A most unexpected piece of good fortune had befallen our friends, in the
appearance of Dick Durkee, with his six sturdy companions, all armed and
ready for an encounter with the Tories and Iroquois.
Learning that young Fred Godfrey had been a lieutenant in the
Continental army, they insisted on putting themselves under him, at
least so long as they were engaged in hostilities.
"Very well," said the youth, "I will accept the responsibility, because
I know I have brave men to lead; but the work will be short."
As every minute was precious, and there was no saying what form of
cruelty the captors of the fugitives might inflict, the plan was
speedily arranged.
The camp was so near, that they expected to reach it within ten minutes,
after which the question between them and the Senecas would be decided
in one-fifth of that time.
They were on the eve of starting in Indian file, when a furious
threshing was heard, and a panting form plunged directly among them,
stopping abruptly with an exclamation of fear, when he saw the figures
around him.
"Can any of you gentlemen tell me whether this is Wilkesbarre or
Stroudsburg?" he asked, recoiling as if uncertain whether he was with
friends or foes.
"Why, Habakkuk," said Godfrey in return; "why, are you in such a hurry
that you can't stop?"
"Well, well, well," muttered the terrified New Englander, recognizing
his friend; "I was on my way to Stroudsburg, and didn't expect to meet
you here, leftenant; what's up?"
"What has caused you to take such a sudden start?"
"I got the chance and I took it; I thought, from the rate I was going,
that I ought to be pretty well nigh there by this time."
"The journey is still before you; but, when I left the vicinity of the
camp, you were a prisoner."
Habakkuk was loath to explain the strange cause of his presence in the
woods, but, finding he was among friends, he finally told the story.
His listeners of course were astonished, for it seemed incredible that
Jake Golcher should do anything of the kind.
"Since he sent you out to take me back," said Lieutenant Godfrey, "you
must keep your word and produce me before him."
"But, leftenant, such a pledge ain't binding on one, is it?"
"It is when I help you carry it out, and that is precisely what I will
do."
The New Englander was amazed, as well he might be, and Fred, not wishing
to trifle with the poor fellow, who had been so buffeted by good and ill
fortune during the day, explained how the plan could be executed without
risk to him.
It cannot be said that Habakkuk took kindly to the project, even then,
but in the presence of Durkee and his woodmen, he could not well
refuse.
He was assured that he would be well taken care of, and, as time was
valuable, the company started without delay.
Where every one understood the necessity of silence, they moved along
like so many phantoms.
Gravity Gimp's knowledge was so thorough, that even in the gloom,
relieved only now and then by a few beams of moonlight, he recognized
the landmarks, and gave great help to Godfrey, who more than once was at
fault.
After progressing in this labored manner for some distance they came
upon a well-beaten path, where it was much easier to travel than in the
unbroken wood.
They had not far to go, and were beginning to slacken their speed, when
all were startled by hearing some one approaching from the front. Each
man noiselessly stepped out of the path, and, with their guns grasped,
awaited the issue.
The first supposition was that they were Indians, and, excepting through
fear of complicating matters in camp, the strangers would have been
assailed at once.
But at the very moment the two forms, as they proved to be, were
immediately opposite, one of them was heard to speak:
"By gracious! Jim, this is the most dangerous latitude I ever was in."
This expression identified them, and Fred spoke in a guarded voice:
"Hold on, friends; don't be alarmed."
Naturally the strangers were frightened, and showed a disposition to
break into headlong flight, but Durkee and his comrades quickly stepped
into the path and surrounded them.
By the time this was done, the couple realized they were among friends,
and they made themselves known.
They were two men who were in the Wilkesbarre Fort during the battle and
massacre of the afternoon, and they had come up the eastern shore of the
river to learn whether they could be of any help to the numerous
fugitives at Wyoming.
They soon found it was too late to do much good, but they lingered in
the vicinity and exchanged shots with several parties of Tories and
Indians.
They prowled around after dark, when they saw matters going so ill that
they concluded there would be no safety in returning to Wilkesbarre,
where a panic had probably set in. They were now on their way to
Stroudsburg, which was a haven of hope to so many fugitives in that
flaming day and the following one.
They gladly agreed to join the rescuers, and, as each had a good rifle
and ammunition, they were a most desirable re-enforcement.