DANGERS IN THE FORT--THE WINTER SETS IN--SCARCITY OF FOOD--MR. RAMSAY'S
ACCOUNT OF HIS FIRST MEETING WITH THE OLD TRAPPER--HIS JOURNEY ACROSS
THE PRAIRIES--ATTACKED BY DACOTAHS--DEATH OF HIS COMPANIONS--RESCUED BY
THE OLD TRAPPER--PRAIRIE ON FIRE--RIDE FOR LIFE.
The remote forts, as the trading posts of that region are called, were
exposed at that period to numerous vicissitudes. When the buffalo, in
large herds, came northward from the wide prairies in the south, and
fish could be caught in the neighbouring lakes and rivers, provisions
were abundant. But at other times, as all articles of food had to be
brought many hundred miles in canoes, along the streams which intersect
the country, or overland by carts or sleighs, notwithstanding all the
forethought and precaution of the officers in charge, they were
occasionally hard pressed for means of supporting life.
At the period we are describing, the frost had set in earlier than
usual, and the neighbouring streams and lakes had been frozen over
before a supply of fish could be caught for the winter store.
Grasshoppers, or locusts, as they should be more properly called, coming
in vast hordes from the south, had settled on the fields, and destroyed
the crops of maize and barley; while the buffalo had not migrated so far
to the northward as in other years. The hunters who had gone forth in
chase of the moose, elk, bears, and other animals, had been less
successful than usual.
Mr Ramsay, as the winter drew on, dreaded that famine would visit the
fort. He had sent for supplies to headquarters, which he was daily
expecting to arrive by a train of dog-sleighs, and had again despatched
his hunters in all directions, in the hopes that they might bring in a
sufficient number of wild animals of the chase to provision the garrison
till their arrival.
Laurence slowly recovered his strength. Mrs Ramsay took care that he,
at all events, should be well supplied with nourishing food.
"For his father's sake, I wish you to do all you can for the poor lad,"
said Mr Ramsay to his wife. "I owe him a debt of gratitude I can never
repay, though he appears unwilling to be my creditor, by speaking of the
matter as an every-day occurrence. I was travelling some years back,
with a small party of half-breed hunters and Crees from the Red River to
Chesterfield House, when, a fearful storm coming on, we were compelled
to encamp in the open prairie. A short time before we had passed a
small stream, on the banks of which grew a few birch and willows. The
country was in a disturbed state, and we had heard that several war
parties of Dacotahs were out, with the intention of attacking the Crees,
their hereditary enemies. Thinking it possible we might be attacked,
should our trail have been discovered, we arranged our carts in a
circle, to enable us to resist a sudden onslaught of the foe. We were,
however, without water or fuel. To obtain a supply of both these
necessaries, we sent back several of our men to the stream I mentioned,
hoping that they would return to the camp before dark.
"The shades of evening were already coming on when we caught sight, in
the far distance, of a large party of horsemen scouring over the
prairie. We had little doubt that they were Dacotahs, but we hoped that
our small encampment, at the distance we were from them, might escape
detection. The keen eyes of the red-skin warriors, however, ere long
found us out, and we saw them galloping towards us, flourishing their
spears and uttering their savage war-cries. Except the plumes in their
hair and girdles round their waists, they were destitute of clothing,
though their bodies and faces were covered thickly with paint, making
them look more like demons than human beings. Had our whole party been
together, we might have been able, with our rifles, to drive them back;
but divided as we were, had we fired, although we might have shot some
of those in advance, the remainder would have dashed forward and speared
us before we could have had time to reload.
"The warriors, on getting near the camp, and discovering the
preparations we had made for their reception, those in advance waited
till the remainder of their party came up. Just then they caught sight
of our friends returning across the open plain bringing the wood and
water. With wild and fearful shouts the savages dashed forward to cut
them off. They had no means of defending themselves, and terror seizing
them, they took to flight, hoping to escape to the river and lie
concealed under its banks. The horsemen, however, overtook them before
they could reach it, and in a short time we saw the Dacotahs returning
with the scalps of their victims at the end of their spears. Like
savage beasts who have once tasted blood, their rage and fury increased,
and they seemed resolved, at all risks, to destroy us, as they had our
companions, and to obtain the rich booty they expected to find in our
camp. On they came, shrieking and howling more fearfully than before.
I called on my few remaining men to fight bravely in defence of our
lives, reminding them that should they yield they would be cruelly
tortured, and ultimately put to death.
"Although at first driven back by our fire, again and again they rushed
forward, surrounding our camp, and breaking through our imperfect
fences. Most of my little garrison were speared, and I had received two
wounds; but I scarcely felt them, and still retained my strength and
energy. The rest of the survivors, although much more hurt, and
bleeding at every pore, fought bravely; for all of us knew that we could
expect no mercy from our savage foes.
"Night was coming on, and we had little hopes of ever seeing another sun
rise.
"Among the stores we were conveying were several casks of gunpowder. As
a last resource, I seized one of them which I managed to reach, and
placing it before me, shouted out to our enemies that if they approached
nearer, I would fire my rifle into it, and blow them and the whole camp
into the air. They were well acquainted with its power, and held it, as
I knew, in great dread. My example was followed by the rest of my party
who had yet strength to move. The Dacotahs retired to a short distance,
and held a consultation, after which they galloped round and round us,
shrieking and shouting, when one of them advanced somewhat nearer, and,
in a derisive tone, told us that we were welcome to remain where we
were, for escape was impossible, as they intended to keep near us, and
that in a short time we should be starved to death, when they would have
our scalps, and take possession of our goods. We knew too well that
they spoke the truth; but we replied that we were determined not to
yield, and that if they approached, we would carry our threat into
execution.
"Darkness had now come on, but we distinguished them still hovering
around us in the distance. That was the most dreadful night I ever
passed. The groans and cries of the wounded, as they lay on the ground
around me, continued without intermission. I could do but little to
relieve them; for we had no water to quench our burning thirst, and had
I placed them in the carts they might have been speared, should the
enemy have made a sudden attack, as they were very likely to do, hoping
to catch us unprepared.
"When morning dawned, the Dacotahs again dashed forward, yelling as
before, and approached sufficiently near to survey our condition. All
day long they continued the same system, hoping apparently to wear us
out, which, indeed, there appeared every probability of their doing.
"Several of my unfortunate companions had sunk from loss of blood and
thirst, and my sufferings had become so great that I envied them their
fate, when, as I cast my eyes around to watch the movements of our foes,
I saw them gathering together in a body, while in the far distance
appeared a single horseman, who, galloping at full speed, was coming
towards the camp. He stopped short as he approached the Dacotahs, as if
to ascertain who they were; he then rode boldly forward towards them. I
saw that he was a white man, and knew by his gestures that he was
haranguing the savages. Several of their chiefs appeared to be replying
to him. He then waved his hand, and galloped up to the camp.
"`I know all about it,' he exclaimed in English, and his words sounded
pleasantly in my ears. `I made them promise to give me one of my
countrymen instead of a debt they owe me, and I wish that I could save
more of your lives. What!' he exclaimed, on seeing me rise to move
towards him, `are you the only one left alive?'
"I had no need to reply, but pointed to the bodies of my companions on
the ground; for by that time nearly all were dead, while those who still
remained alive were too weak to move, and it was evident that in a short
time they also would be numbered with the dead. It grieved me much to
leave them in their sad condition; but yet by remaining I could do them
no good. The stranger lifted me up on his horse with as much ease as if
I had been a child, and bore me off in the direction from whence he had
come.
"`We have no time to lose, for I don't trust the red-skins, friends
though they are of mine,' he said. `They may in a few minutes change
their minds.'
"We had gone but a short distance when I saw my preserver turn his head
to look behind him. There was an expression of anxiety in his
countenance.
"`What is the matter?' I asked.
"`The red-skins have set the prairie on fire,' he answered. `I don't
think they did it on purpose, for they will chance to suffer more than
we do; but we must push onwards, or the flames will anon be close at our
heels.'
"I raised my head as he spoke, and saw dense wreaths of smoke rising up
to the southward, below which I could distinguish a broad red line,
extending for a mile or more from east to west.
"The hunter, holding me in his firm grasp, put spurs to his horse, and,
slackening his rein, galloped at full speed over the ground. The motion
caused my wounds to bleed afresh, but it was no time to stop to bind
them up. I felt very weak, and the dreadful thought came across me
that, should I faint, my new friend would suppose me dead, and naturally
leave me to my fate. Might he not even do so, at all events, should the
fire come rapidly after us, for the sake of preserving his own life? He
seemed to divine my thoughts.
"`I will not desert you, lad,' he said. `Cheer up; we have but a few
leagues to go to reach a river, on the further side of which we shall be
safe. My good steed has been well accustomed to carry a heavy weight,
and he makes nothing of what he has now on his back.'
"While he was speaking, a loud dull roar like thunder was heard, and a
dense column of smoke rose upward from the spot where we had been
encamped.
"`Ah! ah! the red-skins have lost the booty they were so eager to
secure,' he exclaimed with a peculiar laugh.
"The fire had reached the camp, and the casks of powder had ignited and
blown the carts and the rest of their contents into the air.
"`We shall be safe from them, at all events,' observed the stranger;
`for they will not pull rein for many a long league from this, if they
should escape the effects of their own carelessness.'
"The raging fire had now extended from east to west as far as the eye
could reach, and came on even faster than we could move. Still the
dauntless hunter showed no signs of fear or intention of abandoning me,
that he might insure his own safety. The love of life was strong within
me, but I felt that it was almost unjust to allow him to risk his for
the sake of saving mine. Away we went, scouring the prairie, the hunter
urging on his steed with slackened rein and spur, and by word of mouth.
Already I could hear the ominous crackling and hissing of the flames as
they made their way over the long dry grass, and caught the bushes which
here and there were scattered over the plain. Every now and then the
hunter looked behind him. Nearer and nearer came the long line of fire
and smoke; the sky overhead was darkened; the air was hot and stifling.
Still he cheered on his steed. Fast as we went, the fire came faster.
"On and on we galloped, the dense smoke surrounding us. I gasped for
breath; already it seemed that the flames were close at the horse's
heels. The animal appeared to know his danger as well as his rider, and
sprang frantically forward. I saw no more. I only felt that the horse
had made a desperate plunge, and soon afterwards there was the sound of
water in my ears, and instead of the violent movements of the galloping
horse I felt myself borne smoothly forward. Then I was lifted in the
strong arms of the hunter and placed on the ground. I opened my eyes,
and found myself seated on a narrow strand, on the opposite side of a
river, with a high bank rising above my head. Across the stream the
fire raged furiously, devouring the trees which fringed its shores;
while close above our heads hung a black canopy of smoke, though a cool
current of air, which blew up the stream, enabled me to breathe freely.
The hunter, holding the bridle of his horse, was seated by my side.
"`We have done it, friend,' he said. `I knew we should. It's not the
first time I have had to ride for my life; but I never had a harder
gallop, that I'll allow. The Dacotahs will have had a narrow escape if
they managed to get clear. Let me look to your hurts. You are hungry,
it may be.'
"`Water, water,' were the only words I could utter. He produced a
leathern cup from his ample pouch, and, filling it with water, poured
the contents down my throat. I felt as if I could have drunk the stream
dry, but he would give me no more.
"`Wait a bit; you shall soon have another draught,' he said. `And now
let me see to your hurts.' He brought more water, and having bathed my
wounds, bound them skilfully up with a handkerchief which I fortunately
had in my pocket. After I had taken another draught of water, I quickly
began to revive under his careful treatment. When he thought that I had
sufficiently recovered to be removed, he bore me up a bank, and then led
his horse round another way up to where I lay. He carried me on till we
reached a wood near a stream. Here, finding from my weak state that I
was unable to travel further, he built a hut and tended me with the
greatest care till I had recovered sufficiently to sit on horseback. He
often, I found, deprived himself of food that I might be amply supplied.
As soon as I was able to bear the journey he placed me on the horse,
and walking by my side, we set out for the fort. We had many weary
leagues to go, and frequently we fell in with traces of the savage and
treacherous Sioux or Dacotahs, evidently out on expeditions against the
Crees. Occasionally, to avoid our foes, we had to remain in concealment
for several days together, and at other times it was necessary to halt
while my companion went in search of game, and to obtain provisions.
Ultimately, after many adventures, when he often exposed his own life to
preserve mine, we reached the fort in safety.
"Such was the commencement of my acquaintance with Michael Moggs, the
old trapper. We have met occasionally since, but he has always refused
to receive any recompense for the service he rendered me, declaring that
he was deserving of none, as he would have done the same for any other
white man who might have needed his assistance. I have vainly
endeavoured to induce him to remain in the fort, or to take service with
the company; but he invariably replies that he prefers the life of a
free trapper, and that he will not bind himself to serve any master."
"I wish we could induce him to stop with us, both for his own sake, and
for that of his young son," observed Mrs Ramsay. "He is an intelligent
youth, with a mind capable of cultivation. It is sad to see him so
utterly ignorant of religious truth; and I fear that his strength will
give way if he continues the hard life he has shared with his eccentric
father. I cannot but think that the old man is greatly to blame for
bringing him up as he has done."
"We must hope for the best," said Mr Ramsay.
"We have no right to hope unless we pray and strive, dear husband," said
Mrs Ramsay. "God will hear our prayers, both for father and son.
After the account you have just given me, I feel that we are doubly
bound to pray for them. How greatly ought we to value that glorious
privilege of prayer, which allows us sinful creatures, trusting to the
all-cleansing blood of Jesus, to go boldly to the throne of grace,
knowing that our petitions will be heard and granted by the all-pure,
all-seeing, and all-just God, who does not look upon us as we are in
ourselves, but as clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Let us pray
this night that the dark mind of our poor friend may be enlightened, and
that the Holy Spirit may bring home the truths of the gospel to that of
his young son."
"You are right; you are right, wife," said Mr Ramsay, taking her hand.
"I have hitherto thought only how I could benefit his temporal
condition. It did not occur to me how much more important it was to
seek the good of his soul."
Little did the old hunter think, as he was wandering across the snowy
waste, that the hearts of friends were lifted up for him in prayer to
that God from whom he had so long obstinately turned away; yet though we
must be assured that God overhears the prayers of those who come to Him
in His Son's name, He takes His own good time and way to answer the
petitions he receives; and we must be prepared to wait patiently for the
result, and not expect always to see it brought about in the manner we
in our ignorance may have desired.