GATHERING AT FORT LAWRENCE
Fort Lawrence was little more than a fort in name only. It was a spot
selected by the Morrises and others living within a radius of one to
twenty-two miles, where they might congregate for safety at any time
when the way to Will's Creek or Winchester should be cut off.
The fort was located at a point where two small streams joined. Here the
brushwood and trees had been cleared off for a distance of little over
an acre. Some trees, running in a semi-circle from one brook to the
other, had been left standing, and between these a rude stockade had
been planted of logs, ten to twelve feet high and sharp-pointed at the
top. Along the two watercourses were a series of rough rocks and on top
of these other rocks had been placed, making a barrier almost as high as
the wooden one opposite. In the wooden stockade and among the rocks,
port holes were placed, so that those inside could command every avenue
of approach with their firearms. To the whole there was a rude gateway,
but as yet no gate further than some heavy brushwood piled conveniently
near,--thorn-brush, which all Indians despised.
So far there had assembled at the fort six families, consisting of eight
men and seven women, with fifteen children of all ages, from boys and
girls of Dave's growth to an infant in arms. These pioneers had brought
with them all the earthly possessions which they or their beasts of
burden could carry, and these goods were now piled high in the center of
the stockade, where there was something of a hollow among the rocks.
Back of this pile was a second hollow, rudely thatched with tree
branches, and here the women and the smaller children assembled, the
little ones either sleeping soundly or crying shrilly for the comforts
to which they were accustomed.
Among the men was Captain John Smith Tanner, a Virginian, of mixed
English and German blood. Captain Tanner had fought under Washington at
Braddock's defeat and also done good work during several Indian
uprisings, and this had won for him the military title, which, however,
was not of the king's troops but of the local militia. The captain was
an out-and-out backwoodsman, a bachelor, and a man well-liked by nearly
all who knew him.
As we know, it was Captain Tanner who had sent the note to Joseph
Morris's house by White Buffalo, and now he and several others of the
settlers waited anxiously for the appearance of not alone these friends,
but of five other pioneers, including Uriah Risley. Eight men to defend
both the stockade and the rocks were not many, and the captain felt that
should the enemy appear in force matters would speedily reach a crisis
with the whites.
"Somebuddy comin'!" shouted one of the watchers, presently. "An Injun!"
"Can you make him out?" questioned the captain, but before the question
was fairly finished the watcher continued:
"It's White Buffalo, and some white folks with him."
In a moment more the Morrises and Larkwells came into view, and the
thorn-brush was pulled aside to allow them to enter the enclosure. The
party rode in one at a time, Joseph Morris being the last to enter.
Rodney was so tired and exhausted he could not stand and Dave led him to
a seat on a tree stump and then assisted his aunt and little Nell to
alight.
"Oh, dear! Where are we?" cried the little girl, who had just awakened.
"I thought I was home in bed!"
"You are safe with mamma, dear," answered Mrs. Morris, hugging her
tightly. "We have come to the fort to get away from the wicked Indians."
"And I was asleep all the time? How funny!" Little Nell stared around
her. "Oh, there is Mary Lee and Martha Brownley!" she ejaculated. "I'll
have company, won't I?"
"Yes," answered her mother, and they joined their neighbors,--if those
living miles away could be called such.
The woman on the litter cared for, all the "men folks," which included
several who were little more than boys, assembled to map out a plan of
action and decide what should be done with White Buffalo and his
warriors. The Indian Chief was willing to aid them as much as was in his
power, but did not wish to enter the stockade, preferring to fight from
the shelter of the forest beyond.
"It is the redman's way," said White Buffalo, "even as it is the way of
the wildcat to fight in the darkness. White Buffalo can do more from the
outside than from the inside of the fort."
"I reckon you're right, Injun," answered Captain Tanner. "But now you've
carried one message for us I rather wish you'd carry another."
"White Buffalo will do what is best for his white brethren."
"I'd like to send word to Winchester, to Colonel Washington, letting him
know just how we're fixed here." The captain turned to those around him.
"Isn't that a good plan?"
"It is," said one, "but these Indians may give us lots of help,--if the
enemy come on us in heavy numbers. They oughtn't all to go."
The matter was talked over, and at last it was decided to let White
Buffalo start for Winchester with two of his braves, leaving the other
redmen to scatter through the woods and give the alarm on the approach
of the enemy. A letter was hastily written to Washington, and White
Buffalo started off just as the first streaks of dawn were beginning to
appear in the east.
Fortunately for those present, some of the pioneers had brought with
them large stocks of provision, so there was no need for anybody to go
hungry for a long while to come, should the Indians lay siege to them.
Water could also be had in plenty, which was desirable both for drinking
purposes and in case of fire.
With the coming of day those in the fort breathed more freely, for they
knew that even if the enemy came up it was not likely they would begin
an attack until darkness once again settled down. In the meantime the
work of strengthening the defense went on steadily, a laborer only
quitting when he found it necessary to lie down for a few hours' sleep.
The Indians had gone out, the thorn-brush had been piled high in the
gateway, and for the time being there seemed nothing for the pioneers to
do but to sit down and await developments. Several camp-fires were
burning and over these a morning meal was cooked, to which all but one
or two invalids did ample justice. The assemblage divided itself into
half a dozen groups, each talking in a low tone of the prospects.
The Morrises were chiefly concerned over the fate of Henry. When she
thought of her boy perhaps murdered and scalped the bitter tears of
anguish rolled down Mrs. Morris's cheeks, and the little the others
could do to cheer her up was of no avail.
"From what Dave says there must have been a fierce fight," she moaned.
"And more than likely our poor dear Henry got the worst of it. We'll
never see the brave boy again!" And her tears burst forth afresh.
"I would go on a hunt for him, only I know it would be next to useless,"
returned her husband. "Besides, at such a time as this I feel my place
is at your side, and with Nell, Rodney, and Dave." And she had to admit
that this was true.
Slowly the morning wore along. It had stopped snowing and not a sound
broke the stillness, outside of the gentle murmur of the brooks as they
met between the rocks, and the songs of the birds in the forest. Not a
breath of air was stirring, and as Dave climbed into one of the stockade
trees to survey the situation it looked as if no Indians were within
miles of them. But this he knew to be untrue, since White Buffalo's
warriors could not be far off and the enemy was surely working their way
in that direction.
"I fancy it's the calm before the storm," he said to Rodney, who having
had several hours of rest felt much stronger. "We'll catch it all the
worse when it does come."
"If only I wasn't crippled," sighed Rodney. "I'd fight just as hard as
any of 'em."
"I've no doubt of that, Rodney. Well, when the time comes perhaps you'll
have your share of the shooting same as any of us. You can watch from a
port-hole, even if you have to sit down to it."
"Yes, I've already told Captain Tanner I wanted one of those places at
the north brook to-night. I don't intend to let you fellows do the work
while I go and sleep. The women folks and the children are the only ones
to take it easy."
"Even the women folks will have their hands full--loading for us--when
the real attack begins. The first ten minutes are what counts. It was
that way when the Indians attacked father's trading post. If we hadn't
put it to 'em hot-like from the first minute we would never have beaten
'em back."
By the middle of the afternoon all that could be done was finished, and
then Captain Tanner insisted upon it that the majority of the men and
boys lie down to rest.
"You won't get any sleep to-night, so make the most of your time now,"
were his words. Then he climbed the tallest tree in that vicinity, to
take a long and careful look around. But this survey brought nothing new
to light.
It was just sundown when the first alarm came in. An Indian carrying a
white feather was seen sneaking up to the stockade. Seeing it was one of
White Buffalo's followers the captain sent Joseph Morris out to
interview him.
"The Indians who side with the French are coming," announced the
warrior. "They come by the trail we traveled and by the trail in yonder
pathway," pointing with his hand. "They are in four bands, and Gray Tail
heard that they will strike to-night when darkness covers the land."
This was all that the Indian could tell, but it was enough, and Joseph
Morris ran back to inform Captain Tanner and the others. Those who were
sleeping were aroused, and each man and boy was assigned to his place of
duty.
As he had desired, Rodney was placed near one of the brooks. The young
man's father was stationed some distance above him and Dave an equal
distance below. Next to Dave came a pioneer named Ike Lee, and the
others followed, completing the circle of the fort. Then all waited
anxiously for a first sign of the advancing enemy, each with his eyes
strained to their utmost and with his finger on the trigger of his
firearm.