THE GOBBLERS
At the moment when the young pioneer discovered the Indian, the warrior
also became aware of the presence of his enemy. Whether it was because
James was amazed at the redskin's skill in mimicking the call of the
wild turkey, or because his enemy was somewhat quicker in his movements
than he, is not known. At any rate, before young Boone could raise his
gun to his shoulder the Indian turned and with all his strength hurled
his tomahawk.
True to its aim, the weapon struck the face of the young hunter, almost
cleaving his head in twain.
As the body of the stricken boy fell forward, the Indian halted a moment
and then in his shrillest tones imitated the call of the crow four
times. He waited until there was a response similar to his own, and
then, running to the prostrate young hunter, deftly removed his scalp.
He then dashed into the woods and ran in the direction from which the
answering call had been heard.
Meanwhile Peleg Barnes, who had been striving to locate the "turkey"
which had been gobbling steadily in response to the calls of the one
first heard, was more fortunate than his friend. Stealthily creeping
through the bushes and darting from tree to tree, he discovered the
warrior that was imitating the "gobbles" before the latter was aware of
his presence.
The boy almost intuitively was aware of the purpose of the warrior, and
without hesitation raised his gun and fired.
As the Indian fell to the ground Peleg did not wait to discover the
effect of his shot, but ran back at his utmost speed toward the camp.
Frequently, as he ran, the terrified young hunter shouted his warning of
the presence of his enemies.
Before he had regained the camp he was joined by Sam Oliver, who was
angry as well as startled by the wild shouts of his young companion.
"What's the trouble, Peleg?" he demanded.
"I shot a redskin! There must be a good many more!" replied the boy,
almost breathless in his excitement. "The varmint was daubed with paint
and gobbling like a turkey, trying to draw some one into his trap."
"Did young Boone go with you?"
"No, he heard another 'turkey.'"
"Where is he now?" demanded Sam sharply.
"I do not know. We must get word to the scout."
Nothing more was said until the returning hunters, both of whom were
running at their utmost speed, came within sight of the place where the
camp had been made. In a brief time they gained the open place in front,
for the camp this time had been pitched on a small plateau, sheltered by
a frowning cliff on one side and protected by a steep, rocky gulch on
another, while in front of it was sufficient space to enable the
watching guard to detect the approach of an enemy from that direction.
As soon as they were within hearing, both hunters shouted their
warnings; but even as they raised their voices the sound of rifles was
heard and a moment later there was a sudden cry and rush made by at
least three score of the Indians. The suddenness of the attack as well
as the lack of preparation, due to the faith of the emigrants in the
security of the position which they had selected for their halt, and
their confidence in the guards which had been stationed, prevented an
immediate response.
The Indian warriors, hideously painted, crouching low and running
swiftly, and at the same time emitting their terrifying whoops, fired at
every paleface that they could see.
To the startled pioneers the region seemed to be filled with their
foes. The screams of frightened children, the calls of the women, and
the shouts of the men as they summoned their companions increased the
confusion. For a time the din was almost deafening. Above the shouts and
cries were heard the frequent reports of the rifles of the attacking
party.
Peleg and Sam, who by this time had gained the shelter of the camp,
instantly joined the few men that had rallied as soon as the warning was
given. All now were doing their utmost to check the onslaught. Every
man, without waiting for orders, fired at the shouting, leaping savages.
As soon as their guns had been discharged, however, it was plain that
the attacking party had many other weapons. Those who had emptied their
rifles brandished their tomahawks and tried to make amends by the
fierceness of their cries for their lack of more formidable ways of
attacking. In a brief time the defenders were thrown into confusion,
outnumbered as they were at the moment, and driven back toward the place
where the camp was located.
It was speedily known that several had fallen before the fire of the
warriors, but just who or how many there was no time to ascertain. It
was now every man for himself as they sought protection behind the
great trees or darted for the friendly shelter of rocks, which were
numerous in the region.
It was at this time, however, that the great leader himself appeared
upon the scene. Familiar with the ways of the Indians, Daniel Boone
ordered every man to conceal himself behind some tree and make no
attempt to flee from the place until the entire party had been driven
away. The presence of Boone seemed to revive the courage of the
retreating guards. As soon as sheltering places had been secured, every
man reloaded his rifle and, following the example of the great scout,
fired at the enemy, who now almost had crossed the open space before the
camp.
The fierceness of the onslaught of the Indian warriors was well known,
but it was also understood by every white man that the red men seldom
persisted in a long attack. A stealthy and sudden dash was their
favourite method of fighting, but if the resistance was determined or
prolonged they would usually withdraw to the shelter of the forest.
In their present attack the Indians followed their customary plan. As
soon as Boone and his companions ceased to flee and began to return the
fire with vigour, the Indians faltered, and then, after they had given
several unusually wild whoops and a final discharge of their weapons,
they all fled back to the protecting forest from which they had so
suddenly emerged.
As soon as the enemy had departed, Daniel Boone, who thoroughly
understood Indian nature and ways, doubled the guards, assigned some of
his followers to the task of bringing in the bodies of the fallen, and
then ordered the others to withdraw within the camp itself, and hold
themselves in readiness for a sudden call. Meanwhile they were told to
do their utmost to quiet the frightened women and children, the latter
still vocally expressing their terror.
It was soon learned that five of the whites had fallen. Their bodies
were hastily borne within the protecting circle of the camp and two men
who had been wounded were at once cared for.
Peleg, whose excitement during the short, sharp fight had been intense,
now recalled that he had not seen young Boone since his comrades had
returned. Without voicing his fears he made a hasty tour of the camp,
searching in every conceivable place for his friend.
When at last the young hunter was convinced that James was nowhere to be
found among the emigrants, he ran to Daniel Boone himself and said,
"Have you seen James anywhere?"
"No," replied the scout, glancing keenly at the young hunter. "Was he
not with you?"
"We were together until we heard the 'turkeys' gobbling. Then he
followed the sound of one and I went after the other. When I came near
the place I saw it was a warrior trying to decoy us."
"And James was not with you?"
"No, sir."
"Did you call to him?"
"No, sir. I shot the redskin and then started for the camp as fast as I
could go. Sam Oliver came with me, and if it had not been for our alarm
I am afraid the redskins would have done more damage than they did."
The leader was silent as he gazed into the surrounding forest. He was
well aware that the woods might conceal many more hostile Indians than
had appeared in the sudden attack upon the camp. That he was deeply
troubled by the message Peleg had brought him was manifest. Had his
enemies already killed his son or had they made him a prisoner? What had
become of James?
"Do you think they have taken him?" inquired Peleg in a low voice.
"That is what I hope," replied Daniel Boone; and then in response to the
unspoken question of the young hunter he added: "If they have made him
prisoner we may be able to get him again, but if they have not----"
What the pioneer scout left unsaid was fully understood by Peleg, whose
face became pale as he saw the anxiety of the leader for his boy.
"A man must do his best, and it is useless to rebel," said Daniel Boone,
almost as if he were speaking to himself. "If James has fallen, all that
we may try to do will be useless. If he has escaped, he will not need
all our help. If the Shawnees have made him their prisoner, then we
shall do more to help him by quick action than in any other way."
Turning from the women, who were weeping over the bodies of the dead men
that had been brought back to the camp, in a few words Daniel Boone
related to his companions what Peleg had told him. A band of twenty or
more was speedily formed, every one eager to join in the search for the
missing boy.
"Peleg," inquired the scout just before the men departed from the camp,
"do you think you can lead the way to the place where you and James
heard the 'turkey'?"
"Yes, sir," replied Peleg.
"Then let us start at once."
No man in the band was without fear when they entered the forest lest he
might be the target of some concealed Indian. And yet the little force
was relying upon the very boldness of their venture for its success.
There was no trace of fright, however, when the men ran across the open
space and followed Daniel Boone as he led the way in the direction
indicated by Peleg, who was close behind him.
In a brief time the party came to the place where Peleg had shot the
Indian that had been imitating the gobble of a turkey. There was no
delay, however, and as soon as Boone was convinced that the red man was
dead he turned with his companions in the direction in which the other
"turkey" had been heard.
As yet not a sign of the presence of their enemy had been discovered,
although every one was aware that dark eyes were doubtless watching
their every movement. Why they had not been fired upon was as yet not
understood.
In a few minutes, however, these things were forgotten when Peleg led
the way to the place toward which his young companion had gone to seek
the "turkey" which had so noisily announced its presence.
A low exclamation escaped the young hunter's lips when he and the leader
halted a few minutes later and saw upon the ground before them the
prostrate body of the missing boy.