It was the scouts coming back from different directions, with the same
report that no enemy was in sight, though they had penetrated in one or
two instances right to the forest.
"Isn't a false alarm, is it, Captain Bruton?" said one of the newer
settlers. "Two of us went right to your little plantation."
"Well?" said my father, eagerly.
"Well, sir, you were not at home, so we did what I hope you approve of--
treated ourselves as you in your hospitality would have treated us. We
sat down, ate and drank, and after we were refreshed we came back, but
we saw no enemy."
I felt hot and cold with indignation as I listened to this man's
cavalier treatment of my father, and to see that many of those present
were ready to join this scout in believing it to be a false alarm.
"I am glad, sir, that you have returned in safety to make your report,"
said my father, coldly.
"Oh, come, Winters," said Colonel Preston, warmly, "if you had seen
those boats bristling with arrows you would not think our friend Bruton
had been crying wolf."
"And if he will go into our temporary hospital he will see one of the
wounded lying there seriously injured."
"But I do not want to cast doubts on Captain Bruton's report."
"Then why did you try, sir?" I said hotly. "Ask the doctor if it was a
sham wound from an arrow that I got in my leg."
"George!" said my father, sternly, "remember what you are."
"I do, father," I said vehemently; "but this man seemed to think you had
not spoken the truth."
"No, no," said the settler, flushing up, "only that he might have been
deceived."
"I only wish you had been tied up for hours to a tree as I was, sir," I
said, "expecting to be killed by the Indians. I believe even now you
can't believe it is true."
"Hush!" said my father, sternly. "I'm afraid, gentlemen, that though
nothing has been seen of them, the Indians are hiding in the forest,
ready to descend upon us at what they consider a favourable opportunity,
and I beg, I implore, for your own sakes--for the sake of all whom you
hold dear, not to treat what I have said as being exaggerated."
"We shall not, Bruton," said the General firmly, after standing
listening in silence all through. "I have plenty of faith in my young
friend, your son, and you may rest assured that I am not going to treat
what has taken place as a false alarm. Gentlemen, to your posts.
Colonel Preston, the gate must be closed at once, and every other man
will remain under arms till ten to-night, when the second half will
relieve them. Gentlemen, I consider that the siege has begun."
The evening came in dark and gloomy, and night fell as if almost at
once. All was still but the faintly-heard lapping of the water on the
strand, and the customary croaking and hollow bellowing from the forest;
and it seemed to me, feverish and ill at ease now, that a feeling of awe
had come upon the occupants of the enclosure, who were seated about in
groups of families, discussing their strange positions in whispers, and
waiting at the first alarm to obey the General's command, and take
shelter in the great block of wooden buildings constituting the fort--a
building which had been gradually enlarged as the settlement had
increased, so that, in addition to shelter and protection, there might
be ample room for magazines, armoury, and stores.
I was seated with Pomp and my father, where we had partaken of the food
that had been served out, thinking of my bed at home, and of how dearly
I would have liked to be lying there instead of upon the hard ground,
when an alarm was given, and the officers, my father amongst them,
hurried up to the fort to ascend to the roof, and watch the glow which
had suddenly begun to appear in the southwest.
I had followed my father and stood by him, as I heard the General say
sharply, in answer to a remark made by some one of those present, upon
whose faces the faint glow was reflected--
"Forest fire, sir? No; I am afraid it is--"
"My house, gentlemen," said my father, calmly. "The attack has begun."
A dead silence followed my father's words, and it was almost a minute
before the General said gravely--
"Yes, Bruton, the attack has begun, and in a way I dreaded. Well, we
must beat it off. I am sorry that your pleasant home should be one of
the first to fall a victim to the enemy; but as it was built up, so it
can be built up again. There will be plenty of willing hands to help
one of our most trusty brothers."
A murmur of warm assent followed this remark, and then the General spoke
again.
"Is Mr Winters here?" he said.
"Yes, General."
"What have you to say, sir, now?"
"That I beg Captain Bruton's pardon, sir; and that I will be one of the
first to help restore his house, if it please God I live through the
trouble that is to come."
"Thank you, Mr Winters," said my father, quietly. "If we are staunch
to each other I have no fear for the result."
"Look--look!" came in a low murmur, and my heart sank, for it seemed so
piteous to see the bright glare rising over the forest, as the poor
house over which so much pains had been taken seemed, in spite of the
distance, to be sending up wreath after wreath of golden smoke, while
for a short time there was a ruddy light spreading high up into the sky.
But it all faded out as rapidly as it had arisen, and I went down into
the enclosure, to stumble soon after upon Morgan, who said grimly--
"Didn't think after that soaking, look you, she would have burnt out so
quick, Master George."
"Oh, don't talk about it, Morgan," I said. "There, I must lie down now;
I am too weak and tired to stand."
"Come this way then, my lad, and lean on me," he said gently; and he
helped me to where I could see something white lying on the ground.
It was the great bundle Sarah had made, and close by it lay Pomp fast
asleep.
"Burned so quickly after the soaking it had had," seemed to be buzzing
in my brain, and the ruddy glow flashed up before my eyes once more; but
only in imagination, for I believe that as my head touched that great
soft bundle, regardless of danger from tomahawk or arrow, I went off
fast asleep, and slept on hour after hour, nor opened my eyes again till
it was broad day.