CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
HAKE MAKES A BOLD VENTURE, BUT DOES NOT WIN--THE NORSEMEN FIND THATTHERE IS MANY A SLIP 'TWIXT THE CUP AND THE LIP.
When Karlsefin and his men had surmounted the rapid, as beforedescribed, they found their future advance unimpeded, and, in thenatural course of things--or of the river--arrived, not long after thechildren, at the lake-like expansion on the shores of which the nativevillage stood.
This village, it must be understood, was not a permanent one. Thenatives were nomads. Their tents were merely poles cut as required fromthe neighbouring woods, tied together at the top, spread out in a circleat the base, and covered with leather, which coverings were the onlyparts of their habitations the natives deigned to carry about with them.They were here to-day and away to-morrow, stopping a longer or shortertime in each encampment according to fancy, or to the measure of theirsuccess in procuring food. The particular tribe of natives which hadcaptured the Norsemen's children had only just come to the locality;they therefore knew nothing of the arrival of the white strangers intheir land, except what they had recently learned from their scouts, aswe have seen.
Karlsefin's canoe led the way; hence, on turning sharp round a point ofrock that jutted out into the stream, Krake was the first who caughtsight of the smoke that rose above the tree-tops.
"Hist! hold on," he exclaimed in a hoarse whisper, looking over hisshoulder as he backed-water suddenly. Karlsefin and the men instantlydid the same, and sent the canoe back under the shelter of the point.The other canoes of course followed suit.
"The Skraelingers!" whispered Krake. "I saw the smoke of their fires."
"Did you see tents?" asked the leader.
"No; there was scarce time to see anything before we got back here."
"What do you advise?" asked Karlsefin, looking at Thorward.
"Go ashore and attack them at once," he replied.
"Ay, that's it, there's nothing like fighting it out at once!" mutteredKrake in an undertone.
"My advice," said Karlsefin, "is, that we cross the river and get onyonder height, which from its position must needs overlook the camp ofthe savages, and there reconnoitre and form our plans."
"Well, I daresay your advice is best after all," rejoined Thorward, witha smile. "You were always a cautious and peaceful man; though I'm boundin fairness to admit that you can fight passing well when it comes tothat."
"Thanks for your good opinion," said Karlsefin, laughing quietly. "Sonow, lads, turn about and follow me closely. Keep silence, and dip yourpaddles as lightly as may be."
Saying this, he returned a considerable way down the river; keeping veryclose in to the banks, which were overhung with bushes, until he reacheda point where it seemed likely that the party could cross without beingobserved. There was a slight rapid at the place, so that they had onlyto enter it at an angle with the bank and were swept across in a fewmoments, almost without requiring to use their paddles.
Landing at the edge of a dense thicket, they hauled the canoes out ofthe water, secreted them carefully, and then, taking their arms, made adetour through the forest in the direction of the cliff before referredto by Karlsefin. In less than half an hour they reached it, and found,as had been anticipated, that it commanded a view of the nativeencampment, which to their dismay they now discovered was an immenseone, filled with many hundreds of men, besides women and children.
Here, prone on their breasts, and scarce venturing to raise their headsabove the grass, the two leaders held a consultation, while their menkept well in the background.
"This is an unfortunate business," said Karlsefin.
"Truly it is," replied Thorward; "but the question is, can this be theset of rascals who carried off the children? It seems to me that, beinga small band, as we know, they did not belong to the same set."
"That may be so, Thorward;--but I incline to the belief that the smallparty was but an offshoot from the large one, and that our dear littleones are even now with the people before us."
As if to put the matter beyond doubt, Olaf, with Snorro on his back,issued at that moment from the woods on the opposite side of the river,and went out upon the identical spit of sand where, on the previousevening, he had held such bitter communings with his own spirit. TheNorseman leaders recognised the children at once, being almost withinhail of them, and it was with difficulty they restrained the impulse tospring to their feet and shout.
"Thanks be to God for the sight of them at all events," said Karlsefinfervently; "see, the dear boy has brought my darling there to amusehim.--Ah! little dost thou know, Olaf, the hold that thy kindness hasgiven thee of his father's heart!"
"'Twould be well if he had a hold of the father's hand just at thistime," drily observed Thorward, who was not gifted with much of asentimental temperament.
"That is not easy of accomplishment," returned the other. "Even youwould scarcely, methinks, advise so small a band of men to make an openattack on five or six hundred savages."
"I would not advise it," replied Thorward; "nevertheless, if it came tothe worst I would _do_ it. But what, then, is your advice?"
"Why, _until_ it comes to the worst we must try strategy," answeredKarlsefin. "I will call Hake to our council; the youth, I haveobserved, is a deep thinker, and clear-sighted."
When Hake was summoned, and had laid himself down beside his leaders, heremained for some time silently gazing on the busy scene below, wheresome men in canoes were spearing fish in the bay, and others wereskinning and cutting up deer near the edge of the woods, while womenwere cooking and engaged in other domestic duties at the doors of thetents, and children and dogs were romping about everywhere.
"Could we not get into our canoes," suggested Thorward, "make a dash atthe spit of sand, and carry off the children at a swoop before thebrown-skinned rascals were well aware of us?"
"They would see us before we got half-way to the spit," repliedKarlsefin, "carry the children into the woods, and then be ready toreceive us in hundreds on shore.--What think you, Hake; can you suggestany plan of outwitting these savages?"
"I have a plan," answered the Scot, "but I fear you will deem itfoolish."
"Out with it, man, foolish or otherwise," said Thorward, who wasbeginning to chafe under difficulties that appeared to beinsurmountable, even by his favourite method--force of arms.
"If ye approve of it," returned Hake, "I will cross the river alone andunarmed, and walk straight to the spot where the children are nowseated. Much of the way is concealed by shrubs, and when I saunteracross the open part, it may be that I shall scarce be noticed until Iam near them. If I be, then will I make a dash, catch them up, make forthe rapid, plunge in, and, on gaining the opposite bank, run to meetyou. We can then hasten to the canoes--fight our way to them if needbe--and sweep down the river. We shall probably get a fair start; andif so, it will go hard but we reach Leifsgaard before they overtake us.If not, why--"
Hake touched the hilt of his sword by way of completing the sentence.
"A rare plan!" said Thorward with a suppressed chuckle; "and how, mybold youth, if thou art observed and caught before getting hold of thechildren?"
"I will then set my wits to devise some other plan. It may be of someadvantage to them that I should be a captive along with the children,and at most it is but one man lost to the expedition."
"Ay, but that would be a heavy loss," said Karlsefin; "nevertheless theplan seems to me not so unlikely--only there are one or two points aboutwhich I have my doubts. In the first place, although your legs aremarvellously good, I fear that with the additional weight of Olaf andSnorro on them, the fleet runners among the savages, of whom there mustbe many, would soon overtake thee."
"With Olaf on my back, Snorro under my left arm, and the right arm freeto swing--I think _not_," replied Hake, quietly but decidedly.
"Then as to crossing: how do you--"
"I would swim," replied Hake.
"What! with the weight and drag of wet garments to cumber y
ou!"exclaimed Thorward; "besides making it clear to the savages, if theycaught you, that you had come from the opposite bank of the river, whereyour _friends_ might be expected to be waiting for you!"
"I would tie my clothes in a tight bundle on the top of my head," saidHake. "Many a time have I crossed the streams of my native land in thismanner."
"Well, ye have a ready answer for everything," returned Thorward;"nevertheless I like not the plan."
"If you cannot suggest a better, I am disposed to let Hake try it," saidKarlsefin.
Thorward had no better plan to suggest. Indeed, the more he thought ofit the more did he feel inclined to make a tremendous onslaught, cut asmany men to pieces as he could before having his own life taken, and sohave done with the whole affair for ever. Fortunately for Olaf andSnorro his counsels were not followed.
In a few minutes Hake was ready. His brother was ordered to lead themen back to the canoes, there to keep in close hiding and await furtherorders. Meanwhile Karlsefin remained on the cliff to watch the result.
Hake felt it to be a desperate venture, but he was possessed of thatspecies of spirit which rejoices in such, and prefers danger to safety.Besides, he saw at a glance that there would be no chance whatever ofsuccess if his leaders made up their minds to attempt an open attackagainst such fearful odds.
With a light step the young Scot descended to the river, thinking ofBertha as he went. A few minutes afterwards he was seen--or rather hishead with a bundle on it--was seen crossing the river by the watchers onthe cliff. A few minutes later, and he was on the opposite shorerapidly putting on his light garments. Thereafter he entered thebushes, and a glimpse could be caught of him ever and anon as he glidedswiftly, like the panther towards his prey.
When the last point capable of affording concealment was gained, Hakeassumed a careless air, and, with his head down, as if in meditation,sauntered towards the spit of land where Olaf and Snorro were stillplaying.
"Well done!" exclaimed Thorward, with a look of admiration; "cleverly,bravely done!"
There is no doubt that such was the case, and that Hake would havereached the children unobserved by the natives had not Olaf chanced tonotice him while he was yet about fifty yards off. He recognised him atonce, and, with a shout of joy, ran to meet him.
Hake dashed past him, sprang toward Snorro, whom he caught up, and,stooping, cried--"Up, Olaf! up for your life!"
Olaf understood at once, sprang on his back, and held on tight, whileHake, bending low, sped away at a pace that defied pursuit, though bythat time a hundred savages were almost at his heels!
It was obvious from the first that the lithe Scot was well able toachieve his purpose. He was already nearing the rapid. His pursuerswere far behind, and Karlsefin could scarcely restrain a shout ofexultation as he rose to run round to his canoes, when he observed thata party of more than a dozen natives, who chanced to be ascending theriver's bank on foot, met the fugitive. Observing that he was astranger, and pursued by natives, they crossed his path at once.
Hake stopped abruptly, glanced at the bushes, then turned to the river,and was on the point of plunging in, when a canoe, with four savages init, shot out from the bank just below him.
He saw at once that escape was impossible. Feeling intuitively thatsubmission was his best policy, he set the children on the ground andquietly suffered himself to be taken prisoner.
"I knew it! I _said_ it!" growled Thorward between his teeth, as hesprang up, drew his sword, and slashed down two small trees at a singlestroke in his wrath, then rushing through the woods, he made for thecanoes.
Karlsefin followed in a state of mind almost as furious. It was such abitter disappointment to fail so signally on the very eve of success!
The canoes were already in the water and manned when the leaders reachedthem, for Heika, who had been left in charge, knew well that whatevermight be the result of the enterprise, prompt action would be necessary.
"Quick, shove off!" cried Karlsefin, taking his place, and driving hispaddle into the water with such force that the light craft shot from thebank like an arrow.
The men were not slow to obey. The fierce spirit of their leader seemedto be catching, and the foam curled from their respective bows, leavinga long white track behind, as they rushed up the river and swept outupon the broad expanse above.
Of course they had been seen before reaching that point, and the savagesimmediately lined the banks with armed men. They did not, however, goout upon the spit of sand where Olaf and Snorro had first been observedby their friends. That point was so high up the stream, that it did notseem to be considered by any one as worthy of attention. This Karlsefinobserved at once, and formed his plans accordingly. He advanced as ifhe were about to land below the spit, but made no hostile demonstrationsof any kind, and paddled so quietly on nearing the shore, that thesavages did not seem to understand him, and, although ready with theirarrows for instant action, they remained passive.
When within a short distance of the land, Karlsefin suddenly, but stillquietly, turned the head of his canoe up the stream, and made for thespit of sand. The other canoes followed. The natives, perceiving theintention of the strangers, uttered a wild shout, and made for the sameplace along the shore, but before they reached it Karlsefin had landedwith all his men, and, with their stalwart figures and strange arms,presented such an imposing front that the natives stopped short.
At this point the crowd opened a little to let some one pass, andWhitepow came to the front. Judging him to be the chief, Karlsefin atonce laid down his sword, and, stepping a few paces in front of his men,held up his hands and made demonstrations of a peaceful kind.
But Whitepow was not peacefully inclined. Although aged, he was asturdy fellow, stood erect, and carried a heavy club on his shoulder.To the Norseman's demonstrations he replied by frowning fiercely andshaking his head savagely, as though to intimate that he was much tooold a bird to be taken in with such chaff. Then, turning to thosebeside him, he gave an order, which resulted in Hake being led to thefront with his arms tightly bound to his sides.
"Ah!" thought Karlsefin, "if you had only brought the children to thatspot, I would have rescued them at all hazards."
He did not, however, think it wise to make so desperate an attemptmerely to rescue Hake, while the children were still concealed and atthe mercy of the savages. He therefore put on his blandest looks andmanner, and again invited confidence, but Whitepow again shook his head,pointed backwards as if in reference to the two children, and then atHake, after which he flung his club with such violence and precision atKarlsefin's head that the stout Norseman would certainly have measuredhis length on the sand, if he had not been very much on the alert. Asit was, he received the missile on his shield, from which it glancedwith a loud clang, and went hissing into the river.
Karlsefin smiled, as if that sort of thing rather amused him thanotherwise, and again held up his hands, and even advanced a step or twonearer, while the concourse of savages gave vent to a shout of surprise.It is probable that Whitepow was a hero whose artillery had hithertobeen the messenger of certain death to foes. The failure of the clubseemed to exasperate the old savage beyond endurance, for he instantlyseized a bow, and let fly an arrow at the Norseman leader. It was wellaimed, but was also caught on the shield, and fell broken to the ground.
Seeing this, some of the Norsemen hastily drew their bows, butKarlsefin, anticipating something of the kind, turned about and badethem forbear.
Meanwhile Whitepow had ordered his warriors to remove Hake, and to fallback a little. This they did, and appeared to be awaiting furtherorders from their chief, who had gone up towards the tents. Themovement puzzled Karlsefin, who rejoined his men.
"It is my advice," said Thorward, "that we hesitate no longer. Stand orfall, we are in for a fight now, so the sooner we begin the better. Nodoubt the odds are great, but they don't seem to be able for much--atleast if that old chap gave us a good specimen of their powers."
Most of the Norsemen appeared to agree with this advice, but Karlsefindid not.
"You forget," said he, "that this would not be a mere trial of strength.If we once begin, and chance to fail, every man of us must die, and ourcolony, thus left so weak, would stand a small chance of surviving inthe midst of so many savages. Besides--the children would be lost _forever_! It is my opinion that we should wait a little to see what thismovement implies. Perhaps that white-haired old savage may haverecovered his temper and senses by this time, and is making up his mindto have peace instead of war. God grant that it may be so."
Instead of replying Thorward frowned darkly, and with something of asavage sneer on his lip pointed to a bend in the river above them, roundwhich, at that moment, a hundred canoes swept, and came swiftly towardsthem.
"Looks _that_ like peace?" he said bitterly.
Karlsefin's countenance fell.
"All is lost!" he muttered, in a tone that was rather sad than fierce."Oh my tender little child!"
Crushing down his feelings with a mighty effort, he turned to the men,and quietly but quickly arranged them in a circle, with their facesoutwards, so that they presented a front in all directions.
"Now, ye men of Norway and Iceland," he said, "the day has come at lastwhen ye must prove yourselves worthy descendants of a noble race. Ourcause this day is a right cause, and God is with the right, whether itplease Him to send death or victory. Quit you like men, and let usteach these Skraelingers how to fight--if need be, how to die."
Taking his stand on the landward side of his men, and ordering Thorwardto do the same in the direction of the water, he calmly awaited theonset.
And now, indeed, it seemed as if a fierce and bloody battle were aboutto begin, for when the canoes of their comrades swept round the point ofland, as already described, the savages on shore, constantly reinforcedby new arrivals, began to move steadily down in an overwhelming masstowards the spit of sand, and the heroes who stood there, thoughcomparatively so few in number, were, with their superiority of weaponsand courage, certain to make a fearfully prolonged and bloodyresistance.
Affairs had reached this critical point, when a sudden and loud shoutwas heard down the river. All eyes were turned in that direction, andthere several canoes were seen coming round the bend of the river, fullof armed men. The descent of the native fleet was checked. TheNorsemen at once recognised their comrades, and greeted their approachwith a lusty cheer. In another minute the newcomers had leaped upon thesand.
"Welcome, welcome, Biarne!" exclaimed Thorward, seizing and wringing hisfriend's hand in great delight. "Why, man, we had all but taken leaveof each other, but we shall have another tale to tell now."
"May God bless you, Biarne, for coming so opportunely," said Karlsefin."Let your men join and extend the circle. There, spread it out wider;that will do. I won't trouble you with questions just now, Biarne, asto what made you think of coming. We have more pressing work on hand."
Thus saying, the leader busied himself in arranging his reinforcements,while the savages held back, and awaited the result of a consultationbetween Whitepow and the chief men of the tribe.