 CHAPTER XIII. What is your report? asked General Burgoyne, as the scouts were conducted into his tent. We have discovered, sir, that the Americans have strongly fortified moat independence, which faces Ticonderoga, and have connected the two places by a bridge across the river, which is protected by a strong boom. Both positions are, however, overlooked by Sugar Hill, and this they have entirely neglected to fortify. If you were to seize this, they would have to retire at once. The general expresses satisfaction at the news, and gave orders that steps should be taken to seize Sugar Hill immediately. He then questioned the scouts as to their adventures and praised them highly for their conduct. The next day the army advanced, and at nightfall both divisions were in their places, having arrived within an hour or two of each other from the opposite sides of the lake. Sugar Hill was seized the same night, and a strong party were set to work, cutting a road through the trees. The next morning the enemy discovered the British at work erecting a battery on the hill, and their general decided to evacuate, both Ticonderoga and Mount Independence instantly. Their baggage, provisions, and stores were embarked in two hundred boats and sent up the river. The army started to march by the road. The next morning the English discovered that the Americans had disappeared. Captain Lutwich immediately set to work to destroy the bridge in boom, whose construction had taken the Americans nearly twelve months' labor. By nine in the morning a passage was affected, and some gunboats passed through in pursuit of the enemy's convoy. They overtook them near Skeensboro, engaged and captured many of their largest craft, and obliged them to set several others on fire, together with a large number of their boats and barges. A few hours afterward a detachment of British troops and gunboats came up the river to Skeensboro, the cannon on the works which the Americans had erected there, opened fire, but the troops were landed, and the enemy at once evacuated their works, setting fire to their storehouses and mills, while these operations had been going on by water, Brigadier General Frazier at the head of the advance corps of Grenadiers and Light Infantry, pressed hard upon the division of the enemy which had retired by the Huberton Road, and overtook them at five o'clock in the morning. The division consisted of fifteen hundred of the best colonial troops under the command of Colonial Francis. They were posted on strong ground and sheltered by breastworks, composed of logs and old trees. General Frazier's detachment was inferior in point of numbers to that of the defenders of the position. But as he expected, a body of the German troops under General Rezidel to arrive immediately, he at once attacked the breastworks. The Americans defended their posts with great resolution and bravery. The reinforcements did not arrive so soon as was expected, and for some time the British made no way. General Reitzel, hearing the fire in front, pushed forward at full speed with a small body of troops. Among these was the band which he ordered to play. The enemy, hearing the music and supposing that the whole of the German troops had come up, evacuated the position and fell back with precipitation. Colonial Francis and many others were killed, and two hundred taken prisoners. On the English side, one hundred twenty men were killed and wounded. The enemy from Schemesboro were pursued by Colonial Hill with the Ninth Regiment, and were overtaken near Fort Ann, finding how small was the force that pursued them in comparison to their own. They took the offensive, a hot engagement took place, and after three hours fighting the Americans were repulsed with great slaughter and forced to retreat after setting fire to Fort Ann and Fort Edward. In these operations the British captured one hundred forty-eight guns with large quantities of stores. At Fort Edward General Schuehler was joined by General St. Clair, but even with this addition the total American strength did not exceed forty-four hundred. Instead of returning from Schemesboro to Ticonderoga, once he might have sailed with his army up to Lake George, General Burgoyne proceeded to cut his way through the woods to the lake. The difficulties of the passage were immense. Swamps and morasses had to be passed. Bridges had to be constructed over creeks, ravines, and gullies. The troops worked with great vigor and spirit. Major General Phillips had returned to Lake George and transported the artillery, provisions, and baggage to Fort George and then spy land to a point on the Hudson River, together with a large number of boats, for the use of the army and their intended descent to Albany. So great was the labor entailed by this work that it was not until July 30 that the army arrived on the Hudson River. The delay of three weeks had afforded the enemy time to recover their spirits and recruit their strength. General Arnold arrived with a strong reinforcement and a force was detached to check the progress of Colonial St. Legger, who was coming down from Montreal by way of Lake Ontario and the Mohawk River to effect a junction with General Burgoyne. General Burgoyne determined to advance at once. The army was already suffering from want of transportation, and he decided to send a body of troops to Bennington, twenty-four miles to the eastward of the Hudson River, where the Americans had large supplies collected, instead of sending light infantry, he dispatched six hundred Germans. The worst troops he could have selected for this purpose, as they were very heavily armed and more succeedingly slowly. Several of the officers were menstruated with him, but with an usual infatuated obstancy he maintained his disposition. Unapproaching Bennington Colonial Bomb, who commanded the Germans, found that a very strong force was gathered there. He sent back for reinforcements and five hundred more Germans. Under Lieutenant Colonial Bremen were dispatched to his assistance. Long, however, before these slowly moving troops could arrive, Colonial Bomb was attacked by the enemy in vastly superior numbers. The Germans fought with great bravery and several times charged the Americans and drove them back. Fresh troops continued to come up on the enemy's side, and the Germans having lost a large number of men, including their Colonial, were forced to retreat into the woods. The enemy then advanced against Colonial Bremen, who was ignorant of the disaster that had befallen Brahm, and with his detachment had occupied twenty-four hours in marching sixteen miles. The Germans again fought well, but after a gallant resistance were obliged to fall back. In these two affairs they lost six hundred men. In the meantime, Colonial St. Leger had commenced his attack upon Fort Stanwyx, which was defended by seven hundred men. The American General Herkimer advanced with one thousand men to its relief. Colonial St. Leger detached Sir John Johnson with the party of regulars and a number of Indians who had accompanied him to meet them. The enemy advanced unconsciously and fell into an ambush. A terrible fire was poured into them, and the Indians then rushed down and attacked them hand to hand. The Americans, although taken by surprise, fought bravely and succeeded in making their retreat, leaving four hundred killed and wounded behind them. Colonial St. Leger had no artillery which was capable of making any impression on the defenses of the fort. His commander sent out a man who, pretending to be a deserter, entered the British camp and informed Colonial St. Leger that General Burgoyne had been defeated and his army cut to pieces, and that General Arnold, with two thousand men, was advancing to raise the siege. Colonial St. Leger did not credit the news, but it created a panic among the Indians, the greater portion of whom at once retired without orders, and St. Leger, having a small British force with him, was compelled to follow their example, leaving his artillery and stores behind him. On September 13 General Burgoyne, having with immense labor collected thirty days provision on the Hudson, crossed the river by a bridge of boats and encamped on the heights of Saratoga. His movements had been immensely hampered by the vast train of artillery which he took with him. In an open country a powerful force of artillery is of the greatest service to an army, but in a campaign in a wooded and roadless country it is of little utility and enormously hampers the operations of an army. Had General Burgoyne, after the capture of Tikundaroga, pressed forward in light order without artillery, he could unquestionably have marched to New York without meeting with any serious opposition, but the six-weeks delay had enabled the Americans to collect a great force to oppose them. On the nineteenth, as the army were advancing to Stillwater, five thousand of the enemy attacked the British right. They were led by General Arnold and fought with great bravery and determination. The brunt of the battle fell on the twentieth, twenty-fourth, and sixty-second regiments. The four hours the fight continued, without any advantage on either side, and at nightfall the Americans drew off, each side having lost about six hundred men. After the battle of Stillwater, the whole of the Indians with General Burgoyne left him and returned to Canada. Hamburg, with his great train of artillery, unprovided with transportation in the face of a powerful enemy, posted an exceedingly strong position, General Burgoyne could neither advance nor retreat. The forage was exhausted, and the artillery horses were dying in great numbers. He hoped that Sir William Howell would have sailed up the huston and joined him. But the English commander-in-chief had taken his army down to Philadelphia. Sir Henry Clinton, who commanded at New York, endeavored with a small force at his command to make a diversion by operating against the American posts on the Hudson River. But this was of no utility. Burgoyne's army was now reduced to a little more than five thousand men, and he determined to fall back upon the lakes. Before doing this, however, it would be necessary to dislodge the Americans from their posts on his left. Leaving the camp under the command of General Hamilton, Burgoyne advanced with fifteen hundred men against them, but scarcely had the detachment started with the enemy made a furious attack on the British left. Major Ackland, with the Grenaders, was posted here, and for a time defended himself with great bravery. The light infantry and twenty-fourth were sent to their assistance, but overpowered by numbers. The left wing was forced to retreat into their entrenchments. These the enemy, led by General Arnold, at once attacked with great impetiosity. For a long time the result was doubtful, and it was not until the American leader was wounded that the attack seized. In the meantime the entrenchments, defended by the German troops under Colonel Bremen, had also been attacked. Here the fight was obstinate. But the German entrenchments were carried. Colonel Bremen killed, and his troops retreated with the loss of all their baggage and artillery. Two hundred prisoners fell into the hands of the Americans. That night the British Army was concentrated on the heights above the hospital. General Gates, who commanded the Americans, moved his army so as to entirely enclose the British, and the latter on the night of October 8th, retired to Saratoga, being obliged to leave all their sick and wounded in the hospital. These were treated with the greatest kindness by the Americans. An attempt was now made to retreat to Fort George or Fort Edward. But the Americans had taken up positions on each road and fortified them with cannon. Only about thirty-five hundred fighting men now remained, of whom but one half were British and scarcely eight days provisions were left. The enemy, four times superior in point of numbers, held every line of retreat and eluded every attempt of the British to force them to a general engagement. The position was hopeless, and on October 13th a council of war was held and it was determined to open negotiations for a surrender. Two days were spent in negotiations, and it was finally agreed that the army should lay down its arms, that it should be marched to Boston, and they're allowed to sail for England, on condition of not serving again in North America during the contest. The Canadians were allowed to return at once to their own country. On the 16th the army laid down its arms. It consisted of thirty-five hundred fighting men, and six hundred sick, and nearly two thousand boatmen, teamsters, and other non-effectives. Never did a general behave with greater incompetence than that manifested by General Burgoyne from the day of his leaving, Tinga de Roga, and the disaster which befell his army was entirely the result of mismanagement, procrastination, and faulty generalship. Had Harold remained with the army until its surrender, his share in the war would have been at the end. For the Canadians, as well as all others who laid down their arms, gave their word of honour not to serve again during the war. He had, however, with Peter Lampton and Jake, a company, colonial bombs, detachment, on its march to Bennington. Scouting in front of the column, they had ascertained the presence of large numbers of the enemy, and had, by hastening back with the news, enabled the German colonel to make some preparations for a resistance before the attack was made upon him. During the fight, that ensued the scouts posed behind trees on the German left, and assisted them to repel the attack from that quarter. And when the Germans gave way, they affected their escape into the woods, and managed to rejoin the army. They had continued with it until it moved to the hospital heights after the disastrous attack by the Americans on their camp. General Burgoyne then sent for Peter Lampton, who was, he knew, one of his most active and intelligent scouts. Could you make your way through the enemy's lines down to Ticonderoga? He asked. I could try, General, Peter said. Me and the party, who work with me, could get through, if anyone could, but more nor that I can't say. The Yings are swarming around pretty thick, I reckon. But if we have luck, we might make a shift to get through. I have hopes, the general said, that another regiment, for which I ask General Carlton, has arrived there. Here is a letter to General Powell, who is in command, to beg him to march with all his available force, and fall upon the enemy, posted on our line of communication. Unless the new regiment has reached him, he will not have a sufficient force to attempt this. But if this has come up, he may be able to do so. He is to march in the lightest order, and at full speed, so as to take the enemy by surprise, twelve hours before he starts. You will bring me back news of his coming, and I will move out to meet him. His operations in their rear will confuse the enemy, and enable me to operate with a greater chance of success. I tell you this, because if you are surrounded, and in difficulties, you may have to destroy my dispatch. You can then convey my instructions by word of mouth to General Powell, if you succeed in getting through. Upon leaving headquarters, Peter joined his friends. It's a risk-some business, he went on, after informing them of the instructions he had received. But I don't know, as it's much more risk-some than stopping here. It don't seem to me, that this army is like to get out of the trap, into which their general had led him. Whatever he wanted to leave the lakes, for as more nor I can tell. However, generaling ate my business, and I wouldn't change places with the old man today. Not for a big sum of money. Now, chief, what do you say? How is this air business to be carried out? The Seneca, with the five Braves, who had from the first accompanied them, were now the only Indians with the British army, the rest of the Redskins, disgusted with the dilatory progress of the army, and foreseeing inevitable disaster, had all be taken themselves to their homes. They were, moreover, anchored at the severity with which the English general had endeavored to suppress their tendency to acts of cruelty on the defenseless settlers. The Redskins has no idea of civilized warfare. His sole notion of fighting is to kill, burn, and destroy, and the prohibition of all irregular operations, and of the inflation of necessary suffering was, in the eyes, an act of incomprehensible weakness. The Seneca chief remained with the army simply because his old comrade did so. He saw that there was little chance of plunder, but he and his Braves had succeeded in fair flight, obtaining many scalps, and would, at least, be received with high honor on their return to their tribe. A long discussion took place between the chief and Peter before they finally decided upon the best course to be pursued. They were ignorant of the country, and of the disposition of the enemy's force, and could only decide to act upon general principles. They thought it profitable that the Americans would be most thickly posted upon the line between the British army and the lakes, and their best chance of success would therefore be to make their way straight ahead for some distance, and then, when they had penetrated the American lines, to make a long detour round to the lakes. Taking four days' provisions with them, they started when nightfall had fairly set in. It was intensely dark, and in the shadows of the woods Harold was unable to see his hand before him. The Indians appeared to have a faculty of seeing in the dark, for they advanced without the slightest pause or hesitation, and were soon in the open country. The greatest vigilance was now necessary. Everywhere they could hear the lo-hum, which betokens the presence of many men, gathered together. Sometimes a faint shout came to their ears, and for a long distance around the glow in the sky, told of many fires. The party now advanced with the greatest caution, frequently halting while the Indians went on ahead to scout, and more than once they were obliged to alter their direction, as they came upon bodies of men posted across their front. At last they passed through the lines of sentinels, and, avoiding all the camps, gained the country in the American's rare. They now struck off to the right, and by daybreak were far round beyond the American army, on their way to Ticonderoga. They had walked for fifteen hours when they halted, and it was not until late in the afternoon that they continued their journey. They presently struck the road, which the army had cut in its advance, and keeping parallel with this through the forest, they arrived the next morning at Fort Edward. A few hours rest here, and they continued their march to Ticonderoga. This place had been attacked by the Americans a few days previously, but the garrison had beaten off the assailants. On the march they had seen many bodies of the enemy moving along the road, but their approach had in many cases been detected in time to take refuge in the forest. On entering the Fort Peter at once receded to General Powell's quarters, and delivered the dispatch with which he had been entrusted, the General read it. No reinforcements have arrived, the General said, and the force here is barely sufficient to defend the place. It would be madness for me to set out on such a march with the handful of troops at my disposal. He then questioned Peter concerning the exact position of the army, and the latter had no hesitation in saying that he thought the whole force would be compelled to lay down their arms unless some reinforcements reached them from below. This, however, was not to be. General Clinton captured Fort Montgomery and Clinton, the latter, a very strong position, defended with great resolution by four hundred Americans. The seventh and twenty-six regiments and a company of grenades attacked on one side, the sixty-third regiment on the other. They had no can to cover their advance, and had to cross grounds swept by ten pieces of artillery. In no event during the war did the British fight with more resolution. Without firing a shot they pressed forward to the foot of the works, climbed over each other's shoulders on to the walls, and drove the enemy back. The latter discharged one last volley into the troops, and then laid down their arms. Notwithstanding the slaughter affected by this wanton fire after all possibility of continuing of resistance was over, quarter was given and not one of the enemy was killed after the fort was taken. The British loss was a hundred forty killed and wounded. Three hundred Americans were killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. The fleet attacked the American squadron on the river had entirely destroyed it. Beyond sending a flying squadron up the river to destroy the enemy's boats and stores the provisions, nothing further could be done to effect a diversion in favor of General Burgoyne. Four days after Harold's arrival at Ticonderoga, the news of the surrender of General Burgoyne reached the plains. Upon the following day he suggested to Peter Lampton that they should visit the clearing of the ex-soldier, Cameron, and see whether their interference had saved him and his family. Upon arriving at the spot, when Harold had fired the shot which had brought discovery upon them, they saw a few charred stumps alone remaining of the snug house which had stood there in front of it. Upon the stump of the tree, Cameron himself was sitting in an attitude of utter depression. They walked across the clearing to the spot, but although the sound of their footsteps must have reached his ear, the man did not look up until Harold touched him on the shoulder. What has happened, he asked. Who has done this ruin? The man still remained with his head bent down, as if he had not heard the question. We had hoped that you had escaped, Harold went on. We were hidden in the wood when we saw those ruffians drove your wife and daughter out, and it was the shot from my rifle that killed their leader and brought them down on us. And a narrow escape we had of it, but we hoped that we had diverted them from their determination to kill you and your family. Cameron looked up now. I thank you, sir, he said. I thank ye a wee of my heart. For your interference on my behalf I heard now closely ye were beset that night and how ye escaped. They thought, Nay, Mare, O us, and then the royal army arrived the next day. We were safe, but ye might as we'll ha let the matter gang on, better indeed, for that I should be deed instead of suffering. This work, and ye pointed toward the remains of the house, is red-skinned devil-tree, a fortnight-sin, a band of Indians fell upon us. I was away. They killed my wife and burned my house, and I carried off my baron. Who were they? Harold asked. I'd done a kin, Cameron replied, but a neighbor of mine, whose place they attacked, and whom they had scalped, and left for deed, told me that they were a band of the Iochrists, who had calmed down from Lake Michigan, and advanced we the British. He said that they, with the other red-skins, desirated, with their hopes o'plender, were disappointed, and then on their way back to their tribes they burned and ravaged every settlement they came across. My neighbor was an old frontiersman. He had fought against the tribe, and knew their war cry. He deed the next day. He was mere lucky than I am. The tarnal ruffians, Peter exclaimed, they're murdering varmints, and to think of them carrying off that purity little gal of yours, I suppose by this time they're at their old game of plundering and slaying on the frontier. It's not to them which side they fight on. Scalps and plunder is all they care for. The unfortunate settler had sat down, again, on the log, the picture of a broken-hearted man. Harold drew, Peter, a short distance away. Look here, Peter, he said. Now Burgoyne's army had surrendered, and Winter is close at hand. It is certain that there will be no further operations here, except perhaps that the Americans will recapture the place. What do you say to our undertaker and expedition on our own account to try and get back to this poor fellow daughter? I do not know whether the Seneca would join us. But we three, of course, I count Jake, and the settler might do something. I have an old grudge against these I request myself. As you have heard, and for ought I know, they may long ere have this murdered my cousins. The Seneca will gene, Peter said. Willing enough, there's an old feud between his tribe and the Irequis. He'll gene fast enough. But mind, youngster, this ain't no child's play. It ain't like fighting them American clodhoppers. We'll have to deal with men as sharp as ourselves, who can shoot as well, hear as well, see as well, who are in their own country, and who are a hundred to ones against us. We've got hundreds and hundreds of miles to travel afar. We get near them. It's a big job. But if, when we think it's all over, you're ready to go. Peter Lampton ain't the man to hold back. As you say, there's not to do this winter. And we might as well be doing this as anything else. The two men then went back to the settler. Cameron, Harold said. It is of no use sitting here grieving. Why not be up in pursuit of those who carried off your daughter? The man sprang to his feet. In pursuit, he cried fiercely. In pursuit, do you think Donald Cameron? Why be sitting here quietly if he need where to look for his daughter? Where to find the murderer is always life. But what can I do? For three days I came back and found what had happened. I had just mad. I couldn't think nor do I but throw myself on the ground and pray to God to take me. When at last I could think it was too late. It would hay-matter nothing to me. But they were a hundred to one. If I could how kill but one of them, I would have died happy. But they were gone. And how could I follow them? How could I find them? Tell me where to look, man. Show me the way. And if it to be to the ends of the earth, I will go after them. We will do more than that, Harold said. My friend and myself has still with us the seven men who were with us when we were here before. Five are Seneca's, the other a faithful Negro who would go through fire and water for me. There is little chance of our services being required during the winter with the British army. We are interested in you. And in the pretty child we saw here. And if you will, we will accompany you in the search for her. Peter Lampton knows the country well. And if anyone could lead you to your child and rescue her from those who carried her off, he is the man. Truly, gasped the Scotchman, and will you truly gang with me to find my barn? May the good God of heaven bless you, and the tears ran down his cheeks. Get your traps together at once, man, Peter said. Let's go straight back to the fort. Then I'll set the matter before the chief, who will, I warrant me, be glad enough to join the expedition. It's too late to follow the track of the red varmints. Our best plan will be to make straight for those St. Lawrence to take a boat if we can get one. If not, to Canoes, and to make up the river and along the Ontario, then we must sell our boat, cross the Erie, and get fresh Canoes, and go on by Detroit into Lake Huron, and so up in the country of these reptiles. We shall have no difficulty, I reckon, in discovering the rare about of the tribe, which I'd been away on this expedition. The Scotchman took up the rifle. I am ready, he said, and without another word the parties started for the fort. Upon their arrival there a consultation was held with the Seneca. The prospect of an expedition against his hereditary foes filled him with delight, and three of his braves also agreed to accompany them. Jake received the news with a remark, All right, Mesa Herald, it makes no odds to discharge all worry, goes. You say the word, Jake Reddy. Hefenaar sufficient for making the preparations, and they once proceeded to the point where they had hid in the two Canoes on the night when they joined General Burgoyne before his advance upon Ticonderoga. These were soon floating on the lake, and they started to paddle to the mouth of the sorrel down this river into the St. Lawrence, and thence to Montreal their rifles they had recovered from the lake upon the day following that on which Ticonderoga was first captured. Deertail, having dispatched to the spot two of his braves, who recovered him without difficulty by dividing and brought them back to the fort. At Montreal they stayed but a few hours, an ample supply of ammunition was purchased, and the provisions sufficient for the voyage, and then, embarking in the two Canoes, they started up in the St. Lawrence. It was three weeks later when they arrived at Detroit, which was garrisoned by a British force. Here they heard that there had been continuous troubles with the Indians on the frontier that a great many farms and settlements had been destroyed, and numbers of persons murdered. Their stay at Detroit was a short one. Harold obtained no news of his cousins, but there were so many tales told of Indian massacres that he was filled with apprehension on their account. His worst apprehensions were justified. When the Canoes at length came within sight of the well-remembered clearing, Harold gave a cry as he saw that the farmhouse no longer existed. The two Canoes were headed toward shore, and their occupants disembarked and walked toward the spot where the house had stood. The site was marked by a heap of charred embers, the outhouses had been destroyed, and a few fowls were the only living things to be seen in the fields. This here business must have taken place some time ago, Peter said, breaking the silence. A month, I should say, or perhaps more. For a time Harold was too moved to speak. The thought of his kind cousins and their brave girl, all murdered by the Indians, filled him with deep grief. At last he said, What makes you think so, Peter? It's easy enough to see as it was after the harvest, for you see the field is all clear, and then there's long grass shooting up through the ashes. It would take a full month, perhaps six weeks before I would do that. Don't you think so, Chief? The Senate could nodded. A moon, he said. Yes, about a month, replied Peter. The grass grows quick after the rains. Do you think that it was a surprise, Peter? No man could tell, the hunter answered. If we had seen the place soon afterward, we might have told. There would have been marks of blood, or if the house had stood we could have told, by the bullet holes, and the color of the splintered wood, how it happened, and how long back, as it is not even the chief can give you an idea. None an attack, the Seneca said. A surprise. How on earth do you know that, Chief? The hunter exclaimed in surprise, and he looked around in search of some sign, which would have enabled the Seneca to have given so confident an opinion. You must be a witch, surely. A chief's eyes are not blind, the redskinned answered, with a slight smile of satisfaction at having for once succeeded, when his white comrade was at fault. Let my friend look up the hill, two dead men there. Harold looked in the direction in which the chief pointed, but could see nothing. The hunter exclaimed, there is something there, Chief, but even my eyes couldn't tell, they were bodies. The party proceeded to the spot and found two skeletons, a few remnants of clothes lay around, but the birds had striped every particle of flesh from the bones. There was a bullet in the forehead of one skull. The other was cleft with a sharp instrument. It's clear enough, the hunter said. There's been a surprise. Likely enough, the whole lot was killed, without a shot being fired in defense. If there are any more of these to be found, pointing to the remains, we might learn for a certainty whether the same fate befell them all. The Seneca spoke a word to its followers, and the four Indians spread themselves over the clearing. One more body was found. It was lying down near the water, as if killed in the act of making for the canoe. The others are probably there, Peter said, pointing to the ruins. The three hands was killed in the fields, and most likely the attack was made at the same moment on the house. I'm pretty sure it was so, for the body by the water lies face downward, with his head toward the lake. He was no doubt shot from behind as he was running. There must have been injuns round the house then, or he would have made for that instead of the water. The Seneca touched Peter on the shoulder and pointed toward the farm. A figure was seen approaching. As it came nearer, they could see that he was a tall man, dressed in the deer skin shirt and leggings, usually worn by hunters. As he came nearer, Harold gave an exclamation. It is Jack Pearson. It are Jack Pearson, the hunter said. But for the moment I can't recollect yet, though over your face seems known. Why, he exclaimed, and changed tones. Is that boy Harold growed into a man? It is, Harold replied, grasping for the frontiersman's hand. And you may know me too, Peter Lampton said. Though it's twenty years since we fought side by side against the Mohawks. Why, old Haas, are you above ground still? The hunter exclaimed heartily. I'm glad to see you again, old friend. And what are you doing here, you and Harold and the Seneca's? For they, Seneca, is sure enough. I've been in the woods for the last hour. And have been puzzling myself, night to death. I seeed them in, John's, going about over the clearing, searching, and for the life of me I couldn't think what they were doing. Then I see them gathered down here, with two white men among them. So I guess it was right to show myself. They were searching to see how many had fallen in this terrible business. Harold said, pointing to the ruins. The hunter shook his head. I'm afraid they've all gone under. I were here a week afterward. It were just as it is now. I found three hands lying, killed, and sculpted in the fields. The others, I reckon, is there. I has no doubt at all about Bill Welch and his wife. But it may be that the gal has been carried off. Do you think so? Harold exclaimed eagerly. If so, we may find her, too, with the other. What other? Pearson asked. Harold gave briefly an account of the reason which had brought them to the spot, and of the object they had in view. You can count me in, Pearson said. There's just a chance that Nelly Welch may be in their hands still, and in any case, I'm longing to draw a beard on some of the vermin to pay him for this. And he looked round him, and a hundred other massacres around his frontier. I'm glad to hear you say so, Peter replied. I expect it as much of you, Jack. I don't know much of this country, having only hunted here for a few weeks, with a party of Delaware's. Twenty year before the Iroquus moved so far west. I know pretty nigh every foot of it, Jack Pearson said. When the Iroquus were quiet, I used to do a deal of hunting in their country. It our good country for the game. Well, shall we set out at once? Harold asked, and patient to be off. We can't move tonight, Pearson answered. And Harold saw that Peter and the Indians agreed with him. Why not, he asked. Every hour is of importance. That's so, Peter said. But there's no going out on the lake tonight. In half an hour, we'll have our first snowstorm, and by morning it will be two foot deep. Harold turned his eyes toward the lake and saw what his companions had noticed long before. The sky was overcast, and a thick bank of hidden clouds was rolling up across the lake, and the thick mist seemed to hang between the clouds and the water. That's snow, Peter said. It's late this year, and I'd give my pension, if it was a month later. That's so, Pearson said. Snow ain't never pleasant in the woods, but when you're scouting round among the Injuns, it are a caution. We'd best make a shelter afore it comes on. The two canoes were lifted from the water, unloaded and turned bottom upward, a few charred planks, which had formed part of the roof of the outhouses, were brought and put up to form a sort of shelter. A fire was lit and a meal prepared. By this time the snow had begun to fall. After the meal was over, pipes were lit, and the two hunters earnestly talked over the plains. The Seneca chief, throwing in a few words occasionally, the others listened quietly. The Indians left the matter in the hands of their chief, while Harold and Cameron knew that the two frontiersmen did not need any suggestion from them. As to Jake, the thought of asking questions never entered his mind. He was just as present, less happy than usual, for the Negro. Like most of his race, hated cold, and the prospect of wandering through the woods in deep snow made him shudder, as he crouched close to the great fire they had built. Peter and Jack Pearson were of opinion that it was exceedingly probable that the Welshes had been destroyed by the very band which had carried off little Janet Cameron. The bodies of Indians, who had been on the warpath with the army, had retired some six weeks before, and it was about that time, Pearson said, that the attack on the settlements had been made. I heard some parties of Redskins, who had been with the British troops, had passed through the neighborhood, and there was reports that they were gravely unsatisfied with the results of the campaign. As likely as not, some of that band may have been concerned in the attack on this place three years ago, and passing may it, may have determined to wipe out that deep feet, an Inja never forgives. Many of their braves fell here, and they could scarcely bring a more welcome trophy back to their villages than the scalps of Welsh and its men. Now the first thing to do, Peter said, is to find out what particular chief took his braves with him to the war. When we've got to find his village, and they're likely enough, we'll find Cameron's daughter, and maybe the girl from here. How old was she? About fifteen, Pearson said, and a fine girl and a pretty girl too. I don't know, he went on after a pause. Which of the chiefs took part in the war across the lakes, but I suspect it were War Eagle. There's three great chiefs, and the other two were trading on the frontier. It was War Eagle who attached the place before, and would be the more likely to attack it again if he came anywhere near it. He'd made a mess of it, of four, and be burning to wipe out his failure if he had a chance. Where is this place? His village is the furthest of them all from here. He lives up near the falls of Salt Stay Marie. Bewitched Lake Superior and Huron. It's a village with nine three hundred wigwams. It ain't easy to see how it's to be done. We must make to the north shore of the lake. There'll be no working down here through the woods, but it's a pesky difficult job. About as hard I won, I was ever I took part in. It is that, Pearson said. It can't be denied. To steal two white girls out of a big unjen village ain't an easy job at no time. But with the snow on the ground, it comes as an A to an impossibility as anything can do. For another hour or two they talked over the root. They should take, and their best mode of proceeding, Duncan Cameron sat and listened, with an intent face to every word. Since he had joined them, he had spoken but seldom. His whole soul was taken up with the thought of his little daughter. He was ever ready to do his share and more than his share of the work of paddling and at the portages. But he never joined in the conversation. And of an evening, when the others sat round the fire, he would move away and pace backward and forward an anxious thought until the fire burned low and the party wrapped themselves in their blankets and went off to sleep. All the time the conversation had been going on, the snow had fallen heavily, and before it was concluded the clearing was covered deep with the white mantle. There was little wind and the snow fell quietly and noiselessly. At night the Indians lay down round the fire, while the white men crept under the canoes and were soon fast asleep. In the morning it was still snowing, but about noon it cleared up. It was freezing hard, and the snow glistened as the sun burst through the clouds. The stillness of the forest was broken now by sharp cracking sounds as bows of trees gave way under the weight of snow. In the open it lay more than two feet deep. Now, Peter said, the sooner we're off the better. I'll come in my own canoe, Pearson said. One of the engines can come with me, and will keep up with the rest. There's room for you in the other canoes, Harold said. Plenty of room, the hunter answered, but you see, Harold, the more canoes the better. There ain't no saying how close we may be chased, and by hiding up the canoes at different places we give ourselves so much more chance of being able to get to one or the other. There are all large canoes, and at a pinch any one of them might hold the whole party. With the two gals thrown in, but, he added, to Harold in a low voice, don't you build too much on these gals, Harold? I wouldn't say so while that poor fellow's listening, but the chance is a desperate poor one, and I think we'll be mighty lucky if we don't leave all our scalps in that air red-skinned village. The traps were soon placed in the canoes, and just as the sun burst out the three boats started. It was a long and toilsome journey, stormy weather set in, and they were obliged to wait for days by the lake till its surface calmed. On these occasions, they devoted themselves to hunting and killed several deer. They knew that there were no Indian villages near, and in such weather it would be improbable that any red-skins would be in the woods. They were enabled, therefore, to fire without fear of the reports, retrain their presence. The Seneca's took the opportunity of fabricating snowshoes for the whole party, as these would be absolutely necessary for walking in the woods. Harold, Jake, and Duncan Cameron at once began to practice their use. The Negro was comical in the extreme in his first attempts, and shouted so loudly with laughter each time that he fell head foremost into the snow, that Peter said to him angrily, Look here, Jake, it's dangerous enough letting off a rifle at a deer in these woods, but it has to be done, because we must lay in a supply of food, but a musket shot is a mere whisper to your shouting. Thunder ain't much louder than you laughing. It shakes the hall, place and might be heard from here, well nigh, to Maltrial. If you can't keep that mouth of your own shut, you must stop up of the idea of learning, to use them shoes, and must stop in the canoe while we're scouting on shore. Jake promised to amend, and from this time, when he fell in the soft snow wreaths, he gave no audible vent to his amusement, but a pair of great feet with the snowshoes attached could be seen waving above the surface until he was picked up and rided again. Harold soon learned, and Cameron went at the work with grim earnestness. No smile ever crossed his face at his own accidents, or at the wild vagaries of Jake, which excited silent amusement even among the Indians. In a short time the falls were less frequent, and by the time they reached a spot where they were determined to cross the lake at the point where lakes Huron and Michigan joined, the three novices were able to make fair progress in the snowshoes. The spot fixed upon was about 12 miles from the village of War Eagle, and the canoes were hidden at distances of three miles apart. First Pearson, Harold, and Cameron disembarked. Jake, Peter, and one of the Indians, alighted at the next point, and the Seneca chief and two of his followers proceeded to the spot nearer to the Indian village. Each party, as they landed, struck straight into the woods, to unite at a point eight miles from the lake, and as many from the village. The hunters had agreed that, should any Indians come across the tracks, less suspicion would be excited than would have been the case where they found skirting the river, as it might be thought that they were made by Indians out hunting. Harold wondered how the other parties would find the spot to which Pearson had directed them, but in due time all arrived at their rendezvous. After some search, a spot was found where the underwood grew thickly, and there was an open place in the center of the clump. In this, the camp was established. It was composed solely of a low tent of about two feet high, made of deer hides, sewed together, and large enough to shelter them all. The snow was cleared away, sticks were driven into the frozen ground, and strong poles laid across them. The deer skin was then laid flat upon these. The top was a little higher than the general level of the snow, an inch or two of snow was scattered over it, and to anyone passing outside the bushes, the tent was completely invisible. The Indians now went outside the thicket, and with great care obliterated as far as possible. The marks upon the snow, this could not be wholly done, but it was so far complete that the slightest wind which would send a drift over the surface would wholly conceal all traces of passage. They had, before crossing the lake, cooked a supply of food sufficient for some days. Intense as was the cold outside, it was perfectly warm in the tent. The entrance, as they crept into it, was closed with the blanket, and in the center, a lamp composed of deer's fat in a calabash with a cotton wick gave a sufficient light. What is the next move, Harold asked? The sheaf will start when it comes dusk, with Pearson, Peter said. When they get close to the village, he'll go in alone. He'll paint Iroquus before he goes. Can't we be near at hand to help them in case of a necessity? Harold asked. No, Peter said. It wouldn't be no good at all. If it comes to fighting, they're fifty to one, and a lot of us would have no more chance than two. If they're found out, which ain't likely, they must run for it, and they can get over the snow a deal faster than you could. To say nothing of Cameron and Jake, they must shift for themselves, and they'll make straight for the nearest canoe. In the forest, they must be run down sooner or later, for their tracks would be plain. No, they must go alone. When night came on the Seneca, produced his paints, and one of his followers marked his face and arms with the lines and flourishes in use by the Iroquus. When without a word of adieu, he took his rifle and glided out from the tent. Followed by Pearson, Peter also put on his snowshoes and prepared to follow. I thought you were going to stay here, Peter. No, I'm going halfway with them. I'll be able to hear the sound of a gun. Then, if they're trapped, we must make tracks for the canoes at once, for after following them to the lake, they're safe to take up their backtrack to see where they've come from. So, if I hear a gun, I'll make back here as quick as I can come. When the three men had started silence fell on the tent. The red skids at once laid down to sleep, and Jake followed their example, Harold lay quiet thinking over the events, which had happened to him in the last three years, while Cameron, laid with his face, turned toward the lamp with a set, anxious look on his face. Several times he crawled into the entrance and listened when the crack made by some breaking bow came to his ear. Hours passed, and at last Harold doze off, but Cameron's eyes never closed until about midnight. The blanket at the entrance moved and Peter entered. How you seen the others, Cameron exclaimed. No, and we're not likely to, Peter answered. It was all still to the time I came away, and before I moved I was sure they must have left the village. They won't come straight back. Bless ye, they'll go away in the opposite direction, and make a sweet miles round. They may not be here for hours yet. Not that there's much chance of their tracks being traced. It has not showed for over a week, and the snow around the village must be trampled thick for a mile and more, with the squash coming and going for wood and the hunters, going out on the chase. I've crossed a dozen tracks or more on my way back. If it wasn't for that, we daren't have gone at all, for if the snow was new fall on the side of fresh tracks, would have set the first engine that come along a wandering. And when a red skin begins to wander, he sets two to ease his mind at once by finding out all about it. If it takes him a couple of days, search to do so. No, you could lie down, now for some hours. They won't be here till morning. So saying, the scouts set the example by wrapping himself up, and going to sleep. But Cameron's eyes never closed until the blanket was drawn on one side again, and in the gray light of the winter warning, the Seneca and Pearson crawled into the tent. What news, Harold asked, for Cameron was too agitated to speak. Both gals are there, Pearson answered. An exclamation of thankfulness broke from Harold. A sob of joy issued from the heart of the Scotchman, and for a few minutes his lips moved as he poured forth his silent thankfulness to God. While tell us about it, Peter said, I can ask the chief any questions afterward. We went on straight enough to the village, the hunter began. It are larger than when I saw it last. And war eagles influenced in the tribe must have increased. I didn't expect to find no watch, the red skins having so far as they knew. No enemies within 500 mile of them. There was a lot of fires burning and plenty of red skins moving about among them. We kept on till we got quite close, and then we lay up for a time below a tree at the edge of the clearing. There were a sight too many of them, about for the Seneca, to go in yet a while. About half an hour later, we got there. We saw two white gals come out in one of the wigwams, and stand for a while to warm themselves by one of the fires. The tallest of the two, well, not a woman, was Nelly Welsh. I knew her in course. The other was three or four years younger, with yellow hair all over her shoulders. Nelly seemed quiet and sad like, but the other appeared more at home. She laughed with some of the red skin gals, and even Jean didn't apply. You see, he said, turning to Cameron. She'd been captured longer, and children's spirits soon rise again. After a while, they went back to the wigwam. When the fires burned down and the crowd thinned, and there was only a few left sitting in groups around the embers, the Seneca started. For a long time, I saw nothing of him, but once or twice I thought I saw a figure moving among the wigwams. Presently, the fires burned quite down, and the last Injun went off. I had begun to wonder what the chief was doing. When he stood beside me, we made tracks at once, and have been tramping in a long circle all night. Chief can tell you his part of the business itself. Well, chief, what have you found out? Peter asked. The Indian answered in his native tongue, which Peter interpreted from time to time for the benefit of his white companions. When Deertail left the White Hunter, he went into the village. It was no use going among the men, and he went round by the wigwams and listened to the chattering of the squawks. The tribe were all well contented. For the band brought back a great deal of plunder, which they had picked up on their way back from the army. They had lost no braves, and everyone was pleased. The destruction of the settlement of the white man, who had repulsed them before, was a special matter for rejoicing. The scalps of the white man and his wife are in the village. War Eagle's son, Young Elk, is going to marry the white girl. There are several of the braves, whose heads have been turned by the white skin, and her bright eyes. But Young Elk is going to have her. There have been great feastings and rejoicings, since the return of the warriors, but they are to be joined tomorrow by Beaver's band. And then they will feast again. When all was quiet, I went to the wigwam where the white girls are confined. An old squaw and two of War Eagle's daughters are with them. Deertail had listened while they prepared for rest, and knew on which side of the wigwam the tall white maiden slept. He thought that he would be awake. Her heart would be sad, and sleep would not come to her son. So he crept around there, and cut a slit in the skin close to where she lay. He put his head in, at the hole, and whispered, Do not let the white girl be afraid. It is a friend. Does she hear him? she whispered. Yes, friends are near, he said. The young warrior, Harold, whom she knows and others, are at a hand to take her away. The Eroquus will be feasting tomorrow night. When she hears the cry of the night owl, let her steal away with her little white sister, and she will find her friends waiting. Then Deertail closed the slit, and stole away to his friend the white hunter I have spoken. Just what I expected of you, Chief, Peter said warmly. I thought as how you'd manage to get speech with them somehow. If there's a feast tonight, it's hard if we don't manage to get them off. I suppose we must lie still all day, Peter. You must go, the hunter said. Not a soul must show his nose outside the tent, except that one of the redskins will keep watch to be sure that no struggler has come across our tracks and followed him up. If he was to do that, he might bring the haul gang down on us. You'd best get as much sleep as you can, for you know when you may get another chance. At nightfall, the whole party issued from the tent, and started toward the Indian village. All arrangements had been made. It was agreed that Pearson and the Seneca would go up to the village, the former being chosen because he was known to Nellie. Peter and one of the redskins were to take post a hundred yards further back, ready to give assistance in case of alarm. While the rest were to remain about half a mile distant, Cameron had asked that he might go with the advance party, but upon Peter pointing out to him that his comparatively slow rate of progression in snowshoes would, in case of discovery, lead to the recapture of the girls. He at once agreed to the decision. If the flight of the girls was discovered, soon after leaving the camp, it was arranged that the Seneca and Peter should hurry at once with them to the main body, while the other two Indians should draw off their pursuers in another direction. In the event of anything occurring to excite the suspicion of the Indians before there was a chance of the girls being brought safely to the main body, they were to be left to walk quietly back to camp, as they had nothing to fear from the Indians. Peter and the Seneca were then to work round by a circuitous rote on the boat, were to be joined by the main body, and to draw off until another opportunity offered for repeating the attempt. It was eight o'clock in the evening when Pearson and the Seneca approached the village. The fires were burning high, and seated round them were all the warriors of the tribe. A party were engaged in a dance representing the pursuit and defeat of an enemy. The women were standing in an outer circle, clapping their hands and raising their voices, in loud cries of applause and excitement as the dance became faster and faster. The warriors, bounded high, brandishing their tomahawks. A better time could not have been chosen for the evasion of the fugitives. Nellie Welsh stood close to a number of Indian girls, but slightly behind them she held the hand of little Janet Cameron. Although she appeared to share in the interest of the Indians in the dance, a close observer would have had no difficulty in perceiving that Nellie was preoccupied. She was indeed intently listening for the signal. She was afraid to move from among the others, lest her absence should be at once detected. But so long as the noise was going on, she despaired of being able to hear the signal agreed upon. Presently, an Indian brave passed close to her, and as she did so, he passed on and moved round the circle, as if intending to take a seat at another point. The excitement of the dance was momentarily increasing, and the attention of the spectators was riveted to the movements of the performers. Holding Janet's hand, Nellie moved noiselessly away from the place where she had been standing. The movement was unnoticed. And she was no longer closely watched. A flight in the depth of winter appearing impossible. She kept her on the circle till no longer visible from the spot she had left. Then, leaving the crowd, she made her way to ward the nearest wigwams. Once behind these, the girls still rapidly along under their shelter until they stood behind, that which they usually inhabited. Two figures were standing there. They hesitated for a moment, but one of them advanced. Jack Pearson, Nellie exclaimed, with a low cry of gladness. Just that same, Nellie, and right glad to see you. But we have no time for grading now. The whole tribe may be after us in another five minutes. Come along, pretty, he said, turning to Janet. You'll find somebody you know close at hand. Two minutes later, the child in her father's arms, and after a moment's rapturous greeting between father and child, a very delighted one between Nellie Welsh and her cousin Harold, the flight was continued. How long a start do you think we may have? Half an hour may be some time before they miss her, and they'll search for her everywhere before they give the alarm, as they'll be greatly blamed for their carelessness. There had been a pause in the flight for a few seconds when the Seneca and Pearson arrived with the girls at the point, where Peter and the other Indian were posted, 200 yards from the camp. Up to this point, the snow was everywhere thickly trampled, but as the camp was left further behind the footprints would naturally become more scarce. Here Pearson fastened to the girls' feet two pairs of large moccasins. Inside these wooden soles had been placed. They therefore acted to some extent like snowshoes and prevented the girls' feet from sinking deeply, while the prints on which they left bore no resemblance to their own. They were strapped on the wrong way, so that the marks would seem to point toward the village rather than away from it. Both girls protested that they should not be able to get along fast in these one of the men posted himself on either side of each and assisted them along, and as the moccasins were very light, even with the wooden soles inside, they were soon able to move with them at a considerable pace. Once united the whole party, kept along at the top of their speed, Peter Lampton assisted cambering with Janet, and the girl, half lifted from the ground, skimmed over the surface like a berm, only touching the snow here and there with the moccasins. Nelly Welsh needed no assistance from Harold or Pearson. During the long winters, she had often practiced on snowshoes, and was consequently but little encumbered with the huge moccasins, which to some extent served the same purpose. They had been nearly half an hour on their way when they heard a tremendous yell burst from the village. They've missed you, Peter said. Now it's a fair race. We've got a good start, and I'll get more, for they'll have to hunt up the traces very carefully, and it may be an hour, perhaps more. Before they strike upon the right one, if the snow had been new fallen, we should have had them harder else in five minutes. But even a redskins' eyes will be puzzled to find out, at night, one track among such hundreds. I have but one fear, Pearson said to Harold. What is that? I'm afeard that, without waiting to find the tracks, they may send off half a dozen parties to the lake. They'll be sure that friends have taken the gals away, and will know that their only chance of escape is by the water. On land, we should be hunted down to certainty, and the redskins, knowing that the gals should not travel fast, will not hurry in following up the trail. So I think they'll at once send off parties to watch the lake, and, alike enough, make no effort to take up the trail till tomorrow morning. This was said in a low whisper, for although they were more than two miles from the village, it was necessary to move as silently as possible. You had best tell the others what you think, Pearson. It may make a difference in our movements. A short halt was called, and the Seneca and Peter quite agreed with Pearson's idea. We best make for the canoe that's for the staff. When the redskins find the others, which they're pretty sure they do, for they'll hunt every bush, they're likely to be satisfied, and to make sure they'll catch us at one or the other. This much decided upon. They continued their flight, no less rapidly, but in perfect silence, speed was less an object than concealment. The Indians might spread, and a party might come across them by accident. If they could avoid this, they were sure to reach their canoe before morning and unlikely to find the Indians there before them. It was about twelve miles to the spot where they had hid in the canoe, and although they heard distant shouts and whoops ringing through the forest, no sound was heard near them. CHAPTER XV THE ISLAND REFUGE The night was intensely cold and still, as the stars shone brightly through the bare bows overhead. Are you sure you're going all right? Nellie asked Harold. It is so dark here that it seems impossible to know which way we are going. You can trust the Indians, Harold said. Even if there was not a star to be seen, they could find their way by some mysterious instinct. How you are grown, Nellie, your voice does not seem much changed, and I am longing to see your face. I expect you are more changed than I am, Harold. The girl answered, You have been going through so much since we last met, and you seem to have grown so tall and big. Your voice has changed very much, too. It is the voice of a man. How in the world did you find us here? Pearson had gone on ahead to speak to the Seneca, but he now joined them again. You mustn't talk, he said. I hope there's no Redskins within five miles of us now, but there's never any saying there may be. There was, Harold thought, a certain sharpness in the hunter's voice, which told of a greater anxiety than would be caused by the very slight risk of the quietly spoken words being heard by passing Redskins, and he wondered what it could be. They were now, he calculated, within a mile of the hiding-place where they had left the boat, and they had every reason for believing that none of the Indians would be likely to have followed by the shore so far, that they would be pursued and that, in so heavily laid in a canoe, they would have great difficulty in escaping. He was well aware, but he relied on the craft of the hunters and Seneca's for throwing their pursuers off the trail. All at once the trees seemed to open in front, and in a few minutes the party reached the river. A cry of astonishment and of something akin to terror broke from Harold, as far as the eye could reach the lake was frozen, their escape was cut off. That's just what I've been expecting, Pearson said. The ice had begun to form at the edge when we landed, and three days at nights of such frost as we had since was enough to freeze Ontario. One on earth to be done. No one answered. Peter and the Redskins had shared Pearson's anxiety, but to Harold and Cameron the disappointment was a terrible one, as to Jake he left all the thinking to be done by the others. Harold stood gazing helplessly on the expanse of ice which covered the water. It was not a smooth sheet, but was rough and broken, as if, while it had been forming, the wind had broken the ice up into cakes again and again, while the frost was often, had bound them together. They had struck the river within a few hundred yards of the place where the canoe was hidden, and after a short consultation between the Seneca chief, Peter Lampton and Pearson moved down toward the spot. What are you thinking of doing? Harold asked when they gathered round the canoe. We're going to load ourselves with the ammunition and deer's flesh, Peter said, and make for a rocky island which lies about a mile off here. I noticed it as we landed. There's nothing to do but to fight it out to the last there. It are a good place for defense, for the Redskins won't like to come out across the open, and even covered by a dark night they'd show on this white surface. Perhaps they won't trace us. Not trace us, the trapper repeated scornfully. Why, when daylight comes, they'll pick up our track and follow it, as easy as you could that of awaken across the snow. They were just starting when Harold gave a little exclamation. What is it, lad? A flake of snow fell on my face. All looked up, the stars had disappeared. Another flake and another fell on the upturned faces of the party. Let's thank the great God, Peter said quietly. There's a chance for our lives yet. Half an hour snow, and the trail will be lost. Faster and faster, the snowflakes came down. Again the leaders consulted. We must change our plans now, Peter said, turning to the others. So long as they could easily follow our tracks, it mattered nothing that they'd find the canoe here. But now it's altogether different. We must take it along with us. The weight of the canoe was very small. The greater part of its contents had already been removed. There was a careful look round to see that nothing remained on the bank. Then four of the men lifted it on their shoulders, and the whole party stepped out upon the ice. The snow was now falling heavily, and to Harold's eyes, there was nothing to guide them in the direction they were following. Even the Indians would have been at loss had not the Seneca, the instant the snow began to fall, sent on one of his followers at full speed toward the island. Harold wondered at the time what his object could be as the Indian darted off across the ice, but now he understood every minute or two the low hoot of an owl was heard, and toward this sound the party directed their way through the darkness and snow. So heavy was the fall that the island rose white before them as they reached it. It was of no great extent some twenty or thirty yards across, and perhaps twice that length it rose steeply from the water to a height of from ten to fifteen feet. The ground was rough and broken, and several trees and much brushwood grew in the crevices of the rock. The Seneca and the hunters made a rapid examination of the island and soon fixed upon the spot for their camp. Toward one end the island was split into, and an indentation ran some distance up into it. Here a clear spot was found some three or four feet above the level of the water. It was completely hidden by thick bushes from the sight of anyone approaching by water. There the canoe was turned over, and the girls, who were both suffering from the intense cold, were wrapped up in blankets and placed under its shelter. The camp was at the lower end of the island, and would therefore be entirely hidden from the view of Indians gathered upon the shore. In such a snowstorm light would be invisible at a very short distance, and Peter did not hesitate to light a fire in front of the canoe. For three hours the snow continued to fall. The fire had been sheltered by blankets, stretched at some distance above it. Long before the snow seized it had sunk down to a pile of red embers. A small tent had now been formed of blankets for the use of the girls. Brushwood had been heaped over this, and upon the brushwood snow had been thrown, the whole making a shelter which would be warm and comfortable in the bitterest weather. A pile of hot embers was placed in this little tent until it was thoroughly heated. Blankets were then spread, and the girls were asked to leave the shelter of the canoe and take their place there. The canoe itself was now raised on four sticks three feet from the ground. Bushes were laid around it, and snow piled on, thus forming the walls of which the canoe was the roof. All this was finished long before the snow had seized falling, and this had at a smooth white surface all over so that, to a casual eye, both tent and hut looked like two natural ridges of the ground. They were a cheerful party which assembled in this little hut. The remainder of the embers of the fire had been brought in, and intense, as was the cold outside. It was warm and comfortable within. Tea was made and pipes filled, and they chatted some time before going to sleep. Duncan Cameron was like a man transfigured. His joy and thankfulness for the recovery of his daughter were unbounded. Harold's pleasure, too, at the rescue of his cousin, was very great, and the others were all gratified at the success of their expedition. It was true that the Indians had yet gained no scalps, but Harold had promised them, before starting that, should the expedition be successful, they should be handsomely rewarded. We mustn't reckon, as we are safe yet, Peter said in answer to one of Harold's remarks, the Redskins ain't going to let us slip through their fingers, so easy as all that. They've lost our trail, and have nothing but their senses to guide them, but an Injun's senses ain't easily deceived in these woods. If the snow begins again and keeps on for two or three days, they may be puzzled, but if it stops, they'll cast a circle around their camp at a distance beyond where we could have got before the snow seized, and if they find no new trails, they'll know that we must be within that circle. Then, as to the boats, when they find, as we don't come down to the two as they discovered, and that we've not made off by land, they'll guess, as there was another canoe hidden somewhere, and they'll search high and low for it, while they don't find it, and then they'll suppose that we may have taken to the ice, and they'll search that. Either they'll get to open water or to the other side, if there's open water anywhere, within a few miles they may conclude that we've carried a canoe, launched it there, and made off. In that case, when they've searched everywhere, they may give it up. If there ain't no such open water, they'll search till they find us. It ain't likely that this island will escape them. With nine good rifles, here we can hold the place against the whole tribe, and as they'd show up against the snow, they can no more attack by night than by day. I don't think our food will hold out beyond seven or eight days, Harold said. Just about that, Peter answered, but we can cut a hole in the ice and fish, and can hold out that way. If need be for weeks, the rest of it is that the ice ain't likely to break up now until the spring. I reckon our only chance is to wait till we get another big snowstorm and then to make off. The snow will cover our trail as fast as we make it, and once across to the other shore we may get away from the varmints. But I don't disguise from you, Harold, that we're in a very awkward trouble, and that'll need all the craft of the chief here and all the experience of Pearson and me to get us out of it. The good God has been very merciful to us so far, Duncan Cameron said. He will surely protect us to the end. Had he had sent the snow, just when he did, the savages could hay-follow our trail at once. It was a miracle rod in our favor. He has aided us to rescue the twa barn's fray, the hands of the Indians, and we may surely trust in his protection to the end. My daughter and her friend Haye, I am very sure, before lying down to sleep and treated his protection, let us so do the same. And the old soldier, taken off his cap, prayed aloud to God to heed and protect them. Harold and the frontiersmen also removed their caps and joined in the prayer and Seneca's looked on, silent and reverent, at an act of worship, which was rare among their white companions. As Peter was of opinion, that there was no chance whatsoever of any search on the part of the Indians that night, and therefore there was no need to set a watch. The whole party wrapped themselves up in their blankets and were soon to sleep. When Harold woke next morning it was broad daylight, the Seneca's had already been out and had brought news that a strong party of Indians could be seen moving along the edge of the forest, evidently searching for a canoe. One of the Indians was placed on watch, and two or three hours later he reported that the Indians were now entirely, out of sight and were, when, last seen, scouting along the edge of the forest. Now, Peter said, the sooner we get another snowstorm the better. If we'd been alone we could have pushed on last night, but the gals was exhausted and would have soon died of the cold. Now, with a fresh start they'd go. If we can't cross the lake, I calculate that we're about thirty miles from a pint on the north shore below the falls of St. Marie, and we could land there and strike across through the woods for the settlement. It'd be a terrible long journey round the north of Huron, but we must try it if we can't get across. But we could go off by night, surely, Harold said, even if there's no fresh snow. We could do that, Peter replied, no doubt of it, but if they were to find or track the next day, a year within three days, they'd follow us and overtake us, a four we got to the settlements. If we was alone it would be one thing, but with the gals it'd be another altogether. No, we must stop here till a snowstorm comes, even if we have to stop for a month. There's no saying how soon some of them, Injuns, may be loafing around, and we'd daren't leave a trail for them to take up. They had scarcely seized speaking when a low call from the Indian placed on watch, summoned the chief to its side. A minute later the latter rejoined the group below and said a few words to Peter. Just as I thought, the latter grumbled, raising with his rifle across his arm. Here are some of the varmints coming out this airway. Likely enough it's a party of young braves just scouting about, on their own account, to try and get honour by discovering us when their elders have failed. It would have been better for them to have stopped at home. The party now crept up to the top of the rock, keeping carefully below its crest. If you show as much as a hare above the top line, Peter said, they'll see you starting. Would it not be well, Harald asked, for one of us to show himself. There is no possibility of further concealment, and they would go off without any of them being killed. The others might be less bitter against us than they would if they had lost some of their tribe. Peter laughed scornfully. You haven't had much to do with Injuns, lad, but I should have thought you'd have had a better sense nor that. Haven't these Injuns been a murdering and a slaying along the frontier all summer, falling on defenseless women and children, Marcy and Pity ain't in their nature, and fight or no fight, our scaps will dry in their wigwams if they get us into their power. They know that we can shoot and mean to, and that'll make them careful of attacking us. And every hour is important. Now, he said to the others, each of you cover a man and fire straight through your sights, when I give the word. There's others watching them, you may be sure, and if the whole five go down together, it'll make them think twice before they attack us again. Pairing between some loose rocks so that he could see without exposing his head above the line, Harald watched the five Indians approaching. They had evidently some doubts as to the wisdom of the course they were pursuing, and were well aware that they ran a terrible risk standing there in the open before the rifles of those concealed, should the fugitives be really there. Nevertheless, the hope of gaining distinction and the fear of ridicule from those watching them on shore, should they turn back with their mission unaccomplished, inspire them with resolution, when within three hundred yards of the island they halted for a long time. They stood gazing fixedly, but although no signs of life could be perceived, they were too well versed in Indian warfare to gain any confidence from the apparent stillness. Throwing themselves flat on the snow and following each other in a single line, by which means their bodies were nearly concealed from sight in the track, which their leader made through the light, yielding snow, they made a complete circuit of the island. They paused for some time opposite the little forked entrance in which the camp was situated, but apparently saw nothing, for they kept around until they completed the circuit. When they reached the point from which they had started, there was apparently a short consultation among them. Then they continued their course in the track that they had before made until they reached a spot facing the camp. Then they changed order and still prone in the snow, advanced abreast toward the island. The varmints have guessed that, if we are here, this is the place where we'd be hid, Peter whispered in Harold's ear. As the Indians made their circuit, the party in the island had changed their position, so as always to keep out of sight. They were now on the top of the island, which was a sort of rough plateau the girls had been warned, when they left them, to remain perfectly quiet in their shelter, whatever noise they might hear. Peter and the Seneca watched the Indians through the holes which they had made with their ramens through a bank of snow. The others remained flat in the slight depression behind it. At the distance of one hundred and fifty yards, the Indians stopped. The varmints see something, Peter said. Maybe they can make out the two snow heaps through the bushes. Maybe they can see some of our footsteps in the snow. They're going to fire, he exclaimed. Up, lads, they may send a bullet into the hut where the gals is hid. In an instant the line of men sprang to their feet. The Indians, taken by surprise, at the sudden appearance of a larger number of enemies than they expected, fired a hastly volley and then sprang to their feet and dashed toward the shore. But they were deadly rifles which covered them. Peter, Harold, and Pearson could be trusted not to miss even a rapidly moving object at that distance. And the men were all good shots, not in regular order, but as each covered his man, the rifles were discharged. Four out of five Indians fell, and an arm of the fifth dropped useless by his side. However, he still kept on. The whites were loaded rapidly, and Harold was about to fire again when Pearson put his hand on his shoulder. Don't fire, we've shown them that we can shoot straight. It's just as well. At present, that they shouldn't know how far our rifles will carry. The four Seneca's dashed out across the snow, and speedily returned, each with the scalp hanging at its belt. A loud yell of anger and lamentation had risen from the woods, skirting the shore, as the Indians fell. But after this died away, deep silence reigned. What will be their next move? Cameron asked Peter, as they gathered again in their low hut, having placed one of the Indians on watch. We'll hear nothing of them till nightfall, Peter said. Their first move, now that they know, as we're here, will be to send off to fetch up all the tribe who were in search of us. When it comes on, dark, they will send scouts outside of us on the ice to see as we don't escape. Not that they had much mind if we did, for they could track us through the snow and come up with us whenever they chose. No, they may not be sure. We'll stay where we are. It may be they'll track us tonight, maybe not. It'd be a thing more risksome than redskins, often to undertake to cross the snow under the fire of nine rifles. I ain't no doubt they'd try to starve us out, for they must know well enough that we can have no great store of provisions. But they know as well as we do that. If another snowstorm comes on, we might slip away from them without leaving a footmark behind. It's just that thought as many make them attack. Well, we can beat them off if they do, Harold said confidently. Well, we may and we may not, the scout answered. Anyhow, we can kill a rest of them. A foe, they could turn us out on this ear-island. That's certain enough, Pearson put in, but they're a strong tribe, and if they can harden their hearts and make a rush, it's all up with us. I allow that it's contrary to their custom. But when they see no other way to do with, they may try. I suppose if they do try a rush, Harold said, they will do it against this end of the island? Yes, you may bet your money on that, the scout answered. In other places, the rock goes pretty nice straight up from the water. But here it's an easy landing, being so close to them. They're sure to know all about it. But even if they didn't, the chap that got away would tell them, I don't much expect an attack tonight, but the bands won't be back yet. They'll have a grand paliver tonight, and they'll be a big talk before they decide. What is best to be done? So I think we're safer tonight. Tomorrow we'll set to work and build a shelter for the pretty ones up above, where they'll be safe from stray shots. Then we'll throw up a breastwork, with loose rocks on top of the slope round this cove. So as to give it to them, hot, when they land. You have plenty of powder, Harold asked. Dollops, Peter replied, more and we could fire away if we was besieged here for a month. Then you could spare me twenty pounds or so? We could spare you a whole keg if you like. We've got three full, but what are you thinking of now, young run? I was thinking, Harold answered, of forming a line of holes, say three feet, apart in the isic cave. Apart in the ice across the mouth of the cove. If we were to charge them with powder and lay a train between them, we could, when the first dozen or so I pass a line, fire the train and break up the ice. This would prevent the others following, and give them such a bad scare that they would probably make off. And we could easily deal with those who had passed the line before we fired it. That's a good idea of yours, lad. A frustrate idea. The ice must be a foot thick by this time, and if you put in your charges eight inches and tamp them well down if you'll shiver the ice for a long way round, the idea is a frustrate one. Pearson and Cameron assisted in the work, and the Indians, when Peter had explained the plan to them, gave deep guttural exclamations of surprise and approval. The process of blasting was one wholly unknown to them. I will make the holes, Cameron said. I has seen a deal of blasting when I was in the army. I can heat the end of a ramrod in a fire and hammer it into the shape of a borer. A better way than that, Cameron, Harold said, will be to heat the end of a ramrod white hot. You will melt holes in the ice in half the time it would take you to bore them. That it was what I was thinking of doing. Right you are, lad, Pearson said. Let's set about it at once. A large fire was now lighted outside the hut for secrecy. The ends of three or four of the ramrods were placed in the fire, and two lines of holes were bored in the ice across the mouth of the little cove. These lines were twelve feet apart, and they calculated that the ice between them would be completely broken up, even if the fractures did not extend a good way beyond the lines. The holes were a rather larger diameter than the interior of a gun barrel. It was found that the ice was about 15 inches thick, and the holes were taken down 10 inches. Three or four charges of powder were placed in each a stick of quarter of an inch in diameter, was then placed in each hole, and pounded ice was rammed tightly in around it until the holes were filled up, a few drops of water being poured in on the top, so as to freeze the hole into a solid mass, there was no fear of the powder being wetted, for the frost was intense, then the sticks were withdrawn, and the holes left filled with powder. With the heated ramrods little trolls were sunk half an inch deep. Connecting the tops of the holes, lines of powder were placed in these trenches, narrow strips of skin were laid over them, and the snow was then thrown on again. The two lines of trenches were connected at the ends of the shore, so that they could be fired simultaneously. While the men were occupied with this work, the girls had cooked some venison steaks and made some cakes. It was just nightfall, when they had finished, and all sat down and enjoyed a hearty meal. Peter had one of the Seneca's undertook the watch for half the night, when they were to be relieved by Pearson the chief. The early part of the night passed off quietly, but an hour before morning the partly were aroused by the sharp crack of two rifles, seizing their arms all rushed out. What is it, Pearson? Two of their scouts, Pearson answered, pointing out to two dark bodies on the snow at a distance of about one hundred yards. I suppose they wanted to see if we was on the watch. He made them out, almost as soon as they left the shore. But we let them come on until we was certain of our aim. There ain't no more about what we can see, so you can all turn in again for another hour or two. There was no fresh alarm before morning, and when the sun rose it shone over a wide expanse of snow, unbroken, save where lay bodies of the two Indians, whose scalps already hung at the belt of the Seneca, and those of their four comrades who had fallen in their first attack. The day passed quietly, toward the afternoon two Indians were seen approaching from the shore. They were unarmed and held their hands aloft as the sign of the amity. Peter and Pearson, at once, laid down their guns, left the island at advance to meet them. They were Indian chiefs of importance. Why have my wet brother stolen in at night upon the village of War Eagle and slain his young men? It is what you have been doing all last year, Chief Pearson, who spoke the dialect better than Peter replied. But we injured no one. We didn't kill women and children, as your warriors have done in the white villages. We only came to take what you had stolen from us, and if your young men had been killed it's only because they tried to attack us. The white men must see, the Chief said, that they cannot get away, the water is hard, and their canoe will not swim in it. The snow is deep, and the tender feet cannot walk through it. My warriors are very numerous, and the white men cannot fight their way through them. The white settlements are very far away, and their friends cannot reach them, and it will be many months before the water softens, and long before that the white men will have eaten their moccasins. Well, Chief Pearson said, we're in a tight hole, I grant you, but I'm far from allowing that we ain't no chances left to us yet. But what do you propose, I suppose you've some proposition to make? Let the white men leave behind them, their guns and their powder, and the maidens they have taken from War Eagle's camp, and then let them go in peace. They shall not be harmed. Pearson gave a short laugh. War Eagle must think the white men are foolish. What's to prevent the red warriors from taking all our scalps when our arms are in their hands? The word of a great Chief, War Eagle said. War Eagle never lies. You may not lie, Chief, Pearson said bluntly, but I've known many a treaty broken aforenow. You and your people may not touch us, but there's other redskins about, and I wouldn't give a beaver's skin for our scalps if we were to take the back trail, to the settlements without arms in our hands. Besides that, we've among us the father of the gal, who was stole far away, off from the lake, Champlain, and a relative of hers, whose parents you've killed down on the lake. If we were to agree to give up our arms, it stands to reason it ain't likely they'd agree to give up the gals. No, no, Chief, your terms aren't reasonable, but I tell you what we will do. If you will give us your word that neither you nor your tribe will molest us in our retreat, we'll go back to the settlements, and I'll engage that. When we get back there we'll send you nine of the best rifles money can buy, with plenty of powder and ball and blankets and such like. The Chief waved his hand in contemptuous refusal of the terms. There are six of my young men's scalps at your girdles, and their places are empty, War Eagle has spoken. Very well, Chief, Pearson said, if nothing but scalps will content you to fighting it must come. But I warn you that your tribe will lose a good many more before they get ours. So saying, without another word, they separated, each party making their way back to their friends. What on earth can he have proposed such terms as those four, Harold asked, when Pearson had related what had taken place between him and the Chief? He must have known we should not accept them. I expect, Pearson said, he wanted to see who we were and to judge what sort of spirit we had. It may be, too, that there was a party among the tribe who had no stomachs for the job of attacking this place, and so he was obliged to make a show of offering terms to please him. But he never meant as they should be accepted. No, I'll take it they'll wait a few days to see what they'll hunger do. They must be pretty sure that we've not a very large supply of food. Chapter 16 of True to the Old Flag This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Anna Simon True to the Old Flag by G. A. Henty Chapter 16 The Great Storm Let us overhaul our packages, Harold said, and see what provisions we have left. It would be as well to know how we stand. It was found that they had a sufficient supply of flour to last with care for a fortnight. The meal was nearly exhausted. Of tea they had an abundance. The sugar was nearly out, and they had three bottles of spirits. Could we not make the flour last more than the fourteen days by putting ourselves on half Russians, Harold asked? We might do that, Peter said, but I tell you the Russians would be small even for fourteen days. We've calculated according to how much we eat when we've plenty of meat, but without meat it'd be only a starvation ration to each. Fortunately, with fish hooks and lions, and by making holes in the eyes we can get as many fish as we like. Well, we can live on them alone if need be, and an ounce or two of flour made into cakes will be enough to go with them. That way the flour would last us pretty nigh two months. I don't say that if the worst come to the worst we might not hold on right to the spring on fish. The lake's full of them, and some of them have so much oil on them that they're nigh as good as meat. Do you think, Peter, that if the Indians make one great attack and are beaten off they will try again? No one can say, Peter answered. Indian nature can never be calculated on. I should say if they got a thundering beating they ain't likely to try again, but there's never no saying. The sooner they attack and get it over the better, Cameron said. I hadn't slept a wink the last two nights. If I doze off for a moment I wake up, thinking I hear their yells. I'm as ready to fight as any of you when the time comes, but the thought of my daughter here makes me nervous and anxious. What do you say, Jake? It all is same to Jake, Master Cameron. Jake sleeps very sound, but he no like the thought of beating nothing but fish for five or six months. Jake never very fond of fish. You'll like it well enough when you get used to it, Jake, Pearson said. It's not bad eating on a pinch. Only you want to eat a side of it to satisfy you. Well, let's see how the fish'll bite. Four holes were cut into the ice at a short distance apart. The hooks were attached to strong lines and baited with deer's flesh, and soon the fishing began. The girls took great interest in the proceeding. Nelly was unadapted to the sport, having generally caught the fish for the consumption of the household at home. She took charge of one of the lines, held on another, while Jake and one of the Seneca's squatted themselves by the other holes. There had been some discussion as to whether the fishing should take place on the side of the island facing the shore or behind the rocks, where the former was decided upon. This was done because all were anxious that the expected attack should take place as soon as possible, and the event was likely to be hastened when the Indians saw that they were provided with lines and were thus able to procure food for a considerable time. It was soon manifest that, if they could live upon fish, they need to feel no uneasiness as to its supply. Scarcely had the lines been let down, then fish were fast to them. Harold and the other men soon had trout from three to six pounds, lying on the ice beside them. But Nelly was obliged to call Pearson to her assistance, and the fish, when brought to the surface, was found to be over twenty pounds in weight. An hour's fishing procured them as efficient supply for a week's consumption. There was no fear as to the fish keeping, for in a very short time after being drawn from the water, they were frozen stiff and hard. They were hung up to some boughs near the huts, and the party were glad enough to get into shelter again, for the cold was intense. As before, the early part of the night passed quietly. But to what mourning Peter, who was on watch, ran down and awakened the others. Get your shooting-irons and hurry up! he said. The varmints are coming this time in earnest. In a minute every one was at the post assigned to him. A number of dark figures could be seen coming over the ice. There's nine two hundred of them, Peter said. War Eagle has brought the whole strength of his tribe. Contrary to their usual practice, the Indians did not attempt to crawl up to the place they were about to attack, but advanced at a run across the ice. The defenders lost not a moment in opening fire, for some of their rifles would carry as far as the shore. Shoot steady, Peter said. Don't throw away a shot. Each man loaded and fired as quickly as he could, taking a steady aim, and the dark figures which dotted the ice behind the advancing Indians showed that the fire was an effectual one. The Indians did not return a shot. Their chief had, no doubt, impressed upon them the uselessness of firing against men lying in shelter, and had urged them to hurry at the top of their speed to the island and crush the whites in a hand-to-hand fight. It was but three or four minutes through the time the first shot was fired before they were close to the island. They made, as Peter had expected, toward the little cove, which was indeed the only place at which a landing could well be affected. Harold ran down and hid himself in a bush at the spot where the train terminated, carrying with him a glowing brand from the fire. War eagle means to have our scopes this time, Peter said to Pearson. I never seed an uglier rush. White man couldn't have done better. The Indians had run in scattered order across the ice, but they closed up as they neared the cove. As they rushed toward it, four fell beneath the shots of half the defenders, and another four a few seconds later from a volley by the other section. In a wonderfully short time the first were ready again, and the Indians wavered at the slaughter and opened fire upon the breastwork, behind which the defenders were crouching. Those behind pressed on, and, with terrific yells, the mass of Indians bounded forward. Harold had remained inactive, crouching behind the bush. He saw the head of the dark mass rush past him, and then applied the brand to the train. There was a tremendous explosion. Yells and screams rend the air, and in an instant a dark line of water, twenty feet wide, stretched across the mouth of the cove. In this were pieces of floating eyes and numbers of Indians struggling and yelling. Some made only a faint struggle before they sank, while others struck out for the sight furthest from the island. The main body of the Indians, appalled by the explosion, checked themselves in their course, and at once took to flight. Some, unable to check their impetus, fell into the water upon the wounded wretches who were struggling there. Those who had crossed stood irresolute, and then, turning, leaped into the water. As they struggled to get out on the opposite side, the defenders maintained a deadly fire upon them. But, in two or three minutes, the last survivor had scrambled out, and all were in full flight toward the shore. I think we've seen the last of the attacks, Peter said, as they came down from their breastwork and joined Harold in the cove. That was a first-rate notion of yours, lad. If it hadn't been for that, we should have been rubbed out, sure enough. Another minute, and we'd have gone down. They were an earnest and no mistake. They'd got steam up, and was determined to finish with it at once, whatever it cost them. The instant the attack had seized, Cameron had hastened to the hut where the girls were lying, to assure them that all danger was over, and that the Indians were entirely defeated. In an hour a fresh skim of eyes had formed across the streak of water, but, as through its clear service many of the bodies of the Indians could be seen, the men threw snow over it, to spare the girls the unpleasantness of such a sight every time they went out from the cove. The bodies of all the Indians who had fallen near the island were also covered with snow. Those nearer the shore were carried off by the air-cry in their retreat. I suppose, Peter, Harold said, as they said round the fire that evening, you have been in quite as awkward scrapes as this before, and have got out all right. Why, this business ain't nothing to that affair we had by Lake Champlain. That was bad a business, when we were surrounded in that log-hood, as ever I went through, and have been through a good many. Pearson and me and I got our hair raised more than once in that business of Pontiacs. He were great chief, and managed to get up the biggest confederation against that's ever been known. It were well for us that that business didn't begin a few years earlier when we was fighting the French. But, you see, so long as we and they was at war, the Indians hoped as we might pretty well exterminate each other, and then they'd intended to come in and finish off whoever got the best of it. Wow, the English they drove the French back, and finally a treaty was made in Europe, by which the French agreed to clear out. It was just about this time, as Pontiac worked upon the tribes to lay aside their own crawls, and joined the French in fighting against us. He got the Seneca's, and the Lelewares, and the Shawnees, the Woyandots, and a lot of other tribes from the lakes, and the whole country between the Niagara River and the Mississippi. Jack Pearson and me, we happened to be with the Miami's when the bloody belt which Pontiac was sending round as a signal for war arrived to the fort there. Jack and me knew the Redskins pretty well, and saw by their manner as something unusual had happened. I went to the common dend of the fort and told him as much. He didn't think much of my news. The soldier chaps always despises the Redskins till they see him come yelling along with our tomahawks, and then as often as not, it's just the other way. How some never, he agreed at last to pay any amount of trade goods I might promise to the Miami's if the news turned out worth finding out. I discovered that the great Palaver was to be held that evening at the chief's village, which was a mile away from the fort. I'd seen a good deal of the Miami's, and had fought with them against the Shawnees, so I could do as much with them as most. Off Pearson and I go to the chief, and I says to him, look here, chief, I've good reasons to believe you've got a message from Pontiac, and that it means trouble. Now don't you go and let yourself be led away by him. I've heard rumours that he's getting up a great confideration against the English. But I tell you, chief, if all the Redskins on this continent was to join together, they couldn't do nothing against the English. I don't say as you might wipe out a number of little border forts, for no doubt you might, but what would come of it? England would send out as many men as there are leaves in the forest who would scorch up the Redskins nations as a fire on the prairie scorches of the grass. I tell you, chief, no good can come on it. Don't build your hopes on the French. They've acknowledged that they're beaten and are all going out of the country. It'd be best for you and your people to stick to the English. They can reward their friends handsomely, and if you join with Pontiac sooner or later, trouble and ruin will come upon you. Now I can promise you, in the name of the officer of the fort, a good English rifle for yourself, and fifty guns for your braves, and ten bales of blankets, if you'll make a clean breast of it, and first tell us what devil-tree Pontiac is up to, and next join us freely, or anyway, hold a loof all together from this conspiracy till you see how things is going. Well, the chief he thought the matter over and said he'd do his best at the plover that night, but till that was over, and he knew what the council decided on, he couldn't tell me what the message was. I was pretty well satisfied, for prairie dog were a great chief in his tribe, and I felt pretty certain he'd get the council to go the way he wanted. I told him might be at the fort, and that the governor would expect a message after the council was over. It was past midnight when the chief came with four of his braves. He told us that the tribe had received a bloody belt from Pontiac, and a message that the mingos and deliwares, the weynots and shonees, were going to dig up the hatchet against the whites, and calling upon him and his people to massacre the garrison of the fort, and then march to the joint Pontiac, who was about to fall upon Detroit and Fort Pitt. They were directed to send the belt on to the tribes on the Wobosh, but they loved the English, and were determined to take no part against them. So they delivered the belt to their friend the white commander, and hoped that he'd tell the great king in England that the Miami's were faithful to him. The governor highly applauded their conduct, and said he'd send the news to the English governor at New York, and at once ordered the presence which I promised to be delivered to the chief for himself and his braves. When they'd gone, he said, You're right, Peter, this news is important indeed, and it's clear that it terrible storms about to bust upon the frontier, whether the Miami's will keep true is doubtful. But now I'm on my guard, they'll find it difficult to take the fort, but the great thing is to carry the news of what's happened to Detroit to put them on their guard. Will you and Pearson start at once? Of course we agreed, though it was clear that the job was a risksome one, for it wouldn't be no easy matter to journey through the woods with a whole red-skinned tribes on the road path. The commander wanted me to carry the belt with me, but I said, I might just as well carry my death warrant to the first red-skins I had come across. Major Gladwin, who commanded at Detroit, knew me, and I didn't need to carry any proof of my story. So before the Miami's had been gone half an hour, Jack and me took the trail for Detroit. We had got a canoe hit on the lake a few miles away, and we were soon on board. The next morning we see the whole fleet of canoes coming down the lake. We might have made a race with them, but being fully manned, the chances was as they had cut us off. And seeing that at present war had not been declared, we judged it best to see us if we weren't afraid. So we paddled up to them, and found as there were a lot of Wyandots whose hunting grounds lay up by Lake Superior. Of course I didn't ask no questions as to where there was going, but just mentioned as we was on our way down to Detroit. We're going that way too, the Chief said, and I'm glad to have our white brothers with us. So we paddled along together until about noon they landed. Nothing was said to us as how we were prisoners, but we could see as how it was just as much captives as if we'd been tied with buckskin robes. Jack and me talked it over and agreed as it was no matter in use trying to make our escape, but that as long as they chose to treat us as guests we'd best seem perfectly contented and make no show of considering as they was on the warpath, although seeing as they had no women or children with them a baby could have known as they were up to no good. The next morning they started again at daybreak, and after paddling some hours landed and hid away their canoes and started on foot. Nothing was said to us, but we saw as we was expected to do as they did. We went on till we was within 10 miles of Detroit, and then we halted. I thought we're best to find out exactly how we stood, so Jack and I goes up to the Chief and says that as we was near Detroit we would just say goodbye to him and tramp in. Why should my white brothers hurry? He said, it is not good for them to go on alone, for the woods are very full of Indians. But, I said, the hatchets buried between the whites and the Redskins, so there's no danger in the woods. The Chief waved his hand. My white brothers have joined the Wyandots, and they will tarry with them until they go into Detroit. There are many Redskins there, and there will be a grand palaver. The Wyandots will be present. Jack and me made no signs of being dissatisfied, but the position weren't a pleasant one, I can tell you. Here was the Redskins clustering like bees around Detroit, ready to fall upon the garrison and massacre them, and we, who was the only man as new of the danger, was prisoners among the Redskins. It was certain, too, that though they mightn't take our lives till they had attacked the garrison, they was only keeping us for the pleasure of torturing us quietly out of woods. The situation was plain enough. The question was, what would be done? There was about sixty of the varmints around us, sitting by their fires, and looking as if they didn't even know as we was there, but we knew as sharp eyes was watching us, and that before we'd gone five yards the whole lot would be on our track. Jack and me didn't say much to each other, for we knew how closely we was watched and didn't want them to think as we was planning our escape, so after a few words we sat down by one of the fires till it got time to lie down for the night, but we both made a thinking. We saw, when we lay down, that the Indians lay pretty well around us, while two on them, with their rifles ready to hand, sat down by a fire close by and threw on some logs as if they attended to watch all night. It was a goodish size clearing as it chose for a camping-ground, and we should have had to run some distance before we got to the shelter of the trees. The moon, too, was up, and it were well nigh's lightest day, and anxious as we was to get away we agreed that there were no chance of sliding off, but that it'd be better to wait till next day. When we woke our guns was gone. We complained to the Chief, who said coldly that his young men would carry the guns and give them back to us when we got to Detroit. It were no use saying more, for he might at any moment have ordered us to be bound, and it would be better to keep the use of our legs as long as we could. For two days we stayed there, not seeing the shadow of a chance of getting away. Several red-skinned runners come in and spoke to the Chief, and we got more and more anxious to be off. It was still allowed to walk about, provided we didn't go near the edge of the clearing. Whenever we went that way, two engines, who kept guard by turns over us, shouted to us to go no further. The third morning, after a runner had come in, the Chief gave the word for a move, and we set out. We saw there wasn't taking the direct line to Detroit, although still going in that direction, and after two hours marching through the woods we got down onto the Detroit River. Here was a big encampment, and some three or four hundred sure-knees and deliwers was gathered there. A Chief come up to us as we entered the open. He gave an order to the Wyandots, and in a minute we was bound hand on foot, carried to a small wickwam, and chucked down inside like two logs of wood. After a little talk, Jack and I agreed as after all we had a better chance of escaping now than when we was watched by a whole tribe, and we concluded that there weren't no time to be lost. The Wyandots had no doubt been brought up in readiness to strike the blow, and even if we'd known nothing about the belt, we'd have been sure that Miss Chief was intended when these three bands of red varmints had gathered so close to the fort. It was sudden, we couldn't do nothing till night, but we both strained our court as much as possible to get them to stretch a bit, and give us a better chance of slipping out of them. No one come near us for some time, and as we could hear the sound of voices we guessed that a great council was taking place, and we agreed at once to loosen the knots so as to be in readiness for work, as like enough they'd put a sentry over that night. It was a risky thing to try, for we might be disturbed at any minute. Still, we thought it were our only chance, so Jacks had to work with his teeth at my knots, and in a quarter of an hour had loosened them. Then I undone his. We unbound our thongs, and then fasten them up again, so that to the eye they looked just the same as before, but really with a jerk they'd fall off. I must teach you how to do that, Harold, some time. You may find it of use. The knots was tied up as tightly as before, and it would have needed a close examination to see that we was not tied as tight as ever. Not a word was spoken, and we was as quiet as mice, for we could hear two redskins talking outside. You may guess we was pretty slick about it, and I don't know as ever I felt so thankful as when we laid ourselves down again, just as we'd been throwed, without the slit in the tent having opened, and a red face peered in. A quarter of an hour later a redskin came in and looked at us. Seeing as it seemed to him as we hadn't moved, he went out again. Just before nightfall, two of them came in together, rolled us over, and looked at the knots. They found as these was all right. Then one sat down just in the door of the tent, and the other took his place outside. We waited some hours. At last the fires burned low and the camp got quiet. We knew it was well nigh hopeless to wait for them all to be asleep, for a redskin nature is a restless one, and especially when there's anything on hand they'll turn out two or three times in a night to smoke their pipes by the fires, and they'd be the more restless since, as we'd seen, there was only four or five wickwams, and all would be sleeping on the ground. At last I thought the time would come, and gave Jack a nudge, and we both set up. It were a ticklish moment, young one, I can tell you, for we knew that it was scarce possible to get off without the alarm being raised. If the wickwam had sit close to the edge of the forest it would have been comparatively easy, for once among the trees we might have hoped to have outrun him, though the moon was so pesky bright. But unfortunately it was built not far from the river, and we should have to cross the whole clearing to gain the woods. The chances weren't good, I can tell you, but it was clear as we'd had to try him. We had purposely moved about pretty often so that our movements would not attract the attention of the engine now. It didn't take a minute to slip out of the cords, which, tight as they looked, really were not fastened at all, there being two loose double ends between our arms and our bodies. We could see they outside sentry through the open door, and we waited till he turned his back and looked out on the river. Then suddenly I gripped the red skin sitting at the entrance by the neck with both my hands, pretty tight as you may reckon, and Jack catched his knife from his belt and buried it in his body. That was soon over, and not as sound made as he would have startled the mouse. Then, standing up, I made a spring onto the sentry while Jack used his knife as before. We let him drop softly down and prepared to bold, when, of a sudden, the war-woop sounded not twenty feet away. One of the redskins, finding the ground hard, I suppose, was strolling up to speak to the sentry when he saw us tackle him. For a moment he were too much surprised to holler, but when he did, he gave a yell as brought the whole tribe to their feet. Jack had taken up the sentry's rifle. He had better have held your tongue, he said, as he levelled on their red skin, and before the whoop was out of his lips the bullet hit him, and he went down like a log. He didn't need to look round. To see as there was no chance of getting to the trees, for two hundred redskins was between us and them. We must take to the river, Jack, I said. It were but thirty yards away. I expected every moment, as we run, to hear the rifle bullets whistle round us. But I guess Pontier could give an order that no gun was to be fired, lest it might be heard at the fort. Anyhow, not a shot was fired, and we got down safe to the bank.