CHAPTER XVIII. THE REFUGEES

While I was walking here and there, scrutinizing carefully all the stockade to learn where, if any, were its weak points, Esther Hinchman came up, and it goes without saying that I stopped to speak with her.

“It is not for me to interfere with the men’s work in any way, Jonathan Ogden,” she began, with a bright smile, “nor would I do so even to the extent of asking questions; but we women believe we should be counted as among the defenders of the stockade and ought to be looked upon as such.”

“Indeed, we so reckon you,” I replied, puzzled to guess what she might be driving at.

“Then give us regular duties to perform. We can stand guard in the daytime as well as any other, for our eyes are as sharp as yours, and if we take that work upon ourselves, then it will be possible for all the men to remain on duty during each night.”

It was a most welcome proposition she had made, since, by following it, we who counted ourselves men would not be heavy-eyed while standing guard in the darkness, when we knew the most danger threatened, and so it was arranged, save that I would have put her off until the next day.

“Let us begin at once,” she said, firmly, “and then it will come more natural when danger thickens.”

Well, without consulting my comrades, I stationed Esther Hinchman and three other women on the stockade at once, and Giles March asked, laughingly:

“Have you turned your command into Minute Girls, Jonathan Ogden?”

When I had stated what was to be the arrangement while we were so short-handed, he, as well as all the others who heard me, believed it was a wise plan, and, now that there was no longer need of us on the lookout platforms, we went here and there examining the defences, strengthening them as much as possible by setting other logs where any showed signs of weakness.

The canoes had long since been brought inside the stockade, and every lad and man in the company was working to the utmost of his ability, when a low cry from Esther Hinchman took me to her side.

“A canoe is coming down on the other side, keeping well inshore,” she said. “I cannot make out that there are more than two persons in her.”

“Master Bartlett was right when he said some of those curs would come down to see what had become of Andrew Hardy and his companions!” I cried involuntarily, and then, like a flash of light, came to me an idea which, if properly carried out, might be turned much to our advantage.

“Call the women down from the platforms without delay, and as quietly as may be. See that they all go into the blockhouse, taking the children with them,” I said, hurriedly. “I believe we may trap those curious ones if we work quickly.”

Esther did not delay to ask questions; but, running from one platform to another, called off her sentinels, and while I was talking with Master Bartlett, I saw that the dear girl was gathering the children up as one does a flock of sheep.

“If we keep out of sight those curs will be likely to stroll inside the stockade through curiosity,” I said to the old man, after telling him of what Esther had seen. “Now I cannot say in what way it would advantage us to hold prisoners, although the time may come, before we have regained possession of the valley, when a few of those wolves in a cage would be something with which we might drive a bargain.”

“How will you do it?” Master Bartlett asked, without declaring for or against my plan.

“I would have you and Stephen Morley hidden outside where you could shoot down the savages if we bungled the trapping of them. Then the remainder of our force should be just inside the gates, which are to be swung half-open. The women and children are already within the blockhouse under orders not to show themselves or make any noise. If we can’t take them prisoners, we can at least shoot them down.”

“Stephen Morley and I will look after the business outside,” Master Bartlett said curtly, and in another instant he was beckoning Morley to follow him.

It was not necessary for me to spend above five minutes in posting all my force behind the half-opened gates, and each fellow had his musket ready for use on the instant, in case the curs entered and were not disposed to surrender quietly.

The blockhouse was closed, and the doors and windows securely fastened, so there was no fear the inmates would come to harm through any stray bullets, in case we had a scrimmage.

When I stood where it was possible to peer through the narrow crevice between the gate and that portion of the stockade to which it was hung, the Indians were just stepping out from their canoe, having seen where Andrew Hardy pulled his craft up on the mud, and, because the curs were looking around for a trail, I believed they would walk directly into our trap.

With a cautious warning to my comrades that they might know the decisive moment was near at hand, I looked well to the priming of my musket, and waited nervously for that which was to come.

Straight as an arrow from a bow, the curs walked toward the stockade, following the trail and looking suspiciously around as they advanced.

There was nothing to alarm them in the fact that the stockade was thrown open, for so they must have expected to find it; but on arriving at the entrance, where it was possible to have a view of the enclosure, the two half-halted as if scenting danger.

Then one spoke in his native tongue, pointing toward the blockhouse, and both advanced until the gates could be swung behind them.

At the same instant that two of the lads shoved the heavy barrier into place, Daniel Hinchman and Andrew Hardy leaped out on the left side of the foe, and Giles March and I on the right, with our weapons levelled.

The sneaks sprang forward two or three paces as they turned with upraised hatchets to face us, and then must they have been blind indeed had either failed to note that it would be instant death to make any attempt at striking a blow.

I must give them credit for a show of bravery when they saw how thoroughly well the trap had been sprung. There was no sign either of surprise or fear as they faced us, and without a word both unslung the muskets from their shoulders, throwing them to the ground, together with knives and hatchets, after which the fellows stood with folded arms, as if having no further concern as to what might be done.

“Let Master Bartlett and Stephen Morley come inside,” I called to Miles Parker, who had been given charge of the gates, keeping my musket levelled all the while, as did my comrades.

The two men obeyed the summons in a twinkling, they having come up instantly the gates were closed, and I said as they entered:

“I believe it is best that you take charge of the prisoners, because it stands to reason you have had more experience in such matters than any of us; but it strikes me you would do well to first make sure they have no other weapons about them.”

Master Bartlett deftly took from the statue-like savages their ammunition, and then said in a matter-of-fact tone:

“It’s all right, lad; you can look after other matters, for I guarantee these sneaks will stay with us till we get ready to send them—I know where they’d go if I was in command of this party.”

The prisoners moved toward the farther end of the enclosure in obedience to the old man’s direction, and I believed they were to be imprisoned in the shed where we found Elias Shendle.

“Well, lads,” I said, cheerily, “we have two more muskets, ammunition to go with them, and a canoe in addition to what we had at sunrise, which is not a bad morning’s work, as I look at it. Andrew Hardy, you had best bring the boat into the stockade, and I will let out the women and children.”

Half an hour later matters inside the fort were much as before the enemy came within sight, save that in the shed, bound hand and foot to heavy logs, sat two scowling savages, and I hardly dared trust myself to look at the curs, so sorely did my fingers itch to give them righteous punishment for the murders they had committed.

The women were on the platforms again, and all the other able-bodied of the party, women as well as men, continued the work of strengthening the stockade.

There was no further interruption to the labor that day, and when night came I believed the walls were strong enough to resist any attack, save that by fire, which might be made.

“We’re in better shape than we were this morning,” Giles March said, in a tone of satisfaction, as we went up to the blockhouse for our supper, after which we counted on relieving Esther Hinchman and her three companions from sentinel duty. “One man and two women have been added to the number of defenders; the ammunition they brought, and that taken from the prisoners, makes a good showing, and, best of all, we’ve got more weapons than before those curs blundered into our trap. If we could do as well every day the Minute Boys of Wyoming Valley would soon begin to loom up big.”

It pleased me that he could find so much reason for rejoicing in our situation, because I could not take my mind from the fact that soon we would have so many mouths to feed our store of provisions would speedily be exhausted.

I myself took Esther Hinchman’s place on the platform as sentinel, and said, as she lingered a moment beside me:

“Because of your standing guard, we have made ready for whatsoever the enemy has in store for us, and the watch has been as vigilant as if regular soldiers were on duty.”

“We count that we ought to be able to do a full share of the work, and it is only right, since but for us and the children you men could soon find places of safety other than in this blood-stained valley,” she said, gravely. “We four will get a full night’s sleep, and you can reckon on our reporting for duty before sunrise in the morning.”

Then the dear girl leaped lightly down to the ground, and I could not prevent my eyes from following her as she ran into the blockhouse, catching up a child in her arms as she went.

We did good duty that night as sentinels, for all save Master Bartlett had a share of the work. I had insisted that he should get such rest as was possible before the morrow came, when, what with the refugees and the savages, we were like to have our hands full.

Nothing was seen or heard to cause alarm or uneasiness during the night, and when the first gray light of coming day could be seen in the sky, Esther Hinchman and her companions came out to take our places on the walls.

“We have had breakfast,” she said, as I handed her my musket, “and have left food ready for you, so eat as quickly as you can, that those last on duty may have a chance to sleep until the people from Forty Fort appear in sight.”

There were none of us who cared for more rest, since each had slept four or five hours, and when breakfast had been eaten I went in search of Master Bartlett, who, so some one reported, had gone with Master Morley to feed the prisoners.

The old man had come to an end of his task when I found him, and was feeling in good spirits, thanks to his long time of repose.

“The Minute Boys have got together again in fine shape, lad,” he said to me, “and I am looking to see them give a good account of themselves from this time out.”

“I pray God we may be able to do so, Master Bartlett; but I want you to bear well in mind that you are, in fact, the commander who will give me timely warning when I am careless or overconfident. I know that you would not hesitate to propose any move which might benefit those whom we would aid.”

“Don’t fear but that I shall do whatever I may, lad, yet I’m thinking there’ll be little for me to do in the way of watching you, and said as much to Stephen Morley when you set your trap yesterday. A lad who has his wits about him to that extent can be depended upon to look after his company fairly well.”

It pleased me to be thus praised by a man like Master Bartlett; but I tried hard not to show my delight, and spoke of this thing or that until once more Esther Hinchman hailed:

“There is a fleet of canoes coming down the river, and I doubt not but that those of whom Colonel Dennison spoke are among the company.”

In a twinkling the old man and I were on the nearest platform; but it was four or five minutes before we could see what Esther had reported, so much sharper were her eyes than ours.

Then it was possible to make out no less than twelve boats, loaded to the water’s edge, while along the bank of the river marched a company of soldiers as if keeping watch over the people.

“John Butler knows only too well that the wolves which he has let loose upon us are not to be trusted out of sight, and has sent the Tories to make certain the savages bring the people here,” Master Bartlett said to himself, and I am glad to set down here that one honest thing which Butler did after working us such deadly harm.

“The trouble will come, if they count on making any, after the people have landed,” I said, counting on getting advice from the old man. “It seems to me we might make more certain the refugees will be brought to the shore, if we send out a couple of canoes, with the best part of our force, to hold the brutes in check after they are beyond range of yonder Tories.”

“It is what should be done!” Master Bartlett said, emphatically. “Leave the matter to me, for you must stay in the stockade, and I promise you there will be no treachery on the part of those who are at the paddles.”

It would have pleased me better to go with those who ventured out from the shore; but I knew that, as the old man had said, it was my duty to remain, therefore held my peace while he was gathering the company.

By this time it was possible to see that each canoe was handled by two savages, who had most likely been sent to take the craft back when the passengers were disembarked, and I trembled with apprehension as I realized what would be the result if the treacherous curs, instead of coming to the shore, kept the boats in the middle of the river until beyond range of the stockade or the Tories.

Master Bartlett did not wait for the fleet to come up, but with six of our company in two canoes, set off to meet them, coming up with the foremost while they were yet under the guns of the soldiers on the opposite bank.

Then it was he forced them to pass before him on a direct course to our fort, and I took note that the old man seemed to be hurrying those who lagged, lest a single person be spirited away.

Thanks to the precautions we had taken—and I verily believe that had we remained within the stockade not one of that sorrowful company would have escaped death—the refugees were soon on shore, making all speed to gain the shelter of the fort, as if there absolute safety would be found.

When the last white person had left the canoes, the Indians would have lingered; but Master Bartlett, having landed his force, ordered them away, and the levelled muskets were sufficient incentive for them to obey the command.

I watched until it was certain the last red scoundrel had paddled toward the opposite shore, and then came down to meet those who claimed protection from us Minute Boys.

Now lest I multiply words needlessly, by trying to give a complete list of those who had come to us, let me say that there were thirty-two women and children, and fourteen men and boys added to our number. Owing to Colonel Dennison’s efforts with John Butler, every member of the party, save the very smallest children, brought with them more or less in the way of provisions, and three of the men had succeeded in getting off with their muskets by taking the barrel from the stock, and packing both pieces in bundles of clothing.

In addition to this, sixteen of the company had secreted about them powder and ball, so that it seemed as if we need not fear to run out of either provisions or ammunition for a week at least, though I promised myself that as soon as it could be done, I would have a careful estimate made of all our stores.

Counting all the men and boys who had just arrived, together with our wounded, my company of Minute Boys numbered twenty-four, or two more than when we went into Fort Jenkins hoping to hold it against all the Tories and savages who might come. To arm these, however, we had only fourteen muskets, with, possibly, a knife for each one, since nearly all of the fugitives had been allowed to bring with them knives as well as hatchets.

Our force was even stronger than I have stated, for among the women were no less than sixteen who looked as if they might be counted on to stand guard, reload weapons during a fight, and, perhaps, do not a little work if it came to a hand-to-hand scrimmage.

“It isn’t a bad showing,” I said to Master Bartlett, after looking over the newcomers. “We should be able to hold this place at least until our ammunition is exhausted.”

“Even more than that can be done, lad, if you hold yourself steadily as the captain. Insist on each man and woman doing his or her full share of the work, and when you give an order, take good care that it is obeyed promptly. Discipline is even more necessary than weapons, and the commander’s hand must be firm.”

At that moment I was thinking more of how we might add to the store of provisions than as to exercising my authority, and interrupted the old man to call Giles March, saying to him when he was come:

“Take with you a full dozen men and boys, and make search of all these ruins. There must be food of some kind, burned or otherwise, in such fragments of the buildings as are yet standing, and there should be gardens nearabout from which considerable may already be gathered.”

He did not delay to question, but summoned those nearest at hand, and when he was gone I sent six more women to the lookout platforms, urging them, and those already on guard, to keep sharp watch while Giles and his company remained absent.

Well, the result of that move was that when night came we had stores in plenty—corn ground and in meal, young potatoes, smoked pork, and salted fish in such quantity that I believed we could hold out though we were besieged three weeks. But the prizes found this day were two cows that had taken to the thicket when the savages first appeared, who came out lowing to be milked.

My heart was lighter than it had been at any time since we first went into Fort Jenkins when I took Esther Hinchman’s place on the platform, binding her by solemn promise that she would spend all her time in sleeping, until another day had come, unless by chance we were attacked.

As it proved there was very little sleep to be had by any within the stockade on that night; we had our first taste of the work we had just begun, and I make bold to say that we did not come off badly, considering our lack of weapons.

We had no more than relieved the women of sentry duty when Giles March, who was stationed near the northern end of the wall, cried out that he could see a canoe close under the opposite shore, and before the light of day had died fully away, we saw three others, all dropping cautiously down-stream.

No more warning of an attack than that was needed; we knew full well that the curs would do what they might at striking a blow before morning, and, therefore, were ready for them when the time came.

The women who had been selected to aid in the defence were warned to be ready when the first shot was fired, and Giles March and I made the rounds carefully after night had fully come, cautioning those who stood facing the thicket to fire at any moving thing.

Not until near to one o’clock in the morning was any move made by the painted curs, and then one of them showed himself long enough for Daniel Hinchman to send a bullet where it would do the most good, from our point of view.

Then it was the bloodthirsty wolves came at us with a rush, counting, most likely, to find that we had no weapons, and when I leaped on the platform to do my share in the battle which had begun so suddenly, Esther Hinchman was already there.

“What are you doing here?” I cried, sharply, discharging my musket with good aim at a painted fiend who was coming forward at full speed as if to clamber up the wall. “Get down out of danger! I will not have you here!”

“I can keep watch while you reload your gun,” she said, pleadingly; but I literally forced her down, threatening that she should never again perform sentinel duty if she dared to disobey.

From that moment until the rush had been checked, I had no time to give heed to her, for the savages pressed us hard during ten minutes or more, and all the while I could not but bewail the fact that we were expending our ammunition so rapidly, although every fellow strove hard not to waste a shot.

At one time I believe it was possible to see not less than an hundred dark shadows, which we knew to be John Butler’s mutinous followers, and more than once, before we succeeded in driving them back, did it seem certain some of them would succeed in scaling the walls.

Never had I known the curs to fight so boldly, and I now understand that it was because they were half-crazed by the quantity of rum drank immediately after Butler and his Tories marched out of Forty Fort.

We had a breathing spell of ten minutes or more, during which time the women cleaned our fouled muskets, and we quenched the thirst born of the fumes of burning powder, at the spring near the blockhouse.

Then, as suddenly as before, the battle was resumed; but it could soon be seen that we were beset by a much smaller force. It seemed positive that a goodly number of the cowards, finding us far stronger both in numbers and weapons than they supposed, had given over the attempt, and when I became convinced such was the case, the thought came that now indeed was the time to show the brutes they were no longer the masters in our valley.

“Find Master Bartlett for me, and quickly. Tell him to come here at once,” I said to Esther Hinchman, who had remained just below my station all the while we were fighting.

It was as if I had no more than spoken before the old man was by my side, and I asked, hurriedly:

“Do you know how much we have suffered thus far?”

“Mistress Morley just told me that we had two wounded; but those who were without muskets have taken their places, therefore the fighting force has not really been lessened.”

“Then, hark you, Master Bartlett! You said to me that I should not give an order without making certain it was obeyed, and I now command you to take upon yourself the defence of this place, after our numbers have been reduced by nearly one-half.”

“What do you mean?” he asked in surprise, but he did not turn his face from the foe, nor had I ceased to fire whenever a target presented itself during the time I was talking.

“I believe that now has come the moment when we should strike a blow ourselves, instead of remaining on the defensive as if too weak to meet those brutes openly. I count on taking with me nine of the lads whom I know best, and slipping out of this place. We will fall upon yonder curs from a point where they are least expecting to see us, and if it be possible to get them on the run, I promise you we will not turn back this side of Forty Fort, if so be we can contrive to cross the river.”

I had expected to have a long argument; but much to my surprise, the old man never so much as opened his mouth, and after waiting a few seconds for a reply, I slipped down from the platform, leaving him in my place.

“You may never come back,” Esther Hinchman said, with a sob, as I stood by her side, and then did I know she had heard what passed between Master Bartlett and me.

“It is not for you to grow faint-hearted at the very moment when I believe more can be done in behalf of the valley than if we were to defend ourselves behind a stockade for the next two months. I shall come back, and with me all who go out, provided our first blow be successful.”

“I will pray that God does not take you from us,” she sobbed, and then it was that I kissed her, running at full speed across the enclosure a moment later, lest I be tempted to linger by her side rather than take my chances among the red wolves.

Around the stockade I went, calling down from the platforms Giles March, Daniel Hinchman, Oscar Stephenson, and all the lads I knew best, until I had withdrawn nine from the walls, and then in a few words I explained what we might do.

Not one of them flinched; they were even more eager than I to make the venture, and we gathered by the small gate until that moment came when the firing seemed to be heaviest at the northern end of the stockade, when all slipped out, crouching to the very ground as we ran straight toward the mountain, an hundred paces or more, where good cover was found.

Then off we went, northward, until believing we were behind the attacking force, after which we halted to make certain our muskets were primed.

“Now, lads,” I whispered, “let us keep well together, for nothing can be gained by separating, and if so be we succeed in frightening the curs, we’ll keep at their heels even to the very border of their encampment.”

“It is likely they are quartered in Forty Fort,” Miles Parker suggested, and I added:

“So much the better if they are! Once we get them on the run, it wouldn’t be anything very wonderful if we could take that stockade, even though it is held by more than an hundred.”

As a matter of course I had no hope we might do any such work as that, but I thought it would encourage some of my comrades to greater exertions if they fancied that was our goal.

The halt lasted no longer than for me to say what I have here set down, and then we started in that direction from which the reports of the muskets came, moving cautiously at first, lest the villains hear us too soon, and then with a rush when it was possible to see the flashes of their weapons.

“Now at them with a yell, but don’t fire till you are certain of hitting the mark!” I whispered, and forward we went, shouting at the full strength of our lungs, and coming upon the cowards from behind.

They had no more than time to realize they were flanked, when we let drive a volley, and for every bullet a painted brute fell.

We halted to reload, hoping to get in a second volley before they had fully recovered from the first alarm; but work as we might, it was impossible.

When we were ready to fire again, not a moving thing could be seen, but far away in the distance could be heard the sound of their footsteps, or the swishing of the branches as they tore through the foliage in headlong flight, intent only on gaining the river.

“Now for it!” I cried when my musket was loaded. “We must never let them off without one more shot, and if it be that we can prevent their taking to the canoes, we’ll give them a taste of being hunted down like wild beasts, as were our people!”

If it had not been that Master Bartlett supported us nobly at the very moment when he could do the most good, we would have failed in giving the brutes the lesson I had planned.

We were hardly more than started on our second charge when yells and screams, accompanied by musket-shots, rang out just ahead of us, and Giles March cried, exultantly:

“Our people in the stockade are lending a hand, and it will go hard if we don’t pepper a dozen or more before they can put off!”

When we came into the open again it was to see our comrades standing near where a dozen or more canoes were hauled up on the shore, firing at a dark mass in the distance, which we knew to be the panic-stricken murderers.

“Let them have it, lads!” I shouted, discharging my weapon, and, while the others were following my example, I ran forward until finding Master Bartlett.

“The dose hasn’t been as heavy as I reckoned on; but there is yet time to increase it,” I said, hurriedly. “We will take two of these canoes, and do you carry the others into the stockade.”

“Where are you going, lad?” the old man asked, as if about to make some protest.

“To the other side, where we can pick off the curs as they swim across, and to Forty Fort, mayhap,” and I pushed off one of the light craft, shouting for my comrades to join me.

Master Bartlett stood by till the last one of us was in the canoes, and then, as we paddled swiftly away, he cried:

“Give it to ’em hot, lads; but don’t take too many chances, for we’ll soon be needing you here!”