TRAITORS
Natsatt had been absent from the Post about two hours before he was
missed. Dan wanted to see him to discuss certain matters in connection
with their mode of defence. But he could not be found. Search was made
in every part of the building, and along the barricade, but without
avail. The gates of the fortification were all fastened, so it was
evident that he had not departed by means of them. Dan's mind was much
perturbed as to what had happened to the young man. He was his main
stay, and at this critical time his help was greatly needed.
The men discussed the matter with one another, and threw out hints of
desertion. They were ready to surmise almost anything of an evil nature
concerning the half-breed. Their knowing nods and insinuations angered
the Ranger. He believed that there was some good reason for Natsatt's
departure, and turned sharply upon his men.
"Don't be too sure that the lad has deserted," he said. "Where could he
go if he left the Post? This is the safest place in the whole country.
So cease your foolish talk about desertion. He'll turn up in good time,
never fear."
"He's got Injun blood in his veins," replied one, "and wherever that
streak runs you can never tell what will happen. I wouldn't be a bit
surprised if he's gone and joined the Chilcats to fight against us. He
thinks we'll be wiped out here, and so he wishes to be on the safe side."
"Never!" Dan retorted. "He would not do such a thing; he's too much of
a man for that. And as for Indian blood, the less you say about it the
better. My wife was an Indian woman, and my only child had Indian blood
in her veins. And, listen, the child of my dead child is out there among
those Chilcat wolves. I would give all I possess to have her with me by
my side. Say nothing more about Indian blood, I warn you. It touches too
deeply the sacred things of my heart."
The men said nothing more to the Ranger just then. They knew from his
words and actions that he was feeling keenly about Natsatt's departure,
and the reference which had been made to Indian blood. The ones who
were not on duty at the fortification gathered in a little group in one
corner of the room, and engaged in earnest conversation. Their voices
were low, and they kept an eye upon Dan who was walking to and fro in
the store. They could see him every time he passed the door.
"Are we to stay here to be murdered by those red devils?" Pete Tarquill
asked, looking around upon his companions. "We can't stand them off for
any length of time. Our ammunition is mighty low, and our grub is about
gone. Why, I haven't had a good square meal for days, and now we're down
to hard pan. What's the use of us remaining here and dying like rats?"
"That's what I say," replied Tim Burke. "What good can we do by staying?
If we had been sent here to hold this place for the Queen against
those Chilcats, it would be different. We didn't come in here to fight
Indians; we came for trading purposes. I don't want to lose my skin for
the strange whim of a half-cracked old man, who has come here after a
treasure, as he calls it. Did you hear what he said about the child of
his dead child being out yon? What did he mean by such words, I wonder?"
"Maybe that Injun squaw that the half-breed's smitten on is the one,"
spoke up Larry Dasan, who was still smarting over the knockout-blow he
had received from Natsatt. "I believe he's come here looking for her.
I've always had my suspicion that it was something more than trade that
brought him into this hell of a hole. I don't believe he'll leave the
place until he gets her, and that he'd be willing to sacrifice the whole
bunch of us in the undertaking."
"Why not ask him?" Pete suggested. "If he finds that we are determined
to go he might see the reason of the thing. And if he won't consent
there is but one thing to do. The canoe is there by the water-gate, and
who is to stop us from going? It will not be Ranger Dan I am certain of
that."
The men were now determined to abandon the place as soon as possible,
and Pete Tarquill was chosen to interview their leader about the matter.
He did not relish the task, but some one had to do it.
"I know what I shall get," he muttered. "His eyes would almost knock
a man down, even though his fists don't. He's a hard customer to deal
with, especially if any one opposes him."
Nevertheless he made his way to where Dan was striding up and down the
room. The Ranger turned and looked upon him.
"Isn't it time to change the guard?" he asked. "It must be near
midnight. I've been expecting the Indians for some time now. The dead of
night is their favourite time for making an attack. They like to wait
until people get drowsy and off their guard. But they won't catch us
napping."
"Do you think it well to let them attack us?" Pete asked. "We haven't
the ghost of a chance against the bunch that's opposing us. We have
little ammunition, and our grub's about gone. We can't hold out for any
length of time."
"What do you mean by not letting them attack us?" Dan demanded. "Do you
want to rush them and have it all over in a short time. Yes, it would be
a short time," and he gave a slight sarcastic laugh. "They'd wipe us out
quicker than you could say jack-rabbit."
"No, that's not the game," Pete replied. "Let's take the canoe, and give
them the slip. We can do it very well, and get far on our way before
they suspect anything."
"Never!" burst from Dan's lips, while his hands clenched firmly
together, and an angry light gleamed in his eyes. "I shall not leave,
and all the Chilcats that ever crossed the mountains cannot make me
leave until I get that child. We have twenty rounds each, and we shall
give them such a hot reception that half of their number will bite the
dust. We can hold out for two days, and by that time we can rush them.
Think no more about leaving, but go and see that the guard is changed.
Those who are not on duty had better get some sleep."
These words had barely left his lips before several sharp reports fell
upon their ears. They started, and then rushed outside. All was in
darkness there. Dan hurried to one of the port-holes and asked the man
on duty what was the matter.
"The Injuns are outside," was the reply. "We saw their forms creeping
upon us and we gave them a warm welcome. They have retreated to the
woods. They were mistaken this time."
Dan immediately gave orders for all the men to go on duty, and scattered
them along the barricade. It was only a few minutes before a regular
volley came from the forest. The bullets sang over the fortification;
they sank deep into the upstanding timbers, while several passed through
the cracks between, and buried themselves into the store behind.
"Reserve your fire," Dan commanded, as he moved up and down the line.
"We can't afford to waste a single shot. But when you see your man give
it to him hot."
And this the men did. They waited in grim silence until they saw dim
forms slinking through the gloom. The first volley which came from the
wooden wall had an immediate effect, for yells of agony and derision
split the night air. That the natives who were able had scurried back
to the forest was quite evident, and from there continued their rain
of death. How the defenders escaped some of the leaden missives was a
wonder. But only one man was slightly wounded in the arm. Several times
the men fired upon the Indians, and each time yells rang out through the
darkness. An hour thus passed, and the Chilcat fire instead of lessening
became more furious. They were shooting with greater care now, and the
position of the besieged was becoming perilous in the extreme. At any
instant several of them might be stretched lifeless upon the ground.
The darkness, those slinking forms in the distance, and that constant
fire, were all enough to chill the bravest heart. But the men who were
guarding the Post were not noted for their great courage. They had never
been trained to such a life as this. After a terrific volley from the
enemy fiercer than any they had yet experienced, several of the men held
a hurried conversation. Then three of them entered the store, and ere
long returned carrying several bags upon their backs. Word was passed
from man to man, and at once a rush was made for the water-gate. The bar
was withdrawn, the canoe shoved into the river, and in a few minutes the
men were out in mid-stream heading their craft up the Segas River.
This flight was made at the moment when Dan had gone to the farther side
of the barricade where the attack of the enemy was least expected. He
wished to be certain that the Chilcats were not creeping upon them from
that quarter. When he returned he was surprised not to find any men at
the first port-hole. He hurried on to the second and found that also
deserted. With a great fear in his heart concerning what had happened he
hurried along the fortification until he came to the water-gate. Feeling
round he found that the canoe was gone, and then his gravest fears were
confirmed. He stood for a few minutes like a man stricken dumb. Then
without thinking about the unbarred gate he made his way slowly back
to the store. He examined the provisions, and found that they had been
raided, and only a very small supply left. The firing of the Chilcats
still continued and fell upon his ears with a sickening sensation. He
realised now that his last hope was gone. But he would die fighting. He
would show the Chilcats that he was no coward. He gripped his musket
firmly in his hand. He felt to see if his pistol was in its place. He
was not afraid to die, and perhaps it was just as well he thought. What
was there for him to live for? he asked himself. His plan had failed,
and why should he go back to the ways of civilisation? He was anxious
now for the Indians to come. He longed to have one round with them for
the injury they had done him. Let them come, he was ready.
And as he thus stood defiantly in the centre of the room, Natsatt
appeared before him. At first he thought it must be the young man's
ghost which had returned to mock him, and a slight laugh escaped his
lips.
"Dan, Dan! what is it?" Natsatt cried, going up to the old man and
laying his hand upon his arm. "Have the scoundrels gone? Have they
deserted the Post, and left you alone?"
"Gone; the curs have gone!" was the fierce reply. "They have deserted
me, and I thought that you had gone too."
"Did you think that I would leave you? Could you not trust me?" Natsatt
responded. "I left the Post last night. But I did it to save Owindia.
Could you blame me when I knew that she was among those wolves?"
"And did you find her?" questioned Dan with some of his old eagerness.
"Did you bring her back?"
"Yes, I found her, and have brought her with me, but--"
"But what?" Dan demanded, noticing the young man hesitate.
"She is sick."
"Sick? do you say? What is the matter with her?"
"Fever, I fear, which has unbalanced her mind for a time. Is there
anything we can do for her?"
"Where is she?" and Dan stepped to the door as if expecting to see the
maiden in the outer room.
"She's in the canoe at the water-gate."
"In the canoe? At the water-gate? I don't understand. I thought the
canoe was taken."
"Come," Natsatt replied, "I can't tell you all now. We must do something
for Owindia at once. I shall tell you later all about it."
Forgotten for a time were the Indians as they hurried along the
passage-way toward the canoe. Owindia was lying just as Natsatt had left
her. Picking her up tenderly in his arms he carried her back to the
building, and laid her upon the bed they had days before prepared for
her. Little did they then think in what way it would be first used. By
the light of the candle Dan peered down upon her hot flushed face and
into her staring eyes.
"Poor lassie," he murmured. "It's a pity, a great pity. Yes, she's
Klota's child, I can tell that at a glance. We must save her, lad," and
he turned sharply around upon Natsatt who was standing quietly at his
side.
"Yes," was the reply, "but how? What about the Chilcats out yonder? We
can't do anything now that the rest have cleared out."
"True, true, I had forgotten about them for the time. They haven't been
doing any shooting for the last few minutes. Perhaps they have given up
the attack, and have gone back to their camp. You watch by the lassie
while I slip outside, and see how things look."
Dan had been gone only a few seconds when he came bounding back into the
store.
"Come quick!" he cried. "They're at the Post, and trying to get in."
Seizing his musket which he had laid aside, Natsatt hurried out of the
building. Peering through a port-hole he could see the Chilcats right
outside the barricade. When the fire from the Post ceased they had
become emboldened and rushed forward. They did not yell but like the
silence before the destroying tempest they endeavoured to scale the wall
and capture the place. Several had looked in through the port-holes and
saw no one inside. Some were climbing upon one anothers' shoulders, and
just as Natsatt turned around he saw a dusky head appear over the top
of the fortification. Quickly raising his musket he fired before the
venturesome intruder had time to notice his movement. There was a cry of
agony, followed by a heavy thud upon the ground. Instantly wild yells
ensued. No longer were the Chilcats silent in their assault. With savage
determination dozens of them began to scale the wall, while others hewed
fiercely with their hunting-axes upon the strong door.
The two lone defenders took up their stand part way between the building
and the barricade. Whenever a head appeared over the top of the wall
it became the target for an unerring marksman. But this could not last
long. It was impossible to reach the natives who were hewing at the
door, and from the sound of blows, and the splintering of the wood it
was apparent that only a short time could elapse ere an entrance would
be made.
The Chilcats seemed to realise that something was wrong within the Post.
Just what it was they could not tell. But the slackening of the fire
gave them greater courage in their desperate assault.
"This is getting hot!" Dan exclaimed, as he rammed down the wad of paper
upon the powder he had just poured into the barrel of his musket. "I
knocked that fellow off, but there are dozens more to take his place.
That door will soon be down, and then it will be all up with us."
"Let's get out," Natsatt replied. "There's the canoe, and it's our only
hope. You take what grub there is left, and I'll look after Owindia."
"We can't do it, lad," the Ranger responded. "The devils are at the very
water's edge, and would shoot us down in a twinkling if we try such a
thing. No, I'd rather stay where I am than be pumped full of holes in
the canoe. We can settle a few of them before they knock us out, and
that'll be some satisfaction. But, Good Lord! the door's down! Let's at
them."
Dan's words were only too true, for with a crash the barrier gave way,
and with wild yells of triumph a score of Chilcat warriors leaped
through the opening straight toward the two defenders.