In the course of a week or two, things found their places, and the
family began to feel more comfortable; there was, also, a degree of
regularity and order established, which could not be effected during the
time that the soldiers were employed. Mrs Campbell and Percival took
upon them all the work inside and round the house during the morning;
the latter attending to the pigs and fowls, bringing water from the
stream, etcetera. Mary and Emma milked the cows, and then assisted
their mother during the day in washing, etcetera. Mr Campbell
instructed Percival, worked in the garden, and assisted as much as he
could where he might be found most useful; but he was too advanced in
years to be capable of much hard work. Alfred, Henry, and Martin Super
were employed during the whole day clearing the ground and felling the
timber; but every other day, one or the other went out with Martin into
the woods to procure food, bringing home with them deer, wild turkeys,
or other game, which, with an occasional piece of salt-pork, and the
fish caught, were sufficient for the family consumption. Percival was
now permitted to accompany the hunting-parties, and became somewhat
expert with his rifle. He required only a little more practice to be a
good shot.
They rose at half-past five,--were all assembled to prayers at half-past
seven, previous to going to breakfast. They dined at one, and had a
combined tea and supper at seven o'clock. At nine o'clock they went to
bed. Before two months had passed away, everything went on like
clockwork. One day passed away so like another, that the time flew
imperceptibly, and they wondered that the Sundays came round so quick.
They had now time to unpack everything, and the books which Mrs
Campbell had selected and brought with her had been arranged on shelves
in the parlour; but they had not as yet much time to read, and were
generally too tired before the day was over not to long for their beds.
Indeed, the only interval of leisure during the whole day was between
supper and bedtime, when they would all assemble in the kitchen and talk
over the little matters which had occurred either during the chase or at
home. But they were now in the middle of October, the winter was fast
approaching, and they looked forward to it with some degree of anxiety.
John had kept his word very sacredly. He was occasionally absent for
three or four days, but, if so, he invariably came to the house and
remained a day or two at home. Alfred and Martin had long finished the
fishing-punt, and as it was light and easily handled, Henry and Percival
went out in it together, and when he was at home, John with Percival
would pull half a mile out into the lake, and soon return with a supply
of large fish. Mrs Campbell, therefore, had salted down sufficient to
fill a barrel for the winter's use.
One day they were agreeably surprised by Captain Sinclair making his
appearance. He had walked from the fort, to communicate to them that
the hay had been gathered in, and would be sent round in a day or two,
and also to inform Mr Campbell that the commandant could spare them a
young bullock, if he would wish to have it for winter provision. This
offer was gladly accepted, and, having partaken of their dinner, Captain
Sinclair was obliged to return to the fort, he being that night on duty.
Previous, however, to his return, he had some conversation with Martin
Super, unobserved by the rest of the party. Afterwards he invited
Alfred to walk back to the fort with him and return on the following
morning.
Alfred agreed to do so; and two hours before it was dark they set off,
and as soon as they were on the opposite side of the brook they were
joined by Martin Super.
"My reasons for asking you to come back with me were twofold," said
Captain Sinclair to Alfred. "In the first place, I wish you to know the
road to the fort, in case it should be necessary to make any
communication during the winter; secondly, I wished to have some
conversation with you and Martin relative to information we have
received about the Indians. I can tell you privately what I was
unwilling to say before your mother and cousins, as it would put them in
a state of restlessness and anxiety, which could avail nothing, and only
annoy them. The fact is, we have for some time had information that the
Indians have held several councils. It does not appear, however, that
they have as yet decided upon any thing, although it is certain that
they have gathered together in large numbers not very far from the fort.
No doubt but they have French emissaries inciting them to attack us.
From what we can learn, however, they have not agreed among themselves,
and, therefore, in all probability, nothing will be attempted until next
year, for the autumn is their season for sending out their war-parties.
At the same time, there is no security, for there is a great difference
between a junction of all the tribes against us and a common Indian war
party. We must, therefore, be on the alert, for we have a treacherous
foe to deal with. And now, for your portion of interest in this affair.
If they attack the fort, which they may do, notwithstanding our
treaties with them, you of course would not be safe where you are; but,
unfortunately, you may not be safe even if we are not molested; for when
the Indians collect (even though the main body decide upon nothing),
there are always bands of five to ten Indians, who, having left their
homes, will not return if they can help it without some booty; these are
not regular warriors, or if warriors, not much esteemed by the tribe, in
fact, they are the worst classes of Indians, who are mere robbers and
banditti. You must, therefore be on the look-out for the visits of
these people. It is fortunate for you that old Bone has shifted his
abode so many miles to the westward, and that you are on such good terms
with him, as it is not very likely that any party of Indians can
approach you without his meeting with them or their track during his
excursions."
"That's true, Captain," observed Martin, "and I will go myself and put
him on his guard."
"But, will they not attack him before they attack us?" said Alfred.
"Why should they?" replied Sinclair. "He is as much an Indian almost as
they are, and is well known to most of them. Besides, what would they
gain by attacking him? These straggling parties, which you have to
fear, are in quest of booty, and will not expect to find anything in his
wigwam except a few furs. No, they will not venture near his rifle,
which they fear, when there is nothing to be obtained by so doing. I
mention this to you, Alfred, that you may be prepared, and keep a sharp
look-out. It is very possible that nothing of the kind may occur, and
that the winter may pass away without any danger, and I mention it to
you and Martin, as I consider that the probabilities are not sufficient
to warrant your alarming the other members of the family, especially the
female portion of it. How far you may consider it advisable to
communicate what has now passed to your father and Henry, it is for you
to decide. As I said before, I do not imagine you have much to fear
from a general attack; it is too late in the year, and we know that the
councils broke up without coming to any decision. You have only to fear
the attempts of small parties of marauders, and I think you are quite
strong enough, both in numbers and in the defences of your habitation,
to resist them successfully, if you are not suddenly surprised. That is
all that you have to fear; and now that you are warned, half the danger
is over."
"Well, Captain, I'll leave you now," said Martin, "I shall go over to
old Malachi's to-night; for it occurs to me that any attack is more
likely to be made between the fall of the leaf and the fall of the snow
than afterwards; so the sooner I put Malachi on his guard the better.
Good evening, sir."
Captain Sinclair and Alfred continued on their way to the fort. They
had contracted a strong friendship, and were unreserved in their
communication with each other.
"You have no idea, Alfred," said Captain Sinclair, "how the peculiar
position of your family occupies my thoughts. It really appears almost
like madness on the part of your father to bring out your mother and
cousins to such a place, and expose them to such privations and dangers.
I can hardly sleep at night when I reflect upon what might happen."
"I believe," replied Alfred, "that if my father had known exactly what
his present position would have been, he would have decided upon not
leaving England; but you must remember that he came out with much
encouragement, and the idea that he would only have to surmount the
hardships of a settler in clearing his land. He fancied, at least, I'm
sure _we_ all did, that we should be surrounded by other farmers, and
have no particular danger to incur. When at Quebec, he found that all
the good land near to civilisation was bought up or possessed by the
French Canadians; he was advised to come further westward by those who
ought to have been aware of what he would have to encounter by so doing,
but who probably considered that the danger we now apprehend no longer
existed; and he has followed that advice, which I have no doubt was
conscientiously given. I think myself, even now, that the advice was
good, although we are accompanied by females who have been brought up in
so different a sphere, and for whose welfare such anxiety is shown; for
observe now, Sinclair, suppose, without having made our acquaintance,
you had heard that some settlers, men and women, had located themselves
where we have done; should you have considered it so very rash an
undertaking, presuming that they were merely farmers and farmers'
wives?"
"I certainly should have troubled myself very little about them, and
perhaps not thought upon the subject."
"But supposing that the subject had been brought up at the fort, and you
heard that the parties had a stockaded house and four or five good
rifles to depend upon, with the fort to fall back upon if necessary?"
"I admit that I should most probably have said that they were in a
position to protect themselves."
"Most assuredly, and therefore we are equally so; your feelings of
interest in us magnify the danger, and I therefore trust that in future
you will not allow our position to interfere with your night's rest."
"I wish I could bring myself to that feeling of security Alfred. If I
were only with you, to assist in protecting them, I should sleep sound
enough."
"Then you would not be of much use as a watch," replied Alfred,
laughing. "Never fear, Sinclair, we shall do well enough," continued
he, "and if we require assistance, we will apply for you and a party of
soldiers."
"There would be much difficulty about that, Alfred," replied Captain
Sinclair; "if there were sufficient danger to make that demand upon the
commandant, the same danger would require that he should not weaken his
force in the fort; no, you would have to retreat to the fort, and leave
your farm to the mercy of the Indians."
"It certainly would be the wisest plan of the two," replied Alfred; "at
all events, we could send the women. But the Indians have not come yet,
and we must hope that they will not."
The conversation was then changed, and in half-an-hour more they arrived
at the fort.
Alfred was welcomed at the fort by Colonel Forster, with whom he was a
great favourite. The Colonel could not refrain from expressing his
opinion that Mr Campbell and his family were in a position of some
danger, and lamenting that the female portion of the family, who had
been brought up with such very different prospects, should be so
situated. He even ventured to hint that if Mrs Campbell and the two
Misses Percival would pass the winter in the fort, he would make
arrangements to accommodate them. But Alfred at once replied that he
was convinced no inducement would persuade his mother or cousins to
leave his father; they had shared his prosperity, and they would cling
to him in his adversity; that they all were aware of what they would
have to risk before they came out, and his father preferred a life of
honourable independence attended with danger, to seeking the assistance
of others.
"But still I cannot perceive any reason for the ladies remaining to
encounter the danger."
"The more we are, the stronger we are to repel danger."
"But women, surely, will only be an incumbrance!"
"I think differently," replied Alfred. "Young and delicate as my
cousins are, they will not shrink any more than my mother when their
services are required. They now can all of them use a rifle, if
required, and to defend a house, a determined woman is almost as
effective as a man. Depend upon it, if it comes to the necessity, they
will do so. You see, therefore, Colonel, that by taking away our
ladies, you will weaken our force," continued Alfred, laughing.
"Well, I will press it no more. Only recollect that I shall always be
ready to send you any assistance when required."
"I have been thinking, Colonel Forster, that, as we have no horses at
present, if you have any rockets, they might be useful in such a case.
At the distance we are from you a rocket would be seen immediately if
fired at night, and I promise you, that it shall not be fired without
great necessity."
"I am glad that you have mentioned it, Alfred; you shall have a dozen to
take with you. You go back with the boats that carry the hay to-morrow
morning, do you not?"
"Yes; I shall take that opportunity, to save wearing out my shoes, as we
have no cobbler near to us. I presume it will be the last trip made by
the boats this season."
"Yes," replied the Colonel, "the frost will soon set in now. In another
fortnight we shall probably be visited with a heavy fall of snow, and
the ground will then be covered till the spring. But I suppose we shall
see or hear from you occasionally?"
"Yes; as soon as I can push along in my snow-shoes, I will pay you a
visit," replied Alfred, "but I have that art to learn yet."
The following morning the sky was clear and the day brilliant. The sun
shone upon the dark scarlet-tinged foliage of the oaks, and through the
transparent yellow leaves of the maple. A slight frost had appeared for
two or three mornings about a month back, and now they were enjoying
what was termed the Indian summer, which is a return of fair and rather
warm weather for a short time previous to the winter setting in. The
soldiers were busy carrying the hay down to the _bateaux_, and, before
noon, Alfred bade farewell to Colonel Forster and the other officers of
the fort, and, accompanied by Captain Sinclair, went down to embark.
All was ready, and Alfred stepped into the boat; Captain Sinclair being
on duty and not able to accompany him back.
"I shall not fail to give directions to the sentries about the rockets,
Alfred," said Captain Sinclair, "and so tell your mother and cousins;
and mind to shew them how to fire them off from out of the barrel of a
musket. Good-bye; God bless you, my dear fellow."
"Good-bye," replied Alfred, as the boats pulled from the shore.