SOMETHING ABOUT FORT NIAGARA
We will now go back to Dave, at the time he was thrown into the waters
of the lake, in the midst of the storm.
For the moment after the waters closed over him, the young soldier was
too bewildered to do more than throw out his hands wildly. He attempted
to cry out, and the water rushed into his mouth, almost drowning him.
Then he spluttered and struggled, and more by instinct than anything
else began to strike out.
When he came up he took a fresh breath and dashed the water from his
eyes. He could see but little in the darkness, and although he could
hear many cries, and a shout or two from distant boats, yet the craft
remained invisible to him.
At length another flash of lightning showed him that one batteau had
gone down and also showed him the sailor-soldier struggling near him.
"Hullo there!" shouted the other, whose name was Simon Lapp. "Can you
swim?"
"Yes, but not extra well," panted Dave.
"Move this way, then--the shore's over yonder, and I think we'll soon
strike bottom with our feet."
Dave did as suggested, and ranged up alongside of Simon Lapp. The
proximity of the sailor-soldier gave the youth confidence, and he did
his best to keep up with the man.
It was the hardest swim of his life and more than once Dave felt as if
the weight of his uniform would carry him down. The two were alone in
the vicinity, the others having either gone down or struck out for the
uninjured boats nearest to them.
When Dave was almost exhausted he felt bottom under him, and hand in
hand he and Simon Lapp waded ashore. The rain was now coming down harder
than ever, and both crawled to the shelter of some overhanging trees,
regardless of the danger from lightning.
"We're in a pickle, that's certain," observed Dave, when he felt able to
speak. "Do you reckon anybody will come to shore for us?"
"More'n likely some of the boats have been driven ashore," answered
Lapp. "Let us be thankful that our lives have been spared."
Dave was thankful, and as they crouched there in the darkness he uttered
a prayer to God for His mercies, and prayed that this adventure might
speedily be brought to a safe conclusion.
As we know, the storm was not of long duration, and by nightfall Dave
and Lapp were walking along the shore, searching for friends, or for
some signs of the other batteaux.
But, strange as it may seem, no boats showed themselves, nor did a
single human being come into sight.
"Might as well give it up," said the sailor-soldier at last. "I'm too
tired to stick on my pins a minit longer. Let's make a fire and dry
off."
Dave was agreeable, and the fire was started, although not without great
difficulty. In moving along the shore they had come across a few small
fish thrown up by the fury of the wind and these they cooked and ate.
The next day found Dave and Lapp still in the woods. In some manner they
had strayed from the lake front and before nightfall they had covered
many miles in an endeavor to set themselves right once again. They had
found no more game, and being without means of shooting anything, or
even of going fishing, were almost starved for the want of food.
"We've got to do something," said Dave, on the following morning. "If we
don't, we'll starve. I'm going to try to bring down some birds with
sticks and stones."
He tried his best, but though he followed his plan up for fully an hour
not a bird did he hit, and by that time his arm was so tired that
further throwing was out of the question. In the meantime, his course
had brought him out on the lake front once more, and now while he
rested, Simon Lapp tried his hand at fishing, with a hook made out of a
thorn and some line manufactured from threads from his shirt.
But the fish would not bite, and in an hour Lapp gave up the attempt in
disgust. Each looked at the other inquiringly.
"The lake is full o' fish, and the woods full o' game--an' yet it looks
like we were meant to starve, Morris," said Lapp, slowly.
"Oh, don't say that!" cried Dave. "Something may turn up--it must turn
up!"
He had scarcely spoken when Lapp leaped to his feet and pointed down the
lake shore. "A boat!" he cried.
There was a speck on the water, and as it grew larger, Dave saw that it
was indeed a boat, quite a large affair, carrying a small sail and in
addition several men at oars.
Were those in the craft friends or enemies? That was the interesting
question, and Dave felt his heart beat rapidly. If they were friends all
would be well, but if enemies----? They would not wish to expose
themselves, and yet to starve to death was out of the question.
As the boat came closer, they crawled behind some bushes and crouched
down out of sight. Slowly the craft glided up, until it was less than a
hundred yards away. Then Simon Lapp leaped up and swung his arms wildly.
"Boat ahoy!" he cried. "Boat ahoy!"
Those in the craft heard the call and the rowers stopped rowing, while
all looked with interest toward the shore. Then Dave uttered a yell.
"Henry! Henry!"
"Hullo, Dave, is that you?" was the answer.
"Yes. Come in and take us on board. We are almost starved!"
"How many of you there?" questioned the officer in charge of the boat.
"Only two," answered Simon Lapp. "And unarmed at that."
"It's all right, sir," said Henry, to the officer in command. "That is
my cousin, who left Oswego with General Prideaux's command. I don't know
what he is doing here though."
The boat came ashore, and soon Henry was shaking Dave by the hand. The
hungry ones were provided with food, and although this consisted of
nothing better than some boiled pork, with beans and crackers which were
anything but fresh, never had a meal tasted sweeter to both.
The officer and the others listened with interest to what Lapp and Dave
had to tell. They had come across the waterlogged remains of the wrecked
batteaux and had been watching sharply for any signs of floating bodies.
They had come across that of Lieutenant Naster and had buried it but a
few hours before. The news that the lieutenant was dead caused Dave to
shudder.
The rangers were bound for the Niagara River, having been sent out by
Colonel Haldimand with a message to General Prideaux, telling the latter
of the defeat and retreat of La Corne. It was possible that La Corne
would now move onward to assist in the defense of Fort Niagara in which
case measures would have to be taken to cut him off. But La Corne had
been too thoroughly whipped to move westward, and, besides, he was soon
after needed in other directions.
Of course the news which Henry had to tell about little Nell and Jean
Bevoir was of great interest to Dave.
"Did the Indian tell you just where she was being kept?" he asked.
"He said so far as he knew the captives and the traders were at an
Indian village called Shumetta, not over two miles away from Niagara
Falls. He said Jean Bevoir spent part of his time at Shumetta and the
rest at Venango, where he has charge of a company of traders, who intend
to fight in the French army, if the war is carried into that territory."
"I hope Bevoir does fight, and that we get a chance at him!" cried Dave.
"I really think I'd take pleasure in laying him low--such a rascal as he
is!"
After the privations of the past two days Dave was well content to take
it easy as the boat sped on its way along the dark and silent shore of
Lake Ontario, then presenting an almost unbroken line of forest and
rocks, to-day the sites of many villages and thriving cities. As the
craft moved on, constant watch was kept for a possible French sail, but
none appeared.
It took General Prideaux's flotilla between six and seven days to make
the journey westward, and it was not until the troops were landing that
the boat containing Dave and Henry reached the main army. General
Prideaux was at once acquainted with what had occurred at Oswego and
seemed well pleased to think that La Corne's strategy had not availed
him. He already knew of the loss of Lieutenant Naster and of four
others who were swept away by the storm.
Dave and Lapp had been given up for lost by their friends who had
escaped from the wrecking of the batteau, and their re-appearance was
hailed with delight.
It was General Prideaux's plan to land some distance from Fort Niagara,
and then lay siege to the place. The soldiers disembarked as silently as
possible, the trees, rocks and bushes keeping them well hidden from
those in the fort. Then, while several companies were left behind to
guard the boats and baggage, the rest of the army moved through the
woods, the engineering corps going ahead, to throw up entrenchments as
soon as such a move seemed necessary.
The old fort, which was speedily to see its last days under French rule,
stood on the right bank of the Niagara River, where that picturesque
stream empties into Lake Ontario. It was both large and strongly built,
after the fashion of French fortification of that period. Within the
outer defenses were several buildings of considerable importance, for
this fort had stood as a guardian of lake and river for many years.
The commander at the fort was Captain Pouchot, an able French officer,
who had seen service for many campaigns. He had under him a force of
about six hundred soldiers--trained veterans who could boast of more
than one victory. Up to a short while before, there had been other
soldiers in this vicinity, but not dreaming of an attack--for his Indian
spies had this time failed him--the French officer had allowed these to
depart--to Venango and other trading posts, and to several of the nearby
Indian villages. It was mid-summer, and traders and Indians hated to do
military duty when they could bring down game and make trades.