PROLONGED ABSENCE OF RED SQUIRREL--FLIGHT--THE STRANGERS PROVE TO BE
FRIENDS--RETURN TO THE FORT--UNCLE DONALD OPPOSES THE DOCTRINE OF
NON-RESISTANCE--THE GUARD OVER THE FORT--THE INDIANS ATTACK THE FORT.
We felt very uneasy at the strangely prolonged absence of Red Squirrel.
He could have anticipated no danger, or he would have advised us what
course to pursue should he not return. At last, telling Alec to sit
quiet, I got up, and made my way to the top of the knoll, whence I could
see over the country to the southward, in the direction I supposed Red
Squirrel had gone. I looked and looked in vain through the gloom of
night, though I could see in the far distance the light of the fire of
which he had spoken.
Could he have been captured? if so, what should Alec and I do? It would
be impossible to rescue him--indeed, it was too probable that he had
been immediately put to death by the Blackfeet, and that we might
ourselves, should we remain in the neighbourhood, be killed. I came
therefore to the conclusion that we must continue our search for the
hunters to the eastward, keeping at the same time a watchful eye in the
direction in which we had seen the fire of our supposed enemies. I say
supposed enemies, because I still had a lingering hope that, after all,
the fire might be at the hunters' camp.
Such were the thoughts which passed through my mind as I stood on the
top of the knoll. I had not been there many minutes before I
recollected how clearly I had seen Red Squirrel in the same position
against the sky. Instead, therefore, of remaining upright, I stooped
down until I reached a thick bush, behind which I crouched, as well able
as before to see any objects moving in the plain below. At last I
thought that it was time to go back to Alec, and was on the point of
descending the knoll, when I fancied that I saw some objects moving
along the ground.
I remained stock still, scarcely daring to breathe, with my eyes fixed
on the spot. They were human beings--Indians I felt sure; if so, they
would soon see our fire, and we should be discovered.
While there was time I hurried down the knoll and flew to Alec. I made
a sign to him to take up his rifle and buffalo-robe, with a few other
articles, left on the ground, and led the way through the wood. Here we
might remain concealed until the savages had gone away, and then try to
get back to the fort. I had no great hopes of success, still, it was
the only thing to be done.
We had reached the spot, and it was some way from the fire, but we were
still able to see it by raising our heads over the bushes.
We had both knelt down behind the bush, with our rifles ready to raise
to our shoulders at any minute. Alec, only the moment before I
returned, had thrown some wood on the fire, so that it was now blazing
up brightly, and we could see all the objects round it. Just then three
figures appeared. Two were Indians--there could be no doubt about it;
but the other we could not make out clearly. They advanced, looking
eagerly around, but as they came more into the light, instead of
savages, with scalping knives in hand ready to kill us, great was our
joy to discover that one was Pierre, and the others Red Squirrel and
Kondiarak. They looked very much astonished at not seeing us. We did
not keep them long in suspense, and Pierre then told us that they had
come on purpose to advise that we should at once return to the fort,
without waiting for daylight. They had been successful in hunting,
having killed three buffalo cows, with the meat of which the sleighs
were already packed, and as the track was formed, the dogs would find
their way without the slightest difficulty.
We reached the fort without having seen the enemy, and, as may be
supposed, were heartily welcomed.
Our arrival restored the spirits of my poor father and mother, who were
very anxious, not so much for themselves as for my younger brothers and
sisters. They were prepared to die, if God so willed it, in the path of
their duty. My father was still very unwilling to resort to force, and
proposed going out himself to meet the enemy to try and induce them to
turn back.
Uncle Donald, however, told him that as he was the object of their
vengeance they would, to a certainty, seize and torture him, and then
probably come on and endeavour to destroy the fort. Thus no object
would have been gained, as we should do our utmost to defend ourselves,
and his life would be uselessly sacrificed.
"But I should have done my duty in attempting to soften the hearts of
the poor savages," answered my father, meekly.
"My good nephew, it's just this, I'm not going to let ye have your scalp
taken off," said Uncle Donald, bluntly. "I am commander here for the
time being, and no man, not e'en yourself, shall leave the fort without
my leave. If the savages come they must take the consequences."
My father did not reply, but I am very sure that, had he been left to
act by himself, he would have earned out his intentions, and would most
probably have perished. From Pierre's report we fully expected every
minute to see the Blackfeet appear. To each man under Uncle Donald's
directions a post was assigned, which he was charged to defend with his
life. Orders were, however, given that no one was to fire until the
word of command was received.
Hugh, Alec, and I were stationed together, and highly proud we were at
the confidence placed in us, as the post we had to maintain was one of
the most important.
The day wore on, but we were still unmolested, and at last darkness came
down upon us.
The winter, it will be remembered, was not yet over. To defend
ourselves from the intense cold we all put on as many buffalo-robes and
bear-skins as we could wear, and Hugh declared that we looked like a
garrison of grizzlies.
It was cold enough during the day, but it was still colder at night;
notwithstanding this, as Alec and I had had no sleep for many hours, we
found it difficult to keep awake. We, therefore, rolling ourselves up
in our wraps, lay down, while Hugh stood ready to call us at a moment's
notice. There were, however, sentries enough to keep a look-out, and
Uncle Donald continued going round and round the fort, seeing that they
were watchful.
The dawn was approaching; it was the time the Red-skins often make their
attacks, as they expect to find their enemies buried in sleep.
When morning at last came, and no enemy had appeared, we began to hope
that no Blackfeet had as yet reached the neighbourhood.
Another day was drawing on. Except a few men who remained on guard, the
rest of the garrison lay down to sleep, that they might be more watchful
the following night.
I spent a short time with my mother and sisters and Rose, and did my
best to encourage them, but I could not help feeling that possibly it
might be the last time we should be together on earth. By Red
Squirrel's report, the Blackfeet were very numerous, and they are noted
for being the most savage and warlike of all the northern tribes.
The next night was almost a repetition of the former, except that Alec
and I kept watch, while Hugh lay down to sleep. Uncle Donald, as
before, went his rounds, and there seemed but little risk of our being
taken by surprise. He had just left us, when Hugh, who had got up and
was standing near me, whispered--
"I see something moving over the snow. There! there are others. Yes,
they must be Indians."
"Wait until we are certain," I answered, in the same low voice; "and
then, Alec, run round and tell Uncle Donald."
We were not left long in doubt before we all three were certain that the
objects we saw were Indians, and that they were trying to keep
themselves concealed.
Alec set off to find Uncle Donald. He had not been gone many seconds,
when fearful yells rent the air. Before us up started hundreds of dark
forms, and a shower of bullets and arrows came flying above our heads.