BY THE WATER-GATE
The match which Natsatt held burnt down, scorched his fingers, and
went out. But no physical pain did he feel. The agony and rage which
possessed his heart numbed his body to any other lesser sensation. It
was a terrible ten seconds as he stood there in the darkness with that
picture of the one he loved burned upon his brain. Then he leaped to her
side, and spoke to her, pleading with her to speak to him, and tell who
had done the dastardly deed. His words were all in vain, for Owindia
gave no sign that she was aware of his presence. Wondering much, Natsatt
again struck a match, and peered keenly into her face. He beheld her
eyes filled with a wild unnatural light, and not looking at him, but
staring straight into the forest. He noted how drawn and haggard was her
face, and limp and helpless her body. In an instant the truth flashed
upon him, and filled him with an overwhelming dismay. Was this his own
Owindia, the one he loved better than life itself? Could it be possible
that her reason had deserted her? He had loved her before with all the
passion of his ardent nature. But now a deep yearning pity mingled with
his affection. She needed his help more than ever.
Drawing forth his hunting-knife he severed the bonds which bound her to
the tree and, her body thus released slipped in a helpless heap at his
very feet. Quickly stooping, he caught her in his arms. He seized her
hands in his and for the first time noted how hot they were. He felt
her face and found that it, too, was burning with a fire which he knew
could only come from a raging fever. "Owindia, Owindia," he murmured,
"speak to Natsatt. He is here." Then he lowered his head and imprinted a
kiss upon those hot lips. "You are mine," he continued, "and nothing but
death can separate us now. Oh, to meet the villains who treated you thus
cruelly!"
Next the helplessness of his position swept upon him. What was he to
do? Owindia could not walk, and how was he to get her back to the Post?
The Chilcats were already before the fortification, he believed, and
would surely capture him should he attempt to go in that direction.
But suppose he did reach the Post how could he gain admittance? The
Indians would not let him pass, and there would be no way by which he
could communicate with his companions. He was certainly in a difficult
position. He could not remain where he was for if the Chilcats returned
and found him there his situation would not be enviable. Neither could
he build a fire, for the light would surely attract any native who might
be prowling near. He must get Owindia away and at once. Perhaps he could
find a sheltered place beyond the ridge of rocks where he could build a
fire, and thus lie in wait for an opportunity to steal back to the Post.
While these thoughts were passing through his mind Owindia was still
lying quietly in his arms. She had not spoken a word since the song had
died upon her lips. She was not a heavy burden, in fact her lover was
surprised at the lightness of her body. He could carry her without much
trouble, he felt sure of that. Scarcely had he taken a step forward than
she began to talk in her wild rambling manner. Now she was urging on the
Ayana people, calling to them to drive out the Chilcats. Again it was of
her father she spoke. He was in danger and she was trying to get to him.
Then Natsatt's name dropped from her lips, and thrilled the heart of the
young man. Why did he not come to save her from the enemy? she asked.
Had he forgotten her that he was so long in coming?
"Hush, darling," Natsatt replied, pressing her more closely to his
breast. "Natsatt is here. Do you not feel his arms around you? He will
save you. Don't be afraid, little one."
Still she babbled on, and as Natsatt struggled slowly through the
darkness, his heart was heavy within him. Occasionally he stumbled, and
with difficulty regained his feet. His burden which seemed so light
at first became much heavier, and at times he was forced to lay her
upon the ground that he might rest his arms a little. Up and up he
steadily climbed to the top of the rocky ridge, then down the opposite
side straight toward the river. How long the way seemed. He had never
realised that the distance was so great. The trees in the valley were
smaller, and much closer together, which made travelling extremely
difficult. Natsatt's progress was accordingly very slow, and it seemed
a long time ere he at length came near the river. Here he paused, and
placing Owindia tenderly upon the ground groped around for a suitable
place to build a fire. The bank of the river at this locality was
steep and rugged where the ice had torn away the earth in its onward
sweep during the great spring rush. In one place a huge hole had been
gouged out of the embankment, and as Natsatt examined it as well as the
darkness would permit, he considered it a favourable spot to make his
fire. The high bank would somewhat hide the light from being seen by the
Chilcats. Searching around among the trees he gathered an armful of dry
boughs and sticks and soon had the satisfaction of seeing a cheerful
blaze illumining the night. Next he cut a liberal supply of fresh fir
boughs and made a comfortable bed near the fire. Upon these he laid
Owindia, and taking off his own buck-skin jacket placed it over her
body. The maiden made no attempt to move, but remained perfectly still
and quiet. Then Natsatt sat down to keep watch, and to replenish the
fire whenever such work was needed.
Hour after hour the young man stayed on guard. At times Owindia fell
into a fitful sleep, only to awake with a cry, from which she wandered
off into other worlds, babbling of them in an unconnected manner.
Natsatt kept his eyes fixed most of the time upon the maiden's face.
How he longed for that vacant expression to vanish, and to hear her
speak to him as of old. With her in her right mind the camp in the wild
would have been a most blissful spot. He wondered how long the fever
would last. Suppose she should die, and leave him alone? How could
he live without her? Oh, to have a doctor near, or some one who knew
what to do to help her! Would Ranger Dan know? he mused. He had lived
so long among the natives perhaps he had learned something from them.
Owindia must not die. He looked up into the heavens, and saw the stars
twinkling down upon them. He had never thought much about higher things.
He had frequently attended the little churches at the mission stations
on the other side of the mountains, and had listened to the words of
the missionaries. But so full of strength was he that he never felt the
need of other help beyond his own. To-night, however, it was different,
and he began to wonder what was above those stars. Was there any one
who could help him in his present trouble? He was thinking thus when
the report of a gun winged through the darkness and fell upon his ears.
Leaping to his feet he sprang up the bank, and listened intently. He had
not long to wait, for in a few seconds the sounds of a regular fusillade
reached him. Then he knew that the battle was on in earnest, and he
longed to be at the Post to assist his comrades. The shots seemed quite
near, and ran in a circle around the spot where the Post was situated.
The Indians had evidently surrounded the place, and were making a
desperate assault upon the besieged. Presently yells of derision, and at
times, of pain, split the night, showing plainly that the white men were
meeting the attack with spirited determination. Natsatt thought of the
insufficient supply of ammunition at the Post, and he wondered how long
the besiegers could be kept at bay. When the powder and balls gave out
there would be nothing left but a hand to hand struggle. He shuddered as
he thought of the only outcome of such an encounter. The whites would be
out-numbered ten to one, and what chance would they have against such
sturdy and blood-thirsty opponents? Could his companions hold out until
morning? he asked himself. Glancing away to the left he saw the horizon
brightening with the light of early dawn. The distant mountain peaks
were catching the first faint gleam, but the world below was still lost
in the mantle of night.
Natsatt piled more wood upon the fire, and sat down by Owindia's side.
No change could he see in her staring eyes which often looked upon him
with no mark of recognition. His heart was growing heavier, and a deep
sigh escaped his lips as he listened to the firing mingled with yells
in the distance. How could he ever reach the Post, and if he did the
defenders would be so occupied that they would not hear him. What was he
to do? Must he allow Owindia to die there by the river without making
an effort to save her life. Again he made his way up the steep bank,
and paced for a time to and fro in an effort to formulate some line
of action. Dawn was stealing down the mountains now, and bringing into
relief objects near at hand. His face was turned upstream, and he was
about to discontinue his walking in order to go back to Owindia, when
his eyes rested upon an object which brought him to a sudden standstill.
Then a thrill of hope shot into his heart as he looked, and hurrying
forward leaped down the bank. There upon the shore, securely tied with
a moose-hide thong was a large canoe, which evidently belonged to the
Chilcats. Only this one could he see, although he believed that there
must be others not far away. He upbraided himself for not having thought
of the canoes before. The Chilcats had come downstream in them, and
there must be several somewhere in the vicinity. In this craft he saw
the solution of the problem which had become so difficult.
He found several paddles lying in the bottom, just where they had been
left by the late occupants. Quickly untying the painter, he gave the
canoe a shove and sprang in. It did not take him long to reach the place
where Owindia was lying. Lifting her in his arms he laid her first
upon the ground. Then gathering up the fir boughs he made with them
a comfortable bed in the bottom of the canoe. This done and with the
maiden lying upon them, he pushed off, and the current being strong the
canoe was soon speeding swiftly down the river.
Natsatt steered close to the shore, keeping as much as possible within
the dark shadows of the tall trees along the bank. He knew it would not
do to run any risk, as Chilcats might be skulking near the river, and
especially so when he came near the Post. Presently he changed his mind,
and heading the craft for mid-stream ran it across to the opposite side
of the river. He felt safer now, and could obtain a better view of the
Post and its surroundings. It was too dark to see far, but as he looked
he could tell that the firing from the Post had ceased entirely. He was
surprised at this and wondered if his companions' ammunition had given
out already. Perhaps they were reserving their scanty supply for the
assault upon the barricade. He knew that Dan was too wise a general to
allow his men to spend their last charges in a futile fire.
By this time he was almost opposite the Post, so turning the bow of
the canoe he re-crossed the stream, and in a few minutes was close to
the water-gate. Here he had hoped to make his voice heard, without
any danger of the Indians seeing or hearing him. But what was his
astonishment to find the gate unfastened. He could hardly believe it
possible, and thought it must be a careless over-sight on the part of
the defenders. Had the Chilcats made an attack there they could have
gained an easy admittance. Opening the gate he ran the canoe inside, and
leaping out shut to the big portal, and made it fast with the heavy bar
kept for the purpose.
Leaving Owindia in the canoe he hurried up to the store, and was
surprised to see none of the men inside the fortification. What did
it all mean? Surely they had not been shot, and crawling within the
building were huddled together there. The door leading to the store
was closed. He almost dreaded to open it, fearing the worst. A strange
silence and awe pervaded the place. At length he lifted his hand, opened
the door, and entered. First he went into the large room, where the men
were in the habit of gathering. Finding no one there he passed into
the store, but stopped short on the threshold, for there before him
was Ranger Dan standing alone in the centre of the room. Upon the old
man's face was a fierce look of defiance. His form was drawn to its full
height, and his hands clutched firmly his musket. Then the truth flashed
across Natsatt's mind with a stabbing intensity. The men had deserted
the Post, and had left their leader to the mercy of the Chilcats!