CHAPTER XXVIII
SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA
We will now go back to Dave, at the time he was thrown into the watersof the lake, in the midst of the storm.
For the moment after the waters closed over him, the young soldier wastoo bewildered to do more than throw out his hands wildly. He attemptedto cry out, and the water rushed into his mouth, almost drowning him.Then he spluttered and struggled, and more by instinct than anythingelse began to strike out.
When he came up he took a fresh breath and dashed the water from hiseyes. He could see but little in the darkness, and although he couldhear many cries, and a shout or two from distant boats, yet the craftremained invisible to him.
At length another flash of lightning showed him that one batteau hadgone down and also showed him the sailor-soldier struggling near him.
"Hullo there!" shouted the other, whose name was Simon Lapp. "Can youswim?"
"Yes, but not extra well," panted Dave.
"Move this way, then--the shore's over yonder, and I think we'll soonstrike bottom with our feet."
Dave did as suggested, and ranged up alongside of Simon Lapp. Theproximity of the sailor-soldier gave the youth confidence, and he didhis best to keep up with the man.
It was the hardest swim of his life and more than once Dave felt as ifthe weight of his uniform would carry him down. The two were alone inthe vicinity, the others having either gone down or struck out for theuninjured boats nearest to them.
When Dave was almost exhausted he felt bottom under him, and hand inhand he and Simon Lapp waded ashore. The rain was now coming down harderthan ever, and both crawled to the shelter of some overhanging trees,regardless of the danger from lightning.
"We're in a pickle, that's certain," observed Dave, when he felt able tospeak. "Do you reckon anybody will come to shore for us?"
"More'n likely some of the boats have been driven ashore," answeredLapp. "Let us be thankful that our lives have been spared."
Dave was thankful, and as they crouched there in the darkness he uttereda prayer to God for His mercies, and prayed that this adventure mightspeedily be brought to a safe conclusion.
As we know, the storm was not of long duration, and by nightfall Daveand Lapp were walking along the shore, searching for friends, or forsome signs of the other batteaux.
But, strange as it may seem, no boats showed themselves, nor did asingle human being come into sight.
"Might as well give it up," said the sailor-soldier at last. "I'm tootired to stick on my pins a minit longer. Let's make a fire and dryoff."
Dave was agreeable, and the fire was started, although not without greatdifficulty. In moving along the shore they had come across a few smallfish thrown up by the fury of the wind and these they cooked and ate.
The next day found Dave and Lapp still in the woods. In some manner theyhad strayed from the lake front and before nightfall they had coveredmany miles in an endeavor to set themselves right once again. They hadfound no more game, and being without means of shooting anything, oreven of going fishing, were almost starved for the want of food.
"We've got to do something," said Dave, on the following morning. "If wedon't, we'll starve. I'm going to try to bring down some birds withsticks and stones."
He tried his best, but though he followed his plan up for fully an hournot a bird did he hit, and by that time his arm was so tired thatfurther throwing was out of the question. In the meantime, his coursehad brought him out on the lake front once more, and now while herested, Simon Lapp tried his hand at fishing, with a hook made out of athorn and some line manufactured from threads from his shirt.
But the fish would not bite, and in an hour Lapp gave up the attempt indisgust. Each looked at the other inquiringly.
"The lake is full o' fish, and the woods full o' game--an' yet it lookslike we were meant to starve, Morris," said Lapp, slowly.
"Oh, don't say that!" cried Dave. "Something may turn up--it must turnup!"
He had scarcely spoken when Lapp leaped to his feet and pointed down thelake shore. "A boat!" he cried.
There was a speck on the water, and as it grew larger, Dave saw that itwas indeed a boat, quite a large affair, carrying a small sail and inaddition several men at oars.
Were those in the craft friends or enemies? That was the interestingquestion, and Dave felt his heart beat rapidly. If they were friends allwould be well, but if enemies----? They would not wish to exposethemselves, and yet to starve to death was out of the question.
As the boat came closer, they crawled behind some bushes and croucheddown out of sight. Slowly the craft glided up, until it was less than ahundred yards away. Then Simon Lapp leaped up and swung his arms wildly.
"Boat ahoy!" he cried. "Boat ahoy!"
Those in the craft heard the call and the rowers stopped rowing, whileall looked with interest toward the shore. Then Dave uttered a yell.
"Henry! Henry!"
"Hullo, Dave, is that you?" was the answer.
"Yes. Come in and take us on board. We are almost starved!"
"How many of you there?" questioned the officer in charge of the boat.
"Only two," answered Simon Lapp. "And unarmed at that."
"It's all right, sir," said Henry, to the officer in command. "That ismy cousin, who left Oswego with General Prideaux's command. I don't knowwhat he is doing here though."
The boat came ashore, and soon Henry was shaking Dave by the hand. Thehungry ones were provided with food, and although this consisted ofnothing better than some boiled pork, with beans and crackers which wereanything but fresh, never had a meal tasted sweeter to both.
The officer and the others listened with interest to what Lapp and Davehad to tell. They had come across the waterlogged remains of the wreckedbatteaux and had been watching sharply for any signs of floating bodies.They had come across that of Lieutenant Naster and had buried it but afew hours before. The news that the lieutenant was dead caused Dave toshudder.
The rangers were bound for the Niagara River, having been sent out byColonel Haldimand with a message to General Prideaux, telling the latterof the defeat and retreat of La Corne. It was possible that La Cornewould now move onward to assist in the defense of Fort Niagara in whichcase measures would have to be taken to cut him off. But La Corne hadbeen too thoroughly whipped to move westward, and, besides, he was soonafter needed in other directions.
Of course the news which Henry had to tell about little Nell and JeanBevoir was of great interest to Dave.
"Did the Indian tell you just where she was being kept?" he asked.
"He said so far as he knew the captives and the traders were at anIndian village called Shumetta, not over two miles away from NiagaraFalls. He said Jean Bevoir spent part of his time at Shumetta and therest at Venango, where he has charge of a company of traders, who intendto fight in the French army, if the war is carried into that territory."
"I hope Bevoir does fight, and that we get a chance at him!" cried Dave."I really think I'd take pleasure in laying him low--such a rascal as heis!"
After the privations of the past two days Dave was well content to takeit easy as the boat sped on its way along the dark and silent shore ofLake Ontario, then presenting an almost unbroken line of forest androcks, to-day the sites of many villages and thriving cities. As thecraft moved on, constant watch was kept for a possible French sail, butnone appeared.
It took General Prideaux's flotilla between six and seven days to makethe journey westward, and it was not until the troops were landing thatthe boat containing Dave and Henry reached the main army. GeneralPrideaux was at once acquainted with what had occurred at Oswego andseemed well pleased to think that La Corne's strategy had not availedhim. He already knew of the loss of Lieutenant Naster and of fourothers who were swept away by the storm.
Dave and Lapp had been given up for lost by their friends who hadescaped from the wrecking of the batteau, and their re-appearance washailed with delight.
It was General
Prideaux's plan to land some distance from Fort Niagara,and then lay siege to the place. The soldiers disembarked as silently aspossible, the trees, rocks and bushes keeping them well hidden fromthose in the fort. Then, while several companies were left behind toguard the boats and baggage, the rest of the army moved through thewoods, the engineering corps going ahead, to throw up entrenchments assoon as such a move seemed necessary.
The old fort, which was speedily to see its last days under French rule,stood on the right bank of the Niagara River, where that picturesquestream empties into Lake Ontario. It was both large and strongly built,after the fashion of French fortification of that period. Within theouter defenses were several buildings of considerable importance, forthis fort had stood as a guardian of lake and river for many years.
The commander at the fort was Captain Pouchot, an able French officer,who had seen service for many campaigns. He had under him a force ofabout six hundred soldiers--trained veterans who could boast of morethan one victory. Up to a short while before, there had been othersoldiers in this vicinity, but not dreaming of an attack--for his Indianspies had this time failed him--the French officer had allowed these todepart--to Venango and other trading posts, and to several of the nearbyIndian villages. It was mid-summer, and traders and Indians hated to domilitary duty when they could bring down game and make trades.