The inhabitants of Fort Duncan were spending their time much as usual,
and had almost ceased to trouble themselves about the threats of
Mysticoose, who had, they believed, returned to his lodges, having seen
the hopelessness of inducing the English chief to give him his daughter
in marriage. The hunters were out every day in search of buffalo,
sometimes several days together, while the young ladies, accompanied by
their father and brother, and two or three attendants, took their rides
as they had been accustomed to do, without fear of encountering enemies.
They were about, one afternoon, to take a ride, when a small party of
mounted Indians--who, as they had several pack horses, were evidently
coming to trade--were seen approaching the fort.
"We must wait to receive these fellows," said Captain Mackintosh, "and I
am afraid, my girls, there will be little chance for you afterwards to
get your gallop."
"Oh, papa, Norman can come with us, if you can spare him; it would be a
pity to lose this lovely day," said Effie.
Sybil said nothing, and Captain Mackintosh, perhaps against his better
judgment, consented to let the girls go, supposing that the new comers
would be too fully engaged in trading to notice them. They accordingly
mounted, and accompanied by Norman and two of the men who usually acted
as their body guard, set out a short time before the Indians arrived at
the camp.
No one in the fort observed that one of the savages turned round his
horse and galloped off in the direction from whence they had come.
As there were not more than a dozen men, and as they, according to
custom, had deposited their arms outside the fort, they were admitted
without hesitation.
Captain Mackintosh, well acquainted with the various Indian nations, was
struck by the appearance of their features, which were those of the
Blackfeet, although they wore none of the distinctive ornaments of that
tribe, and introduced themselves as Peagons, whose territory lies to the
southward. Their chief, a plausibly mannered man, stated that they had
been induced to come to Fort Duncan by hearing that better value was
given for peltries there than was to be obtained from the Long Knives.
They seemed, however, in no hurry to begin business, and begged that
food might be provided for the party, as they had gone several days
without shooting a buffalo, hinting that some fire-water would be a
welcome addition, though they did not appear surprised when Captain
Mackintosh refused to supply the pernicious beverage.
The visitors did ample justice to the feast placed before them, and
would apparently have continued eating as long as any meat remained, had
not Captain Mackintosh suggested that darkness would come on before they
had time to commence trading.
At length, therefore, one of the packs was undone, and business
proceeded in the usual way.
They were thus engaged, when a little hump-backed Indian, whom nobody
had observed, crept in at the gate of the fort, and making his way up to
where Captain Mackintosh was superintending affairs, drew a piece of
paper from a leathern pouch and put it into his hand.
Captain Mackintosh having read it attentively, directing his head clerk
to go on with the trading, beckoned to the hump-backed Indian to
accompany him out of ear-shot of the trading party, and having
questioned him and received his answers, he summoned Le Brun.
Though the Captain had betrayed no emotion in presence of the strange
looking little Indian, his chief hunter remarked his agitation. "What
has happened, Monsieur Capitaine?" he asked.
"This is a matter of life and death, and I know that I can trust you, Le
Brun," said Captain Mackintosh, not directly answering him. "Take the
fleetest of our horses and ride after Monsieur Norman and the young
ladies. Spare neither spur nor whip. Desire them to return immediately
to the fort, as hard as they can gallop. Here, take this with you," and
he wrote a few words on a slip of paper to be delivered to Norman.
"Monsieur Capitaine can depend on me. I will make La Froule fly like
the whirlwind," said Le Brun, and doubling up the paper, he hurried away
to obey the order he had received.
"I would that I could go myself," murmured Captain Mackintosh, "but my
duty compels me to be here, and even for my dear children's sake, I must
not desert my post when danger threatens."
It was some time before Le Brun could catch the horse he had selected.
Captain Mackintosh endeavoured to conceal his anxiety, especially from
his visitors, whose keen eyes had been watching him narrowly though in
no other way did they show that they suspected the little hump-backed
Indian had come with any information relating to them. Captain
Mackintosh, who had gone up to the platform, gave a sigh of relief, as
he at length saw Le Brun gallop off at full speed in the direction the
riding party had taken.
Having seen Le Brun off, Captain Mackintosh returned to superintend the
trading, which the Indians seemed inclined to prolong more than usual.
They haggled over every article, and insisted on their peltries being
weighed more than once, on the pretence that there was some mistake, or
that the scales were out of order. They examined the goods offered to
them over and over again, handing them round to each other, and
criticising their quality. They then requested that tobacco might be
supplied to them, as they were inclined to have a smoke before
proceeding further.
One of them then got up and spoke. The meaning of his speech was
difficult to understand, though uttered with that flow of language of
which most Indians have the command.
Captain Mackintosh bore all this with the necessary patience. He did
not wish to come to a rupture with his visitors, though from the warning
he had received, he strongly suspected that treachery was intended.
As time went on, he became more and more anxious at not seeing the girls
and Hector return.
At length he went to the platform, but not a glimpse of the riding party
could he discover. On his return he found the Indians still smoking
their pipes. He inquired whether they intended to sell the remainder of
their peltries, when one of them getting up stated that they wished to
hold a council on the subject, and asked permission to sleep in the
fort, that they might be prepared the next morning to continue their
trading.
Captain Mackintosh replied that he had made it a rule to allow no
strangers to sleep within the fort, that they might leave their peltries
if they chose, that they would be perfectly safe, and that they could
sleep in the hut built expressly for the purpose outside the gate.
This answer appeared somewhat to disconcert the traders, and one of them
rising, offered to go on again with the business after they had been
supplied with some more food, for which, as he expressed it, their souls
yearned.
Captain Mackintosh answered that a feast should be prepared for them,
but that as the gates were closed at a certain hour, they must not take
it amiss at being requested to leave the fort before that time.
While their spokesman was making his address, the dark eyes of the other
Indians were wandering around in every direction. Perhaps they began to
have an idea that their intentions were suspected, when they perceived
that all the men in the fort had pistols in their belts, and swords by
their sides, and their rifles in their hands.
While the traders were waiting for the promised feast, Captain
Mackintosh again went to the platform. Just as he reached it, he saw a
single horseman galloping at headlong speed towards the fort, and in the
distance, as if pursuing him, he observed an extended line of mounted
savages. His heart misgave him on discovering that the fugitive was Le
Brun, who, not even casting a glance over his shoulder, made straight
for the gate.
Captain Mackintosh hurried down to meet him. "What has happened?" he
inquired, with difficulty commanding his voice. "Where are the young
ladies and my son?"
"Monsieur, I cannot tell, though I fear the worst," answered Le Brun,
throwing himself from his panting horse, which stood covered with foam
at the gate. "I was on the track of the young ladies, and Monsieur
Norman, when I saw far away a large troop of Indians. I endeavoured to
avoid them, but was discovered, and they came thundering across the
prairie in pursuit of me. I fled for my life, feeling sure that they
would take my scalp, should I be overtaken, and that is all I know. I
would have died to save the young ladies, but it was beyond my power to
help them."
While he was speaking a shout was heard from one of the Indians, who had
remained with the horses outside the gate. In an instant the visitors
sprang to their feet, and drawing their tomahawks from beneath their
cloaks, uttering similar cries, rushed towards the white men standing
round. An athletic savage was about to strike Captain Mackintosh, when
a shot, fired by the hump-backed Indian, pierced his heart. Another
savage shared the same fate. The remainder fought desperately, their
aim evidently being to keep the gate open until the arrival of the
approaching horsemen.
The instant the alarm was given several of the garrison, who had
remained concealed, appeared from various quarters, and furiously
attacking the treacherous Indians, shot several of them down, the
remainder being allowed to make their escape through the gate, which was
immediately closed and strongly barred behind them.
So rapidly had everything been done that up to this time scarcely a
minute had elapsed since Le Brun had entered the fort.
Before it was perceived what he was about to do, the hump-backed Indian
had struck his knife into the breasts of those who had fallen, several
of whom were still struggling on the ground.
We must now return to the riding party. They cantered gaily on,
enjoying the pure fresh air, the exhilarating exercise, and the scenery,
notwithstanding that its general features were well known to them. To
the south and west extended the level prairies, covered in many places
with rich grass, though in others sandy and barren, while to the east
rose a ridge of tree-covered hills, through which the river forced its
way, bordered by maples, willows, and elms. On the other side of the
river the hills swept round, rising almost abruptly from its margin,
with here and there small fertile valleys dividing the heights. To the
south-east was a lake of some size, also fringed by graceful trees,
beyond which appeared another blue distant range, adding much to the
picturesque beauty of the landscape. On approaching the northern end of
the lake, they saw a splendid flock of pelicans floating on its calm
surface, sailing round and round, but as they got nearer, the birds
spreading their wings, flew majestically off until they disappeared in
the distance. Magpies, grackles, cat birds, and many other of the
winged tribe, appeared in considerable numbers among the trees, or
disporting themselves on the lake or river.
"It is so long since we have had a gallop, that I vote we take a good
long one," exclaimed Norman; and Sybil and Effie, whose spirits had also
risen, expressed their readiness to do as he proposed.
"Then let us take the circuit of the lake," said Norman. "I have gone
round it several times; and there is plenty of hard ground, though there
are some swampy places which it won't do to ride into."
They had, however, not gone far, when Norman, whose horse was higher
than those of his sisters, observed in the distance to the south-west a
large body of mounted men, whom he knew from their numbers, and the
prevailing colour of their ranks, must be Indians.
He pointed them out to his companions, "They are probably bound either
for the fort, or are on a hunting expedition to the eastward, but I
cannot yet make out in what direction they are going," he observed.
"However, I conclude that they are friends, and should they come near
us, I will go forward and meet them. It is always better to show that
one wishes to be on good terms with the Redskins, and have no fear of
them. You girls, however, keep back. Since the lesson Sybil received,
it is as well you should not let them see you pale-faces, if you can
help it."
The young ladies laughed, and Norman soon afterwards observing that the
horsemen were approaching, dashed forward to meet them as he proposed.
He had got some little way when he saw that the strangers had put their
horses to their topmost speed, and he remarked at their head a tall
chief who was galloping on, urging his steed by whip and spur.
"I don't like their looks," he thought. "That fellow is very much like
Mysticoose. It will be wiser for the girls to keep clear of them."
Turning round, therefore, he rode back as hard as he could go, and as he
rejoined Sybil, and Effie, he advised them to give their horses the whip
so that they might not risk an encounter with the strangers. On looking
round he saw that the latter were coming directly after them.
"On, girls, on!" he cried out. "I wish that we had turned sooner; but
our horses are in good wind and we can keep ahead of these fellows, even
should they try to overtake us."
Norman's horse was a powerful one: the young ladies being light weights,
and accustomed to riding, giving the rein to their steeds they flew over
the ground.
Their attendants, who did not like the appearance of the strangers,
making good use of whip and spur, managed to keep up with them.
"There's a ford right ahead, across the river; we will make for it,"
shouted Norman. "We can then keep along the northern bank. It will be
much safer than attempting to reach the fort by the direct track, which
would bring us close to those fellows."
Towards the ford, therefore, they directed their course. Trusting to
the fleetness of their steeds, they had reason to hope that they should
keep ahead of their pursuers; for the Indians' horses, though strong and
possessed of great endurance, were incapable, they knew, of going at any
great speed.
Norman, looking back, however, saw with vexation that the Indian chief,
spurring on his animal, was fast distancing most of his followers,
somewhat scattered, though not far off. There were several other
savages endeavouring to keep up with him. Again and again, Norman urged
Sybil and his sister to give the rein to their steeds.
"Never fear. Stick on; the animals won't come down," he shouted.
They both kept up their courage, though fully alive to their dangerous
position. Sybil, indeed, suspected that Mysticoose was at the head of
the party, and that his object was to capture her. She nerved herself
up, however, for whatever might occur.
Though Norman had assured them that there was no risk of their horses
falling, she saw, as she approached the river, that the ground was
becoming more uneven. Rocks and the stumps of trees, burnt in a recent
fire, cropped up here and there, and fallen logs, some so close together
that the horses in leaping might stumble over others further off.
Beyond, the ground appeared marshy, and though it might not be too soft
for them to get over, they would be delayed until their pursuers had
overtaken them.
Still, the girls holding their reins ready to lift their horses should
they stumble, continued urging them on with their whips, and Norman, as
he looked at them, wondered at their nerve and apparently calm
demeanour.
He carried a brace of pistols in his belt, and the two men had their
buffalo guns, short weapons, useful for a close encounter, and he
resolved to fight to the last rather than let his sister and Sybil be
captured. He knew at the same time, how hopeless it would be to contend
with their numerous, well-armed enemies.
The rough ground was crossed, the marshy spot was reached, and the
horses dashed on, floundering through it, their feet at times sinking so
deep that it appeared impossible to draw them out again, while even
Norman had to stick tight to keep his seat. He scarcely dared look
round, but he fancied that he could hear the clattering of horses hoofs
on the hard ground they had just before passed over.
"Hold on!" he shouted, "we shall soon get through the marsh and the
savages will find it no easy matter to follow us!"
Though he said this, he knew there was the ford to be crossed, and that
could only be done at a walking pace, so that before they could get to
the other side, the savages would already have reached the margin of the
stream. Once more he turned round.
The chief and half a dozen of his followers were already on the borders
of the marsh, some going on one side, some on the other, to find a
harder part for crossing.
Happily, however, just then, the young ladies' steeds reached firmer
ground, and sprang forward. They were now making directly for the ford,
and Norman hoped once more, though almost against hope, that they might
get across in time to obtain another good start of their pursuers.
The savages, however, knowing the nature of the ground better than they
did, had succeeded in passing it much more rapidly, and Norman saw that
in a few minutes they would be up to them. He had almost lost all hope
of escape when two horsemen, evidently white men, appeared on the brow
of the ridge on the opposite side.
A glance must have shown them the state of affairs, and at the risk of
breaking their necks, they came rattling down the steep descent, the
horses sometimes sliding almost on their haunches, sometimes leaping
forward.
"That is Hector!" cried Norman, recognising his brother; and then the
thought occurred to him that he and his companion would share the fate
to which it appeared likely they were doomed. Hector and his companion,
who, as may be supposed, was Loraine, regardless of the danger into
which they were running, dashed forward, and without stopping, plunged
into the ford to meet the fugitives, who had all by this time began the
passage.
The appearance of only two white men did not deter the Redskins from
continuing the pursuit, and having, their guns in their hands, got
within thirty yards or so of the two attendants, they fired. Both shots
took effect.
One poor fellow fell from his horse; the other, though wounded, clung on
still, endeavouring to escape. The Indians came pressing on. One of
them, who had got abreast of his chief, attempted to grapple with
Hector, and Mysticoose himself was about to seize Sybil, when Loraine,
dashing forward and levelling a pistol, shot him in the arm. The limb
hung powerless at his side. But notwithstanding, taking the reins in
his teeth, the savage chief again attempted with his other hand to take
hold of her, while, fearing that she would escape him, he shouted to his
followers, who, with fearful shrieks, were pressing on. Her horse,
terrified by the sound, bounding forward, she escaped him. Enraged at
his failure, he lifted his tomahawk to hurl it at her head, when Loraine
with the butt of a pistol struck down his arm; and at that instant a
horseman was seen on the top of the ridge. The stranger was old Sass.
At a glance he took in the state of affairs. Instead of descending,
however, he turned round and shouted loudly in Cree--
"Come on, come on! Here are your enemies, here are your enemies! We've
a fine band of them in our power. Quick, quick, or they will escape
us!"
Then, as if his followers were close behind, he began to descend almost
as rapidly as had the younger men. The Blackfeet, evidently believing
that in another minute a large body of their foes would be upon them,
turned their horses' heads, and without looking again at the top of the
ridge, began a rapid retreat, carrying Mysticoose along with them, their
flight hastened by the loud shout which, Hector and Norman setting the
example, was raised by the white men.
Norman had not forgotten the poor fellow who had fallen in his defence,
and succeeded in catching him as he came to the surface, and dragging
him to the shore.
"We must get to the top of the hill and show ourselves, or the Blackfeet
may suspect the trick we played them," said old Sass. "That done, we'll
ride as fast as our horses' legs can carry us to Fort Duncan. I'll help
you with that poor fellow," he added, addressing Norman. "Here, friend,
mount your horse; many a man has ridden a score of miles with a worse
wound."
The half-breed, knowing that his life depended upon his following the
advice, succeeded in getting into his saddle, when the whole party,
winding their way up the height, which was of no great elevation, showed
themselves on the summit, appearing as if they were the front rank of a
body of horsemen about to descend to the river. Such was the idea, in
all probability, that the Blackfeet entertained as they were seen in the
distance galloping off to the south-west.
The party had to make a considerable circuit, and notwithstanding their
wish to hurry forward were compelled frequently to proceed at a foot
pace, although they pushed on whenever the ground would allow.
On reaching the top of the hill overlooking the prairie on the southern
side of the river, they caught sight of the Blackfeet band in the
distance, galloping, it appeared, towards the fort. Whether they
themselves were perceived, they could not tell; but Norman fancied that
he saw a band separate from the rest, and direct their course towards
the river. It would have answered no purpose to stop and ascertain
this, though, should such be the case, it was more necessary than ever
to gain the fort without delay.
Descending the hill, they pushed forward as before; but Norman cast many
an uneasy glance to the left, fearing that the savages might, having
swam their horses across the river, pounce suddenly out upon them.
They had got about half-way, when the sound of distant firing reached
their ears.
"Where can that come from?" asked Hector, who was riding with his
brother.
"From the fort, I am afraid," answered Norman. "The Blackfeet must have
attacked it, hoping to get in while some of the garrison are away; but
my father will, I trust, have been prepared for them, though I am afraid
that some traders, who arrived just before we set off, must have come
with treacherous designs, and will try to help their friends outside."
"I thought before this that a fine fellow who came with us--Allan Keith,
one of your clerks--would have arrived with a party of half-breeds, whom
he expected to enlist," said Hector. "We calculated that he would have
been here, as we were greatly delayed on our journey," and he briefly
related the adventures Loraine and he had met with.
"Hurrah! Here's a level place. We can push on," cried Norman; and the
party, putting their horses into a gallop, dashed forward. As they did
so, rapid firing, echoing among the hills, was again and again heard,
evidently coming from the direction of the fort.