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Marching on Niagara; Or, The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier

by Edward Stratemeyer · English · Gutenberg #34355 · 365,911 chars · public domain (US)

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Title: Marching on Niagara; Or, The Soldier Boys of the Old Frontier

Author: Edward Stratemeyer

Illustrator: A. B. Shute


        
Release date: November 17, 2010 [eBook #34355]

Language: English

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Produced by Curtis Weyant, Mary Meehan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
file was produced from images generously made available
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                           MARCHING ON NIAGARA

                 OR THE SOLDIER BOYS OF THE OLD FRONTIER

                             Colonial Series

                          BY EDWARD STRATEMEYER

Author of "American Boys' Life of William McKinley," "Lost on the
Orinoco," "On to Pekin," "Between Boer and Briton," "Old Glory Series,"
"Ship and Shore Series," "Bound to Succeed Series," etc.


    _ILLUSTRATED BY A. B. SHUTE_

    BOSTON:
    LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO.

    COPYRIGHT, 1902, BY LEE AND SHEPARD

    Published August, 1902

    _All rights reserved_

    Norwood Press
    J. S. CUSHING & CO.--BERWICK & SMITH
    Norwood, Mass. U. S. A.




[Illustration: After him tumbled a wild cat.]




PREFACE


"MARCHING ON NIAGARA" is a complete story in itself, but forms the
second of several volumes to be known by the general title of "Colonial
Series."

In the first volume of this series, entitled "WITH WASHINGTON IN THE
WEST," we followed the fortunes of David Morris, the son of a hardy
pioneer, who first settled at Will's Creek (now the town of Cumberland,
Virginia), and later on established a trading post on one of the
tributaries of the Ohio River. This was just previous to the breaking
out of war between France and England, and when the French and English
settlers in America, especially in those localities where trading with
the Indians was profitable, were bitter foes. David becomes well
acquainted with Washington while the latter is a surveyor, and when
Braddock arrives in America and marches against Fort Duquesne the young
pioneer shoulders a musket and joins the Virginia Rangers under Major
Washington, to march forth and take part in Braddock's bitter defeat
and Washington's masterly effort to save the remnant of the army from
total annihilation.

The defeat of the British forces left this section of the English
colonies at the mercy of both the French and their savage Indian allies,
and for two years, despite all that Washington and other colonial
leaders could do, every isolated cabin and every small settlement west
of Winchester was in constant danger, and numerous raids were made,
savage and brutal in the extreme, and these were kept up until the
arrival of General Forbes, who, aided by Washington and others, finally
compelled the French to abandon Fort Duquesne, and thus restored peace
and order to a frontier covering a distance of several hundred miles.

Following General Forbes's success at Fort Duquesne (now the
enterprising city of Pittsburg), came English successes in other
quarters, not the least of which was the capture of Fort Niagara,
standing on the east bank of the Niagara River, where that stream flows
into Lake Ontario. This fort was of vast importance to the French, for
it guarded the way through the lakes and down the mighty Mississippi to
their Louisiana territory. In the expedition against Fort Niagara both
David and Henry Morris take an active part, and as brave young soldiers
endeavor to do their duty fully and fearlessly.

In the preparation of the historical portions of this work the author
has endeavored to be as accurate as possible. This has been no easy
task, for upon many points American, English, and French historians have
differed greatly in their statements. However, it is hoped that the tale
is at least as accurate as the average history, giving as it does
statements from all sides.

Again thanking the many readers who have taken such an interest in my
previous works, I place this volume in their hands, trusting they will
find it not only entertaining but likewise full of instruction and
inspiration.

EDWARD STRATEMEYER.

_Independence Day, 1902._




CONTENTS


I. IN THE FOREST

II. DEER AND INDIANS

III. DISCOVERY AND PURSUIT

IV. BURNING OF THE CABIN

V. UPRISING OF THE INDIANS

VI. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HENRY

VII. A DOUBLE WARNING

VIII. DEPARTURE FROM HOME

IX. GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE

X. HOW HENRY FARED

XI. SAM BARRINGFORD'S RUSE

XII. DARK YEAR OF THE WAR

XIII. FIGHTING OFF THE INDIANS

XIV. RETREAT OF THE PIONEERS

XV. DISAPPEARANCE OF LITTLE NELL

XVI. BACK TO WINCHESTER

XVII. A NEW CAMPAIGN

XVIII. WILDCAT AND WATER

XIX. DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH

XX. AT FORT PITT--RETURN HOME

XXI. ON THE WAY TO THE ARMY

XXII. THE FIGHT WITH THE BUCK

XXIII. UP THE MOHAWK VALLEY

XXIV. HENRY IS ATTACKED

XXV. A STORM ON LAKE ONTARIO

XXVI. THE ATTACK AT OSWEGO

XXVII. NEWS OF IMPORTANCE

XXVIII. SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA

XXIX. THE BATTLE NEAR THE FALLS

XXX. INTO THE NIAGARA RAPIDS

XXXI. FALL OF FORT NIAGARA

XXXII. LITTLE NELL--CONCLUSION




ILLUSTRATIONS


After him tumbled a wildcat

They could see the cabin, which still blazed

The warrior with the torch held the light aloft

"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so
quickly."

He took a quick but careful aim at the leader

He leaped forward once again, straight for Dave

"Bail her out," roared the lieutenant

He swung his clubbed musket at the French soldier's head




CHAPTER I

IN THE FOREST


"Do you think we'll bag a deer to-day, Henry?"

"I'll tell you better about that when we are on our way home, Dave. I
certainly saw the hoof-prints down by the salt lick this morning. That
proves they can't be far off. My idea is that at least three deer are
just beyond the lower creek, although I may be mistaken."

"I'd like to get a shot at 'em. I haven't brought down a deer since we
left the army."

"Well, I reckon we had shooting enough in the army to last us for a
while," returned Henry Morris, grimly. "I know I got all I wanted, and
you got a good deal more."

"But it wasn't the right kind of shooting, Henry. I always hated to
think of firing on another human being, didn't you?"

"Oh, I didn't mind shooting at the Indians--some of 'em don't seem to be
more than half human anyway. But I must say it was different when it
came to bringing down a Frenchman with his spick and span uniform. But
the Frenchmen hadn't any right to molest us and drive your father out of
his trading post."

"I'm afraid General Braddock's defeat will cause us lots of trouble in
the future. Mr. Risley was telling me that he had heard the Indians over
at Plum Valley were as impudent as they could be. He said half a dozen
of 'em made a settler named Hochstein give 'em all they wanted to eat
and drink, and when the German found fault they flourished their
tomahawks and told him all the settlers but the French were squaws and
that he had better shut up or they'd scalp him and burn down his cabin."

"Yes, Sam Barringford was telling something about that, too, and he said
he wouldn't be surprised to hear of an Indian uprising at any time. You
see, the French are backing the redskins up in everything and that makes
them bold. If I had my way, I'd get Colonel Washington to raise an army
of three or four thousand men--the best frontiersmen to be found--and
I'd chase every impudent Frenchman out of the country. We won't have
peace till that is done, mark my words on it," concluded Henry Morris,
emphatically.

David and Henry Morris were cousins, living with their folks on a
clearing not far from what was then known as Will's Creek, now the town
of Cumberland, Virginia. The two families consisted of Dave and his
father, Mr. James Morris, who was a widower, and Mr. Joseph Morris, his
wife Lucy, and three children, Rodney, the oldest, who was something of
a cripple, Henry, who has just been introduced, and little Nell, the
sunshine of the whole home.

In a former volume of this series, entitled "With Washington in the
West," I related the particulars of how the two Morris families settled
at Will's Creek, and how James Morris, after the loss of his wife,
wandered westward, and established a trading-post on the Kinotah, one of
the numerous branches of the Ohio River. In the meantime Dave, his son,
fell in with George Washington, when the future President was a
surveyor, and the youth helped to survey many tracts of land in the
beautiful Shenandoah valley.

At this time the colonies of England and of France in America were
having a great deal of trouble between themselves and with the Indians.
Briefly stated, both England and France claimed all the territory
drained by the Ohio and other nearby rivers, and the French sought in
every possible way to drive out English traders who pushed westward.

The driving out of the English traders soon brought trouble to James
Morris, and after being attacked by a band of Indians he was served
with a notice from the French to quit his trading-post in three months'
time or less. Unwilling to give up a profitable business, and half
suspecting that the notice was the concoction of a rascally French
trader named Jean Bevoir, and not an official document, Mr. Morris sent
Dave back to Winchester, that they might get the advice of Colonel
Washington and other officials as to what was best to do.

When Dave arrived home he found that there was practically a state of
war between the French and English. Washington was preparing to march
against the enemy, and to get back to the trading post unaided was for
the youth out of the question. Such being the case, Dave joined the
Virginia Rangers under Washington, and with him went his cousin Henry,
and both fought bravely at the defense of Fort Necessity, where Henry
was badly wounded.

The defeat of the English at Fort Necessity was followed by bitter news
for the Morrises. Sam Barringford, a well-known old trapper of that
locality, and a great friend to the boys, came in one day badly used up
and with the information that the trading-post had fallen under the
combined attack of some French led by Jean Bevoir and some Indians led
by a rascal named Fox Head, who was Bevoir's tool. James Morris had
been taken prisoner and what had become of the trader Barringford could
not tell.

Poor Dave, cut to the heart, was for looking for his father at once, and
his relatives and Sam Barringford were equally eager. But the
trading-post was miles away--through the dense forest and over the wild
mountains--and the territory was now in the hands of the enemy. Under
such circumstances all had to wait throughout the severe winter and
following spring, a time that to the boy seemed an age.

General Braddock had been sent over from England to take charge of
affairs against the French, and soon an expedition was organized having
for its object the reduction of Fort Duquesne, which was built where the
city of Pittsburg now stands. The expedition was composed of English
grenadiers brought over by Braddock and several hundred Virginia
Rangers, under Washington. With the rangers were Dave and Barringford.
Henry wished to go, but was still too weak, and it was felt that Joseph
Morris could not be spared from the homestead.

Braddock's bitter defeat in the vicinity of Fort Duquesne came as a
great shock to all of the English colonies, and it was only by Colonel
Washington's tact and gallantry, and the bravery of the rangers under
him, that the retreating army was saved from total annihilation or
capture. During this battle Dave was shot and captured, but his enemies
soon after abandoned him in the woods, and while wandering around, more
dead than alive he fell in with White Buffalo, a friendly Indian chief,
and, later on, with Barringford and with his father, who had been a
prisoner of the French since the fall of the trading post.

The home-coming of Dave and his father was viewed with great
satisfaction by Joseph Morris and his family, who did all in their power
to make the two sufferers comfortable. From Mr. Morris it was learned
that the pelts stored at the trading post had been saved through the
kindness of another English trader, so that the Frenchman, Jean Bevoir,
and his Indian tool, Fox Head, had not gained much by the raid.

"I am certain that the raid was not the work of the French authorities,"
said James Morris. "But now the war is on they will of course stand up
for everything Jean Bevoir and his followers have done. Nevertheless, I
hold to it that the trading post, and the land staked out around it, is
mine, and some day I shall lay claim to it."

"Right you are, brother," came from Joseph Morris. "And, so far as I am
able, I will stand by you in the claim. But I am fearful that matters
will be much worse before they are better."

"Oh, there's no doubt of that. This victory will make the French think
they can walk right over us."

"Yes, and it will do more," put in Rodney, who was now a young man in
years. "Many Indians have been wavering between taking sides with us or
the enemy. Now many of these will stake fortunes with the
victors,--that's the usual way." He stretched himself on his chair and
gave a sigh. "I wish I was a little stronger, I'd join the army and
fight 'em."

"We haven't any army to speak of now," resumed James Morris. "When I was
last down at Winchester Colonel Washington had but a handful of
soldiers,--all the rest having gone home to attend to their farms and
plantations--and over at Will's Creek fort it was no better. The pay
offered to the soldiers is so poor nobody cares to stay in the ranks.
Patriotism seems to be at a low ebb."

"It's not such a lack of patriotism," said Joseph Morris. "None of our
home soldiers liked the ways of the troops from England, and it made
them mad to have their officers pushed down and Braddock's underlings
pushed up. Even Washington had to remonstrate, although they tell me he
was willing to fight no matter what position they gave him. And matters
are going no better in the North. Either England and our colonies must
wake up, or, ere we know it, all will be lost to the French and their
Indian allies."

"What of the Indians?" put in Mrs. Morris. "Have those under White
Buffalo gone over to the French?"

"White Buffalo's braves have not," answered her husband. "But the tribe
is badly split up, and White Buffalo himself is nearly crazy over the
matter. He says some of the old chiefs swear by the French while the
younger warriors all cling to Washington. White Buffalo says that he
himself will never lift a tomahawk against the English--and I feel
certain he means it."

"White Buffalo is a real nice Indian," came from little Nell, who sat on
the door-step playing. "Didn't he make me this doll? If they were all as
good as he is I wouldn't be afraid a bit." And she hugged to her breast
the crude wooden figure, the "heap big pappoose" with which White
Buffalo had gained her childish confidence.

"Nor would I be afraid," came from Mrs. Morris. "But all Indians are not
as kind and true as White Buffalo, and if they should ever go on the
war-path and move this way--" She did not finish, but shook her head
sadly.

"If they should come this way we will do our best to fight them off,"
said James Morris. "But let us hope it will never come to that. The
butchery at the trading post was enough, I should not wish to see such
doings around our homestead."




CHAPTER II

DEER AND INDIANS


Dave and Henry had left home an hour before, hoping to bring back with
them at least one deer if not two. Henry was a great hunter, having
brought down many a bird on the wing and squirrel on the run, and he
knew that if he could only get a fair sight at a deer the game would be
his. As old readers know, Dave was likewise a good shot, so it was
likely that the youths would bring back something if any game showed
itself.

It was a cool, clear day, with just a touch of snow on the ground, ideal
weather for hunting, and as the boys pushed on each felt in excellent
spirits despite the talk about the Indians. So far as they knew there
was no Indian settlement within miles of them nor were there any
wandering redskins within half a day's journey.

"Hullo, there go half a dozen rabbits!" cried Dave, presently, and
pointed through a little clearing to their left.

"Don't shoot!" cried his cousin, although Dave had not raised his
flint-lock musket. "If you do you'll scare the deer sure--if they are
within hearing."

"I wasn't going to shoot, Henry. But just look at the beggars, sitting
up and looking at us! I reckon they know they are safe."

"Since the fighting with the French there hasn't been much hunting
through here, and so the game is quite tame. But they won't sit
long--there they go now. Come."

The pair resumed their journey through the forest, Henry leading the
way, for he had been over this trail several times before. Birds were
numerous, and they could have filled their canvas bag with ease, had
they felt inclined. But the minds of both were on the deer, and to Henry
at least it was such game or nothing, although Dave might have contented
himself with something smaller. Yet both knew that Mrs. Morris would
look forward with pleasure to getting some fresh venison for her table.

At length the pair reached the lower creek which Henry had mentioned.
Here the stream which flowed past the Morris homestead split into
several arms, one flowing through a wide clearing and the others
entering the forest and passing around a series of rough rocks and a
cliff nearly fifty feet high. At this point the forest had never yet
felt the weight of the white man's axe and trees had stood there until
brought low by storm or the weight of years.

"Go slow now," whispered Henry, as he caught his cousin by the arm. "If
they hear us the game is up."

"The wind is with us," returned Dave. Nevertheless, he slowed up as
desired, and then the pair moved forward with extreme caution, each
having seen to it that his firearm was ready for immediate use.

Suddenly Henry came to a halt and dropped almost flat behind a rock, and
Dave instantly followed. Coming around a short turn they had caught
sight of four deer, standing hoof-deep in the water drinking. All the
heads were down, but as the youths looked in the direction that of an
old buck came up with a jerk and he sniffed the air suspiciously.

"Take the nearest," whispered Henry, softly and quickly. "Ready?"

"Yes," was the low reply.

There was a second of silence and then the two guns spoke as one piece,
the reports echoing and re-echoing throughout the mighty forest and
along the cliff. The deer Henry had aimed at fell down in the water,
plunging wildly in its dying agonies, while that struck by Dave hobbled
painfully up the bank. The others, including the old buck, turned and
sped off with the swiftness of the wind.

"Huzza! we have 'em!" shouted Henry. "Come on!" and he leaped to his
feet with Dave beside him. Not far off a dead tree lay across the stream
and they quickly climbed this, so as not to get their feet wet. When
they gained the spot where the deer had been drinking they found Henry's
quarry quite dead. The deer Dave had hit was thrashing around in some
brushwood.

"I reckon he'll want another shot," said Dave, and reloaded his firearm
with all speed. Then he primed up and approached the deer, but before he
could pull trigger Henry stopped him.

"He don't need it," came from the older youth. "Save your powder and
ball. I'll fix him."

Giving his gun to Dave, Henry rushed up behind the deer, at the same
time drawing the long hunting knife he had lately gotten into the habit
of carrying. Watching his chance he plunged the knife into the deer's
throat. The stroke went true and soon the beast had breathed its last.

"Good for you," cried Dave, enthusiastically. "No use in talking, Henry,
you were cut out for a hunter. You'll be as good as Sam Barringford if
you keep on."

"Oh, you did about as well as I did, Dave," was the modest rejoinder.
"But this is a prime haul, no use of talking. Mother will be tickled to
death."

"I reckon we'll all be pleased--we haven't had deer meat for some time.
But we're going to have some work getting these two carcasses home. No
use of trying to get those other deer, is there?"

"Use? Not much! Why that old buck must be about two or three miles away
by this time. Say, he was a big fellow, wasn't he? I should like to have
had those horns, but I knew there was no use in fetching him down,--his
meat would be too tough and strong."

"I fancy the best we can do is to make a drag for each deer and each
pull his own load home," went on Dave. "If we leave one here the wolves
and foxes will soon finish the meat."

"Yes, that's the only way. And we might as well hurry, for it is getting
late and it will take us a good three hours to get back with such
loads."

They were soon at work, Henry with his hunting knife and Dave with his
pocket blade, cutting down some long, pliable brushwood which would make
excellent drags for both loads. Their good luck put each in good humor,
and as he worked Dave could not refrain from whistling, his favorite
airs, being, as of old, "Lucy Locket Lost Her Pocket" and "The Pirate's
Lady, O!"

The brushwood cut, they lost no time in binding their loads fast, and
then Henry led the way along the watercourse, without crossing to the
trail they had previously pursued.

"It's almost as near this way as the other," he said. "And I reckon it
will be a bit easier pulling."

"Well, make it as easy as you can, Henry. It's no light load, I can tell
you that. Sam Barringford was once telling me how he dragged three deer
from Plum Valley to Risley's new place, over the snow. I don't see how
he did it."

"Oh, it's easy when the crust of the snow is hard enough--the drag goes
like a sled. But I admit Sam is a wonderfully powerful man."

"Indeed he is. Why, it was a sight to see--the way he fought when Red
Fox and his followers attacked the trading post. He was a whole host in
himself."

Inside of quarter of an hour they had reached a bend in the stream, and
now Henry left the watercourse and pushed on over a low hill backed up
by a series of rocks.

"It will be a slight pull up hill," he said. "But it will save us nearly
half a mile. We can rest a few minutes when we get to the top. When we
get up there I'll show you the spot where I saw those four bears three
years ago."

"Don't know as I want to meet four bears just now."

"Oh, the spot isn't on this hill--it's on the hill to the left. Pow-wow
Hill Sam Barringford called it. He said it used to be a great Indian
resort when the Miamies were in this neighborhood. But the redskins from
Shunrum came and drove 'em out."

The top of the rise gained, Dave was glad enough to rest, and both sat
down on the trunk of a fallen monarch of the forest, the home now of
some chipmunks that fled quickly at their approach.

"There is the spot where I saw the bears," said Henry, pointing with his
hand to a clump of trees on the next hill, quite a distance away. "They
were in a bunch under that----Hullo! What can that mean?" He broke off
short. "Down behind the tree, Dave! Quick!"

The sudden note of alarm was not lost on Dave and in a twinkle both the
young hunters were crouched behind the fallen tree. Dave caught his gun
and placed his hand on the trigger, but Henry shoved the barrel of the
piece downward.

"What did you see?" came from the younger of the youths.

"Indians!" was the short reply. Henry peeped carefully forth. "Yes, sir,
Indians, just as sure as you are born. Look for yourself."

"By the king, but you're right!" exclaimed Dave, in excitement. "Two,
three--I see four of them."

"I think I saw a fifth--behind that rock to the right. Yes, there he
is."

"Can you make out what they are?"

"No, excepting that they are none of White Buffalo's tribe."

"If they don't belong in this neighborhood they are here for no good,"
said Dave, decidedly.

"I agree with you there, Dave. Possibly they are on a hunt. But why
should they come here when there is better game further west?"

"If they are on a hunt it's not for wild animals," came from Dave,
significantly. "Have they got their war paint on?"

"I can't see them clearly enough for that."

For several minutes both youths remained silent, watching the distant
Indians as they moved around. They had evidently killed some wild
animal, although what it was the watchers could not make out.

"If they shot anything it must have been before we reached this
neighborhood," said Henry, presently. "I heard no reports."

"Nor I. But never mind that. What shall we do?"

"I don't know, excepting to go home with our game and report them. I
don't care to let them see us, do you?"

"Not if they are enemies, and I reckon they are."

"Do you suppose they spotted us?"

"I think not--although you can never tell, they are that cute. They may
have a spy working his way over here at this very minute."

"Then let us go on without delay."

It was easy to say this, but how to proceed without being noticed was a
problem. Henry's deer lay behind the fallen tree, but Dave's was in
front and the younger hunter did not wish to leave his game behind him.

"I'm going to risk it," said Dave, and crawling cautiously around the
stump-end of the fallen tree he reached forth and caught one of the ends
of the drag. But the task was a difficult one and as he pulled the deer
slipped to the ground and the end of the tree branch was suddenly raised
high in the air.

"Drop it," cried Henry, and Dave did so. "They must have seen that,
Dave. See, two of them are looking this way. We had better clear out and
be quick about it."

"I'm going to have that deer," returned the younger hunter, and catching
the game by the hind legs he dragged it behind the tree. Then both boys
hurried down the opposite side of the hill with all speed. Here they
placed both deer on the single drag and continued on their way homeward
with all possible speed.




CHAPTER III

DISCOVERY AND PURSUIT


It must be confessed that both youths were thoroughly alarmed, and with
good reason. Since Braddock's defeat they had heard of the uprising of
the Indians at Nancoke, Lusher's Run, Willowbury, and several other
small settlements, and had heard of the murder of several German
families twenty-five miles to the north of Will's Creek fort, and the
murder of Lee Cass, and his wife and four children, thirty miles down
the valley. The outbreaks had not resulted from any united efforts on
the Indians part, but there was no telling how soon the different tribes
would dig up the war hatchet and descend upon all the frontier
settlements in force and simultaneously.

From the top of the hill Henry had expected to go straight home, but
this course would necessitate the crossing of a clearing quarter of a
mile in extent and such a path he now deemed unwise to take.

"If they are following us, it will be dead easy for them to spot us in
the open," he said. "We had better stick to the forest. Of course they
can follow the trail of the drag easily enough, but I hate to think of
giving up so much meat,--after we had such a journey to bring it down."

"Don't let's give it up yet," pleaded Dave. The deer was the largest he
had yet laid low, and he was correspondingly proud of the showing.
"Perhaps they aren't after us at all."

On they went, traveling as fast as their somewhat tired limbs permitted.
There was another rise to cross, beyond which was a watercourse leading
down to the rear of their homestead.

"I think I know where there is a rough raft to be found," said Henry.
"And if I can find it, we can place the deer on that and tow them home.
We may get wet, but it will be easy work and we can make quicker time
than over the ground."

"Right you are, Henry, and remember, water leaves no trail," responded
Dave.

They were soon at the side of the stream, which at this point was
several feet deep and five to ten yards wide. The banks were thickly
overhung with bushes, now, however, bare of leaves. At one spot was an
inlet and here Henry pointed out the raft he had mentioned, a crude
affair of four short logs lashed together with willow withes.

"We can pull that with ease," said Dave, as he surveyed the affair.
"Come, let us dump the deer aboard at once. We can wade along the bank
and----."

He broke off short and clutched his cousin's arm. His glance had strayed
up the stream to a bend several rods away and there he had seen the prow
of an Indian canoe and the headgear of several painted warriors.

"By ginger! More Indians!" ejaculated Henry, and both dropped flat on
top of their dead game. "How many did you see, Dave?"

"Three or four,--and there are several more!"

"Yes, and they are in their war-paint! Dave, do you know what I think?"

"That they are on the war-path? Oh, Henry, if that is so----." Dave did
not finish, but looked anxiously at his cousin.

"If that is so, it means that every homestead for miles around is in
danger. And we haven't a single soldier within fifty miles!" added the
older youth, with almost a groan.

All the while they were talking they kept their eyes on the Indians, and
they now saw the redmen come out on the stream and cross to the side
they occupied. Then of a sudden the warriors sent up a shout calculated
to strike terror to their hearts.

"They have discovered us! They are after us!" burst from Dave's lips.
"What shall we do?"

"We've got to run for it," was Henry's answer. "Hurry up, before it's
too late."

"But the deer----."

"We'll have to let them go. Come!"

Side by side they darted into the forest back of the watercourse and
made their way with all possible speed between bushes, trees and rocks.
There was no trail and neither knew exactly where he was going. Once
Dave tripped on some roots and pitched headlong, but he picked himself
up in a hurry and, panting for breath, kept on as before.

The retreat of the two young hunters came none too quick, for scarcely
had they reached the shelter of the wood when several of the Indians let
fly with their arrows, one of which almost clipped Henry's shoulder.
This fixed the situation beyond all dispute.

"They are on the war-path, or they wouldn't fire on us," said Dave. "Are
you winged?"

"No, but it was a pretty close aim. Who can they be?"

"I believe they are some of Fox Head's dirty band. If they catch us I
believe they'll kill us."

"Or keep us to torture," answered the older youth. "But they are not
going to catch us if I can help it--and I think I can."

While the two were talking they sped on and on, deeper and deeper into
the forest. Both wished to turn in the direction of home, but did not
dare do so, fearing the Indians would be waiting to head them off.

At the start the shouts of their pursuers had sounded unpleasantly close
but now they died out utterly. But whether the redskins had given up the
chase or were coming on in silence they could not tell.

"I don't think they'll give up so quick," was Henry's comment, as they
paused a few seconds to get their breath. "I reckon they've found it
doesn't pay to yell. We may get another volley of arrows before we know
it."

Once more they went on. Their course was now in a wide semi-circle,
calculated to bring them up in the clearing on the east side of their
homestead.

"We'll pass Uriah Risley's new cabin," said Dave. "It is our duty to
warn him of this danger. He isn't much of an Indian hunter, and if the
redskins come here he and his wife will be at their mercy."

Uriah Risley was an Englishman who had settled in the vicinity with his
wife several years before. When Dave was once on a trip to Annapolis
with his uncle the two had stopped at Risley's home and been agreeably
entertained. Since that time, the Englishman, having grown more
accustomed to pioneer life, had moved further westward and built himself
a cabin twice as large as that previously occupied. But though the man
was a good farmer and wood cutter, he was a poor marksman and hunter,
and both he and his wife lived in dread of large wild animals and
unfriendly Indians.

As said before, night was coming on, and under the lofty trees it was
dark. They had now to pick their way with care, for fear of falling into
some dangerous hole. Half a mile more was covered when Henry called a
halt. Dave was glad of this for he had stepped on a loose stone but a
moment before and given his ankle a nasty twist.

"I'm wondering which is the most direct road to Risley's," said the
older youth.

"I believe that is the direction," answered Dave, pointing with his
hand.

"I reckon you are right, Dave. And how far do you calculate we are from
his cabin?"

"The best part of a mile."

"I agree again. Let us take a direct course. The Indians must be far to
the rear--if they haven't given up the chase altogether."

A few minutes later they were again tearing their way through the
forest, the growth being here so thick they could scarcely pass.
Overhead a slight breeze was blowing, but they felt little of this. Far
to the westward the sun was slowly sinking behind the mountains, casting
long shadows across the tree-tops. Here and there the night birds were
tuning up, but otherwise all was as quiet as a graveyard.

The coming of night, and the gravity of their situation, made the boys
thoughtful, and for a long while not a word was spoken. Henry was
thinking of his parents and his sister and brother, and wondering if
they were yet in peril, while Dave's thoughts turned to his father, who
had said that morning that he intended to go to Will's Creek fort on
business. Was his parent at the fort, and would the soldiers there get
news of the coming Indian raid?

Both of the young hunters were thus deep in thought when Henry espied a
light directly in front of them. They had just come over a rise of
ground and found the light in a hollow between several rocks. It was an
Indian encampment, and around the blaze were seated fully a score of
warriors, smoking their long pipes, and listening to the speech being
made by a tall chief who stood in their midst.

"More Indians!" muttered Henry, and threw himself flat. "The
neighborhood seems to be full of them. Dave, this means an awful
uprising! We must get back as fast as we can and warn everybody!"

"I have seen some of those Indians before," whispered the younger youth.
"They were in the band that attacked the trading post while father came
on here. They belong to Fox Head's band and I believe that is Fox Head
himself addressing them, for he had a fox's head trailing over his
shoulder, and a fox brush among his head feathers. I'd like to shoot him
where he stands. He deserves it,--for all he has done to injure us." And
Dave gave his gun a sudden tight clutch which was very suggestive.

"No! no!" interposed his cousin. "If you dropped him the whole pack
would be on us like so many wolves. The only thing we can do is to get
away and give warning. Let us crawl back to the other side of the rise
and go around."

Without delay they started to do as Henry had advised. It was no easy
matter, for the brushwood was thick and the rocks sharp and uneven. They
had not gone a distance of fifty feet when Henry struck a loose stone
and sent it bumping down over a dozen others.

Instantly half a dozen Indians leaped to their feet and the speech of
the leading Indian came to a sudden end.

"The game is up!" cried Dave. "Let us run!" And run they did, as fast as
the darkness and the nature of the ground would permit. The Indians came
after them, calling on them to halt and then sending forth several
arrows and a gun-shot, none of which, however, took effect.

"We are in for it now!" panted Dave, as they came to a halt in a small
clearing, hedged in on all sides by rocks and dense thickets. "I'm sure
I don't know how to turn, do you?"

"If it comes to the worst, we can take a stand against these rocks,"
answered his cousin, grimly. "But, come, I think I see an opening."

He moved over to the rocks and stepped cautiously into the darkness.
There was an opening they had not noticed before, a crevice several feet
wide and both deep and long. Into this he squeezed, and Dave came after
him. They pushed forward among the dead vines, leaves and rubbish for a
distance of thirty feet, and then halted in what would have been a small
cave had it not been for the slit of an opening at the top. With bated
breath they waited, while their pursuers gradually grew closer.




CHAPTER IV

BURNING OF THE CABIN


It was not long before the two young hunters heard the Indians quite
plainly. Evidently the redmen did not deem it necessary to advance with
more than ordinary caution for they conversed with each other in a low
tone, to which Dave and Henry listened with interest, although they
could understand little of what was said.

Presently one warrior took up a position in front of the crevice and not
over five yards from where the youths lay concealed. Evidently he was
listening for some sound from them, and they hardly dared to breathe. As
might be expected Dave at that instant felt a strong inclination to
sneeze, but he suppressed the desire, although almost bursting a blood
vessel in consequence.

Soon another Indian came up and then a third. A talk lasting several
minutes followed, and one warrior started to light a torch. But the
others stopped this, fearing it might draw the fire of the whites. Then
one redman shifted to the right, another to the left, while a third
crawled up over the rocks and through the bushes growing above the
opening.

By the time the Indians were out of hearing, and they dared to breathe
more freely, the darkness of night had settled heavily and high overhead
the stars came peeping forth one by one. They waited a little longer and
then Henry caught Dave by the arm.

"What do you think?" he whispered. "Are they gone?"

"I think so," returned the younger lad. "But there is no telling when
they will be back. Still I reckon we had better get out of here."

"I agree. But we can't take the course we were following. I think the
best we can do is to turn further to the left and strike Risley's from
the west," added Henry.

Dave was willing, and as cautiously as possible they climbed back out of
the crevice the way they had come. Just as Dave was about to step into
the clearing a sudden whirr of noise caused him to jerk back.

"What's that?" came quickly from his cousin.

"Some wild animal," was the answer after a pause.

"Did it attack you?"

"No, but it came pretty close. I thought first it was an Indian leaping
up out of the grass."

They moved off, side by side, and each with his gun ready for use. As
Henry was the hunter of the Morris family and knew the forest better
than anyone, Dave allowed him to do such guiding as seemed necessary.
They pursued their course over one rise and then another, and after that
followed the windings of a tiny brook which Henry said ran to within
gun-shot of the Risley homestead.

They were just making a bend of the watercourse when another wild animal
started up directly under Henry's feet. It was a fox resting in a hollow
log, and in its anxiety to get away the animal struck against Dave's
legs, upsetting him.

"Oh!" cried Dave as he went down. "Help! shoot him!"

"It's a fox!" ejaculated Henry, and as the animal shot past him he made
a dive and caught the beast by the brush. The fox gave a snarl and tried
to bite him, but ere the head came around the young hunter swung the fox
in a circle and brought him down with a dull thud on the log. The first
blow was followed by another, which crushed the beast's skull as though
it were an egg-shell.

"There! he'll never bother anybody again," said Henry, as he threw the
beast down. "Wish I had time to skin him. But we had better not lose a
minute."

"Henry, you're a wonder of a hunter!" burst out Dave. "I don't believe I
could have done that. It was much better than shooting him, for it saved
powder and saved making a noise too."

"Sam Barringford taught me that trick--although not on a fox. I once saw
him hammer the life out of a limping wolf that way, and he often catches
up snakes by the tail and snaps their heads off, whip fashion."

Leaving the fox where it had fallen, they continued on their way along
the stream until a tiny clearing was gained. Beyond this was a belt of
tall and heavy timber, which, on the opposite side, marked the boundary
of Uriah Risley's new land claim, one he had obtained, through Colonel
Washington, from old Lord Fairfax, who still resided at Greenway Court.

"I see a light!" said Dave, as they stopped on the edge of the timber.
"Look!"

Henry did so. It was a small blaze, apparently, and in the direction
where stood Risley's cabin.

"Can that be an Indian camp-fire?" went on the younger hunter.

"I don't think so, Dave. It's worse than that."

"Worse? Oh, Henry, do you think it is Risley's cabin that is burning?"

"Just what I do think. See, the flame is growing brighter. Either it's
the cabin or that cattle shed he has been building. Come on; we'll soon
know."

Henry now set off on a run through the timber, picking the way with all
the skill of an old frontiersman. Dave kept close behind his cousin. As
they advanced they saw the fire more plainly and beheld it spread out
and mount further skyward. It was Uriah Risley's cabin beyond a doubt,
and now the new cattle shed had caught and was also being consumed by
the devouring element.

"This is the work of the redskins," panted Henry, as they leaped over
rough rocks and tore their way through a clump of saplings. "And it
proves beyond a doubt that they are on the war-path."

While he was speaking a gun-shot sounded out, coming from a great
distance. Another report followed and then all became as silent as
before.

"That must be Risley, or somebody else, fighting the Indians off," said
Dave. "We'll have to be careful or we'll run into a trap."

"Keep in the timber," answered Henry. "For all we know there may be a
hundred redskins in this vicinity. Hark! They are around the cabin sure
enough."

They listened and amid the crackling of the flames they now heard the
whooping and yelling of a score of Indians, while the flickering glare
showed to them the dusky forms moving in one direction and another. Some
of the Indians had found a demijohn of liquor belonging to the
Englishman and were gulping this down in great glee, while others
paraded around with various spoils of war in their hands.

"I'd like to give 'em a shot--they deserve it," muttered Dave.

"Don't you do it," interposed Henry, hastily. "They'd be on us like a
wind-fall."

"What do you suppose has become of Mr. Risley and his wife?"

"Heaven alone knows, Dave. I trust they have escaped."

"If that was Mr. Risley shooting, do you suppose his wife is with him?"

"There is no telling. Perhaps he wasn't home when the Indians came up.
If that's so then Mrs. Risley is either dead or a prisoner."

"Was she alone?"

"I think so--at least I didn't hear of anybody going over lately."

"I wonder if we can't get a bit closer without being seen? Perhaps we
can learn something to our advantage."

"We might skirt the timber a bit. But be careful, and if the Indians
come for us we had better run without stopping to fire,--unless, of
course, they get too close," added Henry.

Once again he led the way, slowly and cautiously, flitting from one tree
to another in absolute silence. The fire was now at its height, lighting
up the sky for a long distance around. The sparks were blowing in their
direction, but the light fall of snow had wet the trees and brushwood,
so no harm was done.

Presently they found themselves again close to the brook, which at this
point crossed a garden patch that Uriah Risley had gotten into shape the
season before. At the side of the brook was a roughly constructed
milk-house, made of large stones for walls and untrimmed timbers for a
roof. Behind this the boys crouched, to take another view of what was
going on in the center of the clearing.

The Indians who had been drinking from the demijohn were growing
hilarious and their wild whooping could be heard for a long distance. At
the start of the fire some furniture had been hauled forth, a chest of
drawers and a bureau, and now some of the redmen set to work to break
open both articles, to see what they contained.

"They are after everything of value they can lay hands on," muttered
Dave. "What a shame! Do you see anything of----?"

The young hunter broke off short, for at that instant came a low moan of
pain from the interior of the milk-house.

"Are you--you white people!" came in a gasp. "If you are, for the love
of heaven--sa--save me!"

"It's Mrs. Risley!" burst out Dave, for he remembered that voice well.
He raised his head up to a crack in the rude planking. "Mrs. Risley, are
you alone?" he questioned. "It is I, Dave Morris, who is speaking."

"Dave Morris!" A groan followed. "Oh, Davy, lad, save me, won't you? I
am almost dead!"

"I'll do what I can for you, Mrs. Risley. My cousin Henry is with me. We
were out hunting when the Indians almost captured us. The woods are full
of them. Is Mr. Risley around?"

"No, he went to Will's Creek on business. I saw the Indians coming and I
tried to run away. But they shot at me with their arrows and one passed
through my left shoulder. Then I pretended to go into the house and
hide, and when they came in I leaped through a back window and ran for
this place. I got into the water up to my shoulders and pulled a bit of
a board over my head, to keep out of sight. They came down here and I
thought sure they'd find me, but they did not. But I am nearly perished
with the cold, and the wound from the arrow has made me very faint. You
will help me, won't you?"

"To be sure we'll help you," put in Henry. "But all we can do at present
is to lead you into the woods, and you can have my dry jacket if you
want it. We had better start directly for our house."

"I see a glare of a fire. Have they--they----?" The poor woman could not
finish.

"Yes, I am sorry to say the cabin is about burnt up," said Dave. "But
come, if your husband isn't around, we had better not waste time here.
We may be needed at home. It may be just as bad there, you know."

Both of the young hunters crawled around to the milk-house door and went
inside. The board was quickly raised and they helped Mrs. Risley from
the watery hole in which she had been squatting with her chin resting on
her knees. She was so chilled and stiff, and so weak from her wound, she
could scarcely stand, and they had literally to carry her into the
timber whence they had come.




CHAPTER V

UPRISING OF THE INDIANS


Supporting Mrs. Risley between them, the two youths did not stop until
they had passed into the timber for a distance of five or six rods. They
had crossed the stream once more and now reached a slight knoll from
which they could see the cabin, which still blazed away, although the
roof and one side had fallen in.

[Illustration: They could see the cabin, which still blazed.]

The faint light from the conflagration, sifting through the bare tree
branches, was the only light they had, and by this they set the sufferer
down and proceeded to make her as comfortable as possible. As fortune
would have it, Dave wore two jackets, both somewhat thin. One of these
he gave to Henry, who in turn gave his thick jacket to Mrs. Risley.

"You--you are quite sure you can spare it?" she asked.

"Yes, yes," answered Henry. "I am sorry I can't give you something to
put over your dress, but I haven't anything. Before you put on the
jacket let me bind up that arrow wound."

There was now no time to stand upon ceremony and she allowed him to
dress the wound with all the skill he could muster, Dave in the meantime
keeping watch, that the Indians might not surprise them. Fortunately
Henry, having suffered similarly himself, knew what to do, and after he
had finished Mrs. Risley announced that the sore place felt greatly
relieved.

"But I don't see how I can travel far," she said, trying to stand up.
"My limbs are all in a tremble under me."

"We will help you along," said Henry, sympathetically, and Dave echoed
the words.

With the wounded woman between them, it was no easy matter to pick their
way through the black forest and more than once one or another stumbled
over a tree root or into a hole. Looking back, they saw that the fire
was now dying down. The whooping of the redmen also lessened and finally
ceased altogether.

"I know you wish to get home," panted Mrs. Risley, presently.
"But--but--I cannot go--go another step!" And with these words she
pitched forward and would have gone in a heap had not their strong
youthful arms supported her.

"She has fainted," said Henry, "and it is not to be wondered at. Come,
here is something of a shelter in between the rocks and those trees. We
may as well let her rest there, for we cannot carry her all the way
home."

"But the delay--" began Dave.

"Surely you don't wish to leave her to her fate, Dave?"

"No! no! You know me better than that, Henry, but I was thinking of
those left at home. They may be in trouble, too, and if so they will
need us."

"I've been thinking of a plan. I'm stronger than you and perhaps I can
get her along alone, after she recovers. Can you find the house from
here?"

"I think I can. The creek is just beyond that next patch of timber,
isn't it?"

"Yes, in that direction." Henry pointed with his hand. "If you find
everything all right you might bring father back to help--if he isn't
afraid the Indians will arrive in the meantime."

So it was arranged, and without loss of another moment Dave started on
his solitary way through the somber woods, now as silent as the grave,
for the wind had gone down and the last of the night birds had given
their final calls.

Under ordinary circumstances Dave would have been sleepy, for the day's
tramping had been sufficient to tire anybody, but now all thoughts of
rest were banished and he was as alert as ever as he stole forward, gun
before him, and his eyes shifting from one dark object to another, on
the lookout for a possible enemy.

Dave was in the midst of the next patch of timber,--some beautiful
walnuts and chestnuts,--when he saw something glimmer through the
darkness far to his left. He was immediately interested, wondering what
the light could be. He came to a halt and gazed attentively in the
direction.

"It must be an Indian camp-fire," he mused. "What a lot of the redskins
there must be in this vicinity!"

He was about to move on, giving the fire a wide berth, when something
prompted him to turn toward it, to make sure that it was not the
encampment of friends. It might possibly be Barringford or some other
trapper in the woods, and if so to pass him by would be far from wise,
since such a person might be able to afford just the assistance needed.

Careful of every footstep taken, Dave gradually drew close to the
camp-fire. There was a small, dry clearing, fringed by a series of low
rocks, and behind these rocks the young hunter crouched. The sight that
met his gaze held him spell-bound.

The camp-fire in the center of the clearing was divided into two parts,
one to the east and the other to the west. That in the east was beset
with sharp stakes while its companion was being used for cooking
purposes.

Around both camp-fires were fully thirty Indians; all more than
ordinarily hideous in their daubs of red, blue, and yellow war paint,
and their crowns of colored feathers and strings of animals' teeth and
human scalps. The redmen had been marching around the camp-fires but now
they halted and all sank cross-legged upon the soil.

Suddenly, after a second of silence, one Indian, tall and straight,
leaped to his feet and holding his arms out at full length before him
began to rock his body from side to side. Then he ran for one of the
fires, and pulling a sharp stick from its place in the ground smote the
burning end on his breast.

"This is the fear Spotted Wolf has for the English," he cried, in his
native tongue. "Even as he has pulled this stake from the ground so will
he pull the English from their cabins and burn them at the stake. The
English shall flee at the sound of his war whoop, and the children of
the English shall die of fright when he draws near. The French are our
friends but the English will be our enemies so long as one of them is
allowed to live. I will go forward to kill! Spotted Wolf has spoken."

He sat down, and immediately another warrior leaped up and with another
burning stick went through the same performance. "I am called Black
Eagle," he cried, "because I have eyes that never sleep and a strength
handed down to me from Elk Heart, my father, and Janassarion, my
grandfather, he who slew the mighty Little Thunder of the Delawares. Our
medicine men have spoken and the English must be driven out like wolves
in the winter season. If we allow them this land, and the French the
land to the north and the west, where shall the Indian find his hunting
ground when he would hunt, and where raise his wigwam when he would rest
with his squaw and his children? I, too, will kill and burn until our
land knows them no longer! I have the strength of ten white men and I
will use it. Black Eagle has spoken."

He had not yet finished when two others sprang up, followed by others,
until nearly all were again on their feet, talking of their alleged
wrongs and boasting of their strength, and promising each other to do
all in their power to wipe out all English settlers west of the Blue
Ridge mountains. The bragging was often ludicrous, yet it was easy to
see that the Indians were working themselves up into a state of mind
where they would hesitate at nothing in order to accomplish their
purpose.

Dave could understand only a few words of what was said, yet, from
having such scenes described to him by his father and Sam Barringford,
he knew that this was a "big war talk," as White Buffalo called them.
Once he fancied he heard his Uncle Joe's name mentioned and his heart
almost stopped beating. Surely they must be planning an attack on his
home, and that for very soon!

"I must get back and give the warning!" he told himself. "Henry will
have to do the best he can with Mrs. Risley. If they get to the cabin
and kill Uncle Joe, what will become of Rodney, Aunt Lucy and little
Nell? Oh, I must get back!"

Turning, he crawled from the spot with care, and once back into the
timber, commenced to run, with his gun slung over his shoulder and his
hands held out before him, to keep from running afoul of any
obstruction. More than once he bumped into a tree or fell sprawling over
some exposed roots, knocking the wind out of him. But he always picked
himself up and went on again with undiminished speed. Indeed, the nearer
he got to home the greater was his fear that something might have
happened in his absence and finally he fairly flew, when he reached
familiar ground.

"Hi! who goes there?"

It was a call from close at hand and it made Dave jump as though stung
by a snake. He whirled around, to behold a man behind a tree, a leveled
gun in his hands.

"Don't shoot!" he called out, for he fancied he knew the voice. "Is that
you, Mr. Risley?"

"Yes. Dave Morris, is it not?"

"Yes." Dave ran to meet the Englishman. "Tell me quickly is everything
all right over to our house?"

"It was all right when I left, an hour or so ago, lad. But your uncle
had been talking to Hans Lomann and said the German had heard of
something of an Indian uprising."

At this Dave gave a sigh of relief. But immediately his heart sank, at
the thought of the news he had to impart to his friend.

"The Indians are rising, all over this section of the country. They
attacked your cabin."

"My cabin!" The Englishman could scarcely utter the words. "Davy, is it
the truth? And what of my wife--tell me quickly!"

"Your wife is safe, although she got an arrow through the shoulder. The
redskins attacked the cabin and set fire to it. She leaped out of a rear
window and hid in the milk-house. Henry and I came up just in time to
get her into the woods. We ran as far as we could and then she fainted.
Henry said he would stay with her and told me to come on and give the
alarm. We were afraid the Indians had attacked our place, although we
didn't hear any shooting or see any fire."

"Then the cabin is destroyed? But never mind that. You are sure the
wound wasn't fatal?"

"Quite sure, for Henry dressed it as well as he could. But she was very
weak from having been in the water under the milk-house floor so long."

"And where are they now?"

"About a mile or more from here--in that direction. But you want to be
careful. There are Indians all around here--one band is over yonder
holding a war talk--and I'm sure they'll show you no mercy if they catch
you."

The Englishman nodded his head half a dozen times. "I know it, lad, I
know it. They are a bloodthirsty set. Sometimes I am sorry I came to
this country to settle among them. But times were bad with us in old
England, and we had to do something. But you'll take me to my wife,
won't you, that's a brave lad."

"I--I don't know," faltered Dave. He was still anxious to go home.
"Perhaps you can find them alone."

"I'm not equal to it, lad--the forest is almost as much of a mystery to
me as the day I landed here. Do come, and then we can all go back to
your home with all possible speed."

The young hunter could see that Uriah Risley was sorely distressed, and
unwilling to add to the man's misery, he consented to go back, although
he knew the way was full of ever-increasing perils. Soon they were on
the way, and tired as he was Dave set a pace that caused the settler to
puff and blow to keep up with him.




CHAPTER VI

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HENRY


It must be confessed that though he walked swiftly, Dave's heart was
anything but light. Turn the subject as he might he felt it "in his
bones," as he afterward declared, that a big uprising was close at hand
and that this might mean the wiping out of every pioneer for scores of
miles around.

"The soldiers at Will's Creek fort and at Winchester ought to know of
this," he observed to Uriah Risley. "Someone will have to carry the
news."

"Perhaps someone has already done so," was the Englishman's answer. He
heaved a sigh. "So the cabin is to the ground. Alack! it was a sorry day
when I pushed to the front instead of taking up ground close to
Winchester, as the good housewife wanted me to." And he shook his head
dolefully.

In moving toward the spot where he had left Henry and Mrs. Risley, Dave
took great care to steer clear of the camp-fires of the various Indians
he had encountered. This was no easy task and more than once they came
close to running into a "hornet's nest," as he called it.

Once Uriah Risley gave a cry of alarm and came close to discharging his
firearm. A wolf had slunk across their path in the darkness and the
Englishman took the form to be that of a sneaking Indian.

"A redskin! He will scalp us!" he cried, and was on the point of pulling
the trigger when Dave stopped him.

"No! no! It's only a wolf!" cried the youth. "Don't waste your powder
and ball. Besides, a shot will arouse every Indian for quarter of a mile
around."

"A wolf? So it must have been." Uriah Risley drew a long breath and
lowered his musket. "He gave me a good scare, I must vow."

"Hush! It won't do to talk so loud," went on the boy. "For all we know
the Indians may be trailing us and be ready to pounce on us at any
moment."

These words caused the Englishman to glance back apprehensively, and
hurry on faster than ever. "It's a beastly woods," he said. "I wish we
were out of it."

"We are safer here than in a clearing," was the answer. "Come close
behind me and keep quiet, and I think we'll be safe."

On and on they went. Dave's lower limbs ached and trembled under him,
for he was now almost fagged out and it was only will-power that kept
him up. Slowly they climbed the last rise of ground. At a distance
glowed the dying embers of a camp-fire.

"There's a redskins' nest," said the youth, as he paused for a moment.
"But it looks as if they had deserted the place."

"Then we'll have to be doubly cautious, lad. They may be scattered in
this vicinity."

"You are right. But I hope not, for we are now close to where I left
your wife and Henry."

With added caution Dave crept forward another couple of hundred feet.
Then he stopped and peered around him in perplexity.

"What is it, lad?"

"They are gone!"

"Gone?"

"Yes, gone."

"You are certain this is the spot?"

"I am. I know it well, by this fallen tree and that rock. They have
moved to another quarter--or else----"

"Or else the redskins have attacked them and carried them off," finished
Uriah Risley. He gave a groan. "Oh, lad, what is best to do now? Tell
me, for you are better versed to this sort of thing than I."

"I--I don't know what to do," faltered the young hunter, staring first
at the helpless man before him and then at the gloomy surroundings.
"Wait a minute, and keep your hands on your gun. But don't shoot me or
Henry or your wife by mistake."

Leaving Risley in the center of the little opening Dave started to walk
around in a wide circle. He did this with extreme caution, his head bent
close to the ground and his eyes noting every root and rock that covered
his path. Then he took another circle, still wider, and at last came
back to where his companion stood, the picture of misery and despair.

"I found nothing," he said, in reply to the Englishman's questioning.
"They are gone, and I don't believe there are any Indians close to us.
I'm going to make a light and risk it."

He brought forth his flint and tinder and soon had a tiny light, which
he applied to some dry leaves and then a stick of wood which was full of
pine pitch. This latter made a fairly good torch, and holding it close
to the ground he continued the search.

Suddenly he uttered a cry of horror. He had come to a spot where the
ground was torn up by many footprints. Close at hand was a white birch
tree and on its bark were several spots of deep red.

"There has been a fight," he said, as Uriah Risley came closer. "See how
they struggled. There is blood on the tree and there is a bit of cloth
torn from Henry's jacket--or rather, the jacket I left him." Dave gave a
deep shudder. "I--I wonder if Henry is dead?"

"My wife, my poor, poor Caddy!" moaned Uriah Risley, and for a moment
covered his face with his hands. "Oh, lad, this is monstrous, monstrous!
Heaven help her if she is in the power of such savages!"

"Yes, heaven help them both," returned Dave.

Torch in hand, the youth followed a bloody trail through the forest
until it ended abruptly by the side of one of the numerous streams in
that vicinity. Here he came to a halt, and as Risley rejoined him both
stared vacantly at each other.

"Well?" said the Englishman.

"They went up or down the stream," answered Dave. "But which way I can't
say. But one thing is certain--neither of them was killed."

"How do you know that?"

"If they were we should have found their bodies. The Indians wouldn't
bother to carry 'em off. They'd simply scalp 'em and let it go at that."

"Perhaps they threw the--the bodies into the water."

Dave shook his head. "No, I'm pretty certain they carried 'em off as
prisoners."

There was an awkward pause and something like a lump arose in Dave's
throat. If Henry was a prisoner and the Indians were on the war-path
this could mean but one thing for the youth--burning at the stake or
some similar torture. The silence was broken by Uriah Risley.

"It's a burning shame, lad, an outrage. But what can we do now?"

"I don't know what to do excepting to go home and give the alarm. It
won't do any good to stay here. The Indians may fall on us half a
hundred strong--just as they most likely fell on Henry and your wife."

"But--but I cannot desert my poor wife, my beloved Caddy. She is all the
world to me. I'd rather die myself than see a hair of her head injured."

"Then you had better continue the hunt, while I go home. If you should
fall in with 'em tell Henry how matters stand. But, Mr. Risley, let me
caution you not to be rash, if you catch sight of Mrs. Risley in the
hands of the redskins. If you give them the chance they'll burn you at
the stake--and it won't help her a bit either."

"I'll try to be cautious, lad. I hate to have you go, but I suppose
after all it's for the best. Do what you can to save Mrs. Morris and
little Nell and the rest. Leave me the torch. I'll go up and down the
stream a bit and investigate."

A minute more and they had parted, shaking hands in a fashion that meant
a great deal. Perhaps they would never again meet in this world. Dave
turned away and stole off silently, his eyes staring straight ahead and
his throat working convulsively. Ah, how little do the boys of to-day,
living in their comfortable homes and surrounded with every luxury and
convenience, realize how much their great-grandfathers of those days had
to endure in the shape of privation and peril!

So tired that he could scarcely drag one limb after the other, Dave
pursued his course through the forest. Fortunately his "bump of
locality" was well developed and there was small danger of his getting
totally lost, even though he might go more or less astray. It was now
beginning to snow again, but it was so warm that the particles of white
melted as soon as they fell. Not a star was to be seen anywhere and the
way was blacker than ever.

Reaching the first rise of ground, the youth felt compelled to rest and
threw himself at the foot of a large tree with his musket across his
knees, ready for use should he be surprised. Once or twice his eyes
closed in spite of his efforts to keep them open. But he invariably
straightened up, determined to keep awake at all hazards.

"I'll not rest until I know all at home are safe," he told himself. "I
must get along somehow." And he staggered up and continued his course.

He had not gone over a rod when he saw something dark moving ahead. The
object looked like a pair of Indians, coming slowly toward him, and his
heart leaped into his throat. He raised his gun and pointed it.

But ere he was called on to fire he saw the object more distinctly and
uttering something of a cry of joy he lowered his weapon and rushed
forward.

"Widgeon!" burst from his lips, and in a moment more he had hold of the
mane of one of Uriah Risley's horses--an animal that had escaped from
the Indians when the shed was set on fire. "Where did you come from? How
lucky I am to find you!"

The horse seemed to recognize Dave, for he gave a low whinny and rubbed
his cold nose on the youth's jacket sleeve. A broken halter dangled from
his neck, but he possessed neither saddle nor bridle. He was covered
with a cold moisture, showing that he had run considerably after having
broken away.

Having found the horse Dave's spirits arose a little. He led the animal
forward and struck out for a new route homeward, longer than that which
he had been pursuing but free from thickets and pitfalls. As soon as he
thought it safe to do so he leaped upon Widgeon's back, spoke to the
horse, and set off on a comfortable jog, which later on, when the ground
became more familiar, he increased to a gallop.

Once Dave fancied he heard Indians in pursuit and holding on to
Widgeon's mane with one hand, drew up his gun with the other. But the
noises died away in the distance, and after that came no more alarms. At
last he came in sight of home and found to his joy that it remained as
he had left it, undisturbed.




CHAPTER VII

A DOUBLE WARNING


As my old readers know, the cabin of the Morris family was located in a
wide clearing, between a fair-sized creek and a brook flowing into the
larger stream. When we saw it before, it was a long, low but comfortable
building, containing four rooms on the ground floor, and a loft under
the sloping roof which was principally used for the storage of winter
supplies.

During the past summer Mr. Joseph Morris had made an addition to the
cabin by building on at what was the kitchen end. This was now a new
kitchen while the old kitchen had become the general living room. The
old living room, so called, had been divided into two bedrooms, so that
the house was now large enough not alone for the regular family but also
for such occasional visitors as came that way.

The coming of night made all of those at home anxious for the return of
the two young hunters. Feeling that both would be thoroughly hungry,
Mrs. Morris had cooked a liberal supper, of which after waiting an
hour, those in the cabin had eaten their share. The remainder now
simmered in the pot and kettle hung over the big open fire, while Mrs.
Morris moved uneasily about, clearing away the dirty dishes and
occasionally glancing out of the doorway in the direction she fancied
they must come.

"It is strange what is keeping them," she said to the others. "I trust
they haven't gotten into trouble."

"Perhaps they have struck more deer than they bargained for," answered
her husband, who had just entered with a bucket of water from the well.
"Henry said he felt certain he would bag something--and he rarely
deceives himself when it comes to game. Like as not they'll come along
toting all they can carry."

"I wish they'd bring mamma another bear skin," put in little Nell.
"Wouldn't it be beautiful--if it matched the one Mr. Washington let
cousin Dave have?"

"No! no! A bear might harm them!" put in Mrs. Morris hastily. "It's a
bad time of year to tackle such beasts, so I heard Sam Barringford say."

"You let Henry and Dave alone when it comes to any kind of game," came
from Rodney, who sat in his easy chair close to the roaring fire. "Why,
the worst game they could meet wouldn't be half as bad as the Indians
and French they had to face when they went to war. You forget, mother,
what splendid shots both of them are."

But the mother turned away shaking her head doubtfully. Perhaps her
instinct told her what grave trouble was brooding. She looked out of the
doorway once more and spoke to her husband.

"Did James say when he should be back?"

"He couldn't tell, because he didn't know if he could complete his
business right away or if he would have to wait to see certain parties.
Like as not he won't come back until to-morrow, or the day after. He
knew there was no need to hurry. We can't do anything much on the farm
just now."

As even home-made candles were somewhat scarce, the family did without
any light excepting that afforded by the fire in the big-mouthed
chimney, the genial glare of which threw fantastic shadows on the walls.
Little Nell did not particularly fancy those shadows and so asked
permission to climb into Rodney's lap.

"Why of course," said the cripple, and took her up at once. Then she
insisted that he tell a story, "but not about bears, or wolves, or
Indians, but about a fairy and a princess, and a castle full of gold,"
and Rodney did his best to tell the most marvelous story his brain could
invent. But long before the good fairy had given the princess a
beautiful prince for a husband, and the castle full of gold in the
bargain, little Nell was sound asleep, so the story was never finished.

As the night wore on even Mr. Morris began to show his anxiety, and
without saying a word he got down his musket from over the chimney shelf
and brought forth his horn of powder and his little bag of home-made
bullets.

"You are going after them?" asked Mrs. Morris.

"I'll wait a bit longer," he answered. "But I thought I'd be prepared,
in case anything was wrong."

Having put little Nell to bed, Mrs. Morris brought forth her knitting
and for some time only the click-clicking of the polished needles broke
the silence. Then Rodney, who had been sitting with his chin in his
hands, watching the burning logs, roused up.

"I don't suppose there is any use of my staying up," he said. "My back
doesn't feel quite as well as it did yesterday. I'll go to bed," and he
shuffled off to the bedroom he occupied. This was the one nearest to the
kitchen, on the south side, and had been given to the cripple because it
was warmer in the winter than the others.

Left to themselves, the time seemed to drag more heavily than ever to
Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Every thought was centered on their son Henry and
nephew David. What could be keeping the pair?

"They must have met with an accident," said the pioneer at length.
"Perhaps one of them fell in a hole and broke a leg. I know there are
several nasty pitfalls in the vicinity of the salt lick. I guess I had
better go out and look for them."

Joseph Morris was soon ready for the journey, promising, whether he
found them or not, to be back inside of two hours. He went on horseback,
riding Fanny, Dave's favorite mare, the animal that had once been stolen
and so fortunately recovered.

Left to herself, Mrs. Morris knitted faster than ever. But even the
flying needles could not stop her anxiety, and more than once she threw
down the work, to go to the doorway and gaze earnestly in every
direction. How dark and lonely the mighty forest looked. Something
caused her to shiver in spite of herself. She listened intently.

What was that? A sound at a great distance. As it drew closer she made
out the hoof-beats of a horse on a gallop. She ran into the cabin and in
true pioneer fashion armed herself with a musket, ready to consider
every newcomer an enemy until he proved himself a friend. Swiftly the
horse came closer and she now made out a youth hanging heavily over the
animal's neck.

"Dave! is it you?"

"Yes, Aunt Lucy," was the answer. The boy rode up and dropped heavily to
the ground. "Are you all safe?"

"Safe? Of course we are. What has happened? Where is Henry?"

"I don't know where Henry is--just now. I left him in the woods doing
what he could for Mrs. Risley. The Indians surrounded their cabin and
burnt it down, and Mrs. Risley escaped to the milk-house. We rescued her
from her hiding place in the water and got her into the woods. Then I
started for home, but I met Mr. Risley and had to take him back to where
I had left Henry and Mrs. Risley. We couldn't find either of them, and
it looked as if they had had a fight. Mr. Risley remained to investigate
and I came home as quickly as I could to give the alarm. The Indians are
rising all over and are going to massacre everybody they can lay hands
on."

While talking Dave staggered into the kitchen and sank down heavily on a
bench.

"Mercy on us, Dave, you don't really mean it! The Risley cabin burnt
down, and the Indians on the war-path! Why, we'll all be murdered!"

"We shall be unless we take means to defend ourselves, Aunt Lucy. Where
are father and Uncle Joe?"

"Your father has gone to Winchester and won't be back before to-morrow
or next day. Your uncle went off a spell ago to look for you and Henry.
Are the Indians coming this way? Tell me about Henry."

As anxious as she was the good woman saw that her nephew was not only
tired out but also hungry, and as she talked she bustled about and
prepared his meal for him at the corner of the table nearest to the
fire. Dave devoured his supper in short order, telling all he had to
relate at the same time. It is needless to state that Mrs. Morris was
greatly alarmed. The loud talking of the pair aroused Rodney, who called
from the bedroom to know what was wrong, and when told the cripple lost
no time in dressing himself.

"If they come here we'll have to defend ourselves as best we can," said
Rodney. "I can't run but I can shoot pretty straight, and if mother will
load for us I guess we can give 'em some pretty good shots. What we want
to do first of all is to shut all the shutters tight and get in all the
water we can--to drink and to put out fires with. It's lucky father cut
those port-holes in the roof. They'll be just the spots to bring down
Injuns from."

"My boy, you cannot do it!" cried Mrs. Morris, in increased alarm. "Even
if your father gets back what can three do against a horde of redskins?
They will fire the cabin and shoot you down the moment you are driven
out by the flames."

"Well, I don't believe in letting the rascals have our cabin and
belongings," returned Rodney, stubbornly. "I'm only a cripple, but I'm
willing to fight to the last. If we run for it, how much can we take
along? Not much, I can tell you that."

"Yes, but our lives are more precious to us than our things here," said
his mother. "And remember Nell, Rodney. If she fell into the Indians'
hands--" Mrs. Morris did not finish, but her breast heaved and two big
tears started from her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

"Well, you wouldn't want to go before father got back, would you?" asked
Rodney, after a pause.

"He is coming now--at least I hear somebody on horseback!" cried Dave.
"Perhaps it's an Indian," and he reached for his gun, which he had
brought in and placed beside the door.

He went out, and Mrs. Morris and Rodney came behind him, each with some
sort of firearm. As the horseman came closer they saw that it was indeed
an Indian. But the white feathers and the general bearing of the new
arrival soon reassured them.

"White Buffalo!" called Dave, and ran to meet the Indian chief who had
been the family's friend for so many years.

"How-how!" returned the Indian, and came straight up to the cabin door.
"Where is my white brother Joseph, and my white brother James?" he
questioned anxiously.

"Father is at Winchester," answered Dave. "Uncle Joseph went off awhile
ago to look for Henry and me. We were out hunting but found out the
Indians are rising. Do you know about that, White Buffalo?"

"So the white boy knows the news already?" White Buffalo's face fell a
little, for he had hoped to be the first to bear intelligence. "Yes, it
is true, they have dug up the war hatchet, and have murdered many people
already. I came to help you, and I bring a message from Captain Tanner."

"And your tribe--will they join those who rise against the English?"
asked Rodney.

For a moment White Buffalo hung his head on his breast. Then with an
effort he straightened up. "Some of the Delawares are fools--they will
not listen to White Buffalo but listen to Skunk Tail and drink the
fire-water the French give them. We have had a pow-wow and some would go
to the French and some to the English. At Big Tree I left eighteen
braves who will follow me and fight for the English. The others have
joined Skunk Tail and Fox Head of the Miamis, and the tribes under
Rolling Thunder and Canshanran, and will fight for themselves and for
the French. They think not of right or of honor, but will burn and
murder and steal all they can. A black day and a black night are coming,
and how it will end only He who rules the Happy Hunting Ground can
tell."




CHAPTER VIII

DEPARTURE FROM HOME


It was not until White Buffalo came into the light of the kitchen fire
that they saw he was wounded. Blood was trickling from an arrow thrust
in the left shoulder. At the sight of this Mrs. Morris uttered a slight
scream.

"You are wounded, White Buffalo! Why didn't you say so before? Let me
bind 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 it
up, after which he said it felt better.

White Buffalo had but little to add to what has already been narrated
excepting that in coming to the cabin to give warning he had fallen in
with some rival Indians, three of whom had sought to stop him. A
hand-to-hand fight had resulted and White Buffalo had sent one man to
earth by a blow from his tomahawk and ridden over a second in such a
fashion that the enemy had not stirred afterward. The arrow wound had
been received previous to this, but the chief had not noticed it until
some time later.

The continued talking had roused little Nell and now she came running
out of the bedroom in her robe of white begging to know what was the
matter. She gave a scream when she saw the Indian, but quickly recovered
when she recognized White Buffalo.

"I thought it was one of the bad Indians," she said, in her simple
fashion. "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 he
stroked the curly top affectionately.

"You said you carried a message," put in Rodney, suddenly. "Where is
it?"

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," said
Dave, after listening to the reading by his cousin. "I believe, Aunt
Lucy, he is right. The rising is so widespread that it would be
foolhardy to remain here. We might--"

The youth broke off short and ran toward the doorway. But White Buffalo
was ahead of him. Both had heard the approach of a horse. It was Joseph
Morris returning, and he was alone.

"Thank heaven you are safe!" ejaculated the pioneer, as he leaped to the
ground 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 her
husband?"

"I did not. But I saw Indians--hundreds of them. They are on the
war-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 her
husband, while little Nell set up a wild sobbing. "Must we leave it
all--everything?"

"All but what we can conveniently carry on horseback, Lucy. I believe
the redskins will be here within the hour."

Only a few more hurried words passed, and Joseph Morris glanced at the
note 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 on
you. Where are the braves under you?"

"Two miles from here--at the Big Tree. Say where I shall meet you and if
White Buffalo can do it it shall be done."

"We will go to Fort Lawrence by the brook way,--past where you and I
shot 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 later
they heard him ride away at the best speed his steed could attain.

There was now a great confusion in the cabin. Knowing that she must
really leave, Mrs. Morris set to work to gather her most precious things
into several bundles which might be carried on horseback. As well as he
was able Rodney helped her, and little Nell also took a hand, bound to
save the few precious toys she possessed, including the doll White
Buffalo had made for her. It made the good woman's heart ache sorely
when she realized how little could be carried and how much of all that
was 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 where
he brought forth the several horses and saddled and bridled them. Then
he let out the live stock, turning the cows into the forest, to shift
for themselves. He wanted to take the cows along, but his uncle doubted
if there would be time.

While the others worked Joseph Morris looked to all the firearms and got
them into readiness for use. Then he rode around the clearing to learn
if the trail he had mentioned to White Buffalo could still be used.

"Come, we must go!" he cried, presently. "Hark, don't you hear the
distant war-whoops? The Indians are advancing. If we wait another five
minutes we may be lost!"

From the cabin came Mrs. Morris, Rodney and little Nell, carrying the
several bundles they had made up. Little Nell cried piteously and the
silent tears coursed down Mrs. Morris's cheeks.

Fortunately there were horses for all, with an extra animal for some of
the bundles. The latter were hurriedly adjusted and fastened.

"Now, Dave, you lead the way," said Joseph Morris. "I will fix things so
that the redskins may be deceived when they come up."

"All right, Uncle Joe. But don't stay back too long," was the lad's
answer.

Astride of his favorite mare Fanny, Dave headed the silent procession
across the clearing, and into the woods. As soon as possible he struck
into the brook, that their trail might be hidden by the water. He knew
this way well, so there was no hesitation. Behind him came Mrs. Morris
and little Nell, and Rodney brought up the rear, with the extra horse.
Each carried all that was possible, but the youths had their bundles
strapped on, that they might have free hands for their guns, should they
wish to use the weapons.

Left to himself, Joseph Morris closed the shutters of the cabin and
dampened down the fire with ashes. Then he ran up to the loft, opened
one of the port-holes in the roof and placed in it the shining barrel of
an old musket which had long ago seen its best days. Behind the musket
he 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 and
a smile lit up his bronzed face. At a distance it looked exactly like
somebody on guard.

"That will fool them for awhile anyway," was his mental comment. "And
even a little time is better than nothing," and he rode off swiftly
after the others.

He was soon with them, for on account of the bundles and Rodney's
condition they could not make as good progress as they wished. Fort
Lawrence was a good twelve miles off and though it was desirable to
reach that place before daybreak, it was questionable if they could make
the distance.

"If we can't reach the fort by five o'clock we had best remain in the
woods until darkness comes again," said Mr. Morris. "Because by morning
the fort will most likely be surrounded, even if the redskins remain in
hiding."

"I wonder what father will do," came from Dave.

"Oh, he will know enough to look out for himself, Dave. Remember, he is
the best frontiersman in the whole family."

"Yes, Uncle Joe, that's true, but if he thinks we are at the cabin and
in 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, not
only for him but also for Henry and the Risleys. I am afraid Henry has
had serious trouble. Perhaps he is dead," and Joseph Morris shook his
head sorrowfully.

Making as little noise as possible, they pushed forward to the point
where White Buffalo had promised to meet them with his braves. Too tired
to remain awake, little Nell had fallen asleep in her mother's arms, but
the 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 ten
minutes or more. When it started Joseph Morris called a halt, but soon
told the others to move on again.

"They have attacked the cabin," he said, sadly. "Those shots were
probably aimed at the dummy I set up. They will be in a fearful rage
over the ruse and will no doubt do their best to follow us. We must lose
no 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 to
evade them."

It was not long before a red glare appeared in the sky, in the direction
where the cabin was located. All knew what that meant but nobody said a
word, for fear of breaking down. But Joseph Morris gritted his teeth in
a fashion which showed only too plainly what was passing in his mind.
Given the chance and he would make the Indians pay dearly for the
destruction of his property.

Suddenly Dave drew rein and up went his gun, aimed at a figure standing
under a tree ahead. But the figure put up an arm and waved it familiarly
and the gun dropped to the lad's side. White Buffalo was awaiting them
with eleven of his best warriors. The others of the tribe had deserted
to the enemy.

"My white friends have been slow in coming up," said the chief. "They
have lost precious time. The enemy are on every side. It will be no easy
task for White Buffalo to lead his friends to the fort."

"We made as much haste as we could," said Rodney. The rough ride was
beginning to tell upon him and he was almost ready to pitch from the
saddle 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 be
following from the burning cabin.

They were still two miles from the fort when some of the Indians in the
front sounded a note of warning. But this was not needed for a minute
later they fell in with a neighbor also bound for the fort. This
neighbor 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 was
Larkwell. "But they are coming jest as fast as they can. We can't git to
the fort none too soon."




CHAPTER IX

GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE


Fort Lawrence was little more than a fort in name only. It was a spot
selected by the Morrises and others living within a radius of one to
twenty-two miles, where they might congregate for safety at any time
when the way to Will's Creek or Winchester should be cut off.

The fort was located at a point where two small streams joined. Here the
brushwood and trees had been cleared off for a distance of little over
an acre. Some trees, running in a semi-circle from one brook to the
other, had been left standing, and between these a rude stockade had
been planted of logs, ten to twelve feet high and sharp-pointed at the
top. Along the two watercourses were a series of rough rocks and on top
of these other rocks had been placed, making a barrier almost as high as
the wooden one opposite. In the wooden stockade and among the rocks,
port holes were placed, so that those inside could command every avenue
of approach with their firearms. To the whole there was a rude gateway,
but as yet no gate further than some heavy brushwood piled conveniently
near,--thorn-brush, which all Indians despised.

So far there had assembled at the fort six families, consisting of eight
men and seven women, with fifteen children of all ages, from boys and
girls of Dave's growth to an infant in arms. These pioneers had brought
with them all the earthly possessions which they or their beasts of
burden could carry, and these goods were now piled high in the center of
the stockade, where there was something of a hollow among the rocks.
Back of this pile was a second hollow, rudely thatched with tree
branches, and here the women and the smaller children assembled, the
little ones either sleeping soundly or crying shrilly for the comforts
to which they were accustomed.

Among the men was Captain John Smith Tanner, a Virginian, of mixed
English and German blood. Captain Tanner had fought under Washington at
Braddock's defeat and also done good work during several Indian
uprisings, and this had won for him the military title, which, however,
was not of the king's troops but of the local militia. The captain was
an out-and-out backwoodsman, a bachelor, and a man well-liked by nearly
all who knew him.

As we know, it was Captain Tanner who had sent the note to Joseph
Morris's house by White Buffalo, and now he and several others of the
settlers waited anxiously for the appearance of not alone these friends,
but of five other pioneers, including Uriah Risley. Eight men to defend
both the stockade and the rocks were not many, and the captain felt that
should the enemy appear in force matters would speedily reach a crisis
with the whites.

"Somebuddy comin'!" shouted one of the watchers, presently. "An Injun!"

"Can you make him out?" questioned the captain, but before the question
was fairly finished the watcher continued:

"It's White Buffalo, and some white folks with him."

In a moment more the Morrises and Larkwells came into view, and the
thorn-brush was pulled aside to allow them to enter the enclosure. The
party rode in one at a time, Joseph Morris being the last to enter.
Rodney was so tired and exhausted he could not stand and Dave led him to
a seat on a tree stump and then assisted his aunt and little Nell to
alight.

"Oh, dear! Where are we?" cried the little girl, who had just awakened.
"I thought I was home in bed!"

"You are safe with mamma, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, hugging her
tightly. "We have come to the fort to get away from the wicked Indians."

"And I was asleep all the time? How funny!" Little Nell stared around
her. "Oh, there is Mary Lee and Martha Brownley!" she ejaculated. "I'll
have company, won't I?"

"Yes," answered her mother, and they joined their neighbors,--if those
living miles away could be called such.

The woman on the litter cared for, all the "men folks," which included
several who were little more than boys, assembled to map out a plan of
action and decide what should be done with White Buffalo and his
warriors. The Indian Chief was willing to aid them as much as was in his
power, but did not wish to enter the stockade, preferring to fight from
the shelter of the forest beyond.

"It is the redman's way," said White Buffalo, "even as it is the way of
the wildcat to fight in the darkness. White Buffalo can do more from the
outside than from the inside of the fort."

"I reckon you're right, Injun," answered Captain Tanner. "But now you've
carried one message for us I rather wish you'd carry another."

"White Buffalo will do what is best for his white brethren."

"I'd like to send word to Winchester, to Colonel Washington, letting him
know just how we're fixed here." The captain turned to those around him.
"Isn't that a good plan?"

"It is," said one, "but these Indians may give us lots of help,--if the
enemy come on us in heavy numbers. They oughtn't all to go."

The matter was talked over, and at last it was decided to let White
Buffalo start for Winchester with two of his braves, leaving the other
redmen to scatter through the woods and give the alarm on the approach
of the enemy. A letter was hastily written to Washington, and White
Buffalo started off just as the first streaks of dawn were beginning to
appear in the east.

Fortunately for those present, some of the pioneers had brought with
them large stocks of provision, so there was no need for anybody to go
hungry for a long while to come, should the Indians lay siege to them.
Water could also be had in plenty, which was desirable both for drinking
purposes and in case of fire.

With the coming of day those in the fort breathed more freely, for they
knew that even if the enemy came up it was not likely they would begin
an attack until darkness once again settled down. In the meantime the
work of strengthening the defense went on steadily, a laborer only
quitting when he found it necessary to lie down for a few hours' sleep.

The Indians had gone out, the thorn-brush had been piled high in the
gateway, and for the time being there seemed nothing for the pioneers to
do but to sit down and await developments. Several camp-fires were
burning and over these a morning meal was cooked, to which all but one
or two invalids did ample justice. The assemblage divided itself into
half a dozen groups, each talking in a low tone of the prospects.

The Morrises were chiefly concerned over the fate of Henry. When she
thought of her boy perhaps murdered and scalped the bitter tears of
anguish rolled down Mrs. Morris's cheeks, and the little the others
could do to cheer her up was of no avail.

"From what Dave says there must have been a fierce fight," she moaned.
"And more than likely our poor dear Henry got the worst of it. We'll
never see the brave boy again!" And her tears burst forth afresh.

"I would go on a hunt for him, only I know it would be next to useless,"
returned her husband. "Besides, at such a time as this I feel my place
is at your side, and with Nell, Rodney, and Dave." And she had to admit
that this was true.

Slowly the morning wore along. It had stopped snowing and not a sound
broke the stillness, outside of the gentle murmur of the brooks as they
met between the rocks, and the songs of the birds in the forest. Not a
breath of air was stirring, and as Dave climbed into one of the stockade
trees to survey the situation it looked as if no Indians were within
miles of them. But this he knew to be untrue, since White Buffalo's
warriors could not be far off and the enemy was surely working their way
in that direction.

"I fancy it's the calm before the storm," he said to Rodney, who having
had several hours of rest felt much stronger. "We'll catch it all the
worse when it does come."

"If only I wasn't crippled," sighed Rodney. "I'd fight just as hard as
any of 'em."

"I've no doubt of that, Rodney. Well, when the time comes perhaps you'll
have your share of the shooting same as any of us. You can watch from a
port-hole, even if you have to sit down to it."

"Yes, I've already told Captain Tanner I wanted one of those places at
the north brook to-night. I don't intend to let you fellows do the work
while I go and sleep. The women folks and the children are the only ones
to take it easy."

"Even the women folks will have their hands full--loading for us--when
the real attack begins. The first ten minutes are what counts. It was
that way when the Indians attacked father's trading post. If we hadn't
put it to 'em hot-like from the first minute we would never have beaten
'em back."

By the middle of the afternoon all that could be done was finished, and
then Captain Tanner insisted upon it that the majority of the men and
boys lie down to rest.

"You won't get any sleep to-night, so make the most of your time now,"
were his words. Then he climbed the tallest tree in that vicinity, to
take a long and careful look around. But this survey brought nothing new
to light.

It was just sundown when the first alarm came in. An Indian carrying a
white feather was seen sneaking up to the stockade. Seeing it was one of
White Buffalo's followers the captain sent Joseph Morris out to
interview him.

"The Indians who side with the French are coming," announced the
warrior. "They come by the trail we traveled and by the trail in yonder
pathway," pointing with his hand. "They are in four bands, and Gray Tail
heard that they will strike to-night when darkness covers the land."

This was all that the Indian could tell, but it was enough, and Joseph
Morris ran back to inform Captain Tanner and the others. Those who were
sleeping were aroused, and each man and boy was assigned to his place of
duty.

As he had desired, Rodney was placed near one of the brooks. The young
man's father was stationed some distance above him and Dave an equal
distance below. Next to Dave came a pioneer named Ike Lee, and the
others followed, completing the circle of the fort. Then all waited
anxiously for a first sign of the advancing enemy, each with his eyes
strained to their utmost and with his finger on the trigger of his
firearm.




CHAPTER X

HOW HENRY FARED


Let us now go back to Henry Morris and find out what occurred to the
young hunter and Mrs. Risley immediately after Dave departed from the
resting place in the forest.

As we know the tired woman had fainted from exhaustion, and for fully
ten minutes Henry had all he could do to restore her to consciousness.
He rubbed her hands and wrists vigorously and fanned her face with his
cap, and at last had the satisfaction of seeing her open her eyes.

"Oh!" she murmured. "I--I--what happened? Did I--I fall?"

"You fainted I reckon," answered the young hunter, kindly. "The walk was
too much for you."

"Yes--I felt I couldn't go another step, Henry. I see we are still in
the woods. Are the Indians near?"

"I don't think they are--at least, we haven't seen anything of them."

"Where is Dave?"

"He has gone on ahead, to see if all is right at home, and if it is to
bring help."

"I would give all I possess to be at your cabin," said the poor woman,
with a sigh. She tried to rise, then sank back heavily. "I--I--don't see
how I am going to walk."

"You had better rest a bit longer, Mrs. Risley. There is no great hurry.
It may pay us to go slow--with so many redskins lurking about. They may
be--"

Henry broke off short, and thinking his companion was about to speak,
clapped his hand over her mouth. Through the stillness of the forest he
had caught sounds that could mean but one thing--the approach of several
men. In a moment more he caught glimpses of a flickering light
approaching.

"We must hide!" he whispered in Mrs. Risley's ear. "Come, there isn't a
second to lose!"

"But where shall we go?" she panted, her heart leaping into her throat.
"I cannot run a step--it will kill me!"

The young hunter looked around in perplexity. There was some brushwood
to their right, growing among some sharp-pointed rocks. He caught his
companion's hand and almost dragged her in that direction. On the rocks
Mrs. Risley's foot slipped and she gave a cry of pain.

"My ankle--I have twisted it badly!"

"Hush! they will hear!" he answered, and seeing she could go no further,
he caught her in his youthful arms and carried her forward. In the midst
of a clump of bushes he laid her down and threw himself flat beside her,
at the same time holding some brushwood down over them.

By this time the glimmer of light had come closer. It was a torch, held
in the hands of a tall Indian, who was following up the trail of the
whites with great care. The Indian had with him six companions, all
armed with either guns or bows and arrows, and each hideous in his
war-paint.

Hardly daring to breathe, Henry awaited their close approach, his left
hand holding down the bushes and his right on his gun. Soon the warriors
were at the spot where Mrs. Risley had fainted. Here they came to a halt
and began to talk in low tones.

It was a moment of intense anxiety, and it must be confessed that
Henry's heart almost stopped beating. The warrior with the torch held
the light aloft, and all in the party gazed around with eyes as piercing
as those of some wild beasts.

[Illustration: The warrior with the torch held the light aloft.]

In a moment more something happened which changed the tables of fortune.
Unable to bear the pain of her twisted ankle, Mrs. Risley drew in a
sharp, rasping breath which sound reached the ears of one of the
Indians. Instantly he stepped in that direction and spoke to the warrior
with the torch. Three of the band came forward with swift steps and
arrows pointed. A yell rent the air, telling that those in hiding were
discovered.

Seeing it was useless to remain prostrate Henry leaped up. An arrow
whizzed past his shoulder and would have struck him fairly in the breast
had he not leaped to one side.

He, too, blazed away, and saw the leading Indian go down, shot through
the breast, a serious if not a mortal wound. Then he pulled Mrs. Risley
to her feet.

"Run!" he cried. "Run! It is your only chance. Hide in the woods!"

She limped off, but ere she had gotten a dozen steps two of the warriors
were after her, and she was made a prisoner. In the meantime Henry
retreated to a clump of birch trees and there made a stand against the
remaining Indians.

The struggle, which lasted but a few minutes, was an unequal one.
Another arrow was fired, and it grazed his left hand, causing the blood
to flow freely, and making the stains afterward discovered by Dave. Then
one of the red men came up behind the trees, and reaching out struck him
with the flat side of a tomahawk. Henry tried to turn and grapple with
his assailant, but suddenly his senses left him and he knew no more.

"'Tis one of the Morris family," said the Indian with the torch, in his
native tongue. He made an examination. "He is not dead."

"A good capture," said another. "We must take him along. Gonawak, you
must help to carry him."

"And what of the woman?" asked the warrior addressed as Gonawak, well
known throughout that territory for his extreme cruelty.

"Talking Deer will take care of her," was the answer. "He is to take
care of all of them until this raid is over."

But little more was said, and in a few minutes the unconscious form of
the young hunter was picked up and borne through the forest in the
direction of the nearest stream. As has been said, water leaves no
trail, and for this reason the redmen instinctively used the shallow
stream for a roadway.

When Henry regained his senses he found himself strapped to the back of
a horse and moving slowly westward through the forest. The wound on his
hand had been allowed to bleed itself out. He felt both weak and stiff
and had a dull ache in his head, where the tomahawk had landed and
raised a good-sized lump.

By a blaze on the animal's neck, Henry recognized the horse he rode as
one belonging to a pioneer living in that vicinity. He was in the
company of nine redmen, four of whom were mounted on stolen horses. From
this he inferred that the Risley cabin was not the only one which had
been attacked on that fatal night.

He looked around, but could see nothing of Mrs. Risley nor of any other
captives. He was alone with the savage warriors, and what they intended
to do with him there was no telling. But he had good reasons for
believing that a horrible fate was in store for him.

"I must get away if I can," he thought. "They can't do any more than
shoot me if I try to escape, and even that will be better than to be
burnt at the stake."

The Indians now noticed that he had recovered consciousness, and one of
them rode closer and said sharply:

"White hunter boy must keep still. If yell will strike him!" And he
flourished his tomahawk threateningly.

"Where are you taking me?" questioned Henry. But the Indian would not
answer and only told him to keep quiet.

It was growing morning when the small band came to a halt, at the bank
of a wide stream where there was a series of rapids among the rocks.
Henry was cut loose and ordered to dismount. Then he was led to a nearby
tree and tied up once more.

"Will you give me a drink?" he asked of one of the Indians, but for
answer the redman slapped him sharply over the mouth and told him to
hold his tongue.

Suffering much from thirst and from the wound on his left hand, which
had now begun to swell, Henry watched the Indians as they prepared an
early morning meal, for the light of dawn was now showing in the east. A
fire of very dry wood, which would give little smoke, was lighted and
over this two of the redmen prepared some deer meat they had been
carrying. The smell of the cooking venison was tantalizing to Henry, but
he knew better than to ask for a portion of the repast. Once or twice
the Indians came up to him but only to jibe at him and poke him with
their guns or their bows, while one made a move with his hunting knife
as if to cut out the young hunter's heart.

While the Indians were busy eating Henry tugged at his bonds with all
the strength he could muster. But he was too weak, and the warriors had
bound the rawhides too firmly, for the youth to budge them. He only made
his wound break out afresh, and then had to stop, well-nigh exhausted
with his effort.

"Getting away is out of the question," he thought, and a heavy sigh
escaped his lips. "They will keep a sharp watch on me until they get
back to their village and then they will take great delight in torturing
me in every way they can think of. Oh, what savages they are, every one
of them!"

Thus musing, Henry watched the Indians eat their meal. When they had
finished one warrior came to him with some of the scraps and with a cup
full of dirty water.

"White hunter boy can eat," said the Indian, and untied one of his
hands. It was far from an appetizing meal and was decidedly scant. But
it was better than nothing, and not wishing to starve to death Henry ate
all that was offered him and drank the water to the last drop. Then his
loose hand was once again fastened behind him.

The Indians were now holding a consultation, sitting close to the dying
embers of the fire and smoking their long-stemmed pipes. But little of
what was said reached Henry's ears, yet he caught the words "big feast"
and "burn at stake" spoken in the Indian tongue. At this he had to
shudder in spite of every effort to control his feelings.

"I must get away!" he thought. "I must! I'm not going to allow them to
burn me at the stake! It's horrible. I've heard all about old Sol Harper
and Dick Waterbury, and how they suffered. I'd rather be shot.
They'll--Oh!"

His thoughts came to a sudden end, and for the instant he felt that he
must be dreaming. His eyes had strayed to the bushes on the opposite
bank of the stream. A white hand was raised warningly and the bushes
parted slowly, showing the face of his old friend, Sam Barringford.
Henry nodded, to show that he had seen the old frontiersman. Then the
bushes closed again and Sam Barringford disappeared.




CHAPTER XI

SAM BARRINGFORD'S RUSE


The appearance of his old frontier friend gave Henry's hopes a bound
upward. He felt that he could rely upon Sam Barringford to do his utmost
for him in securing his release. He felt equally sure that Barringford
had been following the band for some time, trying to gain a chance to
rush in and cut his bonds.

It was true that Barringford numbered but one against nine, and would
have stood small chance against them in an open fight, but Henry knew
the old frontiersman too well to imagine that Barringford would thus
expose himself to a stray shot that might kill him. His friend had
learned the value of playing a "waiting game," and would do nothing rash
unless the occasion actually demanded it.

The best part of half an hour went by, and still the Indians remained
around the camp-fire, smoking and discussing the situation. Occasionally
one would glance toward Henry and perhaps raise a tomahawk
threateningly, meaning thereby that an attempt to escape would be
punishable by death. To these movements Henry paid no attention.

The young hunter's ears were on the alert, for he half expected that
Barringford might be coming up behind him to cut his bonds. At last he
heard his name mentioned in a low, guarded tone:

"Henry!"

"Sam," he returned, without apparently moving his lips.

"I'm right behind, lad. Do as I tell you and gittin' away may come easy.
I'll cut yer rawhides, but don't you attempt ter move till yer hear a
noise in the woods an' the Injuns run fer the spot. Then dust straight
back, an' I'll jine you fast as I kin. Do you understand?"

"Yes," answered Henry, as softly as before.

"All right. Now tell me when them measly critters ain't lookin'. I can't
see 'em from here."

After this there was a few minutes of silence. Henry watched the nine
redmen as never before. Several faced him, but now they turned away for
a moment and he communicated that fact to Sam Barringford.

Instantly a hand glided around the side of the tree and a sharp hunting
knife slid along the rawhides which bound the youth's hands and feet.
The bonds about the tree were already severed.

"Now I'm goin'," whispered Barringford. "Don't run till they ain't
a-noticin' of you--unless, o' course, they come straight at you."

As silently as he had come Sam Barringford retreated, keeping the tree
and some brushwood between himself and the enemy. Once more Henry was
left alone, and again many anxious minutes passed.

Suddenly from a distance up the stream came a shot, followed by another,
and then a well-known Indian war-whoop. The voice of a white man,
calling out loudly, was heard, followed by another war-cry, and a
crashing and splitting of a tree branch.

Throwing down their pipes all the Indians around the camp-fire leaped to
their feet and seized their weapons. With one accord they bounded up the
stream to learn what the encounter so close at hand could mean. The
war-whoop used was their own. Some of their own tribe must be making an
attack or must be in danger.

No sooner had the Indians turned to leave him than Henry dropped his
bonds and leaped behind the tree. With all possible speed he rushed
straight into the woods. As he progressed he jumped from one rock to
another, where this could be done, in order to leave as imperfect a
trail as possible.

He felt that the shots, the cries and the war-whoops, coupled with the
crashing of the tree branch, were all a part of the ruse employed by Sam
Barringford to make the Indians leave their captive, and in this he was
not mistaken. The Indians had gone off to a man, and now, when he felt
safe for the time being, Henry was sorry that he had not stopped long
enough to gain possession of his gun.

"I can't go back now," he muttered. "They'll return soon--or send one or
two back to watch me." He listened for a second. "Hullo! some of 'em are
back already! Now they'll make it warm for me, if they can!"

He pushed on until he heard a low but clear whistle, not unlike the
sound of certain night birds of that locality. He whistled in return and
soon saw the form of a man in the distance waving an arm for him to come
up.

"Fooled 'em nicely, didn't I?" chuckled Sam Barringford. "They lit out
soon as they heard thet war-whoop, didn't they?"

"They did," answered Henry. "But some of 'em are back, so we mustn't
lose any time getting away."

"Right you are, lad--'t won't do to try to fool 'em too much--it's too
much like playin' with the teeth o' a wildcat, now they hev their
war-paint on. O' course you know the hull country's riz, don't you?"

"Yes, and Risley's cabin has been burnt down and Mrs. Risley is a
captive I'm afraid."

"I'm a-feered fer your own folks, Henry. The Injuns is headed that way,
seems to me."

As they hurried on through the woods, with ears on the alert for the
possible appearance of the Indians left behind or of others, Henry told
his story, to which the old frontiersman listened with close attention.
In return Barringford related his own doings during the past forty-eight
hours.

"I was up to Timber Ridge, back o' Siler's place, lookin' fer deer, when
I spotted some o' the Injuns makin' fer the old meetin' ground. I made
up my mind they was up to no good, and so I followed 'em. They held a
meeting with Little Horn's warriors, and one of 'em had a message from
thet rascally Jean Bevoir who robbed yer uncle o' that trading-post on
the Kinotah, and the message said not to forget the Morris cabin in the
raid."

"Our cabin!" burst out Henry. "Then they will surely attack it."

"Yes, and jest because Jean Bevoir wants 'em to, Henry. Thet rascal
ought to be hung. He's wuss nor any redman, to my way o' thinkin'."

"Anyway, we can't get home too quick--at least I can't, Sam."

"I'm with you, Henry. Your folks are my best friends. Besides, I want to
learn what has become of Dave. You know what a sight I think o' him,"
concluded Barringford.

They advanced with caution until Henry felt compelled to rest. Then they
sat down by the edge of a tiny stream and here obtained a drink, and the
frontiersman washed and bound up Henry's wounded hand. At last they went
on once more, taking a semi-circle which brought them in sight of the
Morris cabin.

"Too late!" burst from Henry's lips, and his heart sank within him.
Against the early morning sky was a heavy cloud of smoke curling lazily
upward from the ruins of the cabin and the out-buildings. Around the
ruins half a dozen redmen were prowling, on the hunt for anything of
value which might have escaped their notice during the darkness of the
night.

"Yes, lad, we're too late," responded Barringford, mournfully. "I only
trust your folks escaped."

"Let--let us creep closer and see if there are any--any bodies lying
around," faltered the young hunter. He was so agitated he could scarcely
speak.

"Be careful what you do," was the warning. "Follow me--I think I know a
safe lookout place."

Barringford led the way, and presently they found themselves in a clump
of brushwood not over two hundred feet from the cabin. The brush was on
a rise of ground, so that they could survey the situation with ease.

"Nothing in sight," said Henry, after a long and painful pause. "What do
you say to that, Sam?"

"It's encouragin', lad. More'n likely your father got away with your
mother an' the others. I don't see none o' the hosses around. Thet's a
good sign, too. I believe they struck out fer Fort Lawrence or Will's
Creek--most likely the first, fer the trail to Will's Creek is
chuck-a-block with Injuns."

Feeling that nothing could be gained by remaining in the vicinity, they
started to retreat to the friendly shelter of the forest. They had
hardly covered a hundred yards, when Henry gave a cry of warning.

"An Indian! Coming straight for us!"

He was right, and a moment later a painted warrior confronted them. He,
too, was surprised at the meeting, but quick as a flash raised the
tomahawk he carried to strike Barringford down.

Had the blow landed as intended the frontiersman's skull would have been
split in twain. But if the Indian was quick Barringford was quicker. He
leaped to one side and in a twinkling had the warrior by the throat and
was bearing him backward. At the same moment Henry advanced.

"Never mind--I've got the consarned critter!" cried Barringford, as he
held the Indian in a grasp of steel. "See if more are a-comin'!"

Henry looked, but not another redman was in sight. The one in
Barringford's grasp squirmed and struggled and drew up a knee to plant
it against the frontiersman's breast. But even this did not break that
deadly grip, and now the Indian's tongue fairly lolled from his
wide-open mouth. He clutched Barringford's throat, but his hand was
thrown aside and the wrist pressed back until it was almost broken. Then
the Indian gave a strange gulp and suddenly collapsed in a heap.

"Thet settles his account," panted Barringford, as he staggered away.
"An' he didn't git no chance to make any noise nuther. Serves the
critter right, don't it?" And he led the way onward once more.

"Yes, it served him right," answered Henry, but even as he spoke he had
to shudder, and he wondered if the Indian was really dead or only partly
choked to death.

Having decided to move in the direction of Fort Lawrence, Sam
Barringford led the way by the very route Joseph Morris had pursued.
Both he and Henry were now exhausted by their long walk, and both would
have rested had it not been that they were so anxious to know how
matters were going at the fort. On they stumbled as best they could.
Each was hungry, yet neither complained on that score.

It was nearly noon when they heard a number of shots in the distance. A
fierce yelling followed, and the shooting was continued for the best
part of half an hour.

"The Indians have attacked the fort!" cried Henry. "A big battle must be
going on!"

"I reckon you are right, Henry. Come," and Barringford set off at an
increased rate of speed.

They did not go far, however, for only a little while later they heard a
murmur of voices ahead.

"An Injun camp," whispered Barringford. "Come, we'll go around," and he
moved to the left.

But here the way was also blocked by Indians. Then they made a wide
detour, only to find more warriors encamped between themselves and the
fort.

"The way's blocked," said the frontiersman at last. "The critters have
entirely surrounded the fort. We're out of it, and it looks as if we'd
have to stay out."




CHAPTER XII

DARK YEAR OF THE WAR


At the time this story opens George Washington had been on the frontier
for nearly two years, with what was little more than a handful of
rangers and militia, doing his best to protect a section of country
extending through Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. His headquarters
were at Winchester, where the fort was in a good state for defence, but
he was frequently away from that place, directing minor operations
against the Indians, who, urged by their French allies, were continually
attacking isolated settlements.

At this time the future President of our country was still a young man,
strong, resolute, and full of the fire of ambition. There was no thought
of independence in those days. He was a subject of the King of England,
and as a subject willing to do his utmost to sustain British authority
in America. He was dearly beloved by all the soldiers under him, but it
must be confessed that some of these soldiers were not as willing to
remain in the army as was desirable.

The trouble over the soldiers is easily explained. In the first place
the settlers objected to doing military duty when called upon to "play
second fiddle" to the soldiers brought over from England, and in the
second place the pay was poor and uncertain, and the pioneers, much as
they wished to defend their frontier and whip the French and Indians,
could ill afford to neglect their farms and crops.

"I'd like to enlist again," said one old pioneer to Washington, "But I
have a wife and four little children at home, and if I don't care for
them they'll have nothing to eat. You know, sir, that I haven't received
a dollar of pay for three months." This explanation was typical of many,
and while Colonel Washington was sorry to have his men desert him thus,
deep down in his heart he could not blame them for wishing to provide
for those they dearly loved.

Thus far the conduct of the war with France had been a series of
disasters to England's cause, extending over a period of three years.
Braddock's bitter defeat, in July, 1755, had been followed by Shirley's
abandonment of the plan to take Fort Niagara, and after a bitter battle
at Lake George, Sir William Johnson, of whom we shall hear much more
later, was forced to give up his hope of pushing on to Crown Point. This
closed the fighting for the year, leaving the outlook for the colonies
gloomy indeed.

War between France and England was formally declared in May, 1756--just
twenty years before that memorable Revolution which separated the United
States from England. The Earl of Loudon was sent out to take command of
a new expedition north, but his work in that territory was no more
victorious than Johnson's had been, and as a consequence the French
commander, General Montcalm, captured Oswego, with all the guns and
supplies left there the year previous by Shirley, and in his defeat
General Webb, with a large portion of the British troops, had to fall
back to Albany.

Early in the following year the English made greater preparations than
ever to bring the war to a satisfactory close. Loudon sailed from New
York with six thousand men, and was joined at Halifax by Admiral
Holborne with a fleet of eleven warships. The object of the expedition
was to attack Louisburg, but when the English arrived in the vicinity of
that French stronghold they found seventeen of the enemy's warships
awaiting them, backed up by heavy land fortifications, and to attack
such a force would have been foolhardy; so Loudon returned to New York
much dispirited.

In the meantime, Montcalm was not idle. While Loudon was proceeding
against Louisburg the great French general came down with a strong force
from Crown Point and attacked Fort William Henry. The fort was compelled
to surrender, and did so with the understanding that the soldiers be
allowed to march out with the honors of war. But the Indians with the
French would not agree to this, and upon a given signal they fell with
great fury on the English, slaughtering them right and left, butchering
not only the soldiers but also about a hundred women and children who
had fled to the enclosure for safety. The barracks were battered down
and burned, and the cannon, boats, and stores carried away. For these
outrageous proceedings Montcalm was held responsible, but he claimed
that the Indians could not be controlled.

The effect of so many disasters to British arms in other quarters, could
leave but one impression on the minds of the Indians who threatened the
frontier which Washington was trying to defend. These warriors came to
the conclusion that the English were too weak to defend themselves, and,
consequently, they could rush in and kill, burn, and loot to suit
themselves. They were well aware that the French still held Fort
Duquesne, and that if the English came too far westward (in a chase
after the redmen,) the French would rouse up in an effort to drive them
back from whence they had come. More than this, there were among the
Indians such rascally traders as Jean Bevoir, and these men, in order to
further their own interests, told the Indians to go ahead and do as they
pleased against the English, and that the French would never interfere,
no matter how barbarous was the warfare thus carried on.

At this time the population of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia was
reckoned at about half a million souls, yet from such a number
Washington could only obtain two thousand militiamen and rangers, and,
as stated before, this number was constantly decreasing, as one after
another refused to re-enlist, for reasons already given. The young
commander did all in his power to protect the numerous settlements from
attacks, but to cover such a wide expanse of territory was, under the
circumstances, impossible. The best that could be done was to station
parts of the army at various forts and hold the soldiers in readiness to
march forth in any direction from whence should come an alarm.

Colonel Washington had been out on a long tour of inspection, and was
just settling down for a much needed sleep, when an orderly entered and
told him that an Indian messenger had arrived with news.

"Who is the messenger?" questioned the commander, for in those days it
was necessary to guard against all possible treachery.

"An under chief named White Buffalo, sir."

Washington knew White Buffalo fairly well, and at once commanded that
the chief be brought in. This was done, and the warrior delivered the
message written by Captain Tanner with all the ceremony the occasion, to
the Indian, seemed to require.

"White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this message so
quickly," said Washington. "Fort Lawrence needs help and I shall give
all the help in my power. You know much of the Indians who are friendly
to the French. How soon will they attack the place, do you think?"

[Illustration: "White Buffalo, my brother, has done well to bring this
message so quickly."]

"That White Buffalo cannot tell to his brother Washington," was the
chief's answer. "They are eager for plunder and will hold off only so
long as they think they are too weak to make the attack. But when they
feel strong enough they will rush in, and if they take the fort, White
Buffalo is sure the massacre at Fort William Henry will be repeated."

A few words more followed, and Washington hurried forth to notify
several of his officers of what was happening at Fort Lawrence. A force
of only thirty-six men could be spared from Fort Winchester, and these
were placed under the command of Lieutenant Baldwick, an old Indian
fighter. With the whites went nine Indians, who, after some little
urging, consented to act under White Buffalo, although they belonged to
a different tribe. Washington was greatly tempted to take command
himself but felt that he would soon be needed in other directions.

The rangers chosen for this expedition were all on horseback, and
Lieutenant Baldwick started them off just as soon as they could be
gotten together, and the necessary food and ammunition could be
distributed. The Indians were on foot, but they were all good runners,
and as the trail was a rough one for horses the warriors kept up without
great difficulty.

The expedition was yet within sight of Winchester when James Morris came
riding into the post, having been on a business trip a mile further
eastward. Dave's father met Colonel Washington at the entrance to the
stockade and took the liberty to ask what the departure of the soldiers
meant.

"They are on the way to Fort Lawrence," was the answer, and Washington
told of the message received and of what White Buffalo had had to
relate.

"That's bad!" ejaculated James Morris. "Did he say anything of my folks,
Colonel?"

"He mentioned your brother Joseph as being with Captain Tanner, but that
is all. I sincerely trust your family are in the fort and safe,"
answered Washington.

Dave's father had wished to see the commander about the purchase of a
number of horses needed by the British army, but now the business was
forgotten, and without delay the trader dashed off on his steed after
Lieutenant Baldwick's command. As soon as he gained the expedition he
sought out White Buffalo and asked concerning Dave.

"He is at the fort," said the Indian. "And so is your brother Joseph and
his wife and Rodney and little Bright-face,"--meaning Nell.

"And what of Henry?"

"He was missing--but he may be at the fort when we get there." And as
well as he was able the warrior told of what had happened at Uriah
Risley's cabin and afterwards.

Although the expedition moved on as rapidly as possible, it was high
noon before half the distance to Fort Lawrence was covered. The mid-day
meal was eaten on the march, and the only stop made was one to water
the horses. Two white scouts and two Indians went ahead as spies, and
half an hour later discovered the camp of four Indians, who had with
them one warrior who was suffering with a broken leg. A skirmish ensued,
and two of the Indians, including the wounded man, were killed and the
others taken prisoners. After that the expedition moved onward with
greater vigilance than ever.

It was nearly three o'clock, and the soldiers were still a mile from the
fort, when one of the advance guard set up a shout. He had caught sight
of two white men creeping along the edge of a ravine to the north of the
trail. A halt was ordered and another batch of scouts went forward to
learn who the whites could be.

A short game of hide-and-seek now ensued, each side not knowing whether
the other was a friend or an enemy. But at last there came a yell of joy
from Sam Barringford as he swung his coonskin cap in the air.

"I know you, Dick Hoggerly!" he shouted, to one of the scouts. "Don't
let 'em shoot at us. I've got Henry Morris with me."

"Hullo, so it's you, Sam," was the answer. "All right; we ain't shootin'
no friends if we kin help it." And then the word was passed around and
soon the two wanderers were made welcome, Henry especially so by his
Uncle James.

The pair had but little to relate outside of what is already known. They
told Lieutenant Baldwick that the Indians surrounded Fort Lawrence
completely and that some sort of an attack had already taken place. This
was enough to arouse the spirit of even the most sluggish, and once
again the expedition moved through the forest, determined to save the
fort and its defenders, if such a thing were possible.




CHAPTER XIII

FIGHTING OFF THE INDIANS


"It doesn't look much like an attack now."

It was Dave who spoke, as he leaned against the rocks and gazed sharply
out into the forest, beyond the tiny stream of water flowing beside the
improvised fort.

"When the redskins come they won't blow a trumpet," replied Rodney,
grimly. "The more vicious the attack the more quiet they'll go about it.
Isn't that so, father?"

"You're about right, my son," returned Joseph Morris. "I shouldn't be
surprised if the Indians are much closer than we think."

"If only we knew where Henry is, and father," said Dave. "Perhaps the
redskins have captured them both."

"They won't get your father so easily, Dave," came from Joseph Morris.
"They may----"

The pioneer broke off short and suddenly raised his gun. He had seen
some war-like feathers floating above a fringe of brushwood between a
number of stately walnut trees. He took careful aim and fired.

A yell rent the air and in a trice that cry was echoed by half a hundred
others, filling the air with a sudden noise, which no pen can describe.
As Dave said, it was truly "a hair raiser," and he felt a quick chill
creep down his backbone. That yell told only too well how the Indians
were aroused, and what they would do could they but gain the chance.

The report of Joseph Morris's gun was followed by the discharge of
Rodney's weapon and then shots from several others. Rodney had seen a
warrior running from one tree to another and had brought the Indian down
midway between the two. But the fellow was only wounded and he lost no
time in crawling to cover.

Spat! spat! A bullet and an arrow hit the rocks directly in front of the
Morrises and caused Dave to dodge quickly, although so far there was
small danger of being hit. Then came other shots from both sides and for
several minutes the air inside and outside the fort was filled with
smoke.

"There's a good number of them, that's certain," observed Joseph Morris,
as he paused to reload. "I believe every Indian for a hundred and fifty
miles around has gathered here. Hark!"

They listened, and from a distance came other yells, gradually circling
around in the forest to the other side of the fort. But this ruse did
not deceive those within.

"It's an old dodge," observed Joseph Morris. "They want us to look for
them on that side while they make a dash on this. See, here they come
now!"

"Yes, an' thar's fer 'em!" put in a pioneer standing near. His aim was
true and a warrior went down just as he leaped out to cross the stream.

"Good for you, Pasney!" exclaimed Joseph Morris. "Never saw a truer shot
in my life. You took him straight in the heart."

"Wall, thet's wot I reckoned on doin'," replied Pasney, coolly. He was
an old trapper, and had lived among friendly Indians for years. At rifle
practice he had often won prizes for marksmanship.

With four of their warriors either killed or wounded, the Indians
retreated for the time being. So far nobody in the fort had been
touched, consequently the spirits of all, even of the women folks,
revived.

"If we keep this up, we'll soon discourage them," said Captain Tanner.
"More than likely they'll hang around until to-morrow and then rush off
to loot what they can and get back to their own territory."

"If they do that we ought to follow them," said Dave. "They should be
taught a good lesson. Just think of our nice home being burnt to the
ground for no reason at all. It's a shame!"

Many of the women and children, as well as some of the men, were very
tired, but sleep was out of the question for all old enough to
comprehend what was taking place. Even little Nell came out of a nap
with a scream and clung closer than ever to her mother's skirt.

"Oh, mamma, what will they do with us?" she asked. "Will they scalp us?"

"Let us hope not, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, soothingly. "I think your
papa and the others can keep them off."

Half an hour later came another attack. It was now dark, and only a
trained eye could see what was taking place in the blackness of the
forest surrounding the fort. To get a better view Pasney climbed one of
the trees forming part of the stockade.

Hardly had he gained a favorable position than he uttered a cry of
alarm. Then came the whizzing of an arrow through the bare branches in
front of him and his body came down with a thud just inside the
defence. Several rushed to him and raised him up, but it was too late.

"Shot through the heart!" whispered Dave, as he gazed on the body in
horror. "He got just what he gave that redskin a while ago." And he
turned away, scarcely able to control his feelings.

Again the war-cry was given and once more the Indians made a rush, this
time attacking the fort on two sides. There was a constant discharge of
firearms, and arrows came freely into the enclosure, one taking Rodney
through the fleshy part of the arm and another grazing Dave's face.

"You are hit, Rodney," cried Dave, as he saw his crippled cousin stagger
back.

"Reckon it ain't much," was the answer. "But it was a close call," and
then Rodney went to his mother, to have the wound bound up.

The fight had been waging for the best part of an hour when those in the
fort saw that the enemy were changing their tactics. Through the air
there rushed a dozen or more arrows all carrying with them trails of
fire. They went up like so many rockets, to fall in graceful curves
directly into the fort. One had a horn of powder attached to it, which,
on touching the ground, exploded with great violence. Fire was scattered
in all directions and for the moment it looked as if some of the women
folks and children would be burnt alive.

Rodney was close to his mother and little Nell when the first shower of
burning arrows came down. He saw his mother's skirt go up into a blaze
and like a flash tore the burning garment from her. Then he brushed some
sparks from little Nell and himself and an old woman standing by.

"They intend to burn us alive!" was the cry, and many of the children
began to scream louder than ever.

"Let the women take water and dirt and put out the fire!" ordered
Captain Tanner. "Every man is needed at the stockade. They are getting
ready for another rush!"

Fortunately all the water possible had been brought into the fort and
clothes were soaked in this and used for beating out the flames. It was
hard work, and soon the women were as smoke-begrimed as the men. To save
the children all their dresses were wet down so that the sparks might
have no effect. Where the burning arrows fell among the baggage, and
water was not handy, the sod was dug up with spades and pike poles and
thrown on as a blanket.

In the meantime what Captain Tanner had said about another attack was
true. But this time the Indians were more cautious and they hardly
exposed themselves, while waiting for the fire to aid them. When they
saw that the blazing arrows had little or no effect they fell back once
more, with two warriors wounded, one mortally.

Slowly the night wore away. The loss to the pioneers had been one man
killed and several wounded, although none seriously. One woman had been
burnt across the neck and one little boy had had an ear scorched.

When day dawned the vigilance at the stockade and the rocks was not
relaxed, for all felt that another attack might come at any moment.
There was no water in the enclosure, all on hand having been used in
fighting fire.

"We've got to get water somehow," said Joseph Morris. "I'm dying for a
drink and I reckon all of you are about the same."

"Oh, Joseph, do not expose yourself," pleaded Mrs. Morris. "More than
likely the Indians know we want water and they'll watch the brooks
closely, to see if they can't catch whoever tries to get it."

This was proved to be the case a few minutes later, when a pioneer named
Raymond tried to get a bucket of water. Hardly had he showed himself
when two arrows whizzed in that direction, one cutting through his
coonskin cap. Raymond dropped his bucket in a hurry and lost no time in
regaining shelter.

"I know a way to get water," said Rodney. "Dig a hole down between the
rocks and then run a pike pole through that dirt bank. Some of the water
in that brook will be sure to flow in this direction."

The suggestion was thought a good one and several started to dig the
hole immediately. It was made four feet deep and the pike pole was
jammed through the soil at as low a point as possible. At first no water
came, but presently a few drops showed themselves and then followed a
stream the size of one's little finger.

"Hurrah!" cried Dave. "Rodney's scheme is all right. That hole will keep
the water here on a level with that in the stream and we'll have all we
wish." And so it proved, much to the satisfaction of all in the fort. To
be sure, the water was rather muddy, but even muddy water was much
better than none and nobody complained.

"White Buffalo ought to be on his way back," observed Joseph Morris, as
he and the boys sat on the rocks, eating the scant morning meal which
Captain Tanner had had dealt out.

"Yes, and he ought to have some of Colonel Washington's rangers with
him," returned Dave.

"Your father will be with 'em," came from Rodney. "That is, unless he
struck out for the house instead."

The talking went on in low voices, for all ears were on guard, waiting
for sounds from the forest. Captain Tanner had hoped to get some word
from the Indians White Buffalo had left behind, but none of these showed
themselves.

An hour later an alarm came from the farther end of the stockade. The
Indians were gathering for a solid rush upon that quarter. Soon a yell
was heard and again came shots and arrows.

"We are in for it now!" cried Captain Tanner. "Every man must do his
duty or we are lost. They are coming on us a couple of hundred
stronger!"

He was right, and now the enemy advanced boldly as if encouraged by the
mere force of numbers. Several carried notched limbs of trees, to be
used as ladders in scaling the stockade.

Shots flew thick and fast and inside of a few minutes two more of the
pioneers were wounded and a woman was killed outright. The Indians
suffered even a greater loss, but continued to come on until more than a
score of them were close to the stockade. In the meantime several of the
number ran around to the rocks, thinking the pioneers had deserted this
end of the fort.

Joseph Morris, Rodney, Dave, and two others met those at the rocks with
a rapid volley which speedily put three of the warriors out of the
contest. But more were coming, and in a few minutes our friends found
themselves in what was almost a hand-to-hand encounter, only a few rough
rocks separating them from the redskins.

Dave had just fired, and was reloading with all speed, when he saw an
arrow aimed full at his uncle. He gave a shout of warning, but the cry
came too late. Joseph Morris was struck in the breast and went down in a
heap. He gave a strange little groan and then lay still.




CHAPTER XIV

RETREAT OF THE PIONEERS


Dave's shout of warning reached Rodney's ears, and the young man turned
in time to see his father go down as just described. He gave a cry of
horror and then, with set teeth, discharged his gun straight at the
warrior who had laid Mr. Morris low. His aim was true and the Indian
fell to rise no more.

The fall of his uncle nerved Dave to greater effort, and as the Indians
rushed over the rocks he, with several others, met them in a short but
bitter hand-to-hand contest, in which blows were freely taken and
delivered. The redskins were yelling at the top of their lungs and using
their tomahawks with great viciousness. Dave was confronted by a tall
warrior who did his best to split the youth's head open with his
hatchet, but Dave dodged and the blow merely grazed his shoulder. Then,
before the Indian could aim another blow a bullet from the rear cut
short the redskin's career forever.

The forest was now full of shouting, and shots were being fired with
marvelous rapidity. Those in the fort could not understand this. Had
the Indians been re-enforced?

"If more redskins have come up we are doomed!" was the cry which went
the rounds, but almost on top of it came a yell of joy:

"The rangers have come! We are saved!"

It was true, the command under Lieutenant Baldwick had come up after a
long running fight with some Indians journeying toward the fort. These
redskins had been put to flight and with them about a dozen French
trappers and traders under Jean Bevoir, one of the trappers having been
slain, along with two Indians. Now the rangers were fighting desperately
to get to those hemmed in at the fort.

The coming of the soldiers put new life in the pioneers and the battle
broke forth afresh. Struck at from both the front and the rear the
Indians received a galling fire which filled them with sudden terror.

In the midst of the rangers were James Morris and Sam Barringford.
Dave's father was cool and determined and every shot from his musket was
sent with deadly effect. Barringford seemed to be in his element, and
danced around so rapidly that not an Indian could draw a "bead" upon
him.

"Thet for ye!" he yelled, firing his gun at the nearest warrior. "An'
how do yer like thet, eh?"--hitting a second with the butt of the
weapon. "I'll show ye! Ain't I a roarin' painter when I'm cut loose!
Cl'ar the track fer the bustin', roarin' whirlwind!" And thus shouting
in the style peculiar to the old-time trappers of that period he rushed
in, literally cutting a path over the rocks and into the fort proper. An
arrow stuck through his coonskin cap and his hunting jacket was ripped
in a dozen places by knives and tomahawks, yet with it all he seemed to
bear a charmed life and laid low every warrior who dared to bar his
progress.

In less than ten minutes after the rangers had appeared and closed in
the Indians began to retreat. Seeing them thus on the run, the pioneers
and soldiers increased their efforts and soon the warriors were only too
glad to get back into the forest. They left the vicinity of the fort and
took up their stand several hundred yards away, behind a small hill,
enclosed on two sides by rocks. It is possible they expected the rangers
to follow them to this point, but for the time being they were not
molested.

The reason for this was easily explained. Both pioneers and rangers were
utterly fagged out--the former by their hasty flights from their homes,
and the vigilance and fighting at the fort, and the latter because of
the forced ride from Winchester, and the first battle in the forest with
Indians and French. All needed a rest, and the wounded demanded
attention. So for the time being the battle remained a drawn one.

As soon as it was made known that the Indians had retreated, a score of
rangers who were unhurt were set to watch their movements, and then
began the caring for the wounded. All told, it was found that six men,
women and children had been killed outright and that one man was
mortally hurt. Of the pioneers five were wounded, and of the rangers
three, and of the killed two had been scalped.

"Dave, my son!" exclaimed James Morris, as he rushed up. "Are you safe?"

"Yes, father," was the answer. "And you?"

"I have a scratch on the leg, but it isn't much. How are the rest?"

"Uncle Joe has been shot down. I reckon the others are all right."

"Joe shot down? Is he--he----"

"There he is, over by the rocks. No, he isn't dead, but I think he's
pretty bad. He got an arrow right in the breast."

Father and son hurried to the spot, to find Joseph Morris stretched out
on a blanket and surrounded by all of his family, including Henry, who
during the advance of the rangers had fought as bravely as anyone. The
arrow had been extracted and Mrs. Morris was using her utmost skill in
binding up the wound.

"What do you think, James?" she wailed. "Will he live?"

"While there is life let us hope, Lucy," answered the brother-in-law,
tenderly. "Is he unconscious?"

"Yes," put in Rodney. "I--I'm afraid that arrow point was poisoned."

"Let me see the arrow."

It was passed over and James Morris examined it with care. At this point
Sam Barringford also came up and he, too, looked the arrow over.

"Ain't no p'ison thar," said the old frontiersman. "Thet tribe uses blue
juice an' if thar war p'ison the blood would turn greenish. But it's
rich red, as ye kin see. No, I allow as how he ain't p'isoned."

"I believe Sam tells the truth," said James Morris.

"But it's a fearful wound," said Dave. "I saw the arrow strike. It went
in straight."

All set to work to revive the unconscious sufferer and Barringford
insisted upon obtaining some liquor and forcing a few teaspoonsful down
the wounded man's throat. At last they had the satisfaction of seeing
Joseph Morris give a short gasp and open his eyes dreamily.

"Oh!" he murmured and for a moment was silent. "I--I am hit!" he went
on.

"Be quiet, Joseph," said his wife, bending over him. "Yes, you were hit
in the breast with an arrow. We will do what we can for you, but you
mustn't move, or the wound will start to bleed again."

"But the Indians--"

"The Indians have retreated," said Rodney. "The rangers have come, and
Uncle James is here, too, and so is Henry."

"All safe?"

"Yes."

"Thank God!" And then Joseph Morris relapsed once more into silence,
being almost too weak to breathe much less to speak.

Little Nell had been crying bitterly, and now Henry took her in his arms
and did his best to soothe her, for he knew his mother would not leave
his father's side.

"The bad, bad Indians!" cried the little girl. "Oh, how could they come
and shoot at us! And last night they tried to burn us up with their fire
arrows! Oh, it was dreadful!" And she buried her curly head in her
brother's shoulder.

The hours to follow were gloomy enough, and ones which those in the
stockade never forgot. The man who had been mortally wounded died
shrieking with pain, and the sounds rang in the ears of both young and
old, filling the latter with new grief. The dead were buried together in
one deep hole and over their last resting place were rolled several
heavy stones, that no wild beasts might disturb their common grave. The
service at this funeral was short, for there was no telling when the
Indians might make another attack.

Toward the middle of the afternoon word came in through the friendly
Indians under White Buffalo that the French Indians, as they were
called, were preparing for some new move. Instantly every available man
in the fort leaped for his gun and even some of the women armed
themselves, determined to fight to the last rather than risk the horrors
of becoming captives of the enemy.

But the alarm proved a false one, for the Indians, although they shifted
their camp to the opposite side of the fort, did nothing but exchange a
few shots with several of the rangers. Yet this move kept the pioneers
on the alert all night, so that little or no sleep was had by anyone.

"I must say I'm so tired I can scarcely keep my eyes open," said Henry
to Dave. "If we elect to retreat I don't see how I'm going to either
ride or walk."

"Take a nap," said Dave. "If another alarm comes I'll call you." And
Henry dropped down and was in the land of dreams almost on the instant.

On the following morning a council of war was held by Captain Tanner,
Lieutenant Baldwick and half a dozen of the leading pioneers, and it was
decided that the best thing to do would be to retreat to Winchester.
Provisions were getting low and so was ammunition, and the lieutenant
had been ordered not to hold Fort Lawrence, but do his best to bring in
the settlers and families in safety.

"The Indians are gathering steadily," said Lieutenant Baldwick. "Every
hour makes them stronger. I think the sooner we strike out the better it
will be for us." And in this Captain Tanner and the majority of the
settlers agreed.

The main difficulty which presented itself was how to care for the
wounded. It would be running a grave risk to move Joseph Morris and
several others, but there was no help for it, and the family were told
to prepare for leaving in an hour.

"We will make a litter between two horses," said James Morris. "Rodney
can ride on one of the animals and lead them along the smoothest part of
the trail he can find. We will bind the wound as tightly as possible, so
that the blood won't get much chance to start afresh."

Mrs. Morris wished to demur, fearing her husband might die ere the
journey was completed. But she could not remain behind alone, and so,
with a sinking heart, she prepared to move as had been ordered.

The settlers were cautioned to leave the fort as silently as possible
and to carry along only that which was absolutely necessary. Before they
left the rangers and some of the Indians under White Buffalo went ahead,
to make sure that the trail chosen by Captain Tanner was clear. Eight of
the rangers remained at the fort, to give it the appearance of still
being inhabited and, in case of attack, to rush out and cover the
settlers' rear.




CHAPTER XV

DISAPPEARANCE OF LITTLE NELL


As was natural Dave and Henry journeyed side by side. They moved
directly behind Mrs. Morris and little Nell, who brought up in the rear
of the litter on which Joseph Morris rested, and the horses under the
control of Rodney. Dave's father was not with the party, nor was trusty
Sam Barringford, both having joined the party of rangers who formed the
advance guard.

Following the instructions given them the pioneers and their families
moved through the great forest as silently as possible, only the
occasional groan of a wounded one, or the cry of some little child
breaking the stillness. The route was past the rocks bordering one of
the watercourses previously mentioned and then along what in those days
was called the Old Buffalo Trail,--a well-beaten path along which in
years gone by countless buffaloes had passed in their migrations to the
east and return. The buffaloes were now fast disappearing from this
territory, as are to-day the deer, wolves, and other wild animals which
were likewise numerous.

It was a trying time, for the ears of all were ever on the alert to
catch the first sign of an approaching enemy. Onward went Dave and Henry
with their guns ready for instant use. Rodney guided the horses with the
greatest of care, yet there were many jolts to the litter which more
than once caused Joseph Morris to utter a groan he could not suppress.

It was calculated that if nothing out of the ordinary occurred the party
would be able to reach Winchester in three days, but if the Indians
followed them up and attacked them the journey would take much longer,
for they would have to make a stand behind whatever breastworks they
could manage to erect, and there remain until the coast was clear or the
enemy drove them forth. There was also the ever-present possibility that
the Indians would wipe out the expedition entirely, a possibility that
made many of the married men shudder, as they thought of their wives and
defenseless children.

"We can consider ourselves lucky if we reach Winchester without any more
hair-raising," observed Henry, as they trudged along.

"Right you are," replied Dave. "The Indians seem worked up to the last
degree. They'll trap us if they possibly can."

"There is one thing in our favor, Dave. Captain Tanner is as good a
scout as you'll find in these parts, and with such men with him as
Barringford and your father he won't fall into any trap unless it's a
mighty slick one."

"To think that Jean Bevoir should be in this neighborhood with his
thieving traders," went on Dave, after a pause. "I declare I wish he had
fallen instead of one of those Indians we brought down. He isn't as good
as some of the Iroquois, to my way of thinking."

"He'll get what he deserves one of these days, Dave. He has cheated so
many redskins that some of them will lay for him some night, and that
will be the end of him and his band. But I must admit, I can't
understand how any redskins can follow the leadership of such a rascal,
who gives them liquor only in order to rob them of their hard-earned
pelts."

Two miles had been covered when there came a shot from the front,
followed by three others. Immediately the pioneers and their families
gathered behind a semi-circle of rocks and brush which happened to be
near. Several Indians had shown themselves to the scouts, but as soon as
one was shot the others fled. The whole party remained on guard half an
hour longer, but none of the enemy returned, and the onward march was
resumed.

Late that night Dave heard that two more white men had joined the
expedition and not long after this he caught sight of Uriah Risley. He
ran up to meet the Englishman, and Henry did the same.

"My wife, where is she?" asked Uriah Risley, of Henry. "Tell me
quickly!"

"I can't tell you," answered Henry.

"But you were with her--so Dave told me."

"I was with her. But some Indians came and attacked us, and I told her
to run and hide in the woods. Then the Indians came at me and I was
struck down, and that was all I knew until long afterward when I found
myself strapped to the back of a horse and traveling with a band of
redskins." And Henry gave the particulars of the encounter, and of how
Sam Barringford had afterward come to his rescue.

"Do you think my wife got away into the woods?"

"I really can't say. I know she ran off as well as her hurt ankle would
let her, but it may be that some of the Indians went after her. I had my
hands so full I couldn't look," concluded Henry.

Uriah Risley was pale and haggard and said he had not slept for two
nights, nor had he had a regular meal for forty-eight hours. He had been
to the vicinity of his burnt cabin and had followed up Henry's trail as
best he could for several miles, but nowhere had he found a trace of his
wife.

"I fear she is either dead or in the hands of those murderous redskins,"
he groaned, his eyes growing suspiciously moist. "Poor dear Caddy! She
never could get used to this life either! It was a sorry day when we
didn't remain in England, or in Annapolis." And he turned away to hide
his emotion. Several came and offered him food and a portion of this he
ate mechanically. Sleep, although he needed it badly, was out of the
question.

Strange to say no Indian attack occurred during the following day, and
that night found the expedition well on its way to Winchester. Some of
the pioneers were of the opinion that the enemy had retreated westward,
satisfied with the damage done and the booty obtained, but at this Sam
Barringford, Captain Tanner, and a number of other old frontiersmen
shook their heads.

"The Injun's at his worst when he's layin' low," was the way Barringford
expressed himself. "We've got to keep our eyes peeled or fust thing you
know we'll all wake up skulped."

Fortunately for the party one of the advance guard had brought down a
deer and another had bagged a number of birds with some fine shot. The
birds were made into a stew for the sick and wounded and the venison
was cut up and divided all around. The expedition was in the midst of a
wide timber belt, at a spot where there was a small clearing. Here, in a
hollow, a camp-fire was lit and the meat cooked and stew made, and while
one half of the able-bodied pioneers and soldiers remained on guard the
other half had their first full meal since leaving the fort. Then the
guard was changed and the other half satisfied the cravings of the inner
man, after which sentinels were posted and the camp settled down to see
if it could not obtain a much-needed night's rest.

Mrs. Morris and the others were gratified to see that while Joseph
Morris's wound pained him not a little it did not break out afresh and
gave every promise of healing rapidly when once the sufferer should
reach a place where he could have a couple of weeks' quiet. Before
retiring with little Nell the wife washed and re-bound the wound and
gave her husband all the nourishment he cared to take.

Dave was on guard during the first half of the night, with his father on
the next post not a hundred feet away. The night was dark and a low wind
was rising which betokened a storm. All else was quiet and the camp-fire
was allowed to burn low until only a few embers were left.

"It looks as if the Indians had really given it up," said Dave, as he
and his father met on their walks up and down the two posts.

"Don't be too sure," answered James Morris. "At this very minute they
may be preparing to rush in and overwhelm us. I won't believe we are
safe until we come in sight of Winchester."

"Is the fort there in good shape?"

"Fairly good, although Colonel Washington is going to strengthen it all
he can. The trouble is, Washington is having trouble with Governor
Dinwiddie. The governor thinks he knows it all and won't give the
colonel half the soldiers or equipments that are needed. He doesn't seem
to realize that if Winchester should fall all the English settlers would
be driven back over the Blue Ridge and would lose everything they
possess in this locality."

When it came time to turn in Dave was glad enough to throw himself down
and go to sleep, with nothing more than a thin blanket to cover him. His
father lay beside him, with Joseph Morris, Mrs. Morris and Rodney and
little Nell not far off.

How long he slept Dave did not know, but when he awoke it was with a
start and a cough. There was a fierce shouting and shooting going on and
the forest seemed full of smoke and fire. Hardly had he gained his feet
when an arrow whizzed past his head burying itself in the tree trunk
behind him.

"The attack is on!" came from James Morris, who was already up. "They
have fired the woods on two sides of the camp and they are laying for us
on the other two sides. I'm afraid it is going to be a fight to the
finish."

There was no time to say more for the confusion on every hand was great.
The shouting and shooting continued, and in the midst of this Captain
Tanner ran around, followed by Lieutenant Baldwick, giving orders to the
men and advising the women and children what to do. To the uproar was
added the mad prancing around of some of the horses, who sniffed the
smoke, and the screams of the frightened children, some clinging to the
skirts of their mothers and others running about looking for their
parents, who had become lost to them in the general mix-up.

"Stay with your aunt and uncle, Dave," said James Morris. "They'll need
you. I'll go out with the soldiers," and in a second he was bounding
away, to learn how bad the situation really was, and what might be done
to remedy it.

What happened during the next hour seemed to the boy, afterward, more
like some horrible dream than a reality. The war-whoops of the Indians
continued to ring out on the night air, punctuated by numerous shots and
yells from the wounded, while the fire in the forest grew brighter and
brighter, driving the sick, wounded, and the helpless before it. Rodney
and the others tried to get Joseph Morris back on the litter, but before
this could be done both horses bolted away in the darkness, one
upsetting Mrs. Morris and bruising her shoulder severely. Then Henry and
Dave locked hands chair-fashion and started to carry the sufferer
between them, only to stumble over some tree roots and go sprawling
headlong. In the meantime Mrs. Morris looked around her, to discover
that little Nell was missing.

"Nell! Nell!" she screamed. "Come here! Nell!"

"Isn't she with you, mother?" came quickly from Rodney.

"No. But she was here a moment ago. Nell! Nell!"

No answer came back to this cry, and now both Mrs. Morris and Rodney ran
hither and thither in search of the little girl. Little could be seen,
for the smoke was so thick it fairly blinded them.

As quickly as possible Dave and Henry arose and picked up Mr. Morris.
The fall had hurt the sufferer's wound and he had to groan in spite of
his efforts to choke back the sounds.

"Never--mind m-m--me!" he gasped. "Sa--save th--the others!" And then he
fainted dead away.

"Your mother is calling for Nell!" cried Dave. "Here, Henry, put him on
my back. I'll carry him somehow, and then you can go back to her." And
after an effort Dave mastered his load and staggered on, in the
direction already taken by a number of others. He was now more careful
where he placed his feet and thus kept from going down again, although
the load made him pant and exert himself far beyond his youthful
strength. On and on he went, over rocks and tearing through low
brushwood. An arrow went by his shoulder but he paid no attention. He
heard more shots, and once a blaze of fire seemed to flash up almost in
front of him. But he was not struck, and ten minutes later he felt that
he had in some marvelous manner left the battleground behind him. He
plunged into a hollow filled with wet grass and went down up to his
knees. Unable to carry his load further he allowed his uncle's body to
slip down beside him, and there he rested, trying his best to get back
his breath and wondering what would happen next.




CHAPTER XVI

BACK TO WINCHESTER


At last the battle seemed to be at an end. Only a few shots sounded out
and they came from a distance. The fire in the forest had died down and,
thanks to an all-powerful Providence it had failed to give the Indians
the success they had sought. It was true a number of the pioneers and
soldiers had been badly wounded, but none were killed, while on the
other hand seven redskins had been laid low.

All was in a hopeless confusion, and it was not until daylight came that
Captain Tanner and the others succeeded in straightening matters out.
Many of the women and children had fled into the forest and these had to
be hunted up, while some of the pioneers had followed the enemy on their
private account and did not return until they felt the Indians were
sufficiently beaten back.

When Dave recovered from his forced traveling his first anxiety was for
his uncle, who had fainted away from a fresh loss of blood. As well as
he was able, the youth bound up the wound once more, tearing off a
sleeve of his shirt for that purpose.

While he was at work several alarms sounded close to him, and he held
his breath, expecting to be discovered at any instant. But the Indians
passed him on both sides with a speed that showed him they were now
thinking only of retreat.

With the first streak of daylight he looked around him and at a distance
discovered two rangers on horseback. They were rounding up the pioneers
and their families and they readily consented to assist him all in their
power.

"Reckon Mr. Morris is in a pretty bad way," said one of the soldiers.
"The knocking around didn't do his wound no good."

"That's just the trouble," answered Dave. "But I did the best I could
under the circumstances. I didn't want the Indians to scalp him."

"Oh, you did mighty well, lad--mighty well. Come, I'll take him up on my
hoss."

The ranger carried the helpless man with care and soon Dave and his
uncle reached the spot to which all the pioneers were coming. As soon as
she caught sight of them, Mrs. Morris came running forward.

"Oh, Dave, how is he?" she questioned.

"Not any better, Aunt Lucy," he responded, soberly. "I think you'll have
to keep him very quiet after this."

"Did you see anything of Nell?"

"No. Is she gone?"

"Yes. Henry and your father are out looking for her."

"It's too bad! I hope they find her soon."

Dave felt very weak and gladly partook of some soup which several of the
women in the camp had made.

The youth was just finishing the repast when his father and Henry came
back, looking much disheartened.

"Did she come back?" questioned both, and then as Mrs. Morris shook her
head, not daring to trust herself to speak, James Morris continued:
"It's too bad! I can't believe it possible that the Indians carried her
off."

"Yes! yes! They must have carried her off!" sobbed Mrs. Morris. "My poor
darling Nell! Oh, what will those wretches do with her!" And she burst
into a flood of tears.

Rodney had just come up, and all turned in to console her as best they
could. Yet they could say but little to soothe her sorely wounded heart.
Even Dave found the tears standing in his eyes, for he loved little Nell
as much as if she were his own sister.

When it came time to count those who had been in the expedition it was
found that two other girls besides little Nell were missing--twins named
Mary and Bertha Rose, the children of a pioneer who lived fifteen miles
to the north of the Morris homestead. Mrs. Rose was as grief-stricken as
Mrs. Morris, and both wept together when they met.

"I shall remain behind to see if I can't find some trace of all the
children," said James Morris.

"And I'll do the same," said Nelson Rose. "I would rather give up my
life than leave my two girls in the Indians' power."

"Reckon as how I'll stay behind with ye," put in Sam Barringford.
Although he never admitted it, little Nell was very dear to the old
frontiersman's heart.

"White Buffalo will also look for little Bright-face," said the Indian
chief. "But he is much afraid the French Indians have carried all three
of the maidens off."

So it was decided, and when the expedition moved off the three white men
and the Indian with his followers were left behind. Captain Tanner and
Lieutenant Baldwick were now pretty certain that the Indians would not
make another attack in a hurry, and this was why he readily consented
to spare them. Although he said nothing, Uriah Risley also remained
behind, to see if he could not learn something concerning his wife.

Owing to the condition of the wounded the onward march to Winchester was
now slower than ever, and when night came only half the distance to that
frontier town had been covered. But a messenger had been sent ahead and
now several wagons came out to carry in the disabled on the following
day. This made the remainder of the journey less of a hardship for
Joseph Morris, and while he did not improve neither did he seem to grow
worse.

The news of the massacre, as it was called, had spread in all
directions, and when the pioneers reached Winchester they found the post
alive with many others who had come in from all points of the compass,
some with all of their belongings and others with nothing but the
clothing on their backs. As a consequence every cabin and house was
filled to overflowing, and it was only by good luck that the Morrises
obtained shelter at the cabin of an intimate friend named Maurice
Gibson. Gibson himself was a trader like James Morris, and his wife
Abigail and Mrs. Lucy Morris had been old schoolmates.

Joseph Morris was placed on a comfortable bed and without delay a
surgeon was called to attend him. The medical man probed his wound and
had it thoroughly washed, and then left a strong tonic as a medicine.

"I think he will recover before long," said the doctor. "But he must
remain quiet until the wound is thoroughly healed. If not fever may set
in and then I will not be responsible for the consequences."

"He shall remain here as long as he pleases," said Maurice Gibson. "And
his family also;" and so it was settled.

Of course Mrs. Morris felt relieved to think that her husband would
recover, but she could not forget her little daughter, and as she
thought of Nell in the hands of the Indians the silent tears would
course down her cheeks in spite of all she could do to stay them.

"It is awful, awful!" she said to Dave. "Oh, I would give my right hand
to know that she was safe!"

"I'd give a good deal myself, Aunt Lucy," he returned. "But keep up your
courage. Father, and Barringford, and White Buffalo will do all in their
power to bring her back to us."

Two days of anxiety passed in the town and then it was reported that the
majority of the hostile Indians had retreated in the direction of Fort
Duquesne, to join the French located at that stronghold. Some of the
regulars had followed a portion of the enemy and brought down three
braves at what was called Three Posts. Among these Indians thus laid low
was Crooked Nose, a half brother to Spotted Tail, a celebrated chief of
that time.

"And still no trace of Nell," sighed Mrs. Morris, when the news came in.
"Dave, did you hear anything of your father?"

"Not a word, Aunt Lucy."

"I hope he is safe."

"Oh, you can trust him to take care of himself--especially when
Barringford and White Buffalo are with him. I think they'll bring us
some certain news when they return."

But none of the party did return, and at the end of a week even Dave
grew anxious. By this time Joseph Morris felt strong enough to do a
little talking although he was not allowed to move further than was
absolutely necessary.

Even though there were no telegraph lines in those days, it did not take
the news long to travel throughout the length and breadth of Virginia
and her neighboring states, and it was felt on all sides that that
whole territory would not be safe from Indian and French raids so long
as Fort Duquesne remained in the hands of the French.

"Give me the authority and men to march against that fort and take
possession and our frontier will be at peace," wrote Colonel Washington.
"But the longer we delay the more dangerous will this situation become
to us." These are not his exact words but they are the gist of numerous
communications which he addressed to those in authority over him.

Two weeks later James Morris came in, pale and careworn, having traveled
a distance of several hundred miles in half a dozen directions, on a
hunt for little Nell and the Rose twins.

"We found traces of them, but that is all," he said. "They are
undoubtedly in the hands of the Indians, who are taking them either to
Fort Duquesne or else northward to Lake Erie. I left Mr. Rose,
Barringford and the Indians still looking for them. I was anxious to
learn how it was going with brother Joseph and the rest of you."

"But you will go back--you won't give up the hunt so soon?" pleaded Mrs.
Morris.

"Yes, I will go out again," answered Dave's father. "Just as soon as I
can have one square meal and one good night's sleep."

The meal was speedily forthcoming, and the trader went to bed at seven
that evening and did not awaken until noon of the next day. Then he
declared that he felt as if he had been made new all over, and two hours
later, bidding the others good-bye, set off to continue his search. It
was a long while before Dave saw his father again.




CHAPTER XVII

A NEW CAMPAIGN


As already told, affairs in the colonies looked blue indeed, and some
hardy pioneers who had risked their all in making their homes in this
new country were afraid that ere long they would be forced to either
give in to the Indians or come under French rule. Three campaigns had
been fought, and still the French were masters, and held Louisburg,
Crown Point, Ticonderoga, Frontenac, and the long chain of posts from
Niagara to the Ohio and thence to the Mississippi. The English fort at
Oswego had been destroyed and the French had compelled the Six Nations,
the most powerful Indian organization ever known, either to remain
neutral or else give them aid.

To add to English alarm, the war in Europe also took a turn in favor of
the French. This brought a storm of protests upon the English ministry,
and George II. was compelled to make a change. As a consequence William
Pitt was placed in entire control of foreign and colonial affairs.

Pitt was a man of both wisdom and action, and his plans for a new
campaign in America aroused the colonies as they had not been aroused
before. An army of fifty thousand men, English regulars and colonial
militia, was gathered, and it was resolved that a three-headed campaign
should be instituted at once, one against Louisburg, another against
Ticonderoga and a third against Fort Duquesne.

The first blow was struck early in June, 1758, when the English appeared
before Louisburg with thirty-eight ships of war and an army of fourteen
thousand men. There was a vigorous attack, and something of a siege, and
late in July the place capitulated, and this fall also included the
capture of the islands of Prince Edward and Cape Breton.

The advance upon Ticonderoga was not so successful, although a portion
of the troops under gallant Israel Putnam, afterwards so famous in the
Revolution, dispersed some of the French and captured a hundred and
forty-eight prisoners. Following this, an attack was made upon Fort
Frontenac, located where the city of Kingston, Canada, is now situated,
and here the English laid the fort in ruins and captured nine vessels
carrying guns and supplies.

The people of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were anxious that the
attack on Fort Duquesne be made at once, but as we already know, the
armies, especially such as had to march through the wilderness, moved
very slowly. The command of this expedition was placed in the hands of
General Forbes, a gallant officer but one who was far from being in
proper health for such an undertaking. This general left Philadelphia
early in July with the main portion of his command, and after a hard
march reached Raytown, ninety miles eastward of Fort Duquesne, and now
known as Bedford.

While General Forbes was thus moving westward Colonel Washington, who
had been ordered to join the main command, gathered together all his
available troops and moved northward from Winchester to Fort Cumberland,
called in these pages by its, then, common name of Will's Creek.

The spring had passed slowly to those of the Morris family located at
Winchester. Strange to say although Joseph Morris' wound healed it
seemed next to impossible for the pioneer to get back his strength, and
the most he could do was to walk around the rooms of the Gibson home, or
around the dooryard, supported by his wife or others.

"My legs won't support me," he said. "They feel as if they'd let me down
in a heap at any minute."

"It is the effects of the fever," said Mrs. Morris. "The doctor says you
will have to take it easy for several months."

Rodney, too, had suffered from the march through the forest and from the
fighting and was confined more or less to the house.

"It's a shame--and just after I thought I was getting so strong," sighed
the cripple. "Somehow, we seem to be an ill-fated family."

During all those dreary months no direct word had come to them
concerning little Nell, but through White Buffalo had come a report that
a certain tribe of Indians known as the Little Waters had several white
girls in their keeping and that one old Indian chief had taken one of
the captives as his daughter, he being childless.

"If they take 'em in as their children they'll treat 'em putty
civil-like," said Sam Barringford. "But I reckon you don't want to lose
little Nell even so."

"No! no!" said Mrs. Morris. "Oh, we must get her back somehow!"

After this news was brought in, Barringford and Dave's father went
north-westward once more, in the hope of opening negotiations with the
Indians. How this trip would turn out was still a question, although
White Buffalo declared that little could be done so long as the war
hatchet remained unburied between the English and the French Indians.

As soon as the new call came for additional troops to the colonial
militia, Dave signified his intention of once more entering the service
under his old commander, Colonel Washington. About this he did not
hesitate to see Washington personally.

"I'll be glad to have you with us," said Washington, after the youth had
explained matters. "I remember how you acted in our other campaign
against Fort Duquesne, and I haven't forgotten, Master David, how we
shot the bear,"--this with a twinkle in his eye. "Yes, join us by all
means if you care to do so." And Dave signed the muster roll that
day,--as a colonial militiaman, at a salary of ten-pence a day, twopence
to be deducted for clothing and other necessaries! This was the regular
rate of pay, and for those days was considered quite fair.

It must be confessed that the troops under Colonel Washington formed a
motley collection. Many of the best of the pioneers and frontiersmen had
grown tired of the delays in the past and now refused to re-enlist,
fearful that they would be called on to do nothing but wait around the
fort, while the summer harvests at home demanded their attention.
Drumming up recruits proved the hardest kind of work, and the companies
were made up in some cases of men who knew not the meaning of home
life--hardy trappers and traders, some industrious enough, but others
given to drink and brawling, and not a few who lived almost as the
Indians did, using the redmen's style of dress and occasionally painting
their faces, "jes' fer the sport on't," as they expressed it. When it
came to fighting these men were like human tigers, but in camp and on
the march it was next to impossible to bring them under military
discipline. Many refused to carry rations as the regular soldiers did,
preferring to bring down game as they needed it, and if game was not
handy they appropriated a pig or a cow belonging to some settler--thus
bringing additional trouble on the command.

"So you are going with the soldiers," said Henry, when Dave told him of
what he had done. "Well, if you go I shall go too--that is, if mother
will let me."

Henry put in the proviso with an anxious look on his face, for he knew
how difficult would be his task of getting his parent's consent.

"No, no, Henry!" cried Mrs. Morris. "With your father and Rodney so ill,
and with Nell gone, how can I spare you?"

"But, mother, somebody has got to fight the French," insisted the son.
"If we don't fight them, and whip them, how shall we ever get back to
our home? I don't want to give all that up, do you?"

A long argument followed, and at last Mrs. Morris said she would let her
son know about it in the morning.

White Buffalo came in that night with news. "The Little Waters have gone
to the setting sun, to the French," he said. "White Buffalo has been
told they will remain there until winter comes again."

"To Fort Duquesne!" cried Dave. "I'm glad of it. Now if we take that
fort perhaps we'll be able to rescue Nell and the Rose twins."

This news decided Mrs. Morris, and with tears standing in her eyes she
told Henry he might go with Dave and Colonel Washington. "And may God
grant that you return with Nell safe and sound," she added.

A few days later found the two young soldiers on the march. It was
something of a gala day for Winchester, and the post was gay with flags
and bunting. The long drums rolled and the fifes piped up cheerily as
the command passed out of the town and on the trail running northward to
Cumberland. Many were in the best of spirits, hoping that the downfall
of Fort Duquesne would be speedily accomplished.

The town was scarcely left behind however, before the music came to an
end, and the command moved on by the route step--that is, every soldier
stepping out to suit himself. This was necessary, for the way was rough,
having fallen into disuse since the beginning of the troubles with the
Indians.

"I heard a report that we are not to use the old Braddock road to Fort
Duquesne," said Henry, as he trudged alongside of Dave. "Colonel
Washington advised using it, but General Forbes is going to cut a road
of his own."

"If he does that we'll be all fall and winter getting to the fort,"
answered Dave. "How foolish not to use a road already made."

"It's queer they won't take Colonel Washington's advice. He knows this
territory better than anybody."

"There is a good deal of military jealousy afloat," was the answer.
"English officers hate to see a colonial get ahead of them. They want to
head the whole game."

The second night out the troops encamped near a large brook. It was hot
and Dave and Henry were glad enough to take a swim in the stream as soon
as they got the chance. They were soon in the water and diving and
sporting to their heart's content. Then Henry caught a branch hanging
over the water's edge and pulled himself up into the tree.

"See what a fine dive I can take from here," he called to his cousin.

"Don't you do it," cried Dave. "You may go too deep and strike your head
on a rock."

"I'll be careful," was Henry's answer. "Here goes!"

With a quick movement he leaped from one limb to another. As the second
limb gave a sudden swish Henry uttered a cry of alarm. Then he came
tumbling into the water with a loud splash. After him tumbled a wildcat,
snarling in rage at being thus unceremoniously disturbed. The wildcat
struck close to where Dave was treading water and on the instant made a
leap for the young soldier's shoulder.




CHAPTER XVIII

WILDCAT AND WATER


Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on
top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a
leap for his naked shoulder. He had had several experiences with
wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.

By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold
and began to swim for the shore.

Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere
the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his
back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.

"Get off!" screamed Henry. "Get off! Help! help!"

And then he went down, not because he thought of doing so, but because
he could not bear the weight. The stream closed over him and he went
directly to the bottom.

This time the wildcat did not let go its hold. It clung desperately and
when Henry tried to shake it off it only sunk its nails deeper into his
flesh. Mechanically he started to scream, when the water rushed into his
mouth, almost strangling him on the spot.

By this time Dave had reached the surface, and the rings and bubbles
showed him plainly where Henry and the wildcat had gone down. With swift
strokes he swam to the river bank, just as several rangers came running
to the scene.

"Did you call for help?" asked one.

"A wildcat!" panted Dave, hardly able to speak, and he pointed out into
the stream. "Sa--save my cousin!"

"So a cat has attacked him, eh?" said one of the rangers. He raised his
gun. "Don't see anything of the critter."

Just as he finished speaking there was a splash in the water and the
head of the wildcat appeared. Then up came Henry, and they saw that the
beast still clung to the young hunter's back.

It was a risky shot to take, for youth and beast floundered around
furiously. But something had to be done, and in a second one gun-shot
rang out, followed quickly by another. The aims of both rangers had been
true, and the wildcat was struck in the forequarter and in the head.
With a snarl and a sputter it let go its hold of Henry and splashed
madly around in the water.

No cry came from Henry, but as soon as the beast had let go its hold he
sank beneath the surface once more, too weak to do anything toward
saving himself.

"He'll be drowned!" muttered Dave. "Save him!" And without waiting he
plunged in the river once more.

He felt deathly weak himself, but the thought that his cousin might be
lost forever nerved him on. With set teeth he swam to the spot. Catching
sight of Henry's arm as it was thrown up, he grabbed at the member and
clung fast.

"Henry, hold to me," he managed to say, but his cousin paid no
attention, for he was more than half insensible. Then Dave tried to
raise him up, but the weight was more than he could sustain.

"Help us, somebody!" the young hunter managed to call out, and there
followed a splash, as one of the rangers leaped into the river. Another
shot rang out, a finishing one for the wildcat, and the carcass of the
beast floated down the river and out of sight among the bushes lining
the opposite bank.

By the time the ranger came up, Dave was nearly as far gone as Henry.
The old soldier was a powerful fellow and easily brought both to the
bank, which was only a short distance off. Here Dave sank down in a
heap, while the other soldiers did what they could to revive Henry.

The report that a wildcat had attacked some bathers quickly spread
throughout the camp and many flocked in that direction to learn the
particulars. Both Dave and Henry were given the best of attention, and
by the following morning each said he was able to resume his duties. But
both were stiff from the treatment received from the wild beast and on
Henry's neck were deep scratches which he was destined to carry with him
to the grave.

"After this I'm going to be mighty particular where I bathe," he said to
Dave, when on the march.

"Yes, and particular where you dive from," returned Dave. "If you see
another wildcat on your spring-board better let him finish his nap
without disturbing him."

The march to Cumberland was more difficult than had been anticipated,
and the young soldiers were glad when it came to an end and they found
themselves encamped just outside of the fort, which both had visited
more than once when on a trip to Will's Creek. Soldiers were coming in
from all directions, and soon the camp was full to overflowing.

"Wonder how long we'll stay here," said Henry, after they had been at
Cumberland over a week. "I had an idea we were to march straight on to
Fort Duquesne."

"There is some trouble over that new road to the fort," answered Dave.
"I understand Colonel Washington is awfully cut up over it. He thinks
they ought to use the old Braddock road and polish up the Frenchmen in
short order."

"It was the delay that brought on defeat before, that's certain, Dave.
It's a pity the British generals won't take Washington's advice."

What Dave said about trouble over the road was true. The Braddock road,
originally selected by the Indians, was as good as any to be had or
made, yet despite all arguments against it, it was decided to cut a new
road through to Fort Duquesne from Raytown. It was true such a road
would be a little shorter than the old road, but to cut it would take
all summer and to keep up the campaign during the winter would be
well-nigh out of the question.

When a part of the colonial troops, including the company to which Dave
and Henry were attached, reached Raytown they found the new road already
started, with two hundred men engaged in cutting down trees, removing
big stones, and burning brushwood. This was kept up week after week,
and in the meantime the troops suffered greatly through sickness and
lack of proper food. Many of the colonials grew disgusted at the slow
progress of the campaign and would have gone home had not the military
regulations forbidden it.

It was in the midst of this that Sam Barringford came in and hunted up
Henry and Dave. "Thought you'd like to set eyes on me," he said, on
shaking hands. "Jes' got in with Dave's father. We did some tall hunting
I kin tell ye."

"And Nell?" asked Henry, quickly.

"She's a prisoner up to Fort Duquesne. We got thet putty straight."

"Not of the French?"

"No, of the Injuns hangin' around thar--the Jean Bevoir crowd, as Dave's
father calls 'em--a bad lot, too."

Barringford had decided to take part in the campaign now in progress and
it can well be imagined that the two young soldiers were right glad to
have their trusty old friend with them once more.

"It will seem like old times," said Dave. "If only we could move ahead
to-morrow!"

It was late in October when Dave brought in news. He rushed up to where
Henry and Barringford were industriously sewing up some holes in their
jackets.

"Hurrah, we are to move at last!" he cried. "Major Grant is ordered
ahead with eight hundred men, and our company is to go with the body."

"Only eight hundred," returned Barringford. "Thet ain't many. Kind o' a
scoutin' party, I reckon."

Yet, he too was glad to make a movement of any kind, and prepared at
once for the departure. Two days later the command was on the road,
those left behind wishing them the best of success.

The English were still many miles from Fort Duquesne when the French
scouts brought word to their commander that the enemy were approaching.
Without waiting to be attacked the French marched forth to do the
approaching English battle.

"The fight is on!" cried Dave, as several shots rang out from in front.
"We are in for it now!"

"Well, we came to fight," answered Henry. "And the sooner the battle is
over the better."

The real battle, however, did not take place until the next day. Then
the French did their best to surround the English, and in a short while
the contest waxed hot on all sides. Part of the battleground was a small
opening and the rest of the fighting took place in the forest. Soon the
smoke became so thick that but little could be seen on either side.

"Tell ye wot, them Frenchers mean business!" ejaculated Barringford,
while reloading his firearm, which was so hot he could scarcely hold it.
"We've lost a sight o' men already."

What he said was true. The loss had been frightful, and the dead and
dying lay on every side. Moans and shrieks rent the air, in a fashion to
turn the stoutest heart sick. Major Grant rushed around heedless of
danger, giving directions and doing all he could to encourage those
under him.

"Don't retreat! The battle is ours!" he called out. "Stand where you
are!" And then his voice was lost in the rattle of musketry and the mad
yelling of the Indians, who had come up to aid the French and steal what
they could from the English.

Dave, Henry and Barringford were behind a fallen tree, blazing away as
rapidly as possible. The French were before them and the Indians on
their left, and for some time it was as if pandemonium had broken loose.
Suddenly Barringford gave a yell.

"Duck, boys, duck!"

They fell flat and not a second too soon, for half a dozen arrows
whizzed over their heads. Then the old frontiersman leaped to his feet.

"I'll pay ye back!" he roared. "That fer ye, ye sarpints o' the Evil
One!"

[Illustration: He took a quick but careful aim at the leader.]

He took a quick but careful aim at the leader of the Indians, who was
rushing straight forward, with tomahawk lifted. The hammer of his
flint-lock musket fell. A terrific explosion followed and Barringford
was hurled flat while Dave and Henry were also struck and knocked down.
The gun had exploded.

Then before any of the party could recover, the Indians were upon them,
shouting like demons and flourishing their tomahawks and their
keen-edged hunting knives.




CHAPTER XIX

DEFEAT OF THE ENGLISH


The explosion of the musket had been so unexpected that for the moment
Dave and Henry hardly knew what had happened. Dave felt something hit
him on the bottom of his left cheek and putting up his hand withdrew it
covered with blood. Henry, too, was hit by a flying fragment of the gun
barrel which clipped off a lock of his hair. Poor Barringford lay like
one dead.

Before Dave could recover the Indians were on them, whooping as if their
very lives depended upon it. One threw a tomahawk at Dave, but the aim
was poor and the weapon buried itself in the log which had sheltered our
friends.

But just at this moment, when all seemed lost, the battleground shifted
and instantly thirty or forty English red-coats burst from the woods
directly behind the Indians. A volley rang out and four of the redmen
pitched forward, shot through the back. Other bullets hit the log behind
which our friends lay, but Dave, Henry, and Barringford were not
touched.

Attacked so unexpectedly from a new quarter, the Indians appeared dazed.
They attempted to turn upon the English soldiers, but when two more were
laid low, they fled to one side, where there was a dense growth of
walnuts. The soldiers at once made after them, and another skirmish took
place in the forest.

"Are you hurt much, Sam?" asked Henry, when he had recovered
sufficiently to speak.

"I--I reckon not," was the gasped-out answer, after a long silence.
Barringford opened his eyes and gazed ruefully at the gun stock which
lay at his feet. "Busted! Well, by gum! Didn't think Old Trusty would do
it nohow. Ain't ye ashamed?" And he shook his head dolefully. He had
carried the firearm for many years, as our old readers know, and to have
it "go back on him" like this hurt him more than had the explosion.

"It singed your beard pretty well," said Dave. "You can be thankful it
didn't blow your face to pieces."

"We must get out of here!" cried Henry. "See, the French are coming!"

Henry was right, the French column had suddenly appeared on the brow of
a neighboring hill. Those of the English who were in view received a
galling fire and then the enemy came forward with a rush. Our friends
were glad enough to retreat, and join the main body of rangers once
more.

Unfortunately for the English, Major Grant had divided his force and now
as the French commander came on he ordered that the smaller of the
English commands be surrounded. This was done, and though Major Grant
did his best to bring his command together again, it was impossible to
do so. The English became hopelessly separated, and by the time the
fighting came to an end the major and a large number of his officers and
men were made prisoners.

"We are catching it and no mistake," panted Dave, after another stand
had been made, during which Barringford had provided himself with
another gun--one taken from the hands of a dead grenadier. "The French
mean business."

"Here they come again!" exclaimed Henry. "Look! look! they seem to have
re-enforcements!"

Henry was right, and it must be admitted that the attack of the French,
with the Indians on the left flank, was a superb one. The shock of the
two armies coming together was terrific, and soon hand-to-hand
encounters were taking place in hundreds of places at once. Guns and
pistols rattled constantly and the keen frosty air of late fall was
filled with smoke. The grass being wet with dew many slipped and fell
and not a few soldiers were trampled to death by frightened horses. It
was a scene not easily forgotten and reminded Dave strongly of that
other battle when General Braddock had suffered bitter defeat and death.

And bitter defeat was again to be the portion of the English. Major
Grant's force was not strong enough to resist the combined onslaught of
French and Indians, and at last word came to retreat, and in the
gathering darkness the English fell back, taking with them a number of
their wounded. How many of the wounded were left on that cold
battlefield to die from exposure will never be known. Snow was now
falling and a wind came up that chilled every soldier to the bone.

"It's another Braddock victory," said Barringford, sarcastically, as he
limped painfully along, a horse having stepped on the toes of his left
foot. "Them reg'lars don't understand fightin' in the woods nohow. Ye
hev got to fight Injuns Injun fashion, an' French likewise. 'Twon't do
no good to set yerself up like a target to be shot at."

"We have lost about three hundred men, killed, wounded and captured,"
said Dave. "I wonder what General Forbes will say to that?"

"I fancy he's too sick to say much," said Henry. He spoke thus for
General Forbes had been on a sick bed for several weeks and had had to
be carried forward on a litter whenever his command moved.

The news that Major Grant's command had been whipped and driven back,
and the major and many of his officers taken prisoners, was quickly sent
to General Forbes, and at once a council of war was held. It was decided
that the entire army should be sent

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