Chapter III
Flight by Night
As the dusk came and settled down upon the peaceful town of Albany,it found the little band of trappers seated about their camp fire,smoking heavily and discussing the question of their flight in earnestand low-pitched tones. They had already taken their evening meal, andwere ready to set out at any moment. But so far there was not a signof preparation. To the casual or the curious onlooker, the littleparty seemed to have every intention of remaining overnight, moreparticularly as the sky was overcast, and the rude leather shantywhich they had been busily erecting showed that they expected rain,and had prepared a shelter.
"You wouldn't think that there was a question of danger or of ourclearing out, boys," said Judge Mainwaring, as he stared round at hiscomrades. "This town of Albany looks as peaceful as possible, andyet----"
"And yet the facts are clear," burst in Steve. "I suppose that ifAlbany were filled with Englishmen it would be a different matter."
"That it would, young 'un," chimed in Jim, taking the stem of hisblack pipe from between his teeth. "And there ain't no sayin' thatthese Dutchmen wouldn't help us ef we went to 'em. But they ain't hereto fight. Reckon they're fer trade. Ef it was our own people, why we'dget 'em together, and them varmint out in the woods would soon bescattered."
"As it is there is no chance of doing that," said Tom Mainwaringquietly. "I've been thinking this out, boys. If we went to the DutchI doubt very much that they would move to help us. They are traders,as Jim says, and though I believe they are certainly on our side andopposed to the French and their Indians, yet at the present time eventhat is not too certain. We've got to depend on ourselves. We mightwait here for a week, but this rascal Lapon will wait also, and hewill watch us like a hawk. We must move, and this very night too, forat present they think no doubt that we do not know of the existence ofthis band. If we wait they may suspect us----"
"There's the scout we killed," ventured Steve.
"True, there is the scout. They will find him by to-morrow morning,and then they will watch us all the closer. It will rain soon, and wemust move."
"Hold hard," said Jim suddenly. "We've got to git, that's as clear asthis fire, but thar's that 'ere redskin watchin'. It 'ud take him anhour perhaps to get back to his camp and then the hull lot 'ud be downon us."
That was a point which none had considered, and for a little whilethey sat staring into the embers, doubtful how to act. In these daysof peace, when the neighbourhood of Albany is as secure as that of NewYork or of London, and when the banks of the Hudson and the Mohawk andthe country adjacent are comparatively thickly populated, it is hardto believe that a party of trappers could be in danger of attack. Butin the year 1756 it was very different. Thick forest spread over theland, with very few settlements, and still fewer log huts. In timepast many and many a pioneer and trapper had forced his way far oninto the valley of the Ohio, that promised land, and had there erectedhis rough shelter. But there were competitors in the field. Francewas not content with that huge stretch of America to the north of theSt. Lawrence and the great lakes. She was pushing south, buildingforts and peopling the land. For some years, as the reader will havealready gathered, these hardy French soldiers and _voyageurs_, withtheir fierce Indians, had been pressing south and west, exterminatingthe helpless British colonists. The man who dared to step outside thetowns and plunge into the forests took his life in his hands. Bandsof desperadoes wandered hither and thither, and the old calling ofthe trapper was almost extinct. It was therefore not so wonderful tofind danger threatening Steve and his friends on the very outskirts ofAlbany.
"Oi'd loike to hear what Silver Fox and Talkin' Bear has to say,"sang out Mac, thrusting his red head into the full light of the fire."They have sat there loike two logs of wood, and sure they've not yitopened their mouths. Let thim spake and we'll listen."
"Then what shall we do, Fox?" demanded Jim, breaking into the Mohawk."You know what's happening."
"It will rain to-night, my brothers," was the answer, "and we must go.But this scout must die before we venture from the camp. Talking Bearand Silver Fox will see to this matter."
He glanced round at each one of the party, grunted and nodded to hiscountryman.
"It is well spoken, brother. He must die," was the short answer.
"Then we'll turn in," said Jim.
One by one the white men of the party stood up, looked about them andthen crept into the "shanty," for rain had already begun to fall. Andsoon Silver Fox joined them, while outside, swathed in his blanket,motionless, stood Talking Bear, guarding the camp during the firsthours of the night. His figure was hardly distinguishable even againstthe dull light of the fire, but all knew that the Indian watcherhad his eyes on him. And so two hours passed, till the embers weredrenched, and the night was very dark. Not till then was there amovement in the tiny shanty. Steve sat up beside Silver Fox, returnedthe pressure of his hand and slipped from the cover. Crawling acrossthe camp he touched Talking Bear, and in an instant they had changedplaces. Steve was now the sentry, swathed in a blanket, tall anderect. Almost at the same instant there was the hoot of an owl away inthe forest.
"Them 'ere critters has jest the finest eyes," growled Jim. "Reckonthough that they heard somethin'. There goes Silver Fox. We'll givehim an hour."
But less than half an hour had passed before the silence of their campwas disturbed. First came the loud hoot of an owl, and then away inthe forest was heard the sound of a conflict. Branches snapped, therewas a dull thud, and then silence again.
"We have failed. The scalp of this scout who watched the camp hangs atmy belt, but he had two others with him. They are gone."
Silver Fox had made not so much as a sound on his return, and hisvoice was the first thing that warned the occupants of his presence.They sat up with a start while various exclamations burst from them.
"There is not a moment to be lost," said Tom, with decision. "We mustpack and paddle for our lives. That band will never rest till theyhave the scalps of every one of this party."
There was unusual bustle in the camp at once, the members of the partygoing about their work with method and in perfect silence. Mac andSteve soon had the leather shelter stripped and folded, and by thetime they had carried it down to the canoes, the others had placedall their goods in the smaller one. Then they took their places, andat a word from Tom they pushed out from the bank, Steve sitting inthe second canoe, his musket across his thighs and his eyes glued onthe bank. The five in the leading canoe grasped their paddles andused them with a will, Tom setting the time, and pushing the waterback with lusty arms which aided not a little in their progress. Theyswung up the centre of the stream, turned to their left and enteredthe Mohawk. Morning found them many miles on their way, still paddlingsteadily up the centre of the river.
"It were well to consider, my brothers," said Silver Fox, speakingfor the first time since they had left Albany. "The sky is clearer,and the rain no longer falls. At present the mist hides us, but in alittle while the warmth will suck it up and then we shall be seen."
"And yer think them critters is after us?" demanded Jim.
"They left their camp within the hour of our departure," was the slowanswer. "They are now well on their way."
Jim had had no need to ask that simple question. As an old andexperienced trapper he knew well enough that the alarm must havereached the camp of the enemy within a very little while of their owndeparture, and it needed no consideration to tell him that they wouldmake up the Mohawk river.
"They kin tell as we ain't got no business towards New York," hegrowled, "and this here route air the only one that's left. Reckonthe varmint air well on the road. They'll have canoes hid somewhere'swithin reach, and it won't be long afore they're out on the river.Boys, we've got to choose between holdin' on to those paddles ortakin' to the woods."
"Lose all our stores!" demanded Mac, indignantly. "Sure if we take tothe forest we'll have to lave these canoes and the things, and forwhat is the use of that
? Arrah! Lit's kape to the paddles, and if theyfollow we'll use our guns."
"You forget one thing," said Tom Mainwaring, in his quiet and judicialtones. "We have paddled through the night. These rascals have beenwalking and running. Their arms will be unwearied. They will certainlyoverhaul us. There is nothing for it, I fear, but to strike across tothe south bank, hide our canoes and stores as well as we are able, andthen take to the trail."
There was, indeed, little else to be suggested, and it was with sadhearts therefore that the little party turned the bows of the canoetowards the far bank. It was lighter now, though the mist still hidthem, an occasional gust of wind blowing a portion of it away, for allthe world as if it were a curtain, and disclosing something of theirwhereabouts, the surface of the silent river, the far bank, or theforest on that side for which they were making.
"Steady a minute. Stop!"
It was Steve's voice which broke the silence, and as they cranedtheir necks to look back at him, they saw the long figure of the youngtrapper stretched in the small canoe, his musket still across histhighs and one hand upon it. The other shaded his eyes, as if the mistworried him.
"Stop!" he called again in the lowest tone. "Wait while I come up withyou."
There was a paddle beside him, placed there to enable him to steerif occasion should make that necessary, and while his friends backedwater, he drove his paddle into the river and swung his canoe roundtill it lay alongside the other. To have endeavoured to bring it updirectly would have been useless, for a short tow rope connected thetwo.
"You said that they would have canoes somewhere within reach," hesaid. "I overheard it, and I believe I have seen the very spot. Thewind blew the mist aside suddenly, and I saw a tiny inlet. It isblocked with weeds and osiers, and they too were disturbed by thewind. I am sure that I got a glimpse of the bow of a canoe."
"Jupiter! That's a find," burst out Jim, while Tom and Mac noddedapprovingly. "Reckon we'll git across to them boats and break 'em up.Boys, that air our ticket."
He plunged his paddle into the water, followed by the others, andwould have swung the canoe round had not Steve still clung to the side.
"One moment, Jim," he said easily and quietly, for he had inheritedhis father's quiet and judicial manner. "Supposing you smash theircanoes. What then?"
Jim gasped. "What then! Why, they're fixed, young 'un. Thought you was'cute. They ain't got no way left of followin', unless they runs likedogs along the bank, and for that we don't care nothin'."
"That is, supposing they have no other canoes," answered Stevequickly. "But is that likely. They know that if their boats arediscovered they are helpless. It seems to me that they may very wellhave divided them. That's what we should do. In that case they wouldstill have a chance of reaching us."
"That 'ere lad air doin' his best to get even with the Judge,"exclaimed Jim with a shake of his head. "Reckon, boys, that what hesays air true as gospel. Them critters will never have put all theirboats in one place. We'd best make for the forest straight."
Once more he would have swung the canoe away from Steve, but the ladstill clung to the side.
"We might try a surprise," he said eagerly. "These men will follow usright away to the settlement, for Jules Lapon lives near there. Wecan't go on like this for the next ten days, and if we don't stop themthey will be close to us before to-day is past. Let us wait and haveit out with the rascals."
This time there was no attempt to break away from him. All staredeagerly into his sun-tanned face, while an exclamation burst from Jim.
"The boy has an idea," said Tom. "Out with it, Steve."
There was no time to waste, for even as they had hung in the stream,drifting with the current, the mist had lifted still further. The sunwould be up very soon, and at any moment it might be clear from shoreto shore. Steve leaned over the side of his canoe and spoke swiftlyand in little more than a whisper.
"I've been thinking it over as we came along," he said. "We've nochance unless we can stop them now, for they are many, and will followclosely, and never give us a moment's rest. We shall be shot down andscalped one after another. I thought of their boats and what we mightdo. Then I suddenly caught sight of the bows of the one of which Ispoke. Listen! This wind and the rustling of the leaves will havedrowned the sound of our paddles. Even if the redskins are now on thefar bank I doubt whether they have heard us. But they are not there.We have come faster than a man can walk, and you must remember thatthey will have had to make their way through the forest. Let us getover to their boats, slip ashore without leaving tracks, and hide upunder cover. Once we're there one of us can slip back to this bankwith our canoes, and can hide them, just leaving the bows of one toshow, as if by accident."
"Thunder! The lad's got it, Judge. Reckon you ain't in it with Steve.Boys, he's told us what to do."
Jim sat up stiffly in his astonishment, while Silver Fox, who couldunderstand English, gave a grunt of assent.
"He was always a calculating, thoughtful youngster," said Tom, a noteof triumph in his voice. "The lad has suggested a brilliant plan."
Trappers were in the habit of making up their minds in a rapid manner.Often enough there was no opportunity for discussion, and even whenthere was they were not over talkative. Jim was perhaps the exception.But now there was no need for chatter, and little time for delay. Thepaddles plunged into the stream again, Steve pushed out from the largecanoe, and in a trice they were surging through the stream in thedirection of the opposite bank. A little later they were in sight ofit, and were paddling along beneath the overhanging trees.
"Jest about here?" asked Jim, his voice hardly a whisper, while hishand pointed to the bank.
Steve stood up carefully in his frail support. His eyes were glued onthe bank and for some minutes he remained without movement, while thecanoes slid along through the water. Then, suddenly, his hand wentup. There was a bank of reeds and osiers, with a patch of wild riceclinging to the edge, and a gust of wind happening to blow across thewater at that moment all saw the nose of an Indian canoe. Standingstill higher Steve was able to get a better view than his comrades,and caught sight of four other canoes, all nestling in the osiers.
"We can't land here," he sang out softly. "The bank is bare of brushand all trampled. Backwater and strike higher up the river."
Round swung the canoes and paddles sent the water frothing alongsidethe frail vessels, for excitement was high, and all were eager to getunder cover.
"Them 'ere varmint might come along any time," said Jim impatiently."Reckon this air a find!"
"We can land there," whispered Tom, pointing to the bank. "There is arock, and perhaps deep water beside it."
A few strokes of the paddles settled the question. There were quitethree feet of water beside the rock, which was bare and brown. It ranup on to the bank for some ten feet, and then gave place to denseforest.
"Step ashore," said Jim, huskily. "Gently. Don't let the canoe strikeagin the rock, nor a paddle splash it. Them varmint'd spot it in ajiffy. Talkin' Baar, reckon you're the one to git over to the otherbank."
In rapid tones he explained the movement required of him to the silentIndian, speaking in the Mohawk tongue. There was a nod of approval,and without a word the feathered redskin took up his paddle again and,pushing out from the rock, made off across the river, the smallercanoe with its load of stores trailing after him. In a little whilehe was lost in the mist, while none could hear the dip of his paddle.But presently, as the sun rose and sucked up the vapours lying like apall over forest and river, Steve and his comrades could see just thetip of a canoe protruding from a thick mass of bush which clothed theopposite bank.
"Reckon a baby Injun'd spot that," said Jim. "To look at it you'd sayas the wind or the wash of the water had shook it loose from the mudand floated it out. These critters will see it right off, and will tryto slip over without a sound, so as to fall upon our party. Reckonthere'll be a surprise. Now, what's the ticket?"
"Let the boy tell us," whispered Tom, lo
oking proudly at Steve. "Weowe this movement to him, and I think we all agree that he has hadgood experience of the forest and of these Indians. Now, lad, whereare we to take up our stations?"
For answer Steve placed his musket on the rock, and, stepping softlyacross it, swung himself into a tree, a branch of which overhung theirposition. They watched him as he clambered up still higher and waitedpatiently for him to descend.
"I vote that we divide," he said, as he dropped on to the rock again."When the enemy arrive and see the canoe over yonder they will beall keenness to cross. They will think that we are lying hid in theforest, and will guess that once they are out in the river they willbe seen. But remember that our canoes are supposed to be hidden away.If we were over yonder, lying up in the bushes, we should keep undercover and watch, hoping to escape discovery. These Indians will reckonthat, and I think will paddle down the far side, staring into thebank. As soon as they get opposite our canoes, they will paddle inwith a rush."
"Thet air reason," exclaimed Jim. "What then?"
"My argument proves that they will be careful to get aboard on thisside without making too much noise. They will try to let it appearthat they have not seen our canoe. They will enter their own and pushout stealthily, for they are cunning."
"Cunnin'!" Jim clenched a huge brown fist, and would have growled outsomething more had not Tom's warning hand restrained him.
"That will be our time. The bank of osiers is big, and they havehidden up their canoes almost in the centre. So there will be room forone gun in that direction. Then this tree commands their boats, andhas the advantage of being very thick. Supposing we divide forces, twogoing into the reeds, and three into the tree? The three can swingthemselves up without leaving a trace, while the two who make for thereeds can wade through the water."
"The boy is right. Even you or I could not have made bettersuggestions," exclaimed Tom. "Let us get into our places."
At any moment now the enemy might put in an appearance, and fearful ofbeing discovered the whole party went to their places at once, Steveswinging himself into the tree after his father and Silver Fox, whileJim and Mac lowered themselves very silently into the river, whichcame to their waists, and wading along entered the reeds. There theytook up a position which enabled them to command the canoes, whilethey could see, and be seen by, their friends. And as they crouchedin their lairs the sun rose higher and higher, while the heat grewgreater. The air over forest and river became motionless, what breezethere had been dying down entirely. Not a leaf stirred, while thehundreds of birds which had heralded the morning with their brightsong seemed to have gone to roost again.
"Hist! That bird flew from down stream," whispered Tom, suddenly, as apigeon darted over the water and flew past their hiding place. "We canexpect the enemy. Watch the banks carefully."
But half an hour passed without another disturbance, and though allstrained their ears nothing could be heard. From his leafy perchSteve saw Jim crouching in the osiers, and noticed that the cunningbackwoodsman turned towards the far bank, leaning in that directionin a listening attitude. But evidently he heard nothing, for within aminute he was engaged with the near bank, his eyes peering between theosiers and the reeds. This was not the first time that Steve had beenpursued by the redskins, and his adventurous life in the woods hadtaught him to maintain his coolness. But on this occasion, do what hewould, his heart would thump heavily against his ribs, while his pulsethrobbed in an unusual and disturbing manner. He stood in the lowestfork of the tree, his back supported by the trunk, his musket in hishands, and his eye roaming hither and thither. His lips were slightlyparted, and there was a determined look on his sun-browned features.He felt no actual fear, only unusual excitement, and a vague wonder asto what would be the end of this conflict. All through the night ashe lay in the canoe he had been thinking the matter out. He and allhis comrades were well aware of the evil reputation of Jules Lapon'sband, and to Steve it had become abundantly clear that, strive asthey might, they could not hope to reach their journey's end withoutmolestation. The enemy were too many. They travelled light, while heand his friends carried stores, to which they were absolutely bound tocling, for without them they could not exist through the winter. Thensurely it would be better to meet this band of rascals now, while theytoo were fresh, and do their best to beat them.
"I am sure it is the right movement," he said to himself. "We havea good chance of taking them by surprise, and an ambush is just thething to upset these redskins. If we can kill a few the rest may giveup the attempt. What is that?"
He started and leaned forward to look at Jim. The old trapper hadturned right round and was again staring at the far bank. Steve sawhim grip his musket barrel, and then signal to those in the tree. Asecond later he had swung round once more, and was looking to theopposite bank. Then Steve saw something of what was happening. Aminute earlier the tip of the bows of their own canoe was aloneshowing, a bait to catch the enemy. But now the whole canoe was insight, and there was Talking Bear, stripped of his blanket, his paddlein his hand, pushing out into the river with all his strength. Andafter him floated the canoe laden with the precious possessions forwhich they were being hunted.
Steve was dumfounded. He stared with wide-open eyes at the redskin,and then swung round to Jim. The trapper crouched in the osiers like awild cat, and as Steve looked he signalled with his hand to those inthe tree. His long finger shot out, and for a few seconds he pointedto the forest on their own side, warning them as well as he could bymeans of sundry waves and nods to be in full readiness. Then he turnedto the river and repeated the signals.
"They're both sides of the Mohawk," gasped Tom. "Look there."
Stealing through the forest, and making for the canoes as rapidly aswas possible were four painted redskins, while away on the far sidea hurried glance shewed Steve the hideous heads of two more of theirenemies. Had there been any doubt on the matter it was set at restwithin a very few seconds, for the peace of the river was suddenlystartled by a sharp and loud report, which sent the birds soaring fromthe branches. A bullet flew from the far side of the river and longbefore the report had died down Talking Bear crumpled up as if he hadbeen struck on the head with an enormous hammer, and sprawled out inthe bottom of the canoe. Then the war whoop of the redskins burst fromthe trees, that whoop which had set hundreds of white men and womentrembling. Some twenty heads burst from the trees on the farther bank,and in a trice one of the painted warriors had leaped into the waterand struck out for the drifting canoes.
"He will get aboard and row them back," thought Steve, the meaningof it all flashing across his brain. "Then they will embark, and nomatter how many of the men on this side are killed, the others will beable to reach us."
It was clear, in fact, that on the possession of those two helplesscanoes depended the result of this momentous engagement. If they weretaken the little band of trappers would have the whole howling bandabout them within a very few minutes, and then what chance would theystand?
Steve did not hesitate. There was a stout twig growing close by hishand, and in an instant his musket dangled from it by means of thesling. His tomahawk flew from his belt to his mouth, where he grippedit between his teeth. Then, light and active as a cat, he droppedon to the rock beneath, his moccasins making not a sound, and erehis father could gather his intentions the gallant young fellow hadentered the water.