HUGH'S CANOE ARRESTED BY RED SQUIRREL JUST IN TIME--THE CANOE SAVED--ALL
GOT UP THE RAPIDS AT LAST--CAMP AT THE TOP--THE BLACKFEET REACH THE CAMP
TO FIND THE PARTY GONE--THE INDIANS PURSUE, AND UNCLE DONALD LIES BY FOR
TWO DAYS ON AN ISLAND--END OF THE WATER PASSAGE--THE HORSES DO NOT
APPEAR.
As Corney and Pierre approached I waved to them to go on, pointing to
the canoe to which Hugh was clinging. They saw the necessity of at once
going to his rescue, and so left me on the rock, where I was perfectly
safe for the present. There was need, in truth, for them to make haste,
for already Hugh was drifting within range of the Indians' arrows, and
they might shoot him in revenge for the long run we had given them.
The overturned canoe seemed to be gliding more and more rapidly towards
them, when I saw its progress arrested.
The brave Indian had seized it, and was attempting to tow it away from
the spot where the savages were collected. But all his efforts could
scarcely do more than stop its way, and he apparently made but little
progress towards the west shore. Corney and Pierre were, however,
quickly getting up to it. I shouted with joy when I saw Hugh lifted
into Corney's canoe, and the Indian with some assistance clambering into
that of Pierre. Not satisfied with this success they got hold of the
canoe itself, determined to prevent it from falling into the hands of
the enemy. This done, they quickly paddled over to the west shore,
where a level spot enabled them to land. They had not forgotten me; and
presently I saw Corney's canoe, with three people in her, poling up
towards the rock on which I stood, while Pierre's was engaged in picking
up such of the articles of baggage as had floated. It was not without
some difficulty that I got on board. My first inquiry was to ascertain
which of the Indians had assisted to save Hugh, and I was thankful to
hear, as I had expected, that it was Bed Squirrel who had behaved so
gallantly.
We then had to decide what to do--whether to continue our course
upwards, to let Uncle Donald know what had happened, or to rejoin
Pierre. Though I had managed to cling on to the rock I found my
strength so much exhausted that I could afford but little help in poling
up the canoe. While we were discussing the matter, what was my dismay
to see an Indian on the top of the western cliff.
"Our enemies must have crossed, and we shall be attacked," I exclaimed.
"Sure no, it's one of Mr Donald's men who has been sent to see what has
become of us," answered Corney.
Such I saw was the case. We could not hear his voice, but getting
closer to us he made signs which his own people understood, that he
would go back to Uncle Donald and learn what we were to do. In reply
our two Indians pointed down to where Pierre's party were now on shore,
letting him understand exactly what had happened.
He quickly disappeared, and we had to wait some time, hanging on to a
rock by a rope, until he returned with two other men. They then pointed
up the stream as a sign to us that we were to proceed. We accordingly
did so, poling up as before. By the time we got to the head of the
rapids we saw that Pierre was coming after us, apparently towing the
shattered canoe.
Above the rapids we discovered a small bay, towards which Uncle Donald's
voice summoned us. As we landed he grasped my hand, showing his joy at
my escape. It was some time before Pierre arrived. Hugh came in his
canoe, while the rest of the men had arrived over land with the luggage
which had been saved, as also with our rifles, which, having been slung
under the thwarts, had fortunately not slipped out.
We immediately began our preparations for camping, but had, besides
doing what was usual, to collect materials for a stockade, which might
enable us to resist a sudden onslaught of the Blackfeet should they
cross the river. One of the men was also placed on watch all the time
to prevent surprise.
While most of the party were thus engaged, Red Squirrel and Jock, who
were the best canoe builders, were employed in repairing the shattered
canoe, and making some fresh paddles and poles; indeed there was so much
work to be done, that none of us got more than a few hours' rest. We
had also to keep a vigilant watch, and two of the men were constantly
scouting outside the camp, to guard in more effectually from being taken
by surprise.
All was ready for a start some time before daylight, when Uncle Donald,
awakening the sleepers, ordered every one to get on board as noiselessly
as possible. He, as usual, led the way, the other canoes following
close astern. The last man was told to make up the fire, which was left
burning to deceive the enemy, who would suppose that we were still
encamped.
We had got some distance, the wind being up stream, when just at dawn I
fancied that I heard a faint though prolonged yell. We stopped paddling
for a moment, I asked Red Squirrel if he thought that the Blackfeet had
got across to our camp. He nodded, and uttered a low laugh, significant
of his satisfaction that we had deceived them. Daylight increasing, we
put up our masts and hoisted the light cotton sails, which sent our
canoes skimming over the water at a far greater speed than we had
hitherto been able to move.
Another lake appeared before us. By crossing it we should be far ahead
of the Blackfeet. We had brought some cooked provisions, so that we
were able to breakfast in the canoes. It was long past noon before, the
river having again narrowed, we ventured on shore for a brief time only
to dine.
The next portage we came to was on the east bank. It was fortunately a
short one, and Uncle Donald kept some of the men under arms, a portion
only being engaged in carrying the canoes and their cargoes. No
Indians, however, appeared.
"I hope that we have given them the go-by," said Hugh, "and shall not
again see their ugly faces."
"We must not be too certain; I'll ask Red Squirrel what he thinks," I
replied.
"Never trust a Blackfoot," was the answer. "They are as cunning as
serpents, and, like serpents, they strike their enemies from among the
grass."
We expected in the course of two or three days more to come to an end of
the river navigation at a spot where Uncle Donald had directed that the
horses should meet us. We were not without fear, however, that some, if
not the whole of the animals, might have been stolen by the Blackfeet
should they by any means have discovered them.
Occasionally sailing, sometimes paddling and poling, and now and then
towing the canoes along the banks, we continued our progress. As we
went along we kept a look-out for the Blackfeet, as it was more than
possible that they might pursue us. We accordingly, in preference to
landing on either bank, selected an island in the centre of the stream
for our camping-ground.
We had just drawn up the canoes among the bushes and formed our camp in
an open spot near the middle of the island, when one of the men who was
on the lookout brought word that he saw a large number of savages
passing on the east bank. We were, however, perfectly concealed from
their keen eyes. Watching them attentively, we guessed by their
gestures that they were looking for us, and not seeing our canoes,
fancied that we had passed on. Night was now approaching. We were
afraid of lighting a fire, lest its glare might betray our position to
our pursuers. They would, however, on not discovering us, turn back, so
that we should thus meet them, and Uncle Donald resolved, therefore, to
remain where we were, until they had retreated to the southward. Even
should they discover us we might defend the island more easily than any
other spot we could select. We had plenty of provisions, so that we
could remain there without inconvenience for several days, except that
we should thus delay our passage over the mountains. Hugh and I were,
much to our satisfaction, appointed by Uncle Donald to keep watch, Hugh
on one side of the island and I on the other, for fear lest, should the
red-skins find out where we were, they might attempt, by swimming
across, to take us by surprise.
None appeared, however, and two more days went by. At last Uncle Donald
began to hope that they, supposing we had taken another route, were on
their way back. We accordingly, seeing no one the next morning,
embarked, and the river here expanding into a lake, we were able to
paddle on without impediment across it, and a short distance up another
stream, when we came to a fall of several feet, beyond which our canoes
could not proceed. This was the spot where we had expected to find the
horses, but they had not arrived. We were greatly disappointed, for,
having been much longer than we had calculated on coming up, we
naturally expected that they would have been ready for us. Winter was
rapidly approaching, and in the autumn before the streams are thoroughly
frozen the dangers of crossing the mountains are greater than at any
other period.
As the canoes could go no higher we took them up the stream and placed
them "en cache," where there was little chance of their being
discovered. They were to remain there until the return of our men, who
would accompany us to the foot of the mountains and go back again that
autumn.
On not finding the horses Uncle Donald went to the highest hill in the
neighbourhood, overlooking the country through which they had to pass,
in the hopes of seeing them approach. He came back saying that he could
perceive no signs of them, and he ordered us forthwith to camp in such a
position that we might defend ourselves against any sudden attack of
hostile Indians.