It will be admitted that the little party of fugitives whose fortunes we
are following displayed great skill in escaping the Tories and Indians,
who, on that "day of desolation," wrought such ruin in the Wyoming
Valley.
A wonderful good fortune attended them up to a certain point, and yet
the humiliating truth must also be admitted, that, from the moment they
rushed pell mell into the friendly cavern in the rocks, they were
outgeneraled by the Senecas, under the leadership of the Tory, Jake
Golcher.
It looked, for a time, as if the success of the patriots was to be
crowned by the most brilliant achievement of all, in stealing out of the
ravine under the very noses, so to speak, of their vigilant enemies; and
yet, despite their caution and well-directed audacity, which never
overreached themselves, every movement, even to the slightest, was
known to the redskins, who carried out their own scheme with even
greater subtlety and skill.
When Fred Godfrey reached the ground above he detected nothing
suspicious, and, making the vine secure, turned and signaled to his
friends to follow him.
It was at that instant he was seized by two powerful warriors, one of
whom threw his arm about his neck, and jerking his head back, nearly
strangled him. The lieutenant was caught at such disadvantage that he
was helpless, but he struggled with all the strength possible, and
attempted to utter a cry of warning to his friends.
But his hands were pinioned behind him, a dusky palm was glued over his
mouth, and some one said in very good English:
"If you speak a word, you're a dead man!"
He was dragged back into the wood, where his wrists and elbows were tied
with as much care as if he were worth all the other prisoners taken that
day in Wyoming.
It required but a few seconds to complete this performance, and while
it was going on two other Senecas were tugging away at the vine, to
which Mr. Brainerd was clinging.
The old gentleman was altogether unsuspicious, and he came sprawling
over on the ground with considerable emphasis.
"I don't see the necessity of yanking a fellow out of his boots," he
laughed, in a guarded voice. "It will hardly do to be so ardent with the
others--"
At that point in his remarks he was pounced upon, and served very nearly
the same as his son. He fought as fiercely: but the Indians were
prepared for it. He was run back in the wood behind the lieutenant, and
the two condoled with each other--their chagrin being inexpressible.
Then came Aunt Peggy, whose figure was so light compared with that of
Mr. Brainerd, that she was literally whisked to the top of the ground,
seeming to drop from some point above.
"Maggie said there was something wrong," remarked the voluble lady; "but
I'm sure there wasn't anything very queer that I heard If there are any
of them Injins anywhere in the neighborhood I'd just like the chance--"
The wish of the lady was gratified, for at that moment two figures
appeared beside her, as if they had sprung through a trap-door: and one,
who was gifted with an exceptional amount of waggery, actually leaned
over and kissed her cheek.
"You scand'lous villain!" gasped Aunt Peggy, too much horrified to speak
above a whisper: "ain't you ashamed of yourself?"
With which exclamation she struck him on the side of the face, with a
vicious vigor that gave out a report like the crack of a pistol.
"I'll teach you how to insult a lady--"
Her words were stopped at this point by a dusky hand that was pressed
over her mouth and held there despite her frantic struggles, and she was
forced back to where her two friends were prisoners.
Maggie Brainerd went up the rocks with much distrust, as will be
remembered, and, as it was, she was so suspicious that she would not
have gone at all but for the fact that father and brother had preceded
her, and no matter what their fate must be, she wished to share it with
them.
"If they have fallen into the hands of the Indians, I have no wish to
remain away from them."
She peered into the gloom as sharply as she could and was not kept in
suspense.
She offered no resistance, and quickly joined those who were overtaken
by disaster.
It was much the same with Eva, although she struggled with great energy
and narrowly escaped violence, as did Aunt Peggy, when she chastised the
audacious Seneca.
Habakkuk McEwen, as we have stated, was in a quandary, but he ascended,
his feet going over the ledge first. Such an approach to a foe is not
disquieting, and he was caught at greater disadvantage than any of the
others.
He tried hard to throw himself over the rocks, but was prevented; and
thus it was that the capture of the entire party was completed.
"Great Cæsar!" exclaimed Habakkuk, as he joined his friends. "The
height, and length, and breadth, and depth of this failure is the most
stupend'us I ever heerd tell of."
And no one said him nay.