THE FIRST ASSAULT
Not until the shadows of night were beginning to lengthen was Susan
relieved from guard duty, and then the gate had been closed and
barred by Mark, who said to his cousin:
"There is little chance an attack will be made until after night has
come, when they count on finding us asleep, mayhap, although it
would be queer people who could close their eyes in rest while a
crowd of men was waiting for a good opportunity to kill them."
"Why am I to go off duty?" Susan asked. "Surely it can do us no harm
to stand guard, and even though the savages do not make any move, we
should act as if believing they might do so at any moment."
"You are right, Sue, and I warrant you won't have many idle minutes.
Your mother and mine want all the children together while they pray
for the good God to help us, and surely He is the only one to whom
we can appeal now."
The girl made no further parley, but marched directly toward the
Pemberton house, stopping very suddenly, however, as a low sound,
not unlike the call of a human being, was heard from the woods in
the rear of the dwellings.
"There are the cows, Mark, and surely they must be brought inside
the enclosure if for no other reason than that we may need the milk
before those murderers--"
Susan did not finish the sentence, for the thought had come that it
was not unlikely those who were skulking on the harbor island might
succeed in their purpose, as they had done so many times before when
setting forth to capture and to murder.
"I'll go after the beasts, and you shall stand here to keep watch
over the harbor, for I am not minded to take the chances of being
surprised, ever though we have good reason to believe no mischief
will be attempted until late in the night."
To this Susan would not agree. She insisted that, having been
charged with the care of the cows during so many years, they would
follow her more readily than any other, and it might be possible
something would happen to frighten them.
Mark, who feared there were Indians hidden in the thicket, would
have prevented her from venturing out of the stockade; but she put
an end to the controversy by slipping through the gate immediately
he had opened it, and the lad could do no less than remain on guard
while she was absent.
The animals followed the girl contentedly when she appeared before
them, even though they were not accustomed to being brought within
the enclosure during the warm season, and as they filed through the
gate Mark felt decidedly more comfortable in mind, for now, in case
they were able to hold the Indians in check, there was no
possibility of a lack of food if the siege should be prolonged.
With the cows in the shed that served as stable during the winter
months, where was a plentiful supply of hay which had been made
during the summer, the children went into the house, which seemed
strangely changed by the addition of Mistress Harding's belongings
and preparations already made for defence.
Nearly all the rude furniture was piled against the two windows and
one of the doors, and the beds had been spread on the floor where
they would best be screened from any stray bullets. A supply of fuel
was stacked up near the fireplace, to the end that it might be
possible to prepare food without necessity of going out of doors,
and, as Mark had suggested, every available vessel was filled with
water.
When the three children, who had been doing such valiant work in
strengthening the defences, entered the building, they found the
women and smaller children gathered close beside each other as if
such near companionship lessened the danger, and Mark said, gently:
"It is not well that we stay indoors many minutes, mother dear, for
much remains to be done before night has fully come."
Then it was, and without delay, that Mistress Pemberton knelt amid
the frightened brood, pouring forth her supplications for strength
and guidance in this their time of peril, and the children listened
to the petition as they had never done before. It was as if the
prayer had a different meaning than ever before, for unless it
should be answered then was the time of suffering or of death come
very near.
Even the youngest children understood that this was the only appeal
for help which could be made, and never a question was asked or a
word spoken when Mark, Luke, and Susan, rising to their feet
immediately the petition had been brought to a close went
out-of-doors muskets in hand.
When they were in the open air once more Mark proposed that they
make such platforms behind the palisade as was practical with the
limited amount of material at hand, in order that, in event of an
attack, it would be possible to use their weapons with good effect
to prevent the enemy from scaling the barricade.
Two up-ended casks formed as many stations, while at other points
the wash-benches, tubs, horses for wood-sawing, and household
utensils were piled up or pushed unto position at such height as
would afford a view of the harbor island and the intervening space.
When this work had been completed the children had eight improvised
platforms whereon they could stand while defending the stockade, and
the night was fully come.
[Illustration: The children had improvised platforms.]
As Susan had said, the moon was in the third quarter, therefore it
would be impossible for the Indians to paddle across the waters of
the harbor without exposing themselves to the view of the island
defenders.
It was a portion of Mark's plan that a guard should be stationed on
the shore, in full sight of those who might approach, and, in event
of an advance, the battle would be begun while the enemy was in the
canoes.
This much he explained to his companions, as they stood by the gate
ready to face the more immediate danger to the end that their loved
ones might the better be protected, and he added, in conclusion:
"After all we've seen it would be foolish to pretend we do not know
why the Abenakis have come, therefore when they put out from the
island, I shall hail them once, warning all hands to stay where they
are until the sun has risen, after which we will open fire, trying
to do the greatest possible amount of execution in order to show
what may be expected. I've got four of five charges of ammunition,
and if the rest of you have as much we shall be able to make quite a
showing."
At that moment the noise of someone moving across the enclosure
startled the children; but an instant later they saw that Mistress
Harding was going toward the shed to milk the cows.
"Now come on," Mark said, opening the gate after learning the cause
of his momentary alarm, and the children went boldly forth to do
battle--two boys and a girl who counted on defending the island
against fifteen or twenty savages.
It was not to e supposed that the Indians, seeing the sentinels,
would come directly across from the island; but might be expected to
dart swiftly toward one or the other headlands, and therefore it was
that Mark divided his small force, sending Luke to patrol the
northern point, while he paced to and fro on the southern side of
the harbor where it was more reasonable to suppose a landing would
be attempted. Susan was to walk back and forth on the shore between
the two lads.
Once this division of forces had been made, the children began their
vigil, on the alert for any suspicious noises either behind or in
front of them, for there was yet a possibility that a force of
Indians was already secreted near the stockade.
No sooner had he begun to pace his beat than Mark realized to what
danger the occupants of the dwelling were exposed in case the
savages had already landed on Mount Desert, for the gate of the
palisade was unlocked and unguarded, and then Susan was sent back to
warn her mother and aunt that the entrance must be secured.
When she returned to the shore it was with the report that the gate
was barred on the inside, and Mary Pemberton standing close beside
it in case the sentinels outside should be forced to beat a hasty
retreat.
Now indeed had the lad done all within his power to protect those
whom he considered were entrusted to his charge, and it only
remained to keep careful watch for the first show of mischief.
And this came in a manner wholly unexpected, although it seemed to
the young leader as if he had taken into consideration every method
which might be adopted by the savages.
During three hours or more the children had paced to and fro on the
shore, each making certain meanwhile that the other two were on the
alert, and then Mark saw a canoe put off from the harbor island,
heading toward Pulpit Rock, as if to gain the shelter of that
headland before coming to land.
Uttering a low cry to attract the attention of his companions, he
would have hurried on to the point in order to fire at least one
shot before the Indians could disembark; but at that moment an
exclamation from Luke caused him to gaze across the harbor, when he
saw a second canoe setting out toward the northward.
A moment later a third craft was paddled straight across the water,
in the direction of Susan's post of duty.
It seemed certain that the Abenakis understood how small and weak
was the force opposed to them, and therefore, counted on bringing
their bloody work to a speedy conclusion regardless of their
ordinary methods of warfare.
[Illustration: Mark saw a canoe put off from the harbor island.]
A landing would be made at three different places simultaneously,
and the young defenders must perforce give all their attention to
one party, leaving the others to do as they pleased, or, by
attempting to guard every point, place themselves in the greatest
possible danger.
"Make ready to run for the house when I give the word," Mark cried
to his companions. "Come this way, Sue, and Luke, do the best you
can at peppering the canoe in front of us!"
Susan speedily joined her cousin on the southerly side of the
harbor, while Luke stood his ground, but with the disagreeable
knowledge that in a few moments the savages would probably be
creeping up behind him.
Now Mark understood that he could not afford to spend many moments
on this portion of the defence. It was necessary the three should be
inside the stockade before those who were landing at either point of
the harbor could come up within range, and he said to Susan:
"We must get in our work quickly, for I reckon these villains in
front of us will take good care to move so slowly as to keep at a
safe distance until the others are ready for work."
For reply the girl raised her musket on the crutch-like rest which
was used in those days, took careful aim, and pulled the trigger.
It was possible to see the bullet as it struck the moonlit water,
hardly more than three paces in advance of the canoe, with its
freight of painted terrors, and instantly the Indians ceased
paddling, thus proving that they had no intention of coming within
range until their comrades from the other craft were in position to
prosecute their murderous work.
"There is little sense in our staying here," Mark said, bitterly.
"Those scoundrels don't intend to give us any show at them, and we
are foolish if we remain. Yonder canoe put off boldly only to keep
us occupied until the others could make a landing."
"Are we to go back?" Susan asked, striving to prevent a tremor of
fear from being perceptible in her voice.
"Ay, it is high time. You start on ahead, and I'll call Luke."
"I shall walk by your side," the girl said, stoutly. "We will share
the danger equally, as you promised."
"You are a good girl, Sue; just the kind that will do a full half of
the work of defending the island," and Mark kissed her on the cheek
more tenderly than he had ever done before, as one would who was
whispering a final good-bye.
"Close in, Luke; we must get back to the house; there's no show of
our being able to do anything here," Mark cried to his brother, as
he set the example by leading Susan in the direction of the stockade.
The canoe came forward more swiftly as the little party of children
retreated; but it could be seen that its occupants did not count on
approaching within range, and Mark hastened his brother's movements
by shouting:
"Run for it, lad! We must be in position behind the fence when the
brutes first come within view!"
Then the three went toward the place of refuge at full speed, and
behind the gate, having been warned by the report of her cousin's
musket, Mary Pemberton stood ready to let down the heavy bar when
the little party was near at hand.
The retreat had been begun none too soon, as was seen when the
children came within the enclosure, for while Mark was replacing the
bar which locked the gate, his mother, standing on one of the
improvised platforms, discharged a musket.
"What have you seen?" the lad cried, as, the gate having been
fastened, he ran toward that portion of the stockade where was his
mother.
"An Indian came out just beyond the dead tree, over there."
"Did you hit him?"
"I'm afraid not, Mark; I never could send a bullet straight, and am
now blaming myself for not having practiced more often after your
father insisted that the time might come when I would need to handle
a musket deftly."
By this time Mark stood by his mother's side, peering cautiously out
over the top of the palisade, which was not a simple matter, since
he took the risk of presenting the enemy with a target.
He could see nothing suspicious, and was yet peering eagerly around,
when the report of a musket rang out on the other side of the
stockade.
It was Susan who fired the shot. At the same moment Mark clambered
up beside his mother, the girl had taken her station on one of the
casks at a point overlooking the thicket, and the result showed that
she had arrived there none too soon.
"Did you see an Indian?" Luke asked, as he mounted one of the
wash-benches near the gate.
"Ay, and hit him, too!" Susan replied, grimly, as she turned to
recharge her weapon; but Mistress Harding took the empty musket
from her hands, as she said:
"Your aunt and I cannot shoot as well as you children; but we may,
at least, be of service in loading the guns."
From this moment there was little delay in making the assault.
Contrary to their custom, the Abenakis pressed forward immediately
after the first shot was fired, doubtless hoping to gain an
advantage while the defenders were reloading the weapons, and each
of the three children fired two shots as rapidly as the muskets
could be handed to them.
Three times had a piercing scream followed the report of the weapon,
thus telling that an equal number of bullets had hit the targets,
and then the savages became more cautious.
Until this moment the Indians had not fired a shot; but now the
bullets began to whistle over the heads of those who were exposed to
view, as the Abenakis, themselves screened by the bushes, began the
real attack.
"Be careful of yourselves!" Mark cried, forgetting to set his
companions an example. "Keep down behind the posts as much as
possible; we can count on their staying under cover while doing so
much shooting!" Then, turning to his mother, he added, "There is no
reason why all the children should be out-of-doors, where a stray
bullet may find them. Why not order them into the house?"
This Mistress Pemberton did, and when the younger members of the
company were in comparative safety, Mark looked anxiously around at
his army of two.
Luke was crouching behind the palisade, where a wide crevice between
two of the posts afforded him a view of the outside without his
being obliged to expose himself, and Susan was leaning against the
timbers, only partially sheltered, as she appeared to be tying
something around her arm.
"What are you doing, Sue?" Mark cried, in alarm.
"Standing guard here; but just now I can't see anything that looks
like an Indian."
"What is the matter with your arm?"
"It's only a scratch," the girl replied, in a matter-of-fact tone.
"It bleeds a little, and I've wrapped a piece of my gown around it."
"You're wounded!" Mark cried, and he made as if to jump down from
the platform, when Susan said, sharply:
"Stay where you are! Even though I was hurt badly, which I'm not,
you have no right to leave the fence unguarded."
Mark stepped back with a certain sense of shame that it had been
necessary for Susan to remind him of his duty, and then Mistress
Harding went to her daughter's side.
"It is a slight wound on the left arm," the good woman said, after
insisting on an examination of the injury. "I will take her to the
house while I tie it up properly, and Ellen may stand here in her
place."
"But Ellen can't use a musket as well as I, and we're needed here,"
Susan cried, more concerned lest she be forced to leave her station
at the palisade than on account of the wound.
Mistress Harding might have insisted on her daughter's going into
the building if at that moment the assault had not been renewed, and
during the next ten minutes the defenders were actively employed.
The Indians, profiting by the teachings and example of the
Frenchmen, whose allies they were, had divided the force, a portion
remaining hidden in the thicket to fire at the children, while the
remainder made a rush for the gate, as if believing it might be
forced open.
Now it was that the defenders were obliged to move quickly, and it
was impossible for them to remain under cover all the while.
"Pour all the fire into those fellows who are coming up with the
log!" Mark cried, as half a dozen Abenakis, carrying a heavy
tree-trunk, to be used as a battering-ram, made ready to advance at
full speed.
This command was obeyed with such good effect that three of the
savages fell, and their fellows, dropping the timber, ran to cover
with the greatest possible haste.
At the same moment the children fired, the Indians in hiding
discharged their weapons, detonations being echoed and reechoed
from mountain to mountain, until it sounded as if a severe
engagement was in progress.
"Any one hurt?" Mark cried, and Susan and Luke replied cheerily in
the negative.
One of the three Indians wounded while advancing with the tree-trunk
succeeded in crawling off to the shelter of the underbrush; but the
other two remained where they had fallen.
When, two or three minutes later, an Abenakis darted out from his
place of concealment, Mark raised his weapon quickly; but Susan
cried, warningly:
"Don't fire! It can do us no harm if they take away the wounded, and
it's possible they'll go back to the harbor island, if the injured
can be carried off!"
"I'm beginning to think it is you who should be in command here,"
Mark said, half to himself, as he lowered his weapon. "You've got
more sound sense than Luke and I together." Then, raising his voice,
he cried, loudly, "Listen, ye Abenakis, whom our fathers have fed
when you were hungry, and sheltered when you were cold, but who
would murder us now! Take away your wounded, if you are minded to go
back to the harbor island, and no one shall harm you while so doing.
The white men of Mount Desert have never broken faith with you, nor
will we, their children."
Then was done that which proves how much stranger than fiction is
truth. The Abenakis, although they had come there to kill or make
prisoners the wives and children of those men who had ever been
their friends, did not question the faith of the lad when he
announced that they might bear off the wounded in safety, but boldly
advanced within short range to the aid of their fellows.
"Why do you seek to kill us, who have never done you harm?" Mark
cried, when four of the band stood in full view while lifting the
wounded from the ground. "Do Indians kill their friends? Do they
speak soft words only while the men of the family are at home, being
too cowardly to make an attack until the fathers have gone away?"
There was no reply to this speech until the Indians were hidden once
more by the bushes, and then a voice cried:
"Give us the cow and two boys. Then we will go away, telling the
Frenchmen that all have been killed."
"You shall not have the smallest chicken inside this stockade!" Mark
cried, angrily. "And I promise that there shall be few left to
report to the cowardly Frenchmen, if you remain here very long. You
shall be shot down like dogs, and from this out our squaws will not
interfere to let you carry off those who have been crippled!"
While speaking, Mark had unconsciously raised himself to his full
height, instead of being partially sheltered by remaining in a
crouching position, as during the short fight, and the reply to his
words came in the form of bullets, one of which grazed his cheek,
raising a red ridge, as if he had been scored by a whip-lash.
Susan and Luke both fired in the direction from which had been seen
the flash of the muskets, but no one could say if the missiles thus
sent at random took effect.
Five minutes later, while the watchers still gazed through the
crevices of the palisade, believing the enemy to be near at hand, a
canoe was seen putting off from the shore, directly in front of the
dwellings, and, after such delay as was necessary, in order to
enable them to reach the other craft, all three divisions of the
attacking force were headed for the harbor island.
[Illustration: "You shall not have the smallest chicken inside this
stockade!"]
The first assault had been made, and successfully resisted. It now
remained to be seen whether the Abenakis were willing to accept this
as defeat, of if new tactics were to be tried.
"They've gone!" Susan cried, joyfully. "We've beaten them!"
"Yes child," her mother said, despondently, "and if they had not
been sent by Frenchmen, we might believe the worst was over."
"Do you think they'll come back, Mark?" the girl cried, as she
leaped down from her post of duty.
"Ay, that I do, Susan, and for the very reason aunt has given. If we
could only know what the next move would be! I have heard father say
that once upon a time the English drove away from Mount Desert
French settlers, and now those who are stirring the Indians up to
this kind of business are trying to make things even. We can count
on having peace during the rest of the night, I believe, and the
sooner you go into the house, were that wound of yours can be looked
after, the better I shall be pleased."
Indeed, there was no good reason why all the defenders, save one to
stand guard behind the palisade, should not get such repose as might
be had under the circumstances.
A sentinel, on one of the hastily constructed platforms, could keep
the harbor island well in view, therefore the savages would not be
able to leave it secretly, and Mark proposed that he remain on duty
for a certain time, while the others slept.
"You shall have my place in a couple of hours, Luke." the lad said
to his brother.
"And when do I take my turn?" Susan asked, showing that she was
determined to do a full share in the defence, regardless of her
wound.
"You may stand guard when it is time for Luke to lie down," Mark
replied, intending that she should not be awakened if he could
prevent it.