CHAPTER VII
AT CLOSE QUARTERS
Raoul knew the scream also, and something about the animal from whenceit came, and he first looked carefully at his gun to make sure that itwas ready for instant use, and then peered into the obscurity of thethick evergreens, in the attempt to locate the fierce brute which hadthus challenged their passing.
What Madame meant by _loup cervier_ was what is now known as the"Indian Devil," or catamount, a species of puma that could be verydangerous when in a fighting humour, as this one evidently was.
"Don't be frightened, Aunt Constance," said Raoul sturdily. "I'llshoot him dead the moment I see him," and he brought his gun to hisshoulder as he spoke.
"Wait, wait until you can see him plainly," said Madame under herbreath. "You must not miss."
There was a rustling among the branches, another blood-curdling scream,and then the hideous face of the creature appeared, its eyes flamingwith fury, and its cruel teeth showing white among the rigid bristlesthat protruded from its furry cheeks.
Now if Raoul had been alone, he would assuredly have been nervousenough to make it a difficult matter to take good aim, but the presenceof his aunt made him forget himself utterly in his loyal determinationto protect her from the impending peril. He felt as firm as a rock.Not a nerve quivered, and, aiming straight between the baleful eyes, hefired.
The report rang out on the still evening air, and was instantlyfollowed by a snarling shriek from the wounded animal, so charged withfury that Raoul instinctively pressed his aunt back out of the path.
Just as he did so the puma sprang at them, for it was not killed, aslight movement of its head as Raoul fired having caused the bullet tostrike too high, and plough through the fur on the forehead, instead ofburying itself in the brain.
Raoul's sudden movement caused the brute to fall short, and ere itcould gather itself to spring again the boy, clubbing his gun, struckat it with the heavy butt.
It was the best thing to be done under the circumstances, and yet, whenthe maddened catamount, squirming around as if it were made of rubber,caught the stock in its teeth, and tore at the gun with its terribleclaws, there seemed small chance of Raoul being able to repeat the blow.
Happily this was not necessary on his part, for Madame, who had beenperfectly composed throughout, having picked up a stout stick, came tohis assistance, and, with a clever blow delivered just behind thepuma's ear, put an end to its existence.
"Bravo, Aunt Constance!" cried Raoul delightedly. "You've done forhim, and just in time, too! He was pulling the gun out of my hands."
There was the light of triumph in Madame la Tour's fine eyes as sheturned the dead thing over with her stick.
"He meant us mischief, Raoul," she said, "and he has paid dearly forit. If he had left us alone he would not be lying there now. Let uskneel down and thank God for our deliverance."
And so they knelt together, while Madame, in a few fervent sentences,expressed their gratitude to Providence for having thus protected themfrom injury.
As they hastened homeward, Madame said in a low tone, as if talking toherself rather than to Raoul:
"This is a wild, dangerous country, and I grow very weary of it. Ipray that I may be spared to get back to France some day."
Raoul heard these words with some surprise. His aunt always seemed sobusy and content in the doing of her duty, that he did not suppose shewas not as happy as he was himself, but his quick sympathy inspired himto ask:
"Shall we be going back to France some day, Aunt Constance?"
"Only God knows that, my dear," was the reply. "I'm sure I cannottell. We are in the hands of Providence, and whatever comes to passwill be the best."
Raoul said no more at the time, but thenceforward his admiration forhis aunt was deepened by the knowledge that she would really preferbeing across the ocean, although she always seemed so serene andsatisfied with her lot in Acadia.
Monsieur La Tour was much interested in the account of the encounterwith the catamount.
"You deserve credit, both of you," he said warmly. "As for you, mydear wife," he added, with an unusually loving look, "there seems to beno limit to your talents. You can preach, teach, hunt, fish, and lookafter the affairs of your own household better than any woman I everknew. How fortunate I was to get such a wife! Eh, Raoul?"
Madame's noble countenance was flooded with colour by her husband'sfrank praise, which made her heart sing for joy, and going up to him,she threw her arms about his neck and kissed his bronzed cheek, saying:
"Thank you, my dear Charles, for your kind words, which I am sure arenot empty ones."
With the return of spring, La Tour, whose enterprise and energy knew nobounds, unfolded a new plan he had formed for the extension of hispower and the increase of his fortune.
This was the building of still another fort, and the site he hadselected was the mouth of what is now the St. John River, in theprovince of New Brunswick, then known by the musical Indian name ofOuangondy.
This place had many advantages over Fort St. Louis. The river went farinland, and was the highway for many Indian tribes who had preciouspelts to barter. Not only so, but the whole New England coast could beconveniently reached by canoe, or sailing shallop, and again, the layof the land was such that an exceedingly strong position could beeasily had.
Throughout the summer the building went on, and ere autumn came againthe new fort, which La Tour modestly called after himself, wascompleted. It stood upon a rise of ground commanding the harbour andthe sharp turn made by the river on entering, about half-a-mile below,the famous falls, which then as now worked both ways, pouring up riverwhen the tide was high and down river when it was low.
Fort La Tour was solidly built of stone, and stood nearly two hundredfeet square, with four bastions at the angles, and twenty good cannonfrowning from the battlements. Without were sturdy palisades as afurther protection, and within, two comfortable dwellings, a tinychapel, and the necessary storehouses, barracks for the garrison, andother buildings.
Such was Raoul's new home, and he heartily approved of the change,because the country round about Fort La Tour was far richer and finerthan that about Fort St. Louis, and the beautiful river held outpromise of many a pleasant canoe trip, when the warm days of summerreturned.
As for Madame La Tour, she felt sorry to leave her dusky charges whenthey seemed to promise such good results, but she consoled herself withthe thought that there were plenty of others equally needing the light,and that she could continue her good work from the new fort.