A FORTUNATE FIND
It heartened me more than I can tell to know that Esther Hinchman had
singled me out to say that which she did. If she had spoken to Giles as
well as me, then would I have known beyond question that her anxiety
was concerning all who might be needed to defend the cave; but she had
picked me from the others, and, without being able to say exactly why,
I rejoiced thereat.
Turning my head just before passing the fringe of bushes which
concealed the entrance to our place of refuge, I saw that she was
looking after me, and I waved my hand, wishing most fervently it was
possible to put into words the thoughts which were in my heart.
Until we had travelled two miles or more, no word was spoken between
us who had set off on a scout with the hope of finding some of our
neighbors and friends whose lives might yet be saved, and then it was
that Master Bartlett came to a halt.
“Why do you stop this side of the river?” I asked, impatiently, for I
was burning as never before with the desire to accomplish that which
would prove to Esther Hinchman I was a lad only in years, that I might
be depended upon to perform a man’s work.
“Because it is well we understand exactly why we have come,” Master
Bartlett replied in a tone which provoked my curiosity, and Giles March
said, sharply:
“I thought that much was already agreed upon; surely we made talk
enough concerning it before setting out.”
“Ay, lad, what we would have the others believe was well threshed out;
but at the time there was another idea in my mind which seemed of more
importance, although I could not give it words lest all the able-bodied
of our company insisted on holding with us.”
“Do not be so mysterious,” and Giles spoke in a tone of irritation,
“but let us know what you are driving at.”
“So you shall, lad; it was for that purpose I halted,” the old man
said, deliberately, as if to weigh well his words before uttering them.
“To begin with, we are all agreed that, as soon as the savage who has
learned the secret of our hiding-place can tell his fellows what he
knows, a large force will be sent to smoke us out. Now it is certain
that, in case an attack is made upon the cave, but few of those on the
inside can do anything against them, since, fortunately, the entrance
is so narrow.”
“No more than two can work to advantage there,” I interrupted, “and,
with two others to reload the weapons, the place cannot be taken from
the front, save by a determined rush, when the first six who presented
themselves would surely be killed.”
“Ay, and because of that same condition of affairs have we come out as
if on a scout. I am satisfied there are none in the valley at this time
whom we could aid, therefore our only show of accomplishing anything
would be to lie in wait for small parties of the red fiends and wipe
them out.”
“And is that what you count on doing?” Giles March asked, impatiently.
“No, lad, because I do not believe we would be warranted in that kind
of fighting so long as we have with us the women and children. I was
eager we three should come out, to the end that we might lie in wait
nearabout until the enemy arrives, and it would go hard if, taking them
in the rear after an attack on the cave was begun, we could not give
the murderers a lesson such as they would not soon forget. If we had
said as much before starting, it would have been hard work to keep the
others back.”
The old man’s plan was a good one, and I could readily understand that
we might be able to do much execution when the time came; yet, because
of what Esther Hinchman had said, I would have been better pleased to
roam up and down the valley, in the hope of accomplishing something
which might convince her I was able to do a man’s work.
Giles March, however, was not willing to remain inactive as long as
might be necessary in order to carry out what Master Bartlett had
planned, arguing that it was not reasonable to suppose the savages
could or would be likely to arrive before the day was spent and another
nearly ended.
“I agree that you have hit upon the proper trick to put a speedy end
to any attack that may be made; but, if that was all we were to do, it
would have been better that we remained in the cave with our friends
at least until to-morrow noon,” he said, quickly. “Since we have come
away, and to the end that we may not be forced to stay here sucking
our thumbs, let us keep on to the river, having a good look at all the
ruins, with the chance of finding some one who has been hidden as was
Mistress Stockbridge.”
I added my voice to this proposition, since it seemed the true one, and
we started off once more with the agreement that, at the end of four
and twenty hours, we would return to go on watch.
Our faces were turned toward the river, and we made no other halt
until having arrived at the bank of the stream, when we moved more
cautiously, lest we attract the attention of those of the enemy who
might be on the opposite side.
Nothing could be seen to cause alarm, and we set about searching such
ruins as lay to the south of where we then were.
Even as we began the task I understood that it was too much to expect
we could find another family who had remained securely hidden, as had
Mistress Stockbridge and her children; but, nevertheless, we did our
work thoroughly and without interruption until nearly nightfall.
There was sufficient evidence of butchery and destruction on every hand
to make our hearts ache, but we found no one alive; and, when the sun
was near to setting, Giles March claimed that there was no reason why
we should not be able to learn of what might be going on near Forty
Fort if we were willing to spend the hours of darkness scouting in that
direction.
To this Master Bartlett made no protest, although I could understand
full well that it caused him pain to walk so far and so long.
“We should be able to find a canoe somewhere along the bank near these
ruins,” I said to the old man, because it was quite a serious matter
for him to go into the water when he could not swim a stroke, and
immediately I began to search.
It was only reasonable to suppose that those of the settlers who had
more boats than were needed to take them across the river when they
fled to Forty Fort would have concealed the remainder in the bushes
near the water, and, because of such reckoning, I clambered down the
bank to the very edge of the stream, peering in at every likely spot.
On arriving opposite the ruins of Eben Towle’s house, which had stood
near the water and was the most southerly in the settlement, I saw
what looked like an opening in the bank, which would have been passed
unnoticed save for the fact that I had been searching for some such
place.
A tangle of bushes and vines grew nearabout, and, worming my way amid
these, taking care not to disturb them more than might be necessary, I
finally came upon an opening not unlike the den of a bear, which was,
perhaps, three feet in diameter.
Thrusting in my head, I cried out, thinking it possible some
unfortunate might be hidden therein, and a reply came from Master
Bartlett, who was some distance away on the other side of the ruins.
It struck me as queer that he should have been able to hear my voice
while I was so far from him, and with my head in a hole, therefore
I called him by name, speaking more softly, and, to my surprise, he
replied promptly, the words sounding as if they had come from the hole
just in advance of me instead of from the open air.
“Where are you?” I asked, in bewilderment.
“Here in the bushes. What are you doing in the ruins of that house when
it was agreed you should look for a canoe?”
Then it was that an idea came into my mind which, although it seemed
unreasonable even to the verge of folly, prompted me to force my way
into the hole.
I had no more than gotten my body into the entrance when I saw that the
sides of the hole, cave, or tunnel, whichever it might be called, were
timbered to prevent the earth from caving in, and then that which I had
said was folly to imagine became well-nigh a fact.
I was in a veritable tunnel, which widened as I advanced until it was
really an underground chamber, where, to my great surprise, I saw
stored salted and smoked meat, together with many small packages done
up in bark or furs.
I was too much excited, because of this fortunate find, to make any
careful examination of the different things around me, but pushed on
until arriving at a wall of rock, through which the light of day came
from above.
Then it was that I called again for Master Bartlett, asking that he
come down to the ruins of the building, and there was that in my voice
which caused him to obey without parleying; but when he was near at
hand I heard him ask, impatiently:
“Where are you, lad? It is unwise for us to be moving around where
those on the other side of the river can see all that is going on, and,
if we are not to cross, it is better that we go back into the thicket.”
Then it was that I tried to explain what I had found, but, before I
had hardly well begun, he cried, excitedly:
“You have found Eben Towle’s tunnel! I remember he declared, two years
ago, that he had made one, and had a hiding-place out of which he could
not be smoked. That was when the Susquehanna Company had sent warning
we would be driven from the valley by force, and declared blood should
be spilled if we failed to obey.”
“Can you see any show of such a place from where you are standing?” I
asked, and it was possible for me to hear his footsteps as he walked
twice around the ruins before making reply.
“There is nothing to be seen here but the charred timbers, lad. How did
you get in?”
Instead of replying, I made my way out with all speed, save that at the
entrance I moved with the utmost care lest I leave a trail, and, on
coming into the open air once more, saw that Giles March, having heard
our voices, had joined the old man to learn what was going on between
us two.
Situated as we were, it was but natural that the same thought should
come into the minds of all when the nature of my discovery had been
made known. In this tunnel, which Eben Towle had made as a refuge
against those of the Susquehanna Company who would have driven him from
his home, our little party of women, children, and wounded lads might
remain in safety awhile longer,--surely until the savages tracked us
down once more.
On the heels of such fact came to me the belief that the time was now
at hand when our company of Minute Boys might be able to give further
proof that they could play the part of soldiers nearly as well as men.
In this tunnel of Eben Towle’s we would be securely hidden in the very
heart of the valley, keeping in touch with those who remained at Forty
Fort, and it would go hard, indeed, if we did not give good account of
ourselves before Butler’s wolves returned to Johnson Hall.
Giles March would have gone at once to the mouth of the tunnel, in
order to see for himself that which I had found, but Master Bartlett
prevented him by saying, sharply:
“None of that, lad! We went in and out of the cave without heed to
leaving a trail, thinking none of Butler’s curs would come upon us
there, and yet they found the hiding-place. To go in simply to gratify
your curiosity will be to leave just so many more invitations for those
who are prowling around to have a look at it. We will first see what
can be done toward opening an entrance from the ruins, so that we may
get the helpless ones inside without leaving a sign-board behind them.”
There is no good reason why I should set down all we said while trying
to decide just what it was best to do at once; it is enough if I
say that after more talk than I believed necessary, in view of the
situation, it was decided that we could not bring down the women and
children during the night, owing to all the difficulties, and it would
not be safe to do so next day, because of the possibility that the
savages might come sooner than we expected.
It seemed better they remain in the cave until we had beaten off the
Indians when they made the next attack, and this we believed would
be a comparatively easy matter, if the plans already formed should
be carried out. Therefore it was agreed that Master Bartlett should
spend the night at the ruins, making an entrance through them to the
tunnel, while Giles March and I went back to get so many of the party
as Stephen Morley thought best after we had explained to him all the
situation.
Night had come before we arrived at this decision, and we two lads
started at once, travelling swiftly because it did not seem probable
there was any danger, and with light hearts, owing to the hopes for the
future which had so lately been born.
It was near to midnight when we were come to the fringe of bushes
which screened the entrance of the cave; but immediately I sounded the
catbird’s note, it was replied to without delay, and in another instant
Esther Hinchman came out to meet us.
“I persuaded Master Morley and Daniel to take some rest, while I stood
guard,” she began, and I interrupted by asking sharply:
“Why did not Miles Parker do his share of the duty?”
“He was sleeping so soundly that it seemed a pity to awaken him when
I was fit for the work; but where is Master Bartlett?” she asked in
alarm, noting for the first time that he was not with us.
I explained in few words the good fortune which had seemingly come to
us, and while talking I held her hand in mine, to which she did not
object.
Then we entered the cave, arousing the others, and explaining to them
not only why we had come, but the plans we had formed in the way of
falling upon those who attacked the cave, saying in conclusion:
“It has been agreed that you shall say how many, and who, are to go
back at once, Master Morley, and I pray that we be able to set off
without delay, lest we meet enemies on the path.”
“You may take Oscar, who is fit to travel that distance in the night,
Daniel and Esther and Miles Parker. So many should be able to carry all
the stores we have gathered here, and leave us with no other burden
than the wounded when we join you.”
I cried out against his sending away all the able-bodied, save the
three women; but he insisted that since we were to be on the outside
to take part in the battle, if one came off, he had all the help that
would be needed, therefore those selected to go made their preparations.
If I have failed to say anything regarding the manner in which our
comrades received the news we brought, it is because words are not
needed. One can readily understand that when a party of fugitives,
about to be driven from their place of refuge, suddenly learn that
another and more secure place has been found, the joy and relief are
great.
Within half an hour after Giles and I arrived, the little company was
ready to set out, each carrying a full load, and when we filed out of
the cave, which had sheltered us so well in the hour of our extremity,
I took Esther Hinchman’s hand in mine that we might walk side by side.
We made the journey to the river without mishap, although it seemed
long and tedious to the others, owing to the heavy burdens we carried;
but to me it was a pleasure jaunt ever to be remembered because of her
who walked by my side.
Master Bartlett was on the watch for us, and as we were led directly
into the ruins, each stepping in the tracks of the one in advance that
the trail might not be too plain, it was possible to see what the old
man had done.
One of the stones in the wall of which I have spoken was removed,
leaving an opening sufficiently large for us to crawl through, and on
walking the length of the tunnel I found that end which gave on the
river choked up with logs and half-burned timbers.
“I haven’t finished the work at that end,” Master Bartlett said when
I joined the others after the inspection. “There will be time enough
later, and when daylight comes I am counting on starting a fire among
the charred timbers in order to hide our trail. There is an hour yet
remaining before morning, and you had best get what sleep you can. Eben
Towle put up a sort of partition in one corner here, therefore Esther
Hinchman may have a room to herself.”
We threw ourselves on the floor of the tunnel almost as soon as he had
spoken, and I was no more than stretched out at full-length before my
eyes closed in slumber.
It seemed as if only three or four minutes had passed when I felt the
pressure of a hand on my shoulder, and, opening my eyes, saw Master
Bartlett in the dim light, as he whispered:
“I’ve been knocking around a bit, and saw a dozen or more redskins land
from a couple of canoes not a hundred yards up-stream. They have struck
off toward the mountains, and I reckon it’s our business to follow
them. We three will go alone; I’ve told the girl Esther, and she’ll
keep an eye out till the other lads finish their job of sleeping.”
Then the old man aroused Giles March, and we made ready to creep out
through the ruins, I lingering behind my comrades to whisper a word to
Esther, after which I followed.
Master Bartlett showed, by taking the lead when we had gained the
shelter of the thicket, that he counted on running the business, at
least until this portion of our work was done, and I was only too glad
to have him thus take command.
A good woodsman was Master Simon Bartlett, else he would not have
kept us so close on the heels of the skulking savages without being
discovered, and that during all the time we consumed in making the five
miles, moving not much faster than a mile an hour.
From their cautious advance it could plainly be seen that John Butler’s
wolves believed there were a large number of people in the cave, and
were afraid of coming across an enemy by mistake, or of finding an
overwhelming force in their path.
How my fingers itched to strike a blow when one or another lagged
behind at such a distance that we could have overpowered him with
but little chance of his being able to alarm his fellows; but Master
Bartlett shook his head decidedly whenever Giles March or I told him by
gestures of what we would do.
Then, when an unusually good opportunity came, he whispered, warningly:
“Don’t make the mistake of striking down one of those villains when
we can bag the most of them. If we carry ourselves right between now
and the time they fire the first shot at those who are in the cave,
it should be possible to give the sneaks such a blow as will make the
others a bit uneasy.”
Well, we trailed the murderers up to the very mouth of the cave, and
there they hid themselves, hoping, most likely, that one or more of the
fugitives might show them a target. I was nearly wild with fear lest
Stephen Morley, believing, as we had a few hours previous, that there
would be no danger until later, might venture outside.
These fellows must have had with them the cur who escaped when we gave
them so warm a reception, else they would have blundered on until
coming in sight of the entrance; but, as if familiar with the lay of
the land, the entire party concealed themselves not twenty paces from
where Stephen Morley was on watch.
We knew full well that no attack would be made until night was nearly
come, unless it so chanced our people ventured out incautiously, and
settled down with whatsoever of patience we could command, to await
their movements.
It must have been nearabout noon when we arrived, and until sunset did
we lie in the thicket like logs of wood, not daring to move lest we
make so much of a noise as might give warning of our whereabouts.
What a blessed relief it was, when the gloom of night came like a film
through the foliage, to see those half-naked villains move more closely
together as if making ready for action, and only then did Master
Bartlett give signs that he was on the alert.
By gestures he made Giles March and me understand that we were to take
stations twenty paces to the right of him, and not to open fire until
his musket had been discharged.
Inch by inch we wormed ourselves through the leaves and vines until
having gained the station pointed out, and there waited impatiently for
that struggle which might end only with the death of one or all, for it
was by no means certain the savages would fall readily into our trap.
Then, as the gloom thickened, we could see the dark forms of the
murderers as they crept silently through the screen of bushes toward
the cave, and I knew it was their purpose to press on until it might be
possible to thrust their muskets between the rocks before firing.
I literally held my breath with suspense, fearing lest Stephen Morley
be caught off his guard, and could have cried aloud in triumph when
the report of a musket rang out, while one of the painted crew came
staggering through the bushes to sink on the ground as if having got a
mortal hurt.
The curs had found that they could not hope to catch Stephen Morley
napping, and once more they crouched behind the screen of bushes as if
for a consultation.
Then, when perhaps ten minutes more had passed, we could see even
in the darkness that they were making ready for another move, and I
fancied it was possible to distinguish a movement of Master Bartlett’s
arm, as if he warned us that our time had come at last.
With our muskets raised, Giles March and I waited, and at the very
moment when the savages vanished into the gloom a bright flash and
a ringing report from the direction of where I had last seen Master
Bartlett, sounded our signal to begin the fight; but, alas! it was no
longer possible for us to carry out the plan as it had been arranged.
The one thought in my mind was that if Giles March and I failed of
doing our share, the curs would skulk here and there in the thicket,
and instead of our being able to give them such a lesson as we had
counted on, it would be a question whether we might be able to make our
way back to Eben Towle’s tunnel.
All this passed through my mind like a flash, and the echoes of Master
Bartlett’s weapon had not yet died away when I sprang forward, followed
so closely by Giles March that it was as if we had been yoked together.
I was saying to myself that there was little hope I would be able in
the darkness to see a target, when suddenly a light so bright as to be
almost blinding flashed up seemingly from the very mouth of the cave,
showing in bold relief the forms of four villains at the edge of the
thicket, and on the instant Giles and I both fired.
It seemed to me that I heard the reports of a dozen muskets; flashes of
flame sprang up here and there near at hand as if by magic, and amid
the rattle of musketry could be heard Master Bartlett’s voice, as he
shouted:
“At them, lads! Smite front and rear! Finish the job now, else we may
not get another chance!”
Then that happened which absolutely frightened me for the moment, and
but for the fact that I realized how necessary it was we strike a heavy
blow, I might have faltered.
Here, there, and everywhere that the rustling or swaying of the bushes
told some person was forcing his way through, a ball of fire sped
through the air in that direction, and then flared out a burning flash
which illumined the thicket for a dozen paces around.
I believed I understood the cause of the first light, when we emptied
our weapons; but it was more than bewildering to see those fiery
messengers seemingly pursuing our enemies, although I was not so dazed
but that it was possible for me to strike more than one telling blow,
thanks to the friendly fire.
All this while muskets were being discharged from the cave, and I said
to myself that Stephen Morley was firing as rapidly as loaded pieces
could be thrust into his hands, and even as the thought came I ran
plump into him twenty paces from the entrance.
At this moment such of the savages as yet remained alive set up a yell
of terror, and the sound of their footsteps told that they were racing
at full speed down the mountainside, intent only on escaping from those
mysterious flames.
“It is all over for this night, lads,” Master Bartlett called from
somewhere amid the darkness, “and now I’d like to know the meaning of
all I’ve seen.”