THE REFUGEES
While I was walking here and there, scrutinizing carefully all the
stockade to learn where, if any, were its weak points, Esther Hinchman
came up, and it goes without saying that I stopped to speak with her.
“It is not for me to interfere with the men’s work in any way, Jonathan
Ogden,” she began, with a bright smile, “nor would I do so even to the
extent of asking questions; but we women believe we should be counted
as among the defenders of the stockade and ought to be looked upon as
such.”
“Indeed, we so reckon you,” I replied, puzzled to guess what she might
be driving at.
“Then give us regular duties to perform. We can stand guard in the
daytime as well as any other, for our eyes are as sharp as yours, and
if we take that work upon ourselves, then it will be possible for all
the men to remain on duty during each night.”
It was a most welcome proposition she had made, since, by following it,
we who counted ourselves men would not be heavy-eyed while standing
guard in the darkness, when we knew the most danger threatened, and so
it was arranged, save that I would have put her off until the next day.
“Let us begin at once,” she said, firmly, “and then it will come more
natural when danger thickens.”
Well, without consulting my comrades, I stationed Esther Hinchman and
three other women on the stockade at once, and Giles March asked,
laughingly:
“Have you turned your command into Minute Girls, Jonathan Ogden?”
When I had stated what was to be the arrangement while we were so
short-handed, he, as well as all the others who heard me, believed
it was a wise plan, and, now that there was no longer need of us on
the lookout platforms, we went here and there examining the defences,
strengthening them as much as possible by setting other logs where any
showed signs of weakness.
The canoes had long since been brought inside the stockade, and every
lad and man in the company was working to the utmost of his ability,
when a low cry from Esther Hinchman took me to her side.
“A canoe is coming down on the other side, keeping well inshore,” she
said. “I cannot make out that there are more than two persons in her.”
“Master Bartlett was right when he said some of those curs would come
down to see what had become of Andrew Hardy and his companions!”
I cried involuntarily, and then, like a flash of light, came to me
an idea which, if properly carried out, might be turned much to our
advantage.
“Call the women down from the platforms without delay, and as quietly
as may be. See that they all go into the blockhouse, taking the
children with them,” I said, hurriedly. “I believe we may trap those
curious ones if we work quickly.”
Esther did not delay to ask questions; but, running from one platform
to another, called off her sentinels, and while I was talking with
Master Bartlett, I saw that the dear girl was gathering the children up
as one does a flock of sheep.
“If we keep out of sight those curs will be likely to stroll inside
the stockade through curiosity,” I said to the old man, after telling
him of what Esther had seen. “Now I cannot say in what way it would
advantage us to hold prisoners, although the time may come, before we
have regained possession of the valley, when a few of those wolves in a
cage would be something with which we might drive a bargain.”
“How will you do it?” Master Bartlett asked, without declaring for or
against my plan.
“I would have you and Stephen Morley hidden outside where you could
shoot down the savages if we bungled the trapping of them. Then the
remainder of our force should be just inside the gates, which are to
be swung half-open. The women and children are already within the
blockhouse under orders not to show themselves or make any noise. If we
can’t take them prisoners, we can at least shoot them down.”
“Stephen Morley and I will look after the business outside,” Master
Bartlett said curtly, and in another instant he was beckoning Morley to
follow him.
It was not necessary for me to spend above five minutes in posting all
my force behind the half-opened gates, and each fellow had his musket
ready for use on the instant, in case the curs entered and were not
disposed to surrender quietly.
The blockhouse was closed, and the doors and windows securely fastened,
so there was no fear the inmates would come to harm through any stray
bullets, in case we had a scrimmage.
When I stood where it was possible to peer through the narrow crevice
between the gate and that portion of the stockade to which it was hung,
the Indians were just stepping out from their canoe, having seen where
Andrew Hardy pulled his craft up on the mud, and, because the curs were
looking around for a trail, I believed they would walk directly into
our trap.
With a cautious warning to my comrades that they might know the
decisive moment was near at hand, I looked well to the priming of my
musket, and waited nervously for that which was to come.
Straight as an arrow from a bow, the curs walked toward the stockade,
following the trail and looking suspiciously around as they advanced.
There was nothing to alarm them in the fact that the stockade was
thrown open, for so they must have expected to find it; but on arriving
at the entrance, where it was possible to have a view of the enclosure,
the two half-halted as if scenting danger.
Then one spoke in his native tongue, pointing toward the blockhouse,
and both advanced until the gates could be swung behind them.
At the same instant that two of the lads shoved the heavy barrier into
place, Daniel Hinchman and Andrew Hardy leaped out on the left side of
the foe, and Giles March and I on the right, with our weapons levelled.
The sneaks sprang forward two or three paces as they turned with
upraised hatchets to face us, and then must they have been blind indeed
had either failed to note that it would be instant death to make any
attempt at striking a blow.
I must give them credit for a show of bravery when they saw how
thoroughly well the trap had been sprung. There was no sign either of
surprise or fear as they faced us, and without a word both unslung the
muskets from their shoulders, throwing them to the ground, together
with knives and hatchets, after which the fellows stood with folded
arms, as if having no further concern as to what might be done.
“Let Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley come inside,” I called to Miles
Parker, who had been given charge of the gates, keeping my musket
levelled all the while, as did my comrades.
The two men obeyed the summons in a twinkling, they having come up
instantly the gates were closed, and I said as they entered:
“I believe it is best that you take charge of the prisoners, because it
stands to reason you have had more experience in such matters than any
of us; but it strikes me you would do well to first make sure they have
no other weapons about them.”
Master Bartlett deftly took from the statue-like savages their
ammunition, and then said in a matter-of-fact tone:
“It’s all right, lad; you can look after other matters, for I guarantee
these sneaks will stay with us till we get ready to send them--I know
where they’d go if I was in command of this party.”
The prisoners moved toward the farther end of the enclosure in
obedience to the old man’s direction, and I believed they were to be
imprisoned in the shed where we found Elias Shendle.
“Well, lads,” I said, cheerily, “we have two more muskets, ammunition
to go with them, and a canoe in addition to what we had at sunrise,
which is not a bad morning’s work, as I look at it. Andrew Hardy, you
had best bring the boat into the stockade, and I will let out the women
and children.”
Half an hour later matters inside the fort were much as before the
enemy came within sight, save that in the shed, bound hand and foot
to heavy logs, sat two scowling savages, and I hardly dared trust
myself to look at the curs, so sorely did my fingers itch to give them
righteous punishment for the murders they had committed.
The women were on the platforms again, and all the other able-bodied of
the party, women as well as men, continued the work of strengthening
the stockade.
There was no further interruption to the labor that day, and when night
came I believed the walls were strong enough to resist any attack, save
that by fire, which might be made.
“We’re in better shape than we were this morning,” Giles March said,
in a tone of satisfaction, as we went up to the blockhouse for our
supper, after which we counted on relieving Esther Hinchman and her
three companions from sentinel duty. “One man and two women have been
added to the number of defenders; the ammunition they brought, and that
taken from the prisoners, makes a good showing, and, best of all, we’ve
got more weapons than before those curs blundered into our trap. If we
could do as well every day the Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley would soon
begin to loom up big.”
It pleased me that he could find so much reason for rejoicing in our
situation, because I could not take my mind from the fact that soon
we would have so many mouths to feed our store of provisions would
speedily be exhausted.
I myself took Esther Hinchman’s place on the platform as sentinel, and
said, as she lingered a moment beside me:
“Because of your standing guard, we have made ready for whatsoever the
enemy has in store for us, and the watch has been as vigilant as if
regular soldiers were on duty.”
“We count that we ought to be able to do a full share of the work,
and it is only right, since but for us and the children you men could
soon find places of safety other than in this blood-stained valley,”
she said, gravely. “We four will get a full night’s sleep, and you can
reckon on our reporting for duty before sunrise in the morning.”
Then the dear girl leaped lightly down to the ground, and I could not
prevent my eyes from following her as she ran into the blockhouse,
catching up a child in her arms as she went.
We did good duty that night as sentinels, for all save Master Bartlett
had a share of the work. I had insisted that he should get such rest as
was possible before the morrow came, when, what with the refugees and
the savages, we were like to have our hands full.
Nothing was seen or heard to cause alarm or uneasiness during the
night, and when the first gray light of coming day could be seen in the
sky, Esther Hinchman and her companions came out to take our places on
the walls.
“We have had breakfast,” she said, as I handed her my musket, “and have
left food ready for you, so eat as quickly as you can, that those last
on duty may have a chance to sleep until the people from Forty Fort
appear in sight.”
There were none of us who cared for more rest, since each had slept
four or five hours, and when breakfast had been eaten I went in search
of Master Bartlett, who, so some one reported, had gone with Master
Morley to feed the prisoners.
The old man had come to an end of his task when I found him, and was
feeling in good spirits, thanks to his long time of repose.
“The Minute Boys have got together again in fine shape, lad,” he said
to me, “and I am looking to see them give a good account of themselves
from this time out.”
“I pray God we may be able to do so, Master Bartlett; but I want you to
bear well in mind that you are, in fact, the commander who will give
me timely warning when I am careless or overconfident. I know that you
would not hesitate to propose any move which might benefit those whom
we would aid.”
“Don’t fear but that I shall do whatever I may, lad, yet I’m thinking
there’ll be little for me to do in the way of watching you, and said as
much to Stephen Morley when you set your trap yesterday. A lad who has
his wits about him to that extent can be depended upon to look after
his company fairly well.”
It pleased me to be thus praised by a man like Master Bartlett; but
I tried hard not to show my delight, and spoke of this thing or that
until once more Esther Hinchman hailed:
“There is a fleet of canoes coming down the river, and I doubt not but
that those of whom Colonel Dennison spoke are among the company.”
In a twinkling the old man and I were on the nearest platform; but it
was four or five minutes before we could see what Esther had reported,
so much sharper were her eyes than ours.
Then it was possible to make out no less than twelve boats, loaded to
the water’s edge, while along the bank of the river marched a company
of soldiers as if keeping watch over the people.
“John Butler knows only too well that the wolves which he has let loose
upon us are not to be trusted out of sight, and has sent the Tories to
make certain the savages bring the people here,” Master Bartlett said
to himself, and I am glad to set down here that one honest thing which
Butler did after working us such deadly harm.
“The trouble will come, if they count on making any, after the people
have landed,” I said, counting on getting advice from the old man. “It
seems to me we might make more certain the refugees will be brought to
the shore, if we send out a couple of canoes, with the best part of
our force, to hold the brutes in check after they are beyond range of
yonder Tories.”
“It is what should be done!” Master Bartlett said, emphatically. “Leave
the matter to me, for you must stay in the stockade, and I promise you
there will be no treachery on the part of those who are at the paddles.”
It would have pleased me better to go with those who ventured out from
the shore; but I knew that, as the old man had said, it was my duty to
remain, therefore held my peace while he was gathering the company.
By this time it was possible to see that each canoe was handled by two
savages, who had most likely been sent to take the craft back when the
passengers were disembarked, and I trembled with apprehension as I
realized what would be the result if the treacherous curs, instead of
coming to the shore, kept the boats in the middle of the river until
beyond range of the stockade or the Tories.
Master Bartlett did not wait for the fleet to come up, but with six of
our company in two canoes, set off to meet them, coming up with the
foremost while they were yet under the guns of the soldiers on the
opposite bank.
Then it was he forced them to pass before him on a direct course to our
fort, and I took note that the old man seemed to be hurrying those who
lagged, lest a single person be spirited away.
Thanks to the precautions we had taken--and I verily believe that had
we remained within the stockade not one of that sorrowful company would
have escaped death--the refugees were soon on shore, making all speed
to gain the shelter of the fort, as if there absolute safety would be
found.
When the last white person had left the canoes, the Indians would have
lingered; but Master Bartlett, having landed his force, ordered them
away, and the levelled muskets were sufficient incentive for them to
obey the command.
I watched until it was certain the last red scoundrel had paddled
toward the opposite shore, and then came down to meet those who claimed
protection from us Minute Boys.
Now lest I multiply words needlessly, by trying to give a complete list
of those who had come to us, let me say that there were thirty-two
women and children, and fourteen men and boys added to our number.
Owing to Colonel Dennison’s efforts with John Butler, every member of
the party, save the very smallest children, brought with them more or
less in the way of provisions, and three of the men had succeeded in
getting off with their muskets by taking the barrel from the stock, and
packing both pieces in bundles of clothing.
In addition to this, sixteen of the company had secreted about them
powder and ball, so that it seemed as if we need not fear to run out of
either provisions or ammunition for a week at least, though I promised
myself that as soon as it could be done, I would have a careful
estimate made of all our stores.
Counting all the men and boys who had just arrived, together with our
wounded, my company of Minute Boys numbered twenty-four, or two more
than when we went into Fort Jenkins hoping to hold it against all the
Tories and savages who might come. To arm these, however, we had only
fourteen muskets, with, possibly, a knife for each one, since nearly
all of the fugitives had been allowed to bring with them knives as well
as hatchets.
Our force was even stronger than I have stated, for among the women
were no less than sixteen who looked as if they might be counted on
to stand guard, reload weapons during a fight, and, perhaps, do not a
little work if it came to a hand-to-hand scrimmage.
“It isn’t a bad showing,” I said to Master Bartlett, after looking over
the newcomers. “We should be able to hold this place at least until our
ammunition is exhausted.”
“Even more than that can be done, lad, if you hold yourself steadily as
the captain. Insist on each man and woman doing his or her full share
of the work, and when you give an order, take good care that it is
obeyed promptly. Discipline is even more necessary than weapons, and
the commander’s hand must be firm.”
At that moment I was thinking more of how we might add to the store of
provisions than as to exercising my authority, and interrupted the old
man to call Giles March, saying to him when he was come:
“Take with you a full dozen men and boys, and make search of all these
ruins. There must be food of some kind, burned or otherwise, in such
fragments of the buildings as are yet standing, and there should be
gardens nearabout from which considerable may already be gathered.”
He did not delay to question, but summoned those nearest at hand, and
when he was gone I sent six more women to the lookout platforms, urging
them, and those already on guard, to keep sharp watch while Giles and
his company remained absent.
Well, the result of that move was that when night came we had stores
in plenty--corn ground and in meal, young potatoes, smoked pork, and
salted fish in such quantity that I believed we could hold out though
we were besieged three weeks. But the prizes found this day were two
cows that had taken to the thicket when the savages first appeared, who
came out lowing to be milked.
My heart was lighter than it had been at any time since we first went
into Fort Jenkins when I took Esther Hinchman’s place on the platform,
binding her by solemn promise that she would spend all her time in
sleeping, until another day had come, unless by chance we were attacked.
As it proved there was very little sleep to be had by any within the
stockade on that night; we had our first taste of the work we had
just begun, and I make bold to say that we did not come off badly,
considering our lack of weapons.
We had no more than relieved the women of sentry duty when Giles March,
who was stationed near the northern end of the wall, cried out that
he could see a canoe close under the opposite shore, and before the
light of day had died fully away, we saw three others, all dropping
cautiously down-stream.
No more warning of an attack than that was needed; we knew full well
that the curs would do what they might at striking a blow before
morning, and, therefore, were ready for them when the time came.
The women who had been selected to aid in the defence were warned to
be ready when the first shot was fired, and Giles March and I made the
rounds carefully after night had fully come, cautioning those who stood
facing the thicket to fire at any moving thing.
Not until near to one o’clock in the morning was any move made by the
painted curs, and then one of them showed himself long enough for
Daniel Hinchman to send a bullet where it would do the most good, from
our point of view.
Then it was the bloodthirsty wolves came at us with a rush, counting,
most likely, to find that we had no weapons, and when I leaped on the
platform to do my share in the battle which had begun so suddenly,
Esther Hinchman was already there.
“What are you doing here?” I cried, sharply, discharging my musket with
good aim at a painted fiend who was coming forward at full speed as if
to clamber up the wall. “Get down out of danger! I _will_ not have you
here!”
“I can keep watch while you reload your gun,” she said, pleadingly; but
I literally forced her down, threatening that she should never again
perform sentinel duty if she dared to disobey.
From that moment until the rush had been checked, I had no time to give
heed to her, for the savages pressed us hard during ten minutes or
more, and all the while I could not but bewail the fact that we were
expending our ammunition so rapidly, although every fellow strove hard
not to waste a shot.
At one time I believe it was possible to see not less than an hundred
dark shadows, which we knew to be John Butler’s mutinous followers, and
more than once, before we succeeded in driving them back, did it seem
certain some of them would succeed in scaling the walls.
Never had I known the curs to fight so boldly, and I now understand
that it was because they were half-crazed by the quantity of rum drank
immediately after Butler and his Tories marched out of Forty Fort.
We had a breathing spell of ten minutes or more, during which time the
women cleaned our fouled muskets, and we quenched the thirst born of
the fumes of burning powder, at the spring near the blockhouse.
Then, as suddenly as before, the battle was resumed; but it could soon
be seen that we were beset by a much smaller force. It seemed positive
that a goodly number of the cowards, finding us far stronger both in
numbers and weapons than they supposed, had given over the attempt, and
when I became convinced such was the case, the thought came that now
indeed was the time to show the brutes they were no longer the masters
in our valley.
“Find Master Bartlett for me, and quickly. Tell him to come here at
once,” I said to Esther Hinchman, who had remained just below my
station all the while we were fighting.
It was as if I had no more than spoken before the old man was by my
side, and I asked, hurriedly:
“Do you know how much we have suffered thus far?”
“Mistress Morley just told me that we had two wounded; but those who
were without muskets have taken their places, therefore the fighting
force has not really been lessened.”
“Then, hark you, Master Bartlett! You said to me that I should not give
an order without making certain it was obeyed, and I now command you
to take upon yourself the defence of this place, after our numbers
have been reduced by nearly one-half.”
“What do you mean?” he asked in surprise, but he did not turn his face
from the foe, nor had I ceased to fire whenever a target presented
itself during the time I was talking.
“I believe that now has come the moment when we should strike a blow
ourselves, instead of remaining on the defensive as if too weak to meet
those brutes openly. I count on taking with me nine of the lads whom
I know best, and slipping out of this place. We will fall upon yonder
curs from a point where they are least expecting to see us, and if it
be possible to get them on the run, I promise you we will not turn back
this side of Forty Fort, if so be we can contrive to cross the river.”
I had expected to have a long argument; but much to my surprise, the
old man never so much as opened his mouth, and after waiting a few
seconds for a reply, I slipped down from the platform, leaving him in
my place.
“You may never come back,” Esther Hinchman said, with a sob, as I stood
by her side, and then did I know she had heard what passed between
Master Bartlett and me.
“It is not for you to grow faint-hearted at the very moment when I
believe more can be done in behalf of the valley than if we were to
defend ourselves behind a stockade for the next two months. I _shall_
come back, and with me all who go out, provided our first blow be
successful.”
“I will pray that God does not take you from us,” she sobbed, and then
it was that I kissed her, running at full speed across the enclosure a
moment later, lest I be tempted to linger by her side rather than take
my chances among the red wolves.
Around the stockade I went, calling down from the platforms Giles
March, Daniel Hinchman, Oscar Stephenson, and all the lads I knew best,
until I had withdrawn nine from the walls, and then in a few words I
explained what we might do.
Not one of them flinched; they were even more eager than I to make the
venture, and we gathered by the small gate until that moment came when
the firing seemed to be heaviest at the northern end of the stockade,
when all slipped out, crouching to the very ground as we ran straight
toward the mountain, an hundred paces or more, where good cover was
found.
Then off we went, northward, until believing we were behind the
attacking force, after which we halted to make certain our muskets were
primed.
“Now, lads,” I whispered, “let us keep well together, for nothing
can be gained by separating, and if so be we succeed in frightening
the curs, we’ll keep at their heels even to the very border of their
encampment.”
“It is likely they are quartered in Forty Fort,” Miles Parker
suggested, and I added:
“So much the better if they are! Once we get them on the run, it
wouldn’t be anything very wonderful if we could take that stockade,
even though it is held by more than an hundred.”
As a matter of course I had no hope we might do any such work as
that, but I thought it would encourage some of my comrades to greater
exertions if they fancied that was our goal.
The halt lasted no longer than for me to say what I have here set down,
and then we started in that direction from which the reports of the
muskets came, moving cautiously at first, lest the villains hear us too
soon, and then with a rush when it was possible to see the flashes of
their weapons.
“Now at them with a yell, but don’t fire till you are certain of
hitting the mark!” I whispered, and forward we went, shouting at the
full strength of our lungs, and coming upon the cowards from behind.
They had no more than time to realize they were flanked, when we let
drive a volley, and for every bullet a painted brute fell.
We halted to reload, hoping to get in a second volley before they had
fully recovered from the first alarm; but work as we might, it was
impossible.
When we were ready to fire again, not a moving thing could be seen, but
far away in the distance could be heard the sound of their footsteps,
or the swishing of the branches as they tore through the foliage in
headlong flight, intent only on gaining the river.
“Now for it!” I cried when my musket was loaded. “We must never let
them off without one more shot, and if it be that we can prevent their
taking to the canoes, we’ll give them a taste of being hunted down like
wild beasts, as were our people!”
If it had not been that Master Bartlett supported us nobly at the very
moment when he could do the most good, we would have failed in giving
the brutes the lesson I had planned.
We were hardly more than started on our second charge when yells and
screams, accompanied by musket-shots, rang out just ahead of us, and
Giles March cried, exultantly:
“Our people in the stockade are lending a hand, and it will go hard if
we don’t pepper a dozen or more before they can put off!”
When we came into the open again it was to see our comrades standing
near where a dozen or more canoes were hauled up on the shore, firing
at a dark mass in the distance, which we knew to be the panic-stricken
murderers.
“Let them have it, lads!” I shouted, discharging my weapon, and, while
the others were following my example, I ran forward until finding
Master Bartlett.
“The dose hasn’t been as heavy as I reckoned on; but there is yet time
to increase it,” I said, hurriedly. “We will take two of these canoes,
and do you carry the others into the stockade.”
“Where are you going, lad?” the old man asked, as if about to make some
protest.
“To the other side, where we can pick off the curs as they swim across,
and to Forty Fort, mayhap,” and I pushed off one of the light craft,
shouting for my comrades to join me.
Master Bartlett stood by till the last one of us was in the canoes, and
then, as we paddled swiftly away, he cried:
“Give it to ’em hot, lads; but don’t take too many chances, for we’ll
soon be needing you here!”