A RAY OF HOPE.
In all five of us assembled--five low-spirited, grave-faced men: the
others were Menzies and Captain Rudstone, Dr. Knapp and an old and
experienced voyageur named Carteret, whose judgment was to be relied
upon. A discussion of a few minutes found us unanimously agreed that it
would be impossible to repulse the Indians should they make another
attack in force; nor did we doubt that such a crisis would come sooner
or later.
"There is no chance of the siege being lifted," said Captain Rudstone.
"One or more disguised Northwest men are directing operations, and they
must know----"
"I'll swear Cuthbert Mackenzie is the leader," I broke in. "He won't
neglect such an opportunity as offers now."
"Right you are!" exclaimed Carteret, with a shrug of the shoulders.
"It's temptation thrown in the way of the redskins. Talk about easy! A
firm crust on the snow, and the drifts nearly up to the top of the
stockade I Why, they could pour a hundred braves into the fort before
we could shoot down ten of them!"
"And they will do just that," declared Captain Rudstone. "They know that
we have lost heavily, and can't offer much resistance to a rush. I'll
venture to predict that the attack is made late this afternoon, when the
twilight begins to gather."
"It will mean the loss of the fort," said I. "We can't shut our eyes to
that fact. We have a few hours of grace left; let us make the most of
them."
"But what are we to do?" said Dr. Knapp.
"Ay, what?" Menzies echoed dismally. "There's no chance of help, you'll
admit, and even if a messenger had got through in time, Fort York
couldn't have spared us any men. As it is, they probably have no idea of
what is happening here. Do you suggest that we lower our flag and
surrender?"
"Never that!" said I.
"Then what other choice have we but to be slaughtered to a man?"
continued the hard-headed old Scotchman. "Perhaps you will kindly
explain, Mr. Carew, how we are to make the most of these few hours of
grace."
Menzies spoke sneeringly, and with an aggravating touch of irony; but I
kept my temper, hoping that he would shortly alter his opinion of my
advice. In truth, I had been turning a matter over in my mind while the
discussion was going on, and I fancied I saw a way for some of us at
least, to save both life and honor.
"If we surrendered, we should likely be slaughtered just the same," I
replied. "So that is out of the question. But I have a plan, Mr.
Menzies--a sort of a middle course--to offer in the event of the fort
falling."
"Go on," said he, with a contemptuous sniff.
"I must ask you a question or two first," I replied.
"Dr. Knapp, how many wounded are in your care?"
"They are in Father Cleary's care at present," he answered. "But I have
seven, Carew."
"And how many are fit to travel, on foot or on sledges?"
He reflected for a moment, looking at me with surprise.
"Two will die before night," he said, "and a third is in a bad way. The
other four might make a shift on snowshoes."
"It is better than I expected," said I. "And now for my plan. This
house, with its loopholes and heavy shutters, was constructed for such
an emergency as the present. I suggest that we at once move in the
wounded, three or four sledges, all the powder and ball and a quantity
of provisions. If the attack comes, and we see that we can't repulse it,
we will all take shelter here, and in time to withdraw the men from
other points. The house is practically fireproof, and I am sure we can
hold it for a week or more, if need be."
"It would catch fire from the outbuildings," suggested the doctor.
"The Indians won't burn those," said I. "They will save them for their
own protection."
"And how is the siege of the house to end?" asked Menzies. "Do you
expect the Indians to withdraw, or do you count on aid arriving?"
"I admit there is no chance of either." I replied. "My idea is this. The
inside of the inclosure is already deep under a frozen drift, and from
the look of the weather there will be more snow in plenty within a few
hours. We will excavate a tunnel beneath it, starting from one of the
little windows that give air to the cellar, and leading to some part of
the south stockade. Then in a day or two, when the night is dark and
other conditions favorable, what is to prevent us from making our escape
unseen to the forest, and by quick traveling gain Fort York?"
"The Indians would break into the tunnel while prowling about," said Dr.
Knapp.
"We won't make it high enough for that." I replied stoutly, "and,
besides, the crust will be too hard."
"It's a sound plan!" exclaimed Captain Rudstone.
"Ay, I'm of the same mind," added Carteret. "It's well worth the trying.
And it's that or a bloody massacre--there are no two ways about it."
"It seems a cowardly thing," grumbled Menzies, "to yield the redskins
all but this house, and then slink away from that under cover of
darkness and by a trick. A rich lot of the company's property will fall
into their hands!"
"True enough," said I bitterly, "and the old flag-will be hauled down
for the first time in the records! But consider, sir; there is nothing
else to be done! Carteret has given you the gist at the matter. And
think of the women!"
The blunt old Scotchman was touched in a tender spot; his face softened.
"Ay, my poor wife!" he said, with a sigh. "And Miss Hatherton! They must
not fall into the power of these red devils--or of Cuthbert Mackenzie.
It's a level head you have on your shoulders, Denzil. I fear I spoke
hastily--"
"As was your right," I interrupted. "It was presumptuous of me to offer
advice. But I am pleased to think that you favor my suggestion."
"It is a last chance," he replied, "and we must cling to it for the sake
of the women. Were it not for them I would hold out to the end. Ah, the
pity of it! To think that Fort Royal will be lost!"
"It will rise again stronger than ever," Captain Rudstone said grimly,
"when the Northwest Company has been crushed out of existence."
"May I live to see the day!" said Menzies fervently.
We held some further discussion, during which a number of minor details
were arranged. Then Dr. Knapp returned to the hospital, and Captain
Rudstone and Carteret set off to acquaint the men with the proposed
plan, and to see to the removal of the wounded and the various supplies
to the factor's house. Meanwhile, Baptiste having come in, he reported
that there was no sign of any threatening movement on the part of the
savages, and we fully expected none until evening.
I had promised my companions to take some sleep--which I stood badly in
need of--but first I insisted on going over the lower floor of the house
with Menzies. We examined all the rooms, the doors and walls, the
shutters and loopholes, and I was satisfied with the inspection. When we
returned to the hall Mrs. Menzies hailed her husband from above. He went
upstairs and as I passed the open door of the room in which we had held
our gathering, on my way out, I caught the flutter of a woman's gown and
heard my name pronounced in a whisper.
Stepping inside, I saw Flora. She was standing by the table, with a look
on her sweet face that set my heart throbbing wildly. How it happened I
scarcely knew, but the next instant she was in my arms, held close to my
breast, and I was showering kisses on her unresisting lips and eyes.
"Denzil!" she whispered. "My hero--my own love!"
"At last, my darling!" I muttered. "You are mine! None can take you away
from me. Say that you love me, Flora!"
"I do with all my heart!"
"And when will you marry me?"
"Some day, dear Denzil," she replied.
She gently released herself and gazed at me timidly.
"Oh, it must be wrong to feel so happy," she added with a little sob in
her voice, "while he is lying cold and dead. How generous and noble he
was! And think of it, Denzil, he intended to give me up! I am glad I was
true to him."
"I wish I had been truer," I said bitterly. "But it is too late for
regrets. A better man than Griffith Hawks never lived. He was worthy of
you, Flora. Can I say more?"
"I will never forget him," she answered softly. "Oh, this cruel, cruel
war! And they say the fort is in danger, Denzil. That is what I wanted
to ask you."
"Don't believe it," said I. "There will be more fighting--perhaps a
protracted siege--but our brave men will prove more than a match for the
cowardly redskins. Trust to me, dearest. I will save you from, all harm
and peril."
At that moment Menzies was heard returning. I caught the girl in my
arms, kissed her twice, and hurried from the house. All was quiet as I
crossed the yard, and I observed that fine flakes of snow were
commencing to drop. Flora was mine! I could think of nothing else when I
entered my quarters, but, for all that I was so worn out that I fell
asleep the moment I threw myself on the bed.