HOMEWARD BOUND.
We spent no time in leave-taking after once having made ready for the
journey. It was as if we three formed a separate command, and had no
comrades among the main body of the volunteers, therefore it was not
necessary we should say good-by.
Simon Kenton was to carry up the Ohio certain papers with which Major
Clarke had entrusted him, and once these were in his possession there
was nothing to detain us at Kaskaskia.
We took our departure from the post a full half hour before daybreak,
when none save the sentinels were there to see us push off from the
shore, and allowed the canoe to drift down the river until we were come
to the Ohio.
It would be more laborious to paddle the dugout against the swift
current than to walk, and we had already decided to make our way through
the wilderness on foot, ever keeping within a short distance of the
river, where we might expect to get the earliest information if the
savages were moving about bent on mischief.
We came to a halt at a point where we waited for the flat-boats on the
journey down, and here a day was spent in procuring and cooking meat,
for Simon Kenton had decided that once the long tramp was really begun
we would push forward at the best possible pace. It was reasonable to
believe that in a short time we would have arrived at that portion of
the country where it might not be well to discharge a rifle simply for
the purpose of killing game.
We did not expect to make the journey without some danger of coming
across small parties of the painted brutes who thirsted for the blood of
white people; but it was not in our thoughts that we should encounter
any serious dangers. The worst of the tramp, so we believed, might be
the labor of pushing on through the underbrush until the many miles
which lay between us and Corn Island had been traversed.
Simon Kenton was in particularly good humor on that morning when, all
our preparations completed, we left the camping place with our faces
turned toward the north, and I was exceedingly happy, for at the end of
the journey my mother was waiting to greet me.
During two full days we pressed steadily onward, seeing nothing to cause
alarm, and making reasonably good progress, and then came that which
threatened a fatal ending to what had been a most successful journey.
We encamped on the second night in a small thicket of scrub where the
foliage was so dense that the chill night wind was shut out as
completely as if we had been within four walls of stout logs, and felt
so secure that Simon Kenton himself had proposed we build a light blaze
to cook a turkey we had just killed.
The meat was roasted, and we ate such a supper as can be enjoyed only by
those who have performed a full day's labor, and after the meal was come
to an end Paul and I fell asleep even as we sat before the fire.
How long we were thus unconscious I am unable to say; but it seemed to
me as if I had no more than crossed the borders of dreamland before I
was awakened by the pressure of a heavy hand over my mouth.
In the forest one becomes accustomed to awakening quickly, and without
starting up.
When the eyes are open the first thought is as to the reason for thus
being aroused, and due heed is given to all the surroundings before any
movement is made.
Therefore it was I understood at once that Simon Kenton's hand was
covering my mouth, and that he was hurriedly burying the light embers
with ashes.
Pressing his arm to let him know I was thoroughly aroused, I rose to a
sitting posture.
No sound brake the stillness of the night, for, sheltered as we were by
the scrub, even the moaning of the wind failed to reach our ears.
Kenton was awakening Paul, and he, brave lad, made as little disturbance
on thus being aroused as if all his life had been spent on the frontier.
It was to my mind a certainty that the scout had heard or seen savages,
and I drew up my rifle to assure myself it was in proper working order.
It is by no means soothing to the nerves to be thus aroused and forced
to remain on the alert in ignorance of what threatens. I know of no
situation more trying, and while I inwardly trembled with apprehension,
my eyes sought out Paul in the gloom to learn how he was bearing up
under what many old, experienced hunters have told me was, in their
opinion, the most trying of all border warfare.
The lad sat silent and motionless, his rifle in hand, and though it was
impossible to distinguish his features, I knew full well he was as calm
and placid as when we remained concealed in the thicket just beyond the
stockade at Kaskaskia, when I believed a desperate battle was before us.
During perhaps half an hour we three remained in the same position as
when first having been awakened, and then Simon Kenton began to creep
cautiously out through the underbrush, having first motioned for us to
remain quiet.
He was bent on learning what had alarmed him, and but for advertising
myself as a coward, I would have insisted, as well as I might by
gestures, upon his remaining with us, for to me, almost anything was
preferable to separation.
I checked the impulse, however, but moved closer to Paul, and he, dear
lad, pressed my hand as if to give me courage.
That he, whom I had at the outset considered the weakest of the party,
should be the one to encourage, shamed me, and I threw off his hand as
if in anger, when in reality it was nothing save nervous fear which
prompted the movement.
As nearly as I could judge, Simon Kenton had been absent ten minutes
before we heard anything whatsoever, and then the report of a musket,
followed by a scream of pain, caused the blood to bound in my veins.
Instinctively I leaped to my feet when I should have remained
motionless, and Paul laid hold of the skirt of my hunting-shirt as if
fearing I might be counting on rushing out.
One, two, three minutes passed, during which time the most absolute
silence reigned, and then a slight rustling of the branches told that
the scout was returning.
I breathed more freely, knowing he was not the one who had given vent to
that cry of pain, and stepped forward to learn how serious was the
danger which threatened.
"We have run across thirty or more reptiles--most likely the same that
were met while coming down the river," he whispered in my ear as I bent
forward eager for information.
"Why did you fire?" I asked, believing for the moment that by such act
he had told them where we lay concealed.
"They had learned where we were, and now completely surround us. It's a
case of fightin' our way out, lad, if we count on gainin' Corn Island.
It is better to make a move at once, than wait till they are ready to
close in on us."
I understood by these words that Kenton believed the situation to be
most dangerous, otherwise he would not have suggested we make a move in
the night when the savages would have a great advantage over us, and, as
usual in such cases, my heart grew cowardly once more.
While I stood there undecided the scout hurriedly repeated to Paul that
which he had told me, and I saw the lad rise to his feet without
hesitation. He was even then, as he has since many times proven himself,
my superior in all that goes to make up a frontiersman.
"Follow me," Kenton whispered, "and when you are forced to fire, see to
it there be no delay in re-loadin' your rifle. Accordin' to my way of
thinkin' we'll have to fight ourselves through this gang, an' the more
we disable 'twixt now an' night the easier will be our work to-morrow."
There was in my mind the thought that we were now where we must keep up
a running fight until one party or the other was shot down, and,
considering the fact that they outnumbered us at least ten to one, it
seemed most likely ours would be the side that went under.
When danger comes close upon me I forget my cowardice, as a rule, and so
it was now. There seemed little chance we could fight our way through
where were so many to oppose us, and the odds were all in favor of the
savages.
Realizing this fully, as I believe Simon Kenton did also, I ceased to
think of the cause I had for fear, but set my teeth hard, resolving to
give the painted wolves good reason to remember me after they had shot
us down.
Simon Kenton was not disposed to linger; he understood of what advantage
in a fight is the first blow, and was eager to deal it.
He waited only long enough to assure himself we two lads were ready for
the hot work before us, and then turned to leave the hiding-place which,
as he had said, was already surrounded.
Paul would have brought up the rear, but that I held the position as
belonging to me. Surely a lad who had always lived in towns could not
reasonably expect to be allowed such a post of danger when there were
others with a right to claim it.
That the savages were keeping a keen watch we knew instantly Simon
Kenton stepped outside the dense thicket, for then came the report of a
rifle, and a bullet whistled past my head so near that I could feel the
"wind" of its flight.
It was a queer act, when the darkness was so intense that one could not
distinguish an object twenty paces away, yet instinctively we three
darted behind the nearest trees for shelter, and there stood straining
our eyes in the hope of being able to discover a living target.
It was like looking into a deep well, to peer ahead, and all three of us
must have understood at the same instant that it was little less than
folly to remain there with any hope of sending a bullet home, for Paul
had just turned to continue the flight when Simon Kenton whispered to
me:
"We cannot benefit ourselves by remainin' here. The best plan is to
continue on up river, makin' as many miles as possible before daylight."
Having said this he darted forward, forcing Paul to fall into line
behind him, and I came close at the latter's heels.
Now was begun the oddest fight ever seen on the Ohio River.
We three were pressing forward as if it would advantage us much to gain
a few extra miles before morning, and the savages followed cautiously,
firing at random now and then, although they could not hope a single
bullet would take effect.
Several times we halted in the hope that the reptiles, thinking only of
overtaking us, might come up within shooting distance; but they were too
wary to be caught by any trick of that kind.
Whenever we came to a full stop it was as if all nature ceased
breathing, for we could not hear the lightest whisper amid the foliage,
and when the flight had continued in such fashion for an hour or more,
Simon Kenton said as we stood side by side listening intently for some
token of the villains:
"We won't get a fair shot at them until daylight, an' then they'll have
the same chance at us. I reckon we'd better make all the distance we can
while it is dark, an' then lay by when the sun rises."
To my mind it could benefit us but little if we approached a few miles
nearer our destination, for unless these wretches could be beaten back
within a reasonably short time, they would succeed in killing us before
we could come within fifty miles of the point we most desired to gain.
However, while holding death at bay for a few hours more or less we
might as well have our faces turned in the right direction, and I was
ready to do whatsoever the scout suggested, for, as I have said, fear
had fled from me now that our position was so desperate.
We alternately drove ahead at full speed, and stopped to take breath.
The Indians fired at random now and then, hoping that the sound of our
footsteps might serve as guide; but they inflicted no more injury on us
by shooting, than we did on them while we refrained from discharging our
weapons.
In such manner was the night passed. We had not fired a shot, while the
painted crew in pursuit had wasted twenty bullets or more.
Having walked all day, this severe exertion throughout the night
wearied me excessively, and when the first gray light of coming dawn
filtered through the foliage, it seemed to me as if I was on the verge
of exhaustion.
The labor had told even on Simon Kenton, and Paul was keeping the pace
only through sheer force of will-power.
It was a wondrous relief to me when the scout pointed ahead to what
appeared to be a dense growth of bushes, through which ran a tiny
stream, as he said:
"I reckon we'll find no better place in which to make a stand, than
there."
"Almost anything will please me so that we come to a halt speedily, for
I'm well-nigh winded," I replied, speaking with difficulty because of my
heavy breathing, and in another instant we three stood facing each other
in the thicket, where as yet the light of a new day had not penetrated.
The savages might not approach very near during the darkness without
taking more risks than such reptiles fancied, and during a certain time
we need not fear molestation.
Paul and I flung ourselves at full length on the ground, for in no other
position did it seem possible to recover from the exhaustion which beset
us; but Simon Kenton remained standing at a spot from where he could
have a view of some portion of our surroundings when the sun had
dispelled the gloom.
"I suppose there is good reason to believe the Indians will kill us
before we can arrive at Corn Island?" Paul said in a tone of one asking
a question, after he had recovered his breath sufficiently to speak, and
Simon Kenton replied quietly.
"Two or three such races as we have had this night should give them good
cause for discouragement."
"It is a question whether they or we are getting the worst of this
business," I added, trying to speak calmly, as had my comrades; but
making a bad job of it.
"Twenty-four hours is a long stretch," Paul said thoughtfully, "and it's
all I can do to keep my eyes open."
"Go to sleep, lad," Kenton cried. "We must contrive to get some rest
'twixt now an' night, an' if you two take a nap at once I'll have a
chance later."
It may seem strange that boys should be able to sleep under such
circumstances as these, and yet the permission had no sooner been given
by the scout than I was stretched out at full length, my eyes closing
despite all efforts to keep them open.
The report of a rifle, discharged near at hand, awakened me, and I
looked around to see the scout reloading his rifle.
"Did you wing your bird?" I asked sleepily.
"I hope never to use this 'ere piece again if I didn't. The sneak has
been wrigglin' his way toward us for the last ten minutes, an' I only
waited to let him believe he was keepin' his red carcass out of sight,
although I marked it plainly from the instant he started."
"Have you seen the others?"
"Yes, now an' then through the bushes; but not in such a fashion as I
wanted in order to get a good aim. They've camped down somewhere near
that big gum tree yonder, needin' rest as much as we did, I reckon."
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Three hours or more."
"Then it's time you took a turn at it," and I rose to my feet, Paul
rising up at the same time.
Simon Kenton insisted that we lie down again; but it was to me as if the
repose had been sufficiently long, so thoroughly was I awakened, and
after a short discussion he did as I suggested.
It is needless for me to set down all that was done or said during the
remainder of this long day.
Kenton slept a full four hours, and during that time we had fired twice
at the skulking reptiles as they flitted from one tree to another,
feeling certain that some of the bullets had taken effect.
Then the scout ordered us to get more sleep, nor would he listen to my
assertions that I was fully recovered from the fatigue which had beset
me so sorely.
"You have another long race before you, an' stand in need of more sleep
if you count on holdin' such a pace as I shall set from the goin' down
of the sun till it rises again."
"How long do you expect bein' able to keep up such a flight?" Paul asked
quietly, as if it was a matter in which he had no great interest.
"So far we seem to be doin' rather better than holdin' our own, an' I
reckon we'd best keep up the game. At least three of the painted snakes
are feelin' the worse for havin' begun this little chase, an' we're as
sound as ever."
It was on my tongue's end to say that we could not hope for the same
good fortune during another night of racing through the forest when it
was too dark to distinguish anything not directly in our path; but I
checked myself in time, for no good could come of speaking dispiriting
words while we were in such a desperate situation.
We two lads lay down again to sleep, in accordance with Kenton's
command; but were aroused for a few moments when the scout discharged
his rifle, and I heard him mutter to himself:
"That makes the fourth to-day, an' if we can keep up this play two
nights more, they may come to believe that the game is not worth the
candle."
Sleepily I thought we might find before many hours had passed that all
the shooting was not to be done by us; but the idea was no more than in
mind when my eyes closed again, and I was not conscious of the
surroundings until Kenton shook me roughly.
"It's time we pushed ahead once more," he said in a whisper as I seized
my rifle, believing the savages were about to make a determined attack,
and he added with a low laugh, "There's no more danger threatenin' than
when you was last awake, lad; but the night is well on us, an' we should
be movin'."
He awakened Paul, and the little lad rose to his feet ready for any
emergency; but speaking not a word.
We had yet some portion of our meat, and from this a hurried meal was
made, after which Simon Kenton showed himself ready to set out once more
on what I believed was a fruitless journey, for it did not seem possible
we would live to finish it.
It was like a nightmare, that race through the thicket with the
murderous fiends close on our trail, shooting now and then when in the
gloom the waving branches told of our course.
Kenton kept his word, so far as setting a rapid pace was concerned.
Never before nor since have I strained every muscle and nerve for so
many hours on a stretch.
There were times when we pressed on as if running a foot-race, and more
than once did one or the other of us come full against a tree with such
force that we were hurled backward at full length on the ground.
There was no time to attend to bruises, however severe, for close in our
rear came the relentless brutes, hoping, most likely, for just such a
mishap when they could lessen our number by one.
I believe they fired at us fifty times before we halted for a day's rest
which must be spent in defending ourselves, and by the mercy of God no
bullet came nigh us.
I watched eagerly for the first signs of dawn; my breath was coming
thick and fast, and I feared lest I might fall and not find myself able
to rise again.
Paul had kept close at Kenton's heels without betraying fatigue or
distress; but just at the moment when it seemed as if I must halt,
whatever might be the consequences, he cried sharply:
"I can go no further. You two must keep on without me! It is better that
I be left behind than for all to perish!"
"We'll all come out of it with whole skins, or fall together," Simon
Kenton said sharply. "Try to hold the pace, lad, till we find a place in
which we can defend ourselves."
Even as he spoke we had arrived at a spot where half a dozen large trees
had been overthrown by the wind, forming exactly the kind of a
fortification needed by those sorely beset as were we.
Kenton helped Paul over the logs into the very center, and I followed
with many a stumble, falling on my face, utterly blown, when we were in
the middle of the timber network.