CHAPTER XVII
"They are coming for us!" cried Henry.
"They are going to try to stop the ice-boat," said one of the wounded hunters.
"Don't let 'em do it," added the other wounded man. "If they do that we'll all be killed, sure!"
"We must fight for it," came firmly from James Morris. "Men, make every shot tell."
There was no time to say more, for the craft was now almost upon the Indians. The latter were whooping and gesticulating wildly, and three ran forward, as if to catch hold of the craft as it came on.
But the wind, still increasing, still favored the whites. It swung the ice-boat a little to one side, and with a whizzing sound the craft struck two of the Indians, hurling them flat.
As the Indians went down some of the other red men discharged their firearms, and let fly several arrows. The whites also fired, and two other Indians were wounded. Henry received an arrow through his coat sleeve, but the wound made thereby was only a scratch. One of the wounded hunters was struck in the breast and he expired a short time afterward.
The terrible speed of the ice-boat was something upon which the red men had not calculated, and as the two that were struck went down, the craft fairly leaped forward, and in a few seconds the whites had passed the whole band of Indians. More shots were sent after them, and Henry and his uncle fired in return, but no further damage was done. In two minute the ice-boat was out of firing distance.
"Are you hurt, Henry?" questioned the trader, anxiously.
"It's only a scratch, Uncle Jim," was the answer, after an examination.
"I'm afraid poor Gaddock is done for," went on the trader.
"He is," said the other hunter. "We can be thankful that we got through so quickly. I thought they had us cornered."
"Perhaps there are more Indians ahead," went on Henry, as he reloaded his rifle and did the same for his uncle, while the latter managed the ice-boat.
But little more was said just then, for all were scanning the shore with anxious eyes. But no more Indians appeared, and not long after that the straight stretch of the Ohio came to an end, and they turned into a little cove, where the overhanging trees afforded not a little protection.
"That attack has convinced me of one thing," said James Morris, as he helped the wounded hunter to shore, and also carried the dead man in. "The Indians all through this territory are on the war-path. And if that is so, it isn't of much use to try to get aid from Fort Pitt. Captain Ecuyer will have his hands full as it is."
"Don't you wish the others were here?" asked Henry, "I do."
"They may have a great deal of trouble in getting through."
"And the worst of it is—for them—that we have all the provisions."
There was nothing to do but to draw the ice-boat up in the most sheltered part of the cove. This done, they removed all the stores.
"I've got an idea!" cried Henry. "If those Indians try to follow us up, why not set the ice-boat a-going with dummies on board? That will throw them off the trail, at least for a while."
"Perhaps we'll do that," answered his uncle.
As well as they could, they buried the dead hunter among the rocks. Then they moved to another spot, which James Morris thought might be still safer. Here they remained for the rest of the day and all of the night without anything happening to disturb them.
Each hour the trader grew more anxious regarding those who had been advancing along the Ohio on foot, and during the night he made a trip along the river, in the direction where the last band of Indians had been encountered.
"You'll be careful, won't you, Uncle?" asked Henry, anxiously. He hated to see his relative depart on so dangerous a mission.
"Yes, Henry, and you must be on the alert while I am gone."
James Morris left the camp about eleven o'clock, and for the next six hours the watch for Henry and the wounded trapper was a lonely one. The wind died down utterly and scarcely a sound broke the stillness of the wilderness. Once they heard the howl of a lonely wolf, but that was all.
Just before dawn they heard a well-known whistle, and then James Morris appeared, followed by Jadwin and another white hunter, and two friendly Indians. All were tired out, and it was some time before their story was told.
"We had a hard time of it," said Tony Jadwin. "We fell into a regular nest of the red varmints, and I reckon almost all of the others are dead or badly wounded. We were making for this place when we fell in with Mr. Morris."
As tired as were the newcomers, it was decided that the whole party must push on without delay, and the start was made just before sunrise, after a hasty and scanty breakfast. As much of the packs as could be carried were taken along and the rest left behind, along with the ice-boat, for James Morris said it would no longer be safe to show themselves on the river.
It was a hard and lonesome tramp, through a section of the country which was new to all but Tony Jadwin. In spots the snow filled the forest to the depth of several feet, and they had to proceed with care, for fear of going down into some dangerous pitfall. All took turns at carrying the wounded trapper, for his hurt leg was now so sore he could not step upon it. Once they ran into half a dozen half-starved wolves, and in self-defense had to shoot two of the beasts before the others would take themselves off.
They ran into half a dozen half-starved wolves.
They ran into half a dozen half-starved wolves.
They ran into half a dozen half-starved wolves.
"I hate to do much shooting," said James Morris. "It will let the Indians know where we are."
"True for you," came from Jadwin. "But we can't allow no wolves to eat us up alive."
By the following evening Jadwin calculated that they were not more than forty miles from Fort Pitt. But the country was very rugged, and it was thought that it would take at least three, if not four days to reach the stronghold.
"We'll have to reconnoiter when we get within a few miles of the fort," said James Morris. "For all we know to the contrary the place may be surrounded by the Indians."
"If it hasn't already fallen," put in Henry.
During the following day it became much warmer, so that the snow began to melt in all the sunny spots along their way. This made walking worse than before, and Henry got wet feet, something which was not at all to his liking. They saw some deer at a distance, but thought best not to risk a shot on the game, for fear of bringing some of their enemy to that vicinity.
"What a wilderness this is!" said Henry, as they journeyed along. "I'll wager very few white men have been here."
"Hardly any," answered Jadwin, who trudged by his side. "And very few Injuns, too. It's not the kind of a locality to strike for hunting. I came through last more for curiosity than anything else. Some Injuns said the spot was haunted, and I wanted to see the ghost, if there was any."
"And did you see any?"
"No, but I got a pretty good scare. I was out one moonlight night and saw a silver deer at a lick a short distance from here. Just as I spotted the deer it came straight for me. It had a bit of birch bark caught on its horns, and for the minute I thought sure it was the ghost. But I tried to keep cool, and made out to draw a bead, and that was the last of the silver deer."
The weather continued to grow warmer and walking became worse and worse. Whenever they struck a trail, it was deep in mud and slush, and they frequently had to make detours for fear of becoming stuck. It was a dreary time, and even Henry's naturally light spirits deserted him.
"I'd give as much as two shillings to be at the fort," he declared. "I'm sick of such tramping as this."
On the fourth day they came to within three miles of the fort. James Morris called a halt, and Tony Jadwin went ahead to see if the coast was clear.
As mentioned before in this series, Fort Pitt stood where the city of Pittsburg stands to-day. In former times Fort Duquesne had occupied that position, erected by the French and destroyed by General Forbes. Fort Pitt was erected under the directions of General Stanwix, and was a fairly strong fortification, having dirt and log ramparts on the land side, and a heavy brick wall on the side looking down the Ohio River. On one side swept the Allegheny River and on the other the Monongahela, and for miles around the country was an almost unbroken wilderness. To the west were a few isolated posts, and the nearest settlement eastward was two hundred miles away. Only two roads led to the fort, that built by General Braddock five years before, and the second, which was built by General Forbes a little later. Both roads were so rough that to use them for cart driving was difficult, so that those journeying on either preferred to move goods by pack-train. Frequently the spring freshets would sweep away the bridges across the various streams, so that the roads needed constant repairs or they could not be used at all.
Much to the relief of Jadwin and Henry they found no Indians in the vicinity of Fort Pitt. They at once went back to report, and a little later the whole party marched directly to the stronghold, crossing the river in a bateau that was handy. Several soldiers were on guard, but as James Morris was well known, and Jadwin too, they were allowed to come up without being challenged.
"What news?" demanded Captain Ecuyer, for he saw at a glance that something was wrong.
"Our post has been attacked, and is in the hands of the Indians and the French," responded James Morris, and entering the captain's quarters he told his story in detail. Captain Ecuyer listened with a grave look on his face. He was of Swiss birth, but had served in the English army for many years.
"This is truly unfortunate, Mr. Morris," he said. "But it is directly in line with what I have been fearing for some time."
"You have feared an uprising?"
The captain bowed. "Yes, and such an uprising is feared at every fort on the frontier. Pontiac and his agents have been everywhere among the red men, inciting them to fall upon us and drive us out. I am expecting news from other forts daily, but so far no word of importance has arrived."
"I see you are strengthening your position."
"Yes, it was necessary that something be done. If the Indians come here in large numbers——" The captain did not finish, but made a movement that meant a good deal.
"Then it will be useless for me to ask you for aid," said James Morris, bluntly.
"You mean aid to get back your post?"
"Yes."
"I cannot send my men on such an expedition for the present. I have been ordered to hold this position and strengthen it as much as possible. The most I can do is to ask you to remain here for the present, if you care to do so. Then, if I have the chance, I will be only too glad later on to aid you."
"Well, I can't go on, just at present, and as I can't turn back, I'll have to remain here," said James Morris.
"Very well then, Mr. Morris. Of course, you understand, in case of an attack——"
"I shall do my duty, just as you expect your soldiers to do theirs," finished the trader. "And I know my nephew, Henry, will be glad to serve as a soldier once more."