WHERE THE RANGERS LED
The next day there was considerable stir at the settlement. The women
were busy cooking, while the men spent some time cleaning their muskets
and "running" bullets. All felt anxious, and serious faces were seen
among the Loyalists. Old Mammy was greatly disturbed, and Jean found
it difficult to calm her fears.
"Why, Mammy, you never made such a fuss all during the war when daddy
was in danger every day," the girl chided.
"Ah, chile, dat was different. Yer daddy was fightin' white men den.
But dese are Injuns, an' dey'll scalp de wounded, an' den tie 'em to a
tree an' burn 'em alive. Den dey'll come an' carry off de women fo'
wives. I'll die befo' I'll be de wife of any ol' Injun, I sure will."
"Don't you worry, Mammy," Jean assured. "The Indians are not going to
come here. The rangers and our men will be able to handle them. I am
not one bit afraid."
As the shades of evening were stealing over the land, the men gathered
for their march against the enemy. They were a formidable band, and
Davidson was much pleased as he watched them fall into line. The
Colonel had charge of the little squad of Loyalists, and his old spirit
possessed him as he drilled and instructed them for a few minutes in
front of his house. The rangers watched this performance with
interest, and smiled indulgently.
"I am afraid that won't do much good in wilderness warfare," Davidson
reminded. "General Braddock tried it, and you know what happened.
However, I am hoping that there will be no fighting, so it won't make
much difference."
Half an hour later the men were swinging on their way through the
woods. No one spoke, and all walked as warily as possible. As night
shut down travelling became more difficult for the men of the
settlement, although the rangers seemed as much at home in the darkness
as in the daylight. For over two and a half hours they moved steadily
forward, and at length stopped by the side of a little brook which
flowed down to the river. Here they rested and ate some of the food
which they had brought with them. They had not been long here ere a
low whistle sounded up the valley. Davidson at once replied, and a few
minutes later soft approaching footsteps were heard. Then a dim form
emerged from the darkness, and stood in their midst.
"I am glad to see you on time, Dane," Davidson accosted. "How many men
did you get?"
"Twenty-five," was the reply. "Pete is bringing them up. I slipped on
ahead to see if things are all right."
"Yes, everything is working well so far. Have you found out anything
new?"
"Nothing except that some of the rebels have gathered at Pine Lake, and
others are expected to-morrow. Pete and I were trailing them to-day,
and it was rare sport."
"I hope you were careful, Dane."
"We are always careful, though it wasn't necessary to-day. The Indians
were quite cautious, but some of the white men lumbered along like
oxen, cursing and complaining at a great rate. Flazeet and Rauchad had
quite a time with them, and kept encouraging them with promises of rum
and the fun they would have with the Loyalists."
"They'll get a different kind of fun from what they expect," Davidson
replied. "And the more rum they swig, the better it will be for us.
How far is it from here to the lake?"
"About five miles in a straight course. We can do it easily in an hour
and a half."
"Oh, you could do it all right in that time, and less, for that matter.
But all here are not so well accustomed to the woods at night. Isn't
that so, Colonel?"
"It certainly is," was the emphatic reply. "I shall need two or three
hours, for I find the walking very difficult. And, besides, one has to
be careful not to make any noise."
"Whatever noise we make will not trouble the rebels," and Davidson
laughed. "They'll be sleeping as sound as babies by daylight."
In a short time Pete arrived with the recruits from Kingston, and they
were given a hearty welcome. It was a glad meeting for the Loyalists,
and they spent several hours in earnest conversation about their
various affairs, and exchanging bits of information concerning the old
homes they had left. The men from Kingston described the progress they
were making in clearing their lands, and building their houses.
Several small fires had been started, and around these the men
gathered. The night was cool, and a stiff wind from the northwest
swayed the tops of the great trees. Had it not been for the serious
business upon which they were bent, the Loyalists would have enjoyed
the outing immensely. But the thought of what lay ahead was ever with
them. There was something uncanny about this camping-spot in the
forest, and they often glanced apprehensively toward the walls of
blackness which surrounded them. They were not cowards, for their
courage had been fully proved in many a hard fight. Even the Colonel
felt somewhat depressed as the night wore on. It seemed weird and
unnatural, this mode of warfare against a skulking enemy. If he could
only lead his men against the rebels out in the open it would have been
different. But this waiting for hours, and with no apparent method of
attack, was hard for him to endure.
The rangers, on the other hand, did not mind it in the least. This was
their life, and they took it as a matter of course. Dane, especially,
was at his ease. He was glad of the rest, as he had been on the move
all day. But he was anxious to get through with the job that he might
return to Jean. He had asked the Colonel about her, and they had
talked apart for some time.
"I hope she is not too much distressed over this affair," he said.
"She is naturally worried," was the reply. "But she has great
confidence in the rangers--and in you," he added after a slight pause.
"I agree with her, and feel greatly indebted to you and Pete for what
you have done. I hope we may be able to settle the rebels once and for
all."
"I don't think there is any doubt about it. So far, our plans have
worked without a hitch, and Davidson is an old reliable hand at such
work. Strategy with him is the main thing, and it has proven useful on
many occasions ere this. He always avoids bloodshed as far as
possible."
It was a great relief to the weary Loyalists when Davidson at last
bestirred himself, and told all to get ready for the march to the lake.
The band was at once divided into five groups, each containing several
rangers, who were well acquainted with their leader's plans. Dane
stayed close by the Colonel, carried his musket, and assisted him when
his steps lagged. It was a slow, toilsome journey through the forest
on that cold, frosty morning. There were hills to climb, and swamps to
cross. It would have been hard work even in the daytime, but night
added to the difficulty of the undertaking. The Loyalists, not
accustomed to such travelling, often stumbled and tripped over stones
and snags. But the rangers walked as if on a beaten highway, and
proved of great assistance to the less skilful. No one complained,
however, and when any one spoke, it was in a subdued voice. The
Colonel strove bravely to hold his own with the younger men. But he
was becoming very weary, and more than once he leaned on Dane's arm for
support.
"I am sorry to burden you" he said, "but this trip is almost too much
for me."
"I am afraid it is," was the reply. "You should have stayed at home
and let us attend to the rebels."
"I suppose I should have done that," and the Colonel sighed as he
paused for a minute on the brow of a hill they had just climbed. "But
I want to do my part. I did it during the war to the best of my
ability. Jean was proud of me then, and I do not want her to be
ashamed of me now."
Dane was about to reply when a slight sound from one of the rangers
sealed his lips. He knew that it spelled danger, and that caution was
needed.
"We are close to the lake," he whispered. "It is just over there. We
are to remain here for a while."
The men were glad enough to rest, so throwing themselves down upon the
ground, they refreshed themselves with some food. Anxiously they
awaited the coming of the dawn, and through a break in the trees they
often turned their eyes eastward. At length the far-off horizon rose
slowly into view, the darkness began to melt away, and objects about
them grew more distinct. This was the signal for them to continue
their journey, and once again they set their faces toward the lake. It
was easier travelling now, and seldom did any one stumble. This was
well, for the strictest silence had to be maintained as they neared
their goal. They were walking in single file, and the rangers were
doubly alert, peering here and there, and listening to every sound.
At length they separated, Dane going alone with the Colonel somewhat to
the right. Each ranger took one or two of the settlers, and in another
minute all had disappeared among the trees. Dane led the Colonel
slowly along, until presently an opening appeared before them.
"It is the lake," Dane whispered. "We must creep now to the edge of
the woods, and keep ourselves well hidden."
Dropping upon their hands and knees, they worked their way along until
they came right to the border of the forest. Here they stopped, and by
the dim light of the morning they could see before them a band of men
lying upon the shore, wrapped in their blankets. There were fifty or
more, including Indians, and they were sound asleep.
"We've got them this time, all right," Dane again whispered. "Here is
your gun; you may need it. We must now wait for Davidson to make the
next move."
It was a beautiful spot which the rebels had chosen for their place of
meeting. The lake was not large, but it lay like a gem amidst its
setting of great dark pines. The shore where the plotters were lying
was sandy, and from all appearance they had spent much of the night in
a wild carousal. They were huddled in various grotesque shapes, and
several were snoring loudly.
In about fifteen minutes a sound, scarcely audible, was heard near
Dane's side, and glancing around, he saw Davidson creeping toward him.
"The trap is all set," the leader whispered as he came close. "It only
waits to be sprung."
"Are the men all arranged?" Dane asked.
"They are in fine order, and all in line, only a few feet from one
another. The Loyalists caught on in no time. I am surprised that the
rebels are all asleep. It's a wonder they didn't place some one on
guard."
"I believe they did. Look," and Dane motioned to a huddled form
somewhat apart from the others. "There is the guard, but the rum must
have affected him like it did the rest. Anyway, they were not
suspicious, and had no idea that their plot was known."
"Now get ready," Davidson ordered. "We must round up this bunch before
any more arrive."
Then from his lips sounded forth a clear peculiar whistle. Almost
immediately wild yells from a score of rangers rent the air, followed
by ringing cheers of defiance. Dazed and startled, a number of rebels
threw aside their blankets, scrambled to their knees, and looked
around. Flazeet and Rauchad were the first to comprehend the
situation. Yelling to their still sleeping comrades, they leaped to
their feet, and were about to seize their muskets, when Davidson
sternly ordered them to desist.
"Hands up," he commanded.
The ringleaders instantly obeyed, for they at once recognised the
King's purveyor, the one man they so greatly feared. But one
dare-devil rebel sprang for his gun a few feet away. He never reached
it, however, for from the border of the forest two muskets spoke, and
he crumpled in his tracks upon the sand. This was sufficient warning
to the rest, and all now awake stood sullenly and silently staring hard
at their captors who had come into full view.
"Get over there, and be quick about it," Davidson ordered, motioning to
the left.
The rebels at once obeyed, and standing huddled together, awaited
further developments. Most of the men had no heart for any opposition,
even if they had the opportunity. They had been promised plenty of
rum, a good time, and no end of fun with the Loyalists. Such a
disastrous outcome as this had been far from their minds. The Indians
now realised that they had been led into a trap, and their hearts were
full of rage, more against their leaders than their captors. But
Flazeet and Rauchad were not in the least repentant. Their eyes and
faces expressed their anger and hatred as they watched Davidson coming
toward them.
"What is the meaning of all this?" the purveyor asked.
"It's none of your business," Flazeet replied with a savage oath.
"I've made it my business, though, and so have the men with me." A
smile lurked about the corners of Davidson's mouth as he watched the
confounded rebels. "You didn't expect this, Joe, did you?"
"And why should I? Why can't we meet here without being disturbed?
What right have you to come upon us like this? What do you want,
anyway?"
"I want you and a few others, and you know very well what for, so don't
begin any nonsense."
"This is an outrage," Flazeet stormed. "I always thought this was a
free country, where men can meet together if they want to without being
held up like this."
"It is a free country, Joe, and we are trying to keep it so. But when
men start plotting against peaceable people, they must be restrained.
That is the reason why we are here."
"Do you mean to say that we are plotters?"
"Yes, and the meanest kind at that. You have been stirring up the
Indians and others for some time. You will be surprised, no doubt, to
know that every word that you and Rauchad uttered at your big council
by the Wedneebak was overheard and reported to me. I know what you
said to the Acadians and the Indians who were there that night, and how
you cursed King George. You planned to wipe out the Loyalists, though
that was easier said than done."
Flazeet and Rauchad stared dumbfounded at the speaker. Their rage was
changing now to a nameless fear. They thought of that night by the
Wedneebak when they imagined that only those concerned in the plot were
present. Had they been betrayed by one of their number? they asked
themselves. They could not believe it, for they had kept in close
touch with all the men ever since. There must have been spies
surrounding them that night, and this thought sent cold chills up and
down their spines, causing their faces to turn a ghastly hue.
Davidson noted their confusion, and smiled. He knew that they were
greatly puzzled, and it pleased him. The Acadians and Indians were
deeply impressed, and showed it by the expressions of fear and awe upon
their faces. Their respect for the King's purveyor had always been
great, but they considered him now as more than human. That he knew of
every word which had been spoken at their council by the Wedneebak, was
beyond their comprehension. That they were completely cowed, Davidson
knew. He turned to the Indians and addressed them in their own
language. He told them how their false leaders had led them into
trouble, and caused them to rebel against King George's people. But if
they were willing to behave themselves, he would let them go. He
wished to take only the ringleaders with him, and hand them over to
Major Studholme at Fort Howe.
"King George will treat you well," he said in conclusion. "There is
plenty of land for both you and the white people. You will still have
your hunting-grounds, so you and your families will have plenty of
food. But if you listen to such men as Flazeet and Rauchad here, and
make any more trouble, King George will send soldiers as many as the
trees of the forest, and will drive you all out. He does not want to
do that. He is anxious to be your great chief, and help you. Are you
willing to obey him?"
When Davidson had ended, he waited until the Indians had consulted one
another. Then their chief speaker stepped forward, and declared that
from henceforth he and the Indians with him would be loyal to King
George and make no more trouble. The Acadians also gave a reluctant
assent. But as these latter were few, and were by no means
representative of the loyal Acadians in the land, Davidson was little
concerned about what they said. He was chiefly anxious to have the
Indians on his side. The slashers were becoming very troublesome up
river, and he wanted to keep the natives from joining them against the
King's mast-cutters. By breaking up this band of rebels, he believed
that much had been accomplished.
"I am going to treat you well," he told the Indians and Acadians. "I
am going to give you back your guns and let all of you go except your
leaders here and two or three more. When you have buried that man over
there, go home and be forever thankful that you have got out of this
trouble as well as you have."