ACROSS THE PLAINS--THE MARCH OF CIVILISATION--A HALT--THE TRAIL
DISCOVERED--ON THE WAR-PATH--AN OBSTACLE--ARRIVAL AT THE RIVER--
EXAMINING THE CAMPING-GROUND--AN INACCESSIBLE POINT--ERECTING
FORTIFICATIONS--THE WAY TREES ARE FELLED IN KENTUCKY--STRENGTHENING OUR
POSITION--MR. TIDEY PUTS US ON THE ALERT--RED-SKIN DARING--ROUND THE
CAMP-FIRE--EVIDENT ANXIETY OF MY FATHER AND THE DOMINIE--OUR STRONG
POINT--SETTING THE WATCH--DRIVING IN THE CATTLE--THE LULL BEFORE THE
STORM.
The next day's journey was an anxious one. We had no doubt that the
Indians were watching us, lurking behind trees or shrubs, although they
did not show themselves. My father directed that all the horses should
be mounted, the men only required to conduct the waggons remaining on
foot. The formidable appearance we thus presented undoubtedly prevented
our enemies from approaching, still we felt sure that should they find
an opportunity of attacking us with advantage, they would be down upon
us. In a few days we hoped to reach one of the numerous forts scattered
over the continent for the protection of the white men, advancing in
constant streams to take possession of the fertile lands to the
westward, which had hitherto served only as the hunting-grounds of the
red-men. It is not surprising that the so-called savages looked with no
friendly eye on the intruders, or should have taken every opportunity of
destroying them, in the vain hope of preventing other following in the
same direction. The idea, however, that we were intruders did not occur
to my father, or to the thousands of other emigrants who were leaving
the Eastern States with the object of forming homes for themselves and
families in the desert. They saw unlimited tracks of a fertile country
stretched out before them without an inhabitant, and they looked upon
the savage red man much in the same light as they looked upon the herds
of buffalo which roam over the prairies. We had halted for our mid-day
rest, without having seen any Indians, though we kept a vigilant
look-out on every side. We began to hope therefore, that, content with
the plunder they had obtained, they had returned with it to their
villages, and that we should reach the fort without being molested.
Still my father was too good a soldier not to keep as constant a watch
as before. As we expected when we arrived at the fort to remain some
days, there would be time for our cattle and horses to rest; we
therefore agreed to push on across the prairie faster than we had
hitherto done, though of course we should be guided as to our
camping-places by the necessary requirements of water, grass, and wood
for fuel. We might thus have to halt earlier in the day than we wished,
or continue on later in the evening. The latter alternative it was
important, if possible, to avoid, as should any Indians be in the
neighbourhood they might attack us. The only means of averting the
danger of being surprised while on the move, was to scout at a greater
range than usual, so as to discover any lurking foes. While travelling
I was seldom able to exchange a word with my mother and Kathleen, but as
soon as we halted, I went to the waggon to inquire how little Lily was
getting on. She at once recognised me.
"Have you found mother? is she coming back to Lily soon?" she asked. I
pointed to my mother and then to Kathleen.
"She will be your mother, and Kathleen will be your sister," I answered;
"they will love you very much, as I told you."
"Yes, they are very kind to Lily, they love Lily I know," she said,
giving Kathleen a kiss.
"You shall be my new sister; I am so glad to have one," said Kathleen,
returning her embrace.
Lily smiled, and I knew that though she might not forget her own mother,
she would soon be happy with those who were so anxious to treat her
kindly. Still I observed that she every now and then gave a startled
look around, showing that she had not forgotten the scene she had
witnessed on the previous day. I hoped for her sake as well as for that
of all of us, that she would never again be exposed to so fearful a
danger.
I should have said that Uncle Denis had given my mother the locket and
rings belonging to the murdered lady.
"You will take better care of them than I can," he said, a he drew them
out of his pouch wrapped in a piece of buck skin, and handed them to her
without looking at them. "When the little girl is old enough you can
give them to her, and tell her how they were obtained: she will long
before that have forgotten all about the circumstances."
My mother, not having time to examine them, put them carefully in a bag
containing cherished treasures of her own.
We had scarcely halted two hours, when my father's voice was heard,
ordering the men to prepare for moving on. The oxen were soon yoked to,
the horses saddled, and we continued our journey across the boundless
plain.
It was my turn to scout ahead with Mr Tidey. My father had charged us
not to go so far as to run the risk of being cut off from the train. We
therefore frequently halted, especially when we gained the summit of any
of the slight elevations which are frequently met with on the prairie.
I was a short distance ahead when I saw some marks on the ground which I
fancied must be the trail of buffaloes. I waited until my companion
came up, when I pointed them out to him.
"That's an Indian trail," he said, as he carefully examined the marks.
"See, there are three paths close together at fixed distances apart. I
will tell you how they are produced. The framework of their lodges are
made, as you know, of long poles. These on a journey are tied to each
side of a pony, the ends trailing on the ground. It is very evident
from the way the grass is trampled down, that a long line of ponies has
passed this way, one following the other. The centre line, which is
deepest, you see, is caused by the feet of the ponies and the two outer
lines by the trailing of the poles over the ground. There must have
been women and children with them, which is satisfactory, as it shows
that although the party was a large one, they were not out on the
war-path. They were going northward, crossing our course; whether the
men who attacked the emigrant train belong to them or not, it is hard to
say; perhaps they were the braves of another tribe, and those whose
trail we see were escaping from them."
"You read the marks as well as an Indian could do," I observed; "and I
have no doubt that you are right."
"I have given my mind to the subject, and the man who improves his
opportunities in these wilds can soon attain the knowledge possessed by
the redskins. I have met with many white trappers and hunters who were
fully equal to the most sagacious Indian scouts."
"What do you advise then?" I asked.
"That we should proceed straight on, as we are going, and keep as strict
a watch at night and as bright a look-out during the day as heretofore.
The poor fellows who have been massacred must have been very careless,
and allowed themselves to be deceived by the Indians. It was evidently
an act of treachery, and I should say that a party of the Indians made
their way into the camp on some pretence or other, probably of trading,
and suddenly attacked their too confiding hosts. I observed that none
of the white men had been killed by bullets or arrows, and it is likely
that the poor lady lost her life by a stray shot from one of her own
party."
"We had better let my father and Uncle Denis know that we have seen the
trails, and they will judge what is best to be done," I observed.
"Ride back then, Mike, and tell them what I advise," answered Mr Tidey;
"I will continue to look out ahead. Just say that I think it possible
that another war-party may be pursuing the tribe whose trail we have
seen, and disappointed at not overtaking them, that they may make an
attempt on our camp, or venture to attack us on the march."
I accordingly galloped back, looking as I did so to the southward, as it
was from that direction the war-party might, I thought, appear. I
however saw no human beings moving in the distance, but I caught sight
of a herd of deer, and greatly longed to be able to go in chase, as we
were much in want of fresh provisions. We had intended to halt for the
purpose of hunting, but the risk of falling in with enemies made my
father deem it prudent not to allow any one to go to a distance from the
camp. I soon got back to the waggons, and reported what Mr Tidey had
said.
"We will follow his advice," said my father, "and if Indians appear, we
may, I hope, send them to the right-about. We will at all events take
good care not to allow any strangers to enter our camp, or to come
within range of our rifles while we are on the march. Now go, Mike, to
the support of Mr Tidey; but keep in sight, and fall back should you
see any Indians approaching."
I was soon up with the Dominie. "If all travellers were as cautious as
your father, the redskins would not so often succeed," he observed.
We were now crossing an elevated plateau with slightly undulating ground
in the far distance. By standing up in our stirrups we could obtain a
wide view over the country on every side. We had not proceeded far when
I saw, away to the southward, what seemed like a huge serpent moving
through the grass, although I knew very well that a serpent it could not
be. I pointed it out to my companion, who carried a telescope at his
back, telling him what I at first thought it like.
He took a glance through the glass. "The distance deceives you," he
answered, as calmly as if it was a matter of very little consequence,
"that is a band of Indians on the war-path. I am certain of it. They
are moving eastward; probably they are scouts, and long ago have
discovered our waggons. What their intention is, I cannot say, but
possibly it is to get into our rear, without, as they suppose, being
seen. We must keep an eye upon them, but not on any account alter our
course."
As before, I rode back to tell my father what we had seen. He also had
discovered the war-party, and had determined what to do. The rough map
we possessed showed us that there was a river ahead, but its character
and the position of the fords were indistinctly marked. His object was,
if possible, to cross before nightfall, so as to place it between our
camp and the enemy. From thence a horseman could reach Fort Hamilton by
galloping hard, in three or four days, we calculated, and should the
Indians appear in overwhelming numbers, we might send forward for
assistance. Either Mr Tidey or Uncle Denis would be ready to undertake
the expedition. Just as I was about to rejoin him, Mr Tidey fell back
to consult with my father and uncle. At that moment too Dio came up
from the rear, where he had been stationed; to tell us that he had made
out another numerous party of Indians following our trail, but that they
were still so far off that some time must elapse before they could
overtake us. On hearing this my father hurried to the rear, to take a
look at the strangers through his telescope. He immediately sent back
Dio, who had accompanied him, to tell the drivers to push forward, with
the utmost speed of which the oxen were capable, while Mr Tidey and I
once more rode ahead to ascertain the best ground for the train to pass
over. We could no longer make out the Indians we had before seen to the
southward. We conjectured therefore that they had concealed themselves,
and intended joining the party following our trail.
"They must have halted, or we should by this time have seen them
nearer," observed Mr Tidey. "My idea is that they are waiting for the
chance of our train being stopped by a break-down, and fancy that they
shall take us by surprise while we are off our guard. They are
evidently under the impression that we have not discovered them, for
though they are well aware that our rifles can shoot further than their
bows and arrows, they are fortunately ignorant of the power of the
telescope, and that we can see them much further than they can see us,
keen as is their eyesight."
Whatever might have been the intention of the savages, they did not
approach. We rode on, without having to deviate from our course, the
ground being sufficiently level for the transit of the waggons. In a
short time we saw extended before us an undulating region, though we had
little doubt that we should be able to proceed along the hollows,
without having to make any great detour. Already the evening was
approaching, and as we had not found water during the day, we were
eagerly looking out for a stream or pond at which we and our animals
might quench our thirst. The sun was shining brightly, and, late in the
day as it was, the heat was considerable. Presently I caught the sheen
of water, but it appeared to be much below the level on which we were
riding. I pointed it out to Mr Tidey, and as we galloped on we saw the
summit of a line of cliffs.
"There is a river between us and the ground we wish to reach," observed
Mr Tidey, "and I very much fear it is one we shall find it difficult to
cross."
"If you will hold my horse, I will go ahead and ascertain the nature of
the ground," I said.
"Be careful then, for I should not be surprised if you found yourself
suddenly on the brink of a precipice," replied Mr Tidey, as I
dismounted carrying my rifle.
"Never fear," I answered as I ran forward. I had not gone fifty yards
when I saw a deep gully on my right hand, and in another minute
discovered a river a hundred feet below me fringed by trees, beyond
which rose a line of perpendicular cliffs, the tops of which we had seen
in the distance. Gazing up and down the stream I could perceive no
place by which the waggons could pass. I returned to my companion, and
we rode together for some distance to the south-west, in the hopes of
finding the ground slope down to a level with the water. We were,
however, disappointed. It was therefore necessary to return to the
train and to inform my father of our discovery, that he might decide
what course to take. This then was the point towards which the wily
Indians had seen us proceeding and had hoped that we should not perceive
our danger until the leading waggon had gone over the cliff, when they
would have taken the opportunity, so we fancied, of setting on us and
gaining an easy victory.
They would, however, be disappointed, though we might find it difficult
to select a suitable spot for camping, where we could obtain water and
fuel, and at the same time defend ourselves should we be attacked.
On getting back to the train, we learned that the Indians had not again
been seen. My father, on hearing our report, directed our course as Mr
Tidey advised, to the south-west.
We had still more than an hour of daylight, and we calculated that we
should have time before dark to reach the river, though it was doubtful
whether we should find a practicable way down to the water.
Never before had the poor oxen been made to go so fast, for our safety
might depend on our reaching the river before Mr Tidey and I once more
rode forward. At length we found the ground decline slightly in the
direction we were going. "As we are still evidently at a considerable
height above the level of the stream, though perhaps we shall be unable
to cross, we may camp near the edge of the cliffs, so that, at all
events, we shall be safe from attack on that side," I observed.
"Not so sure of that," said Mr Tidey. "The Indians may know of a path
up them which we may fail to discover, and if so, the cunning rascals
will be sure to take advantage of it and endeavour to surprise us,
besides which, some of our cattle and horses may chance to tumble over
it and break their necks. However, as we are aware of the dangers, we
may guard against them."
A few minutes after this, we found ourselves once more close to the
river.
"If you will hold my horse I will run along the brink of the precipice
and try to discover a way down to the water," I said; "there is no lack
of wood near the margin of the river, so if we can get down the cliffs
we shall be able to obtain both those necessary articles." Still the
cliffs were so steep, that I was almost in despair when I saw another
gully, similar to the one I had before passed. On examining it, greatly
to my satisfaction I found that it formed a deep notch as it were in the
precipice, and that not only could a person on foot descend by it with
the greatest ease to the river, but that even horses and cattle might
make their way to the water. I shouted to Mr Tidey, who, coming up,
agreed with me that we could not hope for a better place for camping.
We accordingly galloped back to the train, and soon brought the waggons
up to the spot, with which my father was perfectly satisfied. While the
rest of the party were employed in placing the waggons so as to form the
sides of a square, the cliffs and the gully serving as the two other
sides to our camp, Mr Tidey, Dan, and I set off to explore the gully,
for which purpose but little light now remained.
"Be cautious, boys, for that brushwood may conceal a lurking foe, though
I don't think a red-skin is likely to show himself when he sees three
rifles which may shoot him down if he does so," said the Dominie, as we
commenced our descent. We found that by cutting away the brushwood and
the trunks of a few trees we might form a road down to the level of the
river, and that we might at once lead the horses and oxen to water. It
was necessary, however, first to examine the foot of the cliff above
which we were encamped, that we might ascertain what security it would
afford us against a surprise from Indians on that side. On looking up
it appeared to me to be perfectly precipitous, a few shrubs, however,
projected here and there from the crevices of the rock, but they would
not, I fancied, enable the most active savage to climb up, though by
dropping from one to the other, a person might reach the bottom without
breaking his neck. We examined the cliffs for some distance to the
northward, of our camp. They retained the same character all the way.
"No savages can get up there, at all events," I observed, as we were
returning.
"Not quite so sure of that," answered Mr Tidey. "We will not trust
entirely to them. I will advise your father to post a sentinel on that
side as well as the others." We hurried back, and were in time to
assist in leading the horses and cattle down to the river. It would
have been a fine opportunity for any lurking foes to have carried them
off; probably, however, no Indians were in the neighbourhood, or if they
were, they were deterred from approaching by seeing our rifles in our
hands ready for action. My father was fully alive to the importance of
guarding the two sides formed by the gully and the cliff, and he ordered
all hands not required to keep guard on the outside of the camp, to
employ their axes in cutting down enough timber for forming a
breastwork,--by so doing we should, he remarked, lay bare the side of
the gully and deprive our assailants of the protection the brushwood
might afford them.
"If we are only to spend one night here, I wonder father thinks it
necessary to take so much trouble," observed Dan.
"If the trouble is not taken, it might prove our last night, my boy,"
answered the Dominie, who overheard him: "if we cannot manage to keep
the Indians out of the camp, we may find our scalps off our heads before
the morning."
Two or three of the men, who were somewhat discontented with the last
few days' hard travelling and short commons, though they had hitherto
gone on without grumbling, began to express themselves much as Dan had
done. Dio, who had been engaged in arranging the camp, and who had just
come up axe in hand, overheard them.
"What you say, you boys?" he exclaimed; "dis niggar show you how to chop
de trees," and, raising his axe, he began to strike away with a vigour
which quickly cut through half a stout trunk. "Dare, dat de way dey
chop in Kentucky!" he again exclaimed, as the tree came down with a
crash. Tree after tree quickly fell beneath his axe. The rest of the
men, put to shame by his zeal, followed his example, and we soon had
timber sufficient for our purpose.
Our next business was to drag it into the required position.
This we did with the help of the oxen, for without them we should have
been unable to accomplish the undertaking.
At length we got up a rough breastwork on two sides of the camp, while
our waggons and their cargoes, with the aid of a few additional posts,
served to strengthen our position.
We surveyed our fort with considerable satisfaction. One side we might
consider impregnable; the second, that along the edge of the ravine, was
not likely to be attacked, and we had a sufficient force of rifles to
defend the other two against a whole horde of savages without fire-arms.
"Yes, our fort is a strong one," observed the Dominie, "but many a
stronger has been captured when the garrison thought themselves secure.
We must still be on the watch against surprise or treachery. Depend
upon it, the red-skins will employ their usual cunning rather than run
the risk of losing their lives by an open assault on our position. Your
father is too old a soldier not to think of that, but I want to impress
the importance of the matter on your uncle and the rest of the men, who
appear to fancy that all we shall have to do is to remain here quietly,
until the captain thinks fit to move on again."
"I'll promise you to keep my eyes open, and to impress the same duty on
the other men," I answered.
"Especially keep them open towards the very point which you fancy so
secure, down that cliff. You or I might find it a tough job to climb up
it with our boots and gaiters, and heavy coats, but a half-naked savage,
with his scalping-knife in his teeth, would not think it so hard a
matter, and hard or not hard, if mortal man can do it, he'll try, if he
hopes to catch us napping when he gets to the top."
We were now summoned to the supper which had been in the meantime
preparing, and my mother, with Kathleen and Lily, followed by Biddy and
the nurse Rose, joined us round the camp-fire. The security which we
now enjoyed made us forget the dangers we had passed, and those we might
anticipate, and put us all into good spirits.
Of course the usual number of men were on the watch, but I observed that
my father was constantly in the attitude of listening; and both he and
the Dominie frequently got up and walked round the camp, the Dominie
especially taking many a peep over the breastwork above the cliff.
"In my opinion, that part should not be left unguarded for a moment," he
said. "The rush of the water below prevents us from hearing anyone
moving beneath, and we can hardly see ten feet down, while an Indian
would not take half as many seconds to spring to the top and be in our
midst."
As it was important that the men should obtain some rest after the
fatigues they had gone through, those not required to be on guard were
ordered to lie down. Before doing so, however, the horses and cattle
were brought inside the camp, where they might be in security should the
Indians suddenly come upon us during the hours of darkness.
My father, Uncle Denis, and the Dominie divided the watch between them,
so that one was always on duty. I was appointed to act under Mr Tidey,
and it fell to his lot to keep the morning watch. I don't think I ever
slept more soundly in my life, for I had been on horseback, or in active
exercise since sunrise. I rubbed my eyes when called by Uncle Denis.
"We have had a quiet night, not a sign of the redskins, and I suspect,
should they have reconnoitred our camp from a distance, they have
thought it wise to let it alone," he said.
"You may be right, Mr O'Dwyer; but, notwithstanding, the night is not
over, and until I see the sun rise I shall not be satisfied that we are
to move on without a skirmish," observed the Dominie.
"Well, well! I hope to get my night's rest out without interruption,"
answered Uncle Denis, as he stretched himself on the ground, and turned
on his side to go to sleep.