Peter's last Stratagem.--Firing the Fortress.--The Watch-tower.--The
Welcome Rain.--The close Siege.--The Conflict.--The Defeat of
Peter.--The Fortress abandoned.--Once more on the Road.--Resting in the
Wilds.
But now they observed that Peter had returned to his party, and was
talking to them with violent gesticulation; continually pointing to the
wood, and waving them forward. The men drew nearer, and gathered round a
thicket of low bushes, where they appeared busily engaged for a few
minutes. Then the watchful sentinels saw, to their great dismay, many
burning brands, one after another, flame up in the hands of the natives,
who now rush boldly forward to cast them among the underwood of the
forest. This was indeed a fearful sight, and no time was lost in
retreating to the cave, where, after Arthur had carefully observed that
no track was left to the spot, they all entered; a slab was introduced
over the opening, beneath the brushwood, and now only small interstices
were left to admit air and faint gleams of light to the agitated party
below.
When the terrific mode of penetrating their fortress was told to Mr.
Mayburn, and the reality of the obstinate siege burst upon him, stunned
with horror, he remained speechless and motionless till Margaret roused
him, by entreaties that he would pray for them.
"I will pray, my child," said he, "I will pray for speedy death; for
death is inevitably our doom, and, alas! in its most frightful form."
"Will they burn us alive, Miss Marget?" shrieked Ruth; "and my bonnie
hens, and them poor pigeons?"
"Be silent, Ruth," said Margaret. "God is great in power. It may be His
will yet to save us, if we pray to Him."
"There are caves within caves here, Meggie," said Hugh. "Gerald and I
know some queer corners, and we may escape beyond their discovery; and I
make no doubt we may even cut our way through in some other part of the
hollow, if we can only hold out long enough, and puzzle these fellows."
But the temporary depression of Mr. Mayburn had now left him; he had
recovered his firmness and faith in God; and he summoned round him his
agitated family, to join him in fervent prayer for help and protection
in this hour of extreme need. He spoke to them long and earnestly, not
denying his own weakness; and besought each to contend with his
besetting sin: the strong must yield to His will; the weak must ask for
fortitude; the erring must resolve to forsake his sins; and the
desponding must trust wholly to Him who was mighty to save and merciful
to the oppressed.
"We are now, my children," he added, "wanderers, as were his chosen
people in the wilderness. Let us, then, remember the marvellous works
that He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of his mouth."
Composed and hopeful, after their religious exercise the besieged began
to examine their defences and their resources. The powder had been
carefully preserved in a solid rocky niche, where no stray spark could
possibly reach it. The provision, though simple, was abundant--the
store of potatoes alone seemed inexhaustible.
"We can surely live," said O'Brien, "like thousands of my careless,
healthy countrymen, on the _pratee!_ and defy famine. And, please,
General Arthur, to come and see the watch-tower that Hugh and I have
found out."
Arthur followed the restless boys, who carried off the ladder with them,
through many a narrow winding, till they reached a very lofty hollow.
Here the boys rested their ladder, and ascended as high as they could
with its assistance, after which they climbed the rugged wall till a
projecting ledge enabled them to stand; and when Arthur joined them,
they pointed out to him some horizontal crannies between the strata of
the stone, through which he looked down upon the table land of the
mountain; and he perceived that this rock formed the parapet, or
boundary wall of the crater.
They were thus enabled to survey their own hitherto peaceful domain, as
well as the surrounding wood, from which a dense smoke was now rising.
The moist and green trees had long refused to blaze, but at length, as
the boys were silently and anxiously watching, they saw the red threads
crawl through the black clouds; they heard the loud crackling of dried
branches; and finally the broad flames rose majestically above the dark
trees, and spread rapidly towards the east side of the mountain, urged
by a west wind. The roaring of the flames, the noise of falling timber,
the screams and discordant cries of hundreds of disturbed and affrighted
birds, which continued to wheel, as if fascinated, over the flames,
prevented any sound of human voices being audible; and the actors in
the frightful devastation were alike unseen and unheard.
Hugh sobbed with grief as he watched numbers of his favorite birds,
suffocated with the thick smoke, fall down senseless; Gerald exclaimed
against the destruction of the ripe oats in the glade below, which were
now blazing fiercely; and Arthur, pale and agitated, saw the fearful
conflagration rapidly spreading up the side of the mountain, and dreaded
the moment when, the brushwood being consumed above the cave, the slabs
that covered the entrance must inevitably be detected, and they must
submit to be baited in their last hold.
"Arthur, what shall we do?" exclaimed Hugh, "for the fire is running up
the brush at the side of the mountain. See, now, it blazes over the
edge; it has caught a heap of potato stalks that I was so careless as to
leave there. Gerald, there are Margaret's favorite parterres all
blazing,--the scarlet geranium, the blue convolvulus, and the sweet,
home-like jasmine. How she will grieve! But, I forget, we have more to
grieve for; already the sparks are falling on the bush over our grotto!
What will become of Margaret and papa?"
"We must go to them," replied Arthur. "We have seen the worst that can
happen; it is useless remaining here. Let us comfort them, and lead them
into the deepest recesses of the mountain. We may, at least, escape the
fearful effects of the conflagration."
"And then, Arthur," said Hugh, "we may surely defend them with our guns.
It will be a just cause."
"It will! it will!" answered Arthur. "God send that we may not be called
on to shed blood; but I believe we should be justified in doing it. Do
you yet see the enemy, Gerald?"
"No, Arthur; but God is good to us," said Gerald. "The rain is falling
again, and our dear Black Forest will not be entirely consumed; and
perhaps we may have opportunity to escape."
The rain re-commenced suddenly, and so heavily, that in a short time the
blazing conflagration was extinguished, and the progress of the invaders
arrested; for, when the boys joined their trembling friends, Wilkins
said,--
"Depend on 't they've crept into some hole or other; they're just
downreet cowards about a drop of rain, for all their running about
without a rag to their backs."
"But we cannot exist long in this state of misery," said Mr. Mayburn.
"What would you advise, Arthur?"
"I should say, dear papa," answered he, "that we must defend our
position as long as it is tenable, and then have all prepared, and
attempt a retreat--a dangerous but inevitable measure. Jack will point
out the most convenient mode of making up packages for carrying away. We
must, if possible, take our potatoes, for we may meet with a sterile
region."
"And the hens and chickens," added Ruth, imploringly.
"We had certainly better release them," he replied, with a smile, "and
introduce a new race into the country; or else roast them and make them
useful."
But Ruth so pathetically and earnestly begged to be allowed to carry her
"bonnie bit chicks," that, on the promise that the young ones should be
given up to be eaten, in case of need, she was permitted to encumber
herself with her favorites. Jack made her a light basket for them, of a
portable form; he then proceeded to pack, compress, and arrange the
baggage in convenient burdens for each; while Jenny baked in the oven,
which she greatly regretted having to abandon, a sufficient quantity of
biscuits to fill two large bags. The boots had all been thoroughly
repaired during the rains; and, as it was probable they would have to
set out before the weather was settled, the skins of the opossums were
sewed into cloaks, to protect them.
Thus, during one day of continuous rain, when no signs of the savages
were seen, they were able to make all ready for the flight, which was
now become absolutely necessary; and it was proposed that the next
morning, though the clouds still threatened a continuance of rain, they
should make a last substantial breakfast in their secure sanctuary, and
then set out at once. The breakfast was eaten, and the burdens
apportioned; but, before they ventured to emerge, the boys ran off to
take a survey of the plains from their watch-tower, and hastily returned
to announce the vexatious intelligence that the whole body of the
savages had passed through the devastated forest, and were already
ascending the side of the mountain.
"Now for the defence!" exclaimed Hugh, seizing his gun, and placing the
ladder at the opening.
"Remove the ladder, Hugh," said Arthur. "Remember that papa has given
all authority to me. Do nothing but what I command."
Hugh made a grimace, and touched his cap.
"You, Gerald, had better go to the watch-tower," continued Arthur.
"Margaret and papa, Jenny, Ruth, Baldabella, and the child, will
accompany you. We shall have sufficient force to defend the cave here."
"But Margaret can watch. Do let me have some work, Arthur," said Gerald.
"Very well, then, you shall be _aide-de-camp_, and bring me the reports
of sentinel Margaret. Away! away!" said Arthur.
Margaret was placed on the ledge, to watch, and reported that Peter,
followed by the unwilling savages, was already on the height. She saw
the keen-eyed convict examine the ground, and take up a scorched
potato-stalk, with some of the bulbs hanging to it, which had been
imprudently left. He then went forward to the stone-lined reservoir,
which was plainly the work of man; and pointed it out to his followers,
as well as some tracks on the soft earth. The natives, however, looked
sullen, did not reply, but gazed anxiously round, as if expecting some
unusual appearance; and all shrunk together beneath the rocky wall in
which the watchers were concealed.
When Margaret communicated her observations, Baldabella said, "Black
fellow look for _Bayl-yas_--bad spirit; they not know good white man
pray, send _Bayl-yas_ away."
"Now, Meggie," said Gerald, springing up the ladder to her side; "I'll
give them a fright, and disperse them;" and the imprudent boy uttered a
deep unearthly groan. In a moment the men darted forward, and were
springing down the steep, when the commanding voice of their leader
recalled them; and Margaret, with much vexation, saw that he was
explaining the cause of their alarm, for he pointed to the spot where
she stood, in a menacing manner. He continued to speak to the men in a
tone of exultation, waving his arms, till he induced them to return and
accompany him in his search.
"Away, at once, foolish boy," said Margaret; "and tell Arthur all we
have seen, and your imprudent act. They will not leave the spot now,
till they have found our hiding-place."
Poor Gerald, completely crest-fallen, hastened to make his report and
his confession; and Arthur saw plainly they should now be obliged to
have recourse to arms. He ordered Hugh to wait till he should have fired
off his two barrels, and then to take his place till he should have time
to reload. The ammunition was put in charge of Wilkins and Jack to serve
out; and cruel as was the necessity, Arthur trusted they might thus
defend their position, and weary out even the malignant and stubborn
convict.
There could be no doubt discovery must soon take place, as the light by
degrees poured into the cave, through the small openings which the
savages uncovered one after another. Still Peter saw none of these could
possibly be the entrance to any concealment; but at length he stepped on
the large slab; it was immediately removed, and a shout of exultation
arose, as the large chasm pointed out the retreat of the persecuted
family. For a moment there was a pause: even if the descent had been
easy, the men were not so rash as to throw themselves into the clutches
of their foes below, and spears directed against an unseen enemy would
be wasted. Then Peter leaned over the opening, and called out,--
"Come on, ye cowards, and fight fairly if ye can, or else hand up them
guns, wi' yer powder and cash, and then cut off, vagabonds as ye are,
or I'll make this den ower hot to haud ye."
Arthur made a sign of silence, for he saw Wilkins was impatient and very
much inclined to indulge in pouring out invectives against his former
companion. Then a few spears and stones were flung down at random, which
were easily avoided by the besieged, who had ensconced themselves in
niches of the rock, and the light-hearted boys could scarcely restrain
their laughter at the futile attempts. But the resolute convict was not
to be baffled; he was heard speaking to his followers in their own
language, and Baldabella was placed near enough to hear and interpret.
When she had listened a few minutes, she turned to Arthur with a look of
terror, and said,--"Bad Peter say, 'Burn all! burn white jin! black jin!
Nakinna! good master! all burn!'"
The next moment confirmed the woman's report, for flaming brands thrown
into the cave announced the desperate plan of the besiegers. Arthur
called for water, and buckets of water were brought to quench each brand
as it fell; but the suffocating smoke in that confined spot was
intolerable.
"We must end this nuisance, or we shall be stifled," said Arthur; and as
Peter himself, with an armful of kindled brushwood, bent over to cast it
below, Arthur fired on him, and the man fell back beneath the flaming
branches, which were scattered over him; then calling for the ladder,
which had been brought near, the intrepid youth mounted to the opening,
fired again into the midst of the assembled savages, and, rapidly
descending, removed the ladder.
The yells and groans they heard from above afforded sufficient proof
that the shots had taken effect, and Hugh and Gerald were sent to the
watch-tower to make observations. They saw that Peter was able to stand,
supported by two men, but his right arm appeared to be powerless; a
wound in the shoulder was bleeding, and he was raging and stamping with
agony, evidently from the burns he had received, for the savages were
applying some leaves to his breast and face.
"I have never had a shot yet," said Hugh, when he returned. "It is very
hard, Arthur--pray let me run up the ladder and scatter a few of the
rascals."
"No, no! my dear Hugh," answered Arthur; "such a measure would be wanton
and inhuman at this moment. These wretched savages are mere machines in
the hands of the villain whose own cruel designs have recoiled on
himself. If they had never met this man, they might perhaps have been
troublesome and annoying to us, but a little experience of our superior
knowledge and power would have relieved us from them. Now even, they are
not detained near us from choice, for they evidently abhor and dread the
place, but they stay to fulfil the duties of humanity to this wretch who
has so unaccountably beguiled them."
"I'll tell ye how he came round 'em, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins. "I
heared 'em say when I were chained up yonder, as how that good-to-nought
were a head man, and husband to one of their jins, and he'd been speared
and killed outreet by some black fellows down south, and now he were
sent back to 'em wi' a white skin. Peter made 'em swallow all that
rigmarole, cunning dog as he is."
"I have read," said Mr. Mayburn, "that some of these ignorant tribes
have such an extraordinary superstition: believing that the souls of the
departed revisit the earth in the form of white men. There is blended
with this faith a strange recognition of the doctrine of immortality,
and, we might hope, of regeneration; but the crimes of this wretch in
that which they believe to be his second life must have startled even
the untaught heathens whom he has thus deceived."
"They're off, Mr. Arthur," said Wilkins, who had ascended to the opening
to look round; "there's not a soul left. I reckon they'd be right glad
to quit; and that rogue Peter's not in a way to trouble us for one bit;
so, what say ye, master, if we were to bolt afore they'd settled what to
do? Here's t' mistress seems all ready."
"I am quite ready, Wilkins," said Margaret, "and agree with you. It
appears to me, Arthur, that our best hope is, to snatch this opportunity
to get the advantage of a few hours' start, that we may not be easily
overtaken when that wicked man is sufficiently recovered to take the
field again."
"And mind, Mr. Arthur, sharp's t' word," said Wilkins, "if we want to
beat him. He let me into his schemes a bit, as how he meant to get them
fellows after him down south to join a lot of bush-rangers as was to
meet him. Ye see, we're not top walkers, at no time; and wi' all this
stuff to hug, we'd better be trotting."
"Make ready!" cried Gerald, tying on his knapsack of bark, and putting
into one pocket a canister of powder, and into the other a bag of shot;
"we must trot, as Wilkins says, as well as fellows can trot carrying
such burdens as ours. I say, Arty, haven't I got my share?"
"You have indeed, my boy," answered Arthur. "I fear you will not be able
to get on long under such a heavy burden; but we must try, at first
however, to carry as much away as we can bear. Take your bow to support
you, and mount the ladder. Now, Hugh."
Hugh was similarly laden, but carried a gun instead of a bow. Ruth would
not resign her fowls, and had in addition the serious weight of a large
bag of potatoes. Margaret, Jenny, and Baldabella carried the bread and
the remainder of the potatoes, the poor native having in addition the
charge of her child. Mr. Mayburn was laden with the shells and buckets
which constituted their household furniture; and Arthur, Wilkins, and
Jack cleared off all the rest of the weapons and bags. The descent to
the plains had been rendered easy by the conflagration, which had almost
entirely destroyed the forest, and the travellers chose their path in a
direction opposite to the wood which was the abode of the natives. They
toiled on with swift feet and anxious hearts, scarcely conscious of
their heavy burdens, for two hours; in which time they had left their
desolated sanctuary far away to the north.
The ground was level and fertile, and the weather favorable; for the sun
was overclouded, though no rain was falling; and relaxing their extreme
speed, they still continued to walk on, till downright fatigue and
hunger pointed out the necessity of rest. The best place for their
encampment that they could select was in the midst of a thicket of the
tea-shrub and other low brushwood. The young men with their axes cleared
a spot for a fire, and niches for sleeping-places; they plucked the
fresh leaves from the plants to make tea, and enjoyed their coarse
biscuit, soothed by the silver tones of the bell-bird, the musical
piping of the organ-magpie, and the soft cry of an invisible bird, the
curious notes of which resembled those of the curlew.
Night fell on them with all the beauty of the tropical regions; the soft
breeze loaded with fragrance from the luxuriant flowers revived by the
recent rains, the bright stars above their heads, the brilliant
fire-flies floating round them, the dying notes of the half hushed
birds, the incessant hum of the restless insect tribes; all was harmony,
inspiring devout and holy thoughts; and the weary travellers slept
happily and trustfully till morning awoke them to resume their labors.