +hearts, for it had been a long while since any of us tasted warm food, +and then came the question of when we should take possession of the +stockade, all of us knowing only too well that within a very short time +after doing so, it would be necessary to defend ourselves against the +open attacks of those savages who defied John Butler’s authority. + +There could be but one answer to such a question; it was necessary for +the safety of those who were coming to us for protection that we be +prepared to receive them at any moment, therefore must we move quickly, +and when Master Bartlett asked if I was willing to make another change +of quarters as soon as night should come, I replied heartily: + +“The sooner the better, lest some of the red curs settle down in the +stockade before we can do so. I believe it is well for us to keep +secret the existence of this tunnel, however, so that at the last +extremity these women and children have a hiding-place not known to +others.” + +There is no good reason why I should spend many words in telling of our +entering Wyoming Fort, from which we might never come alive. + +As soon as the friendly darkness settled over the land, we left the +tunnel, carrying all our little store of food and ammunition, and +within an hour our sentinels were stationed on the walls. + +The Minute Boys were on duty again, and my forebodings as to the future +were not so gloomy but that I felt a certain thrill of joy because we +had at last come out openly against the enemy. + +“From this on, until our valley is freed from such as John Butler has +brought into it, and the colonies are free and independent, we will +hold together, if so be our lives are spared,” I said to Giles March, +and he replied, fervently: + +“It is as you have said, Jonathan Ogden. We do not make much showing +as soldiers just now; but if our hearts remain true, the time will +come when we may hold up our heads with any in the colonies, so far as +military service is concerned.” + +We talked much that night concerning what we would do, and how it might +be possible to supply ourselves with all that was lacking, for neither +of us was in the mood for slumber, and when the day dawned I went here +and there inside the stockade to see how the women, to whom the task +was entrusted, had provided for our welfare. + +It could be seen at a glance how relieved all were at being able to +move about at will once more. The children were already romping to and +fro inside the enclosure, frolicking like so many lambs; the women +were clearing rubbish from such of the buildings as they had decided +we should occupy, and our wounded were lying on the ground where they +might feel the warm rays of the sun. + +“It does a fellow solid good to be in the open air once more,” Elias +Shendle said, as I halted by his side. “I believe that a week’s +imprisonment in the tunnel would have put an end to me; but now I’m +counting on doing my full share of duty a couple of days later.” + +Sam Rogers looked up with a bright smile, as he said, cheerily: + +“It is well worth all the extra danger to be here, and I believe it +will be no more work to defend this place than it would have been in +the tunnel, where we must have been caught like rats in a trap if the +savages had got an inkling of our whereabouts.” + +Esther Hinchman was darting here and there, bent on one duty or +another, looking so happy that in my surprise I asked what had come +over her, and she replied, cheerily: + +“It’s the fresh air and sunlight, Jonathan Ogden. While we were in the +tunnel I felt as if I was turning into an owl; but now the feathers are +beginning to drop off,” and away she ran, as if we of Wyoming Valley +had never seen any who would do us harm. + +“It is good for us all to be here,” Master Bartlett said, as he came up +to where I stood watching the children at play. “We can count ourselves +soldiers now, which was more than could be done while we skulked from +cave to tunnel, and the work which we have set ourselves seems well +begun.” + +Then it was that Daniel Hinchman, who was standing guard, startled us +all by shouting: + +“A canoe, in which are three people, is coming down the river! It may +be that Colonel Dennison has sent the messenger of which he spoke!” + +We seized our muskets, those of us who were able to do duty, not +feeling inclined to be taken by surprise, and stood on the walls until +the craft was beached directly in front of the stockade, when we saw +that it brought a man and two women, all of whom came up the bank +staggering under the weight of heavy burdens. + +“It is Andrew Hardy!” Stephen Morley cried. “He is one of my neighbors +whom I left in the army when having got a furlough. It may be the +Congress has begun to remember that a soldier should be allowed to +protect his wife and little ones when there are none others to look +after them.” + +These newcomers were indeed messengers from Colonel Dennison, come to +say that John Butler, with such of his following as he could control, +would march out of Forty Fort on the following morning, and at the same +time our people in that stockade would make the attempt to join us. + +Andrew Hardy and the women had not come to us empty-handed. They +brought two muskets, powder, and ball sufficient for perhaps fifty +charges, and twenty pounds or more of smoked pork--all that Colonel +Dennison could get together in a hurry. + +The colonel had sent a message to the effect that the people would set +out from the stockade at daybreak; but that he was fearful an attack +might be made upon them, either when they landed, or while the canoes +were yet upon the river. + +“Are you to go back?” I asked of Andrew Hardy, and he replied: + +“I was told to remain and do duty in the company of Minute Boys until +such time as it becomes necessary to return to the army.” + +“How does it happen that you got a furlough?” Stephen Morley asked. + +“Five of us who live nearabout here were allowed leave of absence; the +others have gone in search of their families who, if they escaped death +at the hands of the savages, fled with those who succeeded in leaving +the valley before Fort Jenkins was taken.” + +I had no curiosity regarding the man, nor was I inclined to spend my +time listening to what he might tell regarding the condition of affairs +at Forty Fort. The word which the colonel had sent regarding the +probability that our people might be attacked before it was possible +for them to reach the stockade was in my mind, and, motioning Master +Bartlett aside from the others, I said to him: + +“I am of the mind that the two canoes which we took from the enemy, +together with the one we have been using, and that in which Hardy came, +had best be brought inside, so we may be able to put out in case the +savages pursue the helpless ones too closely.” + +“It is a good idea, Jonathan Ogden, and it does me good to know you +can plan so well for the future. Stephen Morley and I will attend to +the work, and in the meanwhile you had best make ready for trouble. It +is my belief that we are like to have plenty of it before many hours +have passed.” + +“Think you there may be danger before to-morrow morning?” + +“Ay, lad, you may set it down as certain that some of those red sneaks +have seen Andrew Hardy and the women leave the fort, and will soon be +coming down the river to learn where they went.” + +Then Master Bartlett called for Stephen Morley to aid him in bringing +up the canoes, and I set about such preparations for meeting the enemy +as it was possible to make. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +THE REFUGEES + + +While I was walking here and there, scrutinizing carefully all the +stockade to learn where, if any, were its weak points, Esther Hinchman +came up, and it goes without saying that I stopped to speak with her. + +“It is not for me to interfere with the men’s work in any way, Jonathan +Ogden,” she began, with a bright smile, “nor would I do so even to the +extent of asking questions; but we women believe we should be counted +as among the defenders of the stockade and ought to be looked upon as +such.” + +“Indeed, we so reckon you,” I replied, puzzled to guess what she might +be driving at. + +“Then give us regular duties to perform. We can stand guard in the +daytime as well as any other, for our eyes are as sharp as yours, and +if we take that work upon ourselves, then it will be possible for all +the men to remain on duty during each night.” + +It was a most welcome proposition she had made, since, by following it, +we who counted ourselves men would not be heavy-eyed while standing +guard in the darkness, when we knew the most danger threatened, and so +it was arranged, save that I would have put her off until the next day. + +“Let us begin at once,” she said, firmly, “and then it will come more +natural when danger thickens.” + +Well, without consulting my comrades, I stationed Esther Hinchman and +three other women on the stockade at once, and Giles March asked, +laughingly: + +“Have you turned your command into Minute Girls, Jonathan Ogden?” + +When I had stated what was to be the arrangement while we were so +short-handed, he, as well as all the others who heard me, believed +it was a wise plan, and, now that there was no longer need of us on +the lookout platforms, we went here and there examining the defences, +strengthening them as much as possible by setting other logs where any +showed signs of weakness. + +The canoes had long since been brought inside the stockade, and every +lad and man in the company was working to the utmost of his ability, +when a low cry from Esther Hinchman took me to her side. + +“A canoe is coming down on the other side, keeping well inshore,” she +said. “I cannot make out that there are more than two persons in her.” + +“Master Bartlett was right when he said some of those curs would come +down to see what had become of Andrew Hardy and his companions!” +I cried involuntarily, and then, like a flash of light, came to me +an idea which, if properly carried out, might be turned much to our +advantage. + +“Call the women down from the platforms without delay, and as quietly +as may be. See that they all go into the blockhouse, taking the +children with them,” I said, hurriedly. “I believe we may trap those +curious ones if we work quickly.” + +Esther did not delay to ask questions; but, running from one platform +to another, called off her sentinels, and while I was talking with +Master Bartlett, I saw that the dear girl was gathering the children up +as one does a flock of sheep. + +“If we keep out of sight those curs will be likely to stroll inside +the stockade through curiosity,” I said to the old man, after telling +him of what Esther had seen. “Now I cannot say in what way it would +advantage us to hold prisoners, although the time may come, before we +have regained possession of the valley, when a few of those wolves in a +cage would be something with which we might drive a bargain.” + +“How will you do it?” Master Bartlett asked, without declaring for or +against my plan. + +“I would have you and Stephen Morley hidden outside where you could +shoot down the savages if we bungled the trapping of them. Then the +remainder of our force should be just inside the gates, which are to +be swung half-open. The women and children are already within the +blockhouse under orders not to show themselves or make any noise. If we +can’t take them prisoners, we can at least shoot them down.” + +“Stephen Morley and I will look after the business outside,” Master +Bartlett said curtly, and in another instant he was beckoning Morley to +follow him. + +It was not necessary for me to spend above five minutes in posting all +my force behind the half-opened gates, and each fellow had his musket +ready for use on the instant, in case the curs entered and were not +disposed to surrender quietly. + +The blockhouse was closed, and the doors and windows securely fastened, +so there was no fear the inmates would come to harm through any stray +bullets, in case we had a scrimmage. + +When I stood where it was possible to peer through the narrow crevice +between the gate and that portion of the stockade to which it was hung, +the Indians were just stepping out from their canoe, having seen where +Andrew Hardy pulled his craft up on the mud, and, because the curs were +looking around for a trail, I believed they would walk directly into +our trap. + +With a cautious warning to my comrades that they might know the +decisive moment was near at hand, I looked well to the priming of my +musket, and waited nervously for that which was to come. + +Straight as an arrow from a bow, the curs walked toward the stockade, +following the trail and looking suspiciously around as they advanced. + +There was nothing to alarm them in the fact that the stockade was +thrown open, for so they must have expected to find it; but on arriving +at the entrance, where it was possible to have a view of the enclosure, +the two half-halted as if scenting danger. + +Then one spoke in his native tongue, pointing toward the blockhouse, +and both advanced until the gates could be swung behind them. + +At the same instant that two of the lads shoved the heavy barrier into +place, Daniel Hinchman and Andrew Hardy leaped out on the left side of +the foe, and Giles March and I on the right, with our weapons levelled. + +The sneaks sprang forward two or three paces as they turned with +upraised hatchets to face us, and then must they have been blind indeed +had either failed to note that it would be instant death to make any +attempt at striking a blow. + +I must give them credit for a show of bravery when they saw how +thoroughly well the trap had been sprung. There was no sign either of +surprise or fear as they faced us, and without a word both unslung the +muskets from their shoulders, throwing them to the ground, together +with knives and hatchets, after which the fellows stood with folded +arms, as if having no further concern as to what might be done. + +“Let Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley come inside,” I called to Miles +Parker, who had been given charge of the gates, keeping my musket +levelled all the while, as did my comrades. + +The two men obeyed the summons in a twinkling, they having come up +instantly the gates were closed, and I said as they entered: + +“I believe it is best that you take charge of the prisoners, because it +stands to reason you have had more experience in such matters than any +of us; but it strikes me you would do well to first make sure they have +no other weapons about them.” + +Master Bartlett deftly took from the statue-like savages their +ammunition, and then said in a matter-of-fact tone: + +“It’s all right, lad; you can look after other matters, for I guarantee +these sneaks will stay with us till we get ready to send them--I know +where they’d go if I was in command of this party.” + +The prisoners moved toward the farther end of the enclosure in +obedience to the old man’s direction, and I believed they were to be +imprisoned in the shed where we found Elias Shendle. + +“Well, lads,” I said, cheerily, “we have two more muskets, ammunition +to go with them, and a canoe in addition to what we had at sunrise, +which is not a bad morning’s work, as I look at it. Andrew Hardy, you +had best bring the boat into the stockade, and I will let out the women +and children.” + +Half an hour later matters inside the fort were much as before the +enemy came within sight, save that in the shed, bound hand and foot +to heavy logs, sat two scowling savages, and I hardly dared trust +myself to look at the curs, so sorely did my fingers itch to give them +righteous punishment for the murders they had committed. + +The women were on the platforms again, and all the other able-bodied of +the party, women as well as men, continued the work of strengthening +the stockade. + +There was no further interruption to the labor that day, and when night +came I believed the walls were strong enough to resist any attack, save +that by fire, which might be made. + +“We’re in better shape than we were this morning,” Giles March said, +in a tone of satisfaction, as we went up to the blockhouse for our +supper, after which we counted on relieving Esther Hinchman and her +three companions from sentinel duty. “One man and two women have been +added to the number of defenders; the ammunition they brought, and that +taken from the prisoners, makes a good showing, and, best of all, we’ve +got more weapons than before those curs blundered into our trap. If we +could do as well every day the Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley would soon +begin to loom up big.” + +It pleased me that he could find so much reason for rejoicing in our +situation, because I could not take my mind from the fact that soon +we would have so many mouths to feed our store of provisions would +speedily be exhausted. + +I myself took Esther Hinchman’s place on the platform as sentinel, and +said, as she lingered a moment beside me: + +“Because of your standing guard, we have made ready for whatsoever the +enemy has in store for us, and the watch has been as vigilant as if +regular soldiers were on duty.” + +“We count that we ought to be able to do a full share of the work, +and it is only right, since but for us and the children you men could +soon find places of safety other than in this blood-stained valley,” +she said, gravely. “We four will get a full night’s sleep, and you can +reckon on our reporting for duty before sunrise in the morning.” + +Then the dear girl leaped lightly down to the ground, and I could not +prevent my eyes from following her as she ran into the blockhouse, +catching up a child in her arms as she went. + +We did good duty that night as sentinels, for all save Master Bartlett +had a share of the work. I had insisted that he should get such rest as +was possible before the morrow came, when, what with the refugees and +the savages, we were like to have our hands full. + +Nothing was seen or heard to cause alarm or uneasiness during the +night, and when the first gray light of coming day could be seen in the +sky, Esther Hinchman and her companions came out to take our places on +the walls. + +“We have had breakfast,” she said, as I handed her my musket, “and have +left food ready for you, so eat as quickly as you can, that those last +on duty may have a chance to sleep until the people from Forty Fort +appear in sight.” + +There were none of us who cared for more rest, since each had slept +four or five hours, and when breakfast had been eaten I went in search +of Master Bartlett, who, so some one reported, had gone with Master +Morley to feed the prisoners. + +The old man had come to an end of his task when I found him, and was +feeling in good spirits, thanks to his long time of repose. + +“The Minute Boys have got together again in fine shape, lad,” he said +to me, “and I am looking to see them give a good account of themselves +from this time out.” + +“I pray God we may be able to do so, Master Bartlett; but I want you to +bear well in mind that you are, in fact, the commander who will give +me timely warning when I am careless or overconfident. I know that you +would not hesitate to propose any move which might benefit those whom +we would aid.” + +“Don’t fear but that I shall do whatever I may, lad, yet I’m thinking +there’ll be little for me to do in the way of watching you, and said as +much to Stephen Morley when you set your trap yesterday. A lad who has +his wits about him to that extent can be depended upon to look after +his company fairly well.” + +It pleased me to be thus praised by a man like Master Bartlett; but +I tried hard not to show my delight, and spoke of this thing or that +until once more Esther Hinchman hailed: + +“There is a fleet of canoes coming down the river, and I doubt not but +that those of whom Colonel Dennison spoke are among the company.” + +In a twinkling the old man and I were on the nearest platform; but it +was four or five minutes before we could see what Esther had reported, +so much sharper were her eyes than ours. + +Then it was possible to make out no less than twelve boats, loaded to +the water’s edge, while along the bank of the river marched a company +of soldiers as if keeping watch over the people. + +“John Butler knows only too well that the wolves which he has let loose +upon us are not to be trusted out of sight, and has sent the Tories to +make certain the savages bring the people here,” Master Bartlett said +to himself, and I am glad to set down here that one honest thing which +Butler did after working us such deadly harm. + +“The trouble will come, if they count on making any, after the people +have landed,” I said, counting on getting advice from the old man. “It +seems to me we might make more certain the refugees will be brought to +the shore, if we send out a couple of canoes, with the best part of +our force, to hold the brutes in check after they are beyond range of +yonder Tories.” + +“It is what should be done!” Master Bartlett said, emphatically. “Leave +the matter to me, for you must stay in the stockade, and I promise you +there will be no treachery on the part of those who are at the paddles.” + +It would have pleased me better to go with those who ventured out from +the shore; but I knew that, as the old man had said, it was my duty to +remain, therefore held my peace while he was gathering the company. + +By this time it was possible to see that each canoe was handled by two +savages, who had most likely been sent to take the craft back when the +passengers were disembarked, and I trembled with apprehension as I +realized what would be the result if the treacherous curs, instead of +coming to the shore, kept the boats in the middle of the river until +beyond range of the stockade or the Tories. + +Master Bartlett did not wait for the fleet to come up, but with six of +our company in two canoes, set off to meet them, coming up with the +foremost while they were yet under the guns of the soldiers on the +opposite bank. + +Then it was he forced them to pass before him on a direct course to our +fort, and I took note that the old man seemed to be hurrying those who +lagged, lest a single person be spirited away. + +Thanks to the precautions we had taken--and I verily believe that had +we remained within the stockade not one of that sorrowful company would +have escaped death--the refugees were soon on shore, making all speed +to gain the shelter of the fort, as if there absolute safety would be +found. + +When the last white person had left the canoes, the Indians would have +lingered; but Master Bartlett, having landed his force, ordered them +away, and the levelled muskets were sufficient incentive for them to +obey the command. + +I watched until it was certain the last red scoundrel had paddled +toward the opposite shore, and then came down to meet those who claimed +protection from us Minute Boys. + +Now lest I multiply words needlessly, by trying to give a complete list +of those who had come to us, let me say that there were thirty-two +women and children, and fourteen men and boys added to our number. +Owing to Colonel Dennison’s efforts with John Butler, every member of +the party, save the very smallest children, brought with them more or +less in the way of provisions, and three of the men had succeeded in +getting off with their muskets by taking the barrel from the stock, and +packing both pieces in bundles of clothing. + +In addition to this, sixteen of the company had secreted about them +powder and ball, so that it seemed as if we need not fear to run out of +either provisions or ammunition for a week at least, though I promised +myself that as soon as it could be done, I would have a careful +estimate made of all our stores. + +Counting all the men and boys who had just arrived, together with our +wounded, my company of Minute Boys numbered twenty-four, or two more +than when we went into Fort Jenkins hoping to hold it against all the +Tories and savages who might come. To arm these, however, we had only +fourteen muskets, with, possibly, a knife for each one, since nearly +all of the fugitives had been allowed to bring with them knives as well +as hatchets. + +Our force was even stronger than I have stated, for among the women +were no less than sixteen who looked as if they might be counted on +to stand guard, reload weapons during a fight, and, perhaps, do not a +little work if it came to a hand-to-hand scrimmage. + +“It isn’t a bad showing,” I said to Master Bartlett, after looking over +the newcomers. “We should be able to hold this place at least until our +ammunition is exhausted.” + +“Even more than that can be done, lad, if you hold yourself steadily as +the captain. Insist on each man and woman doing his or her full share +of the work, and when you give an order, take good care that it is +obeyed promptly. Discipline is even more necessary than weapons, and +the commander’s hand must be firm.” + +At that moment I was thinking more of how we might add to the store of +provisions than as to exercising my authority, and interrupted the old +man to call Giles March, saying to him when he was come: + +“Take with you a full dozen men and boys, and make search of all these +ruins. There must be food of some kind, burned or otherwise, in such +fragments of the buildings as are yet standing, and there should be +gardens nearabout from which considerable may already be gathered.” + +He did not delay to question, but summoned those nearest at hand, and +when he was gone I sent six more women to the lookout platforms, urging +them, and those already on guard, to keep sharp watch while Giles and +his company remained absent. + +Well, the result of that move was that when night came we had stores +in plenty--corn ground and in meal, young potatoes, smoked pork, and +salted fish in such quantity that I believed we could hold out though +we were besieged three weeks. But the prizes found this day were two +cows that had taken to the thicket when the savages first appeared, who +came out lowing to be milked. + +My heart was lighter than it had been at any time since we first went +into Fort Jenkins when I took Esther Hinchman’s place on the platform, +binding her by solemn promise that she would spend all her time in +sleeping, until another day had come, unless by chance we were attacked. + +As it proved there was very little sleep to be had by any within the +stockade on that night; we had our first taste of the work we had +just begun, and I make bold to say that we did not come off badly, +considering our lack of weapons. + +We had no more than relieved the women of sentry duty when Giles March, +who was stationed near the northern end of the wall, cried out that +he could see a canoe close under the opposite shore, and before the +light of day had died fully away, we saw three others, all dropping +cautiously down-stream. + +No more warning of an attack than that was needed; we knew full well +that the curs would do what they might at striking a blow before +morning, and, therefore, were ready for them when the time came. + +The women who had been selected to aid in the defence were warned to +be ready when the first shot was fired, and Giles March and I made the +rounds carefully after night had fully come, cautioning those who stood +facing the thicket to fire at any moving thing. + +Not until near to one o’clock in the morning was any move made by the +painted curs, and then one of them showed himself long enough for +Daniel Hinchman to send a bullet where it would do the most good, from +our point of view. + +Then it was the bloodthirsty wolves came at us with a rush, counting, +most likely, to find that we had no weapons, and when I leaped on the +platform to do my share in the battle which had begun so suddenly, +Esther Hinchman was already there. + +“What are you doing here?” I cried, sharply, discharging my musket with +good aim at a painted fiend who was coming forward at full speed as if +to clamber up the wall. “Get down out of danger! I _will_ not have you +here!” + +“I can keep watch while you reload your gun,” she said, pleadingly; but +I literally forced her down, threatening that she should never again +perform sentinel duty if she dared to disobey. + +From that moment until the rush had been checked, I had no time to give +heed to her, for the savages pressed us hard during ten minutes or +more, and all the while I could not but bewail the fact that we were +expending our ammunition so rapidly, although every fellow strove hard +not to waste a shot. + +At one time I believe it was possible to see not less than an hundred +dark shadows, which we knew to be John Butler’s mutinous followers, and +more than once, before we succeeded in driving them back, did it seem +certain some of them would succeed in scaling the walls. + +Never had I known the curs to fight so boldly, and I now understand +that it was because they were half-crazed by the quantity of rum drank +immediately after Butler and his Tories marched out of Forty Fort. + +We had a breathing spell of ten minutes or more, during which time the +women cleaned our fouled muskets, and we quenched the thirst born of +the fumes of burning powder, at the spring near the blockhouse. + +Then, as suddenly as before, the battle was resumed; but it could soon +be seen that we were beset by a much smaller force. It seemed positive +that a goodly number of the cowards, finding us far stronger both in +numbers and weapons than they supposed, had given over the attempt, and +when I became convinced such was the case, the thought came that now +indeed was the time to show the brutes they were no longer the masters +in our valley. + +“Find Master Bartlett for me, and quickly. Tell him to come here at +once,” I said to Esther Hinchman, who had remained just below my +station all the while we were fighting. + +It was as if I had no more than spoken before the old man was by my +side, and I asked, hurriedly: + +“Do you know how much we have suffered thus far?” + +“Mistress Morley just told me that we had two wounded; but those who +were without muskets have taken their places, therefore the fighting +force has not really been lessened.” + +“Then, hark you, Master Bartlett! You said to me that I should not give +an order without making certain it was obeyed, and I now command you +to take upon yourself the defence of this place, after our numbers +have been reduced by nearly one-half.” + +“What do you mean?” he asked in surprise, but he did not turn his face +from the foe, nor had I ceased to fire whenever a target presented +itself during the time I was talking. + +“I believe that now has come the moment when we should strike a blow +ourselves, instead of remaining on the defensive as if too weak to meet +those brutes openly. I count on taking with me nine of the lads whom +I know best, and slipping out of this place. We will fall upon yonder +curs from a point where they are least expecting to see us, and if it +be possible to get them on the run, I promise you we will not turn back +this side of Forty Fort, if so be we can contrive to cross the river.” + +I had expected to have a long argument; but much to my surprise, the +old man never so much as opened his mouth, and after waiting a few +seconds for a reply, I slipped down from the platform, leaving him in +my place. + +“You may never come back,” Esther Hinchman said, with a sob, as I stood +by her side, and then did I know she had heard what passed between +Master Bartlett and me. + +“It is not for you to grow faint-hearted at the very moment when I +believe more can be done in behalf of the valley than if we were to +defend ourselves behind a stockade for the next two months. I _shall_ +come back, and with me all who go out, provided our first blow be +successful.” + +“I will pray that God does not take you from us,” she sobbed, and then +it was that I kissed her, running at full speed across the enclosure a +moment later, lest I be tempted to linger by her side rather than take +my chances among the red wolves. + +Around the stockade I went, calling down from the platforms Giles +March, Daniel Hinchman, Oscar Stephenson, and all the lads I knew best, +until I had withdrawn nine from the walls, and then in a few words I +explained what we might do. + +Not one of them flinched; they were even more eager than I to make the +venture, and we gathered by the small gate until that moment came when +the firing seemed to be heaviest at the northern end of the stockade, +when all slipped out, crouching to the very ground as we ran straight +toward the mountain, an hundred paces or more, where good cover was +found. + +Then off we went, northward, until believing we were behind the +attacking force, after which we halted to make certain our muskets were +primed. + +“Now, lads,” I whispered, “let us keep well together, for nothing +can be gained by separating, and if so be we succeed in frightening +the curs, we’ll keep at their heels even to the very border of their +encampment.” + +“It is likely they are quartered in Forty Fort,” Miles Parker +suggested, and I added: + +“So much the better if they are! Once we get them on the run, it +wouldn’t be anything very wonderful if we could take that stockade, +even though it is held by more than an hundred.” + +As a matter of course I had no hope we might do any such work as +that, but I thought it would encourage some of my comrades to greater +exertions if they fancied that was our goal. + +The halt lasted no longer than for me to say what I have here set down, +and then we started in that direction from which the reports of the +muskets came, moving cautiously at first, lest the villains hear us too +soon, and then with a rush when it was possible to see the flashes of +their weapons. + +“Now at them with a yell, but don’t fire till you are certain of +hitting the mark!” I whispered, and forward we went, shouting at the +full strength of our lungs, and coming upon the cowards from behind. + +They had no more than time to realize they were flanked, when we let +drive a volley, and for every bullet a painted brute fell. + +We halted to reload, hoping to get in a second volley before they had +fully recovered from the first alarm; but work as we might, it was +impossible. + +When we were ready to fire again, not a moving thing could be seen, but +far away in the distance could be heard the sound of their footsteps, +or the swishing of the branches as they tore through the foliage in +headlong flight, intent only on gaining the river. + +“Now for it!” I cried when my musket was loaded. “We must never let +them off without one more shot, and if it be that we can prevent their +taking to the canoes, we’ll give them a taste of being hunted down like +wild beasts, as were our people!” + +If it had not been that Master Bartlett supported us nobly at the very +moment when he could do the most good, we would have failed in giving +the brutes the lesson I had planned. + +We were hardly more than started on our second charge when yells and +screams, accompanied by musket-shots, rang out just ahead of us, and +Giles March cried, exultantly: + +“Our people in the stockade are lending a hand, and it will go hard if +we don’t pepper a dozen or more before they can put off!” + +When we came into the open again it was to see our comrades standing +near where a dozen or more canoes were hauled up on the shore, firing +at a dark mass in the distance, which we knew to be the panic-stricken +murderers. + +“Let them have it, lads!” I shouted, discharging my weapon, and, while +the others were following my example, I ran forward until finding +Master Bartlett. + +“The dose hasn’t been as heavy as I reckoned on; but there is yet time +to increase it,” I said, hurriedly. “We will take two of these canoes, +and do you carry the others into the stockade.” + +“Where are you going, lad?” the old man asked, as if about to make some +protest. + +“To the other side, where we can pick off the curs as they swim across, +and to Forty Fort, mayhap,” and I pushed off one of the light craft, +shouting for my comrades to join me. + +Master Bartlett stood by till the last one of us was in the canoes, and +then, as we paddled swiftly away, he cried: + +“Give it to ’em hot, lads; but don’t take too many chances, for we’ll +soon be needing you here!” + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +FREEING THE VALLEY + + +I believed that now, if ever, was the time when we might give John +Butler’s curs such a drubbing they would be glad to follow their +leader, and I also realized that if we could not strike a heavy blow on +this night, then might we expect to get it hot from then on. + +We had already shown the brutes they were not to have everything their +own way, as had been the case since they first began the bloody work; +but if we failed to follow up our advantage, it went without saying +that they would be upon us next day burning to avenge the death of +their fellows. + +All this I said to my comrades as we paddled swiftly up-stream, working +gradually toward the other shore, and Giles March replied, grimly: + +“It is better to fight one tough battle than half a dozen mild ones +wherein neither side gains an advantage. If you are so minded, Jonathan +Ogden, I will follow you even into Forty Fort.” + +“Except for dividing a party already too small to hold one stockade +comfortably, I believe we might take the fort this night; but even +if it was open for us to walk in, we would have no right to take +possession, because of the fact that, once inside, we might find it +difficult to get out again, and it is as Master Bartlett has just +said--they will soon be needing us at the Wilkesbarre stockade.” + +We had hardly more than gained the shadows of the opposite shore when +from around a bend came a canoe in which were three savages, heading as +if to join the fellows we had just routed, and I motioned for those at +the paddles to hold our canoe motionless. + +“I’ll take the one in the bow; Giles March shall aim at the second +fellow, and Daniel Hinchman will look after the third,” I whispered. +“One, two, three, fire!” + +The three reports rang out like one, and the canoe swung around with +the current, having in it nothing of life, for our aim had been true. + +“It is such work as we will continue to do until every wolfish savage +and Tory cur is driven out of the valley!” I said, exultantly, and then +gave the word for both canoes to be put in to the shore. + +There could be no question but that those nearabout the fort had heard +the firing, and we might expect some of them would come to learn the +cause. We had no desire for a regular battle on that side of the river, +therefore did I believe it best to get under cover. + +By the time we had landed and hauled the canoes out of water at the +foot of a huge oak-tree, where we might be able to find them again +without too much searching, it was possible to hear cries from the +opposite shore, as those who had retreated in such haste called for +their comrades to ferry them across, while near at hand were such +sounds as told that the red villains were disturbed. + +“While they are hunting around here for us, we will make our way to +the fort, and then come down upon them once more in the rear,” I said +to my comrades. “If we can double on them two or three times, as when +we began this work, I’m of the mind they will believe themselves +completely surrounded.” + +Then, without waiting to hear what they might think of the plan, I +pressed forward in the direction where I knew the fort lay, but taking +good care to get away from the river bank with all speed. + +By skulking behind this ruin or that, crawling across the open places, +and running when having gained what would serve as cover, we arrived +in the rear of the fort at about the same time that a large number of +half-naked imps passed out of the big gates, heading toward the river. + +Now that we had arrived I was wholly at a loss to decide what it might +be possible to do. I had sufficient sense to understand that it would +be more than foolhardy to venture inside, for even though only a few +remained there, they might be strong enough to hold us in play until +some of those from the river bank could come up, when the capture of +our party would be well-nigh certain. + +While I stood within the shadow of the heavy timbers asking myself how +we might strike a blow, my eyes fell upon a heap of shavings, left, no +doubt, when one of the savages fitted a new handle to his tomahawk, and +I said on the impulse of the moment to Daniel Hinchman: + +“Everything hereabout is dry as tinder, and if we could gather enough +light stuff it might be possible to set fire to the logs. Then, in the +excitement, I’m thinking it would be possible to shoot down a few more +of the murderers.” + +It was as if he took this for a command, and in a twinkling all the +party were gathering such inflammable material as was nearest at hand. + +Because there was close about so much with which to start a fire, no +more than five minutes were spent before we had piled up against the +logs, and stuffed into the crevices, a huge mass which extended along +the wall for a distance of perhaps twenty feet. + +“If that doesn’t set the stockade on fire, it will make a big show,” +Giles March said, with a chuckle of satisfaction. “What is to be done +when the blaze has been started?” + +“We’ll make for the bushes along the river bank, and it will go hard if +we don’t succeed in hurting half a dozen before they understand what is +going on,” I said, and then came the question of lighting the dry stuff +without spending too much time. + +It was Giles March who settled the matter by proposing that he and I +stay behind while the others gained a hiding-place near the water’s +edge, and then set off the pile at each end by flashing into it powder +from our muskets. + +This we did, taking to our heels immediately tiny flames told that +the burning powder had done its work, and we succeeded in joining our +comrades before the savages were alarmed. + +Hardly more than fifty paces from where we were hidden a dozen or more +of the curs stood looking toward the other shore, chattering like a lot +of crows, and I motioned to my comrades that when the right moment came +we would take the group for our targets. + +The flames leaped up quickly and furiously; but fully five minutes +passed before a single cry was heard, and during that time the fire +must have fastened on to the dry logs of the stockade. Then a shrill +cry was heard from the fort; the curs we were watching wheeled suddenly +around, cried out as if summoning some of their comrades near at hand, +and would have run in the direction of the flames, but that we fired. + +How many fell I am unable to say, for I was bent only on reloading +in the shortest possible space of time, and when my weapon was in +condition for use once more, not an Indian could be seen. + +I counted that we had the wolves in a fine state of indecision, for it +stood to reason they had taken all their belongings into the fort when +John Butler marched out, and if they stopped to hunt for us everything +might be burned, while, on the other hand, unless we were dealt with +speedily, others would fall beneath our bullets. + +When the last of the party had loaded his musket, I led the way rapidly +as far up toward the flames as we could go while remaining under cover, +saying to my comrades when we were again halted: + +“Shoot the first cur who shows himself, and at a show of their coming +for us, make all speed to where the canoes are hidden. I reckon we’ve +done as much mischief on this side of the river as is safe, for I’m not +minded to lose any member of this party.” + +We had not been in position above two minutes when five Indians came +up from the shore at full speed, counting to pass within a dozen paces +of where we were in hiding, and I motioned for the other fellows to +fire, at the same time preventing Daniel Hinchman and Giles March from +raising their weapons. + +Thus it was we had three loaded muskets when the race began after we +fired into the squad, for it so chanced that following directly on the +heels of those whom we shot at was a larger party, who opened fire +immediately, at random, of course, since we were under cover, but more +than one of their bullets came nearer than was pleasing. + +Then it was, in accordance with the plan already formed, that we beat +a retreat; but before arriving at the oak-tree four of the curs were +close behind, and we saw the advantage of having saved three charges +for an emergency. + +“Giles March and Daniel Hinchman will halt and fire when I give the +word,” I said, while we were running. “The others are to keep on for +fifty paces, and then, if we are yet pursued, stop to reload in order +to check those who may be behind us.” + +Then I cried “Halt!” and my two comrades stopped suddenly, wheeling +around like a flash, and discharging their weapons before our pursuers +had time to swerve from their course. + +We brought down only two; but the others took to their heels, and for +the moment we were safe from pursuit. + +The rest of our party halted to reload, as I had ordered, and when we +three came up, it was to follow their example. + +Having recharged my musket, I was so foolish as to fancy the moment had +come when we might exult over our successes, and stopped to have speech +with my comrades, giving no heed as to silence; but the first word had +no more than been spoken when half a dozen muskets were discharged +close at hand from the riverside, while the sharp twinge, followed by a +sensation as of burning, told that I had received a bullet in my left +arm. + +“Don’t shoot till you can see what you are firing at!” I cried. “Press +on to the canoes, else are we like to find ourselves in a trap!” + +But for the fact that we were among the bushes, all of us might have +been shot down. Even as it was we found it exceeding difficult to get +out of the scrape, for the savages pressed us hard, but without showing +themselves, and it seemed as if their numbers were increasing each +instant. + +Then came the time when I realized that it would be worse than folly to +answer their shots. The curs were so near that nothing save speed would +avail us, and I gave the word for the lads to run at their best speed, +without regard to anything except keeping themselves hidden from view +as much as possible. + +When I came up to where the canoes had been left, they were already in +the water, and now was our time of greatest peril, for while paddling +out from the shore the savages could shoot at will. + +“We’re working for our lives now, lads!” I said, speaking hurriedly, +while clambering into the frail craft. “Let all save those at the +paddles be ready to shoot when the first villain breaks cover, and +while reloading, bend over as much as possible, lest you give them too +fair a mark at which to aim.” + +As I think of the matter now, it seems almost incredible that any of us +got away alive, and yet we finally came out of the scrimmage with only +one wound in addition to that which I had received. Miles Parker had +an ugly cut on his cheek as good proof that John Butler’s wolves were +precious poor marksmen, and my arm was useless. + +Before getting well clear of the shore we put an end to three of the +wolves who had ravaged the valley, and then, in midstream, we could see +the flames leaping high into the air over Forty Fort, telling that the +last stockade remaining on that side of the river was speedily being +destroyed. + +“It’s a good night’s work, lads!” I cried, exultantly, heeding not the +pain in my arm. “We have struck a blow such as they won’t forget, and +it will go hard if we can’t deal another now that they are without a +fort, save by crossing the river!” + +“If we can only keep after them!” Giles March cried. “Two or three more +nights like this one, and they would be glad to follow John Butler’s +trail.” + +“They shall have as much more of this work as they are willing to +stand,” I replied, hotly. “The two of us who are wounded will soon be +ready for duty again, and in the meantime the rest of you can keep up +the dance.” + +Then we were within hailing distance of our stockade, and Master +Bartlett’s voice came to us from across the water, as he asked, +anxiously: + +“Are you all there, lads?” + +“Ay, and with but two slight wounds to show for all the powder and lead +those curs have wasted,” I replied, gleefully. + +“And it was you who set fire to Forty Fort?” + +“That we did, and if our company had been a little larger, I dare +venture to say we could have taken the stockade.” + +“We couldn’t have held it, therefore it is better it should go up in +smoke without delay,” Master Bartlett replied, and then we were at the +shore. + +Carrying the canoes with us, we entered the stockade, and it so chanced +that Daniel Hinchman and I were side by side when Esther came up. + +“Which of you has been wounded?” she asked, sharply, and Daniel made +answer: + +“Jonathan Ogden. His arm should be attended to at once, for we can ill +afford to lose our leader at the very time when the Minute Boys are +showing what it is possible for them to do.” + +She spoke never a word, but would have led me away at once had not +Master Bartlett stopped us to ask: + +“Think you that those whose canoes we captured are yet on this side of +the river?” + +“They must be. I question if the scoundrels at the fort have had time +or the inclination to go after them, for we made matters right lively.” + +“And I’m thinking that we should keep up the work,” Master Bartlett +replied. “There’s no chance they will get their wits together +sufficiently to make an attack this night, and if you say the word, +Stephen Morley and I will take four or five of the lads who did not go +with you, and see whether we can’t add to the work you’ve done, before +the sun rises.” + +It made me a bit jealous to think of a party setting off while I +remained behind; but I could not reasonably make any objection to his +proposition, and even as I entered the blockhouse with Esther that my +wound might be dressed, the old man went out through the small gate. + +“I’ll answer for his lessening the number of those brutes before we see +him again, and now if ever is the time to keep after them, for once +they have a chance to gather their wits, we’ll have our work cut out +for us,” Giles March said, as he went to the spring, and I followed +Esther into the building, almost content to be disabled since she was +to play the part of nurse. + +Had I done as Esther Hinchman begged me, I would have remained inside +the blockhouse all night, counting myself an invalid who stood in great +need of repose; but it would have required more than one small wound +to keep me there among the women and children while the Minute Boys +were giving good proof of what they could do when half an opportunity +presented itself. + +When, an hour later, I came into the open air, Giles March and Daniel +Hinchman were keeping watch, although all the platforms were occupied +by the women who acted as sentinels. Forty Fort was yet burning +fiercely, the flames rising so high in the air that they must have +been seen twenty miles away, and I said to my comrades: + +“The red curs didn’t make any effort to put out the fire.” + +“I reckon that was our fault,” Daniel replied, with a hearty laugh. +“We made such a disturbance around there that, by the time they had a +chance to do anything except hunt us, the flames must have got under +good headway. It is likely all the lodges had been set up inside the +stockade, and I’m hoping they didn’t have a chance to save them.” + +There was really nothing I could do in the enclosure, while so many of +the women were on guard, and after a few moments I went to see Elias +Shendle, who, so Esther had told me, was mending very fast. + +The poor lad almost cried when I told him of all we had done that +night, so great was his sorrow because of not being with us; but I +consoled him as best I might by predicting that he would soon be able +to do his full share of the work, and promising he should go out with a +party whenever there was a likelihood of striking the enemy hard. + +The talking caused a feeling of drowsiness to creep over me, and, lying +down by his side with the idea of taking a short nap, I fell into a +sleep from which I did not awaken until after sunrise next morning. + +“Why didn’t you arouse me?” I asked reproachfully of Elias, and he +replied, with a smile: + +“I would have done so when Master Bartlett and his party came back; but +Esther Hinchman threatened me with all kinds of dreadful punishments if +I so much as moved, and because she seems to be in authority over us +who are wounded, it didn’t seem wise to disobey her.” + +Going out-of-doors quickly, I found Master Bartlett lying on the ground +near the door of the blockhouse, and he did not wait for me to question +him concerning what had been done. + +“I brought all the lads back, and with never a scratch on one of them,” +he said, in a tone of triumph, as I appeared. + +“Did you find the savages?” + +“Ay, that we did, a dozen or more, and before we were done they had a +taste of what our people suffered when they were used as targets while +striving to swim across. I can’t say just how much we accomplished, but +am satisfied that a full half of the squad won’t make any more trouble +for us. In addition to that, we’ve got two more prisoners to feed, and +they have lost another canoe.” + +“It will be necessary for them to set about boat-building, if they +count on staying here very much longer,” I said, with a laugh. “It +seems to me, unless John Butler brought twice as many canoes as his +army needed, we must have gathered in the better part of their outfit.” + +“Another night like that just past, and we’ll have seen the last of +those who have wrought so much harm to us of the valley. With our two +prisoners we got a couple more muskets, and I’m thinking it wouldn’t be +a bad idea to search along this shore. We must have killed some of the +brutes, who are lying there with their weapons.” + +It surprised me that I had not hit upon such a plan myself, and as soon +as might be I sent out Giles March, with three comrades, to search for +whatsoever might be of service to us. + +The party came back before noon, bringing five muskets and eight +hatchets, as well as a goodly store of ammunition, therefore could we +count that the number of Minute Boys ready for duty had been increased +by seven, counting the guns taken from the prisoners. + +Now were we in good truth a power in the valley, and straightway I set +about racking my brains for something in the way of one grand blow, +other than risking a regular battle, which would convince the enemy +that it was unsafe for him to remain any longer. + +“We are strong enough to stand against a goodly number of them now,” +I said, thinking aloud, and Master Bartlett replied as if I had +questioned him: + +“You’ll do no more fighting this two weeks, lad, and I’ve had it in +mind that you had better let Stephen Morley and me go out for awhile. +I’m burning to know where the brutes are located now the stockade has +been destroyed.” + +Well, we talked long and earnestly on the matter, finally coming +to the agreement that the old man should, on the coming night, take +a dozen lads with him, and cross the river; but it was with the +understanding that he would not make an attack save when the odds or +chances were greatly in his favor. + +It was not pleasant for me to see my comrades setting off while I +remained behind; but there was no help for it when another night had +come, and I stood on the platform nearest the water, with Esther +Hinchman by my side, watching the dear lads as they paddled across the +river, wishing most fervently that I could be with them. + +They had not been gone above half an hour, and I was still on the +lookout’s platform by the side of Esther, when we were startled by +seeing what appeared to be a veritable army of men coming up the river. +For the moment I believed the savages had circled around back of Forty +Fort to surprise us, thinking we would have no suspicions of those who +came from that direction. + +I had just leaned over to tell one of the women who chanced to be +passing that all the men were to be aroused, when there came a hail in +good English from the fleet of canoes. + +“Fort ahoy!” + +When I had replied to the hail the question came: + +“Who is holding that stockade?” + +“The Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley, aided by those who were so +fortunate as to come from Forty Fort alive.” + +“Who is in command?” + +“I, Jonathan Ogden.” + +“You have done well to hold the place, lad; but it will be easier from +now on. I am bringing you thirty good recruits, all of whom are well +armed, and amply supplied with ammunition and provisions.” + +I could hardly credit my own ears, for such news seemed far too good to +be true, and I cried, incredulously: + +“Who may you be to have brought us that of which we stand so sadly in +need?” + +“John Franklin, of Hunterdon. I went with Colonel Zebulon Butler’s +followers to Conyngham, and nearabout there have mustered these +recruits, all of whom are eager to meet those who have laid waste this +valley.” + +Half an hour later Captain Franklin and his men were inside the +stockade, having brought with them in the way of ammunition and +provisions sufficient to serve us for many days to come. + +I did not really believe that all these young men--there were no old +ones among them--would be willing to serve under me until we had come +together and I put the question squarely to them, when they declared +their willingness to regularly enlist, if it might be possible so to do. + +We were yet holding converse, seated on the ground near the blockhouse, +when Esther Hinchman cried out that Master Bartlett’s party was +returning, and, leaping up on the platform, I cried to the old man: + +“Have you met with disaster that you are back so soon?” + +“Not a bit of it, lad. We haven’t wiped out any of John Butler’s +wolves, nor even seen one, for the very good reason that they have +pulled out of the valley.” + +“What?” I cried, in amazement. “Do you mean that they have followed +Butler’s trail?” + +“As near as we can make out that is exactly what they have done. You +lads made it a bit too hot for them last night, and the curs hadn’t the +stomachs to wait for another dose. We have an idea that some of them +may be hanging around in the hope of doing mischief without risking +their skins; but it’s certain the biggest part have left in a hurry.” + +Is there any need for me to say that we rejoiced that night--not only +we who had passed through all the scenes of horror, but those who had +so bravely come to our aid? + +After it was possible to settle down soberly, for we were well-nigh +crazed with joy as we had been with grief, we held a consultation +wherein each member of our company was free to air his opinions, and +it was finally decided that we would hold the stockade until it was +certain all the savages had gone from the valley. If then--say two +or three weeks later--there appeared no good reason why the Minute +Boys were needed there, we were of the mind to offer our services as +an independent company of the Continental Army, and Captain Franklin +promised to lay the matter before the military authorities without +delay, for we were determined that when we did enlist it should be with +the express stipulation that we remain together rather than be drafted +into this company or that. + +And now that I am come to an end of what some may claim is no story +at all, but a lot of facts pieced not very skilfully together, I am +puzzled to know how to stop. It would be a labor of love to tell in +detail of all we did from that day when the recruits came to us from +Conyngham until the king was glad to make peace, recognizing the United +States of America as a new nation which gave promise of becoming one of +the world’s great powers; but I fear no one would have the patience to +follow the words so long, for we saw much of fighting and adventure. + +When there was no longer any need of an army, and we were mustered out +of service, I was still the captain of the Minute Boys of the Wyoming +Valley, while Elias Shendle ranked as first, and Daniel Hinchman as +second lieutenant. Giles March was captain of a company from New York +and Stephen Morley a major in the Connecticut line. + +Master Bartlett was yet alive when, on leaving the army, I went to +Tioga to see Esther Hinchman, who had the same as promised to be my +wife, and there I met him. Then it was he said to me that which I +shall ever remember, and with which it seems fitting I should close my +work on this tale of our doings. + +“But for the Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley, Jonathan Ogden,” he said to +me as Esther and I sat by his side, “very much more blood would have +been shed by those human wolves John Butler let loose upon us, and that +act of my life in which I take the most pride is the share I had in +what was done by your company around Wilkesbarre and Forty Fort.” + + +THE END. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: + + + Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. + + Perceived typographical errors have been corrected. + + Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. + + Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76656 *** diff --git a/76656-h/76656-h.htm b/76656-h/76656-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f9a3da1 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/76656-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12668 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + The Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tiny {width: 5%; margin-left: 47.5%; margin-right: 47.5%; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +td {padding-left: 0.5em;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.allsmcap {font-variant: small-caps; text-transform: lowercase;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.xxlarge {font-size: 175%;} +.large {font-size: 125%;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold; text-align: center;} + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.antiqua { + font-family: Blackletter, Fraktur, Textur, "Old English Text MT", "Olde English Mt", "Olde English", + "Old English", "Engravers Old English BT", "Collins Old English", "New Old English", Gothic, serif, sans-serif;} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76656 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE<br> +WYOMING VALLEY</h1> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_0"></span></p> +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_001a.jpg" width="450" height="648" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“‘SO TRUE AS I LIVE, I WILL SHOOT.’”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_003.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<p><span class="large">THE</span><br> +<span class="xxlarge">MINUTE BOYS OF THE<br> +WYOMING VALLEY</span></p> + +<p>BY<br> +<span class="large">JAMES OTIS</span><br> +<small>AUTHOR OF<br> +<span class="smcap">“Minute Boys of the Green Mountains,” “Minute Boys</span><br> +<span class="smcap">of the Mohawk Valley,” etc., etc.</span></small></p> + +<p><span class="antiqua">Illustrated by</span><br> +A. BURNHAM SHUTE</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_003a.jpg" alt="publisher's logo"></div> + +<p>BOSTON<br> +<span class="large">DANA ESTES & COMPANY</span><br> +PUBLISHERS</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"> <i>Copyright, 1906</i><br> + <span class="smcap">By Dana Estes</span> & <span class="smcap">Company</span></p> + <hr class="tiny"> + <p class="center"><i>All rights reserved</i><br> + <br> + THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE<br> + WYOMING VALLEY<br> + <br> + <i>COLONIAL PRESS<br> + Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co.<br> + Boston, U. S. A.</i></p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[v]</span> + <h2 class="nobreak">FOREWORD</h2> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> was the good fortune of the writer, a short +time ago, to find in manuscript form a story—perhaps +a diary would be more nearly correct—of +that which the boys of Wyoming Valley did +during the year 1778, while their fathers were fighting +the battles of the Revolution elsewhere.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary to explain how that manuscript +came into my possession, nor to speak of the doubts +which I had concerning the accuracy of the information +given, because in the last case every statement +made by the lad Jonathan Ogden has been +verified by the works of such historians as Fiske, +Lossing, and Bancroft.</p> + +<p>It is essential, however, to a thorough understanding +of the conditions existing in that portion +of what is now the State of Pennsylvania, known +as Wyoming Valley, to state as briefly as may be +the troubles and trials which fell to the lot of the +settlers there prior to the opening of the War of +the Revolution.</p> + +<p>Every fellow finds fault, and with good cause, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[vi]</span>at being forced to stop in the midst of a narrative +to read historical matters which are of no very +great interest, even though they may serve to enlighten +him as to the reason of the movements of +the several characters; therefore, as the editor, +rather than the author, I propose to give a synopsis +of the story of the settlement of Wyoming Valley, +as set down by Lossing in his “Field Book of the +Revolution.”</p> + +<p>In 1753 an association was formed in Connecticut, +called the Susquehanna Company, the object +of which was to plant a colony in Wyoming Valley. +At that time Connecticut claimed, by virtue of its +old charter, the northeastern portion of the State +of Pennsylvania. In order to strengthen its title +to the land, the association purchased from the Six +Nations the entire valley of Wyoming and the country +westward to the Allegheny River.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterward another Connecticut association, +called the Delaware Company, purchased from +the Indians land upon the Delaware River at a place +called Cushetunk, and began a settlement there in +1757, but, owing to the French and Indian War, +little was done until 1762, when two hundred colonists +began building and planting near the mouth +of Mill Creek, a little above the present site of +Wilkesbarre.</p> + +<p>The reader must remember that at this time the +people of Pennsylvania looked upon both these companies +as intruders, and proceeded to serve writs +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[vii]</span>of ejectment upon them, but without any very satisfactory +results.</p> + +<p>Then came the massacre of 1763, when the Connecticut +settlers were killed or driven away by the +Delawares.</p> + +<p>Now, Governor Penn, claiming that this valley of +Wyoming belonged to him by virtue of his original +grant, and desirous of avoiding legal complications, +bargained with the Six Nations for this same land +which they had sold to the Connecticut associations, +and received from them a deed to the same.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that in 1769 the State of Pennsylvania +claimed the Wyoming Valley by virtue of its +original grant and the purchase just effected; the +State of Connecticut claimed the same territory +through its ancient grant; the Susquehanna Company +laid claims to it because of the permission +granted by the State of Connecticut and the purchase +from the Six Nations, while the Delaware Company +believed it had equal rights with the others.</p> + +<p>Therefore were there four claimants, each of +whom was trying to establish a colony, and at the +same time drive away those whom it was claimed +were intruders.</p> + +<p>It can be understood what confusion necessarily +arose under such conditions, and it is needless to +attempt to give here all the disputes and quarrels +which ensued.</p> + +<p>Each claimant built a fort or blockhouse where +was the headquarters of his particular faction, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[viii]</span>from which they sallied out in absolute warfare +against the other dwellers in the valley. In 1770 +members of the Susquehanna Company, called by +the people of Pennsylvania “the Yankees,” fought +a pitched battle with the “Pennymites,” in which +several men were killed, and no less than six times, +between that date and the opening of the War of +the Revolution, was the valley the scene of hotly +contested, bloody engagements.</p> + +<p>All the claimants appealed to the Congress at +Philadelphia for such an act as would finally settle +the disputes, but the Revolution was begun, and +little attention paid to those colonists who were +squabbling for the ownership of a small territory +when there was so much land on every hand to be +had almost for the asking.</p> + +<p>When the war broke out, the Assembly of Connecticut +forbade further immigration into Wyoming +Valley, but yet settlers went there, as if believing +only in that one spot could a refuge be +found from the wrath of the king and the bloodthirsty +savages. In addition to that, people came +from the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys, who had +no sympathy with either of the parties in what was +then known as the Pennymite war, and nearly all +of them were avowed Tories.</p> + +<p>“In the meanwhile two companies of regular +troops, of eighty-two men each, had been raised +in the valley, under the resolution of Congress, +commanded by Captains Ransom and Durkee, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[ix]</span>were attached to the Connecticut line. The Wintermoots, +who had purchased land toward the head +of the valley and upon the old banks of the Susquehanna, +at a place where bubbled forth a large +and living spring of pure water, erected a strong +fortification known as Wintermoot’s fort.”</p> + +<p>Because these Wintermoots were avowed Tories, +those of the settlers who had espoused the American +Cause, met in town meeting and resolved that it +had “become necessary for the inhabitants of the +town to erect suitable forts as a defence against the +common enemy.”</p> + +<p>The original settlers, as the people of Pennsylvania +called themselves, were, to a man, in favor +of the Revolution, and this declaration as to fortifications +was the first step taken in Wyoming to +further and strengthen the cause of liberty.</p> + +<p>Lossing says: “A fort was accordingly built, +about two miles above Wintermoot’s, under the +supervision of the families of Jenkins and Harding, +called Fort Jenkins. Forty Fort (so called from the +first forty Yankees, pioneers of the Susquehanna +settlers in Wyoming), then little more than a weak +blockhouse, was strengthened and enlarged, and +sites for other forts were fixed on at Pittstown, +Wilkesbarre, and Hanover. It was agreed in town +meeting that these several fortifications should be +built by the people ‘without either fee or reward +from the town.’”</p> + +<p>Such, in brief, was the condition of affairs in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[x]</span>Wyoming Valley in 1776. And now, with one more +extract from the records of the past, these dry, but +necessary, matters of history shall come to an end, +save when Jonathan Ogden refers to them in the +story which he himself wrote.</p> + +<p>On the tenth of March, 1777, the following resolutions +were adopted at a town meeting held at +Wilkesbarre:</p> + +<p>“<i>Voted</i>, That the first man that shall make fifty +weight of good saltpetre in this town shall be entitled +to a bounty of ten pounds lawful money, to +be paid out of the town treasury.</p> + +<p>“<i>Voted</i>, That the selectmen be directed to dispose +of the grain in the hands of the treasurer or +collector in such a way as to obtain powder and +lead to the value of forty pounds lawful money, +if they can do the same.”</p> + +<p class="right"> <span class="smcap">James Otis.</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS</h2> +</div> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr"><span class="allsmcap">CHAPTER</span></td><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><span class="allsmcap">PAGE</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">I.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Company</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_11"> 11</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">II.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Siege</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29"> 29</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">III.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Simon Bartlett</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_47"> 47</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">After the Battle</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_66"> 66</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">V.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Sortie</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_85"> 85</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Second Attack</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_104"> 104</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Monocasy Island</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_123"> 123</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">VIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Wicked Folly</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_140"> 140</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">IX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Disaster</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_159"> 159</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">X.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Plans for the Future</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_178"> 178</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Comrade in Distress</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196"> 196</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Saving Elias</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_214"> 214</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Defending the Cave</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_233"> 233</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Unexpected Aid</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_252"> 252</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XV.</td><td> <span class="smcap">A Fortunate Find</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_270"> 270</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVI.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Elias Shendle’s Plan</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_289"> 289</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Forty Fort</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_308"> 308</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XVIII.</td><td> <span class="smcap">The Refugees</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_327"> 327</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdr">XIX.</td><td> <span class="smcap">Freeing the Valley</span></td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_349"> 349</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak">LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +</div> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> +<table> +<tr><td class="tdr" colspan="2"><span class="allsmcap">PAGE</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“‘<span class="smcap">So true as I live, I will shoot</span>’” (<i>page <a href="#Page_25">25</a></i>)</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_0"> <i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">I was able to get a grip upon the naked murderer’s throat</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_51"> 51</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“‘<span class="smcap">Watching his chance, Daniel went up to her</span>’”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_76"> 76</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">The third Mohawk fell, never to rise again</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_94"> 94</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">Giles March and I each took him by the hand</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_121"> 121</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“‘<span class="smcap">Stand firm ... and the victory is ours</span>’”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_167"> 167</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">One of whom a painted brute held high in his hand</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_219"> 219</a></td></tr> + +<tr><td>“<span class="smcap">Taking steady aim ... I pulled the trigger</span>”</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_241"> 241</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> + +<p class="ph2">THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE<br> + WYOMING VALLEY</p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/decoline.jpg" alt=""></div> + +<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I.<br> +<small>THE COMPANY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">I am</span> not claiming even to myself that I, Jonathan +Ogden, who was just turned sixteen years of +age on the first day of June, in the year of grace +1778, was any more ardent in the desire to do whatsoever +I might toward breaking the shackles which +the king had forged upon us than any other of my +acquaintance in or around Wilkesbarre, but it so +chanced that when we learned of the doings of the +Indians nearabout Conewawah, which was seemingly +good proof the red villains had their faces +turned toward the valley, the idea of us lads banding +ourselves together came into my mind before +my comrades had hit upon it.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, even while we were having +a war of our own and among ourselves, we had +heard of the Minute Boys of the Green Mountains +and of Lexington, and more than once had I burned +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span>with the desire to start some such organization in +the valley; but what with writs of ejectment here, +and attacks by the Tories there, it seemed as if we +lads had our hands full in obeying the commands +of our elders, without scheming to push ahead for +ourselves.</p> + +<p>When we learned that Brant and his warriors, +with the Johnsons, the Butlers, and their Tory following, +were looking with unfriendly eyes toward +our little settlements, it seemed of a verity that then +was come the time when we few lads might do the +work of men, and truly was it needed.</p> + +<p>We of the valley had sent forth as soldiers an +hundred and sixty-four men, who had already done +brave work in New Jersey. When that force +marched away, I question if an able-bodied man, +of sufficient age to be liable for military duty, had +been left at home. We had old men, cripples, and +invalids, numbering perhaps seventy-five, and they, +with the women, made up the entire list which could +be counted on for the defence of our homes.</p> + +<p>We in Wilkesbarre knew to our sorrow that, +when it was apparent to all the world what the +Johnsons and the Butlers would do, our fathers and +neighbors in the army pleaded for furloughs in +order that they might defend their homes; but such +permission had either been refused, or no answer +given to the request.</p> + +<p>When General Schuyler wrote to the Congress, +explaining how helpless were the people of the valley, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>and asking that some steps be taken toward +our defence, a resolution was passed, generously +allowing that we raise troops among ourselves, and +find “our own arms, accoutrements, and blankets.”</p> + +<p>On learning this, we all questioned whether our +representatives in Congress really understood the +condition of affairs when such a resolution was +passed, for, if they did, then was it cruel sarcasm +to give us permission to raise troops when there +were none in the valley left of military age.</p> + +<p>All this, as I thus set it down, seems a roundabout +way of coming at my story. What I should +write, and without so many words, is that on a certain +morning in June, meeting Elias Shendle as I +was driving the cow to pasture, I said to him that +which came into my mind on the moment:</p> + +<p>“What say you, Elias, to raising a company of +lads here in the valley, who shall show that they +can do the work of men?”</p> + +<p>Elias stared at me with open mouth while one +might have counted ten, and then replied doubtfully:</p> + +<p>“I question, Jonathan, whether you could find +six lads of our age, if you spent a full week in the +search.”</p> + +<p>While Elias was hesitating, the purpose so suddenly +come into my mind was strengthened, and, +determined to prove that the suggestion I had made +could readily be carried out, I forgot about the cow, +leaving her to wander as she would, while I said:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span>“Sit you down, Elias, and let us name over the +lads hereabout from thirteen to sixteen years old. +If peradventure we can find twenty, would it not +be better those twenty were banded together with +a single purpose—the defence of our homes, if +nothing more—than that we remain idly sucking +our thumbs, while Johnson and his Tories, or Brant +and his wolves, descend upon us?”</p> + +<p>Elias was a lad slow to think, but quick of action +once he had grasped an idea, and for the +moment he seemingly found it impossible to remember +a single name, but, before thirty minutes were +gone by, we had a list of twenty-two lads whom +I knew could, if they were so disposed, act the part +of soldiers, and all of whom were true to the Cause.</p> + +<p>That was the beginning of the movement hatched +by Elias and me, which resulted in the forming of +a company of lads who styled themselves the Minute +Boys of the Wyoming Valley.</p> + +<p>Some of our elders gave us encouragement by +word of mouth. More than that, the most generous +could not do, for we had already exhausted our +resources in providing for those who had joined the +American army; but a goodly number of the people +laughed outright when we proposed to take upon +ourselves, so far as might be, the defence of the +settlements.</p> + +<p>A motley party it was when we were first assembled, +but I question whether in many of the colonies +could have been found an equal number of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>lads who were more earnest in their purpose, and +more ready to brave hardships and fatigue than we.</p> + +<p>Since it is not probable that this poor apology +for a history of our doings will be read by any +who knew us, there is no good reason why I set +down all the names here, save as it shall be necessary +to speak of what this or that one did during +the years which followed, for until the colonies were +free, we Minute Boys of the Wyoming Valley remained +together, an independent company even +after we joined the Continental Army.</p> + +<p>As I was the one who had proposed that we band +ourselves together, my comrades made me their captain, +and Elias Shendle was the lieutenant. Other +officers were not needed.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, we all owned muskets of +some kind, for lads of our age were forced to seek +food in the forest, and, without meaning to boast +of our skill, I dare venture to say that two out of +every three could kill a squirrel by “winding him,” +which is to say that we could bring him down without +inflicting a wound. We were accustomed to +hardships of every kind; it was not considered a +serious matter, save when there might be danger +from Indians, for us to go so far afield as to find +it necessary to camp in the woods overnight, whatever +the season, and, therefore, were we in good +bodily condition to take up such duties as we voluntarily, +and in the face of the laughter of our +neighbors and friends, proposed to assume.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span>And now that I may arrive the more quickly to +the setting down of our deeds, rather than our intentions, +let him who reads imagine that we twenty-two +lads bound ourselves to come together in the +half-ruined hut which had been built by Isaac Bassett, +and abandoned when he journeyed with the +other Tories to join Johnson, every morning at +seven o’clock, in order to drill and otherwise put +ourselves in as near soldierly shape as might be +come at by me, who had no knowledge whatsoever +of military matters.</p> + +<p>In three days we had arrived at that point where +all of us understood the necessity of obeying without +question a word of command, but more than +that had not been accomplished, and then was come +the time when all those people who had ridiculed +the idea of our attempting anything of the kind +began to realize that we might be of valuable assistance.</p> + +<p>A family by the name of Dykeman, living five +miles or more from Wilkesbarre, were murdered or +carried away into captivity by the Indians, and then +it was that we were needed, for at once every man +and woman remaining in the settlement set about +making preparations for defence, by building stockades +here or there where it seemed probable they +might be needed. On the instant we were called +upon to man this fort of logs, or that fortified house, +that the others might work in safety, and thus, without +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>drill or study, as it were, did we become, in our +own eyes at least, veritable soldiers.</p> + +<p>Our third station was at Fort Jenkins, about +two miles above Wintermoot’s Fort, and there we +had been asked to go because of word brought in +that a party of twelve or fifteen, white men and +Indians, had lately been seen entering this resort +of the Tories.</p> + +<p>We were to the northward of all the other fortifications +belonging to our friends,—meaning those +who were loyal to the American Cause,—and +while opposite our station, directly across the river, +were the three Pittstown stockades, we could have +no communication with them save by crossing the +rapid-running stream, which would require, owing +to the current, some considerable time.</p> + +<p>In other words, we lads, at whom the people of +Wilkesbarre laughed, because we had proposed to +set ourselves up as soldiers, were really holding, +or pretending to hold, the entrance to the valley, +and to do which we had not above twenty rounds +of ammunition apiece.</p> + +<p>As I have said, it was rumored that white men +and Indians had been seen entering Wintermoot’s +Fort stealthily, and therefore they could well be +considered enemies. Whether they had left that +place or not I was determined to find out, because +it stood us in hand to know in what force were our +neighbors.</p> + +<p>We Minute Boys were the sole occupants of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>fort, and if the Tories took it into their heads that +we might in time prove dangerous, there was every +reason to believe we would speedily be beset.</p> + +<p>I talked the matter over with Elias Shendle during +the first hour after our arrival at the fort, and +before we were fairly settled down. He was of my +opinion, that our first duty consisted in ascertaining +how many of those whom we had every reason to +consider enemies were in the vicinity, and because +it would not look well for the captain of a company +to <i>order</i> one of his men to do a certain piece of +work, since he might be charged with not daring to +perform it himself, I proposed alone to make what +military men would call a reconnaissance.</p> + +<p>To this Elias made most emphatic protest, claiming +that because of having been given command of +the company I had no right to leave it in order to +do the work of a scout, and he wound up his argument +by declaring that he himself would undertake +the work.</p> + +<p>Well, the result of it was that as soon as night +came Elias crept secretly away, for we were not +minded any of our comrades should know of the +work in hand, lest they be eager to have a share in +what was certainly a hazardous venture, since we +knew full well that Wintermoot’s people would +not hesitate to kill any whom they might find spying +upon them.</p> + +<p>I went with him to the small gate of the stockade, +for it must be remembered that these so-called +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span>forts in the valley were really nothing but blockhouses +enclosed in a fence of logs, and, watching his +opportunity when none was looking, he went out, +saying, as he did so:</p> + +<p>“I shall be back before sunrise, if I come at +all.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, but you must come!” I cried.</p> + +<p>As if seized with a certain timorousness at the +intimation in his own words of the danger which +was to be faced, he made no reply, and suddenly was +swallowed up in the gloom.</p> + +<p>Not until he had departed from view did I fully +realize how hazardous might be this venture which +he was making, and asked myself whether it was +warranted.</p> + +<p>Such speculations should have been indulged in +before he left me, but it must be remembered that +I was very far from being a soldier, and too prone +to consider first my own wishes and then the advisability +of doing this or that thing.</p> + +<p>Clambering up on the logs which were fastened +inside the stockade perhaps three or four feet below +the top, in order that the sentinels might have a +secure foothold, I strained my eyes in the direction +of that nest of Tories, as if expecting to see some +one emerge from the thicket, and then suddenly +was like to have cried aloud in surprise, for a dark +form came swiftly toward the main gate of the +stockade, crouching as if expecting to be followed +by a bullet.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span>“Who’s there?” I whispered, leaning over the +top of the logs without realizing that I was exposing +myself to possible death, and proving that I +possessed very little of that caution which the captain +of a company should display.</p> + +<p>The stranger made no reply, but continued to +advance, and again I hailed him, crying out that I +would shoot unless he explained his purpose.</p> + +<p>Whereupon he halted, throwing himself flat upon +the ground, as does one who knows there are enemies +on his trail, and asked, in a low, hoarse whisper:</p> + +<p>“Who are you?”</p> + +<p>“Jonathan Ogden,” I replied, “captain of the +Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley, and we are holding +this fort.”</p> + +<p>“Let me in! I beg you to let me in!” he cried. +“I have twice been within a hand’s breadth of death, +and the savages are close behind.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, my comrades in the fort +had heard this conversation, for we were so lately +come as to be on the alert for the lightest token of +danger.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was I had simply to give the word +that the smaller gate be unbarred, at the same moment +that I leaped down and stood ready to receive +the stranger, as well as any who might take the +chance of following him.</p> + +<p>All this shows how poor an apology I was for +a soldier, since, with more knowledge, I would have +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span>insisted that he give an account of himself, lest I +be admitting one who would work us harm.</p> + +<p>A single glance at the stranger was sufficient to +show, however suspicious I may have been of his +intentions, that we had nothing to fear from him.</p> + +<p>A lad hardly as old as myself, I should say, and +what with long running and terror he was so nearly +used up as to be unable to stand erect, but sank +to the ground, as if his legs refused longer to perform +their office, immediately the gate of the stockade +was closed behind him.</p> + +<p>I waited while one might have counted twenty, +perhaps, for him to gain his breath, and then asked +for explanations.</p> + +<p>His name was Daniel Hinchman, so he said, +and he lived on the slope of the hills two miles or +more to the westward of Wintermoot’s Fort. He +and his sister Esther were alone in their home about +an hour before sunset, when five or six Indians, +whom he believed to be of the Mohawk tribe, were +seen skulking about the dwelling.</p> + +<p>Yielding to his sister’s entreaties, instead of making +any attempt at defending the home, he set out +with her, thinking to gain the stockades at Pittstown, +although there was no idea in his mind as +to how it might be possible for him to cross the +river.</p> + +<p>Not twenty minutes before coming within sight +of our stockade, so he said, the savages suddenly +burst upon him, seizing his sister, and one of them +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span>would have cut him down with a hatchet, but that +he leaped aside just as the weapon was descending. +Then, and I never came to know exactly how, he +succeeded in outstripping them, although twice during +the flight did he have good proof that the painted +fiends were close behind him.</p> + +<p>That was the story, as he told it little by little, +now choking with emotion as he thought of his +sister’s fate, and again giving way to passion because +he had not uselessly sacrificed his own life +in the attempt to save her from captivity.</p> + +<p>“You will go with me in search of her, will +you not?” he cried, springing to his feet, as if expecting +that on the instant we would send out force +sufficient to do as he wished, and half a dozen of +the more impetuous ones sprang toward him as if +ready to join in a pursuit which would have been +as reckless as it was useless.</p> + +<p>Then, for the first time, did I find it difficult to +hold myself as should the captain of a company; +but it was not to be expected that these lads, who +called themselves Minute Boys, could, on hearing +such a story as had just been told, realize all the +conditions and possibilities. Even to this day I +am unable to say why it was that suddenly the true +situation presented itself to me, and in reply to their +clamors that the gate be opened at once, I made +reply:</p> + +<p>“We have been sent here, lads, to hold this fort +so long as may be against those who would do +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>murder in the valley. By leaving our post of duty +in order to aid one person, we are putting in jeopardy +a thousand, mayhap, who depend upon our +vigilance.”</p> + +<p>“But are we to stand here idle while those red +wolves carry into captivity one of our neighbors?” +Giles March, a member of the company, cried, +angrily.</p> + +<p>And I replied as hotly as he had spoken:</p> + +<p>“What chance would we have if all of us went +out in pursuit this moment? Think you, Giles +March, that we are any match in woodcraft for +those who have done this thing? In the darkness +we could never find the trail, and I question if Daniel +Hinchman is able to lead you to the place where +his sister was taken.”</p> + +<p>“And because there is a chance we may not succeed, +you, calling yourself the captain of this company, +count on staying here behind a stockade?” +Giles cried, passionately, and his words rankled in +my heart, for it was much the same as if he had +called me a coward.</p> + +<p>“Because I am the captain of this company, it +is my duty to hold you all here within the fort, at +least, until another day shall come. Even at this +moment is Elias Shendle trying to make his way +toward Wintermoot’s Fort, and we know beyond +a peradventure that he must be nearabout where +the Mohawks are, in ignorance of their presence. +He is the dearest friend I have in the valley, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span>yet I would neither go myself, nor allow one of you, +to warn him of the danger, because of the duty we +owe the people who sent us here.”</p> + +<p>“And what may Elias Shendle be doing outside +the stockade?” Giles March asked, angrily.</p> + +<p>I could do no less at that time than explain why +the lad had gone, else might I have had a mutiny +on my hands before I was well in command of a +company which, I hoped, would one day perform +great deeds in behalf of their relatives and friends.</p> + +<p>Immediately, and as I might have expected, there +was a conflict of opinions boldly expressed as to +the wisdom of weakening our small company by +sending out scouts, and, to my dismay, I realized +that at the very moment when it was needed that +we exercise the utmost vigilance, and carry ourselves +like soldiers so nearly as might be, was a mutiny +brewing.</p> + +<p>Nearly half the company were in favor of going +out immediately with Daniel Hinchman to search +for the savages, who could conceal themselves as +quickly and as thoroughly as a squirrel might in +a dead oak, and a goodly portion of the remainder +were becoming timorous, or so it seemed to me, +because Elias had left us.</p> + +<p>At that moment I was convinced that the Minute +Boys of the Wyoming Valley could not be kept +together as an organization while I remained at +its head, and I could have cried with vexation because +this project of mine was like to come to so +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span>speedy an end, through my inability to hold the +lads to their duty as I should have done.</p> + +<p>Daniel Hinchman, quite naturally, urged eagerly +that we go out in search of his sister, and his entreaties, +to which, because of the grief in his heart, +I could make no protest, only served to add fuel +to the flame of insubordination which had been +kindled so quickly.</p> + +<p>Giles March, quick to see how this poor, grieving +lad was weakening my authority, urged his prayers, +and I believe of a verity that, had I delayed one +full moment longer, the fort would have been abandoned, +some to follow Daniel, and others to set +out for their homes, believing we were all too weak +to perform the work which had been undertaken.</p> + +<p>The anger which possessed me at that instant +was so overpowering I gave no heed whatsoever to +the fact that I was talking to friends; I saw before +me only those reckless spirits who would imperil +all the settlers in the valley, simply because of not +being willing to wait and understand the situation, +and, priming my musket, I leaped in front of the +small gate, where I would be within a dozen paces +of whosoever should attempt to unbar the main +entrance, as I cried:</p> + +<p>“So true as I live, I will shoot, making every +effort to kill, the lad who shall attempt to leave +this stockade on any pretext whatsoever! You are +to remain here at least one hour, that you may have +time in which to consider fully the situation, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span>then, if so be you are minded to desert the post +of duty at the very moment when your best efforts +are needed, I will say that I no longer claim, nor +deserve the right, to stand as your captain.”</p> + +<p>“And in an hour my sister will have been carried +so far away that there can be no possibility +of overtaking her!” Daniel Hinchman shouted, +passionately.</p> + +<p>“In an hour your sister will be at Wintermoot’s +Fort, if those who seized her were, as you believe, +Mohawks!” I cried, the idea coming into my mind +like a flash that whatsoever of savages were in that +vicinity must be in league with those of the Tory +nest.</p> + +<p>I could see that this shot told on Giles March, +for his voice, which had been loud and angry, was +lowered on the instant, and, thinking to follow up +the advantage, if such it was, I said to them much +like this:</p> + +<p>“Elias Shendle is risking his life to learn that +which it is necessary you should know in order +to keep yourselves alive, for, if the rumors be true +that a number of white men and Indians have lately +gained entrance to Wintermoot’s, then do we stand +more than a good chance of being attacked. Wait +until he makes his report. Wait until we know +how much of danger menaces us and those whom +we are trying to guard. Think of what would be +said in your homes if you came there hotfoot in +the night, crying out that you had deserted because +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span>your captain refused to allow you to go in a useless +effort to trail savages in the darkness! Do you +fancy they would believe you returned because of +that, or on account of having grown so timorous, +and your hearts had turned so white, you no longer +dared to stand in a place of danger?”</p> + +<p>I believe it was that which put an end for the +time being to the mutinous spirit which had been +aroused so suddenly. At all events, Giles March +ceased his tongue-wagging, but I was disturbed because +the others gathered here and there in little +knots, conversing in whispers lest I should overhear, +and I was no longer proud, as I had been, +of calling myself captain of the Minute Boys of +the Wyoming Valley.</p> + +<p>Virtually left alone, I debated as to what my next +move should be, but realized, fortunately, that having +said none should go out, I must, so long as +I remained in command, see that such order was +obeyed. Therefore, to the end that I might get the +first glimpse of Elias when he returned, I climbed +up to the watcher’s post above the gate, where I +could keep an eye on those inside, as well as whosoever +might come from the outside, and there I +stood during three hours or more, the only sentinel, +at a time when every one of us should have had his +eyes and ears open.</p> + +<p>If the Indians were sufficiently bold to make an +attack upon Daniel Hinchman and his sister so near +the settlement, then were they prepared, if there was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span>any show of success, to come against us who were +trying to hold the fort.</p> + +<p>The hour of respite which I had asked for went +by, and yet none came to demand that I give up the +office of captain, therefore did it seem as if one +danger was well-nigh passed, yet I remained as +keenly on the alert as to what my comrades might +do, as to the possible movements of the enemy.</p> + +<p>It was near to midnight before any member of +the company gave signs of trusting in my plan, and +then two or three of them came up on the stockade, +proposing to share with me the watch, whereupon +I said, with more of temper than was seemly:</p> + +<p>“If you are ready to obey orders, as you should +be after having agreed to play the part of soldiers, +then I am willing you go on duty.”</p> + +<p>Perhaps half of our number heartily declared +their confidence in me, and voluntarily stationed +themselves at different places around the stockade +on guard; but there was yet the dangerous element, +or so it seemed to me, who, because of their +silence, much the same as proclaimed that they were +yet at odds with my plan, and this gave me more +than a little uneasiness.</p> + +<p>I remained on duty near the gate throughout all +that long night, watching and praying, oh, so earnestly, +for the coming of Elias; but when the sun +showed his face once more, our comrade was yet +absent, and there could be but one reason for his +delay.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II.<br> +<small>THE SIEGE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> were no signs of insubordination to be +seen in the faces of my comrades when the new day +had come, and Elias Shendle was yet absent.</p> + +<p>Instead of setting themselves at odds with me, +as had been the case a few hours previous, they +gathered around near where I yet remained as sentinel, +with anxiety written plainly on their faces, +awaiting some word.</p> + +<p>Daniel Hinchman, with every cause for sorrow,—and +my heart truly ached for the lad at that +moment,—had evidently come to understand what +folly it would have been for us to have made any +attempt at following those who had captured his +sister, and I fancied he was struggling to repress +his grief that he might seem the more ready to aid +us in case it should become necessary.</p> + +<p>Giles March was no longer clamoring to be led +out of the stockade; he knew as well as did I what +the continued absence of Elias portended, and even +in that time of mental distress I secretly rejoiced +because the lad, who had given such free rein to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span>his tongue, was come to the length of his rope for +the time being.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, I was in much the same +condition of mind as Giles, finding it impossible to +answer the question which must be settled without +delay. Should we make any attempt at learning of +our comrade’s whereabouts, or wait longer in the +poor hope that he might yet come?</p> + +<p>The temptation to give these comrades of mine, +who had been so mutinously inclined but a short +time before, an opportunity of settling the matter +themselves was too strong to be resisted, and, leaping +down from the stockade, I asked:</p> + +<p>“What shall be done now, lads? You know as +much of the situation as do I. Elias promised to +be back by sunrise if he was alive. His only purpose +in going out was to learn whatsoever he might +concerning the situation at Wintermoot’s Fort, and +it seems to me most probable he has fallen into the +clutches of those who made a prisoner of Daniel +Hinchman’s sister. Shall we wait here in ignorance, +or weaken the defence of this stockade by +sending out scouts?”</p> + +<p>For a full moment no one made any reply, and +then it was Giles March who, much to my surprise, +said meekly:</p> + +<p>“It is for you to say, Jonathan Ogden. We +have come to see wherein we made fools of ourselves +last night. It is you who are the captain, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span>and I dare pledge myself that none of us will again +question whatsoever you may say.”</p> + +<p>Although the answer pleased me, I was disappointed, +having hoped it might be possible some of +them would make such a suggestion or proposition +as would give me an idea, and I could do no less +than admit my perplexity.</p> + +<p>“In the first place, it is absolutely necessary that +at least four sentinels be placed on the walls, for +we know with good reason that the enemy are +close around. After that has been done, it may be +we can hit upon the right plan of action; but just +now I consider myself unable to say what it should +be.”</p> + +<p>“Who shall go on duty?” Giles asked, and I +replied:</p> + +<p>“Name them yourself; while Elias is away, you +shall act in his place.”</p> + +<p>Giles lost no time in stationing four lads on the +wall, with instructions to keep careful watch upon +the surrounding forest, ever bearing in mind that +it was likely a force of Indians might be creeping +upon us, and then he returned near the main gate, +where we stood awaiting him.</p> + +<p>By this time I had come to understand that we +were playing the part of simples by remaining inside +the stockade, wholly ignorant of what might be +going on around us, and I said sharply, as if doubting +the sincerity of my comrades:</p> + +<p>“You have agreed that matters shall go to my +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span>liking while I hold command of what we call the +Minute Boys.”</p> + +<p>To this Giles assented emphatically, whereupon +I said decidedly:</p> + +<p>“You are to remain here with no less than four +lads on the watch all the time. I am going out +to learn whether there be any danger of an attack.”</p> + +<p>“It is for one of us to do that,” Giles said, +quickly, and then I understood how brave the lad +was, for he was jealous that I should incur greater +danger than himself.</p> + +<p>“You shall remain, Giles, until six hours have +passed, and if I have not returned, come in search +of me, leaving whosoever you will in charge of the +company. Remember, lads, that we are to hold +this stockade so long as life shall last, for only by +fighting until the final moment can we aid those +who are depending upon our loyalty to them.”</p> + +<p>Giles would have spoken again, but, as if he remembered +the pledge just made, held his peace, +and I went into the stockade for as much of corn +bread as would serve for my breakfast. There was +no need of taking more than that amount, for, if +I returned not by noon, I would never again need +food.</p> + +<p>Having made ready, I went toward the small gate, +and there stopped to take Giles by the hand, as I +said:</p> + +<p>“The greatest danger which threatens lies between +here and Wintermoot’s in as straight a line +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span>as the crow flies. I am counting only on going there +before I return, therefore, if it becomes necessary +to search for me, you need not spend very much +time in the hunt.”</p> + +<p>My hand was on the bar of the gate to raise it +from its place, when the lad who was stationed on +the west side of the stockade discharged his musket, +and a sharp cry from the thicket directly in front +of him told that the missile had found its target.</p> + +<p>The lad who had fired leaped down in order that +he might reload his weapon without giving an opportunity +for a shot to those who were on the outside, +and, running up to him, I asked, hurriedly:</p> + +<p>“Was it red man or white?”</p> + +<p>“Red,” he replied, “and, unless I mistake, there +were three others near by.”</p> + +<p>Beckoning to four of the lads who stood nearest, +I bade them mount the wall, but urged that they +take care before shooting, lest Elias be making an +effort to gain the stockade, and then I stationed +the rest of the company on the different sides of +the fortification, knowing that, if an attack by the +Indians was about to be made, they were more +like to come from all quarters at the same moment.</p> + +<p>Giles was the only member of the company whom +I had not stationed, and he stood moodily near the +main entrance, as if disgruntled because I had seemingly +overlooked him.</p> + +<p>The frown left his face very quickly, however, +when I said, clapping him on the shoulder:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span>“It is for you and me, Giles, to be certain the +others do their duty faithfully. We will make the +round of the stockade, you starting toward the east +and I the west, until something more is known of +the foe. Don’t expose yourself foolishly, for it will +be a serious matter indeed when one of our small +company is disabled.”</p> + +<p>Then we clambered up on the logs which gave +us footing all the way around the enclosure, and +had hardly more than shown ourselves when a +bullet whistled past Giles’s head, so near that he +clapped his hand to his cheek, believing he had been +wounded. My heart sank within me, for now I +knew beyond a question that the Indians, or the +Tories, or both, had set about capturing Jenkins’s +Fort, to the end that it might not shelter those who +were in position to give warning of the doings at +Wintermoot’s.</p> + +<p>Strain our eyes as we might, it was not possible +to distinguish any form amid the foliage where the +tiny curl of smoke was rising above the leaves to +tell of the whereabouts of him who had fired, and +I said bitterly to myself, unconscious of giving +breath to the words:</p> + +<p>“They count on regularly besieging the place +and starving us out. It won’t be a long job, for +our provisions are none too abundant.”</p> + +<p>I had dropped to my knees while speaking, with +my face pressed against the aperture left where two +logs were joined together, and Giles, crouching by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>my side, his eyes fixed upon the underbrush directly +in front of us, said grimly:</p> + +<p>“We have enough in plenty for two days; by +halving that, we can hold out four, and should be +able to get along on wind for two more, making +six. Within that time some one should come from +Forty Fort, or thereabouts, to learn how we are +faring.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, so they should, Giles, if it be possible, but +in case those who hold Wintermoot’s are determined +on gaining possession of this place, they will take +good care no succor comes from that direction.”</p> + +<p>Then a shot rang out from the north side of the +stockade, and there could no longer be any question +but that my worst fears were to be realized.</p> + +<p>Leaping to the ground, I ran across the enclosure +until I came to where the shot had been fired, and +there asked if they had seen their target distinctly.</p> + +<p>“Ay, enough to tell us that it was an Indian, +but the bullet went wide of its mark,” one of the +lads replied. “We must be regularly surrounded, +and the red villains don’t propose to show themselves +any more than may be absolutely necessary +in order to keep us fairly well in view.”</p> + +<p>Disheartening as were those words, they cheered +me in a certain measure, for I began to realize that +those who menaced us must have been in their present +position some time before sunrise, and it was +possible that Elias, succeeding in making his way +through the lines when he started out, had found +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span>himself unable to return. He might be at that +moment trying to gain an entrance.</p> + +<p>It is needless to make any attempt at describing +all that occurred during the long day which followed, +for it would be but to repeat the words again +and again.</p> + +<p>We kept vigilant watch, rewarded now and then +by getting a shot at some painted fiend who incautiously +exposed himself, and again being fired upon, +but without result. Only twice before sunset did +we have fair proof that our bullets had taken effect, +and then, as in the first case, it was but a cry of +pain which might more reasonably have been caused +by a slight wound than a deadly one.</p> + +<p>We saw no white man, and this encouraged both +Giles and myself, for, if the Indians were of the +Mohawk tribe, they would not continue a siege +very long, unless there were Tories near at hand +to hold them to their work.</p> + +<p>When night came Giles and I took careful account +of the provisions, fearing less than we had +supposed was on hand, and, that done, we told off +five of the party with orders that they lie down +at once to sleep, for up to this time all had remained +awake at least thirty-six hours.</p> + +<p>“We will divide the company into parties of four +or five, that each may get an hour’s rest in turn,” +I said to Giles, “and those who remain longest on +duty must be kept constantly moving about, lest +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span>their eyes close despite their will. And now is it +in your mind that we had best sit here idle?”</p> + +<p>He looked at me questioningly and in surprise, +whereat I continued:</p> + +<p>“It is my belief that Elias may be trying to gain +entrance here, and I beg that you, so long as is +possible without rest, remain on the stockade just +over the small gate, watching for him. I am going +out.”</p> + +<p>“To what end?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“In the hope of finding him, and to learn the +situation of affairs at Wintermoot’s. Failing in +that, to carry word to our friends farther down +the valley of what is being done here. Thus far +we have escaped injury; but, in case they press +us hard, it is not probable that we have such good +luck during the next four and twenty hours.”</p> + +<p>I had expected Giles would protest; but, to my +surprise and delight, he replied, quietly:</p> + +<p>“If you think it best that you go rather than +I, do so, yet I would rather take the venture myself, +although I question whether the danger be greater +outside than in.”</p> + +<p>I took him by the hand, and did not speak. It +was as if, during the past four and twenty hours, +he and I had ceased to be lads, and were become +men,—men who were entrusted with the defence +of the women and the aged in the poorly fortified +blockhouses in the valley below us.</p> + +<p>I am not minded that whomsoever reads these +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span>words shall believe I was eager to encounter danger, +therefore do I set it down that there was a +great fear in my heart as I unbarred the gate and +stepped out, hearing Giles replace the fastenings +which separated me from my comrades.</p> + +<p>However timorous one may be, he does not linger +long in such a place as I then was, for it stood to +reason there were many pairs of sharp eyes fixed +on this particular portion of the stockade, and, lying +flat on my stomach, I began the advance, which +needed to be slow and cautious if one would continue +it many moments.</p> + +<p>Before having gotten fifty yards away, following +the line of the river at about an hundred paces from +it, I suddenly came upon an Indian leaning against +a tree as if half-asleep.</p> + +<p>It might have been possible to have struck a blow +that would have carried him out of this world; but +the chances were that, in making such an attempt, +I would bring his fellows down upon me, and, therefore, +hardly daring to breathe lest he should be +aware of my neighborhood, I made such a détour +as soon left him behind me.</p> + +<p>Then half an hour more of creeping and stopping +to listen, suspicious of every leaf that was +stirred by the wind, and after having gone, so +nearly as I could judge, a mile in distance, I was +literally paralyzed with fear when I laid my hand +squarely upon the leg of a man.</p> + +<p>In an instant he had kicked back with such force +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span>that the breath was knocked out of me, and, before +I could recover, he was upon my back, clutching +me by the throat with a grip which threatened soon +to put an end to my struggles.</p> + +<p>It was impossible for me to draw my knife, and +the musket which I gripped in my right hand was +useless at such a time. My brain was in a whirl, +and consciousness rapidly deserting me when, suddenly, +the iron grip upon my throat was loosened, +as I heard dimly the whisper:</p> + +<p>“Who are you?”</p> + +<p>Then I understood who was my assailant, and it +was with difficulty I prevented myself from crying +aloud with joy, for I knew now that I had thus inadvertently +come upon Elias.</p> + +<p>It was not needed that I should reply to the +question, for, passing his hand quickly over my +face, he knew who I was, and throwing himself by +my side, whispered:</p> + +<p>“What are you doing here? Have they taken +the fort?”</p> + +<p>I explained in as few words as possible why I +had ventured forth, and in turn asked the reason +for his failing to come back within the time agreed +upon.</p> + +<p>“The stockade was all surrounded when I left, +and since noon have I been trying to have speech +with you. Once I got within sight of the fort, but +was obliged to fall back when an additional force +was sent up from Wintermoot’s.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>“Did you get anywhere near the nest of +Tories?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and because they evidently are not fearing +any interference from the people of the valley, +I had good opportunity to see what was going on. +I should say no less than an hundred white men in +the uniform of Johnson Greens are there, and between +the stockade and the river can be seen twenty +or more Indian lodges, which will give you an idea +of how many redskins Butler has gathered to begin +the work of destruction hereabout. I have heard +shots enough from around our fort to tell me that +you must have, by this time, some idea of where the +enemy are.”</p> + +<p>“I know that a goodly number of them are outside +Fort Jenkins, and it looks to me much as if +they counted on laying regular siege to the place,” +I replied, bitterly; “but as to how many may be +nearabout, we have no knowledge.”</p> + +<p>“I believe a full half the force of Indians from +Wintermoot’s are there,” Elias replied. “Judging +from the trouble I had in getting anywhere near +the main gate, it seemed to me that no less than +two hundred were in front of the stockade. How +did you get out, and why are you come?”</p> + +<p>I replied to the questions, and began to think myself +fortunate in having gotten through the lines +of the enemy with so little difficulty. Elias was a +better hand at such work than I, and if he had +found it impossible to open communication with us +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span>inside the stockade, then was I lucky in not having +come to grief before I chanced upon him.</p> + +<p>“Then since you came out only to learn where +the enemy might be found, and how many there +were of them near Wintermoot’s, you will go back +with me?” Elias said, questioningly, and straightway +I told him about the capture of Esther Hinchman, +asking if he saw any evidences that the Indians +in camp had a prisoner with them.</p> + +<p>“There might have been a dozen in the lodges, +and I remain in ignorance of the fact because of +not looking for anything of that kind,” Elias replied, +in a tone of vexation and doubt, as if the +matter needed no discussion. “Of course we must +retrace our steps at once.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that you think we might aid her if +she was held by the red villains?” I asked, and he +replied, promptly:</p> + +<p>“Meaning that we’d have a try for it, of course. +The lads in the fort are as well off as they would be +if we were with them, therefore I don’t see how we +can help turning back, but I’d be in better shape +for the work if I had something besides wind in +my stomach.”</p> + +<p>Now it was I remembered that when Elias left +the stockade he had neglected to take any food with +him, believing he would either be taken prisoner, +or succeed in returning within a few hours. Although +my store of provision was wofully small, +consisting of only so much corn bread as could be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span>carried in the pocket of my hunting shirt, I divided +it with him, and while we were eating spoke of the +necessity as it seemed to me, of sending some word +down the valley concerning what was going on at +Fort Jenkins, as well as what we knew regarding +the situation at Wintermoot’s.</p> + +<p>Elias was of my mind concerning the necessity +of so doing, but I understood plainly that he was +not inclined to volunteer for such a mission. In +fact, he said decidedly that if a message was to be +sent, some one of the lads inside the stockade, of +whose courage we might be in doubt, could best be +spared at such a time when it seemed probable an +attack was imminent.</p> + +<p>But I reminded him that it might be impossible, +and certainly would require a great expenditure of +time, to seek for some other messenger than one of +us two who were already beyond the enemy’s lines.</p> + +<p>Well, because of the darkness, when it would be +impossible to do much spying upon the enemy after +we were come in the vicinity of Wintermoot’s, we +spent considerable time in the thicket talking of this +or of that, and chiefly regarding the show of insubordination +which was displayed shortly after he +went out on the scout.</p> + +<p>It matters little what we said, although to us +the conversation was of deepest import, since it +was the foreshadowing of what we might expect +when the villainous Col. John Butler began his +work of butchery upon almost defenceless people, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>claiming that he was no more than waging legitimate +warfare.</p> + +<p>Young in experience though we were, it was +possible for us to understand full well that on account +of the quarrels which we of the valley had +had concerning the ownership of the land, and also +because of the interferences of Connecticut in our +affairs, were we in greater peril than any other +cluster of settlements in the colonies, owing to the +greater number of Tories as compared with the +loyal people.</p> + +<p>It must not be supposed, however, that we spent +any very great amount of time chewing over those +questions which had caused bloodshed long before +the colonists decided to array themselves against +the king, but the greater portion of our talk was +regarding what we might be able to do at Jenkins’s +Fort, in event of a pitched battle, when the odds +were like to be heavy against us.</p> + +<p>When the day was within an hour of breaking +we began our advance toward Wintermoot’s, moving +with such caution that the gray light of morning +had dispersed the darkness as we were come within +sight of, but at a respectful distance from, the +stockade, wherein were probably gathered those +who were minded to lay waste all the little settlements +in our beautiful valley.</p> + +<p>At this early hour no one was stirring within the +fort, and because of having halted on a slight elevation +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span>of land it was possible for us to see everything +within the enclosure.</p> + +<p>Outside, however, toward the river, where had +been put up the lodges of the savages, as if to effect +a permanent settlement, we could see that the Indians +were all astir, and now and then one would +set off at a rapid pace in the direction of Jenkins’s +Fort, or again, a runner would return, as if bringing +some intelligence from those who menaced the +Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley.</p> + +<p>“It is the Indians who are entrusted with the +task of capturing the fort,” Elias whispered, as we +gazed. “The Tories will take no hand in the work +unless it should become necessary—at least, that +is my way of figuring it.”</p> + +<p>“There is no good reason why we should speculate +upon the future,” I said, irritably, made nervous +by the desire to return to my comrades. “Let +us finish our business here as soon as may be. If +Esther Hinchman is held prisoner by those scoundrels, +we should be able to get some glimpse of her +before very long, for I can’t believe they think it +necessary to guard her closely.”</p> + +<p>We were concealed within the thicket at a point +where there was the least likelihood of our being +come upon through accident by the enemy, and, +therefore, felt reasonably secure. During the quarrels +between the several claimants for Wyoming, +even the youngest lads had become accustomed to +danger, and this I say in order that it may be the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>better understood why Elias and I could thus take +care of ourselves in such a situation as we then +were. In fact, for as long a time as I could remember, +we had been ever on the lookout for a foe, and +were almost as skilful at hiding ourselves in the +wilderness as are the wild things.</p> + +<p>Within an hour from the time of our arrival the +work was accomplished, so far as learning whether +Esther Hinchman was held a prisoner by those savages +who were under command of Col. John +Butler, for we saw a white girl moving timidly +about, showing by every movement that she was +a stranger to the place and the people who surrounded +her.</p> + +<p>“I reckon this portion of the task is the same as +finished,” Elias said, after we had watched the poor +girl a few moments, “and now comes the question +as to whether you are still determined that one of +us—which will, of course, be me—must go +down the valley, and give information of what is +happening hereabouts.”</p> + +<p>I had already made up my mind as to that, and +was determined there should be no discussion.</p> + +<p>“Yes, you are to go, Elias,” I said, in a tone of +one who has well considered the matter, “and the +sooner you set off the better. There will be no +necessity of travelling farther than Forty Fort, and +once you have arrived there, see to it that the +people understand how great is the danger which +menaces. It is better that you put it too strongly, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span>rather than allow them to believe there is a chance +they may not be attacked.”</p> + +<p>“And after that has been done?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“Come back to Jenkins’s Fort as soon as possible, +for you know that we shall need you, unless, +peradventure, we are by that time past all need of +human help.”</p> + +<p>Elias half turned as if to speak, then quickly, with +a gesture of impatience, he turned his face in the +direction I would have him go, gliding through the +thicket on a course which would take him considerably +to the westward of Wintermoot’s, and making +no more noise than might have been caused by a +squirrel.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III.<br> +<small>SIMON BARTLETT</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">After</span> Elias had departed from view, I wasted no +more time in watching the red sneaks who had +counted on satisfying their thirst for blood by answering +John Butler’s call to what he claimed to +be civilized warfare, but began the journey toward +our stockade, knowing full well the danger of moving +carelessly or rapidly.</p> + +<p>There was in my mind a determination to do +something toward the rescue of that poor girl who +was eating her heart out in the lodges of the Indians, +if it should be decided by the members of +our company that two or three could be spared to +accompany me in the venture. I was turning all +this over in my mind as I advanced pace by pace, +keeping sharp watch for the slightest unusual +movement of the foliage ahead of me, and listening +intently to every noise, the cause of which I might +not be absolutely certain.</p> + +<p>Perhaps half an hour passed, and already I began +to believe it would be possible for us Minute Boys +to effect a rescue, when it suddenly became apparent +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span>that not very far behind me some person was moving +quite as cautiously as myself.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course it was absolutely essential +I should know who this stranger might be, and, +halting within a dense clump of cedars, I waited, +breathlessly, finding it difficult to repress a cry of +astonishment when he finally came into view, peering +cautiously around in a manner which told that +he understood full well the dangers to be encountered.</p> + +<p>It was Simon Bartlett, an old man of near seventy, +from Wilkesbarre, whom I knew full well as one +being nigh crippled with rheumatism, but having a +heart so full of courage that in times of stern necessity +he could so far defy bodily ailment as to do the +work of half a dozen men.</p> + +<p>As I stepped out in front of him he had his +musket to his shoulder in a twinkling, but lowered +it quickly, as he asked, in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“What has happened at Jenkins’s Fort, lad, that +you are here?”</p> + +<p>Before answering him I put the question:</p> + +<p>“Did you not meet Elias Shendle during this past +half-hour?”</p> + +<p>He shook his head.</p> + +<p>“The lad left me hardly more than thirty minutes +ago, to carry to Forty Fort the information that +we at the stockade are the same as besieged. There +are an hundred or more Indians close around, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>so many Tories at Wintermoot’s that it seems positive +we of the valley are marked out as victims.”</p> + +<p>I believe the information which I gave Master +Bartlett was no more alarming than he had +anticipated, for instead of making any ado, he said, +quietly:</p> + +<p>“We had come to believe from rumors which +lately arrived that mischief was brewing, and in +order to know exactly what we might expect, I took +upon myself the task of visiting you lads.”</p> + +<p>“And right glad will the members of the company +be to see you, Master Bartlett, for there is +none in all the valley who could give so much aid. +I believe of a verity the mere fact of your entering +the stockade will renew their courage.”</p> + +<p>“Are they growing timorous, then?” the old +man asked.</p> + +<p>“Not to the extent of showing it, Master Bartlett; +but you must remember that the Minute Boys +are young at this business which John Butler calls +war, and it would not be surprising if more than +one felt a tremor of fear at knowing that all the +miserable horde from Johnson Hall were assembling +here.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, true,” the old man said, half to himself, +and he added, in a louder tone, “Think you it will +be possible to hold your own, in case of an attack?”</p> + +<p>“That you should be better able to judge than I, +Master Bartlett. The stockade is larger. With +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span>Elias gone, we number but twenty-one, and if +a determined attack be made on all sides, then of +a verity must we go under; but, I pledge you this, +that unless the people in the settlement below can +have ample warning of what may be in store for +them, we shall fight without thought of preserving +our own lives, in the hope of saving them.”</p> + +<p>“That’s the right kind of talk, lad, and it does +me good in these times when there are so many +croaking as to the impossibility of our standing +against those who will come down on us. I will +go into the fort with you, since Elias Shendle is +doing that which I would have done,” and he +started on, I detaining him only long enough to explain +the danger which lay before us.</p> + +<p>From this moment, and until we were come +within sight of the stockade, neither he nor I spoke. +There was so much of difficulty in the task that +we could not afford to spend any moments in conversation, +and I believe we traversed not less than +six miles in making a distance of no more than +two, so many détours were we forced to make, in +order to avoid the red scouts who were flitting here, +there, and everywhere, as it seemed, through the +forest. Never before had I seen so many Indians +in such a small extent of territory, and all of them +on the war-path.</p> + +<p>That we did succeed in getting within view of +the stockade without an encounter, now seems to +me almost marvellous; but it was destined that +when we believed the more perilous portion of the +enterprise was past, did the dangers thicken.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_050a.jpg" width="450" height="645" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“I WAS ABLE TO GET A GRIP UPON THE NAKED MURDERER’S + THROAT.”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>In my eagerness to make certain the Minute Boys +were not in more danger than at the time of my +leaving them, I pressed forward eagerly to get a +clear view of the fortification through the foliage, +counting on the possibility of attracting the attention +of those on guard, and, just as I was parting +the leaves in front of me, a sharp ray of light, as +if glinted from a surface of steel, caught my eye.</p> + +<p>Instinctively, although not realizing all the peril, +I swerved aside, catching in my left hand the trunk +of a sapling, swinging half around and coming up +erect, only to find myself facing a venomous Mohawk, +who had raised his hatchet to strike.</p> + +<p>In another instant, despite the fact that I had +escaped his first blow, he would have stricken me +down, and this I realized, therefore, bending my +body ever so slightly, I darted in to catch him +under the arms, as we lads were wont to do while +wrestling.</p> + +<p>How I might dispose of him, or he of me, after +that, did not come into my calculations, for the very +good reason that there was no time in which to +reason out the matter. The fellow was thrown off +his guard for an instant by my unexpected and +unusual movement, and fortune so far favored me +that I was able to get a grip upon the naked murderer’s +throat in such a fashion that he could not +cry out.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span>I hope it will never be my ill luck to have again +such a struggle as ensued.</p> + +<p>While battling for very life, and knowing that +the slightest careless movement would give him an +opportunity to brain me, I had sense enough to +realize that the noise of the struggle would bring +to his aid a score or more of his fellows. Therefore +was I hampered in my efforts because I durst +not work as I otherwise would, whilst he, on his +part, was aiming to give the alarm, threshing here +and there with his feet in the hope that some of +those near about might hear him, and all the while +I wondered where Simon Bartlett could be.</p> + +<p>The only hold which the fellow could get upon +me was around my back, and he hugged as does a +bear, striving to crush in my ribs, until the sense +of suffocation which came upon me was so nearly +overpowering that had it been only my life which +was in the balance I must have given up the struggle +before it was well begun.</p> + +<p>Not many seconds did we stand upright in this +fight which could end only in the death of one; soon +we were on the ground, he uppermost, but I knowing +that the advantage was mine, because of his protruding +tongue and eyeballs, which seemed starting +from their sockets.</p> + +<p>How long we fought there I am unable to say. +It seemed to me a full hour was spent, when most +likely no more than three minutes had passed, and +during all this time, as I afterward learned, Master +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span>Bartlett was doing his utmost to get in a blow +with his knife, but finding it difficult to do so without +danger of wounding me.</p> + +<p>Then, at the very moment when I believed victory +lay with the Mohawk, and that I was even on +the borders of the Beyond, I felt the sinewy frame +suddenly relax, the head which had been bent +toward me in the effort to weaken the hold upon his +throat fell back, as a stream of warm blood covered +my breast.</p> + +<p>Simon Bartlett had thrust his knife in through +the savage’s back, and the fight was over.</p> + +<p>Yes, the fight was over; but even while I struggled +to my feet, trying to regain the breath which +had been nearly forced from my body, I realized +that although we had come off victorious in this +encounter, our peril had been increased tenfold, +for the body of the Indian would unquestionably +soon be found by his fellows, and then must be +known the fact that some of our company were outside +the stockade, after which our doom was certain.</p> + +<p>On the heels of this thought came another, which +was, that by killing this villainous Mohawk had we +put in greater jeopardy Elias Shendle, for even +though Master Bartlett and I succeeded in gaining +the stockade, the besiegers would be more keenly +on the alert than before, while Elias, believing matters +to be as when he left, would find himself confronted +by death, when the only mercy he could +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span>hope to receive would be that it came speedily, while +he was fighting.</p> + +<p>However, the deed was done, and no good could +come of my conjuring up all the possibilities of +trouble.</p> + +<p>We must get into the fort now without delay, +or else abandon our efforts to do so, in which case +rapid retreat would be necessary.</p> + +<p>It was not in my mind, however, to leave the +vicinity of Fort Jenkins while it was possible to remain, +and believing the danger to be less if we +made a bold stroke, I said hurriedly to Master Bartlett:</p> + +<p>“If the Indians nearabout have not already +heard the noise of the fight, they will soon come +upon this fellow’s body, and then are we lost beyond +hope; therefore I propose that you and I take to +our heels now, running with all swiftness toward +the main entrance, on the chances that the sentinels +will see us and open the gate. Of course we stand +the risk of being shot down; but that, in my mind, +is no less if we stay here trying to get across the +cleared space secretly.”</p> + +<p>“It shall be as you say, lad,” the old man replied, +grimly. “I am ready to take my chances of running +as fast as you.”</p> + +<p>Without waiting for further converse, for it +seemed to me that even the seconds were precious +just then, I started at full speed across the space +which had been cleared immediately in front of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span>main entrance to the stockade, and on seeing Giles +March standing sentinel directly over the gate, it +seemed as if fortune was smiling on us.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett, half-crippled though he was, held +even pace with me; but when the race was a little +more than two-thirds run, and I saw that the small +gate was being opened cautiously, the report of +a musket rang out almost at the same instant that +I heard a bullet whistle past my ears. Then came +another, and another, and in a twinkling it was as +if all the thicket surrounding the stockade was alive +with the crackling of musketry.</p> + +<p>Strangely enough, I gave no heed to the possibility +of death at that moment when it lurked close +behind me, but said to myself, as if it were something +in the nature of a jest:</p> + +<p>“Elias Shendle’s arithmetic is strangely out of +sorts when he claims that there are but an hundred +Indians nearabout, for of a verity twice that number +of shots have already been fired.”</p> + +<p>Then, turning my head ever so slightly, I looked +to see if Master Bartlett was still on his feet, fearing +lest he had been stricken down, and the old man +was close at my heels, smiling, if you please, because +we had thus far run the gauntlet in safety.</p> + +<p>It heartened me wondrously to hear him cry:</p> + +<p>“They need practice at a target, lad, before they +shoot at moving game.”</p> + +<p>Then, ere one could have counted ten, we were +safe within the stockade, and I gripping Giles +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span>March’s hand, as if he and I had both come from +our graves to meet each other.</p> + +<p>“It was a narrow shave,” one of the lads who +crowded around us said, and Master Bartlett replied +with a laugh:</p> + +<p>“Ay, narrow, if you please, but yet margin +enough and to spare, since we are here sound of +body, although a little lacking in wind.”</p> + +<p>And thus did the old man come out from the +race with death, having a jest upon his lips, even +as I have known him in later days when the peril +was equally great.</p> + +<p>I had returned none too soon, so Giles March +told me when we stood apart from the others that +I might learn what had happened during my absence.</p> + +<p>The lads were growing faint-hearted, having +come to understand full well the force which menaced +from the outside, and knowing that the slightest +relaxation of vigilance meant a decided advantage +to the enemy.</p> + +<p>It could not be otherwise than disheartening to +know that possibly all the strength which the Tories +could muster was about to be directed upon us, and +our number so small that, even though each lad +proved to be a host in himself, we were all too few +to defend the stockade at every point.</p> + +<p>“There are four or five among us whose hearts +have grown faint,” Giles said, “and unless their +courage can be brought up to the sticking-point, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span>there is a fear in my heart that they will make the +others timorous.”</p> + +<p>“And yet what may we do, Giles?” I asked, in +perplexity. “We cannot put blood in veins that +are filled with milk.”</p> + +<p>“I believe it were better that we sent them away. +To my mind the company would be stronger without +them.”</p> + +<p>“Unless they be lads who are well versed in +woodcraft, the chances of their getting away are +exceeding small,” I replied, and, while I was describing +to him what I had seen, both in company +with Elias and while returning with Master Bartlett, +the old man joined us.</p> + +<p>“You lads are in a position where open battle +is to be preferred, rather than this constant nagging +by bullets whenever a head is shown above the +stockade,” he said, as if thinking aloud, and so much +confidence did I have in his courage and judgment +that I repeated what Giles had told me, whereupon +he said gravely:</p> + +<p>“I believe in looking bad matters squarely in +the face, and, judging from what has been seen, +your plight is likely to continue as it has been until +Butler’s gang makes a direct assault. You should +have more of a force here.”</p> + +<p>“Very true, Master Bartlett,” I replied, with a +laugh, in which was no mirth, “and mayhap you +will be able to tell us how our numbers can be increased? +There are not enough men, counting the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span>cripples, in all the valley to defend the blockhouses +which are scattered from here to Wilkesbarre, therefore +how may we expect that any will come to us?”</p> + +<p>“It would be wiser for them to abandon some +of the stockades lower down, in order to hold this +one, where the heaviest fighting will come, and it +may be that those to whom Elias Shendle speaks +will understand such to be the case.”</p> + +<p>“I am not minded to build my hopes on getting +reinforcements,” I replied, and then, because the +subject was not heartening, I begged the old man +to tell us what had been done by our people.</p> + +<p>He made a long story out of little, and yet in +that little was considerable meat.</p> + +<p>In the first place, the people at Wilkesbarre had +information that General Schuyler had written a +letter to the Congress, detailing the situation and +forecasting the probabilities, urging that such recruits +in the American army as came from Wyoming +be allowed to return on furlough, in order +to defend their homes, but thus far no attention had +been paid to the communication.</p> + +<p>The women of the valley, knowing well all the +needs, and how put to it we were for ammunition, +had taken it upon themselves not only to plant the +gardens and till the farms, but to make gunpowder +for the several garrisons. They had taken up the +floors of their houses, dug out the earth, and put +in casks in order to make saltpetre. Then mixing +charcoal and sulphur with it, and grinding the whole +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>in a small mill which Master Hollenback had +brought, made such powder as we could use; but +it fouled the guns so badly that not above a dozen +charges might be fired without cleaning the weapons.</p> + +<p>Word was also received that John Butler had +gathered two companies of Tory rangers, a detachment +of Johnson’s Royal Greens, and from five to +six hundred Indians, who were advancing from +Niagara, intending to overrun the valley. The men +already at Wintermoot’s were probably the advance +of this large army.</p> + +<p>To oppose this force, Giles and I knew full well +that, taking every man in the valley who could +fire a musket, we would not be able to raise more +than two hundred at the most.</p> + +<p>It was a situation of affairs such as might daunt +even the bravest spirits, and we Minute Boys, ignorant +of all the rules of warfare, a mere handful, +as compared with the Indians which already surrounded +us, were expected to hold in check the +Tories and savages which Butler was leading against +us.</p> + +<p>“It is not well, Master Bartlett, that you should +tell the others what we have just heard,” Giles +March said, gravely, when the old man had come +to an end of his budget of news. “I had thought +my heart stout enough to keep me behind these +logs so long as life remained, believing I might aid +those of my own blood in the valley; but, knowing +what may be coming against us, I understand now +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span>how vain it will be. Those who are weak-hearted +already are like to make such plaint that a retreat +will be begun before the battle is commenced.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Master Bartlett set about trying +to hearten us, saying that it was not impossible +the Congress, learning what was being done, would +take immediate steps to send three or four companies—perhaps +a regiment—to aid us. He also suggested +that possibly John Butler intended to strike +a blow elsewhere rather than at our valley, and +there might have been some chance for hope in this +last had we not known that many of the Tories +were members of the Susquehanna Company, who, +by shedding blood now, might establish firmly their +claims upon the land.</p> + +<p>However heavy my heart had grown since Master +Bartlett told us so much regarding the situation +outside, I was not minded that the Minute Boys +should relax their vigilance in the slightest degree, +for we would hold Jenkins’s Fort as long as might +be, forcing the enemy to pay the largest possible +price in blood for whatsoever of advantage he +gained over us.</p> + +<p>When Giles and I had made the round of the +stockade to learn if every lad was doing his duty, +we returned to where Master Bartlett awaited us, +and then I asked if he believed it possible or advisable +for us to make any attempt at rescuing Esther +Hinchman, detailing the plans which had already +been formed in my mind.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>The old man was unwilling to give a direct opinion; +but that he favored something of the kind both +Giles and I understood when he said:</p> + +<p>“Whatsoever you do must be done quickly, lad, +before the enemy has gotten ready to make an attack +upon the fort. Nothing can be accomplished +by force, and, therefore, a small number only should +be sent out,—say, two or three. I am ready to +do my share of the work; the brother of the girl +had, perhaps, better be made one of the party, and +the third man can be of your own choice.”</p> + +<p>“If you had the task in hand, Master Bartlett, +when would you set out?” I asked, and he replied, +promptly:</p> + +<p>“As soon as the sun has set.”</p> + +<p>“It should be my right to name the third member +of the party,” Giles March said, and I knew +what was in his mind, but did not settle the matter +then, for I was hoping there might be some change +in affairs which would give me the privilege of +going with Master Bartlett, therefore turned the +conversation by speaking of the possibility that we +might be able to add to our store of provisions.</p> + +<p>It was when the old man heard we had such a +small stock of food that his face took on a graver +expression than while he was telling of the overwhelming +force likely to come against us, and until +the sun was near to setting did we discuss the +chances of replenishing our scanty larder, but without +arriving at any satisfactory conclusion.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span>That night each of us had for supper a piece of +corn bread as large, perhaps, as half your hand, +and so dry that it was like unto hardened clay.</p> + +<p>While I was absent Giles had divided the force +into three parties, allowing each in turn to go off +duty for two hours, that all might thus have opportunity +for sleep. It seemed to me best that such +routine should be continued.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett, as if having forgotten what he +had advised in regard to attempting the rescue of +Esther Hinchman, proposed that both Giles and I +lie down to rest, leaving him in charge of the fort, +and this we did, for slumber weighed so heavily +upon our eyelids that it was with difficulty I could +keep mine from closing even while I made the +rounds of the stockade.</p> + +<p>During three hours or more we slept as only tired +lads can, and when I came out from the blockhouse +it was near to ten o’clock; but Master Bartlett had +nothing of importance to report.</p> + +<p>The enemy remained quite as vigilant as before, +shooting with poor aim whenever one of the lads +incautiously showed himself above the stockade, and +nothing had been seen to betoken any change of +plan on their part; therefore it was that I did no +more than make the rounds from one sentinel to +another, without giving any attention to the surrounding +forest.</p> + +<p>An hour later Giles joined me, he having gained +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span>just so much the more sleep, and Master Bartlett +took his turn at lying down.</p> + +<p>We two lads stood near the door of the blockhouse +while I explained to Giles that the enemy had +been wasting less ammunition than usual, as it +seemed to me, when suddenly a rattle of musketry +was heard from the eastern side, near the water, +and our lads who were at that portion of the stockade +failed to return it.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, Giles and I ran quickly +toward what seemed to be the danger-point, and, +clambering up on the narrow platform, I demanded +of the lad nearest me why he had not discharged +his musket.</p> + +<p>“I have seen no target as yet,” he replied. “The +shots were fired from such a distance that even the +flashes of the guns have been hidden by the foliage.”</p> + +<p>Looking to the priming of my musket, I strained +my eyes in vain for some sign of the enemy, but yet +the reports continued to ring out in rapid succession, +and I wondered why I failed to hear the +whistling of the bullets.</p> + +<p>Two or three of those who were off duty came +running up in the belief that they might be needed, +and it was only natural that all the other sentinels +should have turned in that direction from which +it seemed probable an attack would be made.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was, and I am willing to take all +the blame for such carelessness, that the stockade +nearabout the gate was virtually unguarded.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span>The first intimation I had that the discharge of +musketry from the eastward was only a feint on the +part of the enemy was from Master Bartlett, who, +having come out of the blockhouse, saw at once +in what way we had laid ourselves open to an attack.</p> + +<p>It was the report of his musket which caused +me to whirl about suddenly, and then it looked as +if fifty or more naked savages were scaling the +stockade just over the gates, while inside perhaps +ten or twelve stood awaiting the coming of their +comrades.</p> + +<p>An exclamation of anger because of my stupidity +involuntarily burst from my lips, as I gave the word +for all, save only four sentinels, to join me; but, +by the time the lads were down from the platforms, +there were not less than two score Indians already +inside.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me at that moment as if the fort +was already taken; but so great was my anger because +of having given the foe the opportunity he +wanted that I forgot all the danger which menaced, +and, shouting to hearten my comrades, ran forward +side by side with Giles March to do whatsoever we +might toward repairing the mischief.</p> + +<p>And now of what took place during the next half-hour +I have no clear knowledge, save as to our +first charge, when, emptying our muskets into that +throng of half-naked murderers, we dashed forward, +not stopping to reload, but depending upon using +our weapons as clubs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span>It was like some horrible nightmare, where one +struggles against such odds that he can make no +headway, but is continually forced to exert himself +to the utmost, knowing death to be close at hand.</p> + +<p>Once, while I was parrying with my musket a +blow which one of the Mohawks would have dealt +me, another ran swiftly around, as if to strike from +behind, and already in fancy had I felt the burning +sensation which accompanies the thrust of cold steel, +when the report of Master Bartlett’s musket rang +out, while one of my adversaries dropped dead as +the other took to his heels.</p> + +<p>It was a battle wherein we fought hand to hand, +overmatched in numbers, in strength, and in weapons, +and yet to the credit of the Minute Boys it +must be said that even those who had shown themselves +faint-hearted shortly before, fought like men, +regarding not their own lives in the hope of delaying +the enemy ever so little on his march through the +valley.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV.<br> +<small>AFTER THE BATTLE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">If</span> it were advisable to spend the time, one might +write page after page, detailing the acts of heroism +performed by the Minute Boys in this their first +battle, when, taken by surprise, and with odds of +not less than three to one against them, they saved +the fort from capture.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett, who should be a judge in such +matters, declares that never one of us flinched from +his duty; but I could speak only of what occurred +as I myself took part in it, and it seemed as if we +were favored by God, else the enemy must literally +have overrun us.</p> + +<p>There were times during the battle when it was +possible for us to reload our weapons; but before +twenty minutes had passed, my gun was so foul +that I could not drive a bullet home, and was forced +to depend upon the weapon as a club, or use my +knife.</p> + +<p>And yet we drove those human wolves back from +whence they came, all save eight, who remained +inside the stockade with no breath of life in their +ugly bodies.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>I have always maintained that an Indian is a +coward who can fight well only when his adversary +has been taken by surprise, or is too feeble for +resistance. So it was here. During half an hour, +mayhap, they fought like the wolves that they are, +and then, as one after another was cut down, the +remainder of them turned tail, striving to make +their way out, and we did our best to lessen the +number of John Butler’s followers.</p> + +<p>One there was who showed himself courageous, +despite the fact that he battled in a wicked cause, +and, when we pressed him hard, stood with his +back against the logs, fighting until he fell dead.</p> + +<p>The others were as curs. Not until the last of +the horde who could move had escaped did we +count up our losses, and grievous they were as +compared with our numbers. Ezra Simpson lay +dead across the body of a stalwart Indian, with +evidences enough near by to show that he had left +his mark upon more than one of those who would +turn our peaceful valley into a shambles.</p> + +<p>Two of the company were seriously wounded, +and three others, including myself, bore marks of +either knife or hatchet, but not to such an extent +that we were disabled.</p> + +<p>It was a victory for us; but should we win +two or three more in the same manner, then were +we undone for a verity, because of being wiped +out entirely.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that Master Bartlett did +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span>valiant duty. Two others, besides myself, owed +their lives to him, for it was as if he saw all that +was going on, and wherever the battle raged hottest +he sought to aid him who was hardest pressed. +Without the old man, I fear there would have been +a different ending to this poor tale.</p> + +<p>There was no rest for us when the battle had +come to an end. Those whose turn it was to sleep +threw themselves down on the floor of the blockhouse, +and the rest of us did duty on the walls, +all save five, who were told off to drag out through +the small gate, even at risk of being shot down, +the dead bodies of our enemies.</p> + +<p>That done, we buried Ezra Simpson hurriedly +but reverentially, and perchance the tears which +flowed from our eyes were caused by the knowledge +that our time of greater suffering was yet to come, +while they had done with the agony of death.</p> + +<p>I think the fever of battle was yet upon Giles +March, when we had finished the mournful task +of laying our comrade in his last bed, for no sooner +was that done than he said eagerly to me:</p> + +<p>“Now is the time when we may make an effort +to release Daniel Hinchman’s sister, with more +chance of success than ever before.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean, Giles?” I cried, in surprise. +“We have but just brought to an end as +severe a battle as we shall ever again fight, however +long we claim to be soldiers, and would you +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span>run another hazardous venture on the heels of +this?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that I would, Jonathan Ogden. The Indians +have been beaten thoroughly, and for a certain +time are cowed by failing to capture this stockade, +which, doubtless, they believed would fall into +their hands like a rotten apple. Now is come the +time for us to strike.”</p> + +<p>“I believe the lad speaks truly,” Master Bartlett +said, as he joined us. “If I know anything +of the red sneaks, they will not make another assault +upon this fort to-night, but will spend the +time mourning over the dead, and patching up the +living who bear the marks of our weapons. More +than that, it is not reasonable for them to suppose +we would attempt so soon to strike a blow in return.”</p> + +<p>“It is my right to leave the stockade this time,” +Giles said, in a tone so firm that I realized it would +be useless to argue against his proposal, whereupon +I replied, turning to Master Bartlett:</p> + +<p>“If it so be you think it right for three of this +small party to venture into yet further danger, +leaving us weak as we are, go, although it would +please me better that Giles took the command of +the fort while I journeyed toward Wintermoot’s.”</p> + +<p>“Are you ready, Master Bartlett?” the lad +asked, eagerly, and I fancied there was somewhat +of grim pleasure in the old man’s heart at the +thought of such a venture, for he replied promptly:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span>“Ay, that I am, lad, and the sooner we set off, +the sooner will we be trying to get back inside this +fence of logs.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, if you live to return,” I said, moodily, +whereat the old man clapped me on the shoulder +heartily, as he cried:</p> + +<p>“Those who venture most are apt to live the +longest,—at least, that has been my experience. +I’m not claiming that we’ll be able to release the +girl; but ’twixt now and sunrise we shall know +if it be possible.”</p> + +<p>Giles had already gone into the blockhouse to +find Daniel Hinchman, and I was hardly yet recovered +from the daze which had come over me +with the idea of setting out on a venture directly +on the heels of a battle, when the three were marching +toward the small gate.</p> + +<p>I ran after them to unbar it, wishing to have even +that slight share in the task, after which they crept +silently out.</p> + +<p>“God be with you,” I whispered.</p> + +<p>“If He goes with either party this night, it will +be with us,” Master Bartlett said grimly, and then +the three were lost to view in the gloom.</p> + +<p>I was left with but eighteen lads to defend the +fort, and it seemed, with the going of the old man, +that our strength had departed. It was necessary +I pull myself together with a will, else had my heart +grown so heavy that those who called me the captain +of the Minute Boys would have seen by one +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>look at my face that I was no longer capable of +controlling even myself, let alone my comrades.</p> + +<p>At such a time work, and plenty of it, does a +fellow a deal of good. I went here and there, +doing whatsoever my hands could find to do, in +order to drive away the timorousness which was +creeping into my heart.</p> + +<p>As yet, those of us who were slightly wounded +had given no attention to their hurts. Now I +insisted that each lad be looked after carefully, saying +to those who laughed at such coddling that it +was necessary, because our numbers were so few +that the loss of one would be serious indeed, and +he who might be disabled because of neglecting his +wounds was nearly as much to be blamed as the +coward who ran away.</p> + +<p>It goes without saying that all this while we +kept strictest watch from the top of the stockade, +but without seeing anything whatsoever of the +enemy, however recklessly we exposed ourselves.</p> + +<p>It was as Master Bartlett had said, they were +cowed for the time being, because of failing in an +attempt which they believed could be carried +through without severe loss.</p> + +<p>And now am I come to that part of my story +which seems almost improbable even to myself.</p> + +<p>The night passed, and the next day was nearly +half spent before anything occurred to cause either +joy or sorrow. We had seen nothing whatsoever +of the Indians; it was as if the siege had suddenly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span>been raised, and I was such a simple as to question +whether that might not be the fact.</p> + +<p>Because we had beaten back such an overwhelming +number of Mohawks, we lads were heartened +wondrously, believing it possible to accomplish far +more than we had ever supposed ourselves capable +of, and were in fine fettle for whatsoever might +come, when suddenly the watcher on the south +side of the stockade cried out:</p> + +<p>“Here comes Giles March, and with a supply +of provisions.”</p> + +<p>I thought the lad had taken leave of his senses, +and sprang up on the platform, fearing the Indians +were playing some new trick, when, to my amazement, +I saw Giles staggering toward the fort under +the weight of a heavy buck.</p> + +<p>Behind him came Master Bartlett with a bag of +what I judged might be meal on his shoulder. +Directly in his wake was the same girl I had seen +in the Indian encampment, and, bringing up the +rear, appeared Daniel Hinchman, burdened as were +the others.</p> + +<p>Had John Butler’s army marched out of the forest +arraying themselves in battle-line, I could not +have been more astonished than I was to see returning +so soon those whom I feared had gone to certain +death.</p> + +<p>It is not necessary I should say that we unbarred +the gate without delay, and, when Giles came in, +throwing down the buck with the air of one who +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span>has borne his burden as long as possible, I cried +out, even before greeting the others:</p> + +<p>“How did you dare spend time in hunting when +the woods are filled with savages?”</p> + +<p>“In the first place I didn’t spend any time hunting, +and next, it seems as if all the Indians who +were round about the stockade had beat a retreat +to Wintermoot’s.”</p> + +<p>Then Master Bartlett, dropping his load on the +ground, said, with boyish glee:</p> + +<p>“There is meal enough, lad, to fatten your larder +for two or three days, at all events, and Daniel +has got of dried deer flesh as much as will serve +to keep your jaws working for a full fortnight.”</p> + +<p>The girl entered the stockade hurriedly, looking +around with an air of most intense relief, as if she +had at last arrived at some secure place of refuge, +instead of having come where the chances were +that death awaited her.</p> + +<p>“There is little need to keep more than one sentinel +on duty,” Master Bartlett said, with a laugh, +“for, from what we have seen, the brave band of +Mohawks has decided to throw up the job with +which John Butler entrusted them, and are spending +their time in all kinds of heathenish mummery +round about their lodges at Wintermoot’s.”</p> + +<p>Hearing this, every fellow leaped from the platform +and gathered around those whose mission had +been so quickly but thoroughly performed, to hear +their story.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>“I will stand on guard while you tell us how it +happened that you could not only do what seemed +impossible; but have brought with you that of +which we stood sorely in need,” I cried, all that +burden of fear and responsibility suddenly lifted +from my shoulders, as I sprang upon the platform +just over the small gate.</p> + +<p>“I reckon Giles had best spin the yarn,” Master +Bartlett said, “while I attend to my rheumatics, +for spending the night nearabout the river has not +done my old joints any good.”</p> + +<p>Then the old man fell to rubbing his knees energetically, +and I knew, despite the smile which he +forced to his face, that he was suffering; but, when +I taxed him with it, he denied that he was in any +great pain, saying it was better to drive away the +ache before it had fairly settled down, than wait +until it gained firm lodgment.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the company clamored for a +recital of what had been done, so Giles could do +no less than go into the details, while Daniel led +his sister to the blockhouse as if, which undoubtedly +was the case, she needed repose.</p> + +<p>“It was all so easy that, but for our precautions, +we might have got back by daylight,” Giles began. +“Believing the Indians were stationed as they had +been before the attack, we wormed our way through +the underbrush, thinking ourselves wondrously fortunate +in not coming across any, and only when +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>we were within an hundred yards, perhaps, of Wintermoot’s +did we see the first show of an enemy.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that when we gave them the dose +they needed inside the stockade, all the others grew +disheartened,” Master Bartlett interrupted. “It is +the way the sneaks have. If you once get the +upper hand of them, they are whipped to a standstill.”</p> + +<p>“It was not until nearly morning that we came +to a little hill this side the fort, where we could +have a view of all that was going on,” Giles continued; +“but long before arriving there, we heard +the howls and yells of the Mohawks, as they sang +what we fancied was a dirge for those who had +been left behind. By the light of the many fires +which had been built, for they believed themselves +secure from an attack because of being so near the +fort, we could see not less than two hundred of +the villains, with here and there a white man among +them, and I have the idea that John Butler has +got a reasonably big job on his hands to hold the +red allies in place, simply because the Minute Boys +of Wyoming Valley thrashed them out of their +boots.”</p> + +<p>“There is no question but that the one fight +would have sent them back home, save for the fact +that others are on the way to join them,” Master +Bartlett added.</p> + +<p>“The lodges appeared to be deserted, and we +could see Esther Hinchman sitting outside that one +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span>on the river bank. Now you must know that all +this hullabaloo was going on in front of the stockade, +and perhaps two hundred yards from the nearest +wigwam, therefore, taking Master Bartlett’s +advice, we made our way down to the stream, where +a dead tree was floating in the eddy. Wading into +the water, we pushed that off. The branches hid +our heads from view, and the remainder of our bodies +were beneath the surface. It was an easy matter +to make it appear as if the tree grounded by +accident directly in front of the lodge where Esther +Hinchman was sitting, and then, watching his +chance, Daniel went up to her. The only fear was +that the girl might scream; but it so happened she +did not, and in less than five minutes she also was +in the water, clinging to the tree.”</p> + +<p>“But surely you could not get up-stream in the +same way,” I interrupted, and Giles replied, with +a laugh:</p> + +<p>“No, and neither did we try, for about the time +Esther Hinchman joined us, the whole gang of +Indians filed into the fort, where, most likely, they +were to be feasted, in order to brace them up after +the disaster of the night. Then was the time when +I believed we should make our way into the thicket +again, but Master Bartlett insisted that it would +be little less than wicked to lose the chance of +adding to our store of provisions, so he and I made +a regular search of the lodges.”</p> + +<p>“You were taking too big a risk,” I cried.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_076a.jpg" width="450" height="646" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“‘WATCHING HIS CHANCE, DANIEL WENT UP TO HER.’”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span>“Having gotten the girl, you should have been +satisfied.”</p> + +<p>“In which case you wouldn’t have so good a +show of sleeping with a full stomach this night, +lad,” Master Bartlett said, grimly. “We could +do our work without being seen, even though the +Tories had had their sentinels on the stockade, +which they didn’t. Giles is right about the feasting +part of it, for, as I came away, it was possible +to see that rum was being distributed generously, +and a savage always expects to gorge himself at +such a time.”</p> + +<p>“We brought away all that we could carry,” +Giles continued. “I took as my share from the +lodges a bag of meal; but when we were in the +thicket once more and found this buck hanging +up to season, I believed it was a good trade to +swap corn-meal for deer. If any of you fellows +think we ran our noses into danger, you are mistaken, +for it was as safe as any pleasure excursion +you ever heard about, although had we waited four +and twenty hours before setting out, I question +if Esther Hinchman would not have remained a +prisoner with the Mohawks.”</p> + +<p>“And she may thank you for her release, Giles +March,” I said, determined that he should have his +full share of the credit.</p> + +<p>His cheeks reddened with pleasure, and he would +have declared that he was not entitled to any praise +if, at that moment, I had not startled the company +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>by saying in astonishment, as my eye caught a +glimpse of something moving amid the foliage:</p> + +<p>“There are white people coming this way,—women +as well as children!”</p> + +<p>Every fellow leaped to the platform, and then +we saw that which at first filled us with wonderment, +but was afterward easily explained.</p> + +<p>Four men, two of whom were walking on +crutches, six or eight women, all of whom carried +burdens of some kind, and not less than a dozen +children, the largest weighted down with what appeared +to be provisions and household utensils, +were coming toward us.</p> + +<p>“Refugees from nearabout the burnt lands, if +I’m not mistaken,” Master Bartlett exclaimed, as +he clambered up beside me.</p> + +<p>“And why have they come here?” I asked, in +bewilderment. “It would have been safer for them +to have gone to Forty Fort.”</p> + +<p>“I’m afraid, lad, their coming means that John +Butler’s forces are advancing, and they have fled +to the nearest fortified place.”</p> + +<p>There was little need for us to speculate very +long as to why these people had come, for within +five minutes they were all inside the fort, and we +heard the pitiful story.</p> + +<p>Stephen Morley, a settler who had taken up land +in what was known as the burnt district, some six +miles away, was the only able-bodied man among +the party, and he it was who told the tale.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>There were in that district, within a radius of +perhaps five miles, six families. Four of the husbands +were in the American army. Stephen Morley +himself was a soldier, but had been given a +three months’ furlough because of illness, and arrived +home just as a large body of Indians suddenly +appeared in the neighborhood.</p> + +<p>He, knowing much of the condition of affairs, +and understanding that this must be the advance +of Butler’s force, realized the necessity of immediate +flight, and, taking with them such goods and provisions +as could be carried through the wilderness, +the party set out the night before, travelling in +the darkness, all unsuspicious of the fact that Fort +Jenkins had been besieged.</p> + +<p>Save for the fact of the attack upon us, they +would have been made prisoners at the very moment +when they believed themselves near a place of +safety, and, except for the number of mouths to +be fed, I could have rejoiced at their coming. As +it was, however, I might not complain, because +they were fleeing for their lives, and had brought +with them, as we afterward learned, a sufficiency +of provisions for three or four days’ consumption.</p> + +<p>It was a welcome addition to our number, for +in those days, and in our valley, the women could +and did fight as valiantly as the men. The only +phase of the matter which troubled me was that +we might be hemmed in so long that starvation +would finally stare us in the face, and, with those +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span>children crying for bread, one could not hold out +as long as he otherwise might.</p> + +<p>Master Morley could give us little information +concerning the strength of the party which had +driven him and his neighbors from their homes. +It seems that the savages were yet several miles +from the settlement when their whereabouts were +discovered, and Morley had advised immediate +flight, because of the rumors regarding Butler’s +intentions, not making an effort to learn any particulars +concerning the enemy.</p> + +<p>Among the other things which these guests of +ours brought was a quantity of powder equal to +all we had in the fort, and this, as may be imagined, +was very welcome to us, for I had been looking +forward with cowardly fear to that time when we +would be reduced to the last round of ammunition.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course the women and children +were given quarters in the blockhouse. My company +and the male refugees could gain all the repose +which might be allowed us by the enemy on the +ground outside, while the weather was so warm.</p> + +<p>With Stephen Morley, who had served in the +American army nearly a year, and Master Bartlett, +we Minute Boys had good advisers, and I felt as +if I might well shift the heaviest of the responsibility +on to their shoulders.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, we took Master Morley +into our confidence, and Master Bartlett, Giles, and +I held a council of war, as it were, as soon as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span>matters were settled down inside the stockade. +Then it was decided, in view of the success which +had attended the visit to Wintermoot’s, that we +make some attempt to get game before night should +come. It was believed there would be no danger +in venturing out, at least until sunset, for it was +not probable that those who had driven the settlers +from the burnt district would arrive before +dark, or, even if they did, their course would be +far to the westward of the river.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that I called the lads together, +asking if any of them were minded to go out in +search of game, and found that it would be necessary +to make a detail by name, since every member +of the company was willing to take the chances in +order to add to the store of food.</p> + +<p>I selected two of the lads whom I knew to be +good shots, and Giles March named two others. +These four we sent out at once, with instructions +for them to remain near the bank of the river, and +not to venture above three miles from the stockade.</p> + +<p>When they had gone we added the names of the +newcomers to our company of Minute Boys, dividing +the whole into three squads as before, and settled +down to routine duty, with good reason to believe +nothing menacing would occur, at least until +another day had come.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Giles and I threw ourselves on +the ground in the shade of the blockhouse to sleep, +and when we awakened night had fully come.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>Rising to my feet, wonderfully refreshed by the +few hours of dreamless repose, I asked, curiously, +of the first lad I saw, whether the hunters had +brought much game.</p> + +<p>“They haven’t come back yet,” was the reply. +“Master Morley and Simon Bartlett are yonder on +the eastern angle, watching for them.”</p> + +<p>“Haven’t come back!” I cried, in dismay. “It +was understood that even though they were on the +track of a deer, there should be no question of returning +before sunset,” and, filled with apprehension, +I ran toward that portion of the enclosure +where I saw the two men of whom the lad had +spoken, peering intently into the thicket.</p> + +<p>“What can have happened?” I asked, nervously, +climbing up by the side of Master Bartlett, +and he replied in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“According to my belief, lad, they have met +the advance of Butler’s force, and been taken prisoners.”</p> + +<p>“But they were told to stay near the bank of the +river!” I cried.</p> + +<p>“True, and that was because you and I were so +stiff in our own opinions as to believe the Tory +crew would keep on the direct course from the +burnt district to Wintermoot’s, whereas the chances +are the scoundrels counted on first having a look +at Fort Jenkins.”</p> + +<p>“We must go at once in search of them,” I cried, +not stopping to realize that but a short time before, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>when Daniel Hinchman pleaded for aid to find +his sister, I refused to allow any one to depart on +so hazardous a venture in the night.</p> + +<p>“To what end, lad?” Master Bartlett asked, +sorrowfully. “If matters are as Stephen Morley +and I fear, then, even though you turn this entire +force out, nothing could be done. To my mind, +if four lads well armed were overcome, then was it +done by such numbers as are too many for us.”</p> + +<p>“And are we to sit here idle?” I cried, almost +beside myself with grief, since it seemed as if I +was directly responsible for their safety because +of having allowed them to go.</p> + +<p>“There is nothing else you can do, Jonathan +Ogden, in justice to those who call you their captain,” +Master Bartlett replied, and he had hardly +more than ceased speaking before a bright light +flashed up near the river, considerably beyond musket-shot +from where we were standing, and at the +same time we heard shrieks and yells as of rejoicing.</p> + +<p>“It is as we feared,” Master Morley said, turning +suddenly upon me, and speaking for the first +time since I had come. “The savages have captured +the lads, and we know full well the meaning +of that fire.”</p> + +<p>“The meaning of it?” I screamed, understanding +what he meant, but at the same time refusing +to admit it.</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad,” Master Bartlett replied, in a tearful +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>tone. “Now is the time when those whom +we whipped inside the stockade will have their revenge, +and, if I mistake not, the fiends count on doing +their bloody work where we must witness it.”</p> + +<p>“Then you believe they have taken our lads, and +are about to torture them?” I whispered.</p> + +<p>The old man nodded his head, and then turned +away as if unwilling to say more.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V.<br> +<small>THE SORTIE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> could be no question but that Master +Bartlett had guessed rightly as to the purpose of +the savages, for there was no other way by which +we could account for the fire which had just been +kindled.</p> + +<p>They would not have camped so far from Wintermoot’s +in order to break a day’s march, and +even if they had halted for the purpose of resting, +common prudence would have dictated that they do +so secretly.</p> + +<p>When I had reasoned all this out in my mind, +and been forced to believe the worst, it was no +longer possible for me to think of ourselves as +Minute Boys, if by so acting we were forced to +remain inside the fort. Only one idea found +lodgment in my brain, which was that we must, at +all hazards, do what we might toward aiding the +unfortunate lads, who were thus come to the stake +while in pursuance of duty.</p> + +<p>To remain idle within the stockade, as Master +Bartlett seemed willing to do, while they suffered +such torture as those fiendish savages could invent, +seemed to me more heartless than anything I had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>ever heard, and, forgetting my duty to the company +of which I was captain, I cried, passionately:</p> + +<p>“It shall not be. We will not remain here with +folded hands and allow those murderers to do their +cruel work!”</p> + +<p>“Ay, it would not be if it were in our power to +give them aid,” Master Bartlett said, grimly. +“Stephen Morley had fair chance to judge of the +strength of the red-skinned wolves, and from him +we know that there must, at the very least, be +more than an hundred gathered around yonder +fire. To venture out now is but to play into their +hands, leaving the fort so illy manned that its capture +would be certain.”</p> + +<p>“We are stronger than before Stephen Morley’s +party came in,” I said, half to myself, and Master +Bartlett replied:</p> + +<p>“True, we are, and yet the number here is all +too small for the defence of the stockade.”</p> + +<p>“If four or five should go out, there would still +remain as many as our people of Wilkesbarre believe +to be here,” I continued, thinking aloud rather +than making a statement which demanded any answer, +and the old man asked with more of impatience +than I had yet seen him display:</p> + +<p>“What wild plan have you in mind, Jonathan +Ogden? Don’t forget that you are the captain +of this company, and as such it is your duty to +keep them together.”</p> + +<p>“A poor captain have I made,” I replied, hotly. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span>“It were better for all that the youngest of the +party had been selected for the command. If I +should go out, you can serve the lads more to their +advantage than I could ever hope to do.”</p> + +<p>“There is no good reason why you make such +talk as that, and I would refuse to listen, save that +it is necessary I know upon what your mind is +dwelling.”</p> + +<p>“That can be told quickly,” I replied, burning +with the desire to be where I could strike a blow +at those who were making ready for such work as +the imps of the evil one would blush at. “I am +minded to go out there, not boldly, nor in a careless +manner, but to creep upon that band of demons +until it be possible either to drive them away, or +do the last friendly act to our comrades who are +prisoners—bring them to their death quickly.”</p> + +<p>“He who has had the most experience in warfare +with the savages will tell you, Jonathan Ogden, +that you haven’t one chance in ten thousand, +even though you take all your company of Minute +Boys, to drive away those savages after they have +once begun, or made ready for their cruel work. +I grant you it would be a blessed boon to kill the +lads quickly; but to do that you would bring down, +not only upon yourselves, but on all within this +stockade, that horde of ravening wolves.”</p> + +<p>I was not minded to continue the discussion when +the moments were so precious, and knew beyond +a peradventure that Simon Bartlett would never +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span>give his consent to my going in case I asked it; +therefore did I put the matter plainly before him:</p> + +<p>“It is my intent, Master Bartlett, to do whatsoever +I can to aid my comrades, and with the +expectation of meeting death while doing it. +Neither the fact that I am in command of this company, +nor that it is a forlorn hope on which I +am embarking, can prevent me. If so be two others +here want to go with me, I believe it possible +the dear lads may be killed before they are tortured.”</p> + +<p>“I am one who goes with you, Jonathan Ogden,” +came a voice near at hand, and, looking down from +the platform on which the old man and I were +standing, I saw Giles March, who had come up +unobserved and thus heard a goodly portion of the +conversation.</p> + +<p>“But you must stay here, Giles,” I cried, and +he replied, sharply:</p> + +<p>“What fetters have I more than you? Is the +captain of a company the only one who is permitted +to attempt a man’s work?”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, that silenced me. What +reply could I make to such questions?</p> + +<p>“You know how few are the chances that we +shall come back into this stockade alive?” I ventured +to ask, and he replied promptly:</p> + +<p>“Ay, even as well as you, Jonathan Ogden, and +yet would I go, for death were better, as I look +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span>at the matter, than remaining here idle, knowing +what is being done yonder.”</p> + +<p>“What is it you speak of in which death seems +so certain?” Daniel Hinchman asked, as he came +up hurriedly, and I would have held my peace, but +Giles March must needs explain to him what I +proposed to do.</p> + +<p>“And who will go with you, Jonathan Ogden?” +Daniel asked.</p> + +<p>“I am going,” Giles said, before it was possible +for me to make reply.</p> + +<p>“Then you shall count me in also. It would be +the least I could do, after this company of lads has +saved my sister from a doom even worse than that +which you say probably awaits those who went out +hunting.”</p> + +<p>Again I would have protested; but Master Bartlett, +laying his hand heavily on my shoulder, said +gravely:</p> + +<p>“Haven’t they as good right as you to risk life +in the hope of aiding a comrade? Now you have +the two you asked for, and, if it still be in your +mind to go out on what I shall count a hopeless +task, then let me beg you do it secretly, allowing +no person inside this enclosure, save only Stephen +Morley and myself, to know that the force has been +weakened by seven.”</p> + +<p>“How seven?” I asked, with irritation.</p> + +<p>“The four hunters and you three, for there is +no more chance one will return than the other.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span>Leaping down from the stockade, I began hurriedly +to make my preparations, for however determined +I was to sally forth, such talk as Master +Bartlett was indulging in could have no other effect +than that of making me for the moment faint-hearted, +and surely just then I had need of all the +courage which could be summoned.</p> + +<p>I would take with me nothing save my musket +and ammunition; every garment that could be dispensed +with should be left behind, lest it impede +me in the short journey which must be made as +silently as death, and Giles and Daniel followed my +example, until we stood in little more clothing than +was indulged in by those fiends whom we hoped to +kill.</p> + +<p>While this was being done, Master Bartlett held +a whispered conversation with Stephen Morley, +after which the old man said:</p> + +<p>“If you go out through the gate, lads, one or +more of the company will know your purpose, +therefore I propose that you let yourselves down +from the top of the stockade at whatsoever point +seems best to you, and, although we dare not hope +you may return, both Stephen Morley and I will +stand here on watch, ready to open the small gate +when we see you coming, or to summon the rest +of the company to shoot down those who may be +pursuing.”</p> + +<p>“As well go from here as anywhere?” I said +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span>to Giles, pointing just above our heads, and he +nodded.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett gripped each of us by the hand +in turn, and thus we climbed up, swinging ourselves +over the top of the stockade and dropping down +on the outside.</p> + +<p>I had feared that one or both of the men might +attempt to indulge in leave-taking, and so tensely +were my nerves strung then that I could not have +endured anything of the kind; but, fortunately for +me, not a word was spoken.</p> + +<p>After reaching the ground, it was not necessary +we should hold any converse one with the other. +Each of us understood what was to be done, and +could see plainly before us the goal. The fire was +leaping higher and higher, and a deathly sickness +came into my heart, as I asked myself whether +the tongues of flame had not already fastened upon +the bodies of our comrades.</p> + +<p>It was as if Giles March read my thoughts, for +he said in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“They haven’t begun the work of torture yet, +else would we have heard songs and shouts. Yonder +light comes from the camp-fire, where doubtless +they are making ready supper.”</p> + +<p>As nearly as I could judge, the Indians were +less than a mile away, and the night was so far +advanced that it seemed necessary we take some +chances of making a noise, else we might arrive +too late, therefore I believe we covered the distance +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>within half an hour, seeing nothing during that +short journey betokening the presence of foes. It +was as if the murdering villains, secure in their +numbers, believed that no danger threatened them, +or that it would not be necessary to send out scouts, +because we in the fort were penned up like sheep +awaiting the butcher.</p> + +<p>When we had finally arrived so near the fire as +to be able to distinguish objects within the circle +of illumination, it was possible to see two of our +lads bound to trees near by, and looking as one +may well fancy human beings would look when +watching preparations that are being made for the +most cruel death which can come to man.</p> + +<p>“Where are the others?” Daniel Hinchman +asked in a whisper.</p> + +<p>“Already dead,” Giles March replied, confidently, +“and theirs was the happier fate.”</p> + +<p>“Why can’t they have escaped?” I asked, hopefully.</p> + +<p>“Because, if such had been the case, we should +have seen them at the stockade before this. Stephen +Morley has said that the Indians were advancing +like soldiers on a skirmish-line, covering not less +than half a mile in distance, and in such case, all +ignorant of the fact that so many foes were near, +the lads would not have made détour wide enough +to avoid them.”</p> + +<p>I hardly heard the last of his words. If, indeed, +two of our lads were already dead, then were they +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span>the more fortunate. We could do nothing in their +behalf, and it was of the living that care should +be taken.</p> + +<p>So nearly as could be told, there were less, instead +of more, than an hundred savages encamping +here to indulge in their fiendish sport, and the +thought came to me like a flash of light that there +were none of the red demons at Wintermoot’s who +would miss seeing such a spectacle as that afforded +by two white boys while they were being tortured +to death. Therefore might we with good reason +expect all that horde of bloodthirsty murderers +would arrive before the final moment came.</p> + +<p>I said to Giles that, if we were to effect anything, +the task must be begun quickly, for, although +it did not seem within the range of possibility we +could overmaster four score or more, surely was +all hope gone when that number should be doubled +or trebled.</p> + +<p>“Ay, I am of the same mind, Jonathan, therefore +say what shall be done, and we will commence, +selling our lives desperately, but making certain +to hold the last shots for those poor lads yonder.”</p> + +<p>I had no more idea than he how we could strike +the heaviest blow; but, in turning over the matter +in my mind, came the desire to lessen the number +of the enemy by as many as might be possible, and +therefore did it seem to me as if that might best +be done by beginning the work at long range.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>Acting on my suggestion, rather than commands, +Daniel stole softly to the right of me, a distance +of perhaps an hundred paces, and Giles as far in +the opposite direction, while I remained with my +musket resting on the branch of a tree, that there +might be no question as to the trueness of aim +until one or the other should open fire.</p> + +<p>With the reports of three muskets coming from +so many different points, each at quite a distance +from the other, the savages would reasonably suppose +they were surrounded by a considerable force, +and therefore might be thrown in confusion sufficiently +long for us to reload and get in a second +volley before any move was made.</p> + +<p>This would suffice for six of them, unless we +were careless in the shooting, and after that had +been done Daniel and Giles were to come back to +me, when we would do whatsoever was dictated +by the movements of the enemy.</p> + +<p>It was Daniel who fired first, and I saw an Indian, +who was standing somewhat apart from the others, +as if he was one of the chiefs of the tribe, pitch +forward on his face, dead.</p> + +<p>Then came Giles’s shot, and a brave who was +bending over the fire, evidently cooking meat, fell +among the embers, getting a taste before he died, +I hope, of what he would have inflicted upon our +comrades. On the instant I discharged my musket, +and the third Mohawk fell, never to rise again.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_094a.jpg" width="450" height="647" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“THE THIRD MOHAWK FELL, NEVER TO RISE AGAIN.”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span>The Indians stood for a moment as if transfixed +with amazement and terror, looking here and there +questioningly, and not a movement toward us had +been made, when once more Daniel fired.</p> + +<p>That savage who was standing full in the light +of the flames fell at the report of his musket, and +his neighbor dropped an instant later under my +bullet, while on the other side of the fire a sixth +man sank down.</p> + +<p>Then, as never before, did I work with utmost +haste to reload my weapon, hoping to get in one +more shot before my comrades joined me, and in +this was I successful.</p> + +<p>The seventh Mohawk had been sent to his happy +hunting-grounds when Giles and Daniel came up, +and we three, peering intently toward those bloodthirsty +cowards, who dared not make a move, as +if fearing that some supernatural power had +stricken their fellows down, loaded our weapons.</p> + +<p>Then, in a twinkling, we dashed toward the encampment, +without any purpose save that of coming +hand to hand with those whom we believed were +speedily to kill us.</p> + +<p>When we had arrived just at the edge of the +thicket, and in another instant would have come +out into the light of the fire, the Indians made their +first move, which was to retreat until they gained +cover, for the brutes were never known to be willing +to stand up in the open against an unseen enemy.</p> + +<p>“One more shot,” I whispered, hurriedly, and +even as the last vanished, two of them fell to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span>ground dead; but whether the third bullet missed +its billet, we could not see.</p> + +<p>Now, on the instant, came to me a possible plan. +There was one chance perhaps in a thousand of its +succeeding, and yet, if it didn’t, we were in no worse +position than before, for we had come fully expecting +to yield up our lives in the hope of giving our +comrades a merciful death.</p> + +<p>“You two shall stand here within the shelter +of the trees,” I said, hurriedly, “and fire as rapidly +as may be possible whenever you see a target. +In the meanwhile I will make my way through +the thicket until coming up behind the prisoners, +when there is the barest possibility I may be able +to sever their bonds.”</p> + +<p>Then, throwing down the musket and drawing +my knife, I made my way outside the circle of light, +hidden by the foliage, giving no heed as to preserving +silence, and hearing, as I ran, the discharge of +a weapon by one of my comrades.</p> + +<p>My heart beat as if it were like to burst through +the flesh, for there had suddenly come into my mind +the belief that it was possible we should yet succeed, +if not in holding our own lives, in giving liberty +to those who had been so near death.</p> + +<p>Hardly knowing if I walked or ran, giving no +heed as to whether there might be any one in my +path, I made all speed until, having gained the tree +behind which John Coburn was bound, and slashing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span>through the deer-hide thongs with my knife, I +whispered, hoarsely:</p> + +<p>“If it be possible to use your legs now, lad, +make all speed to the fort, where Master Bartlett +is watching for your coming. In case your limbs +are numbed, stand where you are until the blood +circulates again, and then make a rush.”</p> + +<p>I question if thirty seconds had been spent in +freeing John, and then, darting back into the +bushes once more, I came up behind the other lad,—Oscar +Stephenson,—just as another report from +the rear told that an Indian had incautiously shown +himself.</p> + +<p>Oscar was free, and, as I made ready to go back +where Giles and Daniel were waiting, I saw the +lad straighten up, as if trying his muscles. An +instant later the two were flying like startled deer; +but their movements were the signal for the Indians +to rush forward, and in a twinkling the whole +savage horde was at my heels.</p> + +<p>Crack! crack! rang out the muskets of my comrades, +and, guided by that sound, I reached them +as speedily as my legs could carry me, snatching +the musket which Daniel held toward me, and starting +hotfoot for the stockade.</p> + +<p>Rapid as had been my movements, the rescued +lads ran even more swiftly, for they had been looking +death in the face an hour or more, and were +able to accomplish that which at any other time +would have been impossible.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span>Daniel was just behind me, not two paces distant, +and close at his heels came Giles, who, when +we had run half-way to the stockade, said, hoarsely:</p> + +<p>“It were better we stopped here for one more +shot than to cross the clearing while there are so +many behind us.”</p> + +<p>It was good advice, and, wheeling about, I +charged my musket with trembling hands, for what +with the excitement and the exertion, I was quivering +like an aspen leaf.</p> + +<p>Then we waited for a target. Beyond the glowing +fire as we were, it was difficult to distinguish +the enemy. I was on the point of proposing that +we move on rather than lose valuable time, when +hardly ten paces distant I saw a black form amid +the foliage, and then another and another, until +we could count five sneaking up, probably seeing +us even more plainly than we saw them.</p> + +<p>Fortunately all of our weapons were loaded, and, +prodding my comrades to call their attention to +that which I saw, we took steady aim and fired.</p> + +<p>A howl of pain followed the report, as one of the +figures turned and went halting back toward the +fire, while two dropped, and the others stood as +if suddenly turned into statues.</p> + +<p>“Verily have we dealt a blow to the Mohawks +of which we should be proud, even though we never +reach the stockade again,” I said exultingly, and +there was in my heart a fervent thanksgiving that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>I had been allowed to slay so many of those who +would make of our valley a shambles.</p> + +<p>“It will be better if we get to the stockade alive,” +Giles said, grimly, and then we ran more slowly, +because of trying to load our weapons as we +moved.</p> + +<p>I am making a long story of what should be told +in few words, and, therefore, will cease trying to +glorify myself and my comrades for our work of the +night, to say that twice before coming out into the +cleared space in front of the stockade we loaded and +fired at skulking figures amid the trees, wasting no +shot, and then was come that most dangerous portion +of the work.</p> + +<p>Full fifty yards, from the edge of the thicket to +the small gate of the stockade, we must run exposed +to the full view of those who might follow, +and Giles said, as we slackened our pace before +bursting out of the bushes:</p> + +<p>“It were better we separated than ran in a bunch, +for of a verity are we to be their targets now.”</p> + +<p>As he said, so we did. Each for himself, and, +twelve or fifteen yards apart, we started on that +race with death.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if I had no more than left +the cover of the bushes when the muskets began to +sound, and, before half the distance was covered, +it was as if no less than an hundred were shooting +at me; but I came to understand afterward that +this multiplicity of reports arose from the fact that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span>our friends within the stockade were keeping up +quite as heavy a fusillade as were the Mohawks.</p> + +<p>And now for that which seems almost beyond +belief: We three lads covered the distance in the +open, where we afforded the best targets to our +pursuers, gaining the shelter of the fort without +having been scratched by a bullet, and that when, +I dare venture to say, no less than fifty missiles +were sent after us by the excited foe whom we +had outwitted so completely.</p> + +<p>Once inside, with the gate barred behind us, I +fell forward on my face, unable to move or speak, +so thoroughly exhausted was I by the excitement +and the exertion, and for a time I knew nothing +whatsoever, until becoming dimly conscious that +Master Bartlett was bending over me, saying:</p> + +<p>“You have accomplished that this night, Jonathan +Ogden, which I doubt if any man in the valley +could have done, and, if our people at Wilkesbarre +do not come to know of the courage and self-sacrifice +you have shown in behalf of your comrades, +it will be because I can no longer wag my tongue.”</p> + +<p>“The others, where are they?” I managed to +ask, and with speech came power of motion, until +I stood upright.</p> + +<p>“All are safe, lad, that is—you three who went +out, and two who came back ahead of you.”</p> + +<p>“Do you mean Oscar Stephenson and John +Coburn?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span>“And what of the other two? Were they +killed?”</p> + +<p>“Oscar claims that they must be at liberty, for, +when the savages first appeared, the others made +for the river, evidently counting on swimming +across, and therefore, while there are two Minute +Boys of the Wyoming Valley who will not answer +to the roll just now, it is probable they are yet +alive. I would not have believed, when you left, +that twenty men could have rescued those lads who +were so near the stake, and am burning to know +how it was done.”</p> + +<p>“There is nothing to be told, Master Bartlett,” +I said, with a nervous laugh. “We simply advanced +and fired upon the Indians while under +cover; they were stampeded because of not being +able to see us, and, consequently, as much was done +by our remaining hidden as by our shooting. It +did indeed seem like a dangerous task when we +began, but, as matters turned, it was no more than +you or many another man has done time and time +again since the troubles concerning the ownership +of this valley began.”</p> + +<p>“As to that I have another opinion, lad; but we +won’t discuss it now, for, unless I am mistaken in +those red villains, there is a hot night ahead of +us. I am of the mind that we will have another +attack upon the stockade before morning, and it +promises to be vastly different from the last one, +for now the savages will fight to revenge the death +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>of those whom you have killed. Therefore, as soon +as may be, lad, I beg you to get your company in +shape, and see to it that you call upon the women +as you do the men.”</p> + +<p>In a flash I understood that what Master Bartlett +said was true; even at that moment I knew the +fort must be surrounded by those who thirsted for +vengeance, and, in addition to obeying the command +of John Butler, they would strive to kill us +because of what we had done that night. Nor +would it be as easy to drive them away as before, +and we were facing a greater danger than Giles, +Daniel, and I faced when we went toward the camp-fire.</p> + +<p>It can well be understood that I lost no time in +doing whatsoever I might toward making ready +for the battle which was to come, and my comrades +who had shared with me the danger just past were +not one whit behind in their efforts.</p> + +<p>We put on sentinel duty every member of our +company, including myself, leaving to Master Bartlett +and Stephen Morley the task of making the +rounds to ascertain if each fellow was doing his +duty, and the women stationed themselves here and +there under the walls, where they could load our +weapons as soon as they were discharged, while +the children we fastened securely inside the blockhouse, +lest in their terror they come out and impede +the defenders in their work.</p> + +<p>Then we waited for that which we knew was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>surely to come, and I had more of timorousness in +my heart during the few moments of quietude which +reigned than when we were making the attack upon +that horde who were preparing to torture our comrades.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI.<br> +<small>THE SECOND ATTACK</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Why</span> it was that my thoughts should go back +to Elias Shendle at this moment when we were in +the greatest peril, I am unable to say. Even as we +waited for the first report of a musket, betokening +that the savages were bent on taking revenge, the +question as to where the lad might be came to me, +and straightway I, who had felt that he of all our +company was the most secure, began to be anxious +concerning him.</p> + +<p>If the lad had gone to Forty Fort without hindrance, +unfolded his budget of information there, +and returned immediately, he would barely have +time to arrive at Fort Jenkins, and it was reasonable +to suppose he would spend at least four and twenty +hours among his friends, not thinking it might be +absolutely necessary for him to hasten back.</p> + +<p>Then, arriving on the morrow, mayhap he would +find the stockade so invested as to render it impossible +for him to enter, and thus be forced to return +again; at least, so I figured it in my mind, until +coming to believe that I might have seen the last +of my comrade in this world.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span>Regarding the fate of the hunters who as yet +were unaccounted for, I had no great fear, because +of the fact that their comrades reported them as +having fled toward the river, and, once on the other +side of the stream, I believed they would seek safety +at the Pittstown stockades, which, as I have already +said, were directly opposite Fort Jenkins.</p> + +<p>“There is little use in trying to form plans for +defence when we have no fair idea as to how the +attack may be begun,” Master Bartlett said, seeing +that I was in a brown study.</p> + +<p>“It was of Elias Shendle I was thinking, sir, +and for the moment had forgotten we were here to +defend the stockade against overwhelming odds.”</p> + +<p>“Elias may thank his lucky stars you believed +it necessary to send word to Forty Fort as to what +had been learned,” Master Bartlett replied, gravely. +“With such a force of savages as we know are +hereabouts, or at Wintermoot’s, there will be no +child’s play when the business is once begun, for, +if we tire one gang, as you did those who made +the first attack, there are others in plenty to take +their places.”</p> + +<p>“That has the sound of croaking, Master Bartlett,” +I said, with a mirthless laugh, “and it seems +to me just now what we most need is something +to raise our courage.”</p> + +<p>“After what you three lads have done this night, +Jonathan Ogden, I’m thinking that you are not +in sore need of being bolstered up lest you show the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span>white feather, and, because you have proven yourself +a lad of spirit, would I have you look upon +the situation exactly as it is.”</p> + +<p>“And what may it be, Master Bartlett, from +your standpoint?”</p> + +<p>“Defeat for us, as a matter of course; but, please +God, we’ll hold out long enough for our friends +and neighbors to know of what is being done, and +thereby understand the better their own situation.”</p> + +<p>I was surprised that the old man should speak +so positively of our being whipped, although such +must be the natural conclusion by one who knew +the strength of both parties, and I said as much +to him, whereupon he replied, gravely:</p> + +<p>“To my mind, lad, a man can fight better having +confessed his own weakness, for he who anticipates +the worst is not so easily discouraged as the one +who, believing he will be victorious, suddenly finds +the tide of battle turning against him.”</p> + +<p>It had been agreed that all within the stockade, +save the women, should take their places on the +platform as watchers, while Masters Bartlett and +Morley kept an eye out to make certain no one +was shirking his duty, and at this point in the +gloomy conversation I bethought myself it was time +to take station, therefore climbed up just over the +small gate, with Daniel Hinchman a dozen paces +to my left, and Giles March about the same distance +on my right.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span>I saw Master Bartlett walking across the enclosure, +as if to begin his rounds, while Stephen +Morley was on the eastern side talking with some +of those on duty there.</p> + +<p>“Have you and Master Bartlett settled what +is to be done?” Giles March asked, in a low tone, +as he stepped nearer to me, both of us crouching +where we could gaze out through the apertures +between the logs, rather than expose ourselves uselessly +as targets.</p> + +<p>Knowing that there was little danger of disheartening +a lad like Giles by giving words to gloomy +forebodings, I repeated to him that which the old +man had said, and, greatly to my surprise, he replied:</p> + +<p>“I believe he is in the right of it, Jonathan +Ogden. It isn’t reasonable to suppose we could +stand off very long such a force as John Butler +has brought into the valley, even though we had +ammunition in plenty, which is far from being the +case. Sooner or later, unless help comes to us from +the army, we must be whipped.”</p> + +<p>“Why?” I asked, hotly.</p> + +<p>“Because John Butler has brought here an army +to take possession of the valley, and has with him +white men enough to keep the savages at their work, +however little stomach they may have for it. +Therefore do I say again that, before this business +is ended, I am looking to see the settlements in +Wyoming wiped out. But they shall pay a goodly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span>price for victory, Jonathan, even in the capture of +this—”</p> + +<p>He ceased speaking suddenly to raise his head +above the tops of the logs, with his musket ready +for instant use, and, following his example, I saw +far away, even amid the gloom, a certain movement +of the foliage which told that some heavy body +was trying to force a passage through the bushes.</p> + +<p>“If that fellow will keep on a minute longer, +so that I may get a fair idea of where his carcass +is, I’ll guarantee he comes no nearer,” Giles said, +grimly, and then it was that there came into my +mind once more the thought of Elias Shendle.</p> + +<p>Laying my hand on his shoulder to prevent him +from firing, I whispered:</p> + +<p>“Make certain, Giles, who you shoot at, for +it isn’t impossible that Elias may have returned.”</p> + +<p>“Even if such was the case, he couldn’t have +made his way up past Wintermoot’s while there +are so many of the enemy hereabout,” the lad replied, +but at the same time he lowered his weapon.</p> + +<p>“You might have said an hour ago that we +couldn’t have released the two lads who were being +made ready for the torture, and yet we did it, +Giles,” but, even while speaking, I said to myself +that it wasn’t within the range of probability that +he who was causing the movement among the +branches could be our absent comrade.</p> + +<p>Then it was that Daniel Hinchman caught sight +of the disturbance amid the foliage, and, seeing him +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span>raise his musket, I crept over to give warning; but +before many minutes had passed, we knew beyond +a peradventure that it must be a friend instead of +an enemy who was thus coming up. No single +Indian could have effected anything to his advantage +by creeping so close to the stockade that it +would have been impossible to shoot us down save +by thrusting the muzzle of his musket between the +logs.</p> + +<p>“Keep your wits about you,” I whispered to +Daniel and Giles, “watching lest the savages make +a dash, and I’ll open the gate for whoever has been +so fortunate, or so skilful, as to come alive through +the forest wherein are lurking so many of the +enemy.”</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett came up while I was unbarring +the gate, and, when I told him of what we had +seen, he stood by in readiness to defend the entrance +if by any chance we had been mistaken.</p> + +<p>Then, five minutes later, came a scratching upon +the logs outside, and cautiously I swung the narrow +gate open sufficiently wide to admit of one person +entering at a time, when in crawled Elias Shendle.</p> + +<p>Not until the gate was barred again securely +did I turn to greet the lad who had joined us at +such great risk of his life, and, instead of welcoming +him, I said that which first came to my mind:</p> + +<p>“Why did you come back, once having gained +the security of Forty Fort?”</p> + +<p>“Because this is my place, Jonathan Ogden,” +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span>was the quiet reply, “and from what I have seen +since noon, it strikes me that you need every musket +here which can be mustered.”</p> + +<p>“What have you seen, lad?” Master Bartlett +asked, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Savages and Tories enough to make a full +army, and all of them with their faces turned this +way. It was near to noon when I came up within +half a mile of Wintermoot’s, and since then have +I made the best speed possible under the circumstances. +Twenty times was I like to have run into +a white cur or a red villain, and twenty times did +I get off by the skin of my teeth.”</p> + +<p>“You succeeded in reaching Forty Fort?” I interrupted, +not minded to hear more of information +which was disheartening.</p> + +<p>“Ay, and found there that I might as well have +stayed here, for it’s a question if they are not better +informed as to the situation than are we. Two days +before I arrived there, Colonel Zebulon Butler came +from the army on a five days’ furlough, and, learning +of the danger which menaces, declares that he +will allow the word ‘deserter’ written against his +name rather than leave this valley while the enemy +are so strong against us. The people have made +him their commander, and it is agreed that Forty +Fort shall be the general rendezvous. Before I got +there, nearly all the women and children from +roundabout had come up for safety. Runners have +been sent to General Washington’s camp, which is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>now near New Brunswick, begging that troops be +sent at least sufficiently long for us to make an +attack upon John Butler’s force; Colonel Zebulon +Butler himself writing to the general that it is impossible +for our people to retreat to a place of +safety, and unless succor be sent at once we must +all perish.”</p> + +<p>Elias ceased speaking as if his story was told, +and Master Bartlett said, in a tone of satisfaction:</p> + +<p>“It is well that they are alive to the danger which +menaces. Does Colonel Zebulon believe Forty +Fort will be attacked?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed he does,” Elias replied, “and with +good reason. Yesterday did John Butler send a +demand for surrender, not only of the fort, but of +the entire valley, threatening that unless we throw +ourselves on his mercy the savages shall be let loose +upon us. It was when his messengers returned to +Wintermoot’s that I followed not above three hundred +paces in their rear, believing safety lay in +keeping as near to them as might be possible with +secrecy, and thus did I come up as far as that nest +of Tories without fear.”</p> + +<p>Even though Elias’s journey had proved unnecessary, +so far as warning our friends in the valley +was concerned, it seemed to me of great benefit, +since we had gained information of the general situation, +and knew it was not necessary we absolutely +sacrifice our lives in order to give them tidings of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span>what might be expected. Yet with such assurance +it must not be supposed that the thought of surrendering +the fort came into my mind, save as a +last dread resort.</p> + +<p>“How many men, think you, are in the Pittstown +stockades?” Master Bartlett inquired, of no +one in particular.</p> + +<p>“Surely not more than a corporal’s guard,” I +replied. “Why did you ask?”</p> + +<p>“There was in my mind the thought as to +whether we might not persuade them to come over +to us,” the old man replied, slowly, as if to weigh +his own words, and Giles March said, sharply:</p> + +<p>“If, as we believe, the two lads who are yet +missing succeeded in reaching those stockades, then +do the men of Pittstown know by this time all our +needs, and would make effort to reinforce us if they +were minded to do so.”</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett did not continue the conversation +after this interruption; but a few moments +later I noticed that he was holding earnest converse +with Stephen Morley, and believed it had +reference to sending some one across the river with +an appeal for help.</p> + +<p>It is not well that I should set down what we +said and did during this time while waiting for +the attack to be made, because it would not make +pleasing reading. With the knowledge in the +minds of all that we were heavily overmatched, +there was little of cheer in our words; but no +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span>thought in our hearts of yielding simply because +the odds were heavy against us.</p> + +<p>Every lad did his duty as sentinel, but never +a sign of the foe was seen or heard until perhaps +half an hour before midnight, and then the battle +was begun upon that side of the stockade nearest +the river, the savages suddenly bursting out from +the thicket with whoops and yells, at the same time +that a discharge of musketry came from every +quarter.</p> + +<p>This was no more than we anticipated. In fact, +it was the kind of an assault we had reason to +believe would be made, and were holding ourselves +in readiness for it.</p> + +<p>Four of the lads had been instructed by Master +Bartlett that, when such assault began, they were +to take stations on the side of the stockade opposite +where the attack was being made, in order to give +an alarm in case the enemy attempted to rush us +from any other quarter at the same time.</p> + +<p>This first assault would not have been anything +very serious, as I viewed it, except for the fact that +John Coburn, he who had been rescued from the +stake, was quite painfully, though not dangerously, +wounded, therefore was our force reduced by one, +since he would be unable to do duty again for several +days.</p> + +<p>The savages had come on with a rush, firing at +random, each bringing with him a log of wood +to pile up at the foot of the stockade, with the idea +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span>that they might scale the walls; but we poured +in such a heavy dose of lead that within fifteen +minutes they had had all that was needed, and to +spare.</p> + +<p>When they sneaked back under cover again, it +was as if the battle had come to an end; but Master +Bartlett said, grimly, to some of those lads who +were congratulating themselves that we had won +a victory:</p> + +<p>“Don’t deceive yourselves, lads; they were but +just feeling of us, and the next time they try it, +which will be before daylight, unless I am mistaken, +their work won’t be so difficult, for you +will take notice that the logs they brought are yet +piled up at the foot of the stockade. Now they +may come with no burden, and it will be strange +if some don’t succeed in getting over.”</p> + +<p>“If they do, we’ll make short work of them,” +Oscar Stephenson said, boldly, and Master Bartlett +turned away, as if to say that it was a waste of +time to argue the question with a lad who could +not look further into the future.</p> + +<p>In case only a certain few succeeded in scaling +the stockade we might overcome them, but at +some expense to ourselves, and in time, if the red +demons could be kept at their work, we would have +beaten ourselves, so to speak.</p> + +<p>However, Master Bartlett was so convinced that +there remained a breathing spell for us that he +suggested to me the idea of allowing at least half +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span>the force to lie down and sleep, if that should be +possible, and so I directed, but as for myself and +Giles March, there was no desire for slumber—death +seemed too near at hand.</p> + +<p>We were left unmolested perhaps an hour, and +then the silence was broken as the sentinels on the +eastern side discharged their muskets, when Elias +Shendle, who was standing by my side, exclaimed, +as we started forward:</p> + +<p>“They count on hammering at the same place +until the stockade can be scaled.”</p> + +<p>Within ten minutes I had good reason for believing +that Elias had spoken no more than the truth.</p> + +<p>Fully an hundred Indians suddenly burst out +from the thicket, each carrying over his shoulder +a log, and running at full speed, regardless of the +fire which we poured in upon them. Throwing +their burdens upon those which had previously been +brought, they immediately retreated, strange to say, +with a loss of only two of their number. Why +our lads did not fire with greater accuracy of aim +I fail even now to understand, and was not then +minded to speculate upon it, because I saw plainly +the plan which the enemy had in view for the capture +of the fort.</p> + +<p>On that side nearest the river was a pile of logs +extending nearly to the top of the stockade, and +Master Bartlett said, as I leaned cautiously over +to see what had been done:</p> + +<p>“They have made their preparations, lad, and I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span>am of the mind that at the next assault we shall +find ourselves overrun.”</p> + +<p>He had said only that which I already realized; +but it irritated me that the fact should thus be put +in words, and I said sharply, not with any intent +to show disrespect to one of his age, but owing to +my nervousness:</p> + +<p>“Of what avail is it that we continually speculate +upon the time when the end shall come? If +they succeed in gaining an entrance, it only remains +for us to fight so long as we can hold our muskets.”</p> + +<p>“True, lad,” the old man said, thoughtfully; +“but it strikes me that we have a duty to perform +before that moment shall come.”</p> + +<p>“And what may it be?” I asked, in surprise.</p> + +<p>“If we fight until the last, refusing to surrender +because of such mercy as those demons will show, +<i>our</i> end has come with but little pain; but how +about those women and the children fastened in +yonder blockhouse?”</p> + +<p>It was as if my heart ceased beating, for until +that moment I had thought only of meeting death +as a lad who was defending his home should meet +it; but now I understood all too well that there +was something more,—something of horror in +which I would have no part, because of selfishly +allowing myself to be put out of the world.</p> + +<p>“But how can we provide for their safety?” I +cried, passionately. “If we fight to the last, more +cannot be demanded of us.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span>“Stephen Morley and I have been talking together +as to the possibility of giving those poor +creatures one little chance of escape, while we make +our last stand, so that our lives may not be given +up simply to save ourselves from the pain of torture.”</p> + +<p>“Explain yourself, Master Bartlett. We may +not have many moments in which to talk, and if +there is work to be done, it is necessary that we +set about it quickly.”</p> + +<p>“Even now Stephen Morley is explaining to the +women what we hope even against hope that it may +be possible for them to do. So far as we know, +the Pittstown stockades are in no immediate danger; +why can’t these women and children, during +the heat of the battle, contrive to get themselves +across the river, or, failing in stemming the current, +drift so far down-stream as to be beyond reach of +the fiends?”</p> + +<p>“If they can leave the fort, then why not we?” +I asked, and he replied in a tone which made me +ashamed of having used the words:</p> + +<p>“Because it is not for us to turn our backs upon +the foe until the moment has come when we know, +beyond a peradventure, that nothing can be gained +by continuing the battle.”</p> + +<p>In order that no more words may be used than +is absolutely necessary for the telling of the story, +let me say that Masters Bartlett and Morley had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span>hatched up what seemed like a poor plan, but yet +better than nothing.</p> + +<p>Their idea was that, when the savages made the +next assault, if they succeeded in throwing into the +enclosure an overwhelming number, we should +make our last stand near by the blockhouse, or +inside, as the case might be. Before this could +happen, the women, each taking from the building +itself such timbers as could be readily carried, +should be allowed to go out through the small gate, +with the chance of gaining the river, and there, +trusting to the logs or splints which they carried, +gain the opposite side, or, as Master Bartlett had +said, float down to some place of safety.</p> + +<p>It was a poor plan at the best, but yet the only +one that could be formed. As a matter of course, +I agreed to it; but my agreement was no more +than a form, for, on approaching the blockhouse, +I saw that already were the women at work tearing +out the inside in such fashion that each procured +a plank or log which would serve to keep +herself and little ones above the surface of the +water.</p> + +<p>I had no hope that it would succeed. With all +these preparations for the final moment, and the +knowledge that when the Indians had made up +their minds to come in there was nothing to prevent +them, death seemed so very near that it shut out +every thought of life beyond the next assault.</p> + +<p>And that came even before we had anticipated.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span>Giles had proposed that we divide the ammunition +equally, and this was being done when the +sentinels on the eastern wall gave the alarm. It +seemed to me as if the words had no more than +been spoken when, looking in that direction, I saw, +coming over the stockade like a black cloud, hundreds +upon hundreds of the naked foe, whooping +and yelling, as they struck here and there at our +fellows with their hatchets.</p> + +<p>Three of the Minute Boys fell at the first rush, +even before I had time to summon the others to +the blockhouse.</p> + +<p>Amid the howls and exulting cries of the savages, +I heard Stephen Morley ordering the women to +put into execution the plan which had been agreed +upon, and as we lads and men ran into or behind +the blockhouse, I knew, without seeing, that +the helpless members of our little company were +streaming out through the narrow gate, but believed +that, once on the plain, they would be met +by those whose chief delight is to butcher the helpless.</p> + +<p>Then came that which you may call a battle, if +such a name can be given to an encounter where +less than twenty were opposed to three or four +hundred.</p> + +<p>We stood our ground, firing as rapidly as it was +possible to recharge our weapons, and kept up such +a shower of lead that, strange as it may seem, the +savages wavered and hung back, when, by coming +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span>forward at full speed, they could have trampled +us under foot. There we held them in check,—how +long I know not; but it seemed to me that +half the night was gone before the foremost of +the curs gathered courage enough to make the dash.</p> + +<p>At that instant I felt a grip upon my shoulder, +and Master Bartlett was shouting in my ear:</p> + +<p>“We have done all that men can, and more than +many would. Now let us take such chance for our +lives as remains.”</p> + +<p>It seems pitiful a lad should be forced to set +down the fact that, after having brought himself +to the point where he believed it his duty to stand +up fighting until death overtook him, he should +beat a retreat, and yet that was what we did.</p> + +<p>Now, looking back, when it is possible to view +the matter calmly, my wonder is that we had not +done the same thing before the second assault, +knowing as we did what the end must be. At that +time it would have been more than an even chance +we might succeed in the escape by marching in a +solid body to the river, where, plunging into the +stream, we could take our chances of swimming +to the opposite shore or of drifting down. Then +there would have been a possibility of retreating +without such loss as we afterward suffered, and +without benefiting those whom we were bound to +protect.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_120a.jpg" width="450" height="650" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“GILES MARCH AND I EACH TOOK HIM BY THE HAND.”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Of all that dreadful story of Wyoming, the only +bright spot in it, if there can be anything bright +amid so much of horror, was that out of Fort Jenkins +went all those women and children in safety, +while our little force of twenty-three or four got +away with a loss of seven, three of whom were +killed at the first rush, one stricken down by a +hatchet hurled at him as we stood near the blockhouse, +and three captured when we began the retreat.</p> + +<p>From the small gate to the river bank was not +above eighty paces, and, knowing that Master Bartlett +could not run as swiftly as either of us, because +of his infirmities, Giles March and I each took him +by the hand, literally dragging the old man along +with us, and into the river we three went.</p> + +<p>Elias Shendle I had not seen since the fight began; +but it seemed to me probable that he was among +those who had first been killed.</p> + +<p>I believe it was fully three minutes after we, who +were the hindermost of that retreating company, +leaped into the water before our pursuers opened +fire, and then the chances of their doing any execution +were exceeding small, for we had but to keep +within the shadows of the western bank to be entirely +hidden from view.</p> + +<p>“Better leave me, lads, for I can’t swim,” Master +Bartlett said when Giles and I had forced him into +the stream, and were striking out lustily that we +might get into the line of shadow where we would +be hidden, and I, burning to do something which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span>would lessen the shame of having retreated when +I should have remained to be killed, said, sharply:</p> + +<p>“It shall be all three of us, Master Bartlett, or +none. Do you take hold of Giles’s collar and mine, +and it will go hard if we can’t succeed in carrying +you along with us.”</p> + +<p>“It is best to leave me, lads; I am grown too +old to be of much service, and a matter of a few +days more or less will make no difference either to +me or the people of the valley.”</p> + +<p>“You go with us, Master Bartlett, whether you +will or no,” Giles said, sharply, and then we held +our peace, fearing to speak again lest we give the +savage foe good warning of where a target might +be found.</p> + +<p>And the waters of the Susquehanna carried us +swiftly and silently away, as they carried that night +the women and children who were battling for life, +down past Wintermoot’s, past this bend and that +cove, until the shrieks and yells of triumph raised +by John Butler’s wolves, as they exulted in their +victory, were lost to our ears in the distance.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII.<br> +<small>MONOCASY ISLAND</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fate</span> carried us to Monocasy Island, which is, +as all know, about a mile below Wintermoot’s. The +first intimation we had of having arrived at this +place, which could hardly be called a refuge of +safety, was when our feet struck the bottom, and +then, because of the excitement and labor of the +fight, and the exertion of swimming with such a +burden as Master Bartlett made, we were so nearly +exhausted that, after crawling up out of the water, +neither Giles nor I could do other than lay flat upon +the sands, panting as if from a long race, which +indeed we had had.</p> + +<p>Even then we were uncertain as to our whereabouts, +and questioned if, unwittingly, we had not +gained the opposite bank of the river. It was +enough for the time being, however, that we had +escaped from the merciless savages; but, when a +prayer of thanksgiving welled up in our hearts, it +was hushed because of the sorrow which followed +with the possibility that we might be the only ones +who had escaped from Fort Jenkins.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett was in no better bodily condition +than either of us, and until the first gray light of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span>morning appeared in the eastern sky, we lay there +upon the bank of the island, with the waters of the +river just touching our feet, silent and well-nigh +heart-broken.</p> + +<p>“It is time we were getting under cover, lads,” +Master Bartlett said, when it became possible to distinguish +surrounding objects. “If we alone of all +our company have come out from Fort Jenkins, +then is it our duty to take good care of our lives, +for they will be needed before John Butler has finished +his bloody work in the valley.”</p> + +<p>“We shall live to say that we ran away!” Giles +March cried, bitterly, and Master Bartlett turned +upon him angrily.</p> + +<p>“It is only a boy who would reproach himself +with what has been done. Of what avail if we had +remained until death came? Who could have been +benefited thereby? Think you that those at Forty +Fort are not in need of such as us? Everything +within our power was done last night, before we +turned our backs upon the enemy, and now must we +put forth every effort that we may be able to join +them.”</p> + +<p>Well, Master Bartlett continued in that strain +until he stung Giles and me into activity,—until he +had literally made us ashamed because we reproached +ourselves with flight.</p> + +<p>Then it was, and before the day had really come, +that we learned where we were, after which arose +the question of what should be done.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span>Save for the knives in our belts, we were weaponless; +of food we had not so much as would feed +a sparrow, nor were we likely to find any on Monocasy +Island.</p> + +<p>“If the people at Forty Fort are depending on +us for help, then do they lean upon a broken reed,” +Giles March said, bitterly, when we were hidden +among the bushes where those who passed up or +down the river might not see us.</p> + +<p>“Just now, I admit, we are not in very fine trim +for fighting,” Master Bartlett said, cheerily, “but +that isn’t saying we sha’n’t get into shape once more. +It is a matter of staying here and sucking our +thumbs till night shall come again, and then, if you +lads cannot drag me through the water as before, +we’ll put together a raft and drift down until we +have arrived opposite Forty Fort, where I venture +to say we shall be welcomed as those who did their +duty, even when they turned their backs upon the +enemy.”</p> + +<p>Well, much as he said, so we did. Looking far +up the river, we could see in the distance bands of +savages on the western bank prowling around as if +searching for those who had escaped their clutches, +and but few of them were sufficient to keep us well +within the shelter of the foliage, for however much +a fellow may prate about standing in front of the +foe until death comes, he does not in cold blood +court that death very ardently.</p> + +<p>We did not even dare to come out from our place +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span>of concealment to get water, and by noon it seemed +as if my throat was parched, the thirst being all +the greater because everywhere around were the +means of quenching it, but just beyond our reach.</p> + +<p>We were hungry; but that was of small moment +as compared with the craving for something to +drink, and, with the view of taking our minds from +the suffering, Master Bartlett told stories of what +he had done during his younger days, when the valley +was nearly the same as a wilderness, or described +how the first settlers fought in turn the many claimants +for the lands.</p> + +<p>So the time passed, wearily, slowly, but none the +less surely, until the sun, which had seemed at times +to stand still in the heavens, sank toward the west, +bringing evening near at hand.</p> + +<p>Then, for the first time, did we question as to +how we would make our way down-stream. Master +Bartlett was in favor of building a raft of such +saplings as could be cut with our knives, binding +them together with vines, but both Giles and I insisted +that, having rested during twelve or fifteen +hours, we were well able to swim with him between +us, and finally persuaded the old man to agree to +such method of travelling.</p> + +<p>Night was not yet fully come when we three +crept down to the edge of the river, and, plunging +our heads beneath the surface, revelled in the supply +of water, enjoying the sweetest draughts I have +ever known.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span>With thirst quenched, it was as if my courage +returned, and I felt confident that, however many +of John Butler’s force might be between us and +Forty Fort, we could succeed in entering that place +of refuge, although how long it might remain such +was an open question.</p> + +<p>“We shall simply be continuing the fight which +was begun at Fort Jenkins,” Master Bartlett said, +as we stood on the shore waiting for the darkness +to cover us more completely, “and I am counting +on finding the remainder of your company there, +Jonathan Ogden.”</p> + +<p>God forgive me! it was the first time I had dwelt +seriously upon the fate of our comrades. My own +sufferings had occupied my mind to the exclusion +of everything else, save when I listened listlessly +to the stories of adventure which the old man told; +but now I questioned, as a fever of fear crept over +me, whether we three might not be the only survivors +of the fight at that stockade, which we had +hoped to hold until the valley could be saved from +the horde which were bent on overrunning it.</p> + +<p>“Don’t conjure up that which will disturb you,” +Master Bartlett said, when I gave words to the +thoughts which were in my mind. “It is enough +if we make our way to the fort, and then will come +the time when we can settle all doubts.”</p> + +<p>Well, an hour after sunset perhaps, we waded +down into the water, Giles March and I, with Master +Bartlett between us, and struck out strong in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span>belief that the way was open before us. In fact, +so secure did we feel that, while swimming leisurely, +we talked among ourselves, regardless of the fact, +which all three knew full well, that water is a rare +conductor of sound, and thus like simples did we +run our necks into danger when, by holding our +peace we might, perchance, have accomplished what +was so ardently desired.</p> + +<p>It was hardly more than ten minutes after leaving +Monocasy Island when, almost directly in front +of us, there shot out from the western bank a boat +in which were five men, and, at the same instant we +saw it, the river in its vicinity was illumined by the +flashes of guns, while the bullets actually splashed +the water in our faces, so near to us did the missiles +strike the surface.</p> + +<p>Like a couple of loons, Giles March and I dove, +carrying Master Bartlett down with us, swimming +under water so long as we could hold our breath, +and coming to the surface perhaps twenty yards +down-stream.</p> + +<p>Again the reports of muskets; again the zip-zip-zipping +of bullets near by, and again we escaped +unharmed, to dive once more.</p> + +<p>Even as I went beneath the surface did I call +myself doubly a fool for not having suspected that +those bloodthirsty wolves, knowing some of us had +escaped by the river, would have gone down-stream +to lay in wait for our coming, on the chance that +we failed to gain the shore beyond them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>Once more on the surface; but this time we were +so far within the shadow of the eastern bank as +not to be seen, yet it was possible to hear the splash +of paddles, which told that the enemy were searching +for us.</p> + +<p>Now, when it was too late, I understood the danger +of speaking aloud to my comrades, but motioned +for Giles to swim across toward the nearest +shore, for it was not within the bounds of reason +that we could hope to pass the boat while remaining +in the river.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later, for we were forced to move +slowly, lest our whereabouts be made known, we +climbed out on the bank once more, with no idea +of where we might be, save that it seemed probable +we were yet to the northward of Wilkesbarre, and +no sooner had we emerged from the river than we +heard from behind us a voice say in English:</p> + +<p>“They haven’t got below here, that much is certain; +but now to prevent them from landing.”</p> + +<p>Then came a reply in the Indian tongue, which +I failed to understand, and Master Bartlett whispered:</p> + +<p>“It’s a case of making our way into the thicket, +lads, else are we taken to a certainty.”</p> + +<p>And so it was that we went forward blindly in +the darkness, stumbling here over some fallen tree, +or tripping there across a trailing vine, until it +seemed as if we must give our pursuers good knowledge +of where we were.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>Then suddenly, believing there was before us only +the thicket, we came full upon a stockade with such +force that I was knocked backward two or three +feet.</p> + +<p>“Where are we?” Giles March whispered, and +I replied, heeding not the fact that we had with us +one more familiar with the country than ourselves:</p> + +<p>“I know not, save it be we have wandered back +to Pittstown,” whereupon he asked, irritably:</p> + +<p>“How can that be, Jonathan Ogden? We have +come with the current, and not against it.”</p> + +<p>“This must be a fort which Jonathan should +know full well, since it bears his own name,” Master +Bartlett said, quietly.</p> + +<p>“Fort Ogden!” I exclaimed, and there came to +my mind the memory of how proud I had been +when the stockade was built, and the people decided +it should be named in honor of my father, +who had given his life for the Cause at the battle +of Long Island.</p> + +<p>“Then we are with friends,” Giles cried, exultantly, +feeling his way along the logs to come at +the gate, “and from here to Wilkesbarre is but a +short distance, if we are not minded to stay.”</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett held his peace, and I thought it +strange that he should not give way to joy, when +for the second time were we come as if from out +the very jaws of death.</p> + +<p>Groping with our hands, because the darkness +was so intense that we could not see even the trees +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span>in front of us, we made our way around the wall +of logs until come to the entrance.</p> + +<p>The gates were open; the enclosure vacant save +for the small blockhouse which stood, as I knew, +on the western side.</p> + +<p>“Have they all been killed?” Giles asked, in a +tone of horror, and Master Bartlett replied:</p> + +<p>“Nay, lad, that isn’t probable. Fort Jenkins was +the first stockade John Butler would desire to take, +and this could well be left until that work was accomplished. +I dare venture to say you will find +those who garrisoned this place in Forty Fort, for, +if you remember, Elias Shendle told us that that +stockade had been decided upon as the rendezvous +for all in the valley, and the people are wise to +gather at one place rather than try to hold many.”</p> + +<p>“Then, if you are right, are we like to find Wyoming +Fort” (by which I meant the Wilkesbarre +stockade) “in the same condition, and we would +be no better off to go there.”</p> + +<p>“Our course lies across the river,” Master Bartlett +said, decidedly, “and there is no reason why +we should linger here any longer than may be necessary +for you to regain your strength.”</p> + +<p>“Then let our stay be short, if it rests with me,” +Giles March said, quickly. “I am as fit for a tramp +or a swim now as I ever shall be; but first we must +go farther down the river, in order to give the slip +to those who were hunting us as if we were wild +ducks.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span>He had no more than spoken, when we were +startled into silence by hearing in the distance a +noise such as might have been made by a large +animal forcing his way through the thicket, and +straightway Master Bartlett whispered:</p> + +<p>“Those who were hunting us like wild ducks +have taken up the scent in right good shape. Unless +we can bar these gates, it is a matter of skulking +in the woods, with the chances against us.”</p> + +<p>Even the old man made a mistake when he proposed +that we take refuge there, nor were Giles and +I any the wiser, for, springing into the enclosure, +we set about swinging the heavy barricades of logs +into place, and fastening them with the bars which +yet remained near at hand.</p> + +<p>Then it was, while we were waiting breathlessly +to learn if those who were on our trail would discover +the refuge, that I began to realize what had +been done.</p> + +<p>We were without weapons, already nearly +starved, and had shut ourselves in this place like +rats in a trap. If, peradventure, those who were +coming got an inkling of our situation, and it stood +to reason they would know we could have no firearms +after taking to the river, our capture would +be but the work of a few moments.</p> + +<p>Even while such thoughts were in my mind, it +was possible to hear footsteps, and now and then +a smothered exclamation, as those who were advancing +tripped or fell, and Master Bartlett gripped my +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span>arm in a manner which told that he had come to +understand much the same as had I.</p> + +<p>Then we heard from the outside the same voices +which had come to our ears from the river:</p> + +<p>“You were right, Sam; the rebels decided that +they could hold this place, and mayhap there are +more inside than the three whom we have followed.”</p> + +<p>“It won’t take long to smoke them out,” another +voice replied, and the first speaker said:</p> + +<p>“There is no need of running our noses into +danger when the work can be done safely. Go back +for half a dozen more men,—tell them there is +rare sport to be had here, and in the meanwhile +we’ll see to it the cubs don’t give us the slip.”</p> + +<p>“We have made fools of ourselves,” Master +Bartlett whispered, “and I am the one who is to +blame for our getting into this trap. An idiot should +have had better sense than to have walked in here, +knowing he was being followed.”</p> + +<p>“But why do we stay?” Giles asked. “In a +few minutes these fellows will have surrounded the +stockade, and then there can be no choice in the +matter. It shouldn’t be difficult to scale the wall +at the other end, and take our chances in the woods, +rather than stay here until they choose to drag us +out.”</p> + +<p>I could have cried aloud with vexation because +I had been so simple as to settle it firmly in my +mind that there was no further chance of escape +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span>for us. Giles had spoken wisely, and it would be +folly to do other than as he suggested.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett, touching each of us in turn, for +it was so dark that we could not distinguish the +movements of the one nearest us, crept cautiously +in the direction of which Giles had spoken, and soon +the three of us were stealing swiftly along, able to +do so silently because there was nothing to impede +our progress over ground which had been beaten +hard by the tramp of many feet.</p> + +<p>Giles reached the northern wall before either +Master Bartlett or myself came up, and, when we +stood against the logs, he was already on top of +the stockade, waiting to give us a hand up.</p> + +<p>Because the old man could not move as nimbly +as either of us lads, I did what I could toward lifting +him, while Giles pulled from above, and in this +fashion we got him over, after which it was a simple +matter for me to climb up by aid of the platform, +when I dropped to the ground on the opposite +side.</p> + +<p>We were in the thicket once more; but the night +was so dark, as I have already said, that it was +impossible to move swiftly and at the same time +surely. I certainly was not woodsman enough to +be able to keep on a straight course while travelling +rapidly in the night.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett must have distrusted his own +powers in this direction, for he whispered, after +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>we had crept away from the stockade as we would +from a place of deadliest danger:</p> + +<p>“It’s a case of trusting to luck now, lads, and +going blindly. So that we do not double back on +our tracks, we may be able to give those fellows +the slip and a fairly hard night’s work, for, believing +we are yet inside, they will spend no little time +and labor in gaining entrance without exposing +themselves to what they believe may be danger.”</p> + +<p>It must not be supposed that we had halted near +by where John Butler’s Tories could overhear what +was said. Before either of us spoke, we put at +least twenty yards between ourselves and the walls +of the fort, and even then conversed only in faintest +whispers.</p> + +<p>I tried to keep in mind a general idea of the +country, so that we might have, when it came time +to rest, some knowledge of our location. We left +the stockade at the northern end; the river should +be at our left, and the only safe course lay straight +to the right. If we could travel in a fairly direct +line half an hour or more, there was good reason +for believing we would be near the mountains, and +safe from pursuit. Then, when day came, it would +go hard if we were unable to retrace our steps.</p> + +<p>I had no idea of the passage of time, but staggered +on as best I could until Master Bartlett gave +the word to halt, by saying:</p> + +<p>“I’m allowing, lads, that we need go no farther. +If the Tories had followed us, we should have heard +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>something from them by this time. Let’s sit down +for the night, and Jonathan and I will thank the +good God that Giles wasn’t as thick-headed as we, +else all of us would be in the stockade awaiting +certain capture.”</p> + +<p>Under ordinary circumstances I would not have +considered it a hardship to spend one night, or a +dozen of them for that matter, in the woods, especially +while the weather was so warm that one +needed no covering; but now, weak from lack of +food, and wearied with exertion and excitement, +I felt as if our plight was indeed sad when we +stretched ourselves out at the foot of a huge tree, +with the idea of trying to gain some repose.</p> + +<p>As when we were suffering with thirst, Master +Bartlett tried to beguile the time by telling of his +experiences while suffering even greater hardships +than we were then striving to endure in silence, +but I could give no heed to his words.</p> + +<p>If the Tories had made plans to seek sport by +hunting wretched fugitives who had been driven +by their wolfish allies from Fort Jenkins, and could +deliberately wait around on the river for them to +come down, as does the hunter for the deer to visit +the salt-lick, then might we with a certainty know +that more than one of those who fled from the +stockade had been taken, and, being taken by such +a crew, would most likely have been turned over +to the tender mercies of the Indians.</p> + +<p>Although I had good reason to believe that Elias +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span>Shendle had been captured, if indeed he was not +killed outright during the fight, I strove not to dwell +upon such a possibility.</p> + +<p>Taking one’s bodily condition, together with the +grief in his heart because of the possible fate of +others, it was difficult to bear up under what might +at another time have been borne with something +like fortitude, and the tears were near to overflowing +my eyelids when Giles March said, hopefully:</p> + +<p>“I’m counting that two hours’ work to-morrow +will bring us to Forty Fort. After knowing what +we do about Fort Ogden, let us agree that the stockade +at Wilkesbarre has been abandoned, and say +that we must gain the appointed rendezvous before +finding ourselves among friends. Now think it +over. A tramp of not more than two hours at the +most, then a swim across the river, and perhaps +another hour’s walk, after which we are where we +can rest and eat,—at least until John Butler takes +it into his head to make an attack.”</p> + +<p>It was such talk as that which I needed to hearten +me, for I am free to confess that then my courage +was well-nigh gone, and, putting aside with an +effort all the forebodings which had come over me +since we halted, I discussed with Giles and Master +Bartlett the course which we should pursue when +day dawned.</p> + +<p>Some one has said that “the darkest night always +has an end,” but before the sun rose again +it did verily seem to me as if that time of darkness +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span>would never pass, yet the day broke with not +a cloud in the sky, and, looking out from where we +had thrown ourselves down, it was difficult to believe +that our peaceful valley was overrun by those +who would murder and burn through fiendish love +of cruelty.</p> + +<p>When I would have hunted around among the +leaves to find something with which to fill my +mouth, for the day had so far come that we could +see surrounding objects distinctly, Master Bartlett +said, with more of authority in his tones than I +had ever heard him use:</p> + +<p>“Now then, lad, nothing of that kind. I have +seen many a good man use himself up by chewing +whatsoever he might find in the woods. Better +suck your thumbs a few hours longer, and then +we’ll sit down to corn bread and smoked meat with +all the keener appetite.”</p> + +<p>“The sooner we begin the quicker will we come +to the end,” Giles cried, with a feeble attempt at +a laugh. “Suppose you lead the way, Master Bartlett, +while Jonathan and I watch out to see if you +wander from a straight course.”</p> + +<p>And thus we started, thinking it was only a +question of endurance before we would come to +our destination, and little heeding the possible dangers +in our path.</p> + +<p>We stumbled on like those who are drunken, because +of the weakness which beset us. More than +once did Giles call a halt that we might decide +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span>whether or no Master Bartlett was not making a +détour to the right or left instead of keeping +straight on toward where the river would be +found. But never once did we say to each other +that our ideas of the country, because of the darkness +when we fled so hastily, might be wrong, until +the moment came when we found ourselves climbing +higher and higher.</p> + +<p>Then there could no longer be any question but +that, instead of going toward the river, we had +turned our backs upon it, and were come to the +mountains.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII.<br> +<small>WICKED FOLLY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> is beyond the power of words to describe the +sensations which I experienced on learning that, +instead of having advanced toward where it would +be possible to obtain food, we had been going directly +away from it.</p> + +<p>What with the excitement of the battle and the +flight, the fatigue of swimming and walking, and, +above all, the wearing strain of anxiety as to the +fate of our friends, I was no longer in a condition +to fight against fate after receiving this last blow.</p> + +<p>“It is better to die here in peace than struggle +farther with the good chance of finally being tortured +at the stake!” I exclaimed, throwing myself +on the ground, and Giles March flung himself headlong +beside me, as if it was no longer within his +power to speak.</p> + +<p>It was Master Bartlett who aroused us from the +dangerous mood into which we were allowing ourselves +to drift, and I afterward came to realize that, +when we gave aid to him, we were but struggling +to preserve the one who should save us from such +a death as would have brought shame to our names, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span>for he who ceases to fight simply because the odds +are heavy against him is indeed a coward.</p> + +<p>“I’m willing to grant, lads, that it looks as if +we had fallen into hard lines,” the old man said, +after giving Giles and me time in which to realize +that we had the same as surrendered at a moment +when our best efforts were needed. “The question +is, however, whether you are willing to die here, +as do the brutes, without reasoning, leaving our +friends in the valley to call in vain for your services, +or, if you can, as brave men should, fight +against the weakness of your bodies so long as the +last ounce of strength remains?”</p> + +<p>“It is not possible for me to make my way +through the thicket to the river,” I said, in despair. +“When we set off all so boldly, I was well-nigh +at the end of my rope, and now am I done up in +good truth.”</p> + +<p>“If that be the case, if you are indeed at the end +of your strength, then is there nothing left but to +meet death with a smile on your lips, as should +a lad who bears the name of Ogden. It is not well +to show the white feather at the last moment, when, +as you have said, it is possible to die in peace,” +Master Bartlett said, mockingly. “It will be time +for me to surrender when I can no longer raise a +hand toward helping myself, and, because I am +yet able to keep on my feet, I count on fighting +against fate many hours longer.”</p> + +<p>Then the old man turned as if to go away, and I, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>shamed by his words, although not willing to admit +it, asked in a whisper, as if it was no longer within +my power to speak aloud:</p> + +<p>“What are you about to do?”</p> + +<p>“Look for food first, since that seems necessary +before I can hope to push on much farther while +my stomach makes such an outcry,” he said, cheerily, +and I asked again:</p> + +<p>“How will you find it here among the hills?”</p> + +<p>“When I was a lad living on the frontier, not +yet as old as you, powder was precious, and difficult +to get, even when one had that with which to pay +for it. Then it was possible to snare game sufficient +to keep others besides myself from starvation, +and I am counting on making the same effort now. +If the Tories hold the river, I will live here until +they have given over searching for fugitives, and +then make my way across, where every man with +life in his body is needed.”</p> + +<p>As he said this, Giles March suddenly sprang to +his feet, crying:</p> + +<p>“We are not needing any more of a tongue-lashing, +Master Bartlett. I am well ashamed of +myself for having been so simple, and Jonathan +Ogden is of the same mind. None save a fool +would lie down to die when but a few miles separated +him from his friends! Tell us what is to +be done, and you will see that we can hold our own +with you.”</p> + +<p>It would have been strange indeed if I had not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span>been stung into action by this time, and on the instant +I stood beside Giles.</p> + +<p>“Now are you true lads of the valley!” the old +man cried, in delight. “I can well understand how +much of despair came when we found ourselves +back among the hills, and stronger men than you +have made the same fatal mistake of yielding before +the last ounce of strength has been spent. Now +that you are come to your senses, let us decide upon +what seems the best course, and then hold to it. +We will begin by resting a bit, after which our +heads will be the clearer.”</p> + +<p>Then the old man threw himself down at the +foot of a huge tree, and we lads followed his example, +when he said, as if having forgotten our +folly:</p> + +<p>“Mayhap it was for the best that we got turned +about. The Tories who chased us into Fort Ogden +know that some of us who left the stockade +yet remain on this side the river, and are doubtless +hunting for us. We will have a better chance +of getting across after four and twenty hours have +passed, and shall then be in fair shape for whatsoever +of a struggle may be necessary, if in the +meantime we can pick up something to stay the +gnawing in our stomachs.”</p> + +<p>Then the old man began explaining how we +might be able to snare such small game as rabbits +among the mountains, and to speculate as to the +possibility of catching a coon or a hedgehog, for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span>anything in the way of meat would be welcomed +by us, until my cheeks glowed red with shame because +I, who called myself captain of the Minute +Boys, had lacked the courage which he was showing.</p> + +<p>While he was thus heartening, and at the same +time covering us with confusion, we were startled +by hearing a noise in the thicket as if a number of +people were approaching, and straightway forgetting +that I had so lately resigned myself to death, +I drew my knife while creeping behind the tree, +determined to sell life dearly, for there was no +question in my mind but that the Tories were hunting +us down.</p> + +<p>Then, an instant later, I cried aloud in surprise, +for Daniel Hinchman and his sister Esther came +in view, and, before either of us could speak, we +saw that they were followed by two women and +as many children.</p> + +<p>“How did you get here?” Giles cried, in joyful +surprise, as he sprang forward to where Daniel +was standing in open-mouthed astonishment.</p> + +<p>“Esther and I left the stockade hand in hand,” +Daniel said, when it was possible for him to speak. +“She had refused to go with the women and children, +and was waiting for me near the gate. We +drifted down-stream clinging to a dead tree, until +learning that the Tories were on the lookout for +any who might have escaped the Indians, and then +I took to this shore, for there was no other way +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span>open. We had no more than landed when we came +across Mistress Morley and one of her neighbors, +as you see. We were minded to make our way +into the Pittstown stockades, but before travelling +very far found that the savages were in the thicket +close about, therefore turned back. How is it you +are here?”</p> + +<p>Giles told Daniel of our adventures, but without +speaking of the cowardice he and I had shown, and +wound up the story by saying, with the ghost of a +smile on his lips:</p> + +<p>“It looks much as if the Minute Boys had taken +it into their heads to rendezvous here, and we need +only wait in order to have so many of the company +as are yet alive in line. Do you know if Elias +Shendle came out of the fight?”</p> + +<p>“I have seen nothing of him since that moment +when the Indians poured in upon us,” Daniel replied, +sadly.</p> + +<p>The two women, hearing that we had halted because +of weariness caused by lack of food, drew +from the pockets of their dresses a small quantity +of corn bread, which they had brought from the +stockade that the children might not cry with hunger +when silence was necessary for the safety of +all, and urged that we eat it.</p> + +<p>I looked shamefacedly at Giles for an instant, +and then said, emphatically, inwardly resolving that +never again would I complain of needing food:</p> + +<p>“It would choke me to take bread from the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span>mouths of babes. Keep what you have, Mistress +Morley, lest the children be in worse plight than +they are even now. Giles March and I are about +to do what we may at snaring game of some kind, +and if so be we can find means to kindle a fire, +we’ll not long be hungry.”</p> + +<p>With that, Mistress Morley drew from her pocket +flint and steel, as she said with an effort at cheeriness:</p> + +<p>“When we were making ready to leave the stockade, +I had it in mind that these might be needed, +and it only remains for Master Bartlett to find that +which shall serve as tinder, in order for us to build +as much of a fire as it may be safe to make.”</p> + +<p>“If the women, who have children to care for, +can hold their courage at such a time as this, then +have you and I shown ourselves unfit ever to perform +the duties of men,” Giles March said to me +as we started out in search of game, and I replied, +sorrowfully:</p> + +<p>“Let us try to forget it, else we shall be unable +to hold up our heads again. From this out I will +never tell in Master Bartlett’s hearing of what I +hope to do, lest he remind me of this time when I +showed myself a fool as well as a coward.”</p> + +<p>“There is yet time for us to wipe out the stain, +and from this on will I welcome danger, however +great, because of the chance to show Master Bartlett +that it was our bodies, rather than our hearts, +which gave way.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span>Then, as if we had agreed to hold our peace +regarding the folly, we spoke of it no more, but +set about finding something which might serve as +food.</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should tell of the +long search, or of our efforts to capture the coon +which finally showed himself. It is enough to say +that, within less than two hours from the time +of setting out, we returned with meat enough for +one meal, and had set a dozen or more snares, using +trailing vines in the stead of twine.</p> + +<p>When we were come to the big tree where our +friends had halted, no one was to be seen, and a +sickening fear came into my heart lest they had +been taken by the Tory hunters; but, even as we +stood looking with dismay into each other’s faces, +Daniel Hinchman appeared before us.</p> + +<p>“Master Bartlett has found what will serve as +camp during such time as the women may be forced +to stay here, and there it will be safe to build a +fire that we may roast the meat.”</p> + +<p>We went with him, arriving after a walk of five +minutes at a sort of cave under a shelving rock, +on the side of the mountain where, thanks to a +thick screen of bushes, a party much larger than +ours could remain hidden from view of any who +might pass without making careful search.</p> + +<p>Another night was come before we had satisfied +our hunger, and then once more did I feel able to +do my full share of the work necessary for the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>defence of the valley, if so be we might get across +the river.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett, mindful of others rather than +himself, had gathered fir-tips and leaves in sufficient +quantity to form beds for the little ones, who fell +asleep as soon as they had eaten, and now he was +making ready to take some rest.</p> + +<p>“I am thinking that this refuge is safer than +Forty Fort, unless it so chance the Congress begins +to understand how sore is our need,” Daniel Hinchman +began, as if he had something more in mind, +and Master Bartlett replied, sleepily:</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, there is little chance either Tory or +Indian will come thus far among the mountains in +search of victims, and here we may remain in safety +until such time as it is possible to cross the river.”</p> + +<p>“If more of food could be had, I would rather +Esther stayed here than to go farther in search of +what may not be found in our valley for many +days,” Daniel continued, and Master Bartlett, rising +on his elbow, asked, sharply:</p> + +<p>“Tell us what it is you have in mind, lad, and +without so much beating about the bush.”</p> + +<p>“How far think you it may be from here to +the river?” Daniel asked, without answering the +question.</p> + +<p>“Not above five miles at the most.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is in my mind to set off at once, leaving +you here. If matters on the other side of the +river are as they should be, it will not cost much +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span>labor to come back for the party, while, if the +danger has increased,—meaning if the enemy is +attacking Forty Fort,—the women and children +had better be here than there.”</p> + +<p>“You are in the right, Daniel Hinchman, and +both Jonathan Ogden and I will go with you,” +Giles March cried, quickly. “Master Bartlett shall +stay to look after the women; he should be able to +find where we have set our snares, and I am counting +that by morning he will have a fresh supply +of meat.”</p> + +<p>I fully expected to hear the old man make some +outcry against such a plan; but he held his peace, +as if well content we should do as Daniel had suggested, +and there was nothing to prevent us from +setting off at once.</p> + +<p>“Look well about you before venturing to cross +the river,” Master Bartlett called, as we walked +away, and a moment later we were stumbling along +through the thicket, unable to distinguish with our +eyes even the trees directly in our path.</p> + +<p>We walked in single file, each fellow striving +to keep the others on a straight course, and had +gone no more than half a mile from the place of +refuge, when a low moan, coming from a clump +of bushes directly in front of us, caused a sudden +halt.</p> + +<p>There was no fear the noise could have been +made by an enemy in the hope of tricking us, for, +without weapons as we were, our capture or death +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span>might readily have been compassed, and I, who +chanced just at that time to be in the advance, +asked in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“Who is there?”</p> + +<p>“A lad by name of Samuel Rogers,” was the +reply.</p> + +<p>I was overwhelmed with surprise, for he was one +of the two lads who had left the stockade to go +out hunting, and was supposed to have escaped by +crossing the river when the Indians captured John +Coburn and Oscar Stephenson.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling we were by his side, where he lay +in a dense thicket, and, before making any effort +to learn if he was hurt, I cried:</p> + +<p>“How did you get here? We believed that you +escaped into the Pittstown stockades.”</p> + +<p>“So I did,” was the reply; “but when the men +there made ready to go to Forty Fort, knowing +they were all too weak to hold the place in case +an attack was made, I did my best to rejoin you, +and was come to the shore opposite Fort Jenkins +when the retreat began. Then I kept on, thinking +to cross from Wilkesbarre, where likely a canoe +could be found; but stumbled upon a party of +Tories near Fort Ogden, and, while taking to my +heels, was shot through the leg. I gave them the +slip, however, but had just come to believe I should +die here like a dog, for verily I can go no farther.”</p> + +<p>“He has his musket and ammunition!” Giles +March cried, joyfully, as he came upon the gun +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span>by chance. “Now there need be no fear those +whom we have left behind will starve while we +are away!”</p> + +<p>In few words I told Samuel why we were there, +and then, as a matter of course, we set about getting +him back to the cave.</p> + +<p>It was a long, difficult task to carry the wounded +lad back through the thicket; but we succeeded +after a time, and surely it seemed as if God was +with us, for we came out at the big tree without +making a turn, which was more than I would have +believed possible even in the daytime, when we +might see the landmarks.</p> + +<p>“We’ll hope you find more of the company on +this side the river, though not in such sore straits,” +Master Bartlett said, when aroused from his slumber +as we entered the cave. “The women and I +will look after his hurts, so you need not linger +here.”</p> + +<p>“This shall be left, so you may not lack for +food,” and Giles thrust the musket and horns into +the old man’s hands, after which we hurried away +lest he should insist that we take the weapon for +our better protection.</p> + +<p>There was a song of thanksgiving in my heart +when we set our faces once more in the direction +of where we believed the river could be found, and +there was good reason for rejoicing, because, except +for our troubles, Sam Rogers would have suffered +a lingering death alone in the thicket.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span>“It’s a good omen,” Daniel Hinchman said, in +a tone of satisfaction. “We shall succeed in what +we are undertaking, and mayhap yet be able to +give aid to those who are in sore need.”</p> + +<p>Heartened by the knowledge that we had, perhaps, +been the means of saving a comrade’s life, +we pushed on with more confidence, and it could +not have been much past midnight when we arrived +on the bank of the river, having neither seen +nor heard anything betokening danger during the +blind march.</p> + +<p>“Because of having no muskets, we shall not +be hampered in the swimming,” Giles March said, +as we stood at the edge of the water to regain breath +before breasting the current, and no better evidence +was needed that he had gotten back his courage +than that he could find cause for rejoicing when +we would be defenceless on arriving at the opposite +bank.</p> + +<p>There is little need to say that we listened to +make sure there were no boats between us and our +goal before wading down into the water, and then +all our wits and strength were needed to take us +across against the strong current.</p> + +<p>With one to aid the other, the passage was made +after such exertion as left us unable to do more +than crawl out of the water, and then it was necessary +to lie at full-length on the bank a good half-hour +before being able to set off in search of Forty +Fort.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>It was daylight before we were come to the end +of our journey, and then our hearts were made +glad indeed, for at the stockade we found six of +our company safe and sound, they having been able +to avoid the Tories who were in search of victims; +but, alas, Elias Shendle was not among them.</p> + +<p>Here, also, was Master Morley, and his joy can +be imagined when we told him that his wife and +two children were yet alive, comparatively safe.</p> + +<p>We did not spend much time in listening to +stories of escape; it was necessary we learn what +might be the situation in order to send word back +to Master Bartlett, and before coming to an end +of gathering information our hearts were heavy +with forebodings.</p> + +<p>Counting old men, and small boys who could fire +a musket, but without much idea of taking aim, +there were not above three hundred who could be +mustered from all the stockades, and these were +talking boldly of giving battle to John Butler’s +force, thinking it would be possible to take him +and his men by surprise.</p> + +<p>When I first heard such talk made it seemed certain +those who spoke were making sport of me; +but before we had been inside the stockade half +an hour, Daniel Hinchman sought me out to say:</p> + +<p>“It is true, Jonathan Ogden, that these people +really count on marching against Wintermoot’s. +Colonel Zebulon Butler is arguing against it as +best he may, and five officers who have just come +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span>from New Jersey are saying all they can to prevent +this apology for an army from marching to +certain death. I pray that you go among the reckless +ones, telling them what you know of John +Butler’s strength, and whether there be any chance +that it is possible to take him by surprise.”</p> + +<p>Then it was, before I could make reply, that +Colonel Zebulon Butler himself came up, and +asked, looking at me:</p> + +<p>“Are you the lad who commands the Minute +Boys?”</p> + +<p>“I held the position of captain, sir, before we +were driven out of Fort Jenkins, and now am I +at a loss to say whether there is any longer a company +which may be called Minute Boys.”</p> + +<p>“But you know somewhat of the doings in and +around Wintermoot’s, and can make a good guess +as to how many of the enemy may be there?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, sir, and so can Master Morley, Giles +March, or Daniel Hinchman.”</p> + +<p>“Will you tell these hot-heads what you have +seen, and set your comrades at the same task?”</p> + +<p>As he asked, so we did, moving here and there, +wherever we saw a number of men or boys gathered, +and giving our story loudly, without waiting +for an invitation to join in the conversation; +but words were of no avail. Those who did not +the same as accuse us of telling of that which was +untrue, claimed that we had been frightened out of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span>our wits, and mistook a handful of savages for an +entire army.</p> + +<p>“It is of no use,” I said to Master Morley, after +a time, when we were come together by chance. +“Verily, it seems as if the people had gone mad! +The more we say the stronger is their determination +to give battle—”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, that has already been put to vote, +and despite the entreaties of the officers from the +army, it is decided to leave here at one o’clock.”</p> + +<p>I cried out in anger and grief, heedless of what +I said, and one of those men whose voice had been +loudest for an immediate advance, although he +was a cripple who had never taken a step without +his crutches for more than five years, called me a +coward, declaring that we Minute Boys had no +sooner seen the feathers of an Indian than we beat +a retreat.</p> + +<p>“Do not make reply,” Master Morley said as he +led me away by main strength, for I was minded +to call upon my comrades to bear me out in the +story I had told. “Though an hundred were to repeat +what we have said, and there were a dozen +lifeless bodies here as proof, such pig-heads as that +fellow would still declare they knew better than +any other. At one o’clock we shall march out to +our death, and the women and children whom we +leave behind will be at the mercy of those ravening +wolves. Thank God, my dear ones are not on this +side of the river!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span>“Then you will go, knowing that we have no +possible show of winning the battle?” I asked, and +Master Morley replied, stoutly:</p> + +<p>“That is my duty, lad. Because these people +are fools, is no reason why we can remain idle +when all in the valley march forth to battle.”</p> + +<p>Until this moment I had not realized that those +of us who had escaped from Fort Jenkins must +march back, even as those at Wintermoot’s would +have us do; but now I understood what our duty +was, and as soon as might be did I call Giles and +Daniel to where Master Morley and I stood.</p> + +<p>“Some one must go back to where Master Bartlett +is in hiding,” I said sharply, for it was already +so near noon that there was no time for argument, +and I counted on their taking my words as a command. +“There are weapons and ammunition here +in plenty, and he who goes to carry the word of the +folly to be done this day must take with him a +full load, so that those who are alive to-morrow +morning will have that with which to procure food, +or defend themselves.”</p> + +<p>Neither of the lads questioned as to whether +we were bound to go with the foolish ones; both +seemed to believe as did Master Morley, that we +could not hold back even while knowing how fatal +such a move would be; but Giles March said:</p> + +<p>“Who is to go back?”</p> + +<p>“You, if you will,” I replied quickly, wronging +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span>the lad by fancying it would give him pleasure to +thus avoid the danger.</p> + +<p>“Not me!” he cried, shrilly. “I will not have +it said that I was too much of a coward to follow +yonder party of cripples.”</p> + +<p>I looked at Daniel questioningly; but he shook +his head as he said:</p> + +<p>“My reason is the same as that given by Giles +March.”</p> + +<p>“Draw lots for it,” Master Morley suggested, +“and then it can be said that he who goes does so +against his will.”</p> + +<p>In order that the matter might be settled without +further delay, I broke off four twigs, saying +as I concealed them in my hand:</p> + +<p>“He who draws the shortest will set out at once, +and give his word to remain with those at the +cave till this day’s bloody work has come to an +end, or John Butler has worked his will on the +valley.”</p> + +<p>“They are not for me,” Master Morley said +sharply, when I held the twigs toward him. “I +am not bound to you, lads, and therefore do not +take chances with you. Besides,” he added, as +a new thought came to him, “I have no knowledge +of where the hiding-place may be, and could +not find it.”</p> + +<p>Without parleying I threw one of the twigs +away, and held the remainder toward Giles. He +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span>drew quickly; Daniel took the second, and the +third remained in my hand.</p> + +<p>We held up the twigs that all might see, and it +was Daniel Hinchman who had the shortest.</p> + +<p>One would have thought he had missed a great +prize, instead of having been saved from much the +same as death, for his face paled, and he turned +away quickly, as if to hide a tear.</p> + +<p>“Do not lose any time in setting out,” I said, +again sharply, lest he plead to remain. “Take at +least two muskets, and let the remainder of your +burden be made up of ammunition. If it so chance +that either of us three be left alive and free when +this day’s work is done, we will join you at the +cave. It seems to me well you and Master Bartlett +should be on the watch for fugitives, beginning +at sunset, for some of these people must escape +death, and perhaps gain the opposite shore.”</p> + +<p>“I will go to find a boat, so that he may set +himself across the river, without danger of wetting +the powder,” Giles March said, as he hurried +away, and Master Morley and I went with Daniel +to make certain he got that which was so sorely +needed by those in hiding.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX.<br> +<small>DISASTER</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> loaded Daniel Hinchman with all he could +lug through the thicket, and more than it would +be possible for him to carry comfortably; but the +need of those of us who lived through the day +would be so great for weapons of defence that we +did not hesitate to overburden him.</p> + +<p>Giles March had no trouble in finding a canoe, +for there were scores of them drawn up on the +shore, and many would be unclaimed when night +came.</p> + +<p>I was in a fever of impatience for Daniel to be +gone, lest some of those who were so eager to come +against the overwhelming force under command +of John Butler urge him to remain, and we bundled +the weapons and ammunition into the boat hurriedly, +pushing the light craft from the shore almost +before he had entered it.</p> + +<p>“Make all speed!” I cried, as he began to ply +the paddle vigorously lest he be carried too far +down-stream. “At the best possible pace, with +such a load, you cannot hope to reach the cave +before the unequal battle has begun, and within +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>a very short time after that our people will be seeking +refuge from the knives and hatchets of the savages. +You and Master Bartlett should be able to +save more than one life ’twixt now and sunset.”</p> + +<p>He waved his hand in reply, as if not daring +to trust himself to speak, and then we turned away, +lest our standing there should attract the attention +of those who might hail him.</p> + +<p>Even now, when we were committed to the foolish +venture, we continued to argue against the plan +which had been decided upon, trying to prove to +the ignorant hot-heads how impossible it would +be to surprise a commander who had already begun +his savage warfare; but only a few would listen +to us, and even these turned away when we were +done, as if believing they had spent their time on +cowards.</p> + +<p>Colonel Zebulon Butler, and the army officers +who were with him, appeared to be the only ones +who did not believe it possible for our three hundred +cripples to overcome John Butler’s eleven hundred +wolves; but these military men, like us from +Fort Jenkins, would go with the undisciplined mob, +preferring to meet death than have it said they +refused to obey the call to arms at such a time.</p> + +<p>From the moment when it was seen that there +was no hope of convincing the foolish ones of their +error until near to one o’clock, the officers worked +industriously, trying to get the motley gathering +into something like shape, and then the people were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span>divided into six companies, each with a military +man at its head.</p> + +<p>We three, together with the six Minute Boys +whom we had found at Forty Fort, were in that +division led by Captain Durkee. Colonel Zebulon +Butler was in command of the apology for an army, +and Major Garratt stood second in rank.</p> + +<p>We set out from the stockade at the time agreed +upon, leaving behind the women and children unprotected, +and it was much like absolutely abandoning +them.</p> + +<p>“Even though the battle does not go against +us, the chances are that those poor creatures will +fall victims to the savages before any of this mob +can return,” Master Morley said, sorrowfully, as +he looked back at the helpless ones, and then we +tried to put from our minds all else save the determination +to fight desperately so long as our people +could be kept together.</p> + +<p>Our straggling column had no more than gotten +under way before it was joined by the justices of +the courts and others holding office in the valley, +as if we were going out to serve writs of ejectment +rather than to offer ourselves as victims to John +Butler’s murderers.</p> + +<p>It was not until near to four o’clock that we +arrived within sight of Wintermoot’s, and then my +comrades and I were literally bewildered at seeing +the stockade in flames, as if the enemy had applied +the torch lest we should succeed in capturing it.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span>“Can it be that John Butler, half-savage, half-brute +that he is, fears what this collection of cripples +may be able to do?” Giles March asked, in +astonishment, and Master Morley replied:</p> + +<p>“He doubtless fears that we are coming in some +large force. If his scouts brought in word that +all the people of the valley were making ready to +march against him, he, knowing they had had a +good chance to learn of his strength, believed they +were mustered in overwhelming numbers. The loss +of Wintermoot’s won’t be serious to him, since he +can soon have his pick of all the stockades in the +valley.”</p> + +<p>A few moments later we came in view of the +enemy, drawn up in a line which extended from +the river just above Wintermoot’s to the swamp +at the foot of the hills, and then we were halted +that some of our officers might advance to select +a position for the battle.</p> + +<p>We were within musket-shot of the enemy, yet +they did not molest us while we were making preparations +for a fight, and again Master Morley had +an explanation ready:</p> + +<p>“John Butler is well content to await our movements +since it will thus be possible for him to see +in what force we have come, and, later, he can +make his arrangements accordingly.”</p> + +<p>Ten minutes afterward we were brought up to +where the officers who had selected the battleground +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span>were standing, and, when each company had +wheeled into line, Colonel Zebulon said, gravely:</p> + +<p>“Men, yonder is the enemy. We have come out +here to fight, not only for liberty, but for life itself, +and, what is dearer, to preserve our homes from +conflagration, our women and children from the +tomahawk. Stand firm at the first shock, and the +Indians will give way. Every man to his duty!”</p> + +<p>John Butler, stripped of his feathers and other +trappings, with a handkerchief tied around his head, +stood with his so-called Rangers near the river +bank; the Indians and Tories were in line to his +right as far as the swamp. Johnson’s Greens were +just behind the Tories, as if to keep them from +running away, while here and there along the entire +front were Indians with rifles, who would probably +have called themselves sharpshooters.</p> + +<p>In a low tone our officers ordered us to advance +a single pace each time we emptied our muskets, +and to take careful aim instead of firing at random.</p> + +<p>Then we awaited the word, which seemed to me +a long time coming, for it was mighty hard on +one’s nerves to stand there facing those who had +come to ravage the valley, knowing that within +a few seconds we would be engaged in what must +necessarily be a life or death struggle.</p> + +<p>“When the battle is over, unless by some queer +chance we should have the best of it, if you lads +are yet alive, retreat toward the north until you are +half a mile or more up-stream, and then make the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span>effort to cross,” Master Morley said, in a whisper. +“If possible, I shall follow close at your heels; +but, in case I cannot, and either of you live to see +my dear ones, tell them that I could do no less +than die when our neighbors demanded the sacrifice.”</p> + +<p>It was well for me that we got the word to open +fire just then, for my knees were beginning to tremble +beneath me, and in another moment it might +have been possible for my comrades to see that I +was not holding myself any too bravely.</p> + +<p>It was as if John Butler had instructed his men +to take the word of command from Colonel Zebulon, +for both armies fired at the same moment, and +each advanced one pace.</p> + +<p>Then, because of the gaps which had been cut +in our lines and the wounded who writhed on the +ground at our feet, we could not move forward +when next our weapons were discharged, but stood +as best we might, firing and loading with all possible +speed.</p> + +<p>How long we remained there exchanging shots, +I am unable to say, although it seemed to me a very +long while; but Master Morley maintains that it +was not above twenty minutes, and then I could +see dimly through the dense clouds of smoke that +the Indians nearest the swamp were moving down +toward the ruins of the fort.</p> + +<p>I was on the point of speaking to Captain Durkee, +who was not more than ten paces from me, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span>to tell him what I had seen, when that officer +pitched forward on his face dead, and a man in +my rear came upon me in his dying struggles so +violently that I was thrown to the ground, covered +with blood, causing Giles March to utter a cry of +horror, believing I had been killed.</p> + +<p>By the time I regained my feet and cleared the +blood from my eyes, the Johnson Greens had begun +an advance, and we were forced to put forth every +effort lest they should overrun us, therefore did +the movement of the savages pass from my mind.</p> + +<p>For a time the battle raged nearabout our company +as hotly as I have ever known. More than +once we grappled with those who had come within +arm’s length, and, while our companions were cut +down on either hand, neither Master Morley, Giles +March, or I had received a scratch. Twice had one +or the other saved my life when I was overmatched +by some big Tory, who chose me for an antagonist +because I was the smallest, and more than once I +did the same service for them.</p> + +<p>Then, while we were the same as drunken men +from the fumes of burning powder and the excitement +of the battle, that company to the left of us +set up a shout of dismay, as the bullets began to +come from the rear.</p> + +<p>I understood then the meaning of that movement +of the savages which I had seen. The red wolves +had crept along the edge of the swamp until the +yet smouldering ruins of Wintermoot’s Fort hid +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span>them from view, and then made a dash which +brought them in the rear of the left of our line, +where Colonel Dennison was in command.</p> + +<p>Even above the din of the conflict I heard him +give the word for his men to fall back, and understood +that such manœuvre was for the purpose of +changing position in order to meet the foe who had +outflanked him; but his men, among whom were +a goodly number of those who had cried the loudest +to be led against the enemy, mistook—or afterward +claimed that they did—the command, believing +he had said “retreat.”</p> + +<p>In an instant that terrible word rang out along +the entire line which, up to this time, had inflicted +even more injury than had been received, and in +a twinkling three men out of every four were facing +to the rear.</p> + +<p>Not an officer belonging to our company was +left alive, and Master Morley, believing he might +stem the tide, leaped in front of those who had +begun to run, as he shouted:</p> + +<p>“Stand to your duty, you men of Wyoming! +This battle was of your own seeking, and will you +run away when we are more than holding our +own?”</p> + +<p>Giles March and I added our voices to his, but +with no avail. The hot-heads, who would not listen +to us when we begged that they remain in Forty +Fort, were alike heedless of our entreaties as we +urged them to stand firm, and all the while the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span>enemy was pouring in a shower of lead that the +panic might be increased.</p> + +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_166a.jpg" width="450" height="644" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“‘STAND FIRM ... AND THE VICTORY IS OURS.’”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Colonel Zebulon, who was the only mounted +officer, rode up and down the line, regardless of +the fact that he was exposing himself to the fire +of all John Butler’s force, as he cried, imploringly:</p> + +<p>“Don’t leave me, my children! Stand firm one +half-hour longer, and the victory is ours!”</p> + +<p>He might as well have appealed to the wind, +expecting to still it; with each second of time the +men grew more and more frantic with fear, until +they were no longer thinking, reasoning creatures, +but blind people, crazed by terror brought about +through their own folly.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if no more than three minutes +passed from the time Colonel Dennison gave the +order to fall back, before we of the Minute Boys +who yet remained alive were in the midst of a +panic-stricken throng which carried us, despite all +our efforts, past the ruins of Wintermoot’s toward +the settlement from which, in our folly, we had +come to measure strength with John Butler’s +wolves.</p> + +<p>Behind us came a horde of yelling, exultant +demons, striking with knives or tomahawks in +vengeful glee, and killing more during the first five +minutes of that unreasoning retreat than had been +possible all the time the battle lasted.</p> + +<p>“Work over toward the swamp!” Master Morley +shouted in my ear, as we were borne along +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span>against our will. “It is certain death to remain +with this mob; our only show is to get back in the +rear of John Butler’s line!”</p> + +<p>I did not then understand how this might be +done, even though we succeeded in gaining the +swamp; but I had every confidence in the man’s +judgment, and, gripping Giles March’s arm because +there was not time to explain to him the plan, I +fought desperately against my own neighbors of +the valley until we were on the western edge of +the panic-stricken crowd.</p> + +<p>Then Master Morley, brushing past me and at +the same time striking down a savage who, having +outstripped his fellows, had aimed a blow at my +head, ran at his best pace in an oblique line toward +the swamp.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me as if we would never gain that +fringe of deeper green which marked the edge of +the morass, nor could we have done so but for the +fact that the Indians were delayed in the chase by +killing and scalping, and then, when it was as if +my breath had gone entirely, we plunged knee-deep +into the mud and water.</p> + +<p>“A little farther, lad, and then you’ll have time +to breathe,” Master Morley said, as he seized me +by the hand, and I was literally dragged behind +the sheltering foliage.</p> + +<p>Because our people were so crazed that they fled +in a body, as does a drove of sheep, we might have +been pursued, but, where there were so many victims, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>the human wolves could not spend time to +search for three when it might be possible to kill +a dozen, therefore did we escape.</p> + +<p>There are nights even now when, in my sleep, +I see that plain covered with dead bodies, and hear +again the horrible yells of fiendish glee and screams +of pain, as one and another of those whom I had +known and held converse with were cut down in +the flight. Again I run desperately, panting for +breath, and see behind me the uplifted knife dripping +blood, or the tomahawk crimsoned with the +life fluid of my friends.</p> + +<p>Please God I may never again be called upon +to take part in such a horror, beside which the +bloodiest battle that was ever fought is commonplace.</p> + +<p>It was Master Morley who took command immediately +we were screened from view by the +bushes, and neither Giles nor I had any mind to +question his authority.</p> + +<p>We had filled our stomachs and pockets with food +while at Forty Fort, but, even though I had been +on the verge of starvation, it would have been +impossible to swallow a mouthful while all that horrible +scene was before me,—while the shrieks of +those who were being murdered still rang in my +ears, and, when Master Morley asked if we would +eat before continuing the flight, I was sickened.</p> + +<p>We remained within earshot of all those dreadful +cries not more than three minutes,—only long +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span>enough for me to get back my wind, and then Master +Morley plunged yet farther into the swamp, +we following as best we might until, as nearly as +could be judged, we were a mile or more to the +northward of Wintermoot’s.</p> + +<p>Then we halted until night was come, and, while +lying there in the water and mud, Master Morley +told us what he would do in order to circle around +John Butler’s fiends, who by this time must have +been literally drunken with blood. He claimed to +be able to lead us to the river as well in the darkness +as when the sun was shining, and we were +only too glad to do as he proposed.</p> + +<p>When we were finally clear of the swamp, so +far from the battle-field that no sound either of +anguish or exultation could be heard, it struck me +that the country looked familiar, and I began to +fear it might have been possible, in our fear and +horror, we had turned toward the south instead of +the north, when suddenly we came upon what had +once been Fort Jenkins, but was now only blackened +ruins.</p> + +<p>The enemy made no attempt to hold it when +we Minute Boys were forced to retreat, but had +applied the torch, and that which had cost the people +of Wyoming so much of labor was but a marking +of half-burned logs.</p> + +<p>“We are now opposite the Pittstown stockades,” +Giles March said, speaking for the first time since +this second portion of our flight had been resumed. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>“Think you we would have any chance of safety +by going there?”</p> + +<p>“It is better that we make for the cave, as has +been agreed upon,” Master Morley said, hoarsely, +and I knew full well how he was hungering to see, +once more, those whom he had never expected to +greet again. “We shall then be where the enemy +has little idea of finding victims, and there are not +enough men now left in all the valley to hold the +best stockade that was ever built against John Butler’s +curs, who are well-nigh mad with the taste of +blood.”</p> + +<p>We made no further question as to what we +would do, but continued on to the river; and there, +when I would have plunged in to swim across +without delay, Master Morley checked me as he +said:</p> + +<p>“The ammunition is too precious to be wasted. +We must first build such a raft as will carry our +muskets and powder-horns, and then push it before +us as we swim.”</p> + +<p>We worked feverishly, not knowing how soon +the bloodthirsty brutes might come back to see if +there had been any poor wretches left behind with +sufficient of life in them to afford pleasure by their +torture, and perhaps no more than five minutes +were spent before, forcing the small raft in front +of us, we waded out into the black waters.</p> + +<p>“Now is the time when we must strain every +muscle, lest we be carried down on Monocasy +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span>Island,” Master Morley said, as we struck out, and, +surprised by the words, I asked:</p> + +<p>“Why should we not rest ourselves on the +island? It will be a long pull against this vicious +current, and we shall need to regain our wind.”</p> + +<p>“To my mind Monocasy Island is become no more +than a trap to catch those who, outstripping the +others, took to the river with much the same idea +that we have, and it is there the savages will seek +fresh victims.”</p> + +<p>As he ceased speaking, Master Morley struck out +vigorously, minded, as I believed, to aid us in the +swimming.</p> + +<p>I could not put much faith in the proposition that +John Butler’s wolves would bethink themselves of +the island, and, therefore, but for what our leader +had said, should have sought refuge on that small +spot of land; but because of having given my word +to do as he directed, I strained every muscle to stem +the current.</p> + +<p>Work as we might, it was impossible to gain the +eastern shore before coming near Monocasy, and, +when we were within a hundred yards or more of +it, good proof was had that Master Morley had not +made any mistake.</p> + +<p>From three or four points of the small island +could be heard shrieks and cries, and we knew only +too well that the savages, and most likely the Tories +as well, were hunting down their human game.</p> + +<p>Thanks to the darkness of the night and our +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>distance from the island, we were not discovered +while drifting past; but, before having gotten so +far down-stream as to be beyond hearing of the +dreadful work, our feet touched the bottom.</p> + +<p>It can well be supposed that we made all haste to +get under cover, and, once hidden by the foliage, it +was possible to see, on the western shore of the +river, flames mounting to the sky in twenty places +at the same time, telling of the homes which were +given over to the torch by the orders of that king +who claimed us as his subjects.</p> + +<p>“And this is the end of the wicked folly!” Master +Morley said, with a long-drawn sigh. “We are +told that we should not speak ill of the dead; and, +while it stands to reason that the greater number of +those who were so eager to be led against John Butler’s +murdering followers are no longer in this +world, yet I claim now, and always shall, that they +alone are responsible for the crimes which have +been committed since noon of the day just past.”</p> + +<p>“The whole valley will now be overrun; we can +no longer call any place our home!” Giles March +exclaimed, passionately, and I, understanding that +such converse was but tending to make us faint-hearted, +proposed that we set off for the cave.</p> + +<p>“No one can say how soon the Tories may come +this way in search of sport, as when we fled from +Fort Jenkins, and it is well that we seek some safer +refuge while there is an opportunity,” I said, laying +my hand on Giles’s shoulder to arouse him from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span>the slough of despondency into which he had +fallen.</p> + +<p>“Our homes, until such as John Butler and his +imps have been killed or driven out of the country, +will be in the army, doing what we may against a +king who would thus force love from his people,” +Master Morley said, sternly, and then it was I +realized there was no other refuge for us in case +we succeeded in getting out of the valley alive.</p> + +<p>It was not a simple matter to find our way +through the forest in the darkness, for there was +nothing save a knowledge of the general direction +to guide us; but we stumbled on as best we might, +well content, since each step took us just so much +farther away from the scene of murder.</p> + +<p>Never once did we come across any rock or tree +which could be recognized, and when we had travelled +as long as it seemed would have been necessary +had our course been the true one, I said, +coming to a full stop:</p> + +<p>“We may be going in a circle, as when Master +Bartlett was leading, and I am of the mind that we +halt here until morning rather than take the +chances of coming upon the river bank again.”</p> + +<p>“This time Master Bartlett will lead you true, +and there is no need of a halt until you are come to +where can be had food and a bed,” a voice from the +thicket said, in cautious tones, and I made no effort +to repress a cry of joy, for I knew it was the old +man who had spoken.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span>“I have been back and forth here since Daniel +Hinchman arrived,” the old man said, as he made +his way through the thicket to where we were +standing. “Already have we picked up two of the +Minute Boys who were among the missing since +the retreat from Fort Jenkins, and there may be +more than you hereabout who are searching for +a hiding-place.”</p> + +<p>“Was Elias Shendle one of the two?” I asked, +eagerly, and Master Bartlett shook his head mournfully.</p> + +<p>“It is to be feared we are the only ones remaining +on this side,” Stephen Morley said, mournfully, +and then, as a matter of course, Master Bartlett +insisted on hearing of what had taken place.</p> + +<p>Neither Giles March nor I had the heart to tell +the dreadful story, and even Stephen Morley made +it as brief as possible; but he told enough to give +the old man an idea of the horrors we had seen, +and said, in conclusion:</p> + +<p>“No good can come of repeating such a tale in +the hearing of the women, for they have already +had enough to terrify them; therefore, when we +reach the cave, let it be said we fought a pitched +battle, and were beaten so sorely that it will no +longer be possible to live in the valley until the +Continental army has won for us our independence.”</p> + +<p>To that we all agreed, and then it was I asked +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span>Master Bartlett for the names of the two Minute +Boys whom he had found.</p> + +<p>“One is that Miles Parker who lived down Hanover +way, and the other is Oscar Stephenson, who +is well crippled with a bullet-wound in the shoulder, +received during our fight at the stockade.”</p> + +<p>“How is it that they strayed in this direction?” +I asked, curiously.</p> + +<p>“They drifted down-stream, according to their +story, a long bit past here, and landed on this side, +when Stephenson grew so weak that it was necessary +to halt. Parker nursed him as best he could, +and the two had set out again, hoping to find a boat +in which they could cross, for Oscar was too weak +to swim, when the din of the battle could be heard. +They made for the mountains, and I came across +them just in time, for the wounded lad was nearly +done up.”</p> + +<p>Having made this explanation, the old man +wheeled about to lead the way to the cave, and we +followed, thanking God most fervently that our +lives had been spared when so many were taken.</p> + +<p>It was like a home-coming to meet those anxious +ones who had been awaiting us, for here we were +among friends, and shut out from the sickening +horrors of the other shore.</p> + +<p>There was no need to say that we had been +beaten in battle, for our appearance told of flight, +hurried and fearful. Mistress Morley flung her +arms around her husband’s neck as tears of joy and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span>relief streamed down her cheeks; and I, who had +expected no womanly welcome, received one which +raised, in some slight degree, the burden from my +heart, when Esther Hinchman took both my hands +in hers as she said:</p> + +<p>“God has been good to let you come back to us.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X.<br> +<small>PLANS FOR THE FUTURE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Daniel</span> was not to be seen when we entered the +cave, but Master Bartlett explained his absence by +saying that he was out in search of game. That he +had been at work industriously we could see, for +there were the carcasses of two deer cut up and +stacked inside, while near by were a dozen or more +pheasants.</p> + +<p>Even before making any attempt to tell such a +story regarding the events of that fearful day as +had been decided upon, Giles March and I gave +attention to the wounded.</p> + +<p>Samuel Rogers was resting comfortably on a pile +of leaves at the farther end of the cave, and declared +that he had improved wondrously since we +brought him there, while Oscar Stephenson appeared +to be suffering rather from exhaustion, +caused by rapid travel and loss of blood, than from +the bullet, which had ploughed its way through the +flesh without breaking bones.</p> + +<p>Having seen so much of killing during the day +just past, I was actually surprised at learning how +many of us had been spared from what was neither +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span>more nor less than a massacre. The cave had +seemed too large when we first found it; but now, +with so many inside, it was all too small for comfortable +living.</p> + +<p>Lest the reader may have forgotten how many +of us were here assembled, let me set down the list:</p> + +<p>First, there was Mistress Morley, and the other +woman whose name I do not now remember, with +the two Morley children. Esther Hinchman made +up the list of females.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley represented +the men of the valley, and in addition we had of +the Minute Boys, Daniel Hinchman, for we counted +him as among us, Samuel Rogers, Giles March, +Oscar Stephenson, Miles Parker, and myself.</p> + +<p>I had not supposed so many of our company +escaped the tomahawk and the scalping-knife until +I saw them here assembled, and it was in my mind +that we were more in numbers than all the others +who had come out alive from the battle with John +Butler’s renegades and red wolves.</p> + +<p>That Daniel Hinchman and Master Bartlett had +worked like beavers during the absence of Giles +March and myself, there could be no question. The +cave, if such it could be called, had been cleared +of rubbish, and that part of it to be used as sleeping +quarters was covered with leaves and fir-tips.</p> + +<p>To my great delight, during such house-cleaning +a living spring at the farther end of the excavation +had been found, and, as showing how we might +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span>hold out against a considerable force for many days +without fear of bodily suffering, Master Bartlett +explained that it was his purpose, now we were +all there to aid in the labor, to bring a number +of large rocks in order to partially close up the +mouth in such fashion that only one person could +enter at a time. Therefore did it seem as if we +would be more secure, in event of an attack, than +if we were holding the best stockade that had ever +been built in the valley.</p> + +<p>Mistress Morley and Master Bartlett had made +further plans for the bettering of this refuge as +soon as there was time in which to do the work, +and among other things it was decided that it might +be possible to drill a hole through the side of the +mountain into the cave, using a sharpened sapling +as a drill,—in case there were no rocks to interfere,—and +thereby an outlet for smoke could be +had.</p> + +<p>Both Giles March and I said all we could by way +of encouraging the others in making the place more +habitable, for after what had occurred since those +hot-heads at Forty Fort insisted upon doing exactly +as John Butler would have them, it was more than +reasonable to suppose this place would be their +only shelter and refuge until the Tories and savages +were minded to leave the valley. In other words, +as we who knew the truth believed, many months +must elapse before it would be safe for the women +and children to venture out from the hiding-place.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span>Before the new day was an hour old, Daniel +Hinchman came in with a goodly supply of game, +which had been taken in the snares, and it goes +without saying that he was feverishly impatient +to learn how the battle had terminated, therefore, +acting upon the advice of Stephen Morley that the +truth should not be told in the presence of the +women, Giles March and I led him a short distance +up the mountainside, where we related the +terrible story.</p> + +<p>He was nearly overcome by astonishment and +grief, and how could it be otherwise, for we had +the same as told him that all his neighbors and +friends, those whom he knew and loved, were dead, +and yet, at that time we were ignorant of more +than half the horrors which had come upon us of +Wyoming since we, who had escaped from the retreat, +entered the swamp to make our way alone.</p> + +<p>“And now what is to be done?” Daniel Hinchman +asked, helplessly, when we were come to an +end of the dreadful recital. “Are we to stay +here?”</p> + +<p>“Where else, think you, will your sister be safe, +unless peradventure you make the attempt to lead +her across the mountains to the Delaware River?” +Giles March asked, and I added:</p> + +<p>“Even though it were probable she could withstand +all the fatigue and hardships of a long, perilous +journey, Daniel Hinchman, are you warranted +in leaving the other women? Seeing that we are +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span>come out, as if led by God, from all the horrors +which have descended upon the valley, are we not +bound together until such time as the entire party +may go forth in peace, if, peradventure, that day +shall ever come?”</p> + +<p>“I am not minded to leave you, lads, because, +save for your company of Minute Boys, Esther +would yet be a prisoner among the Mohawks, if +they had allowed her to live, and I, most like, be +among those who are slain. I was only questioning +if we were to make of yonder cave our dwelling?”</p> + +<p>When we had come to this point in the conversation, +Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley joined +us, as if understanding that we were holding a consultation +as to the future, and so did it become +right speedily, for Master Morley took it upon +himself to reply to Daniel’s question.</p> + +<p>“If Jonathan Ogden and Giles March have described +to you one-half the horrors which we three +have witnessed since yesterday’s sun rose, then must +you know that, until some great change can be +effected, are we bound to remain here, where those +whom we love are in reasonable safety, and it seems +to me as if we could do no better than settle down +with the idea of making this our abiding-place for +a time.”</p> + +<p>“That is all which can be done,” Master Bartlett +added. “With so many hands, the labor of +making the cave more habitable will be simple, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span>it is not likely, unless we ourselves grow careless, +that any of the enemy will come to suspect the +whereabouts of our refuge.”</p> + +<p>“Of course we must know what may be going +on in the valley,” Giles March said, quickly, “and +there should not be overmuch danger if one of us +sets out very soon in gaining the information.”</p> + +<p>“I will be that one, and go to-night,” Daniel +Hinchman said, before it was possible for me to +propose that I myself make the venture. “The +canoe in which I came across the river is hidden +snugly some distance from the water, and I alone +can find it.”</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett nodded his head, as if to say +that the proposition was one which should be entertained +by us, and, therefore, without further words, +was it settled that Daniel should go out at nightfall +to learn what he might.</p> + +<p>Such information as he brought back would determine +our future movements, although we were +well convinced that there could be no immediate +change of location.</p> + +<p>The women, together with those of us who were +not wounded, spent the remainder of this day in +working upon our underground dwelling, and many +and great were the improvements we made.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett, with the assistance of Miles +Parker, succeeded in drilling a hole for a chimney, +as had been proposed, and Stephen Morley made +a serviceable fireplace of rocks at the farther end +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span>of the cave near the spring. The women, by weaving +boughs together, succeeded in setting up something +in the shape of a screen which shut off a +small portion of the cave for their sleeping quarters, +and, without very much disturbance of the +foliage, we rolled two large boulders to the mouth +of the cavern in such a manner as satisfied me that +we could stand a long siege, however many might +come against us.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, our food consisted of deer +meat or birds, cooked without salt, and nothing +more; but people who have been as near death as +we had, and come off alive, are not warranted in +complaining about the quality or the sameness of +their provisions, provided there be sufficient to satisfy +hunger.</p> + +<p>To my mind God had been very good to us,—better +far than our deserts, for He had led us +through a Red Sea of blood to this refuge, and +verily we had cause for most fervent thanksgiving.</p> + +<p>It lacked but an hour of sunset when Daniel +Hinchman announced that he was ready to set off +on the scout, explaining that it was his purpose +to start thus early in order that he might find the +canoe before night had fully shut in, and when no +one made protest at his going, for we all believed +it necessary to learn of the situation of affairs, he +said, quietly:</p> + +<p>“I beg of you not to feel alarmed concerning me +during eight and forty hours, for it is my purpose +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>to be absent that length of time. If I am not returned +nearabout sunrise on the third day, then +may you know I have come to grief.”</p> + +<p>“It is not well that you take overly many +chances, lad,” Master Bartlett said quickly. “Make +your way to Forty Fort, and if you find there the +enemy in possession, as doubtless you will, give it +a wide berth. In some of the stockades should +those who are yet alive be gathered, and once you +have good assurance of coming upon a remnant of +our people, don’t make any effort at learning the +whereabouts of the enemy, for we know full well +they will be roaming up and down the valley, slaying +and burning until those exceeding wise men +in the Congress come to understand that something +should be done for our relief.”</p> + +<p>Well, Daniel Hinchman went out as he planned, +and during the eight and forty hours which he had +set as the time of his absence, we worked at making +our underground dwelling more habitable, being +able to add to it much which, in the eyes of +people not in such sore distress, would have seemed +rude and uncouth, but to us were improvements +and even luxuries.</p> + +<p>Then came the time when Daniel Hinchman +should return, and in our anxiety for his safety, +those of us who were able to walk ventured a mile +or more from the cave toward the river to hear +the news which he might bring as speedily as possible; +but he came not.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span>Only at noon did we give up all hope of him, +and then, while inside the cave, we spoke cheeringly +lest his sister should be overcome with grief, saying +that doubtless he had found more of our friends +alive than we expected, or was waiting to bring +us a bigger budget of good tidings than could be +gathered in a short while. Yet even as we spoke +our hearts were like lead, and I dared not hold +converse with my comrades concerning his fate, for +it seemed all too certain he had but added another +to the long list of victims which had been sacrificed +to satisfy John Butler’s love of cruelty.</p> + +<p>That evening the two older men, with Giles +March and me, went up the mountainside where +we could talk without fear of being overheard, and +discussed seriously whether it were well to send +out another scout, for it seemed absolutely necessary +we should know what was going on in the +valley.</p> + +<p>The discussion we had there was a long one, +owing to the fact that both Giles March and myself +were eager to be off, in the poor hope that there +was yet time to be of service to Daniel Hinchman, +while Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley insisted +that we remain within our place of refuge six full +days before making a move, the old man saying:</p> + +<p>“It is only reasonable to suppose the savages are +running riot through the valley, and our people +have been slain or driven out to the last man, otherwise +I am minded that Daniel Hinchman would not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span>have been taken, for he went with his eyes open, +knowing all the dangers, therefore surely could +have shunned them.”</p> + +<p>“Yet we <i>can’t</i> sit here idle, Master Bartlett!” +I cried, passionately. “It may be we are needed +there, and it were cowardly to remain in hiding +when we are able to lend aid to those who are so +sorely pressed.”</p> + +<p>“How would you aid them, lad, if you crossed +the river only to find yourselves in the hands of +the savages? It would be as great an act of wicked +folly for us to venture out now, knowing that John +Butler’s wolves are sweeping everything before +them, as it was for those hot-heads whom you and +Stephen Morley strove against at Forty Fort. Content +yourself, however hard it may be, with idleness +until such time comes as you can be of real service, +and I venture to say that, by saving your lives now, +you will be of benefit to our neighbors and our +friends—if any there be yet alive.”</p> + +<p>Well, it is not needed I should say that the counsels +of the older men prevailed, for we lads would +have been foolish indeed had we set ourselves up +as being more wise in such a case, where they had +had all too bitter an experience.</p> + +<p>Yet when we laid down that night there was in +my heart a feeling of shame that I remained there +comfortable and apparently content, while there was +so much of suffering and agony near at hand which +I might relieve.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span>Esther Hinchman had not spoken above a dozen +words during all that long, weary day, and although +knowing full well she believed, and with good reason, +that her brother was a prisoner in the hands +of the savages, or had already been killed by them, +we did not venture words of sympathy lest it should +be seen by her that we feared the worst.</p> + +<p>Then another day came, and we who were despairing +and sorrowing became electrified, as it +were, by hearing the cheery voice of Daniel Hinchman, +as he hailed us from the thicket a short distance +from the cave.</p> + +<p>“He has come back!” Esther cried, in a fever +of joy. “He whom I believed had been killed has +come back!”</p> + +<p>Then we who were burning to embrace the lad, +who had seemingly come from out the jaws of +death, held back that she might have the first privilege +of greeting her brother whom she had +mourned.</p> + +<p>Daniel Hinchman’s story was a long one, and +when he came to an end of it, we had almost +as good an idea of what had occurred in the valley +since our flight as if we ourselves had taken part +in all that was done.</p> + +<p>Because each of us in turn interrupted the lad +here or there in his story that we might ask for +some unimportant details which he had neglected +to mention, thereby prolonging the sad tale, I will +make no attempt at setting it down as he related +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span>it; but, rather, put in few words that account +which is already a matter of history.</p> + +<p>As we already knew, many of the fugitives from +the field of battle fled to Monocasy Island, believing +there to find a safe refuge; but Colonel Zebulon +Butler’s men told Daniel that fully an hundred +Indians, and nearly as many Tories, hid themselves +on the river banks until such of the fugitives as +were aiming for the island gained that poor place +of refuge, and then did they hunt them down like +wild animals.</p> + +<p>It was even said, and I have no question as to +the truth because the man Pensil himself boasted +of it, that he, who was a Tory and had joined John +Butler’s force, found his brother on the island +and slew him, even while the poor man pleaded to +his own flesh and blood for aid.</p> + +<p>Daniel’s voice trembled and his cheeks paled as +he related the horrors which the savage horde +boasted of as having taken place on Monocasy +Island that night.</p> + +<p>Colonel Zebulon Butler, with perhaps fifteen or +twenty men, escaped to reach Wilkesbarre fort, and +Colonel Dennison, accompanied by a small number, +gained Forty Fort. Both these officers made preparations +to defend the stockades so long as life +lasted, knowing full well what would be in store +if there was a surrender at that time.</p> + +<p>When night was come, John Butler’s wolves, red +and white alike, assembled to dispose of their prisoners, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span>and one has a feeling near akin to shame at +setting down all that was done before the sun rose +again. Captain Bidlack, who had led one of our +companies in the battle and was wounded, was +thrown alive upon the burning timbers of Wintermoot’s +Fort, and there held down with sticks and +pitchforks until he was dead. Squads of prisoners +were ranged in line, bound hand and foot, while +their savage captors began with the first, deliberately +murdering one after the other until the last +had fallen. A half-breed woman, who was called +Queen Esther, herself, with maul and tomahawk, +butchered sixteen, who were forced to kneel around +that boulder which in later days has been called +“Queen Esther’s rock.”</p> + +<p>I am minded to set down here that which was +written afterward, by one who was a witness of the +terrible scene in which the half-breed squaw supped +on blood:</p> + +<p>“The time was midnight, and the scene being +lighted up by a large fire burning near, this Queen +Esther appeared like a very fury from Hades while +performing her bloody work. With the death of +each victim her fury increased, and her song rose +louder and clearer upon the midnight air. Leddeus +Hammond and Joseph Eliot, seeing there was no +hope, shook off the Indians who held them, and, +with a desperate spring, fled to the thicket amid +rifle-bullets and tomahawks that were sent after +them, and escaped. This was not the only scene +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span>of a similar kind that could have been witnessed +between the ruins of Wintermoot’s and the walls of +Forty Fort.”</p> + +<p>Daniel told us that the only ray of light in this +dreadful time to our people of the valley was just +after sunset, when Captain John Franklin arrived +at Forty Fort with a company of thirty-five men +from Hunterdon and Salem, and before the sun +had risen again, Colonel Zebulon Butler, with those +who had taken refuge in Wilkesbarre Fort, joined +the people, who were now beginning to hope.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that in all the valley, the only +stockade remaining in the hands of our friends +was this same Forty Fort. The stockades at Pittstown +had long since been abandoned.</p> + +<p>On the following morning, which was the day +before Daniel had crossed the river on his scout, +John Butler sent a messenger demanding the surrender +of Forty Fort, and particularly of Colonel +Zebulon Butler, with such of the Continental troops +as he had with him, threatening in event of a refusal +to comply, that an immediate attack would be +made, and every one, including women and children, +should be put to torture when taken.</p> + +<p>Now it appears that there were only fifteen men +belonging to the Continental army left alive, and +knowing John Butler would, however many promises +he might make, put to death all the soldiers +that fell into his hands, Colonel Zebulon proposed +that he and his followers should immediately leave +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span>the valley before there was time for John Butler +to set out in pursuit. Therefore, taking his wife +behind him on a horse, the colonel rode through +the woods that same day, intending to sleep at +Conyngham in the Nescopeck Valley, twenty miles +away. The soldiers followed on foot as best they +might.</p> + +<p>Then there remained only Colonel Dennison with +some of the men from Hunterdon, the cripples and +old men, the women and children, which had escaped +the massacre, to be surrendered. And so +he returned word to John Butler, understanding +that there was no hope of making a successful resistance, +and taking the chances that the Tory, who +was more of a savage than the most benighted of +his followers, would hold to the word which he +should be called upon to give in writing. These +terms, which Colonel Dennison himself drew up, +were much as follows:</p> + +<p>First, that the inhabitants of the valley should +lay down their arms, and the garrison be destroyed. +Again, that the people be allowed to occupy their +farms peaceably, and the lives of all be preserved. +Thirdly, that all stores supplied for the Continental +army, wherever they might be hidden, should be +delivered up as soon as possible, and that John +Butler would use all his influence toward saving +the private property of the inhabitants.</p> + +<p>There was also inserted afterward, at the dictation +of Butler, that such property as had been taken +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>from the people who were called Tories, at any time +since the beginning of the war, be made good; that +they should remain in peaceful possession of their +farms, and be allowed to trade throughout the province +without molestation.</p> + +<p>Not to make too many words of the story, this +surrender was effected late that same evening, +which explains why Daniel Hinchman did not return +as agreed upon, for he had succeeded in gaining +entrance to Forty Fort, and was minded to remain +until he could tell us all the tale, which would +not be until he was able to see whether John Butler +held faithfully to the terms of the surrender.</p> + +<p>Here is an account as set down by Colonel Dennison +himself:</p> + +<p>“Everything being arranged, the two gates of the +fort were thrown open that evening. The arms of +the patriots were piled up in the centre, and the +women and children retired within the huts that +lined the interior of the stockade. At the appointed +time the victors approached with drums beating and +colors flying. They came in two columns, whites +and Indians. The former were led by John Butler, +who entered the north gate, and the latter by Queen +Esther, the bloody priestess of the midnight sacrifice. +She was followed by Giengwatah, who, with +his warriors, entered the south gate. The wily +chief, fearing treachery, glanced quickly to the +right and left as he entered. The Tories, with their +natural instinct for plunder, immediately seized the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span>piled arms. Butler ordered them to desist, and +presented the muskets to the Indians. The inhabitants +were then marked by the Indians with black +paint on their faces, and ordered to carry a white +cloth on a stick. These were objects, the savages +said, which would ensure their protection.”</p> + +<p>Before morning came, so Daniel Hinchman told +us, every dwelling in Wilkesbarre, and there were +then twenty-three, was given over to the flames; +but, so far as he could learn, no more blood had +been shed.</p> + +<p>Colonel Dennison and those men who had surrendered +remained in the fort instead of seeking +refuge elsewhere, in order that he might do what +he could toward defending the women and children +in case the savages proved too unruly for John +Butler to control.</p> + +<p>That was the story in substance, without going +into the details, and it showed us that now indeed +was the valley lost to us. John Butler had made +arrangements for the Tories to remain in undisturbed +possession, not only of such property as they +then held, but all which had been taken from them +shortly after the war began, and Wyoming was become +a nest of loyalists who would do all they could +to harrow, if not kill, those of us who had held to +the American Cause.</p> + +<p>The question which had come to us now in that +cave of refuge, with the telling of Daniel Hinchman’s +story, was where we should go? Surely not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span>to our homes, for we had none; not again to the +Susquehanna River, for of a verity would we be +driven out if allowed to live, and until our wounded +had recovered we were the same as prisoners in an +underground dwelling, unless we were minded to +play the part of savages and leave the helpless ones +to their fate.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI.<br> +<small>A COMRADE IN DISTRESS</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Because</span> of the questions regarding the future, +which had come into my mind, I gave no heed to +the fact that Daniel had not finished his recital, +since the story had been concerning our unfortunate +friends and neighbors, but never a word as to how +he succeeded in returning to us.</p> + +<p>It was Giles March who noticed the omission, +and while my heart was filled with grief because +of the fact that we were virtually prisoners in the +cave, unable to raise our hands in defence of those +who were needing help so sorely, he asked of +Daniel:</p> + +<p>“How is it that you were able to get away? +Was your face painted black, and did you carry a +white cloth on a stick, in order to show John Butler +that you were one of those who pledged obedience +to him?”</p> + +<p>“I was neither painted black, nor did I carry the +badge of disgrace,” Daniel replied, curtly. “By +moving here and there about the stockade, keeping +as close to the ranks of the Tories as possible, I +managed to avoid attracting very much attention, +and when the surrender was fully effected I stole +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span>quietly out, making my way down to the shore. +And well it was that I did not linger, for before +gaining this side of the river it was possible to see +the flames shooting up from those houses which +had been left standing near the fort, and I knew +that, despite John Butler’s promises, the Indians +were continuing their work of destruction.”</p> + +<p>When Daniel had thus come to an end of his +story, we sat silent and motionless, turning over in +our minds that which he had told, and questioning +whether there was any ray of hope in the future.</p> + +<p>When perhaps five minutes had passed, I asked, +looking at Master Bartlett:</p> + +<p>“Is it in your mind that we are to stay in the +cave until such time as it may be possible for us +to go out in perfect safety, or might we try to play +the part of men?”</p> + +<p>“In what way, lad?” the old man asked in perplexity.</p> + +<p>“It strikes me that such a party as we can muster +might, possibly effect very much in the way of +holding John Butler’s wolves to the strict letter of +the surrender. We number six able-bodied men and +lads. Why should we not go forth to do whatsoever +we may for those who are in distress? The +women need no assistance in caring for Samuel +Rogers and Oscar Stephenson, and if we stay here, +it is simply to suck our paws in the sun, like bears +who have laid in sufficient of fat long before it is +time to den up.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span>“If I knew what we might do, lad, an answer +to your question could be better given. Tell us +what may be in your mind.”</p> + +<p>“That we set out as soon as may be, not showing +ourselves boldly to court an encounter with +those who are stronger, but in the effort to give +assistance where it may be needed. I dare venture +to say work will be found for our hands, at the +same time that we hold ourselves in prudence, remembering +that those whom we leave behind us +in the cave may have the first claim upon our services.”</p> + +<p>Instead of answering my question, Master Bartlett +turned to Stephen Morley, as he asked:</p> + +<p>“What think you of it? Soldiering has become +your trade, and you should be able to give a better +opinion than me.”</p> + +<p>“I believe the lad to be in the right,” Stephen +Morley replied, promptly. “It is true we can be +of no service here after laying in a store of fuel. +There are of provisions in the cave sufficient to +fill all the stomachs in case we should remain away +three weeks, and surely in that time we would +rust out, if, indeed, there were no harm attached +to our remaining idle when men are needed as they +never were before.”</p> + +<p>“True for you, Master Morley!” Giles March +cried, emphatically. “It would be a disgrace for +us to linger here in idleness at such a time.”</p> + +<p>There was no need of further discussion; the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>question had already been settled, and Master Bartlett +gave good proof that he so considered it by +saying, thoughtfully:</p> + +<p>“We can’t well set off before sunset or thereabouts, +and until such time it seems necessary +Daniel Hinchman should gain some rest, while we +provide against the needs of the women and the +wounded during our absence.”</p> + +<p>It was a most intense relief to have thus decided +upon some plan which promised action, and, when +we returned to the cave to tell the women what it +was we proposed to do, never one of them raised +a voice against our departure.</p> + +<p>Mistress Morley, gathering her two children in +her arms, said in a low tone as she caressed them:</p> + +<p>“We could not ask father to stay, and it would +be selfish in us if we did not bid him go.”</p> + +<p>Esther Hinchman spoke privately with her +brother for a few moments, and then, coming up +to me, said, as she laid her hand in mine:</p> + +<p>“I’m glad you have decided to go, and shall +pray that you may all be allowed to come back. +There is no reason why you should have any anxiety +concerning us, for here, if anywhere in the +province, are we secure from intrusion.”</p> + +<p>Miles Parker showed plainly how well such a +plan suited him, while the two wounded lads strove +unsuccessfully to hide the sorrow which they felt +at not being able to accompany us. Oscar Stephenson +even went so far as to claim that it could +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>do him no harm to march in our company; but +Mistress Morley very quickly put an end to his +hopes by saying, emphatically, that he should not +be allowed even so much as to stand on his feet +until his wound gave better promise of healing.</p> + +<p>Well, we did whatsoever we might around about +the cave, and then, as Stephen Morley had said, +those whom we would leave behind us were provided +for in the way of necessities for at least three +weeks.</p> + +<p>The entrance to this dwelling in the mountainside +had been, as I have already said, nearly closed +by boulders, and there was enough of fuel inside +to make as much of a fire as they would dare build, +for it was not wise that too large an amount of +smoke be allowed to escape, lest it attract attention +from a distance. The water-supply was unfailing; +the deer meat would be all the better for seasoning +awhile, and in event of our being absent longer +than we then counted on, that which was not eaten +could readily be smoked.</p> + +<p>We left behind us two muskets, with a goodly +amount of ammunition, and, although two of our +party would march forth unarmed, save as to their +knives, we counted on being able to supply them +with weapons before many days had passed.</p> + +<p>Then came the time for us to set off, and I feared +that the leave-taking would be painful; but it was +Mistress Morley who spared us, by saying, as she +held the two children up for her husband to kiss:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span>“It shall only be a God love you, Stephen, and +not a good-by.”</p> + +<p>Then Giles March cried out cheerfully to the +wounded:</p> + +<p>“Take care of yourselves, lads, and get into +condition as soon as possible. One or the other +of us will be back every few days to know how +you are progressing, and in a short time you will +join us, for it is in my mind that the Minute Boys +of the Wyoming Valley are far from being wiped +out of existence.”</p> + +<p>Then we set our faces toward the river, marching +rapidly in order to take advantage of the daylight +which yet remained, and making no effort to +hold converse one with another, for, although it +was our desire to thus go out in the hope of being +able to succor those who were in need, our hearts +were heavy, as indeed they well might be.</p> + +<p>We travelled light, carrying only so much of provisions +as would allay the pangs of hunger during +twenty-four hours, and therefore moved with reasonable +rapidity, covering the five miles of distance +before the sun had been out of sight an hour.</p> + +<p>Daniel Hinchman went to where he had hidden +the canoe, believing as did I that we would cross +that same night, and two trips would be necessary, +since the light craft could carry no more than four; +but, before she was launched, Stephen Morley said:</p> + +<p>“I see no good reason why we should push across +the river yet awhile, for there is as much distress +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span>this side as yonder. Let us make our way to the +settlement of Wilkesbarre, and see what can be +found.”</p> + +<p>“The dwellings were all burned, as I have told +you, and we shall find nothing but ruins,” Daniel +replied.</p> + +<p>“And it is among the ruins we should look for +those whom we would aid,” Stephen Morley said, +curtly. “It must be there are some portions of +the buildings yet remaining, however complete the +work of destruction, and my proposition is that we +search in turn each of the settlements, taking plenty +of time for the work, because there is no reason +why we try to cover any great extent of territory +immediately.”</p> + +<p>Now it must be understood that we were come +to the river between Fort Ogden and the stockade +at Wilkesbarre, known as Wyoming Fort, therefore, +in order to carry out Master Morley’s suggestion, +it was necessary we travel down-stream +perhaps a mile and a half, and this required but +a short time, since we were no longer traversing +the wilderness, but a beaten road.</p> + +<p>On arriving at the site of the settlement, we +found that Daniel Hinchman had not drawn upon +his imagination when he told us of its destruction. +In the night the blackened ruins of the settlers’ +homes spoke more eloquently of the wilful havoc +that had been wrought than if the sun was shining +upon them, and as we went past this pile of yet +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span>smouldering embers or the other, saying that here +lived one friend and there that neighbor, our hearts +heavy with grief, it was difficult indeed to repress +audible evidences of our sorrow.</p> + +<p>To me the strangest of it all was that we six +had been permitted to pass through so much of +danger, and yet come out unharmed.</p> + +<p>It was necessary we go the entire length of what +had been the settlement before arriving at the fort, +and why Stephen Morley should have led us so +far I could not understand. He had no real purpose +in so doing, as I believed, for, when we were +come within sight of the stockade, finding it untouched +by the flames, he gave vent to an exclamation +of astonishment, and Master Bartlett said, +warningly, as he halted:</p> + +<p>“Have a care, lads, lest we come suddenly upon +too large a force of the enemy. It must be they +have taken possession of the stockade, else why has +it been spared?”</p> + +<p>“I will make it my business to find out whether +there be any of John Butler’s crew in this vicinity,” +Giles March whispered hurriedly. “Wait you here +until I come back.”</p> + +<p>We had halted near by the ruins of Phineas +Barnes’s dwelling, and there were yet enough of +the timbers standing to make a fairly good hiding-place +for us within the deep shadow. There we +crouched until five minutes had passed, when we +heard Giles crying:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span>“Come on, the stockade is deserted, and it strikes +me we can find no better place in which to spend +the night.”</p> + +<p>I was vexed that he should think then of our own +comfort, when we were come so near to where +we might search out those who were, possibly, in +direst distress; but, because the others obeyed his +call, I could do no less, and we entered the stockade, +finding it, I fancy, exactly as when Colonel Zebulon +Butler and his soldiers abandoned it to go to Forty +Fort.</p> + +<p>As we passed through the main gates, which were +standing open, Master Bartlett closed and barred +them carefully, whereat I, remembering our experience +in Fort Ogden, asked in a tone of irritation +because of my nervousness:</p> + +<p>“Is it well we should fasten ourselves in here, +when for aught we know the enemy may be creeping +up on us at this moment?” and he replied, +grimly:</p> + +<p>“If they are on our trail, lad, it strikes me we +were better off with this gate closed than open. +We are not now running from every one who has +any connection with John Butler, as were you when +you blundered into the Ogden stockade; but are +out with the determination to hold our own when +the forces are anywhere near equal. With the supply +of ammunition which we have, it should be +possible to make good our possession here for many +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span>days, however large a crew might come against +us.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and be wofully hungry before the first +four and twenty hours had gone by,” I replied, +vexed because he spoke so confidently, as if we +might stand against any who were abroad in the +valley thirsting for blood.</p> + +<p>Not until the stockade had been closed as if we +intended to make permanent quarters there, did +Master Bartlett give token as to why he had entered, +and then, mounting one of the platforms, he +said:</p> + +<p>“We should be able to get a good idea from +here of what is being done on the other side of +the river, and I propose that we stand guard to-night +as if regularly stationed.”</p> + +<p>“Is that all we have come here for?” I asked, +sharply.</p> + +<p>“Nay, lad, it was in my mind, when we found +this place untouched by fire, that, because it had +been abandoned so hurriedly, we might find here +some small store of provisions, or a secret hoard +of ammunition. You who are acquainted with +the fort should know all the likely places.”</p> + +<p>Upon this Giles March claimed to be as familiar +with the interior of the stockade as he had been +with his own home, and agreed to make diligent +search if I would accompany him.</p> + +<p>There were within the walls of this fort two +blockhouses, and perhaps half a dozen small buildings +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span>intended for the use of the settlers at such +times as they might be driven to take shelter in +moments of danger, and I said to the lad as he +entered the first dwelling:</p> + +<p>“If it be in your mind to search all these houses, +then we may as well understand that there is a long +task before us.”</p> + +<p>“Now, Jonathan Ogden, have you grown almost +as unreasonable as was I the first night we +took possession of Fort Jenkins! If I was hot-headed +then, what may you be counted now, who +would push on at the best possible speed from one +place to another, regardless of the fact that, if +we are to find those who are in distress, it will +be in hiding, and our work must of necessity be +done slowly?”</p> + +<p>Giles’s words were sufficient to show me how +childishly I was behaving, and without further remark +I followed him from one building to another, +while he made hurried search in such places as he +knew things of value had formerly been kept, until +we were come to a small structure of logs which +had been put up for the shelter of horses or cattle, +and, as he passed it, I said, laughingly:</p> + +<p>“Since you are making so diligent a hunt, Giles +March, I wonder you fail to enter this place,” and +he replied in a tone of good nature:</p> + +<p>“Because we have nothing better to do just +now, Jonathan Ogden, it seems to me you should +be willing to spend your time uselessly, as it appears +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span>to you, for we shall come into places of danger +soon enough to satisfy the most bloodthirsty.”</p> + +<p>He had no more than spoken, when from the +interior of the shed came a low moan, and as we +halted involuntarily, it was to hear the words:</p> + +<p>“Is Jonathan Ogden there?”</p> + +<p>Although not recognizing the voice, and having +no idea in my mind that we might find a comrade +there, on the instant it was borne in upon me that +Elias Shendle was near at hand, and straightway +I called his name.</p> + +<p>Then it was we heard distinctly:</p> + +<p>“I am here, Jonathan, which is not surprising; +but how you have come, I fail to understand.”</p> + +<p>In a twinkling we entered the shed, where all +was darkness save for the gray light which came +through the doorway, but, peer into the gloom +as we might, nothing could be seen.</p> + +<p>Giles March walked entirely around the inside +of the small building, and then, clutching me by +the arm, whispered:</p> + +<p>“It was the lad’s ghost, Jonathan, for there is +no one here.”</p> + +<p>I confess to being terrified, for it seemed as if +Giles spoke truly; but, luckily, I plucked up sufficient +courage to call:</p> + +<p>“Elias! Elias! Where may you be?”</p> + +<p>“Here! Here underneath the timbers of the +wall, and so pinned down that I cannot get out +unaided.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>Even then we had difficulty to find where the +voice came from. Not until we had crept across +one end, searching with our hands for any excavation +wherein a human being might be hidden, did +we come upon the lad, and most grievous was his +plight.</p> + +<p>At the rear of the shed, where doubtless the +horses had pawed away the earth, was a depression +extending beneath the first tier of logs, and here +my hands touched his garments.</p> + +<p>“Be as careful as you may, Jonathan,” he said, +with a moan, “for I am well mangled by the bullets +of the savages.”</p> + +<p>Without making too long a story, for it was +nearly half an hour before we succeeded in getting +our wounded comrade out from the narrow place +into which he had crowded himself, and then only +after having had the assistance of all the rest of +our company, let it suffice to say that he had escaped +from the fight at Jenkins’s Fort, drifted down the +river after stopping twice on the western shore, +until come to this stockade, where he arrived in +the night before Colonel Zebulon Butler’s men had +taken shelter there.</p> + +<p>Finding the fort abandoned, he crept into the +shed as the most likely place of concealment, believing +the savages were close on his heels, and +thinking they would search every other building +rather than that. Coming upon the depression of +which I have spoken, he had crawled into it, dug +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span>away the earth with his hands while burrowing yet +deeper, and gotten so far beneath the timbers that, +owing to his wounds, he could not get back unaided.</p> + +<p>When we had the poor lad where Stephen Morley +and Master Bartlett could attend to his wounds, +which they did without delay, Miles Parker, too +eager for information to take heed of the fact +that the lad was so nearly exhausted it was cruel +to force him into conversation, asked why he had +not come out when Colonel Zebulon and his men +were there.</p> + +<p>“I heard them when they entered,” Elias said, +striving manfully against the pain in order to make +the explanation. “I knew who they were, and, +finding it impossible, because of this mangled arm, +to get out of the hole, I cried again and again +for help; but they, most like, remained in the +blockhouse nearest the main gate and heard me not, +or, if my voice did reach their ears, it alarmed +them, even as Jonathan and Giles were frightened. +My efforts to attract their attention must have +thrown me into a delirium, for I became unconscious +during a time, and, when my senses returned, +the yells and cries of Indians could be heard on +every hand.”</p> + +<p>“That was when they were destroying the settlement,” +Giles March said half to himself, and +Elias continued:</p> + +<p>“So I believed at the time, and felt certain the +stockade would be given over to the flames, when +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span>I must be burned to death. Then it was that I contrived +to get my knife from the belt and turn its +point against my heart, that I might drive it in +rather than suffer a painful death. But the moments +passed without bringing further harm until +it was as if the savages had departed, since which +time I have been like one in a frightful dream, +knowing well my condition at times, and again +overcome by fever, as it were.”</p> + +<p>“I reckon it can do you no good to tell overly +long stories just now,” Master Bartlett interrupted. +“We shall have plenty of time to hear the tale +when you are mended somewhat.”</p> + +<p>“The wonder of it is that he did not starve,” +I said in a low tone to the old man, thinking that +the greatest kindness we could do him would be +to satisfy the pangs of hunger, and he, hearing +my words, replied:</p> + +<p>“When I came through the settlement on the +night of the battle, the people had just abandoned +their dwellings, and, as I ran, I found near half +a loaf of corn bread which had been dropped by +some of the fugitives. It is water I need, although +while coming down the river it seemed as if I could +never be thirsty again, so much was I forced to +drink in.”</p> + +<p>Giles March had hastened toward the spring inside +the enclosure when Elias first spoke of his +thirst, and we soon gave him as much clear water +as seemed safe at one time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span>Then, the wounds being bandaged rudely, I took +Master Bartlett aside and asked him if, in his belief, +they were dangerous.</p> + +<p>“I am not overly much of a surgeon, Jonathan, +but it looks to me as if the lad was badly hurt. +One leg and an arm are useless, bearing no less +than three wounds, and he has what appears to +be a knife-thrust in his right side. If he was at +the cave, where the women could care for him, +there might be some chance for his life; but, as +it is, I believe we have only come in time to ease +his meeting with death.”</p> + +<p>Then it was as if I forgot my impatience to be +out in the valley, searching here and there for sufferers, +and had in mind only the plight of my comrade. +If it was possible his life could be saved +by taking him to the cave, then would I carry Elias +Shendle on my back the entire distance, begrudging +not the labor if he might be spared one single pang; +but when I gave words to that thought, Master +Bartlett said, gravely:</p> + +<p>“I question, lad, if he would live to get there. +The journey could not be otherwise than long and +rough, and he holds on to his life, as it seems to +me, but by a thread. The wonder of it is that he +had sufficient strength remaining to cry out when +you and Giles were near him.”</p> + +<p>“But we must do something for him, Master +Bartlett.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, so we have to the best of our ability, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span>and will do as much more as is within our +power.”</p> + +<p>Then came the thought that, if we could not +carry Elias to the cave, we must be held there in +the stockade as prisoners, for verily I would not +leave him, even though I was forced to stand +against all John Butler’s wolves until they had +overcome me.</p> + +<p>Elias Shendle was the dearest comrade I ever +had, and whatsoever of distress or danger there +might be abroad was as nothing compared with +the duty I owed him, for I knew full well he could +never be frightened or coaxed from my side if I +was needing his assistance.</p> + +<p>It was a black perplexity. We who had come +out on a definite enterprise, knowing that it might +be possible for us to aid very many, would be held +here by one, unless those who had come with me +minded to act contrary to my wishes.</p> + +<p>While I had been talking with the old man, +Elias sank into a sort of stupor, which was not +unlike death itself; but Stephen Morley, who +claimed, and with good reason, to have more experience +in such matters than either of us, stated +as his belief that the lad was suffering more just +then from exhaustion than from his wounds, and +declared positively that, now he was in comparative +safety, it would be possible for him to sleep, which +was the best medicine that could come to him.</p> + +<p>“We will make up such a bed as is within our +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span>power, here in the open, rather than inflict pain +by moving him into one of the blockhouses, and +he shall be left in quietude until morning, after +which I am looking for so much of an improvement +as will make it seem as if he was on the road to +recovery.”</p> + +<p>I could have kissed the old soldier, who gave +me such relief of mind, and, after we had made +Elias as comfortable as we might with the poor +materials at our hands for a bed, I took Giles +March one side, explaining to him all which I have +set down here, whereupon the lad said manfully, +and as a comrade should:</p> + +<p>“You may count on me, Jonathan Ogden, to +go as far in behalf of Elias Shendle as you would. +If it be necessary, we two will stay here by him; +but I am thinking, because of what Stephen Morley +has said, that we may rig up with saplings what +will serve as a litter, so that he can be carried to +the cave without too much of jolting. We are warranted, +I believe, in taking more than ordinary risks +in moving him, since it seems certain he will die +here, where at any moment the enemy may come +upon us.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XII.<br> +<small>SAVING ELIAS</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Because</span> Master Bartlett had said that sleep was +the best medicine our wounded comrade could have, +Giles March and I remained at a distance, but yet +where it was possible to keep him in view, while +the others had taken up their stations near that +blockhouse which stood at the southwestern corner +of the stockade.</p> + +<p>Now and then we conversed in whispers, careful +lest we disturb the lad, who appeared to be resting +comfortably, and laid our plans for the morrow, +when we were determined, as I have already said, +to carry Elias Shendle to the cave.</p> + +<p>It seemed probable we would be able to do this +and return to the fort within four or five hours, +since the journey was to be made during the day, +and I said to myself that we were fully warranted +in thus spending the time which could have been +employed in looking for others, for here was one +whose life might be saved. Even though he had +not been a dear friend, I argued that it would be +criminal in us to pass him by on the chance of finding +others.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span>Now and then we two lads slumbered a few moments, +for the soughing of the wind through the +trees, the darkness, and the myriad of night noises, +all tended to render our eyelids heavy. Sleep did +not come, however, with such effect as to render +us unconscious of any unusual sound, and when, +perhaps half an hour before daybreak, the noise +of rapid footsteps coming across the enclosure +was heard, I sprang to my feet, knowing there must +be some good reason for such rapid approach.</p> + +<p>It was Daniel Hinchman who came up, but before +he could speak I placed my hand over his +mouth, in token that Elias might be disturbed by +the sound of voices, and then led him a short distance +from the building, to hear the message which +he brought.</p> + +<p>“Master Bartlett has sent me to say that we +have good reason for believing a party of the enemy +is coming this way from the direction of Fort Ogden, +and one of you lads is to join him at the blockhouse.”</p> + +<p>Without thinking I might be detained many moments, +and also fancying, in my stupidity, that it +was a false alarm, I ran back and repeated in Giles +March’s ear that which Daniel had said, adding +on my own account:</p> + +<p>“Do you remain with Elias, and as soon as may +be I will come back to let you know what is in the +wind.”</p> + +<p>Then I followed Daniel, and we had hardly more +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span>than joined the others when all doubts as to the +cause of the alarm were set at rest, for the voices +of Indians could be plainly heard.</p> + +<p>“After having destroyed the settlement, what +may they be coming for now?” I whispered, not +intending to ask a question; but Stephen Morley +heard the words, and replied, grimly:</p> + +<p>“It has most like entered their minds that this +stockade was left standing, and now they have returned +to complete the work of destruction. We +are like to have trouble, for even though I may +be at fault as to the reason of their coming, it is +not likely the villains will pass by the fort without +trying to have a look at the inside.”</p> + +<p>I had left my musket just inside the blockhouse, +with the weapons belonging to the other members +of the party, and this I took up, making certain +it was loaded and primed, but forgetting in the +excitement that I should have hastened back to tell +Giles March of what had been said.</p> + +<p>The savages were coming straight toward the +fort, talking now and then among themselves as +if suspicious that there might be in the vicinity +white people whom they could butcher, and our +little company stood just behind the main gates, +where had been made loopholes for the use of the +defenders.</p> + +<p>“Are we to open fire immediately they come in +view?” I whispered to Master Bartlett, and he +replied:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span>“That is for you to say, Jonathan Ogden. We +yet count this the company of Minute Boys who +defended Fort Jenkins, and Stephen Morley and +myself are two privates under your command.”</p> + +<p>“Nay, nay, Master Bartlett, do not jest at such +a time as this,” I said irritably. “It is for you +and Stephen Morley to say what should be done, +even though we had a full company here.”</p> + +<p>“Then it is to my mind, lad, that when the +villains are come close to the gates we shall open +fire, taking good care each bullet counts, for it will +avail us nothing to give them an opportunity to +decide how we may be attacked. In fact, we are +not in position to stand a long battle, because of +the probability that there may be many others of +their kind in the vicinity.”</p> + +<p>Then it was we understood, by the sound of the +voices, that the newcomers had halted a short distance +away, and I was on the point of clambering +up to the sentry’s platform in the hope of seeing +what might have stopped them, when suddenly +there rang out on the night air a woman’s voice, +shrill and full of agony.</p> + +<p>At that cry, which came to our ears like an appeal +for help which could not be disregarded, Master +Bartlett forgot entirely that he claimed to be +only a private under my command, and said +sharply, as he began to unbar the gates:</p> + +<p>“Stand ready, lads! They have found some +poor creature who had been hiding in the ruins +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span>of her own home, perchance, and we will take a +hand in the matter whatever may be the result.”</p> + +<p>One of the big gates had been swung open wide +enough to admit of our passing out, before the old +man ceased speaking, and I was the first to go +through the opening, showing how illy fitted I +was to command even this remnant of a company +of Minute Boys, since I forgot entirely our +wounded comrade and he who watched by his side.</p> + +<p>It was Stephen Morley who halted me by placing +his hand on my shoulder, as he whispered:</p> + +<p>“One moment, lad, until Simon Bartlett has decided +who shall remain to hold the stockade,” and +then I remembered my neglect, turning on the instant +to make amends by going back, when Master +Bartlett, having thrust Miles Parker aside, said to +him:</p> + +<p>“Bar the gate after we are on the outside, and +await some signal from us before you open it +again.”</p> + +<p>Then he pressed forward upon my heels, and I +could not have delayed if I would.</p> + +<p>Again came that cry of agony, and I could think +only of the poor creature in such sore straits; but +yet had sufficient sense to understand that we must +go out under some leadership, rather than helter-skelter +like a flock of sheep.</p> + +<p>“Lead on, Stephen Morley, and I will bring up +the rear,” Master Bartlett said, and thus were our +preparations made.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_218a.jpg" width="450" height="648" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“ONE OF WHOM A PAINTED BRUTE HELD HIGH IN HIS HAND.”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>There was no need to search for the foe; the +savages were laughing and chattering like a lot +of baboons, so that even in the darkest night might +we have gone directly toward them without making +any mistake, and since Stephen Morley continued +on around the stockade, keeping close within +the denser shadows of the walls, we came so near +to the red wolves that it seemed almost as if I could +have thrust out my hand and touched the nearest +without leaving my tracks.</p> + +<p>They numbered, I judged in the first hurried +glance, not less than ten or twelve, and were clustered +around a woman, who was kneeling on the +ground before them begging for mercy, and three +children, one of whom a painted brute held high +in his hand, as if to dash it to the ground.</p> + +<p>I saw Stephen Morley level his musket, and knew +full well what target he aimed at, therefore did I +follow his example, save that I counted to send +my bullet into the heart of the wretch who stood +nearest the woman.</p> + +<p>There was no need that we await the word of +command. As if our little party had been standing +shoulder to shoulder, and could understand +by the sense of touch what was being done, our +muskets were discharged in a volley that rang out +as one report.</p> + +<p>Four of the savages fell, and it was as if they +had hardly reached the ground before we were +upon the others, striking with our clubbed muskets +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span>right and left, knowing that upon the swiftness +of our movements depended the life of this poor +woman and her children, for they would have +plunged their weapons into the helpless ones before +turning to meet us had we given them time.</p> + +<p>It was the suddenness of our first attack, and +the quickness with which we followed it up, that +prevented them from making any attempt at fighting, +more particularly since they were all ignorant +as to how much of a force had fallen upon them.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling those who were left alive turned +and fled like the curs that they were, leaving behind +them five of their number, while it is safe +to promise that more than one of those who ran +carried with them bullets that had been moulded +by the women of Wyoming Valley.</p> + +<p>“Pick up the youngsters and make for the fort,” +Master Bartlett said, sharply, seizing the arm of +the woman, who yet remained on her knees as if +paralyzed with fear, and I venture to say that one +could not have counted sixty from the time we left +the stockade until we were inside it once more +and the gates barred, with the woman and her +three children in safety.</p> + +<p>“Why did you beat a retreat when we were having +the best of it?” I asked of Master Bartlett, +feeling aggrieved because he had turned tail when +there was a possibility, as it seemed to me, of inflicting +further injury upon the enemy.</p> + +<p>“Because it stands us in hand to keep them in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span>ignorance of our numbers,” he replied. “If, peradventure, +they have learned how weak a force +we are, then can we count on seeing not only those +who have retreated, but an hundred others, mayhap, +in front of this stockade by sunrise.”</p> + +<p>This he said to me hurriedly, and literally shouldered +me aside as he spoke, that he might look +in the face of the woman whom we had saved.</p> + +<p>“This is Mrs. Stockbridge, if I’m not mistaken,” +the old man said, taking the yet terrified woman by +the arm. “What were you doing here, mistress, +that you failed to join the others in their flight?”</p> + +<p>“It is Master Bartlett!” she cried in a frenzy +of joy, as she seized the old man’s hand. “Thank +God you were come in time to save my little ones!”</p> + +<p>“But what have you been doing here so long?” +the old man asked, sharply.</p> + +<p>“When the others fled I was left behind because +of trying to save some little things for the children, +and on coming out of the house found myself alone +in the settlement.”</p> + +<p>“And then?” Master Bartlett cried. “And +then why did you not go?”</p> + +<p>“Because I dared not!” she wailed. “It +seemed as if we were entirely surrounded by the +savages, and, not being able to carry all three of +the children, I knew it was impossible they could +keep pace with me in the rapid flight.”</p> + +<p>“But when the savages burned this settlement?” +Stephen Morley asked, and of a verity it did seem +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span>a miracle that this woman should have been alive, +amid the ruins of her house, in which hardly four +of the timbers were unconsumed.</p> + +<p>“On finding ourselves alone, deserted, as it +were, I went into the cellar with the children, and +there, in the casks which had been sunken that we +might make saltpetre, I took refuge, not knowing +when the building was fired.”</p> + +<p>“And you lived while your home burned above +your heads?” Stephen Morley demanded, but it +was a useless question since there stood the woman +before him.</p> + +<p>“Yes, by the goodness of God. Because we had +been working so lately with the lye, and in order +to get the water from the outside had brought it +in a stream across what remained of the floor, such +timbers as I could pile above us were sodden; they +protected us even against the heat of the burning +house.”</p> + +<p>“And have you been there ever since?” I asked +in astonishment, saying to myself that it was little +more surprising she and her children had lived in +that narrow hiding-place so long than that the +poor protection had saved them from the fire.</p> + +<p>“I gathered up food when we made ready for +the flight, and therefore had plenty with which to +feed the babies, while one of the casks was filled with +clear water, therefore, save for being in such narrow +quarters, we suffered no harm.”</p> + +<p>“And how was it the savages discovered you +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span>at this time?” some one asked, and then we +learned that it was through us the poor woman +had ventured out at the very moment when danger +lurked close at hand.</p> + +<p>It seemed that she had heard our voices when +we came through the settlement, and only waited +to make certain we were not pursuers. Leaving +the children in the place of concealment, she had +come out a few moments before, listening at the +gate of the stockade until satisfying herself who +was inside. Then returning, and taking the children +with her, started for the fort just as John +Butler’s butchers arrived.</p> + +<p>“It was well we decided to leave the cave,” +Master Bartlett said as if speaking to himself. +“Not yet twelve hours since we set out, and here +are four lives saved. What may we not do later?” +Then, in a louder tone, he added, turning to me, +“Our work is cut for us, lad; it lies here and there +among the ruins of the different settlements, rather +than in any fortified place.”</p> + +<p>While he was speaking to me Mistress Stockbridge +had been kissing and fondling her children +as if after a long time of separation, and I could +well understand she believed, in her ignorance, that +after all the horrors of the past few days was she +come unto deliverance, whereas she stood, perhaps, +in more danger than while among the lye-casks +under the ruins of her home.</p> + +<p>“Is there any good reason why we should stand +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span>here chattering like a party of old women?” +Stephen Morley asked impatiently, and I, surprised +at his tone, turned upon him with the question:</p> + +<p>“What would you have us do?”</p> + +<p>“Anything rather than remain here. Is it in +your mind that those savages whom we sprang +upon so suddenly are yet running? Even though +there was nothing else to call them back, they +would strive to save the scalps of their friends whom +we have killed, as you should know from what has +been done in the past. It is time we were making +a move.”</p> + +<p>“True for you, Stephen Morley,” Master Bartlett +said, heartily. “I was near to forgetting myself, +in the joy of knowing we had been allowed to +save this poor woman and her children from the +knives of those fiends.”</p> + +<p>“But where are we to go?” I asked, helplessly, +thus showing how little I knew concerning the +work in which I embarked when joining the Minute +Boys.</p> + +<p>“It matters little, so that we be not here when +those whom we attacked return, as return they will +very shortly.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that I bethought me now had come +the time when no complaint could be made against +the plan which Giles March and I had formed of +carrying Elias Shendle to the cave, and I said, beginning +to speak even as Giles himself came across +the enclosure to learn the cause of the firing:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span>“You can’t go far, or make any very desperate +fight while Mistress Stockbridge and her children +are of the party, neither am I willing that we desert +Elias Shendle while he is unable to raise a hand +in his own defence.”</p> + +<p>“Well, lad?” Master Bartlett said, impatiently, +knowing most like I had some plan to propose.</p> + +<p>“It is in this way, as Giles March and I have figured +it: We two can carry Elias Shendle to the cave, +returning here within five hours, if so be we travel +in the light, and day is now close at hand. Why +is it not an act of prudence to take the poor lad +to our refuge, and with him these four who have +just been rescued?”</p> + +<p>“It is what should be done,” Master Bartlett +said decidedly, and much to my surprise, for I had +fancied he might take stand against the proposal. +“If we are to accomplish anything more, we cannot +be hampered by such helpless ones as these,” +and he pointed toward the children. “We will all +go back with you a mile, perhaps, and then, returning, +so cover the trail that the savages may not be +able to follow it.”</p> + +<p>For the first time since we had found that place +of safety on the mountainside, did I realize how +simple a matter it might be for those human bloodhounds +to track us out, for we had journeyed back +and forth without giving heed to our footsteps.</p> + +<p>It sounds strange that a lad living in such times, +and accustomed to a life of danger, himself trailing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span>man and beast when the necessity arose, should +have forgotten entirely how easy it would be for +the enemy to come upon that refuge which we had, +in our heedlessness, believed no foe could find.</p> + +<p>However, that wasn’t the time to consider such +a matter. Our helpless ones were there, and must +remain for a certain number of days at all events. +We could only hope that they might be able to +defend themselves, should need arise. At present, +it was for us to pursue the plans we had formed +and already begun.</p> + +<p>As soon as Master Bartlett had fallen in so completely +with the proposition made by me, Giles +March and I set about making a litter, which consisted +of two saplings bound together by vines, interwoven +so closely as to form a rude bed on which +the sufferer could lie.</p> + +<p>Because in this work all assisted, we were ready +in less than ten minutes from the time of the rescue +to set out, and then the grayish hue of the eastern +sky was telling of the day to come. Giles March +and I stripped off our hunting-shirts, laying them +across the saplings in order to render the rude litter +a trifle more comfortable to the poor lad, and when +we lifted him upon this rough couch he opened his +eyes, looking at us in a manner which told he understood +what we were doing.</p> + +<p>“It is to carry you back among the mountains, +dear lad,” I said to him as I laid both our muskets +by his side. “There will be found those who can +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span>care for you better than we, and you will be safe +from the fiends who have worked so much of misery +upon us.”</p> + +<p>“Death is very near to me, Jonathan Ogden,” +he whispered, “and it seems better you should +strive to aid those who have more of life remaining +in them.”</p> + +<p>“We shall so patch you up, Elias Shendle, that +within two weeks’ time you will be begging to go +out with us, when we show to John Butler that +his hand is not so mighty as the happenings of the +past two or three days have led him to believe,” +Giles March said, cheerily.</p> + +<p>Then, taking up the handles of the litter, we +set off, Mistress Stockbridge walking by Elias’s +side, where she might be able to minister to his +wants, and the children following close behind.</p> + +<p>After them marched the remainder of the party, +and as we went out through the gates of the stockade +the day was so nearly come that it was possible +to see our way through the thicket with reasonable +clearness.</p> + +<p>Thus did we take up the line of march, silently, +for the children, young though they were, realized, +after their past terrible experience, how necessary +it was they should hold their peace. We were returning +to that little refuge in the mountainside +where the helpless ones might be left, as we believed, +in safety.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span>Once well clear of the fort Master Bartlett halted +us, saying, as he did so:</p> + +<p>“In order that you two lads may be the fresher +for the task yet before you when we have gone as +far as seems best, let Miles Parker and Daniel +Hinchman carry the litter.”</p> + +<p>It was a heavy burden over that rough way, but +yet we would not have complained, however severe +the labor. When, however, Master Bartlett himself +made this suggestion, it seemed to me a good +one, since by acting upon it we could advance just +so much the more rapidly.</p> + +<p>After this change had been made we went on +hurriedly, for there was no telling how soon those +painted curs would be at our heels, and when we +had covered a mile or more in distance, again the +old man called a halt.</p> + +<p>“Now has come the time when we shall turn +back, Jonathan Ogden. Instead of making any +further effort to go up the valley, we will wait +somewhere between here and the stockade for your +coming, unless, peradventure, those savages who +left us so suddenly should come back in the meanwhile +with reinforcements, and we be obliged to +shift quarters. Do not delay any longer than may +be necessary, but on approaching the settlement +again, take ample time to move warily, for I warn +you that the danger will be great.”</p> + +<p>This was our leave-taking, and my heart was +light when Giles March and I continued on, bearing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span>Elias Shendle between us, with Mistress Stockbridge +and the children following close at hand, +for there was no question in my mind but that +within five hours, at the very longest, we would +again be with those whom we called comrades.</p> + +<p>More than once before we arrived at the cave +was it necessary for Giles and me to set down the +burden in order to relieve our aching arms; but I +promise you that the halts were no longer than +seemed absolutely necessary, for we had good reason +to make the utmost speed.</p> + +<p>It can well be supposed that Mistress Morley +and Esther Hinchman were surprised when, while +yet a short distance from the cave, we cried out to +them that we were returning, lest they should be +alarmed at hearing footsteps, and then, as they +came to know what we had already succeeded in +doing, their joy can be perhaps faintly imagined.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that more than once during the +journey had Elias slumbered or lapsed into unconsciousness, +but when we took him into the cave +where he was greeted by Samuel Rogers and Oscar +Stephenson—when he saw what seemed to be a +place of refuge from all the horrors which had surrounded +him, his face lighted up with sudden joy, +and I fancied that the belief he had escaped from +his enemies was already doing much toward his +recovery.</p> + +<p>We made up another bed of twigs and leaves, +where the lad could lie between his two wounded +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span>comrades, and, having made him thus comfortable, +were ready to depart. Mistress Stockbridge and +the children seemed wondrously contented—almost +happy, if any one could have been happy in +Wyoming Valley at that time, and were settled +down as if at home.</p> + +<p>It seemed necessary we should delay our departure +sufficiently long to tell Esther Hinchman +of all that had happened since our starting out, and +when the story was come to an end she said, as if +a premonition of what was to follow overshadowed +her:</p> + +<p>“Why do you lads go back so soon? If it be +that the remainder of the company are to stay in +hiding until nightfall, you had best stop here a +while longer.”</p> + +<p>“But they will be looking for us, and, if we fail +to show ourselves at the time set, might come to see +what had happened,” I said, laughingly.</p> + +<p>Then we two, Giles March and I, went out, +leaving the girl standing at the entrance of the +cave watching with wistful eyes, as if fearing lest +something terrible was about to overtake us.</p> + +<p>With the feeling that the Minute Boys of Wyoming +Valley were accomplishing something of good, +even though their numbers had been so sadly lessened, +we lads walked on without thought of taking +heed as to silence. A sense of security was +upon us while we were so near the eastern mountains, +but before we had travelled no more than +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span>half a mile Giles March, who was in the advance, +stopped suddenly, stepping backward until he was +pressed close against me.</p> + +<p>Even then there was no suspicion in my mind +that he might have seen one of the savages, and, +thinking a bear or some other animal was within +easy musket-shot, I looked in the direction he was +gazing.</p> + +<p>Then it was as if my heart stood still and the +blood in my veins grew chill, for I saw amid the +green leaves, hardly twenty paces away, a half-naked +savage coming toward us, stooping, with +his eyes fastened upon the ground as if he was +following the trail.</p> + +<p>There was no time then to speculate as to why +the villain had come, nor how he could have followed +our tracks without meeting the remainder +of the party. The traces upon the leaves and +earth would lead him directly to the cave and, +however many might be behind, it was our duty +to cut him short in the chase.</p> + +<p>The same thought must have been in Giles’s +mind, for before I could raise my musket he fired. +The Indian stopped suddenly, half-raised himself, +and then wheeled about, being lost to view amid +the foliage in an instant.</p> + +<p>We two stood staring at each other in fear and +amazement, knowing beyond a peradventure that +the discovery of our refuge, by the enemy was close +at hand, for even though this cur did not live to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span>join his fellows, they would soon come upon his +trail and then follow ours.</p> + +<p>Thus it was that all suddenly and without warning, +our cave, wherein the helpless ones sought +safety, was become the most dangerous spot that +could be found, and I grew sick with fear and indecision, +not knowing whether it was our duty to +stay and defend the place which would likely soon +be assaulted, or first speed on to tell Master Bartlett +and his company of the disaster which seemed +so near at hand.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIII.<br> +<small>DEFENDING THE CAVE</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> which seemed to me at the moment most +important was whether Giles’s shot had been a fatal +one, or, if he had wounded that bloodhound, who, +most like by accident, had come upon our trail, and +the question shaped itself into words.</p> + +<p>“There is yet life enough remaining in him, +judging by the way in which he turned, to admit +of his giving the alarm, unless his companions are +too far away,” Giles replied, and continued in a +tone of grief: “Why did I not shoot with surer +aim? Why have we allowed the murdering villain +to escape?”</p> + +<p>“It is of little moment, Giles March, whether +he lived or died,” I said, soothingly, and the lad +looked at me in surprise, whereupon I hastened to +add: “When he failed to return to his fellows, +they would most likely set out in search of him, +and, coming upon the trail, not only follow it to +where his body might be lying, but to our cave.”</p> + +<p>“What shall we do?” Giles asked, helplessly, +and I was unable to answer the question promptly.</p> + +<p>“It seems to me as necessary Master Bartlett +and his party be warned, as that we return to guard +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span>the cave,” I said, half to myself. “Help me to +decide whether we shall go back simply to give the +alarm, then striving to reach those who are waiting +for us by the river, or if we ought to remain at the +cave.”</p> + +<p>“To my mind we have little need for raising +such a question,” Giles said, promptly. “When we +fail to return, our comrades must understand that +something of serious import has detained us, and +will be on the alert for danger from this direction. +There are none in the cave to defend it, save the +women, for those crippled lads would make a poor +showing in trying to handle a weapon. We must +go back, and without delay.”</p> + +<p>Even while recognizing the truth of Giles’s words, +I was in doubt as to which party of our friends +stood more in need of aid just then. That the +women could stand off the savages for a time +seemed certain, and I knew only too well that the +little company of Minute Boys, being all unsuspicious +of danger from the rear, might easily be +overwhelmed.</p> + +<p>Yet when Giles wheeled about, marching resolutely +up the mountain, I followed, and neither of +us spoke until Esther Hinchman, hearing our footsteps, +crept cautiously out to see who might be +approaching.</p> + +<p>The quick-eyed girl could readily see by our faces +that something in the nature of a disaster had prevented +the continuance of the journey, and coming +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span>yet farther from the cave, as if fearing lest those +within should be unduly alarmed, she asked, in a +whisper:</p> + +<p>“What is it?”</p> + +<p>I could not bring myself to tell her that even +at the moment, when she fancied herself in comparative +security, John Butler’s wolves were on +the trail, and hesitated and stammered until Giles +March cut me short by saying:</p> + +<p>“We met one of the savages on the trail not far +from here, but succeeded only in wounding him. +He was following us, and there is good reason for +believing more than he may come very shortly.”</p> + +<p>I had looked to see Esther Hinchman overcome +with alarm and grief, but to my surprise she bore +herself as bravely as her brother could have done, +asking sharply:</p> + +<p>“How long a time, think you, before they can +get here?”</p> + +<p>“As to that, we have ample opportunity for +making such further preparations for defence as +may be needed,” I replied, able now to speak with +her concerning the danger, since she seemed prepared +to meet it. “Surely a full half-hour must +pass before that cur can gather force enough to +come upon us,—he hasn’t the courage to follow +the trail farther alone, even though he may have the +ability.”</p> + +<p>“What ought we to do in the way of making +ready for them?” she asked, and I said, as I believed, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span>that there was nothing further which could +be done with profit, save it might be to roll the +boulders a trifle closer together, and even while +speaking I questioned if that would be advisable, +since in the fight, which was almost certain to come +sooner or later, it might be necessary for one or +more of us to leave the cave secretly and quickly.</p> + +<p>“The others must be told,” she said, turning to +run on in advance.</p> + +<p>Giles and I lingered that we might not witness +the first outburst of grief in which we believed the +women would indulge.</p> + +<p>When, five minutes later, we entered the cave, +it could plainly be seen by the expression on the +faces of Mistress Morley, Mistress Stockbridge +and the others that the worst was known; but +yet I could see no evidences of terror. The poor +people had passed through so much that was horrible +during the last eight and forty hours that it was +no longer possible to cause them further alarm.</p> + +<p>Elias Shendle beckoned feebly to me with his +uninjured hand, and, dropping on my knee beside +him, I whispered:</p> + +<p>“What is it, lad?”</p> + +<p>“Did you see more than one of the savages?” +he asked.</p> + +<p>“No, no, Elias; Esther has told you all the truth. +There was but one, and he followed our trail, +therefore do we know that others will come +shortly.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span>“Unless it should be that Master Bartlett and +the lads, seeing them, and having suspicions of their +intent, do something toward stopping the curs,” he +whispered, and then it was that for the first time +I saw somewhat of hope in the situation. There +yet seemed a possibility that the attack which I had +reckoned on so confidently might not be made.</p> + +<p>“There are two of us wounded lads here who +should be of some service in defending the place,” +Oscar Stephenson said. “I can make my way to +the entrance unaided, and, if Samuel Rogers and +Elias Shendle were carried forward where it would +be possible to see out, why might not they be able +to discharge a musket with reasonably good +effect?”</p> + +<p>“There are as many of us here uninjured as +can fight with advantage,” I replied, quickly. “The +entrance is so narrow that more than two would +choke it, and, with the women to load the guns, +I see no reason why Giles and I should not be able +to do as much execution as could half a dozen who +would be forced to fall back after firing, that others +might take their places.”</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should set down +all that was said during the first few moments after +coming back with such woful tidings. When it +was decided that Giles and I alone would face the +enemy, and we took our places with all the muskets +in the cave loaded and lying ready at hand, everything +possible had been done.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>It only remained for the savages to open the +battle, and I counted that, because of the screen +of bushes directly in front of the aperture, the foremost +of those who came on the trail would show +themselves fair targets for us before understanding +they were at the end of the journey, therefore, as +I said to Giles, were we likely to cut down a couple +before they could fire a shot.</p> + +<p>“It is not well that we talk one with the other, +save in whispers,” Giles said, after we had taken +our stations behind the boulders which partially +blocked the entrance, “else by so doing we give +the savages token as to where we are.”</p> + +<p>On the instant a profound silence reigned, and +I could understand that the wounded lads and anxious +women must be suffering mentally, for the +waiting was like unto that which a soldier experiences +while standing in line of battle listening for +the word to begin his work.</p> + +<p>The suspense was terrible as we watched eagerly +for the first movement of the bushes which should +tell of the approach of the enemy, straining our +ears for the lightest unusual sound, and when it +seemed as if a full hour had passed since we heard +even a whisper from our companions, there came +a rustling at the farther end of the cave, which, +because of the stillness, startled me.</p> + +<p>Looking around, I saw that Mistress Morley +and Mistress Stockbridge were dragging the +wounded lads yet farther into the cavern, where +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span>they might the better be sheltered from a stray +bullet, and heard Elias Shendle say, hoarsely:</p> + +<p>“It is the children who should be thus protected; +not we lads, who are of no good either to ourselves +or our friends.”</p> + +<p>I was yet watching the movements of these brave-hearted +women, when Giles discharged his weapon, +and, turning suddenly, I saw lying almost directly +in front of the opening the half-naked body of a +dead Indian.</p> + +<p>The savages had come, but in what number it +was impossible even to guess, and now was the +time at hand when the lives of all within our place +of refuge depended upon the watchfulness of Giles +and myself.</p> + +<p>“How many did you see?” I asked, and he replied +as he took up a loaded musket, pushing his +empty one back that it might be recharged by Mistress +Morley:</p> + +<p>“Only one, and it is not certain but that he may +be the same at whom I fired before.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that I searched with my eyes every +inch of that dusky form which could be seen lying +so hideously still in front of us, hoping to find there +the trace of a second bullet, but seeing none. Then +came the disheartening realization that, when the +day was done and darkness covered everything as +with a veil, we could not prevent the red wolves +from creeping up until, sheltered by the same +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span>boulders behind which we lay, they might shoot +into the cave.</p> + +<p>I should have grown even more timorous than +I was had I not shaken off such forebodings resolutely, +and given myself wholly up to the task of +watching for a target.</p> + +<p>So profound was the silence that when Mistress +Morley, having loaded the weapon Giles had discharged, +pushed it forward toward us, I started +like one in fear, and was near to trembling so violently +that she might have seen it.</p> + +<p>Not a sound from the outside broke the silence; +nothing betokened the probable fact that the bloodthirsty +enemy, perhaps in large numbers, were +crouching within a few paces, hoping to kill, and +a stranger who could have looked in on us then +would have questioned why we two lads were lying +there behind the rocks watching so intently through +the narrow aperture.</p> + +<p>I believe ten minutes had passed in this distressing +suspense, when Giles whispered, cautiously:</p> + +<p>“It is ten times worse than a battle, lying here +where nothing can be seen, until one’s eyes become +so tired that he fancies this bush or that is suddenly +turned into one of John Butler’s demons.”</p> + +<p>I would have made reply in much the same strain, +but at that moment the leaves to the right of our +trail were moved aside in a direction contrary to +the breeze which was blowing, and then I saw +two fierce, eager eyes peering out from amid the +leafy screen of green.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span></p> + +<figure class="figcenter" style="width: 450px;"> + <img src="images/i_240a.jpg" width="450" height="647" alt=""> + <figcaption> + <p class="caption">“TAKING STEADY AIM ... I PULLED THE TRIGGER.”</p> + </figcaption> +</figure> + +<p>Taking steady aim, my hands as firm now as +though they had never trembled with suspense, I +pulled the trigger. Following the report came a +sound like unto the falling of a heavy body, and, +regardless of the necessity that we remain silent, +I said, exultantly, to Giles March:</p> + +<p>“That is the second viper we have wiped out!”</p> + +<p>It was like a tonic to me, being able to do some +execution, and I found it difficult to restrain myself +from rushing forth boldly, so eager was I to put +an end to this skulking method of warfare.</p> + +<p>Again Mistress Morley performed her work, and +I took up a loaded musket.</p> + +<p>“We are equal to twenty of them at this rate, +for, with three women to load the weapons, surely +we will be able to fire as fast as they can give us +the opportunity,” I whispered to Giles, and he +nodded without speaking, much as to say that I was +forgetting prudence because of the blood-fever +which had come upon me.</p> + +<p>Another long time of anxious waiting, and then +I felt a hand upon my shoulder, when, turning +quickly, I saw Esther Hinchman crouching close +behind me.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” I asked, nervously, and she replied:</p> + +<p>“Nothing, save that I wanted you and Giles +March to know we were ready to do whatsoever +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span>lay in our power, and await the time when we may +be needed.”</p> + +<p>“That I knew before, dear girl,” I said, feeling +wondrously heartened because of the words, and a +sensation near akin to jealousy came into my heart +when I saw her go over to Giles March to give +him cheer also, as if I alone had the right to hear +such words from her.</p> + +<p>That my comrade’s courage was strengthened by +Esther’s coming, if, indeed, it had needed strengthening, +I knew when he whispered to me:</p> + +<p>“Go back and speak with the lads. They must +be in sore need of cheering, and I can do all that +is called for here.”</p> + +<p>There was really no good reason why two of us +should remain on guard while the Indians remained +so well concealed, not daring to rush the place, +and I acted on his suggestion, kneeling beside Elias +Shendle a moment later, to say:</p> + +<p>“Everything is well with us, lad, and I believe +we may be able to hold off such force as is concealed +near by, until Master Bartlett and those +with him shall come to learn why we failed to +join them.”</p> + +<p>“Can you get any idea how many there are in +front of the cave?” Elias asked, and I told him +what had been done—that we had succeeded thus +far in killing the only two who had, as I believed, +gotten a view of the entrance to our retreat.</p> + +<p>“I wish I might take a hand in the matter, instead +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>of being thus worse than useless,” he said, +and pressing his hand, I replied, warmly:</p> + +<p>“You are far from being useless yet awhile, +Elias Shendle. Do your best at getting on your +feet once more, and thus will you hearten us all. +I am yet looking to see the time when our company +of Minute Boys, or as many as are alive, will be +able to do their full share toward driving from +the valley those who are even now ravaging it.”</p> + +<p>“All that might have been done already, Jonathan +Ogden, if I, and such as I, had not been a +hindrance. If the savages had killed us outright +then you would not be wasting your time here +defending us.”</p> + +<p>“Nay, lad, you are wrong in that, since whether +you were alive or dead should we be held here because +of the women and children. I count that +we Minute Boys are doing full service when we +save the lives of as many as are here in this cave, +and that I warrant you we shall do, however hotly +those who are lurking outside may press us, for +we hold the advantage to such an extent that an +hundred of them could never gain an entrance +while two of us are able to discharge the muskets +which the women can load.”</p> + +<p>Then I went in turn to each of the other lads, +whispering such words of comfort as came most +readily to my tongue, and returned to my place by +Giles March’s side, feeling as never before the importance +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span>of holding myself well together in order +to cheer those who were depending upon us.</p> + +<p>Later Esther Hinchman brought us dried meat, +and water in a vessel of birch bark, which she had +deftly fastened together with thorns, and we made +what served us well for a meal, watching keenly +as we ate.</p> + +<p>Then, in turn, Giles went back to speak with our +wounded comrades, leaving me alone on guard, and +in this wise did time pass until evening came, without +our having again seen anything at which we +should shoot.</p> + +<p>Just at twilight, when we might distinguish the +bushes in front of us and yet not be able to see +clearly, that happened which robbed me of my sense +of security.</p> + +<p>The children had laid down to sleep, their mothers +sitting beside them to check any cry of alarm +which might come if one of the muskets was discharged +suddenly, when I heard distinctly the dropping +of a pebble, evidently from that portion of +the cave where Master Bartlett had formed the +narrow chimney by thrusting down through the +earth a sharpened sapling.</p> + +<p>Giles’s head came up on the instant, and I knew +he had heard the same. It seemed like a matter +of small moment to thus arouse two who were +defending the lives of so many; but we had learned +to distrust the lightest unusual sound, knowing that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span>it betokened some new danger, although for the +instant it was impossible to say what.</p> + +<p>Then, suddenly, the reason for the dropping of +that pebble came to me. Touching Giles ever so +lightly, that he should understand I had left him, +I stole softly back to the fireplace, and, as I looked +up through the aperture, a few tiny particles of +earth struck my face.</p> + +<p>Then was it all plain.</p> + +<p>The Indians, despairing of being able to dislodge +us by direct assault, except at too great a cost, had +been prowling about searching for some other entrance +to our place of refuge, and their keen sense +of smell had detected the odor of smoke near by +that small hole.</p> + +<p>Hurriedly I asked myself what it might be possible +for them to do, and began to realize that, +unless the earth contained as many rocks as would +serve to form a roof sufficiently strong to uphold +the soil, then might they without danger to themselves +so loosen the whole as to bury us completely.</p> + +<p>If Master Bartlett had been able to force a sapling +through the earth without meeting any obstruction, +then was it likely that the same might +be done in other places, and half a dozen of such +holes would be sufficient to bring down the mass +upon us, when the weight of a dozen or more savages +was put upon it.</p> + +<p>In a twinkling I could see that we might all be +killed without a shot having been fired, and the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span>danger was one against which we could not guard +and yet hold ourselves covered.</p> + +<p>Going back hurriedly to Giles March, I would +have told him that which I had learned, but he +checked me by saying:</p> + +<p>“I can understand it all, lad, and there is no +reason for words. They are above the fireplace.”</p> + +<p>“Yes; I felt the soft earth as it fell.”</p> + +<p>“And they may work there, for all I can see, +until the task is finished,” he said, and to this I +made no reply, for verily none was needed.</p> + +<p>Then, while one might have counted twenty, we +two remained silent, after which he whispered, +drawing closer to me lest our companions might +hear:</p> + +<p>“Oscar Stephenson is less sorely wounded than +either of the others. He can, by resting his musket +against one of the boulders, be depended on to take +my place here.”</p> + +<p>“Where would you go, Giles March?” I asked, +yet at the same time knowing full well what was +in his mind.</p> + +<p>“Outside. In less than half an hour it will be +possible to move about among the trees, because +of the darkness, as well as can the Indians, and +with no more danger than they will be running.”</p> + +<p>“But you are like to come upon them unawares.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, but so are they like to come upon me, and +he who is least surprised will get the best of the +battle.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span>“But what if you should be worsted?”</p> + +<p>“You who remain here would be in no greater +danger, and there is a chance that I may be able +to put an end to that work above the fireplace.”</p> + +<p>“You shall go, Giles March,” I said after a moment’s +thought. “I believe you are warranted in +doing so, for before morning, unless they are +turned from the effort, will we be buried alive.”</p> + +<p>“Then you are to stay here on guard with Oscar,” +he whispered, groping about for his powder-horn, +and I replied in a tone of one who is not +disposed to argue the matter:</p> + +<p>“You and I go together, Giles March. Mistress +Morley can do as good work here as either of us, +and she, with Oscar, will be able to defend the entrance.”</p> + +<p>He would have remonstrated, despite my manner +of speaking, but that I cut him short by saying:</p> + +<p>“It is no longer a question of what we <i>would</i> +do, Giles March, but of what we <i>must</i>. With you +to make your way up the mountainside at the left, +and me on the right, we stand a chance of being +able one to aid the other in case of a hand-to-hand +fight, and I am of the opinion that two are needed, +therefore it only remains to tell the others what +we propose to do.”</p> + +<p>“Then do you go back and prepare them for the +change, while I remain here, and because it is necessary +we go at once, try to find my powder-horn. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>It should have been near here; but likely Mistress +Morley used it when she loaded the muskets.”</p> + +<p>I did as he bade me, summoning the women to +where our wounded lads could hear what was said, +for I was not minded to go over the plan more +than once, because of my desire to get at work as +soon as possible.</p> + +<p>As I expected, much opposition was made, particularly +by Mistress Stockbridge, who claimed +that if we two lads, the only able-bodied male members +of the party, went out, then would their doom +be certain; but I cut her short by saying:</p> + +<p>“If we remain then is there no hope that a single +one of us will be alive when the sun rises again. +It wasn’t to discuss the matter that I came back +here, but to tell you what was to be done. Mistress +Morley and Oscar Stephenson will take our +places at the entrance. Mistress Stockbridge will, +if it shall be necessary, reload their weapons, and +thus the defence may be continued the same as if +Giles March and I remained.”</p> + +<p>“I wish I might be with you,” Elias Shendle +said, faintly, and although we were going into +direst danger, I pitied the dear lad because he was +forced to remain inactive at a time when he knew, +as did all the others, that every hand which could +be raised in our behalf was needed.</p> + +<p>It was Esther Hinchman who brought the powder-horns +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span>when I asked for them, and whispered +softly as she put them in my hands:</p> + +<p>“May God go with you, and send you back unharmed!”</p> + +<p>I think it was some such words as those which +I needed just at that time, for until she spoke there +was a chill at my heart because of believing the time +to be so near at hand when we must lead these +defenceless ones out to meet the bloodthirsty +wolves, unless we were willing they should die +from suffocation beneath the roof of their refuge, +and I said to her that which at the moment I firmly +believed.</p> + +<p>“He must send us back that we may be able to +take you out from this place of danger.”</p> + +<p>She and I helped Oscar Stephenson out to the +entrance, Mistress Morley following, and as we +came up Giles March arose to his feet.</p> + +<p>I gave him the powder-horn, swung mine over +my shoulder, made certain of having a handful of +bullets in my pocket, and we two stood listening +intently to make certain that the time was ripe for +us to begin the hazardous venture.</p> + +<p>Night had fully come. In the forest, as we were, +it was impossible to see half a dozen paces in advance, +and because of the trees were there no +shadows to be cast, therefore it was necessary only +to guard against making a noise. It can well be +imagined that we moved stealthily while coming +out from between the boulders, he going to one +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span>side and I to the other, the friendly night swallowing +us up almost immediately.</p> + +<p>So far as the whereabouts of the Indians were +concerned, we knew only that one or more of them +must be directly above the cave over the fireplace, +and it was reasonable to suppose there were others +here or there guarding against a surprise. To +avoid those who were acting as sentinels was the +most difficult portion of our task.</p> + +<p>I made a wide détour, counting to ascend the +mountain fifteen or twenty yards above where I +believed the enemy were, and then coming down +upon them from that direction in which they would +least expect any interference, knowing full well +that in order to make even such a journey an hour +or more would be required, because my advance +was necessarily so slow that I hardly took a single +pace in a full minute.</p> + +<p>It was as if the forest was untenanted save by the +beasts and birds whom God had placed there; I +heard no sound, saw nothing betokening danger, +until I was come forty paces or more from the +starting-point, and then, so suddenly that I was +literally stupefied by bewilderment, did two sinewy +hands clutch my throat, bending me backward and +yet further backward as if to crush my bones.</p> + +<p>Cry out I could not, because of that steel-like +grasp upon my throat, and even though I had been +able to call for help I would not, since by so doing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span>it would have brought Giles March straight to his +death; for I knew all too well that he would never +pass unheeded an appeal from me, however great +the danger which menaced him.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIV.<br> +<small>UNEXPECTED AID</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">I was</span> well-nigh powerless in the grasp of the +brawny savage, and, although nearly suffocated, +there came into my mind the question as to how +long I could stand the strain which he was putting +upon me.</p> + +<p>Each second were my senses growing more and +more dim, and yet I wondered whether I might +live one minute or two, for it was a settled fact +in my mind that death had then come, and there +was no power which could be summoned to my +aid to hold it back.</p> + +<p>Fortunately for me, although as a matter of +course I did not understand it at the time, this +human wolf of John Butler’s was as eager to keep +the silence as I, for, not knowing how many of us +might have come out of the cave, he naturally supposed +I had at my back a sufficient force to meet +those who were working on the mountainside +above, and to his mind an alarm would be the same +as turning the tables upon them.</p> + +<p>My brain was in a whirl. It seemed as if I could +see a dozen hideous faces swaying round and round +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span>in a circle before me; sparks of fire danced before +my eyes, and in another instant I would have been +sent out of this world beyond a peradventure.</p> + +<p>All this I realized despite the mental confusion +caused by the suffocation, and then suddenly I felt +the fingers relax. I staggered back against a tree, +and when my adversary sank slowly to his knees, +and then downward until he lay prone upon the +earth, falling in a heap as does one who has been +killed while standing, I believed it was all a trick +of the imagination—that while I was passing into +the Beyond this picture, and this belief that I was +no longer being choked, was but a fancy born of +death.</p> + +<p>Then while I swayed to and fro, striving to collect +my scattered senses, a voice whispered in my +ear as a hand was passed over my face:</p> + +<p>“Did he wound you, or are you only half-choked?”</p> + +<p>“A good bit more than <i>half</i>-choked,” I replied, +now beginning to understand that I had to do with +a friend, and yet bewildered because one had appeared +so unexpectedly. “Is it you, Giles +March?”</p> + +<p>I bent down as I spoke, and to my utter amazement +did I see Esther Hinchman standing before +me. She it was who had stricken down the savage +when he was so near to making an end of me, +and I believe the astonishment caused by such fact +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span>was greater than the bewilderment from which I +suffered while nearly suffocated.</p> + +<p>“How did you come here?” I asked, regardless +of the fact that it was dangerous even to whisper +in that place, which we knew must be peopled +with our enemies.</p> + +<p>“I followed you out from the cave, fearing lest +something of this sort might happen, and knowing +that you and Giles March were to separate.”</p> + +<p>“But how was it that Mistress Morley so nearly +lost her head as to allow you to come?” I continued, +and she replied in a whisper light as the +morning breeze:</p> + +<p>“There was no reason why I should stay. I +could be of no assistance in the cave, and here I +was needed, as it so chanced. Is it in your mind, +Jonathan Ogden, that we girls of Wyoming Valley +should have no part in this desperate struggle, +or do you believe we ought to sit with folded arms, +while our fathers and our brothers sacrifice their +lives in our behalf?”</p> + +<p>It was folly for me to remain in that place talking +with the girl, when duty demanded that I +ascend the mountain at as nearly an equal pace +with Giles March as might be possible, and, besides, +it was dangerous to indulge in conversation.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that, taking her by the arm lest +we be separated in the darkness, I led her by my +side, continuing the advance as stealthily as was +in my power, and she knew enough of woodcraft +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span>to be able to make her way through the undergrowth +with no more of noise than might have +been caused by a falling leaf.</p> + +<p>Never before had I admired one of my race as +I have since that moment! It was all so strange +to me that this young girl could come out and do +the work of a man, and such work! She had saved +my life, and while climbing up the mountainside, +feeling the way inch by inch lest I set my foot +upon a dry twig which would give the alarm, I +resolved that all my life long would I endeavor to +repay her for that which she had done.</p> + +<p>When we came to a spot where the trees grew +less dense, I noted that she carried a musket as +well as a knife, and had slung over her shoulder +a powder-horn. She had made ready for the kind +of work which might be found to her hand, and +had shown more of wisdom than Giles March and +I put together, for neither of us, in making our +plans, had fancied that we would come upon such +an encounter as had just been mine.</p> + +<p>We continued on up the mountainside until having, +as I judged, arrived at a point opposite where +Master Bartlett had made the aperture in the earth +to serve us as chimney, and then struck off at right +angles, moving even more slowly than ever because +of knowing that when we were come near to our +destination we would be in the very thick of those +painted fiends who were striving to compass the +death of the women and little children in the cave.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span>Until we were, according to my belief, almost +directly over the cavern, no sign of the enemy had +been seen, save when the fellow who was now lifeless +had seized me; but as we halted, straining +our eyes to peer through the gloom which so nearly +concealed surrounding objects, it was possible to +see four or five dark forms clustered within a circle +not more than ten feet in diameter.</p> + +<p>By this time I recovered the wits which had been +nearly choked out of me, and believed Giles March +was gazing upon the same scene presented to Esther +Hinchman and me, awaiting some movement on +my part. As I figured to myself, he was nearly +opposite where we stood, not very far away, and +if we opened fire it would be necessary to avoid +shooting in his direction.</p> + +<p>It was only needed I should touch Esther Hinchman +lightly on the arm, for her to understand that +which was in my mind as clearly as if I gave the +thoughts words, and then we circled around the +crouching savages until believing we were come +upon them directly from the rear.</p> + +<p>Raising my musket, I called her attention by +gestures to what I was about to do, and she at the +same time took aim.</p> + +<p>I counted that Giles March, hearing the report +of our weapons, would fire almost immediately, +and unless two of us had singled out as a target +the same Indian, then we might count on disposing +of three at the first volley.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span>When I fired, Esther Hinchman’s shot followed +as if it was but an echo of mine, and before a quick-tongued +lad could have counted three came the report +of a musket from where I believed Giles +March had stationed himself.</p> + +<p>We could do no more, for like startled deer two +of the savages sprang forward into the thicket, +and the crashing of the branches as they ran in +terror, regardless of their footsteps, told that they +had gone down the mountainside.</p> + +<p>Before it was possible for me to leap forward in +order to learn what execution had been done, two +reports rang out seemingly from beneath our very +feet, and then did I know that Oscar Stephenson +and Mistress Morley had caught a glimpse of the +fugitives sufficient to warrant them in shooting.</p> + +<p>An instant later Giles March and I came together +as we approached the place where the Indians +had been at work, and there saw two of the +fellows who would give us no further trouble, +while it was also possible that those in the cave +had succeeded in inflicting some injury upon the +curs who ran so swiftly.</p> + +<p>“There could have been but few of them here,” +Giles said, after making certain those of our enemies +who remained above the cavern were dead, +“for unless my eyes deceived me, there were only +four in the party.”</p> + +<p>“Five,” I said, “for Esther Hinchman killed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span>one who was nigh to making an end of me not +forty paces from here.”</p> + +<p>“Esther Hinchman!” Giles March cried in astonishment, +and as he spoke the girl stood before +him.</p> + +<p>He looked at her in open-mouthed astonishment, +and despite the dangers and horrors of the situation +I could find food for mirth in his bewilderment. +The lad’s surprise was so great that it +seemed absolutely necessary we should gratify his +curiosity at once, and in a few words I told him +of what had happened, thereby causing him to +seize her hands as he cried, heeding not the fact +that open speech might imperil our lives:</p> + +<p>“You are a comrade worth having, and if Jonathan +Ogden and I had known of what stuff you +are made, I question whether we would have believed +it necessary to stay in the cave instead of +rejoining Master Bartlett and the remainder of +the party.”</p> + +<p>It was neither the time nor the place for us to +indulge in compliments or much conversation, and +I gave my companions to understand such fact, +while I began looking about to see what the Indians +had succeeded in doing.</p> + +<p>From the evidences of their work it was plain +to be seen that they understood full well how we +might be disposed of without danger to themselves. +Although having nothing but sharpened saplings +with which to dig, they had furrowed up the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span>ground in a spot ten to twelve feet square, until +fifteen inches or more of the surface had been removed. +But for the interruption, it seemed certain +they would have succeeded in their purpose +within another hour.</p> + +<p>“Keep moving roundabout here, Esther Hinchman, +while Giles March and I shall have put back +this earth so far as we may, for as matters look, +it would not require any very heavy weight to +throw down the roof of the cave upon those who +are inside.”</p> + +<p>She went on guard as I had suggested, and then +it was that Giles March proposed we cut down a +dozen or more saplings, laying them in the excavation +to form a sort of network which would +further protect the roof of our place of refuge, +which was now all too insecure, and after this had +been done we pushed back as best we might the +soil that had been removed.</p> + +<p>We must have spent not less than half an hour +in this labor, and all the while did Esther Hinchman +flit here and there through the thicket to make +certain there were none of the savages creeping +up on us, after which we went back to relieve the +anxiety of those who could not fail to be wondering +why we lingered so long after having discharged +our weapons.</p> + +<p>Not until giving due warning of our coming did +we venture to present ourselves in front of the +opening, because in the darkness those who were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span>on guard might well have shot us down for the +enemy, and once inside the wounded lads as well +as the women insisted on knowing what had taken +place, for, as I suspected, they had been filled with +keenest fear lest we had come to some harm.</p> + +<p>I took it upon myself to tell the tale while Mistress +Morley and Oscar Stephenson yet remained +on duty at the entrance, and it was my desire to +do so in order to give full meed of praise to Esther +Hinchman, because, except for her courage and +quick wit that night, had I been lying on the mountainside +stark and cold as was the fiend whom she +had sent out of the world.</p> + +<p>“There is no longer a chimney to our refuge,” +I said, having come to an end of my story, “and +perchance the time is near at hand when we should +make a change of quarters, for I question whether +John Butler’s braves will not come back in strong +force, believing there are enough of us here to afford +them pleasing amusement in the way of torture.”</p> + +<p>“Shall we go out now?” Mistress Morley +asked, as if speaking of making a pleasant jaunt +from one dwelling to another, and I replied with a +laugh, for my heart was strangely light, having +come back to life as it seemed I had:</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t care to undertake a journey through +the thicket in the darkness, howsoever great might +be the peril which threatened, and even when the sun +shall rise to-morrow, I am of the belief that either +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span>Giles March or I should seek out the remainder +of our company before making any change, lest +we lose them in the wilderness.”</p> + +<p>Esther Hinchman was not disposed to set herself +up as a heroine, and as soon as we were inside +the cave, even while I was telling the story of what +she had done, the dear girl went from one to the +other of the wounded lads, striving to give them +more of comfort or relief.</p> + +<p>As was but natural, we speculated upon the probable +force of the party which had come so near +compassing our death, and only then did I remember +that Oscar Stephenson and Mistress Morley +had fired at the fugitives.</p> + +<p>“My bullet went wide of its mark, I feel certain,” +Oscar said in reply to my question. “I fired +at what was hardly more than a shadow; but Mistress +Morley believes hers sped with truer aim, +and I am counting, if there be not a dead Indian +on the trail a short distance in front of us, one +grievously wounded is trying to make his way to +the river.”</p> + +<p>Giles March would have gone out to learn what +he could, but that I insisted on his remaining, for +the price he might be called upon to pay would +be too great simply for the satisfying of our curiosity.</p> + +<p>Well, of what we said that night among ourselves +I could write many pages; but they would +be entertaining only to those who took part in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span>conversation, therefore is it enough if I say that +we kept vigilant watch throughout all the long +hours of darkness.</p> + +<p>After a new day was come, rendering it possible +to see each other’s faces, I fancied that all the +wounded lads were in better condition than they +had been four and twenty hours previous, while +each of our small party wore a look of hopefulness, +in vivid contrast with the despair that had +been written on the features when first arriving +at that place of refuge.</p> + +<p>Giles March and I had long since taken the places +of Oscar Stephenson and Mistress Morley at the +entrance, and after meat, which had been cooked +the day previous, and water was brought to us +that we might at least go through the form of eating +breakfast, Giles asked of me:</p> + +<p>“Which shall it be, Jonathan Ogden, you or +me?”</p> + +<p>“What mean you?” I inquired in perplexity.</p> + +<p>“Was it not in your mind last night that one of +us would go to meet the others of our company?”</p> + +<p>I made no reply for the moment; that which a +short time previous had seemed the proper thing +to do now looked much like foolhardiness. During +the night I had persuaded myself that the savages +could not come upon us in any force within six and +thirty hours at the most, because of the fact that +they must necessarily be scattered all over the valley +in their work of butchery, and I had more desire to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span>linger there on the chance of our friends coming to +learn of our fate than of dividing the force.</p> + +<p>I gave words to much of that which was in my +mind; but Giles March would not be convinced it +was the part of wisdom for us thus to delay, and I +argued the matter at considerable length until, +while we were yet talking incautiously loud, the +sound of footsteps could be heard but a short distance +in front of us.</p> + +<p>On the instant we were on the alert and ready for +what had a ring of danger in it, and then came a +low call like the note of a catbird, whereupon I ran +out quickly, knowing that Master Bartlett was near +at hand.</p> + +<p>What a relief it was when I saw all of our +friends had returned, and the look of anxiety, +which had not yet passed from their faces, told how +disturbed in mind they had been regarding our +safety.</p> + +<p>“You have had a tussle with the savages,” Master +Bartlett said, hurriedly, as I advanced to meet +him.</p> + +<p>“How know you that?”</p> + +<p>“There is a dead one on the trail a short distance +below here.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, Mistress Morley was right; she gave him +more lead than he could carry, and now may we +count that only one of that villainous gang +escaped.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course, it was necessary I explain +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>the meaning of my words to those who gathered +around me, and, when I was come to an end +of the story, Stephen Morley and Master Bartlett +appeared to be more concerned in mind than before.</p> + +<p>“What is it?” I asked, thinking, mayhap, they +had brought news of worse disaster.</p> + +<p>“Enough, to my thinking,” Stephen Morley replied, +grimly. “You believe one of the red wolves +escaped, and we may be certain that he will bring +back a crowd to smoke you out of the cave. There +are not so many victims to be had in the valley now +that they can afford to let slip our party, and the +question is, what shall be done, Simon Bartlett?”</p> + +<p>While the two men were discussing the matter, +I asked Daniel Hinchman to tell me what he and his +companions had done since Giles March and I left +them.</p> + +<p>“Very little,” he replied, “save to learn that +Colonel Dennison and some of our friends yet remain +in Forty Fort. John Butler is trying to keep +the word which he gave when they surrendered; but +his red butchers are not inclined to be kept in leading-strings +while there is yet blood to be spilled, +therefore do those under Dennison fear to go out +lest they be massacred, for they are the same as +without weapons.”</p> + +<p>“And the Indians themselves?” I asked. “Do +they remain near the fort?”</p> + +<p>“Only so many of them as John Butler’s Tories +can hold there by force. So nearly as we could +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>learn they are divided in parties of from twenty-five +to fifty, travelling to and fro, destroying such +dwellings as first were spared the flames, because of +being at too great a distance from the stockade.”</p> + +<p>“And how many settlers yet remain alive?” I +asked.</p> + +<p>“That cannot be said by me or any other. There +are many who have fled; women and children +have gone on foot across the mountains, or down +the river, trusting to rafts or even single logs, and +yet scores upon scores of them are fallen under +the tomahawk of the savages or the bullets of the +Tories, for it is difficult to say whether the red +man or the white is inclined to show the least +mercy.”</p> + +<p>“And you found no others who might be +aided?”</p> + +<p>“None. All that has been done by us, in addition +to gaining the information I have just given +you, was a brush with half a dozen whom we met +near by Fort Ogden, and to those we gave such a +taste of our metal that they will never again follow +any other so-called leaders who come from Johnson’s +Hall. If we had fifty lads or men, Jonathan +Ogden, we would drive those human wolves to +take shelter in the stockade at Forty Fort, and hold +them there. Now has come the time when we may +take revenge, and I pray that my life be spared +long enough to shoot down as many as I believe +I should claim as my share.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span>“But we can’t roam here or there over the valley,” +I said, after a pause, and he replied, bitterly:</p> + +<p>“True, and the reason is that some of us must +be left to protect those who cannot care for themselves. +If Stephen Morley and Master Bartlett +would decide that the women and children should +undertake the journey over the mountains, then +might we be left free-handed to do as is our duty.”</p> + +<p>“But you forget the wounded, Daniel; they +may not be moved yet awhile.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, Jonathan, and thus are we +hampered,” Daniel replied, and then he went up the +trail toward the cave to greet his sister, who stood +a short distance away waiting for him impatiently.</p> + +<p>When next I joined the two men it was to find +them at loggerheads. Stephen Morley was of the +belief that we might take the three injured lads, +the women and the children, into the stockade at +Wyoming, leaving them there to protect themselves, +while we went out to harry the smaller +bands of savages who were roaming to and fro, +even as they had harried our people.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, Master Bartlett insisted that +we remain in the cave during at least eight and +forty hours, claiming that there we could defend +ourselves the better, and when I asked why he +would delay that length of time, he replied that it +would give at least two of the wounded chance to +recover sufficiently to move through the forest unaided.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>“But then where will you go, Master Bartlett?” +I asked.</p> + +<p>“By that time we shall know better where we +are most needed.”</p> + +<p>“How?” Stephen Morley demanded.</p> + +<p>“By going out again. I will take Jonathan +Ogden and Giles March, agreeing to return here +within eight and forty hours, and promise you that +while absent we will give good account of ourselves.”</p> + +<p>“But why not take all the able-bodied of our +force?”</p> + +<p>“Because now is it certain the cave will be again +attacked, and there must be enough left here to +guard it.”</p> + +<p>Then once more the two men fell into a discussion +as to the best course, and, burning with the +desire to do something other than remain on the +mountainside in idleness, I cut short the arguments +by saying:</p> + +<p>“Stephen Morley is bound to stay here because +in his wife and children he has more at stake than +any other. Do you select the force you desire, +Master Bartlett, and let us set off without delay.”</p> + +<p>Master Morley went into the cave as if disgruntled; +but, as I looked at the matter, it was not +a time when we were bound to consider one man’s +ideas as against the many, and once more I urged +Master Bartlett to do as I had suggested.</p> + +<p>The result of the matter was that within half +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span>an hour we three, the old man, Giles, and I, were +ready to depart, and those of our comrades who +were to be left behind had sorrowful faces, as if, +because of being forced to remain in a place of +comparative safety, they were in some way being +deprived of their rights.</p> + +<p>We would have gone without speaking even to +the wounded, but that, just as Master Bartlett took +up his musket to set off, Esther Hinchman came +toward me, and I was only too glad to meet her.</p> + +<p>“You will remember, Jonathan Ogden, that +while there are helpless ones left here on the mountainside +your life belongs to them. Daniel has +told me how eager you are to be off in the aiding +of those who may be suffering. He believes, and so +does Master Morley, that your efforts will be vain, +because there are none left alive needing assistance, +therefore I know full well you will have an encounter +with the savages.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that is what we hope for. There is a price +which they must pay in blood for what has been +done, and until the debt is collected I am hoping +no man or lad who once called our valley his home +may be willing to remain idle.”</p> + +<p>“But you will remember that there is a debt +which you owe us who are here.”</p> + +<p>“Meaning that I shall lag behind when there is +work to be done?” I said with a laugh, and she +replied, taking my hand with a caressing gesture +which pleased me wondrously:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span>“Not so, Jonathan Ogden, for even though you +promised it, I would not believe you could keep +such word. I am not asking you to stay here, but +that you remember those whom you leave behind.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV.<br> +<small>A FORTUNATE FIND</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">It</span> heartened me more than I can tell to know +that Esther Hinchman had singled me out to say +that which she did. If she had spoken to Giles as +well as me, then would I have known beyond question +that her anxiety was concerning all who might +be needed to defend the cave; but she had picked +me from the others, and, without being able to say +exactly why, I rejoiced thereat.</p> + +<p>Turning my head just before passing the fringe +of bushes which concealed the entrance to our place +of refuge, I saw that she was looking after me, and +I waved my hand, wishing most fervently it was +possible to put into words the thoughts which were +in my heart.</p> + +<p>Until we had travelled two miles or more, no +word was spoken between us who had set off on a +scout with the hope of finding some of our neighbors +and friends whose lives might yet be saved, +and then it was that Master Bartlett came to a halt.</p> + +<p>“Why do you stop this side of the river?” I +asked, impatiently, for I was burning as never before +with the desire to accomplish that which would +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span>prove to Esther Hinchman I was a lad only in years, +that I might be depended upon to perform a man’s +work.</p> + +<p>“Because it is well we understand exactly why +we have come,” Master Bartlett replied in a tone +which provoked my curiosity, and Giles March said, +sharply:</p> + +<p>“I thought that much was already agreed upon; +surely we made talk enough concerning it before +setting out.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, what we would have the others believe +was well threshed out; but at the time there was another +idea in my mind which seemed of more importance, +although I could not give it words lest +all the able-bodied of our company insisted on holding +with us.”</p> + +<p>“Do not be so mysterious,” and Giles spoke in a +tone of irritation, “but let us know what you are +driving at.”</p> + +<p>“So you shall, lad; it was for that purpose I +halted,” the old man said, deliberately, as if to +weigh well his words before uttering them. “To +begin with, we are all agreed that, as soon as the +savage who has learned the secret of our hiding-place +can tell his fellows what he knows, a large +force will be sent to smoke us out. Now it is certain +that, in case an attack is made upon the cave, +but few of those on the inside can do anything +against them, since, fortunately, the entrance is so +narrow.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span>“No more than two can work to advantage +there,” I interrupted, “and, with two others to reload +the weapons, the place cannot be taken from +the front, save by a determined rush, when the +first six who presented themselves would surely be +killed.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and because of that same condition of +affairs have we come out as if on a scout. I am +satisfied there are none in the valley at this time +whom we could aid, therefore our only show of +accomplishing anything would be to lie in wait for +small parties of the red fiends and wipe them +out.”</p> + +<p>“And is that what you count on doing?” Giles +March asked, impatiently.</p> + +<p>“No, lad, because I do not believe we would be +warranted in that kind of fighting so long as we +have with us the women and children. I was eager +we three should come out, to the end that we +might lie in wait nearabout until the enemy arrives, +and it would go hard if, taking them in the rear +after an attack on the cave was begun, we could +not give the murderers a lesson such as they would +not soon forget. If we had said as much before +starting, it would have been hard work to keep the +others back.”</p> + +<p>The old man’s plan was a good one, and I could +readily understand that we might be able to do +much execution when the time came; yet, because +of what Esther Hinchman had said, I would have +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span>been better pleased to roam up and down the valley, +in the hope of accomplishing something which +might convince her I was able to do a man’s work.</p> + +<p>Giles March, however, was not willing to remain +inactive as long as might be necessary in order to +carry out what Master Bartlett had planned, arguing +that it was not reasonable to suppose the savages +could or would be likely to arrive before the +day was spent and another nearly ended.</p> + +<p>“I agree that you have hit upon the proper trick +to put a speedy end to any attack that may be made; +but, if that was all we were to do, it would have +been better that we remained in the cave with our +friends at least until to-morrow noon,” he said, +quickly. “Since we have come away, and to the +end that we may not be forced to stay here sucking +our thumbs, let us keep on to the river, having a +good look at all the ruins, with the chance of finding +some one who has been hidden as was Mistress +Stockbridge.”</p> + +<p>I added my voice to this proposition, since it +seemed the true one, and we started off once more +with the agreement that, at the end of four and +twenty hours, we would return to go on watch.</p> + +<p>Our faces were turned toward the river, and we +made no other halt until having arrived at the bank +of the stream, when we moved more cautiously, lest +we attract the attention of those of the enemy who +might be on the opposite side.</p> + +<p>Nothing could be seen to cause alarm, and we set +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span>about searching such ruins as lay to the south of +where we then were.</p> + +<p>Even as we began the task I understood that it +was too much to expect we could find another family +who had remained securely hidden, as had +Mistress Stockbridge and her children; but, nevertheless, +we did our work thoroughly and without +interruption until nearly nightfall.</p> + +<p>There was sufficient evidence of butchery and +destruction on every hand to make our hearts ache, +but we found no one alive; and, when the sun was +near to setting, Giles March claimed that there was +no reason why we should not be able to learn of +what might be going on near Forty Fort if we were +willing to spend the hours of darkness scouting in +that direction.</p> + +<p>To this Master Bartlett made no protest, although +I could understand full well that it caused +him pain to walk so far and so long.</p> + +<p>“We should be able to find a canoe somewhere +along the bank near these ruins,” I said to the +old man, because it was quite a serious matter for +him to go into the water when he could not swim a +stroke, and immediately I began to search.</p> + +<p>It was only reasonable to suppose that those of +the settlers who had more boats than were needed +to take them across the river when they fled to +Forty Fort would have concealed the remainder in +the bushes near the water, and, because of such +reckoning, I clambered down the bank to the very +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span>edge of the stream, peering in at every likely +spot.</p> + +<p>On arriving opposite the ruins of Eben Towle’s +house, which had stood near the water and was the +most southerly in the settlement, I saw what +looked like an opening in the bank, which would +have been passed unnoticed save for the fact that I +had been searching for some such place.</p> + +<p>A tangle of bushes and vines grew nearabout, +and, worming my way amid these, taking care not +to disturb them more than might be necessary, I +finally came upon an opening not unlike the den of +a bear, which was, perhaps, three feet in diameter.</p> + +<p>Thrusting in my head, I cried out, thinking it +possible some unfortunate might be hidden therein, +and a reply came from Master Bartlett, who was +some distance away on the other side of the ruins.</p> + +<p>It struck me as queer that he should have been +able to hear my voice while I was so far from him, +and with my head in a hole, therefore I called him +by name, speaking more softly, and, to my surprise, +he replied promptly, the words sounding as if they +had come from the hole just in advance of me instead +of from the open air.</p> + +<p>“Where are you?” I asked, in bewilderment.</p> + +<p>“Here in the bushes. What are you doing in the +ruins of that house when it was agreed you should +look for a canoe?”</p> + +<p>Then it was that an idea came into my mind +which, although it seemed unreasonable even to the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span>verge of folly, prompted me to force my way into +the hole.</p> + +<p>I had no more than gotten my body into the +entrance when I saw that the sides of the hole, cave, +or tunnel, whichever it might be called, were timbered +to prevent the earth from caving in, and then +that which I had said was folly to imagine became +well-nigh a fact.</p> + +<p>I was in a veritable tunnel, which widened as I +advanced until it was really an underground chamber, +where, to my great surprise, I saw stored salted +and smoked meat, together with many small packages +done up in bark or furs.</p> + +<p>I was too much excited, because of this fortunate +find, to make any careful examination of the different +things around me, but pushed on until arriving +at a wall of rock, through which the light of day +came from above.</p> + +<p>Then it was that I called again for Master Bartlett, +asking that he come down to the ruins of the +building, and there was that in my voice which +caused him to obey without parleying; but when he +was near at hand I heard him ask, impatiently:</p> + +<p>“Where are you, lad? It is unwise for us to be +moving around where those on the other side of the +river can see all that is going on, and, if we are not +to cross, it is better that we go back into the +thicket.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that I tried to explain what I had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span>found, but, before I had hardly well begun, he +cried, excitedly:</p> + +<p>“You have found Eben Towle’s tunnel! I remember +he declared, two years ago, that he had +made one, and had a hiding-place out of which he +could not be smoked. That was when the Susquehanna +Company had sent warning we would be +driven from the valley by force, and declared blood +should be spilled if we failed to obey.”</p> + +<p>“Can you see any show of such a place from +where you are standing?” I asked, and it was +possible for me to hear his footsteps as he walked +twice around the ruins before making reply.</p> + +<p>“There is nothing to be seen here but the +charred timbers, lad. How did you get in?”</p> + +<p>Instead of replying, I made my way out with all +speed, save that at the entrance I moved with the +utmost care lest I leave a trail, and, on coming into +the open air once more, saw that Giles March, having +heard our voices, had joined the old man to +learn what was going on between us two.</p> + +<p>Situated as we were, it was but natural that the +same thought should come into the minds of all +when the nature of my discovery had been made +known. In this tunnel, which Eben Towle had +made as a refuge against those of the Susquehanna +Company who would have driven him from his +home, our little party of women, children, and +wounded lads might remain in safety awhile +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span>longer,—surely until the savages tracked us down +once more.</p> + +<p>On the heels of such fact came to me the belief +that the time was now at hand when our company +of Minute Boys might be able to give further proof +that they could play the part of soldiers nearly as +well as men. In this tunnel of Eben Towle’s we +would be securely hidden in the very heart of the +valley, keeping in touch with those who remained +at Forty Fort, and it would go hard, indeed, if we +did not give good account of ourselves before Butler’s +wolves returned to Johnson Hall.</p> + +<p>Giles March would have gone at once to the +mouth of the tunnel, in order to see for himself that +which I had found, but Master Bartlett prevented +him by saying, sharply:</p> + +<p>“None of that, lad! We went in and out of the +cave without heed to leaving a trail, thinking none +of Butler’s curs would come upon us there, and yet +they found the hiding-place. To go in simply to +gratify your curiosity will be to leave just so many +more invitations for those who are prowling around +to have a look at it. We will first see what can be +done toward opening an entrance from the ruins, +so that we may get the helpless ones inside without +leaving a sign-board behind them.”</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should set down +all we said while trying to decide just what it was +best to do at once; it is enough if I say that after +more talk than I believed necessary, in view of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span>situation, it was decided that we could not bring +down the women and children during the night, +owing to all the difficulties, and it would not be safe +to do so next day, because of the possibility that the +savages might come sooner than we expected.</p> + +<p>It seemed better they remain in the cave until we +had beaten off the Indians when they made the next +attack, and this we believed would be a comparatively +easy matter, if the plans already formed +should be carried out. Therefore it was agreed +that Master Bartlett should spend the night at the +ruins, making an entrance through them to the tunnel, +while Giles March and I went back to get so +many of the party as Stephen Morley thought best +after we had explained to him all the situation.</p> + +<p>Night had come before we arrived at this decision, +and we two lads started at once, travelling +swiftly because it did not seem probable there was +any danger, and with light hearts, owing to the +hopes for the future which had so lately been born.</p> + +<p>It was near to midnight when we were come to +the fringe of bushes which screened the entrance +of the cave; but immediately I sounded the catbird’s +note, it was replied to without delay, and in another +instant Esther Hinchman came out to meet us.</p> + +<p>“I persuaded Master Morley and Daniel to take +some rest, while I stood guard,” she began, and I +interrupted by asking sharply:</p> + +<p>“Why did not Miles Parker do his share of the +duty?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span>“He was sleeping so soundly that it seemed a +pity to awaken him when I was fit for the work; +but where is Master Bartlett?” she asked in alarm, +noting for the first time that he was not with us.</p> + +<p>I explained in few words the good fortune which +had seemingly come to us, and while talking I held +her hand in mine, to which she did not object.</p> + +<p>Then we entered the cave, arousing the others, +and explaining to them not only why we had come, +but the plans we had formed in the way of falling +upon those who attacked the cave, saying in conclusion:</p> + +<p>“It has been agreed that you shall say how many, +and who, are to go back at once, Master Morley, +and I pray that we be able to set off without delay, +lest we meet enemies on the path.”</p> + +<p>“You may take Oscar, who is fit to travel that +distance in the night, Daniel and Esther and Miles +Parker. So many should be able to carry all the +stores we have gathered here, and leave us with +no other burden than the wounded when we join +you.”</p> + +<p>I cried out against his sending away all the able-bodied, +save the three women; but he insisted that +since we were to be on the outside to take part in +the battle, if one came off, he had all the help that +would be needed, therefore those selected to go +made their preparations.</p> + +<p>If I have failed to say anything regarding the +manner in which our comrades received the news +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span>we brought, it is because words are not needed. +One can readily understand that when a party of +fugitives, about to be driven from their place of +refuge, suddenly learn that another and more secure +place has been found, the joy and relief are +great.</p> + +<p>Within half an hour after Giles and I arrived, +the little company was ready to set out, each carrying +a full load, and when we filed out of the cave, +which had sheltered us so well in the hour of our +extremity, I took Esther Hinchman’s hand in mine +that we might walk side by side.</p> + +<p>We made the journey to the river without mishap, +although it seemed long and tedious to the +others, owing to the heavy burdens we carried; +but to me it was a pleasure jaunt ever to be remembered +because of her who walked by my side.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett was on the watch for us, and +as we were led directly into the ruins, each stepping +in the tracks of the one in advance that the +trail might not be too plain, it was possible to see +what the old man had done.</p> + +<p>One of the stones in the wall of which I have +spoken was removed, leaving an opening sufficiently +large for us to crawl through, and on walking the +length of the tunnel I found that end which gave +on the river choked up with logs and half-burned +timbers.</p> + +<p>“I haven’t finished the work at that end,” Master +Bartlett said when I joined the others after the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span>inspection. “There will be time enough later, and +when daylight comes I am counting on starting a +fire among the charred timbers in order to hide our +trail. There is an hour yet remaining before morning, +and you had best get what sleep you can. +Eben Towle put up a sort of partition in one corner +here, therefore Esther Hinchman may have a room +to herself.”</p> + +<p>We threw ourselves on the floor of the tunnel +almost as soon as he had spoken, and I was no more +than stretched out at full-length before my eyes +closed in slumber.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if only three or four minutes had +passed when I felt the pressure of a hand on my +shoulder, and, opening my eyes, saw Master Bartlett +in the dim light, as he whispered:</p> + +<p>“I’ve been knocking around a bit, and saw a +dozen or more redskins land from a couple of +canoes not a hundred yards up-stream. They have +struck off toward the mountains, and I reckon it’s +our business to follow them. We three will go +alone; I’ve told the girl Esther, and she’ll keep an +eye out till the other lads finish their job of sleeping.”</p> + +<p>Then the old man aroused Giles March, and we +made ready to creep out through the ruins, I lingering +behind my comrades to whisper a word to +Esther, after which I followed.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett showed, by taking the lead when +we had gained the shelter of the thicket, that he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span>counted on running the business, at least until this +portion of our work was done, and I was only too +glad to have him thus take command.</p> + +<p>A good woodsman was Master Simon Bartlett, +else he would not have kept us so close on the heels +of the skulking savages without being discovered, +and that during all the time we consumed in making +the five miles, moving not much faster than a mile +an hour.</p> + +<p>From their cautious advance it could plainly be +seen that John Butler’s wolves believed there were +a large number of people in the cave, and were +afraid of coming across an enemy by mistake, or +of finding an overwhelming force in their path.</p> + +<p>How my fingers itched to strike a blow when one +or another lagged behind at such a distance that +we could have overpowered him with but little +chance of his being able to alarm his fellows; but +Master Bartlett shook his head decidedly whenever +Giles March or I told him by gestures of what we +would do.</p> + +<p>Then, when an unusually good opportunity came, +he whispered, warningly:</p> + +<p>“Don’t make the mistake of striking down one +of those villains when we can bag the most of them. +If we carry ourselves right between now and the +time they fire the first shot at those who are in the +cave, it should be possible to give the sneaks such +a blow as will make the others a bit uneasy.”</p> + +<p>Well, we trailed the murderers up to the very +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span>mouth of the cave, and there they hid themselves, +hoping, most likely, that one or more of the fugitives +might show them a target. I was nearly wild +with fear lest Stephen Morley, believing, as we had +a few hours previous, that there would be no danger +until later, might venture outside.</p> + +<p>These fellows must have had with them the cur +who escaped when we gave them so warm a reception, +else they would have blundered on until coming +in sight of the entrance; but, as if familiar with +the lay of the land, the entire party concealed themselves +not twenty paces from where Stephen +Morley was on watch.</p> + +<p>We knew full well that no attack would be made +until night was nearly come, unless it so chanced +our people ventured out incautiously, and settled +down with whatsoever of patience we could command, +to await their movements.</p> + +<p>It must have been nearabout noon when we arrived, +and until sunset did we lie in the thicket like +logs of wood, not daring to move lest we make so +much of a noise as might give warning of our +whereabouts.</p> + +<p>What a blessed relief it was, when the gloom of +night came like a film through the foliage, to see +those half-naked villains move more closely together +as if making ready for action, and only then +did Master Bartlett give signs that he was on the +alert.</p> + +<p>By gestures he made Giles March and me understand +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span>that we were to take stations twenty paces to +the right of him, and not to open fire until his +musket had been discharged.</p> + +<p>Inch by inch we wormed ourselves through the +leaves and vines until having gained the station +pointed out, and there waited impatiently for that +struggle which might end only with the death of +one or all, for it was by no means certain the savages +would fall readily into our trap.</p> + +<p>Then, as the gloom thickened, we could see the +dark forms of the murderers as they crept silently +through the screen of bushes toward the cave, and +I knew it was their purpose to press on until it +might be possible to thrust their muskets between +the rocks before firing.</p> + +<p>I literally held my breath with suspense, fearing +lest Stephen Morley be caught off his guard, and +could have cried aloud in triumph when the report +of a musket rang out, while one of the painted crew +came staggering through the bushes to sink on the +ground as if having got a mortal hurt.</p> + +<p>The curs had found that they could not hope +to catch Stephen Morley napping, and once more +they crouched behind the screen of bushes as if for +a consultation.</p> + +<p>Then, when perhaps ten minutes more had passed, +we could see even in the darkness that they were +making ready for another move, and I fancied it was +possible to distinguish a movement of Master Bartlett’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span>arm, as if he warned us that our time had +come at last.</p> + +<p>With our muskets raised, Giles March and I +waited, and at the very moment when the savages +vanished into the gloom a bright flash and a ringing +report from the direction of where I had last seen +Master Bartlett, sounded our signal to begin the +fight; but, alas! it was no longer possible for us to +carry out the plan as it had been arranged.</p> + +<p>The one thought in my mind was that if Giles +March and I failed of doing our share, the curs +would skulk here and there in the thicket, and instead +of our being able to give them such a lesson +as we had counted on, it would be a question +whether we might be able to make our way back +to Eben Towle’s tunnel.</p> + +<p>All this passed through my mind like a flash, +and the echoes of Master Bartlett’s weapon had not +yet died away when I sprang forward, followed +so closely by Giles March that it was as if we had +been yoked together.</p> + +<p>I was saying to myself that there was little hope +I would be able in the darkness to see a target, when +suddenly a light so bright as to be almost blinding +flashed up seemingly from the very mouth of the +cave, showing in bold relief the forms of four +villains at the edge of the thicket, and on the instant +Giles and I both fired.</p> + +<p>It seemed to me that I heard the reports of a +dozen muskets; flashes of flame sprang up here and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span>there near at hand as if by magic, and amid the +rattle of musketry could be heard Master Bartlett’s +voice, as he shouted:</p> + +<p>“At them, lads! Smite front and rear! Finish +the job now, else we may not get another chance!”</p> + +<p>Then that happened which absolutely frightened +me for the moment, and but for the fact that I +realized how necessary it was we strike a heavy +blow, I might have faltered.</p> + +<p>Here, there, and everywhere that the rustling or +swaying of the bushes told some person was forcing +his way through, a ball of fire sped through the +air in that direction, and then flared out a burning +flash which illumined the thicket for a dozen paces +around.</p> + +<p>I believed I understood the cause of the first +light, when we emptied our weapons; but it was +more than bewildering to see those fiery messengers +seemingly pursuing our enemies, although I was +not so dazed but that it was possible for me to +strike more than one telling blow, thanks to the +friendly fire.</p> + +<p>All this while muskets were being discharged +from the cave, and I said to myself that Stephen +Morley was firing as rapidly as loaded pieces could +be thrust into his hands, and even as the thought +came I ran plump into him twenty paces from the +entrance.</p> + +<p>At this moment such of the savages as yet remained +alive set up a yell of terror, and the sound +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span>of their footsteps told that they were racing at full +speed down the mountainside, intent only on escaping +from those mysterious flames.</p> + +<p>“It is all over for this night, lads,” Master Bartlett +called from somewhere amid the darkness, “and +now I’d like to know the meaning of all I’ve seen.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVI.<br> +<small>ELIAS SHENDLE’S PLAN</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Master Bartlett</span> was not the only member of +our party eager to learn the meaning of what we +had seen. As for myself, I was far too bewildered +to reply when Master Morley asked me where we +first saw the enemy; but stood staring in open-mouthed +astonishment as if he could see me, or I +him, while the darkness seemed all the more intense +because of those blinding flashes which had dazzled +our eyes.</p> + +<p>“How was it done?” Master Bartlett demanded, +as he came up to where Stephen Morley and I stood, +fifteen or twenty paces from the entrance to the +cave.</p> + +<p>“It wasn’t a bad kind of an idea, eh?” Master +Morley cried, as he indulged in a hearty laugh, +“and the joke of it is that you came near getting +scared as badly as did those precious sneaks, who +won’t stop running till they are with their fellow +brutes. I’d give quite a little to hear what kind of +a story they’ll tell.”</p> + +<p>“It wouldn’t be a bad plan for you to tell your +story,” Master Bartlett said, sharply. “I’ve seen +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span>some good tricks in my day, but this one goes ahead +of any that’s ever been worked in the valley.”</p> + +<p>“It was planned by Elias Shendle,” Stephen +Morley said, as soon as it was possible for him to +control his mirth, “and I reckon we’d better tell +the yarn where he can hear it, because the lad is +entitled to all the credit for this night’s work.”</p> + +<p>Then we went into the cave, without making any +effort to learn how many of the enemy had remained +near by because of not having life enough +left to run away, and, to my great surprise, I saw +that Elias Shendle and Sam Rogers were on +guard.</p> + +<p>“Have you so far got the best of your wounds +that you can take part in a fight?” I asked, in astonishment, +and the lad replied, grimly:</p> + +<p>“A fellow can do considerable when it is necessary +in order to save his own life. Stephen Morley +wanted to creep outside just after dark, that he +might take a hand when you opened the battle, and +there was no good reason why Sam Rogers and I +couldn’t look to this part of the business, especially +while the women were ready to load the guns.”</p> + +<p>“But I’m itching to know how you managed to +send those balls of fire wherever one of John Butler’s +wolves broke cover,” Master Bartlett cried, +impatiently, and Elias replied, in a matter-of-fact +tone:</p> + +<p>“There isn’t anything so very sharp about that +trick, although I heard Master Morley speaking to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span>you as if it was something great. We had a fair +supply of powder, and during the afternoon, when +there was nothing else to be done, I made fifteen or +twenty balls about the size of a wren’s egg, wrapping +them in leaves stuck together with a little mud. +We knew you would be behind the Indians, therefore +I had a handful of powder ready just at the +entrance, so it could be flashed off when the fight +began, to give you a chance to see exactly where +the curs were hidden.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, I understood that part of it,” Master +Bartlett interrupted; “but what about the flying +fire?”</p> + +<p>“Mistress Morley kept a brand ready, and I had +put a fuse into the small balls of powder. When +the fight was well started, I crept part way between +the boulders; there I could have an idea +of where the red sneaks were stationed, and as +she lighted the fuse, I threw the ball in that +direction, allowing that it would flash before +striking the ground. It stirred them up a bit, +I reckon.”</p> + +<p>“You’ve got a big head on your shoulders, +Elias Shendle,” Master Bartlett said, emphatically, +“and have done more toward driving John +Butler’s murderers out of this valley than could +have been effected by the killing of threescore. +We can now count on having time and to spare +for the journey to the river, because you won’t +see one of those curs around here again until +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span>there are Tories enough with him to do the biggest +part of the fighting.”</p> + +<p>“I’m looking to see the renegade Butler himself +over this way within four and twenty +hours,” Stephen Morley said in a tone of conviction. +“It stands to reason that, after hearing +the story his sneaks are likely to tell, he’ll +want to know what’s afoot.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, but by that time we’ll be at the river, +getting Jonathan Ogden’s Minute Boys ready for +service,” Master Bartlett cried. “Let us get +what sleep we may ’twixt now and daylight, for +all hands of us must make an early start in order +to reach Eben Towle’s tunnel ahead of the scouts +who may come down the river.”</p> + +<p>Before obeying this suggestion, which was +really a command, I asked Elias if he thought +it would be possible for him to make the journey +on foot, and then learned that it had already +been agreed Mistress Morley should lend him her +aid during the tramp.</p> + +<p>“With her to lean upon when it comes to +climbing over fallen trees, I’ll get on all right,” +he said, cheerily. “Sam Rogers believes he can +walk alone, so you need have no fear concerning +us two, Jonathan Ogden.”</p> + +<p>Stephen Morley stood guard while all the rest +of the party slept, and as soon as the first gray +light of coming day appeared in the sky we set +off to make a change of quarters.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span>The two cripples were sent away first, with the +children and Mistress Morley, Giles March leading +them. Then, each man and woman loaded to the +utmost of his or her strength, the remainder of us +followed as best we might, fearing no interruption +so we arrived at the river within three or four hours, +and it can well be fancied that we made all speed, +heeding neither the difficulties of the way nor +fatigue.</p> + +<p>Before he left Master Bartlett tramped twice far +up the mountainside, so that it might look as if we +had fled in that direction, and when the last person +departed from that which had been to us a veritable +cave of refuge, there was nothing remaining save +the beds of leaves and the charred embers of the +fire.</p> + +<p>Those of us who were in the rear soon overtook +the crippled lads, and then one and another lent a +hand, until they contrived to cover the ground at +about the same rate of speed we would have been +able to do without them; but I could see full well +by the lines of pain of Elias Shendle’s face, and by +his labored breathing, that he was making the effort +of his life.</p> + +<p>Much as I pitied the dear lad, I could not advise +him to go more slowly, for the lives of all might +depend on the last one being within Eben Towle’s +tunnel in a certain time, and all that remained was +to give him such assistance as might be possible.</p> + +<p>Then came the time when we crept cautiously +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span>out from the thicket to approach the ruins, each +moving swiftly with due regard to leaving a trail, +and watching jealously the opposite bank of the +river lest there be spectators.</p> + +<p>It seemed as if we gained cover without having +been seen, and once the crippled lads and the children +were safe, Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley +spent a full hour trying to hide the trail which, +despite our best efforts, had been left behind.</p> + +<p>Esther Hinchman had a soft word of greeting +for me when we were arrived, which caused me to +forget all fatigue, discomfort, or fears for the +future, and then we set about making more habitable +this place of defence and abode.</p> + +<p>Esther, Oscar, and Daniel had worked like beavers +doing what they might to make it homelike, and +but for the absence of light, I would have said that +we could ask for nothing better. As a matter of +course the place was dark; but Esther tried to cheer +the other women by showing a small store of candles, +which had been found among the packages +made up by Eben Towle, and promising that, whenever +it should be thought safe, the tunnel could be +illumined as well as any house.</p> + +<p>Then, while we lay upon the ground, resting +from the fatigue of the tramp, we speculated as to +where the man might be who had dug out this place, +which we believed would serve us well.</p> + +<p>Giles felt quite certain he was with us when we +marched from Forty Fort to give battle to John +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span>Butler’s force, and if such had been the case, then +was it certain the poor man would never need a +hiding-place in this world, for unless he was among +the slain, then would we have found him there. He +had no family, as we knew full well, therefore it +seemed certain that we alone, of all who were left +alive in the valley, had knowledge of the tunnel.</p> + +<p>I will not undertake to say how much of provisions +we found as he had left them. Considerable +was spoiled because of having been stored away so +long; but sufficient yet remained to keep us alive +many days, and, in addition, we had the supplies +brought from the cave.</p> + +<p>“We are in good shape to begin our work,” +Master Bartlett said when the situation had been +discussed to a finish, “and it is now for us to pay +off the scores John Butler has run up.”</p> + +<p>“How will we set about it?” Elias Shendle +asked, eagerly, as if counting that he could do his +full share of work with the best of us.</p> + +<p>“That can’t well be figured out till we know what +may be doing at Forty Fort,” Master Bartlett replied. +“I have had it in mind that we would hold +together as Minute Boys, even though some of us +are a bit old to be counted in that class, and it will +go hard if we don’t do some work that will tell, not +only to those whose homes are here in the valley, +but in the struggle against the king.”</p> + +<p>“Who will go to Forty Fort to learn what may +be doing there?” Daniel Hinchman asked, and I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span>knew he was burning with the desire to do that portion +of the work.</p> + +<p>“You, if it so be Jonathan Ogden is willing.”</p> + +<p>“Why speak in that way?” I asked, perhaps a +little petulantly, for it was not to my liking that they +hold longer to the pretence of my being captain.</p> + +<p>“Because you were chosen as the leader, and I +hold to it that you boys shall do the work.”</p> + +<p>“When you and Stephen Morley are here it is +veriest folly to speak of me, or any other member +of our company, being in command,” I cried, and +Master Bartlett replied, quietly:</p> + +<p>“All that may be true, lad, and you still remain +the captain. Stephen Morley is a member of the +Continental army, and must leave us soon. I am +not in shape to be called a soldier, else had I enlisted +long since; but there is no reason why I +should not stay with the Minute Boys so long as +pleases me, and, not having made an agreement +to serve in the ranks, will be able to leave at any +time without taking the chances of being called a +deserter.”</p> + +<p>At this point Daniel Hinchman began moving +around as if at work, and Elias Shendle asked what +he was doing.</p> + +<p>“Getting ready to set out for Forty Fort,” he +replied. “There is no good reason why I should +idle away the time here.”</p> + +<p>“It would be folly to make any attempt at crossing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span>the river until after night has come,” I said, +and Master Bartlett added:</p> + +<p>“With the chance that the story, which the curs +whom we frightened are sure to tell, will bring a +large force of the enemy this way, it is not well +that we show ourselves more than may be absolutely +necessary during the hours of daylight. Stay +where you are, Daniel Hinchman, until night has +come, and then you may go out through the entrance +which lets on to the river. Stephen Morley +and I count on having a look around from now till +dark, after which it shall be your turn.”</p> + +<p>I was considerably surprised and very much disgruntled +because the old man was, seemingly, shutting +me out from any of the work; but did not +think it well to complain just then, lest it should appear +as if I was trying to assume command of the +party while the older men were present.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later Stephen Morley and Master +Bartlett crept out through the ruins of the house, +after cautioning the remainder of us against straying +from the tunnel until their return, and we were +left to pass the time as best we might.</p> + +<p>The majority of the party gave themselves up to +slumber, and were wise in thus taking advantage of +the opportunity; but my thoughts strayed so far +into the future, while I speculated on what it might +be possible for us lads to do by way of driving the +enemy from the valley, that I could not have closed +my eyes in rest however hard I might try.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span>Therefore it was that, some time later, when I +saw Esther Hinchman moving about as if searching +for something, I joined her, asking what she +would do.</p> + +<p>“I was only trying to get a better idea of this +queer place where we appear to be so secure,” she +replied, and it pleased me well to go with her up +and down the length of the tunnel, prying here and +there to find more of Eben Towle’s hoardings, until +we were come to that end which gave toward the +river.</p> + +<p>Here Master Bartlett had thrown up a barricade +of half-burned logs and such other materials as he +could come at handily. The entrance was not closed +so thoroughly but that we could catch a glimpse +of the river through the bushes which grew outside.</p> + +<p>“It seems good to see the sun shining, even +though we cannot feel its warmth,” she said, musingly, +and I laughed softly, for verily had she had +enough of the sun’s heat and to spare while coming +down from the cave, because then we were like +to have roasted.</p> + +<p>“If it please God, you shall soon be able to sit +in the glare of the sun whenever it may be your +fancy to do so,” I said, feeling at the time strong +enough to fight John Butler’s wolves single-handed, +so her life was at stake, and before it was possible +to reply, even had she been so minded, there suddenly +came into view on the river a veritable fleet +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span>of canoes, heading as if to make land near the ruins +of Eben Towle’s house.</p> + +<p>I should say, speaking well within bounds, that +there were no less than sixteen boats, all filled to the +utmost of their capacity with Indians and white +men, and it was not needed that we should question +as to why they had come.</p> + +<p>These were John Butler’s Tories and red wolves, +sent to learn the secret of the cave on the mountain +where so many of their companions had met their +fate, and I really trembled with what was very like +fear as I thought of what must have been the result +had we not found another hiding-place just as we +did.</p> + +<p>Each canoe carried five or more passengers, and +when that large force stood in front of the cave we +could not have hoped to hold it many hours, however +desperate may have been our resistance.</p> + +<p>Now, however, they had come in vain, and when +the terror aroused by what might have happened +had passed away, I laughed aloud as I saw in fancy +the slow, cautious advance up the mountainside, the +stealthy approach, and the rush upon the cave where +remained no living being.</p> + +<p>Nearer and nearer the fleet approached the shore, +and, laying her finger on her lips, Esther glided +noiselessly away from me to warn, as I fancied, our +comrades against the lightest sound lest the secret +of our hiding-place be betrayed.</p> + +<p>When she returned all the lads were with her, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span>and we watched our enemies as they came ashore, +drew the canoes high out of the water, and then +disappeared beyond our line of vision toward the +forest.</p> + +<p>There was not one in all that small army who +showed signs of joy at taking part in such an expedition. +Every face was grave, while many had +an anxious look, and it was not difficult to believe +they had been ordered to perform the duty, rather +than having volunteered, for, according to such a +story as the frightened savages must have told, they +were about to have an encounter with those who +dealt in magic.</p> + +<p>During a full half-hour we could hear them moving +around just over our heads, as if loath to set +out on the final stage of their journey, and then the +sounds died away until silence reigned as before +the renegades and curs showed themselves.</p> + +<p>Even then we in the tunnel did not dare to speak +lest some of the party had remained behind to act +as sentinels, and were sitting there silent and motionless, +when those sounds were heard which told +that Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley were entering +the hiding-place by way of the ruins.</p> + +<p>Then we knew all the ruffians had departed, and +straightway our tongues were loosened, as we asked +of the men what they had seen, at the same time +explaining how it was we knew of what had been +going on.</p> + +<p>“I reckon you are as wise as we,” Master Bartlett +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span>replied, “for we were obliged to remain at a +distance. They have gone to take the cave, and it +is safe guessing that not one of them will dare to +remain in the woods after dark, even though it can +be seen only a party of fugitives were concealed +there. Stephen Morley and I believe it will be possible +to deal out such a dose that they won’t be eager +to visit this side of the river any oftener than may +be absolutely necessary, therefore if you lads who +can move about are minded to come with us, the +work of the Minute Boys can be begun ’twixt now +and sunset.”</p> + +<p>Never one of us waited to hear what the old +man’s plan might be; but all eagerly set about making +ready for the excursion, and ten minutes had +not passed before the male members of the party, +save only Elias Shendle and Sam Rogers, were in +the open air, seeking cover in the nearest thicket.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett led us up-stream, once we were +within the shelter of the woods, until having left +the tunnel nearly a mile behind, and then halted +where it was possible to have a full view of the river.</p> + +<p>“What is the plan?” Daniel Hinchman asked +eagerly when we were come to a halt.</p> + +<p>“There isn’t any, lad,” Master Bartlett replied, +with a laugh. “It only came to Stephen Morley +and me that we might begin to square accounts with +those curs at once. They will, of course, go up-stream, +at least as far as Forty Fort, after finding +that the cave is empty, and I’m reckoning that we +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>won’t see them this way until nearly dark. We’ll +scatter along the bank twenty paces or so apart, +keeping under cover, of course, and when they +show up, open fire. They won’t have the heart to +come ashore in search of us; but in case they should, +we are to strike out for the cave, going as nearly as +may be over their trail. That’s all we had decided +upon, and if things don’t go as we have figured, it +will be a case of each for himself, with the understanding +that no one is to go near the tunnel until +it is certain he will not be seen by the enemy.”</p> + +<p>It would have pleased me better had the old man +decided to meet the curs in open fight, for this striking +a blow in the darkness, with the odds all in our +favor, smacked too much of the same style of fighting +which John Butler called warfare; but it was +not for me to find fault when we might make reprisals +in some slight degree for the massacre of our +people.</p> + +<p>We took our stations according to the instructions +given by Master Bartlett, and, ready to kill, +but not accounting it other than a just punishment, +awaited the coming of those who had laid waste +our beautiful valley.</p> + +<p>Not until half an hour after sunset did the foremost +of the canoes come in sight, and the men were +paddling wearily as if after a hard day’s march.</p> + +<p>It had been understood that the signal for us to +begin work would be the report of Master Bartlett’s +musket, and we waited eagerly for that, each fellow +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span>with his musket levelled and resting on a branch or +stump that he might send the bullet more truly.</p> + +<p>The sights of my weapon covered a big savage, +whose head-dress of feathers told that he was more +vain than his brothers, else he would not have worn +that ornament while on the war-path, and I had +no doubt of bringing him down, for the boats were +well within the range of our muskets.</p> + +<p>Then, when five or six of the foremost canoes +were directly opposite where we had taken our stations, +Master Bartlett fired, and one of the curs +who had been paddling fell over the side of the +frail craft in such a manner that it filled on the instant, +leaving its occupants floundering in the river.</p> + +<p>I had the satisfaction of seeing the red brute at +whom I aimed fall backward, and while reloading +had a full view of all that took place. Not one of our +party had missed his target; two of the canoes had +been overset by the struggles of those who were +wounded, and such of the boats as yet floated were +headed for the opposite bank in desperate haste.</p> + +<p>It would have done me real good to give voice to +the feelings of triumph which were mine when I +saw those sneaks in such a panic of fear; but I held +my peace, and stood ready for a shot at the next +canoe, when I came to understand that all was not +going as the old man had counted on.</p> + +<p>Giles March, who had been stationed next below +me, came up hurriedly, as he whispered:</p> + +<p>“Master Bartlett gave the signal too soon; he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span>should have waited till the last of the fleet was passing. +Those in the rear are coming ashore on this +side of the river, and we are like to have a warm +time unless we can gain the cave, in which case we +may find ourselves regularly besieged.”</p> + +<p>He had no more than ceased speaking when all +the party came up, for my station was the one +toward the north, and Master Bartlett said hurriedly:</p> + +<p>“Three canoes have been hauled up on this shore; +the others are putting straight across the river. Is +it in your minds, lads, that we keep together, or +separate, in the retreat?”</p> + +<p>“If but three boat-loads have landed, let us stand +our ground like men; there will be time enough to +take to the mountain when we see too large a force +coming across the river to have a share in the +scrimmage,” I said, quickly, eager for a pitched +battle.</p> + +<p>“Jonathan Ogden is right,” Stephen Morley +said without hesitation. “Thus far only about fifteen +men have come ashore, and we can make the +odds more nearly even when they first show themselves.”</p> + +<p>No one made a protest, and we took our stations, +each for himself, but within easy distance of the +others, and all where they could be hidden from +view of those who were coming up.</p> + +<p>It was to be a battle in the night; but we who +stood for the right could see as well in the darkness +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span>as those butcher’s curs, and had more of a +heart for the fight, it was reasonable to suppose.</p> + +<p>“Fire whenever you see anything moving; but +try not to waste a shot,” Master Bartlett whispered +loud enough for all to hear, and then came those +sounds, faintly yet distinctly, which betokened the +advance of the enemy.</p> + +<p>“Now has come the time when we begin to tell +John Butler that he has yet to reckon with the Minute +Boys, before he can take possession of this valley,” +Giles March, who stood next me, whispered, +and before I could make reply the report of a musket +broke the stillness.</p> + +<p>Another report, and another, but yet I could see +no signs of the enemy, strain my eyes as I might, +and in my impatience I moved forward two or three +paces, when a bullet came singing past my head.</p> + +<p>The savages had been doing all the firing, as I +soon believed, and it caused me no little shame when +I realized that they were gaining the advantage +which should have been ours.</p> + +<p>“Can you see anything?” Giles March whispered +as he came to where I had sheltered myself +behind a big oak-tree, and I replied, as a better +understanding of the situation came into my mind +like a flash:</p> + +<p>“They outwitted us by sending part of their +force straight toward us, while the remainder +sneaked up the river bank, counting that we would +not be looking for danger from such direction. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span>Face about, lad, and let us give them a bit of their +own music.”</p> + +<p>Now instead of searching with our eyes to the +south, we slipped from tree-trunk to tree-trunk +until we were within perhaps thirty paces of the +stream, and then we had targets in plenty before +us.</p> + +<p>No less than five—two savages and three white +men, as I made out—were coming warily up from +the water looking for us, and heeding not the possibility +that we might have made a change of front +even as they had done.</p> + +<p>Crouching on one knee I fired, bringing down +my game, and an instant later Giles March had +winged another. The remaining three hunted cover +in a twinkling, and when we had reloaded our +weapons, I shouted to the others of our company:</p> + +<p>“They are coming up from the river! Have an +eye out in that direction!”</p> + +<p>“Get together, lads!” I heard Master Bartlett +cry, doing so lest Giles and I should shoot our own +comrades, and as soon as might be thereafter, each +fellow moving as rapidly as possible, we were united +once more.</p> + +<p>I did not understand why the old man had made +this move, until he whispered in my ear:</p> + +<p>“It is likely that the noise of the firing will bring +others from the opposite side, and it is in my mind +that we had better circle around them.”</p> + +<p>“To the end that we may take refuge in the cave +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span>once more?” I asked, and he replied with what was +very like a chuckle of satisfaction:</p> + +<p>“It may be we could come at the canoes while +they are searching here for us, in which case all +hands might have a look at Forty Fort before +morning.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVII.<br> +<small>FORTY FORT</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> was to my mind something comical in +the idea of circling around the enemy to get possession +of their canoes, for it would seem as if we +might thus appear to be playing with them as a cat +does with a mouse. In addition to the satisfaction +we would have in so outwitting them, was the fact +that the manœuvre must perforce mystify the curs, +until they came to believe we were strong in numbers.</p> + +<p>It was only necessary to make a wide détour +toward the mountain, travelling silently, in order +to accomplish the purpose, and I begged Master +Bartlett to set about it without delay.</p> + +<p>“Let each keep well on the heels of the man in +front, so there may be no danger in straying, and +remember that silence as well as speed is necessary, +else we may find ourselves in trouble,” the old man +said, hurriedly, and then he led the way toward the +east, we following his instructions to the best of our +ability.</p> + +<p>Not until we were well on our way did I realize +what this attempt to play a trick might cost us. In +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span>event of our movements being discovered before we +had gained possession of the canoes, the enemy +would be led to believe we had a hiding-place further +down the river, and might spend much time trying +to find it.</p> + +<p>There was no danger that those in the tunnel +would betray their whereabouts carelessly, for all, +even to the children, understood full well how much +of danger threatened; but if I had found the entrance +to Eben Towle’s hiding-place when searching +for a canoe, it was more than possible they +might come upon it while hunting for us.</p> + +<p>Therefore it was that I became seriously disturbed +in mind, even before we were well committed +to the movement, and would have drawn back while +there was time, if it had been possible to explain to +my comrades what had thus suddenly occurred to +me.</p> + +<p>When I tried to stop the file in order to whisper +a warning, however, each fellow was so eager to +come to a successful conclusion of the venture, that +he simply moved forward all the faster when I +would have detained him, and I could do no less +than refrain from any further efforts in that direction +lest too much noise be made.</p> + +<p>There was no longer anything comical to me in +the attempt we were making, for I questioned +whether by such a venture the lives of those who +were hidden in the tunnel had not been imperilled +without due reason.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span>However, despite all my forebodings, we made +the détour successfully, gaining the river bank a +full half-mile below where we believed the enemy +were searching for us, and then it was necessary +to creep up along the water’s edge until coming to +the canoes.</p> + +<p>And this also we did without detection, finding +the frail craft on the shore with never a man left +to guard them.</p> + +<p>Six canoes were there, and all these we took, our +party embarking in two, and towing the others well +out into the stream, when, stopping sufficiently long +to slash the bottoms with our knives in such fashion +that they could never be repaired, we sent them +adrift.</p> + +<p>“Now we have forced those curs to stay on the +same side of the river with those whom it is our +duty to guard, and who can say that they may not +find the tunnel before we return to defend it?” I +said, gloomily, as the last of the wounded canoes +disappeared from view.</p> + +<p>“We need have little fear of what they may do +’twixt now and sunrise,” Master Bartlett said, +curtly, as if he also had begun to question whether +we were acting wisely. “It will be well to midnight +before they give over searching the thicket +for us, and as much more time must be spent looking +after the boats. In the meantime we shall have +returned.”</p> + +<p>“Ay, unless we come across those on the opposite +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span>shore who are strong enough to hold us there,” I +replied, and then held my peace, ashamed of thus +croaking like a bird of ill-omen.</p> + +<p>We buckled down to the paddles, each one realizing +by this time the necessity of making all speed, +and the light craft skimmed the surface of the water +like birds.</p> + +<p>Then, at the very moment when we heard the report +of a musket from the shore where the enemy +were searching for us, the bows of the canoes ran up +on the bank.</p> + +<p>We had come into the very thick of John Butler’s +wolves, and the lives of those left behind depended, +perhaps, upon our returning before daylight.</p> + +<p>“It was a fool’s trick for us to make this venture,” +Giles March whispered to me after the canoes +had been hidden among the bushes where we might +find them again without too long a search, and we +were following at Master Bartlett’s heels.</p> + +<p>I gripped his arm hard, but made no reply. He +thus told me that much the same forebodings had +come into his mind as were in mine, and the fact +did not tend to render me any more cheerful.</p> + +<p>We were all familiar with the country hereabouts, +and, since it simply remained to make our way over +travelled roads, there was no reason why we could +not push on rapidly, save only when we might see +others in advance.</p> + +<p>Nothing occurred to delay us, and it was yet early +in the night when we arrived near the log walls of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span>Forty Fort; but, much to our surprise, we saw sentinels +on the walls, as if the place was being defended +against an enemy.</p> + +<p>We came to a halt within the shadow of all that +remained to mark the site of Joseph Seddons’s +house, and Stephen Morley said hurriedly:</p> + +<p>“Let me go on to learn what I may of the situation, +and, if possible, have speech with Colonel +Dennison. I am not counting myself a better man +than any other in the party; but, if being discovered, +can explain my reason for being here, on +the ground that I have come to learn when I am +to report for duty in the army.”</p> + +<p>“Go on, Stephen, and do not spend overly much +time, for we may be needed on the other side of +the river,” Master Bartlett said, thus showing that +he, too, had grown anxious concerning the safety +of those whom we left behind.</p> + +<p>While he was absent we kept well within the +shadow of the ruins, not daring to talk even in +whispers, and listening intently for any sounds from +the opposite shore which might betoken that our +secret there had been discovered.</p> + +<p>Stephen Morley had rare good fortune in his attempt +to have speech with those of our friends who +yet remained inside the fort, as we learned ten minutes +later when he returned, and with him was none +other than Colonel Dennison himself.</p> + +<p>The officer greeted each of us in turn as if we +were old friends, and it could be readily understood +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span>that he felt great relief of mind at knowing there +were yet alive in the valley those who were eager +to drive out the brutes who had brought us so much +of misery and grief.</p> + +<p>“I have told him nothing concerning ourselves,” +Stephen Morley said, and straightway Master +Bartlett gave the colonel a brief account of our doings +since the battle, saying in conclusion:</p> + +<p>“Here are six of us ready for whatsoever comes +to our hands, and on the other side are three more +who will soon be able, please God, to do duty. We +count on holding together to defend the valley so +far as we may, and ask you if there is any chance +we can do anything toward repairing the ruin that +has been wrought?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed you can,” Colonel Dennison replied, +eagerly, “and it gives me new hope to know there +are so many near at hand. What about the stockade +at Wilkesbarre?”</p> + +<p>“It yet stands as when Colonel Zebulon marched +out with his men; no attempt has been made to +destroy it, which seems to me exceeding strange.”</p> + +<p>“That is because the Tories who follow John +Butler count on taking possession of all the country +roundabout, and in order to hold it will have +need of the fortified places. Because of the knowledge +which the enemy has that your party is on the +other side of the river, and owing to your attack +upon the canoes to-night, the stockade here is defended +as if an immediate battle was expected. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span>Only by the most fortunate of chances did I happen +to see Stephen Morley, and was able to get outside +without arousing suspicion. Let me tell you of the +situation here, for, in order to be of service in the +valley, you must know of it.”</p> + +<p>“First tell me, sir, if John Butler is holding to +the terms upon which you surrendered?” Master +Bartlett interrupted.</p> + +<p>“I believe he is trying hard to do so; but the +savages are refusing to recognize his authority. +We have in the fort upwards of thirty women and +children, and fourteen men and boys, none of whom +dare stray outside the stockade lest the red brutes +murder them. Unless something can be done speedily, +there is no question in my mind but that we +will all be massacred. John Butler has already admitted +to me what I knew full well, that he is unable +to hold in check his wolfish followers, and +because of such fact, proposes to depart immediately +with such of his army as yet obey his commands.”</p> + +<p>“How many of the red snakes will likely remain +behind?” Master Bartlett asked quickly.</p> + +<p>“Butler has told me that not less than two hundred +have already broken away from him, therefore +we can count on that number prowling around, +with this fort as a headquarters, and in such case +every white person remaining will stand in the +shadow of death. I had despaired of being able to +effect anything; but since knowing you are near +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span>at hand, it begins to seem as if we might be able +to hold our own against them, if nothing more. On +the day before John Butler marches away, I will +make every effort to send all our people over the +river, and believe he will aid me in the task, because +of being unable to hold to the written promises he +made before we surrendered.”</p> + +<p>“But our hiding-place will not give shelter to +half the number you have named!” Giles March +cried in dismay.</p> + +<p>“I was not counting that either you or they +should remain in hiding,” the colonel replied, +gravely. “You Minute Boys must take possession +of the Wilkesbarre stockade at once, putting forth +every effort to hold it for the coming of our people. +That will give them a refuge until we can get help +from the outside, as I believe will be possible when +the situation is made known.”</p> + +<p>“Can you give any guess as to when the people +may come across the river?” Master Bartlett asked.</p> + +<p>“I shall try to send a messenger the day before, +therefore do you be on the lookout for him each +morning shortly after sunrise. The greatest danger +is that these savages who have thrown off all allegiance +to John Butler will fall upon our helpless +ones while they are crossing the river, or when they +land, therefore you must be on your guard against +anything of the kind.”</p> + +<p>“Will you not come with them?” I asked, and +the colonel replied:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span>“It is more likely I shall go with Butler, as the +surest and quickest way of getting to such portion +of the country from which aid may come to us.”</p> + +<p>Then he went on to advise what we should do to +hold the stockade, and gave us to believe it might +be possible to send by the women some addition +to our store of ammunition, but dampened our +spirits in no slight degree by stating that those who +might join us would be without weapons, since it +had been necessary to deliver up their arms when +the fort was surrendered.</p> + +<p>The interview was brought to a sudden end when +the reports of half a dozen muskets were heard from +the other side of the river, and we could see the +glow of a fire which increased each moment until +the flames were leaping high in the air.</p> + +<p>“They have discovered that the canoes are missing,” +the colonel said, hurriedly. “It is time for +you to go, and I will get inside the walls, for, because +of their failure to take any prisoners, our +people may be in danger.”</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke the colonel left us, keeping +within the line of shadow as he approached the +stockade, and we started off at our best pace, for +the red wolves, seeing the call for help on the other +side of the river, were swarming out of the fort +like bees from a hive.</p> + +<p>Now had come the time when we had need of +all our wits to save our skins, owing to the fact that +it was necessary to advance directly down-stream +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span>where was no shelter. Except for the darkness we +could never have gained that place where the canoes +had been hidden, because Indians and Tories were +running to and fro in greatest excitement, and more +than once were we on the verge of being discovered.</p> + +<p>However, we did succeed in embarking, and then +it was necessary to paddle down-stream, keeping +within the denser shadows of the western shore a +mile or more, before venturing to cross.</p> + +<p>When, finally, we stood near the ruins of Eben +Towle’s home, the signal-fire was yet burning, and +Master Bartlett said, in a tone of satisfaction:</p> + +<p>“The cowards at Forty Fort haven’t yet made +up their minds that it is safe for them to cross. +Because of what we have done the whole boiling +of them are grown exceeding cautious, even though +knowing full well they have butchered nearly all +in the valley.”</p> + +<p>“And they will kill yet more before the women +and children can be got across to this stockade,” +Stephen Morley added gloomily. “Those who +have declared they will not follow John Butler any +longer are hanging back only that they may slaughter +the helpless ones in the fort, and will not allow +them to go away in peace.”</p> + +<p>Such words were only in accord with what had +come into my mind while Colonel Dennison was +talking so glibly of our holding the Wilkesbarre +stockade, when we had no more than seven muskets +with which to arm the defenders.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span>There was no good reason why we should stand +outside where, at any moment, we might be discovered +by those whose canoes had been destroyed, +and Master Bartlett led the way into the tunnel, +where we were welcomed as if after a long absence.</p> + +<p>As a matter of course we told of all we had seen +and heard since going out, and it was Mistress Morley +who picked the first flaw in Colonel Dennison’s +plan.</p> + +<p>“If all the people come over into this stockade, +where will you find food enough to feed them during +such time as the colonel is searching for those +who may be willing to aid us?” she asked, and I, +who had been thinking only of the lack of weapons, +cried thoughtlessly:</p> + +<p>“It can’t be done! We shall only succeed in +bringing death upon all this party!”</p> + +<p>“If we think first of our own safety, what becomes +of the proposition that the Minute Boys shall +take it upon themselves to defend the entire valley?” +Master Bartlett asked, gravely, and I replied, +hotly, thinking more of Esther Hinchman’s life +than any other:</p> + +<p>“It is not defending the valley when we sacrifice +our own to save others! Here are so many who +have come out alive from the slaughter, and now +shall we give them over to starvation, or the mercies +of those wolves, that strangers, whom we cannot +defend or feed, shall come in?”</p> + +<p>“It was the Minute Boys who were to do the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span>work,” and Master Bartlett spoke so calmly and +slowly that I was near to crying out with vexation. +“You are the captain, and it is for you to say that +when John Butler abandons the women and children +now in the fort to those of his followers whom +he cannot control, they shall not come here.”</p> + +<p>For the moment I was silenced, and then it was +that Esther Hinchman put her hand in mine, as +she said in a tone so low that none save me could +hear the words:</p> + +<p>“It is better all of us meet death than refuse a +share of what we have to those who are in such +sore need.”</p> + +<p>After that, which was neither more nor less than +a reproof, I could say nothing, and because no one +spoke again, we laid ourselves down to rest, if indeed +that might be possible when there was so much +to make us wakeful.</p> + +<p>It must have been nearly daybreak before my eyes +closed in slumber, and when I awakened Esther +Hinchman called for me to come where she was +sitting at the entrance to the tunnel, looking out +over the water as it sparkled in the sunshine.</p> + +<p>“Why was I allowed to sleep so late?” I asked, +taking a seat by her side, and giving no heed to the +others of the company.</p> + +<p>“Master Bartlett said we should be careful not to +disturb you, because of your having remained awake +so long,” she replied, in a whisper. “Shall I get +you something to eat?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span>“Not now; I have no desire for food, and if the +lack of appetite lasts, it will be well, for we must +go on short allowance when our company has more +mouths to feed.”</p> + +<p>“Master Bartlett, Stephen Morley, Giles March, +and Daniel have been out since early light searching +for game, believing the savages will not venture +across the river again until the day is older.”</p> + +<p>It annoyed me because I had not been called upon +to make one of the party; but I choked back the +petulant words which rose to my lips, lest she might +think I was accusing her, and then she began to +speak of Colonel Dennison’s plan, soon convincing +me that there was no other course for us to pursue +than such as he had mapped out.</p> + +<p>“Those at Forty Fort, and we here, are all of +our people remaining in the valley, and it is far +better every one of us perishes by starvation than +that a portion of the number be abandoned to such +fate as would be theirs,” she said, softly, and I resolved +then never to say another word against the +plan.</p> + +<p>Toward noon the hunters returned, bringing with +them two deer and considerable small game, after +which Stephen Morley took it upon himself to go +back into the thicket with a haunch of venison, that +he might roast it where a fire could be built with +little danger of its being seen from the other side +of the river.</p> + +<p>We ate heartily when the meat was cooked, despite +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span>the heaviness of our hearts, for it had been +a long while since any of us tasted warm food, and +then came the question of when we should take +possession of the stockade, all of us knowing only +too well that within a very short time after doing +so, it would be necessary to defend ourselves against +the open attacks of those savages who defied John +Butler’s authority.</p> + +<p>There could be but one answer to such a question; +it was necessary for the safety of those who were +coming to us for protection that we be prepared to +receive them at any moment, therefore must we +move quickly, and when Master Bartlett asked if +I was willing to make another change of quarters +as soon as night should come, I replied heartily:</p> + +<p>“The sooner the better, lest some of the red curs +settle down in the stockade before we can do so. +I believe it is well for us to keep secret the existence +of this tunnel, however, so that at the last extremity +these women and children have a hiding-place not +known to others.”</p> + +<p>There is no good reason why I should spend +many words in telling of our entering Wyoming +Fort, from which we might never come alive.</p> + +<p>As soon as the friendly darkness settled over the +land, we left the tunnel, carrying all our little store +of food and ammunition, and within an hour our +sentinels were stationed on the walls.</p> + +<p>The Minute Boys were on duty again, and my +forebodings as to the future were not so gloomy +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span>but that I felt a certain thrill of joy because we had +at last come out openly against the enemy.</p> + +<p>“From this on, until our valley is freed from +such as John Butler has brought into it, and the +colonies are free and independent, we will hold together, +if so be our lives are spared,” I said to Giles +March, and he replied, fervently:</p> + +<p>“It is as you have said, Jonathan Ogden. We do +not make much showing as soldiers just now; but +if our hearts remain true, the time will come when +we may hold up our heads with any in the colonies, +so far as military service is concerned.”</p> + +<p>We talked much that night concerning what we +would do, and how it might be possible to supply +ourselves with all that was lacking, for neither of +us was in the mood for slumber, and when the day +dawned I went here and there inside the stockade +to see how the women, to whom the task was entrusted, +had provided for our welfare.</p> + +<p>It could be seen at a glance how relieved all were +at being able to move about at will once more. The +children were already romping to and fro inside +the enclosure, frolicking like so many lambs; the +women were clearing rubbish from such of the +buildings as they had decided we should occupy, and +our wounded were lying on the ground where they +might feel the warm rays of the sun.</p> + +<p>“It does a fellow solid good to be in the open +air once more,” Elias Shendle said, as I halted by +his side. “I believe that a week’s imprisonment +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span>in the tunnel would have put an end to me; but +now I’m counting on doing my full share of duty +a couple of days later.”</p> + +<p>Sam Rogers looked up with a bright smile, as he +said, cheerily:</p> + +<p>“It is well worth all the extra danger to be here, +and I believe it will be no more work to defend this +place than it would have been in the tunnel, where +we must have been caught like rats in a trap if the +savages had got an inkling of our whereabouts.”</p> + +<p>Esther Hinchman was darting here and there, +bent on one duty or another, looking so happy that +in my surprise I asked what had come over her, and +she replied, cheerily:</p> + +<p>“It’s the fresh air and sunlight, Jonathan Ogden. +While we were in the tunnel I felt as if I was turning +into an owl; but now the feathers are beginning +to drop off,” and away she ran, as if we of Wyoming +Valley had never seen any who would do us +harm.</p> + +<p>“It is good for us all to be here,” Master Bartlett +said, as he came up to where I stood watching the +children at play. “We can count ourselves soldiers +now, which was more than could be done while we +skulked from cave to tunnel, and the work which +we have set ourselves seems well begun.”</p> + +<p>Then it was that Daniel Hinchman, who was +standing guard, startled us all by shouting:</p> + +<p>“A canoe, in which are three people, is coming +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span>down the river! It may be that Colonel Dennison +has sent the messenger of which he spoke!”</p> + +<p>We seized our muskets, those of us who were able +to do duty, not feeling inclined to be taken by surprise, +and stood on the walls until the craft was +beached directly in front of the stockade, when we +saw that it brought a man and two women, all of +whom came up the bank staggering under the +weight of heavy burdens.</p> + +<p>“It is Andrew Hardy!” Stephen Morley cried. +“He is one of my neighbors whom I left in the +army when having got a furlough. It may be the +Congress has begun to remember that a soldier +should be allowed to protect his wife and little ones +when there are none others to look after them.”</p> + +<p>These newcomers were indeed messengers from +Colonel Dennison, come to say that John Butler, +with such of his following as he could control, would +march out of Forty Fort on the following morning, +and at the same time our people in that stockade +would make the attempt to join us.</p> + +<p>Andrew Hardy and the women had not come to +us empty-handed. They brought two muskets, +powder, and ball sufficient for perhaps fifty charges, +and twenty pounds or more of smoked pork—all +that Colonel Dennison could get together in a +hurry.</p> + +<p>The colonel had sent a message to the effect that +the people would set out from the stockade at daybreak; +but that he was fearful an attack might be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[325]</span>made upon them, either when they landed, or while +the canoes were yet upon the river.</p> + +<p>“Are you to go back?” I asked of Andrew +Hardy, and he replied:</p> + +<p>“I was told to remain and do duty in the company +of Minute Boys until such time as it becomes +necessary to return to the army.”</p> + +<p>“How does it happen that you got a furlough?” +Stephen Morley asked.</p> + +<p>“Five of us who live nearabout here were allowed +leave of absence; the others have gone in +search of their families who, if they escaped death +at the hands of the savages, fled with those who +succeeded in leaving the valley before Fort Jenkins +was taken.”</p> + +<p>I had no curiosity regarding the man, nor was +I inclined to spend my time listening to what he +might tell regarding the condition of affairs at +Forty Fort. The word which the colonel had sent +regarding the probability that our people might be +attacked before it was possible for them to reach +the stockade was in my mind, and, motioning Master +Bartlett aside from the others, I said to him:</p> + +<p>“I am of the mind that the two canoes which +we took from the enemy, together with the one we +have been using, and that in which Hardy came, +had best be brought inside, so we may be able to +put out in case the savages pursue the helpless ones +too closely.”</p> + +<p>“It is a good idea, Jonathan Ogden, and it does +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[326]</span>me good to know you can plan so well for the +future. Stephen Morley and I will attend to the +work, and in the meanwhile you had best make +ready for trouble. It is my belief that we are like +to have plenty of it before many hours have passed.”</p> + +<p>“Think you there may be danger before to-morrow +morning?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, lad, you may set it down as certain that +some of those red sneaks have seen Andrew Hardy +and the women leave the fort, and will soon be +coming down the river to learn where they went.”</p> + +<p>Then Master Bartlett called for Stephen Morley +to aid him in bringing up the canoes, and I set +about such preparations for meeting the enemy as +it was possible to make.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[327]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XVIII.<br> +<small>THE REFUGEES</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">While</span> I was walking here and there, scrutinizing +carefully all the stockade to learn where, if any, +were its weak points, Esther Hinchman came up, +and it goes without saying that I stopped to speak +with her.</p> + +<p>“It is not for me to interfere with the men’s +work in any way, Jonathan Ogden,” she began, +with a bright smile, “nor would I do so even to the +extent of asking questions; but we women believe +we should be counted as among the defenders of the +stockade and ought to be looked upon as such.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, we so reckon you,” I replied, puzzled +to guess what she might be driving at.</p> + +<p>“Then give us regular duties to perform. We +can stand guard in the daytime as well as any +other, for our eyes are as sharp as yours, and if we +take that work upon ourselves, then it will be +possible for all the men to remain on duty during +each night.”</p> + +<p>It was a most welcome proposition she had made, +since, by following it, we who counted ourselves +men would not be heavy-eyed while standing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[328]</span>guard in the darkness, when we knew the most +danger threatened, and so it was arranged, save +that I would have put her off until the next day.</p> + +<p>“Let us begin at once,” she said, firmly, “and +then it will come more natural when danger +thickens.”</p> + +<p>Well, without consulting my comrades, I stationed +Esther Hinchman and three other women +on the stockade at once, and Giles March asked, +laughingly:</p> + +<p>“Have you turned your command into Minute +Girls, Jonathan Ogden?”</p> + +<p>When I had stated what was to be the arrangement +while we were so short-handed, he, as well as +all the others who heard me, believed it was a wise +plan, and, now that there was no longer need of us +on the lookout platforms, we went here and there +examining the defences, strengthening them as +much as possible by setting other logs where any +showed signs of weakness.</p> + +<p>The canoes had long since been brought inside +the stockade, and every lad and man in the company +was working to the utmost of his ability, +when a low cry from Esther Hinchman took me to +her side.</p> + +<p>“A canoe is coming down on the other side, +keeping well inshore,” she said. “I cannot make +out that there are more than two persons in her.”</p> + +<p>“Master Bartlett was right when he said some +of those curs would come down to see what had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[329]</span>become of Andrew Hardy and his companions!” I +cried involuntarily, and then, like a flash of light, +came to me an idea which, if properly carried out, +might be turned much to our advantage.</p> + +<p>“Call the women down from the platforms without +delay, and as quietly as may be. See that they +all go into the blockhouse, taking the children +with them,” I said, hurriedly. “I believe we may +trap those curious ones if we work quickly.”</p> + +<p>Esther did not delay to ask questions; but, running +from one platform to another, called off her +sentinels, and while I was talking with Master Bartlett, +I saw that the dear girl was gathering the +children up as one does a flock of sheep.</p> + +<p>“If we keep out of sight those curs will be +likely to stroll inside the stockade through curiosity,” +I said to the old man, after telling him of +what Esther had seen. “Now I cannot say in +what way it would advantage us to hold prisoners, +although the time may come, before we have +regained possession of the valley, when a few of +those wolves in a cage would be something with +which we might drive a bargain.”</p> + +<p>“How will you do it?” Master Bartlett asked, +without declaring for or against my plan.</p> + +<p>“I would have you and Stephen Morley hidden +outside where you could shoot down the savages +if we bungled the trapping of them. Then the +remainder of our force should be just inside the +gates, which are to be swung half-open. The +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[330]</span>women and children are already within the blockhouse +under orders not to show themselves or make +any noise. If we can’t take them prisoners, we +can at least shoot them down.”</p> + +<p>“Stephen Morley and I will look after the business +outside,” Master Bartlett said curtly, and in +another instant he was beckoning Morley to follow +him.</p> + +<p>It was not necessary for me to spend above five +minutes in posting all my force behind the half-opened +gates, and each fellow had his musket +ready for use on the instant, in case the curs +entered and were not disposed to surrender quietly.</p> + +<p>The blockhouse was closed, and the doors and +windows securely fastened, so there was no fear +the inmates would come to harm through any stray +bullets, in case we had a scrimmage.</p> + +<p>When I stood where it was possible to peer +through the narrow crevice between the gate and +that portion of the stockade to which it was hung, +the Indians were just stepping out from their +canoe, having seen where Andrew Hardy pulled his +craft up on the mud, and, because the curs were +looking around for a trail, I believed they would +walk directly into our trap.</p> + +<p>With a cautious warning to my comrades that +they might know the decisive moment was near at +hand, I looked well to the priming of my musket, +and waited nervously for that which was to come.</p> + +<p>Straight as an arrow from a bow, the curs walked +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[331]</span>toward the stockade, following the trail and looking +suspiciously around as they advanced.</p> + +<p>There was nothing to alarm them in the fact that +the stockade was thrown open, for so they must +have expected to find it; but on arriving at the +entrance, where it was possible to have a view of the +enclosure, the two half-halted as if scenting danger.</p> + +<p>Then one spoke in his native tongue, pointing +toward the blockhouse, and both advanced until +the gates could be swung behind them.</p> + +<p>At the same instant that two of the lads shoved +the heavy barrier into place, Daniel Hinchman and +Andrew Hardy leaped out on the left side of the +foe, and Giles March and I on the right, with our +weapons levelled.</p> + +<p>The sneaks sprang forward two or three paces +as they turned with upraised hatchets to face us, +and then must they have been blind indeed had +either failed to note that it would be instant death +to make any attempt at striking a blow.</p> + +<p>I must give them credit for a show of bravery +when they saw how thoroughly well the trap had +been sprung. There was no sign either of surprise +or fear as they faced us, and without a word both +unslung the muskets from their shoulders, throwing +them to the ground, together with knives and +hatchets, after which the fellows stood with folded +arms, as if having no further concern as to what +might be done.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[332]</span>“Let Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley come +inside,” I called to Miles Parker, who had been +given charge of the gates, keeping my musket +levelled all the while, as did my comrades.</p> + +<p>The two men obeyed the summons in a twinkling, +they having come up instantly the gates were +closed, and I said as they entered:</p> + +<p>“I believe it is best that you take charge of the +prisoners, because it stands to reason you have had +more experience in such matters than any of us; +but it strikes me you would do well to first make +sure they have no other weapons about them.”</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett deftly took from the statue-like +savages their ammunition, and then said in a +matter-of-fact tone:</p> + +<p>“It’s all right, lad; you can look after other +matters, for I guarantee these sneaks will stay with +us till we get ready to send them—I know where +they’d go if I was in command of this party.”</p> + +<p>The prisoners moved toward the farther end of +the enclosure in obedience to the old man’s direction, +and I believed they were to be imprisoned +in the shed where we found Elias Shendle.</p> + +<p>“Well, lads,” I said, cheerily, “we have two +more muskets, ammunition to go with them, and +a canoe in addition to what we had at sunrise, +which is not a bad morning’s work, as I look at it. +Andrew Hardy, you had best bring the boat into +the stockade, and I will let out the women and +children.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[333]</span>Half an hour later matters inside the fort were +much as before the enemy came within sight, save +that in the shed, bound hand and foot to heavy +logs, sat two scowling savages, and I hardly dared +trust myself to look at the curs, so sorely did my +fingers itch to give them righteous punishment for +the murders they had committed.</p> + +<p>The women were on the platforms again, and all +the other able-bodied of the party, women as well +as men, continued the work of strengthening the +stockade.</p> + +<p>There was no further interruption to the labor +that day, and when night came I believed the walls +were strong enough to resist any attack, save that +by fire, which might be made.</p> + +<p>“We’re in better shape than we were this morning,” +Giles March said, in a tone of satisfaction, +as we went up to the blockhouse for our supper, +after which we counted on relieving Esther +Hinchman and her three companions from sentinel +duty. “One man and two women have been added +to the number of defenders; the ammunition they +brought, and that taken from the prisoners, makes +a good showing, and, best of all, we’ve got more +weapons than before those curs blundered into our +trap. If we could do as well every day the Minute +Boys of Wyoming Valley would soon begin to +loom up big.”</p> + +<p>It pleased me that he could find so much reason +for rejoicing in our situation, because I could not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[334]</span>take my mind from the fact that soon we would +have so many mouths to feed our store of provisions +would speedily be exhausted.</p> + +<p>I myself took Esther Hinchman’s place on the +platform as sentinel, and said, as she lingered a +moment beside me:</p> + +<p>“Because of your standing guard, we have made +ready for whatsoever the enemy has in store for +us, and the watch has been as vigilant as if regular +soldiers were on duty.”</p> + +<p>“We count that we ought to be able to do a full +share of the work, and it is only right, since but for +us and the children you men could soon find places +of safety other than in this blood-stained valley,” +she said, gravely. “We four will get a full night’s +sleep, and you can reckon on our reporting for duty +before sunrise in the morning.”</p> + +<p>Then the dear girl leaped lightly down to the +ground, and I could not prevent my eyes from following +her as she ran into the blockhouse, catching +up a child in her arms as she went.</p> + +<p>We did good duty that night as sentinels, for +all save Master Bartlett had a share of the work. +I had insisted that he should get such rest as was +possible before the morrow came, when, what with +the refugees and the savages, we were like to have +our hands full.</p> + +<p>Nothing was seen or heard to cause alarm or +uneasiness during the night, and when the first +gray light of coming day could be seen in the sky, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[335]</span>Esther Hinchman and her companions came out to +take our places on the walls.</p> + +<p>“We have had breakfast,” she said, as I handed +her my musket, “and have left food ready for you, +so eat as quickly as you can, that those last on duty +may have a chance to sleep until the people from +Forty Fort appear in sight.”</p> + +<p>There were none of us who cared for more rest, +since each had slept four or five hours, and when +breakfast had been eaten I went in search of Master +Bartlett, who, so some one reported, had gone with +Master Morley to feed the prisoners.</p> + +<p>The old man had come to an end of his task +when I found him, and was feeling in good spirits, +thanks to his long time of repose.</p> + +<p>“The Minute Boys have got together again in +fine shape, lad,” he said to me, “and I am looking +to see them give a good account of themselves from +this time out.”</p> + +<p>“I pray God we may be able to do so, Master +Bartlett; but I want you to bear well in mind that +you are, in fact, the commander who will give me +timely warning when I am careless or overconfident. +I know that you would not hesitate to propose +any move which might benefit those whom we +would aid.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t fear but that I shall do whatever I may, +lad, yet I’m thinking there’ll be little for me to do +in the way of watching you, and said as much to +Stephen Morley when you set your trap yesterday. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[336]</span>A lad who has his wits about him to that extent +can be depended upon to look after his company +fairly well.”</p> + +<p>It pleased me to be thus praised by a man like +Master Bartlett; but I tried hard not to show my +delight, and spoke of this thing or that until once +more Esther Hinchman hailed:</p> + +<p>“There is a fleet of canoes coming down the +river, and I doubt not but that those of whom Colonel +Dennison spoke are among the company.”</p> + +<p>In a twinkling the old man and I were on the +nearest platform; but it was four or five minutes +before we could see what Esther had reported, so +much sharper were her eyes than ours.</p> + +<p>Then it was possible to make out no less than +twelve boats, loaded to the water’s edge, while +along the bank of the river marched a company of +soldiers as if keeping watch over the people.</p> + +<p>“John Butler knows only too well that the wolves +which he has let loose upon us are not to be trusted +out of sight, and has sent the Tories to make certain +the savages bring the people here,” Master +Bartlett said to himself, and I am glad to set down +here that one honest thing which Butler did after +working us such deadly harm.</p> + +<p>“The trouble will come, if they count on making +any, after the people have landed,” I said, counting +on getting advice from the old man. “It seems to +me we might make more certain the refugees will +be brought to the shore, if we send out a couple of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[337]</span>canoes, with the best part of our force, to hold the +brutes in check after they are beyond range of yonder +Tories.”</p> + +<p>“It is what should be done!” Master Bartlett +said, emphatically. “Leave the matter to me, for +you must stay in the stockade, and I promise you +there will be no treachery on the part of those who +are at the paddles.”</p> + +<p>It would have pleased me better to go with those +who ventured out from the shore; but I knew that, +as the old man had said, it was my duty to remain, +therefore held my peace while he was gathering +the company.</p> + +<p>By this time it was possible to see that each canoe +was handled by two savages, who had most likely +been sent to take the craft back when the passengers +were disembarked, and I trembled with apprehension +as I realized what would be the result if +the treacherous curs, instead of coming to the shore, +kept the boats in the middle of the river until beyond +range of the stockade or the Tories.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett did not wait for the fleet to come +up, but with six of our company in two canoes, +set off to meet them, coming up with the foremost +while they were yet under the guns of the soldiers +on the opposite bank.</p> + +<p>Then it was he forced them to pass before him on +a direct course to our fort, and I took note that the +old man seemed to be hurrying those who lagged, +lest a single person be spirited away.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[338]</span>Thanks to the precautions we had taken—and I +verily believe that had we remained within the +stockade not one of that sorrowful company would +have escaped death—the refugees were soon on +shore, making all speed to gain the shelter of the +fort, as if there absolute safety would be found.</p> + +<p>When the last white person had left the canoes, +the Indians would have lingered; but Master Bartlett, +having landed his force, ordered them away, +and the levelled muskets were sufficient incentive +for them to obey the command.</p> + +<p>I watched until it was certain the last red scoundrel +had paddled toward the opposite shore, and +then came down to meet those who claimed protection +from us Minute Boys.</p> + +<p>Now lest I multiply words needlessly, by trying +to give a complete list of those who had come to +us, let me say that there were thirty-two women +and children, and fourteen men and boys added to +our number. Owing to Colonel Dennison’s efforts +with John Butler, every member of the party, save +the very smallest children, brought with them more +or less in the way of provisions, and three of the +men had succeeded in getting off with their muskets +by taking the barrel from the stock, and packing +both pieces in bundles of clothing.</p> + +<p>In addition to this, sixteen of the company had +secreted about them powder and ball, so that it +seemed as if we need not fear to run out of either +provisions or ammunition for a week at least, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[339]</span>though I promised myself that as soon as it could +be done, I would have a careful estimate made of +all our stores.</p> + +<p>Counting all the men and boys who had just arrived, +together with our wounded, my company of +Minute Boys numbered twenty-four, or two more +than when we went into Fort Jenkins hoping to +hold it against all the Tories and savages who might +come. To arm these, however, we had only fourteen +muskets, with, possibly, a knife for each one, +since nearly all of the fugitives had been allowed +to bring with them knives as well as hatchets.</p> + +<p>Our force was even stronger than I have stated, +for among the women were no less than sixteen +who looked as if they might be counted on to stand +guard, reload weapons during a fight, and, perhaps, +do not a little work if it came to a hand-to-hand +scrimmage.</p> + +<p>“It isn’t a bad showing,” I said to Master Bartlett, +after looking over the newcomers. “We +should be able to hold this place at least until our +ammunition is exhausted.”</p> + +<p>“Even more than that can be done, lad, if you +hold yourself steadily as the captain. Insist on each +man and woman doing his or her full share of the +work, and when you give an order, take good care +that it is obeyed promptly. Discipline is even more +necessary than weapons, and the commander’s hand +must be firm.”</p> + +<p>At that moment I was thinking more of how we +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[340]</span>might add to the store of provisions than as to +exercising my authority, and interrupted the old +man to call Giles March, saying to him when he +was come:</p> + +<p>“Take with you a full dozen men and boys, and +make search of all these ruins. There must be food +of some kind, burned or otherwise, in such fragments +of the buildings as are yet standing, and +there should be gardens nearabout from which considerable +may already be gathered.”</p> + +<p>He did not delay to question, but summoned +those nearest at hand, and when he was gone I sent +six more women to the lookout platforms, urging +them, and those already on guard, to keep sharp +watch while Giles and his company remained absent.</p> + +<p>Well, the result of that move was that when +night came we had stores in plenty—corn ground +and in meal, young potatoes, smoked pork, and +salted fish in such quantity that I believed we could +hold out though we were besieged three weeks. +But the prizes found this day were two cows that +had taken to the thicket when the savages first appeared, +who came out lowing to be milked.</p> + +<p>My heart was lighter than it had been at any +time since we first went into Fort Jenkins when I +took Esther Hinchman’s place on the platform, +binding her by solemn promise that she would spend +all her time in sleeping, until another day had come, +unless by chance we were attacked.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[341]</span>As it proved there was very little sleep to be had +by any within the stockade on that night; we had +our first taste of the work we had just begun, and +I make bold to say that we did not come off badly, +considering our lack of weapons.</p> + +<p>We had no more than relieved the women of +sentry duty when Giles March, who was stationed +near the northern end of the wall, cried out that he +could see a canoe close under the opposite shore, +and before the light of day had died fully away, +we saw three others, all dropping cautiously down-stream.</p> + +<p>No more warning of an attack than that was +needed; we knew full well that the curs would do +what they might at striking a blow before morning, +and, therefore, were ready for them when the time +came.</p> + +<p>The women who had been selected to aid in the +defence were warned to be ready when the first +shot was fired, and Giles March and I made the +rounds carefully after night had fully come, cautioning +those who stood facing the thicket to fire +at any moving thing.</p> + +<p>Not until near to one o’clock in the morning was +any move made by the painted curs, and then one +of them showed himself long enough for Daniel +Hinchman to send a bullet where it would do the +most good, from our point of view.</p> + +<p>Then it was the bloodthirsty wolves came at us +with a rush, counting, most likely, to find that we +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[342]</span>had no weapons, and when I leaped on the platform +to do my share in the battle which had begun +so suddenly, Esther Hinchman was already there.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing here?” I cried, sharply, +discharging my musket with good aim at a painted +fiend who was coming forward at full speed as if +to clamber up the wall. “Get down out of danger! +I <i>will</i> not have you here!”</p> + +<p>“I can keep watch while you reload your gun,” +she said, pleadingly; but I literally forced her down, +threatening that she should never again perform +sentinel duty if she dared to disobey.</p> + +<p>From that moment until the rush had been +checked, I had no time to give heed to her, for the +savages pressed us hard during ten minutes or more, +and all the while I could not but bewail the fact +that we were expending our ammunition so rapidly, +although every fellow strove hard not to waste a +shot.</p> + +<p>At one time I believe it was possible to see not +less than an hundred dark shadows, which we knew +to be John Butler’s mutinous followers, and more +than once, before we succeeded in driving them +back, did it seem certain some of them would succeed +in scaling the walls.</p> + +<p>Never had I known the curs to fight so boldly, +and I now understand that it was because they were +half-crazed by the quantity of rum drank immediately +after Butler and his Tories marched out of +Forty Fort.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[343]</span>We had a breathing spell of ten minutes or more, +during which time the women cleaned our fouled +muskets, and we quenched the thirst born of the +fumes of burning powder, at the spring near the +blockhouse.</p> + +<p>Then, as suddenly as before, the battle was resumed; +but it could soon be seen that we were beset +by a much smaller force. It seemed positive that a +goodly number of the cowards, finding us far +stronger both in numbers and weapons than they +supposed, had given over the attempt, and when I +became convinced such was the case, the thought +came that now indeed was the time to show the +brutes they were no longer the masters in our valley.</p> + +<p>“Find Master Bartlett for me, and quickly. Tell +him to come here at once,” I said to Esther Hinchman, +who had remained just below my station all +the while we were fighting.</p> + +<p>It was as if I had no more than spoken before the +old man was by my side, and I asked, hurriedly:</p> + +<p>“Do you know how much we have suffered thus +far?”</p> + +<p>“Mistress Morley just told me that we had two +wounded; but those who were without muskets +have taken their places, therefore the fighting force +has not really been lessened.”</p> + +<p>“Then, hark you, Master Bartlett! You said to +me that I should not give an order without making +certain it was obeyed, and I now command you +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[344]</span>to take upon yourself the defence of this place, after +our numbers have been reduced by nearly one-half.”</p> + +<p>“What do you mean?” he asked in surprise, +but he did not turn his face from the foe, nor had +I ceased to fire whenever a target presented itself +during the time I was talking.</p> + +<p>“I believe that now has come the moment when +we should strike a blow ourselves, instead of remaining +on the defensive as if too weak to meet +those brutes openly. I count on taking with me +nine of the lads whom I know best, and slipping +out of this place. We will fall upon yonder curs +from a point where they are least expecting to see +us, and if it be possible to get them on the run, I +promise you we will not turn back this side of Forty +Fort, if so be we can contrive to cross the river.”</p> + +<p>I had expected to have a long argument; but +much to my surprise, the old man never so much +as opened his mouth, and after waiting a few seconds +for a reply, I slipped down from the platform, +leaving him in my place.</p> + +<p>“You may never come back,” Esther Hinchman +said, with a sob, as I stood by her side, and then +did I know she had heard what passed between Master +Bartlett and me.</p> + +<p>“It is not for you to grow faint-hearted at the +very moment when I believe more can be done in +behalf of the valley than if we were to defend ourselves +behind a stockade for the next two months. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[345]</span>I <i>shall</i> come back, and with me all who go out, provided +our first blow be successful.”</p> + +<p>“I will pray that God does not take you from +us,” she sobbed, and then it was that I kissed her, +running at full speed across the enclosure a moment +later, lest I be tempted to linger by her side rather +than take my chances among the red wolves.</p> + +<p>Around the stockade I went, calling down from +the platforms Giles March, Daniel Hinchman, Oscar +Stephenson, and all the lads I knew best, until +I had withdrawn nine from the walls, and then in +a few words I explained what we might do.</p> + +<p>Not one of them flinched; they were even more +eager than I to make the venture, and we gathered +by the small gate until that moment came when the +firing seemed to be heaviest at the northern end of +the stockade, when all slipped out, crouching to the +very ground as we ran straight toward the mountain, +an hundred paces or more, where good cover +was found.</p> + +<p>Then off we went, northward, until believing we +were behind the attacking force, after which we +halted to make certain our muskets were primed.</p> + +<p>“Now, lads,” I whispered, “let us keep well together, +for nothing can be gained by separating, +and if so be we succeed in frightening the curs, +we’ll keep at their heels even to the very border of +their encampment.”</p> + +<p>“It is likely they are quartered in Forty Fort,” +Miles Parker suggested, and I added:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[346]</span>“So much the better if they are! Once we get +them on the run, it wouldn’t be anything very wonderful +if we could take that stockade, even though +it is held by more than an hundred.”</p> + +<p>As a matter of course I had no hope we might +do any such work as that, but I thought it would +encourage some of my comrades to greater exertions +if they fancied that was our goal.</p> + +<p>The halt lasted no longer than for me to say what +I have here set down, and then we started in that +direction from which the reports of the muskets +came, moving cautiously at first, lest the villains +hear us too soon, and then with a rush when it was +possible to see the flashes of their weapons.</p> + +<p>“Now at them with a yell, but don’t fire till you +are certain of hitting the mark!” I whispered, and +forward we went, shouting at the full strength of +our lungs, and coming upon the cowards from +behind.</p> + +<p>They had no more than time to realize they were +flanked, when we let drive a volley, and for every +bullet a painted brute fell.</p> + +<p>We halted to reload, hoping to get in a second +volley before they had fully recovered from the first +alarm; but work as we might, it was impossible.</p> + +<p>When we were ready to fire again, not a moving +thing could be seen, but far away in the distance +could be heard the sound of their footsteps, or the +swishing of the branches as they tore through the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[347]</span>foliage in headlong flight, intent only on gaining +the river.</p> + +<p>“Now for it!” I cried when my musket was +loaded. “We must never let them off without one +more shot, and if it be that we can prevent their +taking to the canoes, we’ll give them a taste of being +hunted down like wild beasts, as were our people!”</p> + +<p>If it had not been that Master Bartlett supported +us nobly at the very moment when he could do the +most good, we would have failed in giving the +brutes the lesson I had planned.</p> + +<p>We were hardly more than started on our second +charge when yells and screams, accompanied by +musket-shots, rang out just ahead of us, and Giles +March cried, exultantly:</p> + +<p>“Our people in the stockade are lending a hand, +and it will go hard if we don’t pepper a dozen or +more before they can put off!”</p> + +<p>When we came into the open again it was to see +our comrades standing near where a dozen or more +canoes were hauled up on the shore, firing at a dark +mass in the distance, which we knew to be the panic-stricken +murderers.</p> + +<p>“Let them have it, lads!” I shouted, discharging +my weapon, and, while the others were following +my example, I ran forward until finding Master +Bartlett.</p> + +<p>“The dose hasn’t been as heavy as I reckoned +on; but there is yet time to increase it,” I said, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[348]</span>hurriedly. “We will take two of these canoes, and +do you carry the others into the stockade.”</p> + +<p>“Where are you going, lad?” the old man +asked, as if about to make some protest.</p> + +<p>“To the other side, where we can pick off the +curs as they swim across, and to Forty Fort, mayhap,” +and I pushed off one of the light craft, shouting +for my comrades to join me.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett stood by till the last one of us +was in the canoes, and then, as we paddled swiftly +away, he cried:</p> + +<p>“Give it to ’em hot, lads; but don’t take too +many chances, for we’ll soon be needing you here!”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[349]</span> + + <h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XIX.<br> +<small>FREEING THE VALLEY</small></h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">I believed</span> that now, if ever, was the time when +we might give John Butler’s curs such a drubbing +they would be glad to follow their leader, and I +also realized that if we could not strike a heavy +blow on this night, then might we expect to get +it hot from then on.</p> + +<p>We had already shown the brutes they were not +to have everything their own way, as had been the +case since they first began the bloody work; but +if we failed to follow up our advantage, it went +without saying that they would be upon us next +day burning to avenge the death of their fellows.</p> + +<p>All this I said to my comrades as we paddled +swiftly up-stream, working gradually toward the +other shore, and Giles March replied, grimly:</p> + +<p>“It is better to fight one tough battle than half +a dozen mild ones wherein neither side gains an advantage. +If you are so minded, Jonathan Ogden, +I will follow you even into Forty Fort.”</p> + +<p>“Except for dividing a party already too small +to hold one stockade comfortably, I believe we +might take the fort this night; but even if it was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[350]</span>open for us to walk in, we would have no right to +take possession, because of the fact that, once inside, +we might find it difficult to get out again, and it +is as Master Bartlett has just said—they will soon +be needing us at the Wilkesbarre stockade.”</p> + +<p>We had hardly more than gained the shadows +of the opposite shore when from around a bend +came a canoe in which were three savages, heading +as if to join the fellows we had just routed, and I +motioned for those at the paddles to hold our canoe +motionless.</p> + +<p>“I’ll take the one in the bow; Giles March shall +aim at the second fellow, and Daniel Hinchman +will look after the third,” I whispered. “One, +two, three, fire!”</p> + +<p>The three reports rang out like one, and the canoe +swung around with the current, having in it nothing +of life, for our aim had been true.</p> + +<p>“It is such work as we will continue to do until +every wolfish savage and Tory cur is driven out +of the valley!” I said, exultantly, and then gave +the word for both canoes to be put in to the shore.</p> + +<p>There could be no question but that those nearabout +the fort had heard the firing, and we might +expect some of them would come to learn the cause. +We had no desire for a regular battle on that side +of the river, therefore did I believe it best to get +under cover.</p> + +<p>By the time we had landed and hauled the canoes +out of water at the foot of a huge oak-tree, where we +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[351]</span>might be able to find them again without too much +searching, it was possible to hear cries from the +opposite shore, as those who had retreated in such +haste called for their comrades to ferry them across, +while near at hand were such sounds as told that +the red villains were disturbed.</p> + +<p>“While they are hunting around here for us, we +will make our way to the fort, and then come down +upon them once more in the rear,” I said to my +comrades. “If we can double on them two or three +times, as when we began this work, I’m of the mind +they will believe themselves completely surrounded.”</p> + +<p>Then, without waiting to hear what they might +think of the plan, I pressed forward in the direction +where I knew the fort lay, but taking good care to +get away from the river bank with all speed.</p> + +<p>By skulking behind this ruin or that, crawling +across the open places, and running when having +gained what would serve as cover, we arrived in +the rear of the fort at about the same time that a +large number of half-naked imps passed out of the +big gates, heading toward the river.</p> + +<p>Now that we had arrived I was wholly at a loss +to decide what it might be possible to do. I had +sufficient sense to understand that it would be more +than foolhardy to venture inside, for even though +only a few remained there, they might be strong +enough to hold us in play until some of those from +the river bank could come up, when the capture of +our party would be well-nigh certain.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[352]</span>While I stood within the shadow of the heavy +timbers asking myself how we might strike a blow, +my eyes fell upon a heap of shavings, left, no doubt, +when one of the savages fitted a new handle to his +tomahawk, and I said on the impulse of the moment +to Daniel Hinchman:</p> + +<p>“Everything hereabout is dry as tinder, and if +we could gather enough light stuff it might be possible +to set fire to the logs. Then, in the excitement, +I’m thinking it would be possible to shoot down a +few more of the murderers.”</p> + +<p>It was as if he took this for a command, and in +a twinkling all the party were gathering such inflammable +material as was nearest at hand.</p> + +<p>Because there was close about so much with +which to start a fire, no more than five minutes were +spent before we had piled up against the logs, and +stuffed into the crevices, a huge mass which extended +along the wall for a distance of perhaps +twenty feet.</p> + +<p>“If that doesn’t set the stockade on fire, it will +make a big show,” Giles March said, with a chuckle +of satisfaction. “What is to be done when the +blaze has been started?”</p> + +<p>“We’ll make for the bushes along the river bank, +and it will go hard if we don’t succeed in hurting +half a dozen before they understand what is going +on,” I said, and then came the question of lighting +the dry stuff without spending too much time.</p> + +<p>It was Giles March who settled the matter by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[353]</span>proposing that he and I stay behind while the others +gained a hiding-place near the water’s edge, and then +set off the pile at each end by flashing into it powder +from our muskets.</p> + +<p>This we did, taking to our heels immediately tiny +flames told that the burning powder had done its +work, and we succeeded in joining our comrades +before the savages were alarmed.</p> + +<p>Hardly more than fifty paces from where we were +hidden a dozen or more of the curs stood looking +toward the other shore, chattering like a lot of +crows, and I motioned to my comrades that when +the right moment came we would take the group +for our targets.</p> + +<p>The flames leaped up quickly and furiously; but +fully five minutes passed before a single cry was +heard, and during that time the fire must have fastened +on to the dry logs of the stockade. Then a +shrill cry was heard from the fort; the curs we +were watching wheeled suddenly around, cried out +as if summoning some of their comrades near at +hand, and would have run in the direction of the +flames, but that we fired.</p> + +<p>How many fell I am unable to say, for I was +bent only on reloading in the shortest possible space +of time, and when my weapon was in condition for +use once more, not an Indian could be seen.</p> + +<p>I counted that we had the wolves in a fine state +of indecision, for it stood to reason they had taken +all their belongings into the fort when John Butler +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[354]</span>marched out, and if they stopped to hunt for us +everything might be burned, while, on the other +hand, unless we were dealt with speedily, others +would fall beneath our bullets.</p> + +<p>When the last of the party had loaded his musket, +I led the way rapidly as far up toward the flames as +we could go while remaining under cover, saying +to my comrades when we were again halted:</p> + +<p>“Shoot the first cur who shows himself, and at +a show of their coming for us, make all speed to +where the canoes are hidden. I reckon we’ve done +as much mischief on this side of the river as is safe, +for I’m not minded to lose any member of this +party.”</p> + +<p>We had not been in position above two minutes +when five Indians came up from the shore at full +speed, counting to pass within a dozen paces of +where we were in hiding, and I motioned for the +other fellows to fire, at the same time preventing +Daniel Hinchman and Giles March from raising +their weapons.</p> + +<p>Thus it was we had three loaded muskets when +the race began after we fired into the squad, for it +so chanced that following directly on the heels of +those whom we shot at was a larger party, who +opened fire immediately, at random, of course, since +we were under cover, but more than one of their +bullets came nearer than was pleasing.</p> + +<p>Then it was, in accordance with the plan already +formed, that we beat a retreat; but before arriving +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[355]</span>at the oak-tree four of the curs were close behind, +and we saw the advantage of having saved three +charges for an emergency.</p> + +<p>“Giles March and Daniel Hinchman will halt +and fire when I give the word,” I said, while we +were running. “The others are to keep on for +fifty paces, and then, if we are yet pursued, stop +to reload in order to check those who may be behind +us.”</p> + +<p>Then I cried “Halt!” and my two comrades +stopped suddenly, wheeling around like a flash, and +discharging their weapons before our pursuers had +time to swerve from their course.</p> + +<p>We brought down only two; but the others took +to their heels, and for the moment we were safe +from pursuit.</p> + +<p>The rest of our party halted to reload, as I had +ordered, and when we three came up, it was to +follow their example.</p> + +<p>Having recharged my musket, I was so foolish +as to fancy the moment had come when we might +exult over our successes, and stopped to have speech +with my comrades, giving no heed as to silence; but +the first word had no more than been spoken when +half a dozen muskets were discharged close at hand +from the riverside, while the sharp twinge, followed +by a sensation as of burning, told that I had +received a bullet in my left arm.</p> + +<p>“Don’t shoot till you can see what you are firing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[356]</span>at!” I cried. “Press on to the canoes, else are +we like to find ourselves in a trap!”</p> + +<p>But for the fact that we were among the bushes, +all of us might have been shot down. Even as it +was we found it exceeding difficult to get out of +the scrape, for the savages pressed us hard, but +without showing themselves, and it seemed as if +their numbers were increasing each instant.</p> + +<p>Then came the time when I realized that it would +be worse than folly to answer their shots. The curs +were so near that nothing save speed would avail +us, and I gave the word for the lads to run at their +best speed, without regard to anything except keeping +themselves hidden from view as much as possible.</p> + +<p>When I came up to where the canoes had been +left, they were already in the water, and now was +our time of greatest peril, for while paddling out +from the shore the savages could shoot at will.</p> + +<p>“We’re working for our lives now, lads!” I +said, speaking hurriedly, while clambering into the +frail craft. “Let all save those at the paddles be +ready to shoot when the first villain breaks cover, +and while reloading, bend over as much as possible, +lest you give them too fair a mark at which to +aim.”</p> + +<p>As I think of the matter now, it seems almost incredible +that any of us got away alive, and yet we +finally came out of the scrimmage with only one +wound in addition to that which I had received. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[357]</span>Miles Parker had an ugly cut on his cheek as good +proof that John Butler’s wolves were precious poor +marksmen, and my arm was useless.</p> + +<p>Before getting well clear of the shore we put an +end to three of the wolves who had ravaged the +valley, and then, in midstream, we could see the +flames leaping high into the air over Forty Fort, +telling that the last stockade remaining on that side +of the river was speedily being destroyed.</p> + +<p>“It’s a good night’s work, lads!” I cried, exultantly, +heeding not the pain in my arm. “We +have struck a blow such as they won’t forget, and +it will go hard if we can’t deal another now that +they are without a fort, save by crossing the river!”</p> + +<p>“If we can only keep after them!” Giles March +cried. “Two or three more nights like this one, +and they would be glad to follow John Butler’s +trail.”</p> + +<p>“They shall have as much more of this work as +they are willing to stand,” I replied, hotly. “The +two of us who are wounded will soon be ready for +duty again, and in the meantime the rest of you can +keep up the dance.”</p> + +<p>Then we were within hailing distance of our +stockade, and Master Bartlett’s voice came to us +from across the water, as he asked, anxiously:</p> + +<p>“Are you all there, lads?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, and with but two slight wounds to show +for all the powder and lead those curs have wasted,” +I replied, gleefully.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[358]</span>“And it was you who set fire to Forty Fort?”</p> + +<p>“That we did, and if our company had been a +little larger, I dare venture to say we could have +taken the stockade.”</p> + +<p>“We couldn’t have held it, therefore it is better +it should go up in smoke without delay,” Master +Bartlett replied, and then we were at the shore.</p> + +<p>Carrying the canoes with us, we entered the +stockade, and it so chanced that Daniel Hinchman +and I were side by side when Esther came up.</p> + +<p>“Which of you has been wounded?” she asked, +sharply, and Daniel made answer:</p> + +<p>“Jonathan Ogden. His arm should be attended +to at once, for we can ill afford to lose our leader +at the very time when the Minute Boys are showing +what it is possible for them to do.”</p> + +<p>She spoke never a word, but would have led me +away at once had not Master Bartlett stopped us +to ask:</p> + +<p>“Think you that those whose canoes we captured +are yet on this side of the river?”</p> + +<p>“They must be. I question if the scoundrels at +the fort have had time or the inclination to go after +them, for we made matters right lively.”</p> + +<p>“And I’m thinking that we should keep up the +work,” Master Bartlett replied. “There’s no +chance they will get their wits together sufficiently +to make an attack this night, and if you say the +word, Stephen Morley and I will take four or five +of the lads who did not go with you, and see +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[359]</span>whether we can’t add to the work you’ve done, +before the sun rises.”</p> + +<p>It made me a bit jealous to think of a party setting +off while I remained behind; but I could not +reasonably make any objection to his proposition, +and even as I entered the blockhouse with Esther +that my wound might be dressed, the old man went +out through the small gate.</p> + +<p>“I’ll answer for his lessening the number of those +brutes before we see him again, and now if ever is +the time to keep after them, for once they have a +chance to gather their wits, we’ll have our work +cut out for us,” Giles March said, as he went to +the spring, and I followed Esther into the building, +almost content to be disabled since she was to play +the part of nurse.</p> + +<p>Had I done as Esther Hinchman begged me, I +would have remained inside the blockhouse all +night, counting myself an invalid who stood in +great need of repose; but it would have required +more than one small wound to keep me there among +the women and children while the Minute Boys +were giving good proof of what they could do when +half an opportunity presented itself.</p> + +<p>When, an hour later, I came into the open air, +Giles March and Daniel Hinchman were keeping +watch, although all the platforms were occupied by +the women who acted as sentinels. Forty Fort was +yet burning fiercely, the flames rising so high in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[360]</span>air that they must have been seen twenty miles +away, and I said to my comrades:</p> + +<p>“The red curs didn’t make any effort to put out +the fire.”</p> + +<p>“I reckon that was our fault,” Daniel replied, +with a hearty laugh. “We made such a disturbance +around there that, by the time they had a chance +to do anything except hunt us, the flames must +have got under good headway. It is likely all the +lodges had been set up inside the stockade, and I’m +hoping they didn’t have a chance to save them.”</p> + +<p>There was really nothing I could do in the enclosure, +while so many of the women were on guard, +and after a few moments I went to see Elias Shendle, +who, so Esther had told me, was mending very +fast.</p> + +<p>The poor lad almost cried when I told him of all +we had done that night, so great was his sorrow +because of not being with us; but I consoled him +as best I might by predicting that he would soon +be able to do his full share of the work, and promising +he should go out with a party whenever there +was a likelihood of striking the enemy hard.</p> + +<p>The talking caused a feeling of drowsiness to +creep over me, and, lying down by his side with +the idea of taking a short nap, I fell into a sleep +from which I did not awaken until after sunrise +next morning.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you arouse me?” I asked reproachfully +of Elias, and he replied, with a smile:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[361]</span>“I would have done so when Master Bartlett +and his party came back; but Esther Hinchman +threatened me with all kinds of dreadful punishments +if I so much as moved, and because she seems +to be in authority over us who are wounded, it +didn’t seem wise to disobey her.”</p> + +<p>Going out-of-doors quickly, I found Master Bartlett +lying on the ground near the door of the blockhouse, +and he did not wait for me to question him +concerning what had been done.</p> + +<p>“I brought all the lads back, and with never a +scratch on one of them,” he said, in a tone of triumph, +as I appeared.</p> + +<p>“Did you find the savages?”</p> + +<p>“Ay, that we did, a dozen or more, and before +we were done they had a taste of what our people +suffered when they were used as targets while +striving to swim across. I can’t say just how much +we accomplished, but am satisfied that a full half +of the squad won’t make any more trouble for us. +In addition to that, we’ve got two more prisoners +to feed, and they have lost another canoe.”</p> + +<p>“It will be necessary for them to set about boat-building, +if they count on staying here very much +longer,” I said, with a laugh. “It seems to me, +unless John Butler brought twice as many canoes +as his army needed, we must have gathered in the +better part of their outfit.”</p> + +<p>“Another night like that just past, and we’ll have +seen the last of those who have wrought so much +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[362]</span>harm to us of the valley. With our two prisoners +we got a couple more muskets, and I’m thinking +it wouldn’t be a bad idea to search along this shore. +We must have killed some of the brutes, who are +lying there with their weapons.”</p> + +<p>It surprised me that I had not hit upon such a +plan myself, and as soon as might be I sent out +Giles March, with three comrades, to search for +whatsoever might be of service to us.</p> + +<p>The party came back before noon, bringing five +muskets and eight hatchets, as well as a goodly store +of ammunition, therefore could we count that the +number of Minute Boys ready for duty had been increased +by seven, counting the guns taken from the +prisoners.</p> + +<p>Now were we in good truth a power in the valley, +and straightway I set about racking my brains for +something in the way of one grand blow, other than +risking a regular battle, which would convince the +enemy that it was unsafe for him to remain any +longer.</p> + +<p>“We are strong enough to stand against a goodly +number of them now,” I said, thinking aloud, and +Master Bartlett replied as if I had questioned him:</p> + +<p>“You’ll do no more fighting this two weeks, +lad, and I’ve had it in mind that you had better let +Stephen Morley and me go out for awhile. I’m +burning to know where the brutes are located now +the stockade has been destroyed.”</p> + +<p>Well, we talked long and earnestly on the matter, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[363]</span>finally coming to the agreement that the old man +should, on the coming night, take a dozen lads with +him, and cross the river; but it was with the understanding +that he would not make an attack save +when the odds or chances were greatly in his favor.</p> + +<p>It was not pleasant for me to see my comrades +setting off while I remained behind; but there was +no help for it when another night had come, and I +stood on the platform nearest the water, with Esther +Hinchman by my side, watching the dear lads +as they paddled across the river, wishing most fervently +that I could be with them.</p> + +<p>They had not been gone above half an hour, and +I was still on the lookout’s platform by the side of +Esther, when we were startled by seeing what appeared +to be a veritable army of men coming up +the river. For the moment I believed the savages +had circled around back of Forty Fort to surprise +us, thinking we would have no suspicions of those +who came from that direction.</p> + +<p>I had just leaned over to tell one of the women +who chanced to be passing that all the men were +to be aroused, when there came a hail in good English +from the fleet of canoes.</p> + +<p>“Fort ahoy!”</p> + +<p>When I had replied to the hail the question came:</p> + +<p>“Who is holding that stockade?”</p> + +<p>“The Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley, aided +by those who were so fortunate as to come from +Forty Fort alive.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[364]</span>“Who is in command?”</p> + +<p>“I, Jonathan Ogden.”</p> + +<p>“You have done well to hold the place, lad; +but it will be easier from now on. I am bringing +you thirty good recruits, all of whom are well +armed, and amply supplied with ammunition and +provisions.”</p> + +<p>I could hardly credit my own ears, for such news +seemed far too good to be true, and I cried, incredulously:</p> + +<p>“Who may you be to have brought us that of +which we stand so sadly in need?”</p> + +<p>“John Franklin, of Hunterdon. I went with +Colonel Zebulon Butler’s followers to Conyngham, +and nearabout there have mustered these recruits, +all of whom are eager to meet those who have laid +waste this valley.”</p> + +<p>Half an hour later Captain Franklin and his men +were inside the stockade, having brought with them +in the way of ammunition and provisions sufficient +to serve us for many days to come.</p> + +<p>I did not really believe that all these young men—there +were no old ones among them—would +be willing to serve under me until we had come +together and I put the question squarely to them, +when they declared their willingness to regularly +enlist, if it might be possible so to do.</p> + +<p>We were yet holding converse, seated on the +ground near the blockhouse, when Esther Hinchman +cried out that Master Bartlett’s party was returning, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[365]</span>and, leaping up on the platform, I cried +to the old man:</p> + +<p>“Have you met with disaster that you are back +so soon?”</p> + +<p>“Not a bit of it, lad. We haven’t wiped out any +of John Butler’s wolves, nor even seen one, for the +very good reason that they have pulled out of the +valley.”</p> + +<p>“What?” I cried, in amazement. “Do you +mean that they have followed Butler’s trail?”</p> + +<p>“As near as we can make out that is exactly what +they have done. You lads made it a bit too hot +for them last night, and the curs hadn’t the stomachs +to wait for another dose. We have an idea +that some of them may be hanging around in the +hope of doing mischief without risking their skins; +but it’s certain the biggest part have left in a hurry.”</p> + +<p>Is there any need for me to say that we rejoiced +that night—not only we who had passed through +all the scenes of horror, but those who had so +bravely come to our aid?</p> + +<p>After it was possible to settle down soberly, for +we were well-nigh crazed with joy as we had been +with grief, we held a consultation wherein each +member of our company was free to air his opinions, +and it was finally decided that we would hold +the stockade until it was certain all the savages +had gone from the valley. If then—say two or +three weeks later—there appeared no good reason +why the Minute Boys were needed there, we were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[366]</span>of the mind to offer our services as an independent +company of the Continental Army, and Captain +Franklin promised to lay the matter before the military +authorities without delay, for we were determined +that when we did enlist it should be with the +express stipulation that we remain together rather +than be drafted into this company or that.</p> + +<p>And now that I am come to an end of what some +may claim is no story at all, but a lot of facts pieced +not very skilfully together, I am puzzled to know +how to stop. It would be a labor of love to tell in +detail of all we did from that day when the recruits +came to us from Conyngham until the king was +glad to make peace, recognizing the United States +of America as a new nation which gave promise +of becoming one of the world’s great powers; but +I fear no one would have the patience to follow the +words so long, for we saw much of fighting and adventure.</p> + +<p>When there was no longer any need of an army, +and we were mustered out of service, I was still +the captain of the Minute Boys of the Wyoming +Valley, while Elias Shendle ranked as first, and +Daniel Hinchman as second lieutenant. Giles +March was captain of a company from New York +and Stephen Morley a major in the Connecticut +line.</p> + +<p>Master Bartlett was yet alive when, on leaving +the army, I went to Tioga to see Esther Hinchman, +who had the same as promised to be my wife, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[367]</span>there I met him. Then it was he said to me that +which I shall ever remember, and with which it +seems fitting I should close my work on this tale +of our doings.</p> + +<p>“But for the Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley, +Jonathan Ogden,” he said to me as Esther and I +sat by his side, “very much more blood would have +been shed by those human wolves John Butler let +loose upon us, and that act of my life in which I +take the most pride is the share I had in what was +done by your company around Wilkesbarre and +Forty Fort.”</p> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote"> + <p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> + + +<p>Perceived typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> +</div></div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 76656 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/76656-h/images/cover.jpg b/76656-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..58ecc09 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/coversmall.jpg b/76656-h/images/coversmall.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cc15eda --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/coversmall.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/decoline.jpg b/76656-h/images/decoline.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b4b256 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/decoline.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_001a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_001a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c0698c3 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_001a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_003.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_003.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d1c954 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_003.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_003a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_003a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5b957cf --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_003a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_050a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_050a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..1c76d2f --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_050a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_076a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_076a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..98fc682 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_076a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_094a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_094a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9e248b --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_094a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_120a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_120a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0ee85a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_120a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_166a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_166a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9153297 --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_166a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_218a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_218a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa228cc --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_218a.jpg diff --git a/76656-h/images/i_240a.jpg b/76656-h/images/i_240a.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..4957ddf --- /dev/null +++ b/76656-h/images/i_240a.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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