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YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS;
OR
A Story of Early Colonial Days.
BY
THOMAS B. SMITH.
Here in Canadian hearth, and home, and name;--
This name which yet shall grow
Till all the nations know
Us for a patriot people, heart and hand
Loyal to our native earth, our own Canadian land!
--Chas. G.D. Roberts.
HALIFAX, N.S.:
NOVA SCOTIA PRINTING COMPANY.
1889.
_Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year 1889,
by_ THOMAS B. SMITH, _at the Department of Agriculture_.
Dedication.
TO MY WIFE
I DEDICATE THIS, MY FIRST WORK,
WITH MY LOVE.
PREFACE.
The only merit that the writer claims for the following pages is, that
they contain a record of facts, setting forth the sacred sentiments of
duty, religious trust, and the spirit of liberty, amid sufferings-and
hardships of persons, whose loyalty was put to the severest test.
It has been beautifully said, "that he who sets a colony on foot designs
a great work." "He designs all the good, and all the glory, of which, in
the series of ages, it might be the means; and he shall be judged more
by the lofty, ultimate aim and result, than by the actual instant
motive. You may well admire, therefore, the solemn and adorned
plausibilities of the colonizing of Rome from Troy, in the Eneid! Though
the leader had been burned out of house and home, and could not choose
but go. You may find in the flight of the female founder of the gloomy
greatness of Carthage a certain epic interest; yet was she running from
the madness of her husband to save her life. Emigration from our stocked
communities of undeified men and women, emigration for conquest, for
gold, for very restlessness of spirit, if they grow toward an imperial
issue, have all thus a prescriptive and recognized ingredient of
heroism. But when the immediate motive is as grand as the ultimate hope
was lofty, and the ultimate success splendid, then, to use an expression
of Bacon's," "the music is fuller."
In the hope that the privations and heroic conduct of those who are the
subjects of the story, in the following chapters, may prove as
interesting to the public as they did to the writer, when he first
learned the history of such heroism, the writer submits them to the
reader.
_JANUARY_, 1889.
CONTENTS Page
YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS;
A Story of Early Colonial Days. i
PREFACE. 1
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER I.
FIRST EXPERIENCE OF COLONIAL LIFE, 1769-70. 10
CHAPTER II.
TRADING,--TROUBLE,--RETREAT. 25
CHAPTER III.
ARRIVES OFF FORT FREDERICK--PAUL GUIDON. 36
CHAPTER IV.
TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE AT SEA. 52
CHAPTER V.
CAPT. GODFREY AND LORD WM. CAMPBELL.
--YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS. 67
CHAPTER VI.
IN ENGLAND.--THE CAPTAIN AND THE LORDS. 76
CHAPTER VII.
ARRIVAL AND RETREAT. 80
CHAPTER VIII.
REBEL PLANS--PRAYING THE LORDS. 95
CHAPTER IX.
PAUL GUIDON. 100
CHAPTER X.
MARGARET GODFREY ARRIVES IN NOVA SCOTIA.
--DEATH OF THE YOUNG LION OF THE WOODS. 104
CHAPTER XI.
MARGARET GODFREY'S FAREWELL. 120
CHAPTER XII.
MARRIAGE OF LITTLE MAG.
--SOCIETY AT HALIFAX. 133
A CONCLUDING CHAPTER.
THEN, NOW, AND TO BE. 141
INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER
The records of the lives and actions of those who have preceded us in
the procession of the generations, are full of instruction and interest.
In many instances they hold up to our emulation great models of
patriotism, patience, endurance, activity and pluck. It is to be
regretted that many documents of past ages have been destroyed through
lack of knowledge of their real value, and of the light they would have
thrown upon the early history of the country. Some few, regarded merely
as the relics of departed ancestors, have been so secretly kept and
treasured, that dust, must and rust have all but completely defaced
them.
If our ancestors had been wise in preserving the papers of their
fathers, long ago there might have been collected from such documents,
and displayed, many particulars of positive information concerning the
very early history of the English in Acadia.
We might have possessed a much fuller history of the times when great
difficulties and dangers opposed the settlers. When rushing rivers had
to be crossed without boat or bridge; when men and women often found it
necessary to contend single handed with Indians; and when, for meeting
the many obstacles that placed themselves in their path, our ancestors
were often but poorly equipped.
Whilst we take pride in the hardships cheerfully borne by our
forefathers in the early colonial days, may we not be sometimes inclined
to forget those fleet-footed, clever, dusky sons of the forest, to whose
generous aid they were not infrequently indebted for protection from
hostile men and savage beasts, and even sometimes for sustenance?
When we have secured positive information that now and again there have
appeared among the brawny men of the forest noble specimens of all that
is true and kind, let us not fail to record their deeds of faithfulness
and heroism. The least we can do for such is to bring to light their
actions and preserve their history. When beneath the shade of the
forest, on the trackless desert, on the rushing river, in tempest and
thunder, or when watching in the vicinity of an old fort or near the log
cabin of the early colonists, the Red man has been found a faithful
friend and guide; should not his deeds of kindness, faithfulness and
bravery be recorded side by side with those of the noblest of the human
race?
The story related in the following chapters has been gathered from facts
stated in time-worn documents, which have been lying for generations
concealed in a wooden box. The only regret of the writer is, that it was
impossible for him to gain access to all the old musty and defaced
papers in the box. The old gentleman, in whose possession they were
found, is very old and eccentric, and by no effort or persuasion could
the writer induce him to part company with the documents, but for a
short time. But although the task of procuring them was extremely
difficult, and that of deciphering them afterwards was both difficult
and tedious, still the satisfaction of having rescued from decay and
destruction, what seems so interesting, is satisfaction sufficient for
the writer.
That portion of the documents relating the events in connection with the
first and second settlement of an English officer and his family, during
the last century, in a district which is now said to be one of the most
beautiful portions of Canada, is most instructive and interesting,
although at times, while deciphering it, the writer felt his blood
quicken in its pulsations, and tears forcing their way to the surface.
A few years previous to this English officers first attempt at
settlement in Nova Scotia, he came out to Quebec with his regiment. The
remaining portion of this introductory chapter will narrate some events
in connection with the early life of the officer, his coming to Quebec
with his regiment, his short stay there, and his return to his native
country:--
On board the transport _Pitt_, in the year 1765, at Cork, embarked
Captain Godfrey with his regiment, the 52nd foot, for Quebec, North
America.
On the passage the _Pitt_ was wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where
Captain Godfrey with his regiment suffered many hardships.
The ship ran ashore in a dense fog, which had prevailed for several
days. The Captain remaining by the wreck for eleven days, assisted in
saving the lives of the soldiers wives and children, and in landing the
King's stores. The transport struck well up the gulf on the Nova Scotian
coast (now New Brunswick). The exact locality is not stated. The night
of the disaster was densely dark, and soon after striking the ship
began to pound and leak badly. Had the wind sprung up during the hours
of darkness not a soul on board would have lived to record the tale.
Very early the next morning, as Captain Godfrey was standing on the
quarter deck, conversing with the officer in charge of the ship, the
rain began suddenly to descend in torrents and the wind to freshen. The
mist that had enshrouded the ship for so many days, began to lift, and
the sun shone through by instalments. Soon it was seen that the _Pitt_
was hemmed in by rocks, almost wedged in among them. Fortunately the
storm soon abated, and the situation of the vessel kept her in an
upright position. The fog settled down again, and for the next ten days
all on board were kept busy in saving their effects and the King's
stores.
At the end of ten days all on board were taken off. General Murray,
commanding at Quebec, by some means not recorded, having heard of the
disaster, sent a man-of-war schooner to the relief of the sufferers, and
they were safely conveyed to Quebec.
Captain Godfrey, through exposure and fatigue, contracted a severe cold,
and at last, his life being despaired of, the surgeon of the regiment
advised his return to England. He applied to General Clavering for leave
of absence, or to grant him permission to sell out of the army. The
permission being granted, he soon set about preparing to leave Quebec,
and rejoin his wife and five children in England. Captain Godfrey notes
in a memorandum his great sorrow in parting from his regiment, and that
his zeal for serving his King and country was so great that nothing but
extreme weakness would have induced him to part from his regiment and
King George the Third's service.
Before leaving Quebec to return home to his native land, Captain Godfrey
visited the spot where, six years before, the gallant Wolfe had poured
out his life's blood in the service of his King and country. Here the
Captain knelt and offered up to Him who guides the stars in their
courses, thanksgiving for the brilliant and decisive victory gained by
the British arms.
The following is from one of his memoranda:--"As I stood, and as I knelt
where Wolfe fell, I more than ever realized what it is to be a brave
soldier and a good man. As I rose from the spot I whispered to myself,
if I am, through the providence of the Almighty, allowed to once again
visit my native land, I will go to the widowed mother of General Wolfe
and tell her where I have been and what I have seen. That I have stood
on the very spot where victory and death gave the crowning lustre to the
name of her great son."
Charles Godfrey was born at St Ann's, England, in the year 1730. The
following, copied from an old document, gives a brief sketch of his
early career:--"Was put on board His Majesty's ship _Bedford_, Capt.
Cornwall master, in the year 1741, and in 1742 went out to the
Mediterranean. In 1743 was at the siege of Villa Franca, where with a
large party of seamen was ordered on shore, and quartered at a six gun
battery, under the command of Capt. Gugger, of the Royal Artillery. Was
at the battle of Toulon, with Admirals Matthews and Lostock, on board
said ship _Bedford_, then commanded by George Townsend. Was at the
taking of several rich ships off the Island of Malta, which ships and
their cargoes were afterward restored to the Genoese. Continued in the
navy till the peace of Utretch, and for sometime subsequently.
Afterward, a warrant being procured, attended the Royal Academy at
Woolwich as a gentleman cadet, in which station was allowed to remain
till 1755. Received a commission, and was appointed to the 52nd foot, by
the recommendation of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, who was
afterwards pleased to recommend me for a Lieutenancy, and a few years
later my friends procured for me a Captaincy."
[1]Captain Godfrey returned to England on board a transport from Quebec.
This young officer appears to have been highly respected by the
different Generals and Field Officers under whom he had served. He was
presented, shortly after his arrival in England, with a certificate of
character, signed by Lieut.-Genl. John Clavering, Colonel of the 52nd
Regt., Lieut.-Genl. Edward Sandford, Lieut.-Genl. Sir John Seabright,
Major-Genl. Guy Carleton, Major-Genl. John Alex. McKay, Lieut.-Col.
Valentine Jones, Lieut.-Genl. Burgoyue, and Major Philip Skene.
[Footnote 1: The full name of this British officer is not given in any
part of this work.]
The above has been copied principally for the purpose of showing that
the following story has for its characters those who once lived and
moved in the early English colonial life of Acadia. If the districts and
places where the events related in this book occurred could speak, they
would tell nearly the same thrilling and extraordinary story. In many
of these localities great and important changes have taken place through
a century and a quarter of time, but the records of the past remain
unchanged.
Our barns may be built over the graves of the Indians, and our houses on
the sites of their wigwams; our cattle may graze upon the hillsides and
valleys of their hunting grounds, and our churches may be erected on
positions where the Red men of the forest gathered together to invoke
the blessing of the Great Chief of the everlasting hunting ground, yet
what is truly written of the past must remain unalterable.
* * * * *
NOTE.--The wrecked transport _Pitt_ was named, it is said, in honour of
the Earl of Chatham; and tradition states that one of the boats of the
ship drifted from the wreck and went ashore at a point of land near
where the town of Chatham now stands, the ship's name being painted on
the boat; and from this circumstance Chatham, on the Miramichi River,
received its name.
CHAPTER I.
FIRST EXPERIENCE OF COLONIAL LIFE, 1769-70.
Captain Godfrey's health gradually improved after his return to his
native country. When he thought himself sufficiently recovered he felt
anxious to embark in some branch of business, and not feeling inclined
to do so in England, he purchased a grant of land from Lynge Tottenham,
Esq., this land was situated on the bank of the River St. John, Nova
Scotia.
In the early part of the year 1769, after three years of rest, Captain
Godfrey purchased various kinds of merchandize, which he was advised
were best adapted to the colonial trade. He freighted a vessel in
London, and embarked with his wife and family for Halifax, in the month
of June, 1769.
On the passage out the weather was usually fine, but the progress was
slow, and nothing remarkable occurred on board during the sixty-two days
they were in crossing the Atlantic.
Soon after landing at Halifax, Captain Godfrey heard that the Governor
of Nova Scotia, (Lord William Campbell,) required some person of
experience to enter into possession of Fort Frederick, situated at the
mouth of the River St. John, and take charge of the arms, ammunition,
and all other of His Majesty King George the Third's stores. He had an
interview with the Governor and was appointed to take charge of the
fort.
After having secured the appointment at Fort Frederick, he concluded to
commence trading operations at that post, and gave bonds to the governor
in the sum of one thousand pounds for the privilege of carrying on a
legitimate business with the settlers and Indians.[2]
[Footnote 2:
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA.
Know all men by these presents, that we, Charles * * * Godfrey * * * and
Charles Morris, Esqs., both of Halifax, do acknowledge ourselves justly
indebted unto our Sovereign Lord King George the Third, his heirs and
successors, in the just and full sum of one thousand pounds currency of
the Province of Nova Scotia, to which payment well and truly to be made
and done, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators
jointly by these presents. Witness our hand and seals, this thirtieth
day of April, one thousand seven hundred and seventy, in the tenth year
of His Majesty's reign.
CHARLES * * * GODFREY * * *
CHARLES MORRIS, JR.
Signed and sealed in the presence of
NATHL. SHIPTON
_Secretary's Office, Halifax, April 30th, 1770._
Captain * * * Godfrey * * * has the Governor's permission to occupy the
Fort and barracks of Frederick on the St. John River, &c., &c.
RICHARD BULKELY.]
After spending the winter at Halifax, he chartered a brig in the month
of May, 1770, and then putting on board his goods and stores sailed for
Fort Frederick with his wife and family. On his arrival at the fort he
carefully surveyed the situation and concluded that he would abandon the
idea of trading there.
He found no one at the fort to assist him in protecting it, and a few
days after his arrival the Indians became so troublesome and threatening
that he found it would be impossible to remain there, protect the fort
single-handed, and carry on trading operations successfully.
One afternoon the Indians appeared before the fort in numbers,
threatening that if the place was not vacated at once they would murder
the occupants. They then made a rush and got within the enclosure, and
soon after retired.
Captain Godfrey had fortunately purchased from the master of the vessel
in which he brought his merchandize to the fort, a small boat. The boat
had been securely moored at the island below the fort.
The day following the assembling at the fort the savages again appeared
and attempted to steal the boat, and would have done so had not Mrs.
Godfrey succeeded in reaching the shore in time to discharge a musket at
the thieves. The Redskins pulled the boat to the spot where she stood,
but Mrs. Godfrey never moved from the position she had taken. When the
Indians were in the act of jumping on shore she ordered them to take the
boat back to the place from whence they had loosed it. One of the
Redskins, a tall, muscular fellow, who could speak some English, asked
her if she would get into the boat and go with them. If so, the boat
would be taken back and made fast. She replied, "I have no doubt you are
an honest man and would do no injury to a weak, pale-faced woman, I will
go with you." And as she said these words, she sprang into the boat and
sat down, resting the musket upon her knees.
The Indians paddled the boat back to the place whence they had loosed
it, and not one of them uttered a word. After the boat had been made
fast Mrs. Godfrey was assisted ashore by the tall, muscular savage, his
four companions walking away without saying a word. They were soon
joined by their tall, muscular friend, and a few minutes later all were
lost to view among the trees on the shore.
Mrs. Godfrey retired to the fort, where she was warmly congratulated by
her husband for the tact and courage she had displayed in presence of
the savages. She replied, "the Indians seemed completely taken aback
when I jumped into the boat and had not recovered from their surprise
when they parted from me, and while I was sitting in the boat, the deep,
black eyes of the tall, muscular fellow looked straight and steady at
me, and at times I felt as though they were piercing me through and
through."
The evening was a solemn one at Fort Frederick. The Captain and his wife
talked over their situation, and the children were restless, the
slightest noise about the place making the little ones tremble like
aspen leaves. The Captain and his wife agreed that it would be useless,
while the Indians were so troublesome, to remain at the Fort and attempt
to transact business with the settlers, who were few indeed.
As they sat together that night in the Fort by the dim light of a
flickering candle, expecting every moment to be disturbed by the
war-whoop of the savages, Captain Godfrey said to Margaret, (for such
was the name of his wife,) "our situation is serious." She replied, "I
believe it to be most dangerous." "What move would you propose," asked
the Captain. Margaret answered, "I would propose to return to Halifax,
if it be possible to get there." The Captain then said to his wife,
"What do you think about going to Grimross Neck where our grant of land
is?" Margaret replied, "I am your wife, whatever you think best to do,
do it, and I will follow and support you to the best of my ability." She
then, together with her husband and children, knelt in the lonely Fort
and asked Him who had guided and protected them thus far not to forsake
them in their present situation, but to guide, instruct and lead them in
the future. She rose on her feet, walked across the small, dingy
apartment, kissed each of the children, then taking her husband by the
hand, said to him, in a clear and decided voice, "Whither thou goest I
will follow, where thou resteth I will rest, and where thou settlest
there will I be found with thee." And in presence of the children God
had given them, they bound their hearts to suffering and death.
Fatigue and fear had overcome the little ones, and in a short time they
were sleeping soundly upon the floor.
After some further conversation between the Captain and his wife, it was
agreed that he should attempt to proceed before dawn in the little boat
to Annapolis Royal, and there, if possible, purchase a small vessel
suitable to convey his goods and family up the river to his grant of
land.
At four o'clock he secretly and alone left the fort, waving with his
hand an adieu to his wife, as he stepped out of the door. He carried
with him to the boat a camp blanket which he intended to hoist as a
sail. At four o'clock, thirty minutes, he was on his way. As the little
boat passed the island at the mouth of the harbour a breeze sprang up.
He hoisted the sail, making it fast to one of the oars, which was used
as a mast; the other oar being brought into play for steering purposes.
Captain Godfrey had been fortunate in bringing with him from England
several small compasses and two larger ones, one of the latter he took
with him.
A gentle but fair breeze followed the little ship from land to land. The
Captain found great difficulty in sighting the entrance to Digby Bay,
where he arrived safe and sound at eleven o'clock the following morning.
The next day he proceeded to Annapolis Royal arriving there at noon,
where he purchased a large sloop, and without delay got his boat on
board and next day at the turn of tide sailed for Digby. Here he took on
board some water, and after waiting several hours for a fair wind sailed
for the mouth of the St. John. At ten o'clock, a.m., June 30th, he set
sail to recross the Bay of Fundy and rejoin his wife and family at Fort
Frederick. He arrived off the harbour the following morning quite early,
but was unable to anchor off Fort Frederick, till the evening on account
of fog. On arriving at the Fort he was greatly relieved of apprehensions
that would obtrude themselves upon him during his lonely trip by finding
his wife and children all well.
The following day he commenced to get his merchandize on board the
sloop. His wife and eldest son assisting. It took fully ten days to
accomplish the task, which proved to be a tedious and toilsome one
indeed. At last, everything being ready, he vacated Fort Frederick and
sailed for his possessions up the river, intending there to settle and
trade.
Not many hours after they had left the Fort the report of a musket was
heard from the shore. Soon a canoe was seen approaching the sloop. As it
came near the vessel, an Indian was seen as its only occupant. He
paddled his canoe alongside the sloop. Captain Godfrey attentively
watched his every movement while Mrs. Godfrey seemed quite indifferent
at the presence of the stranger. She threw him a small line and made
signs to him to make fast his canoe, which he appeared quickly to
understand. Mrs. Godfrey then motioned to the Indian to come on board,
and he at once bounded over the rail. As he stood on deck, his comely
Indian features were lit up by a good humoured smile. He looked a giant,
brave and active. He was teeming all over with youthful vigour. His eyes
were black like polished jet, sparkling and deep set. His mouth large,
square and firm; and his hair like threads of coarse, black silk,
brushed back from a low, narrow forehead, hung loosely down over his
broad, square shoulders.
His whole frame seemed stirred with a strong nervous action, and a quick
but expressive motion of his small brown hand appeared as a signal for
conversation. He at once spoke, "May be if go to Grimross be scalped,"
and every word brought with it increased action of both hand and body.
He continued, "Indians say war coming, must have pale face blood and
scalp."
Capt. Godfrey said not a word, but looked serious and pale; while deep
anxiety was pictured on every feature of his face. He felt that it was
no use to retreat, and situated as they were, where could they retreat
in safety. Fort Frederick at the mouth of the river had been surrounded
by blood-thirsty savages, who had threatened them with fire and murder
if they did not abandon the place. In this distracting situation Captain
Godfrey held a council of war within himself, and finally decided, come
what might, evil or good, he would push on to his destination.
He wondered how the Indian knew he was bound for Grimross. It occurred
to him that perhaps the savage was trying to find out where he intended
to land, and there be on hand to murder all on board and seize the sloop
and cargo. He thought, "if the Indian is sincere in warning us, what
interest has he in doing so? What could he expect in return for his kind
act?" These and many similar thoughts rushed quickly through the
agitated brain of the Captain. The Indian stood silent and motionless
for a moment, then returned to his canoe and paddled toward the shore.
The eyes of Captain Godfrey followed the Red man to the shore and
watched him until he disappeared among the trees on the river bank. The
sloop was kept on her course up the river. Just after the sun had sunk
beneath the horizon, Captain Godfrey, by the persuasion of his wife,
anchored the sloop in a small recess in the shore. From the time the
Indian had reached the bank the Captain's wife scarcely ever lifted her
eyes from gazing on the right bank of the river. Was she watching for a
place to safely anchor at night? Or was she watching for the Indian's
return? These questions were agitating the Captain's thoughts.
Captain Godfrey had never fully recovered from a weakness to his nervous
system, caused by the severe hardships he had endured in the Gulf of St
Lawrence. He was strongly opposed to anchoring the sloop so near the
shore. He felt fearful that during the long watches of the night all on
board might be murdered. The armament of the vessel consisted of two
muskets, two pistols, and a sword. Her cargo was valued at over two
thousand pounds sterling. She was deeply laden, and it was with great
difficulty that all the goods and chattels had been stowed on board;
several boxes and bundles being closely packed and lashed on deck.
After everything had been made snug on board, sails furled, &c., the
Captain and his wife asked the blessing of the all-seeing One during the
hours of the night. The Captain was very tired, and the events of the
day had not added to his comfort. His wife persuaded him to go into the
small cabin and rest. She promised to call him if the least danger
appeared. She said that she was only too willing to stand as sentinel
until the sun-rise. It was only through a knowledge of the determined
spirit, good judgment, quick eye, and self possession of his wife that
he was induced to retire to rest.
The children unconscious of the dangers surrounding them, were nestled
together in the small cabin like young birds in a nest. During four long
hours nothing unusual occurred to break the stillness of the night. The
rustling of the leaves on the trees not many yards distant, and the
rippling of the water were all that could be heard, a dense darkness, a
blackness doubly deep appeared to settle over and around the little
vessel. The sentinel placed her soft white hand close to her face but
could not even distinguish its outlines.
At this moment there flashed through her mind the words, "Watchman,
what of the night." The words were accompanied by a hand gently laid
upon her shoulder. She remained as motionless as a statue in the gloom.
A gentle breath whispered in her ear, "me Paul;" "come tell you Indians
on other bank river;" adding strength to the expression by taking her
hand and pointing it to the opposite bank. He then again whispered,
"Fire gun next setting sun, where stop," and then suddenly left her
side, and she saw nothing more that night of Paul Guidon, for such was
the Indian's name.
Captain Godfrey, after his many days of toil and anxiety, slept so
soundly that he did not wake till the sun had risen. As soon as
breakfast was over, and a chapter had been read from an old family
Bible, which had accompanied four generations of the Landers through
this vale of tears, sorrows and joys, and a short prayer read from an
old service book, presented to Captain Godfrey by General Murray at
Quebec, the sloop was got under way and proceeded on her voyage, the
wind being fair and light. The prospect was not one to gladden the
hearts of the voyagers, though the day was fine and sky clear. The
progress was slow. Captain Godfrey was in better spirits than on the
previous day, the quiet night and refreshing sleep had somewhat braced
him up. The children sat on deck during the day, chatting, playing and
singing, while their mother, dauntless and buoyant in spirit, retired to
rest in the little smoke-box of a cabin. She knew that very much
depended upon her behaviour and courage in safely reaching Grimross
Neck. She closed her eyes with the whispered words upon her lips, "I
will follow what I believe to be the path of safety, and I will tread it
with a firm and unfaltering footstep, praise to the Great King who sent
us Paul Guidon in the thick darkness to watch over us from the river's
bank. It brings to my remembrance what I have read in the Book of books,
of Pharaoh's daughter standing at the river's brink and rescuing the
babe, and seeing that no harm befell it."
Little progress was made during the day. An hour or two before the
shadows of evening had begun to fling their leaden mantle around the
sloop, Mrs. Godfrey appeared on deck. Perfect stillness seemed to reign
on every hand; even the little craft appeared to be half asleep, so
lazily did she move along. All above and about stretched the wondrous
beauty of the sky; the deep blue clouds, as the day wore away, becoming
tinged with gold, contrasted in loveliness with the green of earth. Not
a sound was there to stir the perfect stillness except the rippling of
the water against the vessel.
As Margaret sat beside her husband on that lovely evening of July, the
deep feelings that were stirred within her soul seemed to find their
natural outlet, as she turned to her husband and said, "this seems like
a glimpse of some better world." He replied, "it appears as though we
are sailing through a land of perfect rest." "I trust we are, though we
sail through a country peopled with savages." She replied, "To-day we
beheld the sun in his glory, and strong in his power, now he is
departing, but I trust as we continue to sail o'er the ocean of time,
guided by the King of Pilots toward a land where glory never fades, and
where the True Light never grows dim, our passage may continually be lit
up by the reflecting rays of the Sun of Righteousness." As she finished
speaking a bright light flashed on the starboard shore, quickly followed
by the report of a musket. The Captain, starting at the report,
remarked, "perhaps that Indian (Paul) has been watching and following."
Here the Captain's words were cut short by a loud cry from one of the
children and the sound of a splash. Little Jack, the fourth child, had
tripped against the forward rail and gone overboard. His mother, almost
as quickly as the flash of a gun, threw herself overboard at the stern
of the sloop, holding on to the rail with her hands and calling to the
little fellow to catch hold of her dress, as the tide carried him toward
her. He was too far out to reach her skirt, and the running water
carried him by her. She immediately let go both hands and floated from
the vessel, and made a desperate effort to reach her boy. The Captain,
almost beside himself, put the helm hard down, and was in the act of
plunging in. Meantime his wife and son were drifting farther away. Just
then, making a second desperate effort, she succeeded in grasping her
child. At this moment a canoe shot like an arrow past the sloop, in it
was Paul Guidon, paddling with might and main, making straight for the
drowning mother and her boy. In another minute he had the child grasped
firmly in his long sinewy arms, and laying his breast and head over the
stern of the canoe, he called to the mother to grasp at once his long
hair as its ends fell into the water. He managed to get the child safely
into his canoe, but he experienced great difficulty in saving its
mother. She drifted fully one hundred yards, but all the distance
holding stoutly to the Indian's locks. With all the strength of Paul
Guidon he was not able to get Mrs. Godfrey into the canoe. Once he
nearly succeeded, but almost upset his little bark. He told her to cling
tightly to his hair, as he shoved the paddle over her head, and at last
he got the canoe to move slowly ahead, and in a few minutes time he was
at the side of the sloop, and the mother and child were rescued from a
watery grave. The Indian would not go on board, and as soon as he saw
that the mother and child were likely to recover, he pulled away to the
shore.
The child soon recovered, but the mother lay upon the deck for some time
in a half unconscious state. At times a quiet happiness seemed singing
in her soul, that often broke into words of praise as the vessel drifted
along in the stillness. On the right and left slept the country with its
wooded hills and dales. As Margaret Godfrey recovered she said,
"Charles, we appear to be sleeping on to our destination." "Yes," he
said; "but perhaps that Indian has been watching and following us,
hiding among the trees along the shore; and as we have been going slowly
all day, he could with ease keep way with us. He may now consider us far
enough away from the fort to decoy and murder us, seize our vessel and
goods, and no suspicion rest upon him as the murderer and robber."
"It may be that he has accomplices on our track; a band of savages to
quietly dispose of us and seize our possessions." As he spoke these
words he appeared much more agitated than on the previous evening.
Margaret replied, "God's will be done! We must anchor at some point
to-night--Why not anchor here? At the earnest solicitation of his wife,
Captain Godfrey consented to run the sloop toward the shore and anchor.
After a lengthened discussion between the Captain and his wife upon the
question of keeping watch during the night, Margaret carried her point,
and soon after stood alone on the deck.
The reader, doubtless, will wonder why Margaret expressed so strong a
desire to keep watch through the long, lonely hours of darkness. Before
the conclusion of the story is reached, he will have found out the
reason.
Soon all was hushed, gross darkness had gathered over the face of
nature, and the eyes of the beloved on board were closed in sleep. At
about midnight Margaret was slightly startled at hearing a footstep on
deck. "Paul," she whispered, "is that you." "Me," he answered in a low,
soft tone. "Most Indians away, far up country after game, and not come
back few days."
Paul Guidon was a sub-chief, and one of the bravest of the tribe over
which he exercised some authority. He was feared and respected by all
the tribes of the St. John. He had used all his cunning and power to
pilot the sloop safely to her destination. He had for several days
spread the report that large herds of caribou and moose had appeared in
a part of the country forty miles west of the St. John River. The
Indians took the bait and had suddenly left in pursuit of the game.
Before leaving the deck Paul advised Margaret to get the vessel under
way at daylight next morning, in order that the journey might be
completed before the next setting of the sun. He then took Mrs. Godfrey
by the hand and raising it to his broad breast passed it firmly over his
quickly throbbing heart, and almost instantly turned and shot from her
presence like an arrow in the darkness. Very early in the morning the
sloop was made ready to proceed on her voyage. The wind was blowing
stiffly and fair, the little vessel reached along and arrived at her
destination at five o'clock in the afternoon. The anchor was let go
between an island and the river's bank. Thanksgiving and praise were
offered on board for past mercies and supplication for continued
guidance. Neither was Paul Guidon forgotten, for Margaret breathed a
silent supplication to Him who can soften and subdue the savage breast,
to guide, control and direct the life and steps of her benefactor.