STOCK OF PROVISIONS AT THE FORT STILL FURTHER DECREASED--REPORTS OF
SIOUX BEING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD--PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE--CHILDREN'S
AMUSEMENT OF "COASTING"--SIOUX SEEN IN THE DISTANCE--THE HUNTERS CAUGHT
BY THEM--CAMP-FIRES OF INDIANS SEEN IN THE DISTANCE--FRESH BANDS JOIN
THEM.
The trials to which the inhabitants of the fort were exposed were
becoming greater every day. The store of potatoes and other vegetables
in the root-house, where they were secured from the frost, deep down
below the surface, was rapidly lessening.
Mr Ramsay had lately inspected the meat pit, in which the carcases of
the buffaloes and other animals shot during the previous fall were
preserved, and found it nearly empty. Meat is preserved in that region
in a peculiar manner. A deep pit is dug, and while the frost is still
in the air, and the snow covers the ground, all the animals killed are
placed in it. The bottom is lined with a coating of snow beaten hard,
and then a layer of meat is placed on it. On the top of this more snow
is beaten, when an additional layer of meat is placed in the pit, and so
on till the whole is full. It is then covered over with snow, and a
thickly-thatched roof is erected over it. The meat-cellar, indeed,
resembles an English ice-house. The meat thus remains in a fit
condition to be eaten throughout the year. Fish is preserved in the
same way. During the winter, however, the fish, when caught, become
frozen, and can be kept in an open shed.
This year, as we have said, in consequence of the early frost, but a
small supply of fish had been caught.
Mr Ramsay was looking out anxiously for the arrival of the expected
supplies, but no news of their coming had yet readied him. The hunters
had returned unsuccessful from the chase, and had again gone out with
the intention of proceeding to a greater distance than before. News
came also which caused the small remaining garrison some anxiety. It
was reported that, contrary to their usual custom, for they seldom
travel during winter, a large body of Sioux had been seen moving
northward on a warlike expedition. Although their destination was
unknown, it was feared, as they had long threatened to attack the fort,
should they discover how small was its present garrison, and how greatly
pressed for food, they might put their evil intentions into execution.
Mr Ramsay accordingly made every preparation for defence in his power,
and few as were the numbers with him, he hoped to repulse the foe. His
fears were rather on account of the hunters scattered at a distance from
each other, and who, should they fall into the hands of the Sioux, might
be cut off in detail. To call them back was now impossible, as, should
he send out to search for them, he would have had still further to
lessen the number of defenders. Constant watch was kept day and night,
and he determined, at all events, not to be taken by surprise.
Meantime Laurence had greatly recovered his strength, and, clad in a
warm fur dress, was able to move about, both inside and for a short
distance outside the fort.
The chief amusement of the younger portion of the inhabitants was
"coasting," or sliding down the steep side of the hill on which the fort
stood seated on small boards placed on runners, called "toboggins."
Descending from the height, the impetus they gained carried them for a
considerable distance over the level plain, till they were finally
brought up by a heap of snow at the end of a long path they had thus
formed. The toboggin was then drawn up to the top of the hill, when the
young coaster again went sliding down, followed in succession by his
companions, shouting and cheering with delight, especially when any of
the toboggins went off the line, and their companions were half-buried
in the heap of snow below.
This amusement Laurence infinitely preferred to learning to read the
books which Jeanie brought him, although she offered to be his
instructress. He would sit, however, very patiently during the long
winter evenings while she read to him. He told her frankly that the
only books which interested him were those of adventures and hairbreadth
escapes in various parts of the world. He listened attentively,
however, when she read the Bible, but seemed far more interested in the
narratives it contained than in any other portion. Its Divine truths
had as yet, it seemed, made no impression on his mind.
"Now, Jeanie, I have been a good boy, and listened with my ears open to
all you have been reading about, and I think it is but fair that you in
return should come and coast with me to-morrow," he said one day, after
she had read to him for some time. "I have had a beautiful new toboggin
made for you, and I am sure it will run faster and straighter than any
in the fort."
"I shall be very glad to come, if mamma will let me, though you are so
very bad a scholar that you do not deserve to have your way," she
answered.
"If I promise to learn better in future, will you ask leave to come?"
urged Laurence. "I should like to be able to read about the wonderful
things you tell me of in your books."
"If you promise, I'll ask mamma to let me do as you wish," answered
Jeanie. "But, remember, God hears every word you say, and knows
everything you think, and the promise made to me is really made to God,
and it will grieve Him if you break it."
"Oh, but I mean to keep my promise, though I cannot fancy that the Great
Spirit cares for what a young boy like me may think or say," answered
Lawrence.
"Oh, yes, yes, He cares for young and old alike," exclaimed Jeanie. "He
tells us that the very hairs of our head are numbered, and He knows
every sparrow that falls to the ground. That is to make us understand
that He is interested in all we think about, and in even the very
smallest thing we do. It always makes me very happy when I reflect that
God cares for me, and loves me even more than my father and mother can
do, though they love me a great deal, because He is so much more
powerful than they are, and He can help me and keep me out of temptation
when I am inclined to be naughty, which they, with all their love and
interest in me, cannot do."
"I wish that I could think as you do, Jeanie," said Laurence. "I must
try to do so, though; then you will ask your mamma's leave to come and
coast on the new sleigh?"
"Yes, I will ask her," said Jeanie. "And you must show that you are in
earnest, by trying to say your alphabet this evening. You missed out a
great many of the letters yesterday, and I felt ashamed of you."
Laurence had hitherto made but very slow progress in his studies. His
head and eyes ached, he said, whenever he looked at a book, though he
really was anxious to learn for the sake of pleasing Jeanie.
Mrs Ramsay did not object to allow Jeanie to try the new sleigh, and
the next morning, accompanied by several other girls, she set out in
high glee with Mrs Ramsay, who went to look on at the sport. Laurence
carried the sleigh on his shoulders, a number of other boys being
similarly provided.
Proceeding round outside the fort, they soon reached the steep part of
the hill. In another minute, a merry laughing party were gliding down
the side, one after the other, with headlong speed, the impetus sending
them several hundred yards over the smooth hard surface of the snow
beyond. Laurence, who sat in front, guiding Jeanie's sleigh, was
delighted to find that it went further than any of the others. Up the
hill again they soon came, the boys carrying the sleighs, and the girls
scrambling up by their sides.
Laurence and Jeanie had coasted down the side of the hill, followed by
their companions, and had been carried some distance from the fort, when
they heard a shout from the watch-tower nearest them. It was repeated
again and again in more urgent tones, calling them back to the fort.
"What can it mean?" asked Jeanie. "We must go, at all events; and, see,
there's mamma on the top of the hill beckoning to us."
Laurence proposed to make another trip, saying he was sure there was no
necessity to be in a hurry.
"If we are called, we ought to go, we must go," said Jeanie. "It would
be very wrong to delay a minute."
Thus urged, Laurence took up the sleigh, and the whole party reached the
top of the hill, where they found Mrs Ramsay, who told them to hurry
back with her to the fort. On reaching the gate, they were informed
that a large party of Indians had been seen in the far distance, and
were still hovering just within sight of the fort. At first it was
hoped that they were the hunters returning; but from their numbers and
the way they were moving it was suspected that they must be a band of
Sioux said to be out on a war-path, and that it was very probable they
would attack the fort. The gates were accordingly shut, a drawbridge
over a deep cutting in front of them was drawn up, arms and ammunition
were placed on the platform inside the stockade, ready for use, and
every other preparation made for the reception of the foe. Mr Ramsay
urged his little garrison to fight bravely in defence of their wives and
children, and the property committed to their charge. For some time the
Indians had not approached nearer than when they were first seen, and
hopes were entertained that they would not venture on an attack. Mr
Ramsay had always endeavoured to avoid hostilities with the natives, and
had on several occasions succeeded in gaining over and securing the
friendship of those who came with the intention of attacking the fort.
Under ordinary circumstances he would have felt confident, even should
he be unable by diplomacy to pacify the Indians, of easily keeping them
at bay, as the fort was sufficiently strong to resist any ordinary
attack. Having, however, now but a very small garrison, and being hard
pressed for provisions, he felt more anxious than usual as to the result
should the fort be attacked; for of the savage character of the Sioux he
had already had too much experience not to know the fearful cruelties
they would practise should they gain the victory. He examined every
part of the fort, and showed his men those points most likely to be
assailed, and which it was necessary to guard with the greatest
vigilance. It might, however, have damped their spirits had he told
them of the scanty supply of provisions which remained. Still he hoped
to hold out till the enemy were driven away, when the expected relief
might arrive, or the hunters return with a supply of game.
Mrs Ramsay was fully aware of the state of things. She had before been
exposed to similar dangers. "We must not faint, dear husband," she
said, "but continue to put our trust in God. He will relieve us if he
thinks fit. At all events, let us have faith in His protecting love,
and know that He does all for the best."
Several hours passed by, and still the strange Indians did not approach.
"There's a man coming towards the fort," shouted the look-out from the
tower. "He drags himself but slowly over the snow, and appears to be
wounded. He is one of our own people," added the sentinel, in a short
time, "and seems to be signing to us to send him assistance."
Mr Ramsay, on hearing this, despatched two of the garrison to bring in
the wounded hunter. They lifted him along, looking every now and then
behind, as if they expected to be followed. At length they arrived at
the gate, but the poor fellow Jaques Venot, was so exhausted from loss
of blood that he could not at first speak. On reviving, after his
wounds had been bound up, and a cordial given him, he had a sad tale to
tell. He and three other hunters were returning to the fort with the
flesh of a moose and bear which they had shot, when they were set upon
by a band of Sioux. His three companions were shot down, he himself
being wounded and taken prisoner by them. Instead of killing him, they
led him to their camp, as he supposed, that they might employ him to
negotiate with the garrison, and gain their object without the danger of
attacking the fort. They knew from experience that in such an exploit
many of them would lose their lives.
"I found that I was right in my conjectures," continued Jaques. "I was
at once carried before the Sioux leader, who was holding a council of
war with several other chiefs, and being placed in their midst, I was
asked whether I preferred torture and death to life and liberty. I
replied that if they chose to torture me they should see that I could
surfer like a man, and that the hunters of the prairies always carried
their lives in their hands; but as I had no wish to die, I should be
glad to hear on what terms they offered me freedom."
"`You choose wisely,' said the chief. `Tell us, then, what number of
men defend the fort. Are they well armed? Have they a good supply of
ammunition? Are there many women and children? And have they an
abundance of provisions?'"
"I smiled as the chief spoke. `You ask many questions,' I said, `but
they are not difficult to answer. The fort is strong, and there are men
enough within to defend it against twice the number of warriors I see
around me, whose bones will whiten the prairie if they make the attempt.
There are great guns which can send their shot nearly as far as this
camp, and each man has as many rifles as he can fire, while the women
and boys load them. As to provisions, the whites are not like the
improvident red-skins, who gorge themselves with food one day and starve
for many afterwards. I have spoken. What is it you would have me do?'"
"The chiefs, on hearing my reply, consulted together. `Listen,' said
their leader at length. `You will go back to the fort and persuade the
white-skins within that we are their friends. We want shelter and food
while the snow covers the ground; and if they give us that, we will go
forth and fish and hunt for them, and bring them more peltries than they
have ever before received in one season.'
"`But if I fail to persuade them, I asked, wishing to learn the designs
of the Sioux, what am I then to do?'
"`You will try to win some of the people with such promises as you well
know how to make. Tell them they will be received among us as friends,
and that we will give them all that their hearts desire. Then wait till
our warriors collect around the fort, and seek an opportunity at night
to open the gates and admit us. You and those who will thus assist us
will gain our friendship, and all you ask shall be given you.'
"`The great Sioux chief speaks wise words,' I answered. `Let me go
free, and I'll do your bidding. I have long served the white-skins, and
it is time that I should seek new friends.' On hearing my reply the
chief seemed satisfied.
"`You shall go, then,' he said; `but remember, should you fail to carry
out our wishes, you will learn that the Sioux know how to punish those
who play them false.' On this the chief, bidding me hasten to the fort,
ordered some of his braves to conduct me through the camp and let me go
free.
"The Sioux are very numerous," continued the hunter, "and there are not
only warriors, but women and children among them. They have lately
received a severe defeat from the Americans, and have been driven from
their hunting-grounds, and have vowed vengeance against all white-skins
and their friends. They are expecting the arrival of another large
band, and I fear that they will fall in with the trails of the other
hunters and cut them off. Even should our friends escape them, they
will find it difficult to return to the fort."
Laurence, who was present, listened eagerly to what Jaques said, and
made several inquiries about the appearance of the Sioux chief and
others of his followers. He said nothing, however, but for some time
afterwards appeared lost in thought.
Night came on. The garrison was kept constantly on the alert. In the
far distance the camp-fires of the Indians could be seen blazing up near
a wood, under shelter of which they had pitched their skin tents, and
where, the snow being of less depth than on the open plain, their horses
could more easily get at the grass below it. They on that account had
probably chosen the spot, instead of camping nearer the fort.
No one during the night was seen to approach, although any object might
easily have been distinguished moving across the surrounding white field
of snow. It was remarked, however, that the fires had increased in
number since they had at first been lighted in the evening, and it was
consequently surmised that a fresh body of Sioux had arrived.
Frequently during the day Mr Ramsay anxiously looked out from the
watch-tower towards the east, in the hopes of seeing the expected train
with provisions. He feared, however, that it might be perceived by the
Sioux before it could reach the fort. To prevent this, he sent out a
couple of scouts to intercept the train, and lead it by a circuitous
route to the north, where it could not be seen from the camp of the
Sioux.
The day went slowly by, and another night came on. Again the distant
camp-fires were seen blazing up, showing that the savages had not
abandoned their designs. What prevented them from at once attacking the
fort it was difficult to say, unless they were better informed with
regard to its scanty supply of provisions than Jaques had supposed.
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Note. In the markets in Canada, not only fish, but animals of all
sorts, frozen hard, are brought for sale, and it is curious to see deer
and hares and pigs standing in rows, like stuffed animals in a museum,
on the market people's stalls; while fish are placed upright on their
tails in the baskets, and look as if they were endeavouring to leap out
of them.