"That wicked band of villeins fresh begon,
That castle to assaile on every side,
And lay strong siege about it far and wyde."
CHAUCER--FAERIE QUEENE.
This sudden appearance of the Indians indicated that they could not have
been far distant at the time of the interview between Deersfoot and
Snake-tongue on the one side, and Barton and Ichabod on the other; and
that upon the refusal of the latter to surrender the Tuscarora, they had
at once resolved upon an attack upon the cottage.
On the entrance of Ralph and Miss Barton, they, together with Barton and
the negro, who had remained below, at once proceeded to the upper
apartment, where they found the remainder of the party stationed at the
loop-holes on the south side of the house. Ichabod was loading his
rifle.
"I have no particular reason to boast of uncommon accuracy with the
rifle," said the latter as Ralph entered the room, "but I'm most always
good for a Seneca. That rascal almost had his hand in your hair,
Captin."
"It was a good service, Ichabod, and I hope to live to thank you for
it," said Ralph, grasping his hand.
"Don't say anything about it, Captin: Eagle's-Wing would have done it in
the hundredth part of a second more. It's only one reptile the less."
The cottage, the precise situation of which, with reference to
surrounding objects, we have not yet described, was situated upon a
slight eminence, which rose gradually westward from the small lake or
pond, which we have before mentioned. Behind the cottage, on the west,
the land gradually rose, spreading out into a wide plain with a rolling
surface. On the north, however, at the distance of only three or four
rods, there was a steep descent into a ravine some forty feet in depth,
in the bottom of which flowed a small brook. This ravine had not yet
been cleared, and the forest approached, consequently, to within four
rods of the cottage. On the south, the land gradually sloped downwards
for four or five rods, while at about twice that distance was left
standing a grove of small trees of two or three acres in extent. It was
in this grove that the Senecas were first discovered.
It was obvious that the most dangerous point of attack was from the
north; as in that direction, the forest approached so near the cottage,
that the Senecas might obtain a cover behind the trees, and should such
be their object, find some means to set the buildings on fire.
The Senecas, however, still remained in the grove, and did not show any
immediate intention of proceeding to the attack. They were gathered
together, while Panther, who was easily recognized by Ichabod, was
haranguing them; but although his words could not be heard, there was no
difficulty in understanding from his manner and gestures that he was
explaining the mode in which the attack should be made.
"I reckon," said Ichabod, "that I might easily pick off that varmint,
even at this distance."
"No," said Ralph, "we are on the defensive, and we will not commence the
fight. If they make an attack upon us, then we will all try to do our
duty."
"I fancy it was something pretty nigh an attack," said Ichabod, "that
them rascals just made on you and Miss Ruth. But, perhaps, it's all
right, Captin. That account was settled on the spot; and may be it won't
be agin law for us to wait until the scoundrels open another."
A small room had been constructed near the centre of the main apartment,
supposed to be entirely secure from any stray bullet that might chance
to enter the loop-holes.
Into this small apartment, Ruth had entered, on reaching the upper part
of the house: but now she made her appearance among the little garrison,
with a great confidence, and a determination to make herself of service
if possible.
"Do not remain here, Ruth," said Barton: "you may be exposed to danger
from some stray shot. It would be much better that you should be
entirely out of danger."
This request was seconded by Ralph, with a look of earnest entreaty.
"I do not fear any danger," answered Ruth. "I can certainly be of no
service shut up in that narrow cell; while I may possibly be of some
little service to you here. I can act as a lookout, you know," advancing
quietly to one of the loop-holes.
"No good for squaw to be in fight," said the Tuscarora, quietly; "squaw
hide when warriors fight, that best for squaw."
"I am not going to shoulder a rifle, Eagle's-Wing, without it is
absolutely necessary; but I want to look on, and see how warriors can
fight."
It was evident that Ruth was not to be dissuaded from sharing the
danger, if danger there was, to which the defenders of the cottage were
exposed. Ichabod, who during this brief conversation had remained
watching intently the motions of the enemy, now exclaimed:
"There are twenty of the red varmints, sartin, but they don't seem very
anxious to begin the fight. What d'ye think they mean to do,
Eagle's-Wing?"
"Mean to 'tack cottage; that what they mean: wait till dark, then see
what they do."
"There's some motion among 'em now," said Ichabod, "there go the
_reptiles_, creeping off through the wood. They're diving now, but
they'll come up again somewhere, I reckon."
"I rather calculate," said Guthrie, who had thus far remained silent,
"that they're going to give up the business as a bad job. That's the
best thing they can do, any way."
"Warriors mean to surround cottage. That what it means," said the
Tuscarora. "Pretty soon hear 'em over there,--hear 'em all round--see
'em, may be, if watch."
Night was now rapidly approaching, and surrounding objects had already
become indistinct. One by one, the stars made their appearance, glaring
with the peculiar brightness of an autumn evening. Yet the darkness
would soon be sufficient to prevent any observation of the motions of
the enemy, unless they should make their appearance within the little
clearing that surrounded the cottage. There would yet be three hours
before the moon would rise; and during that time the very closest
observation would be necessary to detect the whereabouts of the savages,
except as their position should be manifested by an open attack.
Ichabod and the Tuscarora now took a position upon the north side of the
apartment, while Ralph and Barton remained at the south side. Sambo was
stationed on the west, towards the cattle enclosure, while Guthrie was
directed to keep a look-out on the east or front of the house. This was
apparently the least dangerous point, as the land on this side was
partially cleared quite to the shore of the pond.
But a few minutes had elapsed after this disposition of the forces of
the little garrison, before it was evident to the Tuscarora and Ichabod,
that a portion of the enemy had taken a position in the ravine. The
night was so still, that the slightest sound could be heard from that
distance, and the Tuscarora quietly called the attention of his
companion to a slight snapping of dry underbrush which had been trodden
upon by the foot of some careless Seneca; but, as if to deceive the
defenders of the cottage as to the point from which the main attack
would be made, suddenly, and as if by one impulse, the silence was
broken by the yells of the enemy from all directions, and a general
discharge of their guns at the building.
"Yell and fire, you infernal reptiles," said Ichabod. "They must have
plenty of ammunition, to waste it in that style."
"That done to cheat," said Eagle's-Wing.
"Well, they've commenced the skrimmage, any way," said Ichabod, "and
now, let one of them miserable creturs get before this rifle of mine and
I'll settle an account with him."
"We shall be over nice in our scruples," said Ralph, "if we hesitate any
longer to treat them as enemies. They have certainly committed an overt
act of war; and duty to ourselves will no longer allow us to remain
inactive."
Since the first demonstration on the part of the Senecas, no other had
been made; and the silence without was as perfect and uninterrupted as
though no enemy surrounded them.
It was obvious that the two most serious dangers to be encountered, were
past--an attempt on the part of the enemy to get under cover of the
walls of the cottage, where they would be in a great measure protected
from the rifles inside, and where they might find means to force the
doors; and, secondly, an attempt to set fire to the buildings.
Any object of the size of a man could readily, notwithstanding the
darkness, be seen at the distance of four or five rods; and the garrison
were certain, thus far, that no enemy had approached within that
distance. Ichabod and the Tuscarora, as has been observed, were
stationed upon the north side of the apartment. The position which had
been chosen by the former, was near to the north-eastern angle, whence,
with a little trouble, he might also keep a look-out on the east. This
position had been chosen by him, owing to the distrust he entertained of
the fidelity of Guthrie; for there was nothing in the conduct of the
latter since his return to the cottage, that had been calculated to
dispel any suspicions which Ichabod had entertained of his real
character. He had taken little or no part in the plans of defence, and
had maintained a moody silence that had rarely been broken, except by
brief answers to such questions as were put to him.
"I say, friend," said Ichabod, addressing Guthrie, "you keep a sharp
look-out over there, don't you?"
"I've been a woodsman all my life, I reckon," answered the latter, "and
I don't need any instructions on that point."
"I don't suppose you do, friend," said Ichabod, "and least of all from
me. I can't say as _I_ have been a regular woodsman, although I've had a
little experience in the way of savages. A man who has spent a few years
fighting for his life, learns, after a while, to know when it's in
danger; but can you guess what that black lump may be, out yonder--right
ahead of your eyes?"
"Well, if I can see straight, it's a stump, and nothing more."
"I ain't much acquainted in these parts, friend, and it may be you've
got stumps here that wander round the lots at pleasure, but _I_
calculate that object ain't nothing but a venomous reptile," said
Ichabod, taking sight over his rifle upon the object which attracted his
attention. "Now, you see, if that's a stump, this bullet won't hurt it
much; but if it's an Injin, he'll signify it some way."
The rifle of Ichabod was discharged; and the Seneca--for an Indian it
was--who, creeping to reach a cover under the walls--rose to his feet
with a leap, and then staggered and fell.
Again was that wild yell renewed, but in a moment all was silent.
Guthrie ashamed, became angry, and turned with a fierce scowl on
Ichabod.
"You havn't a very civil way to _strangers_, friend," said he, "and we
may find time to settle this business. You may bully Injins, but you
won't me."
"I've just did my duty on that red varmint there," answered Ichabod
coolly; "and all I've got to say, friend, is, that we've got enemies
enough out-doors to attend to, without any civil war inside; but I ain't
particular."
"Ichabod! Guthrie!" exclaimed Barton, "let there be no ill-blood between
you now; the mistake of Guthrie might easily have been made by any one,
however experienced."
Guthrie turned again towards the loop-hole, muttering indistinctly. As
for Ichabod, he quietly reloaded his rifle saying:
"That's right, Squire, I'm a man of peace, any way--except with them
infarnal Senecas. If I have any particular gift of which I can boast, it
is in another sort of speculation. Give it to 'em Eagle's-Wing!" said
he, as at this moment, he saw the Tuscarora about discharging his rifle.
At the discharge, the whole ravine seemed to pour out a tempest of
shrieks.
"That Injin," said Eagle's-Wing, "won't fight any more--great pity lose
his scalp though."
"Never mind the scalp, Eagle's-Wing," replied Ichabod, "if you fix the
owner, so that he won't have any more use for it; that's my doctrine."
"That bad doctrine for Injin--good doctrine for pale-face p'raps."
Notwithstanding the utmost watchfulness, on the part of the besieged, no
further demonstration was made by the Senecas, for nearly an hour;
until, at length, they began to hope that the contest might already be
terminated, and that the loss of three of their warriors, without having
been able to inflict any injury upon the garrison, had discouraged the
Indians. As time passed by, no further attack being made, even Ichabod
and the Tuscarora began to yield to the belief which Barton had
expressed, but they did not for a moment relax their watchfulness.
Barton, Ralph and Ruth, had finally withdrawn from the loop-holes, while
Guthrie lounged moodily about.
"I think," said Barton, "we shall have nothing more to apprehend
to-night. The savages have doubtless repented of their temerity in
attacking a place so well defended as this."
"Heaven grant it may be so," replied Ruth. "We have had but little
experience, thus far, in the terrors of Indian warfare but as it is, it
is horrible."
"I hope, with you, Miss Barton," said Ralph, "that the Indians have
abandoned the attack; and yet I know so well their treacherous mode of
warfare, that it would not be surprising to me, were the severest part
of our labor yet to come. Ichabod seems, by his actions, to have the
same opinion."
"Yes, Captin," answered Ichabod. "I _do_ mistrust these infarnal
villians; and I shall mistrust 'em till day-light, sartin. You'll find
that they're plotting some deviltry which we shall know about before we
are many hours older."
"It is strange," said Ruth, "that these savages should so resist all
attempts for their improvement; and that they should persist in their
cruel mode of warfare, after having received so much instruction from
Christian teachers."
"I do not think it so very strange, perhaps," answered Ralph. "Their
habits--their modes of life, are the result of ages of barbarity, and
traditions communicated from father to son. No continuous effort has
ever been made to Christianize them; and it would be a miracle, were we
to find them now with Christian sentiments--adopting an entirely new
mode of life."
"That's my opinion, Captin," said Ichabod. "That speculation has been a
failure, and it always will be a failure. You might as well talk of
civilizing wolves. Why, there's the Oneida nation, who have pretty much
all been to school, and sat under sermons month after month,--let them
hear the war-hoop, and they're as crazy as devils, and don't think of
anything but scalps. There's Eagle's-Wing, being just as good a
gentleman, for an Injin, as ever wore moccasins--I'll warrant you some
foolish missionary reckons _him_ for a convarted Injin; and yet," said
he, with a whisper, "you'll find that infernal Seneca's scalp somewhere
about him now. Don't talk to me of convarting Injins. I don't think they
were ever intended to be convarted."
"You remember the divine injunction to the apostles, Ichabod?" asked
Ruth; "that they were to go into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature?"
"Lord love you, girl!" answered Ichabod, "you don't suppose that meant
to come over to America among these tomahawking savages! You see, in the
first place, it would have been something of a job for one of them
apostles to have got here; and in the second place, he'd wished himself
away again, in a hurry."
"I agree with Miss Barton," said Ralph, "that there is no reason why
these savages might not learn to cherish Christian principles. The
efforts of the Jesuits show that something can be done to civilize them;
and the labors of Elliot among the New England Indians prove that they
_can_ be Christianized."
"I reckon there's two sides to that question," answered Ichabod, "I've
heard that those Injins were more troublesome than them that didn't have
any preaching. Their religion all stopped with drinking Christianized
rum. No, Captin, you can't give me any faith in that expectation, any
way."
"I'm afraid Mr. Jenkins," said Ruth, "that the same reasons you urge
against the conversion and improvement of the Indians, would apply as
well to all mankind generally as to them. There are but few, of all who
listen to the Scriptures, who act upon their precepts. They hear, as you
say the Indians do, and at once forget, in their worldly intercourse,
that there is such a book as the Bible."
"Well. I can't dispute that p'int," replied Ichabod. "In these new
settlements, where men have so much to do, they ar'nt so much to blame,
if they can't understand what the preachers in the city are quarreling
about. I've lived a long while in the woods, and about the new
settlement, Miss Ruth, and havn't had much time to settle doctrinal
controvarsies; but I've got a faith of my own, which wouldn't, perhaps,
answer for you; and yet I'm willing to live by it, and die by it."
"Of how many articles does your faith consist?" asked Ralph, smiling.
"Well, Captin, that may be as you've a mind to classify the different
p'ints. I don't coincide quite, in my views of future life, with old
Michael Wigglesworth, who had no marcy for anybody but his own sect--not
for infants even. You recollect the varses on infants, Captin, where he
says that although in bliss--
"They may not hope to dwell,
Still unto them he will allow
The easiest room in hell."
No, Captin, a man cannot live in the forests, and look continually at
the works of God, and forget that He exists; and I reckon that a man who
always bears Him in mind, whether he be felling the trees, planting the
ground, turning his hand in an honest speculation, or shooting a Seneca,
will have marcy shown to him eventually. That's my doctrine."
"It is a creed that has the merit of being short, if not orthodox," said
Ralph. "But I must acknowledge, that while I have not paid the attention
to religious matters that I ought to have done, and have been too
forgetful of claims that have been imposed upon all men, yet, from all
my doubts, I have ever returned to the Bible as the only sure anchor of
faith. Its opening revelations are corroborated in the history or
tradition of all nations; its divine teachings, interpreted according to
the simple understanding of one's own heart, accord with our
reason--satisfy our hopes--alleviate our sorrows--cheer us in death. The
uninstructed feelings of the heart, in this matter, are a purer, more
excellent wisdom, than all the pride of intellect."
"Well, Captin," said Ichabod, "I never dispute on creeds--so you are
welcome to yours: but on _facts_, I've got a right to express my
opinion. Now, as for them opening chapters being corroborated by the
history of all nations--that's a question of fact, which I'm willing to
leave to Eagle's-Wing, whose nation, according to their traditions, is
older than I'd like to vouch for. Now, he'll tell you that the first
thing that was made was a tortoise and that the earth was then made and
placed upon its back. I say, Eagle's-Wing----Thunder and lightning!"
exclaimed he, springing towards the stairway.
The fact was, that Ichabod had been so much engaged in this
conversation, relying upon the prudence and watchfulness of the
Tuscarora, that he had given up all his attention to it. But upon making
his appeal to the Tuscarora, he had turned towards the position lately
occupied by him when he discovered that both he and Guthrie were
missing.
Scarcely had he sprung towards the stairway, ere there rang through the
cottage a shriek of agony, immediately followed by the sound of a heavy
body falling upon the floor, in the room below. This was succeeded by a
tempest of shrieks, which apparently came from the whole body of the
enemy, who were now close under the cover of the building, in front of
the south door.
Ichabod was followed by Barton and Ralph, down the stair-way. As they
came towards the door, they beheld the Tuscarora standing silently
beside it, while at his feet lay a black mass, indistinct in the
darkness, which they took to be the body of Guthrie.
"What is the meaning of this, Eagle's-Wing?" demanded Barton.
The Tuscarora quietly pointed towards the door, the bar of which was
partially raised. "He traitor; got bad heart; meant to open door and let
Seneca come in. Can't do it _now_, if he try ever so much."
"Eagle's-Wing," said Barton, with emotion, "you have saved our lives
to-night. We owe you a double debt of gratitude."
"I suspected that fellow from the beginning," said Ichabod, "and
Eagle's-Wing and I agreed to watch him; but you're a better warrior than
I, old friend; you don't suffer yourself to be divarted by doctrinal
p'ints."
It was now evident that some important movement was taking place out of
doors. Scarcely had Ichabod ceased speaking, ere the door received a
violent blow, as from a log thrown against it with great force.
"We can't stand that thumping," said Ichabod. "We've been on the defence
agin them red devils long enough. Let's open the door and give 'em
fight."
After some deliberation, this course was resolved upon. The party within
doors were to range themselves in front of the door, where they would
not at once be discovered in the darkness, by those outside; and as the
log was next thrown, and while the Indians would probably be unprepared
for this sudden attack, the door was to be suddenly thrown open, when
the whole party would deliver their fire. In the surprise, they might as
suddenly close it, should it be deemed necessary. This attack, from its
very boldness and seeming temerity, would be likely to succeed.
Scarcely was the resolution formed and the party arranged ere the door
received another shock, and was immediately thrown wide open by Barton.
There were gathered before it ten or twelve Indians, four of whom held
in their hands a log of five or six inches in thickness and about twelve
feet in length, with which they were endeavoring to force the door.
Immediately the five rifles inside were discharged, and two of the
Indians fell. The remainder, surprised at this sudden attack, for a
moment seemed paralysed. The Tuscarora, no longer to be restrained, but
impelled not only by his Indian instincts, but by his hatred of the
Senecas, leaped from the door, with his knife in his hand, upon one of
the prostrate Indians.
At this sudden appearance of the Tuscarora, the Senecas filled the air
with shrieks, and rushed towards him. But ere they had reached him, he
rose erect with the scalp of the Seneca in his hand, and waving it over
his head, uttered his defiance with a ferocious scream. Ichabod and
Ralph, in a moment, were by his side; and now commenced a hand-to-hand
combat, most desperate, indeed, on the part of the besieged. Barton and
the negro, who had again loaded their rifles, once more discharged them
upon the Senecas, and then sprang to the assistance of their friends.
Another Indian had fallen, so that now there was no such fearful
disparity of odds as when the strife commenced. Had it not been for the
impulse of the Tuscarora, the _ruse_ of Ichabod would have been
completely successful; but Ralph, although engaged warmly in the melee,
saw the unfortunate position in which they were now placed. There were
at least a dozen more of the Senecas about the cottage, who would be
immediately attracted hither by the noise of the conflict, while the
cottage was now entirely undefended, and Ruth exposed to the hostility
of any savage who might take advantage of the conflict to force his way
into the building.
"To the door!" cried he; "retreat towards the door at once."
The darkness added to the terror and difficulty of the conflict. Ichabod
found himself, at first, engaged with Snake-tongue; but a blow from the
butt-end of his rifle ended the unequal conflict, and the Seneca lay
disabled. "Take that, you infarnal slanderer," he cried, as he dealt the
blow. "Learn to use your cussed snake's tongue with more moderation,
when speaking of respectable females." But Deersfoot now rushed upon
him, and a strife commenced, more equal; both strong and powerful in
frame, they were well matched. Ichabod caught the first blow of the
tomahawk upon his rifle, and then, ere the Indian could use his knife,
his long, muscular arms were about him. For a moment they wavered, as in
an equal struggle, when both fell to the ground. At the same moment, a
number more of the enemy came leaping to join the conflict.
"To the door, for your lives!" shouted Ralph. The contest was now
desperate; and slowly retreating, they reached the door, the Tuscarora,
being last to cross the threshold. The Indians followed, leaping into
the doorway; but the Tuscarora, with the sweep of his rifle, for a
moment drove them backwards, then springing within, the door was closed.
None of the party had escaped without injury; and it was not until the
door was closed, and the air rang with triumphant yells from the
Senecas, that it was discovered that Ichabod was missing. The first
impulse was again to open the door, and rescue him, at any odds; but a
moment's reflection taught Ralph, that such a course, now that the
Senecas were reinforced, would only put their own lives in the utmost
jeopardy, without their being able to assist their friend.
"No good for _you_ to open door," said Eagle's-Wing, "I go and save
friend."
"No, no, Eagle's-Wing," exclaimed Barton, "you cannot save him now; and
you will only lose your own life, and peril ours. They will not take
_his_ scalp, but they will _yours_."
"That true--won't kill him to-night, any way. He great warrior--they
like to torture great warriors. We save him to-morrow, some way."
It was with a feeling of sorrow that Ralph acknowledged their inability
to do anything for the rescue of Ichabod. Willingly would he have risked
his own life; but there was Ruth--who together with the others, might be
sacrificed by the imprudent attempt. With a feeling of deep grief, he
was obliged to leave him to his fate.
It was now discovered, too, that Guthrie was gone. Could it be that his
body had been removed by a Seneca during the conflict? It was not
possible; and it was evident, that while in the darkness, he was
supposed to have been slain by the Tuscarora, he had counterfeited
death, hoping to find some means of escape. With beating hearts, Ralph
and Barton proceeded up the stairway. They reached the apartment which
they had so recently left: but it was empty. From the window, near which
Guthrie had stood, the fastening had been removed from the frame work of
bars, and it was certain that through this window Guthrie had escaped,
and had carried with him the unfortunate Ruth.