SAFE AT LAST
"WE must get away from here without delay, Sandy," said the elder of
the young pioneers, after exchanging a few more words with Pontiac.
"Shall we accept the offer of Pontiac," asked Sandy, "and make for the
river under the guard of his men?"
"No," replied Bob, quickly; "for many reasons that must not be. He has
promised to give us a totem flag that will warn any wandering band of
Indians we may happen to meet that we are friends of the great Pontiac,
and must not be disturbed. And I have promised him that it shall always
be kept in our own cabin, only to be shown in case of any uprising."
"Then we must try to find Kenton, Pat and Blue Jacket?" questioned
Sandy, who was fairly wild to be away; for he seemed to fear lest their
late good fortune turn out to be a dream, from which they might be
rudely awakened.
"Yes," Bob went on; "and if we go soon I believe we will run across
them at the place Kenton appointed. They will wait there for us the
balance of the night, I feel sure."
"What do you think they believed must have happened, Bob?" Kate in turn
asked.
"Who can say?" her brother answered, shaking his head, as though
puzzled. "Fancy how astonished they must have been when all this racket
broke out, before they could make ready to start the fires, or Blue
Jacket get among the lodges to steal Kate, here, away. And then, if
Kenton was near enough to see Pontiac take our hands in his, how he
must have stared!"
"But it seems all for the best, to me," said Sandy, softly; "even my
foolish rashness in firing without thinking. We have made a powerful
friend in Pontiac, and perhaps saved our mother and father from the
doom that comes to so many settlers in the wilderness. And here is Kate
given over to our charge without either of us having to shoot down a
single Indian. Yes, Heaven was kind to us."
"Here comes the great sachem, and bearing in his hand the totem flag
which is to stand between us and harm," remarked Bob, as he saw
Pontiac approaching them, followed by a retinue of jostling braves and
chiefs.
The object which he thrust into the hand of Bob was a beautifully
made wampum belt that had been attached to a stick. It was of unusual
wideness, and the symbols represented in its barbaric splendor
undoubtedly told a story that every warrior could understand. (Note 8.)
It seemed as though every brave in the great Seneca village had
gathered to hear what the chief among ten thousand Indians had to
say, as he presented this badge of friendship to the young pioneers.
Some scowled as they surveyed the palefaces; but the majority seemed
friendly, because they realized that as Indians they owed a debt of
gratitude to the white boy who had saved the life so valuable to their
cause.
"Hear!" said Pontiac, elevating his wonderful voice, even as he
raised his dusky arm with the air of a king, "these are the friends
of Pontiac. Let no Indian lift a hand against them, or dare to follow
as they pass over the back trail to the swift water. Where this totem
hangs, that cabin is secure from the torch, those inmates safe from
the hatchet, the flaming arrow, the knife. So long as Pontiac lives
let there be peace between the red men and those who bear the name of
Armstrong. I have spoken."
Once again he thrust out his hand, and gravely shook that of each of
the whites, not even forgetting Kate. And, in the stirring times to
come, when the whole border would ring with the wonderful, masterful
ability of this organizer and red leader, perhaps there would arise
days of alarm when Bob and Sandy would rejoice to know that the word of
a chief may never be broken.
So they took their parting look at the village on the Great Lakes, and
plunged into the forest. Not a single brave dared to follow them, so
great was their fear and respect for the mighty sachem of the Sacs.
Straight to the meeting-place of the five chestnuts Bob led the way.
Unerringly he took his companions there, and at the first signal call
Kenton and the other three made their appearance.
"What does this magic mean?" asked the borderer, when he saw who was
the companion of the Armstrong boys.
"Sure it makes me think I do be draming!" declared Pat O'Mara, as he
wrung the hands of those he loved so well; nor did Kate hesitate to
throw her arms about the neck of this faithful friend of her parents,
so wild with delight was she to see some one from home.
"Sandy did it," replied Bob, hastily, only too glad to tell what a
wonderful change in their fortunes the hasty act of his brother had
effected. "He stopped Larue from bringing down a club on the head of
Pontiac as the chief sat on a log, lost in thought. And, because of
that, Pontiac has called us his friends. This totem flag will warn
every red-skinned warrior to injure us at the risk of making the chief
his deadly foe. And the Armstrong cabin will never be put to the torch,
or a single inmate harmed by an Indian so long as Pontiac lives!"
Loud were the expressions of astonishment on the part of the
others. Kenton, who saw himself reflected on a small scale in the
quick-tempered Sandy, grasped hold of the boy, and shook him almost
fiercely by the hand; after which Pat and Abijah, yes, even the
undemonstrative Blue Jacket, followed suit.
"It seems almost too good to be true," cried the delighted Kenton.
"Not but that it would have been a great thing for the struggling
border settlements if Pontiac had been slain here and now; yet how
wonderfully that shot won our cause. But what is this you tell us of
Larue? We left him yet a prisoner in the cavern back of the cataract.
We must see to that!"
He immediately started for the stream, and, as it would not be much out
of their route, as they headed for the far-distant Ohio, both boys were
quite willing. Besides, they were curious to learn just how the wily
French trapper had slipped his bonds.
On the road to the waterfall Kenton asked many questions. He, together
with his companions, had been stunned when the uproar burst forth, just
before they were ready to begin operations. But all was made plain now,
and, while Simon Kenton would have been happier had he found himself
in the thick of the fray, he could not complain at the way things had
turned out.
They found the two French trappers still where they had been left.
All they would say was that Larue had seemed to suddenly break loose,
and had basely left them, possibly in his haste to reach the village
and give the alarm, not wishing to linger long enough to effect their
release.
"The tricky Frenchman rolled into this pool of water, and let his
bonds soak," said Kenton, after he had made an examination. "When wet,
the deerskin thongs stretched enough for him to work loose. He was
afraid we might come back and secure him again, so he fled without
stopping to so much as lend a helping hand to his mates."
"Yes, and upon reaching the village he must have seen Pontiac sitting
there alone," said Bob, in turn. "Remembering how the great chief had
struck him in the face, and humiliated him at the grand council under
the big oak, he was unable to resist the temptation to creep up and
try to obtain revenge. In doing it Larue never suspected that he was
playing right into our hands."
"If the Indians only knew that we listened to what was said at that
same council," remarked Kenton; "they might not be willing to let the
rest of us escape so easily."
"But what shall we do with these two men?" asked Bob, thoughtfully.
"We can't leave them here, for perhaps Larue may be put to the stake
with the dawn, and the story of their captivity would never be known.
The Indians avoid this spot, Blue Jacket says, as the waterfall is
believed to be haunted by the spirits of their ancestors, who call out
constantly, and try to make the red children understand what they are
doing in Manitou Land."
"No, we will take them along with us," determined Kenton. "Some days
hence we can let them go free. By that time they could not harm us by
returning to the Seneca village, and telling what they know of the
council spies."
They lost no time in starting. Though Kenton knew that Pontiac's totem
belt would probably be able to protect them, he was, nevertheless,
anxious to be well on the way to the Ohio.
So, for several days they journeyed; after which the two French
trappers were let go, with a warning that they would be roughly treated
if they ever again showed themselves near the settlement on the river
bank.
And one day the little company arrived safely at home. Great was the
rejoicing of Mrs. Armstrong. The entire community gathered around that
humble home in the clearing to hear the story of the wonderful journey.
And every hand had to touch the wampum belt of Pontiac that was to
stand between the Armstrongs and peril, in case of another Indian
uprising.
Time passed on. It proved too late in the fall for the expected flame
to develop; and from their scouts the settlers learned, much to their
relief, that the uprising had been postponed until spring. Of course
that did not mean they would be free from interference, because the
Shawanees were always on the warpath, and the hatchet remained dug up
between them and the encroaching whites.
Bob and Sandy went on their way, gathering the pelts that they found
in their traps. Often they talked over the adventures that had marked
their journey to the land of the Great Lakes. Sandy was more determined
than ever to lead the life of an explorer, and follow in the footsteps
of the bold and resourceful hero whom he fairly worshipped, Simon
Kenton.
"Some day," he would say, as they thus talked and exchanged
confidences, "I mean to set eyes on that wonderful river away to the
west, the mighty Mississippi, under which rest the bones of the bold
discoverer, De Soto. I will never rest happy, Bob, until I can say that
I have seen the grandest river in all the world."
"Well," replied his brother with a smile, "perhaps I may yet conclude
to go with you, Sandy. It is time our people knew more about what the
French traders are doing in that region, establishing posts for dealing
with the Indians. But in a few days, now, we ought to hear something
of father."
"Yes, winter is here, the snow is thick, and it is nearly time," sighed
Sandy; "and let us hope the good fortune that followed us all the way
to the far north, will bring him back to mother, safe and sound."
Though neither of them could see just how their ambition was to be
realized, there was a way developing, and, in a new story concerning
the fortunes of Bob and Sandy, to be called: "The Pioneer Boys of the
Mississippi," we will have considerably more to narrate in connection
with the fortunes of the two lads.
One afternoon there was a loud shout heard close to the Armstrong
cabin; and a train of four horses was discovered heading from the main
settlement, followed by a score of men and women, all greatly excited.
Of course it was David Armstrong, returned with a store of necessities
that must delight the heart of the good housewife, who, however, was
ten times happier over the safe home-coming of the man she loved so
fondly, than because of anything the newly-recovered money could buy.
They had a great time of feasting and rejoicing. The boys were
compelled to narrate every incident connected with their eventful
journey in search of Kate; and, as Pat O'Mara still hung around,
assisting Bob and Sandy in their trapping expeditions, he was able to
add many little touches to the wonderful story.
So the winter which they had dreaded so much proved to be a period of
joy to the whole settlement on the Ohio. Mr. Armstrong would often take
up that magic wampum belt of the great sachem, Pontiac, and fondle it
reverently, as his imagination pictured that stirring scene when, with
his apparently ill-advised shot, Sandy made a friend of the powerful
leader, and thus insured the safety of those he loved.
[Illustration]
THE END.
NOTES
NOTE 1 (PAGE 7)
THE modern repeating rifle is a far different weapon from the clumsy,
uncertain, inaccurate flint-lock musket, and yet our forefathers
developed rare skill in the use of these primitive guns, which were
fired by a flint striking the hammer, causing a spark to ignite a pinch
of powder in a receptacle called the "pan." This in turn ignited the
charge of powder that speeded the bullet on its way.
The loading of such a gun was a slow and painstaking task. The charge
of powder must be measured out and poured down the barrel. The bullet,
with its "patch," or bit of rag, must then be rammed down upon the
powder, and finally the priming of powder must be placed in the pan.
The utmost care was used in loading, but, even then, the spark might
fail to ignite the priming, or the latter might be damp, or have been
shaken from the pan. Many a brave frontiersman lost his life because,
in his time of need, his musket failed to "go off."
NOTE 2 (PAGE 21)
The Five Nations was the name given by Champlain to a league that had
been formed by five powerful tribes of the Iroquois race, the Mohawks,
Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, who inhabited the Lake Region
of what is now Central New York. The name of the league was changed
to the Six Nations when, in 1722, the Tuskaroras, fleeing from North
Carolina, found a refuge with the league and became a member of it.
The union was for the purposes of offence and defence and originally
had a permanent central government lodged in fifty chiefs, who held
office for life. In the colonial wars between the French and English
and, later, in the Revolutionary War, the Six Nations were usually
found fighting on the side of the English.
NOTE 3 (PAGE 85)
Except for some tribes of the Pacific Coast, who held their captives
as slaves, a male prisoner was either adopted into the tribe, or else
put to death by torture, the decision usually resting with the women.
If the prisoner's death was decided on, the most fiendish ingenuity was
shown. While burning at the stake was the most common mode of death, it
was usually preceded by a succession of tortures, carefully planned to
prolong the victim's agony to the utmost.
NOTE 4 (PAGE 107)
The turkey, now domesticated in nearly every country of the world, is a
native of North America, and was unknown before the coming of Columbus.
While now the wild turkey is almost extinct, the early settlers
found these birds in the greatest abundance, and they formed a not
unimportant portion of the frontiersman's fare.
NOTE 5 (PAGE 192)
The Indian method of disposing of the dead varied with the different
tribes and different localities. While burial in the ground was more
common, many tribes, notably of the plains, placed the bodies in trees
or upon platforms; others placed their dead in sitting positions in
caves; still others practised cremation. It was the general custom to
either burn or bury the personal belongings of the deceased, in order
that he might enjoy their use in the life to come.
NOTE 6 (PAGE 226)
Although smoking was a universal custom among the American Indians,
tobacco was unknown to the rest of the world previous to the discovery
of America; but its use has since spread to the four quarters of the
globe. The Spaniards were the first European smokers, but their example
was quickly followed by the other nations, although church and state
did what they could to prevent the spread of the habit, Pope Urban VII
having even gone so far as to issue an edict against it.
The scientific name, Nicotiana, was given tobacco in honor of Jean
Nicot, French Ambassador to Portugal, who, on his return to France,
presented a package of seed to Catherine de Medici.
Among the Indians, ceremonial smoking was a universal rite, and had a
deep religious significance, smoke being considered as an incense of
the gods, while the act of smoking was the strongest form of oath.
All discussions between individuals, all councils of a tribe, all
treaty-making was preceded by the smoking of "the pipe of peace" and
all agreements were ratified by the passing of the sacred pipe from
hand to hand until all had joined in the solemn ceremony.
NOTE 7 (PAGE 284)
Among the eastern Indians the principal civil officers were the
Sachems. This office was elective, in theory; but, in practice, it was
usually hereditary. There was also a head war-chief, although at times
the two offices were held by the same individual. Except for these two
officers, there can hardly be said to have been any social distinctions
among the various members of a tribe. At that, the authority of the
Sachem generally depended more on the ability and influence of the
individual than on the power conferred by his office, while, except in
actual warfare, where his commands were fairly well obeyed, the head
war-chief seems to have had no authority whatever.
NOTE 8 (PAGE 337)
Wampum was used by the Indians both as an ornament and as money. It was
of two kinds, the white, made from the stem of the periwinkle shell,
and the black, made from the dark spot in the quahog shell. Both were
carefully shaped and polished, then pierced and strung in the form of
belts, necklaces or bracelets. The black wampum was considered more
valuable than the white.
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* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes:
Obvious punctuation errors repaired. Varied hyphenation retained as
printed.
Page 11, "on" changed to "an" (or an Oneida)
Page 183, "sideway" changed to "sideways" (jump sideways just at)
Page 202, "seemd" changed to "seemed" (seemed in a fair way)