CHAPTER XVI. ELIAS SHENDLE’S PLAN

Master Bartlett was not the only member of our party eager to learn the meaning of what we had seen. As for myself, I was far too bewildered to reply when Master Morley asked me where we first saw the enemy; but stood staring in open-mouthed astonishment as if he could see me, or I him, while the darkness seemed all the more intense because of those blinding flashes which had dazzled our eyes.

“How was it done?” Master Bartlett demanded, as he came up to where Stephen Morley and I stood, fifteen or twenty paces from the entrance to the cave.

“It wasn’t a bad kind of an idea, eh?” Master Morley cried, as he indulged in a hearty laugh, “and the joke of it is that you came near getting scared as badly as did those precious sneaks, who won’t stop running till they are with their fellow brutes. I’d give quite a little to hear what kind of a story they’ll tell.”

“It wouldn’t be a bad plan for you to tell your story,” Master Bartlett said, sharply. “I’ve seen some good tricks in my day, but this one goes ahead of any that’s ever been worked in the valley.”

“It was planned by Elias Shendle,” Stephen Morley said, as soon as it was possible for him to control his mirth, “and I reckon we’d better tell the yarn where he can hear it, because the lad is entitled to all the credit for this night’s work.”

Then we went into the cave, without making any effort to learn how many of the enemy had remained near by because of not having life enough left to run away, and, to my great surprise, I saw that Elias Shendle and Sam Rogers were on guard.

“Have you so far got the best of your wounds that you can take part in a fight?” I asked, in astonishment, and the lad replied, grimly:

“A fellow can do considerable when it is necessary in order to save his own life. Stephen Morley wanted to creep outside just after dark, that he might take a hand when you opened the battle, and there was no good reason why Sam Rogers and I couldn’t look to this part of the business, especially while the women were ready to load the guns.”

“But I’m itching to know how you managed to send those balls of fire wherever one of John Butler’s wolves broke cover,” Master Bartlett cried, impatiently, and Elias replied, in a matter-of-fact tone:

“There isn’t anything so very sharp about that trick, although I heard Master Morley speaking to you as if it was something great. We had a fair supply of powder, and during the afternoon, when there was nothing else to be done, I made fifteen or twenty balls about the size of a wren’s egg, wrapping them in leaves stuck together with a little mud. We knew you would be behind the Indians, therefore I had a handful of powder ready just at the entrance, so it could be flashed off when the fight began, to give you a chance to see exactly where the curs were hidden.”

“Yes, yes, I understood that part of it,” Master Bartlett interrupted; “but what about the flying fire?”

“Mistress Morley kept a brand ready, and I had put a fuse into the small balls of powder. When the fight was well started, I crept part way between the boulders; there I could have an idea of where the red sneaks were stationed, and as she lighted the fuse, I threw the ball in that direction, allowing that it would flash before striking the ground. It stirred them up a bit, I reckon.”

“You’ve got a big head on your shoulders, Elias Shendle,” Master Bartlett said, emphatically, “and have done more toward driving John Butler’s murderers out of this valley than could have been effected by the killing of threescore. We can now count on having time and to spare for the journey to the river, because you won’t see one of those curs around here again until there are Tories enough with him to do the biggest part of the fighting.”

“I’m looking to see the renegade Butler himself over this way within four and twenty hours,” Stephen Morley said in a tone of conviction. “It stands to reason that, after hearing the story his sneaks are likely to tell, he’ll want to know what’s afoot.”

“Ay, but by that time we’ll be at the river, getting Jonathan Ogden’s Minute Boys ready for service,” Master Bartlett cried. “Let us get what sleep we may ’twixt now and daylight, for all hands of us must make an early start in order to reach Eben Towle’s tunnel ahead of the scouts who may come down the river.”

Before obeying this suggestion, which was really a command, I asked Elias if he thought it would be possible for him to make the journey on foot, and then learned that it had already been agreed Mistress Morley should lend him her aid during the tramp.

“With her to lean upon when it comes to climbing over fallen trees, I’ll get on all right,” he said, cheerily. “Sam Rogers believes he can walk alone, so you need have no fear concerning us two, Jonathan Ogden.”

Stephen Morley stood guard while all the rest of the party slept, and as soon as the first gray light of coming day appeared in the sky we set off to make a change of quarters.

The two cripples were sent away first, with the children and Mistress Morley, Giles March leading them. Then, each man and woman loaded to the utmost of his or her strength, the remainder of us followed as best we might, fearing no interruption so we arrived at the river within three or four hours, and it can well be fancied that we made all speed, heeding neither the difficulties of the way nor fatigue.

Before he left Master Bartlett tramped twice far up the mountainside, so that it might look as if we had fled in that direction, and when the last person departed from that which had been to us a veritable cave of refuge, there was nothing remaining save the beds of leaves and the charred embers of the fire.

Those of us who were in the rear soon overtook the crippled lads, and then one and another lent a hand, until they contrived to cover the ground at about the same rate of speed we would have been able to do without them; but I could see full well by the lines of pain of Elias Shendle’s face, and by his labored breathing, that he was making the effort of his life.

Much as I pitied the dear lad, I could not advise him to go more slowly, for the lives of all might depend on the last one being within Eben Towle’s tunnel in a certain time, and all that remained was to give him such assistance as might be possible.

Then came the time when we crept cautiously out from the thicket to approach the ruins, each moving swiftly with due regard to leaving a trail, and watching jealously the opposite bank of the river lest there be spectators.

It seemed as if we gained cover without having been seen, and once the crippled lads and the children were safe, Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley spent a full hour trying to hide the trail which, despite our best efforts, had been left behind.

Esther Hinchman had a soft word of greeting for me when we were arrived, which caused me to forget all fatigue, discomfort, or fears for the future, and then we set about making more habitable this place of defence and abode.

Esther, Oscar, and Daniel had worked like beavers doing what they might to make it homelike, and but for the absence of light, I would have said that we could ask for nothing better. As a matter of course the place was dark; but Esther tried to cheer the other women by showing a small store of candles, which had been found among the packages made up by Eben Towle, and promising that, whenever it should be thought safe, the tunnel could be illumined as well as any house.

Then, while we lay upon the ground, resting from the fatigue of the tramp, we speculated as to where the man might be who had dug out this place, which we believed would serve us well.

Giles felt quite certain he was with us when we marched from Forty Fort to give battle to John Butler’s force, and if such had been the case, then was it certain the poor man would never need a hiding-place in this world, for unless he was among the slain, then would we have found him there. He had no family, as we knew full well, therefore it seemed certain that we alone, of all who were left alive in the valley, had knowledge of the tunnel.

I will not undertake to say how much of provisions we found as he had left them. Considerable was spoiled because of having been stored away so long; but sufficient yet remained to keep us alive many days, and, in addition, we had the supplies brought from the cave.

“We are in good shape to begin our work,” Master Bartlett said when the situation had been discussed to a finish, “and it is now for us to pay off the scores John Butler has run up.”

“How will we set about it?” Elias Shendle asked, eagerly, as if counting that he could do his full share of work with the best of us.

“That can’t well be figured out till we know what may be doing at Forty Fort,” Master Bartlett replied. “I have had it in mind that we would hold together as Minute Boys, even though some of us are a bit old to be counted in that class, and it will go hard if we don’t do some work that will tell, not only to those whose homes are here in the valley, but in the struggle against the king.”

“Who will go to Forty Fort to learn what may be doing there?” Daniel Hinchman asked, and I knew he was burning with the desire to do that portion of the work.

“You, if it so be Jonathan Ogden is willing.”

“Why speak in that way?” I asked, perhaps a little petulantly, for it was not to my liking that they hold longer to the pretence of my being captain.

“Because you were chosen as the leader, and I hold to it that you boys shall do the work.”

“When you and Stephen Morley are here it is veriest folly to speak of me, or any other member of our company, being in command,” I cried, and Master Bartlett replied, quietly:

“All that may be true, lad, and you still remain the captain. Stephen Morley is a member of the Continental army, and must leave us soon. I am not in shape to be called a soldier, else had I enlisted long since; but there is no reason why I should not stay with the Minute Boys so long as pleases me, and, not having made an agreement to serve in the ranks, will be able to leave at any time without taking the chances of being called a deserter.”

At this point Daniel Hinchman began moving around as if at work, and Elias Shendle asked what he was doing.

“Getting ready to set out for Forty Fort,” he replied. “There is no good reason why I should idle away the time here.”

“It would be folly to make any attempt at crossing the river until after night has come,” I said, and Master Bartlett added:

“With the chance that the story, which the curs whom we frightened are sure to tell, will bring a large force of the enemy this way, it is not well that we show ourselves more than may be absolutely necessary during the hours of daylight. Stay where you are, Daniel Hinchman, until night has come, and then you may go out through the entrance which lets on to the river. Stephen Morley and I count on having a look around from now till dark, after which it shall be your turn.”

I was considerably surprised and very much disgruntled because the old man was, seemingly, shutting me out from any of the work; but did not think it well to complain just then, lest it should appear as if I was trying to assume command of the party while the older men were present.

Half an hour later Stephen Morley and Master Bartlett crept out through the ruins of the house, after cautioning the remainder of us against straying from the tunnel until their return, and we were left to pass the time as best we might.

The majority of the party gave themselves up to slumber, and were wise in thus taking advantage of the opportunity; but my thoughts strayed so far into the future, while I speculated on what it might be possible for us lads to do by way of driving the enemy from the valley, that I could not have closed my eyes in rest however hard I might try.

Therefore it was that, some time later, when I saw Esther Hinchman moving about as if searching for something, I joined her, asking what she would do.

“I was only trying to get a better idea of this queer place where we appear to be so secure,” she replied, and it pleased me well to go with her up and down the length of the tunnel, prying here and there to find more of Eben Towle’s hoardings, until we were come to that end which gave toward the river.

Here Master Bartlett had thrown up a barricade of half-burned logs and such other materials as he could come at handily. The entrance was not closed so thoroughly but that we could catch a glimpse of the river through the bushes which grew outside.

“It seems good to see the sun shining, even though we cannot feel its warmth,” she said, musingly, and I laughed softly, for verily had she had enough of the sun’s heat and to spare while coming down from the cave, because then we were like to have roasted.

“If it please God, you shall soon be able to sit in the glare of the sun whenever it may be your fancy to do so,” I said, feeling at the time strong enough to fight John Butler’s wolves single-handed, so her life was at stake, and before it was possible to reply, even had she been so minded, there suddenly came into view on the river a veritable fleet of canoes, heading as if to make land near the ruins of Eben Towle’s house.

I should say, speaking well within bounds, that there were no less than sixteen boats, all filled to the utmost of their capacity with Indians and white men, and it was not needed that we should question as to why they had come.

These were John Butler’s Tories and red wolves, sent to learn the secret of the cave on the mountain where so many of their companions had met their fate, and I really trembled with what was very like fear as I thought of what must have been the result had we not found another hiding-place just as we did.

Each canoe carried five or more passengers, and when that large force stood in front of the cave we could not have hoped to hold it many hours, however desperate may have been our resistance.

Now, however, they had come in vain, and when the terror aroused by what might have happened had passed away, I laughed aloud as I saw in fancy the slow, cautious advance up the mountainside, the stealthy approach, and the rush upon the cave where remained no living being.

Nearer and nearer the fleet approached the shore, and, laying her finger on her lips, Esther glided noiselessly away from me to warn, as I fancied, our comrades against the lightest sound lest the secret of our hiding-place be betrayed.

When she returned all the lads were with her, and we watched our enemies as they came ashore, drew the canoes high out of the water, and then disappeared beyond our line of vision toward the forest.

There was not one in all that small army who showed signs of joy at taking part in such an expedition. Every face was grave, while many had an anxious look, and it was not difficult to believe they had been ordered to perform the duty, rather than having volunteered, for, according to such a story as the frightened savages must have told, they were about to have an encounter with those who dealt in magic.

During a full half-hour we could hear them moving around just over our heads, as if loath to set out on the final stage of their journey, and then the sounds died away until silence reigned as before the renegades and curs showed themselves.

Even then we in the tunnel did not dare to speak lest some of the party had remained behind to act as sentinels, and were sitting there silent and motionless, when those sounds were heard which told that Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley were entering the hiding-place by way of the ruins.

Then we knew all the ruffians had departed, and straightway our tongues were loosened, as we asked of the men what they had seen, at the same time explaining how it was we knew of what had been going on.

“I reckon you are as wise as we,” Master Bartlett replied, “for we were obliged to remain at a distance. They have gone to take the cave, and it is safe guessing that not one of them will dare to remain in the woods after dark, even though it can be seen only a party of fugitives were concealed there. Stephen Morley and I believe it will be possible to deal out such a dose that they won’t be eager to visit this side of the river any oftener than may be absolutely necessary, therefore if you lads who can move about are minded to come with us, the work of the Minute Boys can be begun ’twixt now and sunset.”

Never one of us waited to hear what the old man’s plan might be; but all eagerly set about making ready for the excursion, and ten minutes had not passed before the male members of the party, save only Elias Shendle and Sam Rogers, were in the open air, seeking cover in the nearest thicket.

Master Bartlett led us up-stream, once we were within the shelter of the woods, until having left the tunnel nearly a mile behind, and then halted where it was possible to have a full view of the river.

“What is the plan?” Daniel Hinchman asked eagerly when we were come to a halt.

“There isn’t any, lad,” Master Bartlett replied, with a laugh. “It only came to Stephen Morley and me that we might begin to square accounts with those curs at once. They will, of course, go up-stream, at least as far as Forty Fort, after finding that the cave is empty, and I’m reckoning that we won’t see them this way until nearly dark. We’ll scatter along the bank twenty paces or so apart, keeping under cover, of course, and when they show up, open fire. They won’t have the heart to come ashore in search of us; but in case they should, we are to strike out for the cave, going as nearly as may be over their trail. That’s all we had decided upon, and if things don’t go as we have figured, it will be a case of each for himself, with the understanding that no one is to go near the tunnel until it is certain he will not be seen by the enemy.”

It would have pleased me better had the old man decided to meet the curs in open fight, for this striking a blow in the darkness, with the odds all in our favor, smacked too much of the same style of fighting which John Butler called warfare; but it was not for me to find fault when we might make reprisals in some slight degree for the massacre of our people.

We took our stations according to the instructions given by Master Bartlett, and, ready to kill, but not accounting it other than a just punishment, awaited the coming of those who had laid waste our beautiful valley.

Not until half an hour after sunset did the foremost of the canoes come in sight, and the men were paddling wearily as if after a hard day’s march.

It had been understood that the signal for us to begin work would be the report of Master Bartlett’s musket, and we waited eagerly for that, each fellow with his musket levelled and resting on a branch or stump that he might send the bullet more truly.

The sights of my weapon covered a big savage, whose head-dress of feathers told that he was more vain than his brothers, else he would not have worn that ornament while on the war-path, and I had no doubt of bringing him down, for the boats were well within the range of our muskets.

Then, when five or six of the foremost canoes were directly opposite where we had taken our stations, Master Bartlett fired, and one of the curs who had been paddling fell over the side of the frail craft in such a manner that it filled on the instant, leaving its occupants floundering in the river.

I had the satisfaction of seeing the red brute at whom I aimed fall backward, and while reloading had a full view of all that took place. Not one of our party had missed his target; two of the canoes had been overset by the struggles of those who were wounded, and such of the boats as yet floated were headed for the opposite bank in desperate haste.

It would have done me real good to give voice to the feelings of triumph which were mine when I saw those sneaks in such a panic of fear; but I held my peace, and stood ready for a shot at the next canoe, when I came to understand that all was not going as the old man had counted on.

Giles March, who had been stationed next below me, came up hurriedly, as he whispered:

“Master Bartlett gave the signal too soon; he should have waited till the last of the fleet was passing. Those in the rear are coming ashore on this side of the river, and we are like to have a warm time unless we can gain the cave, in which case we may find ourselves regularly besieged.”

He had no more than ceased speaking when all the party came up, for my station was the one toward the north, and Master Bartlett said hurriedly:

“Three canoes have been hauled up on this shore; the others are putting straight across the river. Is it in your minds, lads, that we keep together, or separate, in the retreat?”

“If but three boat-loads have landed, let us stand our ground like men; there will be time enough to take to the mountain when we see too large a force coming across the river to have a share in the scrimmage,” I said, quickly, eager for a pitched battle.

“Jonathan Ogden is right,” Stephen Morley said without hesitation. “Thus far only about fifteen men have come ashore, and we can make the odds more nearly even when they first show themselves.”

No one made a protest, and we took our stations, each for himself, but within easy distance of the others, and all where they could be hidden from view of those who were coming up.

It was to be a battle in the night; but we who stood for the right could see as well in the darkness as those butcher’s curs, and had more of a heart for the fight, it was reasonable to suppose.

“Fire whenever you see anything moving; but try not to waste a shot,” Master Bartlett whispered loud enough for all to hear, and then came those sounds, faintly yet distinctly, which betokened the advance of the enemy.

“Now has come the time when we begin to tell John Butler that he has yet to reckon with the Minute Boys, before he can take possession of this valley,” Giles March, who stood next me, whispered, and before I could make reply the report of a musket broke the stillness.

Another report, and another, but yet I could see no signs of the enemy, strain my eyes as I might, and in my impatience I moved forward two or three paces, when a bullet came singing past my head.

The savages had been doing all the firing, as I soon believed, and it caused me no little shame when I realized that they were gaining the advantage which should have been ours.

“Can you see anything?” Giles March whispered as he came to where I had sheltered myself behind a big oak-tree, and I replied, as a better understanding of the situation came into my mind like a flash:

“They outwitted us by sending part of their force straight toward us, while the remainder sneaked up the river bank, counting that we would not be looking for danger from such direction. Face about, lad, and let us give them a bit of their own music.”

Now instead of searching with our eyes to the south, we slipped from tree-trunk to tree-trunk until we were within perhaps thirty paces of the stream, and then we had targets in plenty before us.

No less than five—two savages and three white men, as I made out—were coming warily up from the water looking for us, and heeding not the possibility that we might have made a change of front even as they had done.

Crouching on one knee I fired, bringing down my game, and an instant later Giles March had winged another. The remaining three hunted cover in a twinkling, and when we had reloaded our weapons, I shouted to the others of our company:

“They are coming up from the river! Have an eye out in that direction!”

“Get together, lads!” I heard Master Bartlett cry, doing so lest Giles and I should shoot our own comrades, and as soon as might be thereafter, each fellow moving as rapidly as possible, we were united once more.

I did not understand why the old man had made this move, until he whispered in my ear:

“It is likely that the noise of the firing will bring others from the opposite side, and it is in my mind that we had better circle around them.”

“To the end that we may take refuge in the cave once more?” I asked, and he replied with what was very like a chuckle of satisfaction:

“It may be we could come at the canoes while they are searching here for us, in which case all hands might have a look at Forty Fort before morning.”