MAJOR HESTER IS TAKEN PRISONER
In spite of the apparent fury of the attack, and the expectation of the
garrison that a fierce assault was about to be made on their slender
defences, nothing of the kind was contemplated by the Indians. They
were not trained to that form of warfare, and when they found that
Gladwyn was not frightened into a surrender by noise and an exhibition
of force, they contented themselves with maintaining a vigorous fire
from behind barns, fences, bushes, slight ridges of earth, or any
object of sufficient size to shelter them from the steady return fire
of the soldiers. One cluster of buildings, within half-gunshot of the
fort, sheltered a large body of Indians, who from this point of vantage
directed a particularly galling fire at the loop-holes in the
palisades. By it several of the defenders were wounded, until finally
a cannon was brought to bear upon the hornet's nest, and a quantity of
red-hot spikes were thrust into its muzzle. A minute after its
discharge flames burst from the buildings, and the savages who had
occupied them were in precipitate flight, followed by jeering shouts
and a parting volley from the soldiers.
For six hours was this travesty of battle maintained. Then the Indian
fire slackened, and finally ceased altogether. Believing the affair to
be merely a temporary outbreak of a few hot-headed savages, that must
quickly blow over, Gladwyn took advantage of this lull in the storm to
send out two Canadians under a flag of truce to investigate the cause
of dissatisfaction. At the same time he proposed, while negotiations
were in progress, to secure a supply of provisions with which to stand
a siege.
A gate being opened for the departure of the ambassadors, most of the
Canadian inhabitants of the fort seized the opportunity to leave it,
saying that they could not bear to remain and witness the approaching
slaughter of their English friends.
In a short time Gladwyn's messengers returned, saying that Pontiac was
willing to arrange terms, but would only do so with Major Hester, and
had expressed a strong desire for a visit from that officer.
"Go back and tell him I will see him and his whole cowardly crew
hanged, before I will intrust the life of a single Englishman to his
treachery!" exclaimed the commander, angrily.
"Hold, Gladwyn!" protested Major Hester. "It is better that one life
should be risked than that all should be endangered. Nor do I think I
should be in any serious peril. I have always got along with the
redskins, and have thus far found Pontiac reasonable."
"I forgot. He did present the calumet to you," replied the other, with
a meaning intonation.
"Do you dare insinuate--?" began Major Hester, with a dangerous glitter
in his eye.
"No, Hester. No, I do not. I am ashamed of myself and humbly
apologize!" cried Gladwyn. "If you insist upon placing yourself within
the power of yonder savages, I shall know that you do so from the
loftiest sense of duty, with a full knowledge that you jeopardize your
life, and with a courage that I fear I for one could not exhibit."
"Thank you, Gladwyn. That was said manfully and like a true soldier.
I shall accept this mission because it is plainly in the line of my
duty to do so. If I never return from it, I charge you to carry a
father's blessing to my children."
The fine old soldier, in full uniform, was accompanied to the gateway
by all the officers of the post. There every one shook hands with him,
bidding him at once God-speed and farewell, while the soldiers lined
the ramparts, and as he emerged from the gates saluted him with a
rousing British cheer.
The major was escorted by the two aged Canadians who had been sent out
in the first place, and the little party had not covered more than half
the ground between the fort and Parent's creek, beyond which lay the
Ottawa village, ere they were met by another Canadian running and
breathless. He implored them to turn back, saying that he had just
been through the Indian village and was convinced by what he saw and
heard that no Englishman could set foot within its limits and live.
But Major Hester steadfastly refused to retreat, and insisted on
fulfilling his mission.
At length they crossed the creek, mounted the ridge beyond, and saw
outspread on its further slope the most extensive Indian village ever
known to that region. The moment the hated English uniform was seen by
the inmates of the many lodges, they swarmed about the ambassadors by
hundreds, the men with scowling brows, the squaws and children
snatching up sticks, stones, and clubs as they ran. For a moment the
stout heart of the old soldier quailed, for he imagined he was to be
subjected to the terrible ordeal of the gantlet.
At the same time not a trace of emotion appeared on his face, as calmly
folding his arms he stepped a pace or two in front of his shrinking
companions and boldly confronted the throng of yelling savages. In
another moment they would have overwhelmed him. Suddenly the stately
form of Pontiac appeared among the rabble, and at the sound of his
imperious voice they slunk aside like whipped curs. Instantly the
tumult was allayed. In the silence that followed, the great chief
greeted the British officer with a grave courtesy, shook his hand, and
conducted him into the village.
The Ottawa encampment was a confused assemblage of tall, cone-shaped
lodges, built of slender poles supporting great sheets of bark or
overlapping folds of fine matting so closely woven from rushes as to be
thoroughly rain-proof. Scores of graceful birch canoes, such as the
northern tribes excel in making, were drawn up on the river bank;
paddles and spears leaned against the lodges, smoke-blackened kettles
and other rude cooking-utensils were scattered about the smouldering
fires, and a throng of wolfish-looking dogs added their discordant
baying to the clamor of children.
At the council lodge, which was conspicuous from its size, Major Hester
was offered a seat on one of a circle of mats. As he took it, the
other mats, as well as every inch of standing-room, were immediately
occupied by a throng of warriors, while the entrance was crowded by
many others, all eager to catch a glimpse of the Englishman.
After the tedious ceremony of smoking the peace pipe was concluded,
Pontiac delivered a short address of welcome, to which the major
responded. He demanded to know the cause of the morning's outbreak,
and assured the Indians that their just grievances should be remedied,
provided they gave up for punishment all who had been implicated in the
murders of the previous day.
The major resumed his seat upon the conclusion of his remarks, amid a
profound silence that lasted for many minutes. Finally, determined to
learn the worst without further delay, he again rose and said, that
having no answer to his questions, he would now return to the fort and
report to the white chief that his red brothers desired not peace, but
war.
Upon this Pontiac signed to him to resume his seat, and turning to the
two Canadians, said:--
"Go to the fort and tell Major Gladwyn that the white-haired chief will
sleep among the lodges of his red brothers. Tell him that the hatchet
dug up this day will not be buried so long as an Englishman remains in
the land of the Algonquins. Tell him that every fort from the Thunder
of Waters to the Great River has this day been cut off, so that no aid
may come to him. Tell him that the soldiers of the French king are
already hastening to fight beside their red brothers. Tell him that he
may go now and go in peace; but if he tarries beyond the setting of
another sun, the wolves of the forest shall feast on the bodies of his
red-coated soldiers, while their scalps shall dry in Ottawa lodges.
Go, for Pontiac has spoken."
With trembling alacrity the Canadians obeyed the mandate, and with
their departure Major Hester realized that he was indeed a prisoner in
the hands of a relentless foe. While wondering as to his ultimate
fate, he was conducted by Pontiac to a comfortable French frame-house
standing just beyond the Indian village, and informed that this was to
be his lodging.
"Here," said Pontiac, "shall my brother dwell in safety; but let him
not set foot outside. My young men are angry, and their guns are quick
to shoot. Even in the dark their eyes are opened wide by the sight of
an English scalp."
"I suppose that as your prisoner I must submit to your orders," replied
Major Hester, "though why you don't put an end to this farce and kill
me at once I fail to comprehend."
"Did the white-haired chief kill me when I slept in the house of the
two trees?" demanded Pontiac.
"When did you ever sleep in Tawtry House? Certainly you never did with
my knowledge and consent."
"Many years have passed, and there has been much fighting since that
time; but surely my brother has not forgotten Songa the Ottawa?"
"No. I remember him well; but what has he to do with this present
affair?"
"I," replied the chief, drawing himself proudly up to his full height,
"am Pontiac; but I was Songa; and as Major Hester saved the life of
Songa, so Pontiac saves the life of Major Hester, by detaining him in
this place while the English fort is wiped from the face of the earth
and all within it are put to death."