CHAPTER XXII.
Peter's last Stratagem.--Firing the Fortress.--The Watch-tower.--TheWelcome Rain.--The close Siege.--The Conflict.--The Defeat ofPeter.--The Fortress abandoned.--Once more on the Road.--Resting in theWilds.
But now they observed that Peter had returned to his party, and wastalking to them with violent gesticulation; continually pointing to thewood, and waving them forward. The men drew nearer, and gathered round athicket of low bushes, where they appeared busily engaged for a fewminutes. Then the watchful sentinels saw, to their great dismay, manyburning brands, one after another, flame up in the hands of the natives,who now rush boldly forward to cast them among the underwood of theforest. This was indeed a fearful sight, and no time was lost inretreating to the cave, where, after Arthur had carefully observed thatno track was left to the spot, they all entered; a slab was introducedover the opening, beneath the brushwood, and now only small intersticeswere left to admit air and faint gleams of light to the agitated partybelow.
When the terrific mode of penetrating their fortress was told to Mr.Mayburn, and the reality of the obstinate siege burst upon him, stunnedwith horror, he remained speechless and motionless till Margaret rousedhim, by entreaties that he would pray for them.
"I will pray, my child," said he, "I will pray for speedy death; fordeath is inevitably our doom, and, alas! in its most frightful form."
"Will they burn us alive, Miss Marget?" shrieked Ruth; "and my bonniehens, and them poor pigeons?"
"Be silent, Ruth," said Margaret. "God is great in power. It may be Hiswill yet to save us, if we pray to Him."
"There are caves within caves here, Meggie," said Hugh. "Gerald and Iknow some queer corners, and we may escape beyond their discovery; and Imake no doubt we may even cut our way through in some other part of thehollow, if we can only hold out long enough, and puzzle these fellows."
But the temporary depression of Mr. Mayburn had now left him; he hadrecovered his firmness and faith in God; and he summoned round him hisagitated family, to join him in fervent prayer for help and protectionin this hour of extreme need. He spoke to them long and earnestly, notdenying his own weakness; and besought each to contend with hisbesetting sin: the strong must yield to His will; the weak must ask forfortitude; the erring must resolve to forsake his sins; and thedesponding must trust wholly to Him who was mighty to save and mercifulto the oppressed.
"We are now, my children," he added, "wanderers, as were his chosenpeople in the wilderness. Let us, then, remember the marvellous worksthat He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth."
Composed and hopeful, after their religious exercise the besieged beganto examine their defences and their resources. The powder had beencarefully preserved in a solid rocky niche, where no stray spark couldpossibly reach it. The provision, though simple, was abundant--thestore of potatoes alone seemed inexhaustible.
"We can surely live," said O'Brien, "like thousands of my careless,healthy countrymen, on the _pratee!_ and defy famine. And, please,General Arthur, to come and see the watch-tower that Hugh and I havefound out."
Arthur followed the restless boys, who carried off the ladder with them,through many a narrow winding, till they reached a very lofty hollow.Here the boys rested their ladder, and ascended as high as they couldwith its assistance, after which they climbed the rugged wall till aprojecting ledge enabled them to stand; and when Arthur joined them,they pointed out to him some horizontal crannies between the strata ofthe stone, through which he looked down upon the table land of themountain; and he perceived that this rock formed the parapet, orboundary wall of the crater.
They were thus enabled to survey their own hitherto peaceful domain, aswell as the surrounding wood, from which a dense smoke was now rising.The moist and green trees had long refused to blaze, but at length, asthe boys were silently and anxiously watching, they saw the red threadscrawl through the black clouds; they heard the loud crackling of driedbranches; and finally the broad flames rose majestically above the darktrees, and spread rapidly towards the east side of the mountain, urgedby a west wind. The roaring of the flames, the noise of falling timber,the screams and discordant cries of hundreds of disturbed and affrightedbirds, which continued to wheel, as if fascinated, over the flames,prevented any sound of human voices being audible; and the actors inthe frightful devastation were alike unseen and unheard.
Hugh sobbed with grief as he watched numbers of his favorite birds,suffocated with the thick smoke, fall down senseless; Gerald exclaimedagainst the destruction of the ripe oats in the glade below, which werenow blazing fiercely; and Arthur, pale and agitated, saw the fearfulconflagration rapidly spreading up the side of the mountain, and dreadedthe moment when, the brushwood being consumed above the cave, the slabsthat covered the entrance must inevitably be detected, and they mustsubmit to be baited in their last hold.
"Arthur, what shall we do?" exclaimed Hugh, "for the fire is running upthe brush at the side of the mountain. See, now, it blazes over theedge; it has caught a heap of potato stalks that I was so careless as toleave there. Gerald, there are Margaret's favorite parterres allblazing,--the scarlet geranium, the blue convolvulus, and the sweet,home-like jasmine. How she will grieve! But, I forget, we have more togrieve for; already the sparks are falling on the bush over our grotto!What will become of Margaret and papa?"
"We must go to them," replied Arthur. "We have seen the worst that canhappen; it is useless remaining here. Let us comfort them, and lead theminto the deepest recesses of the mountain. We may, at least, escape thefearful effects of the conflagration."
"And then, Arthur," said Hugh, "we may surely defend them with our guns.It will be a just cause."
"It will! it will!" answered Arthur. "God send that we may not be calledon to shed blood; but I believe we should be justified in doing it. Doyou yet see the enemy, Gerald?"
"No, Arthur; but God is good to us," said Gerald. "The rain is fallingagain, and our dear Black Forest will not be entirely consumed; andperhaps we may have opportunity to escape."
The rain re-commenced suddenly, and so heavily, that in a short time theblazing conflagration was extinguished, and the progress of the invadersarrested; for, when the boys joined their trembling friends, Wilkinssaid,--
"Depend on 't they've crept into some hole or other; they're justdownreet cowards about a drop of rain, for all their running aboutwithout a rag to their backs."
"But we cannot exist long in this state of misery," said Mr. Mayburn."What would you advise, Arthur?"
"I should say, dear papa," answered he, "that we must defend ourposition as long as it is tenable, and then have all prepared, andattempt a retreat--a dangerous but inevitable measure. Jack will pointout the most convenient mode of making up packages for carrying away. Wemust, if possible, take our potatoes, for we may meet with a sterileregion."
"And the hens and chickens," added Ruth, imploringly.
"We had certainly better release them," he replied, with a smile, "andintroduce a new race into the country; or else roast them and make themuseful."
But Ruth so pathetically and earnestly begged to be allowed to carry her"bonnie bit chicks," that, on the promise that the young ones should begiven up to be eaten, in case of need, she was permitted to encumberherself with her favorites. Jack made her a light basket for them, of aportable form; he then proceeded to pack, compress, and arrange thebaggage in convenient burdens for each; while Jenny baked in the oven,which she greatly regretted having to abandon, a sufficient quantity ofbiscuits to fill two large bags. The boots had all been thoroughlyrepaired during the rains; and, as it was probable they would have toset out before the weather was settled, the skins of the opossums weresewed into cloaks, to protect them.
Thus, during one day of continuous rain, when no signs of the savageswere seen, they were able to make all ready for the flight, which wasnow become absolutely necessary; and it was proposed that the nextmorning, though the clouds still threatened a continuance of rain, theyshould make a last
substantial breakfast in their secure sanctuary, andthen set out at once. The breakfast was eaten, and the burdensapportioned; but, before they ventured to emerge, the boys ran off totake a survey of the plains from their watch-tower, and hastily returnedto announce the vexatious intelligence that the whole body of thesavages had passed through the devastated forest, and were alreadyascending the side of the mountain.
"Now for the defence!" exclaimed Hugh, seizing his gun, and placing theladder at the opening.
"Remove the ladder, Hugh," said Arthur. "Remember that papa has givenall authority to me. Do nothing but what I command."
Hugh made a grimace, and touched his cap.
"You, Gerald, had better go to the watch-tower," continued Arthur."Margaret and papa, Jenny, Ruth, Baldabella, and the child, willaccompany you. We shall have sufficient force to defend the cave here."
"But Margaret can watch. Do let me have some work, Arthur," said Gerald.
"Very well, then, you shall be _aide-de-camp_, and bring me the reportsof sentinel Margaret. Away! away!" said Arthur.
Margaret was placed on the ledge, to watch, and reported that Peter,followed by the unwilling savages, was already on the height. She sawthe keen-eyed convict examine the ground, and take up a scorchedpotato-stalk, with some of the bulbs hanging to it, which had beenimprudently left. He then went forward to the stone-lined reservoir,which was plainly the work of man; and pointed it out to his followers,as well as some tracks on the soft earth. The natives, however, lookedsullen, did not reply, but gazed anxiously round, as if expecting someunusual appearance; and all shrunk together beneath the rocky wall inwhich the watchers were concealed.
When Margaret communicated her observations, Baldabella said, "Blackfellow look for _Bayl-yas_--bad spirit; they not know good white manpray, send _Bayl-yas_ away."
"Now, Meggie," said Gerald, springing up the ladder to her side; "I'llgive them a fright, and disperse them;" and the imprudent boy uttered adeep unearthly groan. In a moment the men darted forward, and werespringing down the steep, when the commanding voice of their leaderrecalled them; and Margaret, with much vexation, saw that he wasexplaining the cause of their alarm, for he pointed to the spot whereshe stood, in a menacing manner. He continued to speak to the men in atone of exultation, waving his arms, till he induced them to return andaccompany him in his search.
"Away, at once, foolish boy," said Margaret; "and tell Arthur all wehave seen, and your imprudent act. They will not leave the spot now,till they have found our hiding-place."
Poor Gerald, completely crest-fallen, hastened to make his report andhis confession; and Arthur saw plainly they should now be obliged tohave recourse to arms. He ordered Hugh to wait till he should have firedoff his two barrels, and then to take his place till he should have timeto reload. The ammunition was put in charge of Wilkins and Jack to serveout; and cruel as was the necessity, Arthur trusted they might thusdefend their position, and weary out even the malignant and stubbornconvict.
There could be no doubt discovery must soon take place, as the light bydegrees poured into the cave, through the small openings which thesavages uncovered one after another. Still Peter saw none of these couldpossibly be the entrance to any concealment; but at length he stepped onthe large slab; it was immediately removed, and a shout of exultationarose, as the large chasm pointed out the retreat of the persecutedfamily. For a moment there was a pause: even if the descent had beeneasy, the men were not so rash as to throw themselves into the clutchesof their foes below, and spears directed against an unseen enemy wouldbe wasted. Then Peter leaned over the opening, and called out,--
"Come on, ye cowards, and fight fairly if ye can, or else hand up themguns, wi' yer powder and cash, and then cut off, vagabonds as ye are,or I'll make this den ower hot to haud ye."
Arthur made a sign of silence, for he saw Wilkins was impatient and verymuch inclined to indulge in pouring out invectives against his formercompanion. Then a few spears and stones were flung down at random, whichwere easily avoided by the besieged, who had ensconced themselves inniches of the rock, and the light-hearted boys could scarcely restraintheir laughter at the futile attempts. But the resolute convict was notto be baffled; he was heard speaking to his followers in their ownlanguage, and Baldabella was placed near enough to hear and interpret.When she had listened a few minutes, she turned to Arthur with a look ofterror, and said,--"Bad Peter say, 'Burn all! burn white jin! black jin!Nakinna! good master! all burn!'"
The next moment confirmed the woman's report, for flaming brands throwninto the cave announced the desperate plan of the besiegers. Arthurcalled for water, and buckets of water were brought to quench each brandas it fell; but the suffocating smoke in that confined spot wasintolerable.
"We must end this nuisance, or we shall be stifled," said Arthur; and asPeter himself, with an armful of kindled brushwood, bent over to cast itbelow, Arthur fired on him, and the man fell back beneath the flamingbranches, which were scattered over him; then calling for the ladder,which had been brought near, the intrepid youth mounted to the opening,fired again into the midst of the assembled savages, and, rapidlydescending, removed the ladder.
The yells and groans they heard from above afforded sufficient proofthat the shots had taken effect, and Hugh and Gerald were sent to thewatch-tower to make observations. They saw that Peter was able to stand,supported by two men, but his right arm appeared to be powerless; awound in the shoulder was bleeding, and he was raging and stamping withagony, evidently from the burns he had received, for the savages wereapplying some leaves to his breast and face.
"I have never had a shot yet," said Hugh, when he returned. "It is veryhard, Arthur--pray let me run up the ladder and scatter a few of therascals."
"No, no! my dear Hugh," answered Arthur; "such a measure would be wantonand inhuman at this moment. These wretched savages are mere machines inthe hands of the villain whose own cruel designs have recoiled onhimself. If they had never met this man, they might perhaps have beentroublesome and annoying to us, but a little experience of our superiorknowledge and power would have relieved us from them. Now even, they arenot detained near us from choice, for they evidently abhor and dread theplace, but they stay to fulfil the duties of humanity to this wretch whohas so unaccountably beguiled them."
"I'll tell ye how he came round 'em, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins. "Iheared 'em say when I were chained up yonder, as how that good-to-noughtwere a head man, and husband to one of their jins, and he'd been spearedand killed outreet by some black fellows down south, and now he weresent back to 'em wi' a white skin. Peter made 'em swallow all thatrigmarole, cunning dog as he is."
"I have read," said Mr. Mayburn, "that some of these ignorant tribeshave such an extraordinary superstition: believing that the souls of thedeparted revisit the earth in the form of white men. There is blendedwith this faith a strange recognition of the doctrine of immortality,and, we might hope, of regeneration; but the crimes of this wretch inthat which they believe to be his second life must have startled eventhe untaught heathens whom he has thus deceived."
"They're off, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, who had ascended to the openingto look round; "there's not a soul left. I reckon they'd be right gladto quit; and that rogue Peter's not in a way to trouble us for one bit;so, what say ye, master, if we were to bolt afore they'd settled what todo? Here's t' mistress seems all ready."
"I am quite ready, Wilkins," said Margaret, "and agree with you. Itappears to me, Arthur, that our best hope is, to snatch this opportunityto get the advantage of a few hours' start, that we may not be easilyovertaken when that wicked man is sufficiently recovered to take thefield again."
"And mind, Mr. Arthur, sharp's t' word," said Wilkins, "if we want tobeat him. He let me into his schemes a bit, as how he meant to get themfellows after him down south to join a lot of bush-rangers as was tomeet him. Ye see, we're not top walkers, at no time; and wi' all thisstuff to hug, we'd better be trotting."
"Make ready!" cried Gerald, tying on his knapsack of
bark, and puttinginto one pocket a canister of powder, and into the other a bag of shot;"we must trot, as Wilkins says, as well as fellows can trot carryingsuch burdens as ours. I say, Arty, haven't I got my share?"
"You have indeed, my boy," answered Arthur. "I fear you will not be ableto get on long under such a heavy burden; but we must try, at firsthowever, to carry as much away as we can bear. Take your bow to supportyou, and mount the ladder. Now, Hugh."
Hugh was similarly laden, but carried a gun instead of a bow. Ruth wouldnot resign her fowls, and had in addition the serious weight of a largebag of potatoes. Margaret, Jenny, and Baldabella carried the bread andthe remainder of the potatoes, the poor native having in addition thecharge of her child. Mr. Mayburn was laden with the shells and bucketswhich constituted their household furniture; and Arthur, Wilkins, andJack cleared off all the rest of the weapons and bags. The descent tothe plains had been rendered easy by the conflagration, which had almostentirely destroyed the forest, and the travellers chose their path in adirection opposite to the wood which was the abode of the natives. Theytoiled on with swift feet and anxious hearts, scarcely conscious oftheir heavy burdens, for two hours; in which time they had left theirdesolated sanctuary far away to the north.
The ground was level and fertile, and the weather favorable; for the sunwas overclouded, though no rain was falling; and relaxing their extremespeed, they still continued to walk on, till downright fatigue andhunger pointed out the necessity of rest. The best place for theirencampment that they could select was in the midst of a thicket of thetea-shrub and other low brushwood. The young men with their axes cleareda spot for a fire, and niches for sleeping-places; they plucked thefresh leaves from the plants to make tea, and enjoyed their coarsebiscuit, soothed by the silver tones of the bell-bird, the musicalpiping of the organ-magpie, and the soft cry of an invisible bird, thecurious notes of which resembled those of the curlew.
Night fell on them with all the beauty of the tropical regions; the softbreeze loaded with fragrance from the luxuriant flowers revived by therecent rains, the bright stars above their heads, the brilliantfire-flies floating round them, the dying notes of the half hushedbirds, the incessant hum of the restless insect tribes; all was harmony,inspiring devout and holy thoughts; and the weary travellers slepthappily and trustfully till morning awoke them to resume their labors.