SERIOUS NEWS
IT was just three days after the strange bear hunt that the boys, on
returning from a little trip to see what their traps might contain thus
early in the season, found that the home circle had been widened by the
coming of the Irish trapper, Pat O'Mara.
He was a jovial fellow, with a fiery red beard, and hair of the same
hue falling far below his coonskin cap. His blue eyes generally
twinkled with humor; but, for all that, he had long since proved
himself a fit companion for such woodsmen as Daniel Boone, Simon
Kenton, James Harrod, Jo Daviess and John Hardin, foremost in the list
of pioneers who had carved their names on the pages of history by their
brave deeds along the disputed border countries.
Pat was delighted to see the two Armstrong boys again, for they had
been favorites of his ever since the days when, acting on his advice,
David had decided to leave Virginia and cast his fortunes with the bold
settlers along the upper Ohio. But wise Bob soon saw that, under all
his fun, there was a seriousness about Pat that he could not remember
noting before.
The trapper examined what few pelts the boys had taken up to now, and
gave more or less advice about curing them to the best advantage.
"As the sa'son grows older the fur wull be thicker," he observed,
smoothing the soft pelt of a red fox that had been recently taken.
"And, av ye obsarve what I'm tillin' ye, 'tis a better price ye'll
recave for the same from the trader, unless by the same token it
happens till be a Frinchman ye be d'alin' wid. They do be wantin' to
gobble the hull airth, I do be thinkin'."
This was always a subject upon which Pat felt deeply, for he was known
to have a bitter prejudice against the French trappers and traders
generally. At this time the French were in complete mastery of the
valuable fur regions around the Great Lakes, and, being also located
far in the south, at the mouth of the Mississippi at New Orleans,
it was the announced intention of the companies controlling these
half-breed trappers to form a chain of trading posts from Canada to
the distant Mexican gulf.
Daniel Boone knew all about this tremendous scheme, and it was partly
with the idea of blocking it that he had pushed out so far into the
western wilderness, and influenced others to follow his example.
Dangers without number they must face in so doing; but, surely, if the
wonderful wide-reaching valley of the Mississippi might be saved for
English-speaking people, their efforts would be worth while.
While Bob watched the face of the Irish trapper, he came to the
conclusion that Pat must have brought some unpleasant news along with
him. This turned out to be the exact truth. As the two boys had now
reached an age when they were to be depended on as defenders of the
home, David Armstrong only waited until Kate happened to be sent on
an errand to a neighbor, when he had Pat recount the matter for the
benefit of Bob and Sandy.
There was much talk of a big Indian uprising all through the country
between the Ohio and the lakes. Pontiac was again endeavoring to form
a coalition of the many tribes, from the Six Nations, or Iroquois, in
New York and Ohio, to the Pottawottomies and Sacs in the west, and the
Creeks and Shawanees in the south.
Already, in many places, the red men were said to be on the warpath,
and a trail of burning cabins marked their passage.
Pat had heard of these things, and, thinking of the good friends
who had settled on the Ohio only the preceding spring, he had lost
little time in making his way back again to the settlement that was
flourishing so finely.
"It wull not be apt till come till ye, right away," he said in
conclusion; "but 'tis just as well that ivery sowl be made aware av
the danger. Niver belave thot ye are safe from attack here. It do be
a foine place to defind, located on a hill as ye are; but remimber
that the rids are backed up by more or less av thim treacherous Frinch
trappers and traders; and that they are sworn to wipe out ivery English
post wist av the mountains."
The news quickly spread until it was known in every home. Men got
together and talked it over, trying to so arrange their plans that,
in the event of an attack, the defence of the blockhouse would be
conducted in the best possible manner.
Scouts were sent out whose business it was to scour the forest many
miles around, on both sides of the river. And, should one of these
discover that they were threatened with an inroad of the Indians, it
must be his duty to hasten to send up a signal of warning.
This was to be in the shape of certain columns of black smoke, which,
seen by the next scout, would be repeated, until in this manner the
startling news might be received at the settlement hours in advance of
the coming of the fleetest messenger.
It was employing the tactics of the Indians to a good purpose.
These precautions having been taken, the settlers went about their
daily duties, confident that they would receive ample warning should
danger arise, and also that they would be able to give a good account
of themselves in battle, did the reds venture to attack the post.
But it was the policy of every man, woman and child, from that time
forth, to keep an uneasy eye on the sky line, especially toward the
east and west. Men, as they worked in their maize fields, would pause
every little while to sweep the horizon with anxious gaze; and, should
one of them at any time happen to discover any sign of smoke rising,
it was apt to be an anxious moment for him until he had assured himself
that the column was a single one, and not triple.
Even such a hovering cloud as this could not keep the two venturesome
Armstrong boys from going forth every day. Sometimes they had business
along their trap line, for work grew pretty brisk as the season
advanced. Then again it might be a hunt that engaged their attention.
Whenever they had any extra meat on hand it was their provident habit
to dry the same for use in the hard winter months ahead.
As yet the settlers knew not what awaited them, once the snows of
winter closed in, for they had never spent such a season on the Ohio.
Tales of bitter weather had come to them; but they were hardy souls,
and believed that, if the Indians could come through such a yearly
experience unscathed, they ought to be able to do the same.
Nevertheless, every good housewife started early to lay in all such
extra stores as could be procured. The stock of simple herbs, drying
in bunches from the beams overhead in the living room of the Armstrong
cabin, testified to the fact that the careful mother was prepared for
any ordinary sickness that might arise. And there, too, could be seen
various packages of the tough jerked venison, which would sustain life,
when gnawed, as the Indians were accustomed to doing when on the trail,
though the more civilized settlers preferred to use it in soups or
stews.
For two days Bob and Sandy had not been out in the forest save to look
after their traps. True, only the preceding day, a fine fat wild turkey
had fallen before the gun of Sandy, and been greatly enjoyed; but both
lads felt an eagerness to once again go forth on a genuine hunt for
larger game.
The tender-hearted and fearful little mother could not forbid them
venturing forth, even though she sighed after they had gone, and
wiped a furtive tear from her eye. Food was a necessity, and they had
no other means for procuring it than in this manner. According to
their belief, Providence had stocked these woods with game in order
to provide sustenance for the pioneers who must blaze the trail of
civilization.
Warned to be unusually careful, Bob and his brother once again wended
their way through the mysterious aisles of the solemn forest, which
had now become so familiar a field to them. Did they not know nearly
every little animal that had its home there; and were they not on good
terms with many that they scorned to injure, since their flesh was not
wanted for food, nor their fur for trading purposes?
Two hours after leaving home the young pioneers came across the
tracks of a deer, and, finding that the trail was fresh, they started
to follow. The wind was in their faces, so that everything seemed
favorable for stalking the quarry, should they find that the animal was
browsing in one of the little grassy glades which they knew were close
at hand.
And, true enough, as they thus advanced cautiously, they sighted a
noble buck feeding as though all unconscious of danger. Foot by foot
the boys crept closer, intent on securing such splendid quarry.
This time it was Bob's turn to fire first, while Sandy held himself in
readiness to make sure of the buck if by chance his brother failed.
Bob was looking along the barrel of his musket when, without warning, a
shot rang out from a point further away, followed instantly by a second
and a third; but the buck, apparently uninjured, leaped off as though
about to speed beyond the danger zone.
The instinct of the hunter would not allow Bob to hold back his fire,
even though he was startled by this unexpected volley. And, after he
pulled the trigger, the buck gave one great leap into the air, to fall
a quivering mass on the moss-covered ground.
Both lads hurried forward toward the fallen deer; but Bob felt a quiver
of apprehension when he discovered three burly figures hastening to
arrive there ahead of them.
"Oh! they are French trappers, Bob!" exclaimed Sandy, though he
betrayed not the least symptom of holding back.
"Yes, and we must be careful what we do!" remarked Bob, uneasily.
"But it is your deer, for he fell when you fired!" Sandy declared,
stubbornly.
In another minute the brothers had arrived at the spot, to find the
foot of a dark-faced forest ranger planted on the dead buck, and three
pairs of snapping black eyes looking at them in defiance.
Apparently their right to the game was about to be seriously
questioned!