CHAPTER VIII
DEPARTURE FROM HOME
It was not until White Buffalo came into the light of the kitchen firethat they saw he was wounded. Blood was trickling from an arrow thrustin the left shoulder. At the sight of this Mrs. Morris uttered a slightscream.
"You are wounded, White Buffalo! Why didn't you say so before? Let mebind it up for you."
"No big heap hurt," answered the Indian. "Only little cut him."Nevertheless, he was glad enough to have the lady of the cabin bind itup, after which he said it felt better.
White Buffalo had but little to add to what has already been narratedexcepting that in coming to the cabin to give warning he had fallen inwith some rival Indians, three of whom had sought to stop him. Ahand-to-hand fight had resulted and White Buffalo had sent one man toearth by a blow from his tomahawk and ridden over a second in such afashion that the enemy had not stirred afterward. The arrow wound hadbeen received previous to this, but the chief had not noticed it untilsome time later.
The continued talking had roused little Nell and now she came runningout of the bedroom in her robe of white begging to know what was thematter. She gave a scream when she saw the Indian, but quickly recoveredwhen she recognized White Buffalo.
"I thought it was one of the bad Indians," she said, in her simplefashion. "I'm not afraid of you, White Buffalo, am I?"
"White Buffalo glad not," answered the chief, taking her by the hand."White Buffalo would not harm one hair of little Nell's head," and hestroked the curly top affectionately.
"You said you carried a message," put in Rodney, suddenly. "Where isit?"
From among his feathers White Buffalo produced a single sheet of paper.It was covered with a hasty scrawl, running as follows:
"FRIEND MORRIS: The Indians are rising. I think it best that all settlers in this vicinity gather at Fort Lawrence for safety. Shall send messengers wherever I can. Garwell's cabin is in ashes and himself murdered and Mrs. Garwell carried off, and it is said that Risley's cabin is also burning.
"JOHN SMITH TANNER."
"Captain Tanner wants us to gather at Fort Lawrence for safety," saidDave, after listening to the reading by his cousin. "I believe, AuntLucy, he is right. The rising is so widespread that it would befoolhardy to remain here. We might--"
The youth broke off short and ran toward the doorway. But White Buffalowas ahead of him. Both had heard the approach of a horse. It was JosephMorris returning, and he was alone.
"Thank heaven you are safe!" ejaculated the pioneer, as he leaped to theground and came into the cabin. "I was afraid you might all be murdered.So Dave is here. Where is Henry?"
"Gone," answered Dave. "You saw nothing of him, or of Mrs. Risley or herhusband?"
"I did not. But I saw Indians--hundreds of them. They are on thewar-path. We must get out of here. There is not a moment to spare."
"Oh, father!" The cry came from Mrs. Morris and she clung close to herhusband, while little Nell set up a wild sobbing. "Must we leave itall--everything?"
"All but what we can conveniently carry on horseback, Lucy. I believethe redskins will be here within the hour."
Only a few more hurried words passed, and Joseph Morris glanced at thenote White Buffalo had brought. The Indian looked very grave.
"My white brother Joseph will go to Fort Lawrence?" he questioned.
"Yes. I see no other way. I would rather go to the fort at Will's Creek,but the Indians are covering that trail already. You will stick to us,White Buffalo, won't you?"
"To the death."
The pioneer grasped the chief's hand warmly. "I knew I could depend onyou. Where are the braves under you?"
"Two miles from here--at the Big Tree. Say where I shall meet you and ifWhite Buffalo can do it it shall be done."
"We will go to Fort Lawrence by the brook way,--past where you and Ishot the bear and her two cubs two winters ago. Meet me on that trail.Hurry, for we may need you sorely."
Without a word White Buffalo darted from the cabin and a moment laterthey heard him ride away at the best speed his steed could attain.
There was now a great confusion in the cabin. Knowing that she mustreally leave, Mrs. Morris set to work to gather her most precious thingsinto several bundles which might be carried on horseback. As well as hewas able Rodney helped her, and little Nell also took a hand, bound tosave the few precious toys she possessed, including the doll WhiteBuffalo had made for her. It made the good woman's heart ache sorelywhen she realized how little could be carried and how much of all thatwas dear to her must be left behind for the Indians to burn or plunder.
While this was going on in the cabin Dave ran to the outbuilding wherehe brought forth the several horses and saddled and bridled them. Thenhe let out the live stock, turning the cows into the forest, to shiftfor themselves. He wanted to take the cows along, but his uncle doubtedif there would be time.
While the others worked Joseph Morris looked to all the firearms and gotthem into readiness for use. Then he rode around the clearing to learnif the trail he had mentioned to White Buffalo could still be used.
"Come, we must go!" he cried, presently. "Hark, don't you hear thedistant war-whoops? The Indians are advancing. If we wait another fiveminutes we may be lost!"
From the cabin came Mrs. Morris, Rodney and little Nell, carrying theseveral bundles they had made up. Little Nell cried piteously and thesilent tears coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks.
Fortunately there were horses for all, with an extra animal for some ofthe bundles. The latter were hurriedly adjusted and fastened.
"Now, Dave, you lead the way," said Joseph Morris. "I will fix things sothat the redskins may be deceived when they come up."
"All right, Uncle Joe. But don't stay back too long," was the lad'sanswer.
Astride of his favorite mare Fanny, Dave headed the silent processionacross the clearing, and into the woods. As soon as possible he struckinto the brook, that their trail might be hidden by the water. He knewthis way well, so there was no hesitation. Behind him came Mrs. Morrisand little Nell, and Rodney brought up the rear, with the extra horse.Each carried all that was possible, but the youths had their bundlesstrapped on, that they might have free hands for their guns, should theywish to use the weapons.
Left to himself, Joseph Morris closed the shutters of the cabin anddampened down the fire with ashes. Then he ran up to the loft, openedone of the port-holes in the roof and placed in it the shining barrel ofan old musket which had long ago seen its best days. Behind the muskethe placed a pillow upright and on the top an old hat.
When he left the cabin and walked away he glanced back at his dummy anda smile lit up his bronzed face. At a distance it looked exactly likesomebody on guard.
"That will fool them for awhile anyway," was his mental comment. "Andeven a little time is better than nothing," and he rode off swiftlyafter the others.
He was soon with them, for on account of the bundles and Rodney'scondition they could not make as good progress as they wished. FortLawrence was a good twelve miles off and though it was desirable toreach that place before daybreak, it was questionable if they could makethe distance.
"If we can't reach the fort by five o'clock we had best remain in thewoods until darkness comes again," said Mr. Morris. "Because by morningthe fort will most likely be surrounded, even if the redskins remain inhiding."
"I wonder what father will do," came from Dave.
"Oh, he will know enough to look out for himself, Dave. Remember, he isthe best frontiersman in the whole family."
"Yes, Uncle Joe, that's true, but if he thinks we are at the cabin andin peril he may do something rash trying to save us."
"As soon as you are safe at the fort I will see what can be done, notonly for him but also for Henry and the Risleys. I am afraid Henry hashad serious trouble. Perhaps he is dead," and Joseph Morris shook hishead sorrowfully.
Making as little noise as possible, they pushed forward to the pointwhere White Buffalo ha
d promised to meet them with his braves. Too tiredto remain awake, little Nell had fallen asleep in her mother's arms, butthe others were wide-awake.
Presently a distant gun-shot broke upon their ears. Another followed,and then came a wild whooping and yelling which continued for tenminutes or more. When it started Joseph Morris called a halt, but soontold the others to move on again.
"They have attacked the cabin," he said, sadly. "Those shots wereprobably aimed at the dummy I set up. They will be in a fearful rageover the ruse and will no doubt do their best to follow us. We must loseno time on the way."
"Won't they know we are bound for Fort Lawrence and try to head us off?"questioned Rodney.
"There is no telling, my son. We must trust to luck and our skill toevade them."
It was not long before a red glare appeared in the sky, in the directionwhere the cabin was located. All knew what that meant but nobody said aword, for fear of breaking down. But Joseph Morris gritted his teeth ina fashion which showed only too plainly what was passing in his mind.Given the chance and he would make the Indians pay dearly for thedestruction of his property.
Suddenly Dave drew rein and up went his gun, aimed at a figure standingunder a tree ahead. But the figure put up an arm and waved it familiarlyand the gun dropped to the lad's side. White Buffalo was awaiting themwith eleven of his best warriors. The others of the tribe had desertedto the enemy.
"My white friends have been slow in coming up," said the chief. "Theyhave lost precious time. The enemy are on every side. It will be no easytask for White Buffalo to lead his friends to the fort."
"We made as much haste as we could," said Rodney. The rough ride wasbeginning to tell upon him and he was almost ready to pitch from thesaddle through sheer weakness.
A few words more followed, and the trail through the forest was resumed,some of the Indians going ahead and others, including White Buffalo,bringing up the rear, to keep back the advance of any who might befollowing from the burning cabin.
They were still two miles from the fort when some of the Indians in thefront sounded a note of warning. But this was not needed for a minutelater they fell in with a neighbor also bound for the fort. Thisneighbor had with him his two sons, two daughters and his sick wife,whom they were carrying on a litter.
"No Injuns around here as yet," said the neighbor, whose name wasLarkwell. "But they are coming jest as fast as they can. We can't git tothe fort none too soon."